U.S. patent application number 13/998382 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for drinking cup assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Innobaby LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Jee Yeon Yoo Kim, Kristen Yoohee Min. Invention is credited to Jee Yeon Yoo Kim, Kristen Yoohee Min.
Application Number | 20140158699 13/998382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50879841 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140158699 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Jee Yeon Yoo ; et
al. |
June 12, 2014 |
Drinking cup assembly
Abstract
There is a drinking cup assembly comprising an outer cup and an
inner cup, the outer cup having a dispensing closure, the inner cup
being removably attached to the outer cup. A space is located
between the outer cup and the inner cup, can contain an item being
insertable into this space. The dispensing closure has an aperture
and is adapted to receive a flexible conduit straw and a rotatable
lid to open and close the flexible conduit straw. The flexible
conduit straw has a weighted lower end of a soft plastic or a
material coated with a soft plastic. The outer cup and inner cup
are each structured to receive a sealing lid to separately close
the outer cup and/or the inner cup. The attachment of the lids may
be by one of an interference fit or a threaded attachment. The
closure has a recess adjacent to the aperture, the flexible conduit
fitting within this recess upon the rotatable lid flexing the
conduit to close the conduit. The outer cup has handles. The inner
cup can be metallic such as an aluminum or stainless steel. The
inner cup may also be a glass such as a Pyrex, or a plastic such as
a polyester, or a polyolefin and can include a silicone. The
drinking cup assembly has a combined gasket/valve combination to
seal the closure to the outer cup and to equalize the pressure in
the cups with the exterior. The flexible conduit straw has a
plurality of segments, at least one of the segments having a
surface with a cross-cut to prevent leakage.
Inventors: |
Kim; Jee Yeon Yoo;
(Barrington, IL) ; Min; Kristen Yoohee; (Wauconda,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kim; Jee Yeon Yoo
Min; Kristen Yoohee |
Barrington
Wauconda |
IL
IL |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Innobaby LLC
Barrington
IL
|
Family ID: |
50879841 |
Appl. No.: |
13/998382 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61796061 |
Nov 1, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/592.17 ;
206/459.5; 220/288; 220/506; 220/709 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2272 20130101;
A47G 19/2288 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/592.17 ;
220/709; 220/288; 206/459.5; 220/506 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1) A drinking cup assembly comprising an outer cup and an inner
cup, the outer cup having a closure, the inner cup removably
attached to the outer cup, the dispensing closure having an
aperture adapted to receive a flexible conduit straw, the flexible
conduit straw having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end
being weighted so as to contact a lower surface of the inner cup
and of the outer cup when the inner cup is not a part of the
drinking cup assembly, the weighted lower end being of a material
softer than the inner surfaces of the inner cup and of the outer
cup.
2) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the weighted lower
end is comprised of harder material coated with the softer
material.
3) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the softer
material is a polyester, a co-polyester, a polyethylene and a
polypropylene.
4) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the flexible
conduit straw has a plurality of segments, an upper segment
comprising an enlarged upper portion, a lower end surface of the of
the enlarged upper portion having a cross-cut.
5) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the closure has a
recess adjacent to the aperture, the flexible conduit straw fitting
within this recess and upon the rotatable lid flexing the conduit
straw to close the flexible conduit straw.
6) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the item in the
space is one of an informational sheet, a decorative sheet, a
booklet, an insulating sheet and a combination of the
foregoing.
7) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein there is a gasket
between the closure and the outer cup, the gasket having a valve to
equalize pressure therein is attached to the gasket, the valve
fitted into an aperture in the closure.
8) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the flexible
conduit straw has a plurality of segments, an upper segment
comprising an enlarged upper portion, a straw conduit mid-section
and a weighted lower end, at least one of the enlarged upper
portion, flexible straw mid-section and weighted lower end having a
cross-cut.
9) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the flexible
conduit straw has an enlarged portion at an upper end.
10) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the inner cup is
metallic.
11) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 1 wherein the inner cup
comprises a plastic.
12) A drinking cup assembly comprising an outer cup and an inner
cup, the outer cup having a closure, the inner cup removably
attached to the outer cup, a space between the outer cup and the
inner cup, an item insertable into the space, the dispensing
closure having an aperture adapted to receive a flexible conduit
straw, a gasket between the outer cup and the closure, the gasket
having an attached valve to equalize pressure, the valve fitted
into an aperture in the closure.
13) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 12 wherein the flexible
conduit straw has an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being
weighted so as to contact a lower surface of the inner cup and of
the outer cup when the inner cup is not a part of the drinking cup
assembly, the weighted lower end being of a material softer than
the inner surfaces of the inner cup and of the outer cup.
14) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 12 wherein the inner cup is
metallic.
15) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 12 wherein at least one of
the outer cup and the inner cup is comprised of a plastic.
16) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 12 wherein the flexible
conduit straw has a plurality of segments, an upper segment
comprising an enlarged upper portion, a straw conduit mid-section
and a weighted lower end, at least one of the enlarged upper
portion, flexible straw mid-section and weighted lower end having a
cross-cut.
17) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 12 wherein the outer cup
contains a liquid product and the inner cup separated from the
outer cup contains a solid product.
18) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 12 wherein the outer cup
and the inner cup each has a sealing lid to close the outer cup and
the inner cup when it is not a part of the drinking cup
assembly.
19) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 12 wherein the item in the
space is one of an informational sheet, a decorative sheet, a
booklet, an insulating sheet and a combination of the
foregoing.
20) A drinking cup assembly as in claim 12 wherein the inner cup
has a compressible band on an exterior surface adjacent an open end
to hold the inner cup within the outer cup when a part of the
drinking cup assembly.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Application 61/796,061 filed Nov. 1, 2012 which is incorporated
herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a drinking cup assembly having an
outer cup with handles and an inner cup to hold a product. The
drinking cup assembly is primarily directed for use with infants
and small children. Although primarily designed for use together
with a single lid that is designed for use with a single lid that
is designed to seal and secure the contents of the cup while used
as a single cup or a double cup, each of the outer and the inner
cup can be used separately with each having a separate lid for
closing the assembly units when used separately.
[0003] An objective of the invention is to have a multi-use
drinking cup assembly for use in providing both liquid and solid
nutrition to an infant or child. Many parents of infants and small
children will have two or more cups, such as "sippy" cups,
available for use. This is the case if more than one type of liquid
is to be provided to the infant or small child away from home. Also
in the home more than one cup is needed since one may be in the
process of being washed while another is in use. With the cups
being versatile and useful with both liquid and dry food,
additional needs are served with fewer units. Cups such as "sippy"
cups for liquids are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,172; U.S. Pat.
No. 7,124,907 and U.S. Design Pat. 649,835. These patents
illustrate the state of the art in cups, such as "sippy" cups, for
providing liquids to infants and children. U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,172
discloses a cup for a liquid that has a closure with a straw that
can be closed by a lid on the closure rotating and bending the
straw. The sole use for this cup is for liquids. U.S. Pat. No.
7,124,907 discloses a related cup for liquids where the straw is
closed in a manner similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,172, but
where the closure has a channel to accommodate the straw when it is
being bent over by a lid to close the straw. U.S. Pat. No.
7,124,907 also discloses the placement of a graphical expression in
a cavity between an inner and an outer cup. This cup also is solely
for use with liquids. U.S. Design Pat. 649,835 discloses a Sip Cup
that has a closure and two handles. This can be used by an infant
or a child.
[0004] The present invention solves many problems. It provides a
multi-use "sippy" cup. It provides a more useful dual cup assembly.
The use of the cups individually with separate lids makes them
useful to also store solid as well as liquid products. As the child
grows the cup closure with a straw may no longer needed. Then the
cups with lids can be used to carry treats or to store many kitchen
items. The inner cup may be used as a tumbler for toddlers or older
children, extending the usability of this cup. Used together the
cups serve as an instrument that can be personalized to the user by
the addition of inserts between the inner and the outer cups making
it a distinct advantage from other "sippy" cups.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention is directed to a drinking cup assembly
comprising an outer cup and an inner cup, the outer cup having a
dispensing closure, the inner cup removably attached to the outer
cup with a space between the outer cup and the inner cup, an item
being insertable into the space. The item being one or more of
informational, decorative and/or insulating. Between the dispensing
closure and the outer cup there is a sealing gasket. The dispensing
closure has an aperture adapted to receive a flexible conduit straw
and a rotatable lid to open and close the flexible conduit.
[0006] The outer and inner cups are each structured to receive a
sealing lid to separately close the outer cup and the inner cup so
that they can be separately used. The lid for the outer cup can
also be used to seal the combined unit of inner and outer cup with
a single seal for ease of use. The outer cup has handles for
enhanced gripping by an infant or child.
[0007] The attachment of the lids may be by one of an interference
fit and a threaded attachment to the open peripheral end of the
inner and the outer cups and usually will include a lid sealing
gasket.
[0008] The closure has a recess adjacent to the aperture, the
flexible conduit straw fitting within this recess upon the
rotatable lid being rotated and flexing the conduit to close the
conduit. The weighted lower end of the flexible conduit straw is
comprised of a relatively soft plastic or of a relatively hard
material coated with a relatively soft material.
[0009] The inner cup can be metallic comprised of aluminum or a
stainless steel. The inner cup also can be comprised of a Pyrex
glass or a plastic such as a polyester, a co-polyester, a
polyolefin such as polypropylene, or a combination of materials
such as a silicone layer on an aluminum or a stainless steel. This
combination of materials may aid in providing an additional seal on
the outer rim of the inner cup to protect the space between the two
cups from liquids and also to provide an additional gripping area
for infants and toddlers should the toddler use the inner cup as an
individual cup.
[0010] The closure of the drinking cup assembly has a valve to
equalize the pressure within the drinking cup assembly and the
atmosphere outside the drinking cup assembly. In a preferred
embodiment the valve is an integral part of a sealing gasket
between the outer cup and the closure. In addition the inner cup
has a compressible band on an exterior surface adjacent an open end
to hold the inner cup within the outer cup when a part of the two
cup drinking cup assembly.
[0011] The flexible conduit straw can be comprised of a plurality
of parts. These can be an enlarged upper end, a straw conduit
mid-section and a weighted lower end. Connector units also can be
used to connect one or more of the plurality of parts. One or more
of these plurality of parts can include a crosscut structure to
preclude leakage up the straw.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the drinking cup assembly
with the rotating lid on the closure open showing the straw.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the drinking cup assembly
showing the outer cup the inner cup informational item in space
between the outer cup and the inner cup, the inner cup and the
closure
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the drinking cup
assembly.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the drinking cup
assembly.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the drinking cup
assembly.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the drinking cup assembly.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-section view of the drinking cup
assembly.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-section view of the outer cup
with a closing lid.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-section view of the inner cup
with a closing lid.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the new gasket between the
dispensing closure and the outer cup.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the gasket of FIG. 10.
[0023] FIG. 12 is an elevation view of the flexible conduit
straw.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the lower end of the upper
enlarged portion of the flexible conduit straw to show one
alternative location for a crosscut to preclude leakage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The invention will be disclosed in more detail in its
preferred embodiments with reference to the appended drawings. The
preferred embodiment may be modified in various ways but still
embody the basic aspects of the present invention. All such
modifications are considered to be within the disclosure, drawings
and the appended claims of this application.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire drinking cup
assembly 10. This view primarily shows the outer cup 12 having a
base 13 and closure 16. Between the outer cup 12 and the closure 16
is gasket 42. The outer cup has handles 14 which have gripping
ridges 17 on an inner surface. The outer cup has a base 13 on a
lower end and threads 15 on an upper end. Attached to the threads
is the closure 16 which has a base portion 24 and an upper region
26, The base 24 has grips 25 with the upper region 26 having a
rotating lid 18 with an opening tab 19. The lid 18 is attached to
the upper region 26 by a hinge 20. Extending from the upper region
is flexible conduit straw 28 with an interior channel 28a and an
enlarged upper end area 33. The flexible conduit straw 28 can be
folded into an adjacent channel formed by channel base 22 and
channel walls 23. The flexible conduit straw 28 extends through
aperture 21. The flexible conduit straw is shown in more detail in
FIG. 12.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the drinking cup assembly 10.
Shown is outer cup 12 with side wall 12a, base 13, handles 14 and
handle grips 17. On an upper end are threads 15 for the attachment
of closure 16. A gasket 42 seals the closure 16 and the outer cup
12. There is a band 32 for interference attachment to the sidewall
surface 12a of outer cup 12 and for contact with the inner cup 30
and for stabilizing the inner cup 30 in outer cup 12. The band 32
is attached mechanically or adhesively to the inner cup 30. A
rolled over edge 34 of the band serves to stabilize band 32 and to
assist in gripping the outer cup 12. Located in a space 36 (see
FIG. 7) between the outer cup 12 and the inner cup 30 is an
informational, decorative and/or insulating item 40 which is shown
in this Figure with a caricature of a dog and a slogan. The gasket
42 is between the outer cup 12 and the closure 16 and provides a
leak proof seal between these parts.
[0028] The closure 16 has a base portion 24 and an upper region 26.
There are gripping tabs 25 on closure 16 to assist in removing the
closure from the outer cup 12. The rotating lid 18 has a gripping
tab 19 and a hinge 20 to assist in rotating the lid. Extending into
the outer cup 12, or inner cup 30, is the flexible conduit straw 28
with a weighted lower end 29 the flexible conduit straw mid-section
28b. The weight maintains the flexible conduit straw adjacent to
the lower surface 11 of outer cup 12 or lower surface 35 of inner
cup 30, depending on the cup being used, and within a contained
liquid. When used in a single cup version solely in conjunction
with the outer cup 12 the flexible conduit straw weight 29 will be
adjacent to the bottom wall 11 of the outer cup 12. When use in
conjunction with the inner cup 30 within outer cup 12 the flexible
straw weight will adjacent to inner cup lower wall 35. This single
cup version may be used in instances where the user may prefer a
lighter weight cup or a larger capacity cup. The straw 28 is shown
in more detail in FIG. 12. There is a center section continuous
channel 28a to and through the weighted lower end 29. The upper
part 33 of the flexible conduit straw 28 has a larger diameter in
order to simulate a nipple. A lower section of expanded portion 33
of the flexible conduit straw 28 mounts and seals the flexible
conduit straw to aperture 21 of the closure 16.
[0029] This weighted lower end 29 has at least one opening, usually
a lower opening. This weighted lower end 29 preferably is comprised
of a relatively soft material such as a silicone or a lower
molecular weight polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene. These
lower molecular weight materials are softer than higher molecular
weight materials. It must be of a softer (less hard) material than
the walls of both the outer and the inner cups. It can be a higher
molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene, which usually will
be harder material, if coated with a soft material. It can also be
a metal or metal alloy if coated with a soft material. Any such
soft materials must qualify as a food grade material. The reason
for the preferred material is to prevent the cracking of the lower
part of cup 12 or of cup 30 during vigorous shaking and use. If the
lower weight end 29 of the flexible conduit straw 28 is of a
relatively hard material, or of an uncoated relatively hard
material, there is a tendency of the weighted end 29 to cause
cracks to form in the cup side walls. This will result in leakage
of contained liquid from the cup 12 or the cup 30 depending which
is being used to contain the liquid. This can be a leakage from
inner cup 30 into outer cup 12, or if there if the liquid is in
outer cup 12 to an exterior surface that will require cleaning. The
cracking can occur with sustained shaking of the drinking cups by a
child and the consequent striking of the straw lower end 29 against
the surfaces of the cup containing the liquid. As a general rule
the lower end weight material or weight material coating should be
softer (less hard) than the surfaces of both the outer and inner
cup surfaces. An alternative is to have the inner surfaces of the
outer and inner cups comprised of a soft material. However, such
cups would be less durable. Coating the inner surfaces of the cups
with a soft material also is not an effective alternative.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the complete drinking cup
assembly 10. The right and left elevation views are essentially the
same. There is shown outer cup 12 with base 13 and handles 14. Also
shown is inner cup 30 with inner cup base 35. Attached to the outer
cup 12 at an upper end is the closure 16. The closure 16 has grips
25 on the base 24 of the closure. Rotating lid 18 has lid grip 19
for raising and closing the lid. Also shown, and better shown in
FIG. 6, is valve 44 for equalizing the pressure within the drinking
cup assembly 10 with the exterior atmosphere. FIG. 4 is a front
elevation view and FIG. 5 a rear elevation view. The only
significant difference in these latter two views is in the closure
16. In FIG. 4 there is shown the front of the rotating lid 18 with
lid grip 19 while in FIG. 5 there is shown lid hinge 20 and
pressure equalization valve 44. Otherwise there is shown outer cup
12 with its base 13. There is a handle 14 on each side with each
handle having handle grips 17. The closure 16 has a base 24 and an
upper region 26. Closure grips 25 aid in the removal of the
closure.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the drinking cup assembly 10.
This view better shows the pressure equalizing valve 44. Also shown
are handles 14 and closure grips 25. The rotating lid 18 is on
upper region 26 and is attached to the upper region 26 at hinge 20.
