Abstract: A system for transferring a first group of components of electronic cigarettes from first to second operating stations includes a flat collecting surface extending from a feeding zone to a releasing zone. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them onto the collecting surface. A first abutment element abuts the first component of the first group. A second abutment element abuts the last component of the first group. A compacting and stabilizing device moves the components closer together and stabilizes their positions. A first movement device moves the first and second abutment elements along the collecting surface to transfer the first group to the releasing zone. A tray faces the releasing zone to receive the first group. A pushing device pushes the components from the releasing zone into the tray. A transferring device transfers the tray with the first group towards the second operating station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grouping preferably empty long products (4) embodied as tins, tubes or cartridges, the products (4) being delivered by a delivering conveyor device (5), preferably from a production line for producing the products (4), and placed on a conveyer belt (3) and transported thereby at a conveying speed along a conveying section (S) in a conveying direction (F), a product group (P) comprising a plurality of the products (4) being transferred by transfer means (7) at the same time from the conveyor belt (3) into receiving means (6), the transfer means (7) for transferring the products (4) being moved during the movement with the product group (P) in the conveying direction (F) at an angle, particularly perpendicularly, to the conveying direction (F) in a transfer direction (T) towards the receiving means (6), the receiving means (6) being moved perpendicularly to the conveying direction (F) and perpendicularly to the transfer direction (T), in order to be able to receive the subs

Abstract: In the method for producing a package for bar-shaped smoking articles that has at least one outer layer intended to receive the bar-shaped smoking articles and to hold the package together, a foil strip that is suitable for the outer layer and is taken from a reel is embossed and/or provided with creasing breaks online in time with the work cadence (P) of the packaging machine and subsequently cut to size. The resulting blank is then folded around the bar-shaped smoking articles in the packaging machine. On one hand, this method allows packaging the cigarettes directly in the outer wrapper without an innerliner, and on the other hand, to strongly rationalize and simplify the entire packaging process and to apply a large variety of signs of all kinds that are perceptible visually, tactually, acoustically or by olfaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling under gravity from a hopper (9), a storage device (2) for articles that has the form of a columnar cavity between opposed side walls with a mass flow of mutually parallel rod-shaped articles descending from the hopper, a cavity-filling device (12) that alternates in use between a closed configuration that blocks a downward flow of the said articles through the device and an open configuration that allows flow of the articles through the device, the device being movable in translation, in alternate upward and downward strokes within the cavity, being in the closed configuration on the downward stroke and in the open configuration on the upward stroke.

Abstract: A water-soluble pouch suitable for use in machine dishwashing and which comprises a plurality of compartments in generally superposed or superposable relationship, each containing one or more detergent active or auxiliary components, and wherein the pouch has a volume of from about 5 to about 70 ml and a longitudinal/transverse aspect ratio in the range from about 2:1 to about 1:8, preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:4. The water-soluble pouch allows for optimum delivery of dishwashing detergent. A process for the manufacture of multi-compartment pouches and a pack to contain the pouches are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device (1) for packaging a product shaped as a set of cigarettes in a corresponding container (A), defining a package for housing the product, comprises means (11) for forming the container (A) and appropriate means (21, 21) to dispense a corresponding adhesive (B1, B2) for joining corresponding panels of the container. Said appropriate means (21) to dispense a corresponding adhesive are provided next to the exit from the forming means (11) and are movable with respect to said container (A).

Abstract: In a cigarette packer, groups of single cigarettes are first assembled by a formation unit and placed in trays carried by a conveyor, then directed in succession along a set feed path, advancing sideways-on, toward a wrapping unit by which each one is enveloped in a transparent or at least partly transparent wrapper; during the transfer from the formation unit to the wrapping unit, the trays are directed past a print unit stationed along the feed path, by which at least one graphic element such as lettering or a logo is impressed on at least one cigarette making up each group.

Abstract: A water-soluble pouch suitable for use in machine dishwashing and which comprises a plurality of compartments in generally superposed or superposable relationship, each containing one or more detergent active or auxiliary components, and wherein the pouch has a volume of from about 5 to about 70 ml and a longitudinal/transverse aspect ratio in the range from about 2:1 to about 1:8, preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:4. The water-soluble pouch allows for optimum delivery of dishwashing detergent. A process for the manufacture of multi-compartment pouches and a pack to contain the pouches are also disclosed.

Abstract: In the production of cigarette packs, it is necessary to form cigarette groups (10) from a plurality of cigarettes (11) arranged in layers, to be precise by virtue of the cigarette group (10) (or a sub-group) being pushed out of shafts (13) of a cigarette magazine (12) with the aid of push rods (14) which can be moved back and forth. Once a cigarette group (10) has been pushed out, the cigarettes (11) in the magazine shafts (13) drop under their own weight into the pushing-out position. By virtue of the downward movement of the push rods (14) during the return movement into a starting position, the dropping movement of the cigarettes (11) is initiated before the push rods (14) have reached their starting position.

Abstract: A method for packing unfilled cigarette tubes into a receptacle consists of the steps of feeding tubes to a conveyor, moving the tubes along the conveyor to a holding position, and laterally moving a predetermined number of tubes to a container. The container may then be pivoted vertically to deposit the tubes into the receptacle.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the packaging of unfilled cigarette tubes into boxes, a counter counts a predetermined number of tubes and these are subsequently advanced to a holding position and then pushed laterally into a containment member having substantially the same dimensions as a box into which the tubes are to be placed. The containment member is pivotable and rotatable and adapted to have a box positioned thereon. The box is filled with cigarette tubes from the containment member on pivoting and rotation of the containment member without any handling of tubes by the operator, thus avoiding damage to the tubes.

Abstract: Discrete cigarettes or layers of parallel cigarettes which are being propelled by a reciprocable pusher from the magazine into successive receptacles of an indexible conveyor in a cigarette packing machine are prevented from moving away from a stationary stop at the station where the receptacles receive discrete cigarettes or layers of cigarettes. This is accomplished by the provision of a stationary or mobile blocking device which does not (or does not appreciably) interfere with the propulsion of cigarettes into a receptacle but invariably prevents a rebounding of cigarettes as a result of impingement upon the stationary stop. The blocking device can be provide with a stationary or a mobile shoulder at the path of cigarettes, or with a lever which can be rocked behind the cigarette or cigarettes in a recepacle and from the path of oncoming fresh cigarette or cigarettes.

Abstract: A method to form bundles (11) of one or more layers (20) of adjacent rolled sections (12). The method comprises discharging the rolled sections (12) from a terminal end (13a) of a transporter to cause the rolled sections (12) to fall from the terminal end (13a) onto discharge rods (14); forming at least one layer (20) of the rolled sections (12), which fall from the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13) onto the discharge rods (14), the discharge rods (14) being arranged parallel to the transporter (13) and underneath the upper plane where the sections (12) are transported on the transporter (13). The discharge rods (14) are axially displaced with respect to the transporter (13) to define from time to time a lateral discharge space ("s") adjacent the terminal end (13a), for placing the sections (12) on the rods (14), wherein the lateral discharge space ("s") equals a transverse dimension of each rolled section (12).

Abstract: A method and device for forming and transferring groups of cigarettes on a packing machine with multiple wrapping lines, whereby each group is fed into a respective pocket of a conveyor, and presents a number of superimposed layers fed successively into the respective pocket by push elements for successively expelling the layers from the bottom of respective outlets of a feedbox; the outlets are equal in number to the number of layers forming each group multiplied by a whole number greater than one, and the conveyor is moved intermittently in steps of a length equal to the spacing between two consecutive pockets multiplied by the whole number; at each stop of the conveyor, respective layers are expelled from the outlets of the feedbox and fed into respective pockets; and respective groups are expelled from a number of pockets equal to the whole number, and are fed to an operating unit of the packing machine.

Abstract: A method of feeding a continuous packing machine with groups of tobacco items, in particular cigarettes, composed of at least one layer of items, whereby a continuously-moving conveyor with pockets for respective groups is supplied successively with the groups, each of which is expelled from a feedbox in a substantially transverse direction in relation to the items by arresting the items inside the feedbox and over the expelled items.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for introducing a cigarette group (11) into a supporting member (14) for positioning the cigarettes (10) at a distance from one another within the pack. For introducing cigarettes (10) or the like into orifices (22) of the supporting member (14), guide tubes (64) serve as guide members for the cigarettes (10), the guide tubes (64) being guided with tube tips (65) through the orifices (22) of the supporting member (14) and the cigarettes (10) then being pushed after in the guide tubes (64). While the unit consisting of a cigarette group (11) and of the supporting member (14) is being pushed out of a cigarette turret (47), folding tabs of the supporting member (14) are folded.

