US2454595A - Drink dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 23, 1948. i w. F. cRAMr-ig, JR 9 DRINK DISPENSER 2 Sheets -Sh e et 1 Filed March 2, 1945 Nov. 23, 1948. w. F. CRAMER, JR 2,454,595

DRINK DISPENSER Filed Mar ch 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet a T'IVE'Z 224:1

Patented Nov. 23, 1948 nanvx DISPENSER William F. Cramer, In, Chicago, Ill., alaignor to The Dole Valve Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 2, 1945, Serial No. 580,671

This invention relates to a drink dispenser and more particularly to a dispensing device of the type wherein one fluid, such as a syrup, is arranged to be mixed with a second carbonated liquid to form a carbonated beverage.

In the production of a beverage in which carbonated water is mixed with a flavoring syrup. it is highly desirable that the uniformity of the resulting drink be maintained with fidelity in order to assure uniformity in the taste of successive drinks. The maintenance of the proper proportions of the component liquids combined to form the drink is determinative of its resulting taste and uniformity of mixture. The proportion of the liquids employed in the drink is altered by such factors as changes in the pressure of the carbonated water and variations in the viscosity of the syrup. In view of the fact that it is usually desirable to serve the drink in a chilled condition, it is extremely important that the measuring and valving arrangement for the syrup be constructed and arranged in such a manner that the flow of syrup into the mixing 1 area will not be unduly impeded. It has been found extremely desirable to provide a valving and measuring arrangement for the syrup in which the syrup has only a very short flow passage following the point where the valve is opened into the area where it ismixed with the carbonated water.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide an arrangement in which the -syrup is properly and adequately cooled as well as the carbonated water.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel dispensing device which embodies the highly desirable features referred to above.

Another object of the present invention is to i ing the amount of foam occasioned by mixing a 11 Claims. (Cl. 225-21) 2 liquid witha second liquid containing a gas such, for example, as a carbonated liquid.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended'claims. My invention itself, however, both as to' its manner of construction and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of a drink dispensing device embodying the novel features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to the lower left-hand part of Figure 1 but with the operating handledepressed and the syrup valve and the carbonated liquid valve open; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the operating handle of the dispensing device.

The particular device illustrated in the various figures of the drawings comprises a casing or cabinet it having an outer shell .II and an inner shell l2 spaced from each other by some suitable heat insulating material I 3. The casing or cabinet I0 is arranged to accommodate a suitable temperature changing medium, such, for example, as ice, as well as to accommodate the mixing and dispensing apparatus now to be described.

Mounted in the base wall I of the casing III is a collar 15 which supports the mixing and dispensing apparatus, generally designated by the reference character It. A carbonated liquid such as carbonated water is suppliedto the mixing and dispensing head It through the metal tubing H which is folded back and forth on the interior surface of the base wall ll of the casing ill and thence upwardly along the rear wall of the casing It to a constant rate of flow maintaining device it. After passing through the constant rate of flow maintaining device it-the carbonated water is fed through the tube It to the mixing and dispensing device I6. The arrangement of the tubing II on the base wall It is such as to provide a long passageway for the carbonated water through the coolest portion of the interior of the casing i0. As will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art, ice, or another cooling agent, is packed into the interior of the casing l0 and lies on top of a portion of the tubing I! which is disposed over the base of the casing l0.

The particular illustrated embodiment of the present invention is a device in which a flavoring syrup is arranged to be-mixed with the carbonated water. The flavoring syrup is stored in a Jar or syrup tank which is mounted on top 01 the mixing and dispensing unit i5. In a manner which will presently beexplained, the syrup is arranged to be metered and fed to a region within the unit It where it is mixed with the carbonated' water and then discharged through the lower end of the head 2| of the unit l8.

The unit l8 includes an upper housing member 22. A lower housing member for the unit I5 is provided by the upstanding flange 23 of the collar l5. Threaded onto the lower end of the housing 22 is a sleeve 24. snugly within the flange 23 and projects slightly below the lower end of the flange portion 23. This lower end of the sleeve 24 is threaded both internally and externally. A threaded ring 25 is mounted on the exterior side of the lower end of the sleeve 24 and this ring 25 is provided with holes 28 for receiving a spanner wrench. In

order to assure a fluid-tight fit between the upper housing member22 and the flange 23 of the collar l5, a gasket 21 is provided between the two around the line where they abut.

