JP2005067652A - Method and device for filling powder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly aerate gas contained in powder when a powder container is filled with powder fluidized by mixing gas. <P>SOLUTION: A powder filling device comprises a powder pipe 20 through which powder 3 fluidized by mixing gas therein is carried, a suction pipe 21 to surround at least a part of an outer circumferential portion of the powder pipe 20, a negative pressure source 22 connected to the suction pipe 21, and a deaeration unit 23 which is provided in a part surrounded by the suction pipe 21 in the powder pipe 20 to permit gas contained in powder 3 carried in the powder pipe 20 to be sucked into the suction pipe 21 by driving the negative pressure source 22. If the negative pressure source 22 is driven when the fluidized powder 3 is carried in the powder pipe 20, gas contained in powder 3 is sucked into the suction pipe 21 at the deaeration unit 23, gas contained in powder 3 to be carried in the powder pipe 20 is reduced in volume, and the working efficiency of filling powder 3 into a powder container 4 is enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method.

  Conventionally, various inventions are known as inventions of a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method for filling fine powder such as toner into a powder container. As one of the inventions, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, gas (for example, air) is mixed with the powder stored in the powder storage container to fluidize the powder. A fluidized powder is known which is conveyed in a conduit and filled into a powder container. The powder obtained by mixing and fluidizing the gas is transported in the pipe like a fluid. Therefore, it is very effective in that the powder is transported promptly toward a target place.

JP 2002-293301 A JP 2003-104301 A

  However, when the fluidized powder is filled in the powder container as in the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, the fluidized powder contains a large amount of gas and is bulky (bulk density). Therefore, if the powder as it is fluidized is filled directly into the powder container, a predetermined weight of powder cannot be filled into the powder container.

  Therefore, a funnel is arranged on the upper part of the powder container, and the powder that has been fluidized and transported is discharged into the funnel and then dropped into the powder container while being discharged into the funnel. Filling the inside with powder is performed. In this case, the powder in the funnel is filled in the powder container as the bulk of the powder decreases due to natural deaeration from the powder.

  However, waiting for the natural deaeration from the powder, it takes a long time until all the powder in the funnel is filled in the powder container, and the work efficiency of the filling work is reduced.

  Therefore, in order to promote degassing from the powder, it is conceivable to vibrate the funnel or insert a degassing pipe into the powder container to forcibly suck out the gas from the powder. .

  However, when vibrating the funnel or inserting a degassing pipe into the powder container to suck and degas the gas, it is necessary to perform the work separately from the work of filling the powder container with powder. This is complicated and contributes to a reduction in work efficiency of the powder filling operation.

  Furthermore, when measuring the amount of powder to be filled in the powder container, after all of the powder to be filled in the powder container is discharged into the funnel, that is, the powder to be filled in the powder container. It is not possible to give vibration to the funnel or insert the degassing pipe into the powder container until after the measurement of is finished. This is because when powder is discharged into the funnel, that is, when vibration is applied during measurement of the powder filled in the powder container or pressure is applied by inserting a deaeration pipe, This is because a measurement error occurs.

  For this reason, it is also necessary to apply powder to the funnel to promote degassing of the powder, or to insert a degassing pipe into the powder container to suck and degas the powder. It cannot be said that the work efficiency of filling work into the body container is sufficiently increased.

  An object of the present invention is to quickly fill a powder container by degassing the gas contained in the powder when filling the powder container mixed with fluidized powder into the powder container. It is to improve the work efficiency of work.

  The powder filling apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is a powder pipe that transports powder fluidized by mixing gas, a suction pipe that surrounds at least a part of the outer periphery of the powder pipe, A negative pressure source connected to the suction pipe, and a gas included in the powder conveyed in the powder pipe provided in a portion of the powder pipe surrounded by the suction pipe is the negative pressure. And a deaeration unit that allows suction into the suction pipe by driving of the source.

  Therefore, if the negative pressure source is driven while the powder mixed and fluidized is being conveyed in the powder pipe, it is contained in the powder and conveyed along with the powder in the powder pipe. The sucked gas is sucked into the suction pipe in the deaeration part. As a result, the gas contained in the powder conveyed in the powder pipe is reduced, the bulk density of the powder discharged from the powder pipe and filled in the powder container is increased, and the powder in the powder container is increased. The work efficiency of the work of filling the body is improved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the first aspect, the degassing part is formed in the vicinity of the tip side of the powder pipe.

  Therefore, since the gas contained in the fluidized powder is sucked immediately before the fluidized powder is discharged from the powder pipe, the fluidized powder can be transported in the transport pipe. Maintained well.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the degassing part is a fine mesh wire net.

