Patent Grant
11338321
The invention generally relates to treatment of coated razor blade edges, and more particularly to mechanical modification of a coating on the coated razor blade edges.
It is generally known that uncoated razor blades can cause discomfort due to the excessive force required to draw the cutting edge of the blade through beard hairs or other types of hair fibers. The addition of a fluoropolymer blade coating dramatically reduces the cutting forces, which improves shaving attributes including safety, closeness, and comfort. One of the most common fluoropolymers utilized for coating razor blades is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Coated razor blades are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,071,856 and 3,203,829
There are many types of processes that may be utilized to produce a PTFE (e.g., telomer) coating on blade edges. However, regardless of the method by which the coating is produced, a non-uniform surface morphology, on a microscopic scale, is typically produced on the blade edge and in the area proximal to the blade tip due, at least in part, to the particle size dispersion of PTFE particles and by the wetting and spreading dynamics of dispersion. This lack of uniformity and sections of coating that are of different thicknesses can produce high initial cutting forces and a less comfortable shave during the first few uses of a new, coated razor blade, as compared to subsequent uses of the coated razor blade.
Previous efforts to achieve a PTFE coating of optimal thickness and uniformity include adjusting the coating process such as selection of different PTFE dispersions, modification of the surfactant used in the dispersion, optimization of the spray and/or sintering conditions, and post-coating treatment such as thinning the PTFE coating via use of FLUTEC® technology as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,459. Modification of the coating process has met with some success. While treatment of coated blades with solvents has been largely successful, chemical treatment has a number of disadvantages and limitations, including the need to perform additional post-treatment steps and creation of chemical waste.
Thus, there is a need for improved, effective methods and apparatuses to produce a razor blade edge with improved shaving attributes, particularly for a first use of the razor blade.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of modifying razor blade edges is provided, the method comprising: providing at least one razor blade having a coated razor blade edge; and mechanically modifying a coating of said coated razor blade edge.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for modifying one or more coated razor blade edges is provided, the apparatus comprising: a support member for holding a plurality of razor blades with said coated razor blade edges; and an applicator for contacting a mechanical modifying material with at least a section of said coated razor blade edges.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of modifying razor blade edges prior to a first use, the method comprising: providing at least one razor blade having a coated razor blade edge; and wiping said coated razor blade edge with at least one mechanical modifying material.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:
A razor blade typically is formed of suitable substrate material such as metal or ceramic. For example, stainless steel razor blades are commonly used. An edge is formed in the razor blade with a wedge-shape configuration having an ultimate edge or tip. As used herein, the terms “razor blade edge” or “razor blade cutting edge” or “blade edge” include the cutting point and facets of the razor blade.
Razor blades may include one or more layers of supplemental coating material for shave facilitation, and/or to increase the hardness, strength, and/or corrosion resistance of the blade edge. These coating materials may include, for example, polymeric materials, metals, and alloys, as well as other materials including diamond and diamond-like carbon material. As used herein, the term “outer coating” refers to the final coating applied to the razor blade, specifically the razor blade cutting edge, which generally comprises a polymer coating. In some instances, the entire blade could be coated in the polymer coating in the manner described herein; however, such an enveloping coating is not believed to be essential to the present invention.
As used herein, the term “mechanical,” and variations thereof, signifies utilizing a process involving a physical apparatus, machine, material, or instrument or the physical apparatus, machine, material, or instrument itself.
The term “modifying,” and variations thereof, as used herein signifies partially or fully altering, treating, or thinning, and in particular, with respect to a surface (e.g., an outer coating).
The term “mechanical modification,” and variations thereof, signifies modification of a surface (e.g., an outer coating) by physical contact between a mechanical modifying material and the surface.
