U.S. patent application number 11/550444 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for secure resealable container closure.
Invention is credited to Emery Lantos, James D. Sykes.
Application Number | 20080110848 11/550444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39368200 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lantos; Emery ; et
al. |
May 15, 2008 |
Secure Resealable Container Closure
Abstract
A closure including a crown member, a base member attached to
the crown member, the base member having a partially frangible
member and a tap member retained by the crown member and base
member. The crown member is configured to move axially with respect
to the base member.
Inventors: |
Lantos; Emery; (Sarasota,
FL) ; Sykes; James D.; (Orangeville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERMAN & GREEN
425 POST ROAD
FAIRFIELD
CT
06824
US
|
Family ID: |
39368200 |
Appl. No.: |
11/550444 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/313 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/226 20130101;
B65D 47/243 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/313 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16 |
Claims
1. A method of opening a closure comprising: rotating a crown
member of a closure; depressing the crown member toward a base
member of the closure; and piercing at least one frangible segment
of a partially frangible member of the base member.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein a content of a container is
released through a passage resulting from at least piercing the at
least one frangible segment.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the resulting passage is
resealable.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the crown member is rotated with
respect to the base member to allow form axial movement of the
crown member.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein rotating the crown member
disengages locking mechanisms of the crown and base members.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein piercing the partially frangible
member of the base member comprises impacting the crown on a
surface.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a tap member is driven by the
crown member to pierce the partially frangible member.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the crown member pierces the
partially frangible member.
9. A closure comprising: a crown member; a base member attached to
the crown member, the base member having a partially frangible
member; and a tap member retained by the crown member and base
member; wherein the crown member is configured to move axially with
respect to the base member.
10. The closure of claim 9, wherein the crown member is further
configured to drive the tap member through the partially frangible
member.
11. The closure of claim 9, wherein the crown member is configured
to pierce the partially frangible member.
12. The closure of claim 9, wherein the frangible member includes
segments hingably attached to the base member.
13. The closure of claim 9, wherein the crown member further
comprises an outer frangible or deformable skirt portion for
minimizing unintentional actuation of the crown member.
14. The closure of claim 9, wherein a skirt of the base member
engages a container for removably attaching the closure to the
container, the skirt having contact portions to provide seal(s)
between the closure and the container.
15. The closure of claim 9, wherein the closure is configured so
the crown member remains engaged with the base member after
actuation to prevent a content of an attached container from
escaping through the closure.
16. The closure of claim 9, wherein the crown and base members each
include locking mechanisms which when engaged minimize
unintentional actuation of the crown member.
17. A closure comprising: a base member; and a crown member
slidably engaged with the base member, the crown member being
configured to drive a tap member through a partially frangible
member of the base member.
18. The container closure of claim 17, wherein the tap member is
slidably engaged within a cavity of the base member and retained by
the crown member, the tap member being configured to snap into a
groove of the base member for retaining the tap member upon
actuation of the crown and tap members.
19. The closure of claim 17, wherein the frangible member includes
segments hingably attached to the base member.
20. The closure of claim 17, wherein the crown member further
comprises an outer frangible or deformable skirt portion for
minimizing unintentional actuation of the crown member.
21. The closure of claim 17, wherein axial movement of the crown
member after actuation interacts with the tap member to prevent or
allow passage of the content of the attached container to pass
through the closure.
22. The closure of claim 17, wherein a skirt of the base member
engages a container for removably attaching the closure to the
container, the skirt having contact portions to provide seal(s)
between the closure and the container.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to container closures and,
more particularly, to resealable container closures.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Related Developments
[0004] Conventional methods for tamper proofing a resealable
container closure such as a pull/push top closure include wrapping
the top of the closure with some kind of material. For example,
conventional pull/push top closures are wrapped with a plastic
shrink-wrap or cellophane. When the wrapping is removed or
partially removed a consumer knows that the top and possibly the
contents of the container the top is affixed to have been tampered
with. During transport of the containers the shrink-wrap or foil
over the pull/push top closures may become damaged and/or torn off
leading a consumer to think the container has been tampered with or
becomes removed entirely which leaves no indication that the
package may have been tampered with.
