Patent Publication Number: US-11661246-B2

Title: Carton with removable lid

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/779,807 entitled “Carton with Removable Lid,” filed Dec. 14, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to cartons and more particularly to a food cartons with a removable lid. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various products are known to be purchased by consumers which require a carton for ease of transport. For example, in the food and grocery industry it is common to place food items in individual carry-out food cartons. There may be certain drawbacks to commonly used carry-out food cartons. For example, often the cover or lid may be fastened to the carton body in a hinged fashion. If a user wishes to eat directly out of the carry-out food carton, the lid is swung open and, still attached, can be awkwardly in the way. Further, often carry-out food cartons are not designed for reliable stacking. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide a carton with a removable lid, the carton may include a floor panel; side panels extending about a periphery of the bottom panel. The one or more of the side panels may include one or more tabs extending from an upper edge thereof. The carton may further include foldable corner gussets extending between adjacent side panels. The floor panel, side panels, and foldable corner gussets may be configurable to form a compartment region; and a removable lid. The removable lid may include a lid panel; and one or more slots formed in the lid panel, wherein the lid panel may be configured to cover the compartment region, and wherein the one or more slots may be sized, shaped, and positioned such that when the removable lid is installed atop the compartment region, the one or more tabs align with the one or more slots and are received therethrough. The side panels may include two opposing end panels and two opposing side panels, wherein adjacent side panels and end panels may be coupled together via foldable corner gussets. Each of the opposing end panels or each of the opposing side panels may include one of the one or more tabs. Each of the opposing end panels and each of the opposing side panels may include one of the one or more tabs. The one or more tabs may include locking indents formed at their base, wherein when the removable lid is installed atop the compartment region the locking indents may be configured to engage with the one or more slots to hold the removable lid in place. The removable lid may include one or more side wings formed on one or more side edges of the lid panel. The one or more side wings may be formed on the one or more side edges of the lid panel that do not comprise one of the one or more slots. One or more of the side panels may further include a side flap formed therein. The side panels that do not include one of the one or more tabs may include the side flap. The lid panel may include two opposing side edges and two opposing end edges, wherein the one or more slots are formed proximate to the opposing end edges and the one or more side wings are formed at the opposing side edges. The lid panel may include one slot formed proximate to each of the opposing end edges and one side wing formed at each of the opposing side edges. The one or more side wings each may include a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism may be configured to engage with a corresponding side flap formed on a corresponding one of the side panels when the removable lid is installed atop the compartment region. The one or more tabs may be spaced and configured such that when the removable lid is installed atop the compartment region a bottom surface of a compartment region of a second carton can nestle between the one or more tabs such that the bottom surface of the compartment region of the second carton sits substantially flat atop a top surface of the removable lid. The removable lid may include one or more side flaps formed on one or more side edges of the lid panel. The one or more of the side panels may further include a side flap. The one or more side flaps of the side panels each may include a locking mechanism formed therein, wherein the locking mechanism may be configured to engage with a portion of a corresponding side flap of the lid panel when the removable lid is installed atop the compartment region. The foldable corner gussets each may include a first and an adjacent second side portion, wherein the first side portion and the second side portions intersect at a fold line therebetween. The foldable corner gussets may be configured to be folded inward along their respective fold lines such that exterior facing surfaces of adjacent first and second side portions are in contact with one another. The inward folded foldable corner gussets may be configured to be further folded such that an interior facing surface of one of the first or second side portions is in contact with an interior surface of its corresponding adjacent side panel. The carton may further include an adhesive, wherein the adhesive holds the exterior facing surfaces of the adjacent first and second side portions in contact with one another. The first side portion and the second side portion may be substantially the same size and shape. The one of the first side portion or the second side portion may be shorter than the other. The inward folded foldable corner gussets may be configured to be further folded such that an interior facing surface of the shorter one of the first or second side portions is in contact with an interior surface of its corresponding adjacent side panel. The interior surface of the compartment region may include a heat sealable coating, and wherein the foldable corner gussets may be secured in its fully folded configuration by activating the heat sealable coating using a heat sources. The interior surface of the compartment region may include a heat sealable coating. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an example of a carton with a removable lid according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an example of the carton of  FIG.  1    with the lid removed; 
         FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  4   , and  FIG.  5    illustrates various views of the carton of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7    illustrates various views of the carton of  FIG.  1    with the lid removed; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an example of a carton lid of the carton shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method of using the carton with a removable lid according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates another example of a carton with a removable lid according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an example of the carton shown in  FIG.  10    with the lid removed; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an example of the carton lid of the carton shown in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an example of the carton body shown in  FIG.  11    in an unfolded flat state; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an example of the carton lid shown in  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates another example of a carton with a removable lid according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates an example of the carton shown in  FIG.  15    with the lid removed; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates an example of the carton lid of the carton shown in  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  18    illustrates an example of the carton body shown in  FIG.  16    in an unfolded flat state; 
         FIG.  19    illustrates an example of the carton lid shown in  FIG.  17   ; 
         FIGS.  20  and  22    illustrate additional examples of the carton body shown in  FIGS.  13  and  18    respectively, in an unfolded flat state; 
         FIGS.  21  and  23    illustrate additional examples of the carton body in an unfolded flat state; 
         FIG.  24    illustrates a portion of the carton body wherein first and second side portions of its foldable webbed corner are symmetrical; 
         FIG.  25    illustrates a portion of the carton body wherein the first side portion of its foldable webbed corner is cut back to be shorter than the second side portion; 
         FIG.  26    illustrates a portion of carton body  110  labeled to illustrate an example sequence for folding and sealing the foldable webbed corner shown in  FIG.  25   ; and 
         FIGS.  27  and  28    illustrates additional examples of the carton body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a carton, such as a disposable carton, with a removable lid and method of using same. Namely, the presently disclosed carton includes a carton body and a separate substantially flat removable carton lid. In one example, the presently disclosed carton can be a used as a disposable food carry-out carton. 
     In some embodiments, the carton body includes tabs that project upward and the carton lid includes slots, wherein the slots of the carton lid engage with the upward facing tabs of the carton body. More specifically, the slots of the carton lid engage with locking indents of the upward facing tabs of the carton body and the upward facing tabs project through the removable carton lid when installed. 
     In a food carry-out application, being able to completely remove the lid of the presently disclosed carton allows for easy loading of the carton and also allows for easily eating directly out of the carton. Further, the flat lid allows for easy stacking of multiple of the presently disclosed cartons. Further, the upward facing tabs that project through the removable carton lid may be useful to prevent stacked cartons from slipping off one another. 
     Additionally, a method of using the presently disclosed carton is provided. 
     In some embodiments, the carton body includes a heat sealing coating, wherein the carton body can be folded into its assembled state and the corner flaps folded and heat sealed to an inside surface of the assembled carton body without adding any glue, thereby providing a fully compostable carton. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  8    illustrate various views of an example of carton  100  that has a removable lid and that can be a used, for example, as a disposable food carry-out (or take-out) carton that is openable and closable. Namely,  FIG.  1    shows the carton  100  with the removable lid installed;  FIG.  2    shows the carton  100  with the lid removed;  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  4   , and  FIG.  5    also show the carton  100  with the removable lid installed;  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7    show a carton body of the carton  100 ; and  FIG.  8    shows a carton lid of the carton. 
     The carton  100  includes a carton body  110  and a separate carton lid  130 . The carton body  110  further includes a floor panel  112 , two opposing side panels  114 , and two opposing end panels  116 . The ends of the side panels  114  and the end panels  116  are coupled via corner folds  118 . The corner folds  118  can be, for example, a web corner inside glue design. The corner folds  118  can be secured, for example, via an adhesive, thermal bonding, or any other suitable technique or mechanism. Vertical end tabs  120  are provided at the end panels  116 . For example, one vertical end tab  120  extends upwardly from one end panel  116  of the carton body  110 . Another vertical end tab  120  extends upwardly from the other end panel  116  of the carton body  110 . Further, locking indents  122  are provided at the base of each of the vertical end tabs  120 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . Additionally, a side flap  124  may be integrated into each of the side panels  114  of the carton body  110 . Accordingly, there may be two side flaps  124 . 
