Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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TITLE: PROCESS FOR REFURBISHING A VENDING BOX, PROTECTIVE
COVERING FOR USE THEREIN AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process for
refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-
section vending box, particularly a newspaper vending box, and
also to a protective covering for use in refurbishing a
substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box
and the method of manufacturing the protective covering.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most conventional newspaper vending boxes are constructed
of metal and are designed to completely enclose the newspapers
inside in order to preclude theft, and to preclude damage of
newspapers from foul weather. A hinged door spring biased
toward closing is typically located on the front to open
outwardly and downwardly to permit access to the newspapers in
the newspaper vending box. An optional cash box is included,
removably secured to the top, side, or front of the newspaper
vending box, which cash box permits opening of the hinged door
upon insertion of appropriate coinage.
Since metal is typically used for purposes of strength
and rigidity, such conventional metal newspaper vending boxes
tend to become worn over time and tend to rust, especially in
high-traffic urban areas, beside busy roadways, where a
significant amount of road salt is used during the winter
season. Accordingly, it is common to refurbish such
conventional metal newspaper vending boxes every few years,
and as frequently as every one and one-half years for
newspaper vending boxes in high-traffic urban areas, on an on-
going basis. Such refurbishment is quite costly, typically
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about several hundred dollars for each newspaper vending box,
and is therefore undesirable to do on a regular basis,
especially considering that most newspapers vendor own perhaps
several hundred or even several thousand newspaper vending
boxes. It is therefore highly desirable to maximize the time
interval between regular refurbishments due to predictable
wear, thus minimizing this on-going business expense.
Further, such metal newspaper vending boxes are often
subjected to abuse or vandalism, including physical damage and
defacement. It is common to minimize unpredictable periodic
refurbishing, due to specific damage such as defacing, since
such removal represents an additional unwanted business
expense. Presently, it is common for any defacing, such as
graffiti, to remain on newspaper vending boxes for lengthy
periods of time, which is highly undesirable.
Furthermore, the paint used on metal newspaper vending
boxes is subjected to ultra-violet rays from the sun, and
accordingly tends to discolour after a year or so of such
exposure. Accordingly, it is common for newspaper vending
boxes to appear substantially discoloured, and therefore old
and neglected, which is highly undesirable, since such
newspaper vending boxes are typically in the paint scheme of
the company printing and selling the newspapers contained
therein.
Presently, in order to refurbish a newspaper vending box,
it must typically be wire brushed, sandblasted, and repainted.
Such refurbishment is quite costly, and does not solve the
problems of subsequent weather damage, purposeful physical
exterior damage, defacing, and so on.
One known means of refurbishment suitable for some types
of vending machines can be found in United States Patent
4,973,109 (Diedrich), which patent discloses a front kit for
vending machines, specifically electrically operated vending
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machines that are typically used indoors, or at least in a
somewhat protected environment immediately outside a building,
that dispense snack food, beverages, and other similar items.
More specifically, the Diedrich patent teaches the use of a
transparent polycarbonate protective cover for the front
panels of vending machines, either in a bank of machines, or
for a single stand-alone unit backing against a wall. Two
side protective covers are bent at right angles to provide top
half-covers for the top of the refurbished vending machine.
The two side protective covers and the front protective cover
can be mounted to the vending machine by using fasteners, such
as screws. A kicker plate can also be removably attached to
the legs of the vending machine. The system taught by
Diedrich relies upon a multi-layer protective coating having
the clear transparent sheet layered over a decorative panel
covering the vending machine front. It can readily be seen
such a kit as that taught in the Diedrich patent could not be
used whatsoever to protect a newspaper vending box. Moreover,
Diedrich addresses the problem of protection only, and is not
directed to the problem of refurbishment of rusted or
otherwise damaged metal vending boxes.
One known alternative to refurbishing metal newspaper
vending boxes is to construct newspaper vending box from
plastics material, such as the vendor box taught in United
States Patent 5,356,212 (Okopny). The disclosed vendor box is
for newspapers and the like comprising a plastic cabinet, a
metal insert, and a plastic base. The plastic cabinet is
preferably formed from polyethylene by means of rotational
moulding or like process. The functional hardware of the
newspaper vending box is contained in the metal insert,
whether insert is held in place in the plastic cabinet by
means of co-operating channels formed on the interior front
edge of the side panels and the top panel of plastic cabinet.
It is not taught whatsoever to refurbish metal newspaper
vending boxes, nor could the components disclosed in the
Okopny patent be used to refurbish a metal newspaper vending
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box. Accordingly, complete and outright replacement of metal
newspaper vending boxes with the Okopny vending box would be
required, which is completely unacceptable for economic
reasons. Further, the Okopny vending box is not as strong and
rigid as metal newspaper vending boxes, and could easily be
cut or melted open, and is therefore unacceptable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
process for refurbishing metal vending boxes.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
protective covering for use in refurbishing metal vending
boxes, and a method of manufacturing the protective covering.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a process for refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper
vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective
covering.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a process for refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes,
which process precludes metal newspaper vending boxes from
rusting.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper
vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective
covering, which protective covering and method preclude metal
newspaper vending boxes from rusting.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a process for refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes,
which process maximizes the time interval between regular
refurbishments.
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It is another object of the present invention to provide
a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper
vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective
covering, which protective covering and method maximize the
5 time interval between regular refurbishments compared to
alternative means of refurbishment known in the art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper
vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective
covering, which protective covering is resistant to vandalism
and defacing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper
vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective
covering, which protective covering is resistant to
discolouring from ultraviolet rays.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a process for refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes,
which process is less costly and less labour intensive than
presently known means of refurbishment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper
vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective
covering, which protective covering and method are less costly
and time consuming to install than presently known means of
refurbishment.
