EP0463658A1 - Fermeture intégrale du type distributeur à obturation automatique pour un tube - Google Patents

Fermeture intégrale du type distributeur à obturation automatique pour un tube Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0463658A1
EP0463658A1 EP91201306A EP91201306A EP0463658A1 EP 0463658 A1 EP0463658 A1 EP 0463658A1 EP 91201306 A EP91201306 A EP 91201306A EP 91201306 A EP91201306 A EP 91201306A EP 0463658 A1 EP0463658 A1 EP 0463658A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
closure
shoulder
dispensing
flat section
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
EP91201306A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0463658B1 (fr
Inventor
Kai Sun
George J. Neveras
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.)
Colgate Palmolive Co
Original Assignee
Colgate Palmolive 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 Colgate Palmolive Co filed Critical Colgate Palmolive Co
Publication of EP0463658A1 publication Critical patent/EP0463658A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0463658B1 publication Critical patent/EP0463658B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/02—Body construction
    • B65D35/12—Connections between body and closure-receiving bush
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
    • B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
    • B65D47/2031—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a dispensing tube which has a self-closing membrane at the exit orifice which is an integral part of the shoulder of the tube. More particularly, this invention relates to a dispensing tube where the shoulder and membrane closure are molded in a single operation whereby the membrane closure is an integral part of the shoulder.
  • the self-closing dispensing closures that are in use are comprised of a pliable material which has at least one slit.
  • This type of a dispensing closure is very effective for use with various viscous and paste-like materials.
  • viscous and paste-like materials include various food products, dentifrices, lotions, shampoos and other personal care products.
  • viscous and paste-like materials include various food products, dentifrices, lotions, shampoos and other personal care products.
  • Self-closing dispensing closures of this type are not complicated and provide for a positive dispensing action. Further, such self-closing dispensing closures are usually low in cost in comparison to other types of closures and serve very effectively to preserve the product which remains within the container.
  • the slit opening in the closure will usually be a single slit or a double slit which will usually intersect at the center of each slit.
  • a prime requirement with regard to the material from which the closure is constructed is that the material have a memory with regard to its original orientation. That is, the material must be of a type which will return to its original orientation upon the cessation of a pressure on the product which is being dispensed. It is this memory which will cause the slit opening to close and to thereby cut off the flow of product from the container.
  • Self-closing dispensing closures are usually constructed of a number of pieces. In this construction, they effectively dispense the contained product. There is also a good cut-off of the product being dispensed when the pressure on the product in the container is released. However, when an item is made of two or more pieces that must be assembled, there is the added cost of assembly. It is preferred that an item be of one-piece construction. There is also the potential for leakage. It has now been found that a self-closing dispensing closure for a tubular container can be formed as a single item integral with the shoulder for the tubular container. This shoulder is then heat sealed onto the end of a tube to produce the dispensing end of a tubular container.
  • U.S. Patent 2,552,715 discloses a pressure operated dispensing nozzle for collapsible tubes. This dispensing nozzle is fitted onto the top of the collapsible tube. It has a slit opening for dispensing a paste-like product. The paste-like product is dispensed via pressure which is applied to the exterior of the collapsible tube.
  • the membrane closure is not an integral part of the shoulder of the container.
  • U.S. Patent 2,620,949 discloses another type of membrane closure for collapsible tubes. In this closure, there is more than a slit opening. There is as a part of the structure of the cap, two side compartments and the walls of these compartments for sealing off the closure when material is no longer to be dispensed. This cap closure is crimped onto the top of a collapsible tube and functions as its own support.
  • U.S. Patent 2,670,884 is directed to a self- sealing membrane closure for a collapsible tube. This is an upwardly extending shaped means. Further, in the area of the slit opening, the closure is of an increased thickness. This increased thickness is to ensure the closure of the slit opening when a force is no longer applied on the tube and it is intended to close dispensing product.
  • U.S. Patent 2,679,954 discloses a collapsible container which has as the dispensing portion a membrane disk which has a crossed slit opening. This crossed slit opening is in a membrane disk which is maintained in place on the collapsible tube by means of a threaded cap. The upper portion is open over a significant part of its area to expose the membrane disk. This provides for a positive containment of the disk onto the container.
  • U.S. Patent 2,802,607 discloses a domed shaped dispensing cap for collapsible tubes.
  • this dispensing cap there is a slit opening on the top of the cap for the dispensing of the contained product and a threaded portion on the base portion of the cap for attaching the cap to a collapsible tube.
  • This threaded cap is constructed of a single material.
  • this closure membrane is not an integral part of the shoulder of the container.
  • U.S. Patent 2,937,795 discloses a domed shaped dispensing closure for a collapsible tube.
  • the domed shaped closure has a crossed slit membrane and is attached directly onto the top of the collapsible container. This closure membrane and upper container shoulder portion are not one integral part.
  • U.S. patent 3,669,323 discloses a one-way valve insert for collapsible dispensing containers. This is an insert that fits below the slot opening of the closure. This embodiment, like the embodiments of the other patents, is a multi-piece unit which requires assembly.
  • the present self-closing dispensing membrane closure is an improvement over the various prior art closures.
  • the closure membrane is an integral part of the shoulder of the container.
  • the closure membrane and shoulder are molded as one piece. This obviates the need for assembly and removes the potential for leakage. This results in a savings in time and money.
  • This invention is directed to a tubular container which has a membrane closure wherein the shoulder of the tubular container and the membrane closure are an integrally molded piece.
  • the tubular container can be a collapsible container or a non- collapsible container. It can also be a tubular container in which the force on the contained product is supplied by a piston.
  • the membrane closure provides for a positive dispensing of the contained product.
  • Product is dispensed by applying a force onto the product. This can be a squeezing force when it is being dispensed from a tubular container and a force applied by a piston for a pump container. When the force pushing the product from the container is released, the membrane closure closes and cuts off the flow of product. This also protects the product near the opening from drying or becoming encrusted during storage.
  • tubular container 10 having a tube portion 11 sealed at the bottom at 12.
  • the upper portion of the tubular container consists of shoulder 15 which has shoulder wall 16 and exit nozzle 17.
  • threads 18 On the exterior of the exit nozzle, there is shown threads 18 for attaching a threaded cap.
  • the top portion 19 will have one or more slit openings.
  • FIG. 2 and Figure 3 there is shown the shoulder section 15 and the tube section 11 respectively.
  • the tubular portion 11 has an upper opening 13 defined by rim 14.
  • the shoulder portion 15 has a vertical portion 21 which terminates in rim 20. Rim 20 defines aperture 22.
  • the vertical portion 21 extends downward into opening 13 of the tube portion 11. The two portions are then heat sealed. It is also an embodiment where the vertical portion 21 of the shoulder extends down over the wall of tube 11 and is then heat sealed. This can be by any convenient heat sealing technique, including RF sealing and ultrasonic sealing.
  • Figure 4 and Figure 5 show configurations for the openings in the membrane closures on the nozzle portion of the shoulder.
  • Figure 4 there is shown to be one slit opening 23 while in Figure 5 there is shown to be two slit openings, 23 and 24, which slit openings intersect. These two slit openings need not intersect, and further, there may be more than two slit openings.
  • Figure 6 sets out an alternate embodiment for the shoulder portion.
  • the slit region 19 is elevated above threads 18 by sidewall 26. This is in the nature of a hat type of dispensing slit arrangement.
  • the shoulder is a single molded piece.
  • the entire shoulder portion is molded as a single piece, including the membrane 25 on the top portion. This can be conveniently accomplished by compression molding. Since the shoulder portion is constructed as one piece, there is removed the likelihood of leakage at joints.
  • the slits 23 and 24 are cut into the membrane 25 at a convenient time. This can be after the shoulder portion has been molded and prior to bonding to the tubular container portion, after attachment to the tubular container portion, or after the tube has been filled with a paste-like product.
  • the tube portion and shoulder portion can be made out of any single or multilayer compatible materials. These include polyolefin, polyester polymers and copolymers, including polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl acetate, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene terephthalate polymers and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Tubes (AREA)
  • Pipe Accessories (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
EP91201306A 1990-05-30 1991-05-29 Fermeture intégrale du type distributeur à obturation automatique pour un tube Expired - Lifetime EP0463658B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US53077790A 1990-05-30 1990-05-30
US530777 1990-05-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0463658A1 true EP0463658A1 (fr) 1992-01-02
EP0463658B1 EP0463658B1 (fr) 1995-11-29

Family

ID=24114925

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91201306A Expired - Lifetime EP0463658B1 (fr) 1990-05-30 1991-05-29 Fermeture intégrale du type distributeur à obturation automatique pour un tube

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0463658B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE130815T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU7802491A (fr)
CA (1) CA2043508A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69114920T2 (fr)
HK (1) HK71197A (fr)
ZA (1) ZA914101B (fr)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0692428A1 (fr) * 1994-07-12 1996-01-17 Unifill S.P.A. Procédé et dispositif de remplissage, et conteneur pour leur mise en oeuvre
US5927567A (en) * 1996-11-12 1999-07-27 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Dispensing closure and method of making
WO2001051360A3 (fr) * 2000-01-07 2002-03-14 Closure Medical Corp Applicateurs d'adhesif a pointe d'application amelioree
US6457613B1 (en) * 2001-01-08 2002-10-01 Eugene Ennalls Patterson Container equipped with protective seal
US6616019B2 (en) 2001-07-18 2003-09-09 Closure Medical Corporation Adhesive applicator with improved applicator tip
US6641319B2 (en) 1994-12-12 2003-11-04 James Alexander Corporation Dispenser and process
WO2006089434A1 (fr) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-31 Hoffmann Neopac Ag Tube à épaulement flexible
US7306128B2 (en) 2004-08-18 2007-12-11 Seaquist Closures L.L.C. Container closure
US7306127B2 (en) 2004-08-18 2007-12-11 Seaquist Closures L.L.C. Container closure
WO2012028849A1 (fr) * 2010-09-01 2012-03-08 Benjoy Nutrition Limited Contenant de distribution et dispositif de fermeture pour contenants
US20130249978A1 (en) * 2012-03-23 2013-09-26 Xerox Corporation Apparatus, method and system for carrying and dispensing an ink useful in printing
US8910830B2 (en) 2007-12-18 2014-12-16 James Alexander Corporation Container assembly
SE1730325A1 (en) * 2017-11-24 2019-05-25 Innovation Skaane Ab APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR EPICUTEANOUS ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICAMENTS
US10392163B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2019-08-27 James Alexander Corporation Dispenser and process
US10464719B2 (en) 2006-04-28 2019-11-05 James Alexander Corporation Multi-chambered dispenser and process

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2679954A (en) * 1951-05-23 1954-06-01 James F Barnes Dispensing container having a slitted resilient closure disk and a sealing tab
GB795154A (en) * 1954-12-28 1958-05-14 Tuboplast Sa Thermoplastic container
GB869580A (en) * 1958-08-06 1961-05-31 William John Harris Improvements in and relating to packaging and the like
FR1351565A (fr) * 1962-12-28 1964-02-07 Dispositif distributeur à obturation automatique pour récipient à paroi souple
US3356263A (en) * 1966-04-08 1967-12-05 Victor Metal Products Corp Injection moulded plastic tube and method

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2679954A (en) * 1951-05-23 1954-06-01 James F Barnes Dispensing container having a slitted resilient closure disk and a sealing tab
GB795154A (en) * 1954-12-28 1958-05-14 Tuboplast Sa Thermoplastic container
GB869580A (en) * 1958-08-06 1961-05-31 William John Harris Improvements in and relating to packaging and the like
FR1351565A (fr) * 1962-12-28 1964-02-07 Dispositif distributeur à obturation automatique pour récipient à paroi souple
US3356263A (en) * 1966-04-08 1967-12-05 Victor Metal Products Corp Injection moulded plastic tube and method

