EP0710453B1 - Dispositif de maintien pour document - Google Patents

Dispositif de maintien pour document Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0710453B1
EP0710453B1 EP95120072A EP95120072A EP0710453B1 EP 0710453 B1 EP0710453 B1 EP 0710453B1 EP 95120072 A EP95120072 A EP 95120072A EP 95120072 A EP95120072 A EP 95120072A EP 0710453 B1 EP0710453 B1 EP 0710453B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
retainer
document
alarm
timer
receptacle
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
EP95120072A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0710453A2 (fr
EP0710453A3 (fr
Inventor
Andrew E. Weiss
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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
Priority claimed from CA 614615 external-priority patent/CA1326516C/fr
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority claimed from EP90904739A external-priority patent/EP0494139B1/fr
Publication of EP0710453A2 publication Critical patent/EP0710453A2/fr
Publication of EP0710453A3 publication Critical patent/EP0710453A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0710453B1 publication Critical patent/EP0710453B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
    • A45C11/18—Ticket-holders or the like
    • A45C11/182—Credit card holders
    • A45C11/184—Credit card holders with a reminding device, e.g. when the card is not returned into its holder

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for retaining documents such that withdrawal and replacement of the documents from the retainer is sensed through the use of an electrical circuit and contacts incorporated into the retainer.
  • the present invention relates to the protection of loss of credit cards using a so equipped wallet or purse.
  • retainers for documents are file cabinets, brief cases, folders, purses and wallets. These retainers are intended to be used for organized storage and physical protection of documents and provide varying degrees of capacity, portability and security. With these retainers it is however, quite common for the user to forget to replace the documents back into the retainer after use. As a result and most commonly with respect to credit, bank transaction and personal identification cards, the documents are left behind at point of use where they are particularly prone to loss, theft and misuse.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,959,789 discloses a credit card carrying case which incorporates contacts attached to the inside surfaces of separators adapted to hold the credit card and to detect the absence of a card.
  • problems exist with this design in that the case is very bulky and uses a single external spring clip to bias the multitude of pairs of separator contacts together. The use of the single spring clip results in the contact pressure being spread over too wide an area thereby reducing the sensitivity of the device making the sensitivity too low for reliable detection.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,480,250 discloses a credit card carrier in which a series of clip switches bridge from the hinge or spine of a pair of folding flaps to common conductor strips, one strip being located on each side flap. An alarm is triggered if the edge of any card is not held between the assigned clip switch contacts when the flaps are folded to overlie one another, due to the closing of a magnetic proximity switch featured on the outboard edges of each flap.
  • problems exist with this design in that the edge to edge card holding layout is inconvenient in terms of space and area required per card.
  • no facility is considered to guide the cards into position between the clip switch contacts nor to prevent them from falling out of position.
  • the magnetic proximity switch is fragile, imprecise and difficult to align if the holder is flexible. Also, the magnetic switch might endanger the magnetic code strip common to most modern credit and bank cards.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,652,865 discloses a credit card holder composed of partly transparent pockets with conductive strips and/or disk shaped magnetic contacts attached to the inside surfaces of the pockets in opposed alignment. The strips or contacts detect the withdrawal of credit cards and electrically activate an alarm system composed of a battery, buzzer and timer.
  • leaf springs are provided inside double layered pocket walls to urge the walls and attached contacts together.
  • the pockets are configured in book leaf form or edge to edge fold-up accordion fashion.
  • problems exist in this device in that the use of the magnetic contacts may damage magnetic card coding provided on credit or bank cards.
  • the leaf springs positioned between pocket lining layers may cause bulging of the pockets and, without solid anchoring or support, may not provide sufficient force for reliable sensor contact pressure and function.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,692,745 discloses a holder for credit cards with an alarm circuit triggered by the withdrawal of a card from a receptacle and the subsequent closure of the holder.
  • a light sensitive switch is used to prevent current flow to the alarm circuit when the holder is in the open position.
  • Each set of card contacts is attached to a separate bracket thereby making the holder somewhat bulky. Many scenarios are envisioned wherein, if the holder is not fully closed and the light sensor is exposed when a card is missing, the alarm fails to sound, resulting in a lapse of the intended function of the device and loss of the card.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,719,453 discloses a wallet with an alarm actuable in a manner similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,692,745.
  • the card sensing means includes a plurality of clip switches arranged to be interconnected in parallel on a card plate.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,721,948 discloses a wallet with a credit card holder that utilizes a flat flexible magnetic strip upon which two flat parallel conductors are insulatedly attached.
  • Co-attractive conductive ferrous chips are opposingly attached to the inside of the far pocket walls such that the near pocket walls, which over-lie the conductors, have openings to allow the chips clearance to attract magnetically into contact with the conductors upon withdrawal of a credit card.
  • the chip bridges the conductors and closes the alarm circuit.
  • the sensor function is completely dependant upon the magnetic attraction of the ferrous chips to the magnetic strips. Again problems exist in that damage to the magnetic code provided on cards may occur due to the magnetism. Moreover, the ferrous chip materials are subject to oxidation and subsequent poor conductivity.
  • Australian Patent No. AU-B-46568/85 discloses a security holder for a credit card with an alarm that senses the absence of cards from clip switch equipped receptacles. Each receptacle has a separate and structurally independent pair of clip switch contacts.
  • the electric circuits disclosed in this reference include, in addition to receptacle sensors, a series connected timer with a hand holding pressure sensor operable to suppress the circuit function as well as a holder closure sensor.
  • problems exist in this device in that if the contacts are arranged as disclosed with all the pairs overlapping each other, the resulting holder is quite bulky and complex to assemble. Also, the user must carefully fit the cards between the exposed clip switch leaf ends as there has been no consideration for passive guidance of the card between the clip switch contacts.
  • a document retainer comprising:
  • the electronic circuit also includes an inaudible alarm operable to provide an inaudible signal upon energization of said electronic circuit.
  • the time delay means includes a counter which initiates a count upon energization of the circuit and that the audible alarm sounds once the count reaches a predetermined value. It is also preferred that the switch means returns the count to zero and that the count resumes once the switch means has been actuated and subsequently released.
  • a wallet case or cover provided with a receptacle comprising:
  • a document retainer which further includes releasable attachment means provided on said retainer to allow attachment of said retainer to another object.
  • the attachment means is in the form of a spring clip or hook and loop fabric. It is also preferred that the document retainer further includes detection means associated with the attachment means which is operable to sense removal of the document retainer from the object and an alarm which is energized by the power supply in response to the detection means. Preferably, the detection means is in the form of a pair of electrical contacts.
  • the present document retainer provides advantages in that alarms are initiated upon removal of documents from the retainer for a prolonged time or dislogment of the retainer from an object to which the retainer is secured. This reduces the probability of loss of document or the document retainer. Moreover, the design of the document retainer facilitates placement and removal of documents therein to ensure that the documents are seated correctly for detection by the document sensing components in the document retainer.
  • Figure I shows a wallet, 10 holding several credit cards, 12 with each credit card being held in a separate receptacle, 14.
  • the wallet is purchased with blank cards which are substituted for more useful cards as required.
  • Each receptacle is provided with a pair of contacts which close upon the withdrawal of a card to detect the absence of the card. Closing of any pair of contacts energizes an operationally connected alarm circuit which in turn immediately energizes a warning light, 20 thereby indicating that a document is missing from a receptacle and that batteries provided with the wallet are in working order.
  • a timing device in the form of a timer is provided in the alarm circuit and is operable to suppress the energization of an audible alarm, 18 by the batteries for a time period considered sufficient for a transaction to be completed. If it is found that the transaction is lengthy a timer reset switch, 16 can be pressed and released to reset the timing device so that the audible alarm 18 is suppressed for another transaction time period. Resetting of the alarm timer can be repeated as many times as is necessary to complete the transaction. Reinsertion of a withdrawn document into the receptacle reopens the contacts, which in turn results in the alarm circuit being de-energized and the timer being automatically reset.
  • Figure II shows a modular document retainer mechanism with an alarm, 22 prior to insertion thereof into and in an aligned position over an open receptacle, 24 provided in a wallet, 10.
  • the wallet 10 permits the use of the document retainer while it is contained in the wallet.
  • Apertures 26, 28, 30 and.32 are provided in the wall of the wallet receptacle to provide respective clearance for insertion and withdrawal of cards from the document retainer receptacles, 14; to permit access to the reset switch, 16; audibility of audible alarm, 18 and sight of visual indicator, 20.
  • An alarm circuit module, 34 is shown connected operationally to a receptacle - sensor sub-assembly to form the modular document retainer mechanism with alarm, 22.
  • FIG. III illustrates one preferred embodiment of a receptacle - sensor sub-assembly.
  • An exploded view is shown in Fig. III to illustrate the components thereof.
  • a rear contact plate, 38 and front contact plate, 40, each carrying one of each pair of contacts, are attached to a substrate, 36.
  • the substrate 36 secures the contacts (except the contact faces) in an electrically insulated manner such that the contact faces are preserved in opposed alignment and spring biased to move into engagement.
  • Projections, 42 are provided on the periphery of the contact plates 38,40 and engage with slots, 44 formed in the substrate 36 as a means of attachment.
  • the substrate 36 is provided with apertures, 48 to provide clearance of the rear plate contacts, 46 formed on the plate 38, thereby allowing the rear contact plates to project through the substrate 36 and engage with front plate contacts, 50 formed on the plate 40.
  • Receptacle linings, 52 are provided and are shown as being formed from a single sheet of suitable flexible material appropriately folded to define a plurality of receptacles, each having an aperture, 54 at the bottom thereof to allow contact faces clearance to project through and engage within the receptacle.
  • Figure IV shows the contact plates sub-assembled to the substrate 36.
  • the pre-curving of the contact plates 38,40 as illustrated in Figure III helps the plates to fit flush to the substrate despite the reaction caused by the built in spring tension biasing the contacts formed on the plates together.
  • Figure V is view V-V of Figure IV, showing how the contacts 46 formed on the rear contact plate, 38 project through the aperture formed in the substrate, 36 to engage with the contacts 48 in the front contact plate, 40.
  • Figure VI shows a receptacle-sensor sub-assembly which is created by fitting the receptacle linings, 52 of Fig III, to the contact plate-substrate sub-assembly, Fig. IV. After inserting each lining 52 between and in alignment with each respective pair of contacts, the linings are attached to the substrate 36 along the marginal edges, 56. Heat-pressure fusion is shown, however, it should be realized that stitching, adhesives or staples can also be used. Electrical connections to an attached alarm circuit module can be made from the rear side of the assembly.
  • FIG. VII illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a receptacle sensor sub-assembly. An exploded view is shown in Fig. VII to illustrate further the components.
  • a rear contact plate, 64 and front contact plate, 66 each carrying one of each pair of contacts are attached to a substrate.
  • the substrate comprises a front layer, 60 and a rear layer, 58 between which the contact plates are interposed.
  • An insulation layer, 62 is provided which, except for the contact faces, insulates the two contact plates from each other.
  • Apertures, 68 are provided in the insulation layer 62 to provide clearance for the rear contacts, thereby allowing the rear contacts to project through the insulation layer and engage with the front contacts.
  • the front layer of the substrate is provided with an aperture, 70 to allow exposure of the contact pairs for fitting into the receptacle linings, 72.
  • Figure VIII is a view of the contact plate-substrate sub-assembly.
  • the two substrate layers 58,60 are joined together, securely containing the contact plates and insulation layer 62 therebetween, preserving the alignment of the contacts and the spring tension urging the contact faces into engagement.
  • Heat-pressure fusion is shown as the means for joining the front and rear substrates 58,60, however, it should be realized that staples, stitching or adhesives can also be used.
  • Projections, 74 and 76 are provided respectively on alternate sides of the lower periphery of the front and rear contact plates. These projections extend from between the substrate layers beyond the lower marginal edge of the substrate as exposed poles for electrical connection to an alarm circuit module.
  • the poles can be bent 180 degrees upwards and formed to slide fit and snap-lock into slots provided in the alarm circuit module as a means of simplifying electrical and structural connection. An example of this is shown in Figure XV.
  • Figure X shows the receptacle-sensor sub-assembly. Fit and attachment of the receptacle linings, 72 to the contact plate - substrate sub-assembly, 78 is similar to the first embodiment. It is conceived that a wallet can carry more than one of the previously described modular document retainers. Conductors may be built into the wallet so that several retainer-sensor sub-assemblies can be interconnected in parallel to trigger one alarm module provided in the wallet. The conductors will preferably be exposed within each wallet receptacle, to align with corresponding exposed poles on each of the retainer-sensor sub-assemblies, allowing passive electrical interconnection and simple assembly or replacement.
  • Figures XI through XV illustrate a preferred embodiment of a document retainer having an alarm provided with a releasable attachment means to attach the retainer to another object such as a conventional wallet, purse, briefcase, pocket or book. Also shown is detection means connected to the alarm circuit to trigger an alarm if the retainer becomes detached from the object to which it was attached originally.
  • Figure XI is an exploded view of the components of the retainer-sensor sub-assembly.
  • the structure is similar to the second embodiment previously described but has the following additional features.
  • the insulating layer, 84 and front contact plate, 88 each have extensions on the upper periphery, respectively 90 and 94.
  • An extra contact plate, 92 is provided which lies in the same plane as the rear contact plate, 86 but remains in a spaced and thus electrically insulated relationship.
  • the extension, 94 on the front contact plate projects out from between the substrate layers through the top marginal edge and is curled towards the back of the retainer to create a clip, spring biased to close upon itself. It is conceived that this curling operation can be completed after assembly of the retainer-sensor sub-assembly.
  • an external assisting spring clip may be fitted over top of the detector clip.
  • a supplementary means of securing attachment to another object may be provided such as safety pins or hook and loop fabric.
  • the extension, 90 provided on the insulating layer and the extra contact plate, 92 interpose within the clip formed by the extension of the front plate so that the back face of the extra plate engages with the inner face of the clip.
  • an aperture, 96 is provided in the rear substrate layer, 80.
  • the extra plate generates a unique signal to the alarm circuit when engagement of the electrical contact faces of the attachment means occurs. This unique signal circumvents any time delay means provided in association with the card sensing means so that, for instance, if the retainer becomes detached and falls to the ground, the owner does not walk too far away to hear the alarm before the alarm activates.
  • the extra plate has a peripheral extension to provide a third pole that projects out of the bottom marginal edge of the substrate. It engages in a third slot provided in the alarm module.
  • Figure XV shows the alarm circuit module, 100 with slots, 102 aligned with the connecting projections, 104 and in position prior to sliding the module in the direction of the arrows shown, into engagement over the projections to connect the module structurally and electrically to the retainer-sensor sub-assembly, 106.
  • the projections are shown as being bent 180 degrees as described previously and have partly pierced and raised teeth in the centre of each. The teeth are provided as a means of securely snap-locking the alarm circuit module into connection with the retainer-sensor sub-assembly.
  • the alarm module, 100 is shown in the form of a cassette.
  • the outer case can be formed from two injection moulded halves within which all of the functional components are contained. The halves are held together with clips removable for battery replacement.
  • the reset switch, 16 is recessed slightly in the case to help prevent false resetting of the alarm suppression timer.
  • Figures XVI and XVII illustrate embodiments of two electric circuits suitable for use in the document retainers.
  • Figure XVI is a circuit for the basic document retainer provided with the alarm. It shows the document sensors, 108 connected in series to a storage battery, 110. The sensors control the flow of current to two parallel circuit paths, one of which incorporates the flashing LED 112, and the other of which incorporates an audible alarm, 116 and an audible alarm suppression timer, 114.
  • An audible alarm timer reset switch, 118 acts upon the timer, 114 alone without interfering with the rest of the circuit function.
  • Figure XVII shows a circuit for the document retainer having the alarm and the releasable attachment means equipped with a detector to sense detachment of the retainer from an object to which it was originally attached.
  • the circuit is similar to that in Figure XVI except that there is provided a parallel control path, as an alternate means of energizing the alarms, which is gated by the detachment detector, 120.
  • This control path bypasses the audible alarm suppression timer, connecting the audible alarm without any delay directly to the power supply. It also energizes the flashing LED 112 through a small signal diode, 122 to prevent defeating the audible alarm suppression timer in the card withdrawal situation.
  • this circuit is desired due to the fact that if the retainer becomes detached and, for example, falls to the ground from the owner's pocket, delaying the warning alarms would allow the owner to walk out of range of audibility or visibility of the alarms.
  • FIG. XVIII A more detailed electrical schematic of the basic circuit is shown in Figure XVIII.
  • Reference numeral 108 shows the normally closed document retainer contact pairs which are held open by the documents held therebetween.
  • the three retainer modules contained in the wallet shown in Figure I are connected in parallel so that the withdrawal of any document, and resulting closing of any contact pair, allows current from the compact battery, 110 to flow into the circuit.
  • This energizes the flashing LED 112 and starts the timing cycle, at the end of which the piezo-electric audible alarm, 116 is energized. Pressing and releasing the reset switch, 118 or replacing all of the documents and thus opening all of the contacts, resets the timer.
  • a 555 timer integrated circuit, 124 is connected to a bipolar PNP transistor, 126 a capacitor, 128 and resistors, 130 and 132 as shown.
  • the small signal diode, 134 prevents circuit damage if a battery is inadvertently installed inverted.
  • the present document retainer may also be used for:

Landscapes

  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Claims (5)

  1. Organe (22) de retenue de documents, comprenant :
    plusieurs réceptacles (14), chacun des réceptacles étant destiné à recevoir et retenir un document (12) à l'intérieur,
    un dispositif (108) de détection associé à chacun des réceptacles (14) et destiné à détecter la présence ou l'absence d'un document dans le réceptacle,
    un circuit électronique (34, 110) commandé par les dispositifs de détection et alimenté par une alimentation (110) lors de la détection d'un document retiré du réceptacle, dans lequel le circuit électronique (34, 110) comporte :
    une alarme auditive (18) qui fonctionne afin qu'elle donne un signal acoustique, et
    un dispositif (114) à retard communiquant avec l'alarme auditive (18) et destiné à connecter l'alarme auditive à l'alimentation (110) après qu'un temps prédéterminé s'est écoulé suivant l'alimentation du circuit électronique,
       caractérisé en ce que l'organe de retenue comporte en outre un dispositif de commutation (118) communiquant avec le dispositif à retard (114), le dispositif de commutation pouvant être manoeuvré manuellement afin qu'il remette à zéro le dispositif à retard pour empêcher l'alarme auditive (18) d'émettre un son.
  2. Organe de retenue de documents selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif à retard (114) comporte une minuterie, la minuterie lançant un comptage après alimentation du circuit électronique, la minuterie connectant l'alarme auditive (18) à l'alimentation (110) lorsque le comptage atteint une valeur prédéterminé, le dispositif de commutation (118) remettant la minuterie à zéro lors de sa manoeuvre.
  3. Organe de retenue de documents selon la revendication 2, dans lequel chaque manoeuvre du dispositif de commutation (118) relance la minuterie, la minuterie reprenant le comptage après réarmement par le dispositif de commutation et libération ultérieure.
  4. Organe de retenue de documenta selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le comptage atteint la valeur prédéterminée pendant le temps nécessaire pour que soit effectuée une transaction normale avec une carte de crédit.
  5. Organe de retenue de documents selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une alarme inaudible (20) destinée à donner un signal inaudible lors de l'alimentation du circuit électronique.
EP95120072A 1989-09-29 1990-03-08 Dispositif de maintien pour document Expired - Lifetime EP0710453B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 614615 CA1326516C (fr) 1988-12-06 1989-09-29 Porte-documents comportant un dispositif d'alarme
CA614615 1989-09-29
EP90904739A EP0494139B1 (fr) 1989-09-29 1990-03-08 Porte-documents

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90904739A Division EP0494139B1 (fr) 1989-09-29 1990-03-08 Porte-documents

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0710453A2 EP0710453A2 (fr) 1996-05-08
EP0710453A3 EP0710453A3 (fr) 1999-09-15
EP0710453B1 true EP0710453B1 (fr) 2001-08-22

Family

ID=25673160

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95120072A Expired - Lifetime EP0710453B1 (fr) 1989-09-29 1990-03-08 Dispositif de maintien pour document

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0710453B1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106419021A (zh) * 2016-10-12 2017-02-22 广州杰赛科技股份有限公司 一种钱包及钱包内卡片防丢失的方法

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3656144A (en) * 1970-06-04 1972-04-11 Peter W Forte Time delayed theft alarm for a carrying case
US3959789A (en) * 1975-02-21 1976-05-25 Mcgahee Francis M Credit card monitor
IL68801A (en) * 1983-05-26 1986-02-28 Arie Maharshak Card holder with alarm system
AU571992B2 (en) * 1984-08-22 1988-04-28 Huggins, L.G. Security credit card holder
US4721948A (en) * 1987-03-26 1988-01-26 Lin Wen Tsung Wallet with missing-card reminder

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106419021A (zh) * 2016-10-12 2017-02-22 广州杰赛科技股份有限公司 一种钱包及钱包内卡片防丢失的方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0710453A2 (fr) 1996-05-08
EP0710453A3 (fr) 1999-09-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5053749A (en) Retainer for documents with alarm
US4719453A (en) Card carrier having an alarm
US4652865A (en) Card holder
US3959789A (en) Credit card monitor
US4480250A (en) Credit card carrier with alarm
US6184788B1 (en) Electronic missing card alert case
US4853676A (en) Security device
US4890094A (en) Wallet incorporating credit card alarm system
US20090079566A1 (en) Security device including sensor having an extension
US5790027A (en) Card safety wallet and safety insert
US4916434A (en) Credit card carrier with alarm
US7385508B1 (en) Non-rigid card holder with display
US5515031A (en) Credit card detector and validator
US5053750A (en) Wallet guard
EP0494139B1 (fr) Porte-documents
US5373283A (en) Alarm system for a card holder
US5034724A (en) Alarm device for wallets and the like
WO2007080406A2 (fr) Portefeuille sécurisé
EP0710453B1 (fr) Dispositif de maintien pour document
US8319639B2 (en) Apparatus for keeping documents such as cards
CA1326516C (fr) Porte-documents comportant un dispositif d'alarme
CA1293786C (fr) Dispositif de rangement de documents
US6876301B1 (en) Non-rigid card holder with alarm system
US6957774B1 (en) Luminescent card and casing assembly
CN216416312U (zh) 一种文具用品和便携式收纳装置

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: 19960109

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 494139

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 6A 45C 11/18 A, 6G 08B 21/00 B

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19991025

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

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

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 494139

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69033781

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20010927

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20030320

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: 20040303

Year of fee payment: 15

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20040309

Year of fee payment: 15

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: 20041001

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;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: 20050308

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20050308

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

Effective date: 20050308

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: 20051130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20051130