SUI~iARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a process for refurbishing a substantially
rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box having front,
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back, left and right side walls, a top and a bottom, and a
door mounted on the front wall. The process comprises the
steps of forming a bottom panel; placing the bottom panel over
the bottom of the vending box; forming a main body member
having contiguous back, left side and right side panels;
placing the main body member in surrounding relation around
the vending box; securing the bottom panel to the main body
member; forming a top panel; placing the top panel over the
top of the vending box; securing the top panel to the main
body member; forming a lower front panel; placing the lower
front panel over the front of the vending box, below the door;
and, securing the lower front panel to the main body member
and the bottom panel.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a
protective covering for use in refurbishing a substantially
rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box having front,
back, left and right side walls, a top and a bottom, and a
spring loaded door mounted on the front wall. The method of
manufacturing comprising the steps of forming a substantially
flat bottom panel; forming a main body member having
substantially flat contiguous back, left side and right side
panels, and bottom flaps on each of the back, left side, and
right side panels, each side flap being substantially
transverse to the respective side panel; forming a top panel
having a substantially flat central portion, back, left side
and right side flaps substantially transverse to the central
portion, and a front flap oriented back along and
substantially parallel to the central portion with a flange
receiving gap therebetween; and forming a lower front panel
having a substantially flat central portion and a bottom flap
projecting rearwardly and being substantially transverse to
the top panel.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a protective covering for use in
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refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-
section vending box having front, back, left and right side
walls, a top and a bottom, and a spring loaded door mounted on
the front wall. The protective covering comprises a
substantially flat bottom panel, and a main body member having
substantially flat contiguous back, left side and right side
panels, and bottom flaps on each of the back, left side, and
right side panels, each side flap being substantially
transverse to the respective side panel. A top panel has a
substantially flat central portion, back, left side and right
side flaps substantially transverse to the central portion,
and a front flap oriented back along and substantially
parallel to the central portion with a flange receiving gap
therebetween. A lower front panel has a substantially flat
central portion and a bottom flap projecting rearwardly and
being substantially transverse to the top panel.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and
functions of the related elements of the structure, and the
combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become
more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description and the appended claims with reference to the
accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly
described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features which are believed to be
characteristic of the process for refurbishing a substantially
rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box, the
protective covering for use in refurbishing a substantially
rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box, of the
method of manufacturing the protective covering, according to
the present invention, as to the procedure, structure,
organization, and use, together with further objectives and
advantages thereof, will be better understood from the
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following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment
of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example.
It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are f or
the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not
intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In
the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a metal newspaper
vending box, showing signs of rust and general deterioration;
Figure 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a
preferred embodiment of the protective covering for use in
refurbishing a vending box, according to the present
invention, installed over the metal newspaper vending box of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of a flat sheet of material
about to be formed into the main body member of the protective
covering of Figure 2, with notional fold lines shown in ghost
lining;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of
material of Figure 3 placed on a support surface, and with a
main body member jig beside it;
Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to Figure 4, with
the flat sheet of material placed such that a flap to be
formed is disposed over a heating element, with the main body
member jig placed on the flat sheet of material, and with a
spacer bar placed on the main body member jig;
Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the flat sheet of
material, the main body member jig, and the spacer bar, as
positioned in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of a
portion of the flat sheet of material, the main body member
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jig, and the spacer bar of Figure 6, with a flap of the flat
sheet of material folded up and over onto the main body member
jig and spacer bar to form a side flap;
Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5, but
with the spacer bar being removed;
Figure 9 is a perspective view the flat sheet of material
and the main body member jig, with an edge of the main body
IO member jig disposed over the heating element;
Figure 10 is a perspective view similar to Figure 9, with
a portion of the flat sheet of material having being folded
upwardly to conform to the main body member jig and form a
left side panel;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of
material and the main body member j ig, with another edge of
the main body member jig disposed over the heating element;
Figure 12 is a perspective view similar to Figure 11,
with another portion of the panel of material having being
folded upwardly to conform to the main body member j ig and
form a right side panel;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of
material and the main body member jig, with the panel of
material enveloping the main body member jig and about to be
placed ,such that a flap to be formed is disposed over a
heating element, and with a spacer bar placed on the main body
member jig;
Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the panel of
material, the main body member jig, and the spacer bar, of
Figure 13, with a flap to be formed disposed over a heating
element;
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Figure 15 is an enlarged side elevational view of a
portion of the panel of material, the main body member jig,
and the spacer bar of Figure 13, with a flap of the panel of
material folded up and over onto the main body member jig and
5 spacer bar to form a side flap;
Figure 16 is a perspective view similar to Figure 12, but
with the spacer bar being removed;
10 Figure 17 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5, with
the panel of material enveloping the main body member jig and
about to be placed such that a flap to be formed is disposed
over a heating element;
Figure 18 is a side elevational view of the panel of
material and the main body member jig, as positioned in Figure
17;
Figure 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational
view taken along section line 19 - 19 of Figure 17, with a
flap of the panel of material folded up and over onto the main
body member jig and spacer bar to form a bottom flap on the
back panel;
Figure 20 is a perspective view similar to Figure 17,
with the panel of material enveloping the main body member jig
and about to be placed such that another flap to be formed is
disposed over a heating element;
Figure 21 is a side elevational view of the panel of
material and the main body member jig, as positioned in Figure
ao;
Figure 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational
view taken along section line 22 - 22 of Figure 20, with a
flap of the panel of material folded up and over onto the main
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body member jig and spacer bar to form a bottom flap on the
right side panel;
Figure 23 is a perspective view similar to Figure 17,
with the panel of material enveloping the main body member jig
and about to be placed such that yet another flap to be formed
is disposed over a heating element;
