JP2010202237A - Two-agent mixing vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly mix two separated agents. <P>SOLUTION: The two agents-mixing vessel includes a vessel body 2 having an opening at one end and the first chamber P inside, an inner vessel 3 having the second chamber Q inside and inserted in the vessel body 2, and a cap 4 screwed on the vessel body 2 to seal the inner vessel 3. A seal ring 8 mounted on the inner vessel 3 is made to contact a tapered contact surface 6 in the vessel body 2 liquid-tightly to separate the first chamber P from the second chamber Q. Three openings 10 each communicating with the second chamber Q are circumferentially mounted via the wall 11 on the inner vessel 3, and a truncated conical flow out guide 12 opposing to the opening 10 is mounted inside. By a ring-like protrusion 16, a flange 15 of the opening of the inner vessel 3 is liquid-tightly fitted in the inside of the cap 4. When two agents are mixed, the seal ring 8 is separated from the tapered contact surface 6, and the liquid B in the second chamber is mixed with the liquid A in the first chamber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a two-component mixing container capable of mixing two agents separately contained in a container.

Conventionally, as a diagnostic agent formed by mixing two agents, for example, a diagnostic kit for an infectious disease group A streptococcus causing pharyngitis in children has been sold. The method of using this diagnostic kit is as follows.
First, at the time of inspection, two types of reagent A liquid and B liquid are respectively added from a bottle to an extraction tube, and gently mixed. Then, a sample is collected by applying a cotton swab to the affected part such as the pharynx of a human body and rubbing it. The sample is extracted by immersing the cotton swab in the mixed reagent (A + B) in the extraction tube and rubbing the cotton swab together with the tube. Then, the test strip is immersed in the sample extract in the extraction tube, and the result is determined after a predetermined time has elapsed. Such a reagent is deteriorated if it is mixed and stored in advance, and cannot be used for examination, so it must be mixed at the time of examination at a medical site.
By the way, in the medical field, a nurse or a laboratory technician usually performs an operation of mixing the reagent A and the reagent B. However, the A liquid and the B liquid may be mistaken for reasons such as busyness or misunderstanding. The mixing ratio of the liquid and the B liquid may be wrong, and the amount may become unbalanced. In such a case, there may be cases where a correct diagnosis result is not obtained, such as a false positive result in spite of being negative or a false negative result in spite of being positive.

In order to eliminate such problems, various two-component mixing containers and the like have been proposed. For example, in the two-component mixing container described in Patent Document 1 below, the constricted portion of the container main body is inserted by inserting a vertically long plug into the container main body with the constricted body and fitting the plug into the constricted portion. The upper and lower sides are liquid-tightly separated into two chambers. A liquid and a B liquid are accommodated in these two chambers, respectively, and a gutter that fits into the peripheral groove of the stopper is attached to the inner surface of the cap that is screwed into the mouth of the container body.
Therefore, in the storage state, the A liquid and the B liquid are separated and accommodated in the two chambers of the container main body. When the cap is removed from the container main body during use, the plug body is pulled out together by the scissors and removed from the constricted portion. . As a result, the separated two agents A and B are automatically mixed in the upper and lower chambers.

JP-A-6-278750

By the way, in the two-component mixing container described in Patent Document 1, when the stopper is pulled out, the B liquid in the upper chamber falls into the lower chamber from the entire circumference of the constricted portion of the container body. There was a problem that B liquid could not fall well and quick mixing was impossible.
In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a two-component mixing container that can smoothly mix two components in a separated state.

The two-component mixing container according to the present invention has a container body having a mouth at one end and a first chamber inside, and a container body having a second chamber inside and inserted into the container body. The container body is liquid-tightly sealed with the inner container having an abutting portion that abuts the inner surface abutting portion of the first chamber and the second chamber and has an opening communicating with the second chamber. The first chamber is communicated with the second chamber through the opening by separating the contact portion of the middle container from the inner surface contact portion of the container main body.
The agent A is accommodated in the first chamber of the container body and the agent B is accommodated in the second chamber of the middle container, and the abutting portion of the middle container and the inner surface abutting portion of the container body are brought into contact with each other. The agent A and agent B can be kept in a separated state in a state where the second chamber is partitioned, and when the two agents are mixed, the lid is detached from the container body or loosened, and the contact portion of the middle container is placed in the container. The B agent in the second chamber can be mixed with the A agent in the first chamber through the opening by being separated from the inner surface contact portion of the main body.

