EP0155836B1 - Horizontal continuous casting mould - Google Patents

Horizontal continuous casting mould Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0155836B1
EP0155836B1 EP85301854A EP85301854A EP0155836B1 EP 0155836 B1 EP0155836 B1 EP 0155836B1 EP 85301854 A EP85301854 A EP 85301854A EP 85301854 A EP85301854 A EP 85301854A EP 0155836 B1 EP0155836 B1 EP 0155836B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mould
tube
housing structure
spacer
continuous casting
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
EP85301854A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0155836A3 (en
EP0155836B2 (en
EP0155836A2 (en
Inventor
Darryl Toothill
David Stonecliffe
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.)
Davy Mckee Sheffield Ltd
Original Assignee
Davy Mckee Sheffield Ltd
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=10558303&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0155836(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Davy Mckee Sheffield Ltd filed Critical Davy Mckee Sheffield Ltd
Priority to AT85301854T priority Critical patent/ATE35923T1/en
Publication of EP0155836A2 publication Critical patent/EP0155836A2/en
Publication of EP0155836A3 publication Critical patent/EP0155836A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0155836B1 publication Critical patent/EP0155836B1/en
Publication of EP0155836B2 publication Critical patent/EP0155836B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D11/00—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
    • B22D11/04—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into open-ended moulds
    • B22D11/045—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into open-ended moulds for horizontal casting

