EP2391566B1 - Device for positioning a flat element in an entrance station of a processing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for positioning a plate element in an introduction station. The invention relates to an insertion station comprising such a device for positioning a plate element. The invention also relates to a processing machine incorporating such an introduction station.

A processing machine, for example a platen cut forming machine, is used in particular in the printing and packaging industry, for example for the manufacture of cardboard boxes from plate elements such as only leaves.

The plate elements are removed from a stack located upstream of the machine, being taken by an introducer in an introducer station. These plate elements are grasped by a conveyor, in the form of clamp bars mounted at regular intervals on a train of endless chains. The latter makes it possible to take the elements in plate in the different subsequent stations of treatment of the machine. The train of chains moves and stops periodically in a timed run, so that during each move, all gripper bars that have gripped a plate member are moved from an upstream station to the adjacent downstream station that follows.

In the cutting machine, the stations are successively a cutting station of the plate elements with a shape to be cut, a waste ejection station with an ejection form and a stack receiving station of these cut sheet elements. .

To obtain a quality cut, the positioning of the plate elements within the different successive stations is a primordial operation. In the case of cutting an already printed plate element or with a pre-folding of fold lines, the positioning of the plate element must be precise so that the cutting tools are in perfect register with the printing or with the transformations that have been made beforehand on the plate element. Because of its construction, the carrier ensures very precise transportation and shutdown of plate at different stations. This positioning therefore depends on the accuracy of the passage from the plate element, being free, to the plate element, being grasped by the conveyor, this passage being made in the insertion station.

State of the technique

In order to obtain such positioning, positioning devices consist in pressing the plate element on a margin table or various type of introducer against abutments or front and lateral stops by means of advancing members, such as rollers. or bands. In the case of raw plate elements, the front and side cleats used are precisely arranged in relation to the following stations. The plate member is thus quickly tapped by the advancing members, and then grasped by the clip bar. The cleats are then retracted, and the clamp bar carries the plate element in the next processing station and positions it accurately with respect to the tools of the plate of this station.

We know from the document CH-676.695 such a positioning device, in which optoelectronic reading means, such as a camera, are arranged above the margin table. The camera can read the front and side edges of the plate element or a printed area by a printing mark or other distinctive sign of the pre-treatment. Cleats are motorized, so as to be able to control a variation and an adjustment of their position and therefore of the plate element, according to the information received by the camera and according to parameters stored in a memory.

However, this lug positioning device implies that the advance of each plate member is substantially stopped at the time of jogging and adjustment. This substantially limits the possible rate of scrolling of the plate elements in the machine.

In addition, the fact of pressing a plate member against a cleat causes the formation of a more or less damaged area, visible on the corresponding edge. This damaged area can then be found on the cut. This damaged area causes jams of the plate elements in the machine.

The document DE-25.20.232 discloses a device for feeding a machine with plate elements. A plate member, from a collection point, is pushed to front cleats, located at the front of a shelf. The element in plate is retained by suction nozzles, formed in the surface of the tablet. Microswitches are located in the plane of the cleats, and control the exact positioning of the front edge of the plate member against microswitches and cleats. Other cleats hold the element in plate while it is pushed to the front cleats.

The tablet moves forwards and backwards while being moved by a cam driven by a motor rotating in one direction. The cam pushes a pivoting arm provided with a ball joint at its end, the ball being placed in a housing formed under the tablet. The tablet comes back with the arm pulled by a spring. When the cam makes a complete turn, the arm and thus the tablet are alternately a round trip.

However, the cam must always make a full turn to advance the tablet to its maximum forward position, then have this tablet back to its starting position back. Due to the presence of the cam and cleats, the stroke of the back and forth movement of the tablet remains fixed, and entirely dependent on the shape of the cam. The format changes, in this case the length of the plate element, require a cam change, which is incompatible with the current requirements to minimize the adjustment times for the profitability of the machine.

In this prior document, it is not possible to obtain a variation or a longitudinal adjustment of the position of the tablet and thus of the plate element. In case of bad longitudinal placement of the plate element, the tablet can not make correction.

