EP0645306A1 - Dispositif pour plier des cartons pour cartons d'emballage - Google Patents

Dispositif pour plier des cartons pour cartons d'emballage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0645306A1
EP0645306A1 EP94306970A EP94306970A EP0645306A1 EP 0645306 A1 EP0645306 A1 EP 0645306A1 EP 94306970 A EP94306970 A EP 94306970A EP 94306970 A EP94306970 A EP 94306970A EP 0645306 A1 EP0645306 A1 EP 0645306A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blank
movement
folder
folding
flaps
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
EP94306970A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0645306B1 (fr
Inventor
Jean-Christophe Bonnain
Pascal Portrait
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.)
WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
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 EP0645306A1 publication Critical patent/EP0645306A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0645306B1 publication Critical patent/EP0645306B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/004—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material in blanks, e.g. sheets precut and creased for folding
    • 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
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/06—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths
    • B65B11/08—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a single straight path
    • B65B11/10—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a single straight path to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents
    • 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
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/06—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths
    • B65B11/08—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a single straight path
    • B65B11/10—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a single straight path to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents
    • B65B11/105—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a single straight path to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents the axis of the tube being parallel to the conveying direction
    • 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
    • B65B21/24—Enclosing bottles in wrappers
    • 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
    • B65B49/00—Devices for folding or bending wrappers around contents
    • B65B49/12—Rotary folders

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a carton folding mechanism for a machine for packaging articles in, for example, a sleeve type wraparound carton.
  • the carton is formed from a paperboard blank in which a side wall panel and base panel are hinged together along a fold line.
  • Article apertures for example, bottle heel retaining apertures incorporating hinged retaining flaps are disposed astride the fold line between the carton panels.
  • the machine in which the mechanism of the present invention may be incorporated includes a conveyor for advancing a blank and the articles to be packaged along a predetermined feed path.
  • the mechanism folds such retaining flaps into their required positions inwardly of the carton.
  • the present invention is concerned with the inward folding of pairs of such retaining flaps associated with each article retention apertures. The flaps of each pair of flaps are engaged and folded inwardly while the adjacent portions of the blank are held against any substantial sidewise movement by suitable guide means.
  • a mechanism for achieving this function is disclosed in EP-0 200 445 and comprises a mechanism for engaging and folding a pair of bottle heel retention flaps so that the flaps are folded inwardly of the carton.
  • the folding mechanism includes a pivotal folder comprising a pair of pivotal fingers which are cam actuated so as to execute a folding movement whereby the fingers progressively enter a retention aperture in the blank to fold the flaps and to execute a retracting movement. These folding and retracting movements occur during linear feed movement of the carton blank and the pivotal folder together.
  • the pivotal folders operate sequentially upon a blank to fold open a row of such heel retention flaps and, in a folding section of the machine, move together with the blank through the machine.
  • each pivotal folder engages a fixed cam track formed in a cam block and is conveyed through a working path and a return path of a chain and sprocket assembly.
  • the invention provides a device for use in a machine for packaging articles in a wraparound carrier of the type formed from a blank having a pair of walls adjoined together along a fold line and having a pair of article retaining and blank reinforcing flaps disposed astride said fold line
  • said device comprising folding means for engaging and folding said pair of flaps and to fold such flaps inwardly of the carrier, said folding means comprising a folder adapted to execute a folding movement thereby progressively to enter an aperture in the blank to fold the flaps and to retract therefrom during feed movement of the blank, said folder including a blank engaging portion and means for cooperation with actuating means to pivot the blank engaging portion thereby to execute said folding movement and said retracting movement
  • said folder is radially movable with respect to an axis of the device and said blank engaging portion comprises a pair of divergently pivotal fingers adapted to pivot upon radial movement of the folder with respect to said axis.
  • said cooperating means may comprise a cam follower which rides in an endless cam track contoured so as to cause said folding movement and said retracting movement.
  • said folding means may comprise a rotatable plate assembly incorporating said folder and said endless cam track.
  • the plate assembly may comprise, in axial series, a cam plate, an intermediate plate incorporating said folders and a top plate and wherein the intermediate and top plates are rotatable relative to the cam plate.
  • the plates are discs.
  • said folder may comprise a body which is mounted for radial movement in said intermediate plate which body carries said cam follower.
  • the body may terminate in a head comprising a pair of pivotal fingers which provide the blank engaging portion of said folder.
  • the pivotal fingers are caused to pivot substantially simultaneously and cooperate with parts of said intermediate plate to effect their pivotal movement.
  • said body may be slidably mounted in a radial track provided in the intermediate disc.
  • said plate assembly may comprise a plurality of folders arranged in discrete groups whereby a separate one of each group of folders is provided for each successive carton to be engaged.
  • Figures 1 to 10 are a schematic representation of the operation of a carton flap opening mechanism 10 according to the invention.
  • the mechanism comprises a number of sets of rotatably mounted folders to cooperate sequentially with a carton blank adapted to provide two heel retention apertures at each side of the carton.
  • Figures 1-10 illustrate the sequential steps during rotation of a rotatable plate assembly 36, 38 on which a pair of such folders 12 are carried to effect the opening of heel retention apertures A by, in each case, displacing a pair of flaps f1, f2 of a carton blank C. I n this case the carton blank is of the wraparound type.
  • the heel portions of a pair of bottles B1, B2 are then received in respective ones of the retaining apertures A.
  • Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of the rotatable disc plate mechanism 10 which comprises an upper disc 38, an intermediate disc 36 and a lower fixed cam plate 34.
  • the discs can be driven, for example, by a shaft fixed to each of the discs and rotatably journalled through the centre of the fixed cam plate.
  • the shaft may of course be connected to be driven through some suitable form of mechanical linkage to a motor in order to effect the correct rotational speed of the wheel assembly in synchronisation with the movement of the carton blank C in the packaging process.
  • the opening mechanism 10 in this example comprises three series of four closely and equally spaced folders. The number and spacing of each of the folders 12 is determined by the type of carton being used to package articles.
  • the cartons are configured to package a 4 X 2 arrangement so that a row of four articles will be disposed along each side wall of the carton.
  • the carton C comprises a side wall having apertures A for receiving heel portions of articles B and flaps "f" struck from the carton side wall which are required to be opened out of the flat plane of the side wall, inwardly of the carton.
  • a pair of blank folding mechanisms 10 is adapted to be installed adjacent the infeed end of a packaging machine. Two such mechanisms are installed in side-by-side relationship so that a blank and article feed path is provided between the mechanisms.
  • the description hereinafter refers to only one mechanism of the pair the other mechanism being similar in all aspects.
  • the carton blank is formed with a linear series of article heel retaining apertures A which are struck along the fold line which foldably connects a side wall panel with a bottom panel of the blank.
  • Such heel retaining apertures are provided to receive e.g. heel portions of bottles to assist retention of the bottles in the completed carton.
  • the heel retaining apertures are each defined in part, by foldable reinforcing flaps f which are foldable, to open the aperture, into overlapping relationship with adjacent portions of the side wall and base panel of the blank.
  • FIG 11 An individual folder 12 from one of the three groups is shown in Figure 11 wherein first and second fingers 14 and 16, respectively, are shown in their fully opened position in which they protrude from recess 40 in disc 36.
  • Each pivotal folder comprises an elongate rod 26 which is received in a radial track 28 formed in intermediate disc 36 for reciprocal movement therein.
  • the radially outer end of rod 26 carries a head plate 24 formed with an ovate transverse opening 22.
  • the pivotal fingers 14 and 16 have upper locating pins 18 and 20 respectively which are slidably received in opening 22 and each have a lower locating pin 52 which are each received in a recess 50 formed in a protruding portion 37 of disc 36.
  • the latter components are shown in Figures 12 to 14.
  • pin 20 is displaced from the centre of pin 52 in order to effect the opening movement of fingers 14 and 16 during radial movement of rod 26.
  • angle A subtended by the axis of pin 20 at the axis of pin 52 relative to a line R' parallel to radial edge R of finger 16, which edge forms the edge which abuts finger 14, is in the order of 45°.
  • a cam follower in this case a roller assembly 30, depends from the lower face of rod 26 intermediate its ends and rolls in a cam track 32 formed in cam plate 34.
  • the pivotal fingers 14 and 16 are caused to move through the action of the reciprocating rod 26 which moves radially inwardly and outwardly along the radial track 28 in response to radial movement of the cam follower 30 in cam track 32.
  • the cam track 32 is shown schematically in each of the Figures 1 to 10 and thus the location of fingers 14 and 16 with respect to their position in relation to cam track 32 can be followed in each of the same figures.
  • the pivotal fingers are opened to their maximum extent (as shown in Figure 11) when reciprocating rod 26 is at its radially outermost limit and thus when cam follower 30 reaches the most eccentric part of cam track 32.
  • FIG 11 is, of course, only schematic, and it is apparent that each protruding portion 13 of upper disc 38 is provided in its lower surface with a radial groove (not shown) for receiving head plate 24 thereby to enable radial movement of head plate 24.
  • Figure 3 illustrates folder 12 at a position where it has almost entirely penetrated the aperture A causing the flaps f1, f2 to fold inwardly away from one another significantly, but not beyond a 90° position relative to the carton side panel. This is the situation also for the next sequence of events up to and including the position shown in Figure 5. It will be appreciated that up to this position the pivotal fingers of the folder 12 remain closed even though they have penetrated the blank.
  • cam follower 30 has reached the radially outermost part of cam track 32 and thus reciprocating rod 26 causes head plate 24 to reach its radially outermost position. Hence, this causes maximum opening of the pivotal fingers 14 and 16 due to the action of plate 24 on locating pins 18 and 20 received in groove 22.
  • Figure 9 shows that cam follower 30 has passed the radially outermost extent of cam track 32 and that rod 26 is caused to retract thereby causing the pivotal fingers 14 and 16 to begin to close back together.
  • the fingers when the fingers are pivoted into their extreme outward position, the fingers move apart to engage and fold outwardly the tabs of the heel retaining aperture and when the fingers are pivoted into their fully retracted position, the fingers are closed together.
  • pivotal fingers 13,14 of the folders have a curved outer profile in order better to effect penetration of aperture A and to enable a progressive folding effect in the expansion of the flaps f1, f2.
  • an opening mechanism 10 according to the invention can be readily modified so as to operate in conjunction with cartons of a different configuration to those described here.
  • change-over from one carton form to another different form simply requires the removal of the current disc assembly and the substitution of another appropriate disc assembly whose diameter, pivotal finger grouping and number and rotational speed of the assembly are matched to the type of carton to be run on the machine.
  • This is in contrast to the considerably more laborious change-over requirements of the known mechanism in which the number and spacing of the pivotal fingers often would need to be individually adjusted on the endless chain assembly.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Machines For Manufacturing Corrugated Board In Mechanical Paper-Making Processes (AREA)
EP94306970A 1993-09-24 1994-09-23 Dispositif pour plier des cartons pour cartons d'emballage Expired - Lifetime EP0645306B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB939319970A GB9319970D0 (en) 1993-09-24 1993-09-24 Carton folding mechanism for wraparound cartons
GB9319970 1993-09-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0645306A1 true EP0645306A1 (fr) 1995-03-29
EP0645306B1 EP0645306B1 (fr) 1997-12-03

Family

ID=10742635

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94306970A Expired - Lifetime EP0645306B1 (fr) 1993-09-24 1994-09-23 Dispositif pour plier des cartons pour cartons d'emballage

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0645306B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3522353B2 (fr)
AT (1) ATE160740T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69407124T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0645306T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2109616T3 (fr)
GB (1) GB9319970D0 (fr)
GR (1) GR3025960T3 (fr)
MY (1) MY117083A (fr)
NZ (1) NZ274397A (fr)
TR (1) TR28584A (fr)
TW (1) TW287995B (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106956819A (zh) * 2017-04-10 2017-07-18 成都三可实业有限公司 口香糖条形包装机双层折纸装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0200445A2 (fr) * 1985-04-24 1986-11-05 The Mead Corporation Machine d'emballage
EP0242992A2 (fr) * 1986-03-21 1987-10-28 The Mead Corporation Mécanisme pour le pliage d'un panneau en carton
EP0322159A1 (fr) * 1987-12-21 1989-06-28 The Mead Corporation Mécanisme de pliage pour languettes de carton

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0200445A2 (fr) * 1985-04-24 1986-11-05 The Mead Corporation Machine d'emballage
EP0242992A2 (fr) * 1986-03-21 1987-10-28 The Mead Corporation Mécanisme pour le pliage d'un panneau en carton
EP0322159A1 (fr) * 1987-12-21 1989-06-28 The Mead Corporation Mécanisme de pliage pour languettes de carton

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106956819A (zh) * 2017-04-10 2017-07-18 成都三可实业有限公司 口香糖条形包装机双层折纸装置
CN106956819B (zh) * 2017-04-10 2023-02-21 成都三可实业有限公司 口香糖条形包装机双层折纸装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH07165205A (ja) 1995-06-27
GB9319970D0 (en) 1993-11-17
ATE160740T1 (de) 1997-12-15
GR3025960T3 (en) 1998-04-30
DK0645306T3 (da) 1998-02-02
TR28584A (tr) 1996-11-01
DE69407124T2 (de) 1998-03-26
NZ274397A (en) 1997-01-29
EP0645306B1 (fr) 1997-12-03
JP3522353B2 (ja) 2004-04-26
TW287995B (fr) 1996-10-11
DE69407124D1 (de) 1998-01-15
MY117083A (en) 2004-05-31
ES2109616T3 (es) 1998-01-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5778630A (en) Carton folding mechanism for wraparound cartons
AU687102B2 (en) Carton folding mechanism for wraparound cartons
US3991660A (en) Carton expander
US3821874A (en) Cartoning machine for cartons having liners
US4982551A (en) Universal packer
US3085377A (en) Method and machine for packaging articles
SE443550B (sv) Anordning for vikning av emnen av arkmaterial for forpackning av cigaretter i lockforsedda askar
US4012887A (en) Packaging machine
CA1272117A (fr) Machine d'enveloppement de produits
GB2163122A (en) Erecting trays about their contents
FI84457C (fi) Vikningsmekanism foer dammflik foer anvaendning vid utformning av baerfoerpackningar av omslagstyp.
EP0645306B1 (fr) Dispositif pour plier des cartons pour cartons d'emballage
US5669203A (en) Carton activating mechanism
US3398660A (en) Machine for making frame blanks and for thereafter forming said blanks around an article
US2900778A (en) Tucking mechanism for packaging machine
EP0200445B1 (fr) Machine d'emballage
EP0708026B1 (fr) Mécanisme d'activation de boítes en carton
US3741082A (en) Carton infeed and erecting apparatus
GB2259686A (en) Forming handle in wrap-around carrier blank

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 NL PT SE

RAX Requested extension states of the european patent have changed

Free format text: SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950927

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19960717

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 GR IE IT LI NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: SI

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 160740

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19971215

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: 69407124

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19980115

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2109616

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

ITF It: translation for a ep patent 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: 19971205

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PUE

Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC

Free format text: THE MEAD CORPORATION#COURTHOUSE PLAZA#DAYTON OHIO 46453 (US) -TRANSFER TO- MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC#ONE HIGH RIDGE PARK#STAMFORD, CT 06905 (US)

NLS Nl: assignments of ep-patents

Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC

Owner name: MW CUSTOM PAPERS, INC (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

NLT1 Nl: modifications of names registered in virtue of documents presented to the patent office pursuant to art. 16 a, paragraph 1

Owner name: MW CUSTOM PAPERS, LLC

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20050927

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CL

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

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20060901

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20060905

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: IE

Payment date: 20060927

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: GR

Payment date: 20060928

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20060928

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20060929

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20061018

Year of fee payment: 13

BECA Be: change of holder's address

Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLCONE HIGH RIDGE

Effective date: 20060703

BECH Be: change of holder

Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC

Effective date: 20060703

BECN Be: change of holder's name

Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC

Effective date: 20060703

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20060927

Year of fee payment: 13

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC

Effective date: 20070930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Effective date: 20080324

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: 20070924

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
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: 20080324

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20070923

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: 20070930

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20070930

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

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20070930

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: 20070924

Ref country code: DK

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

Effective date: 20071001

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20070924

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: 20070924

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: 20080402

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 69407124

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: CORINNA VOSSIUS IP GROUP PATENT- UND RECHTSANW, DE

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20130927

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20130926

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: 20130927

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20130919

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20130924

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 69407124

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: V4

Effective date: 20140923

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20140922

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: 20140924

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: 20140922