JPH10179764A - Patch material having vital active component layer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a patch material having a vital active component layer which eliminates muscle fatigue, muscle pain and muscle inflammation, such as painful stiff neck and shoulder, lumbago and blow. SOLUTION: This patch having the vital active component layer has the constitution obtd. by disposing the vital active component layer 2 consisting essentially of (a) and (b), (a) and (c), (b) and (c) or (a) and (b) and (c) among tourmarine powder (a) which generates slight currents, ore powder (b) which consists essentially of algae carbon powder or silicon carbide powder or silicate radiating IR and semiconductor crystal power (c) of the group IVb element in the periodical table having four extranuclear electrons on a base1 or disposing this layer between the bases 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of applying an electric, electronic, or biochemical action to the skin or underwear which is in direct contact with the skin by attaching or sewing it or fixing it with a belt or an adhesive tape. The present invention relates to a patch having a bioactive component layer that improves lower blood circulation and eliminates muscle fatigue such as stiff shoulders, lower back pain, and bruise, muscle pain, and muscle inflammation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the skin is brought into contact with the skin of a human body to improve blood circulation under the skin by an electric, electronic and biochemical action, and muscle fatigue such as stiff shoulders, lower back pain and bruise, muscle pain and muscle inflammation. There are various methods for solving the problem, such as a method using magnetic force, a method using far-infrared rays, a method using electrical stimulation, a method using electronic stimulation of a semiconductor, and a method using physical stimulation.

[0003] Among these, a magnetic, magnetic, or square-shaped, disk-shaped, or hemispherical magnet piece having a diameter of about several mm in the center of the adhesive tape is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 49-88.
595, JP-A-52-46595, and JP-A-58-94864.

Further, as a device using far infrared rays, there is a device in which a ceramic piece emitting far infrared rays is attached to an adhesive tape or an adhesive pad.

[0005] Further, as a device for applying electrical stimulation,
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-317 discloses a ceramic treatment body formed by mixing tourmaline and an electrically insulating ceramic, molding the mixture, and firing the mixture.
No. 66, also, a mixture of tourmaline and a derivative material such as ceramic is granulated and solidified, or is applied and solidified on the surface of a granular material, and the granulated material is adhered to the vicinity of the center of an adhesive piece such as an adhesive plaster. This is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-236968.

Further, as the electronic stimulation of the semiconductor, there is a germanium electron therapy body obtained by sintering a solid piece of germanium or a mixture of germanium and another metal such as tin, antimony, indium, phosphorus and the like. 48186, JP-A-61-128982, JP-A-62-183774, and the like.

On the other hand, the physical stimulus
It is conceivable to provide a metal, plastic or rubber protrusion near the center of the adhesive tape.

[0008] By the way, the reason why they can eliminate muscle fatigue, muscle pain, muscle inflammation, and the like is that the stimulation by a weak current, the stimulation by magnetic field lines, or the stimulation by a trace amount of radiation directly or indirectly affects the body surface. At the tender point (pot), it is converted into a so-called electrical signal, which changes the potential inside and outside the membrane forming the nerve cell. This change is called nerve stimulation, and it is thought that this stimulation is transmitted to the brain and promotes the function of regulating body functions via autonomic nerves. For example, it regulates the body's secretory action, promotes contraction of muscle tissue and capillaries in the inflamed area, suppresses pain, and in some cases causes transient dilation of capillaries, increasing blood flow. It is said that leukocyte toxin can be easily eliminated and stiff shoulders, back pain, bruises, etc. can be eliminated.

On the other hand, far-infrared stimuli and physical stimuli (pressure and heat) warm the cells by appropriately stimulating the desired body surface to improve blood circulation at the stimulating site, promote metabolism, and increase brain wave. It is said that the generation of alpha waves can be stimulated to relieve muscle tension and mental stress.

[0010] Further, when an electron transfer phenomenon of the semiconductor comes into contact with the skin surface, the electronic stimulation of the semiconductor forms a flow path electrically with the static electricity in the muscle. That is, when the positive and negative ions facing the cell membrane and the H ⁺ protons remaining in the blood and body fluids cause damage, this semiconductor gives negative electrons to neutralize and excrete and promote alkalinization, In turn, increase the activation and supply of oxygen. In addition, even when an organ or the like breaks down and a potential process occurs, the semiconductor gives electrons to return to normal, promotes circulatory metabolic function, and keeps the body healthy.

Considering this, there is a direct or indirect difference between acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, magnetism, far-infrared radiation, weak electrical stimulation, trace radiation stimulation, and electronic stimulation of semiconductors. All are treatments to stimulate moderate heat or nerve stimulation at a desired part of the body. The only difference is that the means for stimulating the body are different. These simultaneous stimuli by means of are most effective.

[0012]

That is, of these,
Stimulation of weak current, magnetic force, or trace radiation stimulates the nervous system by radiating weak current, magnetic field lines, or trace radiation to enhance the therapeutic effect, while far infrared or physical stimulation stimulates the nervous system. The therapeutic effect is raised by the thermal effect on the body by infrared radiation and physical pressure.Furthermore, the electronic stimulation of the semiconductor uses the electron transfer phenomenon of the semiconductor to give negative ions to the body and generate waste substances in the body. It reacts with certain H ⁺ ions and excretes it as H ₂ O outside the body to improve the therapeutic effect.
There is an inconvenience that each effect is necessarily limited to the range that each means covers.

For example, in the case where tourmaline microcrystal powder of several microns is used alone to stimulate the nervous system, the tourmaline microcrystal powder absorbs heat energy from the human body and converts it into far infrared rays. Also have
It mainly has a positive electrode at one end of the crystal and a negative electrode at the other, and has a function of continuously flowing electrons from the negative electrode to the positive electrode, that is, generating static electricity. This static electricity touches the body's water to cause light electrolysis and separates it into positive and negative ions, and the negative ions directly stimulate the low electrical resistance of the skin of the human body, i.e., "pots", and cause peripheral blood vessels Gives moderate stimulation and improves peripheral blood circulation and normalizes autonomic nerves. However, on the other hand, there is a problem that it cannot be expected in terms of effects such as promotion of blood circulation, elimination of muscle fatigue, and promotion of generation of α-encephalogram, which are brought about by the thermal action by radiation of far infrared rays.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, that is, the limitation of electric stimulation by using a single bioactive component alone, or only the heating effect or electronic stimulation by a semiconductor, and exerts a synergistic action on nerve cells. Effective and lasting effects of more moderate intensity, such as the synergistic effect of electrical stimulation and thermal action, or the synergistic effect of electrical stimulation and electronic stimulation, or the synergistic effect of electronic stimulation and thermal action, or even electrical stimulation It is an object of the present invention to obtain a patch having a bioactive component layer capable of obtaining a synergistic effect of a heating action and an electronic stimulus.

[0015]

A patch having a bioactive component layer according to the present invention comprises a tourmaline powder (a) for generating a weak electric current and a seaweed charcoal powder, a silicon carbide powder or a silicate for emitting far-infrared rays. Ore powder (b) mainly composed of salt and periodic table IVb having four extranuclear electrons
(A), (b),
A bioactive component layer containing a bioactive component obtained by mixing (a) and (c), (b) and (c), or (a), (b) and (c) on a support. Or between two supports, and the present inventors have formed a tape-shaped or sheet-shaped one so that a synergistic effect of a weak current and far-infrared light or a synergistic effect of far-infrared light and electron transfer can be obtained. Alternatively, the present inventors have succeeded in giving an appropriate nerve stimulation to the human body by a synergistic effect of a weak current and electron transfer or a synergistic effect of a weak current, far infrared ray and electron transfer.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing one embodiment of a patch having a tape-shaped bioactive component layer of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is one embodiment of a patch having a sheet-shaped bioactive component layer of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are longitudinal side views showing another embodiment of the adhesive material having a tape-shaped bioactive component layer of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are sheet shapes of the present invention. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing another embodiment of the adhesive material having a bioactive component layer of the present invention, wherein 1 is a support, 2 is a bioactive component layer, 3 is a bioactive component, 4 is release paper, 5 Denotes an adhesive layer, and 6 denotes a back surface treatment layer.

FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 show a patch having a bioactive component layer in the form of a tape. The patch is used for sticking to an adherend when the patch is wound in a roll. Pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 or bioactive component layer 2 having tackiness
A silicone-based or fluorine-based back surface treatment layer (release layer) 6 is provided on the back surface of the support 1 that is in contact with the substrate 1, and is formed so as to facilitate peeling.

FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 show an adhesive material having a sheet-shaped bioactive component layer 2, which has an adhesive layer 5 or an adhesive for attaching to an adherend such as a human body. A release paper 4 having a surface layer of the applied bioactive component layer 2 coated with a silicone-based or fluorine-based release agent is provided to prevent sticking to other than intended purposes. At the time of sticking to the target, the release paper 4 is peeled off and sticked.

Next, the support 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is made of Japanese paper or a plastic film such as PP, PET, PE, acetate, PVC, urethane, a plastic foam sheet, a nonwoven fabric, and further cotton, rayon, acetate. , P
Fabrics made of P, PET, PE, rubber sheet made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, thermoplastic rubber, metal foil,
A metal-deposited film or a composite thereof is used.

On the other hand, the bioactive component layer 2 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, on the support 1 and in FIGS.
The bioactive component layer 2 is mainly composed of a tourmaline powder (a) that generates a weak current and a seaweed charcoal powder or a silicon carbide powder or a silicate that emits far-infrared rays, as shown in FIG. Ore powder (b) as a component,
Among the combinations with the semiconductor crystal powder (c) belonging to Group IVb of the periodic table having four extranuclear electrons, (a), (b),
A mixture of at least two of (a) and (c), (b) and (c), and (a), (b) and (c).

That is, the tourmaline powder (a) referred to here is basically a silicate mineral containing boron and 3 [NaX ₃
Al ₆ (BO ₃ ) ₃ Si ₆ O ₁₈ (OH ₉ F) ₄ ] (X =
Mg, Fe, Li, etc.) 0.2 μm
Fine crystal particles of a mineral called tourmaline of about 50 μm, and finely ground tourmaline crystals form a large number of electrodes, create an electromagnetic field between the plus and minus electrodes, and generate a weak current.

On the other hand, among the seaweed charcoal powder or the ore powder (b) mainly composed of silicon carbide powder or silicate, which can emit far-infrared rays, which is another component of the bioactive component 3, Powder is a natural carbide made by carbonizing seaweed. Metal ions produced by minerals contained in seaweed efficiently emit far-infrared wavelengths in the range of 4 to 20 μm at room temperature near body temperature (35 ° C), exhibiting a thermal effect. 0.2 μm to 50 μm powder.

The silicon carbide powder contains 96% or more of SiC and has a composition of SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , Fe, etc., and has been used as an abrasive for many years. It has been found that far-infrared rays can be efficiently emitted to obtain a thermal effect.

As the ore powder (b) containing silicate, an ore powder obtained by mixing one or more of silicate ores (zircon) of serpentine, amphibolite and zirconium is selected. The serpentine here is a main constituent mineral of serpentine, mainly antigorite or chrysotile or an aggregate of both, and the composition thereof is approximately 40% of SiO _2.
%, MgO approximately 38%, TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , Fe
O, Fe ₂ O ₃ , MnO and the like are included. Amphibole is a group of minerals belonging to the monoclinic system in the axenite group, (C
a, Na, K) _2-3 (Mg, Fe, Al) ₅ [(Si, A
l) ₂ Si ₆ ] O ₂₂ (OH) ₂ The composition is about 42% for SiO _2, about 12.5% for Al ₂ O _3, about 11.3% for MgO, and about 1 for CaO.
0.9%. Zirconium silicate ore (zircon) is represented by a composition of ZrSiO _{4, and has} a composition of about 34% SiO _{2 and} about 66% ZrO ₂ .

These silicate-containing ore powders (b), ie, silicate ores of serpentine, amphibole, and zirconium (zircon) efficiently emit far-infrared rays of 4 μm to 20 μm near normal temperature. Therefore, these powders are present in the bioactive ingredient layer 2 and, for example, a tourmaline powder or a semiconductor crystal powder or a combination of the two, so that a thermal effect is difficult to obtain with only the tourmaline powder or the semiconductor crystal powder or a blend thereof. Or blended in advance with other far-infrared radiating materials such as seaweed charcoal powder or silicon carbide powder to exhibit a better synergistic effect of the thermal effect.

When these ore powders (b), that is, serpentine, amphibolite, and zirconium silicate ores (zircon) are blended and used as (b), respectively, or two kinds of seaweed charcoal powder or silicon carbide powder are used. Blend (b)
The mixing ratio is not particularly limited in the case where it is used, or when three or more kinds of blended powders containing these are used as (b), but it is preferable that one kind is blended in an amount exceeding at least 30%. . That is, when the mixing ratio of one type is 30% or less, the amount of one type relatively decreases depending on the mixing ratio with tourmaline or semiconductor crystal powder due to the limitation of the amount of the bioactive component to be mixed with the adhesive, the base ink, and the paint. This is not preferable because the effect of mixing is reduced.

Next, the semiconductor crystal powder (c) of Group IVb of the periodic table having four extranuclear electrons, which is mentioned as the bioactive component (3), is composed of carbon (C), silicon (Si), and germanium (Ge). ), Tin (Pb), hafnium (Hf)
The germanium powder is sen-aite,
It can be obtained from Simende ore, Ryuhido ore, sulfide minerals, coal and the like. However, coal is made from burned ash.

These semiconductor crystal powders (c) belonging to the group IVb of the periodic table of the elements form a flow path electrically when contacted with the skin surface, by the static electricity in the muscle and stimulate the nervous system to improve peripheral blood circulation. Or eliminate waste material in the body. These can be present in the bioactive component layer 2 and exert a better synergistic effect when combined with tourmaline powder or far-infrared emitting material.

Further, the semiconductor crystal powder (c) of Group IVb of the periodic table, ie, carbon, silicon, germanium, tin, and hafnium, may be used alone in combination with tourmaline powder, seaweed charcoal powder, or silicon carbide powder. However, when the electron mobility is low when used alone, two or more of these semiconductors can be blended in advance and used. In addition, the mixing ratio when blending the semiconductor crystal powder (c) is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that one kind is blended in an amount exceeding at least 30%. That is, when the mixing ratio of one type is 30% or less, one type is relatively mixed depending on the mixing ratio with tourmaline, seaweed charcoal powder, or silicon carbide powder due to the limitation of the amount of bioactive components to be mixed with the pressure-sensitive adhesive, base ink, or paint. This is because the mixing amount of the compound decreases, and the mixing effect of the mixture decreases, which is not preferable.

On the other hand, the mixing ratio of the bioactive component 3, ie, (a) and (b), (a) and (c), (b) and (c), or (a) and (b) and (c) (A), (b) and (c) are mixed at least 10% each.
It is desirable to mix them so as to have the above mixing ratio. This is because, even if any of the mixed substance ratios (a), (b), and (c) is 10% or less, it is difficult to exhibit the respective effects and the combined effects.

Next, referring to the bioactive component layer 2, the bioactive component layer 2 can be made to have an adhesive property or a non-adhesive property, but has the adhesive property shown in FIGS. As for the bioactive component layer 2, the premixed bioactive component 3 is mainly composed of thermoplastic rubber, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, methylcellulose, karaya rubber, polyisobutylene, water-absorbing polymer, or the like. It can be obtained by uniformly mixing and dispersing in a solvent-based, water-based, hot-melt-based, or dry-blend-based (including putty-shaped) pressure-sensitive adhesive, and applying or rubbing or bonding it on the support 1. In this case, the mixing ratio of the bioactive component 3 to the adhesive was 100
10 parts to 200 parts by weight are recommended based on parts by weight. The reason for this is that if the added amount is less than 10 parts, it is difficult to obtain the original effect of the bioactive component, and if it is more than 200 parts, it is difficult to obtain the adhesive effect of the bioactive component layer 2 which also functions as an adhesive. In the case where tourmaline is selected as one of the main components of the bioactive component 3, the tourmaline crystals are not so close that the tourmaline crystals are too close to each other and mutually oppose each other with the opposite signs. This is because it is difficult to obtain another effect of the pressure-sensitive adhesive of electrically insulating the particles.

On the other hand, if the bioactive component layer 2 is to be made non-adhesive,
C, PE, PP, urethane, polyethylene glycol,
It can be obtained by uniformly mixing and dispersing in an ink or paint using a thermoplastic resin or rubber such as EVA, SIS, SBS, SEBS or the like as a vehicle on the support 1 (FIG. 4). , FIG. 6).
The content of the bioactive component 3 in the ink or paint is suitably from 10 to 200 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the vehicle. When the amount is less than 10 parts by weight, the effect of the bioactive component is hardly obtained, and when the amount is more than 200 parts by weight, the coating or ink film becomes brittle, and cracks or the like are not preferred.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the bioactive component layer 2 is provided between two support layers 1, the bioactive component layer 2 is provided on one support 1 and then the other. Can be obtained by superposing the support 1 on the bioactive component layer 2. When the pressure-sensitive adhesive containing the bioactive component layer 3 is a hot-melt adhesive, it can be obtained by bonding another support 1 by thermocompression bonding.

In the case where the bioactive component layer 2 is non-adhesive or slightly adhesive, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, an adhesive for adhering to the adherend on the bioactive component layer 2 is used. Agent layer 5
Can be provided. Adhesives used in this case are usually used as medical grades, such as acrylic adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, natural rubber or synthetic rubber adhesives, and adhesives mainly composed of water-absorbing polymers. Is done. On the other hand, when the bioactive component layer 2 is sandwiched between the supports 1, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bioactive component layer 2 is attached to the adherend on the other surface of at least one of the supports 1. Is provided. In the case where the adherend is a human body, it goes without saying that a medical pressure-sensitive adhesive is selected in consideration of rash and the like.

The thus obtained tape-like (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) or sheet-like (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6) adhesive material of the present invention has the required length, width, It is cut or cut into a shape and used for use.

[0036]

【Example】

Example 1 Biologically active ingredient combination table No. 1 in Table 1. After coating the composition of Example 1 on a support of acetate cloth with a thickness of about 60 μm,
Sample 1 was obtained by cutting into a tape having a length of 5 cm and a length of 5 cm. This sample 1 was adhered to the interscapular area of the subject with the aftereffects of the car accident once a day for 2 days with different samples.
When a follow-up was performed, the results of Experimental Example 1 in Table 2 were obtained.

Example 2 Table 1 of the composition of the biologically active ingredient in Table 1 Compound No. 2 was placed between the aluminum-evaporated film and the acetate cloth support at approximately 60 μm.
m, and an acrylic adhesive was applied to the acetate cloth surface, and then cut into a tape having a width of 1 cm and a length of 5 cm to obtain a sample 2. This sample 2 was adhered to the neck of a subject with fine hand stiffness symptoms once a day for 2 days while changing the sample, and the follow-up was performed. The results of Experimental Example 2 in Table 2 were obtained. .

Example 3 Biologically active ingredient composition table No. After applying the composition of No. 3 on an acetate cloth support to a thickness of about 60 μm,
Sample 3 was obtained by cutting it into a tape having a length of 5 cm and a length of 5 cm. This sample 3 was adhered to the tibialis anterior muscle of a subject having tenderness of the tibialis anterior muscle due to jogging or the like once a day for 3 days while changing the sample, and the follow-up was performed. The results of Experimental Example 3 in Table 2 were obtained. I got

Example 4 Table 1 of the composition of the biologically active ingredient in Table 1 The composition of No. 4 was applied on an acetate cloth support to a thickness of about 60 μm to form a bioactive component layer, and then an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive used for medical use was applied on the bioactive component layer at 10 μm. Sample 4 cut into 1cm wide and 5cm long tape
I got This sample 4 was adhered once a day to the affected part of the subject who had sprained ankle in golf for another 3.5 days,
When a follow-up was performed, the results of Experimental Example 4 in Table 2 were obtained.

[0040]

[Table 1]

[0041]

[Table 2]

As can be seen from the results of each experimental example in Table 2,
The adhesive materials having the bioactive component layer of the present invention all had the effect of eliminating stiff shoulders, muscle fatigue and muscle pain.

[0043]

As described above, the patch having the bioactive component layer according to the present invention can be applied to a weak current, a far-infrared ray or a semiconductor electron transfer, a far-infrared ray or a weak current and a semiconductor electron transfer, or a synergistic effect of these three, that is, appropriately and The synergistic effect of continuous electrical stimulation and thermal action, the synergistic effect of electrical stimulation and electronic stimulation, the synergistic effect of electronic stimulation and thermal action, and a combination of these three effects stimulates the acupoints of the human body, Activates and promotes blood circulation, normalizes autonomic nervousness Relieves body tension and relaxes nerves Removes waste from metabolites of tired muscles Performs normal metabolism Shoulder, etc. It has the effect of eliminating muscle pain such as muscle fatigue and back pain and muscle inflammation due to bruising.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an embodiment of a tape-shaped patch of a patch having a bioactive component layer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing one embodiment of a sheet shape of a patch having a bioactive component layer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing another embodiment of a tape-shaped patch of a patch having a bioactive component layer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing still another embodiment of the tape shape of the patch having the bioactive component layer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing another embodiment of the sheet shape of the patch having the bioactive component layer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing still another embodiment of the sheet shape of the patch having the bioactive component layer of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support 2 Bioactive component layer 3 Bioactive component 4 Release paper 5 Adhesive layer 6 Back surface treatment layer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A tourmaline powder (a) for generating a weak electric current, and a seaweed charcoal powder, a silicon carbide powder or an ore powder mainly composed of silicate, which emits far infrared rays (b).
And (a) and (b), (a) and (c), (b) and (c), among semiconductor crystal powders (c) of group IVb of the periodic table having four extranuclear electrons. A bioactive component layer containing a bioactive component obtained by mixing (a), (b) and (c) is provided on a support or between two supports. An adhesive material having a bioactive component layer. 2. An ore powder obtained by mixing at least one of serpentine, amphibole and zirconium silicate ores (zircon), wherein the ore powder (b) mainly composed of silicate emitting far-infrared rays is mixed. The patch having the bioactive component layer according to claim 1, wherein 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bioactive component layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing a bioactive component, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive contains 10 to 200 parts by weight of the bioactive component based on 100 parts by weight of the pressure-sensitive adhesive polymer. A patch having the bioactive component layer according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The bioactive component layer provided on a support is a non-adhesive bioactive component layer, and an adhesive layer for sticking to an adherend is provided on the bioactive component layer. The patch having the bioactive component layer according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized in that: 5. A sheet-like material in which a bioactive component layer is provided between supports, and an adhesive layer for attaching to an adherend is provided on the other surface of at least one of the supports. A patch comprising the bioactive component layer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.