Patent Description:
Machines are known which involve passing the hide to be treated - i.e. the hide on which a protective and / or coloring layer must be applied - in contact with a grooved rotating roller, on which it was previously sprayed or poured or in any case applied the chemical to be deposited on the hide. In order to allow the contact of said roller with the chemical substance to be deposited, an inclined doctor blade is usually applied, which delimits an environment with the roller portion upstream of the minimum distance line between them, inside which the chemical substance itself is contained. In order to dose the quantity of chemical substance to be deposited on the hide, it is provided to position the doctor blade substantially in contact with the surface of the rotating roller.

However, this solution is not fully satisfactory since, following prolonged use, the doctor blade can wear out due to possible rubbing with the rotating roller. This can lead to an increase in the distance between the doctor blade and the surface of the roller, with a consequent lower wiping efficiency of the doctor blade itself and an uneven distribution of chemical substance in the layer deposited on the hide.

Furthermore, the doctor blade can wear unevenly along its length, for example due to inaccuracies in its positioning or in the surface processing of the rotating roller and this entails the need to reposition the doctor blade in a differentiated manner along its entire length.

<CIT> discloses a machine for depositing a layer of a liquid chemical substance on a hide; it comprises a roller, on which the chemical substance to be deposited is poured, and a scraper blade which allows to limit the quantity of chemical substance that is deposited on the hide. In particular, the doctor blade is hinged at both ends, and connected to a spring which, with its elastic reaction, automatically and elastically keeps the free edge of the doctor blade in contact with the roller.

However, this solution is not fully satisfactory as it does not allow accurate control of the amount of chemical substance deposited on the hide, since the only possible action is the elastic reaction of the spring, which cannot be controlled in real time, but only when the spring is chosen, and in particular in view of its elastic constant.

The object of the invention is to propose a machine for depositing a layer of a chemical substance on hides, capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the known solutions.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which allows to accurately control the distance between the doctor blade and the roller.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which allows to accurately control the inclination of the doctor blade with respect to the roller.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which allows the use of different rollers, reducing the interruption times of the machine itself.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which allows the use of rollers rotating in a direction which is in concordance with or discordant with respect to the direction of advancement of the hides.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which is simple and quick to clean.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which is simple and quick to maintain.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which is simple and quick to implement and with low costs.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which is alternative and / or improved with respect to the known solutions.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which allows to limit the wear of the spreading roller.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which allows to limit the contamination of the chemical substance to be spread.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine that can be used with rollers of different sizes, made with different materials and with different surface treatments.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a machine which allows to deposit a chemical substance on hides in a homogeneous and constant way over time.

Another object of the invention is to propose a method for depositing a layer of a chemical substance on hides, which allows to achieve all the purposes stated for the machine.

All these objects, both individually and in any combination thereof, and others which will result from the following description, are achieved, according to the invention, with a machine for depositing a layer of a chemical substance on hides according to claim <NUM> and with a method according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention is further clarified hereinafter in some of its preferred embodiments reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawing tables, in which:.

In the present description, the axis X means the axis of the spreading roller, the Y axis the direction of advancement of the hides to be treated and the Z axis a vertical axis orthogonal to the previous ones.

As can be seen from the figures, the machine <NUM> according to the invention is configured to spread a chemical substance, preferably liquid and / or viscous, on a hide.

It is understood that by "hide", here we mean a natural and / or synthetic leather, or an eco-leather, that is a leather worked with specific methods and / or machine configured to reduce its environmental impact or a two-dimensional product made of synthetic material, for example plastic, with characteristics similar or at least similar to leather, and in general a two-dimensional product of finished dimensions to be used in leather goods. Preferably, the hides to be treated are finished or substantially finished products, which are obtained from the final stages of the leather manufacturing, treatment and / or finishing processes.

Furthermore, the chemical substance can be a paint, or a glue, and in general a chemical substance suitable for making a coating on said hide, such as a resin, preferably polymeric, or a polyurethane-based substance. In particular, the chemical substance may have different abrasiveness characteristics, which may depend on the particle size of any solid particles dispersed within it, on the chemical composition, or on other properties.

Conveniently, the hide can be fed to the machine by means of a suitable transport line, for example comprising a conveyor belt, on which the hides to be treated are positioned. This transport line can substantially define a direction and a direction of advancement of the hides, defined by the Y axis.

In the transport line, an entrance of the hides is recognized, through which the hides to be treated - i.e. without the chemical substance layer applied - they enter the machine itself, and an exit of the hides, from which the treated hides - i.e. with the layer of chemical substance applied - come out.

The machine <NUM> comprises an external structure <NUM> configured to contain, at least partially, its different components, and this comprises a pair of side walls <NUM>', <NUM>" positioned on the sides of the line of advancement of the hides.

In particular, the machine <NUM> comprises a first roller <NUM>, which is arranged with its axis X transverse, that is, perpendicular to the direction of advancement of the hides and is configured to receive the chemical substance to be deposited on a surface of the hide being treated.

Advantageously, the roller <NUM>, and in particular its surface, can have an appropriate processing, which for example can provide a plurality of recesses <NUM> and projections <NUM>', preferably ordered, in order to define asperities in which the chemical substance can be collected to be deposited.

Advantageously, said projections <NUM>' can define an external surface, which is the surface furthest from the X axis. Advantageously, said surface can substantially correspond to that of a cylinder, comprising a plurality of voids in correspondence with the recesses <NUM>.

In a preferred form of construction the roller <NUM> can be made of steel, preferably with a high carbon content and its construction can advantageously provide for a plurality of surface treatments aimed at improving its useful life and / or reducing its wear; for example the roller <NUM> can be chromed and / or Teflon-coated or it can be coated with polymeric materials, in order to allow the deposit of specific chemical substances.

In an embodiment not shown, the machine <NUM> can advantageously comprise a plurality of rollers <NUM>, mounted on a structure which allows rapid interchangeability with others, for example having different surface characteristics. In particular, there may be three or four rollers <NUM>, preferably positioned at the vertices of a regular polygon. Advantageously, the structure can rotate around an axis passing through the center of the polygon defined by the rollers <NUM>, in order to quickly bring the selected roller into the position suitable for depositing the chemical substance on the hide. These different rollers may have the same or different dimensions and / or may have been subjected to different surface treatments and / or have the recesses <NUM> and / or the protrusions <NUM>' in a different arrangement, or have these recesses and / or these protrusions distributed in more or less dense way in order to deposit a greater or lesser quantity of chemical substance on the hides, according to the needs.

Conveniently, the roller <NUM> can be rotated in a direction that can be in agreement with the direction of advancement of the hide, or it can be discordant, according to the type of processing to be carried out, that is, according to the characteristics of the chemical substance and / or roller <NUM> and / or hides.

The roller <NUM> and the hide can substantially define a line or a thin band of mutual contact, substantially parallel to the X axis.

The machine <NUM> further comprises a blade or doctor blade <NUM> configured to regulate the amount of chemical substance that the roller <NUM> can drag with it in rotation, and therefore, the amount of chemical substance that will then be deposited on the hide, as will become clear later.

Preferably, the doctor blade <NUM> can have a length substantially corresponding to that of the roller <NUM>, and in particular it can have a development along the X axis substantially equal to that of the roller <NUM>.

Advantageously, said doctor blade <NUM> can be substantially in contact with the external surface of the roller <NUM>, in order to prevent the percolation of excessive quantities of chemical substance. In particular, the doctor blade <NUM> can be substantially in contact with the protrusions <NUM>' present on the surface of the roller <NUM>, so as to allow the chemical substance to pass only through the recesses <NUM>.

Advantageously, the doctor blade <NUM> can be thin, and in particular it can have thickness between a few hundredths of a millimeter and a few millimeters, in order to have good flexibility and to adhere elastically to the surface of the roller <NUM> to limit its consumption and / or its wear.

