Patent Publication Number: US-2023147628-A1

Title: Systems and methods for cycling a commercial appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to commercial appliances, such as commercial laundry appliances. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Commercial appliances generally require payment prior to initiating operating cycles of the commercial appliances. For example, commercial washing machine appliances require payment prior to washing articles, and commercial dryer appliances require payment prior to drying articles. Thus, users of commercial appliances are generally authorized to run operating cycle only after payment. 
     The payment requirement for commercial appliances can cause problems. For example, payment is required for lab testing of commercial appliances during production. As another example, payment is required to test commercial appliances after installation. Requiring payment prior to testing commercial appliances is inconvenient to lab technicians during production and installers during installation. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In an example embodiment, a method for operating a commercial appliance includes, after the commercial appliance is installed at a location, initiating an operating cycle of the commercial appliance in response to a user input without requiring a payment authorization, converting the commercial appliance to require the payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of the commercial appliance, and initiating another operating cycle of the commercial appliance in response to the payment authorization. 
     In another example embodiment, a method for operating a commercial appliance includes activating the commercial appliance. The commercial appliance is configured such that initiation of operating cycles of the commercial appliance does not require a payment authorization after activating the commercial appliance. The method also includes converting the commercial appliance. The commercial appliance is configured such that initiation of subsequent operating cycles of the commercial appliance requires the payment authorization after converting the commercial appliance. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a dryer appliance according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the example dryer appliance of  FIG.  1    with portions of a cabinet of the exemplary dryer appliance removed to reveal various components of the example dryer appliance. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a method for a method for operating a dryer appliance according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a method for a method for operating a dryer appliance according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). 
     Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent (10%) margin. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a dryer appliance  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.  FIG.  2    provides another perspective view of dryer appliance  10  with a portion of a housing or cabinet  12  of dryer appliance  10  removed in order to show certain components of dryer appliance  10 . While described in the context of a specific embodiment of a dryer appliance, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that dryer appliance  10  is provided by way of example only. Other commercial appliances, including alternative laundry appliances, front or top-loaded washer appliances, or combination washer/dryer appliances having different appearances and different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well. 
     Dryer appliance  10  may be configured as a commercial appliance. Thus, e.g., a user of dryer appliance  10  may be required to pay for usage of dryer appliance  10  prior starting an operating cycle of dryer appliance  10 , such as a drying cycle. For instance, dryer appliance  10  may include a cash-based operating system that requires a user to input cash or coins into dryer appliance  10  before beginning the operating cycle. As another example, dryer appliance  10  may configured to accept payment via a non-cash operating system that requires a user to electronically provide payment before beginning the operating cycle. Thus, e.g., dryer appliance  10  may be configured to accept payment via PayPal®, Venmo®, a credit card, a debit card, etc. As a specific example, dryer appliance  10  may be configured to implement the payment management system described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020/0082659, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. When dryer appliance  10  is configured as a commercial appliance, a user of dryer appliance  10  may thus pay for usage of dryer appliance  10  with cash and/or electronically prior to starting an operating cycle of dryer appliance  10 . 
     Dryer appliance  10  defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. Cabinet  12  includes a front panel  14  and a rear panel  16  spaced apart along the transverse direction T, a first side panel  18  and a second side panel  20  spaced apart along the lateral direction L, and a bottom panel  22  and a top cover  24  spaced apart along the vertical direction V. Within cabinet  12  is a container or drum  26  which defines a chamber  28  for receipt of articles, e.g., clothing, linen, etc., for drying. Drum  26  extends between a front portion and a back portion, e.g., along the transverse direction T. In example embodiments, drum  26  is rotatable, e.g., about an axis that is parallel to the transverse direction T, within cabinet  12 . Rotation of drum  26  is driven by drum motor  27 . A door  30  is rotatably mounted to cabinet  12  for providing selective access to drum  26 . 
