EP0494872B1 - Systeme d'aeration - Google Patents

Systeme d'aeration Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0494872B1
EP0494872B1 EP90911765A EP90911765A EP0494872B1 EP 0494872 B1 EP0494872 B1 EP 0494872B1 EP 90911765 A EP90911765 A EP 90911765A EP 90911765 A EP90911765 A EP 90911765A EP 0494872 B1 EP0494872 B1 EP 0494872B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fume cupboard
compartment
sash
cupboard according
duct
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
EP90911765A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0494872A1 (fr
EP0494872A4 (en
Inventor
Karlheinz Stasch
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0494872A1 publication Critical patent/EP0494872A1/fr
Publication of EP0494872A4 publication Critical patent/EP0494872A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0494872B1 publication Critical patent/EP0494872B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B15/00—Preventing escape of dirt or fumes from the area where they are produced; Collecting or removing dirt or fumes from that area
    • B08B15/02—Preventing escape of dirt or fumes from the area where they are produced; Collecting or removing dirt or fumes from that area using chambers or hoods covering the area
    • B08B15/023—Fume cabinets or cupboards, e.g. for laboratories

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to ventilation systems including ventilation systems associated with fume cupboards.
  • the invention has been developed primarily for use with a fume cupboard for chemical laboratories and the like, and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use, and may also be applicable to enclosed spaces receiving conditioned air for maintaining predetermined conditions.
  • a fume cupboard provides a partially enclosed workplace for minimising the dispersion of fumes to protect operators, other personnel, and the local room air. This is generally achieved by extracting the fumes through associated exhaust ducting. Furthermore, fume cupboards also include selectively movable sashes for providing access to the partially enclosed workplaces.
  • Prior fume cupboards such as US-A-4,160,407, have utilised auxiliary passages to supply a varying external air flow to a main exhaust duct which extends from the fume cupboard.
  • the flow of air in the auxiliary passage dilutes the fumes in the main exhaust duct and has been controlled by signals from pressure sensors in the exhaust ducting. This and other arrangements do not take into account ambient conditions to which the fume cupboard is subjected.
  • a fume cupboard including:
  • the damper means includes two plates respectively rotatably mounted in the exhaust duct between the fume cupboard and the auxiliary passage and in the auxiliary passage.
  • a fume cupboard 1 includes a housing 2 which defines both a work compartment 3 and an opening 4 for providing access to the compartment.
  • An exhaust duct 5 extends from compartment 3 and a centrifugal fan 6, driven by an electric motor 7, is co-operable with the exhaust duct for extracting air from the compartment 3 and expelling it through outlet 8.
  • the motor 7 is connected to a constant voltage supply for providing a substantially constant speed of rotation of fan 6.
  • Velocity sensors 9 and 10 are mounted to the housing 2 respectively adjacent the upper and lower edges of opening 4. These sensors supply electrical signals indicative of the sensed air velocity to a control unit 12 via standard electrical cables (not shown). Velocity sensors such as a model from the AWM series, produced by Honeywell, are suitable for this application, however similar sensors may also be used.
  • the position of the sensor within the compartment is selected according to the flow patterns therein. This position is dependant upon the physical dimensions of the compartment, and for example with large fume cupboards the sensors are respectively centrally located above and below the opening.
  • An auxiliary air duct 14 communicates with the exhaust duct 5 between the compartment 3 and the extraction fan 6 for providing the exhaust duct with external air.
  • the source of external air is distinct both from the laboratory air and that expelled through outlet 8.
  • a damper means includes two plates 15 and 16 respectively rotatably mounted in the exhaust duct 5 between the fume cupboard and the auxiliary passage and in the auxiliary passage.
  • Plates 15 and 16 are respectively driven by electric motors 17 and 18, each motor being selectively actuated by control unit 12 via suitable electrical conductors (not shown). Also, plates 15 and 16 move in an opposite sense to maintain a substantially constant cross-sectional area of ducting to supply air to the extraction fan.
  • the positions of the plates can be continuously displayed by a pair of meters 31 and 32 located on the housing 2 above opening 4.
  • the meters are responsive to signals from the control unit 12, which continuously updates the information displayed.
  • the fume cupboard includes a movable sash 11 operable for closing predetermined portions of the opening 4.
  • the sash preferably includes a sheet of transparent material whereby the contents of the compartment 3 can be perceived when the sash is in the closed position.
  • the velocity sensors 9 and 10 will initially signal a reduction in air velocity.
  • the control unit 12 will respond by actuating motor 18 to rotate plate 16 to restrict the passage of external air through the auxiliary duct 14.
  • motor 17 will rotate plate 15 in an opposite sense for providing less restriction to the air flow in exhaust duct 5 resulting in an increase in volume of air moving through compartment 3.
  • equilibrium will be achieved when the air velocity has reached the predetermined value.
  • the velocity sensors detect any ambient conditions in the air velocity or pressure resultant from changes in these conditions in the surrounding laboratory containing the fume cupboard.
  • the control system accommodates these conditions by actuating an appropriate change in the position of the plates 15 and 16. In the event of such conditions dangerous fumes will continue to be removed through the exhaust system, and prevented from exiting through the sash opening and thus endangering the operators. Any wind gusts incident upon damper plates 15 or 16 from an external source are continuously accommodated by the control system, thereby preventing any fumes from being redirected back into the fume cupboard through the exhaust duct.
  • velocity sensors 9 and 10 will correspondingly signal a failure in the maintenance of the predetermined airflow in compartment 3. A suitable alarm is then actuated for signalling such a fault to an operator.
  • the sash 11 is propelled by a tubular motor 20 such as model 534B produced by Somfy. Following actuation of a manual switch 21 the motor 20, by winching suitable chords 29 and 30, will effect the movement of sash 11.
  • a plurality of such switches can be conveniently located for actuating sash movement, such as a foot operable switch (not shown) being located at the base of the fume cupboard or a knee operable switch (not shown) located at the lower edge of the housing.
  • a remote control switch utilising infrared radiation is able to actuate sash movement.
  • the motor 20 is able to position the sash 11 in any location between a fully open position (as shown in Figure 1) and a fully closed position.
  • the motor propels the sash either in a continuous motion or in discrete steps.
  • An infrared transmitter 23 and sensor 24 are respectively located on opposing sides of the opening 4 to establish an infrared field across the opening.
  • the output of sensor 24 is linked to control unit 12 via suitable conductors for allowing the detection of an interruption of the field by an operator or the like. In the event of such an interruption, the control unit resets an associated timer. Should the timer be allowed to progress to a predetermined value the control unit actuates motor 20 to effect the closing of sash 11.
  • This feature allows for operator error resulting in the sash being left open, and prevents the unnecessary evacuation of heated or cooled air from the laboratory. Due to the large volume of air which can be removed, this represents the saving of substantial amounts of energy.
  • a single plate 25 is located at the junction of the auxiliary air duct 14 and the exhaust duct 5. This arrangement provides for a similar effect as that shown in Figure 2 while only requiring the use of the single plate 25.
  • the plate is hingedly mounted for rotation between fully restricting air flow from the auxiliary duct to a position where it fully restricts air flow from the fume cupboard into exhaust duct 5.
  • the plate is driven by electric motor 26, which in turn is actuated by the control unit 12.
  • the control unit is able to supply all the information it collects to an external source via a connector 35, and can further respond to instructions received from such a source. This facilitates the central control of a plurality of such fume cupboards for example in a large laboratory. Safety conditions are able to be monitored from a central location for providing suitable warning to all operators.
  • connector 35 is a DIN96. This enables the cupboard to be connected to a microprocessor system, or the like, for allowing a plurality of such cupboards to be centrally connected and controlled.
  • a ventilation system for a room including doors and other openings, where the associated ducting directs the supply of conditioned air to the room.
  • Velocity sensors appropriately positioned are able to supply a signal indicative of the air velocity to a damper system within the ducting for maintaining a substantially constant predetermined air velocity in the room.

Landscapes

  • Ventilation (AREA)
  • Air-Flow Control Members (AREA)
  • Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
  • Input Circuits Of Receivers And Coupling Of Receivers And Audio Equipment (AREA)
  • Control Of Motors That Do Not Use Commutators (AREA)
  • Devices For Use In Laboratory Experiments (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Une armoire de vapeurs (1) incluant:
    une jumelle (2) qui combine les deux, l'espace de travail (3) et une ouverture (4) pour donner de l'accès a l'espace de travail (3) mentionné au-dessus;
    un conduit d'échappement qui s'éloigne de l'espace de travail (3) mentionné;
    un ventilateur d'extraction (6) qui peut collaborer avec le conduit (5) mentionné pour extraire de l'air de l'espace de travail (3);
    un châssis mobile (11) incite par des moyens de commande (20) pour fermer des portions déterminées au préalable de l'ouverture (4) mentionnée;
    au moins un conduit auxiliaire (14) qui est connecté avec le conduit (5) entre l'espace de travail (3) mentionné et le ventilateur d'extraction (6) mentionné pour fournir le conduit d'extraction (5) mentionné avec de l'air externe;
    au moins un détecteur de vélocité (9, 10) dans l'espace de travail (3) pour donner un signal indicatif de la vélocité de l'air dans l'espace de travail mentionné;
    au moins un moyen de volet d'aération (15,16) qui réagit bien au signal mentionné pour laisser entrer sélectivement de l'air externe dans le conduit d'extraction (5) pour maintenir une vélocité de l'air déterminé au préalable dans l'espace de travail (3) mentionné;
       caractérisé en ce que l'armoire de vapeurs aussi inclue:
    des moyens pour fournir un deuxième signal qui indique si l'armoire de vapeurs est en mode d'opération, et le deuxième signal remet un minuteur qui progresse a un intervalle du temps déterminée au préalable, et les moyens de commande (20) effectuent le mouvement du châssis mobile (11) dans une position fermée après l'intervalle du temps mentionné au-dessus déterminée au préalable après l'utilisation dernière de l'armoire de vapeurs.
  2. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant la revendication 1, en ce que les volets d'aération ont deux plaques (15, 16) respectivement montés dans une manière pivotable dans le conduit d'extraction (5) entre l'armoire de vapeurs (3) et le conduit auxiliaire (14), et dans le conduit auxiliaire.
  3. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant la revendication 2, en ce que les plaques (15, 16) passent dans un sens opposé pour fournir un espace de conduits qui est substantiellement constant pour fournir de l'air au ventilateur d'extraction mentionne au-dessus.
  4. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant la revendication 1, en ce que les volets d'aération mentionnés ont un plaque (25) monté au jonction de conduit auxiliaire mentionné (24) et le conduit d'extraction (5) mentionné qui passe pour fermer un conduit et ouvrer l'autre en même temps.
  5. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant tous les revendications au-dessus en ce que les volets d'aération (25) sont incités par au moins un moteur (26).
  6. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant la revendication 5 en ce qu'il a un système de contrôle (12) pour recevoir un signal mentionne au moins d'un détecteur de vélocité (9, 10) et pour inciter au moins un moteur (26) mentionné.
  7. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant tous les revendication au-dessus qui a au moins un élément de mesure (31, 32) pour montrer une côte indicative de la position d'au moins d'un volet d'aération.
  8. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant tous les revendications au-dessus en ce que la vélocité de l'air déterminée au préalable est variable sélectivement.
  9. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant tous les revendications au-dessus en ce que le châssis mobile (11) est opérable sélectivement pour le mouvement entre une position ouverte et fermée.
  10. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant la revendication 9 en ce que le mouvement mentionné est en pas.
  11. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant tous les revendications au-dessus en ce que le châssis mobile (11) mentionné a une feuille en matériel transparent, par laquelle le contenu de l'espace de travail (3) peut être observer quand le châssis mobile est en position ferme mentionné.
  12. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant tous les revendications au-dessus en ce que les moyens pour fournir le deuxième signal comprise un transmetteur infrarouge (23) et un récepteur (24).
  13. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant les revendication 9 a 12, en ce que le châssis mobile mentionné peut être inciter par une combination d'une main, de genou ou contrôle de pied.
  14. Une armoire de vapeurs suivant les revendications 9 a 13, en ce que les moyens de commande mentionnés inclue un moteur électrique (20).
EP90911765A 1989-07-31 1990-07-31 Systeme d'aeration Expired - Lifetime EP0494872B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPJ5500/89 1989-07-31
AU5500/89 1989-07-31
AUPJ5501/89 1989-07-31
AUPJ550189 1989-07-31
AU5501/89 1989-07-31
AUPJ550089 1989-07-31
PCT/AU1990/000316 WO1991001821A1 (fr) 1989-07-31 1990-07-31 Systeme d'aeration

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0494872A1 EP0494872A1 (fr) 1992-07-22
EP0494872A4 EP0494872A4 (en) 1992-12-23
EP0494872B1 true EP0494872B1 (fr) 1998-04-08

Family

ID=25643722

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90911765A Expired - Lifetime EP0494872B1 (fr) 1989-07-31 1990-07-31 Systeme d'aeration

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0494872B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE164787T1 (fr)
DE (3) DE4091373T (fr)
WO (1) WO1991001821A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5090303A (en) * 1990-09-28 1992-02-25 Landis & Gyr Powers, Inc. Laboratory fume hood control apparatus having improved safety considerations
US5240455A (en) * 1991-08-23 1993-08-31 Phoenix Controls Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling a fume hood
GB9201780D0 (en) * 1992-01-28 1992-03-11 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Fume cupboard extraction system
GB2279455A (en) * 1992-01-28 1995-01-04 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Fume cupboard extraction system
US5415583A (en) * 1993-12-21 1995-05-16 Brandt, Jr.; Robert O. Fume hood air flow control system
US5456631A (en) * 1994-08-12 1995-10-10 Eisenmann Corporation Hood style exhaust system construction
DE10217100B4 (de) * 2002-04-17 2007-07-19 Thermo Electron Led Gmbh Fernbedienbare Sicherheitswerkbank
DE10217903C1 (de) * 2002-04-22 2003-10-02 Kendro Lab Prod Gmbh Sicherheitswerkbank mit vereinfachter Bedienbarkeit
DE10245208B4 (de) * 2002-09-27 2004-08-12 Fazlollah Khadjavi Abluftrüsselsystem
DE20218363U1 (de) * 2002-11-26 2004-01-15 Meltem Wärmerückgewinnung GmbH & Co. KG Luftaustauschsystem für die Entlüftung wenigstens eines Raums eines Gebäudes

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB968287A (en) * 1962-01-31 1964-09-02 Nat Res Dev Improvements in or relating to fume cupboards
NL123386C (fr) * 1965-01-14 1967-07-17
US4160407A (en) * 1977-11-18 1979-07-10 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Ventilating system
GB2076145B (en) * 1980-03-24 1983-12-21 A C Plastic Ind Enclosures with a gas extraction system
GB2097527B (en) * 1981-04-16 1985-10-09 Febopal Ltd Fume cupboards
GB2129928B (en) * 1982-10-16 1986-09-10 Yamato Scient Co Ltd A fume hood
US4528898A (en) * 1984-03-05 1985-07-16 Imec Corporation Fume hood controller
US4741257A (en) * 1985-01-09 1988-05-03 Air Monitor Corporation Fume hood air flow control
CH670207A5 (en) * 1986-01-23 1989-05-31 Karl Babberger Extn. vent with sliding window esp. for laboratory - incorporates throttle valve with position controller for adjustment of draught in relation to opening of window
AU585163B2 (en) * 1986-07-11 1989-06-08 Ronald Edmond Lucas Fume cupboard with variable damper
GB2222705A (en) * 1988-05-19 1990-03-14 Thomas Arthur Wisbey Wheeler Reduced pressure enclosure
JPH0694941B2 (ja) * 1988-08-03 1994-11-24 松下電器産業株式会社 排煙浄化装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69032226T2 (de) 1999-10-07
WO1991001821A1 (fr) 1991-02-21
DE4091373C2 (de) 2000-08-10
EP0494872A1 (fr) 1992-07-22
ATE164787T1 (de) 1998-04-15
EP0494872A4 (en) 1992-12-23
DE69032226D1 (de) 1998-05-14
DE4091373T (fr) 1992-12-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4934256A (en) Fume hood ventilation control system
EP0494872B1 (fr) Systeme d'aeration
US4497242A (en) Ventilation control system
US5090303A (en) Laboratory fume hood control apparatus having improved safety considerations
US5092227A (en) Apparatus for controlling the ventilation of laboratory fume hoods
US5764579A (en) System for controlling laboratories with fume hoods
EP0623398B1 (fr) Méthode et dispositif pour contrÔler la vitesse d'extraction d'air pour hotte de laboratoire en fonction de la résistance variable d'un ouverture "by-pass"
EP0541864B1 (fr) Méthode et dispositif pour déterminer la dimension de la partie non-recouverte d'une ouverture apte à être recouverte par plusieurs portes mobiles
US5882254A (en) Laboratory fume hood controller utilizing object detection
US4819551A (en) Safety system for smoke and fumes
KR101575135B1 (ko) 슬라이딩도어를 이용한 실험실용 흄 후드 시스템
GB2242515A (en) Ventilating apparatus with means for detecting the presence or absence of people
CN101537376A (zh) 实验室通风柜
CN204531852U (zh) 一种防儿童跌落及防盗的智能安全窗
EP0746427A1 (fr) Systeme de ventilation informatise
EP0541865B1 (fr) Appareil pour déterminer la position d'un dispositif mobile dans une voie de guidage
CA2017623A1 (fr) Regulateur de debit volumetrique dans une canalisation
AU2002350538B2 (en) Sliding door device
AU687891B2 (en) A computerized ventilation system
EP0039142A3 (fr) Système d'alarme
JPH0220041Y2 (fr)
CN112186694A (zh) 一种电缆沟通风盖板结构及电缆沟的智能通风装置
JPS5819645A (ja) 換気具付き開口部装置
KR100671308B1 (ko) 환기장치 및 그 제어방법
CN114308969B (zh) 一种智能通风柜及其控制方法

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: 19920130

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT CH DE ES FR GB IT LI SE

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 19921105

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A4

Designated state(s): AT CH DE ES FR GB IT LI SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950127

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT CH DE ES FR GB IT LI 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: 19980408

Ref country code: FR

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: 19980408

Ref country code: AT

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: 19980408

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 19980408

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 164787

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19980415

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69032226

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19980514

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19980708

EN Fr: translation not filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: AEN

Free format text: DAS PATENT IST AUFGRUND DES WEITERBEHANDLUNGSANTRAGS VOM 11.09.1998 REAKTIVIERT WORDEN.

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: AEN

Free format text: WEITERBEHANDLUNG GUTGEHEISSEN

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20000728

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20000728

Year of fee payment: 11

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20000731

Year of fee payment: 11

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

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20010731

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20010731

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20010731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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

Effective date: 20010731

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: 20020501