EP0054436B2 - Detergenszusammensetzung mit kontrolliertem Schaumverhalten - Google Patents

Detergenszusammensetzung mit kontrolliertem Schaumverhalten Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0054436B2
EP0054436B2 EP81305889A EP81305889A EP0054436B2 EP 0054436 B2 EP0054436 B2 EP 0054436B2 EP 81305889 A EP81305889 A EP 81305889A EP 81305889 A EP81305889 A EP 81305889A EP 0054436 B2 EP0054436 B2 EP 0054436B2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
alkyl
suds
weight
washing powder
alkyl benzene
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.)
Expired
Application number
EP81305889A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0054436A1 (de
EP0054436B1 (de
Inventor
Gregory Butler
Malcolm Nigel Alan Carter
Michael Curtis
Roger Maxwell Davies
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=10518045&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0054436(B2) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Priority to AT81305889T priority Critical patent/ATE7928T1/de
Publication of EP0054436A1 publication Critical patent/EP0054436A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0054436B1 publication Critical patent/EP0054436B1/de
Publication of EP0054436B2 publication Critical patent/EP0054436B2/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11DDETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/16Organic compounds
    • C11D3/36Organic compounds containing phosphorus
    • C11D3/362Phosphates or phosphites
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11DDETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/02Anionic compounds
    • C11D1/12Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
    • C11D1/22Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof derived from aromatic compounds
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11DDETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/0005Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
    • C11D3/0026Low foaming or foam regulating compositions

