EP0570449B1 - Connecteur electrique serti - Google Patents

Connecteur electrique serti Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0570449B1
EP0570449B1 EP92904327A EP92904327A EP0570449B1 EP 0570449 B1 EP0570449 B1 EP 0570449B1 EP 92904327 A EP92904327 A EP 92904327A EP 92904327 A EP92904327 A EP 92904327A EP 0570449 B1 EP0570449 B1 EP 0570449B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
crimp barrel
gel
insulating sleeve
beyond
ferrule
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
EP92904327A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0570449A1 (fr
Inventor
Alain Lamome
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.)
Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Raychem SA
Original Assignee
Raychem NV SA
Raychem SA
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 Raychem NV SA, Raychem SA filed Critical Raychem NV SA
Publication of EP0570449A1 publication Critical patent/EP0570449A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0570449B1 publication Critical patent/EP0570449B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/70—Insulation of connections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/10—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation
    • H01R4/18—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping
    • H01R4/20—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping using a crimping sleeve
    • H01R4/203—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping using a crimping sleeve having an uneven wire-receiving surface to improve the contact

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical crimp connector for connecting two or more elongate electrical conductors.
  • GB-A-2185155 discloses an electric connector that comprises an aluminium tube which is completely enclosed in a plastics covering comprising two end caps, each having a closed end with a central area which is weak enough for a conductor that is to be connected to be pushed through it. A quantity of grease is located in two separate portions in the closed ends of the respective end caps.
  • EP-A-0191609 discloses a cable sealing apparatus employing end seals comprising gel, the gel being apertured to receive a cable therethrough.
  • the present invention provides a device for forming a butt splice between two or more elongate electrical conductors, which comprises a crimp barrel having two open ends, an electrically insulating sleeve located about and extending beyond the ends of the crimp barrel, and a quantity of gel located within each end region of the insulating sleeve beyond each end of the crimp barrel for sealing each end of the splice against ingress of moisture, each quantity of gel containing an aperture to allow the insertion of one or more elongate electrical conductors into each end of the crimp barrel.
  • the present invention has the advantage that it provides a device which is relatively simple to employ in the production of an essentially corrosion resistant connection between two or more elongate electrical conductors, involving only the action of crimping to form and seal the connection.
  • the invention allows the conductors to be located within the crimp barrel with little disturbance of the gel material.
  • it is possible to form a splice that has a relatively low contact resistance due to the absence of gel between the conductors and the crimp barrel.
  • the absence of gel from the crimp barrel means that the conductors may be inserted and located more easily and any tendency of the conductors to be forced out of the crimp barrel before or during crimping is reduced.
  • the device includes a ferrule (in the form of a hollow cylinder or ring) located beyond each end of the crimp barrel, between the insulating sleeve and the gel.
  • ferrules may provide a number of advantages. For example, they may protect the elongate electrical conductors inserted into the device from strain arising from their movement (referred to hereafter as strain relief).
  • the ferrules may contribute to the environmental sealing of a splice formed with the device by being capable of being crimped in order to compress at least part of the gel against an electrical conductor inserted into the crimp barrel.
  • the invention also provides a device for forming a butt splice between two or more elongate electrical conductors, which comprises a crimp barrel having two open ends, an electrically insulating sleeve located about and extending beyond the ends of the crimp barrel, a quantity of gel located within each end region of the insulating sleeve beyond each end of the crimp barrel for sealing each end of the splice against ingress moisture, and a ferrule located beyond each end of the crimp barrel between the insulating sleeve and the gel, each ferrule being capable of being crimped in order to compress at least part of the gel against an electrical conductor inserted into the crimp barrel and/or to provide strain relief for the electrical conductor.
  • the electrically insulating sleeve of the device provided by the invention preferably comprises a cross-linked polymeric material, such as, for example polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene or polyvinylidine fluoride. More preferably however, the sleeve comprises a nylon material such as nylon 6 or nylon 11, but especially nylon 12.
  • each end of the insulating sleeve may have an inwardly curved edge portion that leaves an aperture that will allow the insertion of one or more elongate electrical conductors therein but will hinder the exudation of gel from the sleeve, both prior to and during the use of the device.
  • the crimp barrel it is advantageous for the crimp barrel to have an internal profile that is capable of gripping them.
  • the inside of the crimp barrel may contain teeth, barbs or gripping edges which can help to strengthen a connection formed by the device.
  • no advantage is necessarily gained from the crimp barrel containing teeth, and a smooth internal profile may be sufficient to form a strong connection (once the device has been crimped).
  • the crimp barrel prefferably be formed from an electrically conductive material, such as copper for example. Where tin-plated elongate conductors are to be connected, it is highly desirable for the crimp barrel to have an internal surface of tin, such as with a tin-plated copper crimp barrel, so as to reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion.
  • the device according to the invention includes a quantity of gel located within each end region of the insulating sleeve beyond each end of the crimp barrel for sealing each end of the splice against ingress of moisture.
  • the term 'gel' as used herein is intended to mean a liquid-extended polymer composition.
  • Such compositions normally contain a three-dimensional network of cross-linked molecular chains and preferably include at least 300 parts, more preferably at least 500 parts by weight of extender liquid per 100 parts by weight of the polymer composition.
  • the gel used in the invention preferably has a cone penetration value (measured by ASTM D217) within the range of from 100 to 400 10 -1 millimetres, more preferably 100 to 350 10 -1 millimetres; an ultimate elongation (measured by ASTM D412) preferably greater than 100%, with substantially elastic deformation to an elongation of preferably at least 100%; and ultimate tensile strength (ASTM D412) preferably less than 1 MegaPascal.
  • the polymer composition may for example comprise an elastomer, or a block copolymer having relatively hard blocks and relatively elastomeric blocks.
  • copolymers include styrene-diene block copolymers, for example styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene diblock or triblock copolymers, or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymers as disclosed in international patent application number PCT/GB87/00506.
  • the extender liquids employed in the gel preferably comprise oils conventionally used to extend elastomeric materials.
  • the oils may be hydrocarbon oils, for example paraffinic or naphthenic oils, synthetic oils for example polybutene or polypropene oils, and mixtures thereof.
  • the preferred oils are mixtures of non-aromatic paraffins and naphthenic hydrocarbon oils.
  • Suitable gels can also be prepared by curing reactive silicones with non-reactive extender silicones.
  • the gel may contain known additives such as moisture scavengers (eg. benzoyl chloride), antioxidants, pigments and fungicides.
  • the function of the gel in the device according to the invention is to seal it from moisture ingress once the elongate electrical conductors which are required to be spliced, have been inserted into the crimp barrel and crimped. This is best achieved by applying pressure to the gel, since in this state it behaves in a manner similar to a liquid, in that it is capable of flowing and conforming around intricate shapes and adhering to solid surfaces.
  • the ferrules located beyond each end of the crimp barrel between the insulating sleeve and the gel, are capable of being crimped about each elongate conductor inserted therein. This may have the advantage of increasing the capability of the ferrules to provide strain relief to the elongate conductors. Additionally or alternatively, crimping the ferrules about the conductors can have the effect of compressing the gel, and hence may aid the sealing of the device. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of each quantity of gel is located between its corresponding ferrule and the crimp barrel.
