The disclosure generally relates to pull-out/pull-down faucets and to hose-guides to aid extension and retraction of a hose.

Background

Faucets with pull-out/pull-down spray heads are convenient to ease the process of cleaning items in a sink, as well as the sink itself. Pull-out spray heads are removably docked to the spout, and each time the spray head is attached or detached (retracted or extended), the retractable hose and/or elements disposed in the spout and spray head are subject to shock, strain, and wear and tear. Desired is a pull-out faucet that may be extended and retracted with greater ease and less strain on elements of the faucet.

Summary

Accordingly, disclosed is a hose guide for a pull-down faucet, the faucet comprising a spout having a hose disposed therein and a pull-out spray head coupled to and in flow communication with the hose and configured to dock to an end of the spout; wherein the hose guide is U-shaped and is configured to guide the hose against an interior surface thereof during extension and retraction of the spray head; and wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs extending from a lower end of the U-shaped hose guide; and/or an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout; and/or a convex parabolic shape at the interior surface of the lower end of the U-shape.

Also disclosed is a pull-down faucet, the faucet comprising a spout having a hose disposed therein and a pull-out spray head coupled to and in flow communication with the hose and configured to dock to an end of the spout; wherein the faucet comprises a U-shaped hose guide configured to guide the hose against an interior surface thereof during extension and retraction of the spray head; and wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs extending from a lower end of the U-shaped hose guide; and/or an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout; and/or a convex parabolic shape at the interior surface of the lower end of the U- shape.

Also disclosed is an insertion tool configured to insert a hose guide into a faucet spout, wherein the insertion tool comprises a handle; a shaft; and a feature configured to removably couple to the hose guide, wherein the handle does not fit into the spout, the shaft is configured to be inserted into the spout, and the tool is configured to couple to the hose guide, to insert the hose guide into the spout, and to decouple from the hose guide, positioning the hose guide in place in the spout.

Also disclosed is a kit for inserting a hose guide into a pull-out faucet spout, the kit comprising a hose guide and an insertion tool.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The disclosure described herein is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, features illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some features may be exaggerated relative to other features for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Fig. 1 shows a pull-down faucet according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 depicts features disposed in a faucet spout, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3A and Fig 3B depict an assembly and an assembly having a hose guide coupled thereto, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, and Fig. 4C display a hose guide, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show a hose guide, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, and Fig. 6C show a hose guide, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 depicts a hose guide insertion tool, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B, Fig. 8C, and Fig. 8D show a hose guide insertion tool, according to an embodiment. Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows pull-down/pull-out faucet 100, according to one embodiment. Hose 101 is coupled to and in flow communication with spray head 104. In this figure, spray head 104 is docked to an end of spout 103. Spout 103 comprises an aperture 105, which may comprise a sensing feature, an actuation feature, etc. Hose 101 is disposed in spout 103, and upon extension of spray head 104 away from spout 103, will move in direction 102.

Fig. 2 depicts interior assembly 200, which is disposed in a spout, according to an embodiment. Hose 201 is associated with harness 206. Harness 206 may be flexible and may span the length of a spout. Electrical wires (not shown) may be guided via harness 206, which may serve to allow for smooth movement of hose 201 while avoiding contact with any wires. Hose guide 207 is coupled to bezel 208, and in some embodiments may be permanently or removably fixed to bezel 208 via an attachment element such as an adhesive attachment element. Bezel assembly 209 comprises bezel 208 and feature 210, which may be one or more of an actuator assembly, a lens assembly, an indicator assembly, a sensor assembly, etc.

Feature 210 may for instance be a detection sensor, accessible through aperture 105 of Fig. 1. Spray head element 211 is coupled to and in flow communication with hose 201 and may be fixed into spray head 104 of Fig. 1. Hose guide 207 is a“U-shaped” element configured to guide hose 201 during extension and retraction of a pull-down/pull-out spray head. A top open end of the“U” will be facing into bezel 208.

