EP3343140A1 - Apparatus for chilling and/or freezing products - Google Patents

Apparatus for chilling and/or freezing products Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3343140A1
EP3343140A1 EP17173701.8A EP17173701A EP3343140A1 EP 3343140 A1 EP3343140 A1 EP 3343140A1 EP 17173701 A EP17173701 A EP 17173701A EP 3343140 A1 EP3343140 A1 EP 3343140A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
belt
housing
flow
zone
freezer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP17173701.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3343140B1 (en
Inventor
Michael D. Newman
Stephen A. Mccormick
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Publication of EP3343140A1 publication Critical patent/EP3343140A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3343140B1 publication Critical patent/EP3343140B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/10—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air
    • F25D3/11—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D13/00—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms
    • F25D13/06—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/063—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation with air guides
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25D2500/02—Geometry problems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates an apparatus for chilling and/or freezing at least one product, in particular at least one food product; more particularly, the present invention relates to a cryogenic freezer apparatus; even more particularly, the present invention relates to a fluidized bed freezer.
  • the present invention further relates a corresponding method.
  • Known cryogenic fluidized bed freezers utilize blowers to pressurize a bed of the freezer, and to provide gas flow to drive heat transfer from the product to the gas.
  • the known blowers are offset to a side of the fluidized bed zone of the freezer.
  • blowers force the gas downward, where the gas impacts and is driven across the floor of the freezer whereupon the gas then impacts a sidewall of the freezer to then be turned upward and through the fluid bed belt transporting the product.
  • baffles are positioned below the bed, but this baffle placement causes pressure drop in the freezer and therefore, more power is required to drive the blowers to maintain acceptable heat transfer rates.
  • fluidization velocity is limited to no more than approximately 1000 feet per minute (being approximately 5.08 meter per second) in order to prevent and at least minimize product carry-over into the blower zone when peak velocities are used.
  • an object of the present invention is to overcome the limitations and problems that earlier apparatus and methods have experienced.
  • a cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path namely a cryogenic freezer apparatus embodiment which includes a housing; a fluidized bed belt movable within the housing; a shroud positioned within the housing for providing a zone above the belt, the shroud angled outward from the belt within the housing; and a least one blower positioned within the housing in fluid communication with the zone and centrally located above the zone and the shroud.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus may include the belt comprising a first width within the housing, and the zone may comprise a second width within the housing greater than the first width.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the apparatus may include the second width being twice as wide as the first width.
  • Another favoured embodiment of the apparatus may include the shroud angled outward fifteen degrees from the belt.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the apparatus may further include a divider, in particular a belt divider, positioned below the belt for guiding gas flow to the belt.
  • a divider in particular a belt divider
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus may include the housing comprising an inner surface having a construction which may direct gas flow within the housing to an underside of the belt.
  • a method embodiment of moving cryogenic gas to a fluidized bed belt in a freezer which includes shrouding a zone within the freezer having a first pressure above the belt; positioning at least one blower centrally located above the zone and the belt; directing a flow of cryogenic gas from the at least one blower to an underside of the belt at a second pressure greater than the first pressure; and moving the flow of cryogenic gas through the belt into the zone.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the method may further include reducing a velocity of the flow upon the flow entering into the zone from the belt.
  • Another favoured embodiment of the method may further include comprising angling outward the flow upon entry into the zone for the reducing of the velocity of the flow.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the method further may include directing the flow of cryogenic gas with an interior surface of the freezer toward the underside of the belt.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the method further may include dividing the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt before moving the flow through the belt.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the method may include the moving the flow of the cryogenic gas through the belt being at a substantially constant velocity throughout a length and width of the belt.
  • the apparatus according to the present invention as well as the method according to the present invention may be used to chill and/or to freeze at least one product, in particular at least one food product.
  • FIG. 1 An improved flow pattern can be seen in the attached schematic of FIG. 1 for the present cryogenic fluidized bed freezer apparatus embodiment 10 that will provide a more even and uniform gas flow and velocity to the bed by placing the blowers centered and directly above the fluid bed zone.
  • Such an arrangement provides higher fluid bed velocities in the bed by doubling cross-sectional area above the fluid bed zone and therefore, reducing by one half a velocity in the zone which will prevent product carry-over, prevent lower pressure drop throughout the system and thereby reduce specific blower power and improving system efficiency.
  • the cryogenic fluidized bed freezer 10 of the present embodiments includes a housing 12, a fluidized bed belt 14 with a width BW, and a shroud 16 attached above the belt 14 that angles outward 17 at fifteen degrees on both sides of the belt 14 to a width of 2 x BW in order to provide a zone 18 above the belt 14 wherein a velocity of one-half that of the velocity through the fluidized bed belt 14 in order to prevent carry-over of a product, in particular of a food product, into the blower area.
  • Blowers 20 are mounted centrally above the fluidized bed shroud 16, so that half of the flow generated is sent to each side of the fluidized bed providing a substantially constant velocity throughout the bed length and width.
  • An inner surface 13 of the housing 12 also directs the gas flow 22 to an underside 24 of the belt 14.
  • a belt divider 26 and gas flow guide 28 are mounted below the fluid bed belt 14 to provide uniform and constant gas flow and velocity across the fluid bed zone.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

