ULTRA SOFT FABRIC AND PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING SAME

Abstract

An ultra-soft fabric and a process of manufacturing the ultra-soft fabric is described. The ultra-soft fabric is made from polyester staple fiber and high-tenacity, man-made cellulosic staple fiber, and fabrics made therefrom, and has particular reference to fabrics having a high resistance to wear while retaining a high comfort level. Another embodiment improves the durability of the ultra-soft fabric.

Claims

1. A textile fabric, comprising: one or more cellulose fiber warp yarns between 100 and 235 ends per inch; and one or more multi-filament polyester weft yarns between 60 and 1300 picks per inch; wherein the picks are woven into the fabric in groups of at least one multi filament polyester weft yarns running parallel to each other;

2. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multi-filament polyester weft yarns are wounded extensively parallel to one another and extensively adjacent to one another on a multi pick yarn package to enable simultaneous inserting of the multi-filament polyester weft yarns a single pick insertion event of a pick insertion apparatus of a loom apparatus.

3. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein number of the multi-filament polyester weft yarns conveyed by the pick insertion apparatus through a set o warp yarns in the single pick insertion event of the pick insertion apparatus of the loom apparatus is between two and eight.

4. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multi-filament polyester weft yarns are wound on the multi pick yarn package at an angle of between 15 and 20 degrees to enable the simultaneous inserting of the multi filament polyester weft yarns during the single pick insertion event of the pick insertion apparatus of the loom apparatus.

5. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multi-filament polyester weft yarns are wound on the multi pick yarn package at a type a shore hardness of between 65 to 70 to enable the simultaneous inserting of the multi filament polyester weft yarns during the single pick insertion event of the pick insertion apparatus of the loom apparatus.

6. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the cellulose fiber includes staple fiber selected from the group consisting of lyocell, modal and combinations thereof.

7. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multi filament polyester fiber includes fiber selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, rayon, acetate, triacetate, wool, silk, linen, flax, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polypropylene, aromatic polyamide, renewable cellulose fiber, natural or artificial staple fiber and combinations thereof.

8. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the fabric is woven.

9. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the lyocell yarns have a warp count between 30 s and 120 s.

10. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the ends per inch is between 100 and 235 with cellulose warp yarn and picks per inch is between 60 and 1300 with multi-filament polyester filament yarn.

11. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein total thread count per square inch is between 200 and 1400.

12. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multi filament polyester yarns can be intermingled or separable filament yarn or roto yarn.

13. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multi filament polyester yarns contain 10 to 30 filaments each.

14. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the content of lyocellis between 40% and 80%.

15. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the content of polyester is between 20% and 60%.

16. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the yarn surface hardness is above 70.

17. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the textile fabric weave of selected from the group consisting of 1/1, 2/1, 3/1, 4/1 and combinations thereof.

18. The textile fabric according to claim 1, wherein the textile fabric is bed linen.

19. A process of manufacturing a textile fabric, comprising the steps of: selecting one or more yarns; mixing the yarns with different parameters at pre-determined percentage; parallelizing the yarns for uniform mixing; processing the yarns for critical percentage of parallization; drafting and spinning using compact technology; winding on cones with one or more cone hardness; warping and sizing the yarns with one or more chemical recipes; weaving the yarns with lyocell warp and polyester weft yarn; processing the textile fabric with a e-control technology; and finishing the fabric to achieve dimensional stability.

20. The process for manufacturing an textile fabric according to claim 19, wherein the yarn is selected from the group consisting of polyester (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (nylon, polyamide 6, polyamide 66), polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, lyocell and combinations thereof.

