EP0473303A1 - Appareil électrophotographique - Google Patents

Appareil électrophotographique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0473303A1
EP0473303A1 EP91307250A EP91307250A EP0473303A1 EP 0473303 A1 EP0473303 A1 EP 0473303A1 EP 91307250 A EP91307250 A EP 91307250A EP 91307250 A EP91307250 A EP 91307250A EP 0473303 A1 EP0473303 A1 EP 0473303A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
image forming
developing unit
forming unit
housing
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
EP91307250A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0473303B1 (fr
Inventor
Naoki Yamamura
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.)
Toshiba TEC Corp
Original Assignee
Tokyo Electric 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
Application filed by Tokyo Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Tokyo Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP0473303A1 publication Critical patent/EP0473303A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0473303B1 publication Critical patent/EP0473303B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
    • G03G21/1817—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement
    • G03G21/1821—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/1661—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements means for handling parts of the apparatus in the apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1651—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts
    • G03G2221/1654—Locks and means for positioning or alignment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1678—Frame structures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1846—Process cartridge using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1853—Process cartridge having a submodular arrangement

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus and, more particularly, to an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a detachable image forming unit and a detachable developing unit.
  • a conventional electrophotographic apparatus is provided with an image forming unit 56 comprising a waste toner container 54, a photoconductive drum 55 and a charger, a developing unit 59 comprising a toner container 57 provided with a developing roller, a blade and a stirrer, and a toner cartridge 58 combined with the toner container 57, a basket 50 having a partly open bottom wall, handles 51 and slots 52 and 53, containing the photoconductive unit 57 and the developing unit 59, and placed in a housing having an open upper surface.
  • the image forming unit 56 is received in the basket 50 with bearings 60 rotatably supporting the photoconductive drum 55 received in the slots 52 of the basket 50, and the developing unit 59 is received in the basket 50 with projections 61 projecting outward in opposite directions, respectively, from the toner container 57 received in the slots 53.
  • a sheet transportation path along which a sheet is transported, a transfer unit for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 55 to a sheet and a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred from the photoconductive drum 55 to the sheet to the same, not shown, are arranged in the housing.
  • An exposure unit, not shown, for applying light signals representing picture information to the photoconductive drum 55 is provided on a top cover, not shown, covering the open upper surface of the housing.
  • the top cover is opened and the basket 50 is held at the handles 51 and lifted up.
  • the basket 50 containing the image forming unit 56 and the developing unit 59 is placed in the housing.
  • a second object of the present invention is to facilitate removing an image forming unit and a developing unit from and placing the same in a housing.
  • a third object of the present invention to provide a processing unit comprising, in combination, an image forming unit and a developing unit.
  • a fourth object of the present invention is to facilitate separating an image forming unit from a developing unit.
  • the present invention provides an electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a housing containing a sheet transportation path, a transfer unit and a fixing unit, and having an open upper surface; a top cover holding an exposure unit and pivotally supported on the housing so as to cover the open upper surface of the same; an image forming unit comprising at least a photoconductive drum and a charger; a developing unit provided with a toner container; holding members disposed in the housing on the opposite sides, respectively, of the sheet transportation path to hold the image forming unit and the developing unit so as to be removed upward therefrom; supporting members provided in the developing unit to support the image forming unit; and handles attached to the developing unit so as to extend upward from the developing unit.
  • the image forming unit is supported on the supporting members of the developing unit. Therefore, the image forming unit can be removed together with the developing unit from the housing by holding the developing unit at the handles and lifting up the developing unit after turning the top cover to open the open upper surface of the housing. Thus, the image forming unit and the developing unit can be removed from and placed in the housing without requiring any additional parts.
  • a top cover 2 is joined pivotally to a housing 1 so as to close the open upper surface of the housing 1.
  • Side plates 4 are disposed in the housing 1 on the opposite sides, respectively, of a sheet transportation path 3 formed in the housing 1.
  • a transfer unit, not shown, for transferring a toner image formed on the outer circumference of a photoconductive drum 10, which will be described later, to a sheet, a fixing unit 5 for fixing the toner image transferred to the sheet to the same, and a delivery roller 6 are arranged along the sheet transportation path 3.
  • An image forming unit 7 and a developing unit 8 are disposed above the sheet transportation path 3 in the housing 1.
  • the image forming unit 7 comprises a waste toner container 9, the photoconductive drum 10 supported for rotation on the waste toner container 9, and a charger 11 for applying a voltage to the photoconductive drum 10, attached to the waste toner container 9.
  • the waste toner container 9 is provided with bearings 12 for supporting the photoconductive drum 10 for rotation at the opposite ends thereof.
  • the side plates 4 are provided with U-shaped slots 13 for receiving and locating the bearings 12 so that the bearings 12 can be removed upward therefrom.
  • the developing unit 8 comprises a developing device, a blade, a stirrer, a toner container 14 containing the developing device, the blade and the stirrer, and a toner cartridge 15 having an opening in its lower surface and inserted in an opening formed in the upper wall of the toner container 14.
  • Pins 16 project outward from the opposite side walls of the toner container 14.
  • the side plates 4 is provided also with U-shaped slots 17 for receiving and locating the pints 16.
  • Handles 18 are fixed to the opposite side walls of the toner container 14 so as to project upward.
  • the handles 18 are formed of a soft material, such as polypropylene, and capable of being bent at their base ends.
  • the handles 18 are attached to the toner container 14 at positions in a vertical plane including the center of gravity of the combination of the image forming unit 7 and the developing unit 8 in a state where half the toner contained in the toner cartridge 15 has been consumed.
  • pins 19 project outward from the opposite side walls of the image forming unit 7, and supporting members 20 provided with U-shaped slots for receiving the pins 19 are provided on the inner surfaces of the opposite side walls of the developing unit 8.
  • an exposure unit 21 for applying light signals representing image signals to the photoconductive drum 10 is attached to the inner surface of the top cover 2.
  • a delivery tray, not shown, is formed on the top surface of the top cover 2.
  • the position of the developing sleeve 10a of the developing unit 8 relative to the photoconductive drum 10 is determined by means of gap adjusting disks 10c attached to the shaft 10b of the developing sleeve 10a.
  • the developing sleeve 10a is disposed relative to the photoconductive drum 10 so that the gap adjusting disks 10c are in rolling contact with the circumference of the photoconductive drum 10.
  • the image forming unit 7 is held stably in place with the bearings 12 received in the slots 13 and with the pins 19 received in the slots of the supporting members 20 of the developing unit 8.
  • the developing unit 8 is held stably in place with the pins 16 received in the slots 17 and with the opposite ends of the developing roller thereof in contact with part of the image forming unit 7.
  • the developing unit 8 is held at the handles 18 and the same is lifted up together with the image forming unit 7 after turning the top cover 2 to open the open upper surface of the housing 1.
  • any additional parts are not needed to remove the developing unit 8 and the image forming unit 7 together from and to place the same in the housing 1.
  • the electrophotographic apparatus comprises a reduced number of parts, the housing 1 can be formed in a reduced size, and the electrophotographic apparatus can be fabricated at a reduced cost. Since the handles 18 of the developing unit 8 can be bent at the respective base ends, the developing unit 8 can be packed for transportation in a small package.
  • the image forming unit 7 Since the image forming unit 7 is combined with the developing unit simply by inserting the pins 19 thereof in the U-shaped slots of the supporting members 20 of the developing unit 8, the image forming unit 7 can readily be separated from the developing unit 8 simply by pulling up the image forming unit 7 relative to the developing unit 8.
  • the image forming unit 7 and the developing unit 8 can readily be assembled simply by lowering the image forming unit relative to the developing unit 8 so that the pins 19 are received in the supporting members 20.
  • FIG. 6 An electrophotographic apparatus in a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6, in which parts like or corresponding to those of the electrophotographic apparatus in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference characters and the description thereof will be omitted.
  • the developing unit 8 of the electrophotographic apparatus in the second embodiment is provided with hinged handles 18, and the image forming unit 7 of the same is provided with a L-shaped handles 7a.
  • the image forming unit 7 is replaced with a new one at the termination of its photoconductive drum 10, while the developing unit 8 maintains its functions for a considerable long time only if the same is replenished with the toner.
  • the handles 7a of the image forming unit 7 enables removing only the image forming unit 7 from the housing 1 to simplify replacing the photoconductive drum 10 with a new one.
  • the handles 18 of the developing unit 8 enables removing the developing unit 8 together with the image forming unit 7 from the housing 1 to replace the photoconductive drum 10 in replenishing the developing unit 8 with the toner.
  • the electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing containing a sheet transportation path, a transfer unit and a fixing unit, and having an open upper surface; a top cover holding an exposure unit and pivotally supported on the housing so as to cover the open upper surface of the same; an image forming unit comprising at least a photoconductive drum and a charger; a developing unit provided with a toner container; holding members disposed in the housing on the opposite sides, respectively, of the sheet transportation path to hold the image forming unit and the developing unit so as to be removed upward therefrom;supporting members provided in the developing unit to support the image forming unit; and handles attached to the developing unit so as to extend upward from the developing unit.
  • the image forming unit Since the image forming unit is supported on the supporting members of the developing unit, the image forming unit can be removed together with the developing unit from the housing by holding the developing unit at the handles and lifting up the same after turning the top cover to open the open upper surface of the housing. Therefore, any additional parts are not needed to remove the image forming unit and the developing unit from and placing the same in the housing, so that the electrophotographic apparatus has a reduced number of parts, the housing can be formed in a reduced size, and the electrophotographic apparatus can be fabricated at a reduced cost.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
EP91307250A 1990-08-24 1991-08-07 Appareil électrophotographique Expired - Lifetime EP0473303B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1990089083U JP2530562Y2 (ja) 1990-08-24 1990-08-24 電子写真装置
JP89083/90 1990-08-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0473303A1 true EP0473303A1 (fr) 1992-03-04
EP0473303B1 EP0473303B1 (fr) 1994-01-05