In order to overcome the limitations and problems that earlier apparatus and methods have experienced, a cryogenic freezer apparatus (10) is proposed, said apparatus (10) comprising:
- a housing (12);
- a fluidized bed belt (14) movable within the housing (12);
-a shroud (16) positioned within the housing (12) for providing a zone (18) above the belt (14), the shroud (16) angled outward (17) from the belt (14) within the housing (12); and
- a least one blower (20) positioned within the housing (12) in fluid communication with the zone (18) and centrally located above the zone (18) and the shroud (16).
A related method of moving cryogenic gas to a fluidized bed belt (14) in a freezer (10) is also proposed.

Description

    Technical field of the present invention
  • The present invention relates an apparatus for chilling and/or freezing at least one product, in particular at least one food product; more particularly, the present invention relates to a cryogenic freezer apparatus; even more particularly, the present invention relates to a fluidized bed freezer.
  • The present invention further relates a corresponding method.
    • Technological background of the present invention
  • Known cryogenic fluidized bed freezers utilize blowers to pressurize a bed of the freezer, and to provide gas flow to drive heat transfer from the product to the gas. The known blowers are offset to a side of the fluidized bed zone of the freezer.
  • The blowers force the gas downward, where the gas impacts and is driven across the floor of the freezer whereupon the gas then impacts a sidewall of the freezer to then be turned upward and through the fluid bed belt transporting the product.
  • Unfortunately, the plurality of turns that the gas is required to make causes the gas flow and therefore the gas velocity to vary dramatically throughout the fluid bed belt length and width. In order to reduce this variation, baffles are positioned below the bed, but this baffle placement causes pressure drop in the freezer and therefore, more power is required to drive the blowers to maintain acceptable heat transfer rates.
  • An additional problem is that fluidization velocity is limited to no more than approximately 1000 feet per minute (being approximately 5.08 meter per second) in order to prevent and at least minimize product carry-over into the blower zone when peak velocities are used.
    • Disclosure of the present invention: object, solution, advantages
  • Starting from the disadvantages and shortcomings as described above as well as taking the prior art as discussed into account, an object of the present invention is to overcome the limitations and problems that earlier apparatus and methods have experienced.
  • This object is accomplished by an apparatus comprising the features of claim 1 as well as by a method comprising the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments, expedient improvements and other optional features of the present invention are set forth herein and disclosed in the respective dependent claims.
  • There is provided herein a cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path, namely a cryogenic freezer apparatus embodiment which includes a housing; a fluidized bed belt movable within the housing; a shroud positioned within the housing for providing a zone above the belt, the shroud angled outward from the belt within the housing; and a least one blower positioned within the housing in fluid communication with the zone and centrally located above the zone and the shroud.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus may include the belt comprising a first width within the housing, and the zone may comprise a second width within the housing greater than the first width.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the apparatus may include the second width being twice as wide as the first width.
  • Another favoured embodiment of the apparatus may include the shroud angled outward fifteen degrees from the belt.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the apparatus may further include a divider, in particular a belt divider, positioned below the belt for guiding gas flow to the belt.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus may include the housing comprising an inner surface having a construction which may direct gas flow within the housing to an underside of the belt.
  • There is also provided herein a method embodiment of moving cryogenic gas to a fluidized bed belt in a freezer which includes shrouding a zone within the freezer having a first pressure above the belt; positioning at least one blower centrally located above the zone and the belt; directing a flow of cryogenic gas from the at least one blower to an underside of the belt at a second pressure greater than the first pressure; and moving the flow of cryogenic gas through the belt into the zone.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the method may further include reducing a velocity of the flow upon the flow entering into the zone from the belt.