  In the two-component mixing container according to the present invention, the B agent in the second chamber flows from the second chamber to the first chamber of the container body through the opening of the middle container, and the first chamber is located in a region other than the opening of the middle container. Therefore, the air and the B agent can be replaced and the two agents can be mixed smoothly.

1 is a side view of a two-component mixing container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view of the 2 agent mixing container shown in FIG. It is the side view and top view of a container main body. It is the side view and top and bottom view of a middle container. It is a perspective view which shows the outflow guide formed in the bottom part in an inside container. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the fitting part of the container main body and middle container in FIG. A cap is shown, (a) is a side view, (b) is sectional drawing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a state in which a cap is fitted to the middle container. It is an expanded sectional view of the state where the seal ring of the middle container was separated from the inner surface contact part of the container body. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a two-component mixing container, (a) is a diagram of a two-component separation state, (b) is a diagram of a state in which the cap is loosened and the seal ring of the middle container is separated from the inner surface contact portion, (c) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where liquid B is further separated and liquid B is mixed with liquid A. It is a figure which shows the modification of the outflow guide formed in the bottom part of the middle container, (a) is a figure which shows a 1st modification, (b) is a figure which shows a 2nd modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the middle container which provided the sealing part with the cap in the collar part. The 1st modification of a 2 agent mixing container is shown, Comprising: (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view. (A) is the figure which attached the sealing lid to the container main body shown in FIG. 13, (b) is sectional drawing of a sealing lid. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the container main body shown in FIG. It is the figure which isolate | separated the container main body and sealing lid by a 2nd modification. It is sectional drawing of the container main body by a 3rd modification. It is sectional drawing of the container main body by a 4th modification. It is sectional drawing of the container main body by a 5th modification.

In the two-component mixing container according to the present invention, the lid is liquid-tightly connected to the mouth provided in the middle container so that the abutting portion is separated from the inner abutting portion by loosening the lid from the container body. It is characterized by that.
According to this two-component mixing container, when the lid is loosened from the container main body, the middle container also moves together, so that the contact portion is separated from the inner surface contact portion of the container main body, and the second chamber is made the first chamber. The two agents can be mixed in communication with

In addition, the middle container has a wall formed around the opening, and when the abutting portion of the middle container is separated from the inner surface abutting portion of the container body, the air in the first chamber is separated from the wall portion and the container body. It may be possible to flow out from a gap formed between the two.
By forming a gap between the opening and wall portion of the middle container and the container main body, the B liquid in the second chamber passes through the opening when the contact portion is separated from the inner surface contact portion. And the air in the first chamber escapes through the gap between the wall portions, so that the B liquid in the second chamber and the air in the first chamber can be replaced smoothly.

Further, an outflow guide may be formed at the bottom of the middle container so as to face the opening, whereby the B agent accommodated in the second chamber of the middle container can smoothly pass through the opening from the opening through the outflow guide. It flows into the first chamber and mixes with the agent A.
Further, the container main body may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the inner surface abutting portion may be formed adjacent to a step portion in which the inner diameter on the first chamber side becomes one step smaller than the mouth side.
With this configuration, a gap is formed between the stepped portion of the container body and the opening and the wall near the contact portion of the middle container, and the B liquid in the second chamber is accommodated in the gap through the opening. By the separation between the contact portion and the inner surface contact portion, the replacement of the B liquid and the air in the first chamber is smoothly performed via the gap.

Further, the contact portion may be a seal ring, and can be reliably sealed by contacting the inner surface contact portion.
In addition, one or more openings may be formed in the circumferential direction of the middle container via the wall portion, but two or more openings are preferable in order to make the B agent easily flow into the first chamber. It is particularly preferable that two or more are formed.
Thereby, for example, the air in the first chamber flows in from one or more of the three or more openings, and the B liquid in the second chamber flows into the first chamber from the other two or more.
Further, the lid is a cap, and a ring-shaped protrusion for fitting the mouth of the middle container is formed on the inner surface thereof. Thereby, the inner container moves integrally by loosening the lid.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a two-component mixing container according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Two agents, for example, A solution (A agent) and B solution (B agent) accommodated in a separated state in the two-component mixing container 1 according to the present embodiment are mixed and used at the time of diagnosis, and are infectious diseases. A reagent for extracting group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal antigens.
The two-component mixing container 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a bottomed container body 2 in which the liquid A, which is one of the two components, is stored in the lower portion, and B, which is the other of the two components. A cap that holds the liquid and fits the bottomed middle container 3 to be mounted in the container body 2 and the mouth 3a of the middle container 3 and is detachably screwed to the container body 2 so as to be liquid tightly sealed. 4 is provided.
Here, the portion of the container main body 2 that stores the A liquid is referred to as a first chamber P, and the inside of the middle container 3 that stores the B liquid is referred to as a second chamber Q.

The container main body 2 has a tapered cylindrical shape having a mouth portion 2a at the upper end and a gradually decreasing inner diameter toward the bottom portion 2b, and is formed with a tapered step portion 5 inclined more than the upper and lower portions in the middle portion. ing. For example, a part of the tapered cylindrical inner surface on the lower side of the stepped portion 5 is a tapered contact surface 6 that forms an inner surface contact portion. A male screw portion 7 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the container body 2 in the vicinity of the mouth 2a (see FIG. 3).
The middle container 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is formed in a tapered cylindrical shape whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the mouth 3a toward the bottom 3b, and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 3c formed in the bottom 3b has a taper of the container main body 2. A seal ring 8 is formed as a contact portion that fits on the contact surface 6 and seals the entire circumference in a liquid-tight manner. Since both the container body 2 and the middle container 3 are formed of a synthetic resin that can be elastically deformed, the first chamber P on the bottom 2b side of the container body 2 can be obtained by fitting the seal ring 8 to the tapered contact surface 6. And the second chamber Q including the inner container 3 on the mouth 2a side are liquid-tightly separated and sealed.

In the middle container 3, an opening 10 is formed on the side of the mouth 3a of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 3c so as to communicate the inside and outside. It is sufficient that at least one opening 10 is provided in the circumferential direction. However, when the number of openings 10 is two or more, it is easier for the liquid B to flow out when the width of the wall 11 is reduced. Therefore, the opening 10 has a tapered trapezoidal shape. It is preferable (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, three tapered trapezoidal openings 10 are formed at equal intervals across the wall 11. For example, a conical (or conical) outflow guide 12 is formed on the bottom 3 b in the middle container 3 (see FIG. 5), and the bottom 3 b of the middle container 3 is closed by the outflow guide 12. This shape is preferable because it is not necessary to adjust the position facing the opening 10.
Moreover, the cap 4 shown in FIG.7 and FIG.8 is formed with the internal thread part 14 which screw-engages with the external thread part 7 of the container main body 2 on the inner surface. The female threaded portion 14 is provided with a notch so that when the screwing with the male threaded portion 7 of the container body 2 is loosened, air flows out and flows in through the gap between the outside, the middle container 3 and the container body 2 (see FIG. Not shown). Further, on the inner surface of the cap 4, a protrusion 16 is formed on the entire circumference so as to be liquid-tightly fitted with the flange 15 formed in the mouth 3 a of the inner container 3.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the middle container 3 is inserted into the container body 2, fitted with the seal contact surface 6 of the container body 2 with the seal ring 8, and liquid-tightly sealed with the cap 4, The outer peripheral surface of the middle container 3 and the inner surface of the container main body 2 are in contact with each other over the entire periphery. In the lower part, a ring-shaped gap K is formed between the inner surface including the step portion 6 of the container body 2 and the middle container 3.
In the sealed state of the two-component mixing container 1, liquid A is previously stored in the first chamber P between the bottom 2 b in the container body 2 and the middle container 3, and the seal ring 8 of the middle container 3 is used. Liquid B is sealed in advance, and the second chamber Q in the inner container 3 is liquid-tightly sealed in advance. A part of the B liquid flows out from the opening 10 into the gap K between the container body 2 but is held in a liquid-tight state by the seal ring 8. The two liquids are kept in a separated state.
When the cap 4 is screwed into the container body 2 and the cap 4 is loosened and lifted from the liquid-tight seal, the inner container 3 moves together with the cap 4, so that the taper contact surface 6 and the seal are sealed. The ring 8 is separated, and the middle container 3 and the first chamber P of the container body 2 communicate with each other through the gap K (see FIG. 9).

The two-component mixing container 1 is made of synthetic resin. For example, the container body 2 is made of low density polyethylene, the middle container 3 is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, and the cap 4 is made of polypropylene or the like.
In addition, the two liquids, liquid A and liquid B, are reagents for extracting the group A beta hemolytic streptococcal antigen. For example, liquid A is sodium nitrite and liquid B is acetic acid. The liquid A and liquid B accommodated in the two-component mixing container are both 200 microliters, for example.

The two-component mixing container 1 according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and a method for using the same will now be described.
First, in the two-component mixing container 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid A is accurately measured and injected into the first chamber P before the middle container 3 is inserted into the container body 2. The seal ring 8 on the lower outer peripheral surface 3c is inserted into the taper abutting surface 6 and mounted in a liquid-tight manner. Then, the B liquid is accurately measured and injected into the middle container 3. The liquid B preferably has a liquid level at a position higher than the opening 10, but the liquid level may be in the middle of the opening 10. Since the container body 2 is liquid-tightly sealed by the taper contact surface 6 and the seal ring 8 of the middle container 3, the B liquid is held separately from the A liquid.
In this state, when the cap 4 is screwed into the male threaded portion 7 of the container body 2 with the female threaded portion 14 on the inner side surface, the flange portion 15 of the inner container 3 is liquid-tightly fitted between the protrusion 16 and the inner side surface of the cap 4. Combined. Therefore, even if the two-component mixing container 1 falls during storage or transportation, the liquid A and the liquid B are not mixed and the liquid B does not leak to the outside.

When the specimen is diagnosed, when the cap 4 is loosened from the sealed state of the two-component mixing container 1 shown in FIG. 10A, the cap 4 is partially detached from the container body 2 (see FIG. 10B), and the protrusion The middle container 3 formed by fitting the flange portion 15 in the portion 16 moves in a direction to be detached from the container main body 2. As a result, the seal ring 8 of the middle container 3 is detached from the taper contact surface 6 of the container body 2 and moves to the stepped portion 5, so that the gap K between the container body 2 and the middle container 3 increases, The B liquid flows through the opening 10 through the gap K into the first chamber P of the container body 2 and flows.
At this time, the liquid B does not flow out into the first chamber P on the wall surface 11 adjacent to the opening 10 of the middle container 3, so the air on the A liquid side flows into the gap K in the first chamber P in the container body 2. Therefore, substitution of B liquid and air occurs in the first chamber P, and B liquid smoothly flows into the first chamber P in the container body 2 and mixes with the A liquid. In addition, the air in the first chamber P that has flowed into the gap K flows into the middle container 3 from at least one of the three openings 10 according to the outflow of the liquid B in the middle container 4. The liquid B in the second chamber Q of the inner container 3 is facilitated to be expelled from the other opening 10. Then, the B liquid in the middle container 3 is guided by the frustoconical outflow guide part 12 to the opposite opening 10 side, and smoothly enters the first chamber P in the container body 2 from the opening 10. Drop and mix with liquid A.
In addition, by loosening the cap 4, a part of the air inside flows out between the male screw part 7 and the female screw part 14 through the gap between the container body 2 and the middle container 3. At the same time, outside air flows through the gap between the male screw portion 7 and the female screw portion 14 and flows into the middle container 3 from the opening 10.

Even when the number of openings 10 is one or two, air flows into the second chamber Q from the openings 10 due to a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the middle container 3 and a decrease in the liquid level of the B liquid.
In this way, the A liquid and the B liquid are mixed in the first chamber P in the container body 2.
Then, the middle container 3 and the cap 4 are removed from the container body 2, and the cotton swab with the specimen attached to the cotton ball is immersed in the liquid mixture of the liquid A and liquid B. In this state, the specimen attached to the cotton ball can be extracted by squeezing the container body 2 with a finger from the outside, and the mixed liquid from which the specimen has been extracted can be used for diagnosis by immunochromatography. For example, a diagnosis can be made by immersing a dipstick type immunochromatographic reagent in a mixed solution from which a specimen has been extracted.
Alternatively, the diagnosis may be made by dropping the mixed liquid from which the specimen has been extracted from the two-drug mixing container 1 onto a measuring instrument by Inunochromatography.

As described above, the two-component mixing container 1 according to the present embodiment can accurately and easily mix the A liquid and the B liquid accurately measured in advance and stored in the separated state by loosening the cap 4.
Moreover, since the opening 10 is formed with the wall portion 11 sandwiched in the circumferential direction of the middle container 3 when mixing the liquid A and the liquid B, the opening 10 is formed in the one chamber P in the container main body 2 in which the two agents are mixed. The liquid B is allowed to flow in through the air and the air in the chamber P is displaced by expelling the air through the gap K between the wall 11 of the middle container 3 and the liquid A and the liquid B can be mixed smoothly. In addition, the liquid B and the air in the first chamber P can be smoothly replaced through the opening 10 and the wall 11.
Further, the seal ring 8 of the middle container 3 that holds the liquid A and the liquid B in a separated state is fitted to the taper contact surface 6 of the container body 2 so that the first chamber P and the second chamber Q are separated. It can be sealed tightly, and can be separated easily and reliably by loosening the cap 4.

Next, a modified example of the present embodiment and other embodiments will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the same or similar members and parts as those in the two-component mixing container 1 according to the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 11 shows a modified example of the outflow guide portion 12, and the outflow guide 12A shown in FIG. 11A has a triangular frustum shape or a triangular pyramid shape. Each side surface of the triangular frustum is preferably provided at a position facing the opening 10. Moreover, the outflow guide 12B shown in FIG. 11B is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. With this shape, there is no need to adjust the position facing the opening 10.
Next, FIG. 12 shows a modified example of the middle container 3. In this middle container 3, a ring shape is formed on the upper surface of the flange 15 formed around the mouth 3 a instead of the projection 16 provided on the cap 4. The protrusion 18 is provided. With the middle container 3 fitted in the container body 2, the flange 15 of the middle container 3 protrudes from the mouth 2 a of the container body 2. Therefore, when the female threaded portion 14 of the cap 4 is tightened into the male threaded portion 7 of the container body 2, the projection 18 of the middle container 3 is compressed and deformed to the inner surface of the cap 4, and the middle container 3 can be held in a liquid-tight state. .

13 to 15 show a two-component mixing container 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The difference between the two-component mixing container 20 according to the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the bottom 2b of the container body 2 is not sealed, has an opening 2d, and is provided with a filter 21 for filtration. It has been. Therefore, the liquid mixture of liquid A and liquid B can be dropped through the filter 21 for filtration.
A dropping nozzle 22 having a stepped cylindrical portion shape is integrally formed at the lower portion of the container body 2, and an appropriate number of two or more ribs 23 are formed at a predetermined interval on the outer peripheral surface thereof. With the ribs 23, fitting adjustment with the sealing lid 24 can be easily performed. In the second embodiment, six ribs 23 are provided. A sealing lid 24 is liquid-tightly fitted outside the nozzle 22 to prevent the liquid mixture of the liquid A and the liquid B from leaking through the nozzle 22.
Four ribs 23 may be provided as shown in FIG. Further, the nozzle 22 and the sealing lid 24 may have a screwed structure.

  Therefore, according to the two-component mixing container 20 according to the second embodiment, the liquid B flows into the first chamber P of the container body 2 when the middle container 3 is separated upward from the fitted state with the container body 2. The liquid A is mixed with the liquid A, and the mixed liquid further passes through the filter 21 for filtration. The filtering filter 21 may not be provided. Then, by removing the sealing lid 24 from the nozzle 22, the liquid mixture in the nozzle 22 is dropped onto a diagnostic agent by, for example, an immunochromatography method (not shown). And it can use for a diagnosis etc.

Next, FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show another modification of the container body 2.
These modifications relate to a two-component mixing container 1 of the type in which the A liquid and the B liquid are mixed in the container main body 2. The container body 2C shown in FIG. 17 has a bottom 2e formed in a horizontal shape. A container body 2D shown in FIG. 18 has a bottom 2f formed in a hemispherical shape. A container body 2E shown in FIG. 19 has a bottom 2g formed in an inverted funnel shape. These bottom portions 2e to 2g may be formed thin for piercing so that the mixed solution can be extracted by inserting a needle.

Note that the middle container 3 does not necessarily have to be fitted to the cap 4 by the protruding portion 16, and only the inner surface of the cap 4 may come into contact with the flange portion 15 when the cap 4 is tightened. Even in this case, if the cap 4 is removed and the middle container 3 is lifted, the contact portion 8 is separated from the tapered contact surface 6, so that the liquid A and the liquid B can be mixed.
Further, the seal ring 8 of the middle container 3 may not be provided on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 3c of the middle container 3. For example, the seal ring 8 is provided at the lower end of the middle container 3, and the taper contact surface 6 is provided on the container body 2. You may form in the level | step-difference part 5. FIG. In this case, the outer diameter of the lower end of the middle container 3 may be increased so as to contact the stepped portion 5.

  The two-drug mixing container according to the present invention is not limited to the diagnostic agents described in the examples, and appropriate two-drugs such as chemicals, cosmetics, foods such as dressings and other seasonings are stored in a separated state. It can be used for any two kinds of liquids, pastes, powders, granules and the like that are mixed at the time of use or when necessary.

  Further, powder or tablet can be used in place of the liquid A. For example, a patient drinks water and a foaming agent at the time of an X-ray examination of the stomach. In this case, a certain amount of foaming agent is stored in the container body and a certain amount of water is stored in the inner container. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Two component mixing container 2 Container main body 2a, 3a Mouth part 3 Middle container 4 Cap 5 Step part 6 Taper contact surface 8 Seal ring 10 Opening part 12, 12A, 12B Outflow guide 15 Gutter part 16, 18 Protrusion part K Clearance P 1st room Q 2nd room

Claims (5)

A container body having a mouth at one end and a first chamber inside;
A second chamber in the interior of the container body; a contact portion that is inserted into the container body and contacts the inner surface contact portion of the container body to partition the first chamber and the second chamber; A middle container having an opening communicating with the chamber;
A lid for liquid-tightly sealing the container body,
The two-component mixing container, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are communicated with each other through the opening by separating the contact portion of the middle container from the inner surface contact portion of the container body.   2. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid is liquid-tightly connected to a mouth provided in the middle container, and the abutment is separated from the inner abutment by loosening the lid from the container body. Two-component mixing container.   The middle container is formed with a wall around the opening, and when the abutting portion of the middle container is separated from the inner surface abutting portion of the container body, the air in the first chamber is separated from the wall portion and the container body. The two-component mixing container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two-component mixing container is configured to be able to flow out from a gap formed between the two.   The two-component mixing container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outflow guide is formed at the bottom of the middle container so as to face the opening.   5. The container body according to claim 1, wherein the container body is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the inner surface abutting portion is formed adjacent to a step portion whose inner diameter on the first chamber side is reduced by one step with respect to the mouth side. The two-component mixing container described in any one.

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