EP0314898B2 - Zündelement für elektrische Zündsysteme - Google Patents

Zündelement für elektrische Zündsysteme Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0314898B2
EP0314898B2 EP19880114625 EP88114625A EP0314898B2 EP 0314898 B2 EP0314898 B2 EP 0314898B2 EP 19880114625 EP19880114625 EP 19880114625 EP 88114625 A EP88114625 A EP 88114625A EP 0314898 B2 EP0314898 B2 EP 0314898B2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
igniter
heating element
terminals
terminal
insulating board
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
EP19880114625
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0314898B1 (de
EP0314898A1 (de
Inventor
Hirokazu Kobari
Hitoshi 78 Oaza Toyochi Aza Namiki Hasegawa
Junichi Kishimoto
Nakaba Nakamura
Akihiko Tamura
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.)
Susumu Co Ltd
Nippon Koki Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Susumu Co Ltd
Nippon Koki Co 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=16908240&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0314898(B2) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Susumu Co Ltd, Nippon Koki Co Ltd filed Critical Susumu Co Ltd
Publication of EP0314898A1 publication Critical patent/EP0314898A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0314898B1 publication Critical patent/EP0314898B1/de
Publication of EP0314898B2 publication Critical patent/EP0314898B2/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42BEXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B3/00Blasting cartridges, i.e. case and explosive
    • F42B3/10Initiators therefor
    • F42B3/12Bridge initiators
    • F42B3/124Bridge initiators characterised by the configuration or material of the bridge

