EP0308231B1 - Vorrichtung zum Sammeln von Flüssigkeiten - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zum Sammeln von Flüssigkeiten Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0308231B1
EP0308231B1 EP88308558A EP88308558A EP0308231B1 EP 0308231 B1 EP0308231 B1 EP 0308231B1 EP 88308558 A EP88308558 A EP 88308558A EP 88308558 A EP88308558 A EP 88308558A EP 0308231 B1 EP0308231 B1 EP 0308231B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
aperture
compartment
liquid
slide valve
compartments
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP88308558A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0308231A3 (en
EP0308231A2 (de
Inventor
Charles Cullis Hinckley
Jr. Lewis Thomas Del Plato
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.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
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
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Priority to AT88308558T priority Critical patent/ATE78194T1/de
Publication of EP0308231A2 publication Critical patent/EP0308231A2/de
Publication of EP0308231A3 publication Critical patent/EP0308231A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0308231B1 publication Critical patent/EP0308231B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5025—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures for parallel transport of multiple samples
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5025—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures for parallel transport of multiple samples
    • B01L3/50255—Multi-well filtration

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a construction used to open and close vents in a liquid-collecting compartment, particularly such compartments used in assay devices.
  • vent hole is commonly provided in each of the lower compartments, to allow air to escape as liquid is entering.
  • an air lock can be created which will allow, or stop, respectively, liquid flow into the lower compartment from above. (Air cannot pass out through the filter either, once it is wetted.)
  • the stoppage of flow is appropriate to allow the liquid to incubate first at the filter, before passing down into the lower compartment, as is well-known.
  • a liquid-collecting device comprising at least one liquid-collecting compartment, means in that one compartment defining a vent aperture fluidly connecting the compartment to the atmosphere, the aperture-defining means including a portion of a wall in which the aperture is located, and closure means for shutting off the vent aperture, characterized in that a) the closure means comprise a slide valve, b) one of the slide valve and the wall portion comprises an elastomeric member, and c) there is included means for slidably mounting the slide valve and the wall portion relative to each other to move the slide valve between a first position covering the aperture and a second position which uncovers the aperture, the member being formed of an elastomer having the following properties: a durometer valve no greater than 70 Shore A, cold flow at 25°C that is between 10% and 40% lost recovery and a static coefficient of friction against polystyrene that is between 0.3 and 0.6.
  • a liquid-collecting device comprising three separate but adjacent liquid-collecting compartments, means in each of the compartments defining a vent aperture fluidly connecting each compartment to the atmospehre, the aperture-defining means including a portion of a wall in which the aperture is located, and closure means for each of the compartments for shutting off the respective aperture.
  • each of the three closure means comprises a slide valve comprising an elastomeric member and means for slidably mounting the member over the aperture to move between a first position covering the aperture and a second position in which the member uncovers the aperture, the member being formed of an elastomer having the following properties: a durometer value no greater than 70 Shore A, cold flow at 25°C that is between 10% and 40% lost recovery and a static coefficient of friction against polystyrene that is between 0.3 and 0.6.
  • a device useful in immunoassays is provided with a valve for closing the necessary vent, that is manually operable with a minimum of effort.