  Therefore, by driving the negative pressure source, the gas contained in the fluidized powder conveyed through the powder pipe passes through the fine mesh wire net and is sucked into the suction pipe.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the deaeration part is a sintered metal having fine holes.

  Therefore, by driving the negative pressure source, the gas contained in the fluidized powder conveyed through the powder pipe passes through the fine hole of the sintered metal and is sucked into the suction pipe.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the degassing part is a polycrystalline resin having fine holes.

  Therefore, by driving the negative pressure source, the gas contained in the fluidized powder conveyed through the powder pipe passes through the fine holes of the polycrystalline resin and is sucked into the suction pipe.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising an elevating mechanism that moves the suction pipe and the powder pipe together.

  Therefore, the powder discharged from the powder pipe is filled in the powder container, and the lifting mechanism is driven to increase the powder pipe and the suction pipe as the amount of powder to be filled increases. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the powder from being accumulated at the outlet portion of the powder pipe and suppressing the discharge of the powder from the powder pipe, and the discharge of the powder from the powder pipe is smoothly performed. The work efficiency of the work of filling the powder into the container is further improved.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the filling port of the powder container provided on the outer peripheral portion of the suction pipe and into which the suction pipe is inserted is closed. A closing member, a second suction pipe provided through the closing member, and a second negative pressure source connected to the suction pipe.

  Therefore, when the powder is discharged from the powder pipe into the powder container, the second negative pressure source is driven and the gas in the powder container is sucked by the second suction pipe, thereby The negative pressure state promotes the filling of the powder into the powder container and further improves the work efficiency of the work of filling the powder into the powder container.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a pressure source connected to the suction pipe.

  Therefore, by driving the pressure source and blowing the compressed gas into the suction pipe, the compressed gas passes through the deaeration part and flows into the powder pipe, and the powder adhering to the deaeration part Is removed. This prevents the inner diameter of the deaeration part from being reduced due to the powder adhering to the deaeration part and prevents the clogging of the deaeration part. The gas suction performance at the section is maintained well. The driving of the pressurizing source may be performed periodically, or may be appropriately performed when it is confirmed that the deaeration performance has deteriorated.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a powder filling method comprising a step of conveying a powder mixed and fluidized in a powder pipe and filling the powder container into a powder container, and conveying the powder pipe. And a step of sucking a gas contained in the fluidized powder from a deaeration part provided in the powder pipe.

  Therefore, when the powder mixed and fluidized is transported in the powder pipe and filled in the powder container, the gas contained in the powder transported in the powder pipe By sucking from the deaeration part, the gas contained in the powder is reduced, the bulk density of the powder discharged from the powder pipe and filled in the powder container is increased, and the powder is put into the powder container. The work efficiency of filling work is improved.

  According to the powder filling apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the powder in which the gas is mixed and fluidized is driven in the powder by driving the negative pressure source when the powder is transported through the powder pipe. Can be sucked into the suction pipe from the powder pipe in the deaeration section, and the powder conveyed in the powder pipe can be sucked into the suction pipe. The amount of gas contained in the powder container is reduced, the bulk density of the powder discharged from the powder pipe and filled in the powder container is increased, and the work efficiency of the work of filling the powder container with the powder can be improved. it can.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling device according to the first aspect, since the deaeration part is formed in the vicinity of the tip side of the powder pipe, the fluidized powder is powdered. Since the gas contained in the fluidized powder is sucked at a position immediately before being discharged from the body pipe, the fluidized powder can be transported well in the transport pipe.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling device according to the first or second aspect, the deaeration part is a fine mesh wire mesh, and therefore, by driving a negative pressure source, The gas contained in the fluidized powder being conveyed can be sucked into the suction pipe through the fine mesh wire net.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in the powder filling apparatus of claim 1 or 2, the deaeration part is a sintered metal having fine holes, so that by driving a negative pressure source, The gas contained in the fluidized powder conveyed in the powder pipe can be sucked into the suction pipe through the fine holes of the sintered metal.

