EP0719516B1 - Cleaning equipment, particularly for domestic use - Google Patents

Cleaning equipment, particularly for domestic use Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0719516B1
EP0719516B1 EP95203657A EP95203657A EP0719516B1 EP 0719516 B1 EP0719516 B1 EP 0719516B1 EP 95203657 A EP95203657 A EP 95203657A EP 95203657 A EP95203657 A EP 95203657A EP 0719516 B1 EP0719516 B1 EP 0719516B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
equipment
nozzle body
shaft
cable
switch
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
EP95203657A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0719516A2 (en
EP0719516A3 (en
Inventor
Franco Polti
Mauro Pogliani
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.)
Polti SpA
Original Assignee
Polti SpA
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 Polti SpA filed Critical Polti SpA
Publication of EP0719516A2 publication Critical patent/EP0719516A2/en
Publication of EP0719516A3 publication Critical patent/EP0719516A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0719516B1 publication Critical patent/EP0719516B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/02—Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
    • B08B3/026—Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/34—Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4002—Installations of electric equipment
    • A47L11/4008—Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4075—Handles; levers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
    • A47L11/4086—Arrangements for steam generation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
    • A47L11/4088—Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/02—Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
    • B08B3/026—Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor
    • B08B3/028—Spray guns
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B2230/00—Other cleaning aspects applicable to all B08B range
    • B08B2230/01—Cleaning with steam

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cleaning equipment, particularly for domestic use, of the type including a casing, at least one switch for actuating electrical components of the equipment, a nozzle body for cleaning operations and a flexible hose connecting the nozzle body connector and the casing for conveying a fluid between the casing and the nozzle body.
  • Steam cleaning equipment which houses a boiler within the casing for producing steam and a solenoid valve which controls the outlet of steam from the boiler.
  • the steam emitted is conveyed through the flexible hose to the nozzle body which, in this case, is a nozzle body for supplying the steam.
  • nozzle body which, in this case, is a nozzle body for supplying the steam.
  • Currently used steam cleaning equipment has an electrical switch for operating the solenoid valve located on a hand-grip of the body of the steam supply nozzle. This enables the user of the equipment to control the supply of steam from the boiler directly from the handgrip of the nozzle body.
  • This switch location although being optimum from the point of view of ease and convenience of operation, is however not very safe for the user.
  • the switch is connected in an electrical circuit which controls the solenoid valve with an operating voltage equal to that of the mains to which the equipment is connected, this generally being greater than 200 volts. Consequently there is a danger that the user of the machine will receive an electric shock while operating the switch if his hands are not perfectly dry which is quite probable since such machines are used for cleaning rooms, an activity which involves the frequent use of water or other liquids.
  • the problem at the root of the present invention is that of devising equipment of the type specified which has structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome the problems indicated above with reference to the prior art.
  • cleaning equipment of the type specified which is characterised in that the at least one switch is housed within the casing and in that a control member is provided on the nozzle body and mechanical transmission means connect the control member to the at least one switch for operating the switch from the nozzle body.
  • EP-A-0 485 827, DE-U-92 16 531 and DE-U-94 16 655 disclose cleaning equipment with controls on the nozzle.
  • the equipment 1 includes a rectangular-box-shaped casing 2, a nozzle body 3 for supplying the steam and a flexible hose 4 connecting the casing 2 to the nozzle body 3.
  • the nozzle body 3 includes, on a handgrip 21 thereof, a control member constituted by a rotatable knob 22 supported on the nozzle body 3.
  • the casing 2 houses a boiler 5 for producing the steam and a solenoid valve 6 for supplying the steam generated in the boiler 5.
  • the solenoid valve 6 is located on the boiler 5.
  • a female connector 8 in which a cooperating male connector 7 fixed to one end of the flexible hose 4 is inserted along a direction X-X perpendicular to the casing 2.
  • the male connector 7 has a known device for connecting it to the female connector 8 controlled by a push button 28.
  • the female connector 8 supports two switches constituted, to advantage, by box-shaped microswitches 9 and 10.
  • the microswitches 9 and 10 are connected in respective electrical circuits 14 and 15, each of which, in a preferred embodiment, is able independently to control the opening of the solenoid valve 6.
  • the microswitches 9 and 10 close and open the electrical circuits 14 and 15 by means of respective control rods 9a and 10a.
  • the microswitches extend in the direction X-X with the rods 9a and 10a facing each other at a predetermined distance apart to define an interspace 29 in the said direction.
  • the female connector 8 also supports an end 11a of a tube 11 connected to the solenoid valve 6.
  • a tube 12 for conveying steam and a flexible cable 13 which is torsionally rigid extend within the flexible hose 4 and the nozzle body 3.
  • the cable 13 is preferably constituted by four helically-wound steel wires.
  • a first end 12a of the tube 12 is carried by the male connector 7 and is connected with a pressure-tight seal to the end 11a of the tube 11.
  • a second end of the tube 12 is connected to a steam outlet nozzle 16 of the nozzle body 3.
  • the male connector 7 houses a support constituted by a box-shaped base 18 which extends in the direction X-X and two tubular elements 19 and 20 which project therefrom perpendicular to the direction X-X.
  • a through-hole is formed in the base 18 with its axis parallel to the direction X-X and communicating with the hollow interiors of the tubular elements 19 and 20.
  • One end of the cable 13 is fixed for rotation with the knob 22 while its opposite end is inserted axially and clamped in a first end 17a of the shaft 17.
  • a second end 17b of the shaft 17 is of rectangular section and is inserted in the interspace 29 between the two microswitches 9 and 10.
  • a ball 23 is inserted in the tubular element 20 and is urged by a helical spring 30 to exert a pressure on a corresponding square-section portion 17c of the shaft 17.
  • the faces of the portion 17c are parallel to those of the end 17b and each has a concave recess 27 engageable by the ball 23.
  • a peg 24 is slidable in the tubular element 19 and is acted upon by a helical spring 25 so that a first end thereof bears on a corresponding portion 17d of the shaft 17.
  • the section of the portion 17d is rectangular and the same as that of the end 17b but rotated through 90° relative thereto about the axis of the shaft 17.
  • the portion 17d constitutes a cam for the peg 24.
  • a second end 24a of the peg 24 projects from the tubular element 19 and is inserted in a hole 26 in one wall of the male connector 7.
  • the knob 22 is rotated in one of its two senses so that the cable 13 transmits torque to the shaft 17 and urges it to rotate about its axis, while the pressure exerted by the ball 23 on the portion 17c opposes the rotation of the shaft 17.
  • the shaft 17 snap-rotates through 90° round its axis.
  • the end 17b of the shaft 17 acts on the control rods 9a and 10a of the microswitches 9 and 10 to close the electrical circuits 14 and 15 and open the solenoid valve 6. Steam thus escapes from the boiler 5 through the solenoid valve 6 and flows through the tubes 11 and 12 to the steam outlet nozzle 16.
  • the projection of the peg 24 from the male connector 7 indicates that the shaft 17 is in the angular position in which its end 17b acts on the control rods 9a and 10a of the microswitches 9 and 10. It is in fact appropriate to avoid inserting the male connector 7 in the female connector 8 when the shaft 17 is in its angular position causing the opening of the solenoid valve 6 in order to avoid steam escaping from the steam outlet nozzle 16 before the nozzle body 3 has been gripped correctly by the user.
  • the cleaning equipment according to the present invention is exceptionally advantageous and safe for the user. In fact, it allows a switch housed within the casing of the equipment to be operated directly from the handgrip of a nozzle body without the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, since the nozzle body is isolated from the electrical parts of the equipment, it is clear there would be no risk of electric shock from the equipment of the present invention even if the nozzle body were to be immersed in a liquid.
  • the equipment according to the present invention enables the use of armoured transformers to be avoided.
  • the present invention makes it particularly easy to manufacture cleaning equipment with a completely closed casing so as to ensure that the electrical parts contained therein are completely protected.
  • the equipment according to the present invention is easy to use.
  • domestic steam-cleaning equipment is generally indicated 101.
  • Parts of the equipment 101 which are structurally and functionally equivalent to corresponding parts of the equipment 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals and are not described below in order not to burden unnecessarily the present description.
  • the male connector 7 houses an actuator device 102 for actuating the microswitches 9 and 10 comprising a prismatic guide 103 fixed to the male connector 7 and extending in the direction X-X and an actuator rod 104 slidable in the guide 103 but fixed against rotation and movable between a withdrawn position ( Figure 9) and an advanced position ( Figure 10).
  • an end portion 105 of the actuator rod 104 projects from the prismatic guide 103 to actuate the control rods 9a and 10a of the microswitches 9 and 10 when the male connector 7 is inserted in the female connector 8 as will become clearer in the description below.
  • a shaft 106 extends in alignment with the actuator rod 104 and is supported by the male connector 7 for pivoting movement while being axially fixed.
  • the shaft 106 is connected at one end to the cable 13 so as to be fixed for rotation therewith, while its opposite end is connected to the other end of the actuator rod 104 by a screw coupling 107.
  • a coil spring 119 mounted coaxially on the shaft 106 connects the shaft 106 to the prismatic guide 103 so as to oppose relative rotation of the two members.
  • a control member comprising a rack and pinion device 109 capable of transmitting rotation to the cable 13 is fitted to a handgrip 108 of the nozzle body 3.
  • the device 109 comprises a hollow body 110 in which a key 111 carrying a rack 112 is slidable.
  • the rack 112 meshes with a pinion 113 rotatably supported by the hollow body 110 and connected, in correspondence with its axis of rotation, to one end of the cable 13 so as to be fixed for rotation therewith.
  • the device 109 includes resilient means, preferably constituted by torsion springs 114, which act on the key 111 to keep it in abutment with a projection 115 of the body 110 in an advanced travel-limit position ( Figure 9) in which the key 111 projects from the body 110 by a predetermined distance L.
  • resilient means preferably constituted by torsion springs 114, which act on the key 111 to keep it in abutment with a projection 115 of the body 110 in an advanced travel-limit position ( Figure 9) in which the key 111 projects from the body 110 by a predetermined distance L.
  • the nozzle body 3 further includes a handguard 117 on the handgrip 108 within which is a trigger lever 116 pivoted on the nozzle body 3 at one end and connected to the head 118 of the key 111 at the opposite end.
  • a trigger lever 116 pivoted on the nozzle body 3 at one end and connected to the head 118 of the key 111 at the opposite end.
  • the coil spring 119 cooperates with the springs 114 to cause the second rotation of the cable 13.
  • the equipment 101 has the advantage that the control member located on the handgrip of the nozzle body enables steam to be delivered from the steam outlet nozzle only when operated suitably by the user, this flow stopping automatically when the nozzle body is not gripped by the user. Thus, if the nozzle body is dropped accidentally, the danger of the user being hit by a jet of steam is avoided.
  • the pressure needed to operate the trigger lever may be distributed over several fingers which minimises the force which the user must exert to achieve the delivery of steam from the nozzle while using the equipment.
  • the number of switches and their arrangement within the body of the equipment may be varied in accordance with specific requirements, as may the type of switch used.
  • the switch from the nozzle body may control a motor of a suction fan.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Body Washing Hand Wipes And Brushes (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Bulk Treatment Of Fruits And Vegetables And Apparatuses For Preparing Feeds (AREA)
EP95203657A 1994-12-29 1995-12-27 Cleaning equipment, particularly for domestic use Expired - Lifetime EP0719516B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI942675A IT1271816B (it) 1994-12-29 1994-12-29 Macchina per la pulizia,particolarmente ad uso domestico
ITMI942675 1994-12-29