21. The process according to claim 19, wherein the weaving step is performed by a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a projectile loom, air jet loom, rapier loom, water jet loom and combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the Figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram showing all the steps for manufacturing a lyocell yarn in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a preparation arrangement of polyester yarn in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a rapier loom arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph showing comparison of consumption of water and chemicals for the production of cotton and lyocell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a table showing physical properties of selected available rayon fibres in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a table showing comparison properties of lyocell with different cellulosic fibers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a table showing comparison properties of different fibers in the unmodified forms in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates a table showing properties of different textile fiber in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a graph showing moisture absorption in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates a comparison between woven textiles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 11 illustrates an enzymatic treatment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 12 illustrates wrinkle recovering in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 13 illustrates a graph showing thermal absorptivity of bed linen in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 14 illustrates a graph showing thermal absorptivity of shirt fabrics in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIGS. 15a-15 iillustrates various cross sectional views of one or more embodiments of weave pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram showing all the steps for manufacturing a textile fabric in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying figures and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose programmed or embedded with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, embedded systems, software, firmware and/or by human operators.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, a textile fabric is made from using 100% cellulose in warp and 100% multi filament polyester in weft, to give the comfort of 100% lyocell on the face of the fabric by using warp faced weaving structure. The cellulose blend will be varying from 40% to 80% and the multi filament polyester component will be varying from 20% to 60%. The fabric is finished with a resin finishing and curing processing technology, to give an excellent hand feel and shine. Another object of the present invention is to provide significantly increased durability.

[0041] Durability means the assurance that a material will have a relatively long continuous useful life, without requiring an inordinate degree of maintenance. The textile fabric will have the ability to exist for a long period of time without significant deterioration by resisting the effects of heavy use, drying, wetting, heating and freezing.

[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, a textile fabric which comprises of one or more cellulose fiber warp yarns ranging from 100 to 235 ends per inch; and one or more multi-filament polyester weft yarns ranging from 60 to 1300 picks per inch; wherein the picks are woven into the fabric in groups of at least one multi filament polyester weft yarns running parallel to each other.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for manufacturing lyocell yarn is described including the following steps. The flow begins 100, where the manufacturing process begins. At 102, solution of cellulose in an organic solvent which is NMMO (N-methylmorpholine oxide) is mixed. At 104, the solution of cellulose in an organic solvent which is NMMO (N-methylmorpholine oxide) is extruded through a die, thereby producing an elongate form. At 106, the elongate form is filtered through a water-containing bath to remove the organic solvent from the elongate form, thereby producing a reconstituted cellulosic member. At 108, the filtered reconstituted cellulosic member is pumped through spinnerets for spinning. At 110, the reconstituted cellulosic member is applied to an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. At 112, the reconstituted cellulosic member is washed with de-mineralized water to remove alkali metal hydroxide therefrom. At 114, the reconstituted cellulosic member is than dried, thereby forming the lyocell fiber. At 116, the lyocell fiber is finished in the form called tow.

[0044] In another embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide additionally comprises an alkali metal silicate at a concentration in the range from 1 to 50, preferably from 5 to 20, grams per liter (calculated as anhydrous sodium metasilicate Na2Si03).

[0045] In another embodiment of the present invention, the bundles of tow are taken to a crimper, a machine that compresses the fiber, giving it texture and bulk. The crimped fiber is carded by mechanical carders, which perform an action like combing, to separate and order the strands. The carded strands are cut and baled for shipment to a fabric mill. The entire manufacturing process, from unrolling the raw cellulose to baling the fiber, takes about two hours. After this, the lyocell fiber may be processed in many ways. It may be spun with another fiber, such as cotton or wool. The resulting yarn can be woven or knitted like any other fabric, and may be given a variety of finishes, from soft and suede-like to silky.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present invention, the amine oxide used to dissolve the cellulose and set the fiber after spinning is recycled. 98% of the amine oxide is typically recovered. Since there is little waste product, this process is relatively eco-friendly. However, it uses a substantial amount of energy, and uses an organic solvent of petrochemical origin.

[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, properties of lyocell fiber is described such as, but not limited to soft, absorbent, very strong when wet or dry, and resistant to wrinkles, can be machine washed or dry-cleaned, can be dyed many colors, and can simulate a variety of textures such as suede, leather, and silk

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a preparation arrangement of polyester yarn.

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates the weaving process 300 comprising a warp beam 302 to supply warp yarn, a whip roll 304, first harness 306, second harness 308, a first heddle 310, a second heddle 312, a reed 314, a shuttle less rapier loom 316, a breast beam 318 and a cloth beam 322 which are all operatively coupled to complete the weaving process 300.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heddle 310 and 312 is used to control up and down movement of the warp yarn.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the harness 306 and 308 is used to route collection of heddle 310 and 312 according to their function.

[0052] In another embodiment of the present invention, a shed is formed by the harness 308 and 306 and used for allowing weft yarn. The shed is the temporary separation between upper and lower warp yarns through which the weft is woven. The shed is created to make it easy to interlace the weft into the warp and thus create woven fabric. Furthermore, the shed can be formed on the principle but not limited to tappet, dobby and jacquard shedding mechanism.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, the shuttle less rapier loom 316 is enabled to insert the weft yarn through the warp shed. The working principle of this weft insertion device can be selected from but not limited to air jet, projectile rapier and rapier jet.

[0054] In another embodiment of the present invention, the reed 314 is used to push the weft yarn securely into place as it is woven; it also separates the warp threads and holds them in their position and keeping them untangled.

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph showing comparison of consumption of water and chemicals for the production of cotton and lyocell. Aside from natural fibers, all man-made cellulosic fiber can lay claim to this attribute. However, in this context, production methods in practice, i.e., the use of water and chemicals, are a significant consideration. A comparison with cotton suggests itself to be able to argue on the basis of comparable production standpoints, pulp production was immediately taken into consideration in the lyocell manufacturing process

[0056] In another embodiment of the present invention, the extremely high amount of water required for cotton immediately can grab out attention. Compared to cotton, lyocell reveals lower consumption factors in both cases. Lyocell requires only half the amount of chemicals which are not as environmentally harmful by far since cotton for example requires a share of these chemicals to protect it from pestsenvironmentally harmful and health-hazardous chemicals such as pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers are still necessarywhich makes it necessary to test the cotton prior to its use. LENZING lyocell easily complies with the Okotex 100 Standard. After examining the toxicological data for the solvent and comparing the former with the data for natural fibers, the customer in the textile industry can be sure that he is processing an ecologically perfect fabric.

[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates a table showing physical properties of selected available rayon fibers. Fibers like regular rayon, cuprammonium, Y-shaped rayon, modal, polynosic and lyocell fiber is taken into consideration. Simultaneously, properties like fiber cross section, dry tenacity, wet tenacity, extension at break for dry, extension at break for wet, water imbibitions, cellulose, initial wet modulus are mentioned vis--vis along with the fibers. Another embodiment of the present invention describes that the Y-shaped rayon data is based on Courtaulds' galaxy fiber and the solvent rayon data is based on Courtaulds' TENCEL fiber.

[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates a table showing comparison properties of lyocell with different cellulosic fibers. Fibers like lyocell, viscose, cotton and polyester is taken into consideration. Simultaneously, properties like dry tenacity, wet tenacity dry elongation and wet elongation are mentioned vis--vis along with the fibers.

[0059] FIG. 7 illustrates a table showing comparison properties of different fibers in the unmodified forms. Fibers like polyester, polypropylene, polyamide, acrylic, cotton, wool and silk is taken into consideration. Simultaneously, properties like density, aqueous stain resistance, chlorine bleach resistance, moisture regain, durability, insulation power and chemical and bacterial resistance are mentioned vis--vis along with the fibers.

[0060] FIG. 8 illustrates a table showing properties of different textile fiber. Fibers like cotton, acetate, acrylic, glass, nylon 66, polyester, rayon HT, wool and silk are taken into consideration. Simultaneously, properties like specific gravity, tenacity dry, tenacity wet, and moisture regain, elongation and softening melting point are mentioned vis--vis along with the fibers.

[0061] FIG. 9 illustrates a graph showing moisture absorption. In order to obtain information about the physiological wear properties of lyocell, moisture absorption is examined in a normal climate (20 C., 65% air moisture) i.e. due to the hydrophilicity of the cellulose, a certain amount of moisture transport can be assumed from the skin. Until now, practical tests have shown that lyocell is particularly pleasant to wear. As can be ascertained from the figure, the moisture absorption of LENZING lyocell lies at the same level as viscose which of course puts LENZING lyocell in the same physiological wear category as most natural and cellulose fibers. However, the difference between the man-made-cellulose fibers, viscose/lyocell, and cotton is significant.

[0062] FIG. 10 illustrates a comparison between woven textiles.

[0063] Creating Handle:

[0064] It is exceedingly difficult to make an objective measurement of the handle of a fabric. In addition, different cultures perceive touch in different ways. Kawabata introduced an objective evaluation of touch in 1968 developed on the basis of how the Japanese experience touch. In the meantime the method he developed is increasingly gaining in recognition and popularity. With the help of special measuring devices this system ascertains 20 different important fabric properties (examples: stretching work, recovery capacity, maximum breaking elongation, shearing resistance, bending rigidity, bending hysteresis height, compressibility, thickness, coefficient of friction) including mass per unit area as the 21st Parameter. Factors emerge from these measurements which clearly mirror the way the Japanese feel about touch but also provide excellent figures for reasons of comparison almost making it possible to quantify the subjective way handle is perceived. At this juncture, four important handle properties will be more clearly defined.

[0065] 0 Koshi:

[0066] Rigid and elasticity handle parameters in which bending rigidity dominates. Springiness promotes this feeling of handle. Fabrics with a higher density and those containing elastic yarns promote this feeling of handle.

[0067] 0 Numeri:

[0068] Pliable smoothness a feeling of handle which contains several components including pliability and smoothness as well as softness.

[0069] 0 Fukurami:

[0070] Fullness and softness reflects the bulkiness and fullness of a fabric, elastic properties with respect to compressibility and thickness. This parameter is closely connected to sensations such as the flow of heat.

[0071] 0 Sofutasa:

[0072] A soft handle: This term comprises Koshi, Numeri and Fukurami. It is an important overall impression for fabrics intended for ladies outwear. It is primarily the smoothness which is expressed. Experiments were now conducted with comparable fabrics made of cotton and LENZING lyocell with a mass per unit area of 150 g/mZ, i.8, the same mass per unit area, yarn count and structure.

[0073] FIG. 11 illustrates an enzymatic treatment. Examined first were the desized fabrics. A comparison was again made with viscose of 1.3 dtex the reason being that the difference in handle/drape between viscose and cotton, as the most important representatives of the cellulose fiber industry in the truest sense of the word, means something to most customers.

[0074] There is also a difference in handling between the yarns made of fibers of different counts, which becomes clear when comparing LENZING lyocell 1.7 dtex with 1.3 dtex. Therefore, the conclusion arrived at is that, with respect to handle properties, lyocell is closer to cotton than viscose when desized.

[0075] FIG. 12 illustrates a graph showing comparison between wrinkle recovering. Both fabrics become softer whereby the lyocell fabric softens to a greater extent than the cotton. This can be seen in the spread with respect to Sofutasa, Numeri and Fukurami. Koshi diminished in both cases. Even if cotton and lyocell were relatively close in the desized condition, they develop quite differently as a result of enzyme treatment, i.e., both become softer and this effect can be further enhanced by adding softeners. Lyocell can, therefore, be modified and influenced to a much greater extent than cotton.

[0076] Easy Care Behavior:

[0077] In all cellulosic fibers the Utility values required are reached using Cross-linking chemicals. One essential point is the crease recovery angle of lyocell which commences at a very high level in the desized fabric and can, using low amounts of resin concentrations, be raised to a level unparalleled by viscose with more than double the concentration of resin.

[0078] FIG. 13 illustrates a graph showing thermal absorptivity of bed linen. Cool and dry to the touch: The Thermal Absorptivity of a fabric is a measure of the amount of heat conducted away from the surface of the fabric per unit time. A fabric which does not conduct heat away from its surface will feel warm; one that conducts heat away will feel cold.

[0079] FIG. 14 illustrates a graph showing thermal absorptivity of shirt fabrics. Thermal absorptivity of bed linen: Thermal absorptivity can be measured using the Alambeta Test. The figure shows results on bed linen made form 100% TENCEL and from 100% cotton. It shows that TENCEL feels cooler to the touch and that the cool feeling increases with increasing air humidity because the moisture content of the fibers increases. With TENCEL, this behavior is much more pronounced than with cotton as the increase in water content with increasing air humidity is much steeper for TENCEL than for cotton.

[0080] FIGS. 15a-15e illustrates various cross sectional views of one or more weave patterns of the fibers. The weave pattern can be selected but limited to weaving machine like tappet loom, dobby loom and jacquard loom.

[0081] FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram showing all the steps for manufacturing a textile fabric in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The flow begins at 1600, where the manufacturing process begins. At 1602, one or more cellulose fiber and polyester fiber yarns are selected. At 1604, the selected fibers are mixed with different parameters at a pre-determined percentage. At 1606, the fibers are parallelized for uniform mixing. At 1608, the fibers are processed for critical percentage of parallization. At 1610, the fibers are drafted and spanned using a RoCoS compact technology. At 1612, cones are wound with one or more cone hardness. At 1614, the cellulose fiber yarns are warped and sized using one or more chemical recipes. At 1616, the textile fabric is weaved with a lyocell warp and polyester weft yarn. At 1618, the fabric is processed with a Manforts E-control technology. At 1620, the fabric is finished to achieve dimensional stability and increased durability.

[0082] In another embodiment of the present invention, a textile fabric comprises one or more cellulose fiber warp yarns ranging from 100 to 235 ends per inch and one or more multi-filament polyester weft yarns ranging from 60 to 1300 picks per inch, wherein the picks are woven into the fabric in groups of at least one multi filament polyester weft yarns running parallel to each other.

[0083] In another embodiment of the present invention, the thread counts per square inch can vary from 200 thread to 1500 thread. The total of warp and weft thread counts/sq. inch represents the TC (thread count). So increasing warp thread from 100 to 250 based on the product requirement and weft thread count will be from 80 to 1350 thread/square inch. For instance, 600 TC warp threads will be 185 and weft threads will be 400/sq. inch. The tolerance will be 3%, so it maintains 585 threads per square inch in a 600 tc product.

[0084] In another embodiment of the present invention, the warp percentage in the fabric and weft percentage in the fabric will vary depending on the T. For instance, from 500 to 1000 tc, it is kept warp thread/sq. inch as 185 and kept increasing weft thread count to meet 700 tc, 800 tc, 900 tc products. So, the warp percentage will start reducing from 500 to 1000 tc and polyester weft content will increase from 500 to 1000 tc.

[0085] In another embodiment of the present invention, the warp count will start from 30 s and goes up to 120 s depends on the TC requirement and the type of product desired. For instance, lyocell rich (higher lyocell content), min 51% or polyester rich (lyocell max 49%).

[0086] In another embodiment of the present invention, the textile fabric gives more comfort to skin than cotton and at the same time is more durable than cotton. The textile fabric is more absorbent than cotton and polyester filament which gives durability to this textile fabric by using filament hardness more than 70.

[0087] In another embodiment of the present invention, the textile fabric offers thread count per square inch from 200 to 1400, with warp ends per inch from 132 to 225 and weft picks per inch from 100 to 1200. The warp count from Ne 30 s to 120 s lyocell and weft filament from 15 Denier to 300 Denier.

[0088] The woven textile fabric may have a warp to fill ratio 1:2 to 1:4 and the weave shall be from 1/1, 2/1/3/1, 4/1 or its modification and, dobby, jacquard weaves

[0089] In another embodiment of the present invention, the yarn which is selected but not limited to the polyester (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (nylon, polyamide 6, polyamide 66), polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, and lyocell.

[0090] In another embodiment of the present invention, the multi-filament polyester weft yarns are wound extensively, which are parallel to one another and extensively adjacent to one another on a multi pick yarn package to enable simultaneous inserting of the multi-filament polyester weft yarns a single pick insertion event of a pick insertion apparatus of a loom apparatus.

[0091] In another embodiment of the present invention, the number of the multi-filament polyester weft yarns are conveyed by the pick insertion apparatus through a set of o warp yarns in the single pick insertion event of the pick insertion apparatus of the loom apparatus is between two and eight.

[0092] In another embodiment of the present invention, the multi-filament polyester weft yarns are wound on the multi pick yarn package at an angle between 15 and 20 degrees to enable the simultaneous inserting of the multi filament polyester weft yarns during the single pick insertion event of the pick insertion apparatus of the loom apparatus.

[0093] In another embodiment of the present invention, the multi-filament polyester weft yarns are wound on the multi pick yarn package at a type a shore hardness of between 65 and 70 to enable the simultaneous inserting of the multi filament polyester weft yarns during the single pick insertion event of the pick insertion apparatus of the loom apparatus.

[0094] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cellulose fiber is selected but not limited to lyocell and modal.

[0095] In another embodiment of the present invention, the multi filament polyester fiber includes but not limited to fiber selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, rayon, acetate, triacetate, wool, silk, linen, flax, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polypropylene, aromatic polyamide, renewable cellulose fiber, natural or artificial staple fiber and combinations thereof.

[0096] In another embodiment of the present invention, the textile fabric is eco-friendly in nature and can support sustainability.

[0097] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.