EP0636554A2 - Porte-objets engageant la partie supérieure des objets - Google Patents

Porte-objets engageant la partie supérieure des objets Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0636554A2
EP0636554A2 EP94305655A EP94305655A EP0636554A2 EP 0636554 A2 EP0636554 A2 EP 0636554A2 EP 94305655 A EP94305655 A EP 94305655A EP 94305655 A EP94305655 A EP 94305655A EP 0636554 A2 EP0636554 A2 EP 0636554A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panel
carton
aperture
article
locking
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94305655A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0636554B1 (fr
EP0636554A3 (fr
Inventor
Martinus C.M. Bakx
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.)
Mead Corp
Original Assignee
Mead Corp
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 Mead Corp filed Critical Mead Corp
Publication of EP0636554A2 publication Critical patent/EP0636554A2/fr
Publication of EP0636554A3 publication Critical patent/EP0636554A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0636554B1 publication Critical patent/EP0636554B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/40Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks
    • B65D71/46Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a carton which is used for packaging a plurality of articles such as bottles. More particularly, it relates to a carton of the top gripping type which attaches to the tops of articles thereby to secure the articles in an array.
  • top-gripping cartons which comprise so-called sunburst type apertures having a series of circumferentially arranged tabs which enable a bottle top to pass through the aperture which the tabs engage on the underside of the bottle top or on a flange on the bottle neck to prevent removal of the bottle from the aperture.
  • sunburst aperture arrays require to be spaced apart on a panel, normally the top panel of the carton. Cartons of this general type are shown for example in EP188327A2 and GB154197B.
  • top-gripping carton is disclosed in EP42720 wherein a relatively rigid collar is provided around a series of bottles.
  • the carton comprises apertures which each have a peripheral edge which engages the underside of opposite sides of a flange which protrudes from a bottle neck thereby to retain the bottle.
  • Such cartons generally accommodate a single row of articles and involve a relatively intricate folding process to form both the carton and engage the articles.
  • None of the prior art is concerned with a carton of the top gripping type for use with containers such as bottles wherein the bottle tops have a radius which approaches that of the radius of the body of the bottle.
  • Such articles are provided, for example, to contain dairy products such as yoghurt and can be made from plastics wherein a plastics cap closes a wide neck opening and has a plastics pull-off safety ring.
  • the pull tab of such a safety ring can protrude to the same radial extent as the radius of the plastics bottle.
  • Such bottles are grouped so that a space is left between adjacent bottles if a carton of the known type comprising sunburst apertures is to be used. This has the disadvantage that the overall carton is not packaged as tightly thereby creating the risk of damage to the containers and/or accidental displacement of a container from the carton.
  • One aspect of the present invention provides a carton of the top-gripping type accommodating a plurality of articles, such as bottles, comprises a first panel having an aperture for receiving the top of an article which aperture is defined by a peripheral edge comprising a first portion which operatively engages the underside of a radially protruding part of an article present in the aperture and a further portion which operatively abuts a peripheral wall of said top of the article at a substantially diametrically opposed location to that of said first portion and axially above said first portion thereby to provide cooperating forces which act on the article to restrict its removal from the aperture.
  • the first panel may comprise a marginal panel hingably attached thereto and wherein said peripheral edge extends into the marginal panel such that the first peripheral edge portion is provided by the marginal panel, the carton thereby being adapted to engage an article top when the marginal panel is displaced from the first panel by folding about a hinge line.
  • the carton may further comprise a series of hingably interconnected side panels and a top and locking means provided by the first panel which is adapted to restrict relative movement of the panels in the formed carton.
  • said means may comprise a tab having an upstanding portion adjacent a peripheral wall portion of one bottle of a pair and a further portion overlying the top of the adjacent bottle of that pair said further portion being secured to the top of the carton.
  • the carton comprises a locking means having a locking tab which cooperates with a locking aperture having a peripheral rim in one of the panels. Still more preferably the locking tab is provided along the longitudinal marginal portions of a panel which is disposed intermediate the first panel and the top and said locking aperture is struck from the first panel.
  • the locking means comprises a tab struck from the aperture and has a first portion for disposition against a peripheral wall portion of said article and a further portion hinged to said first portion adapted to overlie the top of another article present in an adjacent aperture.
  • the locking means comprises a locking tab which cooperates with a locking aperture having a peripheral rim in one of the walls.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a carton blank 10 for forming a top-gripping carton and made from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material.
  • the blank comprises an end panel 12 hingably connected to a side panel 14 along fold line 30.
  • the side panel 14 is hingably connected to first outer base panel 16 along a fold line 32 which more preferably comprises a series of cuts thereby more easily enabling panels 14 and 16 to be placed in face to face relationship so that the angle subtended between the panels is acute in the finished carton 11 as shown in Figure 4.
  • Outer base panel 16 is foldably connected to a first, interrupted, incline panel 18 along interrupted fold line 34.
  • the incline panel 18 is interrupted by a part of each of the apertures 60 and is hingably connected to a central base panel 20 along an interrupted fold line 36.
  • Base panel 20 is hingably connected to a second incline panel 22 along an interrupted fold line 38.
  • the second incline panel 22 also is interrupted by parts of aperture 60, and is hingably connected to a second outer base panel 24 along interrupted fold line 40.
  • the second outer base panel 24 is hingably connected to side panel 26 along fold line 42 which is substantially similar to fold line 32 described above.
  • Side panel 26 is foldably connected to end panel 28 along fold line 44. End panels 12 and 28 together form the top of this carton.
  • blank 10 comprises an array of four apertures 60 defined by peripheral edges 62 which extends into central base panel 20 and the first and second incline panels 18 and 22.
  • Each edge 62 comprises a portion 64 which is adapted to engage an underside of a protruding portion, such as a bottle cap or neck flange, of an article passed present in aperture 60.
  • the edge portion 64 of each of the apertures 60 extends substantially co-linearly along either one of fold lines 34 or 40.
  • edge portions 64 are arcuate to some extent and extend into the adjacent outer base panels 16 and 24. It is envisaged that the exact configuration of edge portions 64 is not significant so long as they can provide a retaining force in the completed carton which acts on part of an article A thereby to retain an article in the carton.
  • the locking means 50 comprise a glue tab 56 which is hingably connected to a shoulder panel 54 along fold line 56, which in turn is foldably connected to base panel 20 along fold line 52.
  • Fold lines 52 and 56 can be creases or comprise one or more cuts series, for example.
  • Blank 10 is applied to the tops T of four grouped and adjacent bottles whose tops thereby pass through adjacent apertures 60. At the same time the end panels 12 and 28 and glue tabs 56 are raised vertically.
  • the bottles packaged in this example are of the type comprising a safety ring S which, in use, needs to be removed by pulling a pull tab P in order to enable removal of top T which can be of a fiction fit or screw type, for example.
  • the radial extent of pull tab P of the bottles B is substantially the same as the radius of the body portions of the bottles.
  • Figure 3 shows that during the process to form carton 11 tab 56 is folded substantially horizontally about fold line 58 whilst shoulder panel 54 abuts the peripheral wall of the top T of the adjacent bottle of that pair which passes through the associated aperture 60 and is substantially upright.
  • Outer base panel 24 is lifted inwardly about fold line 40 towards the bottles whilst side panel 26 is folded about fold line 42 as end panel 28 is folded substantially horizontally about fold line 44.
  • outer base panel 16 is folded downwardly and inwardly towards the bottles about fold line 34 while side panel 14 is folded about fold line 32 as end panel 12 is folded substantially horizontally about fold line 30.
  • glue is applied to the upper side of glue tab 56 and to the upper side of end panel 12.
  • top panel 28 is adhered to end panel 12 which in turn is adhered to glue tab 56.
  • glue tab 56 By applying a downward force on the carton the edge portions 64 pass over the flanges F and engage beneath the flanges.
  • the locking means 50 acts to provide rigidity in the completed carton 11 by providing fixed relative displacement of the top panel 28 and bottom panel 20. Locking means 50 also acts to provide a horizontal retaining force on an article top T through abutting shoulder panel 54. This action helps to prevent an article A from becoming dislodged through any pivotal movement of an article about rim portion 64. Of course, such retaining force is also provided by that part of the aperture rim 62 in top panel 20 which abuts the article top in the formed carton 11.
  • the substantive retaining force provided by the carton is an upright reaction force provided by rim portions 64 which abut the underside of flange F of the article. Horizontal retaining forces are provided by tight gripping of the side of the article top T by the aperture rim 62 - especially by portions thereof diametrically opposite to rim portion 64, which prevents rotational movement of the article about the pivot provided by the rim portion 64.
  • FIG. 5 a second embodiment of the invention is shown.
  • the carton 110 shown in Figure 5 is for packaging 8 articles rather than 4 as in the previous embodiment.
  • Carton 110 is however substantially similar to carton 10 in that the top of an article A is engaged in an aperture 160.
  • the panels are then folded substantially as described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4 except that in this second embodiment, there is no direct equivalent to tab 56.
  • a means for interlocking base panel 120 and end panel 112 is provided in the form of a locking tab 117 which operatively engages an aperture 180 struck in base panel 120.
  • the locking tab 170 and aperture 180 therefore perform substantially the same function as locking means 50 of the first embodiment.
  • article tops are engaged in a similar manner to that shown in Figure 2 and panels 112, 114, 116, 118, 122, 124, 126 and 128 are folded so as to engage the article tops in the apertures and provide the outline carton as shown in Figure 3.
  • base panel 112 is longer in this embodiment than in the first and accordingly the panel extends across the top of the adjacent article tops so that the locking tabs 170 can be folded downwardly so as to engage apertures 180.
  • the tabs shown here comprise a shoulder portion 172 which passes through the apertures 180 and engages the underside thereof, abutting against the base panel 120.
  • the apertures 180 are provided with a flap 182 which is displaced where the locking tabs 180 are engaged.
  • Top panel 128 is attached to end panel 112 in a similar manner to that described with reference to the first embodiment and can therefore be attached by gluing for example.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
EP94305655A 1993-07-31 1994-07-29 Porte-objets engageant la partie supérieure des objets Expired - Lifetime EP0636554B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB939315885A GB9315885D0 (en) 1993-07-31 1993-07-31 Top-gripping carton
GB9315885 1993-07-31

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0636554A2 true EP0636554A2 (fr) 1995-02-01
EP0636554A3 EP0636554A3 (fr) 1995-05-31
EP0636554B1 EP0636554B1 (fr) 1998-09-30

Family

ID=10739758

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94305655A Expired - Lifetime EP0636554B1 (fr) 1993-07-31 1994-07-29 Porte-objets engageant la partie supérieure des objets

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0636554B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE171689T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69413618T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0636554T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2121154T3 (fr)
GB (1) GB9315885D0 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10337983A1 (de) * 2003-08-14 2005-04-07 Wanfried-Druck Kalden Gmbh Zuschnitt zur Herstellung eines Trägers für Flaschen, insbesondere Getränkeflaschen, und Verfahren zur Herstellung des Trägers
WO2005095222A1 (fr) * 2004-03-16 2005-10-13 A & R Carton Gmbh Boite pliante servant a maintenir la region superieure d'une pluralite de contenants
WO2013022687A1 (fr) * 2011-08-05 2013-02-14 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Emballage pour récipients
US8631932B2 (en) 2010-12-03 2014-01-21 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Chime-engaging package for containers
US8701878B2 (en) 2011-05-13 2014-04-22 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Package for beverage containers
US8936149B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2015-01-20 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carrier for bottles

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2016533975A (ja) 2013-10-25 2016-11-04 グラフィック パッケージング インターナショナル インコーポレイテッドGraphic Packaging International,Inc. 保持機能部を有するカートン

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3747750A (en) * 1971-04-08 1973-07-24 Mead Corp Shrink film package and stabilizing device therefor
DE4034069A1 (de) * 1990-10-26 1992-04-30 Wanfried Druck Kalden Gmbh Zuschnitt fuer mehrreihentraeger fuer flaschen mit kronenkorken oder schraubenverschluessen
WO1992022471A1 (fr) * 1991-06-14 1992-12-23 Riverwood International Corporation Dispositif porteur d'article

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3747750A (en) * 1971-04-08 1973-07-24 Mead Corp Shrink film package and stabilizing device therefor
DE4034069A1 (de) * 1990-10-26 1992-04-30 Wanfried Druck Kalden Gmbh Zuschnitt fuer mehrreihentraeger fuer flaschen mit kronenkorken oder schraubenverschluessen
WO1992022471A1 (fr) * 1991-06-14 1992-12-23 Riverwood International Corporation Dispositif porteur d'article

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10337983A1 (de) * 2003-08-14 2005-04-07 Wanfried-Druck Kalden Gmbh Zuschnitt zur Herstellung eines Trägers für Flaschen, insbesondere Getränkeflaschen, und Verfahren zur Herstellung des Trägers
WO2005095222A1 (fr) * 2004-03-16 2005-10-13 A & R Carton Gmbh Boite pliante servant a maintenir la region superieure d'une pluralite de contenants
US8936149B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2015-01-20 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carrier for bottles
US8631932B2 (en) 2010-12-03 2014-01-21 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Chime-engaging package for containers
US9079699B2 (en) 2010-12-03 2015-07-14 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Package for holding containers
US9511916B2 (en) 2010-12-03 2016-12-06 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Package for containers
US8701878B2 (en) 2011-05-13 2014-04-22 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Package for beverage containers
WO2013022687A1 (fr) * 2011-08-05 2013-02-14 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Emballage pour récipients
CN103717506A (zh) * 2011-08-05 2014-04-09 印刷包装国际公司 用于容器的包装件
US8955674B2 (en) 2011-08-05 2015-02-17 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Package for containers
CN103717506B (zh) * 2011-08-05 2015-08-19 印刷包装国际公司 用于容器的包装件

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0636554B1 (fr) 1998-09-30
GB9315885D0 (en) 1993-09-15
DE69413618T2 (de) 1999-05-06
DK0636554T3 (da) 1999-02-22
ES2121154T3 (es) 1998-11-16
ATE171689T1 (de) 1998-10-15
DE69413618D1 (de) 1998-11-05
EP0636554A3 (fr) 1995-05-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0794907B1 (fr) Flan pour fabriquer un porte-objets
US7264114B2 (en) Carton with top retaining structure and blank therefor
JP3461837B2 (ja) 角部末端拘束手段を有するラップアラウンドキャリヤー
EP0715592B1 (fr) Emballage pour boites comportant une separation en deux rangees
AU736949B2 (en) Two-tier can package having divider panel and method of forming the same
EP0696996B1 (fr) Boite fermee a fond arrondi et flan correspondant
US5558212A (en) Wrap-around carrier with bar code blocker
EP1015347B1 (fr) Dispositif porte-objets et ebauches correspondantes
US5344006A (en) Neck clip bottle carrier with easy access feature
US7083046B2 (en) Wraparound carton and blank
EP1334043B1 (fr) Carton et decoupe
WO1994026619A1 (fr) Support enveloppant avec des panneaux terminaux
WO1995023745A1 (fr) Conditionnement maintenant des bouteilles par le col
CA2109152A1 (fr) Emballage carton a deux etages
EP0636554B1 (fr) Porte-objets engageant la partie supérieure des objets
EP0255337B1 (fr) Carton d'emballage multiple avec pattes pour la mise en place automatique des panneaux
EP0425135B1 (fr) Emballage comportant des récipients
US6568585B2 (en) Carton and carton blank
EP0743916B1 (fr) Porte-articles
EP1309492B1 (fr) Porte-article et ebauche
EP1268303B1 (fr) Support d'article et ebauche
EP1204564B1 (fr) Cartonnage et decoupe pour cartonnage
JP2003509290A (ja) 物品キャリアおよびブランク
GB2273284A (en) Wrap-around cartons
HU223452B1 (hu) Eljárás és alakos lap kialakított, felül megfogó típusú árucikkhordozó eszköz kialakításához, valamint az alakos lapból kialakított hordozó eszköz

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: A2

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

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19951128

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19961115

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

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

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: SOCIETA' ITALIANA BREVETTI S.P.A.

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

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

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 171689

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19981015

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: KIRKER & CIE SA

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69413618

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19981105

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2121154

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: SC4A

Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION

Effective date: 19981002

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

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: ES

Ref legal event code: GD2A

Effective date: 19991117

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: AT

Payment date: 20020606

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: 20020610

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20020611

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: 20020612

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: 20020617

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: IE

Payment date: 20020617

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20020617

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: 20020619

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20020619

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: GR

Payment date: 20020626

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: 20020705

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20020708

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: 20020724

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20030729

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20030729

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20030729

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

Ref country code: SE

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

Effective date: 20030730

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 20030730

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: 20030731

Ref country code: DK

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

Effective date: 20030731

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20030731

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20030731

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: THE *MEAD CORP.

Effective date: 20030731

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

Ref country code: PT

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

Effective date: 20040131

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: 20040201

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: 20040203

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

Ref country code: GR

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

Effective date: 20040205

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
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: 20030729

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: 20040331

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

Effective date: 20040201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Effective date: 20040131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20030730

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

Effective date: 20050729

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A