EP0482872B1 - Smoking article - Google Patents

Smoking article Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0482872B1
EP0482872B1 EP91309726A EP91309726A EP0482872B1 EP 0482872 B1 EP0482872 B1 EP 0482872B1 EP 91309726 A EP91309726 A EP 91309726A EP 91309726 A EP91309726 A EP 91309726A EP 0482872 B1 EP0482872 B1 EP 0482872B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
collection zone
smoking
smoking article
smoke
hot gases
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
EP91309726A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0482872A1 (en
Inventor
Peter John Molloy
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.)
Rothmans International Services Ltd
Original Assignee
Rothmans International Services Ltd
Rothmans International 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=26297856&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0482872(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Rothmans International Services Ltd, Rothmans International Ltd filed Critical Rothmans International Services Ltd
Publication of EP0482872A1 publication Critical patent/EP0482872A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0482872B1 publication Critical patent/EP0482872B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24DCIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D1/00Cigars; Cigarettes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24DCIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/04Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
    • A24D3/045Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure with smoke acceleration means, e.g. impact-filters

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a smoking article according to the first part of claim 1 relating to the prior art of DE-U-1 892 093 in which the smoking material can be tobacco or any other suitable material.
  • composition of the cigarette smoke aerosol is complex, containing many compounds in the particulate and vapour phases. It is possible to classify the compounds contained within the particulate phase into two fractions, these are the involatile and semivolatile fractions.
  • the semivolatile fraction can be defined as consisting of all of those compounds which evaporate from a chemically inert substrate heated to a temperature of 200°C.
  • a smoking article comprises a rod of smoking material and a filter portion, said filter portion including means for collecting particulate matter in the smoke from the rod of smoking material in a collection zone arranged in the upstream end of the filter portion, and means for heating said collection zone to release the semivolatile compounds of the smoke whilst allowing the involatile compounds to be retained in the filter.
  • the rod of smoking material includes a longitudinally extending passage to feed hot gases from the tip of the article when lit to the said collection zone.
  • the collection zone is provided by an impervious transversely extending member on which the particulate matter is deposited by the smoke from the smoking material.
  • the transversely extending member can be provided by a disc the centre portion of which provides said collection zone and which is surrounded by an exit opening or openings.
  • the disc is provided in a chamber into which smoke from the smoking material is delivered and into which the longitudinally extending passage feeds hot gases to the collection zone.
  • If desired means may be included for accelerating the hot gases from the passage into the collection zone.
  • the collection zone can be provided in a high retention filter element.
  • the high retention filter element can be spaced away from the end of the smoking material rod to form a chamber adjacent the collection zone and into which smoke from the smoking material is delivered and into which the longitudinally extending passage feeds hot gases to the collection zone.
  • a secondary filter element can be provided which is located at the mouth piece end of the article.
  • the passage in the rod of smoking material is formed by a low porosity/permeability tube.
  • the smoking article according to the invention comprises a rod 1 of smoking material, for example tobacco, carried in a paper outer wrapper 2.
  • the rod is provided with a longitudinally extending passage 3 formed by a tube of low porosity/permeability material 4 which may be made from paper or reconstituted tobacco sheet.
  • the tube may have a diameter typically in the range of 0.5 to 5 mm.
  • a filter 5 located within the paper wrapper 2 is a filter 5 at the mouth piece end and an impervious transversely extending member in the form of an impaction disc made of material which is temperature stable.
  • the materials from which the disc may be constructed include metals, for example aluminium, ceramics or plastics such as nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene or cellulose acetate.
  • the disc has a low thermal heat capacity and it may also have a low thermal conductivity, for example when constructed from a ceramic or from Nylon 66.
  • This disc 6 has a central impaction surface 7 which is surrounded by circumferential holes 8 typically of 1 mm diameter.
  • a chamber 10 is formed in which is located a second disc 11 which can also be made from a material selected from the examples given for the disc 6, and this may be the same as, or different from, that used in the construction of the disc 6 in a particular construction.
  • a second disc 11 which can also be made from a material selected from the examples given for the disc 6, and this may be the same as, or different from, that used in the construction of the disc 6 in a particular construction.
  • One or more (three are shown) small diameter holes 12 are provided in the disc 11 and these may typically be of 0.1 - 1 mm diameter and preferably 0.4 - 1 mm diameter. These holes act as acceleration nozzles in the manner to be described.
  • the impaction surface provided by the surface 7 is located typically 2 mm from the nozzles 12.
  • the passage 3 is located coaxially with the smoking material rod 1 but it could be displaced to one side if desired.
  • the means for collecting particulate matter in the smoke from the rod of smoking material is provided by a high retention filter element 15.
  • the element 15 is spaced away from the end 9 of the smoking material rod and the filter 15 is located in a chamber 10 in place of the disc 11.
  • the disc 6 is also dispensed with.
  • smoke from the rod 1 impinges on the front surface 16 of the filter 15 and the filter retains a fraction of the total particulate matter over the first few (ten) mm of filter material. This is indicated by reference numeral 17.
  • This retained total particulate matter is again heated by hot air or smoke drawn down the passage 3 as in the previous embodiment.
  • the second filter element 5 can be spaced away from the filter element 15 as shown or it may abut it. Once again the action of the hot air or smoke heats the deposited particulate matter and releases the semivolatile fractions which are then drawn through the filter 5.
  • the second filter element 5 may have an inclusion of activated carbon to reduce the concentration of some of the vapour components in the smoke aerosol.
  • ventilation air may be introduced through the wrapper 5 into the filter 17 through openings 18 to confine the aerosol and the hot air/smoke stream to the central part of the filter.
  • ventilation air may be introduced through the wrapper 5 through openings 19 to aerodynamically focus the aerosol onto the disc 6 to improve the efficiency of the filter.
  • ventilation air may also be used to cool the evaporated semivolatiles to facilitate recondensation before delivery to the smoker, for example through openings 20.

