Patent Publication Number: US-2006010884-A1

Title: Cooling of extruded and compression molded materials

Description:
This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/280,735, filed Oct. 25, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/131,578, filed Apr. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,213, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/025,432, filed Dec. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,504, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/766,054, filed Jan. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,368, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to a system and method for cooling manufactured articles and, more particularly, to a system and method for cooling extruded and molded materials with a fluid that is below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The present invention may also be used in other types of manufacturing techniques in which the output or material must be cooled from a heated state. The present invention includes a system and method for cooling synthetic wood composite materials including, but not limited to, cellulosic-filled plastic composites. In addition, the present invention may also be used to cool other types of pure or mixed materials including, but not limited to, plastics, polymers, foamed plastics, plastic compositions, inorganic-filled plastic compositions, metals, metallic compositions, alloys, mixtures including any of the aforementioned materials, and other similar, conventional, or suitable materials that need to be cooled after being processed. For instance, the present invention may be used to cool polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products and products made from other plastics.  
      For several reasons, there is a need to find materials that exhibit the look and feel of natural wood. The supply of wood in the world&#39;s forests for construction and other purposes is dwindling. Consequently, the supply of wood from mature trees has become a concern in recent years, and the cost of wood has risen. As a result, several attempts have been made by others to find a suitable wood-like material.  
      Cellulosic/polymer composites have been developed as replacements for all-natural wood, particle board, wafer board, and other similar materials. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,908,902, 4,091,153, 4,686,251, 4,708,623, 5,002,713, 5,055,247, 5,087,400, 5,151,238, 6,011,091, and 6,103,791 relate to processes and/or compositions for making wood replacement products. As compared to natural woods, cellulosic/polymer composites offer superior resistance to wear and tear. In addition, cellulosic/polymer composites have enhanced resistance to moisture, and it is well known that the retention of moisture is a primary cause of the warping, splintering, and discoloration of natural woods. Moreover, cellulosic/polymer composites may be sawed, sanded, shaped, turned, fastened, and finished in the same manner as natural woods. Therefore, cellulosic/polymer composites are commonly used for applications such as interior and exterior decorative house moldings, picture frames, furniture, porch decks, deck railings, window moldings, window components, door components, roofing structures, building siding, and other suitable indoor and outdoor items. However, many attempts to make products from cellulosic/polymer composite materials have failed due to poor or improper manufacturing techniques.  
      In the present invention, a product or article is manufactured by a desired technique such as, but not limited to, extrusion, compression molding, injection molding, or other similar, suitable, or conventional manufacturing techniques. The product is then cooled by subjecting it to a cooling fluid including, but not limited to, direct contact with a liquid cryogenic fluid. The present invention can be used alone or in conjunction with other known or later developed cooling methods. Accordingly, the present invention can more thoroughly and efficiently cool the manufactured product or article to a desired level. This can lead to faster production times as well as a product having improved structural, physical, and aesthetic characteristics.  
      In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned above, other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of an extrudate.  
       FIG. 2  is a view of an extrusion die showing an exemplary location of a cryogenic nozzle.  
       FIG. 3  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a system implementing the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view along the line A-A of  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 5  is a partial elevation view of another embodiment of a system of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  shows a sectioned schematic of an extruder line used in accordance with the practice of one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view from a lateral side angle of an exemplary die of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view from a top side angle of the die of  FIG. 7 .  
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view from an exit side angle of the die of  FIG. 7 .  
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view from a lateral side angle of an exemplary die of the present invention that includes a baffle.  
       FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view from a lateral side angle of another exemplary die of the present invention that includes a baffle.  
       FIG. 12  is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present invention that enables direct cooling by a liquid cryogenic fluid. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)  
      The present invention is directed to a system and method for cooling manufactured articles or products. It is not intended to limit the present invention to particular manufacturing techniques or particular materials. The present invention may be used to cool articles or products made by variety of different manufacturing techniques. Examples of manufacturing techniques that may utilize the present invention include, but are not limited to, extrusion (including co-extrusion), compression molding, injection molding, and other known, similar, or conventional techniques for manufacturing products or articles from plastic, wood, metal, mixtures of these materials, or other materials used to make products.  
      The present invention is particularly useful for cooling plastics, polymers, and cellulosic/polymer composite materials that have been extruded or molded. The materials that may be used to make cellulosic/polymer composites include, but are not limited to, cellulosic fillers, polymers, plastics, thermoplastics, inorganic fillers, cross-linking agents, lubricants, process aids, stabilizers, accelerators, inhibitors, enhancers, compatibilizers, blowing agents, foaming agents, thermosetting materials, and other similar, suitable, or conventional materials. Examples of cellulosic fillers include sawdust, newspapers, alfalfa, wheat pulp, wood chips, wood fibers, wood particles, ground wood, wood flour, wood flakes, wood veneers, wood laminates, paper, cardboard, straw, cotton, rice hulls, coconut shells, peanut shells, bagass, plant fibers, bamboo fiber, palm fiber, kenaf, flax, and other similar materials. In addition to PVC, examples of polymers include multilayer films, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ethyl-vinyl acetate, other similar copolymers, other similar, suitable, or conventional thermoplastic materials, and formulations that incorporate any of the aforementioned polymers. Examples of inorganic fillers include talc, calcium carbonate, kaolin clay, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, silica, mica, barium sulfate, acrylics, and other similar, suitable, or conventional materials. Examples of thermosetting materials include polyurethanes, such as isocyanates, phenolic resins, unsaturated polyesters, epoxy resins, and other similar, suitable, or conventional materials. Combinations of the aforementioned materials are also examples of thermosetting materials. Examples of lubricants include zinc stearate, calcium stearate, esters, amide wax, paraffin wax, ethylene bis-stearamide, and other similar, suitable, or conventional materials. Examples of stabilizers include tin stabilizers, lead and metal soaps such as barium, cadmium, and zinc, and other similar, suitable, or conventional materials. In addition, examples of process aids include acrylic modifiers and other similar, suitable, or conventional materials.  
       FIG. 1  shows one example of an extrudate  100  that may be cooled by the present invention. The extrudate  100  includes an exterior surface  102 , a hollow  104 , an interior surface  106 , and two ends  108 . The exterior surface  102  may be cooled by a traditional method such as using a warm water bath or water mist. However, the interior surface  106  may not be sufficiently cooled by many traditional methods because the surface may not be available for contact with the cooling medium. The interior surface  106  defines the boundary of the hollow  104 . The interior surface  106  may be accessed from either end  108 . The interior surface  106  may not be cooled to a desired level within a desired amount of time by externally applied coolants.  
       FIG. 2  shows one example of an extrusion die  200  adapted with the present invention. The extrusion die  200  defines the cross section of the extrudate by the shape of the profile form/flow channel  206 . Hollows in the cross section of the extrudate are each formed with a standing core  202 . The standing core  202  is fitted with a nozzle  204 . The nozzle  204  is adapted to connect with a source of the cooling fluid (not shown). The nozzle  204  is oriented to spray into the hollow formed in the extrudate cross section by the standing core  202 .  
       FIG. 3  shows one example of a system  300  that may utilize the present invention. The system  300  includes an extruder  302  and an extruder  304 . In this example, a crosshead die  306  puts a cap layer from the extruder  304  on the material extruded by the extruder  302 . A container  308  may be used to hold a cooling fluid of the present invention. The fluid is used to cool the extruded product or article  312  after it exits the die  306 . In this embodiment, a valve is used to control the release of gas, e.g., vapor, from the fluid. A hose, conduit, tube, or any other suitable transfer device  310  may be used to direct the gas from the container  308  to the desired location for cooling the extruded product  312 . The transfer device  310  may be formed by one integral component or a plurality of interconnected components. For instance, a portion of the transfer device  310  may be a passage through the die  306 . In this example, the transfer device  310  extends through the die  306  so that the gas is released in the hollow of the extruded product  312  after it exits the die  306 . In this manner, the present invention can provide efficient and thorough cooling of the extruded product  312 . Moreover, the extruded product  312  may be further introduced into a liquid bath  314 , a spray mist chamber  316 , and/or any other desired cooling system to achieve additional cooling of the extruded product  312  if desired. Examples of the liquid bath  314  and the spray mist chamber  316  are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,462.  
      Depending on the type of cooling fluid and the desired expulsion rate of the cooling fluid, the container  308  may be pressurized. The container  308  may be connected to a compressor, e.g., an air compressor or any other similar, suitable, or conventional compressing device, in order to maintain the desired pressure in the container  308 . Additionally, the container  308  may be in fluid communication with a blower or a pump to obtain the desired expulsion rate of the cooling fluid from the container  308 . A blower in fluid communication with the container  308  may also be utilized to accelerate the cooling fluid to a desired velocity after it has been expelled.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross section view along the line A-A of  FIG. 3 . The extruded product  312  includes a cap layer  404 . The transfer device  310  may extend through the die  306  to a nozzle  406  that releases gas from the cooling fluid into a hollow of the extruded product  312 . In this instance, gas vapor  402  permeates through the hollow of the extruded product  312 , thereby providing much improved cooling of the extruded product  312 . In fact, the inventors have surprisingly discovered that using the present invention to inject the cooling fluid into a hollow portion of a product may be sufficient to thoroughly cool the entire product, i.e., the inside and the outside of the product. As a result, the present invention may eliminate the need to provide another cooling system to cool the outer surface of the product.  
