EP0573050A1 - A handling device for packages, such as bottles, and a method in the handling of packages - Google Patents

A handling device for packages, such as bottles, and a method in the handling of packages Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0573050A1
EP0573050A1 EP93108961A EP93108961A EP0573050A1 EP 0573050 A1 EP0573050 A1 EP 0573050A1 EP 93108961 A EP93108961 A EP 93108961A EP 93108961 A EP93108961 A EP 93108961A EP 0573050 A1 EP0573050 A1 EP 0573050A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
guide
packages
crate
conveyor
transferred
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93108961A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Pekka Tähkänen
Hannu Paavola
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.)
Halton System Oy
Original Assignee
Halton System Oy
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 Halton System Oy filed Critical Halton System Oy
Publication of EP0573050A1 publication Critical patent/EP0573050A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/10—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
    • B65B5/101—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
    • B65B21/02—Packaging or unpacking of bottles in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates
    • B65B21/04—Arranging, assembling, feeding, or orientating the bottles prior to introduction into, or after removal from, containers
    • B65B21/06—Forming groups of bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
    • B65B21/02—Packaging or unpacking of bottles in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates
    • B65B21/08—Introducing or removing single bottles, or groups of bottles, e.g. for progressive filling or emptying of containers
    • B65B21/10—Introducing or removing single bottles, or groups of bottles, e.g. for progressive filling or emptying of containers using gravity flow