Landscapes

  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
  • Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
  • Nitrogen Condensed Heterocyclic Rings (AREA)
EP91309726A 1990-10-26 1991-10-22 Smoking article Expired - Lifetime EP0482872B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9023368 1990-10-26
GB909023368A GB9023368D0 (en) 1990-10-26 1990-10-26 Smoking article
SG15695A SG15695G (en) 1990-10-26 1995-01-30 Smoking article

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0482872A1 EP0482872A1 (en) 1992-04-29
EP0482872B1 true EP0482872B1 (en) 1994-12-14

Family

ID=26297856

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91309726A Expired - Lifetime EP0482872B1 (en) 1990-10-26 1991-10-22 Smoking article

Country Status (29)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0482872B1 (xx)
JP (1) JPH04262773A (xx)
CN (1) CN1061331A (xx)
AP (1) AP247A (xx)
AT (1) ATE115368T1 (xx)
AU (1) AU644690B2 (xx)
BG (1) BG60511B1 (xx)
BR (1) BR9104585A (xx)
CS (1) CS317291A3 (xx)
CU (1) CU22191A3 (xx)
CY (1) CY1832A (xx)
DE (1) DE69105914T2 (xx)
DK (1) DK0482872T3 (xx)
ES (1) ES2068522T3 (xx)
FI (1) FI915054A (xx)
GB (1) GB9023368D0 (xx)
GR (1) GR3015084T3 (xx)
HU (1) HUT66931A (xx)
IE (1) IE65380B1 (xx)
IS (1) IS3766A7 (xx)
MA (1) MA22324A1 (xx)
MX (1) MX9101730A (xx)
NO (1) NO176862C (xx)
NZ (1) NZ240084A (xx)
PL (1) PL167771B1 (xx)
PT (1) PT8860U (xx)
RU (1) RU2001591C1 (xx)
SG (1) SG15695G (xx)
ZA (1) ZA918002B (xx)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8353298B2 (en) 2006-07-12 2013-01-15 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking article with impaction filter segment
AU2008224550B2 (en) * 2007-03-09 2013-07-04 Philip Morris Products S.A. Smoking article with open ended filter and restrictor

