Automatic stacking and boxing device for quick-frozen buns
By designing an automatic palletizing and packing device, which uses a motor to drive a lead screw to rotate and a hydraulic rod to push the pallet to insert and lock the inclined locking block, the automated packing of frozen buns on trays is realized, solving the problem of low efficiency in manual handling and improving production efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGZHOU JILONG PASTRY FOOD CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, it is inconvenient to manually move the trays of frozen buns into the box after they are arranged on the trays, resulting in low production efficiency.
An automatic palletizing and packing device for quick-frozen buns was designed. It utilizes components such as a palletizer, conveyor belt, support, slider, slide plate, lead screw, worm gear reducer, servo motor, and hydraulic rod to realize automatic pallet gripping and packing. The servo motor drives the lead screw to rotate, the slide plate to move, the hydraulic rod pushes the pallet to insert into the pallet, and the electric push rod pushes the inclined locking block to lock, thus realizing stable pallet stacking and packing.
The automated packing of frozen bun trays has been achieved, which has improved production efficiency, reduced manual labor, and increased work efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure CN224576899U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of quick-frozen bun packing equipment, specifically to an automatic stacking and packing device for quick-frozen buns. Background Technology
[0002] Steamed buns are a common Chinese staple food, popular for their convenience, balanced nutrition, and portability. However, the production process is relatively complex. With the development of automated machinery, automated steamed bun production has become a reality. Patent application CN202122724672.5 discloses an automatic tray-stacking device for quick-frozen steamed buns. This device uses a transfer mechanism to place stacked trays onto a first belt conveyor, and a loading device places the steamed buns from a second belt conveyor into the trays. This eliminates the need for manual tray placement, reducing labor and increasing production efficiency. However, after traying the quick-frozen steamed buns, they are typically stored in boxes for easy handling or storage. Manually placing each tray into the box is inconvenient. Therefore, we propose an automatic palletizing and boxing device for quick-frozen steamed buns. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the problems in the existing technology, this utility model provides an automatic palletizing and packing device for quick-frozen buns.
[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is an automatic palletizing and packing device for quick-frozen buns, including a frame and a tray. The top side surface of the frame is provided with a tray-laying machine body for arranging quick-frozen buns. Conveyor belts for conveying trays are installed between the frame and the tray-laying machine body and on the top surface of the frame. A support bracket is installed on the top side surface of the frame, and an adjustable slider is slidably installed inside the support bracket. A lead screw connected to the slider is rotatably installed inside the support bracket, and a worm gear reducer connected to the lead screw is installed on the outer wall surface of the support bracket. A servo motor is installed at the power input end of the worm gear reducer. The bottom surface of the slider is bolted with a sliding plate for support, and the top surface of the sliding plate is bolted with a hydraulic rod for adjustment. There are multiple sets of hydraulic rods. The power output end of the hydraulic rod is bolted with a support plate located at the bottom of the sliding plate. The bottom surface of the support plate is bolted with a vertical cylinder for positioning. The top surface of the support plate has a T-shaped hole that engages with the vertical cylinder. The bottom surface of the inner side of the vertical cylinder has two sets of inclined blocks that engage with the T-shaped hole. The inner side of the vertical cylinder has a conical block that engages with the inclined blocks. The inner side of the vertical cylinder has an electric push rod for moving the conical block.
[0005] By adopting the above technical solution, in the process of using the automatic palletizing and packing equipment for quick-frozen buns, the main body of the tray-loading machine can place the quick-frozen buns on the surface of the tray and transport them by the conveyor belt. Then, the servo motor operates and drives the lead screw inside the support to rotate under the operation of the worm gear reducer, so that the lead screw can be screwed together with the slider to make it slide displacement. Then, the slide can be moved. Then, the hydraulic rod at the top of the slide can be operated to push the clamping structure to move and grab the tray. Then, the tray containing the quick-frozen buns can be placed into the box on another set of conveyor belts on the machine frame for easy packaging. Moreover, the electric packing method is more convenient. When the hydraulic rod on the skateboard surface operates, it easily pushes the pallet closer to the tray on the conveyor belt surface. The vertical cylinder on the pallet easily interlocks with the pre-set, inverted T-shaped holes inside the tray. This then activates the electric push rod inside the vertical cylinder, which moves a slidably mounted conical block within the cylinder. This causes the inclined surface at the bottom of the conical block to engage with the inclined surfaces at the top of two sets of slidably mounted inclined blocks within the cylinder. Under this engaging force, the two sets of inclined blocks separate, allowing one end of each inclined block to extend out of the vertical cylinder. The inclined blocks then extend... One end of the vertical hole can abut against the inner wall of the inverted T-shaped hole, which facilitates the locking and limiting of the vertical cylinder and the pallet. Then, the hydraulic rod can drive the pallet to rise and easily lift the pallet. Then, the slide plate can move the pallet to correspond with the box placed on another set of conveyor belts on the machine frame surface. Then, the pallet can be placed inside the box by the hydraulic rod. The pallets can fit together, so that multiple sets of pallets can be stably stacked together, which facilitates automatic stacking and packing, and improves work efficiency.
[0006] Specifically, the bottom surface of the pallet is fitted with a support rail seat that is bolted on, and there are two sets of support rail seats. An adjustable slide seat is slidably installed on the outer periphery of the support rail seat, and there are two sets of slide seats. A limiting pin is screwed on the outer periphery of the slide seat, and there are multiple sets of the limiting pin. A vertical shaft that is inserted into the pallet is fitted at the end of the slide seat away from the support rail seat.
[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, before using the pallet, the positions of the two sets of rail seats can be easily adjusted according to the positions of the preset holes on the pallet surface. At the same time, the two sets of sliding blocks installed on the rail seats can be moved so that the sliding blocks drive the vertical shaft to move and the vertical shaft can correspond to the positioning holes of the preset holes on the pallet surface when the pallet is raised or lowered. Then, the position of the sliding blocks is limited and locked by the screw pin. Then, when the pallet is lifted in the future, the vertical shaft can be used in conjunction with the vertical cylinder to improve the stability of the vertical cylinder when lifting the pallet.
[0008] Specifically, the top surface of the skateboard is integrally constructed with a stop for limiting movement, and there are multiple sets of stops.
[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the stop block on the top of the skateboard can protect the skateboard from movement, thereby reducing the situation of mutual rubbing between the hydraulic rods on the skateboard surface and the support, so that the structure of the skateboard surface can operate more stably.
[0010] Specifically, a protective rubber pad is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the stop.
[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the rubber pad can reduce the damage caused by the block and the bracket rubbing against each other.
[0012] Specifically, the inner side of the vertical cylinder is equipped with a straight rod that is inserted and connected to the inclined block, and a spring located on the outer periphery of the straight rod is installed between the inclined block and the vertical cylinder.
[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, when the pallet is placed inside the box, the vertical cylinder can move down a certain distance, and then the electric push rod in the vertical cylinder will operate and lift the conical block, so that the conical block can separate from the two sets of inclined blocks. Then, the two sets of springs on the outer periphery of the straight rod in the vertical cylinder can push the inclined blocks to move, and the end of the inclined block that extends out of the vertical cylinder can retract into the vertical cylinder. Then, the vertical cylinder rises and can smoothly separate from the T-hole, thus successfully completing the pallet stacking and boxing work.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The technical solution of this application, through the design of the main body of the tray-stacking machine, conveyor belt, support, slider, slide plate, lead screw, worm gear reducer, servo motor, hydraulic rod, tray, and pallet, enables the automatic palletizing and packing equipment for frozen buns to place frozen buns on the surface of the tray using the main body of the tray-stacking machine and transport them by the conveyor belt. Then, the servo motor operates and drives the lead screw inside the support to rotate under the operation of the worm gear reducer, so that the lead screw can be screwed together with the slider to slide and move. Then, the slide plate can be moved. Subsequently, the hydraulic rod on the top of the slide plate can be operated to push the clamping structure to move and grab the tray. Then, the tray containing frozen buns can be placed into the box on another set of conveyor belts on the machine frame for easy packaging. Moreover, the electric packing method is more convenient.
[0015] 2. The technical solution of this application, through the design of a vertical cylinder, an electric push rod, a conical block, a T-shaped hole, and an inclined locking block, allows the hydraulic rod on the surface of the slide plate to easily push the pallet closer to the tray on the conveyor belt surface. The vertical cylinder on the pallet easily interlocks with the pre-set, inverted T-shaped hole inside the tray. Subsequently, the electric push rod inside the vertical cylinder operates, facilitating the displacement of the slidably mounted conical block within the vertical cylinder. This allows the inclined surface at the bottom of the conical block to engage with the inclined surfaces at the top of the two sets of slidably mounted inclined locking blocks within the vertical cylinder. This allows the two sets of inclined locking blocks to separate under the engaging force, thus enabling the inclined locking blocks to... One end of the block can extend out of the vertical cylinder, and then the end of the inclined block extending out of the vertical hole can abut against the inner wall of the inverted T-shaped hole, which facilitates the limiting and locking between the vertical cylinder and the pallet. Then, the hydraulic rod can drive the pallet to rise and easily lift the pallet. Then, the sliding plate can move the pallet to correspond with the box placed on another set of conveyor belts on the machine frame surface. Then, the pallet can place the pallet inside the box as the hydraulic rod descends, and the pallets can fit together, so that multiple sets of pallets can be stably stacked together, which facilitates automatic stacking and packing, and improves work efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0017] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of the connection structure between the bracket and the support plate of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of point A of the connection structure between the pallet and the vertical cylinder of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the tray structure of this utility model; In the diagram: 1. Frame; 2. Main body of the swivel plate machine; 3. Conveyor belt; 4. Support; 5. Slider; 6. Slide plate; 7. Hydraulic rod; 8. Pallet; 9. Rail seat; 10. Slide seat; 11. Screw pin; 12. Vertical shaft; 13. Vertical cylinder; 14. Electric push rod; 15. Conical block; 16. Angled block; 17. Straight rod; 18. Spring; 19. Tray; 20. T-hole; 21. Lead screw; 22. Worm gear reducer; 23. Servo motor; 24. Stop block; 25. Rubber pad. Detailed Implementation
[0018] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.
[0019] Please see Figure 1-4This utility model provides a technical solution: an automatic palletizing and packing device for quick-frozen buns, including a frame 1 and a tray 19. A tray-stacking machine body 2 for stacking quick-frozen buns is provided on one side of the top of the frame 1. Conveyor belts 3 for conveying the trays 19 are installed between the frame 1 and the tray-stacking machine body 2, and on the top surface of the frame 1. A support bracket 4 is installed on one side of the top of the frame 1, and an adjustable slider 5 is slidably installed inside the support bracket 4. A lead screw 21, screwed to the slider 5, is rotatably installed inside the support bracket 4. A worm gear reducer 22, driven by the lead screw 21, is installed on the outer wall of the support bracket 4. A servo motor 23 is installed at the power input end of the worm gear reducer 22. The bottom surface of the slider 5 is bolted with a slide plate 6 for support, and the top surface of the slide plate 6 is bolted with a hydraulic rod 7 for adjustment. There are multiple sets of hydraulic rods 7. The power output end of the hydraulic rod 7 is bolted with a support plate 8 located at the bottom of the slide plate 6. The bottom surface of the support plate 8 is bolted with a vertical cylinder 13 for positioning. The top surface of the tray 19 has a T-shaped hole 20 that is inserted and connected to the vertical cylinder 13. The bottom surface of the inner side of the vertical cylinder 13 is slidably installed with a slanted block 16 that engages with the T-shaped hole 20. There are two sets of slanted blocks 16. The inner side of the vertical cylinder 13 is slidably installed with a conical block 15 that fits with the slanted block 16. The inner side of the vertical cylinder 13 is equipped with an electric push rod 14 for pushing the conical block 15 to move.
[0020] In use, during the automatic palletizing and packing of frozen buns, the main body 2 of the tray machine can place the frozen buns on the surface of the tray 19 and transport them by the conveyor belt 3. Then, the servo motor 23 operates and the worm gear reducer 22 drives the lead screw 21 inside the support 4 to rotate, so that the lead screw 21 can be screwed together with the slider 5 to make it slide and move. Then, the slide plate 6 can be moved. Then, the hydraulic rod 7 on the top of the slide plate 6 can be operated to push the clamping structure to move and grab the tray 19. Then, the tray 19 containing the frozen buns can be placed into the box on another set of conveyor belts 3 on the surface of the frame 1 for easy packaging. The electric packing method is more convenient. When the hydraulic rod 7 on the surface of the slide plate 6 operates, it easily pushes the pallet 8 closer to the tray 19 on the surface of the conveyor belt 3. The vertical cylinder 13 on the pallet 8 easily engages with the pre-set, inverted T-shaped hole 20 inside the tray 19. Subsequently, the electric push rod 14 inside the vertical cylinder 13 of the pallet 8 operates. The operation of the electric push rod 14 easily pushes the slidably mounted conical block 15 in the vertical cylinder 13 to move, so that the inclined surface at the bottom of the conical block 15 can engage with the inclined surface at the top of the two sets of inclined blocks 16 slidably mounted in the vertical cylinder 13. This allows the two sets of inclined blocks 16 to separate under the engaging force, and one end of the inclined blocks 16 can extend out of the vertical cylinder 13. Subsequently, the end of the inclined block 16 extending from the vertical hole can abut against the inner wall of the inverted T-shaped hole 20, facilitating the locking and limiting of the vertical cylinder 13 and the pallet 19. Then, the operation of the hydraulic rod 7 can drive the pallet 8 to rise and facilitate the lifting of the pallet 19. Then, the displacement of the slide plate 6 facilitates the movement of the pallet 19 and aligns it with the box placed on another set of conveyor belts 3 on the surface of the frame 1. Then, the pallet 8 descends with the hydraulic rod 7 to place the pallet 19 inside the box, and the pallets 19 can fit together, so that multiple sets of pallets 19 can be stably stacked together, facilitating automatic stacking and packing, and improving work efficiency.
[0021] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the bottom surface of the tray 8 is fitted with a rail seat 9 for support by bolts, and there are two sets of rail seats 9. A slide seat 10 for adjustment is slidably installed on the outer periphery of the rail seat 9, and there are two sets of slide seats 10. A screw pin 11 for limiting is screwed on the outer periphery of the slide seat 10, and there are multiple sets of screw pins 11. A vertical shaft 12 that is inserted into the tray 19 is fitted at the end of the slide seat 10 away from the rail seat 9.
[0022] Before using the pallet 8, the positions of the two sets of rail seats 9 can be easily adjusted according to the positions of the preset holes on the surface of the pallet 19. At the same time, the two sets of slide seats 10 slidably installed on the rail seats 9 are moved so that the slide seats 10 drive the vertical shaft 12 to move and so that the vertical shaft 12 can correspond to the preset holes and positioning holes on the surface of the pallet 19 when the pallet 8 is raised or lowered. Then, the position of the slide seats 10 is limited and locked by the screw pin 11. Then, when the pallet 19 is lifted, the vertical shaft 12 can be used in conjunction with the vertical cylinder 13 to improve the stability of the vertical cylinder 13 when lifting the pallet 19.
[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the top surface of the slide plate 6 is integrally constructed with a stop 24 for limiting the position, and there are multiple sets of stop 24.
[0024] During use, the stop block 24 on the top of the slide plate 6 can protect the slide plate 6 from movement, thereby reducing the situation where the hydraulic rod 7 on the surface of the slide plate 6 and the bracket 4 rub against each other, so that the structure on the surface of the slide plate 6 can operate more stably.
[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, a protective rubber pad 25 is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the stop 24.
[0026] During use, the rubber pad 25 helps to reduce damage caused by the block 24 rubbing against the bracket 4.
[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a straight rod 17 is fitted inside the vertical cylinder 13 and is connected to the inclined block 16. A spring 18 located on the outer periphery of the straight rod 17 is fitted between the inclined block 16 and the vertical cylinder 13.
[0028] When the pallet 19 is placed inside the box, the vertical cylinder 13 moves down a certain distance, and then the electric push rod 14 in the vertical cylinder 13 operates and lifts the conical block 15, so that the conical block 15 can separate from the two sets of inclined blocks 16. Then, the two sets of springs 18 on the outer periphery of the straight rod 17 in the vertical cylinder 13 can push the inclined blocks 16 to move, and the end of the inclined blocks 16 extending out of the vertical cylinder 13 can retract into the vertical cylinder 13. Then, the vertical cylinder 13 rises and can smoothly separate from the T-hole 20, thus successfully completing the pallet 19 stacking and boxing work.
[0029] The working principle and usage process of this utility model are as follows: In use, first, install the corresponding structural components in suitable positions. During the use of the automatic palletizing and packing equipment for quick-frozen buns, and before using the pallet 8, the positions of the two sets of rail seats 9 can be easily adjusted according to the positions of the preset holes on the surface of the pallet 19. Simultaneously, move the two sets of sliding blocks 10 slidably mounted on the rail seats 9, so that the sliding blocks 10 drive the vertical shaft 12 to move, ensuring that the vertical shaft 12 aligns with the preset positioning holes on the surface of the pallet 19 when the pallet 8 is raised or lowered. Then, use the screw pin 11 to limit and lock the position of the sliding blocks 10. Subsequently, when lifting the pallet 19, the vertical shaft 12 can cooperate with the vertical cylinder 13, thereby improving the stability of the vertical cylinder 13 when lifting and limiting the pallet 19. The machine body 2 then places frozen buns onto the surface of tray 19 and transports them via conveyor belt 3. An automatic straightener can be installed on the surface of conveyor belt 3 to ensure greater stability of the tray 19 and facilitate subsequent gripping and movement. The servo motor 23 then operates, and under the action of the worm gear reducer 22, it drives the lead screw 21 inside the support 4 to rotate. This allows the lead screw 21 to engage with the slider 5, causing it to slide and move. This, in turn, moves the slide plate 6. The hydraulic rod 7 at the top of the slide plate 6 then operates to push the clamping structure to move and grip the tray 19. Finally, the tray 19 containing the frozen buns is placed inside the box on another set of conveyor belts 3 on the frame 1 for further processing. The packaging is more convenient with electric boxing. When the hydraulic rod 7 on the surface of the slide plate 6 operates, it easily pushes the pallet 8 close to the pallet 19 on the surface of the conveyor belt 3. The vertical cylinder 13 on the pallet 8 easily interlocks with the pre-set, inverted T-shaped hole 20 inside the pallet 19. This then activates the electric push rod 14 inside the vertical cylinder 13, which pushes the slidingly mounted conical block 15 in the vertical cylinder 13 to move. This allows the inclined surface at the bottom of the conical block 15 to engage with the inclined surface at the top of the two sets of slidingly mounted inclined blocks 16 in the vertical cylinder 13. This allows the two sets of inclined blocks 16 to separate under the engaging force, and one end of the inclined block 16 can extend out of the vertical cylinder 13. The end of the inclined block 16 extending out of the vertical hole then engages with the inverted T-shaped hole 20. The inner walls of the T-shaped holes 20 abut against each other, facilitating the locking and limiting of the vertical cylinder 13 and the pallet 19. Then, the hydraulic rod 7 operates, causing the pallet 8 to rise and easily lifting the pallet 19. The sliding plate 6 then moves, facilitating the movement of the pallet 19 to align with the boxes placed on another set of conveyor belts 3 on the surface of the frame 1. The pallet 8 then descends with the hydraulic rod 7, placing the pallet 19 inside the box. The pallets 19 fit together securely, allowing multiple sets of pallets 19 to be stably stacked. When the pallets 19 are placed inside the box, the vertical cylinder 13 moves further down, causing the electric push rod 14 in the vertical cylinder 13 to operate and lift the conical block 15, allowing the conical block 15 to separate from the two sets of inclined locking blocks 16.Subsequently, the two sets of springs 18 on the outer periphery of the straight rod 17 in the vertical cylinder 13 can respectively push the inclined locking block 16 to move, allowing the end of the inclined locking block 16 extending out of the vertical cylinder 13 to retract into the vertical cylinder 13. Then, the vertical cylinder 13 rises and smoothly separates from the T-shaped hole 20, thus successfully completing the pallet 19 stacking and boxing operation. All structural components can cooperate and operate in coordination with the PLC system inside the control equipment, facilitating automatic stacking and boxing of frozen buns and improving efficiency during boxing.
[0030] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The descriptions of the above embodiments and specifications are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. An automatic palletizing and boxing device for quick-frozen buns, characterized in that, The machine includes a frame (1) and a tray (19). The top side surface of the frame (1) is provided with a tray-arranging machine body (2) for arranging frozen buns. Conveyor belts (3) for conveying trays (19) are installed between the frame (1) and the tray-arranging machine body (2) and on the top surface of the frame (1). A support bracket (4) for support is installed on the top side surface of the frame (1). A slider (5) for adjustment is slidably installed on the inner side of the support bracket (4). A screw rod (21) that is screwed to the slider (5) is rotatably installed on the inner side of the support bracket (4). A worm gear reducer (22) that is driven to the screw rod (21) is installed on the outer wall surface of the support bracket (4). A servo motor (23) is installed at the power input end of the worm gear reducer (22). The bottom surface of the slider (5) is fitted with a slide plate (6) for support by bolts, and the top surface of the slide plate (6) is fitted with a hydraulic rod (7) for adjustment, and there are multiple sets of hydraulic rods (7). The power output end of the hydraulic rod (7) is fitted with a support plate (8) located at the bottom of the slide plate (6), and the bottom surface of the support plate (8) is fitted with a vertical cylinder (13) for positioning by bolts. The top surface of the tray (19) is provided with a T-shaped hole (20) that is connected to the vertical cylinder (13), and the bottom surface of the inner side of the vertical cylinder (13) is slidably installed with a slanted block (16) that is engaged with the T-shaped hole (20), and there are two sets of slanted blocks (16). The inner side of the vertical cylinder (13) is slidably installed with a conical block (15) that is engaged with the slanted block (16), and the inner side of the vertical cylinder (13) is fitted with an electric push rod (14) for pushing the conical block (15) to move.
2. The quick-frozen steamed stuffed bun automatic stacking and boxing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the tray (8) is fitted with a rail seat (9) for support by bolts, and there are two sets of rail seats (9). The outer periphery of the rail seat (9) is slidably mounted with a slide seat (10) for adjustment, and there are two sets of slide seats (10). The outer periphery of the slide seat (10) is screwed with a screw pin (11) for limiting, and there are multiple sets of screw pins (11). The end of the slide seat (10) away from the rail seat (9) is fitted with a vertical shaft (12) that is inserted into the tray (19).
3. The quick-frozen steamed stuffed bun automatic stacking and boxing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the slide plate (6) is integrally constructed with a stop (24) for limiting the position, and there are multiple sets of stop (24).
4. The quick-frozen steamed stuffed bun automatic stacking and boxing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outer peripheral surface of the stop (24) is bonded with a protective rubber pad (25).
5. The quick-frozen steamed stuffed bun automatic stacking and boxing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner side of the vertical cylinder (13) is fitted with a straight rod (17) that is connected to the inclined block (16), and a spring (18) located on the outer periphery of the straight rod (17) is fitted between the inclined block (16) and the vertical cylinder (13).