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a handling device for packages, such as bottles, and a method in the handling of packages.
  • one work step is the placement of bottles in a transport crate, i.e. crating of returnable bottles.
  • the bottles have been crated manually, whereby said work step forms a considerable cost factor in the handling of returnable bottles.
  • the object of the invention is an improvement in the crating of packages and a method and a device, by means of which a returnable container, especially a bottle, is automatically transferred into an empty crate.
  • the product to be handled refers to a bottle, but it is apparent that it may also concern a package of another type.
  • the package handling device such that the packages are led from a main conveyor via a sorter onto their own conveyor belt and further to a guide.
  • the guide comprises a full number of packages
  • the packages are dropped to a lower position, where a crate for the packages is located.
  • the packages are moved on the lower conveyor always by a row space of one crate after each dropping operation.
  • An empty crate is taken from a storage station of empty crates, and the filled crate is transferred from the conveyor to a storage station of filled crates.
  • a returnable bottle is led from the main conveyor to a side conveyor and further to a guide, which comprises as many stations as there are places for a returnable bottle in the crate to be filled in its each row.
  • Sensor devices sense the entry of the bottles to the guide and emit a signal to the central unit of each bottle passed by.
  • the central unit sends a transfer command for transferring the guide into a position, where the bottles drop gravitationally into the crate located below.
  • the crate is then transferred controllably not solely by means of a motor such that the crate transfers, moved by the motor, on the belt to the next station, where the next empty bottle cell row of the crate is filled.
  • the sensor device senses the transfer of the crate away from the photocells, and the central unit sends to the motor of the lower belt run a transfer command for transferring the filled crates to a storage station, at which the filled crates are stacked.
  • the inventive device for crating the packages is mainly characterized in that the guide has an open bottom, whereby, when transferring a package by an actuator, the packages inside the space of the guide drop off, and that the device solution comprises plate-like guide plates cooperative with the guide, and the packages may be transferred to the stations located therebetween by means of the guide, before they are dropped into a crate.
  • Fig. 1A shows axonometrically the inventive method and equipment.
  • Fig. 1B shows in an illustrative manner a crate to be filled.
  • Fig. 2 shows partially schematically the equipment of Fig. 1A.
  • Fig. 3A shows the device of Fig. 1A seen from the direction of an arrow K1 of Fig. 1A.
  • Fig. 3B illustrates the structure of the guide.
  • the guide is located on top of a belt run.
  • Fig. 3C shows the guide, when is has been transferred away from top of the belt run.
  • Fig. 3D shows a block diagram representation of the device.
  • Fig. 4A shows an embodiment of the guide, in which the guide is transferred non-linearly.
  • Fig. 4B shows an embodiment of the guide, in which the side plates comprise an end wall combining them.
  • Fig. 5A is a representation in principle of an embodiment of the inventive device, which comprises a movable additional guide.
  • Fig. 5B shows an actual guide arrangement joined to the additional guide of Fig. 5A.
  • Fig. 6A shows the device arrangement of Fig. 5A and 5B seen from the transport direction of the crate.
  • the guide is in its lower position.
  • the crate to be filled is not shown.
  • Fig. 6B shows the device arrangement of Fig. 6A seen from the top.
  • Fig. 7 shows the movable guide arrangement as an axonometric representation and separately from the remaining structure.
  • Fig. 8 shows the device arrangement of Fig. 7 seen from the top.
  • Fig. 9A shows the turnable guide in a position receiving the bottles.
  • Fig. 9B shows the turnable guide in a position and step, in which the bottles in the space U inside the guide have dropped to a crate located below.
  • a bottle has been selected as a package (P) and the invention is described with reference to this selected package form.
  • a package such as a returnable bottle comes from a sorting unit N of a main conveyor to a first conveyor 11, preferably to a belt conveyor, of a handling device 10 for packages (P).
  • the belt gear 13 and its belt 13a are connected to a wheel 14a1 driving a sheave 14a of the belt run.
  • a conveyor belt 11a thus travels as a closed loop via sheaves 14a and 14b.
  • a guide 15 which comprises in its vicinity guide plates 15b1, 15b2... and therebetween dropping stations 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d..., whose number is the same that of packaging places or cells R 1a , R 1b ... in each row R1, R2, R3, R4...of a crate K to be filled.
  • the guide 15 is moved by a moving device 17, preferably a solenoid or a cylinder.
  • a sensor device 18 which senses a by-passing bottle and sends thereof a signal to a central unit M, which registers and counts the number of the by-passed bottles.
  • the number of the packages, such as bottles corresponds to the number of the bottle places R 1a , R 1b ... of a bottle row R1, R2, R3... to be filled and preferably also to the number of the stations 16a, 16b...
  • the central unit M sends to the moving device 17 a control command for transferring the moving device 17 to a position, in which the guide 15 transfers the bottles placed thereon away from top of the belt run of the first conveyor 11 or some other base such that the bottles drop gravitationally from the dropping stations, 16a, 16b, 16c... located between the guide plates 15b1, 15b2... to the crate K on top of a second conveyor 19.
  • the guide 15 and the guide plates 15b1, 15b2, 15b3... are a cooperative whole, by means of which the returnable packages P are grouped before dropping into a grouping form, which corresponds the grouping form of the cells of the cell row of the crate to be filled.
  • the packaging cell row of the crate K, a bottle row R1, when bottles are concerned, is then filled, i.e. the bottle stations or bottle cell units of the row R1 are filled at the same time.
  • a motor 21 of the lower conveyor 19 transfers after a certain delay the crate forwards such that the next row R2 filling the next crate comes to a position, where it may receive bottles dropped from above.
  • the operation advances in this way by a row R1, R2... at a time of the crate K, and when an identification sensor 20 of the crate senses that the crate is no longer in front of it, the central unit sends to the motor 21 an actuation command, whereby the motor 21 is driven, until the filled crate K has transferred to a storage station A2 of filled crates.
  • the central unit M takes an empty crate from a storage station A1 of empty crates and drives the motor 21, until an empty crate enters a station on top of the upper belt run of the lower conveyor 19, in which the crate identification sensor 20 senses the entry of a new crate K before it.
  • the central unit then sends a signal, which stops the motor 21 and in which station the first row R1 of the bottle cell unit of the crate K is in a position, where it may be filled.
  • each crate K may be transferred to a lower conveyor 18 either manually or automatically.
  • the crate K may be taken from the storage station A1 of empty crates K.
  • the storage station A2 of full crates, on which the full crates are stacked, operates automatically or said transfer to the storage station A2 may occur manually.
  • Fig. 1B shows in an illustrative manner a crate K to be filled, which comprises cell rows R1, R2, R3... and therein cells R 1a , R 1b ...
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the guide is moved linearly by means of a solenoid, i.e. a guide moving device 17.
  • a solenoid i.e. a guide moving device 17.
  • the structure is encapsulated.
  • the motor 12 connects by its outlet shaft via the belt gear 13 to the sheave 14a via a drive wheel 14a1, whereby the above-mentioned belt run is inside a case structure T.
  • the lower run of the conveyor 11 is located protectively inside the case structure T, like the sheaves 14a and 14b of the belt run of the conveyor.
  • Fig. 3A shows the guide of Fig. 1 seen from the top in the direction of the arrow K of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3B illustrates the guide as an axonometric representation.
  • the guide 15 comprises according to Fig. 3B seen from the top a U-formed guide frame 15a.
  • the guide frame 15a is located in a bottle-receiving condition totally on a station F2 on top of the upper belt run 11a of the belt 11.
  • Said guide plates are plate-like parts and position in guide grooves e1, e2, e3, e4 of the wall 15a1 on the side of the dropping side of the guide frame 15a and are guided therein, as the grooves e1, e2, e3... open from the lower part of the wall section 15a1.
  • the first bottle positions against a wall 15a3 of the frame 15a or in its vicinity.
  • the frame 15a has an open bottom, so that the bottles may thus be dropped gravitationally away from inside the guide 13a on dropping stations 16a, 16b...
  • the guide plates 15b1, 15b2... are L-shaped when seen from the side, whereby, by means of the lower part J of the guide, the guide plates 15b1, 15b2... may be connected to the side frame of the conveyor 11.
  • the actuator 17 performs a transfer of the guide frame 15a of the guide 15 from the station F1 to the station F2, where the guide frame 15a transfers, guided by the guides 15b1, 15b2..., such that the bottles transfer, pushed by the wall 15a2 of the guide frame 15a, into the spaces 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d between the guide plates 15a1, 15b2; 15b2, 15b3..., and when the guide is further transferred by the actuator 17, the bottles transfer off a bottom base C and drop relatively simultaneously to a lower crate K, as shown by an arrow L2. In this way, the bottles have been transferred from an upper station G1 to a lower station G2.
  • Fig. 3C is shown a step, in which the guide has nearly transferred to the station F2, in which the bottles drop into a crate K on the conveyor belt 19.
  • Fig. 3D shows as a block diagram representation the main drives of the inventive device.
  • the central unit M receives from a sorter of the main conveyor belt an information about a sorted bottle, whereby the upper conveyor 11 of the crating device 10 is switched into operation.
  • the motor 12 is thus driven and when the bottle has passed the sensor device 18, the information is transmitted from the sensor device to the central unit M, which counts the passed-by bottles.
  • the bottle transfers to the guide 15 either to the end of a U-shaped receiving space of the guide 15 or to the vicinity of a bottle already located there.
  • the central unit M sends to the actuator 17 of the guide 15 an actuation command, whereby the actuator 17 transfers the guide 15 to the station (arrow L1), in which the packages, such as returnable bottles, drop relatively simultaneously into a crate K on the lower conveyor 19, whereby the bottle row of the crate K is filled.
  • the central unit M then sends to the motor 21 of the lower conveyor an actuation command for driving the motor and the motor moves the conveyor 19 such that the crate K transfers to a station, in which the next row of bottles may be received.
  • a sensor device 30 monitors, whether the next row in the crate is empty. It sends a signal in the direction of the row.
  • the equipment comprises an identification sensor 20, which senses the location of the front edge and rear edge of the crate, whereby the central unit M drives the motor of the lower conveyor to such an extent that the next row of bottles transfers exactly to such a station, in which it may receive the bottles dropping from above.
  • the purpose of the sensor device 30 is to sense, whether the row of bottles that has entered the dropping station is empty of bottles before dropping the bottles.
  • Fig. 4A shows as an axonometric representation an embodiment of the invention, in which the guide 15 is moved by the moving device 17 non-linearly (arrow L3), as the spindle rotates the guide shaft d, which transfers the guide 15 along a curved path (arrow L3).
  • the bottles transfer by means of the guide to a station, where they essentially simultaneously drop from the upper station G1 to the lower station G2 and into a crate K therein into the bottle stations of the row of bottles or into the cell unit.
  • Fig. 4B is shown an embodiment of the invention corresponding to Fig. 4A except that in the embodiment of the figure, the guide plates 15b1, 15b2, 15b3... are joined by means of an end wall 15c.
  • the guide 15 and its side wall 15a1 are formed such that the side wall 15a1 is narrower than the second side wall 15a2.
  • the wall 15a1 is fitted to move over the guide plates 15b1, 15b2... 15c limiting the dropping stations 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d.
  • the belt 11 may also be some other feeding device and such that it is fitted to feed e.g. onto a storage table, on top of which the movable guide 15 is placed.
  • Fig. 5A shows illustratively an inventive additional guide 22 movable in the vertical direction (view S).
  • the additional guide comprises an end wall 22a and side walls 22b and 22c.
  • the additional guide is moved by a motor device 23, which via a gear 24 rotates a drive wheel 25.
  • a crank 27 is articulated into the drive wheel 25 from an articulated point 26.
  • One end of the crank 27 is articulated into the end wall 22a from an articulated point 28.
  • the additional guide 22 is moved in a vertical direction, as shown by the arrow S.
  • the additional guide 22 comprises guide sleeves 29a, 29b, whereby the guide 22 may be moved, guided by the guide sleeves 29a, 29b, in ways 31a, 31b.
  • the ways 31a, 31b are fixed to the frame R.
  • the motor arrangement moving the additional guide is fixed to the fixed frame R.
  • Fig. 5B shows the device arrangement of Fig. 5A in connection with the guide plate arrangements 15b1, 15b2... 15c forming the dropping stations 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d.
  • An inlet opening O1, O2, O3, O4 is arranged for the dropping stations 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d from one side of the guiding arrangement 15b1, 15b2...
  • the movable guide 15 transfers the returnable bottles or other corresponding returnable packages to the dropping stations 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, which have open bottoms and whereby, when a returnable bottle enters into dropping stations, it drops into an empty crate K located below.
  • the side wall 15a1 of the guide 15 advances in transfer over said guide structure.
  • the guide 15 may be transferred in the lateral direction.
  • the second side wall 15a2 of the guide frame 15a which pushes the returnable packages to the dropping stations, is wider that the wall structure 15a1.
  • the side walls 22b, 22c of the movable guide 22 are located inside the plate parts 15b1, 15b5, said plate parts 15b1, 15b5 comprising a longitudinal runner H, which also acts as a way part, when the movable guide 22 is guided downwardly.
  • the movable guide 22 is transferred before the dropping into a lower station in connection with the cell row R1 or R2 or R3... of the crate K, the dropping packages are supported and they are prevented from falling.
  • Fig. 6A shows the movable guide in the lower station.
  • the crank is then located in a vertical line and the articulated points 26, 28 are located on the same vertical line.
  • Fig. 6B shows the device arrangement of Fig. 6A seen from the top.
  • the guide 15 is transferred by turning it, whereby the bottles drop from the dropping stations 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d into an empty crate located below, into its row of bottles.
  • Fig. 7 shows axonometrically the inventive device arrangement.
  • the movable guide 22 and its end and side walls are in the lower station and brought into the returnable crate K in connection with the row of bottles (not shown), whereby the dropping bottles are supported also in the lower station.
  • Fig. 8 shows the device solution of Fig. 7 seen from the top.
  • the bottles are transferred e.g. from a collection table to the dropping stations 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d between the guide plates 15b1, 15b2, 15b3, 15b4, 15b5 and 15c.
  • Fig. 9A shows the inventive guide 15 in the filling station, in which the bottles (P) may be brought into the trough-like space U between the side walls 15a1 and 15a2.
  • the belt run 11 does not have to extend further than near the inlet opening B of the guide 15.
  • a device feeding the packages P may also be used some other feeding device than the belt 11.
  • Fig. 9B shows a step, in which the guide 15 is turned as shown by the arrow L3 such that the bottles P have transferred to the dropping stations 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d having an open bottom and therefrom to a crate K to be filled and located therebelow.
  • the invention relates to a handling device (10) for packages, such as bottles, and to a method in the handling of packages.
  • the device comprises a movable guide (15), into which the packages are transferred.
  • the guide (15) has an open bottom, whereby, when a package is transferred by an actuator (17), the packages inside the guide in a space (U) drop off.
  • the device solution comprises plate-like guide plates (15b1, 15b2, 15b3...) cooperative with the guide (15), and the packages may be transferred to the stations (16a, 16b, 16cituated therebetween by means of the guide (15) before they are dropped into a crate.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
EP93108961A 1992-06-05 1993-06-03 A handling device for packages, such as bottles, and a method in the handling of packages Withdrawn EP0573050A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI922626A FI91051C (sv) 1992-06-05 1992-06-05 Anordning för behandling av förpackningar, såsom flaskor och förfarande vid behandling av förpackningar
FI922626 1992-06-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0573050A1 true EP0573050A1 (en) 1993-12-08

Family

ID=8535434

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93108961A Withdrawn EP0573050A1 (en) 1992-06-05 1993-06-03 A handling device for packages, such as bottles, and a method in the handling of packages

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0573050A1 (sv)
DE (1) DE4318527A1 (sv)
DK (1) DK63893A (sv)
FI (1) FI91051C (sv)
NO (1) NO932055L (sv)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020222132A1 (en) 2019-04-29 2020-11-05 E&M Projects Bvba Pitfall device for transferring bottles and method for transferring bottles
BE1027242A1 (nl) 2019-04-29 2020-11-24 E&M Projects Telescopische-inrichting voor het overbrengen van flessen
BE1027247A1 (nl) 2019-04-29 2020-11-25 E&M Projects Inrichting voor het overzetten van flessen en werkwijze voor het overzetten van flessen
CN117002789A (zh) * 2023-09-28 2023-11-07 河南立高食品有限公司 食品自动装箱机

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113264214B (zh) * 2021-05-10 2022-08-19 遂宁思瑞食品有限公司 一种罐头全自动打包装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2318598A (en) * 1939-02-13 1943-05-11 F A Davis & Sons Case filling machine
DE9013729U1 (de) * 1990-10-02 1991-04-04 Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen Vorrichtung zum Verpacken von Diarahmen, insbesondere von solchen unterschiedlicher Dicke

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2318598A (en) * 1939-02-13 1943-05-11 F A Davis & Sons Case filling machine
DE9013729U1 (de) * 1990-10-02 1991-04-04 Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen Vorrichtung zum Verpacken von Diarahmen, insbesondere von solchen unterschiedlicher Dicke

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020222132A1 (en) 2019-04-29 2020-11-05 E&M Projects Bvba Pitfall device for transferring bottles and method for transferring bottles
BE1027241A1 (nl) 2019-04-29 2020-11-24 E&M Projects Bvba Valkuil-inrichting voor het overzetten van flessen en werkwijze voor het overzetten van flessen
BE1027242A1 (nl) 2019-04-29 2020-11-24 E&M Projects Telescopische-inrichting voor het overbrengen van flessen
BE1027247A1 (nl) 2019-04-29 2020-11-25 E&M Projects Inrichting voor het overzetten van flessen en werkwijze voor het overzetten van flessen
CN117002789A (zh) * 2023-09-28 2023-11-07 河南立高食品有限公司 食品自动装箱机
CN117002789B (zh) * 2023-09-28 2024-01-02 河南立高食品有限公司 食品自动装箱机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK63893D0 (da) 1993-06-03
NO932055D0 (no) 1993-06-04
DE4318527A1 (de) 1993-12-09
FI922626A (sv) 1993-12-06
FI91051C (sv) 1995-08-22
FI91051B (sv) 1994-01-31
FI922626A0 (sv) 1992-06-05
DK63893A (da) 1993-12-06
NO932055L (no) 1993-12-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5190162A (en) Sorting machine
US5771657A (en) Automatic prescription filling, sorting and packaging system
US5996316A (en) System and method for order packing
US5305892A (en) Process and device for the sorting of bottles
JPH07232828A (ja) 部品供給装置
US4942720A (en) Bottom case loader and method
EP0339337B1 (en) Sorting conveyor system
EP0573050A1 (en) A handling device for packages, such as bottles, and a method in the handling of packages
CN110369307B (zh) 一种包裹分拣装置及方法
US5937994A (en) Container conveying installation for preparing sets of objects
KR101769012B1 (ko) 포장용기 분류투입장치가 포함된 자동 미드팩 포장시스템
EP0611707B1 (en) Method and apparatus for wavehousing
CN114126970A (zh) 用于将元件、优选纸箱布置在托盘上的包装机及其方法
EP0452810A1 (en) Transporting and processing apparatus for cheese-like yarn packages
JP3785272B2 (ja) 農産物の仕分装置
US5129206A (en) Cheese transporting and processing apparatus
CN114850041A (zh) 分拣装置和分拣系统
EP0712783A1 (en) Automatic modular packaging machine
CN1022903C (zh) 用于自动填充料槽的装置
US3634996A (en) Bottle-packaging machine
US4005562A (en) Container packer
JP3447790B2 (ja) 部品供給装置
JP3232978B2 (ja) 個装単位切出し装置
JP3785265B2 (ja) 農産物の仕分装置
CN216547096U (zh) 一种cpc卡的分拣消毒打包设备

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 IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19931029

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950413

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

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19950824