glass handling system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glazing handling system (1) comprising a support structure (10) carrying a support base (20), characterized in that the support base comprises movement means (22) to allow, by rotation, the movement of the glazing when the latter is laid flat, said movement means have a resistive force whose value allows the rotation of the movement means when a translation force is applied to the glazing greater in intensity than the resistive force, said resistive force being furthermore sufficiently high to hold the glazing sufficiently stable on the movement means when the only stress applied to the glazing is its own weight Fig 8

Description

Title of the invention: glazing handling system

[0001] The present invention relates to systems linked to the handling of glazing, in particular for glazing intended for the transport sector: automobiles, buses, trucks or for glazing intended for buildings. Prior art

[0002] In many fields, the glazing used is handled on many occasions such as during its assembly, during its installation or during its replacement or maintenance. Thus, the glazing is handled before its installation in its host structure or after having been extracted from its host structure for replacement or maintenance (repair).

[0003] On these occasions, the glazings are carried by an operator and placed on a docking station or handling system. The glazings in question are glazings used in the transport or construction sector and these glazings have large dimensions and therefore a significant weight.

[0004] A known handling system consists of a table composed of two metal profiles in the shape of a rectangular bridge arch and articulated along an axis passing through the middle of their vertical uprights. Seen from the side, these articulated uprights form an "X" in the deployed position. The deployed position is maintained by a chain stretched between the two horizontal sections or above the articulation of the lateral uprights. The upper part of the table, composed of two parallel bars, is intended to receive the glazing or glass panel. The upper part is systematically covered with soft foam sleeves which prevent scratching or breaking the windshield in the event of accidental contact with the metal structure of the table. These sleeves also have a good grip on the windshield, which makes it possible to keep the glazing in a stable position during the various preparation operations (cleaning, placing the bead of glue, etc.).

[0005] However, automotive or building glazing tends to have a long radius of curvature. Such a radius of curvature requires the glazing to be correctly positioned on the handling system, otherwise the glazing may roll or tilt during a maintenance operation such as installing glue or a seal. This tilting makes said operation uncomfortable. However, poor orientation of the glazing on the two parallel bars of the upper part or poor centering can lead to such tilting.

[0006] The disadvantage of these handling tables is that they are not ergonomic. Indeed, the installation of the glass panel or glazing requires the operator to carry the glazing to put it in place, centering it as much as possible while avoiding to damage the glazing by scratches or breakage.

[0007] However, the presence of the foam sleeves to prevent scratches does not allow the glazing to slide so that the operator must handle the glazing to center it. This manipulation consists of projecting forward with the glazing to place it as centered as possible or placing the glazing at the edge of the table and then making small rotational movements to bring the glazing closer to the center. Such an operation can be repeated if the glazing must undergo an operation on each of these faces.

[0008] It is known to have tables whose sleeves are replaced by four suction cups supporting the glazing. However, the suction cups have significant friction which requires the use of a method requiring the operator to project himself or to make small rotational movements.

[0009] These difficulties are also present when turning over. With parallel bars as the upper part, a large amount of friction prevents the glass sheet from sliding on its edge and therefore forces the operator to carry the glazing. With the four support points in the form of a suction cup, carrying the glazing is mandatory.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a glazing handling system which allows the glazing to be installed and turned over more simply and with less constraints for the operator. Summary of the invention

[0011] The present invention seeks to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a glazing handling system which allows easy installation, centering and easy turning.

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a glazing handling system 1 comprising a support structure carrying a support base, characterized in that the support base comprises movement means to allow, by rotation, the glazing to be moved when the latter is laid flat, said movement means have a resistive force whose value allows the rotation of the movement means when a translation force is applied to the glazing greater in intensity than the resistive force, said resistive force being furthermore sufficiently high to hold the glazing sufficiently stable on the movement means when the only stress applied to the glazing is its own weight.

[0013] According to one example, the displacement means have an adjustable resistive force.

[0014] According to one example, the movement means are provided with at least one stopping system for blocking said movement means.

[0015] According to one example, the resisting force of the displacement means comes from a torque of materials rubbing against each other.

[0016] According to one example, the resistive force of the displacement means comes from a viscous friction system mechanically connected to the displacement means.