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0719516A2 EP0719516A2 (en) 1996-07-03
EP0719516A3 EP0719516A3 (en) 1996-09-18
EP0719516B1 true EP0719516B1 (en) 1999-04-28

Family

ID=11370105

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95203657A Expired - Lifetime EP0719516B1 (en) 1994-12-29 1995-12-27 Cleaning equipment, particularly for domestic use

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0719516B1 (es)
AT (1) ATE179316T1 (es)
DE (1) DE69509348T2 (es)
DK (1) DK0719516T3 (es)
ES (1) ES2133663T3 (es)
GR (1) GR3030850T3 (es)
IT (1) IT1271816B (es)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0827709A2 (en) * 1996-09-04 1998-03-11 POLTI S.p.A. Apparatus for steam-cleaning surfaces
WO2004073478A1 (en) * 2003-02-19 2004-09-02 Polti S.P.A. Handgrip for a domestic cleaning-appliance nozzle

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2377365A (en) * 2001-07-10 2003-01-15 Lambert Wu Vapour cleaner, especially steam cleaner, with valve means for vapour release
ITGE20010074A1 (it) * 2001-09-26 2003-03-26 Ariete Spa Apparecchio pulitore a vapore.
US20110073135A1 (en) 2009-09-25 2011-03-31 Euro-Pro Operating, Llc Steam appliance
FR3001979B1 (fr) * 2013-02-08 2015-01-30 Seb Sa Appareil de repassage comprenant une base generatrice de vapeur reliee par un cordon a un fer a repasser
CN103479304A (zh) * 2013-09-10 2014-01-01 常熟市新晨机械厂 一种洗地机
WO2015081985A1 (de) * 2013-12-03 2015-06-11 Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg Steuereinrichtung zur leistungssteuerung eines hochdruckreinigungsgerätes
US10674881B2 (en) * 2017-09-19 2020-06-09 Rug Doctor, LLC Liquid extraction apparatus and method

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3905661A1 (de) * 1989-02-24 1990-08-30 Heinz Schiele Automatisches ueberwachungsgeraet, insbesondere fuer waschmaschinen
CH682801A5 (fr) * 1990-11-16 1993-11-30 Radwulf Sa Appareil électro-ménager.
DE9216531U1 (es) * 1992-12-04 1993-03-25 Siprotech Ag, Henau, Ch
FR2711410B1 (fr) * 1993-10-19 1995-11-17 Ciapem Dispositif pour commander la position d'un organe en fonction de la position d'un système à mouvement rotatif, notamment pour l'alimentation de compartiments de détergents de machine à laver.
DE9416655U1 (de) * 1994-10-17 1994-12-01 Thomas Robert Metall Elektro Staubsauger

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0827709A2 (en) * 1996-09-04 1998-03-11 POLTI S.p.A. Apparatus for steam-cleaning surfaces
WO2004073478A1 (en) * 2003-02-19 2004-09-02 Polti S.P.A. Handgrip for a domestic cleaning-appliance nozzle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE179316T1 (de) 1999-05-15
GR3030850T3 (en) 1999-11-30
ITMI942675A0 (it) 1994-12-29
IT1271816B (it) 1997-06-09
DE69509348D1 (de) 1999-06-02
EP0719516A2 (en) 1996-07-03
DE69509348T2 (de) 1999-12-30
ITMI942675A1 (it) 1996-06-29
EP0719516A3 (en) 1996-09-18
ES2133663T3 (es) 1999-09-16
DK0719516T3 (da) 1999-11-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0719516B1 (en) Cleaning equipment, particularly for domestic use
EP0672377B1 (en) Domestic steam cleaning appliance
EP0420473B2 (en) Hand-held high-pressure cleaner
JP2942043B2 (ja) 家庭用電気器具
EP0567044B1 (en) Multi-purpose appliance for household work
CA1064655A (en) Vacuum cleaner attachment
EP1858390B1 (en) Steam broom for floor cleaning with adjustable steam jets underneath and/or at the front and with detergent mixing
US20140051304A1 (en) Surgical coupling system and surgical drive system
CA1104025A (en) Steam facial apparatus
US20210370327A1 (en) Paint spray gun
WO2015172194A1 (en) Electrolytic brush assembly
US4208753A (en) Floor cleaning apparatus
EP0670138B1 (en) Telescopic tube connection for a vacuum cleaner
EP0253910B1 (en) Steam cleaning apparatus
EP0797947B1 (en) Cleaning machine, particularly for domestic use
EP0746999B1 (en) Control device, particularly for steam-generating appliances for household and/or industrial cleaning
CN111374581A (zh) 一种具有杀菌功能的洁厕刷装置
JPH113638A (ja) セーフティースイッチ
GB1559423A (en) Hand held hair dryers
KR960001126B1 (ko) 진공 청소기 출력 제어장치
EP1121891A2 (en) Control device, particulary for cleaning appliances
KR100486557B1 (ko) 증기 분사 청소기
EP0633627A2 (en) Strain relief for an electrical appliance
JP2005176874A (ja) 電気掃除機用管継手及び電気掃除機
CN217885895U (zh) 蒸汽喷枪及蒸汽设备

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 IT LI NL

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 IT LI NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19961107

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

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19980911

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 IT LI NL

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 179316

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19990515

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69509348

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19990602

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: JACOBACCI & PERANI S.P.A.

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2133663

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: JACOBACCI & PERANI S.A.

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

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

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

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20021107

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20021111

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20021112

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20021115

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20021118

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20021119

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20021121

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: GR

Payment date: 20021128

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20021211

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20030106

Year of fee payment: 8

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: 20031227

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20031227

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

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 20031229

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: 20031231

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20031231

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20031231

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

Ref country code: DK

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

Effective date: 20040102

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *POLTI S.P.A.

Effective date: 20031231

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: 20040701

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20040701

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

Ref country code: GR

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

Effective date: 20040705

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

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

Effective date: 20031227

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: 20040831

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

Effective date: 20040701

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20031229

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: 20051227