EP0040482A1 - Procédé et dispositif pour le filage au fondu de filaments dans lequel le gaz de refroidissement et une avvivage sont amenés vers les filaments à travers la masse des fibres et la filière - Google Patents
Procédé et dispositif pour le filage au fondu de filaments dans lequel le gaz de refroidissement et une avvivage sont amenés vers les filaments à travers la masse des fibres et la filière Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0040482A1 EP0040482A1 EP81301913A EP81301913A EP0040482A1 EP 0040482 A1 EP0040482 A1 EP 0040482A1 EP 81301913 A EP81301913 A EP 81301913A EP 81301913 A EP81301913 A EP 81301913A EP 0040482 A1 EP0040482 A1 EP 0040482A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- filaments
- spinneret
- finish
- pack
- gas
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
- D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
- D01D5/00—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like
- D01D5/08—Melt spinning methods
- D01D5/088—Cooling filaments, threads or the like, leaving the spinnerettes
- D01D5/092—Cooling filaments, threads or the like, leaving the spinnerettes in shafts or chimneys
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the manufacture of melt spun polymeric filaments and, in particular, to the quenching of spun filaments emerging from the spinneret.
- One aspect of the invention is also concerned with the application of a finishing liquid to the spun filaments after they have. been quenched.
- melt spun polymeric filaments are typically achieved by extruding a molten polymer, such as polyester or polyamide through a spinneret and then cooling the filaments thus formed. Therebelow, the filaments are converged and gathered at a guide and delivered to a bobbin or further treatment station.
- a finishing liquid is applied to the filaments below the quench zone.
- the finishing liquid may comprise a substance suitable for imparting a desired property to the filaments, such as smoothness, drape, lustre, water repellancy, flame retardancy, or crease resistance, for example.
- a typical cooling technique involves a gas quench in which cool air is blown across the filaments as they emerge from the spinneret.
- a gas quench in which cool air is blown across the filaments as they emerge from the spinneret.
- an outflow quench -technique in which the filaments are passed downwardly in surrounding relation to an upwardly extending air pipe, the latter being arranged generally coincident with the central axis of the group of filaments.
- Quench air is directed radially or laterally outwardly through the filament group from an upper, apertured end of the pipe, the air preferably dispersed by a porous sheathing surrounding the apertures.
- a conventional melt-spinning apparatus 10 wherein a conventional filter pack 12 carries a conventional spinneret 14 through which a molten polymer, such as polyester or polyamide is downwardly extruded to form filaments.
- the spinneret is of a conventional type comprising holes arranged in an annular pattern so that a group 15 of circularly arranged filaments 16 is formed.
- the holes of the spinneret are preferably arranged in a series of circular rows having a common central axis.
- the spun filaments are split into two groups and travel downwardly to two turning gaides.9, or godets or rolls, at which they are gathered and redirected, in conventional fashion.
- the pack 12 is mounted on a conventional superstructure 20, and the filaments travel downwardly within a cabinet 22 closed at least on three sides and possibly open at the fourth side for operator monitoring purposes.
- Quench gas in the form of air is provided to cool the filaments 16 emerging from the spinneret.
- the quench gas is delivered through an upwardly extending quench gas conduit 1 which includes a gas supply portion 2 and a gas discharge portion 3, which comprises a perforated hole pattern to obtain a required profile.
- the gas supply portion extends horizontally into the group of filaments and forms an elbow 4. Openings are provided in the gas discharge portion to discharge quench air radially outwardly, with the desired profile, through the surrounding filaments.
- a porous sheath 5 surrounds the gas discharge portion to uniformly disperse the discharging air.
- the upper end of the conduit 1 includes a pin 6 which is received in an opening of the spinneret 14 to prevent lateral displacement of the conduit 1.
- the filaments 16 are separated into two bunches 7, 8 to avoid contacting the elbow portion of the conduit 1.
- the separate filament bunches are gathered and redirected at a pair of turning guides 9.
- quench air is delivered via the conduit 1 and is discharged radially outwardly from within the group of filaments emerging from the spinneret.
- the quenched filaments are separated into bunches 7,8 and are gathered and redirected at the guides 9 for collection, or further treatment.
