Strap removal apparatus for the automated removal of a strap tightened around a layer of assembled articles, particularly bottles

Abstract

A strap removal apparatus for the automated removal of a strap (S) tightened around a layer of assembled articles, which comprises a first strap cutting assembly (12), equipped with first cutting means (14) which are configured to cut the strap (S) in a first cutting region (Zc') so as to release it from a layer of assembled articles (B); a strap disposal assembly (16), equipped with strap recovery means (18) which are configured to engage the strap (S) in a gripping region (Zp) which is opposite to the first cutting region (Zc') and to recover it with a controlled stepwise motion; a second strap cutting assembly (20), equipped with second strap cutting means (22) which are configured to divide the strap (S) into portions having a predetermined length by repeatedly cutting it in a second cutting region (Zc") during respective stopping phases of the controlled stepwise motion; and a control unit (24), programmed to control the operation of the first strap cutting assembly (12) and of the strap disposal assembly (16).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a strap removal apparatus for the automated removal of a strap tightened around a layer of assembled articles, particularly bottles.

[0002] As is known, new bottles to be transferred to a bottling line can be arranged in overlaid layers on a pallet. The bottles in each layer are generally held together by a strap. Conventionally, a strap consists of a strong belt of synthetic material with its ends welded to each other to form a ring that, in the application referred to in the present description, surrounds the layer of bottles so as to stabilize them.

[0003] In a traditional bottling line, once the pallet has reached its destination, an automatic depalletizer picks up the layers of bottles one at a time and places them on a conveyor belt to be transferred to the subsequent stations.

[0004] Conventionally, before the automatic depalletizer picks up the bottles, an operator equipped with a manual cutting tool, such as a box-cutter, shears and the like, cuts the strap and removes it manually so as to free the bottles for the subsequent bottling steps.

[0005] A drawback of the procedure mentioned above is that, since the bottles are freed before the transfer onto the conveyor belt, they can easily fall, both before the bottles are picked up by the depalletizer and during the placing of the bottles on the conveyor belt.

[0006] On the other hand, the operator cannot remove the strap after the bottles have been placed on the conveyor belt, since to do that he or she would need to access the work area of the depalletizer: such a situation is undesirable both with the depalletizer in operation, for obvious reasons of safety, and with the depalletizer stopped, as this would slow down the line.

[0007] To date, attempts to automate the procedure to remove the strap have been hindered by complications linked mainly to the high strength of the material of the strap. By virtue of this strength, in fact, the blades used for the preliminary cutting and consequent opening of the strap, necessary for its removal, are subjected to premature wear, with the result that the removal procedure is unreliable right from the start or after just a few work cycles.

[0008] Furthermore, the vertical position of the strap can vary considerably from one layer of bottles to the next. This factor, as is known, further complicates the development of a repeatable and reliable automated process.

[0009] Last but not least, it would be desirable for the strap to be removed in a controlled manner, not least with a view to possibly recovering it.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide a strap removal apparatus that makes it possible to remove the strap tightened around a layer of assembled articles, particularly bottles, in a completely automated manner and, at the same time, in a highly reliable and repeatable manner.

[0011] Within this aim an object of the invention is to provide a strap removal apparatus that makes it possible to remove the strap in a controlled manner, so as to facilitate its possible recovery.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a strap removal apparatus that is highly reliable, easily and practically implemented, and at low cost.

[0013] This aim and these and other objects which will become clearer from the description that follows are achieved by a strap removal apparatus that has the characteristics recited in the appended claim 1, while the appended dependent claims define other characteristics of the invention which are advantageous, although secondary.

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the strap removal apparatus according to the present invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a strap removal apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the strap removal apparatus of Figure 1 in isolation; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing another part of the strap removal apparatus of Figure 1 in isolation; Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the strap removal apparatus of Figure 1, in a first operating configuration; Figure 5 is a front elevation view of a portion of the strap removal apparatus of Figure 1, in a second operating configuration; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the same portion of the strap removal apparatus in a third operating configuration; Figure 7 is a plan view showing the strap removal apparatus in the operating configuration of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing the same portion of the strap removal apparatus in the transition from the third operating configuration to a fourth operating configuration; Figure 9 is a plan view showing a portion of the strap removal apparatus of Figure 1 in the fourth operating configuration; Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, showing the same portion of the strap removal apparatus in a fifth operating configuration; Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10, showing the same portion of the strap removal apparatus in a sixth operating configuration; Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11, showing the same portion of the strap removal apparatus in a seventh operating configuration; Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 11, showing the same portion of the strap removal apparatus in an eighth operating configuration.

[0015] With reference to the figures, a strap removal apparatus according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, can be installed at the entry point of a conveyor belt CB (shown only schematically in Figures 1, 4-6 and 8) that receives layers of bottles B in succession from an automatic depalletizer (not shown) in order to transfer them toward a bottling line.

[0016] Typically, the automatic depalletizer can pick up the layers of bottles B one at a time from a pallet (not shown).

[0017] Each layer of bottles B is stably held together by a strap S which, in a manner in and of itself known, consists of a strong belt of synthetic material tightened in a ring around the layer of bottles B.

[0018] The strap removal apparatus 10 according to the invention comprises: a first strap cutting assembly 12 (shown in isolation in Figure 2), which is provided with first strap cutting means 14 which are configured to cut the strap S in a first cutting region Zc' (Figures 6-8) so as to release it from the layer of bottles B, a strap disposal assembly 16, which is equipped with strap recovery means 18 which are configured to engage the strap S in a gripping region Zp (Figures 6-8) which is opposite to the first cutting region Zc' and to recover it with a controlled stepwise motion, and with a second strap cutting assembly 20 equipped with second strap cutting means 22 which are configured to divide the strap S into portions having a predetermined length by repeatedly cutting it in a second cutting region Zc" (Figures 10, 13) during respective stopping phases of the controlled stepwise motion, and a control unit 24, programmed to control the operation of the first strap cutting assembly 12 and of the strap disposal assembly 16.

[0019] The first strap cutting assembly 12 is installed on one side of the conveyor belt CB and the strap disposal assembly 16 is installed on the opposite side.

[0020] With particular reference now to Figure 2, the first strap cutting means 14 comprise advantageously a first filament 26 made of conductive material, which is supported so that it can move between a resting position (Figure 4), laterally spaced apart from the strap S, and an active position (Figures 5-8), immediately proximate to or in contact with the strap S in the first cutting region Zc', and is connected to an electrical source V (shown only schematically in Figure 2). The electrical source V can be activated for heating, by the Joule effect, the first filament 26, when it is in the active position, to a temperature that is such as to locally melt the strap S in the first cutting region Zc' thus causing it to open.

[0021] The first filament 26 is mounted on a first fork-like support 28 provided with two arms 28a, 28b which at their ends support two respective idle pulleys 30a, 30b so that they can rotate. The first filament 26 engages the two idle pulleys 30a, 30b and has its opposite ends connected to the two arms 28a, 28b by way of two respective traction springs 32a, 32b which keep it under tension.

[0022] In order to move the first filament 26 between the resting position and the active position, the first fork-like support 28 is fixed to a first straight horizontal guide 34, which extends transversely to the longitudinal extension of the conveyor belt CB and is supported so that it can slide, at the command of a first actuator 36, by a first horizontal guide support 38 which is fixed to a first fixed structure F1 of the strap removal apparatus 10.

[0023] Preferably, the first actuator 36 is of the pneumatic type.

[0024] Advantageously, a filament pressing device 40 is mounted between the arms 28a, 28b of the first fork-like support 28, and can be actuated to press the first filament 26 against the strap S when the first filament 26 is in the active position (Figures 6-8), for more precise control of the cutting step. The filament pressing device 40 comprises an actuator device 42 provided with a piston 44, which in this embodiment is subjected to an elastic thrust outward and to a pneumatic thrust inward, and to the end of which a punch 46 is fixed which is shaped to engage a portion of the first filament 26 which is at least equal to the height of the strap S. The punch 46 advantageously has a frustum-shaped profile, with the smaller end face arranged so as to diametrically engage the first filament 26 and with a diameter substantially equal to the height of the strap S.

[0025] With particular reference now to Figures 4-8, the strap recovery means 18 comprise: a strap pick-up device 48 configured to engage the strap S in the gripping region Zp and to recover an initial portion Sp (Figures 8 and 9) thereof, and a strap pulling device 50 configured to engage the initial portion Sp and to continue the recovery of the strap S with the controlled stepwise motion.

[0026] The strap pick-up device 48 comprises advantageously an automated clamp 52 which is supported so that it can move between a resting position (Figure 4), which is spaced apart from the strap S, and a grip position (Figures 6-8), in which it can be activated in order to grip the strap S in the gripping region Zp.

[0027] For moving between the resting position and the grip position, the automated clamp 52 is fixed to a vertical straight guide 54 which can slide, at the command of a second actuator 56, on a vertical guide support 58. The latter is in turn connected to a slider 60 which can slide on a second straight horizontal guide 62, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the conveyor belt CB, incorporates a third actuator for moving the slider 60, and is fixed to a second fixed structure F2 (Figure 4) of the strap removal apparatus 10.

[0028] Preferably, the second actuator and the third actuator are also of the pneumatic type.

[0029] Advantageously, the automated clamp 52 comprises a pneumatic cylinder 64 equipped with a piston 66 which can be actuated to abut against a fixed locator 68, with the strap S interposed between them (Figures 6 and 8).

[0030] With particular reference now to Figures 3 and 7, the strap pulling device 50 comprises a pair of mutually opposite motorized belts 70, 72, which are supported so that they can move in relation to each other between a resting position, in which they are mutually spaced apart, and a pulling position, in which they are pressed against each other in a relationship of pulling by friction, with the strap S interposed between them. In particular, the motorized belts 70, 72 are adapted to engage respectively the outer faces of the two flaps of strap SL1, SL2 (Figure 7) that extend on the opposite sides of the gripping region Zp.

[0031] For moving between the resting position and the pulling position, the motorized belts 70, 72 are fixed respectively to a third straight horizontal guide 74 and to a fourth straight horizontal guide 76, which extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the conveyor belt CB and can slide, at the command of a fourth actuator 78 and of a fifth actuator 80, respectively on a second horizontal support guide 82 and a third horizontal support guide 84, both of which are fixed to a third fixed structure F3 of the strap removal apparatus 10.

[0032] Advantageously, the motorized belts 70, 72 are aligned vertically with the automated clamp 52 when it is in the grip position.

[0033] In this case too, advantageously, both the fourth actuator and the fifth actuator are of the pneumatic type.

[0034] Advantageously, during the pickup of the strap S by the strap pick-up device 48, the insertion of the strap S between the motorized belts 70, 72 is guided by a pair of guiding pins 85a, 85b which are located directly upstream of the motorized belts 70, 72 (Figures 3 and 9).

[0035] Still with particular reference to Figures 3 and 7, the second strap cutting means 22 comprise a strap supporting element 86 which defines a resting surface for the strap S during the cutting, and a strap cutting element 88. The strap supporting element 86 and the strap cutting element 88 are supported so that they can move with respect to each other between a resting position, in which they are spaced apart from each other, and a cutting position, in which they cooperate to cut the strap S interposed between them in the second cutting region Zc".

[0036] The strap supporting element 86 comprises a plate 90 which faces the strap cutting element 88 and is folded into a C-shape so as to present a first supporting edge, or upstream supporting edge 90a, which is folded on the side of the strap cutting element 88 and is located upstream of the latter with respect to the strap recovery means 18, and a second supporting edge, or downstream supporting edge 90b, which is also folded on the side of the strap cutting element 88 and is located downstream of the latter with respect to the strap recovery means 18. During the cutting step, the strap S rests on the upstream supporting edge 90a and on the downstream supporting edge 90b of the plate 90.

[0037] Advantageously, a locking element 92 which is integral with the strap cutting element 88 is arranged so as to abut against the strap supporting element 86, when the strap cutting element 88 and the strap supporting element 86 are in the cutting position, so as to lock the strap S downstream of the strap cutting element 88. In the embodiment described herein, the locking element abuts against the downstream supporting edge 90b of the plate 90.

[0038] For moving between the resting position and the cutting position, the strap supporting element 86 and the strap cutting element 88 are fixed respectively to a fifth straight horizontal guide 94 and to a sixth straight horizontal guide 96, which extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the conveyor belt CB and can slide, at the command of a sixth actuator 98 and of a seventh actuator 100, respectively on a fourth horizontal support guide 102 and a fifth horizontal support guide 104, both of which are fixed to a fourth fixed structure F4 of the strap removal apparatus 10.

[0039] In this case too, preferably, both the sixth actuator and the seventh actuator are of the pneumatic type.

[0040] Advantageously, the second strap cutting means 22 are aligned vertically with the motorized belts 70, 72.

[0041] Advantageously, the strap cutting element 88 comprises a second filament 106 (Figure 3) made of conductive material, which is connected to the electrical source V and is installed on a second fork-like support 108 which is fixed to the sixth straight horizontal guide 96. The electrical source V can be activated, when the strap supporting element 86 and the strap cutting element 88 are in the cutting position, for heating, by the Joule effect, the second filament 106 to a temperature that is such as to locally melt the strap S in the second cutting region Zc".

[0042] The operation of the strap removal apparatus 10 is commanded by the control unit 24 (Figure 1). The latter, advantageously, can receive signals from sensor means (not shown) which are arranged so as to detect, e.g., the vertical position of the strap S tightened around the layer of bottles B, in order to more precisely control the step of gripping the strap S by the automated clamp 52. The programming of the control unit 24 comes under the normal knowledge of the person skilled in the art and therefore it will not be described here.

[0043] Figure 4 shows the starting configuration, in which the conveyor belt CB has received a layer of bottles B (e.g., a 6x6 layer of bottles) which are stably held together by a strap S.

[0044] The first strap cutting means 14 are in their resting position, horizontally spaced apart from the strap S. The automated clamp 52 is open and is also in its resting position which, in this embodiment, is spaced apart both vertically and horizontally from the strap S. The motorized belts 70, 72 are also located in their respective resting positions and are mutually spaced apart, as are the strap supporting element 86 and the strap cutting element 88 (see for example Figures 7 and 9).

[0045] In Figure 5, the first actuator 36 brings the first filament 26 to the immediate vicinity of the first cutting region Zc' of the strap S. In Figure 6, the filament pressing device 40 presses the first filament 26 against the strap S. After this, in Figures 7 and 8, a voltage is applied to the first filament 26 which heats it to a temperature that is such as to locally melt the strap S in the first cutting region Zc', so as to open the strap S and free the layer of bottles B.

[0046] As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, while the first strap cutting assembly 12 performs the steps described above, the automated clamp 52 advances horizontally in the direction of the conveyor belt CB (Figure 5) and then descends to the grip position (Figure 6), where it closes in such a way as to grip the strap S in the gripping region Zp before it is cut.

[0047] At this point, in Figures 8 (see the dotted line) and 9, the automated clamp 52 moves away horizontally from the layer of bottles B and pulls with it the initial portion Sp of the strap S, beyond the second strap cutting assembly 20.

[0048] After this, in Figure 10, the motorized belts 70, 72 are closed in the pulling position, so as to imprison the strap S. In the same way, the strap supporting element 86 and the strap cutting element 88 are closed in the cutting position. In this position, the strap S is locked between the locking element 92 and the downstream supporting edge 90b of the plate 90, and the second filament 106 is in contact with the strap S. At this point, the automated clamp 52 can be opened and return to the resting position, while the second filament 106 is heated to a temperature that is such as to locally melt the strap S in the second cutting region Zc", to the point where it causes the separation of the portion of strap downstream of the second strap cutting means 22, which can fall by gravity, e.g., into a collection container (not shown).

[0049] After this, in Figure 11, the strap supporting element 86 and the strap cutting element 88 are moved away again to the resting position and, in Figure 12, the motorized belts 70, 72 are actuated so as to make the strap S advance by a desired step.

[0050] Then, in Figure 13, the strap supporting element 86 and the strap cutting element 88 are closed again onto the strap S and the second filament 106 is heated so as to separate another portion of the strap S, which will have a length corresponding to the advancement step of the motorized belts 70, 72.

[0051] The steps described in the previous two paragraphs and illustrated in Figures 12, 13 are repeated until such time as the strap S has been completely recovered and divided into portions of the desired length.

[0052] At the end of the cycle described above, the strap removal apparatus 10 is returned to the starting configuration, to await the removal of another strap from the next layer of bottles that will be placed on the conveyor belt CB.

[0053] In practice it has been found that the strap removal apparatus 10 according to the invention fully achieves the set aim and objects.

[0054] In particular, the strap removal cycle, although being completely automated, has a very high degree of reliability and a very high degree of repeatability. This result derives mainly from the fact that, after it is opened, the strap is recovered with a controlled stepwise motion and the portioning is executed during the stopping phases of this stepwise motion. This also enables precise control of the size range of the portions of strap, for the purposes of a possible recovery, in conformance with the additional set objects.

[0055] The strap removal apparatus, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0056] For example, the stepwise recovery of the strap, instead of being done by two separate devices, i.e., the strap pick-up device 48 and the strap pulling device 50, could be done by a single device. For example, after the strap pick-up device 48 has pulled the strap S beyond the second strap cutting assembly 20 and the strap S has been imprisoned between the locking element 92 and the strap supporting element 86 (Figure 10), said strap pick-up device 48 (by applying changes that will be obvious to the person skilled in the art), instead of returning to the resting position, could retreat in the direction of the conveyor belt CB, grip the strap S again and, after the initial portion Sp has been cut, make the strap S advance by another step so as to position it for the next cut, and so on.

[0057] Furthermore, in the embodiment described herein, both of the motorized belts 70, 72 are supported so that they can move. However, under certain circumstances, it may be sufficient for only one of them to be supported so that it can move with respect to the other, which would be fixed.

[0058] Similarly, under certain circumstances, it may be sufficient for only one of either the strap supporting element 86 or the strap cutting element 88 to be supported so that it can move with respect to the other, which would be fixed.

[0059] Also, the use of a heated filament to cut the strap S, both in the first strap cutting assembly 12 and in the second strap cutting assembly 20, is certainly an advantageous solution, considering the strength of the material of which the strap is made. However, under some circumstances, traditional bladed cutting means may offer sufficient assurances in terms of reliability and repeatability, since the cut is made under static and controlled conditions, that is to say, with the strap stationary during the stopping phases of the stepwise motion.

[0060] Obviously, the horizontal straight guides and the vertical straight guide, with the respective guide supports and the respective actuators, can be substituted by different means for movement, possibly electrically-actuated. For example, for linear movements along a single axis (as is the case with the first strap-cutting means 14, motorized belts 70, 72, and also the strap supporting element 86 and the strap cutting element 88), it is possible to use alternative movement means based on a rack and pinion, or on a worm gear and lead screw. For movements along two or more axes, as is the case with the automated clamp 52, it is also possible to use robotic arms.

[0061] Even the filament pressing device 40, depending on the circumstances, may not necessarily be essential. For example, the first actuator 36 could bring the first filament 26 directly into contact with the strap S, or so close to it as to still cause its localized melting.

[0062] Moreover, although the present description makes specific reference to the removal of the strap from a layer of bottles, it is evident that the invention can be applied to most situations in which layers of articles, e.g., tins, cans, boxes etc., are held together in the assembled configuration by a strap.

[0063] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0064] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art.

[0065] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000004885 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and / or signs, those reference numerals and / or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and / or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and / or signs.

Claims

1. A strap removal apparatus for the automated removal of a strap (S) tightened around a layer of assembled articles, characterized in that it comprises: - a first strap cutting assembly (12), equipped with first cutting means (14) which are configured to cut said strap (S) in a first cutting region (Zc') so as to release it from said layer of assembled articles (B), - a strap disposal assembly (16), equipped with strap recovery means (18) which are configured to engage said strap (S) in a gripping region (Zp) which is opposite to said first cutting region (Zc') and to recover it with a controlled stepwise motion, and with a second strap cutting assembly (20) equipped with second strap cutting means (22) which are configured to divide said strap (S) into portions having a predetermined length by repeatedly cutting it in a second cutting region (Zc") during respective stopping phases of said controlled stepwise motion, and - a control unit (24), programmed to control the operation of said first strap cutting assembly (12) and of said strap disposal assembly (16).

2. The strap removal apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said strap recovery means (18) comprise: - a strap pick-up device (48) configured to engage said strap (S) in said gripping region (Zp) and to recover an initial portion (Sp) thereof, and - a strap pulling device (50) configured to engage said initial portion (Sp) and to continue the recovery of the strap (S) with said controlled stepwise motion.

3. The strap removal apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said strap pick-up device (48) comprises an automated clamp (52) which is supported so that it can move between a resting position, which is spaced apart from said strap (S), and a grip position, in which it can be activated in order to grip the strap (S) in said gripping region (Zp).

4. The strap removal apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said strap pulling device (50) comprises a pair of mutually opposite motorized belts (70, 72), at least one of which is supported so that it can move relative to the other between a resting position, in which said motorized belts (70, 72) are mutually spaced apart, and a pulling position, in which said motorized belts (70, 72) are pressed against each other in a relationship of pulling by friction, with said strap (S) interposed between them.

5. The strap removal apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second strap cutting means (22) comprise a strap supporting element (86), which defines a resting surface for said strap (S) during cutting, and a strap cutting element (88), at least one of which is supported so that it can move with respect to the other between a resting position, in which said strap supporting element (86) and said strap cutting element (88) are mutually spaced apart, and a cutting position, in which said strap supporting element (86) and said strap cutting element (88) cooperate to cut said strap (S) interposed between them in said second cutting region (Zc").

6. The strap removal apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a locking element (92) which is integral with said strap cutting element (88) and is arranged so as to abut against said strap supporting element (86), when said strap cutting element (88) and said strap supporting element (86) are in the cutting position, so as to lock the strap (S) downstream of said strap cutting element (88) with respect to said strap pulling device (50).

7. The strap removal apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first cutting means (14) comprise a first filament (26) made of conductive material, which is supported so that it can move between a resting position, spaced apart from the strap (S), and an active position, immediately proximate to, or in contact with, the strap (S) in said first cutting region (Zc'), and is connected to an electrical source (V) that can be activated for heating, by the Joule effect, said first filament (26) when it is in the active position, to a temperature that is such as to locally melt the strap (S) in the first cutting region (Zc').

8. The strap removal apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said first filament (26) is mounted on a first fork-like support (28) provided with two arms (28a, 28b) between which a filament pressing device (40) is mounted which can be operated to press said first filament (26) against said strap (S) when said first filament (26) is in said active position.

9. The strap removal apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said filament pressing device (40) comprises an actuator (42) provided with a piston (44) which is subjected to an elastic thrust outward and to a pneumatic thrust inward, and to the end of which a punch (46) is fixed which is shaped to engage a portion of said first filament (26) which is at least equal to the height of the strap (S).

10. The strap removal apparatus according to one or more of claims 5-9, characterized in that said strap cutting element (88) comprises a second filament (106) made of conductive material which is connected to an electrical source (V) that can be activated, when said strap supporting element (86) and said strap cutting element (88) are in the cutting position, for heating, by the Joule effect, said second filament (106) to a temperature that is such as to locally melt the strap (S) in said second cutting region (Zc").

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