Some examples of types of mechanical modification include actions of manual or automatic cutting or wiping in a particular direction with respect to the blade edge. The wiping action may comprise, for example, a rubbing, spreading, smearing, streaking, distributing, dabbing, sponging, swabbing, polishing, cleaning, or drying action, or any combination thereof. As will be described, the mechanical modifying material can be moving while the blade or blades is stationary or vice-versa, or both the mechanical modifying material and the blade or blades can be moving relative to each other. The direction of movement can be horizontal or vertical. For instance, a wiping mechanical modifying action can be thought to be run in a horizontal direction, similar to, but not limited only to, an action such as a butter knife running across the top surface of a pad of butter. In this way, a substantial portion of the outer surface of the mechanical modifying material or media is impacted. A cutting action can be achieved in the vertical direction or at an angle relative to the blade or blade edges where a generally small area or portion of the outer surface of the mechanically modifying material contacts and modifies the blade or blade edges. The angle at which the cutting action occurs in the present invention ranges from about 1 degree to about 90 degrees.
A wiping action may be contrasted with a cutting action, as cutting generally involves at least partial separation or detachment of one section of the mechanical modifying material from the other section of the mechanical modifying material.
The term “thinning,” and variations thereof, as used herein includes, but is not limited to, at least partial removal of the material or at least partial reduction in a thickness of the material.
As used herein, the term “pushing back,” “pushed back”, “push back or “pushed back region” and variations thereof, includes relocation of at least a portion of a material away from the tip or edge of a razor blade and may also include some thinning of the material at the tip or edge. For instance, a “pushed back” coating generally results from a mechanically modified coating as used herein. Optimally, the pushed back region starts at about 25 micrometers or greater from the ultimate tip of the edge.
Methods for preparing a razor blade with a coated blade edge are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,263,256 and 5,985,459. With reference to the flow diagram 46 in
Because the melt viscosity of polyfluorocarbons like PTFE can be extremely high, the polymer particles 40 do not form a smooth coating on the surface of the razor blade edge 32, as seen in
In general, the thinner the polymer coating becomes on the blade edges, the lower the cutting force will be, assuming the coating is uniform. While a thin coating is generally desirable, a coating that is too thin, and not contiguous, can give rise to poor coverage and low wear resistance due to intrinsic properties of the PTFE material. Alternatively, a coating that is too thick may produce very high initial cutting forces, which generally may lead to more drag, pull, and tug, eventually losing cutting efficiency and subsequently shaving comfort. Thus, there is a technical challenge to balance the attributes of the polymer material with obtaining the thinnest, densest, and most uniform polymer coating possible.
As described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,985,459 and 10,011,030, coated blade edges may be chemically treated with one or more chemical solvents to “thin” the telomer coating and provide razor blades with a polymer coating along the blade edge having a uniform thickness and demonstrating improved “first shave” cutting force. These solvents may include such as perfluoroalkanes, perfluorocycloalkanes, and/or perfluoropolyethers, and in particular, one or more FLUTEC® solvents. Solvent-treated blades have been shave-tested and demonstrate increases in shaving comfort.
However, solvent treatment has a number of drawbacks and disadvantages. One major drawback to the solvent treatment process is the creation of chemical waste from the initial solvent treatment step, as well as from one or more additional post-treatment cleaning steps that involve washing the treated blades with one or more additional solvents. While efforts are made to minimize the amount of solvent used and/or to reuse or recycle the solvent, some amount of solvent still must be disposed of as waste, which requires proper handling and disposal and contributes to cost. In addition, the chemical solvent can remove most of the polymer coating in some sections of the razor blade edge, which can result in a coating that is too thin and exhibits low wear resistance. The solvent-treated coatings may also exhibit porosity where the coating molecules are not sufficiently densely packed, making it difficult to achieve a coating with a desirable high density and uniformity. Another disadvantage of the chemical treatment process is that solvent-treated razor blades may exhibit increased corrosion of the blade body and the treated razor blade edges may develop rust.
The methods and apparatuses described herein involve mechanical modification of the polymer coating on a coated razor blade edge to produce a more uniform coating with a reduced initial or “first shave” cutting force, which translates to an improved first few shaves with fewer nicks, improved comfort, and/or improved closeness and often translates to improved subsequent shaves. Further, the mechanical modification of the present invention provides a blade without increased corrosion of the blade body, as mechanical modification is performed without the use of chemicals. In the present disclosure, blade attributes may be measured using various tests. Measuring cutting force correlates with sharpness of blades. The blade sharpness of the treated blades may be quantified by testing the blades for cutting force. Cutting force is determined by the wool felt cutter test, which measures the cutting force values of the blade by measuring the force required by each blade to cut through wool felt. Each blade is cut through a wool felt cutter five times, and the force of each cut (e.g., in pounds) is measured on a recorder. A cutting force is defined as the orthogonal or vertical force of the blade into the wool felt. The lowest of the five cuts is defined as the cutting force. In the present disclosure, wool felt cutter tests may be performed on the blades or a sample of the blades after each treatment or run. Other tests such as silicon oil drop tests and microscopy elevation evaluations are also contemplated in the present disclosure for determining blade attributes, as described below.
A further alternative apparatus 200 is shown in
As shown in
The mechanical modifying material of the present invention (e.g., 16, 116) may comprise one or more synthetic materials and/or natural materials and may comprise a solid material or a fluid. Synthetic materials may comprise, for example, one or more synthetic polymers or polymer-based materials. Natural materials may comprise animal-based and/or plant-based materials or materials derived from animals and/or plants, such as wood, paper and other cellulose-based materials, cork, animal hair, and the like. In some examples as shown in
In instances in which the mechanical modifying material 16, 116 comprises rubber, the rubber may be, for example, a silicon rubber or a natural rubber (e.g., isoprene or neoprene). In instances in which the mechanical modifying material 16, 116 comprises a leather, the leather may comprise, for example, a chamois leather. In other examples shown in
In all examples, one or more portions of the applicator 14, 114/114′, 214 and/or the support member 12, 112, 212 may be movable relative to each other so as to effect contact of the mechanical modifying material 16, 116, 216 with the coated blade edges 32, specifically with the outer coating, e.g., the sintered polymer coating 42, on the coated blade edges 32. The applicator 14, 114/114′, 214 and/or the support member 12, 112, 212 may be movable relative to each other to adjust, for example, a distance between the coated razor blade edges 32 and a surface of the mechanical modifying material 16, 116, 216; an amount of force with which the mechanical modifying material 16, 116, 216 contacts the coated razor blade edges 32; a contact surface area between the mechanical modifying material 16, 116, 216 and the coated razor blade edges 32; and an angle of contact between the mechanical modifying material 16, 116, 216 and the coated razor blade edges 32.
For example, with reference to
In all examples, the applicator 14, 114/114′, 214 and/or the support member 12, 112, 212 may be movable such that contact between the coated blade edges 32 and the mechanical modifying material 16, 116, 216 occurs in a direction that is substantially parallel with the coated blade edges 32, as indicated by arrow C in
The mechanical modifying material 16, 116 may be disposed on a material support 18, 118, as described herein. In some instances, the material support 18, 118 may be stationary. In other instances, the material support 18 may be rotatable. For example, as shown in
Mechanically modifying the outer coating may comprise, for example, wiping the coated razor blade edges 32 with the mechanical modifying material 16, 116 or vice-versa, wiping the coated razor blade edges 32 onto or through the mechanical modifying material 16, 116 (also referred to herein as “a wiping action”). The wiping action may comprise, for example, a rubbing, spreading, smearing, streaking, distributing, dabbing, sponging, swabbing, polishing, cleaning, or drying action, or any combination thereof. The wiping action can be thought of as similar to, but not limited only to, actions such as a rag wiping down a table or a butter knife running across the top surface of a pad of butter.
In some instances, the wiping action may be performed substantially parallel to the coated razor blade edge 32, i.e., in the direction indicated by arrow C in
In some examples, mechanically modifying the outer coating may comprise contacting the coated razor blade edges 32 with one or more brushes. For example, the mechanical modifying material 16 in
In other examples, mechanically modifying the outer coating may comprise contacting the coated razor blade edges 32 with a mechanical modifying material 16, 116 comprising a plurality of lines or cords. The cords may be disposed substantially parallel to the coated razor blade edges 32, e.g., running in a direction indicated by arrow C in
In further examples, mechanically modifying the outer coating may comprise contacting the coated razor blade edges 32 with a mechanical modifying material 216 comprising a fluid flow, as shown in
In all examples, as shown in the flow diagram 46 in
The razor blades 30 comprising the coated razor blade edges 32 may optionally undergo one or more chemical modifications of the outer coating, as indicated by steps 530 and 630 in
Following modification (mechanical and optionally chemical) of the coated razor blade edges 32 as set out in
With reference to
Razor blades with a mechanically modified outer coating formed in accordance with the present disclosure at least help to alleviate the “first shave” phenomenon by at least partially removing and/or pushing back excess polymer from the blade edge and tip prior to a first use. This mechanically modified outer coating is smoother, thinner, and more uniform and helps to reduce the cutting force and enhance overall user comfort, while avoiding many of the drawbacks of chemical treatment alone.
Sample blade edges are sprayed with MP-1600 PTFE telomer powder using an electrostatic spray unit and are sintered at 350° C. in an inert atmosphere in a fluidized bath unit. Two of the coated and sintered blades are placed into the two blade-holders of an Advanced wool felt cutter for mechanical modification. Sheets of polystyrene foam (GATORFOAM®; International Paper Company) are cut into strips approximately 25.0 mm wide and 5 mm thick. The coated blades are mechanically modified by orthogonal cutting into the polystyrene foam strips using the following parameters:
Cutting depth: 1.25 mm
Approaching velocity: 10 mm/sec
Cut velocity: 3.0 mm/sec
Acceleration: 3.0 mm/sec2
Following mechanical modification, the coated razor blades are examined visually under optical microscopy.
An optimum number of cuts into the polystyrene foam strips is determined by cutting the coated blades a fixed number of times onto the polystyrene strips as described in Example 1 and then measuring a cutting force using standard wool felt cutting techniques.
A wool felt cutting test is performed on MP-1600 coated blades that are (i) mechanically modified with 40 cuts through a polystyrene strip as described in Examples 1 and 2; or (ii) treated with FLUTEC using a process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,459. Untreated MP-1600 coated blades serve as a control. Table 1 below shows a comparison of the instrumentation performance.
The results of the FLUTEC-treated vs. the mechanically-modified blades are comparable.
SEM images are obtained of razor blade edges that are coated with telomer (in this case of the MP-1600 type) and subsequently chemically treated or mechanically modified by wiping such as by wiping against or across surfaces of polystyrene material.
Sample blade edges are sprayed with LW-1200 PTFE telomer powder and sintered as described in Example 1. The coated razor blades are cut into polystyrene foam material as described in Example 1 and examined visually under optical microscopy. The cuts into the material are substantially orthogonal. Similar to the MP-1600 coated blades, the extent of mechanical modification in the form of telomer thinning and/or push back increased for the LW-1200 coated blades with an increased number of cuts into the polystyrene strips (data not shown). The coated blades are tested to determine an optimum number of cuts into the polystyrene foam material by cutting the blades a fixed number of times into the polystyrene strips and measuring a cutting force using standard WFC techniques, as described in Examples 1 and 2. The optimal, minimum number of cuts for thinning an outer coating of blades coated in LW-1200 is determined to be 10 cuts (data not shown).
A WFC test is performed on LW-1200 coated blades that are (i) mechanically modified with 10 cuts through a polystyrene strip as described above; and (ii) treated with FLUTEC using a process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,459. Untreated LW-1200 coated blades serve as a control. Table 2 below shows a comparison of the instrumentation performance. Again, the results of the FLUTEC-treated vs. the mechanically-modified blades are comparable.
SEM images are obtained of razor blade edges that are coated with LW-1200 and chemically treated or mechanically modified as described in Example 6.
SEM images were obtained of razor blade edges that are coated with LW-2120 and sintered as described in Example 1; and (i) chemically treated with FLUTEC using a process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,459; or (ii) mechanically modified, in which the mechanical modification comprises wiping the PTFE-coated edges, from left to right, through polystyrene foam material.
These examples demonstrate development of methods and apparatuses for reproducibly producing mechanically-modified telomer coatings on razor blade edges. In addition, these results point to a link between an increase in shaving comfort and the thinning and smoothing of the treated coating (e.g., an outer coating). It was previously unknown whether the increase in shaving comfort with FLUTEC-thinned blades was due to the thinning of the outer coating, changes in morphology and other properties of the coating due to the FLUTEC treatment, or a combination of both factors. While the mechanically-modified razor blade edges have comparable instrumentation results as compared to FLUTEC-thinned razor blade edges, the mechanically-modified telomer coating has a different morphology from chemically-thinned coating that is distinguishable under the microscope. As described, generally the FLUTEC-thinned razor blade edges show distinct structures comprising some texture whereas the mechanically-modified coating were substantially devoid of texture, the latter which may be due to mass alignment of the Telomer.
Representative embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be described as follows:
A. A method of modifying razor blade edges prior to a first use, the method comprising:
B. The method of paragraph A, wherein mechanically modifying said at least one coating comprises wiping said coated razor blade edge with a mechanical modifying material.
C. The method of paragraph B, wherein said wiping is performed substantially parallel to said coated razor blade edge.
D. The method of paragraphs B or C, wherein said wiping comprises rubbing, spreading, dabbing, sponging, swabbing, polishing, distributing, or any combination thereof.
E. The method of any of paragraphs A to D, wherein mechanically modifying said at least one coating comprises contacting the coated razor blade edge with a mechanical modifying material comprising a foam, rubber, wood, paper, textiles, leather, elastomers, cork, a pressurized fluid flow, a slurry, or any combination thereof.
F. The method of paragraph E, wherein said foam comprises a polystyrene foam sheet, a foam sponge, or any combination thereof.
G. The method of paragraphs E, wherein said leather comprises a chamois leather.
H. The method of any of paragraphs E to G, wherein said mechanical modifying material is disposed on a material support.
I. The method of paragraph H, wherein said material support is stationary.
J. The method of paragraph H, wherein said material support comprises a rotating wheel, a rotating block, a revolving tool, or a combination thereof.
K. The method of any of paragraphs A to J, wherein mechanically modifying said at least one coating comprises contacting the coated razor blade edge with a mechanical modifying material comprising one or more plant-based materials.
L. The method of any of paragraphs A to K, wherein said at least one coating comprises a polymeric material.
M. The method of paragraph L, wherein said polymeric material comprises a fluoropolymer.
N. The method of any of paragraphs A to M, wherein said at least one razor blade is arranged on a blade stack.
O. The method of any of paragraphs A to N, further comprising obtaining a wool felt cut force value of said coated razor blade edge after mechanical modification.
P. The method of paragraph O, wherein said wool felt cut force value is within a range of about 0.7 pounds to about 1.4 pounds.
Q. The method of paragraphs O or P, further comprising wherein when the wool felt cut force value is above a predetermined value, further modifying said at least one coating of the one or more coated razor blade edge by mechanical modification, chemical modification, or both.
R. The method of any of paragraphs A to Q, wherein providing at least one razor blade having a coated razor blade edge comprises:
S. The method of any of paragraphs A to R, wherein said mechanical modification partially removes said at least one coating.
T. The method of any of paragraphs A to S, further comprising chemically modifying said at least one coating, wherein said chemical modification occurs prior to said mechanical modification, after said mechanical modification, or both.
U. The method of any of paragraphs A to T, wherein mechanically modifying said at least one coating comprises thinning said outer coating.
V. The method of any of paragraphs A to U, wherein mechanically modifying said at least one coating comprises contacting said coated razor blade edge with a mechanical modifying material such that said coated razor blade edge at least partially cut through or wipes onto said mechanical modifying material.
W. The method of paragraph A, wherein mechanically modifying said at least one coating comprises contacting said coated razor blade edge with one or more brushes.
X. The method of paragraph A, wherein mechanically modifying said at least one coating comprises contacting said coated razor blade edge with a plurality of cords disposed substantially parallel to said coated razor blade edge.
Y. An apparatus for modifying one or more coated razor blade edges, the apparatus comprising:
Z. The apparatus of paragraph Y, wherein said applicator comprises a material support, said material support being movable relative to said support member.
AA. The apparatus of paragraph Z, wherein said material support is a rotating block, a rotating wheel, a revolving tool, or a combination thereof.
BB. The apparatus of any of paragraphs Y to AA, wherein said applicator comprises a stationary material support.
CC. The apparatus of any of paragraphs Y to BB, wherein said applicator contacts said mechanical modifying material with said coated razor blade edges in a direction substantially parallel to said coated razor blade edges.
DD. The apparatus of paragraph CC, wherein said contact is a wiping action.
EE. The apparatus of paragraph DD, wherein said wiping action partially removes at least one coating on said coated razor blade edges.
FF. The apparatus of any of paragraphs CC to EE, wherein said contact comprises contacting said coated razor blade edges with said mechanical modifying material such that said coated razor blade edges at least partially cut through or wipes onto said mechanical modifying material.
GG. The apparatus of paragraph CC, wherein said contact comprises contacting said coated razor blade edges with one or more brushes.
HH. The apparatus of paragraph CC, wherein said contact comprises contacting said coated razor blade edges with a plurality of cords disposed substantially parallel to said coated razor blade edges.
II. The apparatus of any of paragraphs Y to HH, wherein said plurality of razor blades comprises a blade stack comprising up to about 4000 razor blades.
JJ. The apparatus of any of paragraphs Y to FF and paragraph II, wherein said mechanical modifying material comprises a foam, wool felt, rubber, wood, paper, textiles, leather, elastomer, cork, a pressurized fluid flow, or any combination thereof.
KK. A razor blade comprising a razor blade edge with a mechanically modified at least one coating formed in accordance with the method of any of paragraphs A to X.
LL. A razor cartridge comprising at least one razor blade having a mechanically modified at least one coating formed in accordance with the method of any of paragraphs A to X.
MM. A method of modifying razor blade edges prior to a first use, the method comprising:
NN. The method of paragraph NN, wherein wiping said coated razor blade edge with said at least one mechanical modifying material comprises smearing, cleaning, rubbing, drying, polishing, dabbing, streaking, or any combination thereof.
OO. The method of paragraph MM or NN, wherein said at least one mechanical modifying material comprises a foam, wool felt, rubber, wood, paper, textiles, leather, elastomer, cork, or any combination thereof.
PP. The method of any of paragraphs MM to OO, wherein said at least one mechanical modifying material is disposed on a material support.
QQ. The method of paragraph PP, wherein said material support is stationary.
RR. The method of paragraph PP, wherein said material support is a rotating wheel, a rotating block, a revolving tool, or a combination thereof.
SS. The method of any of paragraphs MM to RR, further comprising obtaining a wool felt cut force value of said coated razor blade edge after said wiping.
TT. The method of paragraph SS, further comprising wherein when the wool felt cut force value is above a predetermined value, further modifying said at least one coating of the coated razor blade edge by mechanical modification, chemical modification, or both.
UU. The method of paragraphs SS or TT, wherein said wool felt cut force value is within a range of about 0.7 pounds to about 1.4 pounds.
VV. The method of any of paragraphs MM to UU, wherein said wiping partially removes said at least one coating.
WW. The method of any of paragraphs MM to VV, wherein providing at least one razor blade having a coated razor blade edge comprises:
XX. The method of any of paragraphs LL to WW, wherein mechanically modifying said outer coating comprises thinning said at least one coating.
YY. The method of any of paragraphs LL to XX, further comprising chemically modifying said at least one coating, wherein said chemical modification occurs prior to said wiping, after said mechanical wiping, or both.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
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