Multifunctional appliance for cooking

The present disclosure relates to a multifunctional appliance for cooking comprising: a cover; a first pot on which the cover is fitted, the first pot being provided with one or more first girds at a predetermined position thereof; a second pot detachably fixed inside the first pot, the second pot being provided with one or more second grids at a predetermined position thereof, the position of the one or more second grids corresponding with the position of the one or more first grids; a first heating member fixed on a sidewall of the first pot, facing right toward the one or more first girds; and a convection member fixed on the sidewall of the first pot, facing right toward the first heating member, such that the airflow generated by the convection member flows into the second pot through the first girds and second grids after being heated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of 2019113042791, filed Dec. 17, 2019, entitled “MULTIFUNCTIONAL APPLIANCE FOR COOKING,” by SHIJIE X U et al. The entire disclosure of the above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of machinery, and more particularly, to a multifunctional appliance for cooking.

BACKGROUND

With the improvement of people's life qualities, kitchen electrical appliances, such as various types of pots, ovens, and air fryers, are becoming more and more popular.

However, the conventional pots, ovens and air fryers are configured to heat food from the bottom or the top thereof, especially for the ovens and the air fryers. As a result, the food is stacked at the bottom of the appliance and due to poor air convection, and the food is likely to be unevenly heated.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the above problem, it is necessary to provide a multifunctional appliance for cooking which is able to heat food evenly.

A multifunctional appliance for cooking includes:a cover;a first pot on which the cover is fitted, the first pot being provided with one or more first grids at a predetermined position thereof;a second pot detachably fixed inside the first pot, the second pot being provided with one or more second grids at a predetermined position thereof, the position of the one or more second grids corresponding with the position of the one or more first grids;a first heating member fixed on a sidewall of the first pot, facing right toward the one or more first grids; anda convection member fixed on the sidewall of the first pot, facing right toward the first heating member, such that the airflow generated by the convection member flows into the second pot through the one or more first grids and second grids after heated by the first heating member, so as to heat the food inside the second pot.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the appliance further comprises:a second heating member provided at a bottom of the first pot, the second heating member being configured to heat a bottom of the second pot disposed inside the first pot.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the convection member comprises:a support frame fixed to the sidewall of the first pot;a fan motor fixed to a side of the support frame away from the sidewall of the first pot; andone or more blades fixed to a side of the support frame near the sidewall of the first pot, the one or more blades being coupled with the fan motor, the fan motor being configured to drive the one or more blades.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more second grids are arranged evenly or unevenly on the entire sidewall of the second pot, or the one or more second grids are arranged evenly or unevenly on a portion of the sidewall of the second pot.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the second pot is lower than the height of the first pot, such that a clearance is formed between the second pot and the cover when the cover is fitted onto the first pot.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the appliance further comprises:

a rotary motor provided at the bottom of the first pot and coupled with a rotating shaft, the rotary motor being configured to drive the rotating shaft to rotate, wherein the second pot is further provided with a first motor base at the bottom thereof, when the second pot is disposed inside the first pot, the rotating shaft is engaged with the first motor base and is driven by the rotary motor to rotate, which causes the rotation of the second pot via the first motor base.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the second heating member is a heating plate provided with a motor mounting hole at a center thereof, and wherein the heating plate is fixed at the bottom of the first pot, and wherein the rotary motor is fixed at the bottom of the first pot through the motor mounting hole.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the rotating shaft is equal to or lower than the height of the heating plate, and wherein the first motor base is configured to protrude from the bottom of the second pot, and wherein when the second pot is fixed inside the first pot, the first motor base inserts into the motor mounting hole and engages with the rotating shaft.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the rotating shaft is greater than the height of the heating plate, and wherein the first motor base is configured to recess into the bottom of the second pot, and wherein when the second pot is fixed inside the first pot, the rotating shaft inserts into the first motor base and engage with the first motor base.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the appliance further comprises:a third pot detachably fixed inside the first pot, the third pot being in contact with the second heating member so as to be heated by the second heating member, wherein when the cover is fitted onto the first pot, the third pot and the cover form a sealed space.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the cover is further provided with an air hole configured to open when the air pressure in the sealed space formed by the third pot and the cover is greater than a preset value.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the appliance further comprises:a controller provided on the sidewall of the first pot and coupled with the first heating member, the controller being configured to control the operation of the first heating member.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the appliance further comprises a second heating member, and wherein the controller is coupled with the second heating member, and is configured to control the operation of the second heating member and wherein when the second pot is mounted inside the first pot, the controller is configured to control the first heating member and the second heating member to operate, and when the third pot is mounted inside the first pot, the controller is configured to control the second heating member to operate and controls the first heating member not to operate.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller is further coupled with a fan motor and is configured to control the operation of the fan motor, and wherein when the second pot is mounted inside the first pot, the controller is configured to control the fan motor to operate.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller is further coupled with a rotary motor, and wherein when the second pot is fixed inside the first pot, the controller is configured to control the rotary motor to operate, and when the third pot is fixed inside the first pot, the controller is configured to control the rotary motor not to operate.