      It should be recognized that  FIGS. 3 and 4  are merely one example of a manufacturing system that may utilize the present invention. As noted above, the present invention may be used in any manufacturing system in which the processed material needs to be cooled to a desired level. For example, the present invention may be used in an extrusion system consisting of a single extruder that is in-line with a die. Also, the present invention may be used to cool any type of material including, but not limited to, injection molded materials and compression molded materials.  
      It should also be recognized that the cooling fluid of the present invention may be expelled elsewhere relative to the manufactured product (i.e., other than in a hollow portion of the product). For example,  FIG. 5  shows an embodiment in which the gas vapor  500  is dispersed by the transfer device  502  onto the exterior of the product  504 . The present invention also includes dispersing multiple streams of the cooling fluid onto the same or different portions of the manufactured product. For instance, flows of the cooling fluid may be simultaneously dispersed onto the exterior and interior surfaces of the manufactured product.  
      Turning to  FIG. 6 , this Figure shows a sectioned schematic of an extruder line  600  used in accordance with the practice of one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  shows an extruder line  600  which includes co-extrusion apparatus  602 . Co-extrusion apparatus  602  includes insulated transport tube  604  that is adapted to carry cooling fluid  606 . The cooling fluid  606  may be gas that may be delivered from a supply of cryogenic fluid. Co-extrusion apparatus  602  also includes a cross head extruder  608  which is adapted to prepare the thermoplastic material  610  for extrusion through a die which forms a hollow, rectangular profile and urges it along longitudinal direction  612 . Further layers of thermoplastic material such as layer  614  may be added through the use of additional extruders such as extruder  616 . Such additional layers of thermoplastic material may include layers of material with specific characteristics for exterior use, such as fluoropolymers and PVC having greater or lesser durability and resistance to changes in aesthetic appearance resulting from exposure to weather and environmental/atmospheric conditions, as dictated by the desired end user. The thermoplastic material  610  is formed by the forming die  618  into the desired final shape, such as a rectangular cross-section. The cooling fluid  606  permeates through the hollow space created in thermoplastic material  610 . The cooling fluid  606  may be at a significantly lower temperature than the surrounding thermoplastic material  610 . The cooling fluid  606  cools the thermoplastic material  610 , assisting the thermoplastic material to “skin” or solidify.  
       FIGS. 7 through 9  show a cross sectional view of one example of a die  700  that is configured to be in-line with an extruder. The extruded material flows through the die in the direction indicated by arrow  702 . In this example, the resultant extrudate  704  defines three hollow portions that are separated by webs  706  and  708 . The cooling fluid enters the die  700  through passages  710 . In some embodiments, it should be recognized that a tube, conduit, or any other type of transfer device may extend through the passages  710  for directing the flow of the cooling fluid through the passages  710 . The cooling fluid exits the die  700  through passages  710  in the direction indicated by arrows  712 . In such an embodiment, the passages  710  intersect the path of flow of the extruded material through the die  700 . In other words, the passages  710  intersect the flow channel in the die  700 .  
      The die  700  may be heated to a sufficient level to facilitate extrusion and limit premature curing of the extrudate in the die  700 . In this example of an in-line system, the passages  710  actually extend through the die  700 , intersecting the path of flow of the extruded material through the die  700 . In such embodiments, it may be preferable to limit cooling of the die  700  by the cooling fluid in the passages  710 . Accordingly, the passages  710  may be insulated by a suitable material. For example, the passages  710  may be lined with ceramic insulation, putty ceramics, or any other similar, suitable, or conventional insulating material in order to limit undesired heat loss by the die  700 . In fact, it should be recognized that the transfer device for the cooling fluid in any type of embodiment may be insulated in order to limit undesired cooling of surrounding items.  
      As best seen in the example of  FIG. 9 , the passages  710  may be substantially surrounded by die material  714  even where the passages  710  intersect the path of flow of the extruded material. In this manner, direct contact between the extruded material and the passages  710  may be avoided, if desired. The die material  714  surrounding the passages  710  may be heated to facilitate the extrusion process. Also, air gaps may be provided between the die material  714  and the passages  710  for additional insulation.  