  • each portion of gel located between a ferrule and the crimp barrel will normally be compressed (depending upon the degree of crimping and the total cross-sectional area of the insulated conductors inserted into each end of the device).
  • the gel When the gel is compressed, it 'wets' the inner surface of the insulating sleeve and the outer surfaces of the insulated conductors, sealing the splice from moisture ingress.
  • the ferrules themselves, together with any gel located beyond the ferrules at each end of the device may also serve to protect the splice from foreign matter such as dirt etc.
  • the crimp barrel and the ferrules may be fixed in position within the device. This may be achieved by, for example, bonding the crimp barrel and the ferrules to the internal surface of the insulating sleeve.
  • the inside of the sleeve may be coated with a layer of adhesive.
  • Adhesives that may be employed include hot melt adhesives, eg. those based on ethylene homo or copolymers, eg. ethylene vinyl acetate or ethylene ethyl acrylate, and polyamide adhesives, for example formed from polyamides having a relatively large number (eg. >15) of carbon atoms between adjacent carbonyl groups, preferred polyamides being based on dimer diamines as described in US patent Nos. 4,018,733 and 4,181,775.
  • the invention provides a method of forming a butt splice between two or more insulated elongate electrical conductors by means of a device which comprises a crimp barrel having two open ends, an electrically insulating sleeve located about and extending beyond the ends of the crimp barrel, and a quantity of gel located within each end region of the insulating sleeve beyond each end of the crimp barrel for sealing each end of the splice against ingress of moisture, each quantity of gel containing an aperture to allow the insertion of one or more elongate electrical conductors into each end of the crimp barrel, and a crimpable ferrule located beyond each end of the crimp barrel between the insulating sleeve and the gel, the method comprising:
  • the gel material is deformable, it is often possible for one or both quantities of gel in the device to have an aperture cross-sectional area that is smaller than the combined cross-sectional area of each insulated conductor inserted therein. This can be advantageous, since the act of inserting the conductors into the device may compress the gel between the conductors and the internal surface of the device, and crimping preferably reinforces this compressive action, enhancing the moisture seal.
  • a device 1 for forming a butt splice between two (or more) electrically insulated cables 2 comprises a crimp barrel 3, an electrically insulating sleeve 4 located about and extending beyond the ends of the crimp barrel (the diameter of the sleeve beyond each end of the crimp barrel being greater than that in the region located about the crimp barrel), a quantity of gel 5 located within each end region of the insulating sleeve beyond each end of the crimp barrel, two ferrules 6, located beyond each end of the crimp barrel between the insulating sleeve and the gel and a layer of adhesive 7 coated onto the internal surface of the insulating sleeve to bond the crimp barrel and the strain relief ferrules in place.
  • the crimp barrel 3 contains teeth 8 for gripping the bare wire 9 of each of the two insulated cables 2 and thus forming an electrical contact between them.
  • Each quantity of gel contains an aperture 10 to allow the insertion of the cables into the device.
  • the diameter of each gel aperture 9 is shown to be smaller than the diameter of the insulation of the wire to be inserted into it, to illustrate the fact that because of its deformable nature, the gel 5 is able to allow the insertion of the insulated wire.
  • Figure 2 shows the completed splice between the two cables of Figure 1, formed by the cables having been inserted into the device of Figure 1, and the device being crimped in the regions shown by the arrows.
  • the two quantities of gel 5 are seen to be compressed in the region 11 between each ferrule 6 and the crimp barrel 3, thus sealing the electrical contacts from moisture.
  • each of the ferrules, together with the outermost portions of gel 12 serve to increase the degree of protection of the splice, particularly from foreign bodies such as dirt.

Landscapes

  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Cable Accessories (AREA)
  • Insulated Conductors (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Dispositif (1) pour former une épissure de raccordement entre deux conducteurs électriques allongés ou davantage, comprenant un tube de sertissage (3) ayant deux extrémités ouvertes, une gaine électriquement isolante (4) située autour et s'étendant au-delà des extrémités du tube de sertissage, une certaine quantité de gel (5) situé à l'intérieur de chaque région d'extrémité de la gaine isolante, au-delà de chaque extrémité du tube de sertissage, pour étanchéifier chaque extrémité de l'épissure contre l'entrée d'humidité, et un embout (6) situé au-delà de chaque extrémité du tube de sertissage, entre la gaine isolante et le gel, chaque embout étant capable d'être serti afin de comprimer au moins une partie du gel contre un conducteur électrique inséré dans le tube de sertissage et/ou de fournir un soulagement de contrainte pour le conducteur électrique.
  2. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins une partie de chaque quantité de gel (5) est située entre son embout correspondant (6) et le tube de sertissage (3).
  3. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel le tube de sertissage (3) et les embouts (6) sont liés à la surface interne de la gaine isolante (4).
  4. Dispositif (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel chaque extrémité de la gaine électriquement isolante (4) comporte une partie de bord courbée vers l'intérieur, qui laisse une ouverture permettant l'insertion d'un ou de plusieurs conducteurs électriques allongés dans celle-ci, mais qui empêche l'écoulement de gel (5) de la gaine (4).
  5. Dispositif (1) pour former une épissure de raccordement entre deux conducteurs électriques allongés ou davantage, comprenant un tube de sertissage (3) ayant deux extrémités ouvertes, une gaine électriquement isolante (4) située autour et s'étendant au-delà des extrémités du tube de sertissage, et une certaine quantité de gel (5) situé à l'intérieur de chaque région d'extrémité de la gaine isolante, au-delà de chaque extrémité du tube de sertissage, pour étanchéifier chaque extrémité de l'épissure contre l'entrée d'humidité, chaque quantité de gel contenant une ouverture (10) pour permettre l'insertion d'un ou de plusieurs conducteurs électriques allongés dans chaque extrémité du tube de sertissage.
  6. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 5, qui comporte un embout (6), situé au-delà de chaque extrémité du tube de sertissage, entre la gaine isolante (4) et le gel (5).
  7. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel chaque embout (6) est capable d'être serti autour d'un conducteur respectif inséré dans celui-ci.
  8. Procédé pour former une épissure de raccordement entre deux conducteurs électriques isolés allongés ou davantage, au moyen d'un dispositif (1) qui comprend un tube de sertissage (3) ayant deux extrémités ouvertes, une gaine électriquement isolante (4) située autour et s'étendant au-delà des extrémités du tube de sertissage, et une certaine quantité de gel (5) situé à l'intérieur de chaque région d'extrémité de la gaine isolante, au-delà de chaque extrémité du tube de sertissage, pour étanchéifier chaque extrémité de l'épissure contre l'entrée d'humidité, chaque quantité de gel contenant une ouverture (10) pour permettre l'insertion d'un ou de plusieurs conducteurs électriques allongés dans chaque extrémité du tube de sertissage, et un embout sertissable (6), situé au-delà de chaque extrémité du tube de sertissage, entre la gaine isolante (4) et le gel (5), le procédé comprenant:
    (i) le dénudage d'une certaine longueur d'isolant de l'extrémité de chaque conducteur;
    (ii) l'insertion d'un ou plusieurs des conducteurs dans chaque extrémité du dispositif, de façon que l'extrémité de chaque conducteur s'étende dans le tube de sertissage, et qu'une partie de l'isolant soit entourée par la gaine isolante;
    (iii) le sertissage du tube de sertissage autour des conducteurs; et
    (iv) le sertissage de chaque embout autour de l'isolant de chaque conducteur inséré dans celui-ci.
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel chaque quantité de gel (5) comporte une section transversale d'ouverture qui est plus petite que la section transversale associée de chaque conducteur isolé qui y est inséré.
EP92904327A 1991-02-07 1992-02-04 Connecteur electrique serti Expired - Lifetime EP0570449B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9102661 1991-02-07
GB919102661A GB9102661D0 (en) 1991-02-07 1991-02-07 Electrical crimp connector
PCT/GB1992/000210 WO1992014278A1 (fr) 1991-02-07 1992-02-04 Connecteur electrique serti

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0570449A1 EP0570449A1 (fr) 1993-11-24
EP0570449B1 true EP0570449B1 (fr) 1997-04-16

Family

ID=10689704

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92904327A Expired - Lifetime EP0570449B1 (fr) 1991-02-07 1992-02-04 Connecteur electrique serti

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0570449B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH06505120A (fr)
AT (1) ATE151921T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU1203392A (fr)
CA (1) CA2100665C (fr)
DE (1) DE69219110T2 (fr)
GB (1) GB9102661D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1992014278A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4386992A1 (fr) * 2022-12-16 2024-06-19 Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co KG Élément de raccordement pour au moins un conducteur, système comprenant un élément de raccordement et au moins un conducteur, et procédé de fabrication d'une liaison entre un élément de raccordement et au moins un conducteur

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9221393D0 (en) * 1992-10-12 1992-11-25 Raychem Sa Nv Electrical connector
ES2112761B1 (es) * 1995-06-09 1999-02-01 Salvado Manuel Mendez Sistema de hermeticidad aplicable a conexiones de cables aereos desnudos, especialmente de conduccion electrica.
GB9605911D0 (en) * 1996-03-21 1996-05-22 Raychem Ltd Gel-carrying elongate articles
CA2651299A1 (fr) * 2006-05-05 2007-11-15 3M Innovative Properties Company Borne tubulaire d'un cable
ES2337075T3 (es) 2006-05-05 2010-04-20 3M Innovative Properties Company Terminal tubular para un cable.
DE202009015299U1 (de) 2009-11-10 2010-02-25 Meyer, Boris Mehrfach-Kabelverbinder
JP5197706B2 (ja) * 2010-09-28 2013-05-15 中部電力株式会社 絶縁電線用圧縮スリーブの水密機構
FR3094144B1 (fr) * 2019-03-21 2021-12-10 Aptiv Tech Ltd Dispositif et procédé de raccordement de fils électriques.

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3010183A (en) * 1956-11-23 1961-11-28 Amp Inc Method and apparatus for forming a crimped connection
US3320355A (en) * 1965-09-07 1967-05-16 Aylwin R Booker Heat shrinkable connector for electrical wire
ES483896A1 (es) * 1978-09-04 1980-04-01 Mars Alcatel Perfeccionamientos en dispositivos estancos de conexion de conductores electricos aislados
GB2185155A (en) * 1986-01-03 1987-07-08 Bicc Plc Corrosion and resistant electric connectors
ES2006878A6 (es) * 1988-03-30 1989-05-16 Capelles De La Fuente Rosa Dispositivo de conexion electrica para el enlace de conductores aislados.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4386992A1 (fr) * 2022-12-16 2024-06-19 Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co KG Élément de raccordement pour au moins un conducteur, système comprenant un élément de raccordement et au moins un conducteur, et procédé de fabrication d'une liaison entre un élément de raccordement et au moins un conducteur

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2100665C (fr) 2001-04-24
CA2100665A1 (fr) 1992-08-08
GB9102661D0 (en) 1991-03-27
ATE151921T1 (de) 1997-05-15
DE69219110T2 (de) 1997-11-20
JPH06505120A (ja) 1994-06-09
AU1203392A (en) 1992-09-07
WO1992014278A1 (fr) 1992-08-20
DE69219110D1 (de) 1997-05-22
EP0570449A1 (fr) 1993-11-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5422438A (en) Electrical crimp connector
US5418331A (en) Electrical connector
US4864725A (en) Electrical connector and method of splicing wires
US5672846A (en) Electrical connector
US5431758A (en) Arrangement for forming a sealed electrical splice
EP0108518A2 (fr) Appareil de protection d'un substrat
US6454598B1 (en) Ionomer-insulated electrical connectors
US5558538A (en) Termination device and method
EP0570449B1 (fr) Connecteur electrique serti
US20060108140A1 (en) Automatic gel splice
US5331113A (en) Electrical connector
US5415713A (en) Sealing a connector against water ingress
EP0626101B1 (fr) Connecteur de cables
US5461198A (en) Electrical connector
EP1289064B1 (fr) Connecteur électrique à isolant ionomère
WO1995017024A1 (fr) Dispositif permettant de realiser des connexions electriques
US5603635A (en) Electrical connector
WO1993017467A1 (fr) Connecteur electrique

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: 19930723

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

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

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950327

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 BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

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

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19970416

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19970416

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 PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;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: 19970416

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 19970416

Ref country code: DK

Effective date: 19970416

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19970416

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19970416

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19970416

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 151921

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19970515

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: 69219110

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19970522

ET Fr: translation filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19970716

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
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: DE

Payment date: 20110225

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20110309

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20110223

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 69219110

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 69219110

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20120203

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 EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20120205

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 EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20120203