Abstract: A method of feeding tobacco items, particularly cigarettes, to a continuous packing machine, whereby a continuously-moving conveyor, presenting pockets for respective groups composed of a number of superimposed layers of items, is supplied successively with the layers, each of which is withdrawn from a feedbox in a substantially transverse direction in relation to the items in the layer, and by rotating the layer in relation to the items in the adjacent upper layer inside the feedbox.

Abstract: A method for discontinuous delivery of products, such as tubes or capsules supplied continuously by a production facility to a delivery station of a machine. A box-filling installation, for example, is located at the delivery station. The machine has two carriages guided along the same path. While the first carriage which is moved in steps is loaded at the transfer station, the second carriage is already at the delivery station, where it is unloaded and subsequently rapidly moved on until it again abuts the carriage. Thus, loading of the carriages at the transfer station can take place continuously. So that the carriages can perform the movement cycles, such as step-by-step movement, driving, stopping, rapidly moving on until connection with the other carriage, independently of each other, an individual drive is provided for each one of the two carriages.

Abstract: A plurality of cigarette piling heads are provided on a cigarette piling drum. The same number of cigarettes as the number of cigarettes in a cigarette package are piled on each cigarette piling head. An intermediate drum includes the same number of cigarette holding heads as the number of the cigarette piling heads and is provided at an axial end of the cigarette piling drum. A pushing-out drum has the same number of pushers as the number of the cigarette piling heads and is disposed at the other axial end of the cigarette piling drum. The cigarettes on each cigarette piling head are transferred to the corresponding cigarette holding head. The intermediate drum is disposed adjacent to and at a side of the first drum of a packing apparatus. The cigarette holding heads swing synchronously with packing heads of the intermediate drum. The cigarette piling heads swing synchronously with the cigarette holding heads of the first drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for arranging, side by side, cigarettes to form three cigarette layers, seven, six and seven cigarettes in the corresponding layers, the total number being twenty cigarettes and piling the cigarette layers on one after another in a staggered way to form a three-layered cigarette package. Twenty cigarette supplying passages are provided so as to communicate with the bottom portion of a hopper. Cigarettes are supplied to the cigarette supplying passages in an aligned state. Cigarettes are taken out one by one from the bottom end of each cigarette supplying passage and supplied to three cigarette arranging drums on which three cigarette layers are formed. The cigarette layers on these cigarette arranging drums are transferred to a cigarette piling drum through transfer drums disposed between the cigarette arranging drums and the cigarette piling drum and piled on each cigarette piling head of the cigarette piling drum to form a three-layered cigarette stack.

Abstract: A cigarette magazine serves for receiving a small supply of cigarettes (10) and for forming cigarette groups which correspond to the contents of a cigarette pack. For this purpose, the cigarettes (10) are guided into upright magazine shafts (14) in which cigarette rows (15) of superposed cigarettes are formed. The cigarettes (10) are downwardly conveyed in the magazine shafts (14) under gravity. In this process there may occur problems, especially with cigarettes (10) having a filter (29). To ensure a faultless transport, the shaft walls (16) for defining the magazine shafts (14) are designed with a smaller width, such that the filters (29) of the cigarettes (10) are located beyond the region of the shaft walls (16). This ensures a trouble-free downward transport.