[0005] Other tamper evident features used in conventional pull/push
top closures include foil over the bottle openings and frangible
security rings that separate from the cap as the cap is twisted or
unscrewed off a container. Having security features that are
separate from the container closure add another step to the
processing of the container and its contents and are not readily
visible at time of purchase.
[0006] It would be advantageous to have a pull/push container
closure with an integral security/tamper evident feature.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, the disclosed embodiments relate to a method
for opening a closure. The method includes rotating a crown member
of a closure, depressing the crown member toward a base member of
the closure and piercing at least one frangible segment of a
partially frangible member of the base member.
[0008] In another aspect, the disclosed embodiments relate to a
closure system. In one embodiment, the closure system includes a
crown member, a base member attached to the crown member, the base
member having a partially frangible member and a tap member
retained by the crown member and base member. The crown member is
configured to move axially with respect to the base member.
[0009] In a further aspect, the disclosed embodiments relate to a
closure system. In one embodiment, the closure system includes a
base member and a crown member slidably engaged with the base
member. The crown member is configured to drive a tap member
through a partially frangible member of the base member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing aspects and other features of the disclosed
embodiments are explained in the following description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a closure assembly in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the closure assembly
of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a closure in accordance
with an embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the closure in FIG. 3 in an
actuated closed configuration;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the closure of FIG. 3
in an open configuration;
[0016] FIG. 6 shows an exploded sectional view of the closure of
FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram in accordance with a method of
an exemplary embodiment;
[0018] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an exploded sectional view of a
closure in accordance with an embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a cut-away isometric view of the closure in
FIGS. 8A and 8B in accordance with an embodiment in a first
configuration; and
[0020] FIG. 10 shows a cut-away isometric view of a closure FIGS.
8A and 8B in accordance with an embodiment in a second
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a closure in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment. Although aspects of the invention will be described
with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings and
described below, it should be understood that these aspects could
be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition,
any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be
used.
[0022] The resealable pull-up style closure assembly 1 shown in
FIG. 1 may include a crown assembly 4 and a base or bottom member
2. The crown assembly 4 may generally include a crown or top member
5, a tamper evidence band 6 and a tap member 3. It is noted that
the embodiments described herein may be employed not just for the
beverage industry but with other industries as well. These other
industries include, for example, the personal hygiene industry
(e.g. mouthwash, shampoo, etc.), the home and auto industry (e.g.
cleaning products, air fresheners, etc.), the food industry (e.g.
condiments, sauces, spices, seasonings, etc) and chemical and
pharmaceutical industries (e.g. reagents, dietary supplements,
etc.). The closure may have any suitable shape corresponding to,
for example, the mouth or opening of an attached container.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base member 2 of the
closure assembly 1 may include a top face 12 having skirt 7
extending therefrom in a longitudinal direction that extends from
the top of the closure assembly 1 to the bottom of the closure
assembly 1. In alternate embodiments, the base member 2 may also
include a tamper evidence feature, that may be similar to the band
6, or any other suitable tamper evidence feature that engages the
container to indicate whether the closure 1 has been removed from
the container. In the figures the skirt 7 is shown as being
cylindrical or having a circular cross-section but in alternate
embodiments, the skirt 7 may have any suitable shape such as, for
example, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. The skirt 7
may have an opening forming a cavity so that the closure assembly 1
can be removably engaged with a container. The cavity of the skirt
7 may have any suitable features to affix the closure 1 to a
container such as, for example, thread elements 39. In alternate
embodiments, the closure assembly 1 may be attached to a container
in any suitable manner, such as for example, with snaps, locking
tabs and the like. In other alternate embodiments, the base member
2 may have contact portions to substantially seal between the
closure assembly 1 and the container. In still other alternate
embodiments, the crown member 5 may be removably engaged to the
container while the base member 2 remains affixed or is of unitary
construction with the container.
[0024] Opposite the skirt 7, the base member 2 may also include a
skirt extension 43 extending longitudinally from the top face 12
towards the top of the closure 1. The skirt extension 43 is shown
in the drawings as being cylindrical (e.g. with a circular
cross-section) but in alternate embodiments, the skirt extension 43
may have any suitable cross-sectional shape such as square,
rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. The skirt extension 43 may
include a partially frangible member 8 having partially frangible
segments 9 with frangement pathways 11. The partially frangible
segments 9 may be initially pierced by a frangement wedge 24 of the
tap 3 and further split by the continued advancement of the tap 3
and crown 5 in the direction of arrow A towards the face 12 of the
base 2. Split segments 9 of the frangible member 8 may remain
attached to the base member 2 via a living hinge 10 (See also FIG.
4) while not interfering with the release of the container contents
through the closure assembly 1. In alternate embodiments, the
partially frangible segments 9 may be contained from being released
into the contents of the container in any suitable manner. The
skirt extension 43 may also include a tamper evidence bead 13 for
retaining the tamper evidence band 6 as will be described below and
a ramped surface 16 which may aid in the assembly of the closure
1.
[0025] The skirt extension 43 may contact a portion of the tap 3
and/or other alignment portion of the crown member 5 and provide
retention and guidance of the crown member 5 before, during and
after actuation. The inner surface of the extension 43 above the
surface 12 of the base member 2 may include a ledge 19 and rotation
resistance features 17 which may retain the tap 3 until deliberate
actuation. In alternate embodiments, retention of the tap may be
provided in any suitable manner. Longitudinal grooves 18 on the
inner surface of the extension 43 may guide the tap 3 during
engagement and piercing of the partially frangible member 8. A
groove 20 on the skirt extension 43 may retain the tap flange 21
upon actuation as shown in FIG. 5. In alternate embodiments, the
tap flange 21 may be retained in any suitable manner such as for
example, by snaps.
[0026] The tap 3 may include a wall 29 which may be notched 25 at
the end engaging the partially frangible member 8 and is bridged 26
at the opposite end with a stopper feature 27 projecting above the
bridge 26. The wall 29 is shown in the Figures as being cylindrical
(e.g. with a circular cross-section) but in alternate embodiments,
the tap wall may have any suitable cross-sectional shape such as
square, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. The wall 29 may provide
a channel 28 for the contents of a container to pass out of the
container closure 1. A flange 21 perpendicular to and positioned
along the longitudinal axis of the tap 3 may be seated on ledge 19
of the base member 2 before actuation and retained after actuation
in the groove 20. Tabs 22 projecting radially from the flange 21
may engage a rotation-resistance feature 38 on the base member 2
before actuation and engage longitudinal grooves 18 in the base
member 2 when the tap is advanced longitudinally in the direction
of arrow A (towards the surface 12 of the base member 2) to
puncture the frangible member 8. Longitudinal ribs 23 project
upward from the flange 21 to provide orientation and alignment of
the crown member 5 when opening the closure 1 to release the
container contents or when resealing the closure 1. In alternate
embodiments, orientation and alignment of the crown member 5 may be
provided in any suitable manner.
[0027] The crown or top member 5 may include a top disc portion 31
from which an outer skirt 34 and an inner crown guidance skirt 33
extend. The crown 5 may include an orifice 30 for container content
egress. The outer skirt 34 includes externally protruding features
32 which may improve grip and reduce choking hazard, and an
integrally molded frangible tamper evidence feature 6 which extends
below the skirt 34. During assembly, the teeth 42 of the frangible
member 6 engage complementary teeth 14 of the base member 2. Tabs
35 of the crown 5 may engage recess 15 in extension 43 so that tabs
35 and contact pads 37 of the base member 2 may resist axial load
before actuation. In alternate embodiments, the axial load may be
resisted in any suitable manner such as, for example, by snaps, a
frangible connection and the like. Longitudinal grooves 41 on the
inner surface of the inner skirt 33 engage ribs 23 on the tap 3
providing torque transfer to and alignment with the tap 3 during
actuation of the resealable pull-up closure feature. In alternate
embodiments, torque transfer and alignment of the crown 5 may be
provided in any suitable manner such as, for example, by tabs,
friction, etc.
