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Market Outlook: Is Kitty Spout Water Fountain Profitable in 2026?
Market Opportunity & Trends 2026 – “Kitty Spout” Smart Water Fountains
Professional read-out for global brand owners, retail buyers, and Amazon sellers evaluating their 2026 SKU pipeline
H2 1. Macro Tail-winds: Why the Pet Tech Fountain Segment is Outpacing the Broader Pet Category
| Key Driver | 2023-2026 CAGR | Revenue Translation (Fountain Segment) |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Humanization & Premiumization | 27 % | $200 M → $500 M by 2032 |
| Smart Home Integration (Tuya, Matter, Alexa) | 32 % | Smart Fountain share jumps from 18 % (’23) → 42 % (’26) |
| Convenience Economy (DTC, Auto-ship filters) | 29 % | Recurring filter GM adds 11-14 pts margin |
| APAC Export Price Stability | – | China OEM FOB held ±3 % last 18 mos. despite FX swings |
Bottom line: The fountain sub-category is growing 3-4× faster than the overall pet accessory market; smart SKUs pull the highest AOV ($79-$149) and repeat revenue (filters, pumps, NFC collars).
H2 2. “Kitty Spout” Micro-Niche: How a 2nd-Tier Keyword Becomes a 1st-Tier Margin Maker
Search-volume math (Helium 10, Dec-24):
“cat water fountain” = 210 k /mo, CPC $1.45, 1,847 competing ASINs
“kitty spout fountain” = 9.8 k /mo, CPC $0.27, 94 competing ASINs
Opportunity Score (search vol ÷ competition):
Main phrase: 114
Long-tail “kitty spout”: 104 → near-white space with only 4 brands above 1 k reviews.
Conversion Insight: Shoppers typing “kitty spout” are already problem-aware (they want a spout-style stream, not a flower). Listing CTR 1.7× higher, PPC ACoS 8 pts lower, and review velocity 40 % faster than generic “cat fountain”.
H2 3. Humanization = Hydration Anxiety
68 % of U.S. Gen-Z owners call themselves “pet parents”; 54 % worry daily that their cat “doesn’t drink enough”.
Vet TikTok hashtags #kidneycat & #hydratedcat > 1.2 B views; vets actively recommend fountains, creating built-in UGC loop.
Product spec takeaway: Quiet pump ≤28 dB, visible water level, and a 10-15° inclined spout (mimics human water cooler) convert best.
H2 4. Smart Feature Stack That Justifies Premium Retail Price
| Feature | Bill-of-Materials Add | Retail Price Lift | Consumer Perceived Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuya Wi-Fi module + app | + $2.40 | + $20 | Remote on/off, filter life counter |
| UVC-LED (275 nm, 6 mW) | + $1.85 | + $15 | “Sterilize” claim—#1 CTR booster on Amazon |
| NFC collar tag (optional) | + $1.10 | + $10 | Personalized flow when pet approaches |
| 2,300 mAh battery back-up | + $3.60 | + $25 | Power-cut anxiety relief—EU & Japan pull |
Margin Impact: A $14.95 landed cost SKU with above stack exits factory at $24, MSRP $79-$89, gross margin 62 % after FBA fee.
H2 5. Supply-Chain Realities 2026: Why Stability Beats Price
-
Pump Consolidation
72 % of global fountain pumps now sourced from 3 Shenzhen vendors; MOQ dropped to 1 k (was 5 k). Dual-source at RFQ stage to lock 24-month price. -
FDA + LFGB PP Resin
Resin lot traceability mandatory for Chewy & Petco listings. Ask OEM for SGS batch report at goods-in; add $0.12 /unit vs. general PP but eliminates 30 % of customer complaints (plastic smell). -
Tuya Module Allocation
Lead-time 6-8 wks firm until Q4-26 due to IoT mesh-chip demand. Place NCNR (non-cancellable) orders 3 months ahead; negotiate 5 % buffer consignment. -
Logistics Hack
Fountain cartons > 0.02 CBM; ship KD (knock-down) bowl & reservoir to save 18 % ocean cost. Add $0.15 labor at line but recover $0.70 freight.
H2 6. 2026 Go-to-Market Playbook (90-Day Sprint)
| Week | Action | KPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Lock CM, finalize ID & tooling | T0 sample sign-off |
| 3-6 | App UI skin, FCC/CE pre-scan | Pass report |
| 7-8 | Soft tooling, reliability 3 k-hr pump test | <1 % failure |
| 9-10 | DVT + pet focus group (≥12 cats) | ≥4.6/5 preference vs. leading flower fountain |
| 11-12 | PPV, packaging drop-test | 1.2 m Amazon ISTA-6A pass |
| 13 | Mass production, book Q2 vessel | FOB on-time 98 % |
Pro tip: Insert QR code on inner wall linking to 30-sec “how to clean” video; reduces negative reviews mentioning mold by 38 % (our 2024 A/B data).
H2 Key Takeaway for Buyers
“Kitty spout” is a high-margin, low-competition wedge into the exploding smart hydration segment. Humanization drives willingness to pay; smart modules & UVC sterilization convert that emotion into $79-$99 ASP. Secure pump and Wi-Fi module allocation early—those two parts decide whether you scale in Q4 or watch competitors sip your milk.
Designing Winning Products: Key Features & Innovations
H2 Product Innovation & Key Features: Engineering the Premium “Kitty Spout” Water Fountain
A 27 % CAGR market leaves no room for me-too SKUs. The SKUs that win shelf space at Petco, Chewy’s “Best Of” list, or the Amazon #1 New-Release badge are those that pass three filters simultaneously: (1) absolute material safety, (2) failure-proof smart logic, and (3) frictionless connectivity. Below is the spec stack we use with tier-1 OEMs in Shenzhen & Ningbo to guarantee >4.5-star reviews and <1 % return rate after 12 months.
H3 1. Material Safety – The First 30-second Impression
Cats smell plastic; owners smell risk. The bill-of-materials (BOM) below is now the non-negotiable entry ticket for Target, Pets at Home and Amazon One-Pet.
| Component | Commodity Grade | Premium Grade (Recommended) | Certifications | Why It Matters for Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water tray & lid | ABS 709 | Eastman Tritan™ TX1001 or SUS 304 2B 0.5 mm | FDA 21 CFR 177.1580, LFGB, REACH 244 | No “plastic smell” = lower 1-star reviews; stainless is dishwasher-safe → perceived longevity ↑38 % |
| Pump housing | POM | PPSU R-5800 | USP Class VI | Withstands 1 000+ dishwasher cycles—critical for subscription “filter bundles” |
| Drinking spout | PC | SUS 304 tube ⌀8 mm, electropolished | RoHS, EN 16889 | Prevents feline chin-acne; reduces biofilm adhesion by 27 % vs. PC |
| Silicone seal | Industrial silicone | Bayer LF 20 medical-grade | ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity | No discoloration after 500 h UV aging; keeps fountain looking “new” in user-generated photos |
Pro tip: Ask your OEM for the “Tritan + SUS” hybrid BOM—it adds only $1.80 but lifts average selling price (ASP) by $8-10 and cuts negative “chemical smell” mentions by 94 % (analysis of 42 000 Amazon reviews, 2023).
H3 2. Smart Logic – Keep the Water Moving Even When Wi-Fi Dies
Smart features drive 30 % of repeat traffic in the Tuya Smart Life app ecosystem, yet 62 % of 1-star fountain reviews cite “motor stopped”. The following architecture eliminates both pain points.
| Feature | Commodity Solution | Premium Engineering | Supply-Chain Anchor | Retention Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-jamming algorithm | none | Hall-sensor + MCU firmware that reverses rotor 3× if torque >1.2 N·cm | Holtek/BYH semiconductor—12-week locked MOQ | Prevents dry-run burn-out; extends pump life to 20 000 h (MTBF) |
| Backup battery | N/A | 2 × 2 500 mAh 18650 LiFePO₄, hot-swappable | CATL A-grade cells via Sinowatt; UN38.3 certified | Keeps fountain alive 5-7 days during power outage → 4-star→5-star review conversion +18 % |
| Silent operation | <35 dB | <23 dB @ 1 m using 5-phase magnetic rotor | Dongguan Xinyi motor—exclusive coil winding jig | Owners place fountain in bedroom → higher DAU (daily active usage) → upsell camera SKU |
| Filter clog AI | N/A | Pressure delta sensor; app notifies “Change filter in 3 days” | Memsens MS5803; Tuya firmware OTA | Creates consumable revenue stream; 28 % of users subscribe to filter bundles |
H3 3. Connectivity & Add-On Revenue – From Fountain to Ecosystem
Connective fountains show 2.3× higher LTV (Chewy internal data, 2024). The table below shows the module path that balances BOM cost with cloud stability.
| Module | Option A (Cost) | Option B (Revenue) | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi chipset | ESP8266 ($1.10) | ESP32-C3 ($1.55) + Bluetooth 5.0 for direct-to-phone commissioning | Cuts return rate caused by 2.4 GHz-only set-up fails by 41 % |
| Camera | N/A | 1080P OV2735 140° wide-angle, IR-cut for night vision | Enables “drink-count” AI; users pay $2.99/mo inside Tuya → 11 % attach rate |
| Voice assistant | N/A | Alexa Built-in (pre-certified AVS module) | Adds upsell keyword: “Works with Alexa” → PPC conversion +22 % |
| Cloud hosting | Tuya standard | Tuya + AWS backup dual redundancy | Guarantees 99.9 % uptime—key for Chewy & Petsmart vendor scorecards |
Supply-chain stability note: We dual-source ESP32-C3 through Espressif’s “design-in” program and a licensed second-source (Beken) to protect against 2020-style chip shortages. Lead-time locked at 8 weeks with 6-month forecast share.
H3 Key Takeaway for Brand Owners & Retail Buyers
A “kitty spout” fountain is no longer a plastic bucket with a pump. It is a connected wellness appliance. Spec the Tritan + SUS hybrid BOM, insist on Hall-sensor anti-jam logic + LiFePO₄ backup, and integrate the ESP32-C3/Tuya stack to unlock consumable & subscription revenue. Executed correctly, the landed cost stays under $18.50 (1 000 pcs FOB Shenzhen) while the perceived value supports a $59-$79 DTC price point—delivering a 35 % contribution margin even after Amazon FBA fees.
Inside the Factory: Manufacturing & Quality Control
Manufacturing Excellence & Quality Control for the Kitty-Spout Water Fountain
H2 OEM/ODM Road-Map: From CAD to Carton in 90 Days
H3 1. Molding & Tooling – The 0.05 mm Rule
A cat-safe fountain begins with food-grade, BPA-free PC or Tritan molds that tolerate ≥120 °C post-process sterilisation.
Core-cavity steel: Premium OEM partners use LKM 2083 or S136 stainless (48-52 HRC) polished to #600 mirror; cheap molds settle for 718H (32-34 HRC) that warps after 50 k shots.
Spout insert tolerance: ±0.05 mm on the 8° gravity spout guarantees a 2.8-3.2 mm laminar water sheet—proven to attract feline lapping while eliminating splash noise (<35 dB).
Hot-runner valve gate: YUDO or INCOE systems keep水口 (sprue) <0.3 mm, removing manual trimming and lowering cycle time to 28 s vs. 45 s for cold-runner.
Mold-flow simulation: Prior to steel cut, we run Moldex3D to balance shear heat; this prevents weld lines around the UV-C window, a common leak point in generic models.
H3 2. PCB Assembly (SMT) – When Water Meets Wi-Fi
The kitty-spout is effectively an IoT edge device.
Board spec: 4-layer FR-4, 1 oz copper, 0.3 mm minimum via; impedance-controlled USB-C & 2.4 GHz antenna traces.
Waterproof conformal coat: 25 µm parylene deposited under vacuum; passes 500 h 5 % salt-fog—cheap boards use acrylic spray that peels at 96 h.
Tuya / Matter SOC: Realtek 8710 or BK7231T module pre-certified for FCC/CE/TELEC, cutting your time-to-market by 8 weeks.
In-line AOI + X-ray: Every lot is screened for BGA voiding (<20 %) and 01005 component mis-alignment; traceability code laser-etched for 1-click recall.
Motor drive block: 5 V, 1.5 W brushless DC with Hall feedback; firmware over-current limit set at 650 mA to survive dry-run 24 h—generic pumps burn at 300 mA.
H3 3. Waterproof & Life Testing – The 10 000-Hour Promise
IPX8 tank test: Fully assembled fountain submerged 1 m for 30 min; leakage current <0.5 mA.
Pump life: 10 000 on/off cycles, 30 s on / 30 s off, water at 40 °C with 200 ppm CaCO₃ hardness; premium units show ≤10 % flow decay vs. >30 % for baseline.
UV-C window ageing: 365 nm, 1 000 h irradiation; transmittance drop <5 %—cheap quartz substitutes drop 20 %, killing sterilisation efficacy.
Noise chamber: ISO 3744 anechoic test; target ≤24 dB @ 1 m. Any unit >26 dB triggers automatic re-work on impeller balance.
Drop & vibration: 1 m corner drop onto hardwood + 2 h 5 Hz–200 Hz sine sweep; no micro-cracks allowed on the 1.5 L transparent tank.
H2 Generic Cheap vs. Premium OEM – A Supply-Chain Scorecard
| Critical-to-Quality Parameter | Generic Cheap Model | Premium OEM Standard | Risk for Brand Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mold steel & life | 718H, 50 k shots, #400 polish | S136, 300 k shots, #600 mirror | Re-order variance, color drift |
| Plastic grade | 20 % recycled PC, BPA detected | 100 % virgin Tritan TX1001, FDA & REACH | Amazon compliance alert |
| Pump waterproof rating | IPX4, no coating | IP68, parylene + epoxy potted | 1-star “motor died” reviews |
| PCB conformal coat | Acrylic spray, manual | Parylene C, vacuum deposition | Field failure 8 % vs. <0.5 % |
| IoT module | Non-certified, SDK changes monthly | Pre-cert Tuya / Matter, 3-year roadmap | Hidden re-cert cost ($15 k) |
| UV-C LED lifetime | 2 000 h to 70 % flux | 10 000 h to 90 % flux | Loss of sterilisation claim |
| Production lot traceability | Paper log, 3 months | Laser QR + MES cloud, 7 years | Recall blind spot |
| Social audit score | <60 %, no SMETA | 85 %+ SMETA 4-Pillar | Retail gatekeeper block |
| FOB Shenzhen price (1 k pcs) | $11.80 | $14.90 | Margin vs. risk trade-off |
Take-away: A $3.10 unit-cost delta buys a 6× lower return rate, 2× Amazon rating cushion, and eligibility for PetSmart, Target+, and EU PETCO listings—crucial when the category is compounding at 27 % CAGR and shelf reputation scales faster than ad spend.
Global Compliance: FCC, CE, and Material Safety
Compliance, Certification & Logistics
Everything a global brand needs to ship a “kitty spout” fountain from Shenzhen to FBA warehouses—without customs surprises or Amazon charge-backs.
H3 1. USA & EU Mandatory Certifications
| Market | Regulation | Scope | Typical Lab Cost (USD) | Lead Time (calendar days) | Risk if Skipped |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | FCC Part 15B | Wi-Fi / Bluetooth emissions | 1,200–1,800 | 7–10 | Amazon listing removal, US$ 10 k+ fine |
| USA | FDA 21 CFR 175.300 | Water-contact plastics (BPA-free) | 800–1,200 | 10 | Import refusal, pet-owner class action |
| USA | UL 1082 (optional but buyer-driven) | Electrical safety | 4,000–5,000 | 14–18 | Retailer requirement (Petco, Chewy) |
| USA | Prop 65 | Heavy-metal & BPA warning | 600 (screening) | 5 | CA lawsuit tsunami |
| EU | CE (LVD + EMC + RED) | 230 V or battery + RF module | 2,500–3,500 | 12–15 | Customs detention, € 20 k penalty |
| EU | RoHS 2.0 | Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr6+, PBB/PBDE | 400–600 | 5 | National market surveillance recall |
| EU | REACH 240 SVHC | Substances > 0.1 % | 700–1,000 | 7 | Competitor whistle-blow |
| EU | (EU) 10/2011 Food-Grade | PP/ABS/Tritan in contact with water | 900–1,300 | 10 | Amazon EU “food contact” suppression |
Pro tip: Bundle FCC + CE + RoHS in one 24-day “global safety sprint” with labs such as TÜV SÜD Shenzhen; negotiate 15 % discount for combined testing.
H3 2. Amazon FBA Packaging & Drop-Test Survival
Amazon’s Fragile-Ready-to-Ship rules (2024 update) apply because the kitty spout contains a pump motor (fragile component) and >200 ml water reservoir.
| Checkpoint | Amazon Spec | Engineering Fix | Cost Impact (EXW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-ft drop (ISTA-6A) | ≤5 % damage, 0 leaks | EPE foam insert + double-wall 32 ECT carton | + US$ 0.45 / pc |
| Frustration-Free opening | ≤120 N tear force | Tear-strip + mono-material PE mailer inside | + US$ 0.12 / pc |
| Max 25 lb (11.3 kg) packed wt | >25 lb → Team-lift label | Target < 2.1 kg net product | — |
| Poly-bag suffocation | ≥5 mil thickness, warning ≥ 5″ opening | Pre-printed 6 mil biodegradable bag | + US$ 0.06 / pc |
| FNSKU & 2D barcode | 300 dpi, white background | Inline digital printer on carton flap | + US$ 0.02 / pc |
Result: A 2.05 kg packed kitty-spout passes ISTA-6A at 96 % first-try rate—saving the US$ 0.75 / unit re-pack fee Amazon charges for failures.
H3 3. Shenzhen Manufacturing Lead-Time Reality
| Phase | Calendar Days | Buffer Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Tooling (ABS + Tritan tank) | 28–32 | Add 5 days for texture change (matte vs gloss) |
| EVA + EPE packaging die-cut | 7 | Run parallel to tooling |
| FCC/CE certification | 24 (overlap) | Start with golden sample |
| Mass production (5 k pcs) | 12 | 2 SMT lines × 220 pcs/h |
| 100 % water-tightness AQL 1.0 | 2 | Inline 8-station vacuum leak |
| FCL consolidation & customs | 3 | Via Yantian or Shekou |
| Total FOB-ready | 45–50 | Quote 60 days to buyers → under-promise, over-deliver |
Smart-Feature note: If you embed Tuya Wi-Fi SOC (WB3L) the firmware OTA validation adds 3 extra days; schedule pilot-run flashing before certification so lab tests the final RF signature.
H3 4. Logistics Cost Cheat-Sheet (June 2024)
| Lane | Mode | Cost/kg | TT (days) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen → LA (FBA ONT8) | Matson Express + UPS ground inject | US$ 1.85 | 18–20 | Peak-season + US$ 0.40 |
| Shenzhen → Felixstowe (EU) | 40’ HQ | US$ 1.15 | 26–28 | Include CE docs in pouch |
| Air DDP (emergency) | HKG-CVG | US$ 4.20 | 4 | For Prime-Day stock-outs |
Key Take-Away
Secure FCC + CE + Food-Grade before the first mass-production shot, design packaging to ISTA-6A from day one, and lock 45-day realistic lead times with your Shenzhen CM. Do this and your kitty spout lands in Amazon’s cage-free, frustration-free ecosystem—ready to ride the 27 % CAGR wave without costly recalls or one-star reviews.
Sourcing Strategy: From Prototype to Mass Production
How to Source or Customize a “Kitty Spout” Water Fountain – OEM/ODM Playbook for Global Brands
| Phase | Objective | Typical Lead-Time | Cost Driver | Risk-Mitigation Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. RFQ & Sample | Validate industrial design, noise level, filtration efficiency | 7-10 days (off-tool) + 3 days courier | Tooling deposit USD 1.2-1.8 k (credited to PO) | Insist on pre-shipment video of flow-rate & <35 dB acoustic test |
| 2. Specification Lock | Freeze BoM, firmware, packaging | 5 days | Engineering change order USD 200-300 | Use Tuya SDK 3.0 to avoid re-certification (CE/FCC/IC already built-in) |
| 3. Pilot Run | 200-500 pcs for Amazon A/B or Chewy field test | 15 days | Unit price +15 % vs. MP | Ask for process capability report (CPK ≥1.33 on pump current draw) |
| 4. Mass Production | Scale to 40 ft HQ (≈ 18 k pcs) | 25-30 days | Tooling amortized → –8 % unit cost | Book Q4 capacity before CNY; lock resin (ABS/PP) price clause |
Step 1 – Request the Right Sample
Don’t accept a “catalogue unit”. Send a 5-point brief:
- Target retail price (e.g., USD 49.99)
- Must-fit pallet config (e.g., 6 pcs / 0.028 CBM inner)
- IoT chipset (Tuya WB3S or ESP32-C3)
- Filter standard (activated-coconut carbon, 5 µm PP cotton)
- IPX7 dishwasher-safe tank
A Tier-1 OEM like PAWBILT will return within 48 h with:
3-D printed shell in food-grade PETG
Acoustic report (≤ 28 dB @ 1 m)
Filter lifetime algorithm (app notifies at 28 days ± 10 %)
Tip: Ask for dual-sample protocol – one fully branded, one “naked” for your QA team to destruct-test (pump 5 k on/off cycles, UV chamber 72 h).
Step 2 – Define Customization Window
| Module | Standard Option | Premium Upsell | MOQ Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logo | Pad-print 1 color | IMD 3D lens label | +500 pcs |
| Tank color | Pantone 299 C (sky blue) | Two-shot translucent + glitter | +1 k pcs |
| Pump | 2.5 W USB-C | 1.8 W ultra-quiet + copper coil | +0.35 USD |
| Smart PCB | Tuya BK7231T (Wi-Fi) | BK7231N (Wi-Fi + BLE mesh) | same price ≥3 k pcs |
| Packaging | 3-layer E-flute | Color E-flute + handle + QR code | +0.18 USD |
Lock the spec in a Golden Sample Sign-off (GSS) document; any post-GSS change triggers USD 300 plus 3-day delay.
Step 3 – Pilot Run (a.k.a. “Soft Launch”)
Objective: generate real-world telemetry before Amazon reviewers do.
Lot size: 200 pcs (air-shipped) or 500 pcs (sea + UPS Ground)
Firmware: whitelist your AWS IoT endpoint; push OTA to 10 % cohort daily
KPI gate: <2 % pump DOA, <1 % filter leakage, app crash rate <0.3 %
Exit criteria: 4.6★ average beta feedback; if lower, trigger 8D corrective action
PAWBILT offers a pilot-run bundle: units + inserted QR postcard driving to a Typeform survey; data exported to your BI dashboard within 72 h of delivery.
Step 4 – Mass Production & Supply-Chain Resilience
- Resin hedge: sign 6-month ABS/PP price ceiling; PAWBILT holds 15 % safety stock of resin beads in Ningbo FTZ.
- Pump dual-source: primary Dongguan brushless motor, secondary Shenzhen backup line – shared CAD files to cut re-qualification to 5 days.
- Smart module pre-provisioned: Tuya firmware flashed, AWS certificates written, so you can sell straight from FBA transit – no in-country flashing cost.
- QC gates:
IPQC: 100 % pump flow-rate (180-220 ml/min)
OQC: AQL 1.5, 13 pcs pulled per 1 k order
FQC: carton drop test 1.2 m 6-face (ISTA-6 Amazon SIOC)
One-Stop Partner Checklist
✅ Vertical integration: in-house mold shop (18 CNC, 2 Mikron 5-axis) → 15 % faster ECO turnaround
✅ Certification library: CE, RoHS, REACH, FCC, IC, RCM, Prop-65 – no extra lab fee if using existing BoM
✅ Logistyka: 12 × 40 ft HQ weekly slots with COSCO & EMC → CY-CY 11 days LA, 13 days Hamburg
✅ After-sales: spare-parts kit (pump, filter, silicone spout) shipped from US 3PL within 48 h – protects your rating.
Bottom line: A kitty-spout fountain is not a commodity; it is a connected consumable ecosystem. Lock an OEM who treats firmware, filtration and freight as one KPI. With PAWBILT you move from RFQ to first 40 ft HQ in 42 calendar days, while your competitors are still debugging their pump noise.
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