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5669208A (en) * 1994-07-12 1997-09-23 Unifill S.P.A. Packaging
EP0692428A1 (fr) * 1994-07-12 1996-01-17 Unifill S.P.A. Procédé et dispositif de remplissage, et conteneur pour leur mise en oeuvre
US6641319B2 (en) 1994-12-12 2003-11-04 James Alexander Corporation Dispenser and process
US6869242B2 (en) 1994-12-12 2005-03-22 James Alexander Corporation Dispenser and process
US5927567A (en) * 1996-11-12 1999-07-27 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Dispensing closure and method of making
US7041246B2 (en) 1996-11-12 2006-05-09 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Method of making a dispensing closure
US6673295B1 (en) 1996-11-12 2004-01-06 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Method of making a dispensing closure
US6705790B2 (en) 2000-01-07 2004-03-16 Closure Medical Corporation Adhesive applicators with improved applicator tips
US6425704B2 (en) 2000-01-07 2002-07-30 Closure Medical Corporation Adhesive applicators with improved applicator tips
WO2001051360A3 (fr) * 2000-01-07 2002-03-14 Closure Medical Corp Applicateurs d'adhesif a pointe d'application amelioree
US6457613B1 (en) * 2001-01-08 2002-10-01 Eugene Ennalls Patterson Container equipped with protective seal
US6616019B2 (en) 2001-07-18 2003-09-09 Closure Medical Corporation Adhesive applicator with improved applicator tip
US7842215B2 (en) 2004-08-18 2010-11-30 Seaquist Closures L.L.C. Process of forming a container closure
US7306128B2 (en) 2004-08-18 2007-12-11 Seaquist Closures L.L.C. Container closure
US7306127B2 (en) 2004-08-18 2007-12-11 Seaquist Closures L.L.C. Container closure
WO2006089434A1 (fr) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-31 Hoffmann Neopac Ag Tube à épaulement flexible
US10464719B2 (en) 2006-04-28 2019-11-05 James Alexander Corporation Multi-chambered dispenser and process
US8910830B2 (en) 2007-12-18 2014-12-16 James Alexander Corporation Container assembly
US10017316B2 (en) 2007-12-18 2018-07-10 James Alexander Corporation Container assembly
US10392163B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2019-08-27 James Alexander Corporation Dispenser and process
US11034486B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2021-06-15 James Alexander Corporation Dispenser and process
WO2012028849A1 (fr) * 2010-09-01 2012-03-08 Benjoy Nutrition Limited Contenant de distribution et dispositif de fermeture pour contenants
US20130249978A1 (en) * 2012-03-23 2013-09-26 Xerox Corporation Apparatus, method and system for carrying and dispensing an ink useful in printing
US8985165B2 (en) * 2012-03-23 2015-03-24 Xerox Corporation Apparatus, method and system for carrying and dispensing an ink useful in printing
SE1730325A1 (en) * 2017-11-24 2019-05-25 Innovation Skaane Ab APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR EPICUTEANOUS ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICAMENTS
WO2019103675A1 (fr) * 2017-11-24 2019-05-31 Innovation Skåne Ab Dispositif d'applicateur pour l'administration épicutanée de médicaments

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU7802491A (en) 1991-12-05
EP0463658B1 (fr) 1995-11-29
DE69114920T2 (de) 1996-08-08
CA2043508A1 (fr) 1991-12-01
ATE130815T1 (de) 1995-12-15
DE69114920D1 (de) 1996-01-11
HK71197A (en) 1997-06-06
ZA914101B (en) 1993-02-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4728006A (en) Flexible container including self-sealing dispensing valve to provide automatic shut-off and leak resistant inverted storage
US4842165A (en) Resilient squeeze bottle package for dispensing viscous products without belching
US5005737A (en) Flexible dispensing closure having a slitted resilient outlet valve and a flanged vent valve
US3592365A (en) Pump-type dispensing apparatus
EP0463658A1 (fr) Fermeture intégrale du type distributeur à obturation automatique pour un tube
US6045004A (en) Dispensing structure with dispensing valve and barrier penetrator
US5033655A (en) Dispensing package for fluid products and the like
US5108007A (en) Valve controlled squeezable fluid dispenser
EP0395380B1 (fr) Emballage pour la distribution de produits fluides et similaires
US5850953A (en) Drip-free dispensing structure with collecting reservoir
US5819984A (en) Package with storage and plug retention features
US6488186B2 (en) System and method for dispensing viscous material
WO2003016157A1 (fr) Systeme de distribution et de fermeture actionne par rotation, contenant eventuellement un attribut de perforation de revetement interne
JPH0659900B2 (ja) ２モード式貯蔵−分与パッケージ
PL203967B1 (pl) Zespół zamknięcia dozującego do dozowania z pojemnika produktu w postaci pasma
JPH06239358A (ja) 便器のボウルのリムの下での送出範囲を改善した、便器ボウル洗浄剤用噴射ディスペンサ
US8469240B2 (en) Dispensing fluids from containers using self closing valve, typically duckbill type valve
US4756433A (en) Dispensing container
US20210070511A1 (en) Dispenser with a Membrane for Sachets
US5489046A (en) Squeezable dispenser with a recessed bottom spout
WO1993014021A1 (fr) Emballage constitue par une bouteille a presser
US6279780B1 (en) Packaging for pasty liquid product with improved degree of emptying
JPS6133927A (ja) 可撓性パツケ−ジ
US4141468A (en) Flexible composite container for dispensing materials in paste form
JPH06191544A (ja) 低粘度液体用複合容器

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19920629

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940225

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 DK ES 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: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;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.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19951129

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19951129

Ref country code: DK

Effective date: 19951129

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19951129

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19951129

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19951129

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19951129

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 19951129

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 130815

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19951215

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69114920

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19960111

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

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19960229

ET Fr: translation filed
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: 19960531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20030505

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20030729

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20030731

Year of fee payment: 13

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: 20040529

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: 20041201

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee
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: 20050131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST