EP2002187B1 - Method to cool hot water to a drinking temperature, use of a hot water cooling device and a hot water cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for cooling a hot liquid foodstuff, particularly water (20) to a drinking temperature comprises a cooling system (2), which contains a coolant (19) and which has a cooling line (13). This cooling line is guided through the coolant (19), has an inlet for admitting the hot liquid and an outlet for the cooled liquid. The device (1) comprises at least one filling vessel (3), which has a defined filling volume, can be connected to the end side of the cooling system (2) with the inlet via its opening (5) and which can be closed by connecting to the cooling system (2). In order to connect the filling vessel (3) to the cooling system (2), both parts have connecting elements (9) that interact in a complementary manner so that a representational unit (1) can be formed consisting of a filling vessel (3) and of the cooling system (2) for carrying out the cooling. According to the defined amount of liquid flowing out of the filling vessel (3) and into the inlet of the cooling system (2), to the temperature and to the amount of the coolant (19) contained in the cooling system (2), the liquid exits from the outlet of the cooling system (2) with a temperature that is preset within close limits.

Description

The invention relates to a method for cooling hot water to a serving temperature for preparing a meal for a baby or toddler. The invention further relates to a hot water cooling device for cooling water to a serving temperature for preparing a meal for a baby or toddler, comprising a refrigeration-containing refrigeration unit having a coolant-fed inlet, a hot-liquid inlet, and an outlet for the cooled one Liquid cooling line. The invention also relates to a use of such a cooling device.

Such cooling devices are used for example for preparing a meal for a baby or toddler. In preparing such a meal, boiled hot water as a liquid food is passed through the cooler to cool the hot water to serving temperature, thus accelerating the otherwise prolonged cooling process to the ambient air. Known is a designed for this purpose cooling device WO 2004/070294 A1 , The cooling device described in this document comprises in its core a cooling unit, which is filled with a coolant and through which a cooling line is guided. The cooling line is designed in the manner of a coil immersed in the coolant, the upper connecting piece leading to an inlet and the lower connecting piece to an outlet. The inlet opens at the upper end side of the cooling unit, the outlet at the lower end side. On the inlet side of the cooling unit, a filling aid can be placed. The filling aid is a funnel-shaped article having a lower outlet serving to introduce the hot liquid into the inlet of the cooling line. According to an embodiment described in the aforementioned document, the filling aid also has the function of a measuring cup for measuring the amount of liquid to be cooled. However, so that a defined amount of hot liquid can be supplied to the cooling unit of this prior art device and the poured into the filling aid hot liquid does not flow into the cooling line before completion of the measuring process, it is necessary that the filling aid on the outlet side or the cooling unit inlet side have a valve that is closed in the process of filling and measuring the hot liquid in the filling aid. Otherwise, the measuring process will be falsified by hot liquid that is already leaking. This can then lead to an overflow of a receptacle adapted to the quantity of liquid to be cooled to lead. Furthermore, it is then not guaranteed that the effluent from the cooling liquid has the intended drinking temperature, possibly too cool, so that then the prepared meal has to be heated again something.

The bottom of the cooling unit has connection means to which a collecting vessel, such as a baby bottle can be connected. In this flows from the cooling line exiting cooled liquid food, for example, the water. With the water at drinking temperature then the desired meal is prepared and administered to the baby or toddler.

A disadvantage of this known cooling device is their handling and the difficulty to cool a predefined amount of liquid, if not additional valves are used. Especially with devices that come into contact with food, such as in the above-described cooling device, one endeavors to make those parts of the device that come into contact with the food as simple as possible, so as not to unnecessarily complicate a cleaning of the device. In addition, to ensure in this prior art cooling device that when filling the hot liquid food in the filler the remaining components of the cooling device, they should not be otherwise secured, are held to tipping the cooler and with under spill-like leakage of hot water to avoid the filling aid.

GB 2 250 576 A discloses a device for rapidly cooling a small amount of a drinkable liquid. In this device, liquid at ambient temperature, for example, the wine contained in a bottle, passed through the cooling device, with the aim that at the outlet of the device, the previously located at ambient temperature liquid exits to a pleasantly cool drinking temperature. The device comprises a housing in which a cooling line is contained. This is in a coolant, which is stored to reach its temperature in a refrigerator or in an icebox. The device also has an air supply line which is passed through the housing of the device and thus also through the coolant. Through this line occurs ambient air, due to the implementation of the air supply line by the coolant accordingly cooled in the liquid contained in the bottle.

A comparable cooling device and a method for cooling a trinhbaren liquid is from the JP 2003-095398 known.

Based on this discussed prior art, the invention is therefore based on the object of developing an aforementioned method and an aforementioned cooling device in such a way that an exit of the initially hot liquid from the cooling device in a temperature lying within narrow limits and also safe handling of the Cooling device is possible.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, a use according to claim 4 and a cooling device having the features of claim 5.

This cooling device has one or more filling vessels with a defined filling volume. Each of these filling vessels can be connected with its opening to the inlet side of the cooling unit, for example by a form-fitting manner by cooperating threaded sections, one of which is assigned to the filling vessel and the other to the cooling unit. The Einfüllgefäße can be connected to the cooling unit and form with this then a representational unit. It is important that the filling vessels are closed by the connection to the cooling unit and in this composite in the filling vessel liquid can occur only via the cooling line contained in the cooling unit. The filling vessels therefore have expediently on one and the same side only one opening for filling the hot, to be cooled water and also for discharging the same. Conveniently, the filling vessels are designed in the manner of a cup or a bottle. The filling vessels have according to an advantageous embodiment, a thermal insulation. This facilitates the handling of the filling vessels. By such a measure, however, the filled in the hopper hot liquid is maintained for some time at its hot temperature level, so that the entering into the cooling line in the process of cooling liquid has a defined temperature. Such a filling vessel has a defined filling volume. The predetermined filling quantity can be indicated by a marking in or on the filling vessel. According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the filling vessel is designed such that, when filled with the predetermined amount of liquid, the filling vessel is virtually full to the brim. The handling also such, almost brimming Einfüllgefäßes that is filled with hot liquid, such as hot water, is not a problem, since the hopper basically does not need to be moved. Rather, the cooling unit can be connected to the filling vessel, for example by screwing, whereby the filling vessel is sealed against outwardly leaking liquid. The filling vessel is thus closed with the cooling unit in the manner of a lid.

Before the start of the cooling process, the filling vessel is arranged at the bottom with the hot water to be cooled and is closed by the cooling unit by means of the inlet side of the cooling unit. By tilting the cooling device, so that the cooling unit at the bottom and the filling vessel with its opening facing down to the inlet of the cooling unit is located at the top, the cooling process is initiated. The hot liquid contained in the filling vessel then enters the inlet of the cooling unit, passes through the cooling line, wherein the hot liquid is deprived of a defined amount of heat, and then from the outlet of the cooling unit. The coolant contained in the refrigeration unit has previously been brought to a defined temperature, for example by storing in a refrigerator or freezer for a certain period of time at refrigerator temperature. When used as intended, a defined amount of liquid is thus introduced into the cooling line through the Einfüllgefäß, due to the announcement of the temperature of the coolant, for example, located on the refrigerator temperature and its amount, the flow rate of the liquid to be cooled withdrawn a defined amount of heat, so that the outlet side, the then cooled liquid in a predetermined temperature within narrow limits emerges. In this cooling device, the fact is exploited that rises by the possibility of forming a representational unit between the hopper and the cooling unit in the process of tipping over the present in the hopper air through the hot liquid to the bottom of the hopper, it heats up and expanded. Characterized a certain pressure is generated in the filling vessel during the hot liquid entering the cooling unit and accordingly during the passage of the liquid through the cooling unit, which assists the flow of the liquid to be cooled through the cooling line and helps that guided through the cooling line Total amount of liquid flows through the cooling line at a defined flow rate, in particular, the pressure building up in the filling vessel supports a defined flow through the liquid to be cooled with the filling vessel already partially or substantially emptied. Appropriately, a ventilation opening is provided to initiate air in the process of cooling in the emptying filling vessel. Such a ventilation opening are located at the interface between the filling vessel and the cooling unit, so that the thereby supplied in the filling vessel during its emptying air warmed by passing through the located in the hopper hot liquid expands and to a defined pressure build-up within the hopper at contributes to its emptying.

In this cooling device, in which the filling vessel is assembled with the refrigerating unit for the operation of cooling to an objective unit, there is no risk that hot, uncooled liquid can leak if misused. After the objective unit between the hopper with the hot, liquid to be cooled and the cooling unit is made, this cooling device can be easily handled. For example, the cooling device with its outlet pointing down on a drinking vessel, such as a cup or a cup, so that the leaking at the outlet of the cooling liquid enters the drinking vessel. Such use of the cooling device may be used to cool tea to shorten the cooling time until it has reached its drinking temperature.

The cooling unit also has outlet on connection means for connecting a collecting vessel for collecting the cooled liquid. This may be, for example, an internally threaded portion, to which, for example, a baby bottle with an external thread can be connected. In such an embodiment, an objective unit from the filling vessel, the cooling unit and the collecting vessel is formed for the process of cooling, before the cooling process is initiated by turning over or overturning of the cooling device formed in this way.

From this cooling device then neither hot nor cooled liquid can escape.

The cooling device may be associated with a stand for holding the objective unit, consisting of the filling vessel and the cooling unit and optionally the collecting vessel. By this, the cooling device can be securely held. In a further development of such a stand it is provided to pivotally configure the holder so that the holder stands up on a base and the cooling device can be pivoted by 180 ° to tilt it accordingly after filling the hot water into the filling vessel and compiling the cooling device so that the hot water can flow through the cooling unit into the collecting vessel. The cooling device can be connected to the holder with a cable arranged on the holder, into which, for example, the refrigeration unit can be hung.

Fig. 1:

eine Seitenansicht von drei zum Erstellen einer Kühlvorrichtung benötigten Elemente, umfassend ein Kühlaggregat,

Fig. 2:

die aus den drei Elementen der Figur 1 gebildete Kühlvorrichtung vor dem Kühlen in einem Längsschnitt,

Fig. 3:

die Kühlvorrichtung der Figur 2 bei dem Vorgang des Kühlens,

Fig. 4:

eine perspektivische Detailansicht der Einlaufseite des Kühlaggregats

Fig. 5:

eine Draufsicht auf die Auslaufseite des Kühlaggregats der Kühlvorrichtung,

Fig. 6:

ein Einfüllgefäß gemäß einer weiteren Ausgestaltung einer Kühlvorrichtung und

Fig. 7:

ein der Kühlvorrichtung der Figuren 1 - 5 zugeordneter Fuß mit dem darin eingesetzten Kühlaggregat (rechte Abbildung) sowie in einer perspektivischen Ansicht auf die Unterseite (linke Abbildung).

The invention is described below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1:

3 shows a side view of three elements required for creating a cooling device, comprising a cooling unit,

Fig. 2:

which consists of the three elements of FIG. 1 formed cooling device before cooling in a longitudinal section,

3:

the cooling device of FIG. 2 in the process of cooling,

4:

a detailed perspective view of the inlet side of the cooling unit

Fig. 5:

a plan view of the outlet side of the cooling unit of the cooling device,

Fig. 6:

a filling vessel according to another embodiment of a cooling device and

Fig. 7:

one of the cooling device of Figures 1 - 5 associated foot with the cooling unit inserted therein (right figure) and in a perspective view on the underside (left figure).

A cooling device 1 comprises a cooling unit 2, a filling vessel 3 and a collecting vessel 4. The filling vessel 3 and the collecting vessel 4 are each bottle - shaped and have a single opening 5 or 6. The openings 5, 6 are enclosed by a neck section 7 or 8, on which an external thread section 9 or 10 is formed. The cooling unit 2 has for this purpose via complementary internal threaded sections, which are for connecting the filling vessel 3 at its inlet side 11 and the collecting vessel 4 at its outlet side 12th are arranged. In order to avoid a connection confusion, the two threaded sections 9, 10 each have a different diameter. This ensures that, as intended, the filling vessel 3 can only be connected to the inlet side 11 and the collecting vessel 4 only at the outlet side 12 of the cooling unit 2.

The composite cooling device 1 is in FIG. 2 shown. Visible is the connection of the collecting vessel 4 to the outlet side 12 of the cooling unit 2 and the connection of the filling vessel 3 to the inlet side 11 of the cooling unit 2. The inlet side 11 and the outlet side 12 have to connect the inlet vessel 3 and the collecting vessel 4 via complementary internal thread sections. The cooling unit 2 has a coiled cooling line 13, whose in FIG. 2 lower port 14 to the inlet side 11 and the upper port 15 is guided to the outlet side 12 of the cooling unit 2. The bottom of the inlet side 11 and the outlet side 12 each has an opening for introducing liquid into the cooling line 13 or for discharging the same. In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling unit 2 of two half-shells 16, 17, which are sealed together, constructed. The lower half shell 16 has a closure 18 through which a coolant can be introduced into the cooling unit 2. The cooling unit 2 is filled with a coolant 19 (not indicated by hatching).

The coolant 19 is water. The coolant 19 is encapsulated inside the cooling unit 2 and can escape from it only when the closure 18 is open. Within the cooling unit 2 is a defined amount of coolant. In any case, one will bring in the cooling unit 2 such a quantity of coolant, that the coiled portion of the cooling line 13 is immersed therein.

The collecting vessel 3 has a defined filling volume and is in the illustration of FIG. 2 filled with boiled hot water 20 almost full to the brim. Between the water level and the bottom of the inlet side 11 of the cooling unit 2, a small amount of air is enclosed. The hot water 20 has been introduced into the filling vessel 3 before its opening 5 has been closed by screwing the cooling unit 2 with its inlet side 11. The cooling unit 2 has been stored for the operation of the intended cooling prior to its screwing onto the filling vessel 3 in a refrigerator. The coolant 19 contained in the cooling unit 2 therefore has a refrigerator temperature of about 4 ° -6 °.

For cooling the hot water located in the filling vessel 3, the cooling device 1 is tilted by 180 °, so that then - as in FIG. 3 shown - the collecting vessel 4 is at the bottom and gets up with its bottom. By tipping the cooling device 1 in their in FIG. 3 shown cooling position runs in the hopper 3 located hot water 20 in the cooling line 13 a. When passing through the cooling line 13, heat is removed from the passing hot water, whereby the coolant 19 located in the cooling unit 2 heats up. At the outlet side 12 of the cooling unit 2 then exits cooled water, which enters the collecting vessel 4, for example, a baby bottle. In this process, the air originally present in the filling vessel 3 passes through the hot water 20, as in FIG FIG. 3 indicated by the bubbles therein, expands and builds in the now upper portion 21 of the hopper 3 to a pressure assisting the discharge process. At the interface between the cooling unit 2 and the filling vessel 3 there is also a ventilation opening through which ambient air enters the filling vessel 3 when it is emptied. This is also guided by the hot water 20, expands and supports the pressure build-up in the hopper and thus the emptying process, especially at partially emptied hopper 3. The pressure build-up within the hopper 3 during the discharge of the hot water 20 supports a defined running cooling process, especially in terms of As a result of this and due to the knownness of the other factors influencing the cooling process, the water temperature exiting at the outlet side can be predicted within relatively narrow limits. Consequently, the cooling process is defined and reproducible with a constant outlet temperature. This assumes that the coolant 19 contained in the cooling unit is brought back to its initial temperature, expediently refrigerator temperature after each cooling operation. For this purpose, the cooling unit 2 is placed in the refrigerator for some time.

In a preferred embodiment, the clear passage width of the ventilation opening at the interface between the filling vessel 3 and the cooling unit 2 is dimensioned so that admittedly air, but water can not escape from this. The existing in the hopper 3 air expresses due to their expansion after turning the arrangement of the in FIG. 2 shown position in the in FIG. 3 shown position, the hot liquid in the cooling line 13 of the cooling unit 2, which in turn causes an intake of ambient air, which maintains the pressure within the hopper 3 due to their warming and the associated expansion when passing through the hot liquid to be cooled.

The already described above ventilation opening at the interface between the cooling unit 2 and the filling vessel 3 is in a perspective detail view in FIG. 4 shown. FIG. 4 shows the inlet side 11 of the cooling unit 2 with its bottom 22 and its inlet opening 23. The bottom 22 is funnel-shaped toward the inlet opening 23. A notch 24 penetrating the internal thread section and engaging in the bottom 22 serves as a way of letting ambient air into a filling vessel 3 connected to the inlet side 11 of the cooling unit 2 when it is emptied.

FIG. 5 shows the outlet side 12 of the cooling unit 2 with its outlet opening 25, which can be closed by a slide 26. The slide 26 can be pushed over the outlet opening 25, when the cooling unit 2 with the outlet side 12 facing down, for example, for cooling the refrigerant contained therein 19 is placed in a refrigerator. At the interface between the cooling unit 2 and the collecting vessel 4, a vent opening 27 is provided to allow the displaced by the entry of the cooled liquid into the collecting vessel 4 escape air.

Instead of providing the notch in the inner edge of the inlet side 11 of the cooling unit 2, as in FIG. 4 it can also be arranged on the outer edge of the neck portion 7 of the filling vessel 3.

FIG. 6 shows a filling vessel 3 'for a cooling device, in which a vent groove 28 in the upper end face of the filling vessel 3' is introduced. This filling vessel is used in connection with a cooling unit, which is constructed in principle as the cooling unit 2 described above, but has no notch 24.

FIG. 7 shows a stand 28, through which the stability of the cooling device 1 in their in the FIGS. 2 and 3 shown position is increased. The base 29 may also serve for insertion of the cooling unit 2, as this in FIG. 7 shown in his right figure. The base 29 has for this purpose a top-side receptacle, in each of which the lowermost portion of the filling vessel 3 (at a position of the cooling device 1 according to FIG. 2 ), the collecting vessel 4 (at a position of the cooling device 1 according to FIG. 3 ) or the refrigeration unit 2 (as in FIG. 7 shown) can be used. In a further development, this foot 29 has on its underside a cruciform shape 30 whose configuration is complementary to the cross-slot-shaped recess of the closure 18 of the cooling unit 2. The foot 29 also serves as a tool for opening and closing the shutter 18 of the cooling unit. 2

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cooler

2

cooling unit

3, 3 '

filling vessel

4

collecting vessel

5

opening

6

opening

7

neck section

8th

neck section

9

Externally threaded section

10

Externally threaded section

11

inlet side

12

outlet side

13

cooling line

14

connection

15

connection

16

half shell

17

half shell

18

shutter

19

coolant

20

water

21

Area

22

ground

23

inlet port

24

score

25

outlet

26

pusher

27

vent

28

score

29

stand

30

shaping

Claims (11)

1. Method for cooling hot water (20) to a drinking temperature for preparing a meal for a baby or small child comprising the following steps:

   - provision of a filling vessel (3, 3'), filled to a defined filling volume with the hot water (20) to be cooled,

   - provision of a cooling system (2) with a cooling line (13) guided through a coolant (19) which is at a refrigerator temperature as the defined temperature, wherein water is used as the coolant (19),

   - connection of the cooling system (2) with its inlet side (11) to the filling vessel (3, 3') for forming a representational unit (1) consisting of the filling vessel (3, 3') and the cooling system (2), wherein the filling vessel (3, 3') is placed at the bottom and the cooling system (2) onto the filling vessel (3, 3'),

   - initiation of the cooling by overturning the unit (1) by 180 degrees so that, subsequently, the cooling system (2) is arranged at the bottom and the filling vessel (3, 3'), with its opening pointing down, at the top, wherein, according to the temperature of the water (20) to be cooled and the temperature and the quantity of the coolant (19) contained in the cooling system (2), the water exits from the cooling system (2) with a temperature that is preset within close limits,

   - wherein, during overturning, the air contained in the filling vessel rises up through the hot water towards the bottom of the filling vessel, while heating and expanding, and

   - wherein, during cooling, ambient air is introduced into the emptying filling vessel (3, 3') by a notch (24) through the connecting elements of the inlet side (11) of the cooling system (2) and guided in it by the hot water (20) to be cooled,

   - collection of the cooled water flowing through the cooling system (2).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that, in order to provide the cooling system (2) with its coolant (19) which is at the defined temperature, it is stored in a refrigerator or freezer for a minimum period.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the filling vessel, filled with the predetermined quantity of hot liquid to be cooled, is virtually full to the brim.
4. Use of a hot water cooling device for cooling hot water (20) to a drinking temperature for preparing a meal for a baby or small child, comprising a cooling system (2) containing a coolant (19) with a cooling line (13) which is guided through the coolant (19), has an inlet for admitting the hot liquid and an outlet for the cooled liquid, wherein the cooling system (2) has a closure (18) through which a coolant (19) can be introduced into the cooling system (2), wherein the coolant (19) is water, wherein the unit (1) comprises at least one filling vessel (3, 3') with defined filling volume for receiving the water to be cooled which can be connected to the end side of the cooling system (2) with the inlet with its opening (5) and closed by connecting to the cooling system (2), wherein, for the purpose of connecting the filling vessel (3, 3') to the cooling system (2), both parts each have connecting elements (9) that interact in a complementary manner so that a representational unit (1) can be formed consisting of a filling vessel (3') and the cooling system (2) for carrying out the cooling and, at the interface between the cooling system (2) and the filling vessel (3, 3'), a ventilation opening (24) in the manner of a notch (24) through the connecting elements of the inlet side (11) of the cooling system (2) is arranged for introducing ambient air into the emptying filling vessel (3, 3'), for cooling the hot water (20) to a drinking temperature so that, after overturning the unit (1) by 180° to initiate cooling, the air contained in the filling vessel (3, 3') and supplied when passing through the hot water, is heated and thereby expanded and thus, according to the defined liquid quantity flowing from the filling vessel (3, 3') into the inlet of the cooling system (2), the temperature and the quantity of the coolant (19) contained in the cooling system (2), the water exits from the outlet of the cooling system (2) with a temperature that is preset within close limits.
5. Hot water cooling device for cooling hot water (20) to a drinking temperature for preparing a meal for a baby or small child, comprising a cooling system (2) containing a coolant (19) with a cooling line (13) which is guided through the coolant (19), has an inlet for admitting the hot liquid and an outlet for the cooled liquid, wherein the cooling system (2) has a closure (18) through which a coolant (19) can be introduced into the cooling system (2), wherein the coolant (19) is water and that the unit (1) comprises at least one filling vessel (3, 3') with defined filling volume for receiving the water to be cooled which can be connected to the end side of the cooling system (2) with the inlet with its opening (5) and closed by connecting to the cooling system (2), wherein, for the purpose of connecting the filling vessel (3, 3') to the cooling system (2), both parts each have connecting elements (9) that interact in a complementary manner so that a representational unit (1) can be formed consisting of a filling vessel (3') and the cooling system (2) for carrying out the cooling, characterised in that, at the interface between the cooling system (2) and the filling vessel (3, 3'), a ventilation opening (24) in the manner of a notch (24) through the connecting elements of the inlet side (11) of the cooling system (2) is arranged for introducing ambient air into the emptying filling vessel (3, 3') so that, after overturning the unit (1) by 180° to initiate cooling, the air contained in the filling vessel (3, 3') and supplied when passing through the hot water, is heated and thereby expanded and thus, according to the defined liquid quantity flowing from the filling vessel (3, 3') into the inlet of the cooling system (2), the temperature and the quantity of the coolant (19) contained in the cooling system (2), the water exits from the outlet of the cooling system (2) with a temperature that is preset within close limits and the cooling system (2), on its side with the outlet, has connection means for connecting a collecting vessel (4) for collecting the cooled liquid and the unit (1) has at least one collecting vessel (4) that can be connected to the outlet side (12) of the cooling system (2).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that it has respective complementary thread sections for connecting a filling vessel (3, 3') or a collecting vessel (4) to the cooling system (2) with different diameters.
7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that a ventilation opening (27) is arranged at the interface between the cooling system (2) and the collecting vessel (4).
8. Device according to any one of the claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the cooling system (2) has, at its inlet side (11), for connecting a filling vessel (3, 3'), an internal thread section and the at least one filling vessel (3, 3') has a corresponding external thread section (9).
9. Device according to any one of the claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the filling vessel or the filling vessels (3, 3') is/are thermally insulated.
10. Device according to any one of the claims 5 to 9, characterised in that a standing foot (29) is allocated to the cooling unit (1).
11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in that the underside of the standing foot (29) carries a shape (30) intended for use as a tool.

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