TITLE: WASTE INLET

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns systems for managing waste, and more particularly relates to inlet apparatuses for such waste management systems that are operated by means of vacuum.

BACKGROUND

In vacuum operated waste management systems waste is introduced into the system at insertion points. The configuration of the insertion points is one of several aspects of such a system that are vital to attaining a functional and effective system. Briefly, with regard to the insertion points in such systems, one coarse distinction is made between insertion chutes of the kind that are extended vertically through multi-story buildings and that each contain several closeable inlet openings, and a type of individual inlets that are normally positioned on ground level, indoors or outdoors, and that each have one closeable inlet opening. The former type of multi-story chute is predominantly used for collecting domestic waste in residential areas but also finds use in business areas, for collecting Office waste. In applications requiring separate collection of different waste fractions, sorting of the introduced waste is generally performed at the lower end of the respective chute. This is normally done by providing a number of different containers that may be indexed to a receiving position below the chute, either directly controlled by the user or controlled on a time basis, permitting the introduction of different waste fractions during specified times.

For the latter type of insertion point, the individual ground level inlet, there are rather specific and strict requirements and demands, both from the user's and the system operators' point of view. One such frequent demand is the provision of an arrangement that restricts the insertable waste volume, thereby to avoid blockage of an inlet. To meet such demands, inlets have been designed having a volume limiting arrangement integrated in the cover itself. In such designs, the cover or hatch may be regarded as forming a storage unit that has a fixed maximum volume in the open condition and a moveable bottom wall that is automatically opened only when the cover is closed. This is a type of design that not only renders the actual cover complicated and accordingly rather expensive to manufacture but also complicated to service and repair, since the entire cover/storage unit will have to be removed from the inlet for such

work. In such a design, the volume limiting arrangement is directly supported by the cover and adds load to the latter during the entire movement thereof between its open and closed positions. Therefore, the integrated design of the cover and the volume limiting arrangement increases the weight of the complete cover assembly and makes the maneuvering thereof more difficult, especially to handicapped users and smaller children. The discussed shortcomings of the existing designs are of consequence both to the users and to the system operators. Apart from the obvious desire, and in several communities a demand, for an esthetic outer design, the inlets must be user friendly in terms of being generally easily accessible and having an easily maneuverable as well as reachable inlet opening. The system operators require that the inlets be reasonably priced, reliable and service friendly.

In addition, there is a general desire to minimize the space requirement for the individual inlets. For the traditional individual inlets, it has been difficult to combine these different desires and requirements with an increasing demand for a separated insertion of waste of a domestic or private type and commercial waste from shops, restaurants and/or smaller enterprises in an urban area. Providing separate inlet openings on one and the same inlet would automatically enlarge and in most cases destroy the appearance of the inlet configuration and might also impair the user friendliness. On the other hand, the provision of separate private and commercial inlets would drastically increase the space requirement, regardless of if such individual inlets were positioned side by side or if they were integrated in one unit.

In view of the above discussion it is obvious that there is a great demand within this field for developments solving the presented problems.

SUMMARY

The invention overcomes the above problems in an efficient and satisfactory manner.

A basic object of the invention is to provide improved waste collection conditions, both for users and system operators, at the waste inlets of vacuum operated waste management systems.

In particular, an object of the invention is to suggest an improved inlet structure for a vacuum waste collection system, providing user-friendly as well as effective and reliable operation.

These and other objects are met by the invention as defined by the accompanying patent claims.

The invention generally relates to applications of vacuum operated waste management systems wherein waste is collected in inlets having inlet openings that are normally closed by a cover and waste volume Hmiting arrangements restricting the volume of waste that may be introduced into the inlet. It has been recognized that improved functionality for the inlet may be achieved by physically separating the cover structure from the volume limiting arrangement. A basic idea of the invention is therefore to support volume limiting means of the inlet below and separate from the actual cover. This will provide the desired, improved maneuverability of the cover and enhanced serviceability and maintainability of the cover as well as the volume limiting means.

By providing operating means that are likewise supported separate from the cover and that are connected to said waste volume limiting means and to the cover, reliable, synchronized operation thereof will be achieved, while maintaining the maneuverability.

In one embodiment of the invention the volume limiting means comprises a volume limiter for selectively blocking introduced waste while the cover is still open, whereby said volume limiter is pivotally supported by the inlet structure, at a level below the inlet opening for pivoting between inactive and active positions, hi this way, a functional but yet cost efficient solution will be achieved.

hi accordance with another aspect of the invention an improved functionality of the inlet structure may be achieved by providing two volume limiters at different levels below the inlet opening, said limiters being separately pivotally supported by the inlet structure. This solution will enable a differentiated function for the inlet, for instance distinguishing between private or domestic waste and commercial waste or distinguishing between ordinary non-handicapped users and handicapped users.

By providing user identification means controlling the operation of the cover and/or volume limiting means, it will be possible to control the access for different user groups to different functions of the inlet.

In practical embodiments of the invention the operating means include a foot pedal and/or a handle being connected to the cover through a mechanical transmission for operating the cover between open and closed positions and for directly or indirectly operating the volume limiting means between inactive and active positions.

In another practical embodiment of the invention the actual inlet structure comprises means for expanding the inlet opening. By means of a linkage between the cover and the expansion means operation of the operating means may, in a particularly practical development, provide for simultaneous maneuvering of the expansion means and of the cover between closed and open positions, and reverse.

Other advantages offered by the present invention will be appreciated upon reading of the below description of the embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating basic features of an inlet according to the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a practical first variant of the embodiment of an inlet according to Fig.

1, in a side view and with one side of the inlet removed;

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative of the embodiment of Fig. 2, in a similar view;

Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating an embodiment of a means for synchronizing movement of the cover and of the volume limiter in the embodiment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an alternative handle structure of a waste inlet according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating a side view of a further alternative embodiment of an inlet according to the invention;

Figs. 7A-B are schematic drawings illustrating two operative modes of the embodiment of Fig. 6; and

Figs. 8A -8B are schematic drawings clarifying the mutual motion of the transmission means of the embodiment of Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be explained with reference to embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and that exemplify the principles of the inventive waste inlet in different applications for vacuum operated waste collection systems. It shall be emphasized, though, that the illustrations are used to describe preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to the details thereof. Initially, it shall also be clarified that in drawing figures 2-8B the different embodiments of the inlet are illustrated from one side thereof only, which means that of parts of the inlet structures that are provided in pairs on each side of an inlet centre plane being parallel to the drawing plane, only one is visible.

A first exemplifying embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1, whereas Figs. 2, 3 and 6 show variations of said first embodiment. In particular, Fig. 1 is a very schematic drawing illustrating the exterior of an inventive waste inlet 1 and its association with a schematically indi- cated waste collection system 50. The inlet 1 consists of a waste receiving channel 2 having front 2 A, rear 2B and side walls 2C and a generally upper inlet opening 3. It should be emphasized that the specification of said walls as front, rear and side walls does is no way restrict the shape of the inlet to any specific polygonal cross-section, but only refers generally to the normal use of the inlet, where users approach the inlet from the "front side" thereof having the later described cover operating means. Therefore, the inventive inlet may have any feasible cross-sectional shape, such as polygonal, circular, oval etc. Throughout this specification, such expressions "front", "rear" and "side", are used in the same manner, referring to such a normal user position.

By the inlet opening 3 is provided a cover 4 being maneuverable between a first position CP (see Fig. 2) closing the inlet opening 3 and a second waste insertion position OP (Fig. 2) uncovering the opening 3. In its simplest, basic form the cover 4 of the inlet 1 is manually operated by means of a handle 11 that is integrated in the actual cover 4. However, in many practical embodiments it

is preferred to supplement said handle 11 with an optional foot pedal 10, as will be described further below in the description of practical embodiments. For esthetical as well as practical purposes, the inlet 1 or parts thereof may be furnished with an outer shell that is generally indicated by the reference number 17 and that provides a very advantageous possibility of individually designing the inlet for different customers as well as for protected integration therein of further operating means 30, 30', 10' that for certain applications may be provided in association with the front 2A or rear wall 2B of the receiving channel 2. Examples of such further operating means are user identification means 30 or 30' for authenticating access to the other cover operating means 10 or 10' (see below) or selected operating means. Such user identification means 30 or 30' may be provided for authorizing access to the inlet 1 in a mode for inserting commercial waste or for allowing activation of an operating means 10' initiating operation adapted to handicapped users. The latter alternative may involve a mode for automatic, powered opening and closing of the cover 4. The exemplified user identification means 30, 30' may include electronically or mechanically operated locks of any suitable kind and will not be described in detail herein.

The upper part of the waste receiving channel 2 of the inlet 1 is provided above ground or any other fundament F and its symbolically illustrated bottom end 19 continues down through said ground or fundament F and is connected to a system waste transport conduit 20, in most cases through a waste discharge valve 18. To the waste transport conduit 20 is applied a system vacuum that transports the collected waste to a collection central 51.

In Fig. 2 is illustrated a first practical variant of the embodiment of the inlet 1 that was described in general terms above, with regard to Fig. 1. The corresponding parts thereof have been provided with the same reference designations as in Fig. 1. The inlet 1 is illustrated here with one side wall of the waste receiving chamber 2 removed, and it has an arrangement 5 for limiting the volume of waste that may be simultaneously introduced into the waste receiving chamber 2. In this variant the inlet 1 is particularly intended for receiving private, domestic waste that may normally be discarded of in smaller amounts, such as in plastic bags having a maximum volume of approximately 20-40 liters and accordingly the waste limiting arrangement is provided at a relatively high upper level Ll. The arrangement comprises a waste volume limiting means consisting of a waste volume limiter 5 being provided inside the waste receiving chamber 2 and having a general

channel shape with a closed bottom 5A and side pieces 5B extending from each side or edge of the bottom 5 A. Specifically, the waste volume limiter 5 is provided below the inlet opening 3 and is supported by the chamber 2, separate from the cover 4, by means of pivot pins 5C (only one illustrated) journalled in the chamber side walls 2C and carried by the limiter side pieces 5B.

The cover 4 is pivotally supported by the chamber 2 by means of pivot pins 4A provided at each side thereof, between its front and rear ends, and is pivotal between a closed position CP, covering and blocking access to the inlet opening 3, and an open position OP uncovering the inlet opening 3. An advantageous feature of this embodiment of the invention is the provision of two distinct operating means of which one is formed by the handle 11 at a front end of the cover 4 and the other is a foot pedal 10 that is supported by the waste receiving chamber 2, separate from the cover 4 and that with a front end thereof extends out through the front wall 2A of the chamber 2. Said operating means 10, 11 are mechanically coupled to the cover so that operation of either of them causes movement of the cover 4 between the open OP and closed CP positions, and reverse. Specifically, the foot pedal 10 is pivotally supported by the chamber 2 by means of pivot pins 1OA, at a rear end thereof. At a position between its ends the pedal 10 is pivotally connected, at 12A, to a rear end of the cover 4, at 12B, by means of transmission links 12, so that depression of the foot pedal 10 will cause the cover 4 to swing to the open position OP.

The movement of the cover 4 is synchronized with the operation of the above mentioned waste volume limiter 5 for adjustment thereof between an inactive position IP opening the chamber 2 for waste discharge when the cover 4 is in its closed position CP, and an active waste volume limiting position AP blocking communication between the open inlet opening 3 and the lower end of the chamber 2 and thereby indirectly to the system waste transport pipe 20 when the cover 4 is in its open position OP. Specifically, the cover 4 and thereby indirectly or functionally the operating means 10 and 11, are connected to the waste limiter 5 by means of a motion transfer means 35, an example of which is disclosed in greater detail in Fig. 4. In the exemplary embodiment of the motion transfer means 35 illustrated therein, wires 36 are placed around limiter pulleys 37 that are fixed to each side of the limiter, centered on the pivot pins 5 C, for rotation with the limiter 5, and around cover pulleys 38 that are fixed to the cover 4 pivot pins 4 A, for rotation with the cover 4. By adjusting the ratio between the diameters of the two pulleys 37, 38 the angle of movement of the limiter 5 may be adjusted to fit different opening angles of the cover.

To increase the functionality and reliability of the inlet 1, a guard 39 may be provided in the upper region, inside the chamber 2. The guard 39 serves to block the insertion of waste between the rear chamber wall 2B and the limiter 5 in the active position AP thereof. Additionally a level sensor 40 may be provided in the upper region, inside the chamber 2, to detect the amount of waste piled up in the chamber 2.

Referring to the above description of the first practical embodiment, it will now be obvious that the cover 4 is normally in the closed position CP wherein it has moved the limiter 5, through the transfer means 35, to its inactive position IP, with its bottom 5 A being near the rear wall 2B of the chamber 2. A user wanting to discard waste accumulated in a plastic bag or other envelope normally depresses the pedal 10 causing the cover 4 to move to its open position OP and, synchronized therewith, the limiter 5 to move to its active position AP, blocking the passage of waste through the chamber 2. The limiter 5 now prohibits the insertion of a larger volume of waste than that determined by the position of the limiter 5 at the level Ll . When waste has been inserted into the inlet 1, the cover 4 is closed by manual depression thereof, thereby causing the limiter 5 to return to its inactive position IP, allowing the inserted waste to fall down, and also causing the pedal 10 to return to its original position, ready for a new cycle. It is obvious that in this embodiment the cover 4 may also be opened by means of the handle 11 thereon, which will likewise cause activation of the limiter 5. Opening of the cover 4 by means of the handle 11 will normally be preferred for handicapped users sitting in a wheel-chair, and in certain applications for handicapped users it may also be desirable to disconnect the limiter 5. This may be done by use of the above generally described user identification means 30' that may simply be a key lock, either mechanical or electronic, that authorized users can open with their own key or key card. In a manner that is not specifically described herein the opening of the lock may initiate disconnection of the transfer of the cover opening movement to the limiter, such as by means of a clutch that releases or functionally disconnects the cover pulleys 38 from the cover 4. The practical design of such a control will be obvious to a general practitioner. Such disconnection of the limiter 5 may also be applied for authorized commercial users discarding larger volumes of waste and given the appropriate key or identification card.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a second variant of a practical embodiment of the inlet 1 that was described above, with regard to Fig. 2. Like before, parts thereof that correspond to those of Figs. 1 and 2

have been provided with the same or similar reference designations. This embodiment of the inlet 1 is nearly identical to the inlet of Fig. 2, except that it has a slightly modified arrangement 6 for limiting the volume of waste that may at one time be introduced into the waste receiving chamber 2. In this variant the inlet 1 is particularly intended for receiving commercial waste that may normally be discarded in larger amounts, such as in plastic bags having a maximum volume of approximately 80-100 liters. Accordingly, the waste limiting arrangement 6 is here provided at a relatively deep lower level L2. The arrangement comprises a waste volume limiting means like the one described in connection with Fig. 2, and consists of a waste volume limiter 6 likewise being provided inside the waste receiving chamber 2 and having the general channel shape with a closed bottom 6A and side pieces 6B extending from each side or edge of the bottom 6A. Compared to the limiter 5 of Fig. 2 the commercial waste volume limiter 6 is larger and specifically has a longer bottom wall 6A, so that in its active position AP it extends over a larger area of the inlet cross-section.

The limiter 6 is likewise supported by the chamber 2, separate from the cover 4, for pivoting between the inactive position IP close to a chamber rear wall 2B" and the active, waste volume limiting position AP, and reverse, by means of pivot pins 6C journalled in the chamber side walls 2C and carried by the limiter side pieces 6B. A motion transfer means 35' like the one used in Fig. 2 is also provided and differs therefrom only in that the wires 36' are longer. Therefore, with said exception, the detailed illustration in Fig. 4 applies also to the inlet 1 of Fig. 3. To accommodate the larger volume limiter 6, a lower portion of the inlet has been expanded slightly backwardly, by displacing a lower part 2B" of the rear wall. In the illustrated embodiment, an extension of an upper part 2B' of the rear wall forms the guard 39'. In other respects, including the operation and function thereof, this variant corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 2.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated an alternative handle 13 that is not provided directly on the cover 4 but that is connected thereto by means of a link system 14. The link system 14 consists of a pair of fixed links 16 that at a first end are attached to the cover 4, preferably to the pivot pins 4A, directed generally downwardly therefrom. At their second end the fixed links 16 are pivotally connected, at 15 A, to a respective rear end of pivotal links 15 that are extended out through and guided by appropriate, not shown apertures in the front chamber wall 2A. m their front ends, at 15B, the pivotal links 15 carry the handle 13. In this embodiment, the cover 4 may be moved to its open

position OP by pulling the handle 13 and will be returned to the closed position CP by gravity, possibly assisted by pushing the handle 13 back. It shall be realized that although an upper volume limiter has been outlined in Fig. 5, this embodiment of the handle 13 may be applied to any of the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2. It may be used as sole cover operating means or in combination with the described foot pedal, through the transmission links 12, likewise being outlined in Fig. 5.

A third variant of a practical embodiment of the inlet 101 of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7A-B. In this embodiment the inlet 101 is a mixed inlet intended for selective, controlled introduction of either domestic/private waste or commercial waste, but in accordance with the invention it still has only one single inlet opening 103. This is achieved by providing waste volume limiting means comprising, in one and the same inlet 101, both a first upper waste volume limiter 105 being provided inside the waste receiving chamber 102 at a first upper level Ll below the inlet opening 103, and a second lower waste volume limiter 106 being provided inside the waste receiving chamber at a second lower level L2 below the inlet opening and below the first upper level Ll. The volume limiters 105, 106 are identical to the corresponding ones in the first and second variants of Fig. 2 and 3, respectively, and are likewise separately pivotally supported inside the waste receiving chamber 102 for pivoting between inactive positions IP close to a rear chamber wall 102B', 102B" and active, waste volume limiting positions AP essentially blocking the passage of waste through said chamber, and reverse.

Since the inlet 101 is provided with both upper and lower volume limiters 105 and 106, the rear wall 102B', 102B" of the receiving chamber 102 is preferably identical to that of the embodiment of Fig. 3, and the upper region of the chamber is also provided with a guard like in the embodiment of Fig. 2. The movement of the cover 104 is transferred selectively to the respective limiter 105 and 106, respectively, through a motion transfer means 135 that for clarity has been excluded from Fig. 6 but is illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B. This transfer means 135 is basically a combination of the transfer means of Figs 2 and 3, which means that the cover pulleys (not specifically designated in the drawings) for the limiters 105 and 106, respectively, are provided side by side on the respective cover pivot pin 104 A. For reasons that will be explained below, said cover pulleys are selectively functionally connected to the respective cover pivot pin 104A and functionally disengaged therefrom. As was briefly described in connection with the embodiment

of Fig. 1, such selective engagement of the transfer means 135 with the respective limiter 105, 106 may be caused by the operation of an authorization lock 130 initiating functional connection or disconnection of the transfer of the cover opening movement to the respective limiter 105, 106, such as by means of clutches that selectively lock and release the respective cover pulleys with regard to the cover pivot pins 104A. The inlet 101 is illustrated having a foot pedal 110 that is linked to the cover 104 by means of transmission links 112. Like in Fig. 5, the cover 104 is formed without an integrated handle. All of these parts that have been mentioned so far are similar or identical to corresponding parts of earlier described embodiments and will therefore not be described in detail again.