In addition, no means is provided or described for detecting, without contact, the leading edge of the plate member. The plate elements are therefore damaged because of their frontal jogging. This situation is even more accentuated that the element to be treated is a corrugated cardboard laminated. The front edge of the laminated lower sheet is cantilevered with respect to the corrugations and the topsheet. The jogging of such a carton causes the bottom sheet to become damaged over a length and / or fold up or down or against the front edge of the carton.

In addition, with a laminated corrugated board member, the starting frame corresponding to the rear longitudinal position is lost or is very imprecise, when the plate member is positioned against a starting gauge or when comes against a cleat, because of the flexibility of the laminated lower sheet. The positioning of the plate element gripped by the conveyor thus becomes imprecise, making the treatment by the machine imprecise.

It is also known from the document EP-1.044.908 a method and device for positioning a plate member, such as a cardboard plate member for a platen press. This positioning device operates without cleat and includes temporary holding means, in the form of a movable tablet, provided with a temporary fixation of the plate element to be positioned.

This tablet performs on the one hand a longitudinal movement back and forth, thanks to the crankshaft of the press, and on the other hand correction movements. These movements are around three vertical pins each secured to a carriage, a central carriage sliding in a longitudinal slide and two side carriages sliding in transverse rails. The correction movements of this tablet are generated by three specific linear motors controlled by optoelectronic detection means.

The correction is effected during the drive of the plate member by the movable tablet, so as to bring the front edge of the plate member into a conveyor, in the form of a clip bar at a position of precise reference. The temporary fixing of the tablet can then release the plate element and the tablet can be returned to the starting position to take another plate element. This device continuously accurate positioning of the plate element during its transportation saves the time required for jogging plate elements, which allows to significantly increase the rate of the processing machine.

However, the increase in productivity thus obtained requires a significant investment. Indeed, the cost increase between a conventional jogging system and such a continuous positioning device is considerable and is only economically justified on certain types of machines. Depending on the type of plate element to be treated, the user does not necessarily need a positioning device as effective and as complex. The document EP-1 772 405 A1 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

A main object of the present invention is to develop a device for positioning a plate element in an introductory station of a processing machine of the element. A second objective is to provide a positioning device that is particularly simple to implement, to implement and inexpensive. A third objective is to equip an introduction station with a device for positioning an element, requiring only a minimum of modifications to operate accurately and quickly. Still another objective is to provide a plate element processing machine, allowing the subsequent conveyor to grasp the well aligned element, through an introducer station and a positioning device, and take it into stations to treat it effectively.

• des moyens de maintien temporaires de cet élément, se déplaçant longitudinalement alternativement d'une position amont vers une position aval, et réciproquement, pour prendre cet élément dans un positionnement arrière et l'amener vers le positionnement intermédiaire, et revenir à vide,
• un moteur déplaçant longitudinalement les moyens de maintien, de la position amont vers la position aval, et réciproquement, en fonction du défilement cadencé, et
• des moyens de détection d'un positionnement longitudinal arrière dans lequel se trouve cet élément, émettant un signal de positionnement.

The invention relates to a device for positioning a plate element in an introduction station of a processing machine of the element. The processing machine is equipped with a conveyor, which picks up this element in a predetermined intermediate position, and brings this element into timed scrolling in successive processing stations. The device is of the type comprising:

• means for temporarily holding this element, moving longitudinally alternately from an upstream position to a downstream position, and vice versa, to take this element in a rear position and bring it to the intermediate position, and return to empty,
• a motor longitudinally displacing the holding means, from the upstream position to the downstream position, and vice versa, as a function of the clocked running, and
• means for detecting a rear longitudinal position in which this element is located, emitting a positioning signal.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the device is characterized in that the motor has a capacity to move these holding means from this upstream position to different downstream positions, depending on the signal emitted by the detection means, so as to bring this element from the rear positioning to the intermediate position.

Throughout the description, the sheet or sheet element is defined, by way of non-exhaustive example, as being of a material such as paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, laminated corrugated cardboard, flexible plastic, for example polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bioriented polypropylene (BOPP), or other polymers, or other materials.

The element undergoes a process of treatment in the processing machine. The treatment can be a cutting process. The treatment may be a printing process, in which one or more colors have been applied to the surface of the element, to affix graphic signs and / or to give it an aesthetic appearance. The treatment can also be a process of crushing, embossing, structuring, hot stamping (also known as hot foil stamping), sticking labels or holograms, or other again. This treated element may comprise a layer of varnish, covering all or part of the printed surface.

The processing machine is defined, by way of non-exhaustive example, as a platen cutting machine, a printing machine, with at least one printing unit, for example in flexography, in heliography, in offset, or embossing group, or a crushing group, or a hot stamping group, a digital or inkjet printing machine, or others.

The longitudinal direction is defined by referring to the direction of movement of the element in the machine along its median longitudinal axis. The upstream and downstream directions are defined with reference to the direction of movement of the element, along the longitudinal direction in the introduction station and in the whole of the processing machine.

In other words, a motor is mechanically connected to the temporary holding means. Not only does this motor move the temporary holding means from upstream to downstream with a plate element and then downstream upstream without a plate element, but it also moves these same temporary upstream holding means downstream with a plate member, while taking into account inaccurate or erroneous rear positioning of the plate member on the temporary holding means.

Longitudinal positioning is achieved accurately and sufficiently, thanks to a single motor to move the temporary holding means. Front jogging with cleats is removed. The signal emitted by the detection means is used to calculate an instantaneous rear position of the element, which position is then compared to a reference position. This signal then makes it possible to bring the positioning element back to the chosen intermediate position.

An update of an existing positioning device involves disassembly of the front cleats and the use of a motor driven and moving the holding means longitudinally. The existing mechanical drive for the positioning device is disconnected from the general drive of the machine and replaced by this motor.

In another aspect of the invention, an introducer station for a plate member processing machine is characterized in that it comprises a device having one or more of the technical features described below and claimed.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a processing machine of a plate element is characterized in that it comprises an insertion station having one or more technical features described below and claimed.

brief description of the drawings

• la Figure 1 représente une vue latérale synoptique d'une machine de traitement d'un élément ;
• la Figure 2 représente une vue en perspective partielle d'une station d'introduction de la machine de traitement de la Figure 1, équipée avec un dispositif de positionnement de l'élément selon l'invention ; et
• la Figure 3 représente une vue latérale synoptique du dispositif de positionnement de l'élément de la Figure 2, dans une position amont et trois positions aval.

The invention will be better understood and its various advantages and different characteristics will become more apparent in the following description, of the nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings, in which:

• the Figure 1 represents a synoptic side view of an element processing machine;
• the Figure 2 represents a partial perspective view of an introduction station of the machine for processing the Figure 1 equipped with a device for positioning the element according to the invention; and
• the Figure 3 represents a synoptic side view of the positioning device of the element of the Figure 2 , in an upstream position and three downstream positions.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

As illustrated by Figure 1 , a plate-like processing machine, here a platen press (1), comprises in the order different treatment stations (2, 3, 4 and 6), an introduction station (2), an cutting station (3), a waste ejection station (4) and a receiving station (6). The element in plate, that is to say the sheets of cardboard to be cut (7) are grasped and transported through the press (1) by a conveyor.

The conveyor may generally be constituted by a gripping member, here a series of grippers mounted on a transverse bar of grippers (8), which can be secured to a string of chains (9), shown schematically in dashed lines, driving in the direction longitudinal (arrow L) the leaves to be cut (7). The gripper bar (8) grasps the sheet to be cut (7) in a predetermined intermediate position, and the chain train (9) brings them in synchronous succession in the successive treatment stations (2, 3, 4 and 6). ).

The chain train (9) is transported and periodically stops in a timed run, so that during a transport, each clamp bar (8) with its sheet (7) is passed from an upstream station to the downstream station adjacent. The position of the clip bar stops (8) is dictated by a transport of the chain train (9) over a constant distance.

Generally, the cutting station (3) comprises a movable lower bed (11), on which are fixed the cutting counter-form, and a fixed upper bed (12), on the underside of which is fixed the cutting tool , or conversely a fixed lower bed base and a movable upper bed base. The cut sheet (13) is separated from the gripper bar (8) at the receiving station (6), the gripper bar (8) still holding the front waste. The receiving station (6) is surmounted by a conveyor belt (14) for discharging the front waste from the cut sheets (13). The cut sheets (13) are then discharged in a pile out of the press (1).

The introduction station (2) is provided with a device for positioning the sheet to be cut (15), bringing the sheet to be cut (7) from the insertion station (2) to the cutting station (3). In the introduction station (2), the sheets to be cut (7) are arranged in a stack (16), which is supported in particular against a gauge (17). The positioning device (15) firstly comprises means for temporarily holding the cutting sheet (7) or introducer (18). With a gap left at the bottom of the gauge (17), the sheets to be cut (7) are removed one by one from the bottom of the stack (16) by means of the introducer (18).

The introducer (18) moves longitudinally alternately from an upstream position to a downstream position, and vice versa, from a downstream position to an upstream position (arrows A, Aa, Ab and Ac in Figures 2 and 3 ). The introducer (18) takes the sheet to cut (7) in a rear position at the bottom of the stack (16) and brings it to the predetermined intermediate position, at the precise location in which the gripper bar (8) is to be grasped. The introducer (18) then returns empty to its upstream position.

In a first embodiment and advantageously, the introducer may be in the form of a shelf (18) movable longitudinally (A). The shelf (18) can favorably slide longitudinally (A) on two lower longitudinal rails (19), mounted on a frame (21).

In a first variant of the first embodiment, the tablet (18) may have suction ports (22), connected to a vacuum source (not shown), to take the sheets to be cut (7) by their underside. . Vacuum suction control means are also provided for releasing the sheet to be cut (7) at the precise moment when the gripper bar (8) will grab it.

The positioning device (15) then comprises a motor (23) moving longitudinally (A) the introducer (18), from the upstream position to the downstream position, and reciprocally, depending on the clocked running of the press (1). The motor (23) of the introducer (18) is slaved in position according to the clockwise running of the chain of chains (9) of the press (1), usually marked by the angle of the output shaft of the crankshaft of the press (1).

According to the invention, the motor (23) has an ability to move (A, Aa, Ab and Ac) said temporary holding means, that is to say the introducer (18), from the upstream position to different downstream positions, as a function of the signal emitted by the detection means, so as to bring the sheet to be cut (7) from the rear position to the intermediate position.

The positioning device (15) may preferably comprise a drive arm (24). A hinge piece (25) provides the mechanical connection between the arm (24) and the introducer (18). The arm (24) can mechanically secure the introducer (18) to a drive shaft (26) of the motor (23).

The positioning device (15) also comprises means for detecting a longitudinal rear positioning (27), in which the sheet to be cut (7) is located, emitting a positioning signal. These detection means (27) are located directly downstream of the gauge (17). These detection means (27) are of the optoelectronic sensor type. These means (27) can detect either a leading edge of the cutting sheet (7), and / or a pre-printed mark on the upper surface of the cutting sheet (7), and / or a mark imprinted on the lower surface of the cutting sheet (7), the detection means (27) being then arranged under the introducer (18).

The motor (23) rotates (arrows T, Ta, Tb and Tc in Figures 2 and 3 ) its drive shaft (26) in an angular stroke, which is a function of the cadence of the train of chains (9) of the press (1) and of the signal emitted by the detection means (27) detecting the precise positioning of the the cutting sheet (7).

In the state of the art, the crankshaft of the press (1) drives not only the lower mobile base (11) of the cutting station (3), but also the shaft (26) which moves the introducer ( 18) from upstream to downstream and vice versa. In the invention, the shaft (26) is mechanically disengaged from the main motor of the press (1), and the displacement of the introducer (18) is controlled by a calculation unit (28) at a time as a function of the clockwise running of the press (1) and according to the signal emitted by the detection means (27).

The drive shaft (26) tilts (T, Ta, Tb and Tc) the arm (24) upstream and downstream and vice versa, so as to move (A, Aa, Ab and Ac) the introducer (18) from the upstream position to different downstream positions to bring the cut sheet (7) of different rear longitudinal positions to a single intermediate position at the clamp bar (8).

As shown in Figure 3 when the sheet to be cut (7a) is located in an exact rear position in the stack (16), the detection means (27) will send a signal corresponding to the calculation unit (28) which will drive the motor ( 23). The arm (24) will be tilted (Ta) and the introducer (18) will be moved (Aa) by the motor (23) in a calculated stroke, so as to cause the sheet to be cut (7a) exact rear positioning towards the precise intermediate positioning.

When the sheet to be cut (7b or 7c) is located in a position too far back in the stack (16), the detection means (27) will send a signal corresponding to the calculation unit (28) which will drive the motor (23). The arm (24) will be tilted (Tb or Tc) and the introducer (18) will be moved (Ab or Ac) by the motor (23) in a calculated stroke, so as to bring the sheet to be cut (7b or 7c) positioning too far back to the accurate and corrected intermediate positioning at the clamp bar (8).

In a second variant of the first embodiment, the tablet-shaped introducer (18) may have a gripper movably pivotally mounted to temporarily take the sheet to be cut (7) by its leading edge. Gripper control means are also provided for releasing the sheet to be cut (7) at the precise moment when the gripper bar (8) will grab it.

In a second embodiment, the temporary holding means for the sheets to be cut (7) may be in the form of a vacuum conveyor with endless belts driven by the motor, for example substantially similar to those described in the document EP 0.501.213 . These types of temporary holding means comprise a vacuum box whose one face is perforated with numerous suction orifices and which is connected with a vacuum source such as a vacuum suction pump. A set of endless conveyor belts or belts are guided and driven by pulleys at the front and back ends of the box and pass along the perforated face of the box to return through the opposite face.

The driven motor according to the invention drives one of the end pulleys. The sheets to be cut (7) are thus pressed by the suction against the endless belts, then brought to a precise intermediate position, to be seized by the conveyor (8). The displacement distance of the sheets to be cut (7) is a function of their initial rear longitudinal positioning, identified by the detection means (27).

In a third embodiment, the temporary holding means for the sheets to be cut (7) may be in the form of a vacuum transport with rollers driven by the motor, for example substantially similar to those described in the document EP 0.363.662 . These types of temporary holding means comprise a frame consisting of two longitudinal members interconnected by a series of sleepers. These side rails carry in integrated bearings a series of trees, parallel to each other, orthogonal to the direction of movement of the sheets to be cut (7). These trees have a series of driving rollers carved in the mass. A plate covers the underside of the frame, except at rectangular openings through which the lower part of the rollers, which thus emerge out of the plate.

The driven motor according to the invention drives the shafts and thus the rollers. The sheets to be cut (7) are thus pressed by the suction against the rollers, then brought to a precise intermediate position, to be seized by the carrier (8). The displacement distance of the sheets to be cut (7) is a function of their initial rear longitudinal positioning, identified by the detection means (27).

In a fourth embodiment, the temporary holding means for the cutting sheets (7) may be in the form of a vacuum conveyor plate and toothed belt driven by the motor. These types of temporary holding means comprise at least three gears, arranged in the form of a triangle. One or more belts are mounted on these gears being arranged parallel to each other. A vacuum plate provided with suction openings is fixed on this or these belts.

The driven motor according to the invention drives one of the pinions, the driving pinion, the belt or belts and thus the vacuum plate. The sheets to be cut (7) are thus pressed by the suction against the vacuum plate, then brought to a precise intermediate position, to be seized by the conveyor (8). The displacement distance of the sheets to be cut (7) is a function of their initial rear longitudinal positioning identified by the detection means (27).

In a fifth embodiment, the temporary holding means for the sheets to be cut (7) may be in the form of a vacuum transport plate and rack-pinion driven by the engine. These types of temporary holding means comprise a rack driven in displacement by a pinion. A vacuum plate provided with suction openings is fixed on this rack.

The driven motor according to the invention drives this motor pinion and thus the vacuum plate. The sheets to be cut (7) are thus pressed by the suction against the vacuum plate, then brought to a precise intermediate position, to be seized by the conveyor (8). The displacement distance of the sheets to be cut (7) is a function of their initial rear longitudinal positioning identified by the detection means (27).

In a sixth embodiment, the temporary holding means for the cutting sheets (7) may be in the form of a vacuum transport plate and electric jack acting as the engine. These types of temporary holding means comprise an electric jack consisting of a fixed shaft and a moving part driven in displacement, inserted on the fixed shaft. A vacuum plate provided with suction openings is fixed on this moving part.

The engine cylinder is driven according to the invention and thus drives the vacuum plate. The sheets to be cut (7) are thus pressed by the suction against the vacuum plate, then brought to a precise intermediate position, to be seized by the conveyor (8). The displacement distance of the sheets to be cut (7) is a function of their initial rear longitudinal positioning identified by the detection means (27).

In a seventh embodiment, the temporary holding means for the sheets to be cut (7) can be in the form of a vacuum transport plate, cam and electric jack acting as the engine. These types of temporary holding means comprise a pivoting arm in reciprocating movement, in a manner analogous to that described for the first embodiment, in first and second variants. A vacuum plate with suction openings is attached to the end of this arm. A cam control drives the arm. In addition, an electric jack is inserted between the arm and the cam control.

When the cam makes a complete turn, the arm and thus the tablet back and forth according to the timed scrolling. The engine cylinder is driven according to the invention and thus drives the vacuum plate. The sheets to be cut (7) are thus pressed by the suction against the vacuum plate, then brought to a precise intermediate position, to be seized by the conveyor (8). The displacement distance of the sheets to be cut (7) is a function of their initial rear longitudinal positioning identified by the detection means (27).

In an eighth embodiment, the temporary holding means for the sheets to be cut (7) may be in the form of a vacuum transport plate and ball screw acting as the engine. These types of temporary holding means comprise a ball screw consisting of a rotary worm and a movable nut driven in displacement, inserted on the worm. A vacuum plate with suction openings is attached to the nut.

The driven motor according to the invention rotates the worm, this nut and thus the vacuum plate. The sheets to be cut (7) are thus pressed by the suction against the vacuum plate, then brought to a precise intermediate position, to be seized by the conveyor (8). The displacement distance of the sheets to be cut (7) is a function of their initial rear longitudinal positioning identified by the detection means (27).

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated. Many modifications can be made, without departing from the scope defined by the scope of the set of claims.

Claims (11)

1. Device for positioning a plate element (7) in an infeed station (2) of a machine for treating the element (1), fitted with a conveyor (8, 9), gripping said element (7) found in a predetermined intermediate position, and carrying said element (7) in a rated running into successive processing stations (3, 4, 6), of the type comprising:

   - means (18) for temporarily holding said element (7), moving longitudinally alternatively (A) from an upstream position to a downstream position, and vice-versa, to pick up said element (7) in a rear position and bring it to the intermediate position, and to return empty,

   - a motor (23) moving longitudinally the holding means (18), from the upstream position to the downstream position, and vice-versa, as a function of the rated running, and

   - means (27) for detecting a rear longitudinal position in which said element (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) is found, emitting a position signal,

   characterized in that the motor (23) is able to move (A, Aa, Ab, Ac) said holding means (18) from said upstream position to various downstream positions, as a function of the signal emitted by the detection means (27), so as to bring said element (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) from the rear position to the intermediate position.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the holding means are in the form of a shelf (18) that can move longitudinally.
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a drive arm (24) mechanically securing the holding means (18) to a drive shaft (26) of the motor (23).
4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the shelf (18) slides longitudinally on two lower longitudinal slides (19).
5. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the shelf (18) has suction holes (22) connected to a vacuum source, to pick up the element (7, 7a, 7b, 7c).
6. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the shelf has a gripping gripper, pivotably mounted to pick up the element (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) by its front edge.
7. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the holding means are in the form of a vacuum conveyor with endless belts driven by the motor (23).
8. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the holding means are in the form of a vacuum conveyor with rollers driven by the motor (23).
9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor comprises a series of grippers mounted on a transverse bar (8) secured to lateral chains (9).
10. Infeed station for a machine (1) for treating a plate element (7, 7a, 7b, 7c), characterized in that it comprises a device (15) according to any one of the preceding claims.
11. Machine for treating a plate element (7, 7a, 7b, 7c), characterized in that it comprises an infeed station (2) according to Claim 10.

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