Abstract:
A safety device for children, specifically a cover for use with a variety of surfaces that provides a barrier to protect a child from the heat and/or contamination of a surface. In some embodiments, the device can prevent a child from being burned or uncomfortable by the heat of a swing seat or car seat by minimizing thermal transfer between a child&#39;s skin and the swing seat for an adequate amount of time. In some embodiments, the cover can be used in a planar configuration as a changing pad or play mat.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/748,299, filed Mar. 26, 2010, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/163,568, filed Mar. 26, 2009, and the complete contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to the field of protective equipment for children, specifically a cover that can be used as a protective barrier between a child and a hot and/or unsanitary surface. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Each day, children come into contact with multiple surfaces, whether they are at home, in restaurants, on playgrounds, in parks, at school, or in cars. However, the surfaces on which children sit or play are often soiled, germ-filled, and/or too hot for a child&#39;s delicate skin. Thus, it is often necessary to cover surfaces with a protective barrier to shield a child and protect their skin and health. However, many protective products are not designed for use outdoors, over surfaces that become extremely hot, and/or are difficult to clean. Moreover, many products that are currently on the market are unable to be configured for various uses, such as for use with bucket swing seats, high chairs, stroller, car seats, and shopping carts. Therefore, it is necessary to buy multiple products for each individual use. Additionally, many products on the market are not adapted for use as changing pads or play mats, and/or they are multi-part designs rather than one-piece products. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a portable protective cover that can be used in a variety of applications. The cover should be lightweight, easy to clean, and in some embodiments should be a single unit having insulating properties to minimize thermal transfer between a hot surface and a child&#39;s skin for an adequate amount of time. The cover should be adapted to substantially conform to the interior surface geometry of a bucket-style swing seat, a high chair, and various other child seats. The cover should also be adapted for use as a changing pad and play pad. In some embodiments, the protective cover should also adequately shield all parts of a child&#39;s body that would normally come into contact with a swing seat or high chair seat without a cover. In some embodiments, the cover should be disposable after a single use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  depicts a top view of a first embodiment of a cover. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  depicts a bottom view of a first embodiment of a cover. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  depicts a top view of a second embodiment of a cover. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  depicts a bottom view of a second embodiment of a cover. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a top view of a third embodiment of a cover. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cover having one layer. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cover having two layers. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4C  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cover having three layers. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  depicts a top view of an embodiment of a cover in which top fastening components are absent. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  depicts a top view of an embodiment of a cover having markings. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A-6C  depict steps for one embodiment of a method for using a cover. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of a cover in use with a child. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of a cover in use with a bucket swing. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  depicts an embodiment of a cover in use with a high chair. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  depicts an embodiment of a cover in use with a shopping cart. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  depicts an embodiment of a cover in use with a car seat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]      FIGS. 1A-1B  respectively depict top and bottom views of an exemplary embodiment of a cover  100  in a fully extended, open position. The cover  100  can be a substantially planar member having a body section  102  and one or more extension members  104 . The cover  100  can have a top surface  106  and a bottom surface  108 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the body section  102  can have a rounded, substantially circular shape, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . In alternate embodiments, the body section  102  can have a substantially rectangular shape, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In still other embodiments, the body section  102  can be oval, triangular, hexagonal, polygonal, or have any other desired shape. By way of a non-limiting example, the body section  102  can have the shape depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0025]    The extension members  104  can extend out from perimeter edges of the body section  102 . In some embodiments, the extension members  104  can be integral with the body section  102 , such that the extension members  104  are continuous extensions of the material that comprises the body section  102 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, and  2 B. In other embodiments, one or more of the extension members  104  can be separate pieces permanently or removably coupled with the body section  102  via a bonding agent, stitching, sewing, fusing, adhesives, snaps, hood and loop fasteners, buttons, or any other connection mechanism. The extension members  104  can be substantially planar, and/or can lie in substantially the same plane as the body section  102  when the cover  100  is in the fully extended, open configuration shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A,  2 B and  3 . In alternate embodiments, at least one extension member  104  can extend from the body section  102  in any other known and/or convenient manner or from any point on the body section  102 . 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the extension members  108  can comprise a thin section  110  and a wide section  112 , such that the extension member  104  is substantially mushroom-shaped as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  FIGS. 2A-2B . The thin section  110  can extend from an edge of the body section  102  toward the wide section  112 , such that the thin portion  110  is between the wide section  112  and the body section  102 . In alternate embodiments, the extension members  104  can have any other desired geometry. By way of a non-limiting example, the extension members  104  can be rectangular, curved, straight, and/or have portions of varying thickness, such as the extension members  104  depicted in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the cover  100  can comprise a single extension member  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, and  2 B. However, in alternate embodiments the cover  100  can comprise a plurality of extension members  104 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the perimeter edges of the cover  100  can be coupled with piping material or any other type of decorative edge material, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In some embodiments, a perimeter edge can be semi-rigid or stiff and/or can be formable and/or elastomeric. In other embodiments, a perimeter edge can be weighted and/or can have non-skid properties. 
         [0028]    The cover  100 , including the body section  102  and/or extension members  104  can comprise one or more layers  400 , as depicted in the cross sections of  FIGS. 4A-4C . By way of non-limiting examples, the cover  100  can have one layer  400  as shown in  FIG. 4A , two layers  400  as shown in  FIG. 4B , three layers  400  as shown in  FIG. 4C , or any other desired number of layers  400 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4C , the cover  100  comprises three substantially planar layers: two outer layers  400   a  and  400   c , and one inner layer  400   b . The top side of the outer layer  400   a  can at least partially form the top surface  106  of the cover  100 , and the underside of the outer layer  400   a  can be at least partially coupled with the top side of the inner layer  400   b . The underside of the inner layer  400   b  can be at least partially coupled with the top side of the outer layer  400   c , and the underside of the outer layer  400   c  can at least partially form the bottom surface  108  of the cover  100 . 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the body section  102  and the extension members  104  can be integral and comprise the same one or more layers  400  made of the same materials. In other embodiments, the body section  102  and the extension members  104  can have different numbers of layers  400  and/or have layers of different materials. The extension members  104  can be any known and/or convenient color or combination of colors, and in some embodiments can be a different color or combination of colors than the body section  102 . 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the layers  400  can be flexible, such that the cover  100  can be bent, folded, rolled, bunched-up, flattened, or otherwise be manipulated. One or more of the layers  400  can be made of woven or non-woven fabric, polymer, silicone, vinyl, paper products, nylon, oilcloth, or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials, and/or can be machine or hand-washable. In some embodiments, the cover  100  and/or one or more layers  400  can comprise elastomeric material, such as Lycra® or Versalloy®. In some embodiments, at least one layer  400  can be at least partially waterproof or water-resistant, and/or can be resistant to body fluids and/or substances. In some embodiments, different layers  400  can comprise different materials. By way of a non-limiting example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4C , the outer layer  400   a  can comprise woven fabric and the outer layer  400   c  can comprise polyester interlock fabric coated with 1-2 millimeters of polyurethane to allow for easy clean-up in case of soiling. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the cover  100  and/or one or more layers  400  can comprise disposable material, such that the cover  100  or one or more layers  400  can be used once or until soiled, and then be disposed. By way of non-limiting examples, such disposable material can be paper, plastic such as polyethylene resin, or any other known and/or convenient material. In some of these embodiments, one or more layers  400  can be selectively removable from other layers  400 , such that individual layers  400  can be removed and be disposed or replaced. By way of a non-limiting example, in some two layer embodiments such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B , the upper layer  400   a  can be removed from the lower layer  400   b  when the upper layer  400   a  is soiled, and a new upper layer  400   b  can be coupled with the lower layer  400   b.    
         [0032]    One or more of the layers  400  can have ridges, be smooth, or can have any other known and/or convenient surface characteristics. One or more of the layers  400  can have decorative prints or patterns, can be solid colors, or can have any other known and/or convenient visual properties. In some embodiments, one or more layers  400  can have intrinsic anti-bacterial properties. In other embodiments, one or more layers  400  can have anti-bacterial and/or ultraviolet protective coating. The layers  400  can be formed by injection molding or any other known and/or convenient manufacturing process. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, one or more of the layers  400  can be insulating layers. By way of a non-limiting example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4C  the inner layer  400   b  can be an insulating layer  400 . An insulating layer  400  can comprise one or more materials that can minimize and/or reduce thermal transfer through the layer  400 . By way of a non-limiting example, an insulating layer  400  can at least partially inhibit heat transfer between a surface and a child when the cover  100  is placed between the surface and the child. In some embodiments, an insulating layer  400  can be comprised of an insulating material, such as Insul-Bright® material, that comprises hollow, polyester fibers needle-punched through a nonwoven substrate and through a reflective metalized poly film. Needle-punching is the process of compacting and tying together fibers with or without a base material. Hundreds of needles can punch a sheet of processed fibers into a substrate to hold batting together. The hollow fibers can resist conduction while the reflective metalized poly film can resist radiant energy. 
         [0034]    In alternate embodiments, an insulating layer  400  can comprise a permanent or removable pouch filled with insulating gel or any other known and/or convenient fluid with desired insulating properties. In some of these embodiments, the cover  100  can have a pocket in which the cover  100  can accept a removable pouch of insulating material. In other embodiments, an insulating layer  400  can be at least partially made of polyester film such as Mylar®, Melinex®, and/or Hostaphan®, and/or can be comprised of disposable material suitable for one-time use. In yet other embodiments, an insulating layer  400  can be suitable for multiple uses and/or temporary uses. In some embodiments, an insulating layer  400  can have a similar shape and/or thickness as other layers  400 . In other embodiments, an insulating layer  400  can have geometry different from that of other layers  400 . 
         [0035]    In embodiments comprising a plurality of layers  400 , the layers  400  can be coupled with each other using various methods. By way of a non-limiting example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4C  substantially the entire underside of the outer layer  400   a  can be bonded to substantially the entire upper side of the insulating inner layer  400   b  using adhesives. Likewise, substantially the entire underside of the insulating inner layer  400   b  can be bonded to substantially the entire upper side of the outer layer  400   c  using adhesives. Adhesives can be any known and/or convenient adhesive suitable for bonding the material of the layers  400  together, such as but not limited to gel adhesive, fabric glue, fusible webbing, spray adhesive, laminate, or any other known and/or convenient bonding agent. In other embodiments, layers  400  can be coupled with each other via stitching or bonding around their respective perimeters and/or at any other known and/or convenient location on or within the layers  400  and/or the cover  100 . 
         [0036]    Returning to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A,  2 B, and  3 , in some embodiments a plurality of fastening components  114  can be coupled with the cover  100 . In some embodiments, a first set of fastening components  114  can be coupled with the top surface  106  of the body section  102 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2A , and a second set of fastening components  114  can be coupled with the bottom surface  108  of the extension member  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 2B . As shown in  FIG. 1A , one or more fastening components  114  can be coupled with the top surface  106  of the body section  102  proximate to opposing perimeter edges of the body section  102 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , one or more fastening components  114  can be coupled with the bottom surface  108  of the extension member  104  on opposing sides of the wide section  112 . 
         [0037]    In alternate embodiments, the cover  100  can have any other number and arrangement of fastening components  114 . By way of a non-limiting example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the cover  100  can have ten fastening components  114  coupled with the top surface  106  of the body section  102 , and two fastening components  114  coupled with the bottom surface  108  of the extension member  104 . In  FIGS. 2A-2B , some of the fastening components  114  coupled with the top surface  106  of the body section  102  are positioned proximate to the perimeter edge of the body section  102 , while others are positioned further toward the center of the body section  102 . In still other embodiments, a plurality of fastening components  114  can be coupled with the body section  102  and/or extension member  104  in any other desired placement or configuration, such as in the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the fastening components  114  can be complementary, such that each fastening component  114  is configured to selectively mate with a corresponding fastening component  114 . By way of a non-limiting example, each of the fastening components  114  on the bottom surface  108  of the wide section  112  shown in  FIG. 1B  can be configured to selectively mate at any one time with any one of the fastening components  114  on the upper surface  106  of the body section  102 . In some embodiments, a larger number of fastening components  114  can be provided on the upper surface  106  of the body section  102  than are provided on the bottom surface  108  of the wide section  112 , such that a user can select with of the fastening components  114  on the body section  102  to use. This placement of a plurality of fastening components  114  can allow the extension member  104  to be selectively and temporarily coupled with the top surface  106  of the body section  102  in multiple configurations, depending on user preference and application. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the fastening components  114  can be complementary hook and loop members. In other embodiments, fastening components  114  can be snaps, apertures and protrusions, buttons, clips, magnets, or any other known and/or convenient type of fastening components or combination of types of fastening components. Moreover, in some embodiments, a cover  100  can have any other known and/or convenient number of complementary fastening components  114 . For example, in the embodiment of a cover  100  depicted in  FIG. 3 , extension members  104   a  and  104   c  have a plurality of apertures  114 , and an extension member  104   b  can have a plurality of protrusions  114 , such that extension members  104   a  and  104   c  can be selectively mated with extension member  104   b . In other embodiments, any convenient number of fastening components  114  can be located at any other known and/or convenient locations on an extension member  104  and/or body section  102 , such that a cover  100  can be configured to adapt to children of different body types and/or surfaces having different geometries. 
         [0040]    In alternate embodiments, the fastening components  114  can be non-complementary fasteners, such as reusable or single-use adhesives. In some of these embodiments, fastening components  114  can be absent from the top surface  106  as shown in  FIG. 5A , such that the fastening components  114  on the bottom surface  108  of the wide section  112  can be selectively coupled with any desired position on the upper surface  106  of the body section  102 . In some embodiments, indicia such as the markings  116  shown in  FIG. 5B  can be provided on the upper surface  106  of the body section  102  to illustrate suggested locations at which a user can choose to attach the fastening components  114  on the bottom surface  108  of the wide section  112  with the upper surface  106  of the body section  102 . By way of a non-limiting example, the fastening components  114  on the bottom surface  108  of the wide section  112  can be portions of adhesive tape, such that the adhesive tape can be selectively bonded with the upper surface  106  of the body section  102  at suggested markings  116  or any other desired location. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the cover  100  can comprise one or more seat fasteners  118 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, and  2 B. In some embodiments, the seat fasteners  118  can be strips coupled with and extending outward from the thin section  110  of the extension member  104 . In alternate embodiments, the seat fasteners  118  can be strings, cords, ropes, clips, or any other mechanism configured to be coupled with or attach around a portion of a seat or other structure. By way of non-limiting examples, in some embodiments the seat fastener  118  can be an elongated member extending through and secured by the layers  400  of the cover  100 , while in other embodiments the seat fasteners  118  can be coupled with the body section  102  and/or the extension member  104  via stitching, fusing, adhesives, or any other connection mechanism. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the seat fasteners  118  can have connectors, such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, aperture and protrusions, hook and eye closures, or any other known and/or convenient type of fastening mechanism configured to selectively mate together. In other embodiments, seat fasteners  118  can be selectively tied together. The seat fasteners  118  can be secured together and/or around a separate structure, such as a portion of a child&#39;s seat, to assist in preventing slippage or excessive movement of the cover  100  when in use, as will be discussed below. In alternate embodiments, the seat fasteners  118  can be absent. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, fastening components  114  and/or seat fasteners  118  can be used to temporarily fasten toys, keys, and/or other accessories to the cover  100 . In yet other embodiments, fastening components  114  can be mated with complementary fastening members located on a seat, stroller, or any other convenient surface such that the cover  100  can be selectively coupled with a desired surface, thereby preventing excessive movement of the cover  100  when in use. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the cover  100  can further comprise a plurality of slits  120  that can be adapted to accept high-chair safety straps, which are common on many high chairs  900  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Slits  120  can be positioned and have the appropriate dimensions to accommodate high chair safety straps. In some embodiments, the cover  100  can comprise more than two slits  120  to account for different high chairs  900  having safety straps in different locations. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the cover  100  can further comprise a storage pocket  122 , as depicted in  FIG. 2B . In some embodiments, the cover  100  can be stuffed into the pocket  122 , thus providing compact storage of the cover  100  when not in use. In alternate embodiments, the pocket  122  can be used to store keys, toys, pacifiers, and/or any other known and/or convenient accessory. The pocket  122  can be a separate component that can be permanently or removably attached to the cover  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2B , or can alternately be integral with a surface  106  or  108  of the cover  100 . In still other embodiments, the cover  100  can be folded in on itself from the position shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  to form a compact configuration. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 6A-6C  depict steps of one embodiment of a method for using the cover  100 . In this exemplary method, the cover  100  can have the shape depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the shape depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , or have any other desired shape. In operation, the wide section  112  of the extension member  104  can be folded onto or moved toward the body section  102  as shown in  FIG. 6A , then be partially folded back again as shown in  FIG. 6B . In some embodiments, the fastening components  114  on the bottom surface  108  of the extension member  104  can be selectively mated with corresponding fastening components  114  on the upper surface  106  of the body section  102 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . In  FIG. 6B , the fastening components  114  on the extension member  104  are shown as being selectively coupled with the bottom two fastening components  114  on the body section  102 , however the extension member  104  can alternatively be coupled with the upper two fastening components  114  on the body section  102  to place the cover in a different configuration. In alternate embodiments, such as in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the fastening components  114  on the bottom surface  108  of the extension member  104  can be selectively coupled with any desired location on the upper surface  106  of the body section  102 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 6C , after the extension member  104  has been selectively coupled with the body section  102 , the cover  100  can be in a substantially bucket-shaped configuration. The cover  100  in the bucket-shaped configuration can have gaps  124  on either side of the thin section  110  between the wide section  112  and the body section  102 , as shown in  FIG. 6C . The gaps  124  can be wide enough to accommodate a child&#39;s legs. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a child can be placed in the cover  100 , with the child&#39;s rear end sitting on the body section  102 , the child&#39;s legs extending through the gaps  124 , the thin section  110  extending between the child&#39;s legs, and the wide portion  112  of the extension member  104  above and/or in front of the child. The cover  100  in  FIG. 7  can have the shape depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the shape depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , or have any other desired shape. 
         [0049]    When in the substantially bucket-shaped configuration, the cover  100  can substantially conform to a child&#39;s seat. The cover  100  can be placed within the child&#39;s seat before or after a child is placed in the cover  100 . In some embodiments, the cover  100  can be placed in the seat such that the gaps  124  of the cover  100  are aligned with the leg openings of the seat. The cover  100  can provide a protective barrier between the child and the seat. 
         [0050]    By way of a non-limiting example,  FIG. 8  depicts the cover  100  positioned within a bucket swing seat  800 . The cover  100  in  FIG. 8  can have the shape depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the shape depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , or have any other desired shape. The extension member  108  can extend up and over the front of the bucket swing seat  800 , and the body section  102  can line the inside of the bucket swing seat  800 . The gaps  124  can be positioned to align with the leg openings of the bucket swing seat  800 . In some embodiments, the seat fasteners  118  can be selectively attached to or around a portion of the bucket swing seat  800 , such as the strip between the leg openings. Similarly, the cover  100  can be used in the bucket-shaped configuration in a high chair seat  900  as shown in  FIG. 9 , a shopping cart seat  1000  as shown in  FIG. 10 , or any other type of seat that has leg openings through which a child&#39;s legs can pass. The cover  100  in  FIGS. 9 and 10  can have the shape depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the shape depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , or have any other desired shape. 
         [0051]    The cover  100  can also be used without coupling the fastening components  114  of the extension member  104 , by laying the cover  100  within a seat or on a flat surface to provide a protective barrier between the child and the seat or other surface. The cover  100  can have the shape depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the shape depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , or have any other desired shape. By way of a non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 10  in some situations the fastening components  114  can be connected and the extension member  104  can be placed over the front of the shopping cart seat such that the leg opening of the shopping cart seat  1000  match up with the gaps  124  of the cover  100  in the bucket-shaped configuration, while in other situations the cover  100  can be draped over the shopping cart seat  1000  without being in the bucket-shaped configuration. The cover  100  can extend over the handle bars of the shopping cart  1000 , thereby providing a protective surface on which a user can place food, toys, pacifiers, or any other known and/or convenient item. 
         [0052]    Similarly, the cover  100  can be used to line the interior of a car seat  1100  without coupling the fastening components  114  of the extension member  104  with the body section  102 . By way of a non-limiting example, the cover  100  can be draped over the car seat  1100  when the car seat  1100  is not in use, as shown in  FIG. 11 , thus preventing the car seat  1100  from getting too hot when exposed to the sun or extreme heat. The cover  100  in  FIG. 11  can have the shape depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the shape depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , or have any other desired shape. The cover  100  can also be used on the seat of the car seat  1100  to provide a protective barrier between a child and the surface of the car seat  1100 . 
         [0053]    In yet other embodiments, the cover  100  can be used in conjunction with a stroller, either as a barrier between a child and the seat of a stroller, or as a cover to drape over the top of a stroller to block harmful UV rays, rain, or other elements from a child. Moreover, the cover  100  can be used in a substantially planar configuration as a diaper changing pad, a play mat, or a placemat. The cover  100  can also be placed on a horizontal surface in a planar position and a child can sit on the cover  100 . The cover  100  can also be used in any other known and/or convenient manner or configuration. 
         [0054]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.