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an igniter for electric ignition systems used for electric detonators and automotive air bag gas generators.
  • the conventional type of igniter for electric ignition systems used for the above-mentioned application is made up of two lead wires 11, with their ends functioning as a pair of terminals 13, and a heating element 15 disposed between the paired terminals 13, as shown in Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings.
  • the heating element 15 is a fine platinum wire or nichrome wire having a high electric resistance, and it is bonded and connected to the terminals 13 with solder or electrically conductive adhesive 17.
  • this type of igniter for electric ignition systems 18 permits an electric current to flow through the high-resistance heating element 15 via the conductors 11 of the lead wires and the terminals 13, generating heat in the heating element 15 as the result of conversion from electric energy into thermal energy.
  • the above-mentioned conventional type of igniter for electric ignition systems 18 may be used for an electric detonator, i.e. an electric ignition system as shown in Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings, in which the reference numeral 19 denotes two lead wires to supply an electric current. Between the ends of the conductors 11 of the lead wires 19 is disposed the igniter for electric ignition systems 18. Around the igniter for electric ignition systems 18 is disposed the priming charge 21. On the priming charge 21 is disposed the blasting powder 23. The lead wires 19 and the priming charge 21 are surrounded by the insulation resin 25 and 26, respectively, which prevent the priming charge 21 from being ignited by static electricity. When triggered, the electric detonator mentioned above permits an electric current to flow through the lead wires 19 and the igniter for electric ignition systems 18. The electric current generates thermal energy which ignites the priming charge 21 which, in turn, explodes the blasting powder 23.
  • the safety air bag is inflated by a pyrotechnic gas generator.
  • the igniter 18 for the gas generator is required to have a high reliability so that it never works when the car is in the normal state but generates a gas instantaneously for the reduction of shocks to the driver in the event of an accident.
  • this reliability is achieved by providing the igniter 18 with two or three heating elements 15 arranged in parallel so that ignition takes place certainly even in the case where one of the heating elements 15 is disconnected from the terminal 13.
  • the conventional igniter 18 mentioned above has a disadvantage that there is no way to confirm that the fine heating element 15 is firmly connected to the terminal 13 of the lead wire 19 because the connection is made with adhesive or solder. It has another disadvantage that there is a possibility that the heating element 15 is disconnected from the terminal 13 while the air bag is left unused for a long period of time in an environment where there are considerable temperature changes, vibrations and shocks. With the heating element disconnected, the igniter does not work.
  • the igniter 18 For the conventional igniter 18 to be highly reliable it is necessary that the igniter 18 be provided with two or three heating elements arranged in parallel. This creates difficulties of making the fine heating elements uniform in resistance and igniting performance.
  • an igniter comprising a heat element which has a rectangular shape when presented in a top plan view.
  • the cross-section of the heating element is constant over the whole length of the element connecting the terminals.
  • AD igniter according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A-3 420 174 and comprises an electric heating element deposited on the surface of a heat sink, said heat sink being so arranged as to have a good thermal contact with all parts of the heating element, and electrical leads which conduct electric current to the heating element in the form of a thin film bridge.
  • the leads are moulded or cemented into the heat sink. The ends of the two leads are made flush with the surface of the heat sink so that the thin film bridge may be deposited on the heat sink surface and may also make electrical contact with the leads.
  • the shape of the igniter of the present invention is made under the necessity of securing reliability.
  • the shape of the heating part according to the invention permits a smaller mass of the heating element and an efficient generation of thermal energy.
  • the heating element is covered with a protective coating film made of an inorganic material to ensure good heat conduction and to maintain the initial performance over a long period of time.
  • Fig. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of the igniter for electric ignition systems pertaining to the present invention.
  • the reference numeral 31 denotes a rectangular thin insulating board, about 0.6 mm thick, made of ceramics. This thin insulating board may be replaced by an insulation layer formed on a glass plate or metal plate.
  • the terminals 33 and the heating elements 35 are integrally made of metal thin film.
  • Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the igniter 36 taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1.
  • the thin insulating board 31 and the terminals 33 and heating elements 35 of nichrome, tantalum nitride, or other metal thin film formed thereon.
  • the terminals 33 and heating elements 35 may be of single-layered structure or multiple-layered structure 37,39.
  • the igniter 36 When triggered, the igniter 36 constructed as mentioned above permits an electric current to flow through the terminals 33 and heating elements 35, generating heat in the heating elements 35.
  • the igniter for electric ignition systems mentioned above is produced in the following manner.
  • the thin insulating board 31 of ceramics is entirely coated with metal thin film, 500 to 5000 ⁇ thick, by the sputtering method or vacuum deposition method.
  • the metal thin film is subjected to photo-etching to remove the unnecessary part indicated by the chain line in Fig. 2.
  • the terminals 33 and heating elements 35 of metal thin film are integrally formed as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the igniter for electric ignition systems 36 constructed as mentioned above differs from the conventional one in that it is not necessary to bond the fine heating element 15 to the terminals 13 of lead wires with solder or electrically conductive adhesive as shown in Fig. 8.
  • the terminals 33 and heating elements 35 are integrally formed on the thin insulating board 31. Therefore, the heating element 35 works certainly to generate heat even in a severe environment. This leads to the reliability of the igniter for electric ignition systems 36.
  • Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the igniter for electric ignition systems pertaining to the present invention which is applied to the air bag gas generator.
  • the reference numeral 41 indicates the lead wire for an electric current.
  • the lead wire 41 is made up of the conductor 43, which is a tin-plated soft copper wire, and the covering 44 of crosslinked polyethylene.
  • the end of the conductor 43 of the lead wire 41 is connected to the solderless terminal 47 of oxygene-free copper having the projecting part 45.
  • the solderless terminal 47 and the lead wire 41 are fixed to the plug proper 49 made of insulating resin such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and Ryton.
  • the plug proper 49 is composed of two split parts as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the part 51 to hold the solderless terminal has the projection 55 for pressing, and the part 53 to hold the lead wire has the projection 56 for pressing.
