Abstract:
Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to an apparatus for storing and/or concealing lavatory and/or hygienic products. Specifically, the disclosed technology is directed to a housing having an at least partially hollowed interior portion. The interior portion is adapted to store, enclose and/or conceal a toilet stoppage release tool, such as, for example, a plunger or force cup. Any shape and/or style of plunger may be stored in the housing, including, but not limited to a standard plunger, a toilet plunger, a sink plunger, an accordion plunger and/or a taze plunger. The housing may also include a narrow shaft portion which may correspond and conform to the shaft of the plunger. The narrow portion may be adapted to receive and store toilet paper rolls such that the hollow core of the toilet paper rolls is axially disposed around the shaft.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to lavatory maintenance, particularly to an enclosure for storing and concealing toilet sanitation products and/or tools. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A toilet plunger typically includes a handle and a suction head that is used to plunge a bathroom toilet by forcing air and/or liquid into and out of a drain opening, such as a drain pipe in a toilet bowl. Placement of an exposed toilet plunger in a bathroom is not aesthetically pleasing nor sanitary. On the other hand, when a toilet plunger is stored in an out of sight location, it may not be easily accessible when needed. Therefore, it is desirable to have a toilet plunger close at hand in a bathroom, preferably within a caddy or container as a plunger merely residing on a lavatory floor is unsightly. 
         [0003]    As such, many different stands, containers, and/or caddy assemblies for storing toilet plungers are known in the art. A storage container or vessel is desirable because it provides a convenient receptacle for receiving the toilet plunger after its use. The container also partially masks the unsightly view of the toilet plunger where positioned adjacent to the toilet within a bathroom. 
         [0004]    Known containers for storing toilet plungers are not without their disadvantages. For example, many containers are often unattractive in appearance, and may not blend in with the overall décor or aesthetics of the bathroom. In addition, a user must often make contact with both the toilet plunger and the container to store and remove the toilet plunger in and from the container. This may be inconvenient to the user and unsanitary. 
         [0005]    Another problem may be that the toilet plunger may inadvertently become dislodged from the container during transport. Still further, in bathrooms where space is at a premium, there may not be sufficient space to store a plunger as well as other toilet necessities within a reasonable perimeter of the toilet bowl. 
         [0006]    Another common problem encountered in bathrooms is the limited amount of space. Thus, storage of lavatory necessities can oftentimes be difficult. While certain toiletries are small and unassuming in terms of space, extra rolls of toilet paper are unsightly and take up a great deal of space. However, extra rolls are necessary in the proximity of the toilet at all times in case a primary roll is used up. As such, it is desirable to have at least a couple rolls of toilet paper within arm&#39;s reach of the toilet. However, given the hygienic nature of toilet paper use, toilet paper rolls should be in a sealed environment, protected from germs and moisture. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a caddy assembly for storing a toilet plunger and/or toilet paper that is cost-effective, minimalistic, multi-functional and makes the greatest use of the space around it. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Apparatuses and/or methods are provided for storing and/or concealing lavatory and/or hygienic products. Specifically, the disclosed technology is directed to a housing having an at least partially hollowed interior portion. The interior portion is adapted to store, enclose and/or conceal a toilet stoppage release tool, such as, for example, a plunger or force cup. Any shape and/or style of plunger may be stored in the housing, including, but not limited to a standard plunger, a toilet plunger, a sink plunger, an accordion plunger and/or a taze plunger. 
         [0009]    The housing may also include a narrow shaft portion which may correspond and conform to the shaft of the plunger (hereinafter the term “plunger” may generally be employed to describe any type of plunger and/or force cup). The narrow portion may be adapted to receive and store toilet paper rolls such that the hollow core of the toilet paper rolls is axially disposed around the shaft. In further embodiments of the disclosed technology, the toilet paper storage portion of the apparatus may be exposed or concealed. Still further, the housing may be composed of wood, stainless steel, hard plastic, or any other material or combination of material known in the art. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, an apparatus is used for storing and concealing a lavatory tool, such as, for example, a plunger. The apparatus may have one or more of the following components: a) an exterior cylindrical enclosure having a top end, a bottom end and a circuitous side wall; b) an interior cylindrical conduit disposed within the exterior cylindrical enclosure, the interior cylindrical conduit and the exterior cylindrical enclosure sharing a common vertical axis further wherein the exterior cylindrical enclosure is longer than the interior cylindrical conduit along the vertical axis; c) a hollow compartment disposed at the bottom end of the exterior cylindrical enclosure, the hollow compartment adapted to receive a cup portion of the plunger therein, wherein the interior cylindrical conduit terminates and opens into a top end of the compartment; and/or d) a handle disposed on an exterior portion of the apparatus. 
         [0011]    In further embodiments, the apparatus may also employ a toilet paper dispensing compartment disposed at the top end of the exterior cylindrical enclosure such that the toilet paper dispensing compartment is an extension of the exterior cylindrical enclosure, a cross section of the toilet paper dispensing compartment having a diameter equal to a cross section of the exterior cylindrical enclosure. The toilet paper dispensing compartment may be mounted to the enclosure using one or more fasteners. The fasteners may be, for example, spring locking clips, hinge clips, screwable threads, Velcro and/or any other fastening means known to one having ordinary skill in the art of removably affixing two or more rigid or semi-rigid bodies to one another. 
         [0012]    In further embodiments, the bottom end of the exterior cylindrical enclosure defines an opening such that the plunger rests on an exterior surface. Alternatively, the bottom end of the exterior cylindrical enclosure may define a flat interior surface onto which the plunger rests. The interior cylindrical conduit may be adapted to receive a plurality of toilet paper rolls axially disposed thereon, the toilet paper rolls being encased within the exterior cylindrical enclosure. As such, a bottom roll of the plurality of toilet paper rolls abuts a top surface of the hollow compartment. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method is used for selectively storing and withdrawing lavatory supplies. The method is carried out, not necessarily in the following order, by: a) placing a plunger on a flat surface; b) placing an enclosure atop the plunger such that a handle of the plunger is disposed within a narrow interior cylinder of the enclosure; c) axially stacking on or more toilet paper rolls around the narrow interior cylinder within the enclosure; d) detachably affixing a modular toilet paper dispenser onto the enclosure by fastening a latch, the modular toilet paper dispenser having a handle disposed thereon; e) lifting the enclosure by the handle in a direction substantially away from the flat surface such that the plunger is exposed and accessible; and/or f) releasing the latch and lifting the modular dispenser by the handle such that the toilet paper rolls are accessible. 
         [0014]    In yet another embodiment of the disclosed technology, a lavatory supply storage tower is provided. The storage tower may have one or more of the following components: a) a plunger having a cup with an elongated handle extending therefrom, wherein an open end of the cup is stood onto a surface such that the handle extends orthogonally away from the cup and the surface; b) an enclosure placed over the plunger, the enclosure having a first exterior cylinder and a second interior cylinder disposed inside the exterior cylinder, wherein the handle of the plunger is inserted into a base orifice of the interior cylinder; and/or c) a plurality of toilet paper rolls disposed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder such that the second cylinder extends axially through each toilet paper roll of the plurality of toilet paper rolls. 
         [0015]    A better understanding of the disclosed technology will be obtained from the following brief description of drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a cylindrical storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of a cylindrical storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows an overhead perspective view of a cylindrical storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a front elevation view of a cylindrical storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a close-up perspective view of a toilet paper dispenser with a spring button locking pin attachment mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a partial phantom elevation view of an assembled storage apparatus with plunger and toilet paper rolls stored therein. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a close-up perspective view of a toilet paper dispenser with a threaded bolt attachment mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows a close-up perspective view of a toilet paper dispenser with a hinged clasp attachment mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a top plan schematic view of a cylindrical enclosure with toilet paper rolls stored therein in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a removable sleeve for toilet paper rolls in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a cylindrical enclosure for receiving the removable sleeve of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the sleeve of  FIG. 10  inserted into the cylindrical enclosure of  FIG. 11  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a rectangular storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows a side perspective view of a rectangular storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  shows a partial phantom elevation view of an assembled rectangular storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  shows a top plan schematic view of the lower enclosure portion of the rectangular embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    A better understanding of the disclosed technology will be obtained from the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosed technology, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    References will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness. 
         [0034]    Referring now to the figures, apparatuses and methods are provided for ergonomically storing and concealing one or more lavatory products, supplies, and/or tools. Embodiments of the disclosed technology employ one or more hollow or semi-hollow modular sections for covering, concealing, receiving and/or storing one or more lavatory items. 
         [0035]    The types of items that may be stored in embodiments of the disclosed technology may include any item associated with lavatory use, maintenance, repair, hygiene, cleanliness, disinfection, etc. Such items may include toiletries, such as, but not limited to, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, tissues, paper towels, soap, baby wipes, and/or disinfectant wipes. Furthermore, lavatory maintenance, cleaning and/or repair items may also be stored and/or concealed using the disclosed technology. Such lavatory supplies may include, but are not limited to, plungers, force cups, toilet brushes, toilet augers, toilet snakes, air/CO 2  powered drain unclogging devices, floor cleaning brushes/mops, and/or any other drain unclogging device. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view is shown of a cylindrical storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The cylindrical storage enclosure  10  (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “cylindrical enclosure  10 ”, “enclosure  10 ”, “first cylinder  10 ”, and/or “exterior cylinder  10 ” in  FIGS. 1 through 12 ). The enclosure  10  depicted has a circular cross section, however it is envisioned that in different embodiments the enclosure may have different shapes, sizes and configurations. For example, the enclosure may have an oval or hexagonal cross section. Further, the cross section may not necessarily remain the same shape and/or size along the elevation of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0037]    The enclosure  10  generally has a top end  12  and a bottom end  14  with side walls extending therebetween. The side walls of the enclosure  10  may be circuitous and continuous, defining an interior region  16  which may be hollow or partially hollow. Within the interior region  16  of the enclosure  10  there may reside an interior, narrow cylinder (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “interior cylindrical enclosure  20 ”, “narrow cylinder  20 ”, “second cylinder  20 ”, and/or “interior cylinder  20 ” in  FIGS. 1 through 16 ). The interior cylinder  20  generally has a top end  22 , a bottom end  24  and side walls defining a second interior region  26 . The interior cylinder  20  may be generally sized to receive a handle of a toilet unclogging or clearing device, such as a plunger. 
         [0038]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , an optional toilet paper dispenser  30  is depicted. The toilet paper dispenser  30  (herein after referred to as “toilet paper dispenser  30 ” or “dispenser  30 ”) rests atop, mates, and/or connects to the top end  12  of the cylindrical enclosure  10 . The toilet paper dispenser has substantially the same or similar cross section to that of the enclosure  10 . The dispenser  30  likewise has a bottom end  34  and a top end  32 , which is adorned with a surface. A knob or handle  40  extends from the top end  32  for lifting the enclosure  10  and/or the dispenser  30 . A roller  50  is disposed within the dispenser  30  for mounting a roll of toilet paper (not shown) thereon. An opening in the dispenser  30  facilitates the dispensing of toilet tissue. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of a cylindrical storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 3  shows an overhead perspective view of a cylindrical storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 4  shows a front elevation view of a cylindrical storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. From these views, the orientation of the dispenser  30  with respect to the enclosure  10  can be appreciated. Further, the arrangement of the interior cylinder  20  with respect to the exterior cylinder  10  is also understood. That is, the interior cylinder  20  and the exterior cylinder share a common central vertical axis. Further, the interior cylinder  20  is arranged such that a handle protruding from a plunger or other toilet cleaning and/or clearing device may be received therein. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows a close-up perspective view of a toilet paper dispenser with a spring button locking pin attachment mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment depicted, the dispenser  30  is detachably affixed to the top end  12  of the cylindrical enclosure. One or more spring button locking pins  80  may be employed to secure the dispenser  30 . The spring button locking pins  80  may be made of metal, plastic and/or any other resilient material. The spring button locking pin assembly  80  may generally be composed of a resilient or spring-biased clip  81 , with a push button  82  or other type of actuating mechanism. 
         [0041]    The push button  82  protrudes laterally from the end of the clip  81 , in a direction either away from or into the interior region  16  of the cylinder  10 . The button  82  corresponds to a comparably sized hole  83  disposed on the exterior of the enclosure  10 . When attaching the dispenser  30 , the button  82  is biased slightly inwards and engaged into place in the corresponding hole  83 . When the dispenser  30  is desired to be removed, the button  82  may simply be pressed inwards and the dispenser  30  lifted away from the enclosure  10 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  shows a partial phantom elevation view of an assembled storage apparatus with plunger and toilet paper rolls stored therein. From this view, the arrangement of a plurality of toilet paper rolls  70 - 75  is appreciated. In this particular example, a mounted toilet paper roll  70  is disposed on the spindle  50  within the dispenser  30 . Thus, the mounted roll  70  is used when toilet paper is needed. The toilet paper  70  is dispensed from the dispenser  30  like in any other toilet paper dispenser. Replacement rolls  71  through  75  are stacked one on top of the other inside the hollow region  16  of the enclosure. The rolls  71 - 75  are disposed axially around the interior cylinder  20 . 
         [0043]    Referring still to  FIG. 6 , the phantom outline of a plunger  90  is also depicted. It should be noted that instead of a plunger  90 , a toilet brush or any other tool or device with an elongated handle may be stored using the disclosed technology. Moreover, in other embodiments, no plunger may be stored in the enclosure  10 , and the enclosure may simply be used to store toilet paper. In the present example, the plunger  90  is generally constructed of a resilient rubberized, elastomer and/or plastic cup portion  91 , with an elongated, narrow shaft  92  (hereinafter “shaft  92 ” or “handle  92 ”) extending therefrom. 
         [0044]    The plunger is used to release stoppages in plumbing. The shaft  92  may be composed of any hard material, such as wood or plastic. In practice, the cup is pushed down against a drain opening, and either pressed hard into the drain to force air in, or is pushed down until the rubber cup is flattened, then pulled out, causing a vacuum that attracts material. The intent is to loosen or break up a blockage caused by excessive material in the drain. In performing this function, the cup  91  of the plunger  90  will inevitably become riddled with waste particles and germs. Thus, sanitation and cleanliness of the plunger  90  is desired. 
         [0045]    As such, the enclosure  10  of the disclosed technology has a compartment  17  for receiving, concealing and/or storing the cup portion  91  of the plunger  90 . The compartment  17  may generally define a hollow interior, with a top end  18  and a bottom end  19 . The top end  18  may be flat surface, with a hole disposed in a center thereof through which the narrow cylinder  20  extends. Thus, the plunger handle  92  is received into this hole when desired to be stowed. The bottom end  19  of the compartment  17  may be open such that the plunger  90  rests on an exterior surface  200 , such as a bathroom floor. Alternatively, the bottom end  19  may have a solid surface within which the plunger  90  rests. In this embodiment, the bottom end  19  may be opened or detachable in order to facilitate insertion of the plunger  90 . 
         [0046]    In embodiments where the plunger  90  simply rests on the exterior surface  200 , the entire enclosure  10 , inclusive of the dispenser  30  and any toilet paper rolls  70 - 75 , may simply be lifted off the ground to expose the plunger  90 . Likewise, when plunger  90  is desired to be stowed, the enclosure  10  may be placed over the plunger  90 , ensuring that the shaft  92  is aligned with and inserted into the narrow cylinder  20 . 