The lid has a lid grip 19 to assist in opening the lid.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-section of the drinking cup
assembly 10 without the closure 16. There is shown the outer cup 12
with handles 14, a base 13 and a lower surface 11. Also shown are
threads 15 which mate with threads on the closure 16 to attach
closure 16 to outer cup 12. Handle grips 17 are shown on an inner
surface of the handles 14. The inner cup 30 is shown with a rolled
over top edge 34. This inner cup 30 has a side wall 31 and a bottom
wall 35. Attached to an upper end of inner cup 30 is band 32 to
provide for a friction fit of inner cup 30 in outer cup 12. This
band 32 can be mechanically or adhesively attached to the inner cup
30. This band preferably is a silicone but can be a polyolefin such
as a polyethylene or a polypropylene. Other polymers can be used
but they could increase the cost of the drinking cup assembly
10.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-section of the outer cup 12 with
a lid 27 to fully close the outer cup. The outer cup 12 has a base
13 and a bottom wall 11. There is a sidewall 12a. Shown are handles
14 with handle grip ridges 17. The outer cup threads 15 mate with
threads 29 of lid 27. In this configuration the outer cup 12
usually may contain a solid or a liquid and will provide hand grips
for easy gripping by a child. However, it is very useful to contain
a liquid since with the handles 14 it can more easily be handled by
a child. In contrast the inner cup 30 as shown in a vertical
cross-section in FIG. 9 does not offer hand grips and can be used
primarily for storing a solid product. The inner cup 30 has a
sidewall 31 and a bottom wall 35. The inner cup lid 38 has a
projection 37 to fit under rolled over edge 34 of inner cup
sidewall 31. The sealing lid 38 will be continuous and will seal
the inner cup 30. In this way a solid treat can be separately
carried in inner cup 30 while a drink can be provided in the outer
cup 12. The sealing lids 27 and 38 will be continuous and seal onto
either the outer cup 12 or the inner cup 30. These sealing lids
usually will be formed from a polyethylene or a polypropylene. This
can be a latching or an interference fit.
[0034] FIGS. 10 and 11 show views of a preferred sealing gasket 46
located between the dispensing closure 16 and the outer cup 12. It
is preferred that the valve 44 be an integral part of the gasket
46. In this embodiment the gasket 46 has the valve 44 extending
from support 45 which is an integral part of gasket 46. Gasket tab
47 provides for easier handling of the gasket/valve. This structure
makes it easier to assemble the valve 44 into the dispensing
closure 16. It also prevents the valve from being misplaced or
lost.
[0035] FIG. 12 is an elevation view of the flexible conduit straw
28 shown in a four part combination structure 33/39/28b/29. It has
an enlarged upper part 33 which has a lower end 33a. Connector 39
connects the enlarged upper part 33 to flexible conduit straw
mid-section 28b. Flexible conduit straw mid-section 28b connects at
a lower end to the weighted part 29. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the
lower end 36a of the enlarged upper portion 33. Shown in the lower
end is a crosscut 33b. This crosscut can have other shapes. The
function of this crosscut is to prevent leakage from the cups when
an infant or child is not sucking on the flexible conduit straw.
This can be when the dispensing cup is on its side. This also is a
distinct advantage during the transport of the drinking cup
assembly and while it is being used by an infant or child. Although
in this embodiment the crosscut is shown at a lower end of the
upper end 33a of upper enlarged part 33, the crosscut can also be
located in the connector 39 (adjacent the upper or lower end), the
flexible conduit straw mid-section 28b (adjacent either end) or in
the connection of the weighted end 29 into the flexible conduit
straw mid-section 28b. An additional flexible conduit straw
modification is the deletion of connector 39 and a more direct
connection such as enlarged upper part lower end 33a abutting the
upper end of the flexible conduit straw 28b. A sleeve or other
structure can be used to keep the parts in an abutting
structure.
[0036] The outer cup 12 will usually be a plastic and preferably a
polyolefin. Suitable polyolefins are polyethylenes and
polypropylenes. Polyester plastics also can be used. Suitable
polyesters are the polyethylene terephthalates. This outer cup 12
also can be transparent or opaque. Suitable transparent plastics
are polyesters and certain polypropylenes, such as clarified
polypropylenes. The inner cup can be a plastic or can be metallic.
If a plastic it will usually be a polyolefin or a polyester or
copolyester. Useful polyesters or copolyesters are available from
the Eastman Chemical Company of Kingsport, Tenn. If metallic it
will be an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy, such as a stainless
steel. Metals are useful since they are not prone to staining.
Infant and child drinks can be a grape, cranberry or a related
colored fruit. In addition metal cups are easier to clean and are
unbreakable. It also is an option to use a glass, such as a Pyrex
glass. The outer cup and the inner cup can be of essentially any
color. This particularly is the case with the outer cup. In the
space 36 between the outer cup 12 and the inner cup 30 there can be
an item 40. These items can be a person's name, a drawing, an
outdoor scene, a picture, a schedule notice, an insulating material
or a combination of the foregoing. The possibilities are
limitless.
[0037] The closure 16 will be comprised of a polyolefin such as a
polyethylene or a polypropylene. It can be opaque, translucent or
transparent. In some instances the rotating lid 18 of the closure
16 can be the same or a different color from that of the remainder
of the closure.
* * * * *