  • such a device is provided with a plurality of liquid-collecting compartments, each independently vented, and a slide valve that opens and closes each vent simultaneously, with a minimum of effort.
  • the invention is described herein in the context of the preferred embodiments, in which the device has three pairs of upper/lower compartments, to assay a) the patient sample, b) a positive control and c) a negative control, all more or less simultaneously.
  • aspects of the invention are useful with only a single pair of compartments, and even without the upper compartment if one simply desires control over the rate of flow into a liquid-receiving compartment.
  • the chemistries provide for an immunoassay, in which there is separately received at three filters in three compartments, a patient antigen complexed with an antigen, a positive control for the complex so formed, and a negative control for the complex so formed, respectively.
  • a device 10 constructed in accord with at least one aspect of the invention comprises, Figure 1, a frame 12 having a top surface 14, and a front edge 16. Mounted on edge 16 is a slide valve 50 in accord with the invention.
  • Top surface 14 has three wells or upper compartments 17, 18 and 19.
  • a filter 24 At the bottom of each of the compartments is a filter 24, Figures 2 and 3, of appropriate pore size and pore volume.
  • Filters 24 have an upper surface 25 and an under surface 26, Fig. 3.
  • Surface 26 is in liquid-flow contact with an absorbent material 28 that preferably occupies each of three lower compartments 30, 32 and 34, Fig. 2, paired with the upper ones.
  • liquid-flow contact means, in sufficient proximity such that a liquid meniscus emanating from surface 26 will also wet material 28 and flow into it, if no air lock exists in the lower compartment.
  • Material 28 is any bibulous material, having a sufficient pore volume to soak up about 2 cc of liquid.
  • Useful materials include cellulose acetate, cotton, and rayon.
  • Useful materials for filters 24 include polyamides, such as nylons, and for example nylon-66 microporous membranes manufactured under the tradenames BIODYNE A or ULTIPOR N-66 by Pall Corporation. Most preferably, the membranes are precoated (prior to use) with one or more water-soluble proteins, such as casein derivatives obtained from acylation, alkylation or sulfonylation of the casein.
  • the device can contain (between the filter and the absorbent material) a porous member which restricts flow back up to the filter, but allows flow from the filter to the absorbent material.
  • the filter can be treated with a water-soluble polymeric overcoat selected to provide an induction time of from about 30 to about 300 seconds of delay, for a liquid head of pressure of about 6 mm of water.
  • This treatment allows aqueous-based reagents to be coated thereafter onto the filter, and dried in less than 30 seconds, without having the reagents pass through the filter.
  • Useful examples of such polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, and carboxyethyl cellulose.
  • a liquid level indicator ridge 38 is provided in the wall 40 of each well, as a circular ring.
  • such an indicator can be one or two fragments of a ring vertically spaced on wall 40, or a vertical bar (not shown).
  • Vent aperture 44 is provided in each compartment 30, 32 and 34, Figures 2 and 3, to allow air passage out of the compartment as liquid flows in. Without such vents, or when the vent apertures are closed, an air lock precludes liquid from flowing through filter 24 into the lower compartments.
  • the vent apertures extend to a wall surface 46, Figure 4, each of which comprises the end face of a stud 47 extending from edge 16. Stud 47 is grooved at 48 and 49, Fig. 4, to slidably accommodate mating lips from valve 50, as will be apparent. There are three studs 47, one for each aperture, Figure 2.
  • stops 51 are pendent from frame 12, Figure 3, in a position interposed between material 28 and aperture 44.
  • valve 50 is provided to alternately open and close vent apertures 44.
  • Valve 50 comprises mounting member 52, and three valve seats 54, 56 and 58 that correspond to each of studs 47.
  • Lips 60, 62 are provided at the side edges of member 52, to ride in grooves 48 and 49, respectively, and to force studs 47 against the valve seats.
  • valve seats or the contacting wall surface 46 there is an elastomeric material, and in the other contacting member there is a relatively rigid material such as polystyrene.
  • the elastomeric member is preferably in the valve seats and is especially selected for durometer hardness, cold flow, and coefficient of friction that will ensure that, when the valve seats are to be slid to the side of studs 47, having been compressed by the studs an amount of about 0.15 mm, they can be slid with a force that is between about 0.15 newtons and 20 newtons. (Anything less than about 0.15 newtons will cause member 52 to slide uncontrollably under its own weight. A force in excess of 10, and certainly in excess of 20, newtons is too high for easy manual manipulation.). The most preferred range is 0.15 to 10 newtons.
  • the noted properties for the elastomeric material are preferably within the following ranges: Durometer (a measure of hardness) of no greater than about 70 Shore A, and most preferably from 55 to 65 Shore A.
  • Cold flow (a measure of loss of recovery after being deformed, also known as "compression set") of between about 10 and about 40% lost recovery when compressed at 25°C, and most preferably, 23% lost recovery.
  • a specific gravity of from 0.95 to 1.0 a tensile strength of from 45 Kg/cm2 to 70 Kg/cm2, ultimate elongation of from 300% to 400%, a 100% modulus value of from 20 to 25 Kg/cm2, a tear strength at 25°C of from 19 to 25 kN/m, a tension set of from 5 to 10%, flex fatigue to failure that is greater than 3.4 million, and a brittle point less than 60°C.
  • thermoplastic rubber available under the tradename Santoprene Neutral 201-55 and 201-64, from Monsanto Corp. These two rubbers have the following specific properties: Neutral 201-55 201-64 Hardness 55 Shore A 64 Shore A Spec.
  • seats 54, 56 and 58 are each chamfered at 70, Figure 5, to aid in sliding the seats onto studs 47.
  • studs 47 are optionally chamfered at 72, Figure 2, to aid in assembling slide valve 50 onto the studs during manufacturing.
  • stops 80 and 82 are preferably provided at edge 16. These stops cooperate with surfaces 84 and 86 on mounting member 52, Figure 5.
  • slide valve 50 is first kept in place with seats 54, 56 and 58 sealed over apertures 44, the position shown in Figures 1-4. This position prevents liquid from entering compartments 30, 32 and 34 because of the air lock. (Each lower compartment is fluidly isolated from the others.)
  • member 52 is slid to the left, Figures 1 and 2, to the position shown on studs 47 in phantom, Figure 5.
  • apertures 44 are uncovered simultaneously in this position, so that air can flow out. At the same time, any liquid on filter 24 flows into the lower compartment.
  • Filters 24 act as follows, in the preferred embodiment: In compartment 18, the patient sample's antigens, if any, complex with antibodies coated on wall 40 or added by the user, some of which are labeled, so that the complex is unable to pass through the filter. If no antigen is present, all the labeled antibodies pass through and are not available for detection. In compartment 19, antigen is supplied on the filter or on upper chamber wall 40 as manufactured, and when antibody is added by the filter, a complex forms as a positive control, and remains on the filter for detection.
  • Device 10 is not a large device, having a length for valve 50, Figure 2, and thus for the entire device, of no more than about 6.5 cm.
  • a length for valve 50, Figure 2 and thus for the entire device, of no more than about 6.5 cm.
  • the elastomeric member can comprise at least the surface portion 46 of stud 47, Figure 4, with the member 56 being formed of a relatively rigid material, for example, polystyrene. In that case, it is the surface portion 46 that is preferably compressed distance "d" when the slide valve is on the studs.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Flüssigkeits-Aufnahmevorrichtung (10) mit mindestens einer Flüssigkeits-Aufnahmezelle (17,30; 18,32; 19,34), mit in der (einer) Aufnahmezelle angeordneten Mitteln (44), die eine die Aufnahmezelle (17,30; 18,32; 19,34) mit der Atmosphäre verbindende Entlüftungsöffnung bilden, wobei die eine Öffnung bildenden Mittel (44) einen Wandabschnitt (46,47) aufweisen, in der die Öffnung (44) angeordnet ist, sowie mit Abdeckmitteln (50,52) zum Verschließen der Entlüftungsöffnung (44), dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß a) die Abdeckmittel (50,52) ein Schieberventil (54; 56; 58) aufweisen, b) daß an einem der Schieberventile (54; 56; 58) und an dem Wandabschnitt (46,47) ein nachgiebiges Element vorgesehen ist, und c) daß Mittel (48,49,60,62) vorgesehen sind, die eine Schiebeführung für das Schieberventil (54; 56; 58) mit Bezug zu dem Wandabschnitt (46,47) bilden, um das Schieberventil (52) zwischen einer ersten Stellung, in der die Öffnung (44) verschlossen ist, und einer zweiten Stellung, in der die Öffnung (44) freigegeben ist, bewegen zu können; weiterhin gekennzeichnet dadurch, daß das Element aus einem Elastomeren besteht, der folgende Eigenschaften besitzt: einen Härtewert von maximal 70 Shore A, Kaltfluß bei 25° C, der zwischen 10 und 40 % Druckverformungsrest liegt und einem statischen Reibungskoeffizienten gegenüber Polystyrol, der zwischen 0,3 und 0,6 beträgt.
  2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das elastomere Element in dem Schieberventil (54; 56; 58) angeordnet ist.
  3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung mindestens eine zusätzliche Flüssigkeits-Aufnahmezelle (17,28; 18,30; 19,32) aufweist, Mittel (44) in der (einer) zusätzlichen Zelle (17,28; 18,30; 19,32), welche eine die Zelle (17,28; 18,30; 19,32) mit der Atmosphäre verbindende Entlüftungsöffnung aufweisen, wobei die eine Öffnung bildenden Mittel (44) einen Wandabschnitt (46,47) aufweisen, in der die Öffnung (44) angeordnet ist, sowie Abdeckmittel (50,52) zum Verschließen der Entlüftungsöffnung (44); und wobei die Abdeckmittel (50,52) der zusätzlichen Zelle (17,28; 18,30; 19,32) ein Schieberventil (54; 56; 58) aufweisen, das mit dem vorgenannten Schieberventil im wesentlichen identisch ist.
  4. Flüssigkeits-Aufnahmevorrichtung (10), welche drei getrennt nebeneinander angeordnete Flüssigkeits-Aufnahmezellen (17,28; 18,30; 19,32) aufweist, Mittel (44) in jeder Zelle, die eine die Aufnahmezelle (17,28; 18,30; 19,32) mit der Atmosphäre verbindende Entlüftungsöffnung bilden, wobei die eine Öffnung bildenden Mittel (44) einen Wandabschnitt (46,47) aufweisen, in der die Öffnung angeordnet ist, sowie für jede Zelle (17,28; 18,30; 19,32) vorgesehene Abdeckmittel (50,52) zum Verschließen der jeweiligen Entlüftungsöffnung (44), dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedes der drei Abdeckmittel ein Schieberventil (54; 56; 58) aufweist, welches ein nachgiebiges Element und Mittel (48; 49; 60; 62) besitzt, die eine Schiebeführung bilden, um das Element zwischen einer ersten Stellung, in der es die Öffnung (44) verschließt, und einer zweiten Stellung, in der es die Öffnung (44) freigibt, vor der Öffnung (44) verschieben zu können, wobei das Element aus einem Elastomeren besteht, der folgende Eigenschaften besitzt:
    einen Härtewert von maximal 70 Shore A, Kaltfluß bei 25° C, der zwischen 10 und 40 % Druckverformungsrest liegt, und einen statischen Reibungskoeffizienten gegenüber Polystyrol, der zwischen 0,3 und 0,6 beträgt.
  5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung Filtermittel (24; 25; 26) für jede der Aufnahmezellen (17,30; 18,32; 19,34) aufweist, die so ausgelegt sind, daß sie jeweils ein sich zu einem Komplex mit einem Antikörper verbindendes Antigen eines Patienten sowie positive und negative Kontrollen für den vom Patienten-Antigen gebildeten Komplex aufnehmen; wobei die Vorrichtung bei einer Immunanalyse verwendet wird.
  6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schieberventile (54; 56; 58) ein gemeinsames Bauteil (52) aufweisen, wobei die Ventile (54; 56; 58) so auf dem Bauteil (52) angeordnet sind, daß sie die Öffnungen (44) gleichzeitig entweder verschließen oder freigeben, wenn das Bauteil (52) zwischen seiner ersten und zweiten Stellung verschoben wird.
  7. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in der einen oder jeder der drei Aufnahmezellen (30; 32; 34) eine wasserabsorbierende Substanz (28) vorgesehen ist.
  8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Filter (24; 25; 26) vorgesehen ist, das über der wasserabsorbierenden Substanz (28) und in Benetzungskontakt mit derselben angeordnet ist.
EP88308558A 1987-09-18 1988-09-16 Vorrichtung zum Sammeln von Flüssigkeiten Expired - Lifetime EP0308231B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88308558T ATE78194T1 (de) 1987-09-18 1988-09-16 Vorrichtung zum sammeln von fluessigkeiten.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US9824887A 1987-09-18 1987-09-18
US98248 1987-09-18

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0308231A2 EP0308231A2 (de) 1989-03-22
EP0308231A3 EP0308231A3 (en) 1989-07-19
EP0308231B1 true EP0308231B1 (de) 1992-07-15

Family

ID=22268350

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88308558A Expired - Lifetime EP0308231B1 (de) 1987-09-18 1988-09-16 Vorrichtung zum Sammeln von Flüssigkeiten

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0308231B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH021551A (de)
AT (1) ATE78194T1 (de)
CA (1) CA1302247C (de)
DE (1) DE3872811T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6439303U (de) * 1987-08-31 1989-03-09
US5147609A (en) * 1989-05-19 1992-09-15 Pb Diagnostic Systems, Inc. Assay element
CA2041050A1 (en) * 1990-10-29 1992-04-30 Kerinchan Babaoglu Batch test apparatus with adjacent negative control and patient sample rows
DE19725894A1 (de) * 1997-06-19 1998-12-24 Biotechnolog Forschung Gmbh Differentielle Vakuumkammer
WO2015008991A1 (ko) 2013-07-15 2015-01-22 주식회사 싸이토젠 슬라이드 조립체

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4246339A (en) * 1978-11-01 1981-01-20 Millipore Corporation Test device
AU2991384A (en) * 1983-06-29 1985-01-03 Precision Valve Australia Pty Limited Self sealing caps
US4632901A (en) * 1984-05-11 1986-12-30 Hybritech Incorporated Method and apparatus for immunoassays
DE3535292A1 (de) * 1985-10-03 1987-04-09 Bramlage Gmbh Geraet zur portionierten ausgabe koerniger medien, tabletten oder dergleichen
US4719085A (en) * 1985-12-24 1988-01-12 Eastman Kodak Company Mount for ammonia-sensitive test elements

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3872811D1 (de) 1992-08-20
JPH021551A (ja) 1990-01-05
EP0308231A3 (en) 1989-07-19
CA1302247C (en) 1992-06-02
EP0308231A2 (de) 1989-03-22
ATE78194T1 (de) 1992-08-15
DE3872811T2 (de) 1992-12-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0423256B1 (de) Immuntestsatz, der einen filter mit mehreren ebenen enthält
US4877586A (en) Sliding test device for assays
AU626760B2 (en) Self-metering fluid analysis device
EP0272044B1 (de) Diagnostisches Vakuum-Gerät
US8062901B2 (en) Devices and methods for sample collection and analysis
US5658801A (en) Medical test kit
US5219528A (en) Apparatus for rapid immunoassays
CA1280673C (en) Combined washer and aspirator
KR100735080B1 (ko) 면역크로마토그래피 스트립 및 이를 포함하는 키트
JPH02138870A (ja) クロマトグラフ試験装置及び該試験装置を用いてイムノアッセイを行う方法
US20090117660A1 (en) Devices and methods for sample collection and analysis
CA1302249C (en) Test device with dried reagent drops on inclined wall
EP0308231B1 (de) Vorrichtung zum Sammeln von Flüssigkeiten
US4921677A (en) Sliding valve for vent of liquid collecting compartment
US4976926A (en) Vacuum diagnostic device
KR20080040690A (ko) 분석물 검출 장치 및 방법
WO2006116917A2 (en) Devices and methods for sample collection and analysis
EP1582869B1 (de) Unterbrochene Durchfluss-Testvorrichtung und Methode für immunologische Bestätigungstests
US5401637A (en) Device for conducting diagnostic assays
JP2668815B2 (ja) 輸送採便容器
WO1991015769A1 (en) Bi-directional lateral chromatographic test methods
AU621175B2 (en) Improved dipstick device for assays
US20050009203A1 (en) Multi-drug testing device and method
EP0367383B1 (de) Lamellenventilvorrichtung mit Luftregelungsventil
ES2063267T3 (es) Dispositivo y metodo de diagnostico con flujo dirigido a traves de membranas alargadas.

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

Kind code of ref document: A2

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19890818

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19910429

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

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

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 78194

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19920815

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3872811

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19920820

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19930820

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 19930915

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19930916

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19930928

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19930930

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19931012

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19940916

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19940916

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

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19940917

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

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19940930

EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 88308558.1

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK CY (A NEW JERSEY CORP.)

Effective date: 19940930

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

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19950401

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

Effective date: 19940916

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: 19950531

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 88308558.1

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 19950913

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19950929

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19960930

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19960930

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: DE

Effective date: 19970603

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

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050916