EP0453013A1 - Tanker - Google Patents

Tanker Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0453013A1
EP0453013A1 EP91200694A EP91200694A EP0453013A1 EP 0453013 A1 EP0453013 A1 EP 0453013A1 EP 91200694 A EP91200694 A EP 91200694A EP 91200694 A EP91200694 A EP 91200694A EP 0453013 A1 EP0453013 A1 EP 0453013A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
side walls
wall
tanker
double side
cargo tank
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP91200694A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0453013B1 (en
Inventor
Michael Graham Osborne
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.)
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Original Assignee
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
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 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV filed Critical Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Publication of EP0453013A1 publication Critical patent/EP0453013A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0453013B1 publication Critical patent/EP0453013B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B25/00Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
    • B63B25/02Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods
    • B63B25/08Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B25/00Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
    • B63B25/02Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods
    • B63B25/08Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid
    • B63B25/082Arrangements for minimizing pollution by accidents
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B3/00Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
    • B63B3/14Hull parts
    • B63B3/16Shells
    • B63B3/20Shells of double type
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B3/00Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
    • B63B3/14Hull parts
    • B63B3/56Bulkheads; Bulkhead reinforcements
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B3/00Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
    • B63B3/14Hull parts
    • B63B3/62Double bottoms; Tank tops
    • B63B3/64Keelsons
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/004Contents retaining means
    • B65D90/0066Partition walls
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/02Wall construction
    • B65D90/028Wall construction hollow-walled, e.g. double-walled with spacers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tanker for carrying a bulk cargo, such as an oil.
  • double bottom constructions have the drawback that in case the bottom of a cargo tank is penetrated due to corrosion and/or erosion, oil may leak into the double bottom and generate a hazardous mixture of air and hydrocarbonaceous vapours, in case for instance oil is the cargo. Apart from the potential danger for explosion, there would be the requirement for gas detection and thorough ventilation of the double bottom before entry for routine structural inspections. Moreover, access to a double bottom also causes a problem.
  • Object of the present invention is to provide a tanker of such a construction that environmental pollution is avoided or minimized in case of wreck or other marine catastrophe with a minimum increase of cost.
  • the present invention therefore relates to a tanker for carrying a bulk cargo
  • tanker comprises a hull comprising a bottom and double side walls of which each double side wall comprises an inner wall and an outer wall and defines an inner space closed at its lower end, and at least one centre cargo tank having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls, wherein the bottom of the hull comprises the bottom wall of the cargo tank(s), the inner walls of the double side walls comprise the side walls of the cargo tank(s), and the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank(s).
  • the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank for a distance which is at least equal to B/50 wherein B represents the beam of the tanker. The likelihood that the cargo containment will be breached is then minimized.
  • the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank for a distance which is at least equal to B/15, wherein B has the meaning as indicated hereinabove.
  • the cargo tank is of such a dimension that the H1/H2 ratio is at most 1 when the tank is filled with cargo, wherein H1 represents the hydrostatic head on the bottom wall of the cargo tank due to the cargo in the tank and H2 represents the hydrostatic head on the bottom wall of the cargo tank due to the outside water.
  • H1 represents the hydrostatic head on the bottom wall of the cargo tank due to the cargo in the tank
  • H2 represents the hydrostatic head on the bottom wall of the cargo tank due to the outside water.
  • the tanker comprises transitions, preferably curved transitions, between the bottom wall of the cargo tank and the inner walls of the double side walls extending below the bottom wall of the cargo tank.
  • the hull comprises two or more double side walls whereby each inner space is closed at the front end and at the rear end.
  • the inner walls of the double side walls are the side walls of the cargo tank.
  • each double side may be arranged either parallel or at an angle to each other.
  • each double side wall is arranged parallel with respect to each other.
  • the double side walls of the tanker in accordance with the present invention may be arranged vertically or at an angle to the vertical, preferably they are arranged substantially vertical.
  • the distance between the inner and outer wall of each double side wall is at most B/5, wherein B represents the beam of the tanker.
  • the inner spaces defined by the double side walls may be empty, and after discharging the cargo from the tank(s) the inner spaces may be filled with water to function as balast tanks.
  • the double side walls are located along the complete cargo tank.
  • the inner spaces defined by the double side walls may be used either for the carriage of cargo or for the carriage of water ballast or may be left void.
  • the inner spaces and cargo tank(s) may be subdivided to any required extent, both transversely and longitudinally.
  • FIG. 1 a cross-section of a tanker in accordance with the present invention is schematically shown.
  • the tanker as depicted in Figure 1 having a beam B comprises a centre cargo tank 1 extending longitudinally for any convenient distance and having a top wall 2 and a bottom wall 3, and double side walls each comprising an inner wall 4 and an outer wall 5 and defining an inner space 6.

Abstract

Tanker for carrying a bulk cargo which tanker comprises a hull comprising a bottom and double side walls of which each double side wall comprises an inner wall and an outer wall and defines an inner space closed at its lower end, and at least one centre cargo tank having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls, wherein the bottom of the hull comprises the bottom wall of the cargo tank(s), the inner walls of the double side walls comprise the side walls of the cargo tank(s), and the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank(s).

Description

  • The present invention relates to a tanker for carrying a bulk cargo, such as an oil.
  • Nowadays there is an increasing need to construct tankers in such a way that in case of wreck or other marine catastrophe leakage of cargo and thus environmental pollution is avoided or minimized.
  • For that purpose tankers have been built in the past with double bottoms and double sides, which brought about substantial increases in the prices of tankers. Further, double bottom constructions have the drawback that in case the bottom of a cargo tank is penetrated due to corrosion and/or erosion, oil may leak into the double bottom and generate a hazardous mixture of air and hydrocarbonaceous vapours, in case for instance oil is the cargo. Apart from the potential danger for explosion, there would be the requirement for gas detection and thorough ventilation of the double bottom before entry for routine structural inspections. Moreover, access to a double bottom also causes a problem. It must be either through a manhole in the bottom of the cargo tank which despite a bolted steel cover, introduces a source of leakage, or else through a vertical shaft which is led right up to the deck. Other concerns include the maintenance of the steel structure in double bottoms, in particular preservation of the anti-corrosive coatings which are required for the prevention of corrosion.
  • Object of the present invention is to provide a tanker of such a construction that environmental pollution is avoided or minimized in case of wreck or other marine catastrophe with a minimum increase of cost.
  • The present invention therefore relates to a tanker for carrying a bulk cargo which tanker comprises a hull comprising a bottom and double side walls of which each double side wall comprises an inner wall and an outer wall and defines an inner space closed at its lower end, and at least one centre cargo tank having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls, wherein the bottom of the hull comprises the bottom wall of the cargo tank(s), the inner walls of the double side walls comprise the side walls of the cargo tank(s), and the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank(s).
  • In this way there is less likelihood that the cargo containment will be breached in the event of for instance a collision or grounding.
  • Preferably, the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank for a distance which is at least equal to B/50 wherein B represents the beam of the tanker. The likelihood that the cargo containment will be breached is then minimized.
  • More preferably, the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank for a distance which is at least equal to B/15, wherein B has the meaning as indicated hereinabove.
  • Advantageously, the cargo tank is of such a dimension that the H₁/H₂ ratio is at most 1 when the tank is filled with cargo, wherein H₁ represents the hydrostatic head on the bottom wall of the cargo tank due to the cargo in the tank and H₂ represents the hydrostatic head on the bottom wall of the cargo tank due to the outside water. Hence, in the event of the bottom wall of a cargo tank being ruptured, there will be an inflow of outside water to the cargo tank rather than an outflow of for instance oil into the outside water.
  • Suitably, the tanker comprises transitions, preferably curved transitions, between the bottom wall of the cargo tank and the inner walls of the double side walls extending below the bottom wall of the cargo tank.
  • Preferably, the hull comprises two or more double side walls whereby each inner space is closed at the front end and at the rear end.
  • Suitably, the inner walls of the double side walls are the side walls of the cargo tank.
  • The inner wall and outer wall of each double side may be arranged either parallel or at an angle to each other.
  • Advantageously, the inner and outer wall of each double side wall are arranged parallel with respect to each other.
  • Preferably, the double side walls of the tanker in accordance with the present invention may be arranged vertically or at an angle to the vertical, preferably they are arranged substantially vertical.
  • Preferably, the distance between the inner and outer wall of each double side wall is at most B/5, wherein B represents the beam of the tanker.
  • During transport of the bulk cargo the inner spaces defined by the double side walls may be empty, and after discharging the cargo from the tank(s) the inner spaces may be filled with water to function as balast tanks. Suitably, the double side walls are located along the complete cargo tank. Thus the inner spaces defined by the double side walls may be used either for the carriage of cargo or for the carriage of water ballast or may be left void.
  • The inner spaces and cargo tank(s) may be subdivided to any required extent, both transversely and longitudinally.
  • In Figure 1 a cross-section of a tanker in accordance with the present invention is schematically shown.
  • The tanker as depicted in Figure 1 having a beam B comprises a centre cargo tank 1 extending longitudinally for any convenient distance and having a top wall 2 and a bottom wall 3, and double side walls each comprising an inner wall 4 and an outer wall 5 and defining an inner space 6.

Claims (12)

  1. Tanker for carrying a bulk cargo which comprises a hull comprising a bottom and double side walls of which each double side wall comprises an inner wall and an outer wall and defines an inner space closed at its lower end, and at least one centre cargo tank having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls, wherein the bottom of the hull comprises the bottom wall of the cargo tank(s), the inner walls of the double side walls comprise the side walls of the cargo tank(s), and the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank(s).
  2. Tanker according to claim 1, wherein the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank for a distance which is at least equal to B/50 wherein B represents the beam of the tanker.
  3. Tanker according to claim 2, wherein the double side walls extend below the bottom wall of the cargo tank for a distance which is at least equal to B/15, wherein B represents the beam of the tanker.
  4. Tanker according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the cargo tank is of such a dimension that the H₁/H₂ ratio is at most 1 when the tank is filled with cargo, wherein H₁ represents the hydrostatic head on the bottom wall of the cargo tank due to the cargo in the tank and H₂ represents the hydrostatic head on the bottom wall of the cargo tank due to the outside water.
  5. Tanker according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the tanker comprises transitions between the bottom wall of the cargo tank and the inner walls of the double side walls extending below the bottom wall of the cargo tank.
  6. Tanker according to claim 5, wherein the transitions are curved.
  7. Tanker according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the inner walls of the double side walls are the side walls of the cargo tank.
  8. Tanker according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the hull comprises two or more double side walls whereby each inner space is closed at the front end and at the rear end.
  9. Tanker according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the inner wall and outer wall of each double side wall are arranged parallel with respect to each other.
  10. Tanker according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the double side walls are arranged substantially vertical.
  11. Tanker according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the distance between the inner and outer wall of each double side wall is at most B/5, wherein B represents the beam of the tanker.
  12. Tanker substantially as described hereinbefore in particular with reference to Figure 1.
EP91200694A 1990-04-04 1991-03-26 Tanker Expired - Lifetime EP0453013B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB909007564A GB9007564D0 (en) 1990-04-04 1990-04-04 Tanker
GB9007564 1990-04-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0453013A1 true EP0453013A1 (en) 1991-10-23
EP0453013B1 EP0453013B1 (en) 1994-09-07

Family

ID=10673839

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91200694A Expired - Lifetime EP0453013B1 (en) 1990-04-04 1991-03-26 Tanker

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0453013B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH04224496A (en)
KR (1) KR910018264A (en)
DE (1) DE69103802T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2062663T3 (en)
GB (1) GB9007564D0 (en)
NO (1) NO911284L (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5320056A (en) * 1992-05-04 1994-06-14 Marinzoli Carmelo L Recessed bottom tanker
GB2275025A (en) * 1993-02-10 1994-08-17 Shatawy Ahmed Ahmed El Tanker with double sided hull

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2260007A (en) * 1939-07-14 1941-10-21 Harris Hammond Marine vessel
US2348783A (en) * 1942-08-03 1944-05-16 Brunt John Marine vessel
GB2000474A (en) * 1977-06-23 1979-01-10 Conway C Improved liquid cargo tank construction
FR2408506A1 (en) * 1977-11-14 1979-06-08 Giessen De Noord Nv SHIP HULL

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5874359U (en) * 1981-11-13 1983-05-19 株式会社日立製作所 Semiconductor laser array device
JPS6315077U (en) * 1986-07-15 1988-02-01
JPS63119278A (en) * 1986-11-07 1988-05-23 Hitachi Ltd Light deflector

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2260007A (en) * 1939-07-14 1941-10-21 Harris Hammond Marine vessel
US2348783A (en) * 1942-08-03 1944-05-16 Brunt John Marine vessel
GB2000474A (en) * 1977-06-23 1979-01-10 Conway C Improved liquid cargo tank construction
FR2408506A1 (en) * 1977-11-14 1979-06-08 Giessen De Noord Nv SHIP HULL

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5320056A (en) * 1992-05-04 1994-06-14 Marinzoli Carmelo L Recessed bottom tanker
GB2275025A (en) * 1993-02-10 1994-08-17 Shatawy Ahmed Ahmed El Tanker with double sided hull
GB2275025B (en) * 1993-02-10 1996-07-03 Shatawy Ahmed Ahmed El Oil pollution preventer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2062663T3 (en) 1994-12-16
EP0453013B1 (en) 1994-09-07
DE69103802D1 (en) 1994-10-13
KR910018264A (en) 1991-11-30
NO911284L (en) 1991-10-07
GB9007564D0 (en) 1990-05-30
DE69103802T2 (en) 1995-03-23
JPH04224496A (en) 1992-08-13
NO911284D0 (en) 1991-04-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0453013A1 (en) Tanker
US5664514A (en) Tanker provided with swash type bulkheads
Jolliff Modular ship design concepts
KR100802584B1 (en) Ship having heavy fuel oil storing tank on upper deck
US5950557A (en) Installation for offshore storage of hazardous waste
Goulielmos et al. The framework protecting ports and ships from fire and pollution
WO1994018066A1 (en) Tanker
RU2293386C1 (en) Method for producing radiation-shielding packing block for placing in storage on shore
Dillon Ship Design Aspects of Oil Pollution Abatement
Böckenhauer et al. Calculation of the collision resistance of ships and its assessment for classification purposes
MEPC Amendments to the annex of the protocol of 1978 relating to the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships, 1973
Kimon et al. Segregated Ballast VLCCs: An Economic and Pollution Abatement Analysis
Varsami et al. AN ANALYSIS OF BUILDING REQUIREMENTS FOR OIL TANKERS IN ORDER TO PREVENT MARITIME ACCIDENTS
WO1991015394A1 (en) A tank arrangement
Rosochowicz et al. Ecological floating dock
No International code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (IGC code)
Devell et al. Safety analysis of sea transportation of solidified reactor wastes
Salenrederierna Sea transport of used nuclear fuel and radiactive disposals to a Swedish central store
NAVY et al. S0300-A6-MAN-020
Rodrigo de Larrucea Container Ships Safety
Sarkisov Current State and Key Problems of Nuclear Submarine Utilization in Russia
Hofmann et al. Implications of OPA 90 in general and its effect on the T-AO 187 class oilers in particular
Sprung et al. Data and methods for the assessment of the risks associated with the maritime transport of radioactive materials: Results of the SeaRAM program studies. Volume 1--Main report
John Tanker accidents: double hull is not the only viable alternative
AS GREENPEACE

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 ES FR GB GR IT NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19920304

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19930402

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB GR IT NL

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69103802

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19941013

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2062663

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19950127

Year of fee payment: 5

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GR

Ref legal event code: FG4A

Free format text: 3014161

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19950213

Year of fee payment: 5

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

Ref country code: GR

Payment date: 19950216

Year of fee payment: 5

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 19950315

Year of fee payment: 5

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19950331

Year of fee payment: 5

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19950410

Year of fee payment: 5

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

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19960326

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

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 19960327

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

Ref country code: GR

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

Effective date: 19960930

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

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19961001

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GR

Ref legal event code: MM2A

Free format text: 3014161

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

Effective date: 19960326

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

Ref country code: FR

Effective date: 19961129

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

Effective date: 19961001

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

Ref country code: DE

Effective date: 19961203

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 19990301

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

Effective date: 20050326