FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to footwear, particularly a footwear outsole including a support plate insert.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Articles of footwear generally include at least two elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper is often formed from a plurality of elements (e.g., textiles, foam, leather, synthetic leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form an interior void for securely and comfortably receiving a foot. The sole structure is secured to a lower area of the upper and effectively extends between the foot and the ground.

[0003] Depending upon the intended use for an article of footwear, the overall configuration of the upper and the sole structure may vary considerably. For example, footwear utilized for running may incorporate a compressible and flexible sole structure, such as a foam material. Other articles of footwear, such as cycling shoes, may benefit from more rigid configurations. Cycling shoes are utilized to interface with bicycle pedals and often incorporate rigid plates and mounting hardware for a cleat or other device that interfaces with the pedals. Snowboarding, skiing, and motorcycle boots may also incorporate rigid sole structures.

Accordingly, depending upon the intended purpose for an article of footwear, the sole structure may range from compliant and compressible to rigid.

[0004] By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,613,149 describes various articles of footwear. In one configuration, the footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a shell and a core. The shell has a ground portion and a footbed portion, with a periphery of the footbed portion being secured to the ground portion to define a cavity between the ground portion and the footbed portion. The core is located within the cavity. Whereas the shell may be formed from a composite material, the core may be formed from a polymer foam material.

[0005] Additionally, as a result of ground contact during walking and running, the metatarsophalangeal joints in a person's foot undergo an extension controlled by the joint flexor muscle-tendon units. Associated with this controlled extension is mechanical energy expenditure at the joint. In conventional footwear, little to none of this mechanical energy is recovered to contribute back to ongoing movement. Reducing this energy expenditure and/or improving the energy recovery can potentially improve locomotion efficiency and elicit a new sensation to a person who is walking or running. There have been previous efforts to include features in sole structures to help improve energy recovery at the metatarsophalangeal joint. However, known attempts in this regard have not addressed certain problems and/or have otherwise left substantial room for improvement.

[0006] By way of example, U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2018/0116335 describes an article of footwear that may include an upper, an outsole, an inner sole member, and a spring plate. The inner sole member may be shaped to rest securely within a void defined at least in part by the upper. A portion of the void above a top surface of the inner sole member may be sized to accommodate a wearer’s foot. The inner sole member may be compressible in at least first and fifth metatarsophalangeal joint regions. The spring plate may be positioned between at least a portion of the inner sole member and at least a portion of the outsole. The spring plate may extend through at least medial forefoot and medial midfoot regions and may have an unloaded shape in which a front portion of the spring plate in the forefoot region is downwardly bent relative to a rear portion of the spring plate located rearward of the front portion.

[0007] Current outsoles often use substantially flexible materials and configurations to provide comfort and impact force attenuation for the wearer. However, outsoles composed using such flexible materials and configurations are prone to deformation (e.g., due to a wearer's shift in weight) and thus, may cause instability in a wearer's stance.

[0008] By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,051,583 describes an outsole assembly may include multiple layers. In particular, the outsole may include a plate layer comprising a rigid material having a predefined stiffness and thickness for maintaining the shape and configuration of the outsole. The outsole assembly may further include one or more additional layers such as a foam or rubber layer for shock absorption, comfort and the like. In one or more configurations, the outsole assembly may comprise a carbon fiber material having a sufficient stiffness to substantially resist flexion or bending of the outsole resulting from, e.g., a wearer's shift in weight.

[0009] However, improvement is needed.

SUMMARY [0010] A footwear article may comprise an outsole configured to engage the ground, one or more foam portions disposed adjacent the outsole, and a support plate disposed in or adjacent the one or more foam portions. The support plate may comprise a heel portion disposed at a first end and a forefoot portion disposed adjacent a second end opposite the first end. At least a portion of the forefoot portion may have a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis at an angle. The angle may be a pre-configured stiffness angle and/or may be preset before wearing. The support plate may comprise a first composite material that is configured to bend such that an angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is allowed to decrease relative to the stiffness angle under a first stiffness. The footwear article may also be configured such that an increase of the angle of the forefoot portion relative to the stiffness angle is resisted under a second stiffness.

[0011] A footwear article may comprise an outsole configured to engage the ground, one or more foam portions disposed adjacent the outsole, and a support plate disposed in or adjacent the one or more foam portions. The support plate may comprise a heel portion disposed at a first end and a forefoot portion disposed adjacent a second end opposite the first end. At least a portion of the forefoot portion may have a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis at an angle. The support plate may comprise or be formed from a first composite material that exhibits a first bending stiffness in a first direction (e.g., away from the horizontal axis) and a second bending stiffness in a second direction (e.g., toward the horizontal axis), wherein the second bending stiffness is different from the first bending stiffness.