Family

ID=13960973

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91307250A Expired - Lifetime EP0473303B1 (fr) 1990-08-24 1991-08-07 Appareil électrophotographique

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0473303B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2530562Y2 (fr)
KR (1) KR920004922A (fr)
DE (1) DE69100931T2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4138079A1 (de) * 1991-04-17 1992-10-22 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Elektrophotographische verarbeitungseinheit
DE4317392A1 (de) * 1992-05-27 1993-12-02 Sharp Kk Bilderzeugungsgerät
EP0576758A2 (fr) * 1992-06-30 1994-01-05 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Système de formation d'images avec cartouche de traitement à installation facile
EP0590940A2 (fr) * 1992-09-28 1994-04-06 Fujitsu Limited Cartouche de traitement et appareil de formation d'images

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4757344A (en) * 1985-07-16 1988-07-12 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Imaging apparatus with detachable cartridges
US4866482A (en) * 1986-10-24 1989-09-12 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Image forming device for electrostatic recording apparatus having a slidable replacement holding case
US4891678A (en) * 1987-06-17 1990-01-02 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Electrostatic recording apparatus having a cooled and insulated waste toner container

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61230159A (ja) * 1985-04-04 1986-10-14 Minolta Camera Co Ltd 作像装置
JPH064350Y2 (ja) * 1986-09-09 1994-02-02 東京電気株式会社 電子写真装置
JPH01136944U (fr) * 1988-03-11 1989-09-19

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4757344A (en) * 1985-07-16 1988-07-12 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Imaging apparatus with detachable cartridges
US4866482A (en) * 1986-10-24 1989-09-12 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Image forming device for electrostatic recording apparatus having a slidable replacement holding case
US4891678A (en) * 1987-06-17 1990-01-02 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Electrostatic recording apparatus having a cooled and insulated waste toner container

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 11, no. 107 (P-563)(2554), 4 April 1987; & JP - A - 61254956 (RICOH) 12.11.1986 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 11, no. 395 (P-650)(2842), 24 December 1987; & JP - A - 62159157 (YAMANASHI DENSHI KOGYO) 15.07.1987 *

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4138079A1 (de) * 1991-04-17 1992-10-22 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Elektrophotographische verarbeitungseinheit
DE4138079C2 (de) * 1991-04-17 1997-11-13 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Elektrophotographische Prozeßeinheit
DE4317392A1 (de) * 1992-05-27 1993-12-02 Sharp Kk Bilderzeugungsgerät
US5353100A (en) * 1992-05-27 1994-10-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Image apparatus with removable process kit rotatable about a photoreceptor shaft
DE4317392C2 (de) * 1992-05-27 2002-12-05 Sharp Kk Elektrofotografischer Drucker
EP0576758A2 (fr) * 1992-06-30 1994-01-05 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Système de formation d'images avec cartouche de traitement à installation facile
EP0576758B1 (fr) * 1992-06-30 1998-02-18 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Système de formation d'images avec cartouche de traitement à installation facile
EP0590940A2 (fr) * 1992-09-28 1994-04-06 Fujitsu Limited Cartouche de traitement et appareil de formation d'images
EP0590940A3 (fr) * 1992-09-28 1995-07-26 Fujitsu Ltd Cartouche de traitement et appareil de formation d'images.
EP0837374A2 (fr) * 1992-09-28 1998-04-22 Fujitsu Limited Appareil de formation d'images
EP0837374A3 (fr) * 1992-09-28 1998-10-21 Fujitsu Limited Appareil de formation d'images

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69100931D1 (de) 1994-02-17
KR920004922A (ko) 1992-03-28
JPH0446448U (fr) 1992-04-20
DE69100931T2 (de) 1994-07-21
EP0473303B1 (fr) 1994-01-05
JP2530562Y2 (ja) 1997-03-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5204713A (en) Electrophotographic apparatus
JP3321728B2 (ja) 画像形成機のトナー補給装置およびこれに用いるトナーカートリッジ
JPH0310942B2 (fr)
US4615605A (en) Separation mechanism of developing device from photoreceptor in dividing electrophotographic copying machine into two sections
US4465359A (en) Portable electrophotographic copying apparatus
US5353100A (en) Image apparatus with removable process kit rotatable about a photoreceptor shaft
US8923730B2 (en) Image forming apparatus
EP0068858B1 (fr) Dispositif à régénérer le toner pour un appareil de tirage électrostatique
US7319837B2 (en) Developing unit and electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the same
EP0473303B1 (fr) Appareil électrophotographique
EP0917019B1 (fr) Système d' unités de traitement à récipients de toner de taille variable
US4705394A (en) Multi-color image forming apparatus
US5185631A (en) Apparatus for uniformly supplying powder with reduced remnant powder
JPH0645971Y2 (ja) 電子写真装置
JP2706437B2 (ja) 記録装置
JP2897411B2 (ja) トナー回収装置
JPS6217762A (ja) 作像装置
JPS63220286A (ja) 現像装置
JPS5984260A (ja) 画像形成装置
JP2518915B2 (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH04115273A (ja) 画像形成装置
JP2584044B2 (ja) 現像装置
JPH05216342A (ja) 画像形成装置
JP2518914B2 (ja) 画像形成装置
JPH07175398A (ja) トナーカートリッジ及びトナー補給機構及びトナー補給方法及び画像形成装置

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19910819

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19930512

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL SE

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

Ref document number: 69100931

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19940217

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
EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 91307250.0

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20010807

Year of fee payment: 11

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20010830

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

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: 20020808

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

Ref country code: NL

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

Effective date: 20030301

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20030301

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20050803

Year of fee payment: 15

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20050804

Year of fee payment: 15

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: 20050807

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20050809

Year of fee payment: 15

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: 20070301

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

Effective date: 20060807

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20070430

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: 20060807

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: 20060831