Flexible enclosure for protecting materials or things

A flexible enclosure associated with a surface and materials or things oriented within the enclosure with the enclosure being arranged in a plurality of embodiments for protecting materials or things enclosed thereby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention generally relates to a flexible enclosure for 
protecting materials or things enclosed thereby with various embodiments 
of the enclosure including the support of the enclosure from a surface to 
prevent undue force or weight being applied thereto that would damage or 
prevent the enclosure from serving the purpose for which it was designed 
and which can be gas supported for orienting the enclosure in desired 
relationship to the materials or things enclosed thereby. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various prior U.S. patents, as discussed briefly hereinafter, disclose 
enclosures and containers for protecting materials and things received 
therein. U.S. Pat. No. 1,622,787, issued Mar. 29, 1927, to Horton, 
discloses a container generally in the form of a metal container which is 
liquid and gas proof and provided with a specific shape arrangement. U.S. 
Pat. No. 2,649,101, issued Aug. 18, 1953, to Suits, discloses a 
double-walled insulated dome structure. U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,836, issued 
July 17, 1956, to Darby, discloses a flexible enclosure supported by 
collapsible tubes so that when they are filled with fluid under pressure, 
the collapsible tubes will support the collapsible enclosure. U.S. Pat. 
No. 2,910,994, issued Nov. 3, 1959, to Joy, discloses a flexible building 
or enclosure requiring continuous input of air into the interior thereof 
with a contour tube along the bottom of the walls with the contour tube 
being independently inflatable. U.S. Pat. No. 2,915,074, issued Dec. 1, 
1959, to Cameto, discloses a patient treatment tent or enclosure utilizing 
a frame to support a tent or drape. U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,772, issued Oct. 
15, 1963, to Holcombe, discloses a lifting bag in the form of a flexible 
member which can be used to elevate structural arrangements which are 
assembled at ground level. U.S. Pat. No. 3,166,799, issued Jan. 26, 1965, 
to Birnkrant, discloses inflatable furniture items associated with a 
unique building wall to facilitate inflation and deflation thereof. U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,229,429, issued Jan. 18, 1966, to Conrad, discloses an interior 
structure for a room or enclosure to render conversations inaudible to the 
outside and is particularly adapted for use as a conference room, or the 
like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,286, issued May 31, 1977, to Trexler discloses a 
flexible tent or enclosure suspended from a frame to provide an isolated 
environment for a patient, or the like. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible enclosure for 
protecting materials, assisting in controlling processes and the like 
which is adapted to rest on a surface to prevent undue force or weight 
that would damage the enclosure or prevent the enclosure from serving the 
purpose for which it is designed. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible material enclosure 
which is gas supported for enclosing materials or things therein with the 
enclosure permitting the material or things therein to rest on the angle 
of repose or recline of the materials or things with the base or bottom of 
the materials or things enclosed within the enclosure not exceeding the 
width or other dimensional characteristics of the bottom of the enclosure. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a flexible enclosure with 
the base or sides thereof sealed to the surface or structure forming part 
of the enclosure with the materials or things within the enclosure being 
capable of resting on the structure that is part of the enclosure. 
The present invention can be arranged in various structures and modes. In 
one arrangement, the flexible material enclosure can be completely 
enclosed by a structure. In another arrangement, one flexible material 
enclosure can be placed over another with the additional enclosure being 
capable of assisting in controlling the enviroment that surround the 
flexible material enclosure. Gases can be added to or removed from the 
flexible material enclosure and materials or things may be added to or 
removed from the flexible material enclosure and structures may be 
constructed inside the flexible material enclosure and various processes 
may be performed inside of the flexible material enclosure. In another 
arrangement, the flexible material enclosure can rest on the materials or 
things that are stored in it when the gases are removed from it. When the 
gas supported flexible material enclosure is filled with materials or 
things, the gases can be removed to permit the flexible material enclosure 
to collapse free of the supporting gases and rest on the materials or 
things that are stored in the enclosure. Another use for the flexible 
material enclosure is in the control of the interior environment or 
conditions in which the materials or things are processed when they are 
positioned inside of the enclosure. Any products generated by or from the 
materials or things stored inside the flexible enclosure can be added to 
or removed from the enclosure as desired or as is necessary to satisfy the 
needs of the user. 