  According to the invention of claim 5, in the powder filling apparatus of claim 1 or 2, the deaeration part is a polycrystalline resin having fine holes, so that by driving a negative pressure source, The gas contained in the fluidized powder conveyed through the powder pipe can be sucked into the suction pipe through the fine holes of the polycrystalline resin.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, since the suction pipe and the powder pipe are integrally lifted and lowered, the powder pipe is provided. As the amount of powder discharged from the powder container and filled in the powder container increases, the lifting mechanism is driven to raise the powder pipe and the suction pipe, so that the powder pipe exits the powder pipe. It can prevent the body from accumulating and suppressing the discharge of powder from the powder pipe, the discharge of powder from the powder pipe can be performed smoothly, and the powder is filled into the powder container The work efficiency of work can be further improved.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the filling port of the powder container provided on the outer peripheral portion of the suction pipe and into which the suction pipe is inserted. And a second suction pipe provided through the closure member, and a second negative pressure source connected to the suction pipe. When the powder is discharged into the powder container, the second negative pressure source is driven and the gas in the powder container is sucked by the second suction pipe, thereby bringing the powder container into a negative pressure state. The filling of the powder into the powder container can be promoted, and the work efficiency of the work of filling the powder into the powder container can be further improved.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, since the pressure source connected to the suction pipe is provided, the pressure source is driven to operate the suction pipe. By blowing the compressed gas into the inside, the compressed gas can pass through the deaeration part and flow into the powder pipe to remove the powder adhering to the deaeration part. It is possible to prevent the inner diameter of the deaeration part from being reduced and the clogging of the deaeration part caused by the powder adhering to the air part, and to prevent the clogging of the deaeration part. The suction performance can be maintained well.

  According to the powder filling method of the ninth aspect of the invention, when the powder mixed and fluidized is conveyed in the powder pipe and filled in the powder container, By sucking the gas contained in the powder being conveyed from the deaeration unit, the gas contained in the powder can be reduced and discharged from the powder pipe and filled into the powder container. The work efficiency of the work of filling the powder container with the powder by increasing the bulk density of the powder can be improved.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a system for filling powder container 4 with powder 3 stored in powder storage container 2 using powder filling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. Examples of the powder 3 stored in the powder storage container 2 and filled in the powder container 4 include a toner used in electrophotographic image formation.

  The powder storage container 2 is attached to the powder fluidizing device 5. The powder fluidizer 5 includes a holding unit 6 that holds the powder storage container 2, an air introduction space 7 formed in the holding unit 6, a pressure pump 8 connected to the air introduction space 7, and a pressure pump 8 and the air introduction space 7, a pressure reducing valve 10 disposed in the middle of the pipe 9, a pressure gauge 11, a flow meter 12, and the like.

  A gas-permeable porous plate 13 that allows gas air to pass therethrough and does not allow powder to pass through is attached to the bottom surface of the powder storage container 2, and the powder storage container 2 held by the holding unit 6 includes the gas-permeable porous plate. Reference numeral 13 denotes a position that covers the upper portion of the air introduction space 7. For this reason, if the compressed air is supplied to the air introduction space 7 by driving the pressurizing pump 8 after the powder storage container 2 is held by the holding unit 6, the supplied compressed air passes through the vent porous plate 13. It flows into the powder storage container 2, and the powder 3 in the powder storage container 2 is mixed with air and fluidized.

  An upper lid 14 is attached to the upper end portion of the powder storage container 2, and a powder inlet 15, a powder outlet pipe 16, a powder flow rate adjustment valve 17, a pressure gauge 18, and the like are attached to the upper lid 14. . The powder 3 is supplied into the powder storage container 2 from the powder inlet 15. The fluidized powder is led out of the powder storage container 2 from the powder lead-out pipe 16. A pressure pump 19 is connected to the powder flow rate adjustment valve 17, and compressed gas from the pressure pump 19 is supplied into the powder storage container 2 through the powder flow rate adjustment valve 17, thereby storing the powder. The conveying speed of the powder 3 led out from the powder lead-out pipe 16 is adjusted by adjusting the pressure in the container 2. The pressure gauge 18 measures the pressure in the powder storage container 2.

  The powder filling apparatus 1 includes a powder pipe 20, a suction pipe 21, a vacuum pump 22 that is a negative pressure source, a deaeration unit 23 formed on the powder pipe 20, and the like.

  The powder pipe 20 is a pipe having one end connected to the powder outlet pipe 16 and the powder discharge port 24 formed at the other end. The powder 3 fluidized in the powder storage container 2 is conveyed through the powder outlet tube 16 and the powder pipe 20 and discharged from the powder discharge port 24. By inserting the tip of the powder pipe 20 into the powder container 4, the powder 3 discharged from the powder discharge port 24 is filled into the powder container 4.

  The suction pipe 21 is a pipe that surrounds the outer peripheral portion on the tip side of the powder pipe 20. A vacuum pump 22 is connected to the suction pipe 21 via a connecting pipe 25. A pressure reducing valve 26 is provided in the middle of the connecting pipe 25.

  The deaeration part 23 is a member in which a large number of holes that allow the passage of air and not the passage of the powder 3 are formed, and are at the tip side portion of the powder pipe 20 and surrounded by the suction pipe 21. It is provided in the part. As this deaeration part 23, a fine mesh wire net, a sintered metal having fine holes, or a polycrystalline resin having fine holes can be used.

  In such a configuration, the tip of the powder pipe 20 is inserted into the powder container 4, and the pressure pump 8 of the powder fluidizing device 5 is driven to flow the powder 3 in the powder storage container 2. Make it. Then, the pressurized pump 19 is driven to supply compressed air from the powder flow rate adjusting valve 17 into the powder storage container 2, so that the fluidized powder is contained in the powder outlet pipe 16 and the powder pipe 20. The powder 3 is discharged from the powder discharge port 24 into the powder container 4, and the powder 3 is filled with the powder 3.

  During the filling operation of the powder 3 into the powder container 4, the decompression pump 22 is driven to bring the suction pipe 21 into a negative pressure state. Then, when the powder 3 that has been fluidized and conveyed in the powder pipe 20 passes through the deaeration unit 23, the air contained in the powder 3 passes through the deaeration unit 23 and is sucked into the suction pipe. The amount of air sucked into the powder 21 and contained in the powder 3 decreases, and the bulk density of the powder 3 filled in the powder container 4 increases.

  For this reason, it is not necessary to separately perform the work of degassing the powder 3 after filling the powder container 4 with the powder 3, and the work efficiency of the work of filling the powder 3 into the powder container 4 is improved. To do.

  In particular, when the powder container 4 is placed on a scale (not shown) and the weight of the powder 3 to be filled is measured, the powder 3 can be deaerated while being measured. It is not necessary to separately perform an operation of degassing the filled powder 3 after the completion, and the work efficiency of the filling operation of the powder 3 into the powder container 4 can be further improved.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those described in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted (the same applies to the following embodiments).

  In the powder filling apparatus 31 of the present embodiment, an elevating mechanism 32 is added to the configuration of the powder filling apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment.

  The raising / lowering mechanism 32 is a mechanism for raising and lowering the powder pipe 20 and the suction pipe 21 integrally. It is connected to a motor 35 and is configured by a screw rod 36 or the like that is rotatable about an axis and is screwed to an elevating body 33.

  In such a configuration, before the filling operation of the powder in the powder container 4 is started, the elevating body 33 is positioned at the lowest position, and the powder discharge port 24 is located on the bottom surface of the powder container 4. Is close to.

  When the filling operation of the powder 3 in the powder container 4 is started and the powder container 4 is filled with the powder, the screw rod is driven by the motor 35 as the amount of the powder 3 to be filled increases. 36 is rotated, and the elevating body 33 rises along the support bar 34. As the elevating body 33 rises, the suction pipe 21 and the powder pipe 20 rise integrally, and the powder discharge port 24 gradually separates from the bottom surface of the powder container 4.

  Therefore, the powder discharge port 24 is blocked by the powder 3 discharged from the powder discharge port 24 and filled in the powder container 4, and the discharge of the powder 3 from the powder discharge port 24 is suppressed. The discharge of the powder 3 from the powder discharge port 24 is performed smoothly, and the work efficiency of the work of filling the powder 3 into the powder container 4 is further improved.

  Immediately after starting the filling operation of the powder 3 in the powder container 4, the powder discharge port 24 is positioned close to the bottom surface of the powder container 4. Thus, the rising of the powder 3 is suppressed, and mixing of air into the powder 3 due to the rising and leakage of the powder 3 from the filling port of the powder container 4 are prevented.

  Further, the timing and speed of raising the lifting body 33 may be set in advance according to the time after the powder filling into the powder container 4 is started, or in the powder container 4 A sensor for detecting the amount of the filled powder may be provided, and the motor 35 may be driven according to the detection result of the sensor.

  A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the powder filling device 41 of the present embodiment, a closing member 42, a second suction pipe 43, and a decompression pump that is a second negative pressure source, compared to the configuration of the powder filling device 1 described in the first embodiment. 44 etc. are added.

  The closing member 42 is attached to the outer periphery of the suction pipe 21 and is sized to close the filling port 4 a of the powder container 4 when the suction pipe 21 is inserted into the powder container 4.

  The second suction pipe 43 is received even if it passes through the closing member 42, and the tip filling port is positioned in the powder container 4.

  The decompression pump 44 is connected to the end of the suction pipe 43, and a decompression valve 45 is provided in the middle of the suction pipe 43.

  In such a configuration, when the fluidized powder 3 is filled into the powder container 4, the suction pipe 21 is inserted into the powder container 4 from the filling port 4 a together with the powder pipe 20 to close the closing member. 42 is fitted into the filling port 4 a of the powder container 4.

  At the time of filling the powder container 4 with the powder 3, the decompression pump 22 and the second decompression pump 44 are driven.

  By driving the decompression pump 22, as described in the first embodiment, air can be sucked from the powder 3 being conveyed through the powder pipe 20, and the powder container 4 is filled with air. The amount of air contained in the powder 3 to be filled is reduced.

  Further, by driving the second decompression pump 44, the air in the powder container 4 can be sucked through the second suction pipe 43, and the inside of the powder container 4 is in a negative pressure state so that the inside of the powder container 4 Since the filling of the powder 3 into the powder is promoted and the air contained in the filled powder 3 is also deaerated, the work efficiency of the work of filling the powder 3 into the powder container 4 is further improved. Further improvement.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the decompression pump 22 and the second decompression pump 44 are provided separately has been described as an example, but may be shared.

  A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the powder filling device 51 of the present embodiment, a pressurizing pump 52 as a pressurizing source is added to the configuration of the powder filling device 1 described in the first embodiment.

  The pressurization pump 52 and the decompression pump 22 are connected to the connection pipe 25, and a three-way valve 53 is provided at the connection portion.

  In such a configuration, when the powder container 4 is filled with the powder 3, the three-way valve 53 is switched so that the decompression pump 22 and the suction pipe 21 communicate with each other, and the decompression pump 22 is driven. Let As a result, as described in each of the above-described embodiments, air contained in the powder 3 conveyed in the powder pipe 20 can be sucked into the suction pipe 21 in the deaeration unit 23. The amount of air contained in the powder 3 filled in the container 4 decreases, the bulk density of the powder 3 discharged from the powder discharge port 24 and filled in the powder container 4 increases, and the powder container The work efficiency of the work of filling 4 with the powder 3 is improved.

  By driving the vacuum pump 22 and sucking air from the deaeration part 23, the powder 3 gradually adheres to the deaeration part 23, the inner diameter of the deaeration part 23 is reduced, and the degassing part 23 is Clogging occurs.

  Therefore, the three-way valve 53 is switched so that the pressurization pump 52 and the suction pipe 21 communicate with each other at the timing when the powder container 4 is not filled with powder, and the pressurization pump 52 is driven. Then, the compressed air from the pressurizing pump 52 blows into the suction pipe 21, and the compressed air passes through the hole of the deaeration unit 23 and flows into the powder pipe 20. At this time, the powder 3 adhering to the deaeration part 23 is removed, the inner diameter of the deaeration part 23 is reduced, the clogging of the deaeration part 23 is prevented, and the powder in the powder pipe 20 is prevented. 3 and the gas suction performance in the deaeration unit 23 are maintained satisfactorily.

It is the front view which showed the outline of the system which fills the powder container with the powder using the powder filling apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the vertical front view which expanded and showed a part of powder filling apparatus. It is the front view which showed the outline of the system which fills the powder container with the powder filling apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the outline of the system which performs the filling of the powder into a powder container using the powder filling apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the outline of the system which performs the filling of the powder in a powder container using the powder filling apparatus of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

3 Powder 4 Powder container 4a Filling port 20 Powder pipe 21 Suction pipe 22 Negative pressure source 23 Deaeration part 32 Elevating mechanism 42 Closing member 43 Second suction pipe 44 Second negative pressure source 52 Pressure source

Claims (9)

A powder pipe for transporting powder fluidized by mixing gas;
A suction pipe surrounding at least a part of the outer periphery of the powder pipe;
A negative pressure source connected to the suction pipe;
Gas provided in the powder pipe surrounded by the suction pipe and contained in the powder conveyed through the powder pipe is sucked into the suction pipe by driving the negative pressure source. A degassing part that allows that,
A powder filling apparatus comprising:   The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deaeration part is formed in a vicinity of a tip side of the powder pipe.   The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deaeration unit is a fine mesh wire mesh.   The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deaeration part is a sintered metal having fine holes.   The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the degassing part is a polycrystalline resin having fine holes.   The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an elevating mechanism for integrally raising and lowering the suction pipe and the powder pipe. A closing member that is provided on an outer periphery of the suction pipe and closes a filling port of a powder container into which the suction pipe is inserted;
A second suction pipe provided through the closing member;
A second negative pressure source connected to the suction pipe;
A powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:   The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a pressure source connected to the suction pipe. A step of conveying the powder mixed and fluidized in the powder pipe and filling the powder container,
A step of sucking a gas contained in the fluidized powder conveyed in the powder pipe from a deaeration unit provided in the powder pipe;
A powder filling method comprising:

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