Furthermore, the doctor blade <NUM> is configured to define, with the surface of the roller <NUM>, a basin <NUM>, inside which the chemical substance to be deposited on the hide is poured and / or sprayed. Advantageously, the side walls of said basin <NUM> can be made by means of a pair of laminar elements (not shown), which are positioned at the opposite ends of the doctor blade <NUM>. Advantageously, said laminar elements can be configured to come into contact with the doctor blade <NUM> and with the roller <NUM> in order to prevent the chemical substance from escaping from the basin <NUM> through passages that do not correspond to the desired ones, which are those in correspondence with the recesses <NUM> and / or at the points where the external surface of the roller <NUM> is not in contact with the doctor blade <NUM>. In particular, for example said laminar elements, can be held in position by means of suitable elastic elements <NUM>, which are constrained to one end of the support structure <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the doctor blade <NUM> can be made of metallic material, for example in harmonic steel, in order to have a high resistance to wear. In another embodiment, the doctor blade <NUM> can be made of a carbon fiber-based material, preferably also comprising suitable additives. In this way it is possible to reduce the formation of burrs during use, which could fall into the chemical substance to be deposited and could therefore damage the roller <NUM> and / or the hide, on which the chemical substance is deposited.

The doctor blade is positioned on the upstream side or on the downstream side of the roller <NUM> with reference to the direction of advancement of the hides, according to the direction of rotation of the roller with respect to them. In particular, if the roller <NUM> is rotated in a direction concordant with the direction of advancement of the hides, the doctor blade <NUM> is positioned between the inlet of the hides and the roller <NUM>, while if the roller <NUM> is rotated in a direction contrary to the direction of advancement of the hides, the doctor blade <NUM> is positioned between the roller <NUM> and the exit of the hides.

Advantageously, the doctor blade <NUM> can be positioned so as to form an angle α lower than <NUM>°, and preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, with the surface of the roller <NUM> at the contact line.

Advantageously, as mentioned, the doctor blade <NUM> and the roller <NUM> define a basin <NUM> inside which the chemical substance to be deposited on the hides can be poured.

Conveniently, the pouring and / or spraying of the chemical substance in the basin <NUM> or in the adjacent area of the roller <NUM> can be carried out by hand or, preferably, by means of suitable ducts <NUM>, which preferably terminate with nozzles <NUM>.

Advantageously, suitable agitation devices <NUM> may be present of the chemical substance operating inside the basin <NUM> in order to prevent the coagulation of the chemical substance itself, or the sedimentation of any solid particles present in suspension, or in any case to keep the composition and / or the physical / chemical properties homogeneous of the chemical itself. Advantageously, said agitation devices <NUM> of the chemical substance can comprise one (or more) paddle <NUM>', which is preferably at least partially immersed inside the chemical substance present in the basin <NUM> and can be moved by a corresponding motor, which makes them perform an alternating movement along the basin <NUM>. If there are a plurality of paddles <NUM>', it is possible that each one is moved along only a portion of the basin <NUM>.

Alternatively, the devices for stirring the chemical substance can comprise one or more ultrasound sources configured to send pressure waves on the surface and / or inside the chemical substance to be handled, or they can include suitable motors configured to shake one or more of the walls that form the basin <NUM>.

Furthermore, the machine <NUM> can comprise a cleaning device <NUM> (or more) configured to spray a liquid, such as a mixture comprising water and suitable surfactants, in said basin <NUM>, in order to allow the dissolution of any solid and / or liquid residues, and their consequent removal. For example, the cleaning device can comprise at least one nozzle connected to suitable means for feeding the mixture.

Advantageously, the doctor blade <NUM> can be mounted on a suitable support structure <NUM> configured to keep the doctor blade in position. In particular, said support structure can comprise a support element <NUM>, preferably constituted by a section bar, which defines two surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" preferably angled to each other at about <NUM>°, so as to improve the strength and its resistance to mechanical deformation.

Advantageously, a first surface <NUM>' can be associated, preferably by means of a first stabilizing plate <NUM>, the doctor blade <NUM>.

Advantageously, there may also be a second stabilizing plate <NUM>' positioned so as to hold the doctor blade <NUM> under pressure with the first plate <NUM>.

Advantageously, the second stabilizer plate <NUM>', which is configured to be in an upper position, and therefore closer and / or more exposed to the chemical substance to be spread, can be coated with materials which make it impermeable to said chemical substance to be spread, for example it can be Teflon coated.

In a preferred embodiment, the doctor blade <NUM> can comprise a first portion <NUM>', held between the first <NUM> and the second <NUM>' stabilizing plate, in order to provide support and support for the doctor blade itself, and a second portion <NUM>" which is configured to protrude from said stabilizing plates <NUM>, <NUM>' in the direction of the roller <NUM>, and whose free edge is substantially in contact with the outer surface of the roller itself. Advantageously, said second portion <NUM>" can be from <NUM> to <NUM> wide according to the type of product to be spread, the angle of incidence and other suitable parameters.

Advantageously, the first stabilizing plate <NUM> can have one or more through holes which allow the insertion of suitable adjustment and fixing means <NUM> which allow to fix the doctor blade <NUM> to the stabilizing plate itself in the desired position. For example, said adjustment and fixing means may comprise positioning pins <NUM>, which allow an accurate, preferably centesimal, positioning of the doctor blade <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the machine <NUM> may comprise suitable means <NUM> configured to allow to control, also in an automated manner, the force with which the doctor blade <NUM> is pressed against the roller <NUM>. In particular, said means can be configured to modify the pressure of the doctor blade <NUM> exerted on the roller <NUM> on the basis of a command entered by the user and / or the detections of appropriate sensors, as will be clear later. In particular, moreover, said means <NUM> can be configured to allow to keep constant the force with which the doctor blade <NUM> is pressed against the roller <NUM>. This is particularly advantageous since, during use, as mentioned, the doctor blade <NUM>, and in in particular, its second portion <NUM>" can wear out, and therefore substantially shorten, and therefore decrease the force with which it is pressed against the roller <NUM>. This can have undesirable consequences, such as the variation in the amount of chemical substance deposited on the roller over time and / or the non-homogeneity of the chemical substance layer deposited on two different portions of a single hide. Thanks to the invention all these unwanted consequences are limited or eliminated.

Advantageously, said means <NUM> can comprise manual means and automated means.

For example, the inclination of the support structure <NUM> can be modified in order to adjust the contact angle α between the doctor blade <NUM> and the roller <NUM>. Preferably, the angle can be measured by means of a suitable graduated scale positioned at one of the two sides of the support structure itself.

Advantageously, for this purpose, said means <NUM> can comprise a suitable rotation apparatus <NUM> configured to rotate said support structure <NUM> around an axis parallel to the X axis.

Said rotation apparatus can, for example, comprise in a traditional way two bodies <NUM>, <NUM> which are clamped around the shaft <NUM> around which the support structure <NUM> rotates. In particular, said bodies <NUM>, <NUM> can be tightened and / or loosened by using two screws <NUM>, preferably positioned on opposite sides with respect to the shaft <NUM>, in order to lock and / or unlock the rotation of the support structure <NUM> around the shaft itself.

Advantageously, the support structure <NUM> can be moved, in a direction substantially parallel to the Y axis, so as to increase or reduce the pressure that the doctor blade <NUM> exerts on the roller <NUM> and / or the distance of the doctor blade <NUM> from the roller <NUM>. Advantageously, said movement can be operated in a motorized and / or automated manner.

Conveniently, therefore, the support structure <NUM> can be moved on a straight line, preferably along the Y direction, or it can be rotated around an axis parallel to the X axis and external and separate from the support structure itself. Advantageously, for this purpose, said control means <NUM> can comprise suitable movement means <NUM> comprising a suitable actuator.

Advantageously, said movement means <NUM> can be directly associated with the support structure <NUM>, and in particular with one of the side walls <NUM>, <NUM>' of the machine <NUM>, preferably outside the environment in which the hides are treated.

In a first embodiment, said movement means <NUM> can comprise a cylinder <NUM>, preferably pneumatic, or alternatively for example hydraulic, configured to move along an axis, in particular parallel to the Y axis. The movement of the cylinder <NUM> can be transferred to the support structure <NUM> by means of suitable gears <NUM>, in order to cause its movement along an axis, which is also parallel to the Y axis.

In a further embodiment (not shown) said movement means <NUM> may comprise a motor, preferably electric, preferably brushless, and more preferably a torque motor, configured to move the support structure <NUM>. Conveniently the electric motor can be connected directly (direct drive) to the support structure <NUM>, or it can be connected to it by means of suitable gears configured to reduce the speed of rotation of the motor and / or the speed of the structure of s support <NUM>.

In particular, the support structure <NUM> can be rigidly associated with a protruding block <NUM>, which advantageously can protrude outside the side walls <NUM>', <NUM>". Conveniently, said protruding block <NUM> can be mounted on at least one carriage <NUM> so as to be able to slide in a substantially horizontal direction - ie substantially parallel to the Y axis. Advantageously, the carriage <NUM> and / or the protruding block <NUM> can be Teflon coated in order to reduce the friction and allow to obtain a more precise control on the movement of the latter.

In the embodiment, shown in <FIG>, the movement means <NUM> can comprise, in addition to the cylinder <NUM> and / or the motor, a lever <NUM> constrained to a fulcrum <NUM>, and configured to transmit the movement of the cylinder <NUM> and / or the motor to the support structure <NUM>. In particular, said lever <NUM> is configured to transform the rectilinear movement of the cylinder into a rotary movement. Advantageously, the first arm <NUM>' of the lever <NUM> can be connected, directly or indirectly, to said cylinder <NUM> and / or said motor, while the second arm <NUM>" of said lever <NUM> can be connected to said support structure <NUM>.

Advantageously the first arm <NUM>' can have a length between <NUM> and <NUM> while the second arm <NUM>" can have a length between <NUM> and <NUM>. Conveniently, the ratio between the length of the first arm <NUM>' and that of the second arm <NUM>" can be comprised between about <NUM>:<NUM> and about <NUM>:<NUM>, and preferably it can be <NUM>:<NUM>. It is understood that said ratio can be modified on the basis of constructional needs, for example on the basis of the dimensions of the cylinder <NUM> and / or the force that it can exert.

Conveniently in this embodiment the support structure <NUM> can be configured to rotate around the fulcrum <NUM>, under the action of the lever <NUM>.

Conveniently in the embodiment which provides for the use of the electric motor, the lever <NUM> can be pivoted directly on the output of the electric motor, and can be rotated by it.

Advantageously both in the embodiment which comprises the lever <NUM> and in the one which comprises the protruding block <NUM>, on the side wall <NUM>, <NUM>' there may be a suitable slot <NUM>, through which the gears <NUM>, and in particular the lever <NUM> or the protruding block <NUM> are rigidly connected to the support structure <NUM>. Conveniently the slot <NUM> can be configured to allow the sliding and / or guide said element, which connects the lever <NUM> to the support structure <NUM>, and can have, for example, a substantially elongated, straight or curved development.

Advantageously, the gears <NUM> can comprise a mechanical stop <NUM>, preferably adjustable, configured to limit the movement of at least one gear <NUM>, in order to limit the advancement of the doctor blade <NUM>.

Conveniently said movement means <NUM> can be associated with both ends of support structure <NUM>, in order to regulate the force, with which the doctor blade <NUM> is pressed against the cylinder <NUM> in a homogeneous way. In particular, in this case said movement means can comprise suitable gears <NUM> which allow to transfer the motion generated by a single actuator to both ends of the doctor blade <NUM> or, preferably, they can provide a plurality of actuators (cylinders <NUM> and / or motors) or also a combination of motors and cylinders <NUM>.

Advantageously, said control means <NUM> comprise suitable systems <NUM> for measuring the force exerted by the movement means <NUM> on the support structure <NUM>. In particular, therefore, said systems <NUM> allow to control the force developed by said at least one actuator. In particular, therefore, said force measurement systems <NUM> allow to measure and / or calculate the pressure that the doctor blade <NUM> exerts on the roller <NUM>.

Advantageously, in one embodiment, said measurement systems <NUM> can comprise a load cell <NUM> configured to measure the force exerted by the cylinder <NUM> on the gears <NUM>.

Alternatively, in the embodiment which includes an engine, the measuring systems <NUM> can for example comprise suitable systems for measuring the torque exerted by the engine itself, or the number of revolutions, or the power delivered.

Advantageously, in an embodiment not shown there may also be at least one further device for measuring the torque, to which the doctor blade <NUM> is subjected due to the friction with the rotating roller <NUM>. Advantageously, for example, a load cell can be present, for example of the torsional type, associated with said support structure <NUM>, in order to measure the torque to which the doctor blade <NUM> is subjected.

Advantageously, in an embodiment not shown there may also be at least one further device for measuring the torque, to which the doctor blade <NUM> is subjected due to the friction with the rotating roller <NUM>, and this further device may consist of a cell load associated with the rotation apparatus <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the support structure <NUM> can also be moved transversely with respect to the direction of advancement of the hides and alternately and continuously back and forth by suitable handling means. This prevents, or at least reduces, the rate of formation of lumps and / or aggregates in the contact line between the doctor blade <NUM> and the roller <NUM>. Advantageously, said movement can be motorized.

Advantageously, said machine <NUM> and in particular said control means <NUM> can comprise a control and processing unit (not shown), which can advantageously control the operation of the movement means <NUM>.

Advantageously, said control and processing unit can be configured to obtain information from the systems <NUM> for measuring the force exerted by the actuator of the movement means <NUM>. To this end, the control and processing unit is configured to calculate and / or measure, on the basis of this information, the force with which the doctor blade <NUM> is pressed against the roller <NUM>. Advantageously, in addition to the information mentioned above, the control unit and can also use information related to the frictions suffered by the various components of the mechanism that allows the movement of the doctor blade <NUM>.

Advantageously, moreover, the control and processing unit can be configured to modify the force exerted by the actuator <NUM>, and in particular the pressure of the fluid sent to it, and / or the torque exerted, or the number of revolutions, or the power supplied by the motor, in order to maintain substantially constant the pressure exerted by the doctor blade <NUM> on the roller <NUM>. Advantageously this can be achieved by means of a control of the PID type suitably implemented in said control and processing unit.

The operation of the machine <NUM> according to the invention is clear from what has been said above.

In particular, the user can position the doctor blade <NUM> in contact with the external surface of the cylinder <NUM>, precisely adjusting the pressure and / or the angle α of incidence. The doctor blade can be positioned between the roller <NUM> and the inlet of the hides or between the roller <NUM> and the outlet of the hides, according to the foreseen processing, and in particular of the direction of rotation foreseen for the roller <NUM>.

The roller <NUM> is then put into rotation and the chemical substance can be poured into the basin <NUM> thus defined, for example by means of the nozzles <NUM> fed by the ducts <NUM>.

Subsequently, the hides can be made to advance along the transport line.

As the doctor blade <NUM> wears, and consequently its second portion <NUM>" shortens, the pressure measuring systems <NUM> detect the variation in the force applied by the actuator; for example they can detect a forward movement of the piston <NUM>, or a decrease in the torque generated by the motor and / or an advancement thereof, and in substance quantities which are connected to the variation of the pressure that the doctor blade <NUM> exerts on the roller <NUM>.

Subsequently the movement means <NUM> can come into action to reposition the support structure <NUM> in order to keep constant the force, with which the doctor blade <NUM> is pressed against the roller <NUM>, and therefore in order to keep the quantity of chemical substance constant deposited on the hide.

In particular, the control and processing unit can be configured to detect the change in force which is exerted by the doctor blade <NUM> on the roller <NUM> and which is measured by the means <NUM>, and consequently to actuate said actuator (cylinder <NUM> and / or electric motor) in order to restore the default and / or pressure desired by the user.

From what has been said it is clear that the machine according to the invention is particularly advantageous, indeed, optimal in that:.

Claim 1:
Machine for depositing a layer of a chemical substance on hides, in particular a coloring or protective layer comprising:
- a rotating roller (<NUM>), configured to spread said chemical substance on said hides,
- a doctor blade (<NUM>) mounted on a support structure (<NUM>) and configured to come into contact with said roller (<NUM>) and to regulate the quantity of chemical substance which is deposited by the roller on said hides,
- means (<NUM>) for the automated control of the pressure that said doctor blade (<NUM>) exerts on said roller (<NUM>),
characterized in that said automated control means (<NUM>) comprise:
- systems (<NUM>) for measuring the pressure that said doctor blade (<NUM>) exerts on said roller (<NUM>).
- movement means (<NUM>), configured to move said doctor blade (<NUM>) and / or said support structure (<NUM>) so as to regulate the pressure that this exerts on said roller (<NUM>).