     The carton lid  130  is a substantially flat and removable carton lid. The carton lid  130  includes a lid panel  132 , a pair of end slots  134  (i.e., one at each end), and a pair of side wings (or ears or tabs)  136  (i.e., one at each side). Further, each of the side wings  136  may include a locking feature  138 . 
     The carton body  110  and the carton lid  130  of the carton  100  can be formed of any lightweight, rigid or semi-rigid material that is suitable for holding and/or transporting, for example, a quantity of food and that is also suitable for disposing of after use. For example, the carton  100  can be formed of corrugated cardboard, paper, paperboard, post-consumer paperboard (i.e., recycled materials), biodegradable materials (e.g., sugarcane and paper), polystyrene foam (e.g., Styrofoam), plastic, molded fiber, and the like. 
     In operation, a user aligns the end slots  134  of the carton lid  130  with the vertical end tabs  120  of the carton body  110 . Then, the user pushes down on each end of the carton lid  130  until the end slots  134  engage the locking indents  122  of the vertical end tabs  120  of the carton body  110 . Then, the user folds down the side wings  136  of the carton lid  130 . Then, the user slightly bends the side wings  136  of the carton lid  130  such that the locking feature  138  are directed inward and toward the side flaps  124  of the carton body  110 . At the same time, the user pushes the locking feature  138  inward slightly such that the side flaps  124  are depressed inward slightly and the locking feature  138  engage with an edge, slit, or slot now formed in the side panels  114  by the open side flaps  124 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9    is a flow diagram of an example of a method  200  of using the presently disclosed carton  100 . The method  200  may include, but is not limited to, the following steps. 
     At a step,  210 , the carton body  110  and the carton lid  130  are provided and a user may place, for example, a quantity of food into the carton body  110 . 
     At a step,  215 , the end slots  134  of the carton lid  130  are aligned with the vertical end tabs  120  of the carton body  110 . 
     At a step,  220 , downward force is applied to the ends of the carton lid  130  until the end slots  134  of the carton lid  130  engage with the locking indents  122  of the vertical end tabs  120  of the carton body  110 . 
     At a step,  225 , the locking feature  138  of the side wings  136  of the carton lid  130  are engaged with the side flaps  124  in the side panels  114  of the carton body  110 . For example, the user folds down the side wings  136  of the carton lid  130 . Then, the user slightly bends the side wings  136  of the carton lid  130  such that the locking feature  138  can engage with an edge, slit, or slot formed in the side panels  114  by the slightly open side flaps  124 . 
     In a food carry-out application, being able to completely remove the carton lid  130  of the presently disclosed carton  100  allows for easy loading of the carton  100  and also allows for easily eating directly out of the carton  100 . Further, the flat carton lid  130  allows for easy stacking of multiple of the presently disclosed cartons  100 . Further, the vertical end tabs  120  of the carton body  110  that project upward through the end slots  134  of the removable carton lid  130  may be useful to prevent cartons  100  that are stacked from slipping off one another. Namely, the vertical end tabs  120  provide “stop” features on the upper surface of the carton  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  11   , and  FIG.  12    illustrate additional views of an example carton  100  that has a removable lid and that can be a used, for example, as a disposable food carry-out (or take-out) carton that is openable and closable. Namely,  FIG.  10    shows this example of the carton  100  with the carton lid  130  installed atop the carton body  110 ;  FIG.  11    shows the carton body  110  of the carton  100 ; and  FIG.  12    shows the carton lid  130  of the carton  100 . 
     The carton  100  shown in  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  11   , and  FIG.  12    is substantially the same as the carton  100  shown in  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  8    except for a different configuration of fastening features between the carton body  110  and the carton lid  130 . 
     For example and referring now to  FIG.  11   , in this embodiment the carton body  110  may include side tabs  120  instead of end tabs  120 . Further, the side flaps  124  may be omitted from the carton body  110 . The carton body  110  further may include end flaps  126 . Each of the end flaps may include an end tab  128 . Referring now to  FIG.  12   , the carton lid  130  may include the lid panel  132 , a pair of side slots  134  (e.g., one at each side) instead of the end slots  134 , and a pair of end flaps  140  (e.g., one at each side). 