[0028] Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, the resealable pull-up
closure feature may be actuated by rotating the crown 5 until
stopped by the contact of the tap tab 22 with the base member
groove 18, which action also orients the tabs 35 with relieved
surfaces 40 over which tabs 35 may longitudinally pass (FIG. 7,
Block 700). The resistance of this rotation by engagement of the
teeth 14, 42 subsequently shears the integrally molded or
mechanically formed frangible webs 36 which had connected the crown
5 and the tamper evidence feature 6. The crown 5 may be depressed
longitudinally by, for example, a uniform motion, by impact force
or the like in the direction of arrow A until physically stopped by
the contact of the tap 3 flange 21 with the partially frangible
member 8 (FIG. 7, Block 710). This action drives the detached band
6 over the bead 13 and the pads 42 over the reliefs 40 making both
non-retractable to their original position. The force of driving
the crown 5 in the direction of arrow A may be transferred to the
tap 3 and to the frangement wedges 24 through, for example, the
inner skirt 33 and flange 21 so that the frangement wedges 24 are
thereby driven through the partially frangible member 8. The notch
25 may permanently hold open the partially frangible member
sections 9.
[0029] The frangement wedges 24 may be driven through the partially
frangible member 8, by for example, an impact force or uniform
movement of the crown 5 (e.g. providing either a sudden or steady
force sufficient to move the crown and to fracture the partially
frangible member), so that the partially frangible member 8 is
pierced by the frangement wedges 24 at frangement pathways 11 and
further split by the continued advancement of the inner skirt 33 of
the crown 5 (FIG. 7, Block 720). Split segments 9 of the partially
frangible member 8 may remain attached to the member 8 by means of
a flexible shoulder 10, while not interfering with the release of
the container contents. It should be realized that driving the
detached band 6 over the bead 13 and piercing the partially
frangible member 8 may be performed in one motion.
[0030] The contents of the container or package to which the
closure assembly 1 is affixed may be released by axially retracting
the crown 5 until stopped by the interaction of contact of pads 35
with the underside of the teeth 14, and the package is resealed by
depressing the crown 5 until stopped (FIG. 7, Block 730).
[0031] The crown 5, base 2 and tap 3 may be formed in any suitable
manner such as, for example, by injection or compression molding.
The crown 5, base, 2 and tap members may be made of any suitable
material or combination of materials such as, for example, plastic,
which may provide adequate mechanical functionality and seal
characteristics for the closure assembly 1. The crown 5, base 2 and
tap 3 may each be made from different materials, the same materials
or any combination thereof. In alternate embodiments, the each of
the crown 5, base 2 and tap 3 may be from a combination of
materials through processes such as, for example, overmolding,
etc.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 8A-10, a resealable pull-up style
closure 1' is shown in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment. The closure 1' may include a crown 5', a tamper
evidence band 6', a shutoff or tap member 31 and a bottom or base
member 21.
[0033] The base member 21 of the closure 1' may include a top face
12' having skirt 7' extending therefrom in a longitudinal direction
that extends from the top of the closure 1' to the bottom of the
closure 1'. In alternate embodiments, the base member 2' may also
include a tamper evidence band, that may be similar to the band 6',
or any other suitable tamper evidence feature that engages the
container to indicate whether the closure 1' has been removed from
the container. The skirt 7' is shown as being cylindrical or having
a circular cross section but in alternate embodiments, the skirt
may have any suitable shape and cross-section such as, for example,
square, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. The skirt 7' may have
an opening forming a cavity so that the closure 1' can be removably
engaged with a container. The cavity of the skirt 7' may have any
suitable features to affix the closure 1' to the container such as,
for example, thread elements 39'. In alternate embodiments, the
closure 1' may be attached to the container in any suitable manner
such as, for example, with snaps, locking tabs and the like. In
other alternate embodiments, the base member 2' may have contact
portions to provide seal(s) between the closure 1' and the
container. In still other alternate embodiments, the crown member
5' may be removably engaged to the container while the base member
2' remains affixed or is of unitary construction with the
container.
[0034] Opposite the skirt 7', the base member 2' may also include a
skirt extension 43' extending longitudinally from the top face 12'
of the base member 2' towards the top of the closure 1'. The skirt
extension 43' is shown in the drawings as being cylindrical (e.g.
with a circular cross-section) but in alternate embodiments, the
skirt extension 43' may have any suitable cross-sectional shape
such as square, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. The skirt
extension 43' may include a partially frangible member 8' having
partially frangible segments 9' with frangement pathways 11'. The
partially frangible segments 9' may be initially pierced by a
frangement wedge 24' of the crown member 5' and further split by
the continued advancement of the crown member 5' in the
longitudinal direction of arrow A towards the face 12' of the base
member 2'. Split segments 9' of the frangible member 8' may remain
attached to the base member 2' via a living hinge 10' (See also
FIG. 4) while not interfering with the release of the container
contents through the closure 1'. In alternate embodiments, the
partially frangible segments 9' may be contained from being
released into the contents of the container in any suitable manner.
The skirt extension 43' may also include a tamper evidence bead 13'
for retaining the tamper evidence band 6' as will be described
below and a ramped surface 16' which may aid in the assembly of the
closure 1'.
[0035] The skirt extension 43' may contact a portion of the tap 3'
and/or other alignment portion of the crown member 5' and provide
retention and guidance of the tap 3' and crown member 5' before,
during and after actuation. The inner surface of the skirt
extension 43' above the surface 12' of the base member 2' may
include ledges 19' and rotation resistance features 17' which may
retain the crown member 5' until deliberate actuation. Grooves 41'
may guide the crown member 5' during the engagement and piercing of
the partially frangible member 8'. The tap 3' may also be retained
by the ledges 19' and may be kept from unintentional rotation apart
from the crown member 5' due to the tap flange 21' fitting within
the channel 25'. In alternate embodiments, retention of the tap 3'
and crown member 5' may be provided in any suitable manner such as,
for example, by snaps.
[0036] The tap 3' may include a stopper 27' for plugging the fluid
release orifice 30' of the crown member 5'. The stopper may be
connected to flanges 21' in any suitable manner such as, for
example, by members 47. Before actuation the tap flanges 21' may
rest against ledges 19'. During actuation the tap 3' and flanges
21' may be rotated via the crown member 5' until the flanges 21'
are stopped by and aligned with channels 18'. The tap may be pushed
in the direction of arrow A towards the surface 12' of the base
member 2' by surface 46 of the channel 25' and/or surface 45 of the
crown member 5'. As the tap 3' is moved in the direction of arrow
A, longitudinal grooves 18' on the inner surface of the extension
43' may guide the tap 3'. The tap flange 21' may snap over the tap
snaps 20A and be retained by the grooves 20' to prevent further
longitudinal movement of the tap 3'. In alternate embodiments,
longitudinal movement of the tap 3' after actuation may be employed
in any suitable manner.
[0037] The crown or top member 5' may include a top disc portion
31' from which an outer skirt 34' and an inner crown guidance skirt
33' extend. The crown 5' may include an orifice 30' for container
content egress. The outer skirt 34' may include externally
protruding features 32' which may improve grip and reduce choking
hazard, and an integrally molded frangible tamper evidence feature
6' which extends below the skirt 34'. During assembly, the teeth
42' of the frangible member 6' engage complementary teeth 14' of
the base member 21. Tabs 35' of the crown 5' may engage the recess
15' so that tabs 35' and contact pad 37' of the base member 2' may
resist axial load before actuation. In alternate embodiments, the
axial load may be resisted in any suitable manner such as, for
example, by snaps, a frangible connection and the like.
[0038] The inner crown guidance skirt 33' may include longitudinal
ribs 23', a retaining channel 25' and frangement wedges 24'. The
inner skirt 33' is shown in the Figures as being cylindrical (e.g.
with a circular cross-section) but in alternate embodiments, the
inner skirt 33' may have any suitable cross-sectional shape such as
square, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. The longitudinal ribs
23' may extend from the top of the closure 1' towards the bottom of
the closure 1'. The ribs 23' may have any suitable length for
engaging the ledges 19', recess 17' and grooves 41' of the base
member 21. Before actuation the ribs 23' may be seated on the
ledges 19' inside the rotation resistance recess 17'. The recess
17' may prevent unintentional rotation of the crown member 5'. The
ribs 23' may engage longitudinal grooves 41' in the base member 2'
when the crown member 5' is rotated and advanced longitudinally in
the direction of arrow A (towards the surface 12' of the base
member 2') to puncture the frangible member 8'. The retaining
channel 25' may hold the broken frangible segments 9' open after
actuation to allow egress of the container contents. The retaining
channel 25' may also engage the tap flanges 21' on the tap 3'
providing torque transfer to and alignment with the tap 3' during
actuation of the resealable pull-up closure feature. In alternate
embodiments, torque transfer and alignment of the tap 3' may be
provided in any suitable manner such as, for example, by tabs,
friction, etc.
[0039] In operation, the resealable pull-up closure 1' may be
actuated from an initial configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 9.
Actuation may occur by rotating the crown 5' until stopped by the
contact of the ribs 23' with the base member groove 41', and/or the
contact of the tap flanges 21' with the base member groove 18',
which action also orients the tabs 35' with relieved surfaces 40'
over which tabs 35' may longitudinally pass (FIG. 7, Block 700).
The resistance of this rotation by engagement of the teeth 14', 42'
subsequently shears the integrally molded or mechanically formed
frangible webs 36' which had connected the crown 5' and the tamper
evidence feature 6'. The crown 5' may be depressed longitudinally
by, for example, a uniform motion, by impact force or the like in
the direction of arrow A until physically stopped by the contact of
the tap 3' flanges 21' with the partially frangible member 8' (FIG.
7, Block 710). This action drives the detached band 6' over the
bead 13' and the pads 42' over the reliefs 40' making both
non-retractable to their original position, as can be seen in FIG.
10. The force of driving the crown 5' in the direction of arrow A
causes the frangement wedges 24' to be driven through the partially
frangible member 8'. The retaining channel or notch 25' may hold
open the partially frangible member sections 9'.
[0040] The frangement wedges 24' may be driven through the
partially frangible member 8', by for example, an impact force or
uniform movement of the crown 5' (e.g. providing either a sudden or
steady force sufficient to move the crown and to fracture the
partially frangible member), so that the partially frangible member
8' is pierced by the frangement wedges 24' at frangement pathways
11' and further split by the continued advancement of the inner
skirt 33' of the crown 5' (FIG. 7, Block 720). Split segments 9' of
the partially frangible member 8' may remain attached to the member
8' by means of a flexible shoulder 10', while not interfering with
the release of the container contents. It should be realized that
driving the detached band 6' over the bead 13' and piercing the
partially frangible member 8' may be performed in one motion.
[0041] The contents of the container or package to which the
closure assembly 1' is affixed may be released by axially
retracting the crown 5' until stopped by the interaction of contact
of pads 35' with the underside of the teeth 14', and the package is
resealed by depressing the crown 5' until stopped (FIG. 7, Block
730).
[0042] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the embodiments. Various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the embodiments. Accordingly, the present
embodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *