PLASTIC CONTAINER

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention lies in the sector of the manufacture containers.

[0002] In particular, the present invention lies in the sector of the plastic containers made by means of blowing starting from a preform.DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

[0003] In the sector of the manufacture of plastic containers it is known to use the blowing technique starting from a starting product, commonly known as a preform.

[0004] A preform consists of a first portion, or mouth, which is not modified during blowing and which will therefore remain unchanged in the final container after blowing and a second portion, normally tubular in shape, suited to be subjected to a blowing step inside a special mould so as to assume the desired shape of the main body which is suited to receive the product, typically a fluid or liquid product.

[0005] The mouth of the preform is also provided with suitable means for receiving a cap, for example an external thread to enable the connection by screwing of the cap or suitable ribs to enable the connection by pressure of the cap.

[0006] The preform is also provided with at least one supporting flange which constitutes the element suited to support said preform during transport and / or to hold the preform in the mould during said blowing step. The supporting flange is not modified during blowing and it therefore also remains unchanged in the final container after blowing.

[0007] According to a solution of known type and described for example in US20020108924A1, the supporting flange of the preform used while making the container is subsequently also used for the connection of the cap to the container. In this case, the supporting flange provides a lower abutment shoulder on which respective teeth, made of flexible fins of the cap, hook when the cap is coupled to the mouth of the container.

[0008] The solution belonging to the state of the art, however, has some drawbacks.

[0009] A drawback of this technique of known type consists in that the connection between the cap and the container is intrinsically connected to the supporting flange of the preform, which, nonetheless, constitutes an element that was not designed to perform this connection function and therefore with geometric characteristics and / or materials not optimal for the purpose.

[0010] This negatively affects the quality of the connection of the cap to the container, for example the cap can easily disconnect from the cap or, conversely, the cap can be difficult to connect to the container.

[0011] Another drawback of the systems of known type occurs in the cases where it is desired to disconnect the cap from the container, for example in recycling phases after use, whereby the cap may be difficult to disconnect from the container. The main object of the present invention is therefore to solve, or at least partially obviate, the aforementioned drawbacks that characterize the state of the art.

[0012] In particular, an object of the present invention is to propose a container that allows to improve the quality of connection of the cap to the container itself. Another object of the present invention is to propose a container that improves the disconnection of the cap from the container.SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0013] In a first aspect thereof, the present invention therefore relates to a plastic container for a product made starting from a preform, said container comprising: a main body suited to define an internal area for housing a product, wherein said main body is obtained by means of a blowing step during which a portion of said preform is blown; a dispensing area provided with an opening for dispensing said product and configured to receive the connection of a closing element suited to close said opening, said dispensing area comprising at least one supporting flange and a first portion in which said opening is defined, said at least one supporting flange and said first portion being defined in said preform, and wherein said at least one supporting flange constitutes the element suited to support said preform during transport and / or to hold said preform in a mould during said blowing step; wherein said dispensing area comprises also a second flange created during said blowing step and positioned in the direction of said main body with respect to said at least one supporting flange, said second flange being suited to enable the connection of said closing element.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the second flange comprises an abutment surface facing towards the main body.

[0015] Preferably, the second flange develops according to a circular pattern around a main axis or a polygonal pattern around a main axis.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container comprises anti-rotational means suited to prevent the rotation between the closing element and the container with respect to each other after the closing element has been connected to the container.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the anti-rotational means comprise one or more ribs and / or one or more recesses made in the container and respective one or more recesses and / or one or more ribs made in the closing element.

[0018] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the anti-rotational means are defined by the non-circular shape of the second flange.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing element is connected by pressure at the level of the second flange of the container, said closing element comprising at least one projecting portion suited to cooperate with the second flange.

[0020] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the second flange comprises one or more recesses suited to allow the passage of one or more projections of the closing element so as to provide for a bayonet connection of the closing element to the container or the second flange comprises one or more projections suited to allow the passage of one or more recesses of the closing element so as to provide for a bayonet connection of the closing element to the container.

[0021] Preferably, the first portion further comprises connection means for connection to a typology of closing element of a different type.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection means comprise a thread.

[0023] In another aspect thereof, the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a plastic container and a closing element associated with said container, wherein said container is a container made according to what is described above.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further advantages, objects and features as well as embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be clarified hereinafter by means of the following description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawing tables. In particular, in the figures: Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a container provided with a cap according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1 with the cap in the detached position; Figure 3 shows a side view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a preform used to obtain the container of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the container according to the invention of Figure 1 and obtained starting from the preform of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the container of Figure 5; Figure 7 represents the sectional view of Figure 3 along line VII°-VII°; Figure 8 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 7; Figure 8A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 8; Figure 9 shows an axonometric view of the cap of Figure 3 in the open position; Figure 10 shows the cap of Figure 9 according to another point of view; Figure 11 shows an embodiment variant of the preform of Figure 4; Figure 12 shows a container obtained starting from the preform of Figure 11; Figure 13 represents a sectional view of the container of Figure 12 provided with a cap; Figure 14 shows another embodiment variant of the preform of Figure 4; Figure 15 shows a container obtained starting from the preform of Figure 14; Figure 16 represents a sectional view of the container of Figure 15 provided with a cap; Figure 17 shows a further embodiment variant of the preform of Figure 4; Figure 18 shows a container obtained starting from the preform of Figure 17; Figure 19 shows a top plan view of the container of Figure 18; Figure 20 shows a sectional view of the container of Figure 18 provided with a cap in a first operating position; Figure 20A shows the top plan view of the container of Figure 20 not sectioned; Figure 21 shows a sectional view of the container of Figure 18 provided with a cap in a second operating position; Figure 21A shows the top plan view of the container of Figure 21 not sectioned; Figure 22 shows an axonometric view of the cap of Figure 20 in the open position; Figure 23 shows the cap of Figure 22 according to another point of view; Figure 24 shows another embodiment variant of the preform of Figure 4; Figure 25 shows a container obtained starting from the preform of Figure 24; Figure 26 represents a sectional view of the container of Figure 25 provided with a cap; Figure 26A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 26; Figure 27 shows another embodiment variant of the preform of Figure 4; Figure 28 shows a container obtained starting from the preform of Figure 27; Figure 29 represents a sectional view of the container of Figure 28 provided with a cap; Figure 30 represents in axonometric view the container of Figure 28 with the cap in the detached position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0025] Although the present invention is described below with reference to embodiments thereof represented in the drawing tables, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and represented in the drawing tables.

[0026] On the contrary, the embodiments described and represented in the drawing tables clarify certain aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims.

[0027] The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to PET containers suited to contain products of the food or chemical or cosmetic or detergent sector. It should be pointed out, however, that the present invention is not limited to a use of this type. On the contrary, the present invention finds convenient application in all cases involving the use of a plastic container suited to be obtained starting from a preform.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of a container 10 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10.

[0029] The container 10 comprises a main body 12 that defines an internal area 14 for receiving the product to be dispensed, this product not indicated in the figures. The container 10 develops substantially and preferably along a main axis X.

[0030] In the illustrated and described embodiments, the main body has a substantially parallelepiped shape. In embodiment variants, the main body may take any other shape suited to meet the needs of the case, for example from an aesthetic and / or functional point of view.

[0031] The container 10 then comprises a dispensing area 16 provided with an opening 18 for dispensing said product and configured to receive the connection of a closing element 50 of the opening 18, or cap 50. The dispensing area 16 comprises a supporting flange 20 and a first portion 22 in which said opening 18 is defined. The first portion 22 preferably has a cylindrical shape, as shown in Figure 5.

[0032] The dispensing area 16 preferably further comprises an additional flange 21. This additional flange 21, when present, is preferably used to hook a possible guarantee seal of the cap, in particular when the container is used in the beverage sector.

[0033] In embodiment variants, if necessary, the additional flange can be used as an element suited to support the preform during transport and / or to hold the preform in the mould during the steps of making the container, as described below with reference to the preform 380 (Figure 17 or 27).

[0034] According to one aspect of the present invention, the container 10 is a container obtained by means of a known blowing process starting from a preform 80, illustrated in Figure 4.

[0035] According to this technique, the preform 80 has a first portion 82 which is not modified during blowing and which will therefore remain unchanged in the final container 10 after blowing. The first portion 82 of the preform 80 comprises the supporting flange 20, the additional flange 21 and the first portion 22 in which the opening 18 is defined.

[0036] The preform 80 then has a second portion 84, for example tubular in shape, suited to be subjected to a blowing step inside a special mould so as to assume the desired shape of the main body 12.

[0037] The preform 80 is preferably made by means of an injection moulding process.

[0038] The preform 80, and consequently the container 10, is preferably made of plastic to be subjected to said blowing step. Plastic materials usable for this purpose are preferably PET or POLYPROPYLENE or POLYETHYLENE or PVC or PETG. The supporting flange 20 constitutes the element suited to support said preform 80 during the transport and / or to hold the preform 80 in the mould during the steps of making the container 10. The supporting flange 20 typically has substantially truncated cone shape.

[0039] According to one aspect of the present invention, the dispensing area 16 comprises a second flange 24 positioned in the direction of the main body 12 with respect to the supporting flange 20, wherein said second flange 24 is suited to enable the connection of the cap 50. The second flange 24 is made during the blowing step starting from said preform 80, as can be seen by comparing Figures 4 and 5.

[0040] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, the second flange 24 preferably develops according to a circular pattern around the main axis X, better visible in Figure 6.

[0041] In preferred embodiment variants, the shape of the second flange may be different, for example as shown in Figure 30.

[0042] The second flange 24 also preferably has a greater radial extension than the supporting flange 20.

[0043] The second flange 24 then preferably comprises an abutment surface 26 facing towards the main body 12, better visible in the detail of Figure 8A.

[0044] According to one aspect of the present invention, the second flange 24 defines a connection area for the cap 50, as shown for example in Figure 8.

[0045] The cap 50, better illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, in turn comprises connection means 52 suited to connect to the container 10, more in particular to the second flange 24.

[0046] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated and described, the cap 50 comprises an upper surface 54 provided with an outlet hole 54a and a first tubular internal portion 56 that extends from the upper surface 54 and envelops the first portion 22 of the dispensing area 16 of the container 10. The cap 50 then comprises a second tubular external portion 58 that envelops the first tubular internal portion 56.

[0047] A further tubular portion 59 is inserted into the opening 18 of the first portion 22 of the dispensing area 16 of the container 10.

[0048] A fin 60 provided with a closing pin 62 of the outlet hole 54a is hinged to the second tubular external area 58.

[0049] Said connection means 52 suited to connect to the container 10 are defined on the first tubular internal portion 56 and preferably comprise two portions 64a, 64b projecting radially inwards from the first tubular internal portion 56.

[0050] Preferably, the two projecting portions 64a, 64b are positioned diametrically opposite, at 180°, on the first tubular internal portion 56.

[0051] In embodiment variants, it may be provided for a different number of projecting portions or it may be provided for a single projecting annular portion that develops circumferentially over 360° in the first tubular internal portion 56. When the cap 50 is to be connected to the container 10, the first tubular internal portion 56 of the cap 50 is pushed towards the container 10 outside the first portion 22 of the dispensing area 16 and the projecting annular portions 64a, 64b of the cap 50 cooperate with said second flange by placing themselves below, and possibly in abutment to, the abutment surface 26 of the second flange 24.

[0052] The insertion of the cap 50 to the container 10 is enabled by the partial flexibility of the materials of which the container 10 and / or the cap 50 are made up, and in particular of the material of the second flange 24 of the container 10 and / or of the first tubular internal portion 56 of the cap 50.

[0053] The connection of the cap 50 to the container 10 is therefore preferably a connection by pressure or a snap connection.

[0054] With reference to the connection between the cap 50 and the container 10, the supporting flange 20 therefore has no function, as is the case in the aforementioned systems of known type.

[0055] Advantageously, the shape of the second flange 24 which is solely intended to enable the connection of the cap 50 to the container 10 can be optimally sized to fulfil the function of connection, i.e. with optimal geometric characteristics in particular as a function of the materials used for the container and / or the cap.

[0056] An optimal sizing for the second flange 24 therefore allows to improve the quality of the connection of the cap 50 to the container 10, easier and / or safer and / or lasting over time.

[0057] Furthermore, the desired shape of the second flange 24 is advantageously obtained during the blowing step of the preform 80 inside a special mould, as mentioned above. Any modifications in the shape of the second flange, for example to adapt to differently sized caps, requires a corresponding sizing and / or modification of the mould that is easy and less expensive than in the case of the technique in which the supporting flange is to be used as a hooking element. In this case, in fact, being the preform obtained with an injection moulding process, any modifications to the preform would have required a corresponding more complex and / or expensive sizing and / or modification of the mould.

[0058] With reference to Figures 11 to 13, a container 110 according to a preferred embodiment variant of the invention is shown. The component parts equivalent to the first preferred embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0059] The embodiment shown in the figures differs from the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 10 with regard to the first portion 122 of the dispensing area 116.

[0060] The first portion 122 is in fact provided with an external thread 112a, which thread 112a is also present in the preform 180 (Figure 11) used to make the container 110.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 50 is connected to the container 110 using the second flange 24, according to what is described above with reference to the first embodiment and as shown in Figure 13. The thread 112a of the first portion 122 according to this embodiment, however, allows the container 110 to be able to be advantageously used to connect another typology of cap that can be connected to the container 110 by screwing to said thread 112a.

[0062] Starting from this particular preform 180 it is therefore possible to make a container 110 usable for connecting caps with different typologies of connection. With reference to Figures 14 to 16, a container 210 obtained from a preform 280 according to a preferred embodiment variant of the invention is shown. The component parts equivalent to the embodiments described above are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0063] The embodiment shown in the figures differs from the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 11 to 13 in that it comprises anti-rotational means 252 suited to prevent the rotation between the cap 250 and the container 210 with respect to each other after the cap 250 has been connected to the container 210.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-rotational means 252 preferably comprise one or more recesses 221a made in the additional flange 221 and one or more respective ribs 254 made in the first tubular internal portion 256, visible in Figure 16.

[0065] When the cap 250 is connected to the container 210, the ribs 254 of the cap 250 fit in the recesses 221a of the container 210 thereby preventing the rotation between the cap 250 and the container 210 with each other.

[0066] In an embodiment variant, one or more ribs could be made in the additional flange and one or more respective recesses made in the first tubular internal portion.

[0067] In general, one or more ribs could be made in the container, or in the cap, and one or more respective recesses made in the cap, or in the container. Advantageously, the connection of the cap 250 to the container 210 is safer than the systems of known type.

[0068] Still advantageously, the anti-rotational means also confer a function of orientation between cap 250 and container 210 with each other.

[0069] Anti-rotational means, with respective advantages, may preferably be provided for all embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] With reference to Figures 17 to 23, a container 310 obtained from a preform 380 according to a preferred embodiment variant of the invention is shown. The component parts equivalent to the embodiments described above are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0071] The embodiment shown in the figures differs from the embodiments described above in that the cap 350 and the container 310 are connected by means of a bayonet connection system.

[0072] Said connection system preferably comprises a pair of recesses 324a, 324b made in the second flange 324 suited to receive corresponding projections 364a, 364b projecting radially inwards from the first tubular internal portion 56 of the cap 350, shown in Figure 23.

[0073] In an embodiment variant, one or more projections could be made in the second flange suited to allow the passage of one or more recesses made in the cap so as to provide for a bayonet connection of the cap to the container.

[0074] For the connection of the cap 350 to the container 310, the cap 350 is arranged with respect to the container 310 such that the projections 364a, 364b of the cap 350 are aligned with the respective recesses 324a, 324b of the container 310 (Figures 20 and 20A). The cap 350 is then pushed towards the container 310 until the projections 364a, 364b inferiorly overcome the recesses 324a, 324b of the cap 350. The cap 350 is then rotated (Figures 21 and 21A) with the projections 364a, 364b placing themselves in abutment below the second flange 324 making the desired connection between cap 350 and container 310.

[0075] Advantageously, the connection of the cap 350 to the container 310 is easier than the systems of known type.

[0076] In addition, this type of connection also facilitates the operations of disconnecting the cap 350 from the container 310 and this is particularly advantageous in the case of recycling that envisages separating the cap 350 from the container 310, for example if made with different materials and to be recycled separately.

[0077] The preform 380 used according to this embodiment preferably comprises a supporting flange 21 that is coincident, preferably, with the flange 21 used to hook a possible guarantee seal of the cap. This flange 21 in this case is used as an element suited to support the preform 380 during transport and / or to hold the preform in the mould during the steps of making the container 310.

[0078] With reference to Figures 24 to 26, a container 410 obtained from a preform 180 according to a preferred embodiment variant of the invention is shown. The component parts equivalent to the embodiments described above are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0079] The embodiment shown in the figures differs from the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 11 to 13 in that the second flange 424 has a larger dimension, preferably a larger diameter.

[0080] In such a case, the cap 450 may advantageously be made so as to have a single tubular external portion 458 that envelops the first portion 122 of the dispensing area 116 of the container 410.

[0081] The connection means 452 suited to connect to the container 410 are defined on the tubular external portion 458 and preferably comprise an annular portion 464 projecting radially inwards from the tubular external portion 458, as shown in Figure 26A.

[0082] When the cap 450 is to be connected to the container 410, the tubular external portion 458 of the cap 450 is pushed towards the container 410 outside the first portion 122 of the dispensing area 116 and the annular portion 464 of the cap 450 places itself below, and possibly in abutment to, an abutment surface 426 of the second flange 424.

[0083] Advantageously according to this embodiment, as mentioned above, the cap 450 can be made so as to have a single tubular external portion 458.

[0084] This allows to limit the amount of plastic material used to make the cap, with advantages in terms of weight and / or manufacturing costs.

[0085] With reference to Figures 27 to 30, a container 510 obtained from a preform 380 according to a preferred embodiment variant of the invention is shown. The component parts equivalent to the preferred embodiments described above are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0086] The embodiment shown in the figures differs from the embodiments described above due to the different geometric shapes of some of its components.

[0087] In particular, the second flange 524 develops according to a polygonal, or substantially polygonal, pattern around the main axis X, preferably a substantially square pattern.

[0088] The cap 550 in turn develops according to a polygonal, or substantially polygonal, shape and has an upper surface 54 and a tubular external portion 558 that extends from the upper surface 54 and envelops the first portion 122 of the dispensing area 116 of the container 510.

[0089] A tubular potion 59 is inserted into the opening 18 of the first portion 122 of the dispensing area 116 of the container 510.

[0090] The connection means 552 suited to connect to the container 510 are defined on the tubular external portion 558 and preferably comprise one or more ribs 564 projecting radially inwards from the tubular external portion 558.

[0091] When the cap 550 is to be connected to the container 510, the tubular external portion 558 of the cap 450 is pushed towards the container 510 outside the first portion 122 of the dispensing area 116 and the ribs 564 of the cap 550 place themselves below and possibly in abutment to the second flange 524. Advantageously, the polygonal patterns of the second flange 524 and of the cap 550 also inherently confer an anti-rotation function between the cap 550 and the container 510.

[0092] In general, a non-circular shape of the second flange and of the cap confer an anti-rotation function between the cap and the container.

[0093] From what has been described, it can therefore be seen that the container of the invention allows to achieve the set purposes and in particular allows to improve the quality of connection of the cap to the container itself.

[0094] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments represented in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments represented and described; on the contrary, further variants of the described embodiments fall within the scope of the present invention, which scope is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Plastic container (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) for a product made starting from a preform (80; 180; 280; 380), said container (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) comprising: - a main body (12) suited to define an internal area for housing a product, wherein said main body (12) is obtained by means of a blowing step during which a portion (84) of said preform (80; 180; 280; 380) is blown; - a dispensing area (16; 116) provided with an opening (18) for dispensing said product and configured to receive the connection of a closing element (50; 250; 350; 450; 550) suited to close said opening (18), said dispensing area (16; 116) comprising at least one supporting flange (20, 21) and a first portion (22; 122) in which said opening (18) is defined, said at least one supporting flange (20, 21) and said first portion (22; 122) being defined in said preform (80; 180; 280; 380), and wherein said at least one supporting flange (20, 21) constitutes the element suited to support said preform (80; 180; 280; 380) during transport and / or to hold said preform (80; 180; 280; 380) in a mould during said blowing step; wherein said dispensing area (16; 116) comprises also a second flange (24; 324; 424; 524) characterized in that said second flange (24; 324; 424; 524) is created during said blowing step and positioned in the direction of said main body (12) with respect to said at least one supporting flange (20, 21), said second flange (24; 324; 424; 524) being suited to enable the connection of said closing element (50; 250; 350; 450; 550).

2. Container (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) according to claim 1, characterized in that said second flange (24; 324; 424; 524) comprises an abutment surface (26; 426) facing towards said main body (12).

3. Container (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second flange (24; 324; 424; 524) develops according to a circular pattern around a main axis (X) or a polygonal pattern around a main axis (X).

4. Container (210; 510) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises anti-rotational means (252) suited to prevent the rotation between said closing element (250; 550) and said container (210; 510) with respect to each other after said closing element (250; 550) has been connected to said container (210; 510).

5. Container (210) according to claim 4, characterized in that said anti-rotational means (252) comprise one or more ribs and / or one or more recesses (221a) made in said container (210) and respective one or more recesses and / or one or more ribs (254) made in said closing element (250).

6. Container (510) according to claim 4, characterized in that said anti-rotational means are defined by the non-circular shape of said second flange (524).

7. Container (10; 110; 210; 410; 510) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closing element (50; 250; 450; 550) is connected by pressure at the level of said second flange (24; 424; 524) of said container (10; 110; 210; 410; 510), said closing element (50; 250; 450; 550) comprising at least one projecting portion (64a, 64b; 364a, 364b; 464) suited to cooperate with said second flange (24; 424; 524).

8. Container (310) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second flange (324) comprises one or more recesses (324a, 324b) suited to allow the passage of one or more projections (364a, 364b) of said closing element (350) so as to provide for a bayonet connection of said closing element (350) to said container (310), or said second flange (324) comprises one or more projections suited to allow the passage of one or more recesses of said closing element (350) so as to provide for a bayonet connection of said closing element (350) to said container (310).

9. Container (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first portion (122) comprises also connection means (122) for connection to a typology of closing element (250; 350; 450; 550) of a different type.

10. Container (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) according to claim 9, characterized in that said connection means (122) comprise a thread (122a).

11. Assembly comprising a plastic container (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) and a closing element (50; 250; 350; 450; 550) associated with said container (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510), characterized in that said container (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) is a container (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) according to any of the preceding claims.