- the conduit 1 is often of substantial height thereby increasing the overall height of the machine and rendering it difficult to maintain the conduit in alignment with the longitudinal axis defined by the filament group. This arrangement also renders it difficult to maintain constant the distance from the spinneret to the uppermost quench air stream. Air gaps 16A are formed between the filament bunches 7, 8 which gaps promote undesirable air turbulence. To limit the ability of the filaments to contact the elbow, the diameter of the conduit 1 is minimized, but this restricts the quantity of air flow that can be conducted and also increases the pressure drop.
- the lower portion of the air pipe forms an elbow and passes horizontally through the group of filaments above the turning guide.
- the pipe diameter is minimized and the filament group is divided into two buncles, each bundle fed to a separate turning guide, as depicted herein in Figure 1B for example.
- the elbow must be placed at a level sufficiently below the quench zone to allow the filaments to be effectively divided into separate bundles. This results in a relatively long air pipe height which increases the overall machine height and renders it difficult to maintain the pipe aligned with the central axis of the filament group to assure that uniform quenching action is achieved.
- finishing liquid has heretofore been accomplished, for example, by means of a stationary applicator within which-the filaments are gathered. Finishing fluid is caused to flow across the applicator surface and onto the gathered filaments. Another technique involves spraying the finishing liquid onto the filaments which have been gathered at the turning guide. It will be appreciated that the quality of the filaments produced is affected by the uniformity of application of the finishing liquid. The application of the liquid to the filaments when the latter are in a gathered or bunched-up condition' is difficult to achieve with the desired uniformity.
- molten polymer is extruded downwardly through a fibre pack and through an annular array of holes in a spinneret to form a circularly arranged group of filaments
- quench gas is directed across the filaments emerging from the spinneret, and the filaments are gathered and redirected at a stationary or rotating guide, characterised in that quench gas is delivered downwardly through' the pack and spinneret coaxially relative to the array of holes and then redirected outwardly through the group of filaments above the guide.
- a finish substance is applied to the filaments, the finish substance having been conducted through the pack and through the spinneret and at least partly internally of the flow of quench gas and being discharged outwardly from within the group of filaments at a level below the discharge of quench gas.
- the apparatus including quenching means for directing quenching gas across the filaments emerging from the spinneret and a stationary or rotating guide therebelow at which the filaments are gathered and redirected, characterised in that the quenching means comprises a gas supply conduit extending downwardly through the pack and the spinneret being positioned coaxially relative to the array of holes, the conduit including gas discharge means disposed above the guide for discharging quench gas outwardly through the group of filaments.
- a means for applying a finish substance on to the filaments, such finish applying means comprising a finish supply conduit extending downwardly through the pack and the spinneret within the quench gas supply conduit, the finish supply conduit projecting below the gas discharge means coaxially within the group of filaments and including a means for discharging finish on to the filaments.
- Quench gas is delivered by a quenching conduit 24 which includes a gas supply portion 26 and a gas discharge portion 28.
- the gas supply portion 26 extends downwardly through the pack 12 and spinneret 14 in coaxial relationship with the axis defined by the circular arrays of spinneret holes.
- the gas discharge portion 28 is disposed immediately below the spinneret 14 and includes a plurality of outlet openings for discharging the quench air laterally outwardly with the desired profile, through the surrounding filaments 16. It will, of course, be appreciated that the hole arrangement for a given profile with this invention is necessarily different from the hole arrangement of the prior art.
- a sheath of porous foam 30 surrounds the conduit discharge portion to uniformly disperse the quench air.
- a collar 31 may be located on the conduit 24 to position the sheath.
- quench air passes through the filaments, bellowing them radially outwardly.
- the section of the gas supply portion 26 extending through the pack 12 is preferably surrounded by an air gap 32 to minimize heat exchange between the quench gas and molten polymer within the pack 12.
- that section of the gas supply portion 26 could be covered with thermal insulation.
- the gas supply conduit 24 includes a fixed stop collar 34 which rests upon a stop shoulder 36 on the pack to support the supply conduit 24 and fixedly locate the latter relative to the spinneret. In this fashion, the spacial relationship between the spinneret holes and the uppermost stream of quench gas is maintained constant, to achieve uniformity of the quenching action and reduce birefringence variance in the filaments produced. These improvements occur within and between melt-spinning positions.
- a gas streamlining member 38 Extending downwardly from the lower end of the discharge portion 28 of the conduit is a gas streamlining member 38 in the form of a downwardly converging cone.
- the cone occupies a considerable portion of the space bounded by the converging filaments 16. Air normally drawn downwardly by the rapidly travelling filaments is constrained by the cone to flow in a smoother non-turbulent fashion to minimize undesired vibration of the filaments.
- the cone 38 can be secured to the lower end of the conduit 28 in any suitable manner, preferably in a releasable manner, such as by screws, bayonet coupling, etc.
- the diameter defined by the innermost circular row of holes in the spinneret be at least 5" to allow sufficient room for the gas supply conduit 26 to pass therethrough. Smaller diameters could be employed, but the gas conduit would then probably be smaller than needed to conduct an optimum gas flow quantity.
- a finishing liquid may be applied in à conventional manner to the filaments in the vicinity of a conventional stationary or rotating guide 46 at which the filaments are gathered and redirected.
- a finish supply conduit 40 which conducts a suitable finishing liquid.
- the lower end of conduit 40 projects beyond the bottom of the cone 38 and carried a spray nozzle 42.
- the spray nozzle 42 is fixed by a collar 44 and is oriented to spray the finish liquid, in mist form, in a downward and laterally outward direction, so that the liquid passes outwardly through the group of filaments 16 after the latter have been quenched.
- the presence of the streamlining cone 38 aids in smoothing-out the flow of air in the vicinity of the nozzle, thereby minimizing undesired turbulent swirling actions which could adversely affect the spraying action.-As a result, the filaments receive a substantially uniform application of the finish substance.
- Spraying of the finishing substance through the filaments while they are in a separated condition aids not only in achieving a uniform application of finish but also in augmenting the filament cooling step because the finish substance is typically of a lower temperature than are the filaments at the disclosed region of finish application.
- the finish application can be achieved without reducing access space within the cabinet 22 and without inhibiting the travel of the filaments.
- the filaments 16 are formed in circular arrays in conventional fashion. Quench air is conducted downwardly through the pack 12 via the conduit 24 and discharged radially outwardly through the group of filaments to cool the latter. Air currents immediately below the conduit 24 are guided in streamlined fashion by the streamlining cone 38 toward the finish spray nozzle 42. Finish substance is sprayed outwardly from the nozzle and uniformly covers the cooled, still separated filaments 16. The smooth air flow established by the cone achieves a low turbulence spray pattern to the filaments. Application of the finish spray also aids in further cooling-down the filaments. Thereafter, the filaments are gathered and redirected at the guide 46.
- finish spray from within the filament group and at a level above the midpoint of the distance between the spinneret and the turning guide promotes a uniformity of the application because of the proximity of the filaments to the longitudinal axis and the still-separated condition of the filaments relative .to one another.
- the air streamlining cone minimizes turbulence in .the spray pattern to aid in achieving such uniformity.
- the present invention eliminates the need for an elbow in the quench gas supply conduit below the quench zone, and thereby eliminates the need for dividing the filaments into separate bundles. As a result, it is generally unnecessary to restrict the size of the gas supply conduit and thus an, optimum amount of quench gas flow can be provided. Since it is unnecessary to provide a quenching gas conduit of substantial height below the spinneret, the overall machine height is reduced, and it is also easier to align the quench conduit with the axis of the filament group.
- the quench gas conduit is mounted on the pack, a constant uniform distance between the spinneret holes and the uppermost quench air stream may easily be maintained, thereby assuring uniform quality and minimal birefringence variability of filaments produced.
- the filaments are not subjected to extra wear and tear by rubbinb against unlubricated surfaces such as quench elbows. Also, since the filaments need no longer be separated into bundles, air gaps previously formed between the bundles, and which promoted air turbulence around the filaments, no longer exist. Turbulence is further reduced by the presence of the streamlining cone which extends below the outlet of the quench gas duct..
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Spinning Methods And Devices For Manufacturing Artificial Fibers (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US149370 | 1980-05-13 | ||
US06/149,370 US4285646A (en) | 1980-05-13 | 1980-05-13 | Apparatus for quenching melt-spun filaments |
US06/164,425 US4288207A (en) | 1980-06-30 | 1980-06-30 | Apparatus for producing melt-spun filaments |
US164425 | 1980-06-30 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0040482A1 true EP0040482A1 (fr) | 1981-11-25 |
EP0040482B1 EP0040482B1 (fr) | 1984-08-08 |
Family
ID=26846674
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19810301913 Expired EP0040482B1 (fr) | 1980-05-13 | 1981-04-30 | Procédé et dispositif pour le filage au fondu de filaments dans lequel le gaz de refroidissement et une avvivage sont amenés vers les filaments à travers la masse des fibres et la filière |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0040482B1 (fr) |
BR (1) | BR8102826A (fr) |
CA (1) | CA1162710A (fr) |
DE (1) | DE3165354D1 (fr) |
MX (1) | MX154777A (fr) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2587371A1 (fr) * | 1985-09-18 | 1987-03-20 | Inventa Ag | Dispositif pour le refroidissement et la preparation de fils files en fusion |
FR2611748A2 (fr) * | 1985-09-18 | 1988-09-09 | Inventa Ag | Dispositif pour le refroidissement et la preparation de fils files en fusion |
DE3708168A1 (de) * | 1987-03-05 | 1988-09-15 | Inventa Ag | Vorrichtung zum abkuehlen und praeparieren von schmelzgesponnenem spinngut |
DE3822571A1 (de) * | 1988-07-04 | 1990-02-01 | Hoechst Ag | Spinnverfahren und vorrichtung zur durchfuehrung desselben |
US5589125A (en) * | 1992-03-17 | 1996-12-31 | Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft | Process of and apparatus for making cellulose mouldings |
US5650112A (en) * | 1993-07-28 | 1997-07-22 | Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft | Process of making cellulose fibers |
US5698151A (en) * | 1993-07-01 | 1997-12-16 | Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft | Process of making cellulose fibres |
US5939000A (en) * | 1993-05-24 | 1999-08-17 | Acordis Fibres (Holdings) Limited | Process of making cellulose filaments |
WO2023142350A1 (fr) * | 2022-06-18 | 2023-08-03 | 盐城市力马空调工程有限公司 | Procédé et appareil de refroidissement et de formation de filage sans air, et dispositif de filage |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3259681A (en) * | 1962-04-27 | 1966-07-05 | Ici Ltd | Polyester filaments |
US3969462A (en) * | 1971-07-06 | 1976-07-13 | Fiber Industries, Inc. | Polyester yarn production |
JPS5227815A (en) * | 1975-08-29 | 1977-03-02 | Teijin Ltd | Spinning pack |
-
1981
- 1981-04-30 DE DE8181301913T patent/DE3165354D1/de not_active Expired
- 1981-04-30 EP EP19810301913 patent/EP0040482B1/fr not_active Expired
- 1981-05-07 BR BR8102826A patent/BR8102826A/pt unknown
- 1981-05-12 CA CA000377438A patent/CA1162710A/fr not_active Expired
- 1981-05-13 MX MX18728081A patent/MX154777A/es unknown
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3259681A (en) * | 1962-04-27 | 1966-07-05 | Ici Ltd | Polyester filaments |
US3969462A (en) * | 1971-07-06 | 1976-07-13 | Fiber Industries, Inc. | Polyester yarn production |
JPS5227815A (en) * | 1975-08-29 | 1977-03-02 | Teijin Ltd | Spinning pack |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 001, no. 064 (C - 77) * |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2587371A1 (fr) * | 1985-09-18 | 1987-03-20 | Inventa Ag | Dispositif pour le refroidissement et la preparation de fils files en fusion |
DE3629731A1 (de) * | 1985-09-18 | 1987-03-26 | Inventa Ag | Vorrichtung zum abkuehlen und praeparieren von schmelzgesponnenem spinngut |
FR2611748A2 (fr) * | 1985-09-18 | 1988-09-09 | Inventa Ag | Dispositif pour le refroidissement et la preparation de fils files en fusion |
DE3708168A1 (de) * | 1987-03-05 | 1988-09-15 | Inventa Ag | Vorrichtung zum abkuehlen und praeparieren von schmelzgesponnenem spinngut |
GB2205524A (en) * | 1987-03-05 | 1988-12-14 | Inventa Ag | Apparatus for cooling melt-spun material |
GB2205524B (en) * | 1987-03-05 | 1990-05-02 | Inventa Ag | Apparatus for cooling melt-spun material |
US4990297A (en) * | 1987-03-05 | 1991-02-05 | Ems-Inventa Ag | Apparatus and method for cooling and conditioning melt-spun material |