Definitions

  • This invention relates to controlled suds washing powders containing alkyl benzene sulphonate as a detergent active component primarily designed for use in front loading or drum type washing machines.
  • the present invention provides a washing powder comprising 5 % or more by weight of watersoluble salts of alkyl benzene sulphonates in which the total content of alkyl groups containing 14 or more carbon atoms is less than 15 % by weight of the alkyl material, and a suds controller comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, in combination with a hydrocarbon wax.
  • European patent application 0 045 208 discloses a washing powder comprising about 10 % by weight of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate and a suds controller comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid ester
  • German patent application No 2 701 663 also discloses a detergent composition containing an alkyl phosphoric acid ester.
  • the detergent active compound may be a sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate.
  • the alkyl benzene precursors of the sulphonates of the invention may be prepared from cracked wax olefins, from polymerized lower olefins or by any other desired route, provided that they conform to the chain length and molecular weight criteria of the invention.
  • alkyl benzene sulphonates are extremely important to the present invention, since we have discovered that if sulphonates containing high proportions of alkyl groups having 14 or more carbon atoms are used, the suds produced require significantly greater amounts of suds controller to be used in order to achieve the target suds profile.
  • the total content of alkyl sulphonates having 14 or more carbon atoms is less than 5 % by weight. Also preferred is that the mean molecular weight of the unsulphonated hydrocarbon is from 235 to 245.
  • alkyl benzene sulphonates may be used in combination with other anionic detergent active species.
  • examples of such materials are sodium primary and secondary alkyl sulphates, sodium olefine sulphonates and sodium alkane sulphonates. Of these, the C 12 -C 20 primary and secondary alkyl sulphonates are preferred.
  • Preferred total amount of anionic surfactant in the compositions of the invention are from 5 to 25 % by weight, most preferably 5 to 15 % by weight. Desirably the selected alkyl benzene sulphonates will constitute at least half of these amounts and in any event at least 5 % by weight of the composion.
  • Non-ionic surfactants may also be present in the compositions of the invention in amounts of up to 15 % by weight.
  • Preferred non-ionic surfactants are the C 8 -C 24 primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols, ethoxylated with from 3 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
  • Particularly preferred are the C lo -C, 8 primary alcohol ethoxylates containing from 5 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide.
  • the second essential component of the compositions of the invention is an alkyl phosphoric acid, or a salt thereof, preferably mixed with a hydrocarbon oil or wax.
  • the preferred alkyl phosphoric acids have the general formula where
  • the amount of the alkyl phosphoric acid or salt thereof used in the detergent compositions can be varied widely from a minimum level of about 0.05 % up to a practical maximum of about 5, preferably about 0.1 % to about 3 % by weight. Higher levels than 5 % can be employed but this would be uneconomical and would generally not give any product advantages.
  • Suitable hydrocarbon waxes for use in the detergent compositions are water insoluble materials of either synthetic, mineral, vegetable or animal origin, which are dispersible in the detergent solutions.
  • the waxes should normally melt at a temperature between about 20°C and about 120°C, preferably not more than about 90°C and especially in the range of about 30°C to about 70°C, i.e. lower than the maximum intended wash temperatures for the detergent compositions.
  • the preferred waxes are of mineral origin, especially those derived from petroleum, including microcrystalline and oxidised microcrystalline petroleum waxes, petroleum jelly ('Vaseline') and paraffin waxes.
  • Petroleum jelly is correctly a semi-solid wax, usually having a drop melting point of about 50'C, but is for convenience here grouped with other solid waxes.
  • Synthetic waxes such as Fischer-Tropsch and oxidised Fischer-Tropsch waxes, or Montan waxes, or natural waxes such as beeswax, candelilla and carnauba waxes may be used if desired. Any of the waxes described may be used alone or in admixture with other waxes.
  • the waxes should be readily dispersible in the detergent liquor but not soluble therein, and preferably they should not have very high saponification values, e.g. not in excess of about 100.
  • Emulsifying or stabilising agents for the waxes can also be included in the detergent composition.
  • the amount of wax is normally from about 0.05 % to about 10 %, preferably about 0.1 % to about 5 % and especially about 0.5 % to about 3 % in the composition.
  • the total amount of the alkyl phosphoric acid or salt and the hydrocarbon wax is generally from about 0.2 % to about 20 % by weight of the composition, preferably about 0.5 % to about 5 % by weight.
  • the ratio of the amount of the alkyl phosphoric acid or salt to the wax can be varied widely from about 1 : 25 to about 10 : 1 parts by weight but is generally from about 1 : 20 to about 10 : 1 parts by weight, preferably from about 1 : 10 to about 1 : 1 parts by weight.
  • a hydrocarbon oil may also be present, either added separately or jointly with the wax, for example in order to facilitate addition of the wax or to modify its melting point or dispersion characteristics.
  • suitable liquid hydrocarbons are mineral, vegetable or animal oils of which colourless mineral oils are preferred. Either light or heavy mineral oil or mixtures thereof may be employed, but of course any liquid hydrocarbon used must be of low volatility at normal fabric washing temperatures.
  • other oils which could be used if desired are vegetable oils such as sesame oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, or peanut oil, or animal oils such as lanolin, neat's foot oil, bone oil, sperm oil or cod liver oil. Any such oils used should of course not be highly coloured, of strong odour or otherwise unacceptable for use in a detergent composition.
  • suds controllers may also be used in combination with the alkyl phosphoric acid-based suds controllers.
  • silicone-based controllers for example particles of granular sodium tripolyphosphate impregnated with organopolysiloxane and encapsulated in wax, or hydrophobic silica particles impregnated with an organopolysiloxane.
  • Another example, which is of particular interest, is a particle having a spherical or cylindrical core, desirably of sucrose, coated with an absorbent such as titanium dioxide which is impregnated with polysiloxane, the whole particle being coated with wax.
  • Mixtures of polysiloxanen and waxes or ethylene distearamides either alone or in admixture with waxes can also be used as auxiliary suds controllers.
  • a detergency builder will normally be included within the compositions of the invention.
  • suitable detergency builders are well-known and commercially available, examples being alkali metal, ortho-, pyro- and tripolyphosphates, alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates, alkali metal polyphosphonates, alkali metal nitrilotriacetates and the host of organic builders which have been suggested as a response to the anti- phosphate lobby, examples of which are sodium carboxymethyloxysuccinate, sodium citrate, and sodium polyacrylate.
  • detergency builders are the sodium carbonate/finely divided calcite combination, and the crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicate cation exchange materials. These builders may be used in an amount of from 5 to 80 % by weight of the composition, preferably 10 to 60 % by weight.
  • compositions of the invention may also contain oxygen bleaches such as sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate, fillers such as sodium sulphate, and moisture and minor components such as slurry hydrotropes, corrosion inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents, anti-ashing agents, anti-oxidants fluorescers and optical brighteners, enzymes, blue-whiteners and pigments and dyestuffs.
  • oxygen bleaches such as sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate
  • fillers such as sodium sulphate
  • moisture and minor components such as slurry hydrotropes, corrosion inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents, anti-ashing agents, anti-oxidants fluorescers and optical brighteners, enzymes, blue-whiteners and pigments and dyestuffs.
  • a series of spray-dried powders was produced to the following general formulation and by the following general method:
  • a suds suppressant in the form of a mixture of one part of C 16 alkyl phosphoric acid ester with three parts of petroleum jelly was sprayed onto this powder as it fell in a cascade from one conveyor belt to another. 24 parts of sodium perborate tetrahydrate were then mixed with the spray-dried powder, together with perfume.
  • the suds height of each wash liquor was measured using an arbitrary scale attached to the window of the machines. Each suds assessment was performed four times, the average suds height being quoted in the following tables, which are interpolations from a graph. The graph was produced directly from the results in the experiments.
  • Powder A containing an alkyl benzene sulphonate having substantial proportions of C 14 , C 15 and C 16 akyl groups in the composition produces over-foaming at the lower levels of suds- suppressant
  • the powders in accordance with the invention do not, and indeed, produce only a trace of suds at the higher levels of suppressant.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Emulsifying, Dispersing, Foam-Producing Or Wetting Agents (AREA)

