Aerosol-generating device and component for use with an aerosolgenerating device
Technical Field The present invention relates to a component for use with an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating device comprising such a component.
Background
Certain aerosol-generating devices are known which, in use, produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user from an aerosol-generating material. Some such devices vaporise a liquid to produce an aerosol which is inhaled by a user. Examples of such types of devices are known as electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
It may be desirable to enhance a sensory experience of a user when using such an aerosol-generating device, to allow the user to experience, for example, a selected flavour during use of the device. However, there maybe difficulties in manufacture or otherwise, in providing such sensory enhancement to the aerosol by means of the liquid or other aerosol-generating source material from which the aerosol is generated by the device.
Summary
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a component for use with an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising an elongate device body, the component being configured for attachment to the device body, and wherein the component includes a sensate material configured to create an aroma to be sensed by a user.
The component may comprise a connection part configured for attachment to the device body of the aerosol-generating device, and a sensate part comprising the sensate material.
The connection part may comprises a deformable material.
The component may be configured to at least partially surround a circumference of the device body. The component may comprise a band or sleeve configured to entirely surround the circumference of the device body.
The component may comprise an elastically deformable material to enable the component to be stretched over the device body.
The component may comprise silicone, plastic or an elastomer. The component may comprise paper, PVC and/or PET. The component may comprise an attachment formation configured for connection to a corresponding attachment formation provided on the device body to enable attachment of the component to the device body.
The attachment formation may comprise one of a plug, socket, button, hook, latch, popper, projection or recess.
The component may comprise a sticker, label or patch that includes an adhesive layer to enable attachment of the component to the device body. Such a sticker, label or patch may be attachable to a sleeve or other component which is attachable to the device body. Thereby, the component may comprise a support element or connection part attachable to the device, and a sensate part, comprising an attachable sticker, label or patch, which comprises a sensate material, attachable to the support element. The sticker, label or patch maybe detachably attachable to the support element or device, and maybe repeatedly detachable and attachable to the support element or device.
The component may comprise a plurality of layers of material.
At least two of the plurality of layers of material may comprise different materials. The plurality of layers may comprise a base layer and an outer layer.
The outer layer may comprise a greater fluid absorbency or permeability properties than the base layer. The base layer may comprises silicone, a plastic or an elastomeric material. The base layer and/or the sensate layer of the component may comprise paper, PVC and/or PET.
The outer layer may comprise a fabric, textile or leather material.
The outer layer may comprise a sensate layer on a first side of the base layer. The base layer may comprise an adhesive layer on an opposite side of the base layer to the sensate layer. The component may further comprise a removable cover layer attached to the base layer over the adhesive layer.
The cover layer may include a pull tab or pull region to facilitate removal of the cover layer from the base layer to expose the adhesive layer.
The sensate material may be sprayed onto a surface of the component.
The sensate material may be impregnated into a material of the component. The sensate material may be configured to create an aroma to be sensed by a user during use of the aerosol-generating device.
The sensate material may comprises a plurality of hollow particles comprising an outer shell and containing a fragrance or flavourant.
The shell may be permeable such that the fragrance or flavourant can permeate the shell to provide an aroma or flavour.
The shell may be rupturable to release the fragrance or flavourant to create an aroma or flavour.
The component may be configured such that a user can cause a flavour or aroma to be released by exerting pressure on an outer surface of the component. In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is also provided an aerosol-generating device comprising an elongate device body having a proximal end and a distal end, an aperture at the proximal end of the device body for aerosol to be drawn from the aerosol-generating device during use, and a component as described above attached to the device body. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mouthpiece at the proximal end of the elongate device body.
The component maybe spaced from the proximal end of the mouthpiece. The component may be detachable from the device body.
The component may at least partially surround a circumference of the device body.
The component may comprise an attachment formation and the device body comprises a corresponding attachment formation for engagement with the attachment formation of the component to enable attachment of the component to the device body.
The attachment formations of the component and of the device body may respectively comprise one of a plug and socket, buttons, hook, latches, poppers, projections or recesses.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating device including a component of a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a side view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 shown with the component separate to the device; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating device including a component of a second embodiment;
Figure 4 is a side view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 3 shown with the component separate to the device;
Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device and component, taken along the line X-X of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a side view of an aerosol-generating device including a component of a third embodiment;
Figure 7 is a schematic enlarged side view of the component of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a schematic side view of an aerosol-generating device including a component of a fourth embodiment.
Detailed Description
In the figures described herein, like reference numerals are used to illustrate equivalent features, articles or components.
Figures 1 and 2 show a side view of an aerosol-generating device 10 comprising a component 12 of a first embodiment of the invention. The component 12 is shown attached to the aerosol-generating device 10 in Figure 1, and is shown detached from and adjacent to the aerosol-generating device 10 in Figure 2. The device 10 comprises an elongate body 14 with a mouthpiece 16 at a proximal end of the body 14. The mouthpiece may be detachably connected to the body 14. The body 14 houses components (not shown) of the aerosol-generating device which, in use, produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The mouthpiece 16 includes an aperture (not shown) at the proximal end 18 of the mouthpiece 16 through which the generated aerosol is drawn out of the body 14 to be inhaled by a user.
The component 12 of the aerosol-generating device 10 is provided on the body 14 proximate the mouthpiece 16. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the component 12 comprises a resilient band which extends around the body 14. The component may be made of silicone, or an elastomer, and may be elastically deformable so as to be stretched to fit over the body 14 and then held in place on the body 14 by the elastic tension of the component 12 around the body 14.
The component 12 is provided with a sensate material and is configured to produce a sensory effect on a user when the user inhales an aerosol through the mouthpiece 16 during use of the aerosol-generating device 10. The sensate material can comprise a flavour or flavourant configured to provide an aroma to the user. Such sensate material maybe provided as a coating on the component 12, and maybe sprayed onto the component during manufacture of the component 12. Alternatively, or in addition, the senate material may be impregnated into the material of the component 12.
Furthermore, the sensate material may comprise a plurality of small hollow particles which contain a flavor and/ or fragrance which produce an aroma. That is, particles defining a shell with a hollow interior which is at least partially filled with a flavour/fragrance. The particle shell material may comprise isoflurone diisocyanate, tetramethylethylenediamine, polyacrylate or shell-lac. The sensate material may be able to be released or activated by a used exerting pressure on a surface of the component 12, for example to rupture the shells of the particles, or to squeeze the sensate material from the part of the component 12 into which it is held or absorbed.
It will be appreciated that since the component is located proximate the mouthpiece 16, the component 12 will be located close to a user’s nose when the user inhales aerosol through the mouthpiece 16 during use. Accordingly, the user will be able to smell the aroma from the sensate material of the component 12 through their nose during inhalation of an aerosol through the mouthpiece. The smelling of the sensate material causes a somatosensorial sensation for the user, which is perceived as a taste of the inhaled aerosol.
The mouthpiece 16 extends over a distance “di” from the proximal end 18 of the mouthpiece 16 towards the proximal end of the body 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the component 12 is spaced from a distal end of the mouthpiece 16, being the proximal end of the body 14, by a distance “d2” so as to be spaced from the mouthpiece
16 of the aerosol-generating device 10. This can ensure that a user does not contact the component 12 with their lips during use, and so avoids “tasting” the sensate material via the mouth during use. This also helps locate the component 12 in an optimal position beneath the user’s nostrils during use, to facilitate the user smelling the sensate material of the component through the nose during use.
Although in the exemplary embodiment shown, the component 12 is spaced from the mouthpiece 16 by the distance d2, the invention is not limited to this particular configuration, and in other embodiments, the component may overlap a portion of the mouthpiece 16 such that it is spaced from the mouthpiece 16 by a distance less than d2, or may be positioned along the body 14 spaced from the mouthpiece 16 such that the component 12 is spaced from the mouthpiece 16 by a distance greater than d2.
Advantageously, all such optional configurations may permit the component being positioned beneath the user’s nostrils during use, to facilitate the user smelling the sensate material of the component through the nose during use, whilst avoiding the user contacting the component 12 with their lips during use, and so avoid “tasting” the sensate material via the mouth during use. Furthermore, a user maybe able to adjust the position of the component 12 on the body 14 in order to locate the component at the preferred position for the desired sensory experience during use of the aerosolgenerating device 10. This can also allow the component 12 to be adjusted on the aerosol-generating device 10 to accommodate users with different face shapes and different facial features.
Figures 3 and 4 show a side view of an aerosol-generating device 10 comprising a component 12 of a second embodiment of the invention. The component 12 is shown attached to the aerosol-generating device 10 in Figure 3 and is shown detached from and adjacent to the aerosol-generating device 10 in Figure 4. The device 10 is the same as the device described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and like features retain the same reference numerals and a description thereof will not be repeated. A difference with the second embodiment is in the construction and configuration of the component 12. The component 12 is provided on the body 14 proximate the mouthpiece 16. In the second embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the component 12 comprises a sleeve which fits over a portion of the body 14 and extends around part of the circumference of the body 14. The component 12 may be made of a resilient material such as plastic and may clip around the body 14 and be attached to the body 14 and retained thereon by friction and resilient force of the material of the component 12. The component 12 may be made of a single layer of material, or may be made of multiple layers of material in a laminate structure. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the component 12 comprises two layers of material, a base layer 20 and an outer layer 22. This can be seen more clearly in Figure 5, which is a cross-sectional view along the line X-X of the aerosol -generating device 10 and component 12 of Figure 3. The base layer 20, in use, comprises an inner layer which lies in contact with the body 14. The base layer 20 maybe made of plastic, silicone, metal, such as aluminium, nickel, steel, copper or other metal, an elastomer, paper, PVC and/or PET, and maybe elastically deformable so as to be stretched to fit over the body 14 and then held in place on the body 14 by the elastic tension of the base layer 20 around the body 14, and/or by a close frictional fit of the base layer 20 against the body 14. The outer layer 22 may be made of a fabric, such as a textile, natural or synthetic fabric or natural or synthetic leather, for example. As with the first embodiment, the component 12 is provided with a sensate material and is configured to produce a sensory effect on a user when the user inhales an aerosol through the mouthpiece 16 during use of the aerosol-generating device 10. The sensate material can comprise a flavour or flavourant configured to provide an aroma to the user. Such sensate material may be provided as a coating on the component 12, and maybe sprayed onto the component during manufacture of the component 12. Alternatively, or in addition, the senate material may be impregnated into the material of the component 12. In the second embodiment, the sensate material may be absorbed into, impregnated into or otherwise comprised within the outer layer 22. For example, the outer layer may comprise a material with greater absorbency properties and/or be more permeable than the base layer 20. Thereby, the outer layer may be able to retain a greater amount of sensate material than the base layer 20. However, the invention is not limited to such configuration and both the base layer and outer layer may comprise a sensate material, in equal of differing proportions. As with the first embodiment, the sensate material may comprise a plurality of small hollow particles which contain a flavor and/or fragrance which produce an aroma. That is, particles defining a shell with a hollow interior which is at least partially filled with a flavour/fragrance. The particle shell material may comprise isoflurone diisocyanate, tetramethyl ethylenediamine, polyacrylate or shell -lac. The sensate material may be able to be released or activated by a used exerting pressure on a surface of the component 12, for example to rupture the shells of the particles, or to squeeze the sensate material from the part of the component 12 into which it is held or absorbed.
It will be appreciated that since the component 12 is located proximate the mouthpiece 16, the component 12 will be located close to a user’s nose when the user inhales aerosol through the mouthpiece 16 during use. Accordingly, the user will be able to smell the aroma from the sensate material of the component 12 through their nose during inhalation of an aerosol through the mouthpiece. The smelling of the sensate material causes a somatosensorial sensation for the user, which is perceived as a taste of the inhaled aerosol.
The mouthpiece 16 extends over a distance “d” from the proximal end 18 of the mouthpiece 16 to the proximal end of the body 14. The component 12 may extend to the proximal end of the body 14 such that it is spaced from the proximal end 18 of the mouthpiece 16 by the distance d to help prevent a user contacting the component 12 with their lips during use. This may also help locate the component 12 in an optimal position beneath the user’s nostrils during use, as described above.
The component 12 may be spaced from the proximal end 18 of the mouthpiece 16 by the distance d equivalent to the length of the mouthpiece 16, or may overlap a portion of the mouthpiece 16 such that it is spaced from the proximal end 18 by a distance less than d, or may be positioned along the body 14 spaced from the mouthpiece 16 such that the component 12 is spaced from the proximal end 18 by a distance greater than d. Advantageously, all such optional configurations may permit the component 12 being positioned beneath the user’s nostrils during use, to facilitate the user smelling the sensate material of the component through the nose during use, whilst avoiding the user contacting the component 12 with their lips during use, and so avoid “tasting” the sensate material via the mouth during use. Furthermore, a user maybe able to adjust the position of the component 12 on the body 14 in order to locate the component at the preferred position for the desired sensory experience during use of the aerosolgenerating device 10. This can also allow the component 12 to be adjusted on the aerosol-generating device 10 to accommodate users with different face shapes and different facial features. Within the scope of the invention, the component 12 may be an accessory provided with an aerosol-generating device 10, or provided separately to the aerosol-generating device 10 and configured to be fitted to, on, around or otherwise secured to the aerosolgenerating device 10. Figures 6 and 7 show a side view of an aerosol-generating device 10 comprising a component 12 of a third embodiment of the invention. The component 12 is shown attached to the aerosol-generating device 10 in Figure 6, and is schematically shown in enlarged side view detached from the aerosol-generating device 10 in Figure 7. The device 10 is the same as the device 10 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and like features retain the same reference numerals and so a description thereof will not be repeated.
A difference with the component 12 of the third embodiment is in the construction and configuration of the component 12. The component 12 of the third embodiment comprises a sticker, patch or label which can be attached to the body 14 and retained thereon by adhesive. The component 12 comprises a base layer 28 with a gummed or adhesive layer 30 provided on one side of the base layer 28 and a sensate layer 32 provided on the opposite side of the base layer 28 to the adhesive layer 30. The base layer 28 may comprise any of the materials mentioned above regarding the materials of the previous embodiments, including plastic, silicone, metal, such as aluminium, nickel, steel, copper or other metal, any such metal as a foil (for enhanced flexibility), an elastomer, paper, PVC and/or PET. The component 12 can initially be provided with a protective cover layer 34 removably attached over the adhesive layer 30. The cover layer 34 can be removed before use by a user to expose the adhesive layer 30 to allow the component 12 to be place on and adhered to the body 14 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The cover layer 34 may include a tab or pull region 36 to facilitate removal of the cover layer 34 from the rest of the component 12 before affixing to the body 14.
This action is shown by downward arrows in Figure 7 indicating removal of the cover layer 34, before a user adheres the component 12 to the body 14 of the aerosolgenerating device 10.
As with the previous embodiments, the sensate layer 32 comprises a sensate material configured to produce a sensory effect on a user when the user inhales an aerosol through the mouthpiece 16 during use of the aerosol-generating device 10. The sensate material can comprise a flavour or flavourant configured to provide an aroma to the user. Such sensate layer 32 may be provided as a coating layer on the base layer 28, and may be sprayed onto the base layer 28 during manufacture of the component 12. Alternatively, or in addition, the senate material of the sensate layer 32 may be at least partially absorbed into, impregnated into or otherwise comprised within the base layer 28. For example, the base layer 28 may comprise an at least partially absorbent material. As with the previous embodiments, the sensate material of the sensate layer 32 may alternatively, or additionally, comprise a plurality of small hollow particles which contain a flavor and/ or fragrance which produce an aroma. That is, particles defining a shell with a hollow interior which is at least partially filled with a flavour/fragrance. The particle shell material may comprise isoflurone diisocyanate, tetramethyl ethylenediamine, polyacrylate or shell -lac. The sensate material may be able to be released or activated by a used exerting pressure on a surface of the component 12, for example to rupture the shells of the particles, or to squeeze the sensate material from the part of the component 12 into which it is held or absorbed. The component 12 of the third embodiment may be flexible so that it can be provided on the body 14 and wrapped partially or fully around the body 14. A user is able to place the component 12 onto the body 14 before or during use of the aerosol-generating device 10 in a position according to the user’s preference. In Figure 6, the component 12 is shown positioned proximate the mouthpiece 16. It will be appreciated that since the component is located proximate the mouthpiece 16, the component 12 will be located close to a user’s nose when the user inhales aerosol through the mouthpiece 16 during use. Accordingly, the user will be able to smell the aroma from the sensate material of the component 12 through their nose during inhalation of an aerosol through the mouthpiece. The smelling of the sensate material causes a somatosensorial sensation for the user, which is perceived as a taste of the inhaled aerosol.
In a similar configuration to the component shown in Figure 1, the mouthpiece 16 extends over a distance “di” from the proximal end 18 of the mouthpiece 16 towards the proximal end of the body 14, and the component 12 is shown spaced from a distal end of the mouthpiece 16, being the proximal end of the body 14, by a distance “d2” so as to be spaced from the mouthpiece 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10, with the beneficial effects and function as described previously.
Although in the exemplary embodiment shown, the component 12 is spaced from the mouthpiece 16 by the distance d2, the invention is not limited to this particular configuration, and since a user may choose to place the component 12 in a desired location on the body 14, the component 12 may be placed to overlap a portion of the mouthpiece 16 such that it is spaced from the mouthpiece 16 by a distance less than d2, or may be positioned along the body 14 spaced from the mouthpiece 16 such that the component 12 is spaced from the mouthpiece 16 by a distance greater than d2. Advantageously, all such optional configurations may permit the component being positioned beneath the user’s nostrils during use, to facilitate the user smelling the sensate material of the component through the nose during use. Such positioning may also avoid a user contacting the component 12 with their lips during use, and so avoid “tasting” the sensate material via the mouth during use. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer my comprise a reusable or non-permanent adhesive such that a user may be able to adjust the position of the component 12 on the body 14 in order to locate the component at the preferred position for the desired sensory experience during use of the aerosol-generating device 10. This can also allow the component 12 to be adjusted on the aerosol-generating device 10 to accommodate users with different face shapes and different facial features. It will be appreciated that the component 12 of the third embodiment may be placed in a location of the user’s choosing on the device 10, which may include placing on or over a sleeve or band of a component of one of the previous embodiments, as well as directly on a body 14 of an aerosol -generating device 10. In such arrangements, the component 12 may include the component 12 as shown in any of Figures 1 - 4, with the sticker/label/patch of the component 12 of the third embodiment attached thereto.
Exemplary embodiments described above comprise a band, sleeve, label, patch or sticker which surrounds the circumference of the body 14 along at least a portion of the length of the body 14. However, components 12 of the invention are not limited to configurations which extend around the entire circumference of the body 14 and in alternative embodiments, the component may extend around a portion of the circumference of the body 14. In an embodiment, the component may extend around more than 50% of the circumference of the body, and may extend around more than 60% of the circumference of the body, and may extend around more than 70% of the circumference of the body, and may extend around more than 80% of the circumference of the body, and may extend around more than 90% of the circumference of the body. In some embodiments, the component 12 may be provided with an attachment formation and the device body 14 may comprise a corresponding attachment formation for engagement with the attachment formation of the component to enable attachment of the component to the device body. Such an exemplary embodiment is shown schematically in Figure 8, in which the component 12 comprises a projection 24 and the body 14 comprises a recess 26. The projection 24 can fit into the recess 26 to secure the component 12 to the body 14. The projection 24 maybe a friction fit in the recess 26, or there maybe a latch, hooks, barbs or other configurations to secure the projection 24 in the recess 26. The projection 24/recess 26 may comprise a plug and socket, poppers, hook and latch or other suitable formation. Furthermore, the projection 24 maybe formed on the body 14 and the recess 26 formed on the component 12. There may be a plurality of projections 24/recesses 26.
The component 12 may be made of a rigid or substantially rigid material to fit as a sleeve or clamp to the aerosol-generating device 10. The component 12 may comprise a support element to secure to an aerosol-generating device 10 and a carrier layer attached to the support element, wherein the carrier layer comprises the sensate material. The carrier layer maybe made of a material with greater absorbency and/or fluid permeability than the support element.
It will be appreciated that the various configurations of component 12 of the invention described above may provide various advantages. These may include improved user sensory experience during use, buy provision of one or more aromas. The component may be configured to fit to, on or around existing aerosol-generating devices to provide such sensate experience without the need to change the device design, thereby avoiding increase in device cost for manufacture. Furthermore, the component 12 enables a sensory experience for a user without the need to introduce sensate material into the mouthpiece or internal elements of the device, such as within the aerosol-generating material or liquid. A user may obtain a number of different components 12 having different sensate properties, and the user may change the component 12 on the aerosolgenerating device as they wish, to experience different senate properties depending on their preference.
As used herein, the terms “sensate material”, "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. Such material may comprise a mixture of ingredients, components, compounds or materials, or may comprise one single ingredient, component, compound or material. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang- ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco..
In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.