Patent Publication Number: US-2020277789-A1

Title: Impact resistant roofing shingle and method for making same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/812,854, filed Mar. 1, 2019, entitled “Impact Resistant Roofing Shingle and Method for Making Same” owned by TAMKO Building Products LLC, currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This present invention relates to an impact resistant asphalt roofing shingle and method for making the same. The impact resistance is at least partially provided through a polymer-based reinforcing fabric or film applied to unexposed side of the shingle layers and wherein such reinforcing fabric or film replaces the fine aggregate that is applied to conventional asphalt shingles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hail storms costs homeowners and insurance companies a substantial amount of money each year. There have been many attempts to develop impact resistant shingles by many shingle manufacturers. Various approaches have been introduced, but the existing designs have varying degrees of success. As such, there is a need in the art for impact resistant shingles that are lightweight, effective, and that maintain the impact resistant nature throughout the shingle&#39;s design life while also improving manufacturing conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward an impact resistant roofing shingle that includes an upper shingle layer having a tab portion and a headlap portion. The impact resistant roofing shingle may also include a lower shingle layer laminated to the upper shingle layer underneath the tab portion of the upper shingle layer. In one embodiment, each of the upper shingle layer and the lower shingle layer comprise a mat, an upper asphalt coating layer applied to an exposed side of the mat, a lower asphalt coating layer applied to an unexposed side of the mat, a granular coating applied to the upper asphalt coating layer opposite the mat, and a fabric reinforcing layer applied to over the lower asphalt coating layer opposite the mat. 
     In another embodiment, the impact resistant roofing shingle may similarly include the upper shingle layer having a tab portion and a headlap portion, wherein the upper shingle layer comprises a first mat, a first upper asphalt coating layer applied to an exposed side of the first mat, a first lower asphalt coating layer applied to an unexposed side of the first mat, a first granular coating applied to the first upper asphalt coating layer opposite the first mat, and a first fabric reinforcing layer adhered to the lower asphalt coating layer opposite the first mat, wherein the first fabric reinforcing layer covers the entire area of the unexposed side of the first mat. 
     The impact resistant shingle may further similarly include the lower shingle layer laminated to the upper shingle layer underneath the tab portion of the upper shingle layer, wherein the lower shingle layer comprises a second mat, a second upper asphalt coating layer applied to an exposed side of the second mat, a second lower asphalt coating layer applied to an unexposed side of the second mat, a second granular coating applied to the second upper asphalt coating layer opposite the second mat, and a second fabric reinforcing layer adhered to the lower asphalt coating layer opposite the second mat, wherein the second fabric reinforcing layer covers the entire area of the unexposed side of the second mat. Further, the upper shingle layer may include a first width defined between a bottom of the roofing shingle and a top of the roofing shingle, and the lower shingle layer may have a second width defined between the bottom of the roofing shingle and a top edge of the lower shingle layer, wherein the second width may be less than the first width of the overlay layer. 
     The impact resistant roofing shingle may also include an embodiment wherein the fabric reinforcing layer of each of the overlay layer and the underlay layer covers the entirety of the unexposed side of the mat of each of the overlay layer and the underlay layer. 
     The impact resistant roofing shingle may also include an embodiment that further includes a nail line visible on a visible surface of the exposed side of the roofing shingle. The nail line may be located a first distance from a bottom of the roofing shingle and a top edge of the underlay layer may be located a second distance from the bottom of the roofing shingle. In one embodiment, the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     The present impact resistant roofing shingle may include an embodiment wherein the fabric reinforcing layer is a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric, and/or has a thickness between about 8 and 24 mils, and/or has a weight between 55 and 95 grams per square meter. 
     Further, the fabric reinforcing layer of the impact resistant roofing shingle may be comprised of a plurality of strands of material that are purposely randomly arranged and then are point bonded to fuse the strands together at a plurality of locations. 
     Another possible feature of the present impact resistant roofing shingle is a recessed area of the exposed side of the upper shingle layer, wherein the recessed area is disposed along a width of the roofing shingle such that the recessed area aligns with the overlap of the upper shingle layer and the lower shingle layer when a plurality of the roofing shingle are stacked on top of each other in a bundle for transport and/or storage. This recessed area, or headlap displacement zone, may help reduce a hump created near the center of a bundle of shingles due to the aggregation of the overlap between the upper and lower shingle layers when the shingles are in a stacked relationship. This feature helps reduce visible deformations and also increases the functional performance as stress points or deformations in the shingle due to the hump may damage the shingle. 
     In addition, in one embodiment, the fabric reinforcing layer may be adhered to the shingle using the stickiness of the lower asphalt coating layer applied to the respective mat. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like or similar parts in the various views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of one embodiment of an impact resistant shingle in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective bottom view of one embodiment of an impact resistant shingle in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic section view of the impact resistant shingle of  FIG. 1  cut along the line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of one embodiment of an impact resistant shingle in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the impact resistant shingle of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic section view of the impact resistant shingle of  FIG. 4  cut along the line  6 - 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description of the present invention references the accompanying drawing figures that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the present invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and, therefore, the description is not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     The present disclosure incorporates the disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,943 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/622,847 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,428,524) by reference in their entirety. 
     The present invention relates to an impact resistant laminated asphalt roofing shingle which may be applied to residential or commercial structures. The present impact resistant laminated asphalt roofing shingle generally eliminates the fine aggregate applied to the unexposed side of the shingle mat and replaces it with a reinforcing fabric layer that is applied to the entire unexposed side of both the overlay layer and the underlay layer. The proposed construction provides improved impact resistance and particular advantages by simplifying the tasks of complying with limits on employee exposure to fine aggregate and dust particles, and emissions of same into the environment by eliminating the use of the abrasive fine aggregate which is a solution preferred over the way exposures and emissions are usually managed with engineering controls and personal protective equipment. Also, elimination of the fine aggregate and dust particles reduces the wear on manufacturing machinery and makes it easier to clean the workplace. 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective schematic top view of the present impact resistant shingle  10  being a laminated shingle that includes a laminated shingle upper (overlay) layer  12  and a lower (underlay) layer  14 . Overlay layer  12  of impact resistant shingle  10  includes an overlay width  16  and an overlay length  18 , wherein width  16  and length  18  comprise an area of the shingle  10 . Overlay layer  12  also generally includes an exposed side  22  and plurality of architectural cut-outs  34  when combined with surface granules  30  to provide an architectural appearance and texture of the shingle  10 . 
       FIG. 1  also illustrates underlay layer  14  having width  36  and a length  38 , wherein width  36  of the underlay layer  14  is less than the width  16  of the overlay layer. Underlay layer  14  also includes an exposed side  42  having granules  50  that are visible through the architectural cut-outs  34 .  FIG. 1  also shows shingle  10  having a tab portion  13  and a headlap portion  15 . When installed, the tab portion  13  is visible and the headlap portion  15  is generally covered by the tab portion  13  of an overlapping shingle. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of shingle  10  showing underlay layer  14  having an unexposed side  44  and overlay layer  12  having an unexposed side  24 .  FIG. 2  also shows overlay layer  12  having a fabric reinforcing layer  32  as its outermost layer and underlay layer  14  a fabric reinforcing layer  52  as its outermost layer.  FIG. 2  also illustrates one embodiment including a sealant bead  56  that is disposed near a bottom edge  58  of shingle  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a nailing zone for the shingle  10  may be located in the overlapping portion, where the overlay layer  12  over laps the top edge  60  of the underlay layer  14 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the shingle  10  of  FIG. 1  cut along the line  3 - 3 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the layered construction of shingle  10 . As shown, overlay layer  12  includes a base mat  20  and an exposed side  22  and an unexposed side  24 . Overlay layer  12  also includes a top asphalt coating layer  26  applied to the exposed side  22  of base mat  20  and a bottom asphalt coating layer  28  applied to the unexposed side  24  of base mat  20 . Overlay layer  12  includes a layer of granules  30  that comprises a wearing surface on exposed side  22  and a reinforcing fabric layer  32  that covers bottom asphalt layer  28  and extends over the entire area of underlay layer  14 . In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer has a substantially constant or uniform thickness and because the reinforcing layer  32  is applied to the entire area of both the overlay layer, the construction of shingle  10  results in an uniform thickness of both the overlay layer  12  and the reinforcing layer  32 . 
     Similarly, underlay layer  14  includes a base mat  40  having an exposed side  42  and an unexposed side  44 . Underlay layer  14  also includes a top asphalt coating layer  46  applied to the exposed side  42  of base mat  40  and a bottom asphalt coating layer  48  applied to the unexposed side  44  of base mat  40 . Underlay layer  14  also includes a layer of granules  50  applied to the top asphalt layer  46  opposite the mat  40 . The layer of granules  50  comprise a wearing surface on exposed side  42 . Further, a reinforcing fabric layer  52  is applied to bottom asphalt coating layer  48  opposite mat  40 , wherein the reinforcing fabric layer  52  covers the entire area of underlay layer  14 . When manufacturing the present shingle, in one embodiment, sand, talc, or any other fine aggregate material is not applied to the bottom asphalt coating layer  48 . In its place, the reinforcing fabric layer  52  may be adhered to the bottom asphalt coating layer  48  directly or using an adhesive, where such adhesive may be asphalt based. 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates that a laminating adhesive  54  may be used to adhere the overlay layer  12  and the underlay layer  14 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the present shingle  10  includes an embodiment wherein there are at least four material layers under the “dragon tooth” which is the portion remaining after the cutout  34 . In one embodiment, the four layers include the top asphalt layer  46 , the mat  40 , the bottom asphalt layer  48  and the reinforcing layer  52 . This construction may result in a more resilient and longer-lasting shingle. 
     In some embodiments, even though a heavier weight reinforcing fabric may be used, other design considerations may result in a lighter shingle compared to other impact resistant shingles. In addition to limiting the weight of the resultant impact resistant shingle as compared to other known impact resistant shingles, the use of the reinforcing fabric layer  32  and  52  on the unexposed side  24 ,  44  of the shingle may provide the advantages of avoiding employee exposure to the fine particulates of the fine granular material and reduces the maintenance on machines while at the same time preventing sticking of the shingle sheet as it runs through the manufacturing line. The application of the reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  to the unexposed side  24 ,  44  also makes it easier for a manufacturer to comply with environmental and safety requirements by eliminating the use of the fine aggregates and granular materials. 
     Base mat  20 ,  40  may be any base mat currently used in the construction of asphalt shingles including, fiberglass, polyester, or organic felt mats, or any other mats now known or hereafter developed for use as an asphalt shingle substrate. Base mat  20 ,  40  may be saturated with asphaltic material prior to being coated with the top layer of asphalt coating  26 . Alternatively, base mat  20 ,  40  may have a layer of asphaltic material coated on the exposed side  22 ,  42  and may further have a layer of asphaltic material applied to the unexposed side  24 ,  44  wherein a portion of the asphalt coating layer(s) may penetrate or otherwise be adhered to the surfaces of base mat  20 ,  40 . Asphalt coating  26  may be any asphaltic material formulation now known used to cover asphalt shingles, including asphalt modified with any known additives or performance altering admixtures. Asphalt coating  26  may include aggregate filler added to the asphaltic material and mixed therein to promote adhesion and to increase the creep resistance of the mixture under elevated temperatures experienced on a roof. 
     Granular material (granules)  30  and  50  may be any granular material now used or hereafter used for asphalt shingles that at least (a) cover the top layer asphalt coating  26 , (b) provide a weathering surface, (c) shield the top layer asphalt coating  26  from UV light when installed on the roof, and/or (d) contribute to the overall appearance and/or color of an asphalt shingle. 
     Reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is commonly known as polyester. Reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may be a fabric, film, paper, parchment, foil or other substrate. Further, in one embodiment, reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may have a thickness between about 8 and 24 mils (0.2 to 0.61 mm). However, any other thickness is within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  will have a weight between 55 and 95 grams per square meter (gsm); however, other fabric weights are also within the scope of the present invention. 
     In addition, reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may include strands of material that are purposely randomly arranged and then are “point bonded” (embossed or pressed at varying intervals) which fuses the strands together for increased strength or chemically bonded, for example with a resin binder. Alternatively, reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may be a woven or unwoven fabric as known in the art. In other embodiments, reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may include a fabric, film, or other substrate which may or may not have a polymer base. Additional materials from which reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may include: polyester fibers, wood pulp, glass fibers, cotton fibers, wool fibers, carpet material, nylon fibers, rayon fibers, acrylic fibers, polyolefin fibers, polypropylene fibers and recycled plastics fibers, recycled paper, binders, and any mixtures thereof. Reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may be woven or unwoven. Reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may be a film of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylics, other known polymer-based films, and other known non-polymer-based films. 
     In some embodiments, the reinforcing fabric  32 ,  52  may be a continuous polymer fiber (polyester) or a mineral fiber thread (fiberglass) to create the fabric/web. The continuous fiber feature of the viscoelastic polyester material fabric creates strength and elongation characteristics which are substantially different in behavior and performance than any known fabric, scrim or mat of staple fibers. 
     The embodiments of the present shingle described above may be made using at least the following method. In one embodiment, mat  20 ,  40  may be saturated with asphaltic material by submerging mat  20 ,  40  in asphaltic material or coating mat  20 ,  40  with asphaltic material as known in the art. Next, the asphalt coating layers  26 ,  28 ,  46 ,  48  may be applied to the saturated mat  20 ,  40  at the same time or separately. Alternatively, the asphalt coating layer may be applied simultaneously with the saturating step above. The exposed granular material (granules)  30 ,  50  may then be applied to the top asphalt coating layer  26  opposite the mat  20 ,  40  using one of the many known processes in the art at any time in the manufacturing process or other similar process developed in the future. 
     The reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  may be applied to the unexposed side  24 ,  44  of mat  20 ,  40  (respectively) directly to the bottom asphalt coating layers  28 ,  48  opposite the mat  20 ,  40 . In another embodiment, an asphalt-based adhesive may be used. The reinforcing fabric  32 ,  52  may be pressed onto the unexposed side of bottom asphalt layers  28  and  48  of the shingle after the granules have been applied to secure the reinforcing fabric to the shingle. At this point in the manufacturing process, the temperature of the asphalt coating on the back of the shingle is much lower than the melting point of the fabric and, therefore, no melting of the fabric occurs. The asphalt, however, is still tacky, thereby adhering the reinforcing fabric layer  32 ,  52  to the underside of the mat  20 ,  40 . Moreover, the reinforcing fabric may have its performance or properties modified and/or improved through a manufacturing process that applies several bonding steps to bond the fabric, and which may be unique to both strength and elasticity including the fiber orientation, needle punching both top and bottom orientations, high needle stitch rate, the order of bonding steps, the level of heat applied at various steps in the bonding process, and amount/variation of nip pressure applied at calendar rolls. 
       FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the present invention showing impact resistant shingle  100  being a laminated shingle that includes a laminated shingle upper (overlay) layer  112  includes an overlay width  116  and an overlay length  118 , wherein width  116  and length  118  comprise an area of the shingle  10 . In one embodiment width  116  is around one (1) foot one and one-fourth (¼) inches plus or minus one-sixteenth ( 1/16) of an inch and length  118  is around thirty nine (39) and three-eighths (⅜) inches, plus or minus one-eighth ⅛ inch. Overlay layer  112  also generally includes an exposed side  122  and plurality of architectural cut-outs  134  when combined with surface granules  130  to provide an architectural appearance and texture of the shingle  100 . 
       FIG. 4  also illustrates underlay layer  114  having an exposed side  142  having granules  150  that are visible through the architectural cut-outs  134 . The shingle of  FIG. 4  also includes a headlap portion  15  and a tab portion  13  as shown in  FIG. 1 . When installed, the tab portion  13  is visible and the headlap portion  15  is generally covered by the tab portion  13  of an overlapping shingle. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates that shingle  110  includes a release tape  170  on near the top  172  of headlap portion  15 . In one embodiment, release tape  170  may be a distance D 1  from the top  172  of shingle  100  and a release tape width WT. In one embodiment, distance D 1  may be around seven-sixteenths ( 7/16) of an inch plus or minus one-quarter (¼) inch and release tape width WT may be a minimum of seven-eighths (⅞) of an inch. In this embodiment, the nail line directs installers where to nail through the shingle for optimum performance. In addition, a nail line  174  may be printed continuously or dashed on the exposed side  122  as shown, and in one embodiment, the nail line  174  may be a distance D 2  about six and one-eighth (6⅛) inches from a bottom  176  of shingle  100 . As will be appreciated by a person of skill in the art, other distances are also within the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  shows a stripe of sand  178  disposed on the exposed side  122  of overlay layer  112  near the mid-height of shingle  100 . Stripe of sand  178  generally runs across the entire length  118  of shingle  100  and is located along the width  116  such that the stripe of sand  178  will be covered when an overlapping shingle is installed over the headlap portion  15 . In one embodiment, a bottom edge  180  of the sand stripe may be around six and five-eighths (6⅝) inches from bottom  176  and have a stripe width WS of around one and three-quarters (1¾) inches, plus or minus a quarter (¼) inch in a direction toward the top  17 . In one embodiment, the sand layer is a very fine aggregate such that when the sand layer  178  is applied, it coats the asphalt coating layer. In one embodiment, the stripe of sand  178  is applied prior to granules  130  and prevents granules  130  from adhering to the top asphalt coating layer so that the overlay layer  112  at the sand layer  178  has an overall thickness that is less than the overall thickness of the overlay layer  112  where the surface granules  130  are applied. 
       FIG. 5  shows the unexposed side  124  of overlay layer  112  and underlay layer  114  having an unexposed side  144 . In one embodiment, a top edge  184  of underlay layer  114  may be a distance D 3  from bottom  176  of around six (6) inches. As will be appreciated by a person of skill in the art, other distances are also within the scope of the present invention.  FIG. 5  shows that the PET fabric reinforcing layer  132 ,  152  is applied over the entire area of the unexposed portions of shingle  100  as described above and shown in  FIG. 2 . Further,  FIG. 5  illustrates shingle  100  including sealant bead  156  across the length  118  of shingle  100  proximate bottom  176 . In one embodiment, a center of the sealant bead  156  is positioned on the shingle  100  a bead distance DB of around three quarters (¾) of an inch from the bottom edge  180 . 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the shingle  100  of  FIG. 4  cut along the line  6 - 6 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the layered construction of shingle  10 . As shown, overlay layer  112  includes a base mat  120  and an exposed side  122  and an unexposed side  124 . Overlay layer  112  also includes a top asphalt coating layer  126  applied to the exposed side  122  of base mat  120  and a bottom asphalt coating layer  128  applied to the unexposed side  124  of base mat  120 . Overlay layer  112  includes a layer of granules  130  that comprises a wearing surface on exposed side  122  and a reinforcing fabric layer  132  that covers bottom asphalt layer  128  and extends over the entire area of underlay layer  114 . In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer  132  has a substantially constant or uniform thickness and because the reinforcing layer  132  is applied to the entire area of both the overlay layer  112 , the construction of shingle  100  results in a uniform thickness of both the overlay layer  112  and the reinforcing layer  132 . 
     Similarly, underlay layer  114  includes a base mat  140  having an exposed side  142  and an unexposed side  144 . Underlay layer  114  also includes a top asphalt coating layer  146  applied to the exposed side  142  of base mat  140  and a bottom asphalt coating layer  148  applied to the unexposed side  144  of base mat  140 . Underlay layer  114  also includes a layer of granules  150  applied to the top asphalt layer  146  opposite the mat  140 . The layer of granules  150  comprise a wearing surface on exposed side  142 . Further, a reinforcing fabric layer  152  is applied to bottom asphalt coating layer  148  opposite mat  140 , wherein the reinforcing fabric layer  152  covers the entire area of underlay layer  114 . When manufacturing the present shingle, in one embodiment, sand, talc, or any other fine aggregate material is not applied to the bottom asphalt coating layer  148 . In its place, the reinforcing fabric layer  152  may be adhered to the bottom asphalt coating layer  48  directly or using an adhesive, where such adhesive may be asphalt based. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 6 , sand layer  178  creates a recessed area  182  of exposed side  122  of overlay layer  112 . The recessed area  182  of overlay layer  112  may also be referred to herein as a headlap displacement zone. This recessed area  182  is positioned along the width  16  such that recessed area  182  aligns with the end of the overlap of the overlay layer  112  and the underlay layer  114  when a plurality of shingles  100  are stacked in a bundle for transport and/or storage. The recessed area  182  in plurality in a stack acts to eliminate a hump that is present in stacks of laminated shingles. The elimination of a bump or hump is important in that it reduces distortion or deformation of the shingle during storage and/or transport. This distortion and deformation of the shingle causes issues by causing a wavy or rolling appearance of the installed shingles and may reduce functionality and longevity. As such, the use of sand layer  178  to create a recessed area  182  of the overlay layer  112  to prevent humping and distortion of shingles when in a stacked arrangement for storage and transport improves both the appearance of the installed shingles on the roof and the functional performance. 
     In one embodiment of the present impact resistant shingle  100 , any of the above described elements may be included in a commercial embodiment of the present impact resistant shingle. In all of the above embodiments, the shingle sheet may be fed through one or more rollers to compress all of the applied layers to improve the adhesion of each of the layers. The above shingle embodiments may also be manufactured substantially on existing manufacturing lines slightly modified to apply the fabric reinforcing layer  32 ,  52 . 
     In all of the above embodiments, the larger sheet may be cut lengthwise, with the architectural cut-outs  34  being cut from the overlay layer  12 , and then the underlay layer  14  may be aligned under the tab portion  13  of the overlay layer  12 . Next, the overlay layer  12  and underlay layer  14  are laminated together using a laminating adhesive  54 , wherein the shingles are cut to length, stacked and wrapped for distribution. 
     As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited to the particular details of the examples illustrated herein. It is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications using other similar or related features or techniques will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that all such modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed to be covered by the present invention. 
     Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosures, and the appended claims.