[0017] According to one example, the moving means comprise at least one roller, at least one wheel or at least one ball or a combination of these to obtain stable support for the glazing.

[0018] According to one example, the moving means comprise two rollers.

[0019] According to one example, the moving means comprise four wheels, preferably arranged at the four corners of a parallelepiped.

[0020] According to one example, the support base further comprises sliding means.

[0021] According to one example, the sliding means comprise at least one plate or minus one rail.

[0022] According to one example, the sliding means are arranged between the displacement means and such that the plane passing through the vertices of the displacement means overhangs the plane passing through the vertices of the sliding means.

[0023] According to one example, it further comprises support means in the form of at least one support bar, said support bar extending from the support base.

[0024] According to one example, the bar extends substantially horizontally.

[0025] According to one example, the bar is linear or curved.

[0026] According to one example, the support base is mounted to be movable in translation relative to the support structure by means of translation elements.

[0027] According to one example, the support structure comprises a frame made of tubes or profiles.

[0028] According to one example, the displacement means and the sliding means are mounted on plates, said plates being fixed directly or indirectly to the support base.

[0029] According to one example, each plate carries a rail and two wheels, the rail being arranged between the two wheels, essentially along the same line.

[0030] The invention further relates to a method of operating the handling system during a maintenance operation of at least one face of a glazing unit according to the invention, said method comprising the following steps: - Obtain the glazing to be treated and the handling system; - Place the glazing on the moving means on the surface opposite the surface to be treated; - Move the glazing to give it the desired position by applying to said glazing a translation force greater in intensity than the resistive force of the moving means; - Carry out the said maintenance operation on the face of the glazing.

[0031] According to one example, the maintenance operation of a glazing is also carried out on the other face of the glazing, said method then comprising a turning step consisting of:

[0032] - provide the glazing,

[0033] - lift the glazing from the handling system and then turn it over;

[0034] - place the glazing on the moving means on the surface opposite the surface to be to treat,

[0035] said method further comprising the following steps: - Move the glazing to give it the desired position by applying to said glazing a translation force greater in intensity than the resistive force of the moving means - Carry out the said maintenance operation on the face of the glazing.

[0036] According to one example, said handling system comprises sliding means, said turning step consisting of:

[0037] - Move the glazing in translation using the movement means and continue by sliding the glazing on the sliding means in order to be able to take hold of the glazing;

[0038] - Lift the glazing from the handling system and turn it over;

[0039] - Place the glazing on its edge on the sliding means;

[0040] - Slide the glazing on the sliding means until the opposite surface to the surface to be treated is placed on the means of transport.

[0041] According to one example, the movement means are provided with a stop system, said stop system being disengaged to allow the glazing to be moved into the desired position and then engaged once the position of the glazing has been reached. Description of the figures

[0042] Other features and advantages will become clear from the description given below, for informational purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0043] - [Fig.l] represents a profile view of the glazing handling system according to the invention;

[0044] - [Fig.2] represents a view of the glazing handling system provided with rolls;

[0045] - [Fig.3] represents a view of the glazing handling system provided with wheels;

[0046] - [Fig.4] represents a view of the glazing handling system provided with a roller and wheel;

[0047] - [Fig.5] represents a view of the glazing handling system provided with sliding means in the form of a plate;

[0048] - Figure 6 shows a view of the glazing handling system provided with sliding means in the form of a rail;

[0049] - Figures 7 and 8 show a view of the support means of the handling system glazing assembly according to the invention and a view of their operation;

[0050] - Figures 9 to 12 represent views of different support structures of the glazing handling system according to the invention. Detailed description

[0051] [Fig.l] represents a glazing handling system 1 according to the invention. This glazing handling system allows an operator to work on glazings 100 such as those used in the field of transport or such as those used in the field of construction. These glazings can be flat or have a curve.

[0052] The glazing handling system comprises a support structure 10 carrying a support base 20.

[0053] In a first embodiment, the support base 20 comprises movement means 22. The movement means are used to support the glazing and to enable the glazing to be moved when it is laid flat.

[0054] In a first embodiment, the displacement means 22 comprise two rollers 220 mounted parallel as seen in Figures 1 and 2. These two rollers are arranged to be spaced from each other.