  • the projection 55 presses the projecting part 45 of the solderless terminal 47 in place and the projection 56 presses the lead wire 41 in place.
  • one half is provided with the semi-cylindrical fitting piece 57 and the other half, the hole (not shown) to receive the fitting piece 57.
  • each half is provided the V-shaped rib 58 on one side thereof.
  • the upper part of the joined plug proper 49 is provided with the fitting cap 59 made of an insulating resin such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and Ryton.
  • the plug assembly composed of the plug proper 49 and the cap 59 is protected by the plug case 61 made of aluminum, iron, or stainless steel.
  • the above-mentioned igniter 36 At the center 63 of the plug assembly is disposed the above-mentioned igniter 36.
  • On the thin insulating board 31 of the igniter 36 are integrally formed the terminal 33 and heating element 35 by deposition.
  • the terminal 33 is fixed to the center 63 of the plug assembly by bending the end of the projecting piece 45 of the solderless terminal 47.
  • the end of the projecting piece 45 is bonded to the terminal 33 with solder 65.
  • the igniter 36 is firmly bonded to the center 63 of the plug with an epoxy adhesive.
  • the top of the heating element 35 is covered with the protective coating film 67, about 3 »m thick, made of inorganic thin film such as silicon oxide and silicon nitride, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
  • the protective coating film 67 of desired shape as shown in Fig. 5 is formed by deposition through plasma reaction or the like and then dry etching with a gas.
  • the protective film 67 controls the ignition time according to its thickness. Experimental results indicate that the thicker the protective coating 67, the longer the ignition time as shown in Fig. 7.
  • the upper part of the plug proper 49 is filled with the priming charge 69 such as tricinate, lead rhodanide and potassium chlorate, diazonitrophenol, and barium styphnate.
  • the priming charge 69 is on the protective coating film 67.
  • the igniter 36 constructed as mentioned above is installed in the ignition system for the air bag gas generator. When triggered, the igniter permits an electric current to flow through the conductor 43 of the lead wire 41, the solderless terminal 47, the terminal 33, and the heating element 35 having a smaller surface area. The electric current generates heat in the heating element 35. The heat ignites the priming charge 69 placed on the heating element 35, and the priming charge 69 melts the top of the cap 59 and ignites the blasting powder (not shown). The blasting powder generates a gas to inflate the air bag instantaneously.
  • the air bag ignition system constructed as mentioned above has many advantages as follows:
  • the cap 59 fitting to the plug proper 49 keeps the priming charge 69 in the plug proper 49 and prevents spark discharge which is otherwise induced between the solderless terminal 47 and the plug case 61 by static electricity.
  • the lead wire 41 and the solderless terminal 47 are protected from being pulled out or bent, because the lead wire 41 is pressed in place by the pressing projection 56 formed in the lead wire holder 53 and the projecting piece 45 of the solderless terminal 47 is pressed in place by the pressing projection 55 formed in the solderless terminal holder 51.
  • the protective coating film 67 separates the heating element 35 from the priming charge 69, thereby protecting the heating element 35 from corrosion, breakage, and change in resistance which would otherwise occur when the priming charge 69 deteriorates. It is possible to properly change the thickness of the protective coating film 67, the surface area and material of the heating element 35, and the kind of the priming charge 69 according to the desired performance of the igniter 36. This contributes to the high safety and reliability even in a severe environment.
  • the igniter 36 is fixed by bending the end of the projecting piece 45 of the solderless terminal 47 and the projecting piece 45 is fixed to the terminal 33 on the thin insulating board 31 with solder. This connecting method is easier and certainer than the conventional direct connecting method, and contributes to high safety and reliability even in a severe environment.
  • the lead wire 41 is connected to the igniter 36 through the solderless terminal 47.
  • the conductor 43 of the lead wire 41 may be connected directly to the terminal 33 of the igniter 36 without the solderless terminal 47.
  • the igniter for electric ignition systems pertaining to the present invention may be used for electric detonators and firearms as well as the gas generating system to inflate an air bag.
  • the igniter for electric ignition systems pertaining to the present invention has the heating element which is narrower than the part adjoining the terminal 33 so that the heating element generates a prescribed amount of heat.
  • the number of the heating elements may be one or two or more according to the object, although it is two in the above-mentioned example.
  • the heating element as shown in Fig. 1 is used for the ignition system in which the heating element is not subject to peeling and corrosion, and the heating element as shown in Fig. 5 is used for the ignition system in which the heating element is subject to peeling and corrosion.
  • the igniter of the present invention is made up of integrally formed terminals and heating elements of metal thin film. Therefore, it maintains its stable ignition performance, high safety, and high reliability over a long period of time even in a severe environment.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Zündelement für elektrische Zündsysteme, mit zwei Polen (33), die vollständig aus einem dünnen Metallüberzug gebildet und in einem bestimmten Abstand voneinander angeordnet sind, und
    mit wenigstens einem Heizelement (35) aus einem dünnen Metallüberzug, das die genannten Pole (33) zur Bildung einer Einheit verbindet und so geformt ist, daß der Mittelteil schmaler als der jeden Pol (33) verbindende Teil ist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    die zwei Pole (33)
    - vollständig auf der Oberfläche einer dünnen Isolierplatte (31) angeordnet sind; und
    - an der Mitte (63) einer Steckeranordnung dadurch befestigt sind, daß das Ende eines vorstehenden Stücks (45) eines lötfreien Pols (47) umgebogen und mit dem Pol (33) mittels Lötmittel (65) verbunden ist.
  2. Zündelement nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der dünne Metallüberzug auf einer dünnen Isolierplatte (31) durch Zerstäuben, Vakuumbeschichten o. dgl. ausgebildet ist.
  3. Zündelement nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die dünne Isolierplatte (31) eine Keramikplatte, Glasplatte oder eine Metallplatte mit einer auf der Oberfläche vorhandenen Isolierschicht ist.
  4. Zündelement nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Heizelement (35) mit einer Schutzschicht (67) aus einem anorganischen dünnen Film bedeckt ist.
  5. Zündelement nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schutzschicht (67) auf der dünnen isolierplatte (31) einschließlich des Heizelementes (35) mittels des Plasma-Reaktionsverfahrens ausgebildet worden ist.
  6. Zündelement nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schutzschicht (67) aus Siliziumoxyd oder Siliziumnitrid (Si₃N₄) besteht.
EP19880114625 1987-09-14 1988-09-07 Zündelement für elektrische Zündsysteme Expired - Lifetime EP0314898B2 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP62230463A JPH0792358B2 (ja) 1987-09-14 1987-09-14 電気式点火装置用点火器
JP230463/87 1987-09-14

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0314898A1 EP0314898A1 (de) 1989-05-10
EP0314898B1 EP0314898B1 (de) 1992-07-01
EP0314898B2 true EP0314898B2 (de) 1995-07-05

Family

ID=16908240

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19880114625 Expired - Lifetime EP0314898B2 (de) 1987-09-14 1988-09-07 Zündelement für elektrische Zündsysteme

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0314898B2 (de)
JP (1) JPH0792358B2 (de)
CA (1) CA1319962C (de)
DE (1) DE3872485T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9027203D0 (en) * 1990-12-14 1991-04-24 Eev Ltd Firing arrangements
DE4113319A1 (de) * 1991-04-24 1992-10-29 Dynamit Nobel Ag Bruecken-zuendmittel
US5320382A (en) * 1991-05-31 1994-06-14 Gt-Devices Pulsed pressure source particularly adapted for vehicle occupant air bag restraint systems
JP2559665Y2 (ja) * 1992-05-22 1998-01-19 センサー・テクノロジー株式会社 ガス発生器の点火装置
CA2103510A1 (en) * 1992-09-11 1994-03-12 Morton International Inc. Printed circuit bridge for an airbag inflator
EP0648650A4 (de) * 1993-05-10 1997-12-10 Nippon Koki Kk ELEKTRISCHE ZÜNDVORRICHTUNG FüR EINE GASGENERATORVORRICHTUNG.
US5728964A (en) * 1993-10-20 1998-03-17 Quantic Industries, Inc. Electrical initiator
DE19802432A1 (de) * 1998-01-23 1999-08-26 Diehl Stiftung & Co Detonator
DE19815928C2 (de) * 1998-04-09 2000-05-11 Daimler Chrysler Ag Halbleiterzünder mit verbesserter konstruktiver Festigkeit
JP2971439B2 (ja) 1998-04-21 1999-11-08 東芝ホクト電子株式会社 着火装置およびその製造方法
JP3175051B2 (ja) * 1999-10-14 2001-06-11 昭和金属工業株式会社 電気発火式イニシエータ
WO2002057705A2 (en) * 2001-01-22 2002-07-25 Smi Technology (Pty) Limited An initiating device for an electronic detonator
DE10116189A1 (de) * 2001-03-31 2002-10-10 Bosch Gmbh Robert Brückenzünder
JP4902542B2 (ja) * 2005-09-07 2012-03-21 日本化薬株式会社 半導体ブリッジ、点火具、及びガス発生器
CN114623736B (zh) * 2022-03-08 2025-09-09 四川华川工业股份有限公司 一种非致命枪弹电发火装置
JP2025175902A (ja) * 2024-05-20 2025-12-03 日本化薬株式会社 ガス発生器

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3420174A (en) 1967-09-29 1969-01-07 Us Navy Pulse sensitive electro-explosive device
JPS582699B2 (ja) * 1979-07-31 1983-01-18 工業技術院長 火薬類の発火及び起爆用点火具
SE434191B (sv) * 1980-05-27 1984-07-09 Bofors Ab Eltenddon, foretredesvis for artilleriammunition
DE3416735A1 (de) * 1984-05-07 1985-11-07 Dynamit Nobel Ag, 5210 Troisdorf Elektrisches zuendelement
DE3606364A1 (de) 1986-02-27 1987-09-03 Dynamit Nobel Ag Elektrischer zuendbrueckentraeger zur anzuendung von anzuendsaetzen, verzoegerungssaetzen und pyrotechnischen mischungen sowie zur zuendung von primaerzuendstoffen und -saetzen und verfahren zu seiner herstellung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0792358B2 (ja) 1995-10-09
EP0314898B1 (de) 1992-07-01
DE3872485D1 (de) 1992-08-06
JPS6475896A (en) 1989-03-22
CA1319962C (en) 1993-07-06
EP0314898A1 (de) 1989-05-10
DE3872485T2 (de) 1995-09-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0314898B2 (de) Zündelement für elektrische Zündsysteme
EP0279796B1 (de) Detonator
US5728964A (en) Electrical initiator
EP0029672B1 (de) Elektrischer Sicherheits-Initialzünder
US6772692B2 (en) Electro-explosive device with laminate bridge
JP3136144B2 (ja) 電気式火薬用起爆装置および起爆システム
US5113764A (en) Semiconductor bridge (SCB) packaging system
US5029529A (en) Semiconductor bridge (SCB) packaging system
KR20000058078A (ko) 점화 신뢰성이 향상된 일렉트로파이로테크닉 점화기
US5254838A (en) Igniter for electric ignition systems
US20090044715A1 (en) Metal/fixing-means base or socket for ignition devices for airbags or similar personal safety systems, in particular in motor vehicles and ignition device with such a base
JP2003523881A (ja) 起動回路を有する起爆装置組立品
KR20010110110A (ko) 작동 에너지가 매우 낮은 박막 브리지 전자식 화약 기폭장치
EP1092938B1 (de) Elektrischer Brückenzünder
JP2004077117A (ja) 半導体ブリッジダイ、半導体ブリッジ起爆装置および半導体ブリッジダイの製造方法
EP2932186B1 (de) Elektro-pyrotechnischer miniaturzünder und zugehöriger zündkopf
EP1113241A1 (de) Titanium Halbleiterbrückenzünder
WO1998025100A1 (en) Ceramic substrate electric igniter with nitrided tantalum bridge
KR100722721B1 (ko) 라미네이트 브릿지를 갖는 전기 기폭 장치
JP3342850B2 (ja) イグナイタおよびヘッダ組立体
JP4002701B2 (ja) イグナイタ塞栓
HK1056390B (en) Electro-explosive device with laminate bridge and method of fabricating said bridge

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: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19890609

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19901221

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): DE FR GB IT SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3872485

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19920806

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: DYNAMIT NOBEL AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Effective date: 19930316

EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 88114625.2

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

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
27A Patent maintained in amended form

Effective date: 19950705

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B2

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19960731

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19960731

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19960812

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19961121

Year of fee payment: 9

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: 19970907

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: 19970908

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

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19970930

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

Effective date: 19970907

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: 19980603

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 88114625.2

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: 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: 20050907