U.S. patent number 3,762,411 [Application Number 05/181,750] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-02 for power aerated douche.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aqua Fem, Inc.. Invention is credited to William J. Fuller, William S. Fuller, William R. Hazen, William E. Lloyd.
United States Patent |
3,762,411 |
Lloyd , et al. |
October 2, 1973 |
POWER AERATED DOUCHE
Abstract
This specification discloses an electrically driven feminine
hygiene appliance including a cover which also functions as a
reservoir for a quantity of douching liquid, pumping apparatus for
pressurizing air and the douching liquid, an electric motor for
driving the pumping apparatus, a tube for conducting the
pressurized liquid and air to a nozzle having lateral discharge
ports, and a valve controlling the passage of the air and liquid to
the nozzle. The invention delivers a mixture of air and douching
liquid under a desired pressure to the discharge nozzle in the form
of an aerated liquid.
Inventors: |
Lloyd; William E. (Fullerton,
CA), Fuller; William J. (Fullerton, CA), Fuller; William
S. (Buena Park, CA), Hazen; William R. (Los Alamitos,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Aqua Fem, Inc. (Los Angeles,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22665630 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/181,750 |
Filed: |
September 20, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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132769 |
Apr 9, 1971 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/151; 415/116;
601/160; 604/259 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
3/0258 (20130101); A61M 3/022 (20140204); A61M
3/0208 (20140204); A61H 35/00 (20130101); A61H
2201/1207 (20130101); A61H 2033/0079 (20130101); A61H
33/02 (20130101); A61H 33/6036 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61H
33/02 (20060101); A61M 3/02 (20060101); A61M
3/00 (20060101); A61H 33/00 (20060101); A61m
001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/230,229,66,251,65,67,62 ;251/4,5 ;415/116 ;239/303-308,124,127
;32/33 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Yasko; J.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.
132,769, filed Apr. 9, 1971.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for providing an aerated discharge of a liquid such as
water, a douching preparation, or the like, especially for
cleansing vaginal and surrounding areas by impingement
thereagainst, comprising a base assembly and a cover assembly;
the base assembly comprising in combination, a housing containing a
centrifugal pump for producing a flow of aerated liquid, the pump
having a substantially circular chamber with inlet means, in its
central region, for air and a liquid to be aerated and an outlet
for aerated liquid in its peripheral region, a flexible discharge
tube communicating at one end to the pump outlet and having a
liquid flow control valve at the other end and a syringe nozzle
connected to the end of said flow control valve, reel means for
retractably storing the discharge tube inside the housing in a
coiled condition, and liquid conducting means adapted to receive
liquid from a reservoir and conduct it to the pump inlet; and
the cover assembly comprising an open container adapted in a first
position to function as a liquid reservoir and in a second position
to function as a cover for the base assembly, and liquid outlet
means for allowing liquid to flow from the reservoir in the first
position to the liquid conducting means in the base assembly.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pump further
comprises a circular impeller rotatably mounted in the chamber with
a central opening and a plurality of closed channels extending
between the opening and the periphery of the impeller for
conducting liquid and air from the region of inlet means to the
peripheral region of the chamber.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base assembly
further includes at least one external niche for storing a
discharge nozzle.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base assembly
further includes an external rotatable dial adapted to engage and
communicate rotational motion to the reel means for retracting or
extending the discharge tube.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pump inlet means
comprises a central air inlet including a fluid flow actuable valve
adapted to allow air to flow into the pump chamber and to prevent
liquid from out of the chamber through the air inlet, and an
annular liquid inlet surrounding the air inlet whereby air is drawn
into the chamber through the air inlet when liquid flows thereinto
through the liquid inlet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At the present time, douches are widely used which deliver a stream
of water or douching solution under pressure to a discharge nozzle
that is inserted in the vagina. As a general rule, the pressure is
produced by gravity acting on a douche solution in a reservoir
suspended at a required height in the bathroom. This practice is
objectionable for the following basic reasons:
In the first place, the storage of the equipment when not in use is
awkward and inconvenient. This problem is ordinarily solved by
hanging the apparatus, which usually includes a rubber water bag
with a hose attached, in a position where it may be seen As the
equipment is generally unsightly, storage in this manner is not
entirely satisfactory. The inconvenience of storing the apparatus
may actually discourage many from enjoying the benefits of
douching.
Another undesirable factor is the inconvenience attending the use
of the conventional douching equipment. In many instances, there is
no suitable point from which to hang the reservoir in convenient
relation to a toilet bowl, tub or shower and difficulty is
encountered in controlling the flow of douching liquid out of the
discharge nozzle. Moreover, the pressure generated by gravity
decreases as the liquid level drops in the reservoir, so that the
optimum pressure for douching is not maintained throughout the
process.
Many of the nozzles now used eject a stream of the douching liquid
out of the end of the nozzle. Such action may have a deleterious
effect on the tissues of the vagina, or may result in matter being
driven into the cervix or Fallopian tubes with undesirable results.
This risk is greater where the nozzle delivers a stream of ordinary
liquid under pressure.
The present invention is founded on the belief that a gentler,
safer and more effective douche is provided by an aerated liquid
which is an intimate mixture of liquid with air in the form of many
small bubbles. In addition, the mixture is discharged through
lateral ports in the nozzle to reduce or eliminate the possibility
of forcing material into the cervix. Whiile it has been proposed in
the prior art to eject the solution in the form of a spray, the
latter will not at the same time provide the same gentle effect and
a thorough cleansing and laving action.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The invention has the following objects:
1. To provide a douch appliance that when not in use may be stored
in a compact manner presenting an attractive appearance.
2. To provide a douche appliance including a cover, which in
another position, functions as a reservoir for the douche
solution.
3. To provide a douche appliance which delivers an aerated liquid
under pressure to a discharge nozzle.
Various other and more detailed objects and advantages of the
invention are achieved in a practical embodiment of the invention
and will become apparent from the following description of the
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is embodied in an illustrative douche appliance
comprising a base which houses a motor and motor driven apparatus
for pumping air and a douching liquid, and means for storing a
hose, valve handle and nozzle. A cover which fits over the base may
be inverted in which position it acts as a reservoir for the douche
liquid. The bottom of the reservoir carries a valve which is opened
when the reservoir is inverted and placed on the top of the base.
This valve when open, communicates with a conduit leading to the
pumping apparatus. Conduits are provided to conduct air and water
under pressure from the pumping apparatus to a discharge nozzle
which is provided with a control valve. The air and liquid are
discharged from the nozzle in the form of an aerated solution which
provides a gentle, effective and comfortable douching action.
For a full and complete understanding of the invention reference
may be had to the following more detailed description and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
invention in its compact and covered aspect of nonuse;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the
cover removed to reveal the base portion with recess for storage of
a flexible hose;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the
cover inverted and in position to function as a reservoir for a
douching liquid;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base portion of the preferred
embodiment turned to reveal storage spaces for discharge nozzles or
the like in an end portion thereof;
FIG. 5 is a partially exploded cross-section view of fluid passage
connecting the reservoir and the base portion of the preferred
embodiment in their operating position;
FIG. 6 is a functional schematic diagram depicting the
interrelation of the various parts of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of a bottom portion of the base
unit of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective bottom view of the
portion of the base unit depicted in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a pump assembly included in the
base unit of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 10 is an exploded top perspective view of a portion of the
base unit of the preferred embodiment;
FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views of a flow control valve
and handle included in the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of a variation of the invention in
which air and liquid are pressurized and conducted separately to a
mixing chamber associated with the flow control valve;
FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of a modification of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 through 4 depict various external features of the preferred
form of a power aerated douche embodying the invention and
comprising a base unit 11 and a cover 12 which when inverted
functions as a liquid reservoir in the manner illustrated in FIG.