Abstract: Successive rows of cigarettes delivered axially from a packing machine hopper outlet (12) are engaged by a cyclically-movable transfer member (24, 32, 425) which accelerates each row sideways and closes up spaces between cigarettes (C) before transferring the row to a conveyor (22) moving continuously at machine speed. The conveyor may be a drum (22) which transfers the cigarettes to a pocket conveyor (62) in which the cigarette bundles are formed, or it may be the pocket conveyor itself. The hopper may have several spaced outlets (12) so that rows may be supplied to the pocket conveyor (62) at spaced locations along its length to provide multi-layer bundles.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming cigarettes groups consisting of a plurality of cigarette layers to be received by a pack, employs a group-forming turret and cells equipped with a tamping device adjustable relative to the cell floor via a control cam. Layers of cigarettes are transferred to the cells from exit orifices of a funnel. To prevent a change of position of the cigarettes in the cells as a result of the forces occurring during the movement of the turret, the control cam for the tamping devices possesses, for each exit orifice, a step opening the respective cell at least by the amount of the height of a cigarette layer, and movable cam portions serving to temperarily bridge the steps.

Abstract: The lower ends of several ducts which dispense layers of parallel cigarettes are located at different levels adjacent the path of movement of a stepwise advancing chain with receptacles for multi-layer arrays of cigarettes which are to be draped into blanks for conversion into cigarette packs. A discrete endless conveyor is installed between the lower end of each duct and the receptacle which registers with such duct, and each conveyor has one or more pushers serving to transfer layers of cigarettes into the registering receptacles. Each conveyor is driven by a discrete motor, and the conveyors can be started and arrested in a predetermined sequence to ensure that each receptacle which registers with a duct is empty when the apparatus is idle, and that each receptacle which advances beyond the last duct contains a full array of cigarettes.

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of cigarettes into groups each consisting in at least one layer of single cigarettes lying parallel with and side by side one another. The cigarettes exit from the bottom of a plurality of channels, arranged side by side and forming part of the outlet of an infeed hopper, and come to rest side by side on a shelf, forming one layer. Pushers provided on either side of the layer effect a sideways compaction of the cigarettes, and a suction-generating seat incorporated into the shelf retains one cigarette at the middle of the layer so as to disallow its moving sideways during operation of the pushers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring elongated parts, such as spark plug insulator bodies, travelling in a single row, end to end, on a first conveyor to a receptacle travelling on a second conveyor, the parts being placed each in a part-holding cavity in an insert in the receptacle, the part-holding cavity being disposed in consecutive rows. A part pick-up member picks up parts one at a time at the end of the first conveyor and transfers each part to the receptacle in which the part is placed substantially vertically with its end in a part-holding cavity in the insert. Sensors distinguish between good and defective parts at the location where the parts are picked up at the end of the first conveyor such that defective parts are rejected and the part pick-up member picks up only non-defective parts. Sensors detect fallen-over parts in the receptacle and stop loading in the event that parts are not properly placed in the holding cavities in the receptacle insert.

Abstract: A cigarette stacking method is disclosed. It uses a stacking drum and a plurality of arranging drums near to its outer periphery, establishes different positions in the axial direction for cigarette pieces arranged by the arranging drums, stacks cirgarette groups in several layers in such a manner as to extend the end portions of the cigarette pieces successively in the axial direction on the stacking drum, and absorbs and maintains the cigarette pieces of each layer. A cigarette stacking apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a cigarette packeting machine, the formation of groups of cigarettes to be packeted disposed in superposed layers of which at least one is incomplete in that it lacks at least one intermediate cigarette. The cigarettes of the incomplete layer being kept in position, inside a formation and advancement pocket for the relative group, by the cigarettes of an immediately upper complete layer which are fed into the pocket so that they become disposed quincuncially to the cigarettes of the incomplete layer.

Abstract: Cigarette magazine consisting of several shafts (12), in each of which cigarettes are supported in rows on top of one another so as to be pushed out in groups from a rest at the lower end of the shafts (12). To prevent the following cigarettes from becoming jammed after a group of cigarettes has been pushed out, there is a supporting bar on which the cigarettes are temporarily supported during their downward movement. The supporting bar is subsequently lowered from its supporting position, so that the following cigarettes finally sit properly aligned on the lower rest prior to the pushing out of another group.

Abstract: The device for the formation of orderly groups of cigarettes in cigarette-packaging machines, in which each group of cigarettes is formed in a collecting container (6) which passes intermittently through two or more successive feeding stations (1,2,3) and receives in each of them a layer of cigarettes (S1,S2,S.sub.3) formed below the bottom outlets of corresponding substantially vertical feeding channels (C1,C2,C3), comprises interceptors (11) which are provided at the feeding stations to prevent the cigarettes (S) from exiting out of the bottom outlets of the feeding channels (C1,C2,C3).

Abstract: Cigarettes are grouped into multi-layer blocks for packaging by the serial delivery of the plural cigarettes comprising the individual layers into cells of a conveying system from a magazine having an outlet for each layer. The magazine outlets are offset in the direction of movement of the cells and in a direction transverse thereto. A stationary retaining member, which extends into the cells through slots provided in the cells, contacts and thus holds the uppermost layer of cigarettes transferred from the magazine into the cells, the retaining member being provided with a step and a tongue-like extension at each magazine outlet downstream of the first outlet, the bottom of the stepped portion of the retaining member and the top of the tongue defining a cigarette layer receiving opening.

Abstract: A device for forming groups of cigarettes in a cigarette packaging machine, in which an outlet hopper of a cigarette feed apparatus comprises a plurality of adjacent outlet mouths each arranged to deliver successive layers of cigarettes. Pusher means disposed below each outlet mouth insert said layers in superposed relationship into containers uniformly distributed along a conveyor which is mobile stepwise in proximity to the base of the hopper. Each pusher means is operable independently of the others, and can be deactivated on sensing determined irregular situations in the containers or during the starting or stopping stages of the packaging machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling multi-layer blocks of parallel cigarettes has a magazine with several outlets having narrow elongated horizontal openings for the discharge of successive layers of cigarettes. An endless conveyor transports a succession of variable-volume receptacles stepwise along a path a horizontal portion of which extends along the outlets so that the opening of each outlet registers with a receptacle when the conveyor is arrested. The volumes of the receptacles are varied by a system of cams, which act upon movable top walls of the receptacles, in such a way that the volumes of the receptacles exceed the space requirements of the layer or layers therein only while the conveyor is idle, i.e.

Abstract: Apparatus for accumulating arrays of superimposed layers of parallel cigarettes has a magazine with three layer-accumulating sections having outlets at different levels and a set of pushers which expel layers of cigarettes from the sections during the intervals of dwell of an intermittently driven conveyor for a set of receptacles each of which accumulates an array by accepting one layer from each of the sections. The top and side walls of the receptacles have aligned slots for stationary and movable portions of retaining devices which prevent the cigarettes forming layers of incomplete arrays from moving relative to each other during abrupt acceleration and deceleration of the conveyor to move the receptacles from section to section. The undersides of movable portions of the retaining devices can be raised above or lowered into alignment with the undersides of the adjacent stationary portions through distances approximating the thickness of a layer.

Abstract: A feeler device for sensing the number of cigarettes arranged in groups, particularly groups of three rows, at the interior of a group-forming pocket, includes a plurality of feeler pins which are arranged parallel in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes and which can be introduced into the group-forming pocket through an open end thereof in order to detect the cigarettes which are misplaced or dislocated, the feeler pins are arranged excentrically and the line connecting the feeler pins of each cigarette row is a zig-zag line.

Abstract: The magazine for parallel cigarettes in a packing machine has several groups of ducts each of which serves to accumulate successive layers of cigarettes at different levels so that the layer which is formed in the first group is disposed at a level below the layer formed in the second group, and so forth. A conveyor advances stepwise along the groups of ducts and has openended receptacles for layers which are transferred from the groups of ducts during each period of dwell of the conveyor by an intermittently actuated transfer unit. The conveyor is flanked by two stationary guide members whose undersides have sections disposed at different levels and staggered with reference to one another, as considered at right angles to the direction of travel of the conveyor. The guide members further have end faces against which the ends of cigarettes abut during travel from a preceding toward the next-following group of ducts.

Abstract: A semi-automatic retort crate loader and unloader is disclosed. A standard retort crate is positioned adjacent the outer edge of a dead plate at one end of a conveyor by horizontal positioning assembly which includes a clamp and a pair of crate sensors. A floor cylinder raises and lowers the bottom of the retort crate and the containers therein. Jar load and unload sensors control indexing the floor cylinder to the proper heights for loading and unloading layers of containers into and out of the retort crate. During loading, the horizontal positioning assembly positions the crate so that the inner surface lies underneath the dead plate and behind its outer edge. A jar clamp, located above the dead plate and having a resilient lower surface, clamps jars to the outer edge of the dead plate after the retort crate is filled. The horizontal positioning assembly then moves the carriage and retort crate therewith away from the dead plate a short distance providing seating space for imperfectly clamped jars.

Abstract: Apparatus for the formation of cigarette groups consisting of three superposed parallel rows of cigarettes comprising three row-forming stations which receive the cigarettes from passageways connected to a feeding hopper. Associated with each row-forming station there is an intermediate transfer drum which presents a plurality of transfer pockets adapted to receive the rows of cigarettes from the row-forming stations. The cigarettes are then transferred from the pockets of the transfer drums into the receiving pockets of a receiving drum. Each transfer drum supplies to the receiving pockets of the receiving drum a definite row of cigarettes, so that at the end of an operating cycle, the receiving pockets will be filled with three superposed rows of cigarettes. From the receiving pockets, the groups of cigarettes are transferred to a compressor drum, associated with a cigarette packing machine. The transfer drums, the receiving drum and the compressor drum are rotated stepwise in synchronism.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling multi-layer arrays of cigarettes in a packing machine has a magazine with a reciprocable support having platforms at different levels and a group of cigarette-delivering downwardly extending ducts above each platform so that each platform normally supports a layer of cigarettes. An intermittently driven conveyor has a series of receptacles which are adjacent to one side of the magazine and are open at least at those ends which face the platform. The magazine has elongated slot-shaped openings which are adjacent to the platforms and serve for evacuation of layers from the magazine into the neighboring receptacles during the periods of dwell of the conveyor and in response to penetration of reciprocable pushers into the magazine to move each layer along the respective platform, through the aligned opening and into the adjacent receptacle.

Abstract: A device for the formation of groups of cigarettes of at least one row of cigarettes arranged parallel side-by-side which comprises a feeding hopper subdivided by partition walls into a plurality of adjacent passageways which open into a collecting chamber delimited by a bottom plate and by side pushers. The partition wall located in the middle zone of the row of cigarettes, extends down to the bottom plate and engages by its terminal portion a groove provided in the said bottom plate. In this manner, the cigarette row being formed is divided into two row portions.

Abstract: The receiving pocket of a cigarette group forming apparatus consists of an open-ended tubular member provided at its interior with two partitions defining three pocket sections, one for each row of cigarettes forming the cigarette group. The partitions extend at the interior of the receiving pocket, from the introduction or inlet end towards the outlet end, for a fraction of the length on the receiving pocket, usually for 1/3 of its length. The partitions become thinner in the direction of the outlet end, and they are also converging in the said direction. Also the inner upper and lower side walls of the receiving pocket converge in the direction of the outlet end.

Abstract: The device is conventionally associated to a cigarette packaging machine and comprises a hopper for successively distributing individual layers of adjacently disposed cigarettes into transferring means which successively transfer each layer into compartments intermittently moved in front of said transferring means. A plurality of layers are superimposed in each compartment to form a bundle to be fed to the wrapping means of the packaging machine. During the transferring, the layers are compelled to pass through a passage delimited by side guiding members and by an upper and a lower light-transparent guiding plate, said passage having a width substantially equal to the width of a layer and a height substantially equal to the diameter of a cigarette. The upper plate has a slot in the direction of the transverse dimension of the passage and this slot is subjected to the light rays generated by a light source transversely disposed relative to said passage and above said slot.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking rows of rodlike articles in a tray from a continuous orderly flow of such articles comprising a continuous infeed conveyor providing such articles, a plurality of receiving stations each including an elongated continuous belt type conveyor receiving a predetermined number of such articles and forming an orderly row therefrom, pivotal means positionable to direct articles from the infeed conveyor to each station, and means for transferring a row of said articles axially from each receiving station to the tray while the directing means is providing articles to another receiving station.

Abstract: A buffer store for filled and empty cigarette containers is provided betwen a cigarette making machine either of the machines may be kept running if the other stops. In one example the buffer store consists of separate cigarette loading and unloading stations between which the cigarette containers are carried in trolleys. In a further example, the loading and unloading stations are combined into a single unit which is adapted to either load or unload containers, depending on the operating conditions of the machines, the containers again being carried in trolleys.