  • Another favoured embodiment of the method may further include comprising angling outward the flow upon entry into the zone for the reducing of the velocity of the flow.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the method further may include directing the flow of cryogenic gas with an interior surface of the freezer toward the underside of the belt.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the method further may include dividing the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt before moving the flow through the belt.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the method may include the moving the flow of the cryogenic gas through the belt being at a substantially constant velocity throughout a length and width of the belt.
  • The apparatus according to the present invention as well as the method according to the present invention may be used to chill and/or to freeze at least one product, in particular at least one food product.
    • Brief description of the drawings
  • For a more complete understanding of the present embodiment disclosures and as already discussed above, there are several options to embody as well as to improve the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. To this aim, reference may be made to the claims dependent on claim 1 as well as on claim 9; further improvements, features and advantages of the present invention are explained below in more detail with reference to a particular and preferred embodiment by way of non-limiting example and to the appended drawing figure taken in conjunction with the following description of exemplary embodiments, of which:
    • FIG. 1
    shows a cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path embodiment of the present invention, said embodiment working according to the method of the present invention.
  • The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the apparatus and method(s) provided herein and is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this specification. The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus and method(s) provided herein and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles described herein but is not intended to limit the specification or any of the claims.
    • Detailed description of the drawings; best way of embodying the present invention
  • Before explaining the present inventive embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiment is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
  • In the following description, terms such a horizontal, upright, vertical, above, below, beneath and the like, are used solely for the purpose of clarity illustrating the present invention and should not be taken as words of limitation. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not intended to be to scale.
  • An improved flow pattern can be seen in the attached schematic of FIG. 1 for the present cryogenic fluidized bed freezer apparatus embodiment 10 that will provide a more even and uniform gas flow and velocity to the bed by placing the blowers centered and directly above the fluid bed zone.
  • Such an arrangement provides higher fluid bed velocities in the bed by doubling cross-sectional area above the fluid bed zone and therefore, reducing by one half a velocity in the zone which will prevent product carry-over, prevent lower pressure drop throughout the system and thereby reduce specific blower power and improving system efficiency.
  • The cryogenic fluidized bed freezer 10 of the present embodiments includes a housing 12, a fluidized bed belt 14 with a width BW, and a shroud 16 attached above the belt 14 that angles outward 17 at fifteen degrees on both sides of the belt 14 to a width of 2 x BW in order to provide a zone 18 above the belt 14 wherein a velocity of one-half that of the velocity through the fluidized bed belt 14 in order to prevent carry-over of a product, in particular of a food product, into the blower area.
  • Blowers 20 are mounted centrally above the fluidized bed shroud 16, so that half of the flow generated is sent to each side of the fluidized bed providing a substantially constant velocity throughout the bed length and width. An inner surface 13 of the housing 12 also directs the gas flow 22 to an underside 24 of the belt 14.
  • A belt divider 26 and gas flow guide 28 are mounted below the fluid bed belt 14 to provide uniform and constant gas flow and velocity across the fluid bed zone.
  • It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary, and that one skilled in the art may make variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as described and claimed herein. Further, all embodiments disclosed are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments of the present invention may be combined to provide the desired result.
    • List of reference signs
    • 10
    apparatus, in particular freezer apparatus, for example cryogenic freezer apparatus
    12
    housing
    13
    inner surface of housing 12
    14
    belt, in particular bed belt, for example fluidized bed belt
    16
    shroud
    17
    outward angle of belt 14
    18
    zone above belt 14
    20
    blower
    22
    gas flow, in particular flow of cryogenic gas
    24
    underside of belt 14
    26
    divider, in particular belt divider
    28
    gas flow guide
    30
    motor
    BW
    first width, in particular first width within housing 12, for example width of belt 14

Claims (15)

  1. A cryogenic freezer apparatus (10), comprising:
    - a housing (12);
    - a fluidized bed belt (14) movable within the housing (12);
    - a shroud (16) positioned within the housing (12) for providing a zone (18) above the belt (14), the shroud (16) angled outward (17) from the belt (14) within the housing (12); and
    - a least one blower (20) positioned within the housing (12) in fluid communication with the zone (18) and centrally located above the zone (18) and the shroud (16).
  2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the belt (14) comprises a first width (BW) within the housing (12), and the zone (18) comprises a second width within the housing (12) greater than the first width (BW).
  3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second width is about twice as wide as the first width (BW).
  4. The apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shroud (16) is angled outward (17) about fifteen degrees from the belt (14).
  5. The apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a divider (26) positioned below the belt (14) for guiding (28) gas flow (22) to the belt (14).
  6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the divider (26) is a belt divider.
  7. The apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing (12) comprises an inner surface (13) having a construction which directs gas flow (22) within the housing (12) to an underside (24) of the belt (14).
  8. The apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one food product is chilled and/or frozen.
  9. A method of moving cryogenic gas to a fluidized bed belt (14) in a freezer (10), comprising:
    - shrouding (16) a zone (18) within the freezer (10) having a first pressure above the belt (14);
    - positioning at least one blower (20) centrally located above the zone (18) and the belt (14);
    - directing a flow (22) of the cryogenic gas from the at least one blower (20) to an underside (24) of the belt (14) at a second pressure greater than the first pressure; and
    - moving the flow (22) of cryogenic gas through the belt (14) into the zone (18).
  10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising reducing a velocity of the flow (22) upon the flow (22) entering into the zone (18) from the belt (14).
  11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising angling outward (17) the flow (22) upon entry into the zone (18) for the reducing of the velocity of the flow (22).
  12. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising directing the flow (22) of the cryogenic gas with an interior surface (13) of the freezer (10) toward the underside (24) of the belt (14).
  13. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 12 further comprising dividing (26) the flow (22) of the cryogenic gas at the underside (24) of the belt (14) before moving the flow (22) through the belt (14).
  14. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the moving the flow (22) of the cryogenic gas through the belt (14) is at a substantially constant velocity throughout a length and width (BW) of the belt (14).
  15. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 14, wherein at least one food product is chilled and/or frozen.
EP17173701.8A 2016-12-28 2017-05-31 Apparatus for chilling and/or freezing products Not-in-force EP3343140B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662439537P 2016-12-28 2016-12-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3343140A1 true EP3343140A1 (en) 2018-07-04
EP3343140B1 EP3343140B1 (en) 2022-03-02

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17173701.8A Not-in-force EP3343140B1 (en) 2016-12-28 2017-05-31 Apparatus for chilling and/or freezing products

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EP (1) EP3343140B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2018125688A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1515509A (en) * 1975-07-24 1978-06-28 Jowitt R Quick freezing of foods
EP2269474A2 (en) * 2009-07-01 2011-01-05 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for ultrasonic freezing
FR2979421A1 (en) * 2011-08-30 2013-03-01 Air Liquide METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CRYOGENIC COOLING OF PRODUCTS IN A TUNNEL

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4229947A (en) * 1979-08-06 1980-10-28 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Cryogenic freezer
US5444985A (en) * 1994-05-13 1995-08-29 Liquid Carbonic Corporation Cryogenic tunnel freezer
US20100319365A1 (en) * 2007-11-27 2010-12-23 Newman Michael D Cross flow tunnel freezer system
US9644883B2 (en) * 2012-10-04 2017-05-09 GEA Refrigeration Canada, Inc Fluidized bed conveyor belt freezer system
US8904811B2 (en) * 2012-11-15 2014-12-09 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Baffle controlled oscillating flow freezer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1515509A (en) * 1975-07-24 1978-06-28 Jowitt R Quick freezing of foods
EP2269474A2 (en) * 2009-07-01 2011-01-05 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for ultrasonic freezing
FR2979421A1 (en) * 2011-08-30 2013-03-01 Air Liquide METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CRYOGENIC COOLING OF PRODUCTS IN A TUNNEL

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2018125688A1 (en) 2018-07-05
EP3343140B1 (en) 2022-03-02

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