[0012] A footwear article may comprise an outsole configured to engage the ground, a midsole disposed adjacent the outsole and defining at least a portion of a cavity, one or more foam portions disposed at least partially in the cavity, and a support plate disposed at least partially in the cavity between the one or more foam portions and the midsole. The support plate may comprise a heel portion disposed at a first end and a forefoot portion disposed adjacent a second end opposite the first end. At least a portion of the forefoot portion may have a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis at a stiffness transition angle. The support plate may comprise a first composite material that exhibits a first bending stiffness in a first direction and a second bending stiffness in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the second bending stiffness is different from the first bending stiffness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The following drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various examples discussed in the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an example model of a foot in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows an example support plate in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows an example article in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4A shows an example article illustrating a support plate disposed on a top surface of a foam portion (e.g., a top placement) in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4B shows an example article illustrating a support plate disposed within a foam portion (e.g., a middle placement) in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4C shows an example article illustrating a support plate disposed adjacent a bottom surface of a foam portion (e.g., a bottom placement) in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows an example plot illustrating a stiffness profile of an example support plate.

[0021] FIG. 6 shows an example model of work transfer in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 7 shows an example plot of work transfer in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0023] FIGS. 8A-8C shows example flex positions of an article in response to various terrains in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A footwear article may comprise a support plate comprising a heel portion disposed at a first end and a forefoot portion disposed adjacent a second end opposite the first end. At least a portion of the forefoot portion has a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis at a stiffness angle. The stiffness angle may be configured for various activities or for various performance results. As an example, the stiffness angle may be configured based on shifting work from one part of a wearer’s body to another part of a wearer’s body. As described herein, the stiffness angle may be any angle and may be configured based on various parameters or goals.

[0025] In reference to FIG. 1, and as a non-limiting example, a natural range of motion in a foot of a wearer is from 0° to 50°. As such, an article (e.g., footwear) comprising a support plate that does not impede the first 30° range of motion (from the horizontal) may optimize muscular action on an ascent, for example as illustrated in FIG. 6. Other ranges and optimization zones and angles may be used. As a further example, a smaller lever arm reduces torque/work on the calf muscle during uphill run or hike, while increasing thigh activation. This may lead to less fatigue by increasing large muscle group activation and decreasing small muscle group activation. In some embodiments, a roughly equivalent decrease in calf activation and a corresponding increase in thigh activation may be achieved. For instance, during an uphill activity, calf activation may decrease by 23% and thigh activation may increase by 26%. In accordance with the present disclosure, a support plate having a pre-formed angle 100 may be used.

[0026] In reference to FIG. 2, an example support plate 200 may comprise a heel portion 202 disposed at a first end 203 and a forefoot portion 204 disposed adjacent a second end 205 opposite the first end 205. The delineation between the heel portion 202 and the forefoot portion 204 may be a midpoint of the support plate 200. The heel portion 202 and the forefoot portion 204 may be interposed by a mid-foot area associated with an arch of a foot of the wearer. However, other delineations may be made and the support plate 200 may further comprise other delineations such as midfoot and the like.

[0027] As a further example, the forefoot portion 204 may comprise a portion of the support plate 200 that abuts a forefoot of a wearer such as an anterior portion of the human foot comprising the five metatarsal bones, the fourteen phalanges, and associated soft tissue structures. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at least a portion of the forefoot portion 204 has a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis 206 at an angle 208 (e.g., stiffness angle, stiffness transition angle, etc.).

[0028] The support plate 200 may comprise or be formed from a material comprising a first composite material that exhibits a first bending stiffness in a first direction and a second bending stiffness in a second direction, wherein the second bending stiffness is different from the first bending stiffness. The first composite material may be or comprise a fiber-reinforced polymer. The first composite material may comprise carbon fiber or other fiber reinforcement. The first direction may be downward relative to the horizontal axis 206 and the second direction may be upward relative to the horizontal axis 206. The support plate 200 may comprise a first composite material that is configured to bend such that an angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is allowed to decrease from the stiffness angle 208 under a first stiffness. In such a configuration, an increase in an angle of the forefoot relative to the stiffness angle 208 is resisted under a second stiffness. The support plate 200 may comprise a first composite material that is configured to bend such that a decrease in an angle of the forefoot relative to the stiffness angle 208 is resisted under a first stiffness and an increase in an angle of the forefoot relative to the stiffness angle 208 is resisted under a second stiffness, such as is illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0029] In reference to FIG. 3, a footwear article 300 in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise an outsole 302 configured to engage the ground. The footwear article 300 may comprise a midsole 304 disposed adjacent the outsole 302. The midsole 304 may define at least a portion of a cavity 306. The footwear article 300 may comprise one or more foam portions 308, 310 disposed at least partially in the cavity 306. The footwear article 300 may comprise a support plate in accordance with the present disclosure, shown as support plate 312. The support plate may be substantially similar to support plate 200 of FIG. 2The support plate 312 may be disposed at least partially in the cavity 306 between the one or more foam portions 308, 310 and the midsole 304. Other arrangements may be used. The support plate 312 may be formed from or may comprise a first composite material that comprises a fiber-reinforced polymer. The first composite material may comprise carbon fiber. The outsole 302 may be formed from or may comprise a second composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Other materials may be used. The midsole 304 may be formed from or may comprise a third composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Other materials may be used. The one or more foam portions 308, 310 may comprise a fourth composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Other materials may be used.

[0030] At least a portion of the support plate 312 has a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis at an angle (e.g., stiffness angle, stiffness transition angle, etc.). The support plate 312 may comprise or be formed from a material comprising a first composite material that exhibits a first bending stiffness in a first direction and a second bending stiffness in a second direction, wherein the second bending stiffness is different from the first bending stiffness. The first direction may be downward relative to the horizontal axis and the second direction may be upward relative to the horizontal axis. The support plate 312 may comprise a first composite material that is configured to bend such that an angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is allowed to decrease from the stiffness angle under a first stiffness and an increase in an angle of the forefoot relative to the stiffness angle is resisted under a second stiffness. The support plate 312 may comprise a first composite material that is configured to bend such that a decrease in an angle of the forefoot relative to the stiffness angle is resisted under a first stiffness and an increase in an angle of the forefoot relative to the stiffness angle is resisted under a second stiffness, such as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0031] The stiffness angle (e.g., stiffness transition angle) of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis may be between greater than 0 and 50 degrees. For instance, the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis may be at least 15 degrees. In other embodiments, the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis may be at least 20 degrees. In further embodiments, the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis may be at least at least 25 degrees. In even further embodiments, the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis may be about 30 degrees or at least 30 degrees. Other angles may be used or pre-fabricated in the support plate 312.

[0032] The footwear article may be configured for at least one particular activity and the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is dependent upon the at least one particular activity. The support plate 312 may be configured to effect a stiffness lockout (e.g., rigidity or resistance against further bend) when the outsole 302 engages an incline angle relative to the horizontal that is at or greater than the stiffness angle. The support plate 312 may be configured to bend when the outsole 302 engages a decline angle relative to the horizontal axis. The support plate 312 may be configured to bend and/or conform to the terrain such that the forefoot portion is at an angle less than the stiffness transition angle. The configuration of the footwear article 300 may optimize muscular action on the ascent, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 6-7. FIG. 6 illustrates the transfer of work from, for example, a small muscle group (e.g., the calf), to a larger muscle group (e.g., the quadriceps). In one example, during an uphill activity, calf activation may decrease by 23% and thigh activation may increase by 26%. FIG. 7 is an example plot of work transfer in accordance with the present disclosure. As can be seen in FIG. 7, when compared with the muscle activation percent change of flat stock plate (e.g., non- tunable, stiff, carbon fiber plate), the selectively flexile, tunable support plate 312 of the present disclosure is configured to provide greater work transfer between muscle groups.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the support plate 312 (alone or in combination with the other components of the footwear article 300) may respond with improved spring and support as compared to a conventional flat, stiff plate. FIGS. 8A-8C further illustrate the support plate 312 in various settings (e.g., uphill 802, as shown in FIG. 8A, downhill 804, as shown in FIG. 8B, and over uneven terrain 806, as shown in FIG. 8C). In each of these configurations, support plate 312 responds with increased conformity to terrain (e.g., increased bend in uphill configurations, increased flex in downhill configurations, and increased conformity to uneven surfaces over uneven terrain). In the forefoot, the optimal stiffness of the support plate and responsive foam provides mechanical advantage while climbing, moving muscle work from the small muscles of the foot and calf to the larger muscles of the legs and body. Particularly with respect to descending over uneven terrain, the one-way flex of the footwear article provides increased surface contact and braking traction. In the heel, the support plate spreads the load more uniformly across the midsole foam enabling better cushioning in a smaller, lighter more stable shoe.

[0034] In reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, a support plate 400 in accordance with the present disclosure may be disposed in various configurations relative to other components of a footwear article (e.g., footwear article 300 of FIG. 3). FIG. 4A illustrates a top placement support plate 400 disposed on a foam portion 402. FIG. 4B illustrates a substantially middle placement of the support plate 400 in or within the foam material 402. In this embodiment, the support plate 400 may be entirely surrounded by the foam portion (e.g., completely embedded within the foam) and substantially equal amounts of foam (e.g, EVA foam) may be above and below the support plate 400. FIG. 4C illustrates a bottom placement of the support plate 400 beneath the foam material 402 and adjacent an outsol e/midsole 404. Other configurations may be used.

[0035] Methods for forming any of the above described footwear articles are disclosed. Methods may include forming and/or joining the components of the footwear article, in one or more construction steps.

[0036] The present disclosure comprises at least the following aspects:

[0037] Aspect 1 : A footwear article comprising: an outsole configured to engage the ground; a midsole disposed adjacent the outsole, wherein the midsole defines a cavity; one or more foam portions disposed at least partially in the cavity; and a support plate disposed at least partially in the cavity between the one or more foam portions and the midsole, wherein at least a portion of the forefoot portion has a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis at a stiffness transition angle, and wherein the support plate comprises a first composite material that exhibits a first bending stiffness in a first direction and a second bending stiffness in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the second bending stiffness is different from the first bending stiffness.

[0038] Aspect 2: The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the stiffness transition angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 15 degrees.

[0039] Aspect 3: The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the stiffness transition angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 20 degrees.

[0040] Aspect 4: The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the stiffness transition angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 25 degrees.

[0041] Aspect 5: The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the stiffness transition angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is about 30 degrees.

[0042] Aspect 6: The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the stiffness transition angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is between 20-40 degrees.

[0043] Aspect 7: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the footwear article is configured for at least one particular activity and the stiffness transition angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is dependent upon the at least one particular activity.

[0044] Aspect 8: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the first composite material comprises a fiber-reinforced polymer.

[0045] Aspect 9: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the first composite material comprises carbon fiber.

[0046] Aspect 10: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the outsole is formed from a second composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0047] Aspect 11 : The footwear article of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the midsole is formed from a third composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0048] Aspect 12: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the one or more foam portions comprise a fourth composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). [0049] Aspect 13: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the support plate is configured to effect a stiffness lockout when the outsole engages an incline angle relative to the horizontal that is at or greater than the stiffness transition angle.

[0050] Aspect 14: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the support plate is configured to bend when the outsole engages a decline angle relative to the horizontal.

[0051] Aspect 15: The footwear article of claim 14, wherein the support plate is configured to bend such that the forefoot portion is at an angle less than the stiffness transition angle.

[0052] Aspect 16: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-15, wherein the support plate is configured conform to terrain such that the forefoot portion is at an angle less than the stiffness transition angle.

[0053] Aspect 17: The footwear article of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the support plate comprises a heel portion disposed at a first end and a forefoot portion disposed adjacent a second end, opposite the first end.

[0054] Aspect 18: A method of making the footwear article of any one of claims 1-17.

[0055] Aspect 19: A footwear article comprising: an outsole configured to engage the ground; one or more foam portions disposed adjacent the outsole; and a support plate disposed in or adjacent the one or more foam portions, wherein at least a portion of the forefoot portion has a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis at an angle, and wherein the support plate comprises a first composite material that exhibits a first bending stiffness in a first direction away from the horizontal axis and a second bending stiffness toward the horizontal axis, wherein the second bending stiffness is different from the first bending stiffness.

[0056] Aspect 20: The footwear article of claim 19, wherein the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 15 degrees.

[0057] Aspect 21 : The footwear article of claim 19, wherein the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 20 degrees.

[0058] Aspect 22: The footwear article of claim 19, wherein the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 25 degrees.

[0059] Aspect 23:The footwear article of claim 19, wherein the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is about 30 degrees. [0060] Aspect 24: The footwear article of claim 19, wherein the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 30 degrees.

[0061] Aspect 25:The footwear article of any one of claims 19-24, wherein the footwear article is configured for at least one particular activity and the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is dependent upon the at least one particular activity.

[0062] Aspect 26: The footwear article of any one of claims 19-25, wherein the first composite material comprises a fiber-reinforced polymer.

[0063] Aspect 27: The footwear article of any one of claims 19-26, wherein the first composite material comprises carbon fiber.

