EP0645133A1 - Hydromassagegewanne mit Rotationsverteiler - Google Patents

Hydromassagegewanne mit Rotationsverteiler Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0645133A1
EP0645133A1 EP94202732A EP94202732A EP0645133A1 EP 0645133 A1 EP0645133 A1 EP 0645133A1 EP 94202732 A EP94202732 A EP 94202732A EP 94202732 A EP94202732 A EP 94202732A EP 0645133 A1 EP0645133 A1 EP 0645133A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nozzles
bathtub according
under pressure
series
bathtub
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
EP94202732A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0645133B1 (de
Inventor
Ianni Carmelo
Livio Furlan
Roy Jacuzzi
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.)
Jacuzzi Inc
Original Assignee
Jacuzzi Inc
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 Jacuzzi Inc filed Critical Jacuzzi Inc
Publication of EP0645133A1 publication Critical patent/EP0645133A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0645133B1 publication Critical patent/EP0645133B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/0087—Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
    • A61H33/601—Inlet to the bath
    • A61H33/6021—Nozzles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
    • A61H2201/1602—Physical interface with patient kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
    • A61H2201/1623—Back
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
    • A61H2201/5053—Control means thereof mechanically controlled

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to bathtubs for hydromassage in general and more particularly to bathtubs provided with means for hydromassaging the back.
  • Hydromassage of the abovementioned type differs from that carried out on other parts of the body on account of the special way in which it is achieved.
  • all the supply vents or nozzles function simultaneously
  • they are supplied in succession in one direction (from the bottom upwards) or in the opposite direction. After the desired sequence has been chosen, it is repeated cyclically for a predetermined period of time, depending on the effects which are to be obtained.
  • the nozzle activation cycle as described here, can be explained in that the action of this type of hydromassage reproduces the action of a traditional manual massage performed by Shiatzu masseurs or physiotherapists. It is sufficient to mention just one of the advantages offered by this type of hydromassage, i.e. the significant reduction in cost, to understand the huge success of bathtubs which can be used for this purpose and the consequent research efforts by manufacturers to achieve reliable and competitive technical solutions.
  • Bathtubs which allow the user to undergo hydromassaging of the back are in fact known and it is also known that generally they are provided with suitable programming means for activating and supplying the vents or nozzles delivering the liquid under pressure, as described above.
  • These programming means which are for example of the electronic type in the more sophisticated models of bath, control sequential opening and closing of solenoid valves inserted in the supply ducts of the various nozzles.
  • control means associated with the nozzles for delivering into the bathtub a liquid under pressure comprise a distributor which is provided with a first substantially stationary member and a second member movable with respect to the first member. On the second member a series of openings is provided which are designed to be positioned, as a result of displacement of said movable member, opposite openings of the fixed member communicating in succession with the nozzles. This allows to supply the nozzles sequentially in one direction or in the opposite direction according to the direction of displacement of said movable member.
  • a bathtub for underwater massage with water jets having a water supplying apparatus composed of stationary and movable members is known from DE-B-1087761.
  • Said apparatus is a rotatable water deliverying assembly since its movable member is rotatable within the stationary member. More particularly both said rotatable and stationary members consist of a tubular pipe.
  • the water under pressure is introduced into the rotatable pipe which is provided with series of holes which are angularly offset in the longitudinal direction and are designed to be positioned, as a result of rotation of said pipe, opposite a corresponding series of holes of the stationary pipe, these holes having a rectilinear pattern.
  • its distributor of water therein is a rotating distributor by which the sequential feeding of the nozzles is achieved.
  • EP-A-286304 is known a bath installation using a rotary sequency distributor for supplying in turn with air successive groups of openings distributed in different zones of the bottom and walls of the bathtub.
  • This apparatus however is able only to inject air into the bathtub in order to agitate the bath water contained therein in a discontinuous manner thus giving only a "ripple" effect on the bather. This effect cannot be identified with that of a hydromassage whose action and functions are completely different from a simple ruffling or agitation of the water.
  • means are provided at the outlet of said distributor for the automatic discharging of the residual liquid from the latter when hydromassage has been terminated.
  • Said discharging means are activated, i.e. opened, when a sensor of the liquid level detects a minimum level of liquid in the bathtub sending a suitable signal to a valve means inserted in a duct connecting the outlet of the distributor with the bathtub waste outlet.