Families Citing this family (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU3202895A (en) * 1994-07-28 1996-02-22 Lorillard Tobacco Company Hollow smokable article
GB2296853A (en) * 1995-01-12 1996-07-17 Chiu Christopher Chi Wah Safety cigarette
GB9724872D0 (en) * 1997-11-26 1998-01-21 British American Tobacco Co Smoking articles
UA80442C2 (en) 2002-09-04 2007-09-25 Japan Tobacco Inc Filter for smoking
US8240315B2 (en) * 2005-12-29 2012-08-14 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking article with improved delivery profile
US7987856B2 (en) 2005-12-29 2011-08-02 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking article with bypass channel
NZ571453A (en) 2006-03-28 2011-09-30 Philip Morris Prod Smoking article with a restrictor that reduces carbon monoxide but maintains a high resistance to draw
CA2647810C (en) 2006-03-30 2012-05-15 Japan Tobacco Inc. Method of treating tobacco mainstream smoke and smoking tool
US20080047571A1 (en) * 2006-07-12 2008-02-28 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking article with plate impactor
US8424539B2 (en) 2006-08-08 2013-04-23 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking article with single piece restrictor and chamber
BRPI0603954B1 (pt) * 2006-09-25 2014-05-20 Souza Cruz Sa Artigo para fumar e método de fabricação de um artigo para fumar
US8235056B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2012-08-07 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking article with concentric hollow core in tobacco rod and capsule containing flavorant and aerosol forming agents in the filter system
EP2119375B1 (en) * 2007-02-02 2018-06-13 Japan Tobacco Inc. Smokers' article
JP2010094025A (ja) * 2007-02-02 2010-04-30 Japan Tobacco Inc 喫煙用フィルター
TW200911138A (en) 2007-03-09 2009-03-16 Philip Morris Prod Smoking articles with restrictor and aerosol former
WO2008146548A1 (ja) * 2007-05-28 2008-12-04 Japan Tobacco Inc. シガレット
AR080556A1 (es) 2009-10-09 2012-04-18 Philip Morris Prod Diseno de filtro para mejorar el perfil sensorial de articulos para fumar con boquilla de filtro de carbono
US8424540B2 (en) 2009-10-09 2013-04-23 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking article with valved restrictor
US8905037B2 (en) 2009-10-15 2014-12-09 Philip Morris Inc. Enhanced subjective activated carbon cigarette
US9138016B2 (en) 2010-03-26 2015-09-22 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking articles with significantly reduced gas vapor phase smoking constituents
GB201104788D0 (en) * 2011-03-22 2011-05-04 British American Tobacco Co Smoking article
GB2491358A (en) * 2011-05-31 2012-12-05 British American Tobacco Co Smoking device for generating an aerosol
US9854839B2 (en) * 2012-01-31 2018-01-02 Altria Client Services Llc Electronic vaping device and method
BR112017012274B1 (pt) * 2014-12-08 2022-05-10 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Artigo de fumar, seção de filtro e método de fabricação de um artigo de fumar
ES2717550B2 (es) * 2017-12-21 2020-02-28 Univ Alicante Filtro combinado para la eliminacion de alquitranes y compuestos toxicos del humo del tabaco
IT201800010060A1 (it) * 2018-11-06 2020-05-06 Gd Spa Sigaretta
EP3892132A4 (en) * 2018-12-07 2022-07-27 Japan Tobacco Inc. NON-COMBUSTIBLE HEATING TYPE SMOKING ARTICLE, ELECTRICAL HEATING TYPE SMOKING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A NON-COMBUSTIBLE HEATING TYPE SMOKING ARTICLE
CN110720665B (zh) * 2019-10-15 2021-11-05 南通醋酸纤维有限公司 一种气溶胶生成结构、制备方法及应用

Family Cites Families (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1892093U (de) * 1964-01-17 1964-04-30 Werner Baehr Filter fuer zigaretten od. dgl. mit drosselstellen, kondensationshohlraeumen und prallflaechen.
CH424587A (de) * 1965-07-28 1966-11-15 Heusser Eduard Filter zum Entzug der Teerstoffe aus dem Rauch der Tabakwaren
US3496945A (en) * 1967-03-31 1970-02-24 Abraham Emil Tomkin Air-admixed cigarette utilizing restrictive-flow orifice
FR2004232A1 (xx) * 1968-03-19 1969-11-21 Grauvogel Kurt
US3527235A (en) * 1968-05-24 1970-09-08 Matra Corp Tobacco smoke filter device
GB1256117A (en) * 1968-06-03 1971-12-08 Universal American Corp Refrigeration system
JPS4938800B1 (xx) * 1970-05-08 1974-10-21
CA913486A (en) * 1970-05-25 1972-10-31 Plourde Jacques Selective air dosing means for cigarettes
US3695274A (en) * 1970-11-30 1972-10-03 Brown & Williamson Tobacco Piston type cigarette filter
JPS4836477U (xx) * 1971-09-03 1973-05-01
US3756249A (en) * 1971-09-23 1973-09-04 Kimberly Clark Co Smokable article having internal air passageway
BE790395A (fr) * 1971-10-21 1973-02-15 British American Tobacco Co Perfectionnements aux articles a fumer
US3773053A (en) * 1972-01-24 1973-11-20 Philip Morris Inc Cigarette with controlled smoking profile
JPS5119006Y2 (xx) * 1972-04-11 1976-05-19
SE361840B (xx) * 1972-04-13 1973-11-19 Defibrator Ab
DE3115004A1 (de) * 1981-04-14 1982-11-11 Schöller, Wolfgang, 8000 München Filter fuer zigaretten oder andere tabakerzeugnisse
GB8329501D0 (en) * 1983-11-04 1983-12-07 British American Tobacco Co Smoking articles
JPS60156375A (ja) * 1984-01-27 1985-08-16 樋口 清治 有害因子等の再燃焼防止タバコ
GB8819291D0 (en) * 1988-08-12 1988-09-14 British American Tobacco Co Improvements relating to smoking articles
DK499289A (da) * 1988-10-12 1990-04-13 Rothmans Int Tobacco Stangelementer til cigaretfiltre og cigaretter udstyret med saadanne stangelementer

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8353298B2 (en) 2006-07-12 2013-01-15 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Smoking article with impaction filter segment
AU2008224550B2 (en) * 2007-03-09 2013-07-04 Philip Morris Products S.A. Smoking article with open ended filter and restrictor
CN101657114B (zh) * 2007-03-09 2013-07-31 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 带有端部敞开的过滤器和限流器的发烟制品

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CS317291A3 (en) 1992-12-16
CU22191A3 (es) 1994-01-31
AU8554791A (en) 1992-05-14
CY1832A (en) 1995-12-01
ES2068522T3 (es) 1995-04-16
NZ240084A (en) 1994-12-22
AU644690B2 (en) 1993-12-16
NO914076L (no) 1992-04-27
PT8860U (pt) 1996-02-29
NO176862C (no) 1995-06-14
CN1061331A (zh) 1992-05-27
DE69105914T2 (de) 1995-07-27
GR3015084T3 (en) 1995-05-31
DK0482872T3 (da) 1995-05-01
SG15695G (en) 1995-06-16
IE913717A1 (en) 1992-05-22
JPH04262773A (ja) 1992-09-18
ZA918002B (en) 1992-06-24
ATE115368T1 (de) 1994-12-15
DE69105914D1 (de) 1995-01-26
IE65380B1 (en) 1995-10-18
GB9023368D0 (en) 1990-12-05
FI915054A (fi) 1992-04-27
NO914076D0 (no) 1991-10-17
EP0482872A1 (en) 1992-04-29
MA22324A1 (fr) 1992-07-01
HUT66931A (en) 1995-01-30
NO176862B (no) 1995-03-06
MX9101730A (es) 1992-06-05
IS3766A7 (is) 1992-04-27
BG60511B1 (bg) 1995-07-28
BR9104585A (pt) 1992-06-09
PL167771B1 (pl) 1995-11-30
HU913264D0 (en) 1992-01-28
RU2001591C1 (ru) 1993-10-30
AP247A (en) 1993-03-14
FI915054A0 (fi) 1991-10-25
PL292172A1 (en) 1992-06-15
PT8860T (pt) 1994-01-31
AP9100331A0 (en) 1992-01-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0482872B1 (en) Smoking article
EP0471581B1 (en) Smoking article
US11096415B2 (en) Heated aerosol-generating article with liquid aerosol-forming substrate and combustible heat generating element
CA2003366C (en) Smoking article
JP6227554B2 (ja) 前方プラグ及びエアロゾル形成基材を備えた喫煙物品並びにその方法
RU2704893C2 (ru) Курительное изделие, содержащее обертку с множеством выступов, предусмотренных на его внутренней поверхности
US4913169A (en) Smoking article
CN108366618A (zh) 可破坏的气溶胶生成制品
US11800891B2 (en) Aerosol-generating article with improved outermost wrapper
EP0354661A3 (en) Improvements relating to smoking articles
CA2053659C (en) Smoking article
US4898191A (en) Smoking device
CA2008091C (en) Smoking device
EP4076042A1 (en) Aerosol generating article with directing element
CN213848738U (zh) 气雾产生制品和气雾生成系统
RU2173072C1 (ru) Курительное изделие
CN114144080A (zh) 具有保持件的气溶胶生成制品

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 GR IT LI LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19920522

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940113

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: ROTHMANS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LIMITED

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 GR IT LI LU NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 115368

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19941215

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69105914

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19950126

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: MODIANO & ASSOCIATI S.R.L.

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2068522

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GR

Ref legal event code: FG4A

Free format text: 3015084

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: H.F. & PH.F. REEMTSMA GMBH & CO

Effective date: 19950911

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: H.F. & PH.F. REEMTSMA GMBH & CO

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

PLBO Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS REJO

PLBN Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009273

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: OPPOSITION REJECTED

27O Opposition rejected

Effective date: 19980213

NLR2 Nl: decision of opposition
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Payment date: 19990802

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 19991006

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19991012

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19991018

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: 19991020

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 19991020

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19991020

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 19991020

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19991021

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 19991022

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 19991022

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19991027

Year of fee payment: 9

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: 20001022

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20001022

Ref country code: DK

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

Effective date: 20001022

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20001022

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: 20001023

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

Ref country code: SE

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

Effective date: 20001030

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

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20001031

Ref country code: GR

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

Effective date: 20001031

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20001031

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20001031

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: ROTHMANS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LTD

Effective date: 20001031

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: 20010501

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

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

Effective date: 20001022

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 91309726.7

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: 20010629

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

Effective date: 20010501

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: 20010703

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: 20011113

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: 20051022