[0064] Aspect 28: The footwear article of any one of claims 19-27, wherein the outsole is formed from a second composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0065] Aspect 29: The footwear article of any one of claims 19-28, wherein the one or more foam portions comprise a fourth composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0066] Aspect 30: The footwear article of any one of claims 19-29, wherein the support plate is configured to effect a stiffness lockout when the outsole engages an incline angle relative to the horizontal that is at or greater than the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis.

[0067] Aspect 31 : The footwear article of any one of claims 19-30, wherein the support plate is configured to bend when the outsole engages a decline angle relative to the horizontal.

[0068] Aspect 32: The footwear article of claim 31, wherein the support plate is configured to bend such that the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is allowed to decrease.

[0069] Aspect 33: The footwear article of any one of claims 19-32, wherein the support plate is configured conform to terrain such that the angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is allowed to decrease.

[0070] Aspect 34: The footwear article of any one of claims 19-33, wherein the support plate comprises a heel portion disposed at a first end and a forefoot portion disposed adjacent a second end, opposite the first end.

[0071] Aspect 35: A method of making the footwear article of any one of claims 19-34. [0072] Aspect 36: A footwear article comprising: an outsole configured to engage the ground; one or more foam portions disposed adjacent the outsole; and a support plate disposed in or adjacent the one or more foam portions, wherein at least a portion of the forefoot portion has a curvilinear shape that curves upwardly from a horizontal axis at a stiffness angle, and wherein the support plate comprises a first composite material that is configured to bend such that an angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is allowed to decrease relative to the stiffness angle under a first stiffness and an increase of the angle of the forefoot portion relative to the stiffness angle is resisted under a second stiffness.

[0073] Aspect 37: The footwear article of claim 36, wherein the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 15 degrees.

[0074] Aspect 38: The footwear article of claim 36, wherein the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 20 degrees.

[0075] Aspect 38: The footwear article of claim 36, wherein the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 25 degrees.

[0076] Aspect 40: The footwear article of claim 36, wherein the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is about 30 degrees.

[0077] Aspect 41 :The footwear article of claim 36, wherein the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is at least 30 degrees.

[0078] Aspect 42: The footwear article of any one of claims 36-41, wherein the footwear article is configured for at least one particular activity and the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis is dependent upon the at least one particular activity.

[0079] Aspect 43: The footwear article of any one of claims 36-42, wherein the first composite material comprises a fiber-reinforced polymer.

[0080] Aspect 44: The footwear article of any one of claims 36-43, wherein the first composite material comprises carbon fiber.

[0081] Aspect 45: The footwear article of any one of claims 36-44, wherein the outsole is formed from a second composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0082] Aspect 46:The footwear article of any one of claims 36-45, wherein the one or more foam portions comprise a fourth composite material comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). [0083] Aspect 47:The footwear article of any one of claims 36-46, wherein the support plate is configured to effect a stiffness lockout when the outsole engages an incline angle relative to the horizontal that is at or greater than the stiffness angle of the forefoot portion from the horizontal axis.

[0084] Aspect 48: The footwear article of any one of claims 36-47, wherein the support plate is configured to bend when the outsole engages a decline angle relative to the horizontal.

[0085] Aspect 49: The footwear article of any one of claims 36-48, wherein the support plate comprises a heel portion disposed at a first end and a forefoot portion disposed adjacent a second end, opposite the first end.

[0086] Aspect 50: A method of making the footwear article of any one of claims 36-49.

[0087] It is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0088] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from“about” one particular value, and/or to“about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as

approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0089] “Optional” or“optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0090] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word

“comprise” and variations of the word, such as“comprising” and“comprises,” means“including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means“an example of’ and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment.“Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes. [0091] Ranges can be expressed herein as from one value (first value) to another value (second value). When such a range is expressed, the range includes in some aspects one or both of the first value and the second value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent‘about,’ it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value“10” is disclosed, then“about 10” is also disclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0092] As used herein, the terms“about” and“at or about” mean that the amount or value in question can be the designated value, approximately the designated value, or about the same as the designated value. It is generally understood, as used herein, that it is the nominal value indicated ±10% variation unless otherwise indicated or inferred. The term is intended to convey that similar values promote equivalent results or effects recited in the claims. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and

characteristics are not and need not be exact, but can be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is“about” or“approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where“about” is used before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0093] Components are described that may be used to perform the described methods and systems. When combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc., of these components are described, it is understood that while specific references to each of the various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly described, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, operations in described methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional operations that may be performed it is understood that each of these additional operations may be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the described methods.

[0094] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations.

[0095] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its operations be performed in a specific order.

Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its operations or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the operations are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0096] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practices described herein. It is intended that the specification and example figures be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.