[0055] In a second embodiment visible in [Fig. 3], the movement means 22 comprise wheels 222. The movement means comprise at least three wheels arranged to form a triangle. This arrangement makes it possible to support the glazing.

[0056] In a variant of this second embodiment, the displacement means 22 are balls. This variant advantageously allows freer displacement, not limited to a single direction.

[0057] Of course, it is possible to combine the embodiments with displacement means comprising a roller 220 and at least one wheel 222 as visible in [Fig.4]. It is then understood that at least two support points are necessary, three in the case of the exclusive presence of wheels.

[0058] The displacement means 22 are clever in that they present a resistive force during their rotation. The level of resistive force physically derives from a coefficient of rotational friction which is defined as being representative of the friction, of the friction, which exists between said rotational displacement means and the support on which they are mounted. It is then understood that the coefficient of rotational friction in question is that present between the wheel or the roller and the shaft which carries this wheel or this roller (or between the shaft which carries it and the support plates in the case where the axis of the wheel or the roller is also driven in rotation). This rotational friction coefficient is also that which is present between the ball and its support.

[0059] The resistive force results from a compromise. Firstly, it must be low enough to allow rotation of the movement means. Secondly, it must be high enough to hold the glazing in a sufficiently stable manner on the movement means so that the operator can carry out preparation operations on the glazing (cleaning, fixing a peripheral seal, applying glue, etc.). This resistive force is then constant or adjustable.

[0060] This resistive force of the displacement means during the displacement phases comes from a pair of materials rubbing against each other, the adjustment of the resistive force being done by the pressure applied between these materials.

[0061] Alternatively, the resistive force of the displacement means during the displacement phases comes from a viscous friction system mechanically connected to the displacement means.

[0062] Alternatively, this resistive force is obtained by mechanical action on a pad which brakes the displacement means. An adjustment of the resistive force is then made by pressure, more or less strong, of the pad on the displacement means. This makes it possible to have an adjustable resistive force making it possible to obtain different compromises between the thrust force exerted on the glazing during the glazing displacement phases and outside the glazing displacement phases.

[0063] The movement means are activated indirectly by the operator who simply pushes or pulls the glazing. For the rotation of the movement means to be effective, it is necessary that the surface of these movement means has good grip with the surface of the glass (the coefficient of friction between the surface of the movement means and the glass is then high) such that the movement of the glazing, in translation, causes the rotation of the wheels, rollers or balls forming the movement means. The movement of the glazing in translation is obtained by the application of a force, in translation, to said glazing.

[0064] It is important that the translational movement of the glazing is carried out by rolling without sliding on the movement means. Indeed, such sliding could cause scratches on the surface of the glazing if, for example, the surface of the movement means is polluted by hard dust such as mineral particles for example. It is therefore important to be able to adapt the nature of the external coating of the movement means to the pushing or pulling force exerted on the glazing by the operator in order to always have sufficient grip of the external surface of the movement means on the surface of the glass.

[0065] The good grip of the means of movement is the result of a coefficient of surface friction. This coefficient of friction is that which is present between the surface of the means of movement (wheels, balls, rollers, etc.) and the surface of the glazing. This surface friction coefficient can have an impact. Indeed, if this surface friction coefficient is too low, it is possible that the glazing slides on the means of movement without causing them to rotate. This possibility arises especially if the resistive force is high. This lack of rotation can also occur if, on the contrary, the surface friction coefficient is too low. This high surface friction coefficient, allowing good adhesion of the surface of the glazing, is obtained by a rubber or elastomer type material.

[0066] The surface friction coefficient is chosen according to the needs. For example, in the case of a friction coefficient provided by a tread, the latter is interchangeable.

[0067] In a variant, the movement means 22 comprise at least one stopping system. This stopping system is a system such as a mechanical brake allowing the rotation of the rollers or wheels to be completely blocked. This then allows said movement means to act as simple skates. This stopping system can thus equip at least one of the wheels or balls or at least one of the rollers. The stopping system can also equip all of the movement means 22.

[0068] The glazing handling system according to the invention operates as follows. The operator who carries the glazing or glass panel with his bare hand or via suction cup gripping systems places the glazing or glass panel, flat, on the support base. The good grip that exists between the surface of the moving means and the surface of the glass then makes it possible to move the glazing in at least one direction by applying a translational force provided that this translational force is greater in intensity than the resistive force or the rotational friction coefficient of the moving means. This allows the operator to place the glazing on the support base so that the glazing is cantilevered and therefore to put less strain on his back. Once the glazing is installed, the operator can slide the glazing to center it. The rotational friction coefficient allows, once the glazing is in its position, said glazing not to move easily..

[0069] The operator can then begin operations on the face of the visible glazing. The resistive force of the movement means allows the glazing to undergo forces and shocks from the operator during the operations carried out on the glazing without said glazing moving. It is then understood that the resistive force has a value such that the momentary application of a translation force lower than a certain threshold, for example 10 Newton (equivalent to the weight of a mass of 1 kg) does not cause significant movement of the glazing while the application of a translation force greater than this threshold, i.e. 10 Newtons in our example, causes a movement of the glazing.

[0070] Here we see the advantage of having the possibility of adjusting the rotational friction coefficient in order to be able to immobilize the glazing during different types of maintenance operations without having to activate the stopping system. Thus, in the case of maintenance operations requiring significant forces to be applied to the glazing, the rotational friction coefficient will be set to a high threshold, typically 50 or 100 Newtons.

[0071] Adjusting the resistive force also makes it possible to adapt to the glazing. Indeed, depending on the dimensions of the glazing, it can be more or less heavy. However, heavy glazing exerts more constraints on the means of movement and therefore becomes less easily movable. By adjusting the resistive force, this additional constraint is compensated.

[0072] If the glazing requires operations on its other side, it is necessary for the operator to turn the glazing over. The operator then takes the glazing, turns it over and places it on the moving means.

[0073] In a variant, the stop system is present, it is then engaged or disengaged depending on the needs. It is then understood that the stop system is disengaged to allow the glazing to be moved to the desired position and then engaged once the position of the glazing has been found. The operator can then begin his operations on the face of the visible glazing.

[0074] In a second embodiment, the support base 20 further comprises sliding means 24.

[0075] In a first embodiment visible in [Fig.5], the sliding means comprise a plate 240. This plate is flat or curved.

[0076] In a second embodiment visible in figure 6, the sliding means comprise at least one rail 242. This rail is straight or curved.

[0077] The sliding means 24 are positioned relative to the moving means 22 such that the sliding means 24 are positioned in the space between the moving means.

[0078] It is then understood that the wheels 222 or rollers 220 surround the plate or the rails.

[0079] Preferably, the rollers 220 are associated with sliding means in the form of a plate 240 and the wheels 222 are associated with sliding means in the form of a rail 242 but these associations are not limiting and sliding means in the form of a plate can be associated with wheels. Likewise, it is possible to have sliding means in the form of a plate associated with a roller and a wheel.

[0080] The moving means such as rollers, wheels or balls are positioned relative to the sliding means, plate or rails, to be raised. It is then understood that when the glazing is placed on the moving means, it does not come into contact with the sliding means. Thus, the plane passing through the the top of the means of movement is higher than the plane passing through the top of the means of sliding, there is therefore a gap between these planes.

[0081] The presence of the sliding means makes it possible to improve the handling of the glazing, in particular when said glazing requires operations on its other face. The method of operation and use of the handling system is thus as follows.

[0082] The installation of the glazing consists of: - Place the glazing on its edge on the sliding means; - Slide the glazing onto the sliding means until the surface opposite the surface to be treated or placed on the means of movement; - Move the glazing to give it the desired position by applying to the glazing a translation force greater in intensity than the resistive force of the moving means; - Carry out the said maintenance operation on the visible face of the glazing.

[0083] If the glazing must be returned, the following steps are carried out: - Move the glazing in translation using the moving means and continue by sliding the glazing on the sliding means in order to be able to take hold of the glazing; - Lift the glazing from the handling system and turn it over; - Place the glazing on its edge on the sliding means; - Slide the glazing onto the sliding means until the surface opposite the surface to be treated or placed on the means of movement - Move the glazing to give it the desired position by applying to the glazing a translation force greater in intensity than the resistive force of the moving means; - Carry out said maintenance operation on the visible face of the glazing.