The flexible enclosure may have openings constructed as a part of the 
enclosure to permit the entrance of or removal of gases, things or 
materials and facilities to regulate the gas pressure inside the enclosure 
may be a part of the enclosure. The strength characteristics of the 
flexible enclosure are determined by selecting flexible material that will 
serve the requirements of the use of the enclosure. With gas removed from 
the enclosure, it can be placed through small entrances in structures and 
gas then can be used to expand the enclosure to its full dimensions or the 
full dimensions of the inside of the structure, such as inside of barrels, 
rooms, and the like. By sterilizing the flexible enclosure, a sterile 
environment can be established in any room when the enclosure is placed 
therein and sterile gas used to expand the flexible enclosure. With this 
arrangement, the enclosure can be placed through small openings in various 
restricted areas with the restricted areas serving to restrict the 
expansion and support the flexible enclosure when it is filled while 
confined inside the restricted area. 
In another variation, the flexible enclosure can be attached to a support 
which can be adjusted to assist in controlling the hazards of nature that 
may be encountered while using the enclosure with supporting surfaces 
supporting all or part of the flexible enclosure with various protective 
or stabilizing devices being added to the flexible enclosure as required 
by its use. The flexible enclosure assists in controlling the materials or 
things that can be added to or removed from the materials or things stored 
inside the flexible enclose with the enclosure being capable of being 
placed over the materials or things after they are placed in position. 
Gases or other substances that are needed by or given off by operation of 
a process or the like that is performed inside the flexible enclosure can 
be added to or removed through suitable openings or facilities in the 
enclosure. The shape and configuration of the flexible enclosure may be 
varied to adopt it to permit the desired operations or processes to be 
conducted within the enclosure. Likewise, the thickness and weight of the 
material from which the enclosure is constructed can be that which will 
enable the enclosure to be used for its desired purpose with entrances or 
other access means being provided in the enclosure enabling the user to 
add to remove from inside the enclosure any of the materials or things 
required during storage, processing or similar operations inside the 
enclosure. The size or shape of the entrances will be such to permit the 
user to make desired use of the enclosure. 
The materials, things or items that are placed or stored in the flexible 
enclosure may be supported by surfaces other than the surface of the 
flexible enclosure and there may a layer of the flexible enclosure between 
the materials or things stored or placed in the enclosure with the weight 
or force of these materials or things being supported by surfaces other 
than the flexible enclosure. When processes or operations are taking place 
within the flexible enclosure they may add additional forces or pressures 
on the surface of the flexible enclosure, but the results of these actions 
can be controlled to prevent damage to the surfaces of the flexible 
enclosure by adjusting pressure through the entrances in the enclosure. In 
some installations, there can be an additional cover of flexible material 
similar to that of the flexible enclosure to assist in controlling the 
environment of the flexible enclosure and the materials, things, 
processes, operations or items inside the flexible enclosure even when the 
flexible enclosure is used for the conversion of certain materials to 
other products. 
The flexible enclosure can be attached to airtight surfaces which support 
the things or items covered by the enclosure. Also, the enclosure can be 
placed over the surface of a pit when the pit is used for a place to store 
liquids or the like, but the liquid should not place any pressure on the 
enclosure or at least that portion which is not supported by the surface 
of the pit. Gases can be stored in the flexible enclosure as long as they 
do not exert excessive pressure on the surfaces of the flexible enclosure 
and cause damage to it. 