Figure 24 is a side elevational view of the panel of
material and the main body member jig, as positioned in Figure
23;
Figure 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational
view taken along section line 25 - 25 of Figure 23, with a
flap of the panel of material folded up and over onto the main
body member jig and spacer bar to form a bottom flap on the
left side panel;
Figure 26 is a perspective view of the fully formed main
body member used in the preferred embodiment of the protective
covering of Figure 2, formed from the flat sheet of material
of Figure 3, oriented on its back and surrounding the main
body member jig;
Figure 27 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2, with
the main body member jig being slid out of the main body
member ;
Figure 28 is a perspective view of the fully formed main
body member used in the preferred embodiment of the protective
covering of Figure 2, formed from the flat sheet of material
of Figure 3;
Figure 29 is a top plan view of the bottom panel of
Figure 2;
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Figure 30 is a perspective view of the bottom panel used
in the preferred embodiment of the protective covering of
Figure 2;
Figure 31 is a top plan view of the top panel used in the
preferred embodiment of the protective covering of Figure 2,
with notional fold lines shown in ghost lining;
Figure 32 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of
material of Figure 31 placed on a support surface, and with a
top panel jig beside it;
Figure 33 is a perspective view similar to Figure 32,
with the top panel placed such that a flap to be formed is
disposed over a heating element, and with the top panel jig
placed on the top panel;
Figure 34 is a side elevational view of the top panel and
the top panel jig, as positioned in Figure 33;
Figure 35 is an enlarged side elevational view of a
portion of the top panel and the top panel jig of Figure 34,
with a flap of the top panel folded up onto the top panel jig
to form a back flap;
Figure 36 is a perspective view similar to Figure 33,
with the flat sheet of material placed such that another flap
to be formed is disposed over a heating element;
Figure 37 is a side elevational view of the top panel and
the top panel jig, as positioned in Figure 36;
Figure 38 is an enlarged side elevational view of a
portion of the top panel and the top panel jig of Figure 37,
with a flap of the flat sheet of material folded up onto the
top panel jig to form a left side flap;
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Figure 39 is a perspective view similar to Figure 33,
with the flat sheet of material placed such that yet another
flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;
Figure 40 is a side elevational view of the top panel and
the top panel jig, as positioned in Figure 39;
Figure 41 is an enlarged side elevational view of a
portion of the top panel and the top panel jig of Figure 40,
with a flap of the flat sheet of material folded up onto the
top panel jig to form a right side flap;
Figure 42 is a perspective view similar to Figure 33,
with the flat sheet of material placed such that yet another
flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;
Figure 43 is a side elevational view, partially cut away,
of the top panel and the top panel jig, as positioned in
Figure 42;
Figure 44 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially
cut away, of a portion of the top panel and the top panel jig
of Figure 43, with a flap of the flat sheet of material folded
up and over onto the top panel jig to form a front flap;
Figure 45 is a perspective view of the fully formed top
panel used in the preferred embodiment of the protective
covering of Figure 2;
Figure 46 is a perspective view of the fully formed top
panel of Figure 45, having been removed from the top panel
j ig;
Figure 47 is a top plan view of the fully formed top
panel of Figure 46;
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Figure 48 is a perspective view of the flat sheet used to
form the front panel of the preferred embodiment of the
protective covering of Figure 2;
Figure 49 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of
Figure 48 placed on a support surface, with an upper cross-
strip mounted in place as guided by an alignment front panel
j ig;
Figure 50 is a perspective view similar to Figure 49,
with a lower cross-strip mounted in place as guided by a
spacing front panel jig;
Figure 51 is a perspective view similar to Figure 48,
showing the flat sheet of the front panel with the upper and
lower cross-strips mounted in place;
Figure 52 is a top plan view of the flat sheet of Figure
51, used in the preferred embodiment of the protective
covering of Figure 2, with notional fold lines shown in ghost
lining;
Figure 53 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of
Figure 52 placed on a support surface such that a flap to be
formed is disposed over a heating element;
Figure 54 is a perspective view similar to Figure 53,
with an elongate top panel jig placed on the front panel;
Figure 55 is a side elevational view of the front panel
and the top panel jig, being positioned as in Figure 54;
Figure 56 is a side elevational view similar to Figure
55, with a flap of the front panel folded up onto the elongate
front panel jig to form a left side flap;
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Figure 57 is a perspective view similar to Figure 53,
with another flap to be formed is disposed over a heating
element;
5 Figure 58 is a perspective view similar to Figure 57, and
with the elongate top panel jig placed on the front panel;
Figure 59 is a side elevational view of the front panel
and the elongate top panel jig, being positioned as in Figure
10 58;
Figure 60 is a side elevational view similar to Figure
59, with a flap of the front panel folded up onto the elongate
front panel jig to form a right side flap;
Figure 61 is a top plan view of the front panel of
material of Figure 62 placed on a support surface such that a
bottom flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;
Figure 62 is a side elevational view of the front panel
as positioned in Figure 61;
Figure 63 is a side elevational view similar to Figure
62, but with the bottom flap of the front panel partially
folded;
Figure 64 is a side elevational view similar to Figure
63, with the front panel folded up to form a bottom flap;
Figure 65 is a perspective view of the fully formed front
panel of Figure 64:
Figure 66 is a top plan view of the fully formed front
panel of Figure 65:
Figure 67 is a perspective view of the metal newspaper
vending box of Figure 1, oriented upside down, and with the
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bottom panel of Figure 29 about to be placed in position on
the bottom of the newspaper box;
Figure 68 is a perspective view similar to Figure 67,
with the bottom panel in position on the bottom of the
newspaper box;
Figure 69 is a perspective view similar to Figure 68,
with the fully formed main body member of Figure 28 slid part
way into position on the newspaper box;
Figure 70 is a perspective view similar to Figure 69,
with the main body member slid fully into position on the
newspaper box;
Figure 71 is a perspective view similar to Figure 70,
with the fully formed front panel of Figure 66 slid part way
into position on the newspaper box;
Figure 72 is a perspective view similar to Figure 71,
with the front panel slid fully into position on the newspaper
box;
Figure 73 is a perspective view similar to Figure 72,
with the fully formed top panel of Figure 47 disposed in an
initial mounting position on the newspaper box;
Figure 74 is a perspective view similar to Figure 73,
with the top panel moved fully into position on the newspaper
3 0 box;
Figure 75 is a perspective view from the front right of
the metal newspaper vending box of Figure 1, surrounded by the
protective covering of Figure 2, without the cash box mounted
therein;
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Figure 76 is a perspective view from the back right of
the metal newspaper vending box and protective covering of
Figure 75; and,
Figure 77 is a perspective view similar to Figure 75,
with the cash box having been installed in place and with a
sign being mounted on the front panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to Figures 1 through 77 of the drawings,
there is shown a process for refurbishing a conventional
newspaper vending box, as indicated by the general reference
numeral 20, specifically a substantially rectangular
horizontal cross-section newspaper vending box 20, as can be
best seen in Figure 1. The newspaper vending box 20 has a
front wall 21, a back wall 22, a left side wall 23, a right
side wall 24, a top 25, and a bottom 26, vertically disposed
forwardly projecting left 27 and right 28 front edge flanges,
and a horizontally disposed top front flange 29. A door 30
through which newspapers 31 are accessed is mounted on the
front wall 21 by means of a horizontally disposed hinge 32 for
movement outward and downward when a handle 33 is pulled.
The door 30 is preferably spring biased to its closed
position as shown, as is well known in the art. In the
preferred embodiment shown, a cash box 34 of known design is
mounted on the top 25 of the newspaper vending box 20, which
cash box 34 must be fed the appropriate amount of change in
order to unlatch the door 30.
Once the newspaper vending box 20 is refurbished
according to the process of the present invention, the
newspaper vending box 20 will have surrounding it a protective
covering 36, as indicated by the general reference numeral 36,
and as can be best seen in Figure 2. The protective covering
is preferably constructed from a thermoplastic plastic sheet
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material, which material can be folded as required herein in
a controlled manner, when locally heated. An especially
preferred sheet material is a two-layer laminated
thermoplastics material comprising an operatively outer layer
comprised of an acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylate (hereinafter,
"ASA") co-polymer [available from BASF Corporation, Mount
Olive, New Jersey, U.S.A. under the trademark "LURAN S"]
thermally bonded to an operatively inner layer of
acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (hereinafter "ABS") co-polymer
[available from GE Plastics ,Pittsfield, Maryland, U.S.A.
under the trademark "CYCOLAC"]. The ASA outer layer of the
laminated sheet material exhibits superior weatherability,
impact, scratch and abrasion resistance, colour retention and
consistency, resistance to environmental stress cracking, and
the inner ABS layer adds strength and rigidity to the
composite sheet material. Suitable UV stabilizers are
contained within the outer LURAN ST"~ layer, which is co-
extruded with the ABS layer as a heat-bonded laminated sheet.
Such laminated sheets, in useful thicknesses of about 0.80" -
to about 0.125", are commercially available from Spartech
Plastics Division of Spartech Canada Inc., Granby, Quebec,
Canada. Accordingly, the present invention also discloses a
protective covering 36 for use in refurbishing the
substantially rectangular horizontal cross section newspaper
vending box 20, and also a method of manufacturing the
protective covering 36.
Reference will now be made to Figures 3 through 28, which
show a main body member, as indicated by the general reference
numeral 40, of the protective covering 36 of the present
invention being formed.
As can be best seen in Figure 3, a substantially flat
sheet 41 of material is used to form the main body member 40
of the protective covering 36 of the present invention, to
provide a process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular
horizontal cross-section newspaper vending box 20. The
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substantially flat sheet of material has a plurality of
triangle shaped notches 43 cut in it and a quadrilateral
shaped corner notch 44 cut out of each of the two bottom
corners to define a left side panel 50, a right side panel 60,
and a back panel 70, which panels 50,60,70 are contiguous one
with another, and define the bottom flaps 56,66,76 for the
left side 50, right side 60, and back 70 panels, respectively,
and the upper 52,62 and lower 53,63 side flaps for the left
side 50 and right side 60 panels, respectively.
Notional fold lines, as shown in ghost lining, are
visualized in one face at a time of said flat sheet of
material and are used by a person making a protective covering
36 and refurbishing the newspaper vending box 20 to aid in the
folding of the flat sheets of material, which folding forms
the various panels and flaps by means of folding, as will be
discussed hereinbelow. Notional fold lines 72,73 separate the
back panel 70 form the left side panel 50 and the right side
panel 60, respectively. Notional fold line 54 separates the
left side panel 50 from its upper side flap 52 and lower side
flap 53. Notional fold line 64 separates the right side panel
60 from its upper side flap 62 and lower side flap 63.
Notional fold lines 55,65,75 separate the left side panel 50,
the right side panel 60, and the back panel 70, from their
respective bottom flaps 56,66,76.
As can be best seen in Figure 4, the substantially flat
sheet 41 of material used to form the main body member 40 is
placed on a substantially horizontally disposed support
surface 37 presented by a work table 38. Subsequently, and
prior to the forming the main body member 40, a main body
member jig 42 is placed on a sheet of material 41 used to form
the main body member 40, as can be best seen in Figure 5. The
sheet of material 41 is positioned on the support surface 37
such that a notional fold line 54 separating the upper 52 and
lower 53 side flaps of the left side panel 50 from the left
side panel 50 itself, is disposed adjacent an elongate
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resistance heating element 39 positioned in the work table 38,
in recessed relation below the support surface 37, so as to
cause localized heating of the sheet of material 41 forming
the main body member 40 along the notional fold line 54
5 immediately prior to folding the upper 52 and lower 53 side
flaps. The amount of heat required to permit folding of the
sheet of material 41 will be dependent upon the type of sheet
material used, but can be routinely determined by trial and
error for any particular thermoplastic plastic sheet material.
10 The main body member jig 42 is placed along the notional fold
line 54. Next, while the sheet of material 41 is still in
place as described immediately above, an elongate spacer 48 is
placed on the left side panel 50 adjacent the notional fold
line 54, as is shown by arrow "A" in Figure 5, and is also can
15 be seen in Figure 6. The upper 52 and lower 53 side flaps of
left side panel 50 are then folded over onto the elongate
spacer 48, as indicated by arrow "B" of Figure 7, so as to set
f lange receiving gaps 57 between the upper 52 and lower 53
side flaps and the left side panel 50. The elongate spacer 48
20 is then removed from between the upper 52 and lower 53 side
flaps and the left side panel 50, as indicated by arrow "C" in
Figure 8.
As can be best seen in Figure 9, the sheet of material 41
used to form the main body member 40 is then turned one
hundred and eighty degrees and moved such that the notional
fold line 72 between the left side panel 50 and the back panel
70 is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, so as
to cause heating of the sheet of material 41 forming the main
body member 40 along the notional fold line 72 immediately
prior to folding the left side panel 50. The main body member
jig 42 is placed along the notional fold line 72. The large
portion of the sheet of material 41 extending off the support
surface 37 is then folded upwardly onto the main body member
jig 42, as indicated by arrow "D" in Figure 10, so as to form
the left corner 45 between the left side panel 50 and back
panel 70, and thus forming the left side panel 50. The left
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corner 45 is formed such that the left side panel 50 is
substantially transverse to the back panel 70.
As can be best seen in Figure 11, the sheet of material
41 and main body member jig 42 are then flipped downwardly
such that the notional fold line 73 between the right side
panel 60 and the back panel 70 is disposed adjacent the
elongate heating element 39, so as to cause localized heating
of the sheet of material 41 forming the main body member 40
along the notional fold line 73 immediately prior to folding
the right side panel 60. The main body member jig 42 is
placed along the notional fold line 73. Next, the portion of
the sheet of material extending off the support surface 37 is
folded upwardly onto the main body member jig 42, as indicated
by arrow "E" in Figure 12, so as to form the right corner 46
between the right side panel 60 and back panel 70, and thus
forming the right side panel 60. The right corner 46 is
formed such that the right side panel 60 is substantially
transverse to the back panel 70.
As can be best seen in Figure 13, the sheet of material
41 and main body member jig 42 are again flipped ninety
degrees and positioned such that the notional fold line 64
between the right side panel 60 and the upper 62 and lower 63
side flaps of the right side panel 60, is disposed adjacent
the elongate heating element 39, so as to cause localized
heating of the sheet of material 41 forming the main body
member 40 along the notional fold line 64 immediately prior to
folding the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps of the right side
panel 60. The main body member jig 42 is placed along the
notional fold line 64. Arrow "F" of Figure 13 shows the
elongate spacer 48 being placed onto the main body member jig
42 adjacent the notional fold line 64, as can be best seen in
Figure 14. The upper 62 and lower 62 side flaps of right side
panel 60 are then folded over onto the elongate spacer 48, as
indicated by arrow "G" of Figure 15, so as to set flange
receiving gaps 67 between the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps
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and the right side panel 60. The elongate spacer 48 is then
removed from between the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps and
the right side panel 60, as indicated by arrow "H" in Figure
16.
Reference will now be made to Figures 17 through 24 which
show the main body member 40 having bottom flaps 56,66,76
formed on the left side 50, right side 60, and back 70 panels,
respectively.
As can be best seen in Figures 17 and 18, the
substantially flat sheet of material 41 and the main body
member jig 42 are placed such that the notional fold line 75
between the bottom flap 76 of the back panel 70 and the back
panel 70, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element
39, so as to cause localized heating of the sheet of material
41 forming the main body member 40 along the notional fold
line 75 immediately prior to folding the bottom flap 76 of the
back panel 70. The main body member jig 42 is placed along
the notional fold line 75. As is indicated by arrow "I" in
Figure 19, the bottom flap 76 of the back panel 70 is folded
upwardly so as to be substantially transverse to the back
panel 70.
The bottom flap 66 of the right side panel 60 is formed
in a similar manner with sheet of material 41 used to form the
main body member 40 and main body member jig 42 moved such the
notional fold line 65 between the bottom flap 66 of the right
side panel 60 and the right side panel 60, is disposed
adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as can be seen in
Figures 20 and 21, so as to cause localized heating of the
sheet of material forming the main body member 40 along the
notional fold line 65 immediately prior to folding the bottom
flap 66 of the right side panel 60. The main body member jig
42 is placed along the notional fold line 65. Arrow "J" in
Figure 22 indicates the bottom flap of the right side panel 60
being folded upwardly so as to be substantial transverse to
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right side panel 60. Also similarly, Figure 23 shows the
sheet of material 41 and main body member jig 42 moved such
that the notional fold line between the bottom flap 56 of the
left side panel 50 and the left side panel 50, is disposed
adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as is also seen in
Figure 24, so as to cause localized heating of the sheet of
material 41 forming the main body member 40 along the notional
fold line 55 immediately prior to folding the bottom flap 56
of the left side panel 50. The main body member jig 42 is
placed along the notional fold line 55. Arrow "K" in Figure
25 indicates the bottom flap 56 of the left side panel 50
being folded upwardly so as to be substantially transverse to
the left side panel 50.
Figure 26 shows the finished main body member 40
surrounding the main body member jig 42 that has been used to
ensure that the main body member 40 is of the correct shape
and size within acceptable tolerances, and all of the panels
and flaps thereof are also of the correct shape and size.
Arrow "L" of Figure 27 shows the main body member jig 42 being
slid outwardly from the finished main body member 40. Figure
28 also shows the main body member 40 in an inverted
orientation and with two triangular reinforcing elements 49
secured, preferably by means of suitable adhesive, in
abridging relation between adjacent bottom flaps 56,66,76 of
the left side panel 50, the right side panel 60, and the back
panel 70, in order to add structural strength to the overall
configuration of the bottom flaps 56,66,76.
Reference will now be made to Figures 29 and 30, which
show the bottom panel 78 of the protective covering 36 of the
present invention, to provide a process for refurbishing a
substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section newspaper
vending box 20. The bottom panel 78 is preferably rectangular
with no flaps, and fits ultimately within the main body member
immediately above (in the orientation of Figures 75 through
77) the three bottom flaps 56, 66 and 76, respectively, of the
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left side panel 50, the right side panel 60, and the back side
panel 70, and is secured to the main body member 40 by
frictional restraining contact with the main body member 40,
when in place.
Reference will now be made to Figures 31 through 47,
which show a top panel, as indicated by the general reference
numeral 80, used in the protective covering 36 of the present
invention, to provide a process for refurbishing a
substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section newspaper
vending box 20. Figure 31 shows a flat sheet of material 81
used to form the top panel 80 of the protective covering 36 of
the present invention. Notional fold lines 85,87,89,91 used
to form the four flaps 84,86,88,90 of the top panel 80 shown
in ghost lining. Corner notches 83 that are triangular in
shape are cut into the piece of the material at each of the
four corners so as to define the front flap 84, the back flap
86, the left side flap 88, and the right side flap 90.
The substantially flat sheet of material 81 forming the
top panel 80 is placed .on a substantially horizontally
disposed support surface 37, as can be best seen in Figure 32.
Subsequently, a rectangularly shaped top panel jig 82, as
shown on the support surface 37, is placed on the flat sheet
of material 81 forming the top panel 80, with an edge of the
jig disposed along each of the notional fold lines
85,87,89,91, as can be best seen in Figure 33. The sheet of
material 81 and top panel jig 82 are disposed such that the
notional fold line 87 between the back flap 86 of the top
panel 80 and the top panel 80, is disposed adjacent the
elongate heating element 39, as can also be seen in Figure 34,
so as to cause heating of the sheet of material 81 forming the
top panel 80 along the notional fold line 87 immediately prior
to folding the back flap 86 of the top panel 80. Arrow "M" in
Figure 35 shows the back flap 86 being folded upwardly onto
the top panel jig 82, so as to be substantially transverse to
the top panel 80, with a slight inward curvature. As can be
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best seen in Figure 36, the back flap 86 is preferably clamped
to the top panel jig 82 by spring biased clamps 94, to ensure
that the top panel jig 82 remains properly in place on the top
panel 80 and is not skewed during the formation of the
5 remaining three flaps 84,88,90.
The sheet of material 81 used to form the top panel 80
and the top panel jig 82 are moved such that the notional fold
line 89 between the left side flap 88 of the top panel 80 and
10 the top panel 80, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating
element 39, as is also shown in Figure 37, so as to cause
heating of the sheet of material forming the top panel 80
along the notional fold line 89 immediately prior to folding
the left side flap 88 of the top panel 80. Arrow "N" of
15 Figure 38 shows the left side flap 88 being folded upwardly
onto the top panel jig 82, so as to be substantially
transverse to the top panel 80. As can be best seen in Figure
39, the left side flap 88 is clamped to the top panel jig 82
by spring biased clamps 94, and the sheet of material 81 and
20 top panel jig 82 are moved such that the notional fold line 91
between the right side flap 90 of the top panel 80 and the top
panel 80, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element
39, as can also be seen in Figure 40, so as to cause heating
of the sheet of material forming the top panel 80 along the
25 notional fold line 91 immediately prior to folding the right
side flap of the top panel 80. Arrow "O" of Figure 41 shows
the right side flap 90 being folded upwardly onto the top
panel jig 82, so as to be substantially transverse to the top
panel 80. As can be best seen in Figure 42, the right side
flap 90 is clamped by spring biased clamps 94, and the sheet
of material 81 and the top panel jig 82 are moved such that
the notional fold line 85 between the front flap 84 of the top
panel 80 and the top panel 80, is disposed adjacent the
elongate heating element 39, as can also be seen in Figure 43,
so as to cause heating of the sheet of material 81 forming the
top panel 80 along the notional fold line 85 immediately prior
to folding the front flap 84 of the top panel 80. Arrow "P"
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of Figure 44 shows the front flap 84 being folded upwardly and
over, with the front flap 84 being oriented along and
substantially parallel to the top panel 80, with a flange
receiving gap therebetween.
The nearly-finished top panel 80 is shown in Figure 45,
where the spring biased clamps 94 have been removed and a
plurality of mounting apertures 96 have been formed in the top
panel 80, by means of a drill (not shown). The mounting
apertures 96 will subsequently be used to permit attachment of
the cash box 34 (seen in Figures 1, 2 and 77) to the
refurbished newspaper vending box 20, on top of the top panel
80. The finished top panel 80 is illustrated in Figures 46
and 4 7 .
Reference will now be made to Figures 48 through 66,
which show the formation of a front panel, as indicated by the
general reference numeral 100, used in the protective covering
36 of the present invention, to provide a process for
refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-
section newspaper vending box 20. Figure 48 shows the
substantially flat sheet of material 101 used to form the
front panel 100, with a triangle shaped corner notch 102 cut
out of each of the two top corners and a quadrilateral shaped
corner notch 103 cut out of each of the two bottom corners.
A first product receiving bracket 104 (shown in Figure 48
above the substantially flat sheet of material 101), is formed
by adjoining a first elongate flange member 105 and a first
stand-off member 106 along their lengths, and securing them by
means of a suitable adhesive. Similarly, a second product
receiving bracket 107 is formed by adjoining a second elongate
flange member 108 and a second stand-off member 109 along
their lengths, and securing them by means of a suitable
adhesive. The first 104 and second 107 product receiving
brackets are secured, via their respective stand-off members
106,109, onto the front panel 100, in the following manner.
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An alignment front panel jig 110 is placed atop the front
panel 100, as can be best seen in Figure 49, and the first
product receiving bracket 104 is placed on the front panel
100, as indicated by arrow ~~Q~~, against the alignment front
panel jig 110. The first product receiving bracket 104 is
then secured to the front panel 100, by means of a suitable
adhesive. A spacing front panel jig 111 is then placed on the
front panel 100 against the first product receiving bracket
104, as can be best seen in Figure 50, and the second product
receiving bracket 107 is placed on the front panel 100 against
the spacing front panel jig 111. The second product receiving
bracket 107 is then secured to the front panel 100, by means
of a suitable adhesive. As such, product receiving gaps 112
are formed between the first 105 and second 108 elongate
flange members and the front panel 100, and in spaced apart
relation such that the product receiving gaps 112 face each
other. Advertising placards can be placed between the first
104 and second 107 product receiving brackets, as will be
discussed in greater detail subsequently.
The partially finished front panel 100 is best seen in
Figures 51 and 52, with notional fold lines for the left and
right side flaps and the bottom flap.
Reference with now be made to Figures 53 through 64,
which figures show the flaps of the front panel 100 being
formed, and to Figures 65 and 66, which figures show the
finished front panel 100. Figure 53 shows the partially
finished front panel 100 as in Figures 51 and 52, which
partially finished front panel 100 is essentially a
substantially flat sheet of material with the first 104 and
second 107 product receiving brackets secured thereto. The
substantially flat sheet of material 101 is located such that
the notional fold line 114 between the left side flap 113 and
the front panel 100 is disposed adjacent the elongate heating
element 39, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material
101 farming the front panel 100 along the notional fold line
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114 immediately prior to folding the left side flap 113 of the
front panel 100. Arrows "R" and "S" in Figures 54 and 55,
respectively, show an elongate front panel jig 117 being
lowered into place along the notional fold line 114, so as to
permit straight folding of the lef t side f lap 113 . Arrow "T"
in Figure 56 shows the left side flap 114 being folded
upwardly onto the elongate front panel jig 117, so as to be
substantially transverse onto the front panel 100.
The sheet of material 101 is then moved such that the
notional fold line 116 between the right side flap 115 of the
front panel 100 and the front panel 100, is disposed adjacent
the elongate heating element 39, as can be best seen in
Figures 57, 58, and 59, so as to cause heating of the sheet of
material 101 forming the front panel 100 along the notional
fold line 116 immediately prior to folding the right side f lap
115 of the front panel 100. Arrows "U" and "V" in Figures 58
and 59, respectively, show the elongate front panel jig 117
being lowered into place along the notional fold line 116, so
as to permit straight folding of the right side flap 115.
Arrow "W" in Figure 60 shows the right side flap 115 being
folded upwardly onto the elongate front panel jig 117, so as
to be substantially transverse to the front panel 100.
Finally, the substantially flat sheet of material 101 is
moved such that the notional fold line 119 between the bottom
flap 118 of the front panel 100 and the front panel 100, is
disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as can be
best seen in Figures 61 and 62, so as to cause heating of the
sheet of material 101 forming the front panel 100 along the
notional fold line 119 immediately prior to folding the bottom
flap 118 of the front panel 100. Arrow "X" in Figure 63 shows
the bottom flap 118 of the front panel 100 being folded
upwardly part way. Next, the front panel 100 is turned one
hundred eighty degrees and rotated upwardly to a position
shown in dash lining in Figure 64 whereat the bottom flap 118
of the front panel 100 is disposed flat against the support
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surface 37. The front panel 100 is then folded upwardly as
indicated in arrow ~~Y~t in Figure 64 to a substantially
vertical position, so as to thereby fold the bottom flap 118
of the front panel 100, so as to be substantially transverse
to the front panel 100. The finished front panel 100 is shown
in Figures 65 and 66.
Figures 3 through 66 illustrate the various components of
the protective covering 36 of the present invention. Assembly
of the various components so as to form the protective
covering 36 in surrounding relation around the newspaper
vending box 20, thus also completing the process for
refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross
section newspaper vending box 20, will now be discussed with
reference to Figures 67 through 77.
As can be best seen in Figure 67, the newspaper vending
box 20 is supported in an inverted orientation and the bottom
panel 78 is placed over the bottom 26 of the newspaper vending
box 20, as indicated by arrow ~~Z~~, and is shown in place in
Figure 68. Next, as can be seen in Figure 69, the main body
member 40 is elevated in an inverted orientation and is slid
downwardly onto the upside newspaper vending box 20, as
indicated by arrow ~~AA~~ , such that the vertically disposed
forwardly projecting left front edge flange 27 of the
newspaper vending box 20 engages into the flange receiving gap
57 between the upper side flap 52 and the left side panel 50,
and the vertically disposed forwardly projecting right front
edge flange 28 of the newspaper vending box 20 engages into
the flange receiving gap 67 between the upper side flap 62 and
the right side panel 60. As the main body member 40 continues
to be slid downwardly in the direction of arrow ~~AA~~, to a
position as shown in Figure 70, the vertically disposed
forwardly projecting left front edge flange 27 engages the
flange receiving gap 57 between both the upper side flap 52
and the lower side flap 53 of the left side panel 50, and the
vertically disposed forwardly projecting right front edge
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flange 28 engages the flange receiving gaps 67 between both
the upper side flap 62 and the lower side flap 63 of the right
side panel 60. The upper 52 and lower 53 side flaps of the
left side panel 50 and the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps of
5 the right side panel 60 surround the vertically disposed
forwardly projecting left 27 and right 28 front edge flanges,
respectively, of the newspaper vending box 20, thus helping to
retain the main body member 40 in place, in the aforesaid
surrounding relation around said vending box 20. The bottom
10 panel 78 is secured to the main body member 40 by frictional
restraining contact with the bottom flaps 56, 66 and 76 of the
main body member 40. A suitable adhesive may also be used to
assist in such securement.
15 As can be best seen in Figure 71, the front panel 100 is
next placed over the front of the vending box 20, below the
door 30, by orienting the front panel 100 upside down and
sliding it downwardly as indicated by arrow ~~BB~~, with the
left side flap 113 engaging the flange receiving gap 57
20 between the lower side flap 53 of the left side panel 50, and
the right side flap 115 engaging the flange receiving gap 67
between the lower side flap 63 of the right side panel 60.
The front panel 100 is then slid downwardly in the direction
of arrow ~~BB~~ to a position as shown in Figure 72, and is
25 secured to the main body member 40 by means of interference
fit between the left side flap 113 and the lower side flap 53
and between the right side flap 115 and the lower side flap
63. Further, the bottom flap 118 of the front panel 100 helps
secure the bottom panel 78 by frictional restraining contact.
30 A suitable adhesive may be used, in either case, if desired.
The newspaper vending box 20 is then oriented upright, as
is shown in Figure 73, and the door 30 of the newspaper
vending box 20 is held opened. Prior to placing the top panel
80 over the top 25 of the newspaper vending box 20, and if
appropriate, the cash box 34 is removed from the newspaper
vending box 20 and the plurality of mounting apertures 96 is
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formed in the top panel 80, as previously described. The top
panel 80 is then placed over the top 25 of the vending box 20
by hooking the front flap 84 of the top panel 80 onto the
horizontally disposed top front flange 29 of the newspaper
vending box 20 with the top panel 80 in an angled orientation.
The top panel 80 is then rotated downwardly as indicated by
arrow "CC" of Figure 73, to a position as shown in Figure 74.
The top panel 80 is then secured to the main body member 40 by
means of application of a suitable adhesive between the left
side flap 88 and the top portion of the left side panel 50,
between the right side flap 90 and the top portion of the
right side panel 60, and between the back flap 86 and the top
portion of the back panel 70, by means of a suitable adhesive.
Replacement of the cash box 34 will also serve to secure the
top panel 80 in place
As can be seen in Figures 75 through 77, the left side
panel 50, right side panel 60, and the back panel 60 of the
main body member 40, the top panel 80, the front panel 100,
and bottom panel 78 are each positioned, as aforesaid, in
substantially juxtaposed relation with said vending box 20.
The essentially completed protective covering 36, without
the cash box 34, is shown in Figures 75 and 76. The cash box
34 is optional, and is, of course, used for vending newspapers
31 for retail purposes; otherwise, the cash box 34 can be
omitted for vending free newspapers, such as advertising
newspapers, real estate newspapers, and so on. The mounting
apertures 96 for the cash box 34 are visible in Figures 75 and
76. Also, in Figures 76, chain receiving apertures 98 are
shown in the back panel 70 of the main body member 40, which
chain receiving apertures 98 permit the newspaper vending box
20 to be chained to a lamp post (not shown), or the like, for
security reasons.
The cash box 34 is then replaced on the newspaper vending
box 20, as is best seen in Figure 77, whereat the cash box 34
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installed in place on the top panel 80 of the protective
covering 36. Conventional mounting lugs (not shown),
preferably comprising threaded bolts, depend downwardly from
the cash box 34 so as to extend through the mounting apertures
96 of the top panel 80, and through aligned mounted apertures
(not shown) in the top 25 of the newspaper vending box 20, to
ultimately be secured in place by fasteners (not shown)
threadibly engaged on the threaded bolts. Also shown in
Figure 77, is an advertising placard 120 being placed on the
front panel 100 of the protective covering 36. The
advertising placard 120 is bent slightly so as to be inserted
into the product receiving gaps 112 of the first 104 and
second 107 product receiving brackets, thus being displayed to
the public. A clear plastic protective sheet (not shown) may
optionally be inserted in a similar manner over the
advertising placard 120 to protect it from rain and other foul
weather.
In the protective covering 36 of the present invention,
the main body member 40, the front panel 100, the top panel 80
and the bottom panel 78 are typically made from a plastics
material, and in the preferred embodiment illustrated each
panel is made from a two-layer laminated plastics material,
with the inner layer being of ABS plastics material (for
purposes of strength), and the outer layer being of LUR.AN ST"'
plastics material, (which material is resistant to scratching,
cutting, graffiti and ultraviolet light degradation). This
preferred laminated material bends suitably under moderate
localized heating, so as to accommodate precise folding during
the formation process within acceptable tolerances. The
protective covering 36, when made from the preferred two-layer
laminated material described, is expected to have a useful
life span of about five years before having to be replaced,
which is vastly superior to the typical time of one and one
half to two years between refurbishments by conventional prior
art means, while costing about the same, or less.
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As is readily apparent from the above description and
drawings, variations in the preferred embodiment of the
process of refurbishing the newspaper vending box 20, and the
method of manufacturing the protective covering 36 for use in
refurbishing a newspaper vending box 20, can vary, especially
in terms of the order of the steps of the described process
for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-
section vending box 20 and of manufacturing the protective
covering 36 for use in refurbishing a substantially
rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box 20, and still
be within the scope of the present invention. For instance,
the main body member 40, the bottom panel 78, the top panel
80, and the front panel 100 can be manufactured independently
one from another, and then can be assembled so as to produce
the protective covering 36 on a newspaper vending box 20, thus
refurbishing a newspaper vending box 20; or alternatively, one
main body member 40, one bottom panel 78, one top panel 80,
and one front panel 100, can be manufactured and then be
assembled to form the protective covering 36, thus
refurbishing a newspaper vending box 20; or alternatively, the
bottom panel 78 can be formed and then put in place on the
newspaper vending box 20, the main body member 40 can be
formed and then put in place on the newspaper vending box 20,
and then the front panel 100 can be formed and then put in
place on the newspaper vending box 20, and finally the top
panel 80 can be formed and then put in place on the newspaper
vending box 20. Moreover, while the preferred embodiment uses
a bilaminer ASA/ABS plastic sheet material to form the various
panels required, other suitable bendable materials, including
single layer plastics material may be utilized with the
expectation of attaining at least some of the objects of the
present invention.
Also, other configurations of the main body member,
bottom panel, front panel, and top panel are contemplated with
various alternative arrangements of flaps and so on.
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Other variations of the above principles will be apparent
to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention,
and such variations are considered to be within the scope of
the present invention. Further, other modifications and
alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the
apparatus of the present invention without departing from the
spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