Claims (6)

1. Waschpulver mit 5 oder mehr Gewichtsprozent wasserlöslicher Salze von Alkylbenzolsulfonaten und einem Schaumkontrollierenden Mittel, umfassend eine Alkylphosphorsäure oder ein Salz von dieser, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Gesamtgehalt an Alkylgruppen mit 14 oder mehr Kohlenstoffatomen in den Alkylbenzolsulfonaten geringer ist als 15 Gew.-% des Alkylmaterials und das schaumkontrollierende Mittel eine Alkylphosphorsäure oder ein Salz davon in Kombination mit einem Kohlenwasserstoffwachs umfaßt.
2. Waschpulver nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Gesamtgehalt an Alkylgruppen mit 14 oder mehr Kohlenstoffatomen geringer ist als 5 Gewichtsprozent des Alkylmaterials.
3. Waschpulver nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das durchschnittliche Molekulargewicht des Alkylbenzols, aus dem das Alkylbenzolsulfonat hergestellt ist, 235 bis 245 ist.
4. Waschpulver nach irgend einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Alkylbenzolsulfonat mit einem primären oder sekundären C8-C24-Alkohol, ethoxyliert mit 3 bis 25 Mol Ethylenoxid pro Mol Alkohol, kombiniert ist.
5. Waschpulver nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der ethoxylierte Alkohol ein primärer C12-C,5-Alkohol, ethoxyliert mit 5 bis 10 Mol Ethylenoxid, ist.
6. Waschpulver nach irgend einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das schaumkontrollierende Mittel eine Alkylphosphorsäure oder deren Salz in Kombination mit einem Kohlenwasserstoffwachs und einem Kohlenwasserstofföl umfaßt.
EP81305889A 1980-12-17 1981-12-15 Detergenszusammensetzung mit kontrolliertem Schaumverhalten Expired EP0054436B2 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT81305889T ATE7928T1 (de) 1980-12-17 1981-12-15 Detergenszusammensetzung mit kontrolliertem schaumverhalten.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8040446 1980-12-17
GB8040446 1980-12-17

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0054436A1 EP0054436A1 (de) 1982-06-23
EP0054436B1 EP0054436B1 (de) 1984-06-13
EP0054436B2 true EP0054436B2 (de) 1989-01-25

Family

ID=10518045

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81305889A Expired EP0054436B2 (de) 1980-12-17 1981-12-15 Detergenszusammensetzung mit kontrolliertem Schaumverhalten

Country Status (13)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0054436B2 (de)
JP (1) JPS57125299A (de)
AR (1) AR225124A1 (de)
AT (1) ATE7928T1 (de)
AU (1) AU549669B2 (de)
BR (1) BR8108146A (de)
CA (1) CA1163522A (de)
DE (1) DE3164235D1 (de)
DK (1) DK558981A (de)
FI (1) FI67400C (de)
NO (1) NO814304L (de)
NZ (1) NZ199235A (de)
ZA (1) ZA818696B (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3144470A1 (de) * 1981-11-09 1983-05-19 Unilever N.V., 3000 Rotterdam Schaumkontrollierte waschmittel
ZA833292B (en) * 1982-05-11 1984-12-24 Unilever Plc Granules containing silicone-based anti-foam and a process for preparing them
GB8619683D0 (en) * 1986-08-13 1986-09-24 Unilever Plc Particulate ingredient
JPH02113117U (de) * 1989-02-28 1990-09-11
GB2238530A (en) * 1989-10-31 1991-06-05 Grace W R & Co Antifoaming and defoaming compositions
EP2678410B1 (de) 2011-02-17 2017-09-13 The Procter and Gamble Company Zusammensetzungen mit mischungen aus c10-c13-alkylphenyl-sulfonaten