  • FR-A-2398851 a distribution apparatus of water is described the configuration of their feeding ducts being that these latter allow to obtain the discharging of the water from the apparatus when its use is terminated.
  • the discharging of the water is simply obtained by gravity since all the various water feeding ducts are inclined towards the bottom in the direction of a discharging device which is the lowest part of the apparatus.
  • the backrest denoted overall by 10, has two series of vents or nozzles 12 for delivering a liquid under pressure, such as water for example.
  • the nozzles 12 of each of the two series are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal median axis of the backrest 10 and the two series of nozzles 12 are parallel to each other and are composed of an equal number of nozzles 12 which are equidistant with respect to each other.
  • nozzles 12 of each series are mounted in pairs, as described in more detail below, on the upper side, i.e. on the side where the backrest 10 of the bath is located, of chambers 14 formed longitudinally in two parallel and symmetrical rows with respect to a composite central longitudinal duct 16 on two tubular portions denoted overall by 18a and 18b, respectively.
  • the external wall 16a of the duct 16 and the portions 18a, 18b are formed as one piece.
  • this assembly may be made of plastic and hence be obtained simply by means of moulding with a significant reduction in costs.
  • the chambers 14 which are located opposite one another symmetrically with respect to the composite central duct 16 may, however, assume two different and separate operating conditions. They may, in fact, be respectively separated from one another or in communication with one another depending on the configuration assumed by the composite central duct 16 which, as will be explained below, performs the important function of a rotating distributor.
  • the chambers 14 in question are supplied simultaneously with liquid under pressure by the composite central duct or rotating distributor 16, supplying in turn the two pairs of nozzles 12 associated with them.
  • the composite central duct or rotating distributor 16 comprises, within said external wall 16a, an essentially cylindrical sleeve 20, the ends of which are arranged in a fixed position in suitable seats provided at the ends of the tubular portions 18a, 18b.
  • the sleeve 20 is open at the ends, into one of which the liquid under pressure coming from a known supply pump 27 connected inside the bath via a duct 29 is introduced.
  • the sleeve 20, at the other end, is connected to a duct 21 connected in turn to the waste outlet of the tub.
  • the duct 21 has inside it a solenoid valve 23 which is connected to a suitable electronic sensor 25 for detecting the level of the liquid inside the bathtub, indicated by a broken line in the illustration, said sensor being fixed in any known manner on one of the external walls of the tub, for example the rear wall as shown in Figure 1.
  • This sensor 25, known per se is calibrated so as to emit a control signal for opening the solenoid valve 23 when the level of water inside the tub, during its emptying at the end of the hydromassage, has reached a predetermined minimum value.
  • This value for example, corresponds substantially to the height at which the lower delivery nozzles 12 are located with respect to the bottom of the bathtub.
  • the sleeve 20 is provided with openings 22 ( Figure 4) which allow the liquid under pressure to flow inside said chambers.
  • openings 22 Figure 4
  • the liquid under pressure is introduced in succession into each pair of chambers 14 located opposite one another, i.e. in communication with each other as described above, in one direction or in the opposite direction.
  • the holes 28 are grouped together, in the example of embodiment considered, in fours on portions 26 of equal length of the duct 24.
  • the four holes 28 of each portion 26 are arranged in pairs in a diametral plane, i.e. are arranged at 180°, while the holes of each portion 26 with respect to the preceding portion are offset at a predefined and constant angle, generally an acute angle. In this way the holes 28 are distributed over the duct 24 substantially in two helices.
  • the conditions in which the hydromassage is performed may be varied according to the user's needs and requirements. For example, increasing or reducing the speed of rotation of the duct 24 causes, respectively, a reduction or increase in the duration of the supply sequence of the nozzles 12.
  • the force of the jets emerging from the nozzles 12 may be varied for example by modifying the delivery of the liquid supply pump and this in particular enables one to increase or decrease the pressure with which the jets of said liquid reach the user's body.
  • the assembly consisting of the composite central longitudinal duct 16 and the two tubular portions 18a and 18b is fixed to the rear wall of the backrest 10.
  • a description is now given, by way of a non-limiting example, of a possible embodiment of this fixing system.
  • the abovementioned assembly is first of all simply rested on the rear surface of the said backrest 10 of the tub, inside a suitable seat in the latter.
  • the nozzles 12 are applied and fixed, through holes in said backrest 10, to the tubular portions 18a, 18b, thus fixing in this way the entire assembly to the bathtub.
  • the walls of the tubular portions 18a, 18b to which the nozzles 12 are applied are provided with sleeve elements 30 of essentially cylindrical shape, the middle zone of which is sealingly fixed in any known manner to said walls.
  • the portions 30a of the sleeve elements 30 which project outside the chambers 14 are threaded internally so that a corresponding threaded portion of the body of the nozzles 12 allows the latter to be screwed inside them.
  • the top end of the body of the nozzles 12, i.e. the end arranged inside the tub, has an annular projection 12a which engages with the inner side of the backrest 10, thereby providing the abovementioned fixing system since the end of the portions 30a of the sleeves 30 engages with the external surface of the backrest 10.
  • annular grooves On the end of the body of the nozzles 12 opposite to the preceding end there are formed annular grooves, two in the example considered, inside each of which a seal 32 is mounted, said seal being provided so as to ensure a sealing action when the abovementioned end of the nozzles 12 is inserted into the portion 30b of the sleeve elements 30 which is located inside the chambers 14.
  • the reason why two, or in somes cases more than two, seals 32 are provided is in order to ensure the sealing action in all circumstances, namely engagement of at least one seal 32 in said portion 30b of the sleeves 30, independently of the wall thickness of the backrest 10, which may vary from one bathtub to another.
  • holes 28 on the duct 24 must be regarded solely as an example of embodiment since the same effects could be obtained by providing said duct with longitudinal eyelets, each of which would replace a pair of holes 28, while, as regards the rest, these eyelets would be arranged, from one portion 26 to the next, offset in the same manner as the holes in question.
  • the rotating distributor is composed of a stator 34 consisting of a hollow cylindrical body 36 supported in any manner known per se by a fixed frame (not shown).
  • the stator 34 is provided at the bottom with an inlet duct 38 for the liquid under pressure, which is connected via a pipe 40 to a supply pump 42 which draws the liquid for example directly from the bathtub.
  • the stator 34 On the top end of the stator 34 there is provided a series of holes 44 through which the liquid under pressure supplied by the pump 42 is able to flow out.
  • Each of the holes 44 is provided with a tube-piece 46 to which there is sealingly connected in any known manner the end of a duct (not shown) on the other end of which there is mounted a pair of vents or nozzles for delivering the liquid under pressure (also not shown).
  • the bathtub according to the invention has two series of delivery nozzles for hydromassaging of the back, which are arranged in two mutually parallel lines which extend longitudinally and in a median position along the backrest 10 of the tub.
  • the stator 34 has arranged inside it a rotor 52 which consists of an essentially disc-shaped body 54 with a shaft 55 which extends towards the bottom of the cylindrical body 36, emerging from its bottom end so as to be connected, in any known manner (not shown), to drive means which cause rotation thereof and hence rotation of the disc-shaped body 54.
  • This latter is provided at its periphery, in a zone located opposite the holes 44 of the stator 34, with an eyelet 56 with an essentially circular profile. In this way, when the disc-shaped body 54 is made to rotate, the eyelet 56 positions itself in succession opposite the holes 44 of the stator 34, thereby allowing the liquid under pressure coming from the bottom of the cylindrical body 36 to flow towards them.
  • the eyelet 56 extends over an arc of a circle of a length such that, during rotation of the disc-shaped body 54, it gradually assumes in succession two operating positions.
  • first of these positions Figure 8
  • second position Figure 8a
  • a pair of nozzles 50 stops delivering liquid under pressure delivery by the next pair has already started.
  • This is particularly advantageous since the overall effect of the pressure on the back of the user is substantially continuous, resulting in an action reproducing very closely the effect of the hands of a physiotherapist when performing a back massage.
  • this preferred embodiment of the eyelet 56 must be regarded as an example which is in no way limiting since, instead of this element, it is possible to provide simply a hole with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the holes 44, without the characteristics and operating features of the distributor being negatively modified. In this case, unlike the preceding case, the various pairs of nozzles 50 will be activated one at a time in succession.
  • the activation sequence of all the pairs of nozzles in one direction or in the opposite direction depends, as with the first embodiment, on the direction of rotation of the rotor 52.
  • the value of the speed of rotation of the rotor 52 determines the duration of the abovementioned sequence.
  • the value of the pressure of the hydromassage is dependent upon the delivery of the supply pump 42.
  • the tub By providing the rotating distributor for carrying out the hydromassage of the back, the tub is simplified and the cost thereof reduced.
  • the abovementioned distributor has made it possible to eliminate, or at least has entirely replaced, all the complex programming means provided in conventional bathtubs.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
EP94202732A 1993-09-27 1994-09-22 Hydromassagegewanne mit Rotationsverteiler Expired - Lifetime EP0645133B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITPD930192A IT1263696B (it) 1993-09-27 1993-09-27 Vasca da bagno per idromassaggio, in particolare idromassaggio dorsale
ITPD930192 1993-09-27