         [0047]    In order to promote ease of use, the entire apparatus may be constructed of light-weight materials. As such, components of the enclosure  10  may be composed of one or more of the following materials: metal, wood, plastic, glass, and/or any other material. In embodiments, the material used to construct the apparatus may be at least partially flexible or resilient in nature. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows a close-up perspective view of a toilet paper dispenser with a threaded bolt attachment mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, instead of a spring clip assembly  80 , a threaded bolt  84  is used to removably affix the dispenser  30  to the enclosure  10 . The bolt  84  is a threaded appendage extending from the bottom surface  34  of the dispenser  30 . Corresponding receiving threads  85  are disposed along the interior walls of the interior cylinder  20 . When attaching the dispenser  30  in this embodiment, the threaded bolt  84  is mated to the top end  22  of the interior cylinder  20  to cause the threads on the bolt to engage the threads  85  within the cylinder. Once engaged, the dispenser  30  is rotated until tight. In other embodiments, the bottom end  34  of the dispenser  30  and the top end  12  of the enclosure  10  may be threaded and mated to one another. 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  shows a close-up perspective view of a toilet paper dispenser with a hinged clasp attachment mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. This figure shows yet another embodiment employing a hinge type clasp  87  affixed to a hook  86  to attach the dispenser  30 . In addition to the fasteners disclosed in  FIGS. 5 through 8 , any other type of fastener or attachment mechanism may be used to removably affix the dispenser  30  to the enclosure  10 . Still further, the dispenser  30  may simply rest atop the enclosure  10 , with no particular fastener used. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows a top plan schematic view of a cylindrical enclosure with toilet paper rolls stored therein in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, the roll  71  resides axially disposed around the interior cylinder  20 , within the confines of the external cylindrical enclosure  10 . Further, the shaft  92  of the plunger  90  is shown residing within the confines of the interior cylinder  20 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a removable sleeve for toilet paper rolls in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a cylindrical enclosure for receiving the removable sleeve of  FIG. 10 . The sleeve  76  may also be constructed of any light weight material known in the art. The sleeve  76  is generally composed of a planar, circular plate  77  having a hole  78  disposed therein. A hollow, cylindrical shaft  79  extends orthogonally from the hole  78  of the plate  77 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the sleeve of  FIG. 10  inserted into the cylindrical enclosure of  FIG. 11  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The hole  78  and the shaft  79  are sized to have a slightly larger diameter than that of the interior cylinder  20 . The plate  77  has a diameter that is slightly smaller than that of the exterior cylinder  10 . This facilitates the placement of the sleeve  76  around the interior cylinder  20  and within the exterior cylinder  10  as depicted in  FIG. 12 . Once in place, toilet paper rolls (not shown) may be stacked onto the sleeve  76  in accordance with  FIGS. 1 through 9  and their accompanying descriptions. In order to remove toilet paper rolls residing near the bottom end  14  of the enclosure  10 , the shaft  76  may be lifted by a user to make the rolls more accessible. The sleeve  76  is an optional feature and is not necessary for enabling operation and use of the apparatus. 
         [0053]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a rectangular storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 14  shows a side perspective view of a rectangular storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The rectangular embodiment generally has a modular enclosure portion  110 , with a dispenser  130  attached to a top thereof. The enclosure  110  has a top end  112  and a bottom end  114  defining a hollow interior region  116  within four walls. An interior cylinder  20  is disposed within the enclosure  110  bearing semblance to the interior cylinder described with respect to  FIGS. 1 through 9 . The interior cylinder  20  has a top end  22  and a bottom end  24  defining a hollow interior region  26 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 15  shows a partial phantom elevation view of an assembled rectangular storage enclosure with detached dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 16  shows a top plan schematic view of the lower enclosure portion of the rectangular embodiment of the disclosed technology. The illustrated dispenser  130  has a rectangular or square cross section equivalent to that of the enclosure  110 . The dispenser may have a handle  40  disposed on a top end  132  thereof. A roller or spindle  50  is disposed within the dispenser  130  for holding a toilet paper roll  70 . Any type of fastener or fasteners may be used to removably affix the dispenser  130  to the enclosure  110 . 
         [0055]    The rectangular embodiment likewise has a plunger cup  91  storage compartment  117 . In this embodiment, the bottom  114  of the enclosure  110  may be open towards the surface such that the plunger  90  rests on an exterior surface. Alternatively, the compartment  117  may be enclosed such that the plunger cup in sealed therein. A detachable resting plate (not shown) may be adapted to receive the cup  91  of the plunger  90  thereon. The plate may have a raised groove or outline corresponding to the lips of the plunger cup  91  such that the cup resides flush atop the plate. 
         [0056]    One skilled in the art will recognize that an implementation of an actual apparatus or method may contain other components as well. While it is obvious that modification or proper change and combination can be made to the present plunger and supply enclosure according to the present invention by those skilled in the art, however, without departing from the contents, spirit and scope of the invention, any variations that are intended to achieve the techniques disclosed in the present invention should be within the scope of this invention. Specifically, it should be pointed out that all similar substitutions and modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art, and they are deemed to be within the scope and content of the present invention. 
         [0057]    It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings relate to a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention. However, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific arrangements as shown in the drawings and described in detail herein above. The exemplary materials, constructions and illustrations included in the preferred embodiment and this patent application should therefore not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0058]    While the disclosed invention has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, apparatuses, and devices described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.