REFILLABLE BALLAST ANCHOR VESSEL

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments, thereof relates to a refillable ballast anchor vessel and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a refillable ballast anchor vessel filled by the user with available ballast and connected by a line to a floating object.

The popularity of water floats, mattresses, lounges and the like is enormous. According to accepted figures in the field, there are over 10 million swimming pools in the United States alone. This doesn't include beaches, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water used for recreation. The pool float market in the US has sales in the billions of dollars. The challenge for the recreational floater is: how to not float away? Any kind of boat, even a small rowboat, can carry a metal anchor with which the sailor can use to hold position without being at the mercy of the waves. But a metal anchor is impractical for an inflatable device or a recreational device, such as a surfboard, bodyboard, sailboard, etc.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,656,937 B1 appears to disclose, “An outdoor umbrella stabilizer system for preventing wind damage to an outdoor umbrella having a plurality of cords, a plurality of clips and a means of securing the cords to a weighted object. The stabilizer system flexibly maintains the canopy in position, preventing strong winds from catching the canopy and twisting, warping, contorting, buckling or deforming the umbrella, thereby stabilizing the outdoor umbrella. The stabilizer system installs on many styles of outdoor umbrellas, including a cantilever, a beach umbrella, a deck or patio umbrella, a center pole or vertical pole of the umbrella unnecessary for installation. The stabilizer system has a bag containing ballast as a weighted object. The cords attach to the bag. For an umbrella accommodated by a table having a center hold for the umbrella, the table is the weighted object, the cords attaching to the legs.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a system maintaining a floating object in a desired location on a surface of a body of water including: a refillable ballast anchor vessel; and an anchor line, wherein a first end of the anchor line is connected to the floating object and an opposite second end of the anchor line is connected to the vessel.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the anchor line is self-coiling.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the refillable ballast anchor is filled with a locally available ballast.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the ballast is a material available for free.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the ballast is selected from the group consisting of sand, rocks, seashells, glass, metal, or a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the vessel is composed, at least in part, of a pliant material.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the vessel is composed, at least in part, of a water-proof material.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the vessel is composed, at least in part, of a water-resistant material.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the vessel is composed, at least in part, of a water permeable material.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the vessel is composed of a lightweight material.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the vessel has a weight ranging between about 10 g to about 3 kg when empty.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the vessel is reversibly sealable.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a length of the anchor line is adjustable.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the anchor line is permanently connected to the anchor vessel.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the anchor line is removably connected to the anchor vessel.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the anchor line is permanently connected to the floating object.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the anchor line is removably connected to the floating object.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the anchor line is configured to fit within the anchor vessel when empty.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the floating object is configured to be folded to fit within the anchor vessel when empty.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method for maintaining a floating object in a desired location on a surface of a body of water, the method including: filling a refillable ballast anchor vessel at least in part with ballast, wherein the ballast is locally available; connecting a first end of an anchor line to the floating object and an opposite second end of the anchor line to the anchor vessel; and positioning the ballast filled anchor vessel into the body of water at the desired location.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes: retrieving the anchor vessel; and emptying the anchor vessel.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes transportation the anchor vessel after the emptying.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes storing the anchor vessel after the emptying.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the anchor line is self-coiling.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the connecting the anchor line to the floating object is permanent.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the connecting the anchor line to the floating object is removable.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the connecting the anchor line to the is anchor vessel permanent.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the connecting the anchor line to the anchor vessel is removable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings make apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

FIGS. 1A-B: Top view and side view of schematic illustration of a sealable anchor bag in an open configuration, according to some embodiments of the current invention.

FIGS. 2A-B: Top view and side view of schematic illustration of a sealable anchor bag in a closed configuration, according to some embodiments of the current invention.

FIG. 3: A top view of a schematic illustration of filling an anchor bag, according to some embodiments of the current invention.

FIG. 4: A side view of a schematic illustration of the system, according to some embodiments of the current invention.

FIG. 5: A flow chart of a method of the operation of the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 6: A block diagram of a system, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments, thereof relates to a refillable ballast anchor vessel and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a refillable ballast anchor vessel filled by the user with available ballast and connected by a line to a floating object.

