U.S. patent application number 10/828759 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for plastic container and method of integrally securing a neck attachment thereto.
Invention is credited to Lonsway, Michael J..
Application Number | 20050236356 10/828759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34967696 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050236356 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lonsway, Michael J. |
October 27, 2005 |
Plastic container and method of integrally securing a neck
attachment thereto
Abstract
A method of making a container by providing a container having a
neck, providing a container attachment having a circumferentially
continuous ring, telescoping the ring over the neck, and radially
expanding at least a portion of the neck to secure the attachment
to the neck.
Inventors: |
Lonsway, Michael J.;
(Toledo, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KUDIRKA & JOBSE, LLP
ONE STATE STREET
SUITE 800
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Family ID: |
34967696 |
Appl. No.: |
10/828759 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/396 ;
215/386; 215/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 66/5344 20130101;
B29C 66/71 20130101; B29C 65/58 20130101; B29C 66/30325 20130101;
B29C 2049/2026 20130101; B29C 66/30325 20130101; B29C 66/71
20130101; B29C 66/232 20130101; B29C 66/12461 20130101; B29C
66/8322 20130101; B29L 2031/7158 20130101; B29C 57/04 20130101;
B29C 65/56 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101; B65D 41/08 20130101; B29L
2031/463 20130101; B29K 2067/00 20130101; B29C 65/00 20130101; B29K
2023/12 20130101; B29K 2067/003 20130101; B29C 66/7234 20130101;
B29C 66/81419 20130101; B65D 23/106 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101;
B29K 2023/086 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101; B29C 66/12441
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/396 ;
215/386; 215/043 |
International
Class: |
B65D 023/10; B65D
041/58; B65D 041/52 |
Claims
1. A method of making a container that includes the steps of: (a)
providing a container having a neck, (b) providing a container
attachment having a circumferentially continuous ring, (c)
telescoping said ring over said neck, and (d) radially expanding at
least a portion of said neck to secure said attachment to said
neck.
2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment has at
least one external thread segment.
3. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment includes
a handle coupled to said ring.
4. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said step (a) includes
providing at least one external engagement element on said neck to
engage said ring upon expansion of said neck in said step (d).
5. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein said step of providing
at least one external engagement element includes providing spaced
beads on said neck for engaging said ring.
6. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of steps
(a) and (b) includes providing at least one anti-rotational feature
on at least one of said neck and said ring.
7. The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said providing step
includes providing knurling on at least one of said neck and said
ring.
8. The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said providing step
includes providing at least one lug on one of said neck and said
ring and at least one corresponding pocket on the other of said
neck and said ring such that said at least one lug engages said at
least one corresponding pocket.
9. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein step (d) includes
axially driving an anvil into said container to radially outwardly
expand at least a portion of said neck into engagement with said
attachment.
10. The method set forth in claim 9 wherein said step (a) includes
providing at least one external engagement element on said neck to
engage said ring upon expansion of said neck in said step (d),
further wherein said anvil simultaneously expands a finish portion
of said neck and said at least one external engagement element on
said neck.
11. The method set forth in claim 9 wherein said step (a) includes
providing at least one external engagement element on said neck to
engage said ring upon expansion of said neck in said step (d),
further wherein said anvil expands said at least one external
engagement element on said neck but does not expand a finish
portion of said neck.
12. A container produced by the method of claim 1.
13. A method of making a handled container that includes the steps
of: (a) providing a container having a neck, (b) providing a handle
having a circumferentially continuous ring, (c) telescoping said
ring externally over said neck, and (d) radially expanding at least
a portion of said neck to secure said handle to said neck.
14. The method set forth in claim 13 wherein said attachment ring
includes at least external thread forming an externally threaded
finish when said ring is secured to said neck in said step (d).
15. The method set forth in claim 13 wherein said neck includes at
least one external thread, a capping flange, and a pair of spaced
beads.
16. The method set forth in claim 15 wherein said neck and said
pair of spaced beads are smaller in diameter than that of said
capping flange and said at least one external thread, and wherein
said step (d) includes expanding that portion of said neck having
said spaced beads without expanding that portion of said neck
having said capping flange or said at least one external
thread.
17. The method set forth in claim 13 wherein at least one of steps
(a) and (b) includes providing at least one anti-rotational feature
on at least one of said neck and said ring of said handle.
18. The method set forth in claim 17 wherein said providing step
includes providing knurling on at least one of said neck and said
ring of said handle.
19. The method set forth in claim 17 wherein said providing step
includes providing at least one lug on one of said neck and said
ring and at least one corresponding pocket on the other of said
neck and said ring such that said at least one lug engages said at
least one corresponding pocket.
20. The method set forth in claim 13 wherein step (d) includes
axially driving an anvil into an open end of said container to
radially outwardly expand at least a portion of said neck into
engagement with said ring of said handle.
21. A handled container produced by the method set forth in claim
1
22. A method of making a handled container that includes the steps
of: (a) pressure molding a preform having a body and a neck with at
least one external engagement element, (b) providing a handle
having a circumferentially continuous attachment ring, (c) blow
molding said body of said preform to form a body of a container
having said neck extending therefrom, and (d) either prior to or
subsequent to said step (c): (d1) telescoping said ring of said
handle over said neck of said container until said ring is adjacent
to said at least one external engagement element, and then (d2)
expanding at least a portion of said neck containing said at least
one external engagement element radially outwardly into engagement
with said ring to secure said handle to said neck.
23. A handled container produced by the method set forth in claim
22.
24. A container that includes: a body, a neck extending from said
body, and an attachment that includes an attachment ring encircling
a portion of said neck, said portion of said neck being strain
hardened by radial expansion against an inside diameter of said
attachment ring.
25. An attachment for a container having a body and a neck
extending from said body wherein said neck includes a pair of
external engagement beads, said attachment includes a ring having
an internal diametrical surface having at least one anti-rotational
engagement feature, wherein said attachment is adapted for
securement to said neck of said container between said pair of
external engagement beads by radially outward expansion of said
neck and further wherein said pair of external engagement beads
axially restrain said ring and said at least one anti-rotational
engagement feature rotationally restrains said ring from movement
relative to said container.
Description
[0001] The present invention is directed to manufacture of
containers, and more particularly to the manufacture of plastic
containers having components, such as finish rings and handles,
assembled thereto.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Containers for flowable products, such as liquids and
granular products, have been formed of plastic by a variety of
methods. For example, plastic containers have been blow molded from
preforms to provide container bodies having integral neck finishes
and handles. Also, plastic containers have been formed with a
container body, including a neck finish integral with the container
body, and a handle separately attached to the container. Other
containers have been formed by positioning an injected molded
handle and finish in a blow mold so that the handle and finish are
incorporated into the container as it is blow molded.
[0003] In at least some instances, it may be desirable to form a
container body separately from a neck finish and/or handle. One
reason is that a neck finish that is integrally formed with a
preform typically requires more accurate and stable dimensioning
than the rest of body of the preform, which may limit the cycle
time of the preform molding process. Another reason is that the
blow molds used to form the container body can be more simple in
design in that they do not require pockets to form or hold an
integrally molded handle. It may also be desirable to use a
different plastic material for strength, color, esthetics or cost
issues, for example, wherein the handle and finish need not be made
of the same material as the container body.
[0004] The invention includes a number of different aspects, which
may be implemented separately from or, more preferably, in
combination with each other.
[0005] A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention
includes the steps of providing a container having a neck,
providing a container attachment having a circumferentially
continuous ring, telescoping the ring over the neck, and radially
expanding the neck to secure the attachment to the neck.
[0006] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there
is provided a method of making a handled container that includes
the steps of providing a container having a neck, providing a
handle having a circumferentially continuous ring, telescoping the
ring externally over the neck, and radially expanding the neck to
secure the handle to the neck.
[0007] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of making a handled container that includes the
steps of pressure molding a preform having a body and a neck with
at least one external engagement element, providing a handle having
a circumferentially continuous attachment ring, blow molding the
body of the preform to form the body of a container having the neck
extending therefrom. Either prior to or subsequent to the blow
molding step, the method further includes telescoping the ring of
the handle over the neck of the container until the ring is
adjacent to the at least one external engagement element, and then
expanding at least a portion of the neck containing the at least
one external engagement element radially outwardly into engagement
with the ring to secure the handle to the neck.
[0008] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there
is provided a container that includes a body, a neck extending from
the body, and an attachment that includes an attachment ring
encircling a portion of the neck, the portion of the neck being
strain hardened by radial expansion against an inside diameter of
the ring.
[0009] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, there is
provided an attachment for a container having a body and a neck
extending from the body wherein the neck includes a pair of
external engagement beads, the attachment includes a ring having an
internal diametrical surface having at least one anti-rotational
engagement feature, wherein the attachment is adapted for
securement to the neck of the container between the pair of
external engagement beads and further wherein the pair of external
engagement beads axially restrain the ring and the at least one
anti-rotational engagement feature rotationally restrains the ring
from movement relative to the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention, together with additional objects, features,
advantages and aspects thereof, will be best understood from the
following description, the appended claims and the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preform for use with a
method according to one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a container blow-molded
from the preform of FIG. 1 and for use with a method according to
one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of a
container assembly being produced from a separate finish ring
attachment and the container of FIG. 2, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of a
container assembly being produced from a separate, integrated
finish ring and handle attachment and the container of FIG. 2,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a partially assembled
version of the container assembly of FIG. 3, which illustrates a
method step according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of
FIG. 5, after the method step is complete, wherein a neck of the
container is radially expanded into engagement with an attachment
such that the attachment is integrally secured to the neck;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an elevational view that illustrates a method step
for integrally attaching a handle to a container according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an elevational view that illustrates another
method step for integrally attaching the handle of FIG. 6 to the
container of FIG. 6 according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the completed container
assembly of FIG. 7 taken along line A-A thereof; and
[0020] FIG. 8 is an elevational view that illustrates a method step
for integrally attaching a handle to a container having a neck
portion that is narrower at one end than at a finish end, according
to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a preform 10 that includes a closed end
12 and an oppositely disposed open end 14. A body portion 16
extends from the closed end 12 toward the open end 14 and
terminates in the form of a neck 18. The neck 18 extends upward
from the body portion 16 to include an integral annular support
flange 20, further extends upward to include integral first and
second orienting beads or rings 22, 24 and terminates at the open
end 14. For reasons that will be discussed below, the neck portion
18 of the preform 10, particularly that portion between the
orienting rings 22, 24 inclusive, is preferably provided with
knurling surface features. Knurling surface features are defined
herein as a pattern of small ridges, beads, or cross-hatches
provided on a surface to aid in gripping another surface to be
placed in contact therewith. The preform 10 may be of monolayer
construction, or may be of multilayer construction having an inner
layer of barrier resin, for example, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol
(EVOH) and outer layers composed of polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or the like, or any other
suitable container materials. The preform 10 may be produced by a
pressure molding operation such as injection or compression
molding. Subsequently, the preform 10 may be blow molded to form a
blow-molded container 110 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0022] In FIG. 2, the container 110 shown includes a closed bottom
end 112 and the oppositely disposed open end 14. A body portion 116
extends from the closed end 112 toward the open end 14, tapers in
the form of a shoulder 1117, and terminates in the form of the neck
18. The neck 18 extends upward from the shoulder 117 to include
integral annular support flange 20, further extends upward to
include integral first and second orienting beads or rings 22, 24
and terminates at the open end 14. Again, via the preform 10 of
FIG. 1, knurling features are provided on the neck 18, preferably
between the orienting rings 22, 24.
[0023] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a method step in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein an
attachment in the form of a circumferentially continuous finish
ring 126 is telescoped over the neck of the container 110, as
directionally depicted by the arrow. In other words, the finish
ring 126 and container neck 18 are introduced together lengthwise
or axially, with the container neck 18 entering the finish ring 126
as the result of the bringing together or collision of the
container 110 and finish ring 126. Preferably, the finish ring 126
is placed over the container neck 18 before the container 110 has
cooled off from the blow molding step and, thus, while the
container material is still relatively soft. It is also
contemplated that this step could be completed after the container
110 has cooled. The finish ring 126 includes a top surface 128, an
oppositely disposed bottom surface 130 parallel to top surface 128,
and inner and outer diametrical surfaces 132, 134 extending
perpendicularly therebetween. The outer diametrical surface 134
include threads 136 or thread-like features or segments integrally
formed thereon. The inner diametrical surface 132 includes annular
recesses 138 formed therein, and further preferably includes
knurling features disposed between the recesses 138. The finish
ring 126 is telescoped over the neck 18 until the bottom surface
130 of the finish ring 126 contacts a top surface 142 of the
support flange 120. The finish ring 126 may be injection or
compression molded and composed of any desired material,
particularly any material that is different from the material
composition of the preform and container. In other words, the
material and conditions of fabrication of the finish ring 126 may
be selected separately from the material and fabrication conditions
of the preform to achieve more optimal operating characteristics of
the finish area of the container 110. Thus, the preform and
container 110 can be molded with relatively thinner wall sections
without having to accommodate the flow of molten plastic material
into a relatively thicker finish area, which reduces material cost
and mold cycle time. Preferably, however, the finish ring 126 is
composed of polypropylene (PP) or the like, or any other plastic
material having sufficient resiliency to elastically expand and
retract.
[0024] A finish ring 226 shown in FIG. 4 is identical to the finish
ring 126 of FIG. 3, except the finish ring 226 of FIG. 4 is
provided with an integrally extending handle 244 extending from a
bottom surface 230 (or any other surface). Stated another way, the
handle 244 has a circumferentially continuous member integrally
attached thereto. In any case, the finish ring 226 is telescoped
over the neck 18 of the container 110, as described previously.
[0025] FIG. 5 schematically depicts a securing step of a method of
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a mandrel
or anvil A is inserted within the open end 14 of the container 110.
The anvil A, or a plurality of sequential anvils, may be used to
stretch neck finishes of different containers to various desired
sizes. The anvil A may be a single solid tool as shown, or may be a
multipiece expandable tool such as an expanding mandrel or the
like. The anvil A is driven into the container 110 such that a
tapered surface T of the anvil A first works on the open end 14 and
then an outer diameter D of the anvil A works on an inner surface
146 of the neck 118 so as to radially outwardly displace and
plastically deform the neck 118 until the first and second rings
22, 24 seat within their respective recesses 138 of the finish ring
126 and the corresponding knurling features of the container neck
18 and the finish ring 126 interengage under compression.
Accordingly, at least a portion of the finish ring 126 is axially
captured between the rings 22, 24 of the container 110. It is
contemplated that the material for the container 110 and finish
ring 126 be selected such that motion of the anvil A will
significantly plastically deform the neck 118 of the container 110
and merely elastically deform the neck ring 126. Preferably,
however, this step is executed while the container 110 is still
relatively warm from the preceding preforming and blow molding
steps. It is contemplated that the neck 18 of the container 110
could be heated in any manner, to maintain the neck 18 in a
relatively soft and flexible state. In any case, the finish ring
126 is not substantially radially expanded during the radial
expansion step. The resultant snug, interlocking fit between the
rings 122, 124 and the recesses 138 is provided to prevent relative
axial movement between the container neck 18 and the finish ring
126. Similarly, the interengagement of the knurling features
provides added frictional resistance to rotational movement between
the container neck 18 and the finish ring 126.
[0026] In FIG. 5A, there is illustrated an additional or
alternative feature. FIG. 5A illustrates an assembled version of
FIG. 5 taken in the form of a transverse cross-section along line
A-A thereof. The finish ring 126 includes a radially extending lug
148 formed on the inner diametrical surface 132, and the container
110 includes a radially extending pocket 152 formed in the neck 118
and which is adapted for receiving the lug 148 of the finish ring
126. The interlocking lug 148 and pocket 152 are provided to
prevent relative rotation between the container 110 and finish ring
126.
[0027] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
present invention. A container 310 includes a closed end (not
shown) and an oppositely disposed open end 314. A body portion 316
extends from the closed end toward the open end 314, tapers in the
form of a shoulder 317, and terminates at a neck 318. The neck 318
extends upward from the shoulder 317 to include a pair of retaining
beads or rings 319, extends upward further to include an integral
annular support flange 320, further extends upward to include an
integral neck finish 321 and terminates at the open end 314. The
neck finish 321 includes one or more threads or thread segments 323
thereon for securing a closure member (not shown) to the container
310. An attachment in the form of a handle 326 includes a
circumferentially continuous ring 327 having a top surface 328 and
an curved stem 329 integrally extending from a bottom surface 330
of the ring 327. The handle 326 may be injection or compression
molded and composed of any desired material, including even the
same the material composition as the container 310. Preferably,
however, the handle 126 is composed of polypropylene (PP) or the
like, having sufficient resiliency to elastically expand and
retract. The handle 326 is shown being telescoped over the neck 318
of the container 310, as depicted by the directional arrows. In
other words, the ring 327 of the handle 326 and the container neck
318 are introduced together lengthwise or axially, with the
container neck 318 entering the ring 327. The ring 327 includes an
inner diameter 332 that is provided just larger than the outer
diametrical size of the support flange 320 such that the ring 327
passes freely thereover. The handle 326 is lowered until the ring
327 is axially located substantially between the retaining rings
319 of the container 310.
[0028] FIG. 7 schematically depicts an assembly step of a method of
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the
anvil A is inserted within the open end 314 of the container 310.
The anvil A includes a tapered surface T and an outer diameter D
that is sized just larger than the internal diameter of the neck
318. The anvil A is driven into the container 310 such that the
tapered surface T of the anvil A first works on the open end 314
and then the outer diameter D of the anvil A works on an inner
surface (not shown) of the neck 318 so as to radially outwardly
displace and plastically deform the neck 318 until the rings 319,
by virtue of the radial outward displacement thereof, capture the
ring 327 of the handle 326 therebetween. It is contemplated that
the materials for the components are selected such that motion of
the anvil A will largely plastically deform the neck 318 of the
container 310 and largely elastically deform the ring 327 of the
handle 326. The snug, entrapping fit of the ring 327 of the handle
326 between the rings 319 of the container 310 is provided to
prevent relative axial movement between the container neck 318 and
the handle 326. Similarly, the interengagement of the knurling
features provides added frictional resistance to rotational
movement between the container neck 318 and the handle 326.
[0029] In addition, FIG. 7A illustrates an assembled version of
FIG. 7 taken in the form of a transverse cross-section along line
A-A thereof. In FIG. 7A it can be seen that the ring 327 of the
handle 326 includes a radially extending lug 348 formed on the
inner diametrical surface 332, and that the container 310 includes
a radially extending pocket 352 formed in the neck 318 and adapted
for receiving the lug 348 of the ring 327. The interlocking lug 348
and pocket 352 are provided to prevent relative rotation between
the container 310 and handle 326.
[0030] FIG. 8 depicts another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. A container 410 includes a closed end (not shown) and an
oppositely disposed open end 414. A body portion 416 extends from
the closed end toward the open end 414, tapers in the form of a
shoulder 417, and terminates in the form of a neck 418. The neck
418 extends forward from the shoulder 417 to include a reduced
diameter portion 418' having a pair of retaining rings 419, extends
forward further to include an integral annular capping flange 420,
further extends forward to include an integral neck finish 421, and
terminates at the open end 414. The neck finish 421 includes one or
more threads 423 thereon for securing a closure member (not shown)
to the container 410. Thus, the container 410 is largely the same
as the container 310 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, except that the neck
finish 421 is provided in size as the desired final finish size and
thus does not get stretched during the stretching operation, while
the neck 418 includes the reduced diameter portion 418' which does
get stretched during the stretching operation.
[0031] Still referring to FIG. 8, an attachment in the form of a
handle 426 includes a circumferentially continuous ring 427 having
a top surface 428 and a stem 429 extending from the ring 427. The
handle 426 may be injection or compression molded and composed of
any desired material, including even the same the material
composition as the container 410. Preferably, however, the handle
426 is composed of polypropylene (PP) or the like, having
sufficient resiliency to elastically expand and retract. The handle
426 is shown being telescoped over the neck 418 of the container
410, as depicted by the directional arrows. In other words, the
ring 427 of the handle 426 and the container neck 418 are
introduced together lengthwise or axially, with the container neck
418 entering the ring 427 as the result of collision therebetween.
The ring 427 includes an inner diameter 432 that is sized to be
just larger than the outer diameter size of the capping flange 420
such that the ring 427 passes freely thereover. The handle 426 is
lowered until the ring 427 is axially located substantially between
the retaining rings 419 of the container 410.
[0032] FIG. 8 also schematically depicts an assembly or securing
step of a method of another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the anvil A is inserted within the open end 414
of the container 410. In contrast to the previous embodiment of
FIG. 7, here the outer diameter D of the anvil A is smaller than
the inner diameter of the integral neck finish 421 but is larger
than the reduced diameter portion 418'. The anvil A is driven into
the container 410 such that the tapered surface T' of the anvil A'
first works on the open end 414 and then an outer diameter D' of
the anvil A' works on an inner surface (not shown) of the reduced
diameter portion 418' of the neck 418 so as to radially outwardly
displace and plastically deform the reduced diameter portion 418'
of the neck 418 until the rings 419 entrap the ring 427 of the
handle 426 therebetween.
[0033] Several advantages are provided with one or more of the
embodiments of the present invention described above. For example,
it is now possible to integrally secure an attachment or component
to a neck of a container using the same machine or station that is
used to stretch the neck finish to desired size, thereby adding
value to a container product without adding capital costs.
Simultaneously, the neck size of different preform designs can be
produced to a common single diameter and thereafter expanded to a
variety of desired sizes, thereby minimizing perso parts. Also, the
present invention enables the integral securing of an attachment to
a container neck using an integral compression fit, rather than the
more cumbersome processes of gluing or swaging. It may also be
possible to reduce the cost of container manufacture as a result of
higher preform cavitation due to employing a smaller common neck
size. Finally, the present invention also provides a simplified
method of orienting a finish or handle to a container and minimizes
undesired rotation of an attachment relative to a container
neck.
[0034] There have thus been described a container, an attachment
for a container, a method of making a container, and methods of
making a handled container that fully satisfy all of the objects
and aims previously set forth. The present invention has been
disclosed in conjunction with presently preferred embodiments
thereof, and a number of modifications and variations have been
discussed. Other modifications and variations will readily suggest
themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the
foregoing description. Directional words such as top, bottom,
upper, lower, radial, circumferential, and the like are employed by
way of description and not limitation. Indeed, the invention is
intended to embrace all modifications and variations as fall within
the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims;
* * * * *