     As best shown in  FIG.  2   , an air handler  32 , such as a blower or fan, may be provided to motivate an airflow (not shown) through an entrance air passage  34  and an air exhaust passage  36 . Specifically, air handler  32  may include a motor  38  which may be in mechanical communication with a blower fan  40 , such that motor  38  rotates blower fan  40 . Air handler  32  is configured for drawing air through chamber  28  of drum  26 , e.g., in order to dry articles located therein, as discussed in greater detail below. In alternative example embodiments, dryer appliance  10  may include an additional motor (not shown) for rotating fan  40  of air handler  32  independently of drum  26 . 
     Drum  26  may be configured to receive heated air that has been heated by a heating assembly  50 , e.g., in order to dry damp articles disposed within chamber  28  of drum  26 . Heating assembly  50  includes a heater  52  that is in thermal communication with chamber  28 . For instance, heater  52  may include one or more electrical resistance heating elements or gas burners, for heating air being flowed to chamber  28 . As discussed above, during operation of dryer appliance  10 , motor  38  rotates fan  40  of air handler  32  such that air handler  32  draws air through chamber  28  of drum  26 . In particular, ambient air enters an air entrance passage defined by heating assembly  50  via an entrance  54  due to air handler  32  urging such ambient air into entrance  54 . Such ambient air is heated within heating assembly  50  and exits heating assembly  50  as heated air. Air handler  32  draws such heated air through an air entrance passage  34 , including inlet duct  56 , to drum  26 . The heated air enters drum  26  through an outlet  58  of inlet duct  56  positioned at a rear wall of drum  26 . 
     Within chamber  28 , the heated air may remove moisture, e.g., from damp articles disposed within chamber  28 . This internal air flows in turn from chamber  28  through an outlet assembly positioned within cabinet  12 . The outlet assembly generally defines an air exhaust passage  36  and includes a trap duct  60 , air handler  32 , and an exhaust conduit  62 . Exhaust conduit  62  is in fluid communication with trap duct  60  via air handler  32 . More specifically, exhaust conduit  62  extends between an exhaust inlet  64  and an exhaust outlet  66 . According to the illustrated embodiment, exhaust inlet  64  is positioned downstream of and fluidly coupled to air handler  32 , and exhaust outlet  66  is defined in rear panel  16  of cabinet  12 . During a dry cycle, internal air flows from chamber  28  through trap duct  60  to air handler  32 , e.g., as an outlet flow portion of airflow. As shown, air further flows through air handler  32  and to exhaust conduit  62 . 
     The internal air is exhausted from dryer appliance  10  via exhaust conduit  62 . In some embodiments, an external duct (not shown) is provided in fluid communication with exhaust conduit  62 . For instance, the external duct may be attached (e.g., directly or indirectly attached) to cabinet  12  at rear panel  16 . Any suitable connector (e.g., collar, clamp, etc.) may join the external duct to exhaust conduit  62 . In residential environments, the external duct may be in fluid communication with an outdoor environment (e.g., outside of a home or building in which dryer appliance  10  is installed). During a dry cycle, internal air may thus flow from exhaust conduit  62  and through the external duct before being exhausted to the outdoor environment. 
     In exemplary embodiments, trap duct  60  may include a filter portion  68  which includes a screen filter or other suitable device for removing lint and other particulates as internal air is drawn out of chamber  28 . The internal air is drawn through filter portion  68  by air handler  32  before being passed through exhaust conduit  62 . After the clothing articles have been dried (or a drying cycle is otherwise completed), the clothing articles are removed from drum  26 , e.g., by accessing chamber  28  by opening door  30 . The filter portion  68  may further be removable such that a user may collect and dispose of collected lint between drying cycles. 
     One or more selector inputs  80 , such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., may be provided on a front control panel  82  and may be in communication with a processing device or controller  84 . Signals generated in controller  84  operate motor  38 , heating assembly  50 , and other system components in response to the position of selector inputs  80 . Additionally, a display  86 , such as an indicator light or a screen, may be provided on front control panel  82 . Display  86  may be in communication with controller  84  and may display information in response to signals from controller  84 . Selector inputs  80  and display  86  may be collectively referred to herein as a user interface. 
     As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The processing device may be programmed to operate dryer appliance  10 . The processing device may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements (e.g., non-transitory storage media). In some such embodiments, the memory elements include electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Generally, the memory elements may store information accessible processing device, including instructions that may be executed by processing device. Optionally, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions and/or data that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. For certain embodiments, the instructions include a software package configured to operate dryer appliance  10  and execute certain cycles or operating modes. 
     In addition, referring again to  FIG.  1   , dryer appliance  10  may generally include an external communication system  100  which is configured for enabling the user to interact with dryer appliance  10  using a remote device  102 . Specifically, according to an exemplary embodiment, external communication system  100  is configured for enabling communication between a user, an appliance, and a remote server  104 . According to exemplary embodiments, dryer appliance  10  may communicate with a remote device  102  either directly (e.g., through a local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) or indirectly (e.g., via a network  106 ), as well as with remote server  104 , e.g., to receive notifications, provide confirmations, input operational data, transmit messages, etc. 
     In general, remote device  102  may be any suitable device for providing and/or receiving communications or commands from a user. In this regard, remote device  102  may include, for example, a personal phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, or another mobile device. In addition, or alternatively, communication between the appliance and the user may be achieved directly through an appliance control panel (e.g., control panel  160 ). In general, network  106  may be any type of communication network. For example, network  106  may include one or more of a wireless network, a wired network, a personal area network, a local area network, a wide area network, the internet, a cellular network, etc. In general, communication with the network may use any of a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g. HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, secure HTTP, SSL). 
     External communication system  100  is described herein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. However, it should be appreciated that the exemplary functions and configurations of external communication system  100  provided herein are used only as examples to facilitate description of aspects of the present subject matter. System configurations may vary, other communication devices may be used to communicate directly or indirectly with one or more appliances, other communication protocols and steps may be implemented, etc. These variations and modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     In some embodiments, dryer appliance  10  also includes one or more sensors that may be used to facilitate improved operation of dryer appliance. For example, dryer appliance  10  may include one or more temperature sensors which are generally operable to measure internal temperatures in dryer appliance  10 . In some embodiments, controller  84  is configured to vary operation profiles of heating assembly  50  based on one or more temperatures detected by the temperature sensors. Dryer appliance  10  may further include a camera  88 , e.g., on a window  31  of door  30 , that is generally positioned and configured for obtaining images of at least a portion of chamber  28  of dryer appliance  10 . Dryer appliance  10  may further include an air flow indicator  90  with an air flow indicator body  92 . 
     While described in the context of a specific embodiment of dryer appliance  10 , using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that dryer appliance  10  is provided by way of example only. Other commercial appliances, such as dryer appliances, having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well. For example, the present subject matter may be employed in vented dryer appliances utilizing gas or electric heaters or heat pump-based dryer appliances that circulate air in a closed loop. Other exemplary commercial appliances may include, for example, combination washer/dryer appliances. 
     Now that the construction of dryer appliance  10  and the configuration of controller  84  according to exemplary embodiments have been presented, exemplary methods of operating a dryer appliance will be described. Although the discussion below refers to the exemplary methods of operating dryer appliance  10 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary methods are applicable to the operation of a variety of other laundry appliances. In exemplary embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed by controller  84 , by a separate, dedicated controller, by remote server  104 , or combinations thereof. 
     Referring generally to  FIG.  3   , a method  300  of operating a commercial appliance, such as dryer appliance  10 , is provided. Method  300  may be implemented on controller  84  and/or remote server  104 . As discussed in greater detail below, method  300  may assist with improving operation of dryer appliance  10 . Method  300  may assist with allowing operation of a commercial appliance without requiring payment prior to implementing an operating cycle and subsequently converting the commercial appliance to require payment prior to implementing an operating cycle. Thus, e.g., the commercial appliance may initially operate in a manner similar to residential appliances and then reconfigure to require payment prior to operating. Method  300  may assist with laboratory testing of the commercial appliance and/or testing after installation of the commercial appliance. Moreover, method  300  may assist a lab technician and/or installer with testing of the commercial appliance without inconveniently requiring payment and then subsequently convert to require payment prior to implementing an operating cycle in order to advantageously generate revenue from the commercial appliance. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, at  310 , method  300  includes installing a commercial appliance, such as dryer appliance  10 , at a location. For example, an installer may deliver dryer appliance  10  to a location, such as an apartment complex, laundromat, dorm, etc. During the installation, an installer may, e.g., hook up dryer appliance  10  to an electrical circuit and/or a vent duct. 
     At  320 , after the commercial appliance is installed at the location in  310 , an operating cycle of the commercial appliance may be initiated in response to a user input without requiring a payment authorization. For example, the installer of dryer appliance  10  may utilize selector inputs  80  to request controller  84  initiate a drying cycle of dryer appliance  10  at  320  without the installer of dryer appliance  10  submitting payment prior to the drying cycle starting. The installer of dryer appliance  10  may thus test the dryer appliance  10  at  320  to insure proper installation and/or operation of dryer appliance  10 . Moreover, the installer of dryer appliance  10  may test the installation and/or operation of dryer appliance  10  without inconveniently being required to pay for operation of dryer appliance  10 . 
     At  330 , the commercial appliance may be converted to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of the commercial appliance. For example, after testing the installation and/or operation of dryer appliance  10  at  320 , the installer may request controller  84  convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10 . As another example, an owner of dryer appliance  10  may request controller  84  convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10 . 
     Converting the commercial appliance to require the payment authorization at  330  may include converting the commercial appliance to require the payment authorization in response to a conversion trigger. The conversion trigger may be various actions. For example, the conversion trigger may include connecting a network adapter of dryer appliance  10  to remote server  104  via network  106 . For example, after  320 , the installer or an owner of dryer appliance  10  may connect dryer appliance  10  to network  106 . In response to connecting dryer appliance  10  to network  106 , controller  84  may convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10 . Thus, controller  84  may automatically convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10  in response to connecting dryer appliance  10  to network  106 . As another example, the conversion trigger may include receiving data corresponding to a conversion command from remote server  104  via network  106 . Thus, e.g., an owner of dryer appliance  10  may utilize remote device  102  (e.g., on an app, owner&#39;s portal, etc.) to request the conversion, remote device  102  may communicate the request for conversion to remote server  104  via network  106 , and remote server  104  may communicate the request for conversion to controller  84 . In response, controller  84  may convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10 . As another example, the conversion trigger may include receiving a conversion command input from selector inputs  80 . Thus, e.g., the installer or the owner of dryer appliance  10  may utilize selector inputs  80  to trigger the conversion command input, and controller  84  may convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10  in response to receiving the conversion command input from selector inputs  80 . The conversion trigger may thus include a key, button, and/or knob sequence on selector inputs  80  for controller  84  to convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10 . As another example, the conversion trigger may include receiving a conversion command from a data port of dryer appliance  10 . Thus, e.g., the installer of dryer appliance  10  may plug a device into the data port of dryer appliance  10  and command controller  84  to convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10 . 
     It will be understood that the conversion of the commercial appliance to require the payment authorization at  330  may be permanent. Thus, e.g., the commercial appliance may require the payment authorization for all subsequent operating cycles of the commercial appliance. Thus, the operation of the commercial appliance at  320  for testing purposes may only be permitted for initial testing. Subsequent operation of the commercial appliance after  330  may thus always require payment and thereby generate revenue. Conversion of the commercial appliance back to the mode permitted at  320  may be blocked or prohibited in order to prevent potential bypassing of the payment requirement. 
     After  330 , it may be determined at  340  whether the payment authorization has been received. For example, controller  84  may receive the payment authorization after receipt of cash payment, such as coins or bills, or a non-cash payment, such as a card payment, PayPal®, Venmo®, an app payment, etc. At  350 , an operating cycle of the commercial appliance may be initiated in response to the payment authorization. In contrast, the commercial appliance may not initiate the operating cycle if payment authorization is not received at  340 . 
     As may be seen from the above, method  300  may assist with allowing a commercial appliance, such as dryer appliance  10 , to operate as a residential unit such that payment authorization is not required to run cycles, e.g., immediately after installation of activation of the commercial appliance. Thus, e.g., when initially built, the commercial appliance may be configured to operate as a residential unit and not require payment authorization to run cycles “out of the box.” When installed in an actual commercial environment, the commercial appliance may converted to operate as a commercial appliance such that payment authorization is not required to run cycles. A conversion trigger, such as connecting to a wireless network, a command received through a network (e.g., from an app, an owner&#39;s portal, etc.), a key or knob sequence on a user interface of the commercial appliance, or a command issued through a communication port on the commercial appliance. In such a manner, method  300  may assist with engineering testing and qualification of the commercial appliance as well as appliance install verification and then subsequently be converted for commercial operation to generate revenue. 
     Referring generally to  FIG.  4   , a method  400  of operating a commercial appliance, such as dryer appliance  10 , is provided. Method  400  may be implemented on controller  84  and/or a remote server. As discussed in greater detail below, method  400  may assist with improving operation of dryer appliance  10 . Method  400  may assist with allowing operation of a commercial appliance without requiring payment prior to implementing an operating cycle and subsequently converting the commercial appliance to require payment prior to implementing an operating cycle. Thus, e.g., the commercial appliance may initially operate in a manner similar to residential appliances and then reconfigure to require payment prior to operating. Method  400  include similar steps as method  300  ( FIG.  3   ) and such similar steps are not described in greater detail below for the sake of brevity. Rather, the description of method  400  provided below focuses on certain differences between method  400  and method  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , at  410 , method  400  includes activating a commercial appliance, such as dryer appliance  10 , at a location. For example, an installer may deliver dryer appliance  10  to a location, such as an apartment complex, laundromat, dorm, etc. During the installation, an installer may, e.g., hook up dryer appliance  10  to an electrical circuit and/or a vent duct. As another example, a lab technician may activate dryer appliance  10  after manufacture of dryer appliance  10 . The lab technician may connect dryer appliance  10  to an electrical circuit and measurement sensors for monitoring operation of dryer appliance. 
     The commercial appliance may be configured such that initiation of operating cycles of the commercial appliance does not require a payment authorization after activating the commercial appliance at  410 . Thus, at  420 , after the commercial appliance is activated, an operating cycle of the commercial appliance may be initiated without requiring a payment authorization. For example, the installer of dryer appliance  10  or the lab technician may utilize selector inputs  80  to request controller  84  initiate a drying cycle of dryer appliance  10  at  420  without submitting payment prior to the drying cycle starting. The installer of dryer appliance  10  or the lab technician may thus test the dryer appliance  10  at  420  to insure proper installation and/or operation of dryer appliance  10 . Moreover, the installer of dryer appliance  10  or the lab technician may test the installation and/or operation of dryer appliance  10  without inconveniently being required to pay for operation of dryer appliance  10 . 
     At  430 , the commercial appliance may be converted. The commercial appliance may be configured such that initiation of subsequent operating cycles of the commercial appliance requires the payment authorization after converting the commercial appliance. For example, after testing the installation and/or operation of dryer appliance  10  at  420 , the installer may request controller  84  convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10 . As another example, an owner of dryer appliance  10  may request controller  84  convert dryer appliance  10  to require payment authorization for subsequent operating cycles of dryer appliance  10 . 
     It will be understood that the conversion of the commercial appliance to require the payment authorization at  430  may be permanent. Thus, e.g., the commercial appliance may require the payment authorization for all subsequent operating cycles of the commercial appliance. Thus, the operation of the commercial appliance at  420  for testing purposes may only be permitted for initial testing. Subsequent operation of the commercial appliance after  430  may thus always require payment and thereby generate revenue. Conversion of the commercial appliance back to the mode permitted at  420  may be blocked or prohibited in order to prevent potential bypassing of the payment requirement. 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    depict steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understand that the steps of any of the methods discussed herein may be adapted, rearranged, expanded, omitted, or modified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, although aspects of methods  300 ,  400  are explained using dryer appliance  10  as an example, it should be appreciated that these methods may be applied to the operation of any suitable commercial appliance. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.