3. Base 11 is rectangular in its horizontal cross-section, with its
top surface 13 being smaller than its bottom surface 14. The side
surface of base 11 are thus trapezoidal and the sides slope inward
from the bottom to the top. The inside walls of cover or reservoir
12 slope outward from the bottom to the opening at the top in a
manner complementary to the sides of base 11, so that the cover 12
may be easily placed over the base 11 when appliance is not in use.
Outwardly projecting handles 15 are provided at the ends of
reservoir 12 to afford convenient places to grip the part when it
is to be lifted from its position covering base 11 in order to use
the appliance. Handles 15 also enable the user to firmly hold the
reservoir when it contains liquid and might otherwise be rather
awkward due to the weight or sloshing of the contents.
The bottom of reservoir 12 is provided with an outlet port 17 which
extends outwardly of the surface 16 in the form of a short hollow
cylindrical conduit 18 which is adapted to mate with a downspout
opening 19 in the top of base 11 to form a liquid tight seal in the
manner more fully described below with reference to FIG. 5. In
order to aid the user of the appliance to position the reservoir 12
full of liquid easily and accurately over downspout opening 19, the
bottom surface 16 of reservoir 12 is provided with a system of ribs
to act as locators and also to strengthen the reservoir. In the
preferred embodiment, the locators include a circular rib 20
centered about the outlet conduit 18, a pair of longitudinal ribs
21 at the edges of bottom surface 16, and a pair of transverse ribs
22 extending between circular rib 20 and longitudinal ribs 21 along
a line passing through the center outlet port 17. The ribs 20 and
22 are adapted to mate with a set of complementary channels 23 and
24 formed in the top surface 13 of base 11 while longitudinal ribs
21 are spaced to fit over the edges of surface 13. The combination
of ribs and channels allows reservoir 12 to drop into its operating
position on base 11 when the two portions of the appliance are
rotationally and translationally oriented in the manner
required.
The base 11, which is depicted in two different views in FIGS. 2
and 4, comprises a housing formed by an upper section 26 having an
exterior form generally complementary to the inside of reservoir 12
and a bottom section 27. A more detailed view of bottom section 27
may be had by referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 10. Base 11 houses
apparatus for pressurizing air and a liquid to be aerated, together
with means for storing a length of flexible hose or tubing in a
coiled condition, and the valves and conduits required to conduct
air, liquid and aerated liquid from one part to another of the
device. In the preferred embodiment, the pressurizing apparatus is
driven by an electric motor supplied with power controlled by a
switch operated by a lever 28 which projects outwardly of the
housing near the bottom of base 11. Lever 28 is placed so that it
will be depressed by the edge 29 of reservoir 12, when reservoir 12
is inverted and placed over base 11 to cover the appliance when it
is not in use. Thus, if the user forgets to turn off the appliance
prior to returning it to its aspect of nonuse, the act of replacing
reservoir 12 in position as a cover will cause the power to be shut
off.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show one end of the housing of base 11 having a slot
or opening 31 through which a flexible tube 32 may be withdrawn
from and retracted to a storage space within. One end of slot 32 is
enlarged with respect to the other to permit storage of a bulbous
valve-handle 33 attached to the free end of hose 32. The hose
storage apparatus of the preferred embodiment comprises a rotatable
reel having a hub to which the other end of hose 32 is attached.
The reel mechanism is illustrated in and described below with
reference to FIG. 10. The housing of base 11 carries an exterior
rotatable dial 34 which, when turned, causes the interior reel to
turn and translate its rotational movement into an axial movement
of tube 32 into or out of its storage place. A retractable handle
36 is provided which the user may grasp to turn or crank the dial
34. Handle 36 is preferably spring loaded to retract when not in
use so that it will not interfere with the placement of reservoir
12 in its inverted cover position. FIG. 4 shows the housing of base
11 turned to reveal two box-like openings 37 which are provided for
convenient storage of discharge nozzle 38 (See FIG. 3) not in
use.
FIG. 5 shows a detailed partially exploded cross-sectional view of
the outlet port 17 of reservoir 12 and downspout opening 19 of base
11 which are positioned together when the reservoir is in its
operating position on top of base 11 to form a passage for liquid
to flow from the reservoir into the liquid conduits inside the
housing of base 11. Outlet port 17 includes a check valve 39 which
seals against valve seal 41 when reservoir 12 contains a supply of
liquid, as when the user is carrying the reservoir from a sink to
the location of base 11. Valve 39 is prevented from dropping out of
port 17 when reservoir 12 is inverted, by a valve retainer 42 which
is fastened in a retainer seat 43 in the bottom 16. Retainer 42 may
be a cross-shaped member as shown, or may be otherwise adapted to
prevent valve 39 from coming out of its place while presenting a
minimal obstruction to the flow of liquid through port 17. Retainer
42 also serves the useful function of a strainer to prevent entry
into the connecting liquid conduits of foreign objects which may be
present in the reservoir 12.
Immediately underneath downspout opening 19 in top surface 13 of
base 11 is a downspout 44 adapted to conduct liquid from opening 19
to a connecting conduit which runs to the liquid pumping apparatus
to be described subsequently. A perspective view of downspout 44 is
included in FIG. 10. Downspout 44 includes a downspout cover 46
having a seat 47 adapted to engage and support the edge of surface
13 surrounding opening 19. A portion of downspout cover 46 forms a
seal surface 48 generally complementary to the outer surface of
outlet conduit 18 of reservoir 12. Surface 48 is slightly tapered
inwardly and downwardly so as to engage the sides of conduit 18,
forming a liquid-tight seal when reservoir 12 is properly
positioned for operation of the appliance. Downspout cover 46 also
includes an upwardly projecting member 49 adapted to engage a
downwardly projecting portion 51 of valve 39 to raise the valve and
open outlet port 17 when the reservoir 12 is positioned for
operation. Downwardly projecting portion 51 of valve 39 may also
serve to guide the movement of valve 39 in port 17 along the
desired line. The portion of downspout cover 46 surrounding member
49 includes openings (not shown) to permit the flow of liquid
through cover 46 and into downspout 44.
The functional schematic diagram of FIG. 6 shows the reservoir 12
with outlet port 17 connecting to downspout 44 which communicates
with a pump inlet channel 52 for conducting liquid flowing from the
reservoir 12 to the pump chamber 53. The pump illustrated is of the
centrifugal type and is adapted to mix air and liquid in the
chamber 53 so that an aerated liquid is delivered at the pump
outlet 54. An electric motor 56 turns a shaft 57 on which is
mounted the pump impeller 58. Air to be mixed with the liquid in
pump chamber 53 is introduced into the central region of the
chamber through an air inlet 59 which includes a check valve 61 for
preventing liquid from flowing out of the chamber 53. The aerated
liquid is expelled from chamber 53 through an outlet conduit 62
which communicates with a hollow rotatable hub 63 of a hose reel
64. Hose 32 communicates with the hollow interior of hub 63 to
conduct the aerated liquid to valve handle 33 which includes a flow
control valve. An adapter 66 connects valve handle 33 to discharge
nozzle 38 which has a plurality of lateral discharge ports 67.
For economy of manufacture as well as for ruggedness of the
appliance, a number of elements of the hose storage apparatus, pump
means and related liquid conduits are integrated with the bottom
section 27 of base 11, which is shown in top and bottom perspective
views in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. The top side of bottom
section 27 which, like most other parts of the structure, may be of
a molded plastic such as "Cycolac," includes a pair of spaced apart
upright members 68 adapted to hold the body of the switch operated
by exterior lever 28 shown in FIG. 2. The top edges of members 68
are notched to receive and firmly hold a switch retainer 69, shown
in FIG. 10, adapted to lock the switch body in position.
Bottom section 27 also includes a circular wall 71 which defines
the sides of a chamber 72 of a centrifugal type pump for combining
and pressurizing air and liquid to produce a flow of aerated liquid
in accordance with the principles of the invention. A pump inlet in
the form of a central circular opening 72 in the bottom of chamber
72 is provided, through which air and liquid are introduced into
the pump in the manner described more fully below in connection
with FIG. 9. An outlet for aerated and pressurized liquid is
provided by an opening 74 in wall 71 at the periphery of the
chamber 72.
Bottom section 27 further includes a wall 76 enclosing the major
portion of a circular base storage chamber 77 which opens toward
the end of section 27 corresponding to the location of slot 31 in
the upper section 26 of base 11. A hub inlet opening 78 is provided
at the bottom center of storage chamber 77. Opening 78 communicates
with pump outlet 74 through outlet conduit 79, shown in FIG. 8,
which is integral with bottom section 27 on the underside
thereof.
A vertical hollow conduit 81 formed as a further integral part of
bottom section 27 is adapted at its top end to connect with the
bottom of downspout 44 to form a functional continuation thereof.
Conduit 81 communicates at its lower portion with pump inlet
channel 52, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, which is integrally formed with
bottom section 27 on the underside thereof. Thus, liquid flows from
the reservoir 12 through downspout 44, conduit 81 and inlet channel
82 to pump chamber 72 where it is mixed with air, pressurized to
form an aerated liquid and expelled through outlet conduit 79 to
hub inlet opening 78 in the center of hose storage chamber 77. Pump
inlet channel 82 and outlet channel 79 may conveniently be formed
by molding open troughs in bottom section 27, and assembling with
trough covers 83 and 84, shown exploded in FIG. 8, to form
enclosed, liquid-tight passages as required.
FIG. 9 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the entire pump
assembly with the pump outlet 74 rotated from its actual position
for the purpose of clarity in the illustration. The pump comprises
a circular chamber 72 defined by wall 71 and having a central inlet
73 in its bottom and a peripheral outlet 74 in wall 71. An impeller
58 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 57 in chamber 72. The top of the
pump chamber is closed by a pump cover 86 which seals against an
offset portion or seat 87 in the top edge of wall 71. Pump cover 86
includes upright portions 88 which function as motor mounts for the
electric motor 56, and also carries a bearing 89 and a "U" seal 91
of "Neoprene" or the like which prevents liquid from flowing out of
chamber 72 around shaft 57. Preferably, shaft 57 is of metal coated
with "Teflon" or the like to act as an additional insulative
barrier between the electric power supplied to the motor 56 and the
liquid in the chamber 72.
Inlet trough cover 83 includes an air inlet opening 59 which
communicates with a valve chamber 92 having an open top end and
containing a ball valve 61 held in chamber 92 by a ball retainer
93. The open end of chamber 92 projects upwardly in the center of
pump inlet opening 73 which communicates with pump chamber 72. When
the appliance is in use, liquid flows downward through conduit 81,
through inlet channel 82, around air valve chamber 92 through
opening 73 into the pump chamber 72. At the same time, air flows
into the pump chamber 72 through opening 59 and chamber 92. Air may
be pulled into the pump chamber 72 by Venturi action of the liquid
flowing around the upwardly projecting chamber 92 or,
alternatively, the relative sizes of the inlet opening 73 and
opening 59 may be adjusted so that the flow of liquid is restricted
to the point where the low pressure in the center of the pump
chamber 72 causes air to flow through check valve 61.
Impeller 58, which appears in perspective in FIG. 10, is of the
closed type and has a plurality of radial channels 94 communicating
between a central opening 96 and its outer edge. The impeller 58
may be formed of two circular molded sections fastened together by
means of mating holes and prongs. Shaft 57 may have a flattened end
portion 97 molded into the top section of impeller 58.
The hose storage apparatus in the preferred embodiment may be
understood from FIG. 10 which depicts a hose storage reel
comprising a flat circular gear plate 64 having a central opening
98 adapted to fit in non-rotatable relation around reel hub 63. Hub
63, when assembled, extends through opening 98, in gear plate 64
and down into hub inlet hole 78 in bottom section 27 of base 11. A
liquid-tight rotatable joint is formed between the bottom of hub 63
and a recessed flat surface surrounding opening 78 by a "U" cup
packing seal. Thus, hub 63 may rotate with gear plate 64 while
providing a liquid-tight link between hose 32 and pump outlet
channel 79. The seal is maintained by pressure applied to the top
of hub 63 by a reel cover 99 which is held down under tension by a
flexed reel retainer 101 the ends of which are inserted into
retainer slots 102 in wall 76. The axial alignment of hub 63 and
cover 99 is maintained by a small bump or detent (not shown) on the
underside of cover 99 which fits into a corresponding depression
103 in the top of hub 63.
Gear plate 64 is engaged by a geared wheel 104 which is part of
dial 34 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Thus when dial 34 is turned,
gear plate 64 and hub 63 are rotated to retract or recoil hose 32,
as the case may be. Hose 34 is attached to hub 63 by inserting one
end through hub opening 104, and then inserting into the end of the
hose, from inside the hub, a hollow conically flared hose keeper
(not shown) to wedge the wall of hose 32 against the edge of
opening 104.
FIGS. 11 and 12 depict the flow control valve employed in the
preferred embodiment, in both the open and the closed conditions.
The valve comprises a short section 106 of flexible tubing, such as
surgical tubing, extending between a nose piece 107 and a splice
piece 108. The splice 108 is a rigid hollow piece adapted to link
hose 32 with tube section 106. The end of hose 32 is forced over a
tapered end of splice 108 and over an annular ridge 110 thereon.
Tube section 106 is forced over the other end of the splice, which
has an annular ridge 111 to assure a firm hold and good seal. The
other end of tube 106 is forced over the tapered end of nose 107,
which has a similar annular ridge 112. The splice 108 and the nose
107 are rotatably mounted in a two-piece handle 113 which maintains
their axial alignment. Finally, a knob 114 is forced up over the
portion of hose 32 on splice 108, and over the hose-end portion of
the handle 113, and a retainer 116 is forced over the nozzle-end
portion of handle 113. The knob 114 and retainer 116 served to hold
together the two halves of handle 113. In addition, knob 114
provides a convenient place to grasp splice 108 to rotate it with
respect to nose 107, thereby twisting tube section 106 as shown in
FIG. 12 to close the valve.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention
comprising a separate pump 121 for pressurizing air and another
pump 122 for pressurizing liquid received from the reservoir 12.
Air and liquid under pressure are conducted separately by a
two-channel conduit 123 to a mixing chamber 124 associated with the
valve handle at the end of the discharge hose. Both pumps 121 and
122 are driven by a single electric motor 126.
THE MODIFICATION
A somewhat modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIG. 14. In this form, the use of a reservoir 12 is not required. A
supply of chemicals either in liquid or comminuted solid form is
shown at 130.
It is drawn by a Venturi shown at 131 to a volume and pressure
control represented at 132. Water from a house main 133 is under
pressure and renders Venturi 131 effective. From the volume and
control station 132, the solution passes through a tube 134 to an
electric heating unit 136. A cord 137 extends from the latter and
has a conventional plug 138 on its free end.
From the heating unit 136, a tube 139 conducts the heated solution
to a liquid pump 171. From the latter the solution is delivered
under pressure to a handle similar to the valve handle of FIGS. 11
and 12.
Although the invention is described herein with particular
reference to a specific illustrative embodiment, many variations
and modifications are possible and may be made by persons skilled
in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *