Method for operating a string machine and gluing device, and string machine in the tobacco processing industry or drinking straw industry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a string machine (10) for producing products in the tobacco processing industry or drinking straws, wherein an enveloping material strip (13), which has two longitudinally axially arranged edges (30, 31), is conveyed in a longitudinal axial conveying direction (18) through a format device (11) in which the enveloping material strip (13) is wrapped around a string (14), wherein, in order to close the enveloping material strip (13), a line of glue is applied to a portion, close to the edge, of the enveloping material strip (14) or to the string (14) by means of a first glue application device (35), wherein, subsequently, the portion, close to the edge, with the line of glue is folded onto the string (14) or the other portion, close to the edge, of the enveloping material strip (13), resulting in a contact face of the line of glue on the string (14) or the other portion close to the edge. The invention also relates to a gluing device (23) and to a string machine (10) of the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry. The method according to the invention is characterised in that, at times, glue is simultaneously applied in a line to the line of glue or the contact face of the line of glue by means of a second glue application device (35').

Description

[0001] Method for operating a stranding machine and gluing device as well as a stranding machine in the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a rod-making machine for producing products of the tobacco processing industry or drinking straws, wherein a wrapping material strip having two longitudinally axially arranged edges is conveyed in a longitudinally axial conveying direction through a format device in which the wrapping material strip is wound around a rod, wherein, in order to close the wrapping material strip, a line of glue is applied to a section of the wrapping material strip near the edge or the rod by means of a first glue application device, wherein the section near the edge with the line of glue is then folded over onto the rod or the other section of the wrapping material strip near the edge, thereby resulting in a contact surface of the line of glue on the rod or the other section near the edge.The invention further relates to a gluing device in the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry, comprising a first glue application device and a second glue application device, which are designed and arranged to supply a longitudinally axially conveyed wrapping material strip and / or strand with a trace of glue, wherein the first glue application device and the second glue application device are each positioned or positionable in an active position and an inactive position, wherein a trace of glue is dispensed in the active position and cleaning of the glue application device is or can be carried out in the inactive position by means of a cleaning device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a strand machine with a gluing device in the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry.

[0004] In the production of rods in the tobacco processing industry, such as cigarette rods or filter rods, a wrapping material is wrapped around a tobacco rod or filter material in a formatting device, provided with a line of glue along a seam or near-edge area, or optionally with two parallel lines of glue. The wrapping material strip is then sealed, completely wrapping the rod with the wrapping material strip. The line(s) of glue hold the wrapping material strip around the remaining rod material. Hollow tubes can also be produced in the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry.Here, a material strip or strips are formed into their final shape in a longitudinally axial conveying direction in a formatting device, whereby here too, a wrapping material strip is wound in an outermost layer around a single-layer or double-layer hollow tube or multi-layer hollow tube and is also provided with one or two lines of glue to close the wrapping material strip at the end. In this case, it can be provided that the wrapping material strip lies on itself in a section near the edge, i.e., lies on top of itself or lies butt-together, which means that the two edges of the wrapping material strip conveyed in the longitudinally axial direction lie against one another or are slightly spaced from one another.During the production of such strands wrapped with a wrapping material strip, interruptions occur because gluing devices, in particular nozzles used for gluing and by means of which hot or cold glue is applied to the wrapping material strip or the strand, must be cleaned. EP 2 221 113 A1 discloses a gluing device in which a wrapping material strip is provided with a line of glue using two glue nozzles. The nozzles can be moved from a waiting position to a working position and vice versa.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide the operation of a strand machine with a higher degree of automation.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method for operating a rod-making machine for producing products of the tobacco processing industry or drinking straws, wherein a wrapping material strip having two longitudinally axially arranged edges is conveyed in a longitudinally axial conveying direction through a format device in which the wrapping material strip is wound around a strand, wherein, in order to close the wrapping material strip, a line of glue is applied to a section of the wrapping material strip near the edge or the strand by means of a first glue application device, wherein the section near the edge with the line of glue is subsequently folded over onto the strand or the other section near the edge of the wrapping material strip, whereby a contact surface of the line of glue is produced on the strand or the other section near the edge, characterized in that, in particular at times simultaneously, glue, in particular in a same line,by means of a second glue application device in a multiple gluing area which defines a glued section on the wrapping material (13) or the strand (14) in the conveying direction, onto the glue track or the contact surface of the glue track.