Fig. 3A displays bezel assembly 309 from an underside. Assembly 309 contains bezel 308 and feature 310, which is coupled to electric wires 312. Fig. 3B depicts assembly 309 having“U-shaped” hose guide 307 affixed thereto. Upper ends of hose guide 307 may have features to snap or lock it into place in bezel 308. Hose guide 307 and bezel 308 may have complementary attachment elements, for instance, tab/slot elements, groove/ridge elements, notch/protrusion elements, pin/hole elements, and the like. In this embodiment, tube-shaped protrusions 313 on an upper end of hose guide 307 snap into notches on bezel 308. In other embodiments, an exterior of hose guide 307 may have an adhesive attachment feature to affix it to an interior of bezel 308 (or to an interior wall of a spout). Hose guide 307 comprises tabs 314 extending from the lower end substantially at right angles. Tabs 314 are angled downward from hose guide 307 bottom. Tabs 314 may contact an interior of a spout and provide support for assembly 309. Tabs 314 may provide vertical support for assembly 309 when a user operates buttons or knobs, etc., of the assembly. Tabs 314 may perform as“shock absorbers”, absorbing energy from movement of a hose and reducing stress on assembly 309 and thereby providing a longer useful life to faucet components.

Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, and Fig. 4C show hose guide 407 from different angles, according to an embodiment. Hose guide 407 contains a convex parabolic-shaped portion, 415 on an interior surface of a lower end. A present hose guide may be considered to have a three dimensional (3-D) U-shape having a lower end interior and exterior walls. A convex parabolic shaped portion 415 may be a considered a portion of a parabolic cylinder. Hose guide 407 contains concave portion 416 on an exterior surface of the lower end. In this embodiment, hose guide 407 comprises a double-sided adhesive tape 417 as an attachment feature to affix it to an interior of a spout or to an interior of an assembly configured to be disposed in a spout. A present hose guide may have exterior vertical walls as shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4C. Double sided adhesive tape 417 is attached to exterior vertical walls of the 3-D U-shaped hose guide 407. Hose guide 407 comprises orifices 418 disposed towards an upper end. Orifices 418 may be employed with an insertion tool for inserting hose guide 407 into a spout. Tube-shaped protrusions (tube-shaped upper ends) 413 on an upper end of hose guide 407 may serve to fit into notches of an assembly or spout to hold guide 407 in place. Tube-shaped protrusions 413 comprise orifices 418.

Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show hose guide 507 from different angles, according to an embodiment. Hose guide 507 comprises a convex parabolic cylinder portion 515 on an interior surface of a lower end and concave portion 516 on an exterior surface of the lower end. Hose guide 507 also comprises orifices 518 configured for attachment/detachment with an insertion tool designed to insert hose guide 507 into a spout. Tube-shaped protrusions 513 on an upper end of hose guide 507 may serve to fit into notches of an assembly or spout to hold guide 507 in place. Tube-shaped upper ends 513 comprise orifices 518.

Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B and Fig. 6C depict a hose guide 607 from different angles, according to an embodiment. Hose guide 607 comprises tabs 614 extending from a lower end and at substantially right angles. Tabs 614 are angled downwards from the lower end of hose guide 607. Hose guide 607 comprises convex parabolic cylinder portion 615 on an interior surface of a lower end and concave portion 616 on an exterior surface of the lower end. Hose guide 607 comprises orifices 618 which may couple to/decouple from an insertion tool designed to insert the hose guide into a spout. Tube-shaped protrusions 613 on an upper end of hose guide 607 may serve to fit into notches of an assembly or spout to hold guide 607 in place. Tube-shaped upper ends 613 comprise orifices 618. Hose guide 607 also contains interior ribs 619 on interior vertical walls thereof.

Fig. 7 shows insertion tool 750, according to an embodiment, pictured together with hose guide 607. Tool 750 comprises notches 751 configured to receive tube-shaped upper ends 613 of hose guide 607. Notches 751 contain further notches 752 that meet with ribs 619 of hose guide 607. Tool 750 comprises handle 752 and shaft 753. Tool 750 may be employed to insert guide 607 into a faucet spout. Handle 752 will not fit into a spout.

Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B depict an insertion tool 850, according to an embodiment, together with hose guide 407. Tool 850 comprises prongs 860 configured to be inserted into hose guide orifices 418. A hose guide may be inserted into a faucet spout with tool 850 in configuration of Fig. 8B with plunger 861 retracted away from handle 862 and shaft 853. In Fig. 8B, movable arms 863 are in a“facing forward” position. Movable arms 863 are positioned on each side of plunger 861 and are positioned facing forward toward prong 860 ends when plunger 861 is retracted. Upon plunger 861 being inserted into handle 862 and shaft 853 as in Fig. 8A, arms 863 will be forced into a“facing out” position, at a substantially right angle in respect to shaft 853. Arms 863 are configured to push sides of a hose guide out towards a spout interior or assembly interior wall, where adhesive elements 417 on exterior walls of a hose guide will affix the hose guide thereto. Fig. 8C shows tool 850 from a front end having plunger 861 retracted and arms 863 withdrawn and facing forward. Fig. 8D shows tool 850 from the front end having plunger 861 inserted and arms 863 facing out at substantially right angles in respect to shaft 853.

In some embodiments, a concave portion at a lower end exterior surface of a hose guide may contribute to an overall parabolic shape of a hose guide lower end. A concave portion at a lower end exterior surface of a hose guide may match a convex parabolic-shaped portion at an interior surface of the lower end.

Pull-out/pull-down faucets are described for instance in US2016/0177551 , U.S. Pat. No. 10,183,871 , U.S. Pat. No. 9,683,353, and U.S. app. No. 62/804,301. In some embodiments, the hose may include a single channel or may be multi-channel. A multi-channel hose may comprise two or more concentric layers, for example wherein an interior layer is configured to provide a waterway for filtered water and a space between the interior layer and an outer layer is configured to provide a waterway for unfiltered water, or visa-versa. A spray head likewise may comprise a single water way or multiple waterways corresponding to waterways of a multi channel hose. The spray head is coupled to and in flow communication with the hose. The terms“pull-out” and“pull-down” may be used interchangeably herein.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a faucet can include a faucet body, a spout attached to the faucet body, a hose disposed through the faucet body and the spout, a pull-out spray head coupled to and in flow communication with the hose, and a docking system that removably couples the pull-out spray head to the spout. In some embodiments, a docking system may include a magnetic docking system. A docking system can include a sleeve or socket arranged at an end of the spout and a bonnet that couples to the spray head and engages the socket. A socket can include a shell or outer surface provided with one or more attachment elements. In some embodiments, attachment elements may include magnets. A bonnet can include a threaded portion for coupling to corresponding threads of a connector at the spray head and one or more attachment elements configured to couple to elements of the socket.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a faucet can include a magnetic docking system having a first ring-shaped magnet arranged at or near the end of the spout and a second ring-shaped magnet disposed at a docking end of a pull-out/pull-down spray head, capped by a spray-head adaptor. A spray-head adaptor may be coupled to and in flow communication with an end of a hose disposed in the spout and insertable into the end of the spout to which the spray head docks. The magnetic attraction between the first ring-shaped magnet and the second ring-shaped magnet can removably couple the spray head to the spout in its docked position. In some embodiments, a spout may comprise a plurality of magnetic elements and a spray head may comprise a plurality of corresponding complementary magnetic elements.

The hose guide is generally 3-D U-shaped, as seen in the Figures. The term“U-shaped” herein may mean generally, substantially, or about U-shaped. In use, the“U” will generally be facing up towards a person operating the faucet. In some embodiments, the U-shaped hose guide may have two or more tabs extending from a lower end of the guide. This is illustrated for instance in Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, and Fig. 6C. In some embodiments, the hose guide may comprise a first tab and a second tab, which may extend from the bottom of the hose guide at substantially right angles from the U shape. In some embodiments, the tabs may be angled downward from the U shape. The tabs may be flexed to a degree and may perform like shock absorbers, reducing stress and strain on interior components of a faucet as a spray head is extended from and retracted to the spout.

In some embodiments, the hose guide may comprise an attachment element to affix it to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly configured to be disposed in the spout. In certain embodiments, the hose guide may comprise an adhesive attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to a desired location in the spout or in an assembly to be disposed or disposed in the spout. In certain embodiments, an adhesive attachment element may comprise a double-sided adhesive tape. In some embodiments, an adhesive attachment element may be on one or both exterior vertical walls of a 3-D U-shaped hose guide.

In some embodiments, the hose guide may comprise a convex portion at the interior surface of the lower end. A convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end may be a portion of a parabolic cylinder or an elliptic paraboloid. A convex parabolic shaped portion may also ease extension and retraction of a spray head from a spout and provide for less stress and wear and tear on internal components of the faucet assembly. A hose guide may also comprise a concave portion at a lower end exterior surface, which also may contribute to an overall parabolic shape of a hose guide lower end.

In certain embodiments, upper ends of a hose guide may have attachment features to snap or lock it into place in a spout or in an assembly to be disposed or disposed in a spout. A hose guide and spout or assembly may have corresponding attachment elements, for instance, tab/slot elements, groove/ridge elements, notch/protrusion elements, notch/rib elements, pin/hole elements, other corresponding shaped elements, and the like.

In some embodiments, a spout may have an assembly disposed therein. An assembly may be part of an actuator assembly and may comprise a button, switch, knob, etc., which may be configured to actuate the faucet and/or a feature associated with the faucet. Actuation may be manual or electronic. An assembly may be part of a sensor assembly, wherein a sensor may for instance be a presence sensor configured to detect a person and to actuate the faucet. An assembly may also be part of a lens assembly which may also comprise a sensor. In some embodiments, an assembly may be part of an indicator assembly. An indicator assembly may for example comprise a feature to display a status of an associated filter, battery, etc.

In some embodiments, a U-shaped hose guide may comprise ends configured to affix the hose guide to the spout or to the assembly disposed in the spout. The ends may be upper ends of the hose guide. Upper ends of a hose guide may comprise a tube shape (e.g. tube shaped protrusions) configured to“snap” into notches on a faucet or assembly interior to affix or hold the hose guide in place in a faucet assembly. Tube-shaped upper ends may comprise orifices configured to receive an insertion tool designed to insert a hose guide into a spout. In some embodiments, tube-shaped upper ends themselves may be configured to receive an insertion tool designed to insert a hose guide into a spout.

Also subject of the invention is an insertion tool configured to insert a hose guide into a faucet spout, wherein the insertion tool comprises a handle; a shaft; and a feature configured to removably couple to the hose guide, wherein the handle does not fit into the spout, the shaft is configured to be inserted into the spout, and the feature is configured to couple to the hose guide, to insert the hose guide into the spout, and to decouple from the hose guide, positioning the hose guide in place in the spout.

In some embodiments, the tool may comprise attachment elements configured to removably couple to a hose guide having complementary attachment elements.

Complementary attachment elements comprise for instance one or more of tab/slot elements, groove/ridge elements, notch/protrusion elements, notch/rib elements, prong/orifice elements, pin/hole elements, and the like.

In some embodiments, a hose guide may comprise tube-shaped upper ends comprising orifices configured to removably couple to prongs of an insertion tool.

In some embodiments, an insertion tool may comprise a plunger configured to be retracted from and inserted into the tool. A plunger may be disposed in a shaft of the tool and comprise portions outside of either end of the tool. A“front end” of a tool may be configured to removably couple to a hose guide and to position the hose guide in place in an interior of a faucet spout or in an assembly disposed in the spout. A“back end” of a tool may comprise a handle which may be configured so as not to fit into a faucet spout. A handle may be configured to fit and/or meet against a spout end and to determine the proper placement of a hose guide inside a spout.

A plunger may comprise moveable arms at the front end which may be configured to be withdrawn away from a hose guide interior when the plunger is retracted. Upon positioning a hose guide at a desired placement in a spout, the plunger may be inserted, thus forcing moveable arms to point out at substantially right angles from the plunger. The arms will push on interior walls of the hose guide, thereby affixing exterior walls of the hose guide having adhesive or other attachment elements to a spout interior or to an assembly disposed in the spout.

In some embodiments, a hose guide may comprise dimensions of about 25 cm by about 25 cm by about 20 cm, wherein each measurement may vary by plus or minus 0.5 cm, 0.7 cm, 0.9 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1.7 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.3 cm, 2.5 cm, 3.0 cm, 3.2 cm, 3.5 cm, 3.7 cm, 4.0 cm, 4.2 cm, 4.5 cm, or more. In some embodiments, a hose guide may comprise a thermoplastic resin.

Also disclosed is a kit for inserting a hose guide into a pull-out faucet spout, the kit comprising a hose guide as disclosed and depicted, and an insertion tool as disclosed and depicted.

Following are certain embodiments of the disclosure.

In a first embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide for a pull-down faucet, the faucet comprising a spout having a hose disposed therein and a pull-out spray head coupled to and in flow communication with the hose; wherein the hose guide is U-shaped and guides the hose against an interior surface thereof during extension and retraction of the spray head; and wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs extending from a lower end of the U- shaped hose guide; and/or an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout; and/or a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end.

In a second embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to embodiment 1 , wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs located towards a lower end of the hose guide. In a third embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the hose guide comprises an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout.

In a fourth embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the hose guide comprises a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end. In a fifth embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises a first tab and a second tab, each located towards a lower end of the hose guide and each extending from the hose guide at substantially right angles. In a sixth embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tabs are angled downward from the lower end of the U-shaped hose guide.

In a seventh embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises an adhesive attachment element on an exterior surface of the hose guide. In an eighth embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises a double-sided adhesive tape attachment element on an exterior surface of the hose guide.

In a ninth embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the hose guide comprises a concave portion at an exterior surface of the lower end.

In a tenth embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises ends configured to affix the hose guide to the spout or to the assembly disposed in the spout.

In an eleventh embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the spout comprises an assembly disposed therein. In a twelfth embodiment, disclosed is a hose guide according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the spout comprises an assembly disposed therein, wherein the assembly is one or more of a sensor assembly, a lens assembly, an indicator assembly or an actuator assembly. ln a thirteenth embodiment, disclosed is a pull-down faucet, the faucet comprising a spout having a hose disposed therein, a pull-out spray head coupled to and in flow

communication with the hose, and a hose guide; wherein the hose guide is U-shaped and guides the hose against an interior surface thereof during extension and retraction of the spray head; and wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs extending from a lower end of the U-shaped hose guide; and/or an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout; and/or a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end.

In a fourteenth embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to embodiment 13, wherein the hose guide comprises two or more tabs located towards a lower end of the hose guide. In a fifteenth embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to embodiments 13 or 14, wherein the hose guide comprises an attachment element configured to affix the hose guide to an interior wall of the spout or to an interior wall of an assembly disposed in the spout.

In a sixteenth embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 15, wherein the hose guide comprises a convex parabolic-shaped portion at the interior surface of the lower end. In a seventeenth embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises a first tab and a second tab, each located towards a lower end of the hose guide and each extending from the hose guide at substantially right angles. In an eighteenth embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 17, wherein the tabs are angled downward from the lower end of the U-shaped hose guide.

In a nineteenth embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 18, wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises an adhesive attachment element on an exterior surface of the hose guide. In a twentieth embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 19, wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises a double-sided adhesive tape attachment element on an exterior surface of the hose guide.

In a twenty-first embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 20, wherein the hose guide comprises a concave portion at an exterior surface of the lower end. In a twenty-second embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 21 , wherein the U-shaped hose guide comprises ends configured to affix the hose guide to the spout or to the assembly disposed in the spout.

In a twenty-third embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 22, wherein the spout comprises an assembly disposed therein. In a twenty-fourth embodiment, disclosed is a faucet according to any of embodiments 13 to 23, wherein the spout comprises an assembly disposed therein, wherein the assembly is one or more of a sensor assembly, a lens assembly, an indicator assembly or an actuator assembly.