These together with other objects and advantages which will become 
subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation 
as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to 
the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals 
refer to like parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the flexible 
enclosure is generally designated by the numeral 10 and includes a main 
body portion 12 which may be dome shaped or the like and a bottom portion 
14 which may be flat or of any other configuration and which is adapted to 
rest on a supporting surface 16 which may be in the form of the ground or 
any other supporting surface. The enclosure 10 is supported by gases, such 
as air, or other gases, that enters or is pumped into the enclosure 10 
through an entrance 18 and the pressure can be regulated by suitable 
regulating devices associated with the entrance 18. A similar entrance 20 
may be provided in the enclosure 10 opposite to the entrance 18 or at 
other locations on the enclosure and any conventional regulating device 
may be provided for controlling the internal pressure of the gases or air 
introduced into the enclosure 10 and various types of fans, pumps, and the 
like, may be employed to induce flow of gases or air into the enclosure 
10. Material 22 may be introduced into the enclosure 10 through entrance 
24 at the apex or dome of the enclosure or at other locations on the 
enclosure and may be removed therefrom or introduced thereinto through 
entrances 26 and 28 located at optional positions on the enclosure. The 
dotted line illustration of the material within the enclosure 10 indicates 
that the diameter of the enclosure and the diameter of the material or 
width of the thing 22 in the enclosure is substantially the same while the 
height of the enclosure 10 and the height of the material is substantially 
the same although the dimensions of the material or thing are always 
slightly less than the dimensions of the enclosure to keep the pressure of 
the materials or things stored inside the enclosure off the sides of the 
enclosure. The materials or things 22 within the enclosure 10 are resting 
on the natural angle of recline of these materials or things and since the 
width or diameter of the materials or things resting on the natural angle 
of recline is controlled by the height of them, the height should never be 
such that the width of the materials or things will exceed the width of 
the flexible material enclosure 10. Thus, the materials or things can be 
stored in the flexible enclosure as long as these materials or things do 
not cause deteriorating action on the enclosure or put enough pressure on 
the sides of the enclosure to damage it. 
An additional flexible enclosure 30 encompasses the enclosure 10 and serves 
to assist in controlling the environment or other factors that might 
affect the materials, things or conditions inside the enclosure 10. The 
additional enclosure can be placed over the original enclosure and 
suitable entrances 32 and 34 are provided by which conditions within the 
additional flexible enclosure 30 can be controlled. 
FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the invention which includes a 
flexible enclosure generally designated by numeral 40 having a main body 
portion 42 similar to the body portion 12 illustrated in FIG. 1, but in 
this construction, the enclosure does not have a bottom similar to the 
bottom 14. Rather, the enclosure rests directly on a supporting surface 44 
and is sealed to this surface by a structure 46 which extends around the 
periphery of the enclosure 40. The seal 46 retains the gases or air which 
support the enclosure 40 and prevent such gases from leaking between the 
supporting surface 44 and the body portion 42 of the enclosure 40. The 
shape or configuration of the supporting surface 44 is not material as 
long as the enclosure 40 can be sealed thereto. The gases can be placed in 
the enclosure through entrances 48, 50 and 52 arranged in the same manner 
as with the enclosure 10 and the pressure can be controlled by suitable 
regulating means associated with one of the entrances to the enclosure. 
The materials or things 54 can be placed in or removed from the enclosure 
through entrances 56 and 58 in the same manner as discussed in conjunction 
with FIG. 1. As in FIG. 1, the materials or things 54 stored in the 
enclosure rest on their natural angle of recline. To provide an anchoring 
for the enclosure 40 and a seal therefor, the lower peripheral edge of the 
body portion 42 may extend laterally outwardly as at 43 with the sealing 
member 46 being an annular weight or other structure holding the enclosure 
in place on the support 44 and also sealing the enclosure 40 thereto. 
FIG. 3 illustrates an enclosure generally designated by numeral 60 which is 
partially enclosed and supported by support structure 62. The enclosure 60 
generally is in the form of a spherical member 64 and gases can be put 
into the enclosure 60 through entrances 66 and regulated at entrance 68 
and the enclosure 60 may be filled or emptied with materials, things, or 
the like, at entrances 70, 72 or 74. The width or diameter of the 
materials or things in the flexible enclosure 60 should not exceed the 
diameter of the flexible enclosure and if liquid is placed in this 
facility, it should not exceed the depth of that portion of the enclosure 
60 encompassed or engaged by the supporting structure 62, that is, the 
liquid should not exceed the level of the dotted line illustrated in FIG. 
3. The shape or configuration of the partially enclosing supporting 
structure 62 can vary so long as it conforms with and effectively supports 
the enclosure 60. 
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the flexible enclosure 80 which is 
comparable to that of FIG. 2 in that the body portion 82 is generally 
semi-spherical and has its lower peripheral edge sealed at the top of 
supporting structure 84 by a sealing arrangement 86 with the supporting 
structure 84 including a surface 88 for supporting materials or things 
placed in the enclosure 80 with the enclosure 80 not including any bottom 
portion such as used in FIG. 3. Thus, the supporting structure 84 combines 
with the flexible body portion 82 of the enclosure 80 to form a storage 
facility. If liquids are stored in this facility, the depth of liquid 
cannot exceed the top of the supporting structure 84, but materials or 
things that have an angle of recline can be stored therein, and also in 
FIG. 3, having a greater height than the horizontal center of the 
assembly, but the base of such materials or things should not exceed the 
diameter of the body portion 82 or supporting structure 84. Gases to 
support the flexible enclosure 80 are provided through entrances 90 and 92 
and the facility can be filled or emptied through entrances 94, 96 or 98 
in the same manner as in FIG. 3 and here again, the shape and 
configuration of the supporting structure 84 is immaterial as long as it 
provides a support for the material and the enclosure with the seal 
structure 86 being generally the same as that in FIG. 2. 
FIG. 5 illustrates a flexible enclosure area generally designated by 100 in 
which the peripheral walls 102 are supported by a supporting structure 104 
in which the shape and configuration may vary but encloses substantially 
all of the enclosure 100. Gases can be placed in the flexible enclosure at 
entrances 106 and 108 and controlled or regulated at either of those 
entrances while the materials or things may be placed in the enclosure 
through entrances 110, 112 or 114, thus enabling entry and exit of gases, 
regulation of the pressure and entrance and exit of materials or things in 
the same manner as in the other embodiments of the invention. In this 
arrangement, the diameter and height of the enclosure 100 can be equal to 
but not larger than the supporting structure 104. The width and height of 
the materials or things stored in the enclosure 100 should not 
substantially exceed the dimensions of structure 104. Materials or things 
that rest on the natural angle of recline can be stored or placed in the 
flexible enclosure 100 as long as these materials or things do not put 
enough pressure on the walls or sides of the flexible enclosure to damage 
the walls or sides and any materials or things that will deteriorate the 
enclosure should not be stored in it. Thus, the supporting structure 104 
provides a restricted area for the enclosure 100 and enables more flexible 
use of the enclosure. 
In FIG. 6, a flexible enclosure 120 is schematically illustrated but is 
filled either continuously or incrementally by machine 122 which is 
capable of being oriented stationarily or movable in increments in a 
manner described hereinafter. In this arrangement, gas may be introduced 
into the enclosure 120 at entrance 124 or other similar points and 
regulated at entrance 126 although this may be reversed. As illustrated, 
the machine 122 may be provided with supporting wheels 128 and a hitch 130 
for connection with a towing machine and may be equipped with a 
reciprocating plunger 132 which is reciprocated by a suitable power 
mechanism 134 through a rod structure 136 with the power mechanism, 
reciprocating plunger and rod interconnecting the two being of 
conventional construction and, in lieu thereof, a screw-type auger or 
similar screw-type mechanism may be used to force material into the 
enclosure. 
In this arrangement, a chamber 138 is provided which receives material 
through a filling hopper or point 140. When the flexible enclosure 120, 
which includes a generally cylindrical bag, is being filled continuously 
by the machine 122, the material that is being put into the flexible 
enclosure 120 flows from the chamber 138 into the enclosure 120. However, 
when the enclosure 120 is being filled by increments, the movable chamber 
138 is filled and then is withdrawn from over the material that is used to 
fill the enclosure 120. After the movable chamber 138 is withdrawn, then 
the filler machine 122 is moved approximately the length of the movable 
chamber 138 and the filling operation is repeated. The plunger 132 is used 
to move the material which is put in the machine 122 at the filling point 
140 in the machine 122 into either the enclosure 120 or into the movable 
filler 138. The plunger 132 is forced back and forth in machine 122 by the 
power device 134 and the connecting rod structure 136 and the machine 122 
moves on the wheels 128 and can be pulled by the hitch on the tongue. The 
power source 134 to operate the plunger 132 may be on the machine 122 or 
may be from a source off the machine 122, such as a power take-off. The 
flexible enclosure 120 can be extended as the enclosure is filled and 
pressure in the chamber 138 forms the material into a shaped package as 
the material flows from the machine 122. The machine 122 moves forward 
after it extrudes the material from the machine 122 with the extrusion and 
moving procedure being repeated until the enclosure 120 is filled with the 
enclosure 120 resting on the ground surface or other supporting surface 
and the material within the enclosure will not exert forces thereon 
sufficient to damage the enclosure 120 since it will retain its extruded 
shape. 
FIG. 7 illustrates an enclosure 150 constructed to be placed over materials 
or things that are in place with the machine generally designated by 
numeral 152 being used in conjunction with the machine that is putting the 
materials or things in place and is to be covered by the flexible material 
enclosure 150. In this arrangement, the materials or things are placed in 
the flexible enclosure 150 while it is in place and is gas supported, with 
gas being placed into enclosure 150 at entrance 154 and regulated at 
entrance 156. In this arrangement, the machine 152 places the flexible 
material enclosure 150 over the material or thing 158 with the wheels 160 
of the machine 152 enabling the machine 152 to move over the material 158 
and place the enclosure 150 in place. 
With the various schematic illustrations in the drawings, it will be 
understood that a structure completely enclosed by a flexible material 
enclosure or a structure that is enclosed by a combination of a flexible 
enclosure and partial supporting structure can be built to serve the need 
of individual users. However, the flexible enclosure can be completely 
enclosed by a structure such as illustrated in FIG. 5. The structures used 
to illustrate facilities covered by this invention are designed for use 
with liquids, gases, or solid materials, or a combination of these items 
can be used with this structure. The structures covered by the present 
invention can be filled by the materials or things that are stored in them 
while the flexible enclosure is supported by gases. After the facility has 
been filled with the desired materials or things, the gas can be removed 
from the facility to permit the flexible enclosure to collapse and be 
supported by the materials or things stored in them. However, the facility 
can be utilized as a storage facility with the gas still supporting the 
flexible enclosure. In some instances, there may be a need for gases to be 
used to support the flexible enclosure when the materials or things are 
removed from the facility. Also, the flexible enclosures may be reuseable 
since the flexible enclosure will normally be constructed out of 
lightweight, flexible, low strength materials, which are designed to offer 
more support than is needed to contain the gases that will be supporting 
them. If the user desires, a structure of this type may require the 
structure to be of high strength material and thus, the flexible enclosure 
may be constructed of high strength flexible material. The user of the 
flexible enclosure can add or remove from the structure things or 
materials as desired by him. 
Various processes and operations may be controlled and augmented within the 
flexible enclosure, environmental conditions relative to things or 
materials may be modified or controlled, additional flexible enclosures 
may be provided over the original flexible enclosure to assist the process 
or operation being performed within the structure or to assist with the 
environmental control of the materials or things disposed within the 
structure. products or by-products of the processes or operations 
performed within the structure can be added to or removed from within the 
structure as desired by the user and the user is not confined as to 
location of use since it may be desirable to move the facility from one 
location to another. In certain conditions, it may be desirable to 
collapse the flexible material structure on the materials or things stored 
in the structure instead of using the gas that supports the flexible 
material structure. When conditions are suitable for the structure to be 
supported by gas, it may be filled with gas in order to fill the needs of 
the user. Various machines may be used in conjunction with the placement 
of gas in the structure and to fill the structure with things or materials 
and the flexible material enclosure can be placed over the materials or 
things after they have been placed in their desired location. 
In the various embodiments of the invention, FIG. 1 is a completely 
enclosed system using the flexible material enclosure with places being 
provided in the enclosure which permits the enclosure to be filled with 
the desired amount of gas to expand and support the enclosure. Also, 
places are provided on the enclosure to permit things or materials to be 
added to or removed from the enclosure as desired. Pressure should be 
exerted by the materials or things placed in it only on the surface of the 
flexible material enclosure that is supported by a supporting surface. 
In FIG. 2, the flexible enclosure does not have a bottom thereon with the 
sides or parts of the enclosure that come in contact with the surface at 
the bottom of the closure being sealed and fastened at the bottom surface 
to permit gases to be placed in the enclosure to expand and support the 
enclosure. Openings are provided in the system to permit gases to be added 
to the enclosure for operation inside, support and expansion of the 
enclosure. There are also openings in the enclosure to permit things or 
materials to be placed in the enclosure or removed from the enclosure as 
desired by the user. 
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the flexible enclosure placed in or on a 
partial or limited surface structure support with this enclosure being 
utilized in a manner to permit pressure of the materials or things that 
are enclosed in it to exert force on the enclosure only on the surface of 
the flexible enclosure that is supported by the partial or limited surface 
structure. Gases, materials or things can be added to or removed from 
inside the enclosure with the materials or things that are stored in this 
enclosure resting on the natural angle of recline as long as the materials 
or things do not exert pressure on the sides of the flexible enclosure 
that are not supported by the partial or limited surface of the support. 
The arrangement in FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but the enclosure does not 
have a bottom structure. Rather, the bottom edge of the enclosure is 
sealed around the top of a partial or limited surface structure support. 
The flexible enclosure can be supported by gases when attached to the 
partial or limited surface structure and the things or materials placed in 
the enclosure should exert pressure only on the partial or limited surface 
structure when in use and openings are provided to permit the addition of 
or removal from the enclosure of gases, materials and things. 
The enclosure in FIG. 5 includes a structure into which the enclosure may 
be placed. The shape or configuration of the structure to hold the 
flexible enclosure is not material as long as it will permit the flexible 
enclosure to serve the purpose or permit the desired process to be 
performed in it and permit the enclosure to be used in it. Openings are 
provided in the flexible enclosure and structure to permit gases, things 
or materials to be added to or removed from it. The flexible enclosure can 
be attached to the structure by adhesives or fasteners and the gases can 
be removed from the flexible enclosure or the enclosure can fit freely 
within the enclosing structure. 
In FIG. 6, the flexible enclosure is filled by a machine while the 
enclosure is expanded or filled with air as the enclosure is being filled 
with the enclosure capable of being filled by the machine as a continuous 
filling operation or as an incremental filling operation. In FIG. 7, the 
flexible enclosure is employed to enclose a material that has previously 
been put in place. The material can be resting on the angle of recline for 
the material or the material can be preformed and the flexible enclosure 
can be placed over the material. The machine for placing the flexible 
enclosure over the material can be incorporated or used in conjunction 
with a machine that is placing the material in place and, at the same 
time, place the flexible enclosure over the material. Also, the materials 
or things can be placed in the flexible enclosure after the enclosure is 
put in place. The additional flexible enclosure, such as shown in FIG. 1, 
placed over the original enclosure will be larger than the original 
enclosure and the additional enclosure can be supported by gas that is 
independent of the gases that support the original enclosure. This 
additional enclosure will be helpful in assisting and controlling the 
environment that is inside and outside the original enclosure since gases 
can be circulated in the space between the two enclosures. The amount of 
space between the two enclosures can be that space needed by a user to 
serve those needs derived from his particular use. When desired, the gases 
can be removed from the flexible enclosure so that it will be permitted to 
collapse and rest on the materials or things inside of it. Where the 
flexible enclosure is enclosed in a structure, fastening devices may be 
provided to secure the enclosure to the structure to permit the enclosure 
to be supported by the structure after the gases or part of the gases have 
been removed from the enclosure. When gases that are part of the natural 
environment associated with the materials or things put into the flexible 
enclosure is removed from inside the enclosure, any needed gases may be 
placed inside the enclosure to mix with the materials or things which are 
inside of it. This enables moisture and other materials to be removed from 
the materials or things in the flexible enclosure. While the drawings are 
schematic, they illustrate the function of the invention and various 
conventional components may be provided for placing gases in the 
enclosure, regulating the pressure thereof, removing gases from the 
enclosure, placing materials or things in the enclosure and removing 
materials and things from the enclosure. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily 
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and 
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted 
to, falling within the scope of the invention.