[0007] A multiple gluing area is understood, in particular, to be an area on a wrapping material strip or strand to which glue is applied by at least two glue application devices, i.e., in an overlapping manner. The glue from both glue application devices is thus superimposed or combined, immediately after application by the two glue application devices or after the wrapping material strip has been sealed.

[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for operating a rod-making machine for producing products of the tobacco processing industry or drinking straws, wherein a wrapping material strip having two longitudinally axially arranged edges is conveyed in a longitudinally axial conveying direction through a format device in which the wrapping material strip is wound around a rod, wherein, in order to close the wrapping material strip, a line of glue is applied to a section of the wrapping material strip near the edge or the rod by means of a first glue application device, wherein the section near the edge with the line of glue is subsequently folded over onto the rod or the other section near the edge of the wrapping material strip, thereby resulting in a contact surface of the line of glue on the rod or the other section near the edge, which is further developed in that glue,in particular in a track, by means of a second glue application device onto the glue track or the contact surface of the glue track.

[0009] The method according to the invention makes it possible to continuously apply glue to a glue line or the contact surface of the glue line, so that a continuous glue line can be created when the wrapping material strip is closed. In this case, glue is temporarily and simultaneously dispensed from the first glue application device and from the second glue application device to a location that is the same distance from an edge of the wrapping material strip or is dispensed to the contact surface. The glue application device can therefore be aligned to the same glue line, or one glue application device can be aligned to the location of the glue line and the other glue application device to the location of the contact surface of this glue line, which is created by completely wrapping the wrapping material strip around the strand.The contact surface can be a contact surface on the strand or a contact surface on the opposite near-edge section of the wrapping material strip and on the other side of the wrapping material strip. Thus, if the glue line is applied on an inner side, the contact surface is on an outer side of the wrapping material strip.

[0010] For the purposes of the invention, a section is understood to mean an area. In particular, a section close to the edge is 0.5 mm to 3 mm, especially 1 mm to 2 mm, from the edge. Applying glue in a line preferably involves applying it continuously.

[0011] Preferably, the simultaneous application of glue occurs within a time span of 50 ms to 2,000 ms, in particular 100 ms to 1,000 ms, particularly preferably 200 ms to 800 ms, and more preferably within a time span of 300 ms to 600 ms. This ensures that sufficient glue is applied and a continuous glue line is created.

[0012] Furthermore, alternating operation preferably takes place, in which initially the first glue application device forms a glue trail, then the second glue application device simultaneously dispenses a glue trail, then the first glue application device is moved away and cleaned, then the first glue application device is returned and again dispenses glue simultaneously with the second glue application device, and then the second glue application device is moved away and cleaned. In the context of the invention, moving away means moving into an inactive position and returning means moving into an active position. The first and second gluing devices are preferably positioned, in particular pivoted, alternately into an active and a passive position. In the active position, glue can or is dispensed, and in the passive position no glue is dispensed, and the respective glue application device can be cleaned or is cleaned, in particular automatically.

[0013] This creates the possibility of automatic cleaning of the glue application devices, which can be cleaned alternately. For example, when using glue application devices with nozzles during operation, a plume of glue or adhesive forms on the nozzle. If not removed in time, this plume can break off and cause the strand to break during production, which in turn would lead to interruptions in the manufacturing process. This should be avoided if possible.

[0014] Moving away and returning is understood to mean, in particular, pivoting away and pivoting towards. Linear moving away and towards can also be provided. Moving away and towards is understood to mean, in particular, moving away and towards. The relationship to this is the area to be glued. According to the invention, two different glue application devices are thus used to apply a single line of glue, enabling automatic cleaning of the glue application devices without having to interrupt operation.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, a cleaning device is used during operation of a strand machine to alternately clean the first and second glue application devices. In particular, the first and second glue application devices are pivoted alternately. It can also be provided that the first glue application device essentially serves to produce the glue track and that the second glue application device is only used for a short period of time to produce the glue track and the first glue application device is immediately used again for applying the glue track as soon as it has been cleaned. Alternatively, a uniform alternation of the use of the first and second glue application devices is provided. Preferably, gluing with the first glue application device and the second glue application device takes place exclusively in the formatting device or in the region of the formatting device.Therefore, within the scope of the invention, only top gluing is preferably carried out to glue the wrapping material strip for sealing. Within the scope of the invention, the glue line is preferably a seam glue line.

[0016] Furthermore, a first control device is preferably provided, which reduces the amount of glue dispensed when the first and second glue application devices apply glue simultaneously, in particular in each case. For example, if both glue application devices dispense glue simultaneously, the amount of glue can be reduced by 50% compared to the amount of glue dispensed by one of the two glue application devices when the two glue application devices do not dispense glue simultaneously.

[0017] The object is further achieved by a gluing device of the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry comprising a first glue application device and a second glue application device, which are designed and arranged to supply a longitudinally axially conveyed wrapping material strip and / or strand with a trace of glue, wherein the first glue application device and the second glue application device are each positioned or positionable in an active position and an inactive position, wherein in the active position a trace of glue is dispensed and in the inactive position a cleaning device can be carried out or is carried out by means of a cleaning device, wherein a second control device is provided which is designed and arranged to temporarily position the first glue application device and the second glue application device simultaneously in the active position,so that both glue application devices produce the same glue trace or produce two glue traces such that they are located at the same location after the wrapping material strip has been closed, and / or wherein the second control device is configured and designed to position the first glue application device and the second glue application device in the active position, so that both glue application devices apply glue in a multiple gluing area, which defines a glued section on the wrapping material (13) or the strand (14) in the conveying direction, simultaneously or at different times, so that both glue application devices produce the same glue trace or produce two glue traces such that they are located at the same location after the wrapping material strip has been closed.

[0018] In this case, the cleaning of the glue application device is, or is, carried out automatically. This enables very precise production and an uninterrupted glue line.

[0019] Preferably, a first control device is provided which controls the amount of glue dispensed by the first glue application device and the second glue application device in such a way that when glue is dispensed simultaneously, the amount of glue dispensed in each case is smaller than when glue is dispensed solely by one of the two glue application devices.

[0020] Preferably, the first control device controls at least one valve and / or at least one pump. A valve and / or pump can also be provided for each glue application device, which are controlled by the first control device. The valve can be designed such that a smaller amount of glue is allowed through for simultaneous gluing. The amount of glue is preferably in a range of 50% to 70% of the amount of glue provided for gluing by only one glue application device.

[0021] When using a pump, the pumping power can be controlled. It can also be used for both glue applicators, with the pumping power slightly reduced during simultaneous application. In this case, it must be ensured that the pumping power is adjusted so that essentially the same amount of glue is delivered by both glue applicators as when applying glue with one glue applicator.

[0022] Preferably, the first glue application device and the second glue application device each comprise a nozzle body. If the nozzle bodies are preferably asymmetrical, with the nozzles of the nozzle bodies being particularly close to one another, it is not necessary to extend a conventional formatting device. The distance between the nozzles is preferably less than 3 cm, in particular less than 2 cm. The distance is to be understood as the distance between the centers of the nozzle openings. Close proximity of the nozzles is achieved, for example, if the nozzle bodies are flattened on one side and the flattened surfaces are parallel to one another.

[0023] Preferably, the cleaning device establishes mechanical contact with the glue application device. This also means, in particular, that the glue application device establishes mechanical contact with the cleaning device. In particular, if a glue application device has a nozzle, the nozzle head is mechanically cleaned by the cleaning device. A hollow body accommodating a liquid and having an opening into which a nozzle can be inserted can be provided as the cleaning device. Alternatively, a cleaning device can have a circulating cleaning belt that can come into contact with the glue application device and, in particular, a nozzle of a glue application device.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, a rod-making machine of the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry comprising a gluing device as described above is provided.

[0025] Preferably, the strand machine comprises a formatting device, wherein the strand is wrapped or can be wrapped with the wrapping material strip in the formatting device and the gluing device is arranged relative to the formatting device in such a way that the glue line is applied in the formatting device.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide a rod-making machine for the tobacco processing or drinking straw industry without the need for operator access, especially for cleaning glue application devices, especially when using glue nozzles. In particular, the invention prevents an operator from manually cleaning the glue application device or devices at regular intervals.

[0027] For increased automation, two individual glue application devices, particularly glue nozzles, are used, for example, on a single-strand machine. These are alternately swung in and out with a short overlap time. The respective glue application device, particularly the glue nozzle, that is not in operation, i.e., is not applying a line of glue to a wrapping material strip or strand, is automatically cleaned of glue residue using a cleaning function while the machine is running.

[0028] Alternatively, glue application devices can be provided that simultaneously apply glue to two parallel strips of wrapping material, for example, in a two-strand machine. In this case, a first and a second glue application device are provided, each comprising two glue application devices, each of which applies a line of glue to one of two wrapping material strips. These glue application devices, referred to as double glue application devices, in particular double glue nozzles, can also be moved from a working position to a cleaning position for cleaning and returned to the working position after cleaning.

[0029] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may incorporate individual features or a combination of several features.

[0030] The invention is described below, without limiting the general inventive concept, using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, whereby express reference is made to the drawings for all details of the invention not explained in more detail in the text. They show:

[0031] Fig. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of a strand machine according to the invention with a gluing device according to the invention in a first embodiment,

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a section of a strand machine according to the invention with two gluing devices in a working position in a schematic representation,

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of Fig. 2, wherein one of the glue application devices is in a cleaning position, in a schematic representation,

[0034] Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3 in a schematic representation, wherein the other glue application device is in a cleaning position,

[0035] Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention in a schematic three-dimensional representation,

[0036] Fig. 6 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of a further embodiment according to the invention, Fig. 7 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of the cleaning of a nozzle and

[0037] Fig. 8 is another schematic representation of a nozzle cleaning process.

[0038] Within the scope of the invention, features marked with “in particular” or “preferably” are to be understood as optional features.

[0039] In the drawings, identical or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numbers, so that a repeated presentation is omitted.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a part of a strand machine 10 according to the invention. A strand 14 is conveyed in the longitudinal-axial conveying direction 18 through a formatting device 11. A wrapping material strip 13 is also conveyed into the formatting device 11 via a deflection roller 14. The strand 14 is placed on the wrapping material strip 13. The wrapping material strip 13 has a longitudinal-axial edge 30 and an opposite longitudinal-axial edge 31.

[0041] To close the wrapping material strip around the strand 14, a single line of glue is applied simultaneously to the wrapping material strip by means of a first glue application device 35 and a second glue application device 35' and is then wound completely around the strand 14 in the formatting device 11, so that a strand 14 wrapped by the wrapping material strip 13 is formed.

[0042] The formatting device 11 is not shown in its entirety for clarity. Only a sub-format is shown schematically in Fig. 1. A seaming plate or a top heater is typically located in the conveying direction 18 to ensure that the glued seam sets better and faster. The gluing device 23 thus has a first glue application device 35 and a second glue application device 35'. These are equipped with nozzles 15 and 15', respectively.

[0043] In addition, Fig. 1 schematically shows a first control device 25 which is responsible for controlling the amount of glue dispensed through the first nozzle 15 or the second nozzle 15' and also a second control device 26 which ensures the back and forth movement of the glue application device 35, 35' into the working position or the cleaning position.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows, in another embodiment, a schematic three-dimensional representation of a portion of a strand machine 10, in which a portion of the upper format 17 of the formatting device 11 is shown. The nozzle bodies 16 and 16' are essentially symmetrical in this embodiment, whereby the distance between the nozzles 15 and 15' is relatively large. Therefore, it is advisable to lengthen the formatting device compared to using a single glue application device.

[0045] The upper format 17 has recesses into which nozzles 15, 15' can be inserted. Both glue application devices 35 and 35' are shown in Fig. 2 in a working position, i.e., in a position in which glue is or can be dispensed. Also shown in Fig. 2 are connections through which the glue is introduced into the glue application device, as well as an electrical connection for controlling a respective valve.

[0046] Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of Fig. 2, wherein the glue application device 35, which is formed with a nozzle 15 and a nozzle body 16, is pivoted into a cleaning position.

[0047] Fig. 4 schematically shows the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, wherein, however, the glue application device 35' formed with a nozzle 15' and a nozzle body 16' is pivoted into a cleaning position and the other glue application device 35 is pivoted into a working position.

[0048] Fig. 5 schematically shows another embodiment of a gluing device 23 according to the invention or a part of a strand machine 10 according to the invention. Here, the glue application device 35' is arranged as in the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 4 and glues an outer section or a section near the edge of a wrapping material strip 13 (not shown) as usual. The glue application device 35, on the other hand, is aligned almost orthogonally thereto and glues a track that is arranged in the same position or at the same location as a contact surface of the glue track that is formed by the second glue application device 35' after the wrapping material strip has been completely wound around the strand.

[0049] In Fig. 5, both glue application devices 35 and 35' are in a working position, ie in a position in which glue is or can be applied.

[0050] In addition, asymmetric glue application devices in the form of asymmetric nozzle bodies 16 and 16' are shown in Fig. 5, which enables a gluing device 23 arranged closer together in the conveying direction 18.

[0051] Fig. 6 schematically shows a configuration similar to Fig. 3. However, this configuration shows nozzles 15, 15' positioned closer together, which is made possible by asymmetrical nozzle bodies 16 and 16'. The facing sides of the nozzle bodies 16 and 16' are flattened. In this exemplary embodiment, the facing walls are parallel to one another. This makes it possible to provide nozzles positioned very closely together. Alternatively, the nozzle bodies 16 and 16' can be flattened even further, or become even more asymmetrical, to the extent that even the supply pipes to the nozzles 15, 15' are also asymmetrically flattened.

[0052] Fig. 7 schematically shows the cleaning of a nozzle 15 in a cleaning device 19. An opening 20 is provided here, into which the nozzle 15 can be inserted. A moist sponge or a moist cloth (not shown) is preferably provided in the opening 20, which comes into contact with the nozzle 15 so that any dirt adhering to the nozzle 15 can be wiped off.

[0053] The opening 20 is preferably cylindrical or round in cross-section.

[0054] Fig. 8 shows schematically another three-dimensional representation of a cleaning of a nozzle 15. Here, a cleaning belt 22 is guided around deflection rollers 21, 2T and with this the nozzle 15 is mechanically cleaned.

[0055] All mentioned features, including those revealed solely in the drawings as well as individual features disclosed in combination with other features, are considered essential to the invention, both individually and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention may be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features.

[0056] List of reference symbols

[0057] 10 strand machine

[0058] 11 Format device

[0059] 12 pulley

[0060] 13 wrapping material strips

[0061] 14 strands

[0062] 15, 15' nozzle

[0063] 16, 16' nozzle body

[0064] 17 upper format

[0065] 18 Conveying direction

[0066] 19 Cleaning device

[0067] 20 Opening

[0068] 21, 21" pulley

[0069] 22 cleaning tape

[0070] 23 Gluing device

[0071] 25 first control device

[0072] 26 second control device

[0073] 30 edge

[0074] 31 edge

[0075] 35, 35' glue application device

Claims

Method for operating a stranding machine and gluing device as well as a stranding machine in the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry Patent claims 1. A method for operating a rod machine (10) for producing products of the tobacco processing industry or drinking straws, wherein a wrapping material strip (13) having two longitudinally axially arranged edges (30, 31) is conveyed in a longitudinally axial conveying direction (18) through a format device (11) in which the wrapping material strip (13) is wound around a strand (14), wherein, in order to close the wrapping material strip (13), a line of glue is applied to a section of the wrapping material strip (13) near the edge or the strand (14) by means of a first glue application device (35), wherein the section near the edge with the line of glue is subsequently folded over onto the strand (14) or the other section near the edge of the wrapping material strip (13), whereby a contact surface of the line of glue on the strand (14) or the other section near the edge results, characterized in that in particular at times simultaneously, glue,in particular in a same track, by means of a second glue application device (35') in a multiple gluing area, which in, Conveying direction defines a glued section on the wrapping material (13) or the strand (14) to which the glue track or the contact surface of the glue track is applied.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the simultaneous application of glue takes place in a time period of 50 ms to 2,000 ms, in particular 100 ms to 1,000 ms.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an alternating operation takes place in which first the first glue application device (35) forms a glue track, then the second glue application device (35') simultaneously dispenses a glue track, then the first glue application device (35) is led away and cleaned, then the first glue application device (35) is led back and again dispenses glue simultaneously with the second glue application device (35') and then the second glue application device (35') is led away and cleaned.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gluing with the first glue application device and the second glue application device takes place exclusively in the formatting device (11) or in the region of the formatting device (11).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a first control device (25) is provided which reduces the amount of glue delivered during simultaneous glue application by the first and the second glue application device (35, 35'), in particular in each case.

6. Gluing device (23) of the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry comprising a first glue application device (35) and a second glue application device (35') which are designed and arranged to supply a longitudinally axially conveyed wrapping material strip (13) and / or strand (14) with a glue line, wherein the first glue application device (35) and the second glue application device (35') are each positioned or positionable in an active position and an inactive position, wherein a glue trace is dispensed in the active position and in the inactive position, cleaning of the glue application device (35, 35') is carried out or is carried out by means of a cleaning device, wherein a second control device (26) is provided which is set up and designed to temporarily position the first glue application device (35) and the second glue application device (35') simultaneously in the active position, so that both glue application devices (35, 35') produce the same glue trace or produce two glue traces such that they are located at the same location after closing the wrapping material strip (13) and / or wherein the second control device (26) is set up and designedto position the first glue application device (35) and the second glue application device (35') in the active position, so that both glue application devices (35, 35') apply glue in a multiple area, which defines a glued section on the wrapping material (13) or the strand (14) in the conveying direction, simultaneously or staggered in time, so that both glue application devices (35, 35') produce the same glue track or produce two glue tracks in such a way that they are in the same place after closing the wrapping material strip (13).

7. Glue application device (23) according to claim 6, characterized in that a first control device (25) is provided which controls the amount of glue dispensed by the first glue application device (35) and the second glue application device (35') in such a way that when glue is dispensed simultaneously, the amount of glue dispensed in each case is smaller than when glue is dispensed solely by one of the two glue application devices (35, 35').

8. Gluing device (23) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first control device (25) comprises at least one valve or controls at least one pump.

9. Glue application device (23) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the first glue application device (35) and the second glue application device (35') each comprise a nozzle body (16, 16').

10. Gluing device (23) according to claim 9, characterized in that the nozzle bodies (16, 16') are asymmetrical, wherein in particular the nozzles (15, 5') of the nozzle bodies (16, 16') lie closely together.

11. Glue application device (23) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the cleaning device (19) establishes a mechanical contact with the glue application device (35, 35').

12. Strand machine (10) of the tobacco processing industry or the drinking straw industry comprising a gluing device (23) according to one of claims 6 to 11.

13. Strand machine (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that a formatting device (11) is provided, wherein the strand (14) is wrapped or can be wrapped with the wrapping material strip (13) in the formatting device (11) and the gluing device (23) is arranged in such a way relative to the formatting device (11) that the glue line is applied in the formatting device (11).

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