In a twenty-fifth embodiment, disclosed is an insertion tool configured to insert a hose guide into a faucet spout, wherein the insertion tool comprises a handle; a shaft; and a feature configured to removably couple to the hose guide, wherein the handle does not fit into the spout, the shaft is configured to be inserted into the spout, and the tool is configured to couple to the hose guide, to insert the hose guide into the spout, and to decouple from the hose guide, positioning the hose guide in place in the spout.

In a twenty-sixth embodiment, disclosed is a tool according to embodiment 25, wherein the tool comprises notches configured to removably couple to protrusions of a hose guide. In a twenty-seventh embodiment, disclosed is a tool according to embodiments 25 or 26, wherein the tool comprises prongs configured to removably couple to orifices of a hose guide. In a twenty-eighth embodiment, disclosed is a tool according to embodiments 25 to 27, wherein the tool comprises a plunger configured to be retracted and inserted into a shaft of the tool, and configured to position the hose guide in place in the spout.

In a twenty-ninth embodiment, disclosed is a tool according to embodiment 28, wherein the plunger is coupled to moveable arms configured to push on interior walls of the hose guide to affix hose guide exterior walls having an adhesive attachment element to a spout interior or to an assembly disposed in the spout.

In a thirtieth embodiment, disclosed is a tool according to embodiments 25 to 29, wherein the hose guide is configured to affix to a spout interior wall or to an assembly disposed in the spout. In a thirty-first embodiment, disclosed is a tool according to embodiments 25 to 30, wherein the handle is configured to meet an end of the spout to indicate the proper position of the hose guide in the spout.

In a thirty-second embodiment, disclosed is a kit for inserting a hose guide into a pull-out faucet spout, the kit comprising a hose guide according to any of embodiments 1 to 12 and an insertion tool according to any of embodiments 25 to 31.

The term“coupled” means that an element is“attached to” or“associated with” another element. Coupled may mean directly coupled or coupled through one or more other elements. An element may be coupled to an element through two or more other elements in a sequential manner or a non-sequential manner. The term“via” in reference to“via an element” may mean “through” or“by” an element. Coupled or“associated with” may also mean elements not directly or indirectly attached, but that they“go together” in that one may function together with the other.

The term“flow communication” means for example configured for liquid or gas flow there through. The terms“upstream” and“downstream” indicate a direction of gas or fluid flow, that is, gas or fluid will flow from upstream to downstream.

The term“towards” in reference to a of point of attachment, may mean at exactly that location or point or, alternatively, may mean closer to that point than to another distinct point, for example“towards a center” means closer to a center than to an edge.

The term“like” means similar and not necessarily exactly like. For instance“ring-like” means generally shaped like a ring, but not necessarily perfectly circular.

The articles "a" and "an" herein refer to one or to more than one (e.g. at least one) of the grammatical object. Any ranges cited herein are inclusive.

The term "about" is used to describe and account for small fluctuations. For instance, "about" may mean the numeric value may be modified by ±0.05%, ±0.1%, ±0.2%, ±0.3%,

±0.4%, ±0.5%, ±1 %, ±2%, ±3%, ±4%, ±5%, ±6%, ±7%, ±8%, ±9%, ±10% or more. All numeric values are modified by the term "about" whether or not explicitly indicated. Numeric values modified by the term "about" include the specific identified value. For example "about 5.0" includes 5.0.

The term“substantially” is similar to“about” in that the defined term may vary from for example by ±0.05%, ±0.1 %, ±0.2%, ±0.3%, ±0.4%, ±0.5%, ±1 %, ±2%, ±3%, ±4%, ±5%, ±6%, ±7%, ±8%, ±9%, ±10% or more of the definition; for example the term“substantially

perpendicular” may mean the 90° perpendicular angle may mean“about 90°”. The term “generally” may be equivalent to“substantially”.

Features described in connection with one embodiment of the disclosure may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated.

Embodiments of the disclosure include any and all parts and/or portions of the embodiments, claims, description and figures. Embodiments of the disclosure also include any and all combinations and/or sub-combinations of embodiments.

All U.S. patent applications, published patent applications and patents referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.