      Any desired cooling fluid may be used in the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the cooling fluid, e.g., gas or liquid, may have a temperature below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, more preferably below about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, still more preferably below about 32 degrees Fahrenheit, even more preferably below about minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the temperature may be above about minus 325 degrees Fahrenheit, more preferably above about minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit, still more preferably above about minus 275 degrees Fahrenheit, even more preferably above about minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cooling fluid may be above about 80 degrees Fahrenheit or below about minus 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples of the cooling fluid are air and water. Another example of the cooling fluid is gas or vapor that is produced from a cryogenic fluid. For instance, a cryogenic fluid may have a temperature below about minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples of cryogenic fluids include, but are not limited to, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid neon, liquid hydrogen, liquid helium, and other similar, suitable, or conventional cryogenic fluids.  
      In addition to the temperature, the velocity of the cooling fluid may also impact its effectiveness. By selecting a suitable velocity and temperature of the cooling fluid, the inventors have discovered that an entire product can be thoroughly cooled just by injecting the cooling fluid into a hollow portion of the product. The velocity of the cooling fluid may be greater than about 10 miles per hour, more preferably greater than about 40 miles per hour, and it may be less than about 100 miles per hour, more preferably less than about 50 miles per hour. However, it should be recognized that the velocity of the cooling fluid may be less than about 10 miles per hour or greater than about 100 miles per hour in some embodiments.  
      The efficiency of the present invention may be further increased by diverting the flow of the cooling fluid toward the surface of the extruded product as it exits the die. By concentrating the cooling fluid on a surface of the extrudate, the desired amount of cooling may occur more quickly resulting in the use of less cooling fluid as compared to non-diversion methods. Moreover, the increased cooling efficiency enables the use of warmer cooling fluids and a reduction in the velocity of the cooling fluid as compared to non-diversion methods. For example, this embodiment of the present invention may be particularly useful if it is desired to use a cooling fluid that is warmer than about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it should be recognized that, in many embodiments, it may be desirable to use a cooling fluid below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal cooling efficiency.  
       FIG. 10  shows one example of a die that is adapted to divert a cooling fluid toward a surface of an extruded project. The die  800  of this embodiment may include any of the optional or preferred features of the die  700  shown in FIGS.  7  through  9 . The cooling fluid may enter the die  800  through a passage  810 . A baffle  820  is in fluid communication with the passage  810  such it receives the cooling fluid. The baffle  820  is adapted to then divert the flow of the cooling fluid such that it is directed to a desired surface of the extrudate. By directing the cooling fluid toward a surface of the extrudate, the baffle  820  may also create a more turbulent flow of the cooling fluid (as compared to a straight line flow that is not directed toward a surface of the extrudate) which further enhances the efficiency of the cooling process. The baffle  820  may be any device or structure that is suitable for diverting the flow of the cooling fluid to the desired location (e.g., an interior or exterior surface of a product). In this particular example, the baffle  820  is adapted to divert the cooling fluid in the direction of arrows  830  toward an interior surface of a hollow portion of the extrudate. For this purpose, the baffle  820  includes an inner conical portion  840  that forces the cooling fluid in the direction of arrows  830 .  
       FIG. 10  shows one example of a design of a baffle  820 . It should be recognized that the design of a baffle of the present invention may vary so as to divert the cooling fluid in the desired direction. Of course, the desired direction will vary according to the type of product being extruded and the location of the baffle relative to the extruded product.  
      The baffle  820  may be placed in fluid communication with the passage  810  in any suitable manner. In the example of  FIG. 10 , the baffle  820  is secured to an end portion of a conduit  850  that extends through the passage  810 . The baffle  820  may be secured to the end portion of the conduit  850  in any desired manner. For example, the baffle  820  may be threaded, i.e., screwed, onto the end portion of the conduit  850 . For other examples, the baffle  820  may be secured to the conduit  850  using other mechanical means (e.g., screws, pins, and other types of mechanical fastening devices) and/or adhesives. As previously noted, the conduit  850  may be insulated. The baffle  820  may also be insulated, if desired. The baffle  820  is offset from the heated portion  860  of the die  800  in this particular example. Optionally, there may be an insulated layer  870  on an exit end of the die  800 . The insulated layer  870  may be useful to prevent the cooling fluid from cooling the heated portion  860  of the die  800 .  
       FIG. 11  shows another example of a die which may include any of the optional or preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, the die  900  includes a passage  910  that is in fluid communication with the baffle  920 . The baffle  920  is not offset from the heated portion  930  of the die  900  in this example. In order to limit undesired cooling of the heated portion  930 , it may be preferred to use an insulated baffle  920  or otherwise provide a layer of insulation between the baffle  920  and the heated portion  930 . As in the previous example, the baffle  920  may be connected to a conduit  940  that lines that passage  910 . It should also be recognized that the baffle  920  may be placed in fluid communication with the passage  910  in any other suitable manner. For example, the baffle  920  may have a threaded connection with the heated portion  930 . In other examples, the baffle  920  may be connected to the heated portion  930  using other mechanical means (e.g., screws, pins, and other types of mechanical fastening devices) and/or adhesives. As in the previous example, an exit end of the die  900  may include a layer of insulation  950 .  
      The inventors have also made the surprising and significant discovery that the efficiency and efficacy of the manufacturing process may be improved by placing a liquid cryogenic fluid in direct contact with the material to be cooled. As a result, the rate of output may be increased, thereby decreasing the unit cost of the manufactured product. In addition, the inventors have discovered that the more rapid cooling providing by direct contact with a liquid cryogenic fluid may improve the structural characteristics of the manufactured product, especially in the case of foam products. In particular, the rapid removal of the heat may help to maintain the desired foam structure.  
       FIG. 12  shows one example of a system that enables direct contact of the material with the liquid cryogenic fluid. System  120  may include a die  122  which is adapted to receive material from a piece of processing equipment, e.g., an extruder. Optionally, a sizer  124  may be in fluid communication with the die  122 . One example of a sizer  124  is a vacuum sizer. After the material exits the die  122  and, optionally, sizer  124 , the material enters a bath  126  of liquid cryogenic fluid. In the bath  126 , the material comes into direct contact with the liquid cryogenic fluid. The duration of the contact may vary according to the particular material, manufacturing process, and degree of cooling that is desired. Nevertheless, it should be recognized that just a brief period of contact (e.g., mere seconds) may provide a significant of degree of heat removal. Depending on the material, overexposure to the liquid cryogenic fluid may eventually have a negative impact on the manufactured product.  
      The features and physical dimensions of the bath  126  may be selected taking into consideration the minimum length of material needed for a specific application, the line speed, the desired amount of heat removal, and other factors relevant to the safety, maintenance, and performance of the system  120 . In one exemplary embodiment, the bath  126  may include at least one sizing component (i.e., sizer or sizing box)  128 . A sizing component  128  may be partially or totally submersed in the liquid cryogenic fluid during operation of the system  120 . The bath  126  may also be equipped with suitable safety and maintenance features. For example, the bath  126  may have a cover  130  to facilitate maintenance of the bath  126 . Additionally, the bath  126  may be dual-walled and insulated, and the bath  126  may include a suitable exhaust system.  
      The bath  126  may include a level of liquid cryogenic fluid sufficient to partially or totally submerse the material to be cooled. For instance, the bath  126  may include a level of liquid cryogenic fluid sufficient to directly contact one portion of the material to be cooled while another portion does not come into contact with the liquid cryogenic fluid. Moreover, it should be recognized that the liquid cryogenic fluid may be transferred into and out of the bath  126  based on the operational status of the system  120 . For example, the system  120  may also include a pump  132  and a holding tank  134 . The pump  132  may transfer the liquid cryogenic fluid to the bath  126  from the tank  134  approximately when the particular manufacturing process (e.g., extrusion) is initiated or at any other suitable time such that there is a desired amount of liquid cryogenic fluid in the bath  126 . Furthermore, the pump  132  may transfer the liquid cryogenic fluid back to the tank  134  after the manufacturing process (e.g., extrusion) is complete or at any other suitable time. The tank  134  may be equipped with any suitable safety and maintenance features including, but not limited to, those included on the bath  126 . Additionally, it should be recognized that a suitable safety interlock system may be included to prohibit undesired transfer of the liquid cryogenic fluid between the bath  126  and the tank  134 .  
      At least one additional cooling system  136  may be included subsequent to the bath  126 . Examples of a cooling system  136  include, but are not limited to, a water bath, a spray mist, air flow, another cooling system as described herein, or any other conventional or new cooling system. Additionally, it should be noted that a cooling system  136  (or additional manufacturing equipment) may be included prior to the bath  126  without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
      As mentioned above, many significant advantages may be achieved by placing the material to be cooled in direct contact with liquid cryogenic fluid. In addition to cooling extruded products, the present invention may be used to cool products made by any other methods including, but not limited to, compression molded products and injection molded products. Regardless of the manufacturing method, the output rate may be increased and the unit cost may be decreased due to the dramatic improvement in cooling efficiency. Also, the capital cost of an exemplary system of the present invention may be reduced as compared to conventional gas cooling systems which require some gas velocity. In addition, the increased cooling efficiency may allow shorter manufacturing lines, thereby further reducing the manufacturing cost.  
      The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.