Definitions

  • the invention deals with a horizontal continuous casting mould according to the features as laid out in the preamble of claim I.
  • a horizontal continuous casting mould to consist of a mould tube, which defines the mould passage, mounted in a housing structure.
  • the housing structure provides liquid cooling for molten metal passed along the mould passage so that the molten metal begins to solidify in the mould passage and for the cross-section of the casting to be determined by the cross-section of the mould passage.
  • European Patent Application A0071580 upon which the preamble of claim 1 is based, discloses a horizontal continuous casting mould in which a mould tube is replaceably positioned within a housing structure with the longitudinal axis of the mould passage arranged to be substantially horizontal. Outside of the mould tube there is a spacer positioned in the housing structure and a duct is defined between the inside of the spacer and the outside of the mould tube. Liquid coolant is caused to flow along this duct to provide cooling for the mould tube.
  • the mould passage becomes damaged or otherwise needs replacing the mould tube can be readily withdrawn from the housing structure and a replacement tube fitted in its place.
  • a horizontal continuous casting mould comprises a housing structure; a mould tube defining a mould passage, said tube being removably mounted in the housing structure with the longitudinal axis of the mould passage disposed substantially horizontally; a spacer mounted in the housing structure, said spacer surrounding the mould tube and defining therewith a duct between the outside of the mould tube and the inside of the spacer for the passage of liquid coolant; characterised in that mould tubes of different cross-sections can be installed in the housing structure, the spacer is removably mounted in the housing structure and, for each size of mould tube, there is a different correspondingly spacer such that the cross-section of the duct between the outside of the mould tube and the inside of the spacer remains substantially the same.
  • the longitudinal axis of the mould passage is always in a fixed relation with the longitudinal axis of an opening formed in the housing structure.
  • the longitudinal axis of the mould passage is preferably held coincident with the longitudinal axis of the opening. In this way, the pass-line of the casting produced in the mould is always the same regardless of the cross-section of the casting.
  • a horizontal continuous casting mould has a housing structure 1 which is located in the casting position between the supply tundish for the molten metal and a run-out table for the casting, neither of which are shown.
  • the housing structure is mainly of fabricated metal plates and it defines a pair of chambers 3, 5 located close to the base of the housing structure.
  • the chambers are defined in part by a cylindrical tube 6 which also defines an opening 7 through the structure, the longitudinal axis of the opening being arranged substantially horizontal.
  • a tube 9 having an outwardly extending flange at one end is mounted within the opening 7.
  • a number of bolts 10 secure the tube 9 to an inwardly extending rib 13 on the tube 6 and thus form an annular enclosure 15.
  • a group of holes 17 are provided in the tube 6 and the group of holes at each end are in communication with the respective chambers 3, 5.
  • An annular spacer in the form of a tube 20 is removably mounted in the opening 7 and defines an opening 23 of reduced cross-section as compared with that of the opening 7.
  • the spacer is conveniently a push fit into the inside of the tube 9.
  • One end of the mould tube is sealed into an aperture in an end plate 31 which is removably bolted to one end of the housing structure.
  • the other end of the mould tube has an outwardly extending flange 33 which is bolted to an end plate which, in turn, is removably bolted to the other end of the housing structure.
  • the longitudinal axis of the mould passage is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the opening 7.
  • the outer surface of the mould tube is spaced apart from the spacer 20 which surrounds it to form a duct 28 between them.
  • the housing structure provides cooling for the molten metal passed through the mould tube.
  • liquid coolant usually water
  • water is supplied to the chamber 3 from where it flows out through the openings 17 atthe adjacent end of the structure into contact with the outer surface of the mould tube and the spacer.
  • Some of the water passes along the duct 28, along the length of the outside of the mould tube and through further openings 17 at the opposite end of the structure into the chamber 5, from where it flows to drain. There is, therefore, a continuous flow of cooling water in contact with the outer surface of the mould tube.
  • some of the cooling water which is supplied to the chamber 3 passes through openings in the flange 11 and into the enclosure 15 and out from the enclosure through a further outlet port 35.
  • Figure 3 shows an alternative form of the continuous casting mould in which a casting of a much smaller cross-section than that shown in Figures 1 and 2 is required.
  • the annular spacer and the mould tube shown in Figures 1 and 2 are removed with the end plates 31, 34.
  • a new spacer 41 is pushed into the tube 9 and a second mould tube 43 is located in the opening through the housing structure and held in position by new end plates 45, 47.
  • the longitudinal axis of the mould tube is still coincident with the longitudinal axis of the opening provided by the housing structure.
  • the cooling means provided in the housing remain and a large part of the water from the chamber flows along the duct 28 and into the chamber 5.
  • the cross-section of the duct in the arrangement of Figure 3 is substantially as the cross-section of the duct in the arrangements of Figures 1 and 2.
  • the horizontal continuous casting mould of this invention may incorporate electro-magnetic stirring of the molten metal passed through the mould tube.
  • the solidifying casting is withdrawn from the mould tube using a push-pull cycle withdrawal pattern and this may bring about a surface defect on the produced casting, known as a cold shut crack, a witness mark or a ghost line.
  • a surface defect on the produced casting known as a cold shut crack, a witness mark or a ghost line.
  • electric coils indicated by the broken line in Figure 2
  • the spacer 20 is of magnetically transparent material.
  • the material can be caused to give either linear or rotational stirring of the liquid core in the mould tube.
  • differential stirring intensity can be applied.along the length of the horizontal mould in orderto effect the solidification rate of the skin at any point.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Molds, Cores, And Manufacturing Methods Thereof (AREA)
  • Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Continuous Casting (AREA)

Abstract

A horizontal continuous casting mould comprises a housing structure which defines a horizontal opening through it. A mould tube defining a mould passage is removably secured in the structure such that it extends through the opening with the axis of the mould passage horizontal and the structure provides means by which cooling water is applied to the outside of the mould tube.