According to the multifunctional appliance for cooking described above, the first pot is provided with one or more first grids in a predetermined position, and the second pot is provided with one or more second grids in a corresponding predetermined position on a sidewall thereof. In this way, the one or more first grids and second grids face toward each other, the convection of the air inside the second pot can therefore be realized through the convention member. Further, the convection member faces right toward the first heating member, such that the air generated by convection can be heated, and the heated air can then flow into the second pot through the one or more first grids and second grids, and flow through the food in the second pot to heat the food evenly. Since the air flowing into the second pot has been heated, the air in contact with the food has been heated, and the food can be heated evenly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein only intend to explain the present disclosure, without limiting it.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.1toFIG.12, the present disclosure provides a multifunctional appliance based on sidewall-heating. The appliance may include a cover100, a first pot200, a second pot300, a first heating member500and a convection member600. Specifically, as shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the cover100may be detachably fitted onto the first pot200. The cover100may be removed when there is a need to replace the pot inside the first pot200, or to take out the food from or add food into the pot inside the first pot200. When the appliance is in operation, such as heating, the cover100is fixed onto the first pot200to ensure normal operation of the appliance.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG.3toFIG.5, the first pot200is also provided with a first heating member500on a sidewall thereof. The first heating member500is configured to heat the second pot300disposed inside the first pot200during operation, so as to heat the food in the second pot300. Specifically, in order to allow the food in the second pot300to be heated evenly, the air flowing into the second pot300must be heated evenly. In the present disclosure, the first pot200is provide with one or more first grids201in a predetermined position thereof, for example, in a position corresponding to the first heating member500. Optionally, the first heating member500faces right toward the one or more first grids201, and the second pot300is provided with one or more second grids301in a predetermined position thereof corresponding to the predetermined position of the first pot200. In this way, the one or more first grids201and second grids301face toward each other, such that the air may flow into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and second grids301after being heated by the first heating member500, to heat the food in the second pot300.

Further, in order to encourage the air to flow into the second pot300, the appliance of the present disclosure is also provided with a convection member600. The convection member600may be fixed to the sidewall of the first pot200and face right toward the first heating member500, such that the airflow generated by the convection member600may flow into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and second grids301after being heated by the first heating member500, to heat the food in the second pot300.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first heating member500described above may be a heating tube, and both ends of the heating tube may be connected to the boundary of the one or more first grids201respectively. The first heating member500may include a plurality of heating tubes. Alternatively, the first heating member500may be a spirally shaped heating member, and the entire dimension of the spirally shaped heating member after being spiraled may correspond with the dimension of the one or more first grids201. The convection member600may be configured to cover the first heating member500and make air flow toward the first heating member500, such that the air flowing into the first heating member500may be heated therein and flows into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and second grids301, to heat the food in the second pot300. In this way, the air flowing into the second pot300has been heated, which ensures that the air inside the second pot300can be heated evenly, and thereby allows the food in the second pot300to be heated evenly. The first heating member500and the convection member600described above may be provided on an outer sidewall of the first pot200.

According to the multifunctional appliance for cooking described above, the first pot200is provided with one or more first grids201in a predetermined position, and the second pot300is provided with one or more second grids301in a corresponding predetermined position on a sidewall thereof. In this way, the one or more first grids201and second grids301face toward each other, and the convection of the air inside the second pot300may therefore be realized through the convention member600. Further, the convection member600faces right toward the first heating member500, such that the air generated by convection can be heated, and the heated air may then flow into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and second grids301, and flow through the food in the second pot300to heat the food evenly. Since the air flowing into the second pot300has been heated, the air in contact with the food has been heated, and the food can be heated evenly.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the multifunctional appliance may further include a second heating member700. The second heating member700may be provided at the bottom of the first pot200, and is configured to heat the bottom of the second pot300disposed inside the first pot200.

The second heating member700is provided at the bottom of the first pot200, such that the bottom of the second pot300disposed inside the first pot200can also be heated by the second heating member700. With the cooperation of the first heating member500provided on the sidewall of the first pot200, both the sidewall and the bottom of the second pot300can be heated at the same time, which forms a stereo baking pattern so as to heat the food quickly and evenly.

Specifically, when the second pot300is disposed inside the first pot200and the cover100is fitted onto the first pot200, the first heating member500and the second heating member700may be controlled to heat at the same time. The air drawn in by the convection member600may be heated by the first heating member500, and the heated air may then flow into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and second grids301, while the bottom of the second pot300may be heated by the second heating member700such that the food in the second pot300can be heated from the bottom thereof. In this way, a stereo baking pattern may be formed so as to heat the food quickly and evenly.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the present appliance may further include a rotary motor701provided at the bottom of the first pot200. The rotary motor701may be coupled with a rotating shaft702, and may be configured to drive the rotating shaft702to rotate. The second pot300may be also provided with a first motor base302at the bottom thereof. When the second pot300is disposed inside the first pot200, the rotating shaft702may be engaged with the first motor base302and may be driven to rotate by the rotary motor701, and then cause the rotation of the second pot300via the first motor base302.

Optionally, the second heating member700may be a heating plate provided with a motor mounting hole703at the center thereof. The heating plate may be fixed at the bottom of the first pot200, and the rotary motor701may be fixed at the bottom of the first pot200through the motor mounting hole703.

As shown in the drawings, the second heating member700may be a heating plate provided with a motor mounting hole703at the center thereof. For example, the heating plate may be annular. In another embodiment, the heating plate may have an irregular shape with a square outer edge and a round inner edge. The heating plate may be fixed at the bottom of the first pot200, and the rotary motor701may also be fixed at the bottom of the first pot200and may be mounted through the motor mounting hole703. The motor mounting hole703is a hole provided at the center of the heating plate, and may be typically provided right at the center of the heating plate, so as to allow the rotation of the pot in contact with the heating plate. Optionally, the motor mounting hole703may be an annular track, such that the second pot300in contact with the heating plate may be driven to move along the track, that is to say, to rotate along the track, by one of the rotary motors701. For example, there may be one or more rotating shafts702for one or more rotary motors701provided on the track, wherein the rotating shafts702may be matched with the first motor base302provided at the bottom of the second pot300, and may move along the track to cause the rotation of the second pot300.

Further, the rotating shaft702of the rotary motor701of the second heating member700may be coupled with the first motor base302provided at the bottom of the second pot300. In this way, by driving the rotary motor701, the rotating shaft702of the rotary motor701may be driven, therefore the first motor base302may be driven and cause the rotation of the second pot300, which allows the bottom of the second pot300to be heated evenly. The rotation direction is shown inFIG.7. Additionally, the sidewall of the second pot300is provided with one or more second grids301, either evenly or unevenly. For example, each second grid301may be vertical or horizontal, and may have a shape in accordance with the shape of the first grid201. When a plurality of second grids301are provided on the sidewall of the second pot300every predetermined distance, that is to say, a plurality of second grids301are provided over the entire sidewall of the second pot300, as the rotation of the second pot300driven by the rotary motor701, different second grids301on the second pot300will come to face right toward the one or more first grids201on the first pot200, such that the air drawn in by the convection member600flows into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and different second grids301to allow the entire sidewall of the second pot300to be heated, i.e., to be heated evenly. In addition, since the bottom of the second pot300can also be heated evenly during rotation by the second heating member700at the same time, a stereo baking pattern can be formed to heat the food evenly.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the rotating shaft702may be equal to or lower than the height of the heating plate, and the first motor base302may be configured to protrude from the bottom of the second pot300. When the second pot300is fixed inside the first pot200, the first motor base302may be inserted into the motor mounting hole703and engage with the rotating shaft702.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the rotating shaft702may be greater than the height of the heating plate, and the first motor base302may be configured to recess into the bottom of the second pot300. When the second pot300is fixed inside the first pot200, the rotating shaft702may be inserted into the first motor base302and engage with the first motor base302.

Specifically, in order to realize the rotation of the second pot300, the first motor base302may be configured to protrude from or recess into the bottom of the second pot300.

Specifically, the height of the rotating shaft702may be equal to or lower than the height of the heating plate, and the first motor base302may be configured to protrude from the bottom of the second pot300, wherein the height of the first motor base302protruding from the bottom of the second pot300may be matched with the height of the motor mounting hole703, such that when the second pot300is fixed to the first pot200, the first motor base302is inserted into the motor mounting hole703and engage with the rotating shaft702. In this way, when the rotating shaft702is driven by the rotary motor701, the first motor base302may also be driven and thereby cause the rotation of the second pot300.

Additionally, the height of the rotating shaft702may be greater than the height of the heating plate, and the first motor base302may be configured to recess into the bottom of the second pot300. The height of the first motor base302recessing into the bottom of the second pot300may be matched with the height of the portion of the rotating shaft702protruding from the plane of the second heating member700, or be matched with the height of the rotating shaft702. When the height of the first motor base302recessing into the bottom of the second pot300is matched with the height of the portion of the rotating shaft702protruding from the plane of the second heating member700, only the rotary motor701is mounted through the motor mounting hole703, and the height of the rotary motor701is matched with the height of the motor mounting hole703, such that the entire rotating shaft702is located at a higher latitude than the second heating member700. When the height of the first motor base302recessing into the bottom of the second pot300is matched with the height of the rotating shaft702, the rotating shaft702may be partially located inside the motor mounting hole703, such that when the second pot300is fixed inside the first pot200, the rotating shaft702is inserted into the first motor base302to engage with the first motor base302. In this way, when the rotating shaft702is driven by the rotary motor701, the first motor base302may also be driven and thereby cause the rotation of the second pot300.

In the above embodiment, the food in the second pot300can be heated not only by the first heating member500provided on the sidewall of the first pot200, but also by the second heating member700provided at the bottom of the first pot200, such that a stereo baking pattern is formed to heat the food evenly.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the convection member600may include a support frame601, a fan motor602and one or more fan blades603. The support frame601is fixed to the sidewall of the first pot200and may be rectangular. The peripheral edge of the bottom of the support frame601may be directly connected to the sidewall of the first pot200, or may be integrally formed with the first pot200. The support frame601may face right toward the first heating member500mounted on the sidewall of the first pot200. The fan motor602may be provided at the other side of the support frame601and may output its driving force through a shaft of the fan motor602. The one or more fan blades603may be fixed to the side of the support frame601near the sidewall of the first pot200and is coupled to the shaft of the fan motor602, such that the fan motor602can drive the one or more fan blades603to rotate to make the ambient air drawn in and heated by the first heating member500on the sidewall of the first200to obtain heated air. The heated air may then be sent into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and second grids301to heat the food in the second pot300.

In the above embodiment, the convection member600is formed by a support frame601, a fan motor602and one or more fan blades603, so as to make the ambient air drawn in and heated by the first heating member500on the sidewall of the first200to obtain heated air, and the heated air may then be sent into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and second grids301to heat the food in the second pot300.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more second grids301may be provided on the entire sidewall of the second pot300evenly or unevenly, or may be provided on a portion of the sidewall of the second pot300evenly or unevenly.

Specifically, as shown in the drawings, the one or more first grids201are provided on the first pot200. The one or more second grids301are provided on the second pot300, wherein the one or more second grids301may be provided on only a portion of the sidewall of the second pot300evenly or unevenly. For the convenience in arrangement, the first pot200and the second pot300may be provided with a mark respectively, for example, the first pot200may be provided with a first mark, and the second pot may be provided with a second mark. The user can have the one or more second grids301and the one or more first grids201aligned with each other by having the first mark and the second mark aligned with each other, and the second pot300may be configured to be not rotatable in this case. If the one or more second grids301are provided on the entire sidewall of the second pot300evenly or unevenly, there is no need to provide the above described marks, and the second pot300may be configured to be rotatable in such a case. In this way, as the rotation of the second pot300driven by the rotary motor701, different second grids301will come to face right toward the one or more first grids201on the first pot200, such that the air drawn in by the convection member600may flow into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and different second grids301, to allow the entire sidewall of the second pot300to be heated, i.e., to be heated evenly. In addition, since the bottom of the second pot300can also be heated evenly during rotating by the second heating member700at the same time, a stereo baking pattern can be formed to heat the food evenly.

In the above embodiment, the one or more grids on the second pot300may have various forms, and no specific limitation is made here.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the second pot may be lower than the first pot200, such that when the cover100is fitted onto the first pot200, there is a clearance900formed between the second pot300and the cover100.

As shown inFIG.8, the height of the second pot300allows a clearance900to be formed between the cover100and the second pot300. The water vapor generated during baking may rise and be discharged quickly from the clearance900between the cover100and the second pot300with the help of the wind force generated by the convection member600, taking away a part of water, thereby a better baking effect can be obtained. Optionally, the cover100may be provided with an air hole101to allow the water to be taken away through the air hole101.

Specifically, due to poor air ventilation, the conventional cooking appliances, such as the pressure cooking appliances, do not have baking function at all, or have poor baking effect, while the conventional baking ovens do not have pressure cooking function. That is to say, the user has to buy separate products if pressure cooking or baking is needed, which may occupy a lot of space in the kitchen. To avoid this situation, the multifunctional appliance of the present disclosure may further comprise a third pot400detachably fixed inside the first pot200, and when the cover100is fitted onto the first pot200, a sealed space may be formed between the third pot400and the cover100.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.10, the third pot400may be used to conduct pressure cooking, and is not provided with any second grid301. The height of the third pot400may be slightly higher, such that it can be sealed by the cover100and thereby form an airtight container. The side surface of the third pot400may be in contact with the first heating member500to allow the third pot400to be heated by the first heating member500and thereby conduct pressure cooking. The first pot200is also provided with a second heating member700at the bottom thereof. Optionally, the second heating member700, instead of the first heating member500, may be used for heating during pressure cooking, such that the bottom of the third pot400can be heated by the second heating member700to obtain the effect of pressure cooking.

If the height of the rotating shaft702is equal or lower than the height of the heating plate, the bottom of the third pot400may be in contact with the heating plate, and when the third pot400is fixed inside the first pot200, a controller800is configured to control the rotary motor701not to operate. In such a case, a second motor base provided at the bottom of the third pot400may be arranged to protrude from the bottom of the first pot200, or the third pot400may be provided with no second motor base at all. In this way, when a second motor base is provided at the bottom of the third pot400, the third pot400may be fixed inside the first pot200by the engagement between the second motor base and the rotating shaft702, and when no second motor base is provided at the bottom of the third pot400, the third pot400may be fixed through the abutment between the third pot400and the cover, or through an engaging buckle provided at an edge of the first pot200. Moreover, since the height of the rotating shaft702is equal to or lower than the height of the heating plate, the bottom of the third pot400can be in contact with the heating plate, such that the third pot400can be heated by the second heating member700.

Optionally, the cover100may be further provided with an air hole101configured to open when the air pressure inside the sealed space formed by the third pot400and the cover100is greater than a preset value.

In this way, if the pressure inside the third pot400becomes greater than the preset value during pressure cooking, the air hole101may open to release the pressure and ensure safety.

Optionally, the first pot200of the multifunctional appliance may be further provided with a controller800on the sidewall thereof. The controller800may be coupled with the first heating member500, the second heating member700and the fan motor602of the convection member600, so as to control the operations thereof. If a rotary motor701is further provided, the controller800may be also coupled with the rotary motor701, so as to control the operation of the rotary motor701and thereby control the rotation of the second pot300. The controller800may be further coupled with the fan motor602, and when the second pot300is fixed inside the first pot200, the controller800may be configured to control the fan motor602to operate; when the third pot400is fixed inside the first pot200, the controller800may be configured to control the fan motor602not to operate.

Specifically, the appliance of the present disclosure may have baking mode and pressure cooking mode. When the appliance is in baking mode, that is, when the second pot300is disposed inside the first pot200, the controller800may control the fan motor602to start after it receives an instruction input by the user, such that the one or more fan blades603may be driven to rotate by the fan motor602of the convection member600to make the air drawn into the first pot200. The controller800may also control the first heating member500to operate, such that the air drawn in may be heated as it flows through the first heating member500. The heated air may then flow into the second pot300through the one or more first grids201and second grids301and reach the food contained in the second pot300, thereby the baking mode may be realized. Optionally, the controller800may also control the second heating member700to start, so as to heat the bottom of the second pot300, thereby form a stereo baking pattern to heat the food quickly and evenly.

Optionally, the controller800may also control the rotary motor701to rotate, such that the rotating shaft702of the rotary motor701may drive the first motor base302engaged with it and then cause the rotation of the second pot300, so as to heat the second pot300evenly, and thereby allow the bottom of the second pot300to be heated evenly. The rotation direction of the second pot300during baking driven by the rotary motor701is shown inFIG.7. As shown inFIG.8, due to the height of the second pot300, there may be a clearance900formed between the cover100and the second pot300. The water vapor generated during baking may rise and then be quickly discharged from the clearance900between the cover100and the second pot300with the help of the wind force generated by the convection member600. In this way, better baking effect can be obtained.

When the appliance is in pressure cooking mode, the controller800may control the second heating member700to operate and control the first heating member500not to operate.

As shown inFIG.9, pressure cooking may be conducted with the cooperation of the first pot200, the third pot400, the cover100and the controller800.

The user may dispose the third pot400into the first pot200such that the bottom of the third pot400is in contact with the second heating member700, and then put the food to be cooked into the third pot400and make the cover100fitted onto the first pot200. The cover100and the third pot400may form an airtight container, as shown inFIG.11andFIG.12.

The user may then start the second heating member700using the controller800to start heating. Since an airtight container is formed by the cover100and the third pot400, the heated air continuously expands and generates a certain pressure, thereby realize pressure cooking.

In the present disclosure, the outer pot is provided with one or more grids for ventilation, and is mounted with a fan for convection and with one or more heating tubes on the sidewall thereof, and is further provided with a rotary motor701at the bottom thereof, such that both the function of baking with rotary hot air and the function of pressure cooking can be realized with the use of two different kinds of inner pots. Baking process can therefore be conducted more quickly and better.

The technical features in the above embodiments can be combined with each other. For the brevity of the description, not all the possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction, the combinations should be considered as within the scope of the disclosure.

The above-mentioned embodiments only illustrate several implementations of the present disclosure. Although the description is specific and detailed, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, many modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, which all fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the appended claims.