[0084] Once the maintenance is completed, the following steps are carried out:

[0085] Move the glazing in translation

[0086] Preferably, the spacing between the top of the displacement means 22 and the sliding means 24 is such that when the glazing slides on said sliding means, the contact with the displacement means causes the glazing to transition smoothly and smoothly from the sliding means to said displacement means so that the positioning of the glazing continues. If the spacing is too great, the displacement means act as a stop preventing the glazing from sliding further. The same is true if the displacement means are too high relative to the sliding means. In a variant of the embodiments visible in [Fig.7], the handling system comprises support means 30 in the form of at least one support bar 32. This support bar extends from the support structure or from the support base. This support bar is used to allow the glazing to rest on said bar on its edge. Preferably, the handling system comprises bars arranged in pairs. This provides two support points for the glazing.

[0087] The support bar(s) 32 extend substantially horizontally, i.e. horizontally or at an angle so as to be slightly raised. This ensures that the glazing is held in place. The bars may be straight or curved, smooth or notched. They are preferably coated with a material that has good adhesion to the edge of the glazing in order to minimize the risk of the glazing slipping and falling.

[0088] Preferably, the handling system comprises two pairs of holding bars 32, the pairs being arranged on opposite sides, preferably on either side of the movement means.

[0089] This variant optionally comprises buffer means 34. These buffer means 34 are arranged to cooperate with the holding bars 32. These buffer means comprise washers made of flexible material having good grip with the surface of the glass, such as rubber. These buffer means allow, when the glazing is placed on its edge on the bars, said glazing to rest on the buffer means. This then prevents damage to the glazing.

[0090] These bars are then used during the operation of the handling system during multiple phases. For example, these bars can be used before placing the glazing on the handling system so that the operator can potentially catch his breath or pick up the glazing with a better grip as seen in [Fig.8]. In another example, the bars are used when turning the glazing over.

[0091] The support structure can take different forms.

[0092] In a first form, the support structure 10 consists of a base plate 12 supported by at least one foot 14 as visible in [Fig.9]. This foot is in the form of a peripheral wall. On the base plate, the movement means and the guide means (if present) are arranged.

[0093] In a variant of this first form, the vertical peripheral wall is replaced by four feet arranged at the corner of the base plate as seen in [Fig.10]. Each foot is in the form of a vertical post. This variant makes it possible to free up space under the base plate.

[0094] In another variant of this first form, the feet are arranged in the form of a pair of feet. The feet of this pair are arranged on opposite sides. Each foot is in the form of a central pillar fixed at one end to the base plate and comprising at its second end support points on which the handling system rests. Each foot preferably comprises two points support.

[0095] In an alternative, each foot comprises an H-shaped structure. This structure thus has two points fixed to the base plate and two points serving as support points.

[0096] In a second form, the support structure 10 is in the form of a frame 16 carrying the support base 20 as seen in [Fig.l 1]. The frame is composed of tubes 161, metal profiles for example in the form of two H-shaped trellises connected by at least one central beam.

[0097] The upper part of the H-shaped trellises is capable of supporting the support base, i.e. the movement means and the sliding means if present. These sliding means and these movement means are carried by at least one plate, fixed to the H-shaped trellises.

[0098] In the case of the moving means comprising wheels, two plates are used for their mounting. In the case where the moving means comprise four wheels, two plates are used, each plate carries two wheels. The wheels of each plate are placed essentially on the same line. Each plate is mounted on an H-shaped trellis as visible in [Fig. 12]. If sliding means are provided, such as rails, these rails are carried by the plates. These plates can be fixed to the support base but the plates can also be fixed to the support structure and thus form the support base. In this case, the plates are likely to also carry the support means 30.

[0099] In a variant of the second form, the support structure is designed to be foldable. In this variant, the central beam is designed to fold. The beam then comprises a hinge and locking means. When the locking means are unlocked, the central beam can fold. This folding of the central beam allows the two H-shaped trusses to come together.

[0100] In one variant, the support base is movable relative to the support structure. The support base is mounted on translation elements such as jacks, i.e. mechanical or electromechanical elements allowing the translation of two elements relative to each other. This height adjustment makes it possible to adjust the height of the support base to the size of the operator in order to reduce the effort required. In this variant of the height adjustment, the support means 30 may be arranged not on the support structure but on the support base. This makes it possible to adjust, at the same time, the height of the support means to have support means 30 whose height is always ergonomic.

[0101] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.

[0102] Indeed, it is conceivable that sliding means in the form of rails or plate are used to directly carry the means of movement in the form of wheels.

Claims

Claims

1. A glazing handling system (1) comprising a support structure (10) carrying a support base (20), characterized in that the support base comprises movement means (22) to allow, by rotation, the glazing to be moved when the latter is laid flat, said movement means have a resistive force whose value allows the rotation of the movement means when a translation force is applied to the glazing greater in intensity than the resistive force, said resistive force being furthermore sufficiently high to hold the glazing sufficiently stable on the movement means when the only stress applied to the glazing is its own weight.

2. System according to the preceding claim, in which the displacement means (22) have an adjustable rotational resistance force.

3. Glass handling system 1 according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the movement means (22) are provided with at least one stopping system to block said movement means.

4. Glass handling system 1 according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the resistive force of the displacement means comes from a pair of materials rubbing against each other.

5. Glass handling system 1 according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the resistive force of the displacement means comes from a viscous friction system mechanically connected to the displacement means.

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the displacement means comprise at least one roller, at least one wheel or at least one ball or a combination of these to obtain stable support for the glazing.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the displacement means comprise two rollers (220).

8. System according to claim 2, wherein the moving means comprise four wheels (222), preferably arranged at the four corners of a parallelepiped.

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support base further comprises sliding means (24).

10. System according to the preceding claim, in which the sliding means (24) comprise at least one plate or at least one rail.

11. System according to the preceding claim, in which the sliding means (24) are arranged between the displacement means (22) and so that the plane passing through the vertices of the displacement means overhangs the plane passing through the vertices of the sliding means.

12. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it further comprises support means (30) in the form of at least one support bar (32), said support bar extending from the support structure or from the support base.

13. System according to the preceding claim, in which the bar extends substantially horizontally.

14. System according to the preceding claim, in which the bar is linear or curved.

15. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support base (20) is mounted to move in translation relative to the support structure by means of translation elements.

16. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support structure (10) comprises a frame made of tube or profiles.

17. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the displacement means and the sliding means are mounted on plates, said plates being fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure.

18. System according to claims 8, 10 and 17, in which each plate carries a rail and two wheels, the rail being arranged between the two wheels, on the same line.

19. Method of operating the handling system during a maintenance operation of at least one face of a glazing according to one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the following steps: - Providing the glazing to be treated and providing the handling system; - Placing the glazing on the movement means on the surface opposite the surface to be treated; - Moving the glazing to give it the desired position by applying to said glazing a translation force greater in intensity than the resistive force of the movement means; - Carrying out said maintenance operation on the face su- visible upper part of the glazing.

20. Operating method according to the preceding claim, in which the maintenance operation of a glazing is also carried out on the other face of the glazing, said method then comprising a turning step consisting of: - providing the glazing, - lifting the glazing from the handling system then turning it over; - Placing the glazing on the movement means on the surface opposite the surface to be treated, said method further comprising the following steps: - Moving the glazing to give it the desired position by applying to said glazing a translation force greater in intensity than the resistive force of the movement means; - Carrying out said maintenance operation on the upper face of the glazing.

21. Method according to the preceding claim, in which said handling system comprises sliding means, said turning step consisting of: - Moving the glazing in translation using the moving means and continuing by sliding the glazing on the sliding means in order to be able to pick up the glazing; - Lifting the glazing from the handling system and turning it over; - Placing the glazing on its edge on the sliding means; - Sliding the glazing on the sliding means until the surface opposite the surface to be treated is placed on the moving means.

22. Method according to one of claims 19 to 21 in which the movement means are provided with a stop system, said stop system being disengaged to allow the glazing to be moved to the desired position and then engaged once the position of the glazing has been found.

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