Description

  • The invention deals with a horizontal continuous casting mould according to the features as laid out in the preamble of claim I.
  • It is well known for a horizontal continuous casting mould to consist of a mould tube, which defines the mould passage, mounted in a housing structure. The housing structure provides liquid cooling for molten metal passed along the mould passage so that the molten metal begins to solidify in the mould passage and for the cross-section of the casting to be determined by the cross-section of the mould passage.
  • European Patent Application A0071580, upon which the preamble of claim 1 is based, discloses a horizontal continuous casting mould in which a mould tube is replaceably positioned within a housing structure with the longitudinal axis of the mould passage arranged to be substantially horizontal. Outside of the mould tube there is a spacer positioned in the housing structure and a duct is defined between the inside of the spacer and the outside of the mould tube. Liquid coolant is caused to flow along this duct to provide cooling for the mould tube. Clearly, when the mould passage becomes damaged or otherwise needs replacing the mould tube can be readily withdrawn from the housing structure and a replacement tube fitted in its place.
  • If, however, the cross-section of the desired casting is to be changed, then a different mould tube has to be provided and, if mould tubes of different cross-section are employed in the housing structure with a fixed spacer, then the cross-section of the duct surrounding the mould will vary. It is most important, however, that a predetermined flow of liquid coolant takes place along the duct whatever the size of the mould tube and consequently, if the cross-section of the duct is allowed to change, then the predetermined flow of liquid coolant does not occur.
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide a horizontal continuous casting mould in which this difficulty is overcome.
  • According to the present invention, a horizontal continuous casting mould comprises a housing structure; a mould tube defining a mould passage, said tube being removably mounted in the housing structure with the longitudinal axis of the mould passage disposed substantially horizontally; a spacer mounted in the housing structure, said spacer surrounding the mould tube and defining therewith a duct between the outside of the mould tube and the inside of the spacer for the passage of liquid coolant; characterised in that mould tubes of different cross-sections can be installed in the housing structure, the spacer is removably mounted in the housing structure and, for each size of mould tube, there is a different correspondingly spacer such that the cross-section of the duct between the outside of the mould tube and the inside of the spacer remains substantially the same.
  • By changing the annular spacer each time the size of the mould tube is changed, then the cross-section of the annular duct between the spacer and the mould tube can be kept at the predetermined value and the cooling of the mould tube remains satisfactory.
  • It is desirable that the longitudinal axis of the mould passage is always in a fixed relation with the longitudinal axis of an opening formed in the housing structure. The longitudinal axis of the mould passage is preferably held coincident with the longitudinal axis of the opening. In this way, the pass-line of the casting produced in the mould is always the same regardless of the cross-section of the casting.
  • In order that the invention may be more readily understood, it will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
    • Figure 1 is a front view, partly in section, of a continuous casting mould in accordance with the present invention;
    • Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and
    • Figure 3 is an alternative section on the line 2-2. of Figure 1.
  • A horizontal continuous casting mould has a housing structure 1 which is located in the casting position between the supply tundish for the molten metal and a run-out table for the casting, neither of which are shown.
  • The housing structure is mainly of fabricated metal plates and it defines a pair of chambers 3, 5 located close to the base of the housing structure. The chambers are defined in part by a cylindrical tube 6 which also defines an opening 7 through the structure, the longitudinal axis of the opening being arranged substantially horizontal. A tube 9 having an outwardly extending flange at one end is mounted within the opening 7. A number of bolts 10 secure the tube 9 to an inwardly extending rib 13 on the tube 6 and thus form an annular enclosure 15. At each end of the structure, a group of holes 17 are provided in the tube 6 and the group of holes at each end are in communication with the respective chambers 3, 5.
  • An annular spacer in the form of a tube 20 is removably mounted in the opening 7 and defines an opening 23 of reduced cross-section as compared with that of the opening 7. The spacer is conveniently a push fit into the inside of the tube 9. A mould tube 25, conveniently of copper alloy, defines a mould passage 27 of the cross-section of the required casting. One end of the mould tube is sealed into an aperture in an end plate 31 which is removably bolted to one end of the housing structure. The other end of the mould tube has an outwardly extending flange 33 which is bolted to an end plate which, in turn, is removably bolted to the other end of the housing structure.
  • In the correct position of the mould tube, the longitudinal axis of the mould passage is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the opening 7.
  • The outer surface of the mould tube is spaced apart from the spacer 20 which surrounds it to form a duct 28 between them.
  • The housing structure provides cooling for the molten metal passed through the mould tube. To this end, liquid coolant, usually water, is supplied to the chamber 3 from where it flows out through the openings 17 atthe adjacent end of the structure into contact with the outer surface of the mould tube and the spacer. Some of the water passes along the duct 28, along the length of the outside of the mould tube and through further openings 17 at the opposite end of the structure into the chamber 5, from where it flows to drain. There is, therefore, a continuous flow of cooling water in contact with the outer surface of the mould tube. In addition, some of the cooling water which is supplied to the chamber 3 passes through openings in the flange 11 and into the enclosure 15 and out from the enclosure through a further outlet port 35.
  • It is most desirable that a predetermined flow of liquid coolant along the duct 28 takes place whatever the size of the mould tube. To this end, therefore, it is necessary to keep the cross-section of the duct 28 at a predetermined value. For each mould tube, therefore, an appropriately sized annular spacer is always provided so that the two together define a duct of the predetermined cross-section.
  • Figure 3 shows an alternative form of the continuous casting mould in which a casting of a much smaller cross-section than that shown in Figures 1 and 2 is required. To this end. the annular spacer and the mould tube shown in Figures 1 and 2 are removed with the end plates 31, 34. A new spacer 41 is pushed into the tube 9 and a second mould tube 43 is located in the opening through the housing structure and held in position by new end plates 45, 47. The longitudinal axis of the mould tube is still coincident with the longitudinal axis of the opening provided by the housing structure. The cooling means provided in the housing remain and a large part of the water from the chamber flows along the duct 28 and into the chamber 5. It will be noticed that the cross-section of the duct in the arrangement of Figure 3 is substantially as the cross-section of the duct in the arrangements of Figures 1 and 2.
  • It is important that the lowest part of all the castings produced in the mould remains level with the upper surfaces of the rolls of the roller table and, to this end, the mould can be raised or lowered with respect to the roller table.
  • The horizontal continuous casting mould of this invention may incorporate electro-magnetic stirring of the molten metal passed through the mould tube. In horizontal continuous casting, the solidifying casting is withdrawn from the mould tube using a push-pull cycle withdrawal pattern and this may bring about a surface defect on the produced casting, known as a cold shut crack, a witness mark or a ghost line. By causing the molten metal in the mould tube to be stirred as part of it is solidified, the surface defects referred to above can be reduced. To this end, electric coils, indicated by the broken line in Figure 2, can be positioned in the enclosure 15. The spacer 20 is of magnetically transparent material. When these coils are energised with alternating current, the material can be caused to give either linear or rotational stirring of the liquid core in the mould tube. Alternatively, differential stirring intensity can be applied.along the length of the horizontal mould in orderto effect the solidification rate of the skin at any point.