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0645133A1 true EP0645133A1 (de) 1995-03-29
EP0645133B1 EP0645133B1 (de) 2002-12-11

Family

ID=11390449

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94202732A Expired - Lifetime EP0645133B1 (de) 1993-09-27 1994-09-22 Hydromassagegewanne mit Rotationsverteiler

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0645133B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH07148214A (de)
BR (1) BR9403862A (de)
CA (1) CA2132901A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69431863T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2185641T3 (de)
IT (1) IT1263696B (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2734155A1 (fr) * 1995-05-19 1996-11-22 Aubert Alain Dispositif d'hydrotherapie notamment adaptable a une cabine de douche
WO2007065613A1 (de) * 2005-12-10 2007-06-14 Martin Heuberger Vorrichtung zur zuführung von fluiden zu einer wanne
CN106923716A (zh) * 2017-05-16 2017-07-07 吴为生 多功能浴缸
CN113081723A (zh) * 2021-03-30 2021-07-09 未来穿戴技术有限公司 按摩控制方法及按摩仪、计算机可读存储介质

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4646259B2 (ja) * 2008-07-22 2011-03-09 株式会社日本メディックス 液体式マッサージ装置
JP4590488B2 (ja) * 2009-03-31 2010-12-01 株式会社日本メディックス 液体式マッサージ装置
DE202010016928U1 (de) 2010-12-23 2011-08-09 Gunther Stolz Therapiewanne mit einer geneigten Rückenanlage-Wand

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1087761B (de) * 1953-10-29 1960-08-25 Burkhardt Hoffmann Dipl Ing Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung wandernder Unterwasserdruckpolster in einer Wanne
FR2364026A2 (fr) * 1976-09-13 1978-04-07 Duclaux Jean Paul Perfectionnement d'une installation de traitement hydrotherapique
FR2398851A1 (fr) * 1977-07-26 1979-02-23 Nicollet Michel Dispositif de distribution d'eau dans un appareil de massage sous eau
EP0154935A2 (de) * 1984-03-13 1985-09-18 Francesco Conti Wassermassagegerät, insbesondere für die Drucktherapie
FR2610519A1 (fr) * 1987-02-05 1988-08-12 Gedouin Jean Baignoire d'hydromassage
EP0286304A2 (de) * 1987-04-08 1988-10-12 Leigh Stewart Products Limited Badevorrichtung mit Wasserbewegung