The collar I5 is secured to the inner shell l2 by'means of a clamping ring 28 which is bolted to the collar l5 as at 29. In order to assure a fluid-tight fit between the inner shell l2 and the collar l5 a gasket is preferably provided and disposed in the manner shown.

The upper housing member 22 is provided with a series of counterbores 3|, 32, 39 and 34 of respectively decreasing diameter. The upper end of the housing member 22 is externally threaded as at 35 for the reception of a clamping ring 35 which retains the throat 31 of the syrup tank 25 on top of the housing member 22. A gasket 38 is provided at the junction of the throat 31 with the housing member 22. Mounted within the tank 28 above the throat member 31 is a cylindrical screen 38 having a stiffening collar at its upper end. Freely mounted for movement within the screen 39 is a mass of metal 4| in the form of a generally cylindrical block. The lower end of the block 4| is arranged to be seated on an upturned lip 42 formed on an inwardly projecting flange 43 of the throat member 31. It will thus, be apparent that the lower surface of the block member 4| provides a valve which operates in conjunction with the valve seat 42 to permit or restrict the passage of syrup from the syrup tank 28 into the housing member 22. The block 4| in its closed position is shown in Figure 2 while in its open position it is shown in Figure 1.

The counterbore 32 has a shoulder 44 at its lower end upon which is seated a diaphragm 45 of resilient material such, for example, as rubber. The outer marginal edge of the diaphragm 45 is clamped tightly against the shoulder 44 by a clamping ring 45 which is threaded into the upper threaded portion of the counterbore 32. A long tube 41 extends upwardly from the discharge head 2| through the diaphragm 45. The upper end of the tube 41 is threaded and has a ring 48 threaded thereon which bears against the upper central portion of the diaphragm 45. The lower end of the tube 41 is threaded into the nave portion 49 of a spider formed on the discharge head 2|. A valve seat member 5| is press-fitted or otherwise suitably secured within The sleeve 24 is mounted 4 the lower end of the tube 41. This valve seat member has a central bore 52 and a tapered seat 53 at its upper end. A stem 54 carried by the block 4| projects down through the tube 41 into a position where it may be seated against the valve seat 53 of the valve seat member 5!.

The carbonated watersupply tube I9 is connected to a nipple 55 which is threaded into the upper housing member 22. A passageway 58 in the housing member 22 leads to a chamber 51 which in turn is provided with a port 58 opening into the chamber 59. A valve member 58 having a resilient seating button8l is arranged to close and open the port 58 to control the admission of carbonated water into the chamber 59. A dummy port member 58' and a dummy button 8 I are also provided in a symmetrical relation to the main port 58 and button 5|.

In order to reduce the amount of foaming when the carbonated water is mixed with the syrup, it is desirable to reduce the velocity of flow of the carbonated water which is under pressure. To this end the carbonated water in the chamber 59 is caused to pass through a spiral capillary passage 82 in the member 53. This member 53 is formed of two parts, 54 and 55. The inner member 54 is externally threaded while the outer member has a bore whose diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the threads ofthe inner member 84. The threads thus provide a capillary passage for conducting carbonated water from the chamber 59 into a lower chamber 85 formed in a member 51. The capillary member 83 is assembled in the following manner. An inner tube or sleeve member 58 is inserted into the bore 89- at the upper housing member 22, the upward movement of the sleeve 88 being limited by a shoulder 10 which is seated against the upper housing member 22. The sleeve 85 is provided with an enlarged intermediate portion which provides a shoulder II against which the capillary member 53 is seated, it being noted that the lower end of the sleeve 88 extends down through the upper head portion of the capillary member 83. The capillary member 53 is provided with an external shoulder 12 upon which is seated a rubber ring 13. The upper end of the member 51 is threaded into the sleeve 24 to bear against the rubber sealing ring 13. It will thus be observed that the upward movement 'of the member 51 forces the capillary member 83 against the sleeve member 58, which sleeve member in turn is forced against the upper housing member 22. This retains all of the above elements in tight assembled relationship.