     In operation and referring now to  FIG.  10   , the side slots  134  of the carton lid  130  may engage with the side tabs  120  of the carton body  110 . At the same time, the end flaps  140  of the carton lid  130  may engage with the end tabs  128  of the end flaps  126  of the carton body  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13    is a plan view of an example of a pattern for forming the carton body  110  shown in  FIG.  11   . Namely,  FIG.  13    shows non-limiting example dimensions of the carton body  110  and its features. Further,  FIG.  13    shows example fold lines of the carton body  110 . Similarly,  FIG.  14    shows a plan view of an example of a pattern for forming the carton lid  130  shown in  FIG.  12   . Namely,  FIG.  14    shows non-limiting example dimensions of the carton lid  130  and its features. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  15   ,  FIG.  16   , and  FIG.  17    are photos showing various views of yet another example of the presently disclosed carton  100  that has a removable lid and that can be a used, for example, as a disposable food carry-out (or take-out) carton that is openable and closable. Namely,  FIG.  15    shows this example of the carton  100  with the carton lid  130  installed atop the carton body  110 ;  FIG.  16    shows the carton body  110  of the carton  100 ; and  FIG.  17    shows the carton lid  130  of the carton  100 . 
     The carton  100  shown in  FIG.  15   ,  FIG.  16   , and  FIG.  17    is substantially the same as the carton  100  shown in  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  8    except for a different configuration of fastening features between the carton body  110  and the carton lid  130 . 
     For example and referring now to  FIG.  16   , in this embodiment the carton body  110  may include both the side tabs  120  and the end tabs  120 . Further, the side flaps  124  may be omitted from the carton body  110 . Referring now to  FIG.  17   , the carton lid  130  may include the lid panel  132 , and both the side slots  134  (e.g., one at each side) and the end slots  134  (e.g., one at each side). 
     In operation and referring now to  FIG.  15   , the side slots  134  of the carton lid  130  may engage with the side tabs  120  of the carton body  110 . At the same time, the end slots  134  of the carton lid  130  may engage with the end tabs  120  of the carton body  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  18    is a plan view of an example of a pattern for forming the carton body  110  shown in  FIG.  16   . Namely,  FIG.  18    shows non-limiting example dimensions of the carton body  110  and its features. Further,  FIG.  18    shows example fold lines of the carton body  110 . Similarly,  FIG.  19    shows a plan view of an example of a pattern for forming the carton lid  130  shown in  FIG.  17   . Namely,  FIG.  19    shows non-limiting example dimensions of the carton lid  130  and its features. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  20  and  22    are additional plan views of the pattern of  FIGS.  13  and  18    respectively.  FIGS.  20  and  22    show carton body  110  having substantially symmetrical webbed corners  142 , including a first side portion  144  that is substantially the same size and shape as its adjacent second side portion  146 . To assemble carton body  110  from a pattern shown in either of  FIG.  20  or  22   , webbed corners  142  are folded inward at a fold line at the intersection of the first side portion  144  and second side portion  146 . Glue or other adhesive is applied inside the fold such that the outside facing surfaces of the first side portion  144  and second side portion  146 , when folded together, are adhered together. The inside facing surface of the first side portion  144  may be adhered to or otherwise bonded to a portion of the inside surface of its adjacent end panel  116 . Alternatively, the inside facing surface of the second side portion  146  may be adhered to or otherwise bonded to a portion of the inside surface of its adjacent side panel  114 . Adhering, or otherwise bonding, the inside facing surface of the first side portion  144  to the inside surface of its adjacent end panel  116 , may include adding an amount of glue or other type of adhesive between the inside surface of the end panel  116  and the inside facing surface of its adjacent first side portion  144 , and folding the inside facing surface of the first side portion  144  such that it contacts the inside surface of its adjacent end panel  116 . This may be repeated for all four corners of the carton body  110 , or done for two (2) or more corners simultaneously. In the example, where the second side portion is adhered to its adjacent side panel  114 , adhering, or otherwise bonding, the inside facing surface of the second side portion  146  to the inside surface of its adjacent side panel  114 , would be done in a similar manner. 
     Alternatively, the inside surface of the carton body  110  may be coated with a heat sealable coating, and instead of applying glue or other adhesive between the inside surface of the end panel  116  and the inside facing surface of its adjacent first side portion  144 , once the inside facing surface of the first side portion  144  is folded to be in contact with the inside surface of its adjacent end panel  116  it may be heat sealed by applying heat to the folded area and causing the heat sealable coating present on the interior surface of the carton body  110 , to bond the inside facing surface of the first side portion  144  to the inside surface of its adjacent end panel  116 . Heat sealing the second side portion  146  to its adjacent side panel  114 , would be done in a similar manner. Again, this may be repeated for all four corners of the carton body  110 , or done for two (2) or more corners simultaneously. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  21  and  23    are plan views of additional examples of patterns for forming the carton body  110 .  FIGS.  21  and  23    show carton body  110  having webbed corners  142 , wherein a first side portion  144  of the webbed corner  142  is cut back, such that it is shorter than its adjacent second side portion  146 . In this embodiment, the inside surface of carton body  110  may be coated with a heat sealing coating. When carton body  110  is assembled, the second side portion  146  folds over and overlaps first side portion  144 , and a top portion of the second side portion  146  extends past the upper most edge of the first side portion  144 . The top portion of the second side portion  146  that extends past the upper most edge of first side portion  144 , when webbed corner  142  is in a folded configuration, may be heat sealed directly to an interior surface of an end panel  116  (e.g., to the interior surface of the end panel  116  adjacent to first side portion  144 ) of the carton body  110 . When the second side portion  146  is folded over the first side portion  144  and heat sealed to the interior of end panel  116  it functions to hold the first side portion  144  in its folded state and to the interior surface of end panel  116  without requiring any glue or other adhesive. To assemble carton body  110  from a pattern shown in either of  FIG.  21  or  23   , the cut back first side portion  144  of webbed corner  142  is folded over such that its inside facing surface is in contact with the inside facing surface of its adjacent side panel  116 . The first side portion  144  is then heat sealed in place to its adjacent side panel  116 . Second side portion is then folded along a fold line at the intersection of first side portion  144  and second side portion  146 , such that the outside facing surface of second side portion  146  overlaps the outside surface of first side portion  144 . In this folded position, the top portion of second side portion  146  that extends above the top edge of the cut back first side portion is in contact with the inside surface of the same side panel  116  that the first side portion is heat sealed to. The top portion of the side portion  146  that is in contact with the inside surface of the side panel  116  is then heat sealed in place. This may be repeated for all four corners of the carton body  110 , or done for two (2) or more corners simultaneously. Alternatively, second side portion  146  may be the cut back corner side portion, and webbed corner  142  is folded and heat sealed to the inside surface of the side panel  114  of its respective adjacent second side portion  146  in a similar manner as detailed above with regard to the embodiment where the first side portion  144  is the cut back corner side portion. 
       FIG.  24    shows an example photograph of a webbed corner  142  having symmetrical first side portion  144  and second side portion  146 . 
       FIG.  25    shows an example portion of carton body  110  wherein the first side portion  144  of its webbed corner  142  is cut back to be shorter than the second side portion  146 . 
       FIG.  26    shows an example portion of carton body  110  labeled to illustrate the sequence for folding and sealing the webbed corner  142  shown in  FIG.  25   . 
       FIGS.  27  and  28    show an example carton body  110  having uneven (cut back) webbed corners  142  as shown, for example, in  FIGS.  21  and  23   .  FIG.  27    shows an example uneven (cut back) webbed corner  142  in an unsealed (unassembled) state.  FIG.  28    shows an example uneven (cut back) webbed corner  142  in a sealed (assembled) state. 
     By cutting back part of the first side portion  144  or second side portion  146  of webbed corners  142  and having the inside surface of carton body  110  coated with a heat sealing coating, the carton body  110  can be folded into its assembled state and webbed corners  142  can be heat sealed in place without using any glue, so that assembled carton  100  is a fully compostable carton. 
     Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth. 
     Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. 
     For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions. 
     Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range. 
     Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.