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1087761B (de) * 1953-10-29 1960-08-25 Burkhardt Hoffmann Dipl Ing Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung wandernder Unterwasserdruckpolster in einer Wanne
FR2364026A2 (fr) * 1976-09-13 1978-04-07 Duclaux Jean Paul Perfectionnement d'une installation de traitement hydrotherapique
FR2398851A1 (fr) * 1977-07-26 1979-02-23 Nicollet Michel Dispositif de distribution d'eau dans un appareil de massage sous eau
EP0154935A2 (de) * 1984-03-13 1985-09-18 Francesco Conti Wassermassagegerät, insbesondere für die Drucktherapie
FR2610519A1 (fr) * 1987-02-05 1988-08-12 Gedouin Jean Baignoire d'hydromassage
EP0286304A2 (de) * 1987-04-08 1988-10-12 Leigh Stewart Products Limited Badevorrichtung mit Wasserbewegung

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2734155A1 (fr) * 1995-05-19 1996-11-22 Aubert Alain Dispositif d'hydrotherapie notamment adaptable a une cabine de douche
WO2007065613A1 (de) * 2005-12-10 2007-06-14 Martin Heuberger Vorrichtung zur zuführung von fluiden zu einer wanne
CN106923716A (zh) * 2017-05-16 2017-07-07 吴为生 多功能浴缸
CN113081723A (zh) * 2021-03-30 2021-07-09 未来穿戴技术有限公司 按摩控制方法及按摩仪、计算机可读存储介质

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1263696B (it) 1996-08-27
DE69431863T2 (de) 2003-09-04
BR9403862A (pt) 1995-05-30
CA2132901A1 (en) 1995-03-28
ITPD930192A1 (it) 1995-03-27
EP0645133B1 (de) 2002-12-11
ITPD930192A0 (it) 1993-09-27
JPH07148214A (ja) 1995-06-13
ES2185641T3 (es) 2003-05-01
DE69431863D1 (de) 2003-01-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5093943A (en) Multi-function shower head
EP0252435B1 (de) Verfahren und Gerät zur Reinigung der Rohrleitungen einer Badeanlage
US5418984A (en) Hydrotherapy seat structure for a hydrotherapy spa, tub or swimming pool
US5548854A (en) Hydro-massage tub control system
DE68915985D1 (de) Whirlpool-Wanne, versehen mit Heisswassereinstrahlregelung.
US4382424A (en) Automatic apparatus for cleaning dogs and similar animals
EP0645133A1 (de) Hydromassagegewanne mit Rotationsverteiler
KR920014979A (ko) 기포발생기를 구비한 세탁기 및 기포를 이용한 피세탁물의 세탁방법
US6848637B2 (en) Hydrotherapy jet with rotating outlet
JP2010094227A (ja) ドラム式洗濯機
KR100721019B1 (ko) 경혈자극용 족욕기
JPH10504990A (ja) ロータリパルシング弁
KR100480726B1 (ko) 세탁기 및 그 제어방법
JP4625835B2 (ja) 頭部・顔部洗浄装置
JPH10234598A (ja) 浴槽洗浄装置
JP4484973B2 (ja) 頭部・顔部洗浄装置
JP2785306B2 (ja) 気泡発生浴槽
JP2746992B2 (ja) 気泡発生浴槽
JP2749621B2 (ja) 気泡発生浴槽
JP2710821B2 (ja) 気泡発生浴槽
KR0134839Y1 (ko) 전자동 세탁기의 샤워 급수 구조
JP2792961B2 (ja) 風呂の残り湯利用システム
JPH0326262A (ja) 気泡量を調節可能な気泡発生浴槽
JP5568007B2 (ja) 複数のノズルを備える差動液体送出ヘッド
EP0286304A2 (de) Badevorrichtung mit Wasserbewegung

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): DE ES FR GB IT

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950915

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19970905

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

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69431863

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030123

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2185641

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ET Fr: translation filed
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

Effective date: 20030912

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20090928

Year of fee payment: 16

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090929

Year of fee payment: 16

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20090929

Year of fee payment: 16

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20090925

Year of fee payment: 16

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

Effective date: 20100922

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: 20100922

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20110531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69431863

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110401

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: 20100930

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20110401

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100922

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20091006

Year of fee payment: 16

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20111019

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

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 20100923