FAUCET-MOUNTED WATER FILTER WITH ADJUSTABLE FILTERED WATER STREAM DIRECTION

Abstract

A faucet-mounted water filter features a filtered water stream with an adjustable direction. It has a main body and an outlet body positioned as an extension thereof. The main body has an elongated cylindrical portion with the replaceable water filter cartridge inside thereof and an extension portion for attachment to a kitchen faucet. A planar edge of the main body is positioned at an inclination angle of between 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion. The outlet body has an outlet wall positioned at the same angle. The outlet body is rotatably mounted on the body water passage via a curved outlet water passage extending through the outlet body to the filtered water outlet. Rotation of the outlet body causes a change in the direction of the filtered water stream.

Claims

1. A faucet-mounted water filter with adjustable filtered water stream direction, the water filter comprising: a main body comprising: a horizontally elongated cylindrical portion comprising an internal cylindrical cavity extending therein and sized to removably accept an elongated replaceable cylindrical water filter cartridge therein, the cylindrical portion defining a first end and a second end longitudinally opposed to the first end, an endcap removably attachable to the first end of the cylindrical portion and configured to secure and seal off the water filter cartridge therein, an extension portion extending from a side of the cylindrical portion, the extension portion, in turn, comprising: a faucet attachment adapter configured to removably attach the faucet-mounted water filter to a faucet, an unfiltered water outlet located opposite the faucet attachment adapter, and a flow diverter assembly having a knob accessible from outside the extension portion, the knob is operable to select one of the following operation modes: (i) directing water from the faucet attachment adapter to the unfiltered water outlet to bypass the water filter cartridge, or (ii) directing water from the faucet attachment adapter toward the cylindrical portion to facilitate water filtration using the water filter cartridge, wherein the second end of the cylindrical body defining a planar edge positioned at an inclination angle to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion, wherein the second end comprising a body water passage with a center line extending from the internal cylindrical cavity orthogonally to the planar edge of the second end, and a cylindrical outlet body shaped as and positioned as an extension of the cylindrical portion of the main body, the outlet body having an outlet wall positioned at the same inclination angle as and adjacent to the planar edge of the second end of the cylindrical portion, the outlet body comprising a filtered water outlet extending from a cylindrical side wall thereof, the outlet body is rotatably and sealingly mounted on the body water passage of the cylindrical portion via a curved outlet water passage operably extending through the outlet body and toward the filtered water outlet, thereby facilitating filtered water to exit therethrough the outlet body at the side wall thereof, wherein rotation of the outlet body about an axis of rotation coinciding with the central line of the body water passage causes a change in a filtered water stream direction.

2. The water filter as in claim 1, wherein the inclination angle of the planar edge is selected to be at or above 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

3. The water filter as in claim 1, further comprising a detent assembly configured to retain the outlet body in the selected orientation.

4. The water filter as in claim 2, wherein the detent assembly comprises a spring-loaded ball configured to cooperate with one of a plurality of indentations positioned on an outlet wall in a circle around the body water passage.

5. The water filter as in claim 1, wherein the curved outlet water passage comprises a first part and a second part tilted with respect to the first part.

6. The water filter as in claim 5, wherein the tilt angle is selected to be from more than 90 degrees to less than 135 degrees.

7. The water filter as in claim 6, wherein the sum of the inclination angle and the tilt angle is selected to be 180 degrees so that the filtered water outlet faces vertically down when the outlet body is rotated to position the filtered water outlet in its lowest position.

8. A faucet-mounted water filter with adjustable filtered water stream direction, the water filter comprising: a main body comprising: a horizontally elongated portion comprising an internal cylindrical cavity extending therein and sized to removably accept an elongated replaceable cylindrical water filter cartridge therein, the horizontally elongated portion defining a first end and a second end longitudinally opposed to the first end, wherein the second end of the elongated portion defining a planar edge, a body water passage extending from the horizontally elongated portion orthogonally to the planar edge of the second end, and an extension portion extending from a side of the horizontally elongated portion, the extension portion, in turn, comprising a faucet attachment adapter configured to removably attach the faucet-mounted water filter to a faucet, an outlet body shaped as and positioned as an extension of the horizontally elongated portion of the main body, the outlet body having an outlet wall positioned adjacent to the planar edge of the second end of the horizontally elongated portion, the outlet body comprising a filtered water outlet extending from a side wall thereof, the outlet body is rotatably and sealingly mounted on the body water passage, the outlet body further comprises a curved outlet water passage operably extending through the outlet body to facilitate a flow of water from the body water passage to the filtered water outlet, thereby facilitating filtered water to exit therethrough the outlet body at the side wall thereof, wherein rotation of the outlet body about an axis of rotation coinciding with the central line of the body water passage causes a change in a filtered water stream direction.

9. The faucet-mounted water filter with adjustable filtered water stream direction, as in claim 8, wherein the extension portion extends from the side of the horizontally elongated portion between the first end and the second end.

10. The faucet-mounted water filter with adjustable filtered water stream direction, as in claim 8, wherein the body water passage extends from the internal cylindrical cavity.

11. The faucet-mounted water filter with adjustable filtered water stream direction, as in claim 8, wherein the outlet wall of the outlet body is rotatably cooperating with the planar edge of the second end of the horizontally elongated portion.

12. The faucet-mounted water filter with adjustable filtered water stream direction, as in claim 8, wherein rotation of the outlet body facilitates a change of the filtered water stream direction from a vertically down direction to a horizontal direction.

13. The faucet-mounted water filter with adjustable filtered water stream direction, as in claim 8, wherein the main body is configured to be open on one side thereof to facilitate removal and replacement of the elongated replaceable cylindrical water filter cartridge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a novel faucet-mounted water filter,

[0025] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view thereof,

[0026] FIG. 3 is a front view of the same,

[0027] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the same,

[0028] FIG. 5 is a first side view of the novel faucet-mounted water filter,

[0029] FIG. 6 is a second side view of the same from an opposite side to that shown in FIG. 5,

[0030] FIG. 7 is a top view of the water filter,

[0031] FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof,

[0032] FIG. 9 is a first exploded view of the water filter,

[0033] FIG. 10 is a second exploded view of the same,

[0034] FIG. 11 is a first cross-sectional view of the water filter, as indicated in FIG. 5,

[0035] FIG. 12 is a second cross-sectional view of the same, as indicated in FIG. 3,

[0036] FIG. 13 is a third cross-sectional view of the same, as indicated in FIG. 3,

[0037] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the same with the filtered water outlet directed up,

[0038] FIG. 15 is a side view of the same as in FIG. 14,

[0039] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the same as in FIG. 14,

[0040] FIG. 17 is a first perspective view of the water filter in use on a kitchen faucet with the filtered water outlet directed downward,

[0041] FIG. 18 is a second perspective view of the water filter in use on a kitchen faucet, with the filtered water outlet directed up,

[0042] FIG. 19 is a first perspective view of the main body of the water filter,

[0043] FIG. 20 is a second perspective view of the same as in FIG. 19,

[0044] FIG. 21 is a first side view of the main body,

[0045] FIG. 22 is a second side view from the opposite side to that shown in FIG. 21,

[0046] FIG. 23 is a top view of the main body,

[0047] FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the main body,

[0048] FIG. 25 is a first perspective view of the outlet body of the water filter,

[0049] FIG. 26 is a second perspective view of the same as in FIG. 25,

[0050] FIG. 27 is a side view of the same as in FIG. 25,

[0051] FIG. 28 is a front view of the same as in FIG. 25,

[0052] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a transition piece for the attachment of the water filter to a kitchen faucet,

[0053] FIG. 30 is a perspective partial view (some elements are removed for clarity) of a mechanism of the flow diverter designed to select either the unfiltered water outlet or a filtered water outlet for the water to emanate from the water filter of the present invention, the position shown in the drawing is that of directing water to the filtered water outlet,

[0054] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the details of the flow diverter for directing the water flow toward the unfiltered water outlet, and

[0055] FIG. 31 is the same but showing the position of the flow diverter to direct the flow of water to the filtered water outlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0056] The following description sets forth various examples along with specific details to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that claimed subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific details disclosed herein. Further, in some circumstances, well-known methods, procedures, systems, components and/or circuits have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring claimed subject matter. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

[0057] The faucet-mounted water filter 100 of the present invention is generally seen in different views in FIG. 1-13. In broad terms, the water filter 100 may include a main body 110 and a cylindrical outer body 150. The main body 110, in turn, may include a horizontally elongated cylindrical portion 130 and an extension portion 120 extending from a side of the cylindrical portion 130.

[0058] The cylindrical portion 130 may include an internal cylindrical cavity 132 (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) extending therein and sized to removably accept an elongated replaceable cylindrical water filter cartridge 194 therein. A variety of water filter cartridges may be used with the water filter of the present invention. Broadly speaking, water filter cartridges designed for attachment to kitchen faucets help to improve the quality of household water supply by removing contaminants and enhancing taste. These cartridges employ various filtration technologies, each suited to specific filtration needs. The following is a short discussion of various types of water filter cartridges that may be used with the present invention: [0059] Sediment Cartridges: Primarily used to capture large particles such as sand, dirt, and rust, sediment cartridges typically feature a multi-layered construction. The outer layers are more porous to trap larger particles, while the inner layers have finer mesh to remove smaller debris. Materials often used in these cartridges include spun or pleated polypropylene, polyester, or cellulose fibers, which offer a high dirt-holding capacity and a long service life, [0060] Carbon Block Cartridges: These cartridges are composed of compressed activated carbon that provides extensive contaminant removal through adsorption. Activated carbon is effective in reducing chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, and certain heavy metals, while also improving the taste and odor of the water. The density of the carbon block affects both the flow rate and contaminant removal efficiency, [0061] Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Cartridges: Similar to carbon block, GAC cartridges contain loose granules of activated carbon. While they allow for higher water flow rates, they typically have a lesser contact time with water, which can slightly reduce contaminant removal efficiency compared to carbon block cartridges. GAC filters are particularly effective in removing chlorine and improving taste and odor, [0062] Ceramic Cartridges: Utilizing the fine porosity of ceramic material, these cartridges can remove very fine particulates and pathogens such as bacteria and cysts from the water supply. The surface of ceramic cartridges can be cleaned and reused multiple times, offering a sustainable option for filtration needs, and [0063] Specialty Cartridges: These are designed to target specific contaminants that are not commonly addressed by standard filters. For example, cartridges incorporating ion exchange resins are used to soften hard water by removing calcium and magnesium ions, or to reduce specific contaminants like lead and arsenic. Another variant includes multi-stage filters that combine several filtration methods, such as sediment filtration followed by carbon adsorption and a final micron filter to catch ultrafine particles.

[0064] Each type of water filter cartridge may be tailored to the specific needs and water quality issues faced by a household, ensuring that water filtration systems can be customized effectively. Regular replacement of these cartridges is critical to maintain optimal water quality and filtration performance.

[0065] The cylindrical portion 130 may define a first end 134 and a second end 136 longitudinally opposed to the first end. An internal wall 138 may be positioned across the internal cylindrical cavity 132 and be configured to removably and sealingly accept an outlet end of the water filter cartridge 198 therein, for example by inserting with an O-ring 199. The location of the water filter cartridge 194 may be designed to allow an unfiltered water stream to enter the cartridge at the inlet side 196 thereof (which may be perforated to allow water to enter the internal space of the cartridge), proceed through the cartridge to be filtered inside thereof, and emerge at the outlet end 198 to proceed further to the filtered water outlet as described below in greater detail.

[0066] An endcap 190 may be provided and adapted to removably attach to the first end 132 of the cylindrical portion 130, for example using a threaded connection between the endcap 190 and the main body 110. The end cap 190 may be configured to secure and seal off the water filter cartridge 194 inside the cylindrical portion 130 of the main body 110, for example using an O-ring 192.

[0067] The extension portion 120 of the main body 110 may, in turn, include a faucet attachment adapter 112 configured to removably attach the faucet-mounted water filter 100 to a faucet 10. While only one type of faucet attachment adapter 112 is seen in the drawings, it should be understood that a variety of such adapters may be used for the faucet-mounted filter, as the invention is not limited in this regard. Broadly speaking, attachment fittings and adapters may be designed to ensure a secure and efficient connection between the water filter and the kitchen faucet or another house faucet. These attachment adapters must be designed to accommodate various faucet designs and sizes while providing a leak-proof seal and easy installation and maintenance. Some common types of attachment fittings useful for the purposes of the present invention may include: [0068] Threaded Adapters: These are among the most common fittings used for attaching water filters to kitchen faucets. Threaded adapters are designed to match the external or internal threads of a faucet spout, allowing for a straightforward screw-on installation. These adapters come in various sizes and thread patterns to accommodate different faucet makes and models. Materials such as brass, stainless steel, or durable plastics are typically used for manufacturing these adapters to ensure longevity and resistance to wear and water pressure, [0069] Push-Fit Connectors: Also known as quick-connect fittings, these connectors allow for tool-free installation, making them user-friendly and time-efficient. Push-fit connectors work by simply inserting the tubing from the filter system into the fitting, which is equipped with stainless steel teeth or a collet that grips the tube securely in place while an O-ring provides a watertight seal. These fittings are made from materials like high-grade plastic or metal and are popular for their reliability and ease of disconnecting and reconnecting for filter maintenance or replacement, [0070] Clip-On Adapters: Designed for ease of use, clip-on adapters quickly attach to the faucet without the need for threading. These adapters typically use a spring-loaded clip or a similar mechanism that locks onto the faucet nozzle. They are particularly useful for faucets that do not have standard threaded ends or have non-removable aerators. Clip-on adapters are usually constructed from plastics or composites that provide flexibility and durability, [0071] Universal Faucet Adapters: These fittings are designed to accommodate a wide range of faucet sizes and styles. Universal adapters often include several different sizes of rubber or silicone washers and multiple threaded patterns to ensure compatibility with most faucets. They might also feature adjustable components that can be expanded or contracted to fit snugly onto the faucet spout. The adaptability of universal adapters makes them a versatile solution for households with uncommon faucet designs, [0072] Aerator Adapters: Some water filters use aerator adapters, which replace the faucet's existing aerator. These adapters have dual functionality: they serve as a point of attachment for the filter and maintain the faucet's ability to aerate the water, which helps conserve water and maintain water pressure. Made typically from chrome-plated brass or stainless steel, these adapters ensure durability and an aesthetically pleasing look.

[0073] The exemplary faucet attachment adapter 112 shown in the drawings includes a version of a clip-on adapter. When two opposing spring-loaded buttons 114 are pressed toward each other, a first end 22 of a transition piece 20 (see FIG. 29) may be inserted into and be sealingly retained in the faucet attachment adapter 112 when the buttons 114 are released. The second end 24 of the transition piece 20 may have a thread configured to be attached to the spout of the kitchen faucet.

[0074] The extension portion 120 of the main body 110 may also include an unfiltered water outlet 126. In some embodiments, unfiltered water outlet 126 may be located on a lower part of the extension portion 120, such as opposite the faucet attachment adapter 112.

[0075] Once the water passes through the transition piece, it enters the main cavity of the extension portion 120 of the water filter 100. The extension portion 120 may contain a flow diverter assembly 122 having a knob 124 accessible to the user from outside the extension portion 120. The knob 124 or another mechanical lever switch may be operable while in a first position to direct water flow from the faucet spout through the faucet attachment adapter 112 down through the unfiltered water outlet 126, seen in greater detail in FIG. 30. This operation of the water filter may be useful when using the water for purposes where no filtration may be needed, for example for washing dishes.

[0076] At the same time, shifting of the knob 124 to a second position opposite the first position, in which the diverter selector 163 may be turned so as to direct the water flow away from the unfiltered water outlet 126, through the internal cavity of the extension portion 120, and toward the cylindrical portion 130 of the main housing 110, as seen in greater detail in FIG. 32. In this second position of the knob 124, the water would flow through the water filter cartridge 194 and toward the filtered water outlet 152.

[0077] In one exemplary design shown in FIGS. 30, 31, and 32, the flow diverter assembly 122 may include a knob 124 operable via pivot joint 161 to move the selector 163 to close off one of the two water openings, an unfiltered water opening 164 and a filtered water opening 162. When the filtered water opening 162 is closed off by the selector 163, water flow proceeds through the unfiltered water opening 164 and through the unfiltered water opening 126see FIG. 31.

[0078] When the knob 124 is shifted to the opposite position, the selector 163 is rotated to close off the filtered water opening 162 and open the filtered water opening 162 for the water to flow therethrough. The water then proceeds from the cavity of the extension portion 120 through a U-shaped tube 165 and toward the inlet side 196 of the water filter cartridge 194, and then toward the filtered water outlet 152.

[0079] Therefore, the knob 124 and the entire water diverter assembly 122 may be placed in one of the two positions which would define the function of the water filter 100 in one of the following operation modes: [0080] (i) directing water from the faucet attachment adapter 112 to the unfiltered water outlet 126 to bypass the water filter cartridge 194, or [0081] (ii) directing water from the faucet attachment adapter 112 toward the cylindrical portion 130 to facilitate water filtration using the water filter cartridge 194.

[0082] Returning to the description of the main body 110, the second end 136 of the cylindrical body 130 may define a planar edge 140 positioned at an inclination angle to a longitudinal axis 111 of the cylindrical portion 130 (see FIG. 3). In embodiments, the inclination angle may vary from about 45 degrees to less than 90 degrees, such as at least 45 degrees, at least 50 degrees, at least 55 degrees, at least 60 degrees, at least 65 degrees, at least 70 degrees, at least 75 degrees, at least 80 degrees, or up to but not exceeding 90 degrees. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, at the inclination angle of 45 degrees, rotation of the outlet body would cause a change of the water stream direction through the filtered water outlet 152 from a vertically down to a horizontal direction. As the inclination angle increases in value, the water stream may be turned to be higher than the horizontal direction, as explained below in greater detail.

[0083] As discussed above, the outlet body 150, shaped as and positioned as an extension of the cylindrical portion 130 of the main body 110, may include the filtered water outlet 150 extending from a cylindrical side wall thereof. To support the main feature of the invention, namely the ability of the user to change the direction of the filtered water stream, the outlet body 150 is rotatably and sealingly mounted on the water passage 142 of the cylindrical portion 130 with the outlet water passage 154 operably extending through the outlet body 150 and toward the filtered water outlet 152. This facilitates filtered water to exit through the outlet body 150 at the side wall thereof. Therefore, rotation of the outlet body 150 about an axis of rotation coinciding with the central line of the water passage 142 causes a change in a filtered water stream direction.

[0084] More specifically, the second end 136 may also feature a body water passage 142 with a center line 144 extending from the internal cylindrical cavity 132 orthogonally to plane 143 the planar edge 140 of the second end 136see FIG. 11. The body water passage 142 may be configured to rotatably and sealingly retain the first part 156 of the curved outlet water passage 154 extending through the outer body 150. In one exemplary design shown in the drawings, the first part 156 is sealed against the body water passage 142 using the O-ring seal 155. It is rotatably retained by the C-ring 133, also shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The second part 158 of the curved outlet water passage 154 may extend through the outer body 150 and terminate in the filter water outlet 152, as seen in greater detail in FIG. 11. The first part 156 may be tilted with regard to the second part 158 of the curved water passage 154 at the tilt angle , which may vary from greater than 90 degrees to less than 135 degrees. In embodiments, the tilt angle may be selected to be at least 95 degrees, at least 100 degrees, at least 110 degrees, at least 120 degrees, at least 130 degrees, or up to but not including 135 degrees.

[0085] Furthermore, in some embodiments, there may be a certain relationship between angles and . These two angles may be selected to ensure that the filtered water outlet 152 faces downward when the outer body 150 is turned to position the filtered water outlet 152 in its lowest position. In one example, angles and may be selected to be 70 degrees and 110 degrees. In other cases, the sum of angles and may be selected to be 180 degrees so as to ensure the filtered water outlet 152 faces vertically down in the position of the outer body 150 seen in FIG. 11.

[0086] The cylindrical outlet body 150 may further feature an outlet wall 140 positioned at the same inclination angle as the planar edge 140 of the second end 136 and be adjacent thereto. The outlet wall 140 may be configured to cooperate with the detent assembly 170 positioned in the well 147 next to the body water passage 142see FIGS. 11 and 19.

[0087] The detent assembly 170 may include a spring 172 and at least one ball 174. Two balls 174 are seen in the example of the water filter 100 design shown in the drawings. The outer ball 174 may be configured to partially engage with the outlet wall 140 via one of the plurality of indentations 160, each made to match the size of the ball 174. Indentations 160 may be positioned radially around the axial line 144, for example, every 10 to 15 degrees. Once the spring-loaded ball 174 is engaged with the outer wall 140, the outlet body 150 is prevented from free rotation around the axial line 144. The spring 172 may be selected to allow a user to turn the outlet body 150 so that the ball 174 is engaged with another indentation 160 along the circle formed by the plurality of indentations 160. This allows the user to select and retain the outlet body 150 in the desired position.

[0088] FIGS. 14-16 show the water filter 100 with the outlet body 150 rotated to orient the filtered water outlet 152 to face up. Two orientations of the outlet body 150 are seen in FIGS. 17 and 18 showing the water filter of the invention 100 mounted on a faucet 10. FIG. 17 shows the filtered water outlet 152 facing down while FIG. 18 shows it facing up.

[0089] Finally, FIGS. 19-24 show the details of the main body 110 of the water filter 100, while FIGS. 25-28 show the details of outlet body 150, discussed above.

[0090] All rigid components of the water filter 100 may be made from suitable plastic or metal materials as known in the art.

[0091] It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented with respect to any method of the invention, and vice versa. It will be also understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

[0092] All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Incorporation by reference is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein, no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein, and any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0093] The use of the word a or an when used in conjunction with the term comprising in the claims and/or the specification may mean one, but it is also consistent with the meaning of one or more, at least one, and one or more than one. The use of the term or in the claims is used to mean and/or unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and and/or. Throughout this application, the term about is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

[0094] As used in this specification and claim(s), the words comprising (and any form of comprising, such as comprise and comprises), having (and any form of having, such as have and has), including (and any form of including, such as includes and include) or containing (and any form of containing, such as contains and contain) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, comprising may be replaced with consisting essentially of or consisting of. As used herein, the phrase consisting essentially of requires the specified integer(s) or steps as well as those that do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term consisting is used to indicate the presence of the recited integer (e.g., a feature, an element, a characteristic, a property, a method/process step or a limitation) or group of integers (e.g., feature(s), element(s), characteristic(s), propertie(s), method/process steps or limitation(s)) only.

[0095] The term or combinations thereof as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, A, B, C, or combinations thereof is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

[0096] As used herein, words of approximation such as, without limitation, about, substantial or substantially refers to a condition that when so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfect but would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in the art to warrant designating the condition as being present. The extent to which the description may vary will depend on how great a change can be instituted and still have one of ordinary skilled in the art recognize the modified feature as still having the required characteristics and capabilities of the unmodified feature. In general, but subject to the preceding discussion, a numerical value herein that is modified by a word of approximation such as about may vary from the stated value by at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 or 25%.

[0097] All of the devices and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the devices and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the devices and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.