DE3822571A1 (de) * | 1988-07-04 | 1990-02-01 | Hoechst Ag | Spinnverfahren und vorrichtung zur durchfuehrung desselben |
US5589125A (en) * | 1992-03-17 | 1996-12-31 | Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft | Process of and apparatus for making cellulose mouldings |
US5798125A (en) * | 1992-03-17 | 1998-08-25 | Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft | Device for the preparation of cellulose mouldings |
US5968434A (en) * | 1992-03-17 | 1999-10-19 | Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft | Process of making cellulose moldings and fibers |
US5939000A (en) * | 1993-05-24 | 1999-08-17 | Acordis Fibres (Holdings) Limited | Process of making cellulose filaments |
US5951932A (en) * | 1993-05-24 | 1999-09-14 | Acordis Fibres (Holdings) Limited | Process of making cellulose filaments |
US5698151A (en) * | 1993-07-01 | 1997-12-16 | Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft | Process of making cellulose fibres |
US5650112A (en) * | 1993-07-28 | 1997-07-22 | Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft | Process of making cellulose fibers |
WO2023142350A1 (fr) * | 2022-06-18 | 2023-08-03 | 盐城市力马空调工程有限公司 | Procédé et appareil de refroidissement et de formation de filage sans air, et dispositif de filage |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA1162710A (fr) | 1984-02-28 |
DE3165354D1 (en) | 1984-09-13 |
MX154777A (es) | 1987-12-11 |
EP0040482B1 (fr) | 1984-08-08 |
BR8102826A (pt) | 1982-02-02 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4285646A (en) | Apparatus for quenching melt-spun filaments | |
US3299469A (en) | Melt-spinning apparatus | |
KR100741614B1 (ko) | 용해 스펀 재료를 조절하기 위한 공정 및 장치 | |
TW493017B (en) | Device and method for producing microfilament yarns with high titer uniformity from thermoplastic polymers | |
EP0040482B1 (fr) | Procédé et dispositif pour le filage au fondu de filaments dans lequel le gaz de refroidissement et une avvivage sont amenés vers les filaments à travers la masse des fibres et la filière | |
US4756679A (en) | Apparatus for cooling and conditioning melt-spun material | |
JPH0217641B2 (fr) | ||
US3705227A (en) | Process and apparatus for quenching melt spun filaments | |
US4288207A (en) | Apparatus for producing melt-spun filaments | |
RU2132418C1 (ru) | Формовочное устройство | |
US5536157A (en) | Apparatus for cooling melt-spun filaments | |
US6036895A (en) | Process and device for the formation of monofilaments produced by melt-spinning | |
SK281504B6 (sk) | Spôsob výroby kompozitnej nite a zariadenie na vykonávanie tohto spôsobu | |
US4340341A (en) | Apparatus for guiding filaments | |
US4378325A (en) | Process for quenching melt-spun filaments | |
US3672801A (en) | Spinning quench chamber having a conical flow director | |
US4332764A (en) | Methods for producing melt-spun filaments | |
EP0050483B1 (fr) | Procédé, dispositif et guide-fil pour la fabrication de fibres filées au fondu | |
US4341726A (en) | Process for producing melt-spun filaments | |
US5433591A (en) | Apparatus for making a synthetic filament yarn | |
JPH1018122A (ja) | 溶融紡糸方法 | |
US5230905A (en) | Polymer extruding device | |
US4424927A (en) | Method and apparatus for guiding filaments | |
JP5262834B2 (ja) | 多糸条からなる極細合成繊維の製造方法およびその製造装置 | |
JPS62184107A (ja) | 溶融紡糸冷却方法 |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19820331 |
|
ITF | It: translation for a ep patent filed |
Owner name: BARZANO' E ZANARDO MILANO S.P.A. |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: CELANESE CORPORATION |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 3165354 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19840913 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
ITTA | It: last paid annual fee | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 19930316 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 19930430 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 19940324 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Effective date: 19941101 |
|
NLV4 | Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Effective date: 19941229 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Effective date: 19950430 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19950430 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19970428 Year of fee payment: 17 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19990202 |