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1128330A (en) * 1965-01-08 1968-09-25 Unilever Ltd Detergent composition
NO121968C (de) * 1966-06-23 1977-06-13 Mo Och Domsjoe Ab
GB1571502A (en) * 1976-01-23 1980-07-16 Unilever Ltd Detergent compositions
ZA807664B (en) * 1979-12-14 1982-07-28 Unilever Ltd Process for making detergent compositions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0054436A1 (de) 1982-06-23
AR225124A1 (es) 1982-02-15
DE3164235D1 (en) 1984-07-19
AU7856281A (en) 1982-06-24
FI813990L (fi) 1982-06-18
NO814304L (no) 1982-06-18
BR8108146A (pt) 1982-09-28
EP0054436B1 (de) 1984-06-13
JPS57125299A (en) 1982-08-04
ZA818696B (en) 1983-07-27
AU549669B2 (en) 1986-02-06
ATE7928T1 (de) 1984-06-15
DK558981A (da) 1982-06-18
CA1163522A (en) 1984-03-13
JPS6110515B2 (de) 1986-03-29
FI67400B (fi) 1984-11-30
NZ199235A (en) 1985-02-28
FI67400C (fi) 1985-03-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4223163A (en) Process for making ethoxylated fatty alcohols with narrow polyethoxy chain distribution
US4098818A (en) Process for making carboxyalkylated alkyl polyether surfactants with narrow polyethoxy chain distribution
CA1185870A (en) Detergent compositions
US4192761A (en) Detergent compositions containing a suds regulating system
EP0008830A1 (de) Schaumunterdrückende Zusammensetzungen und sie enthaltende Reinigungsmittel
US4465613A (en) Alkyl phosphoric salt-hydrocarbon wax lather controlled detergent compositions
EP0337523B1 (de) Waschmittelpulver und Verfahren zu deren Herstellung
US4362642A (en) Alkyl phosphoric acid polyvalent salts-mineral oil lather controlled detergent compositions
IE51245B1 (en) Granular detergent compositions
EP0054436B2 (de) Detergenszusammensetzung mit kontrolliertem Schaumverhalten
EP0451893A1 (de) Teilchenförmige bleichende Detergenszusammensetzung
CA1180970A (en) Process for making controlled sudsing detergent powder
EP0266931B1 (de) Körnige Detergentien welche einen hohen Gehalt eines anionischen Tensids enthalten
EP0021830B1 (de) Schwach schäumende Reinigungsmittelzusammensetzungen
EP0030859B1 (de) Verfahren zur Herstellung von Reinigungsmittelzusammensetzungen
EP0131393A1 (de) Glycerin-Monoester-Emulgator-Systeme in Detergenszusammensetzungen für die Beseitigung von öligem Schmutz
EP0109247B1 (de) Anti-Schaum-Kohlenwasserstoff-Granulate
CA1184468A (en) Process for preparing low silicate detergent compositions
CA1121689A (en) Alkaline dishwasher detergent
EP0492679B2 (de) Waschpulver
CA1101753A (en) Low-phosphorus detergent compositions built with high- orthophosphate/low-pyrophosphate mixtures

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): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19820719

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: UNILEVER NV

Owner name: UNILEVER PLC

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: JACOBACCI & PERANI S.P.A.

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 7928

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19840615

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3164235

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19840719

ET Fr: translation filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19841231

Year of fee payment: 4

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: HENKEL KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT AUF AKTIEN, DUESSELDO

Effective date: 19850304

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: HENKEL KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT AUF AKTIEN.

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 19861212

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19871215

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19871231

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: UNILEVER N.V.

Effective date: 19871231

PUAH Patent maintained in amended form

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009272

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: PATENT MAINTAINED AS AMENDED

27A Patent maintained in amended form

Effective date: 19890125

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: JACOBACCI & PERANI S.P.A.

ET3 Fr: translation filed ** decision concerning opposition
NLR2 Nl: decision of opposition
NLR3 Nl: receipt of modified translations in the netherlands language after an opposition procedure
ITTA It: last paid annual fee
EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 81305889.8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 19961203

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19971117

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19971218

Year of fee payment: 17

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19971231

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19971231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19981216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990701

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 19990701

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20001113

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20001122

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20001129

Year of fee payment: 20

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20011214

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Effective date: 20011214

APAH Appeal reference modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO