TOOTHBRUSH DRIP COLLECTION DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/714,199, which was filed on Oct. 31, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of toothbrush drip collecting devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hard plastic device that is incorporated into the manufacturing of the brush or brush replacements on electric toothbrushes. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in toothbrush drip collecting devices. Generally, brushing teeth can be messy, and toothpaste and saliva can roll down the electric toothbrush handle and hands while brushing. Further, excessive debris can settle at the base of the brush or the handle, and people may be forced to constantly clean their toothbrush handle or hands after it is used. This is especially true since electric toothbrush handles are not supposed to be washed or submerged in water.

Additionally, children can be exceptionally messy when brushing their teeth and need a way to prevent excess fluid from contaminating the handle. If this excess fluid is not cleaned, it can lead to mold and mildew development that can cause illness. Otherwise, saliva and other debris can run down the toothbrush handle, ruining the handle and/or dripping onto a user's hands.

Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved toothbrush drip collecting device that collects excess toothpaste and saliva running down the toothbrush rather than letting it contaminate the entire handle. More particularly, there is a demand for an improved toothbrush drip collecting device that includes multiple versions that can be incorporated into the handle, screwed on, or snapped on, offering convenience while maintaining a clean and sanitary toothbrush.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that provides users with a hard plastic device that is incorporated into the manufacturing of the brush or brush replacements on electric toothbrushes. There is also a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that provides users with a flexible silicone or rubber device option available for aftermarket application on toothbrushes that is integrated around the neck are, just below the brush connection. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that collects excess toothpaste and saliva running down the toothbrush rather than letting it contaminate the entire handle. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that stops the formation of mold and mildew associated with old bodily fluids on the toothbrush handle. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that includes multiple versions that can be incorporated into the handle, screwed on, or snapped on, offering convenience while maintaining a clean and sanitary toothbrush. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a toothbrush drip collecting device. The device is a drip collecting device for use with any type of toothbrush, especially electric toothbrushes. The toothbrush drip collecting device comprises a body component that is configured in a conical shape that can be manufactured in hard plastic, as part of the brush or flexible in nature and attachable to the handle. Typically, the body component would be integrated within the toothbrush with the large end of the cone facing toward the bristles, and the small end of the cone secured at the neck of the toothbrush. In this way, the device captures any fluid that may flow onto the neck of the toothbrush. Further, the device can be incorporated into the brush head as part of the manufacturing process or as an aftermarket variation. The device is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush.

In this manner, the toothbrush drip collecting device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that collects excess toothpaste and saliva running down the toothbrush neck. The device is a conical shaped body component positioned around a toothbrush neck. The device is manufactured of hard plastic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a toothbrush drip collecting device. The toothbrush drip collecting device comprises a body component integrated within the toothbrush with the large end of the cone facing toward the bristles, and the small end of the cone secured at the neck of the toothbrush. In this way, the device captures any fluid that may flow onto the neck of the toothbrush. The device is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device is designed to completely avoid the necessity of cleaning the handle each time. The device is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush. It helps keep a toothbrush clean and prevents saliva and other debris from ruining the handle or dripping onto the user's hands during brushing. Further, the toothbrush drip collecting device offers multiple versions that can be incorporated into a toothbrush, to maintain a clean and sanitary toothbrush.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device can be used with any type of toothbrush. For example, the device can be utilized with standard or manual toothbrushes or with electric toothbrushes, or other suitable electric teeth cleaning devices, such as water picks, etc.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device comprises a body component that is configured in a conical shape. The body component can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the body component is shaped and sized to collect excess toothpaste and saliva running down the toothbrush neck, rather than letting it contaminate the entire handle. Generally, the body component comprises a bottom surface, with a sidewall that projects upward and outward from a peripheral of the bottom surface to create the conical shape. The top of the sidewall allows access to an interior cavity with a through-hole therethrough. Further, the interior of the bottom surface comprises a lip or trough area positioned around an interior circumference of the through-hole to catch saliva and other debris drippings from the brush head during use. Typically, the body component can be manufactured in hard plastic or other suitable polymer, as part of the toothbrush or the body component can be flexible in nature and attachable to the toothbrush handle.

In one embodiment, in use, the body component would be integrated within the toothbrush with the large end (i.e., the sidewall) of the cone shape facing upward, toward the toothbrush bristles, and the small end (i.e., the bottom surface) of the cone shape secured at the neck of the toothbrush. In this way, the body component captures any saliva, toothpaste, and fluid that may flow onto the neck of the toothbrush during use.

In one embodiment, the body component of the device comprises a lip component. The lip component would be secured to a circumference of the body component. The lip component can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. In use, when the user is brushing their teeth, toothpaste and saliva generally runs down the toothbrush neck and into the body component, but there are times when the toothbrush is held in a horizontal position and the lip component around the circumference would partially or completely prevent the toothpaste and saliva from rolling out the body component. Specifically, the lip component would be positioned around the interior circumference of an inner area of the large end of the body component, forming a fluid retaining trough area.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device can be incorporated into the toothbrush head as part of the manufacturing process. In this embodiment, having the device incorporated into the toothbrush portion at the time of manufacturing would permit it to be cleaned at the same time as the toothbrush in one simple step. This would completely avoid the necessity of cleaning the toothbrush handle each time after using the toothbrush.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device can be an aftermarket variation. In this embodiment, the device would be manufactured of a flexible, rubberized material. This material creates a seal between the body component and the toothbrush handle in this aftermarket variation. Thus, in this embodiment, the body component collects the saliva, toothpaste, and other debris that drips down when a user brushes their teeth with the toothpaste, without letting the toothpaste, saliva, and other debris leak through the through-hole and onto a user's hands. Further, in either embodiment (i.e., at manufacturing or aftermarket), the toothbrush drip collecting device is minimal in design and does not interfere with the normal operation of the toothbrush.

In one embodiment, the device could be snapped onto the toothbrush handle. Specifically, the device can be threaded over the toothbrush head and either screwed on or snapped onto the toothbrush handle for use. In another embodiment, the device can be snapped onto the toothbrush handle before the toothbrush head is attached. The toothbrush head is then secured to the toothbrush handle for use. In another embodiment, the body component would comprise a split component along an axial length of the sidewall. The split component would comprise male and female connector parts for securing the split component together. In use, the split component would be separated, allowing the body component to be wrapped around a toothbrush neck/handle. Once positioned around the toothbrush, the split component is then secured together via the male and female connector parts to create the barrier and seal. The body component is then secured to the toothbrush for use via being screwed on or snapped onto a top of the toothbrush handle. In one embodiment, the body component can be secured to the toothbrush via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.

In use, the user either selects a toothbrush with a body component already manufactured onto it or secures the body component via snapping or screwing the body component onto the toothbrush for use. The user then utilizes the toothbrush and device as a conventional toothbrush. The device is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush. As the user brushes their teeth, the body component of the device acts to catch any toothpaste, saliva, or other debris dripping down from the toothbrush head. After use, the toothbrush head and device can be rinsed and cleaned in a sink via running it under water. Thus, the device helps keep a toothbrush clean and prevents saliva and other debris from ruining the handle or dripping onto the user's hands during use of the toothbrush.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device is manufactured from hard plastic, rubber, polymers, or other suitable materials as is known in the art, or a combination of such materials. Specifically, the device can be manufactured from heat-scalable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any other suitable material as is known in the art, such as but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, etc. Generally, the device is also manufactured from a material that is water resistant or waterproof or comprises a coating that is water resistant or waterproof. Furthermore, the device can be molded in various colors and patterns to match a toothbrush or may be molded in transparent or translucent plastic as well, based upon a user's preference. Additionally, the device can be made of antibacterial or antimicrobial material or comprises a coating that is antibacterial or antimicrobial.

In yet another embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device comprises a plurality of indicia.

In yet another embodiment, a method of collecting saliva and other debris while brushing teeth is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a toothbrush drip collecting device comprising a body component in a conical shape. The method also comprises positioning the body component around a toothbrush neck. Further, the method comprises securing the body component in place via screwing or snapping on. The method also comprises brushing teeth using the toothbrush with the device attached. Finally, the method comprises collecting saliva and other debris from running down a toothbrush neck while brushing a user's teeth.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and IC illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of the toothbrush drip collecting device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of the toothbrush drip collecting device of the present invention showing the device attached to an electric or manual toothbrush in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the toothbrush drip collecting device of the present invention showing how debris is collected in the device in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of the toothbrush drip collecting device of the present invention showing the device slid over the brush neck and secured in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of the toothbrush drip collecting device of the present invention showing the device snapped onto the brush neck in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of collecting saliva and other debris while brushing teeth in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that provides users with a hard plastic device that is incorporated into the manufacturing of the brush or brush replacements on electric toothbrushes. There is also a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that provides users with a flexible silicone or rubber device option available for aftermarket application on toothbrushes that is integrated around the neck are, just below the brush connection. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that collects excess toothpaste and saliva running down the toothbrush rather than letting it contaminate the entire handle. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that stops the formation of mold and mildew associated with old bodily fluids on the toothbrush handle. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that includes multiple versions that can be incorporated into the handle, screwed on, or snapped on, offering convenience while maintaining a clean and sanitary toothbrush. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a toothbrush drip collecting device that is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel toothbrush drip collecting device. The device is a drip collecting device for use with any type of toothbrush, especially electric toothbrushes. The toothbrush drip collecting device comprises a body component that is configured in a conical shape that can be manufactured in hard plastic, as part of the brush or flexible in nature and attachable to the handle. Typically, the body component would be integrated within the toothbrush with the large end of the cone facing toward the bristles, and the small end of the cone secured at the neck of the toothbrush. In this way, the device captures any fluid that may flow onto the neck of the toothbrush. Further, the device can be incorporated into the brush head as part of the manufacturing process or as an aftermarket variation. The device is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush. The present invention also includes a novel method of collecting saliva and other debris while brushing teeth. The method includes the steps of providing a toothbrush drip collecting device comprising a body component in a conical shape. The method also comprises positioning the body component around a toothbrush neck. Further, the method comprises securing the body component in place via screwing or snapping on. The method also comprises brushing teeth using the toothbrush with the device attached. Finally, the method comprises collecting saliva and other debris from running down a toothbrush neck while brushing a user's teeth.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-C illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 is an improved toothbrush drip collecting device 100 that collects excess toothpaste and saliva running down the toothbrush neck. Specifically, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 comprises a body component 102 in a conical shape, with the large end of the cone facing toward the bristles 106, and the small end of the cone secured at the neck 108 of the toothbrush 104. In this way, the device 100 captures any fluid (i.e., toothpaste, saliva, debris, etc. 110) that may flow onto the neck 108 of the toothbrush 104. The device 100 is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush 104.

Generally, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 is designed to completely avoid the necessity of cleaning the handle 112 each time. The device 100 is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush 104. It helps keep a toothbrush 104 clean and prevents saliva and other debris 110 from ruining the handle 112 or dripping onto the user's hands during brushing. Further, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 offers multiple versions that can be incorporated into a toothbrush 104, to maintain a clean and sanitary toothbrush 104.

Further, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 comprises a body component 102 that is configured in a conical shape. The body component 102 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the body component 102 is shaped and sized to collect excess toothpaste and saliva 110 running down the toothbrush neck 108, rather than letting it contaminate the entire handle 112. Generally, the body component 102 comprises a bottom surface 114, with a sidewall 116 that projects upward and outward from a peripheral 118 of the bottom surface 114 to create the conical shape. The top 120 of the sidewall 116 allows access to an interior cavity 122 with a through-hole 124 therethrough. Further, the interior of the bottom surface 114 comprises a lip or trough-area 126 positioned around an interior circumference of the through-hole 124 to catch saliva and other debris drippings 110 from the brush head 128 during use. Typically, the body component 102 can be manufactured in hard plastic or other suitable polymer, as part of the toothbrush 104 or the body component 102 can be flexible in nature and attachable to the toothbrush handle 112.

Additionally, in use, the body component 102 would be integrated within the toothbrush 104 with the large end (i.e., the sidewall 116) of the cone shape facing upward, toward the toothbrush bristles 106, and the small end (i.e., the bottom surface 114) of the cone shape secured at the neck 108 of the toothbrush 104. In this way, the body component 102 captures any saliva, toothpaste, and fluid 110 that may flow onto the neck 108 of the toothbrush 104 during use.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-B, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 can be used with any type of toothbrush 104. For example, the device 100 can be utilized with standard or manual toothbrushes or with electric toothbrushes, or other suitable electric teeth cleaning devices, such as water picks, etc.

As shown in FIG. 3, in use, the user either selects a toothbrush 104 with a body component 102 already manufactured onto it or secures the body component 102 via snapping or screwing the body component 102 onto the toothbrush 104 for use. The user then utilizes the toothbrush 104 and device 100 as a conventional toothbrush 104. The device 100 is minimal in design and does not interfere with normal operation of the toothbrush 104. As the user brushes their teeth, the body component 102 of the device 100 acts to catch any toothpaste, saliva, or other debris 110 dripping down from the toothbrush head 128. After use, the toothbrush head 128 and device 100 can be rinsed and cleaned in a sink via running it under water. Thus, the device 100 helps keep a toothbrush 104 clean and prevents saliva and other debris 110 from ruining the handle 112 or dripping onto the user's hands during use of the toothbrush 104.

In one embodiment, the body component 102 of the device 100 comprises a lip component 131. The lip component 131 would be secured to a circumference of the body component 102. The lip component 131 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. In use, when the user is brushing their teeth, toothpaste and saliva 110 generally runs down the toothbrush neck and into the body component 102, but there are times when the toothbrush 104 is held in a horizontal position and the lip component 131 around the circumference would partially or completely prevent the toothpaste and saliva 110 from rolling out the body component 102. Specifically, the lip component 131 would be positioned around the interior circumference of an inner area of the large end 116 of the body component 102, forming a fluid retaining trough area.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-B and 5A-C, in one embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 can be incorporated into the toothbrush head 128 as part of the manufacturing process. In this embodiment, having the device 100 incorporated into the toothbrush portion at the time of manufacturing would permit it to be cleaned at the same time as the toothbrush 104 in one simple step. This would completely avoid the necessity of cleaning the toothbrush handle 112 each time after using the toothbrush 104.

In another embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 can be an aftermarket variation. In this embodiment, the device 100 would be manufactured of a flexible, rubberized material. This material creates a seal between the body component 102 and the toothbrush handle 112 in this aftermarket variation. Thus, in this embodiment, the body component 102 collects the saliva, toothpaste, and other debris 110 that drips down when a user brushes their teeth with the toothpaste, without letting the toothpaste, saliva, and other debris 110 leak through the through-hole 124 and onto a user's hands. Further, in either embodiment (i.e., at manufacturing or aftermarket), the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 is minimal in design and does not interfere with the normal operation of the toothbrush 104.

In one embodiment, the device 100 could be snapped onto the toothbrush handle 112. Specifically, the device 100 can be threaded over the toothbrush head 128 and either screwed on or snapped onto the toothbrush handle 112 for use. In another embodiment, the device 100 can be snapped onto the toothbrush handle 112 before the toothbrush head 128 is attached. The toothbrush head 128 is then secured to the toothbrush handle 112 for use. In another embodiment, the body component 102 would comprise a split component 130 along an axial length of the sidewall 116. The split component 130 would comprise male and female connector parts 132 for securing the split component 130 together. In use, the split component 130 would be separated, allowing the body component 102 to be wrapped around a toothbrush neck/handle 108/112. Once positioned around the toothbrush 104, the split component 130 is then secured together via the male and female connector parts 132 to create the barrier and seal. The body component 102 is then secured to the toothbrush 104 for use via being screwed on or snapped onto a top of the toothbrush handle 112. In one embodiment, the body component 102 can be secured to the toothbrush 104 via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.

In another embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 is manufactured from hard plastic, rubber, polymers, or other suitable materials as is known in the art, or a combination of such materials. Specifically, the device 100 can be manufactured from heat-scalable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any other suitable material as is known in the art, such as but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, etc. Generally, the device 100 is also manufactured from a material that is water resistant or waterproof or comprises a coating that is water resistant or waterproof. Furthermore, the device 100 can be molded in various colors and patterns to match a toothbrush 104 or may be molded in transparent or translucent plastic as well, based upon a user's preference. Additionally, the device 100 can be made of antibacterial or antimicrobial material or comprises a coating that is antibacterial or antimicrobial.

In yet another embodiment, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 500. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102, or any other indicia 500 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 500 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be toothbrush, toothpaste, or brand related.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of collecting saliva and other debris while brushing teeth. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a toothbrush drip collecting device comprising a body component in a conical shape. The method also comprises at 602, positioning the body component around a toothbrush neck. Further, the method comprises at 604, securing the body component in place via screwing or snapping on. The method also comprises at 606, brushing teeth using the toothbrush with the device attached. Finally, the method comprises at 608, collecting saliva and other debris from running down a toothbrush neck while brushing a user's teeth.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “toothbrush drip collecting device”, “toothbrush device”, “collecting device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the toothbrush drip collecting device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.