Overview

An aspect of some embodiments of the current invention relates to a device and/or a method for a refillable ballast anchor vessel is disclosed and described. The current invention in some of its embodiments may be designed to maintain the position of a personal floating object, for example: the floating object may be an inflatable float, and/or inflatable boat, and/or raft, and/or inflatable lounge, and/or floating mat, and/or pool float, and/or life jacket, and/or child float, and/or waverunner, and/or sunfish, and/or surfboard, and/or sailboard, and/or paddleboard, and/or bodyboard, and/or boat, and/or kayak, etc. The current invention in some of its embodiments may be designed to maintain the position of a personal floating object in a body of water (e.g., pool, and/or lake, and/or river, and/or sea, etc.)

In some embodiments, the anchor and float may be designed and/or sold together. In some embodiments, an anchor may be supplied for a personal floating object. In some embodiments, the anchor and float may be designed as a kit and/or as a single unit.

The current invention in some of its embodiments may include a vessel for holding ballast and/or for use as an anchor. For example, the vessel may include a bag. Optionally, the vessel may be made of a lightweight material (e.g., plastic, and/or plastic fabric, and/or silicone, and/or rubber, and/or fabric, and/or canvas, etc.). Optionally, the vessel may be made, at least in part, of a pliant material (e.g., plastic, and/or plastic fabric, and/or silicone, and/or rubber, and/or fabric, and/or canvas, etc.). Optionally, the vessel may be constructed from and/or may include a water-proof material and/or a water-resistant material to prevent water penetration. Optionally, the vessel may be constructed from a water permeable material.

In some embodiments, the anchor vessel may be used for storage of the floating object. For example, the vessel may include a bag, and/or a hard box. Optionally, the floating object may be an inflatable device which may be foldable. Optionally, the deflated floating object may fit into the empty anchor vessel and/or be transported and/or stored within the anchor vessel. Optionally, the anchor line may fit into the empty anchor vessel and/or be transported and/or stored within the anchor vessel.

According to some embodiments, vessel may include a compartment for ballast. Alternatively, or additionally, the vessel may include one or more compartments for ballast. The vessel may include an opening configured to facilitate filling of the compartment and/or compartments with ballast.

According to some embodiments, the ballast may be any dense material which is heavier than water, for example: sand, and/or rocks, and/or seashells, and/or metal, etc. Optionally, the ballast may be composed of locally sourced materials, e.g., materials found on-site. Optionally, the ballast may be composed of fine particles (e.g., sand, etc.), medium particles (e.g., pebbles, seashells, sea glass, etc.), large particles (e.g., rocks, metal cans, glass bottles, clothing, towels, etc.), or any combination thereof. The ballast may be a freely available material and/or be available locally to the place of deployment of the vessel.

According to some embodiments, the vessel may include one or more configurations. The vessel may include an open configuration and a closed configuration. The opening of the vessel may include a secure manner of closure (for example: a plug, and/or a wire, and/or a string, and/or Velcro fasteners, and/or a magnetic closure, and/or a zipper, and/or a zip lock, and/or an elastic closure, and/or a hook and loop closure, and/or lid, and/or stopper, etc.). The opening of the vessel may be closed to secure the ballast within the vessel. The opening of the vessel may be closed to prevent escape of the ballast into the body of water e.g., pool, lake, etc. Optionally, the opening of the vessel may not be closed. Alternatively, or additionally, the ballast may remain in the vessel due to gravity.

According to some embodiments, the vessel and/or line may be buoyant (e.g., making it easy to find if it is dropped into the water without ballast). The user may fill the vessel with ballast, optionally seal it for use, and empty out the vessel for transportation and/or storage.

According to some embodiments, the floating object may rest on the surface of a body of water without being pulled under the water by the weight of ballast-filled vessel. Optionally, the length of the anchor line may be adjusted to facilitate floatation of the floating object on the surface of the body of water.

In some embodiments, the current invention may include an anchor line connecting the vessel to the flotation device. Optionally, the anchor line may be connected to the flotation device at one or more points on the flotation device. Optionally, the anchor line may be connected to the flotation device in a permanent manner (e.g., sewn, and/or tied with a permanent loop, and/or manufactured together with the floating object as an extension of the flotation device from the same material, etc.). Optionally, the anchor line may be connected to the flotation device in a removable manner (e.g., a slip knot, and/or a clip, and/or a click-fastener, and/or a hook, and/or a hook-loop, Velcro fasteners, and/or a rubber wrapping strip, etc.).

In some embodiments, the anchor line may be connected to the vessel in a permanent manner (e.g., sewn onto the vessel, and/or tied with a permanent loop, and/or made of an extension of the vessel material, manufactured as an extension of the vessel from the same material, etc.). Optionally, the anchor line may be connected to the vessel in a removable manner (e.g., a slip knot, and/or a clip, and/or a click-fastener, and/or a hook, and/or a hook-loop, Velcro fasteners, and/or a rubber wrapping strip, etc.).

According to some embodiments, the anchor line and the vessel may be composed of similar materials. For example, the anchor line and the vessel may be made together and/or the line may be cut out from the vessel after it is formed. According to some embodiments, the anchor line and the vessel may be composed of different materials. Optionally, the anchor line may include a natural or synthetic fiber (e.g., cotton, hemp, plastic, etc. and/or a combination thereof), a cable and/or chain (of metal, and/or plastic, and/or silicone, and/or another material, and/or a combination thereof). Optionally, the anchor line may be elastic and/or inelastic. For example, the line may be made of rubber, and/or elastomer, and/or a metal spring, and/or a synthetic spring, and/or a combination thereof. Optionally, the anchor line may be wound, for example on a reel, and/or the anchor line may be self-coiling. Optionally, the anchor line may be foldable. The length of the anchor line may optionally be reversibly extendable. The length of the anchor line may optionally be adjustable. Optionally, the length of the anchor line may be locked. Optionally, the length of the anchor line may be pre-selected.

According to some embodiments, when the vessel is filled with ballast, and is attached to the floating object via the anchor line, and the ballast bag may be allowed to sink to the bottom of the body of water (e.g., pool, and/or sea, and/or lake, and/or river, etc.). The weight of the ballast may be sufficient to keep the floating object from floating away.

In some embodiments, the anchor vessel may include a bag which is substantially circular. The inside of the bag may include a casing created by a plurality of tabs and/or rings, etc. The plurality of tabs and/or rings may attach to the inside of the bag along the perimeter. A securing cord may be inserted into the casing. Optionally, the distal end of the cord may be elastic. Optionally, the distal end of the cord may include an annulus. Optionally, the annulus may include a knot. The knot may form a loop. The loop may facilitate selectively tightening by moving the annulus along the securing cord. The proximal end of the cord may thread through the distal end annulus.

In another embodiment, the loop may be formed by securing the cord with a clip. The bag with tabs may be suitable for a ballast comprising small particles, such as sand.

In some embodiments, the bag may include a casing formed by slits and/or rings along the perimeter of the bag. The slits may optionally be orthogonal to the perimeter. The cord may weave in and out the slits, e.g., inserting from the inside into a first slit and inserting from the outside into a second slit and continuing around the slits, weaving the cord, completing the perimeter. The cord may thread through the distal end annulus as described above.

According to some embodiments, the bag for use as an anchor may be substantially circular and/or have a casing that is created by tabs, and/or slits, and/or rings, etc. The cord may be inserted into the casing and may form a loop which may be tightened or loosened by moving an annulus and/or clip. Optionally, the bag may be suitable for use with ballast which includes small particles.

Exemplary Embodiments

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Reference is now made to the figures.

FIGS. 1A-B are a top view and a side view of schematic illustration of a sealable anchor bag in an open configuration, according to some embodiments of the current invention. For example, the system includes vessel 10 (e.g., bag) which may be sealable. Vessel 10 may be configured to act as an anchor. Vessel 10 may be configured to facilitate anchoring of a floating object (not shown). Vessel 10 may be attached by an anchor line 12 to the floatation device. Vessel 10 may include a sealable opening 14. Opening 14 may be in an open configuration for insertion and/or maintenance of ballast within vessel 10.

The current invention may include an anchor line 12 connecting vessel 10 to the flotation device (not shown). Anchor line 12 may be a rope, and/or a cord, and/or a chain, and/or a stick, etc. Optionally, anchor line 12 may be extendable. Optionally, anchor line 12 may be self-contracting (for example: a stick which folds up and/or a cord which may be self-coiling and/or a rope which may be self-reeling, etc.). Optionally, the length of anchor line 12 may be adjustable. The length of anchor line 12 may range between about 0.2 m to about 1 m, and/or about 1 m to about 4 m and/or about 4 m to about 15 m and/or longer than about 15 m. Optionally, the length of the anchor line may be locked. Optionally, the length of the anchor line may be pre-selected.

In some embodiments, anchor line 12 is connected to vessel 10 in a permanent fashion (for example: sewn onto the vessel and/or tied with a permanent loop and/or made of an extension of the bag material, etc.). Optionally, anchor line 12 may be connected to vessel 10 in a removable manner, for example: a clip and/or a click-fastener, etc.

In some embodiments, anchor line 12 is connected to the floating object (not shown) in a permanent fashion (for example, it can be manufactured as an extension of the floating object material, etc.). Optionally, anchor line 12 may be connected to the floating object in a removable manner, for example: a slip knot and/or a clip and/or a click-fastener and/or a rubber wrapping strip, etc. In some embodiments, of the current invention, anchor line 12 may be attached to anywhere on the floating object, for example: any side and/or any corner and/or on top and/or on bottom. Optionally, anchor line 12 may be attached to the floating object at one or more points.

Optionally, the vessel and/or the floating object and/or the anchor line may be made of the same material and/or be made together as one piece. Optionally, the vessel and/or the floating object and/or the anchor line may be made from different materials. Alternatively, or additionally, the vessel and/or the floating object and/or the anchor line may be made separately and permanently connected. Alternatively, or additionally, the vessel and/or the floating object and/or the anchor line may be made separately and reversibly connected.

FIGS. 2A-B are a top view and a side view of schematic illustration of a sealable anchor bag in a closed configuration, according to some embodiments of the current invention. For example, the system includes vessel 20 (e.g., bag) which may be sealable. Vessel 20 may be configured to act as an anchor. Vessel 20 may be configured to facilitate anchoring of a floating object (not shown). Vessel 20 may be attached by an anchor line 22 to the floatation device. Vessel 20 may include a sealable opening 24. Opening 24 may be in an open configuration for insertion of ballast. Opening 24 may be in a closed configuration for maintenance of ballast within vessel 20.

According to some embodiments, the current invention may be intended for use in a body of water, e.g., lake, and/or sea. In such embodiments, the opening may be sealed in a manner which may not provide a complete seal of the ballast, for example: a plug, and/or a wire, and/or a string, and/or Velcro fasteners, etc. According to some embodiments, the current invention may be intended for use in a body of water, such as a pool. In such embodiments, the opening may be sealed in a manner which may provide complete sealing of the ballast to prevent the introduction of the ballast material into the pool. For example, the bag may be sealed with an additional (optionally redundant) seal and/or a hinged door.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a schematic illustration of filling an anchor bag, according to some embodiments of the current invention. For example, vessel 30 may be filled (partially and/or completely) by an available ballast 32, e.g., sand, rocks, seashells, glass bottles, cans, etc. Optionally, an appropriate tool 34 (e.g., a small shovel, etc.) may be used to insert ballast 32 into vessel 30 through opening 36.

The current invention in some of its embodiments may include a vessel 30. In some embodiments, Optionally, the vessel may be made of a lightweight material (e.g., plastic, and/or plastic fabric, and/or silicone, and/or rubber, and/or fabric, and/or canvas, etc.). Optionally, the empty lightweight vessel may have a weight ranging between about 10 g to about 2.5 kg, and/or about 10 g to about 100 g, and/or 100 g to about 250 g, and/or about 250 g to about 500 g, and/or about 500 g to about 1.5 kg. Optionally, the vessel may be made, at least in part, of a pliant material (e.g., plastic, and/or plastic fabric, and/or silicone, and/or rubber, and/or fabric, and/or canvas, etc.).

According to some embodiments, the vessel may be constructed from and/or may include a water-proof material and/or a water-resistant material to prevent water penetration. Optionally, the vessel may be constructed from a water permeable material. Optionally, the material may be resistant to ripping.

In some embodiments, vessel 30 may include one or more compartments for ballast 32. vessel 30 may include an opening 36 to facilitate filling the compartment and/or compartments with ballast 32. Ballast 32 may include any dense material which is heavier than water, e.g., sand, and/or rocks, and/or seashells, and/or metal, and/or glass, etc. Optionally, opening 36 may include a secure manner of closure (for example: a plug and/or a wire and/or a string and/or Velcro fasteners, etc.).

According to some embodiments, the shape of the vessel may be square, and/or rectangular, and/or rounded, etc. Optionally, the width and/or length of the vessel may range between about 30 cm to about 50 cm, and/or about 50 cm to about 75 cm, and/or about 75 cm to about 120 cm. Optionally, the height of the vessel when filled with ballast may range between about 10 cm to about 20 cm, and/or about 20 cm to about 30 cm and/or about 30 cm to about 40 cm. Optionally, the vessel may be a bright color and/or may include a colorful pattern (e.g., to make it easier to find).

In some embodiments, the anchor vessel may be used for storage of the floating object. For example, the vessel may include a bag, and/or a hard box. Optionally, the floating object may be an inflatable device which may be foldable. Optionally, the deflated floating object may fit into the empty anchor vessel and/or be transported and/or stored within the anchor vessel. Optionally, the anchor line may fit into the empty anchor vessel and/or be transported and/or stored within the anchor vessel.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a schematic illustration of the system, according to some embodiments of the current invention. For example, anchor vessel 40 may be filled with ballast (for example: sand and/or seashells and/or rocks, etc.) and optionally sealed shut. Ballast-filled anchor vessel 40 may rest at the bottom 42 of a pool, and/or lake and/or sea, etc. The ballast-filled anchor vessel 40 may be connected to anchor line 44 at its proximal end. Anchor line 44 may be connected to the floating object 48 (e.g., air mattress, and/or raft, and/or inflatable, and/or surfboard, etc.) at its distal end. Floating object 48 may rest on the surface 46 of a body of water without being pulled under the water by the weight of ballast-filled vessel 40. When the ballast-filled anchor vessel 40 is allowed to sink to the bottom 42 (for example: the bottom of a pool and/or the floor of the sea, and/or lake) it may serve as an anchor to prevent the floating object 48 from wandering from that location.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of the operation of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. For example, in method 50, the user may open 52 the anchor vessel (e.g., bag) and fill 54 the ballast compartment and/or compartments with available ballast (for example: sand, and/or seashells, and/or rocks, etc.). The user may optionally seal 56 the anchor vessel. In some embodiments, the anchor vessel may be tightly sealable in order to prevent the ballast from escaping from the vessel. Optionally, the anchor vessel may be connected 58 to the anchor line and/or the anchor line may be connected to the floating object. In some embodiments, the anchor vessel may be manufactured together with the floating object from a single material which may not require further action to connect them. When the user reaches the desired location in the water, the user may toss 60 the anchor vessel into the water. When the anchor vessel sinks to the bottom connected to the floating object via the anchor line, it may hold 62 the floating object in the desired location without floating away. When the user desires to move on from that location, the user may retrieve 64 the anchor vessel and move on. The anchor vessel may be emptied 66 of ballast for easy and compact storage and/or transportation.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. For example, in system 70 may include an anchor vessel 76 connected by, an optionally removable, anchor line 78 to a floating object 80. Vessel 76 may be filled with ballast 72 (e.g., sand, rocks, other ballast material, etc.). Vessel 76 may include an opening. The opening may optionally include a seal and/or plug 74. The opening may be sealed in a manner which may not provide a complete seal of the ballast, e.g., a plug, and/or a wire, and/or a string, and/or Velcro fasteners, etc. Alternatively, or additionally, the vessel opening may be sealed in a manner which may provide complete sealing of the ballast to prevent the introduction of the ballast material into the water (as described above). For example, the bag may be sealed with an additional (optionally redundant) seal and/or a hinged option. Optionally, the anchor line may be connected to the vessel in a removable manner, e.g., a clip, and/or a click-fastener, and/or a hook, and/or a hook-loop, etc. Optionally, the anchor line may be connected to the vessel in a permanent manner. In some embodiments, the anchor line may be connected to the floating object in a permanent manner (for example, it can be manufactured together with the floating object as an extension of the floating object from the same material, etc.). Optionally, the anchor line may be connected to the floating object in a removable manner (for example: a slip knot, and/or a clip, and/or a click-fastener, and/or a hook, and/or a hook-loop, and/or a rubber wrapping strip, etc.).

These embodiments are provided by way of example and are in no means intended to limit the scope of the invention.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

General

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant technologies will be developed, and the scope of the terms are intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

The term “consisting of” means “including and limited to”.

The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the terms “plurality” and “multiple” and “multi” are used interchangeably and may relate to one or more, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, etc. and/or any value therebetween.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.