hi a further essential development of the basic inventive idea, the receiving chamber 102 of this third variant is additionally provided with an inlet opening expansion means 107 formed by an upper portion 108 of the front wall 102 A of the chamber 102 and extension side walls 109 attached to the respective edges thereof. This upper front wall portion 108 is pivotally attached, at 108A ₅ to the main front wall portion 102A, for pivoting between a retracted position RP extending generally in the plane of the main front wall 102 A and an outwardly pivoted, extended position EP, expanding the inlet opening 103. A handle 111 is fixed to the front wall portion 108 of the expansion means 107 and an upper portion of the expansion means 107 is connected to the cover 104 through a linkage 114 that is illustrated in greater detail in Figs 8A-B. This linkage 114 is nearly identical to the handle linkage 14 illustrated in Fig. 5 and briefly comprises pairs of fixed links 116 that are fixed to the cover pivot pins 4A, and that are pivotally connected, at 115A, to respective pivotal links 115 that in their front ends, at 115B, are pivotally connected to the upper front wall portion 108 of the expansion means 107. In this embodiment, pulling the handle 111 will cause simultaneous maneuvering of the expansion means 107 to its expanded position EP and of the cover 104 to its open position OP, and pushing the handle 111 will cause simultaneous maneuvering of the expansion means 107 to its retracted position RP and of the cover 104 to its closed position CP. In the illustrated configuration the same maneuvering may be caused by operating the foot pedal 110. It shall be realized, though, that like before this embodiment may be modified by providing the handle 111 as sole cover operating means.

The operation and function of this variant will now be briefly described with reference to Figs. 6- 8B. In the normal, non-operative condition of the inlet 101, the cover 104 is in the closed

position CP and both volume limiters 105, 106 are in their inactive positions IP. In this normal condition the inlet 101 and specifically the motion transfer means 135 are in the private/domestic waste mode, wherein the cover pulleys associated with the upper limiter 105 are functionally engaged with the cover pivot pins 104A and the cover pulleys associated with the lower limiter 106 are functionally disengaged from the cover pivot pins 104 A. A private user depresses the pedal 110 or alternatively pulls the handle 111, causing the expansion means 107 to be moved to its extended position EP and the cover 104 to move to its open position OP and, synchronized therewith, the upper limiterl05 to move to its active position AP, as is illustrated in Fig. 7 A. The lower limiter 106 remains in its inactive position IP. When waste has been inserted, the expansion means 107 and the cover 104 are returned to their original positions by pushing the handle 111 or alternatively by simply depressing the cover, thereby also causing the upper limiter 5 to return to its inactive position IP, as in the non-operative condition illustrated in Fig. 6.

A commercial or handicapped user may, as briefly described before, use their appropriate key or identification card in the identification means 130 to switch the inlet 101 and motion transfer means 135 to their commercial/handicapped mode wherein the cover pulleys associated with the upper limiter 105 are functionally disengaged from the cover pivot pins 104A and the cover pulleys associated with the lower limiter 106 are functionally engaged with the cover pivot pins 104A. Operation of either cover operating means 110, 111 will therefore likewise move the expansion means 107 to its extended position EP and the cover 104 to its open position OP, but in this mode, the lower limiter 106 will be caused to move to its active position AP, synchronized with the operation of the expansion means and the cover, as is illustrated in Fig. 7A. In this mode the upper limiter 105 remains in its inactive IP during the entire cycle.

It will be appreciated that for all modes, the first and second waste volume limiters 105 and 106, respectively, are adjustable between their inactive positions IP and active waste volume limiting positions AP independently of each other. This may be done by the use of the above generally described user identification means 130 authenticating deactivation of one of the volume limiters 105, 106 and/or authenticating simultaneous activation of the other volume limiter.

It will be clear from the above description of the different embodiments of the invention that an essential feature of the inlet of the invention is the completely manual, mechanical transmission

and motion transfer means. A specific advantage of this configuration is that no high voltage power supply will be required to each inlet of a system, which will considerably facilitate the installation thereof. However, this will not preclude the use of powered operating means for specific applications or locations, specifically adapted to handicapped users. Another attractive feature is the versatility obtained by the provision of two spaced but synchronized cover operation means, by the synchronization of said cover operation means with one or several volume limiters and by the provision of a designable outer shell wherein user identification means may be received in a partially integrated way.

The embodiments described above are merely given as examples, and it should be understood mat the present invention is not limited thereto. Further modifications, changes and improvements that retain the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein, lie within the scope and spirit of the invention. Features of different disclosed embodiments and variations may be freely combined with each other, and the invention likewise covers all such combinations, hi particular, the invention therefore covers different mutual combinations of cover operating means and volume limiting arrangements and/or motion transfer means.

The invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The invention is therefore intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.