Claims (5)

1. A horizontal continuous casting mould comprising a housing structure (1);
a mould tube (25) defining a mould passage (27), said tube being removably mounted in the housing structure with the longitudinal axis of the mould passage disposed substantially horizontally;
a spacer (20) mounted in the housing structure, said spacer surrounding the mould tube and defining therewith a duct (28) between the outside of the mould tube and the inside of the spacer for the passage of liquid coolant;

characterised in that mould tubes (25, 43) of different cross-sections can be installed in' the housing structure (1), the spacer (20, 41) is removably mounted in the housing structure (1) and, for each size of mould tube, there is a different correspondingly sized spacer such that the cross-section of the duct (28) between the outside of the mould tube and the inside of the spacer remains substantially the same.
2. A horizontal continuous casting mould as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the mould tube is supported by a pair of end plates (31, 34) removably secured to the housing structure (1).
3. A horizontal continuous casting mould as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the housing structure defines a pair of chambers (35) which are in communication with respective ends of the duct (28) and liquid coolant is forced from one chamber along the duct to the other chamber.
4. A horizontal continuous casting mould as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3, characterised in that the housing structure defines an annular enclosure (15) outside of and surrounding the spacer, said enclosure containing a coil for electro-magnetic stirring of molten metal passed along the mould passage.
5. A horizontal continuous casting mould as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that provision is made for passing liquid coolant through said enclosure (15).
EP85301854A 1984-03-19 1985-03-18 Horizontal continuous casting mould Expired - Lifetime EP0155836B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT85301854T ATE35923T1 (en) 1984-03-19 1985-03-18 MOLD FOR HORIZONTAL CONTINUOUS CASTING.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8407072 1984-03-19
GB848407072A GB8407072D0 (en) 1984-03-19 1984-03-19 Horizontal continuous casting moulds

Publications (4)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0155836A2 EP0155836A2 (en) 1985-09-25
EP0155836A3 EP0155836A3 (en) 1986-05-14
EP0155836B1 true EP0155836B1 (en) 1988-07-27
EP0155836B2 EP0155836B2 (en) 1993-01-20

Family

ID=10558303

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85301854A Expired - Lifetime EP0155836B2 (en) 1984-03-19 1985-03-18 Horizontal continuous casting mould

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0155836B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE35923T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3563920D1 (en)
GB (1) GB8407072D0 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4799533A (en) * 1986-06-20 1989-01-24 Steel Casting Engineering, Ltd. Horizontal continuous casting mold
US4714103A (en) * 1986-10-10 1987-12-22 Mannesmann Demag Corporation Continuous casting mold

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3321008A (en) * 1963-10-18 1967-05-23 M E A Inc Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal
US3730257A (en) * 1971-06-24 1973-05-01 Koppers Co Inc Continuous casting sleeve mold
IT1146499B (en) * 1981-07-30 1986-11-12 Danieli Off Mecc LINGOTTIERA WITH TUBULAR CRYSTALLIZER

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0155836A3 (en) 1986-05-14
EP0155836B2 (en) 1993-01-20
ATE35923T1 (en) 1988-08-15
EP0155836A2 (en) 1985-09-25
DE3563920D1 (en) 1988-09-01
GB8407072D0 (en) 1984-04-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU655403B2 (en) Sidewall containment of liquid metal with horizontal alternating magnetic fields
US3741280A (en) Mould for the production of metal ingots
US4239078A (en) Cooled continuous casting mould
US3888300A (en) Apparatus for the continuous casting of metals and the like under vacuum
EP0117115B1 (en) Electromagnetic stirring mold for continuously cast blooms
US3527287A (en) Continuous-casting mold assembly
EP0165316B1 (en) Electromagnetic stirring apparatus for continuous casting machine
EP0155836B2 (en) Horizontal continuous casting mould
CA2284190A1 (en) Improved continuous casting mold and method
CA1277120C (en) Vertical or bow type continuous casting machine for steel
RU2249493C2 (en) Machine for continuous horizontal casting of metal
CA1174827A (en) Electromagnetic stirring unit for continuous steel casting mould
SK45298A3 (en) Equipment for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metals
EP0068320B1 (en) Electromagnetic stirring method and device for double casting type continuous casting apparatus
EP0153086B1 (en) Induction stirrer/continuous casting mould assembly
RU2152286C1 (en) Mould for ingot casting
US3667538A (en) Cooling system for continuous casting installations
GB2276574A (en) Installation for the continuous casting of metals including an orifice plate
KR0123141Y1 (en) Molten steel surface oxidation prevention device in twin roll type sheet casting machine
KR840001657Y1 (en) Electronic stirring unit for continuous cast steel mold
SU745590A1 (en) Apparatus for crystallizing metals
JPS6328701B2 (en)
CA1104787A (en) Apparatus for continuous and semi-continuous casting of metal
KR100329595B1 (en) Separate Core for Control The Generate Magnetic Field
JP3343387B2 (en) Roll continuous casting equipment

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 LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19861113

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19870427

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

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

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

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19880727

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19880727

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19880727

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19880727

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19880727

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 35923

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19880815

Kind code of ref document: T

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3563920

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19880901

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 19890331

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: VOEST ALPINE INDUSTRIEANLAGEN GES.M.B.H.

Effective date: 19890413

ITTA It: last paid annual fee
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: 19930120

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B2

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

ET3 Fr: translation filed ** decision concerning opposition
ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19980327

Year of fee payment: 14

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

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 19980330

Year of fee payment: 14

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19980331

Year of fee payment: 14

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19990316

Year of fee payment: 15

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

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 19990318

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

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 19991130

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: DE

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

Effective date: 20000101

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20000318

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20000318

APAH Appeal reference modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO