EP0661108B1 - Procédé de tri optique de matériau en vrac - Google Patents

Procédé de tri optique de matériau en vrac Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0661108B1
EP0661108B1 EP94250285A EP94250285A EP0661108B1 EP 0661108 B1 EP0661108 B1 EP 0661108B1 EP 94250285 A EP94250285 A EP 94250285A EP 94250285 A EP94250285 A EP 94250285A EP 0661108 B1 EP0661108 B1 EP 0661108B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
colour
examination material
values
process according
color
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94250285A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0661108A2 (fr
EP0661108A3 (fr
Inventor
Wolfgang Dr. Graudejus
Eberhard Briem
Wilhelm Dr. Hättich
Heribert Dr. Geisselmann
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.)
Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH
Original Assignee
HF and PhF Reemtsma GmbH and Co
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 HF and PhF Reemtsma GmbH and Co filed Critical HF and PhF Reemtsma GmbH and Co
Publication of EP0661108A2 publication Critical patent/EP0661108A2/fr
Publication of EP0661108A3 publication Critical patent/EP0661108A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0661108B1 publication Critical patent/EP0661108B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/36Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B07C5/363Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution by means of air
    • B07C5/365Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution by means of air using a single separation means
    • B07C5/366Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution by means of air using a single separation means during free fall of the articles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B07C5/342Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
    • B07C5/3422Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour using video scanning devices, e.g. TV-cameras
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S209/00Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
    • Y10S209/939Video scanning

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for optical sorting of bulk goods according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • test material is conveyed on tapes and its image for testing with a diode line camera or TV camera is recorded.
  • the signal is preferably recorded in flight if e.g. the test material from one belt to one other band is translated.
  • recording signals in flight the test material can be viewed from several sides with a defined background be assessed.
  • the color is also used for image acquisition detected.
  • the color is used to identify striking areas in the Detect image.
  • the image of the test material keeps pace with the image scan evaluated so that immediately after passing through a test part this can be classified by the measuring station. So that is ejection of the parts in flight using flaps or air nozzles possible.
  • a disadvantage of the known methods is that the Detection rate for color heterogeneous products is low, if you focus on the detection of conspicuous pixels Detection of color values limited that are not included in the product because there are many different color values in the product occurrence. If one extends the detection to color values, the are also included in the product is generally already at Extensions to colors rarely found in the product are unbearable high proportion of the faultless product as rejects detected.
  • the object of the invention is the method for optical sorting of bulk goods to improve that in color heterogeneous bulk material to be detected with a foreign body very low error rate can be recognized.
  • the light from each pixel is transmitted Color filter in front of the detection elements of a line e.g. in the three color components red (R), green (G) and blue (B) disassembled.
  • RGB red
  • G green
  • B blue
  • This ensures that detection of conspicuous pixels (Points with color values that rarely occur in a faultless product) by evaluating those measured by the row elements Color values (intensities of the respective color components) possible is. Then an evaluation of the geometry with regard on local clusters of conspicuous pixels.
  • the color space is spanned by the different color components that be measured for each pixel.
  • red, green and blue are three-dimensional Color space formed.
  • Classifiers i.e. Means for evaluation of the measured values based on specified criteria a classification of the measured color values, whereby a Classifier focused on only one sub-area and included in this sub-area for the color heterogeneous product Detects detection areas, i.e. contiguous areas of eye-catching pixels.
  • the committee part as a relatively large area of pixels of the color values of the selected sub-area is detected and can be evaluated this detection area can be recognized by the classifier.
  • the faultless product within a such sub-area in general only in rare cases large areas of conspicuous pixels found, and the number of false detections remains small.
  • This improvement classification is used in practical application by dividing the committee into typical classes and a classifier is set up for each class, where the classifiers work in parallel during the test.
  • the bulk material moves preferentially in a color sorting machine in flight on an observation head with a light source and a product signal receiver arranged in the vicinity of the light source past.
  • the test material is made more adjacent by different color filters
  • Line elements of a camera line e.g. a CCD line, of the receiver in the three colors red (R), green (G) and blue (B) disassembled.
  • the row elements thus measure in their respective Spectral ranges the brightness of the pixels, also color values called. This results in a three-dimensional distribution of color values, the evaluation of which is based on one-dimensional examples is discussed.
  • test material is in a pre-learning process without Measure committee parts and the frequency distribution 1 of Color values determined.
  • the test material is also without rejects measured and in a first step a color value range determined for good test material by an experience Threshold 2 is placed over the frequency distribution 1 of the color values , the intersection between the threshold 2 and the curve of the frequency distribution 1 the limits of the test material color value range surrender.
  • the color value ranges of the product are divided into sub-ranges.
  • everyone is concentrating in this example of the classifiers A, B and C working in parallel only a sub-area.
  • the reject part is detected as a relatively large area and can be recognized by evaluating the detection areas become. Again, the distributions of the color values of this large areas measured and after their normalization as Thresholds introduced. All color values at which these thresholds 4, 5 and 6 exceed the color value distribution 1 of the test parts, are interpreted as rejects and lead to error detection.
  • the threshold 8 shows the Color value distribution of a reject part. Within the by the Threshold 8 of certain color value range becomes error-free test material classified as a committee. Through the learning process the color value distribution of this large-area detection area measured in error-free test material and according to a standardization as Threshold 7 introduced. All color values with threshold 7 the threshold 8 of the reject part is considered to be Test material is interpreted appropriately and does not lead to one Fault detection.
  • the classification system doubled.
  • a system takes over the test task while the other system the current color value distribution of the product measures.
  • the measurement of the current color value distribution is carried out by the testing classifier is monitored so that during this measurement no color values of the committee are recorded.
  • the learning classifier becomes a representative number of measured values with the newly measured distribution for the test task activated while the classifier currently set to check takes over the learning task.
  • the test item is, for example, of two Lamps illuminated from the direction of the line scan camera. Between Both lamps have the optical axis of the line scan camera. At this arrangement comes with the design of the background essential importance because of the background the color value distribution if possible, do not expand the faultless product should. An extension would lower the detection performance.
  • the background has the Color of the test material, which has the advantage that the contrast between Background and test material is low and therefore the color value distribution of the test material due to edge effects at the transition from the background is not significantly expanded to test material.
  • This variant provides in terms of color and spatial resolution the best results.
  • the disadvantage of pollution is avoided by the background running as a rotating roller, which deposits flung away immediately.
  • the shadow of the test specimen on the background becomes diffuse and, depending on the bulk density, harmless if the rotating roller at an adjusted distance from the test material is installed.
  • the background can be a cylindrical spotlight that is in the Color of the test specimen shines and from a transparent rotating Surrounded role, which throws away the deposits.
  • the background is on dark hole, which has the advantage that the test material from Background segmenting and no interference Pollution and shadow formation arise.
  • segmentation of the test material can, for example, be the form for separating Good sharing and committee are used.
  • the line scan camera looks through a slit into this container.
  • the slot is regarding its width at the aperture and focal length of the camera lens and adapted to the distance to the focus plane.
  • the light of each pixel is reflected in the three colors red (R), green (G) and blue (B) disassembled.
  • the color sensors are in common color cameras even side by side so that the color sensors with regard to a pixel different local areas of the See the target. 4 are the color sensors (R, G, B) arranged horizontally while the measurement object is from moved up and down this horizontal line.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Spectrometry And Color Measurement (AREA)
  • Epoxy Compounds (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Sludge (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Procédé de tri optique d'un matériau en vrac mélangé avec des parties à rebuter, comme des produits agricoles, des produits pharmaceutiques, des minerais, etc, dans une machine de tri par la couleur, en ce sens que ce matériau en vrac est transporté sur un tapis transporteur et passe devant une tête d'observation comportant une source lumineuse et un récepteur des signaux fournis par le matériau, disposé au voisinage de la source lumineuse, dans le cas duquel la lumière réfléchie des éléments d'image du matériau à examiner est décomposée en plusieurs composantes chromatiques par différents filtres chromatiques d'éléments de mise en évidence, situés l'un à côté de l'autre, d'un capteur linéaire du récepteur et que le matériau examiné est trié sur la base des valeurs chromatiques correspondant aux intensités mesurées de chacune des composantes chromatiques, caractérisé par le fait que les différentes valeurs chromatiques du matériau sont étudiées dans différents sous-domaines choisis de l'espace chromatique, en ce sens que dans chaque sous-domaine un classificateur détermine des surfaces cohérentes d'éléments d'image ayant des valeurs chromatiques tombant dans le sous-domaine en question et, en fonction de critères prescrits résultant de la géométrie et de la dimension de ces surfaces de détection, procède à un classement.
  2. Procédé de la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait
    que dans un processus de pré-apprentissage, le procédé mesure le matériau examiné ne contenant pas de parties à rebuter et, en fonction de la couleur, détermine la répartition de fréquence de sa valeur chromatique;
    que dans un processus de postapprentissage, le procédé, dans un premier pas, en employant le matériau à examiner ne contenant pas de parties à rebuter, détermine un domaine de valeurs chromatiques pour un matériau examiné considéré comme bon, en ce sens qu'un seuil conforme à l'invention est chaque fois défini en fonction de la répartition de fréquence des valeurs chromatiques, les limites du domaine des valeurs chromatiques du matériau à examiner résultant des points d'intersection entre le seuil et la courbe de répartition de fréquence;
    que dans le processus de postapprentissage, en employant le matériau à examiner ne contenant pas de parties à rebuter, le système détermine, en fonction de la couleur, les valeurs de mesure soupçonnées de correspondre à des corps étrangers qui, d'après les limites du domaine des valeurs chromatiques du matériau à examiner du premier pas du processus de post-apprentissage, ont été par erreur placées comme correspondant à un rebut, et détermine la valeur de l'accumulation locale de ces valeurs de mesure;
    que dans le processus de postapprentissage, en employant du matériau à examiner ne contenant pas de parties à rebuter, en cas de dépassement d'une valeur prescrite de cette accumulation locale par des valeurs de mesure soupçonnées correspondre à un corps étranger, le système modifie la décision concernant la valeur de seuil du premier pas du processus de postapprentissage, en fonction de la couleur, de façon que pour ces valeurs de mesure il soit décidé que le produit à examiner est bon.
  3. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que lors de l'examen du produit examiné mélangé avec des parties à rebuter, les classificateurs travaillant en parallèle n'analysent que les sous-domaines de l'espace chromatique dans lesquels la présence de parties à rebuter est soupçonnée.
  4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que dans les sous-domaines de l'espace chromatique dans lesquels on soupçonne des parties à rebuter, l'apprentissage de la répartition de leurs valeurs chromatiques se fait par présentation préalable des parties à rebuter.
  5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que l'examen du matériau à examiner, mélangé à des parties à rebuter, se fait avec un premier système de classement, tandis que la répartition de fréquence actuelle des valeurs chromatiques du matériau à examiner, pour adaptation à des modifications systématiques du type dérive, du matériau à examiner, soit mesurée avec un second système de classement, la mesure du premier classificateur qui procède à l'examen étant surveillée pour que lors de la mesure ne soit saisie aucune valeur correspondant à un rebut.
  6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, caractérisé par le fait que les deux systèmes de classement s'échangent dans leur fonction.
  7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que, par comparaison des signaux chromatiques d'éléments d'image voisins, ne sont pris en compte pour la mesure ni des gradients importants ni celles des valeurs chromatiques qui sont généralement brouillées.
  8. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que tri du matériau se fait en vol, par exemple lorsque le matériau passe d'un tapis à un autre.
  9. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que l'arrière-plan de mesure est un trou sombre.
  10. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé par le fait que l'arrière-plan de mesure est réalisé sous forme d'un émetteur cylindrique présentant un rouleau transparent rotatif entourant l'émetteur, l'émetteur émettant de la lumière dans une couleur qui s'harmonise avec celle du matériau à examiner.
EP94250285A 1993-12-28 1994-11-25 Procédé de tri optique de matériau en vrac Expired - Lifetime EP0661108B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4345106 1993-12-28
DE4345106A DE4345106C2 (de) 1993-12-28 1993-12-28 Verfahren zum optischen Sortieren von Schüttgut

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0661108A2 EP0661108A2 (fr) 1995-07-05
EP0661108A3 EP0661108A3 (fr) 1997-02-12
EP0661108B1 true EP0661108B1 (fr) 1999-11-03

Family

ID=6506597

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94250285A Expired - Lifetime EP0661108B1 (fr) 1993-12-28 1994-11-25 Procédé de tri optique de matériau en vrac

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US5586663A (fr)
EP (1) EP0661108B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3517292B2 (fr)
AT (1) ATE186242T1 (fr)
BR (1) BR9405268A (fr)
CA (1) CA2136779C (fr)
DE (2) DE4345106C2 (fr)
HK (1) HK1013038A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5577733A (en) * 1994-04-08 1996-11-26 Downing; Dennis L. Targeting system
DE19511534C2 (de) * 1995-03-29 1998-01-22 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Erfassung von 3D-Fehlstellen bei der automatischen Inspektion von Oberflächen mit Hilfe farbtüchtiger Bildauswertungssysteme
DE19511901A1 (de) * 1995-03-31 1996-10-02 Commodas Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Sortieren von Schüttgut
JPH0943058A (ja) * 1995-05-23 1997-02-14 Olympus Optical Co Ltd 色分類装置及び色むら検査装置
EP0775533A3 (fr) * 1995-11-24 1998-06-17 Elpatronic Ag Méthode de tri
DE19609916A1 (de) * 1996-03-14 1997-09-18 Robert Prof Dr Ing Massen Preisgünstiger spektroskopischer Sensor für die Erkennung von Kunststoffen
ATE291969T1 (de) 1999-04-30 2005-04-15 Binder Co Ag Verfahren und vorrichtung zum sortieren von altpapier
CN1323768C (zh) * 2002-05-28 2007-07-04 佐竹美国公司 用于分选机的照明光源
MX2008012726A (es) 2006-04-04 2009-01-16 6511660 Canada Inc Sistema y metodo para identificar y clasificar material.
US20110068051A1 (en) * 2009-05-22 2011-03-24 6358357 Canada Inc. Ballistic separator
US9234843B2 (en) * 2011-08-25 2016-01-12 Alliance For Sustainable Energy, Llc On-line, continuous monitoring in solar cell and fuel cell manufacturing using spectral reflectance imaging
US10480935B2 (en) 2016-12-02 2019-11-19 Alliance For Sustainable Energy, Llc Thickness mapping using multispectral imaging

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3560758A (en) * 1968-01-08 1971-02-02 Conductron Corp Color identification system taking into account the color and reflecting of the base material
DE2544703C3 (de) * 1975-10-07 1978-04-06 Dr.-Ing. Rudolf Hell Gmbh, 2300 Kiel Verfahren und Schaltungsanordnung zum Erkennen von Farben einer farbigen Fläche
US4122951A (en) * 1977-02-28 1978-10-31 Alaminos Jose I L Machine for the automatic detection of blemishes in olives and other fruits
US4246098A (en) * 1978-06-21 1981-01-20 Sunkist Growers, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting blemishes on the surface of an article
IT1205622B (it) * 1982-12-21 1989-03-23 Illycaffe Spa Procedimento per effettuare una selezione in un materiale granuliforme e macchina per attuare il procedimento
GB2151018B (en) * 1983-12-06 1987-07-22 Gunsons Sortex Ltd Sorting machine and method
JPS63119887A (ja) * 1986-11-06 1988-05-24 カネボウ株式会社 選別装置
DE3802681C2 (de) * 1987-01-30 1997-01-09 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Verfahren zur Klassifizierung von Farbvorlagen und Vorrichtung hierfür
US5085325A (en) * 1988-03-08 1992-02-04 Simco/Ramic Corporation Color sorting system and method
EP0342354A3 (fr) * 1988-04-15 1992-01-08 Tecnostral S.A. Industria E Tecnologia Dispositif de trí selon la couleur
JPH0670590B2 (ja) * 1988-09-10 1994-09-07 倉敷紡績株式会社 色順判定方式
NL8803112A (nl) * 1988-12-19 1990-07-16 Elbicon Nv Werkwijze en inrichting voor het sorteren van een stroom voorwerpen in afhankelijkheid van optische eigenschappen van de voorwerpen.
US5062714A (en) * 1990-02-12 1991-11-05 X-Rite, Incorporated Apparatus and method for pattern recognition
DE4210157C2 (de) * 1992-03-27 1994-12-22 Bodenseewerk Geraetetech Verfahren zum Sortieren von Glasbruch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE59408885D1 (de) 1999-12-09
BR9405268A (pt) 1995-09-19
ATE186242T1 (de) 1999-11-15
EP0661108A2 (fr) 1995-07-05
CA2136779C (fr) 2004-04-06
CA2136779A1 (fr) 1995-06-29
DE4345106C2 (de) 1995-11-23
DE4345106A1 (de) 1995-06-29
JP3517292B2 (ja) 2004-04-12
EP0661108A3 (fr) 1997-02-12
HK1013038A1 (en) 1999-08-13
JPH08206611A (ja) 1996-08-13
US5586663A (en) 1996-12-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE3639636C2 (de) Automatische Inspektion von Textilbahnen
DE19519861C2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Detektieren und Abführen von Fremdobjekten
DE69731651T2 (de) Sortiervorrichtung
EP0661108B1 (fr) Procédé de tri optique de matériau en vrac
DE60213133T2 (de) Vorrichtung und verfahren zur erkennung von überlappungen
DE69822608T2 (de) Binarisierungsverfahren in einem Zeichenerkennungssystem
EP0682991A2 (fr) Machine automatique pour le tri, respectivement la classification d'après la forme et la couleur, de petits produits de l'industrie pharmaceutique et des friandises
EP1158460B1 (fr) Système et procédé de traitement d'images
EP1030740A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour l'identification et le tri d'objets transportes sur bande
DE112005000828B4 (de) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Prüfung von Halbleiter-Wafern
DE2549457A1 (de) Einrichtung zur automatischen ueberwachung von fertigprodukten auf fabrikationsfehler
DE3347472A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum erfassen von radialen reflektierenden behaelterdefekten
DE2937335A1 (de) Pruefsystem fuer das aeussere erscheinungsbild von gegenstaenden
EP0927348A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour controler automatiquement par voie optique la qualite de produits plats et lisses
DE10110994B4 (de) Vorrichtung zur Bildabtastung eines Objektes
DE19607258A1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Detektion und/oder zur Größen- und/oder Lagebestimmung eines Objekts
EP0669527A1 (fr) Procédé d'extraction de bouteilles réutilisables de leur cycle d'utilisation
EP2144052A1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de détection et de classification de défauts
WO2001023869A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour inspecter la surface d'un feuillard circulant en continu
DE3514313C2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Inspektion und zum Sortieren von Glasbehältern
DD273505A5 (de) Verfahren zur automatischen Erkennung von Fehlern in bewegten Warenbahnen
DE4434475C2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Qualitätskontrolle eines Gegenstandes, insbesondere einer Compact-Disc
WO2008077680A1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif de contrôle optique d'objets
DE19504932A1 (de) Verfahren zur Sortierung von Schüttgütern und Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
EP1581909B1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour la reconnaissance automatique d'objets et de structures dans des materiaux

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 LU MC NL PT SE

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: H.F. & PH.F. REEMTSMA GMBH & CO

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 LU MC NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19970306

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: H.F. & PH.F. REEMTSMA GMBH

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990121

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 LU MC NL PT SE

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

Ref country code: SE

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

Effective date: 19991103

Ref country code: GR

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

Effective date: 19991103

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 19991103

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 186242

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19991115

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19991103

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

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 19991125

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 19991125

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: 19991130

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 19991130

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: ING. A. GIAMBROCONO & C. S.R.L.

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59408885

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19991209

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

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 20000103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: GERMAN

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000203

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000203

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

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

NLS Nl: assignments of ep-patents

Owner name: REEMTSMA CIGARETTENFABRIKEN GMBH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CD

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CA

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20071104

Year of fee payment: 14

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20071122

Year of fee payment: 14

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20071127

Year of fee payment: 14

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20071121

Year of fee payment: 14

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20071108

Year of fee payment: 14

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20071130

Year of fee payment: 14

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *REEMTSMA CIGARETTENFABRIKEN G.M.B.H.

Effective date: 20081130

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

Effective date: 20081125

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: 20090601

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

Effective date: 20090601

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: 20081125

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20090731

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: 20081130

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: 20090603

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: 20081125

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: 20081130