The chamber 55 in the member 51 is separated from the head 2| by a baille plate 14 which is interposed between the member 51 and the spider 58 of the mixing head 2|. In normal use it rests on top of the spider 58. This baflle plate 14 is for the purpose of further slowing down the velocity of flow of carbonated water into the discharge head 2|. In the particular illustrated embodiment of the invention this baflle member 14 is in the form of a screen.

Reference has been made above to the valve member 50 carrying the rubber valve buttons 5|. This valve member 50 is supported on a plurality of pins 18 which slidably pass through the head portion of the inner part 54 of the capillary member 63. The pins I5 are supported at their lower ends on-a perforated metal ring 11 which is carried on a shoulder 15 formed on the lower end of the tube 19. The tube 19 passes through the sleeve 58 and makes a sliding flt therewith. The

tube 41 in turn passes through the-tube 18 and makes a close sliding fit therewith. Near the upper end of the tube 18 a collar 88 is secured. A spring 8| is disposed between the collar 88 and the upper end of the sleeve 88. This helical spring 8| urges the tube 19 in an upward direction. On the under side of the diaphragm 45 a collar 82 is secured to the tube 41. The collar 82 and the clamping ring 48 thus securely attach the tube 41 to the diaphragm 45. A helical spring 88 is disposed between the collar 88 on the tube 19 and the collar 82 on the tube 41. This tends to urge the inner tube 41 upwardly with respect to the tube 19.

As is apparent from an inspection of Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the discharge head 2| makes a sliding fit with the lower chamber member 81. This relative movement of the discharge head with respect to the member 81 is the movement which causes the opening and closing of the syrup and carbonated water valve. In order to conveniently move the discharge head 2| an annular recess 84 is provided into which a pair of fingers 85 and 88 (see Figure 3) of a yoke portion 81 of a draft arm 88 extend. The draft arm 88 is pivotally supported as at 89 on a bracket 98 carried on theunder side of the casing iii. The draft arm 88 is conveniently shaped and designed to substantially conform to the portion of the casing III in proximity thereto. Thus the draft arm is arranged to extend around the lower edge of the casing l and upwardly to a point where a fold 8| is provided which provides ready fingertip control. As previously pointed out, Figure 1 shows the position of the respective elements, including the draft arm 88, when no beverage is being dispensed, while Figure 2 shows the position of the respective elements, including the draft arm 88, when a beverage is being dispensed.

The operation of the device will best be under- I stood by a comparative study of Figures 1 and 2.

As shown in Figure 1, the draft arm 88 is up, which causes the discharge head 2| to be disposed in its upper position. In this position the valve seat member 5| has been raised against the stem 54 and this, in turn, has lifted the block 4| from the seat 42. Syrup will thus flow from the syrup tank 28 into the syrup measuring chamber provided by the counterbore 8|. It will also flow down through the tube 41 to the valve seat 58. The amount of syrup contained in the chamber provided by the-bore 8| together with that contained in the tube 41 represents the measured amouht of fluid which is desired for a conventional size soft drink beverage glass.

When the discharge head 2| is in its upward position as shown in Figure 1 it will also be noted that the diaphragm 45 is distended upwardly due to the upward movement of the tube 41. Indeed, the combined action of the springs 8| and 88 provide the biasing force necessary to hold the discharge head 2| and the draft arm 88 in their upper positions. The action of the biasing spring 8| in raising the tube 19 causes the pins 18 to force the valve member 80 with its resilient valve button 8| up against the port member 58 to close off the flow of carbonated water therethrough. We thus see that with the respective elements in their respective positions as shown in Figure 1, carbonated water lies in the coil H, the constant flow maintaining device i8, the tube i9 and the chamber 51. Syrup lies in the syrup jar 29, the screen member 89, the chamber provided by the counterbore 8| and substantially the entire length of the tube 41.

Let it now be assumed that a glass has been disposed below the discharge head 2| and that the glass is desired to be filled with the carbonated beverage formed by the mixture of syrup and the carbonated water. The fingertip portion 8|- is depressed, which causes a rocking movement of the draft arm 88 about its pivot 88. This pulls down the discharge head 2| against the action of the biasing springs 8| and 88. As the discharge head moves down the block 4| is seated on the lip 42 and prevents further passage of syrup from the syrup tank 28 into the measuring chamber provided by the counterbore 8|. Since the extent of movement of the discharge head 2| is greater than the length of travel required for the block 4| to move against the lip 42-, it will be apparent that the valve seat 88 moves out of engagement with the lower end of the stem 84. This enables the syrup contained in the chamber 8| and the tube 41 to be discharged into the discharge head 2|. In view of the fact that the block 4| has closed against the seat 42, it will be apparent that only the amount of syrup contained in the chamber 8| and the tube 41 will be discharged.

The downward movement of the discharge head 2| with the corresponding downward movement of the tube 41 has brought the collar 82 into engagement with the upper end of the tube 19. Continued movement of the tube 41 forces the tube 19 downwardly against the action of the biasing spring 8|. Downward movement of the tube 19 permits the valve member 89 carried on the pins 18 to be moved dow awardly away from the port 58 by the pressure of the carbonated water action thereagainst. with the opening of the port 58 carbonated water flows from the supply coil through the constant flow maintaining device l8 into the chamber 59. From the chamber 58 it passes down through the spiral capillary in the capillary member 88 into the chamber 88. From the chamber 88 it passes through the baiiie plate member 14 into the discharge head 2| where it is mixed with the syrup just at the point of egress. When the glass has been filled the draft arm 88 is released and the springs 8| and 88 return the discharge head 2| to its upper position as shown in Figure 1.

From the above description it will be apparent that almost immediately upon depression of the draft arm 88, the syrup is discharged. This, of course, is due to the fact that the syrup valve provided by the stem 54 and the valve seat 88 is way down within the discharge head and substantially at the point where the syrup is mixed with the carbonated water as well as at the point where the combined fluids are discharged into the glass. Due to the fact that the syrup is of much greater viscosity than the carbonated water, it has been found that to insure the deliverance of an adequate measured quantity of syrup, it is necessary that the syrup valving arrangement be located substantially at the point of discharge. This is one of the important features of the present invention. It has further been found that the location of the baflie plate member in the manner described above greatly reduces foaming and causes a relatively high percentage of carbonation to be retained.

No detailed description has been given of the constant rate of flow maintaining device l8 since the details of this construction form no part of the present invention. Any suitable device for of variations in fluid pressure may be employed.

This is desirable in order to prevent an undesired increase in the velocity of the deliverance of the carbonated water into the discharge head 2|.

In the above described apparatus, it will be apparent that it is necessary to bleed air to the chamber iii in order to permit the free flow therefrom when the valve seat 53 is moved away from the stem 54. To this end a bleeder pipe 92 is mounted on the block 4| and connects with a passageway 93 extending entirely through the block 4|. The upper end of the bleeder pipe terminates in proximity to the top-of the syrup tank and is provided with a handle portion 84 which enables the bleeder pipe 92, the block 4| and the stem 54 to be withdrawn readily and quickly as a unit. This arrangement thus enables the syrup tank to be readily and quickly emptied without depressing the draft arm 88 and without mixing any of the syrup with carbonated water should such be desired.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as may fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. .A device for mixing and dispensing two liquids comprising a storage reservoir for one liquid, a second reservoir below said first reservoir and communicating therewith, a discharge head, an elongated passageway extending from said second reservoir to said discharge head, the capacity of said second reservoir and said elongated passageway together being substantially equal to the amount of the first liquid which is to be mixed with the second liquid, valve means at the lower end of said elongated passageway for controlling the flow of said one liquid to said discharge head, a liquid supplyconduit for conducting the second liquid to said discharge head, valve means for controlling the flow of said second liquid to said discharge head, and means for interrupting the flow of said one liquid from said first reservoir to said second reservoir when said first valve means is open.

A drink dispenser for mixing a measured quantity of a flavoring syrup with a carbonated liquid comprising a casing having a syrup tank mounted in anupper portion thereof, a chamber below said tank, a port opening from said tank into said chamber, a port closing member adapted to be seated on said port, said member being normally unseated, a discharge head, an elongated passageway extending from said chamber to said discharge head, valve means for controlling the flow of syrup from said elongated passageway to said discharge head, said valve means being positioned adiacent said discharge head, means for conducting a carbonated liquid to said discharge head, valve means for controlling the flow of carbonated liquid from said conducting means to said discharge head, and means for simultaneously opening said two valve means and closing said port closing member.

3. A device for mixing a syrup with a carbonated liquid for dispensing a carbonated beverthe lower end thereof, an orifice member mounted in the lower end of said tube, an elongated valve member of substantially smaller diameter than the internal diameter of said tube projecting downwardly through said tube and into orifice closing engagement with said orifice member, means for introducing a carbonated liquid into said head above the lower end of said tube, valve means for controlling the flow of carbonated liquid, said head being mounted for limited vertical movement, means responsive to downward movement of said head for opening said valve means, said orifice member being separated from said valve member by downward movement of said head.

4. A device for mixing syrup with a carbonated liquid for dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising a casing having a syrup tank located in an upper portion of said casing, a chamber of predetermined desired capacity below said tank, said chamber having an opening in the bottom thereof, a flexible diaphragm covering said opening, a depending tube mounted on said diaphragm and communicating with said chamber, a port opening from said tank into said chamber, a port closing member seated on said port, a discharge head substantially larger than said tube mounted on the lower end thereof, an orifice member mounted in the lower end of said tube, an elongated valve member projecting downwardly through said tube and into orifice closing engagement with said orifice member, means for introducing a carbonated liquid into said head above the lower end of' said tube, valve means for controling the flow of carbonated liquid, said head being mounted for limited vertical movement, said elongated valve member being of such length that when said head is in its upward position said port closing member is off of said port, whereby syrup from said tank flows into said chamber, means responsive to downward movement of said head for opening said valve means, said orifice member being separated from said valve member by downward movement of said head, and said port closin member being moved to a port closing position upon downward movement of said head.

5. A syrup and carbonated liquid mixing head comprising a homing member having a syrup reservoir therein and having a flexible bottom wall portion, a depending tube mounted on said flexible bottom wall portion and communicating at its upper end with said reservoir, said housing member having an annular chamber surrounding said tube, means for feeding carbonated liquid to said annular chamber, a second annular chamber surrounding said tube, said housing member having at least one port between said chambers, a valve member surrounding said tube and movable axially with respect to said tube into port opening and dosin position, a discharge head substantially larger than said tube mounted on the lower end thereof, an orifice member mounted in the lower end of said tube, an elongated valve member projecting downwardly through said tube and into orifice closing engagement with said orifice member, said head being mounted for limited vertical movement, means responsive to downward movement of said head for moving said valve member surrounding said tube to its open position, said orifice member being separated from said elongated valve member by downward movement of said head.

6. A syrup and carbonated liquid mixing head comprising a housing member having a syrup reservoir therein and having a flexible bottom -ing member having an annular chamber surrounding said tube, means for feeding carbonated liquid to said annular chamber, a second annular chamber around said tube, said housing member having at least one port between said chambers, a valve member surrounding said tube and movable axially with respect to. said tube into port opening and closing position, a discharge head of substantially larger cross-section than said tube mounted on the lower end thereof, an orifice member mounted in the lower end of said tube, an elongated valve member projecting downwardly through said tube and into orifice closing engagement with-said orifice member, a member closing the lower end of said second chamber having a capillary passage therethrough opening into said discharge head, said head being mounted for limited vertical movement, means responsive to downward movement of said head for lowering said first valve-member away from said port, said orifice member being separated from said elongated valve member by downward movement of said head.

7. A syrup and carbonated liquid mixing head comprising a housing member having a syrup reservoir therein and having a flexible bottom wall portion, a depending tube mounted on said flexible bottom 'wa'l portion and communicating at its upper end with said reservoir, said housing member having an annular chamber substantially concentric with said tube and means for-feeding carbonated liquid to said annular chamber, a second annular chamber surrounding said tube, said housing member having a plurality of ports between said first and second chambers, an annular valve member mounted for limited vertical movement into port closing position, an intermediate wall member disposed across said second annular chamber below said valve member, said intermediate wall member having a spiral capillary passage therethrough, a screen closing the lower end of said second annular chamber, a discharge head substantially larger than said tube mounted on the lower end thereof, an orifice member mounted in the lower end of said tube, an elongated valve member projecting downwardly through said tube and into orifice closing engagement with said orifice member, the enlarged upper end of said discharge head slidably engaging the lower end of said housing member whereby carbonating liquid passing through said screen member enters said head above the lower end of said tube, means responsive to downward movement of said head for opening said first valve member, said orifice member being separated from said elongated valve member by such downward movement of said head.

8. A fluid mixing and dispensing device comprising a fluid tank for a first fluid, a housing member upon which said tank is mounted, said member having a measuring reservoir below said tank, a valve seat defining a port between said tank and said reservoir, a relatively heavy block seated on said valve seat, said reservoir having a flexible bottom wall portion,- a depending tube mounted on said flexible wall portion and communicating with said reservoir, a second tube through which said first tube slidably extends, said housing member including a central sleeve portion through which said tubes extend and with which said second tube makes a sliding fit, spring 10 means for urging said first tube upwardly with respect to said second tube and for urging said second tube upwardly with respect to said housing member, said housing member having a pair of annular chambers substantialLv concentric with said tubes and disposed one above the other, a fluid supply conduit for supplying a second fluid to said upper annular chamber, said housing member having a plurality of ports between said annular chambers, an annular valve member in said lower annular chamber, said housing member including a wall portion closing the lower end of said lower annular chamber and having a capillary passage therethrough, said housing member also including a depending throat extending downwardly from said capillary wall portion and in spaced relationship with respect to said first tube, a discharge head slidably mounted on said throat, an open framework securing said head to the lower end of said first tube, means supported by the lower end of said second tube for supporting and moving said annular valve member, an orifice member mounted on the lower end of said first tube, an elongated valve member depending from said block and projecting downwardly through said tube and into orifice closing engagement with said orifice member, said elongated valve member and said annular valve member supporting means being of such length that when said discharge head is in its upper position it is held there by the spring means for urging said first tube and said second tube upwardly and said annular valve member and said orifice member are closed and said block is lifted off of said valve seat, and means for lowering said discharge head against the action of said spring means to open said annular valve member and said orifice member and to close said block on said valve seat.

9. In a beverage dispenser having a casing with the discharge head disposed in the bottom thereof, a draft arm for operating said head pivotally mounted on the bottom of said casing and extending in close proximity to the bottom wall of said casing, thence around the lower edge of said casing and upwardly in close proximity to a side wall of said casing, said draft arm having an opening therein through which beverage discharged from said discharge head passes.

10. In a beverage-dispenser having a casing with the discharge head disposed in the bottom thereof, a draft arm for operating said head pivotally mounted on the bottom of said casing and.

extending in close proximity to the bottom wall of said casing, thence around the lower edge of said casing and upwardly in close proximity to a side wall of said casing, the upper end of said draft arm having a "fold therein, thereby providing fingertip operation for said draft arm.

11. A device for mixing syrup with a carbonated liquid for dispensing a carbonated beverage, comprising a casing having a syrup tank located in an upper portion of said casing, a metering chamber of predetermined capacity below said tank and in communication therewith, a tubular member slidable in said casing forming a portion of said metering chamber, a discharge head secured to the lower end of said slidable tubular member and in flow communication therewith, a passage in said casing in communication with a source of carbonated fluid, a valve having a first seating surface for closing the opening between said syrup tank and said metering chamber and a second seating surface for closing the opening between said tubular memsecond seating surface to move toward closed position and permitting said spring means to seat said second valve.

. WILLIAM F. CRAMER, JR.

REFERENCES crmn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 658,456 McCausland Sept. 25,1900 1,288,357 Wooten Dec. 17, 1918 1,312,320 Grenier Aug. 5, 1919 2,121,841 Tweed June 26, 1938 2,415,861 Bauerlein et a1 Feb. 18, 1947

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