EP0707526B1 - Tete de rasoir - Google Patents

Tete de rasoir Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0707526B1
EP0707526B1 EP95919408A EP95919408A EP0707526B1 EP 0707526 B1 EP0707526 B1 EP 0707526B1 EP 95919408 A EP95919408 A EP 95919408A EP 95919408 A EP95919408 A EP 95919408A EP 0707526 B1 EP0707526 B1 EP 0707526B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arms
blade unit
razor
plunger
razor blade
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
EP95919408A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0707526A1 (fr
Inventor
David Coffin
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.)
Wilkinson Sword GmbH
Original Assignee
Wilkinson Sword GmbH
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 Wilkinson Sword GmbH filed Critical Wilkinson Sword GmbH
Publication of EP0707526A1 publication Critical patent/EP0707526A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0707526B1 publication Critical patent/EP0707526B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26BHAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B21/00Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor
    • B26B21/08Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor involving changeable blades
    • B26B21/14Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle
    • B26B21/22Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously
    • B26B21/222Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously with the blades moulded into, or attached to, a changeable unit
    • B26B21/225Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously with the blades moulded into, or attached to, a changeable unit the changeable unit being resiliently mounted on the handle
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26BHAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B21/00Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor
    • B26B21/08Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor involving changeable blades
    • B26B21/14Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle
    • B26B21/22Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously

Definitions

  • the invention concerns a razor head for the pivotable holding of a razor blade unit in a shell-like support, which is arranged on the free ends of two movable arms arranged opposite to each other of a fork support for the razor blade unit and with complementary curved shaped surfaces on the under side of the razor blade unit on which they are correspondingly pivotable, whereby a spring biassed plunger is guided between the two arms to retain the separating movement in the stop position during fixing of the razor blade unit.
  • a single or double razor blades are permanently embedded in a plastic housing, which can be fixed to the handle by means of a holding means.
  • Such razor blade units on the one hand and the mechanism fixed to the handle for the attachment, holding and release of the razor blades from the handle represent the razor head. That which is being considered presently is to provide a holding means which enables the pivoting of the razor blade unit during the shave, so that the razor blade unit can follow the contours of the surface being shaved in an optimal shaving position.
  • a safety razor in which the required pivotability of the razor blade unit on the handle is ensured by means of holding means of the razor blade unit to the handle described as a shell support.
  • the shell support is formed by shell shaped support segments on the handle which work together with corresponding segments formed as part cylinders on the razor blade unit and permit pivoting of the razor blade unit on the transverse axis of the handle (an axis parallel to the cutting edges of the razor blades).
  • a leaf spring arranged between the handle and the razor blade unit the returning force in the direction of the rest position of the pivoting movement of the razor blade unit is provided from above and from below.
  • the pivoting movement is altogether limited by this device to a range between 20 and 90 degrees.
  • a similar shell support is disdosed in US patent 3938247.
  • a shell support of a razor head is known and described in European patent application number 0291 030 A1.
  • the shell support for the razor blade unit is formed on the free ends of two oppositely arranged moving arms comprising a fork holding means on the handle of the razor and works with complementary curve shaped surfaces on the under side of the razor blade unit to permit the respective pivoting together.
  • a spring biassed plunger is arranged in the handle between the two arms which maintains the razor blade unit in the rest position. The front end of the plunger works together with a roof shaped cam on the razor blade unit to return the pivoting movement to the rest position.
  • Recessed catches are formed in the part of the shell regions of the shell supports of the arms themselves, in which projections of the razor blade unit engage to ensure correct positioning on the handle and to limit the pivoting movement.
  • US-A-5 157 835 is regarded as the closest prior art. Both assemblies comprise a substantially flat planar body member with a head member mounted at one end thereof. An opening is formed in the head member having a pair of bearing members disposed adjacent the opening, the bearing members being movable toward and away from each other and adapted to receive a razor blade assembly and permit pivotal movement of the razor blade assembly on the handle assembly. Two buttons are arranged in the razor handle being movable inwardly into the housing thereby causing the bearing members to move toward each other to release a razor blade assembly retained on the bearing member. Moreover, a spring driven plunger is arranged between the two bearing members which works together with detents to lock the assembled razor blade unit.
  • a razor handle for a removable pivoting razor blade assembly is described.
  • the herein described razor blade assembly includes cam means for receiving a biasing force and journal bearing means.
  • the razor handle includes movable members having attached journals, which are slidably movable toward and away from each other to permit engagement of the journal bearing means of the razor blade assembly with the journals of the razor handle.
  • the razor handle also includes cam follower means.
  • the invention thereby resolves the problems of the prior art razor heads mentioned above by a razor head according to claim 1.
  • the housing comprises, on its front side an opening for the plunger to pass through, two openings on each side lying opposite each other for the operating buttons of the arms to pass through and stop projections for a base plate, which carries the arms with the shell support segments and the retaining mechanism and the spring biassed plunger as a pre- assembled component.
  • the base plate is provided with two transverse flanges on each side for the articulation of the arms as well as a retaining socket for the leaf spring type retaining element, as well as side walls in the longitudinal direction in which are provided corresponding recesses for the fingers of the retaining mechanism as well as a transverse recess for the spiral spring and whereby a transverse connector of the side walls carries a stop support for the plunger spring.
  • a elongate guide for the plunger can be advantageously arranged from oppositely arranged guide grooves, in which the guide strips on each side of the plunger engage.
  • a wet razor comprises fundamentally a handle and a razor blade unit fixed thereto.
  • the razor blade unit is not shown in the drawings. It can be acquired from the known state of the art and need only be provided with a shell support which acts together with the handle as described further hereunder.
  • Fig. 1 of the drawings shows a handle 1 with a housing 2 formed thereon of a razor head, in which the housing cover in the drawings has been removed, so that the internal construction can be seen.
  • the housing is shown in rectangular form comprising a base plate 3, side walls 4, 5 and an upper opening 6 on the front side, through which the hdding means, which hold the razor blade unit in the complete assembled state, freely extend outwards.
  • Two rectangular projections 7, 8 and a cylindrical holding projection 9 are formed in one piece and provided in a three corner formation, on the base plate, and forming the chassis as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the front sided opening 6 is sub divided into a central part-circular shaped section forming housing opening 10 for the plunger shown in fig. 7 to pass through, as well as opening regions 11, 12 to allow the passing through of the two arms of the fork holding means with the shell supports for the razor blade units (not shown). Further in the housing two side openings 13, 14 are provided lying opposite to each other, through which the operating buttons of the arms project in the assembled state and which the user of the razor can press to release or attach the razor blade unit.
  • the housing of the razor head is formed with a curved shape in order to hold the razor blade unit in a favourable position.
  • the base plate or chassis 15 shown in fig. 4 of the drawings comprises an essentially rectangular body with two flanges 16, 17 arranged opposite each other on each side and side walls 18, 19, which form a space 22 to receive the spring biassed plunger shown in figure 7 of the drawings.
  • the sides walls 18, 19 are provided with inward guide grooves 20, 22 in which guide strips 24, 25 which extend longitudinally on each side of the plunger 23 are guidable.
  • the two flanges 16, 17 holes 32, 33 are recessed to form a rotatably movable linkage of the arms of the shell support shown in figures 8 and 9 with the pins 34, 35 discernable therefrom.
  • the chassis 15 carries a holding socket 36 for the leaf spring type retaining element 37 shown in figure 12.
  • the plunger 23 shown in figure 7 comprises a rectangular cross section plunger button 38, which acts together with the cam surface of the razor blade unit, not shown.
  • the plunger button 38 forms into a cylindrical connecting piece 39 which forms into a rectangular hollow cross section body 40, on each side of which the two guide strips 24, 25 are formed.
  • a screw spring is arranged in the inside of the hollow body 40 spaced between the lower stop support 31 of the chassis 15 and the upper stop support 41 of the plunger.
  • the plunger is moved downwards against the action of the screw spring, the two cams 42, 43 release the retention of the arms of the shell supports, which will be described in more detail below, in connection with the leaf spring type retaining element 37, which is shown in fig. 12.
  • Fig. 8 shows, in several views, the link arm 44 of a shell support, with pins 34 formed at its lower end being pivotally positioned in the holes 32 of the flanges 16 of the chassis 15 in the assembled state.
  • the arm 44 comprises an operating button 45, which extends out of the housing through the side opening 13 and which allows the user to pivot the arm 44 inwardly.
  • the arm 44 projects out of the housing by means of the opening region 11, so that the shell formed support segments 46 formed on its free ends can form a shell support for coupling with the razor blade unit.
  • the support surface 47 of the support segment 46 is a completely even surface without recesses or projections and comprises a part circular shaped ring extension extending outwards, which engages behind a corresponding hook shaped projection on the razor blade unit which grips and holds the razor blade unit in the shaving position. The pivotability of the razor blade unit in the shell support is thereby guaranteed.
  • an inwardly projecting finger 49 is formed on the arm 44, at an angle slightly greater than a right angle and sloping slightly upwards, due to the pivoting movement of the arms 8.
  • a elongate groove 50 which is a retaining mechanism to retain the two arms of the shell support in the required pivoting distance with respect to each other.
  • the right arm 51 of the shell support shown in Fig. 9 is an identical mirror image of the arm 44 already described and comprises an inwardly extending finger 52 with an elongate groove 53. In the retained position the two elongate grooves 50 and 53 are arranged coaxially with respect to each other and engage, by means of their inherent tension, a corresponding elongate projection 54 of the leaf spring type retaining element 37 retaining the arms 37.
  • the leaf spring type retaining element 37 is fixed to the holding socket 36 of the chassis 15 by means of a fixing means 55, for example by means of adhesive, and extends in the region between the two side walls 18, 19 of the chassis 15 underneath the transverse recess 28, 29 in which in the assembled state a transverse screw spring is arranged between the arms 44 and 51 and the stop extensions 56 and 57.
  • the bent region 58, corresponding to this region 38, of the retaining element 37 which locks comprises an essentially "T" - shaped projection, which includes on the one hand an elongate projection 54 and on the other hand a transverse projection 59.
  • the elongate projection 54 acts, as has already been described, with the elongate groves 50, 53 to retain them together, whereas the transverse projection 59 acts immediately on the retention of the plunger cams 42, 43 if the plunger 23 is contacted during attachment of a razor blade unit.
  • these arms 44 and 51 are moved outwards, such that the ring extensions 46, 48' of the support segments 46, 46' of the arms engage under the corresponding holding means of the razor blade unit and so fix it to the razor head.
  • Fig. 10 and fig, 11 show possible constructions of a retaining mechanism, in which, during retention, the plunger acts directly on a flexible finger, correspondingly acting on a pivoted finger in Fig. 11, and in which the fingers are provided with retaining lugs 60, 61 in the front region.
  • the user of the razor head operates the two side operating buttons 45, 45' of the arms 44, 51 of the razor head and pivots them inwardly about the link pins 34, 35 against the action on the screw spring, not shown, which is arranged between the stop extensions 56 and 57.
  • the fingers 49, 52 are rotated towards each other in the space between the side walls 18, 19 of the chassis 15 until their elongate grooves 50, 53 are aligned with each other.
  • the retention of the arms then takes place, due to the elongate projection 54 of the leaf spring type retaining element 37 under tension engaging in the two elongate grooves 50, 53 and the retention is effected.
  • the support segments 46, 46' of the shell support are now positioned in the region of the plunger 23 and ready for the attachment of a razor blade unit.
  • the arms 44, 51 move automatically back to their outward lying starting position when the plunger 23 is pressed. This follows when the corresponding camming surfaces of the razor blade unit cooperate with the razor head.
  • the plunger 23 is pressed downwards against the action of a screw spring by means of its guide strips 24, 25 engaging in the guide grooves 20, 21 of the chassis and provides a retention with its cams 42, 43 through raising of the transverse projection 59 of the retaining element 37, so that the spring force of the screw spring between the arms 44 and 51 moves these back outwards.
  • the ring extensions 48, 48' under the corresponding hooks of the razor blade unit the razor blade unit is attached to the razor head.
  • the pivotability of the razor blade unit in the support segment 46, 46' is thereby provided once again.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
  • Magnetic Heads (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Non-Silver Salt Photosensitive Materials And Non-Silver Salt Photography (AREA)

Claims (7)

  1. Une tête de rasage d'un rasoir à rasage humide pour maintenir de façon pivotante l'unité de lame de rasoir dans une coque de support qui est agencée sur les extrémités libres de deux bras (44, 51) mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre d'un mécanisme de maintien de fourche pour l'unité de lame de rasoir et avec des surfaces de forme incurvée complémentaires sur la face inférieure de l'unité de lame de rasoir sur laquelle elles sont montées pivotantes de façon correspondante,
    de sorte qu'un piston plongeur (23) sollicité par ressort soit guidé entre les deux bras pour libérer le déplacement vers l'extérieur des bras dans la position de maintien durant la fixation de l'unité de lame de rasoir,
    et que les deux bras (44, 51) soient agencés dans un logement (2) de forme sensiblement rectangulaire d'un manche (1), les deux bras étant mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre à l'encontre de l'action de moyens de sollicitation élastiques,
    la tête de rasage comprenant en outre :
       des éléments de retenue correspondants (50, 53, 54) d'un mécanisme de retenue, et l'unité de lame de rasoir étant fixée aux coques de support (46, 46') au moyen du piston plongeur mobile (23) sous l'action de l'unité de lame de rasoir durant sa fixation,
    caractérisée en ce que
    les deux bras (44, 51) sont agencés parallèlement l'un par rapport à l'autre et en ce que les éléments de retenue correspondants comprennent des doigts (49, 52) et un élément de retenue (37) en forme de ressort à lame, les doigts étant fixés aux bras (44, 51) et agencés en direction l'un de l'autre et espacés l'un de l'autre, de sorte que les éléments de retenue correspondants (50, 53, 54) viennent en contact les uns avec les autres dans la position verrouillée durant la préparation de la fixation d'une unité de lame de rasoir et soient susceptibles d'être libérés, soit directement, soit indirectement, au moyen de l'action du piston plongeur (23) sous l'effet de l'unité de lame durant la fixation,
    avec une rainure allongée (50, 53) formée dans chacun des doigts en tant que mécanisme de retenue, et en ce que l'élément de retenue en forme de ressort à lames (37) est muni d'une saillie (54) allongée correspondant à la rainure allongée (50), et qui, sous la sollicitation élastique et à cet instant, s'engage dans les rainures (50, 53) des doigts, lorsqu'elles sont en position coaxiale l'une par rapport à l'autre (position de repos).
  2. Une tête de rasage selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la saillie de retenue (54) de l'élément de retenue de forme plate (37) se poursuit avec une saillie transversale (59) suivant le piston plongeur (23), agissant ensemble pour la retenue avec les cames (42, 43) prévues sur le piston plongeur.
  3. Une tête de rasage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les bras (44, 51) du mécanisme de maintien de fourche sont des liaisons fixes (34, 35) qui sont mobiles par rapport au boítier à l'encontre de la force de réaction d'un ressort agencé entre eux, ou en ce que les bras sont des parties d'une pièce en matière plastique moulée d'une seule pièce en forme de U et qui sont mobiles l'une par rapport à l'autre.
  4. Une tête de rasage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'un ressort hélicoïdal est utilisé comme moyen de sollicitation élastique entre les deux bras (44, 51).
  5. Une tête de rasage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le boítier (2) comprend sur sa face avant une ouverture (10) pour le passage du piston plongeur (23), deux ouvertures (13, 14) sur chaque face étant opposées l'une à l'autre pour le passage des boutons d'actionnement (45, 45') des bras (44, 51) et des saillies de butée (7, 8, 9) pour une plaque d'embase (15) qui supporte les bras (44, 51) avec les segments de coque de support (46, 46') et le mécanisme de retenue et le piston plongeur sollicité par ressort (23) comme un composant pré-assemblé.
  6. Une tête de rasage selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que la plaque d'embase (15) est munie de deux brides transversales (16, 17) de chaque côté pour l'articulation des bras (44, 51) ainsi qu'un logement de retenue au milieu pour l'élément de retenue du type ressort à lame (37) ainsi que des parois latérales (18, 19) dans la direction longitudinale, dans lesquelles sont réalisées des cavités correspondantes (26, 27) pour les doigts (49, 52) du mécanisme de retenue ainsi qu'une cavité transversale (28, 29) pour le ressort hélicoïdal, et de manière qu'un connecteur transversal (30) des parois latérales (18, 19) porte un support de butée (31) pour le ressort de piston plongeur.
  7. Une tête de rasage selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce qu'un guide allongé pour le piston plongeur (23) est agencé sur les parois latérales (18, 19) de rainures de guidage agencées de façon opposée (20, 21), dans lesquelles les bandes de guidage (24, 25) s'engagent de chaque côté du piston plongeur (23).
EP95919408A 1994-05-06 1995-05-05 Tete de rasoir Expired - Lifetime EP0707526B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9407540U DE9407540U1 (de) 1994-05-06 1994-05-06 Rasierapparatekopf
DE9407540U 1994-05-06
PCT/EP1995/001712 WO1995030517A1 (fr) 1994-05-06 1995-05-05 Tete de rasoir

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0707526A1 EP0707526A1 (fr) 1996-04-24
EP0707526B1 true EP0707526B1 (fr) 2001-11-21

Family

ID=6908324

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95919408A Expired - Lifetime EP0707526B1 (fr) 1994-05-06 1995-05-05 Tete de rasoir

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0707526B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH08512231A (fr)
KR (1) KR960703366A (fr)
CN (1) CN1128511A (fr)
AT (1) ATE209085T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU695282B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR9506206A (fr)
CA (1) CA2165084A1 (fr)
DE (2) DE9407540U1 (fr)
IL (1) IL113557A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1995030517A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA953641B (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6161287A (en) * 1998-04-24 2000-12-19 The Gillette Company Razor blade system
US8677627B2 (en) * 2006-12-29 2014-03-25 Wahl Clipper Corporation Hair trimmer with rotatable detented head
US9117615B2 (en) 2010-05-17 2015-08-25 Littlefuse, Inc. Double wound fusible element and associated fuse

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1163222A (en) * 1967-06-19 1969-09-04 Gillette Industries Ltd Improvements relating to Safety Razors
GB1460732A (en) * 1973-03-01 1977-01-06 Gillette Co Safety razor
US3938247A (en) * 1974-03-05 1976-02-17 The Gillette Company Shaving system with pivotal head
US4083104A (en) * 1975-05-12 1978-04-11 The Gillette Company Razor handle
US4258471A (en) * 1979-06-19 1981-03-31 The Gillette Company Razor handle
US4308663A (en) * 1979-12-31 1982-01-05 Warner-Lambert Company Razor handle with latch for pivotable cartridge
US4492025A (en) * 1982-09-17 1985-01-08 The Gillette Company Razor handle assembly
US4587729A (en) * 1982-09-17 1986-05-13 The Gillette Company Safety razor
US4514904A (en) * 1983-09-21 1985-05-07 The Gillette Company Razor handle
US4756082A (en) * 1987-05-12 1988-07-12 Apprille Jr Domenic V Razor blade assembly and handle therefor
AU638974B2 (en) * 1989-06-05 1993-07-15 Warner-Lambert Company Razor mechanism
US5157835A (en) * 1991-06-26 1992-10-27 The Gillette Company Safety razor handle assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1128511A (zh) 1996-08-07
CA2165084A1 (fr) 1995-11-16
AU2525795A (en) 1995-11-29
IL113557A0 (en) 1995-08-31
EP0707526A1 (fr) 1996-04-24
DE69524033D1 (de) 2002-01-03
ATE209085T1 (de) 2001-12-15
DE69524033T2 (de) 2002-07-04
AU695282B2 (en) 1998-08-13
KR960703366A (ko) 1996-08-17
BR9506206A (pt) 1996-04-23
ZA953641B (en) 1996-01-22
JPH08512231A (ja) 1996-12-24
DE9407540U1 (de) 1995-09-07
MX9600128A (es) 1998-11-29
WO1995030517A1 (fr) 1995-11-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP5000445B2 (ja) シェービング装置および方法
KR900002293B1 (ko) 회동식 카트리지면도기의 핸들
US4253235A (en) Shaving system
US4514904A (en) Razor handle
US4198746A (en) All plastic swivel head razor handle
EP0903205B1 (fr) Rasoirs avec support de tête de rasoir pivotant et rotatif
US4258471A (en) Razor handle
JPH037193A (ja) レザー機構
CA1183339A (fr) Glissiere d'insertion d'une lame de rasoir a monture moulee
CA2221007A1 (fr) Rasoir dont la tete flechit sous l'action des forces agissant lors du rasage
GB2362849A (en) Unitary spring clip for retaining a razor cartridge on a handle
MXPA01002969A (es) Unidad adaptadora para rastrillo de afeitar.
EP0707526B1 (fr) Tete de rasoir
EP0020815A1 (fr) Manche pour rasoir mécanique
KR100479388B1 (ko) 교환형면도기면도날카트리지와그제조방법
JPS597467B2 (ja) 電気かみそり
MXPA96000128A (en) Afei machine head
JPH05148Y2 (fr)
JPS6159155B2 (fr)
JPS6159747B2 (fr)
JPS588861B2 (ja) 安全剃刀

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19951209

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

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

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990525

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): 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: NL

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: 20011121

Ref country code: LI

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: 20011121

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20011121

Ref country code: GR

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: 20011121

Ref country code: CH

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: 20011121

Ref country code: BE

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: 20011121

Ref country code: AT

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: 20011121

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 209085

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20011215

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69524033

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20020103

ET Fr: translation filed
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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020221

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: 20020221

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: 20020221

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 20020505

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20020505

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: 20020506

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

Effective date: 20020530

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20030401

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: 20030505

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20030530

Year of fee payment: 9

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: 20040505

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: 20041201

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

Effective date: 20040505

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: 20050131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST