EP0743104A2 - Procédé et dispositif d'identification de différents objets métalliques de forme allongée, en particulier de pièces de couvert - Google Patents

Procédé et dispositif d'identification de différents objets métalliques de forme allongée, en particulier de pièces de couvert Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0743104A2
EP0743104A2 EP96105451A EP96105451A EP0743104A2 EP 0743104 A2 EP0743104 A2 EP 0743104A2 EP 96105451 A EP96105451 A EP 96105451A EP 96105451 A EP96105451 A EP 96105451A EP 0743104 A2 EP0743104 A2 EP 0743104A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inductive scanning
scanning device
cutlery
conveying
inductive
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96105451A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0743104B1 (fr
EP0743104A3 (fr
Inventor
Helmut Jordan
Peter Buck
Rainer Anthonj
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.)
Premark FEG LLC
Original Assignee
Premark FEG Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Premark FEG Corp filed Critical Premark FEG Corp
Publication of EP0743104A2 publication Critical patent/EP0743104A2/fr
Publication of EP0743104A3 publication Critical patent/EP0743104A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0743104B1 publication Critical patent/EP0743104B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for identifying different, elongated metallic objects, in particular cutlery items, by location and / or shape and / or type and a device for carrying out this method.
  • cutlery items fork, spoon, small spoon, etc.
  • Various methods are known for identifying cutlery items (knife, fork, spoon, small spoon, etc.) as preparation for a subsequent sorting process.
  • the simplest known method is a mechanical identification method, in which several sheets arranged one above the other and provided with elongated holes are used.
  • the shape of the elongated holes of a single sheet is the shape of a particular piece of cutlery, e.g. of the knife.
  • Disordered cutlery is placed on the top perforated plate and the plates are vibrated.
  • the cutlery parts fall through the openings of the sheets corresponding to their respective outline shape and are thus both identified and sorted.
  • this method is very noisy, slow and does not prevent cutlery items from falling into openings not provided for them, so reliable identification is not guaranteed.
  • only one type of cutlery can be identified with this method; for another type of cutlery, it is necessary to use appropriately trained perforated plates.
  • a device for sorting cutlery parts in which the cutlery parts are fed to a detection area on a conveyor belt and there according to Art and location are identified.
  • Various regulating flaps are arranged in the conveying section of this device which adjoins the detection area and are actuated by an adjusting device.
  • a flap assigned to a specific type of cutlery for example a knife, spoon, fork, small spoon, and a specific position is actuated, so that the corresponding cutlery part arrives in a collecting compartment. Cutlery items that cannot be assigned to a specific type or are defective ultimately end up in a final container.
  • the device further comprises an identification device with a plurality of detectors or measuring transducers, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the length and width directions above a flat surface on which the cutlery parts are guided.
  • the respective detectors include transmitters located in the flat base and receivers arranged above the base. When viewed in cross-section, the flat base is slightly inclined and forms a V-like channel together with a lateral guide. As a result, the cutlery parts are forced into a predetermined position and thus guided through the detection area.
  • the detectors of the identification device deliver signals in a specific order, which form a signal sequence representing a detection signal. These signals are stored in a data processing device and subsequently compared with the respective signals from the detectors in work cycles and the cutlery parts are thus identified. Due to the distributed spatial arrangement of the detectors, the individual signals supplied by the detectors are not available at the same time. This is necessary to determine a certain signal order. A detection signal is obtained by combining the individual signals into a typical signal sequence that is available when all individual signals from the detectors have been received.
  • a recognition signal supplied by the identification device is determined by the particular order Characterized individual signals of the plurality of detectors, but the shape and size of these individual signals is irrelevant for the intended identification purposes. It is only considered whether an individual signal is present at a specific point in the signal sequence or not.
  • An available detection signal in the form of a detection signal sequence therefore has a code characteristic. Because of the arrangement of the detectors and the way in which the signals are generated, this device can only provide a limited number of detection signal combinations.
  • cutlery items are inserted into the device via an overhead central opening, fall onto a cone and are distributed through this to a plate-shaped vibrator and into radial ribs of the vibrator. In this way, the cutlery parts are separated. Due to the vibration of the vibrator, the cutlery parts move to an opening arranged in the center of the vibrator and fall through the opening onto the central area of the turntable underneath. As a result of the rotation of the turntable, the cutlery parts migrate outward through sector-like passages formed by radially extending turntable walls, leave the passages and reach an annular channel arranged around the turntable.
  • the cutlery parts pass through an inductive detector device arranged in the channel in a predetermined position and are identified.
  • the inductive scanning device is designed in such a way that, depending on the type of the cutlery part, it supplies a DC voltage of different magnitudes, based on the characteristic value of which the cutlery part is identified. Depending on this signal, trap doors adjoining the detection area are actuated, so that an identified piece of cutlery can be fed to a collecting container.
  • the invention is based on the technical problem of creating an effective and flexible method for the reliable and reproducible identification of elongated metallic objects, in particular cutlery items, and an apparatus for carrying out this method.
  • the method according to the invention provides that objects conveyed individually and in a predetermined or arbitrary position on this conveyor device are guided uniformly with respect to their conveying direction and at a constant speed over at least one inductive scanning device.
  • the induction voltage which changes over time as it passes through the inductive scanning device, is measured and the measurement signal thus determined over time is stored as a detection signal in an electronic data processing device.
  • Signals generated in the course of work cycles of objects are compared and evaluated by means of the electronic data processing device with recognition signals stored in a data memory.
  • an electrical output signal that can be assigned to the respectively identified object position and / or shape and / or type is generated, which can be used to control a sorting device.
  • the cutlery part While passing through the metal cutlery parts via the inductive scanning device, for example a current-carrying and correspondingly wound coil, the cutlery part locally increases or decreases the magnetic flux density and thus the magnetic flux in the scanning device due to its permeability number which differs from the coil environment.
  • the voltage induced in the process can be tapped and measured on the scanning device. Due to the shape and mass distribution of a piece of cutlery, the magnetic flux and thus the induced voltage measured per unit of time is a function of these parameters.
  • the induced voltage plotted over time can advantageously be represented as a signal curve.
  • a scanned piece of cutlery therefore always generates a signal curve that is typical of its position, shape and consequently type.
  • the uniform feeding of the parts at constant speed ensures the comparability of the measurements.
  • the separation of the cutlery on the conveyor prevents the individual measurement signals from overlapping.
  • the device To create a detection signal collection, it is advantageous to measure the signals of different types of cutlery in this way in their different positions on the conveyor device and to store them in a suitable electronic data processing device.
  • the currently generated signal of a part is compared with the detection signals stored in the data memory of the data processing system using a suitable algorithm. If a similarity or correspondence of the signal curves is determined, the device generates an electrical output signal representative of the particular cutlery item, shape and type, which can advantageously be used to control a sorting device.
  • the method according to the invention enables the reliable, continuous and reproducible identification of different, elongated metallic objects, such as cutlery items.
  • the method is also applicable to other metallic objects.
  • the individual cutlery items to be identified can be in a predetermined position or disordered and in any position.
  • the method allows high signal generation and Processing frequency.
  • inductive scanning guarantees a very short access and computing time for the electronic data processing system used and enables large quantities to be identified quickly.
  • the identification of different types of cutlery can be individually adapted and supplemented using stored detection signal collections.
  • the device according to the invention advantageously uses an endlessly revolving conveyor belt or an adequate conveyor mechanism as a conveyor device for the cutlery parts in a further embodiment, since constant conveyor speeds and a uniform movement can thereby be easily achieved.
  • the inductive scanning device has an elongated shape and is arranged transversely to the conveying direction and expediently over its entire width, so that parts lying on the conveying device are reliably detected by the scanning device.
  • the winding of the inductive scanning device is advantageously designed such that the magnetic field lines penetrate the conveying device perpendicularly and at right angles to the conveying direction in the case of a current-carrying coil.
  • a standing ring or frame-shaped coil is also advantageous as an inductive scanning device, the cutlery parts being guided through the coil parallel to the magnetic field lines.
  • both one or more inductive scanning devices can be used in the device according to the invention.
  • a further advantageous embodiment of the device provides for the oblong inductive scanning device to be arranged obliquely to the transport direction and over the entire width of the conveyor.
  • the oblong inductive scanning device When using two scanning devices one above the other or one behind the other, they are positioned so that their longitudinal axes or the imaginary extensions of their longitudinal axes intersect.
  • cutlery items can lie on the device in different positions relative to the direction of transport.
  • a piece of cutlery, which lies with its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inductive scanning device then sweeps over the scanning device in a considerably shorter time than a part running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the scanning device. This results in a very narrow signal curve over time.
  • the arrangement and design of the conveyor and the inductive scanning device must always be selected so that in the identification mode and with any position of the cutlery dividing ends, the longitudinal axis of the cutlery meets the longitudinal axis of the inductive scanning device at an obtuse angle. This is advantageously ensured by said simple oblique arrangement of the inductive scanning device.
  • the use of the crossed scanner arrangement is recommended for conveyors with any cutlery position. If a piece of cutlery passes over a scanning device exactly in parallel or at an acute angle, the second scanning device is passed in any case at an obtuse angle, which results in a favorable temporal measurement signal width.
  • Fig. 1 shows a conveyor 1 in the form of an endless revolving conveyor belt.
  • the direction of conveyance is marked by an arrow. Scattered, i.e. do not overlap with their imaginary circumscribing rectangles formed by the conveyor belt sides and two parallel lines lying parallel to the conveying direction, and cutlery parts 4, 5, 6 and 7 located in any position on this conveying device 1 become uniform with regard to their conveying direction and at a constant speed via two inductive ones Scanners 2a, 2b performed.
  • the elongated inductive scanning devices 2a, 2b are arranged under the conveyor device 1 and extend obliquely over their entire width. Depending on the embodiment of the scanning devices used, it is also conceivable to place them above the conveyor device or to design the scanning devices so that the conveyor device guides the objects to be conveyed through the scanning devices. In addition, the inductive scanning devices 2a and 2b positioned to each other so that the imaginary extensions of their longitudinal axes intersect.
  • the coil windings of the inductive scanning devices 2a, 2b are designed such that the magnetic field lines B penetrate the conveying device 1 perpendicularly and at right angles to the conveying direction when the coil flows through the current.
  • the time-changing induction voltage induced by a cutlery part 7 when an inductive scanning device 2a is slipped on is picked up at the scanning device and the measurement signal S1 determined in this way is passed on to an electronic data processing system 3.
  • the measurement signal S1 coming from the inductive scanning device 2a and which can be represented and interpreted as a signal curve is stored in a data memory 9 of the electronic data processing system 3 via a suitable interface 8.
  • the signals from a large number of cutlery items of different positions, shapes and types are combined to form a detection signal collection ES which is required for the subsequent user identification of the cutlery items.
  • a scanned cutlery part always generates a signal curve which is typical of its position, shape and consequently type and which can be used and interpreted for identification purposes.
  • U denotes the induced voltage and t the time.
  • a measurement signal S1 coming from the inductive scanning device 2a is compared via a suitable program algorithm with the signals from the detection signal collection ES stored in the data memory 9 of the electronic data processing device 3. If a match or sufficient similarity is found here, the cutlery part is identified by the recognition signal that represents a certain position, shape and consequently type ES 1 clearly identified. In this case, an output signal AS for controlling a sorting device for cutlery items is output via an additional interface 10 in the electronic data processing device 3. The sorting device is not shown in the drawings.
  • a second inductive scanning device 2b is provided in the conveying direction behind the first scanning device, as shown in FIG. 1 2a to be arranged, the imaginary extensions of the longitudinal axes of both scanning devices 2a, 2b crossing. In this way it is ensured that a piece of cutlery that cannot be evaluated in the above sense always sweeps over the second scanning device 2b at an obtuse angle, which results in a favorable temporal measurement signal width.
  • the measuring signal S1 cannot be used, the measuring signal S2 of the scanning device 2b is therefore used and compared with the signals of the detection signal collection ES in the manner already described at the beginning. If identification is successful, with a recognition signal ES 2 , agreement can be established, an output signal AS serving as a control signal is in turn output for a subsequent sorting device via the additional interface 10.
  • the method according to the invention for identifying different, elongated metallic objects and the device for carrying out this method can also be implemented using inductive scanning devices or sensors other than those mentioned.
  • Capacitive, optical or sensors based on other physical principles are also conceivable for measuring and measuring in the special way according to the invention Generate detection signals and then evaluate them.
  • the computing effort required for this is very high. However, this can also be accomplished in the sense of the invention with correspondingly powerful electronic data processing systems and program algorithms.

Landscapes

  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Magnetic Means (AREA)
  • Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
EP96105451A 1995-05-18 1996-04-04 Procédé et dispositif d'identification de différents objets métalliques de forme allongée, en particulier de pièces de couvert Expired - Lifetime EP0743104B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19518329 1995-05-18
DE19518329A DE19518329C2 (de) 1995-05-18 1995-05-18 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Identifizierung von unterschiedlichen, länglichen metallischen Gegenständen, insbesondere von Besteckteilen

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0743104A2 true EP0743104A2 (fr) 1996-11-20
EP0743104A3 EP0743104A3 (fr) 1998-02-04
EP0743104B1 EP0743104B1 (fr) 2002-01-30

Family

ID=7762295

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96105451A Expired - Lifetime EP0743104B1 (fr) 1995-05-18 1996-04-04 Procédé et dispositif d'identification de différents objets métalliques de forme allongée, en particulier de pièces de couvert

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US5829600A (fr)
EP (1) EP0743104B1 (fr)
DE (2) DE19518329C2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20102446U1 (de) * 2001-02-13 2001-06-28 Weckenmann Anlagentechnik Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Ergreifen metallischer Gegenstände
US7674994B1 (en) * 2004-10-21 2010-03-09 Valerio Thomas A Method and apparatus for sorting metal
US7659486B2 (en) * 2005-10-20 2010-02-09 Valerio Thomas A Method and apparatus for sorting contaminated glass
EP1960111A4 (fr) * 2005-10-24 2013-11-20 Thomas Valerio Processus, système et appareil de tri de matériaux dissemblables
JP2009532198A (ja) * 2006-03-31 2009-09-10 トーマス バレリオ、 細かい非鉄金属及び絶縁電線断片を分類する方法及び装置
EP2125253A4 (fr) * 2007-01-05 2012-05-30 Thomas A Valerio Système et procédé pour trier des matériaux différents
US7732726B2 (en) * 2008-04-03 2010-06-08 Valerio Thomas A System and method for sorting dissimilar materials using a dynamic sensor
CA2727460C (fr) 2008-06-11 2014-12-30 Thomas A. Valerio Procede et systeme de recuperation de metal a partir de materiaux recycles traites
MX2011000836A (es) * 2008-07-21 2011-04-11 Mtd America Ltd Llc Metodo y sistema para remover bifenilos policlorados de plasticos.
EP2424684A4 (fr) 2009-04-28 2014-03-19 Mtd America Ltd Llc Appareil et procédé de séparation de matériaux au moyen d'air
CA2768783A1 (fr) * 2009-07-21 2011-01-27 Thomas A. Valerio Procede et systeme pour separer et recuperer des materiaux de type analogue a partir d'un systeme de dechets electroniques
AU2010278693A1 (en) * 2009-07-31 2012-03-01 Thomas A. Valerio Method and system for separating and recovering wire and other metal from processed recycled materials
US8757523B2 (en) 2009-07-31 2014-06-24 Thomas Valerio Method and system for separating and recovering wire and other metal from processed recycled materials
US8534466B2 (en) 2010-02-28 2013-09-17 Greg Chaganos Utensil sorting apparatus
US8809718B1 (en) 2012-12-20 2014-08-19 Mss, Inc. Optical wire sorting
US20210001488A1 (en) * 2019-07-03 2021-01-07 Dishcraft Robotics, Inc. Silverware processing systems and methods

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0148139A2 (fr) * 1983-12-27 1985-07-10 Peter Strömgren Appareil pour séparer des pièces de couvert dans des ordures de restaurant
EP0220832A2 (fr) * 1985-09-24 1987-05-06 British Airways Plc Méthode et appareil pour trier des articles
US4690284A (en) * 1985-10-04 1987-09-01 Cochlea Corporation Method of and apparatus for inspecting objects using multiple position detectors

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3394804A (en) * 1966-02-10 1968-07-30 Richard A. Reichel Article aligning and sorting apparatus
US3588686A (en) * 1968-05-27 1971-06-28 Kennecott Copper Corp Tramp metal detection system with belt splice avoidance for conveyors
FR2694216B1 (fr) * 1992-07-29 1994-09-09 Validex Installation de tri pour couverts de collectivités.

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0148139A2 (fr) * 1983-12-27 1985-07-10 Peter Strömgren Appareil pour séparer des pièces de couvert dans des ordures de restaurant
EP0220832A2 (fr) * 1985-09-24 1987-05-06 British Airways Plc Méthode et appareil pour trier des articles
US4690284A (en) * 1985-10-04 1987-09-01 Cochlea Corporation Method of and apparatus for inspecting objects using multiple position detectors

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5829600A (en) 1998-11-03
DE19518329C2 (de) 1997-07-24
DE59608659D1 (de) 2002-03-14
EP0743104B1 (fr) 2002-01-30
EP0743104A3 (fr) 1998-02-04
DE19518329A1 (de) 1996-11-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE19518329C2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Identifizierung von unterschiedlichen, länglichen metallischen Gegenständen, insbesondere von Besteckteilen
DE69527535T3 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum unterteilen nach gewicht von artikeln ungleichmässiger gewichte
DE2455112C2 (de) Münzprüfer
DE19519861A1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Detektieren und Abführen von Fremdobjekten
DE4424058C1 (de) Einrichtung zur Erzeugung eines Erkennungssignals beim Auftreten metallisch leitender Teile in einem Förderstrom
DE1965351B2 (de) Anordnung zum Sortieren von auf einem Transportband willkürlich verteilten Gegenständen nach ihren Reflexionseigenschaften
EP1030740A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour l'identification et le tri d'objets transportes sur bande
DE102005026683A1 (de) Mehrfachblattzuführungs-Erkennungsvorrichtung, Sortierer und Verfahren zur Erkennung der Mehrfachblattzuführung
EP0060392B1 (fr) Dispositif d'examen de pièces de monnaie
DE19651284A9 (de) Vorrichtung zum Aussortieren von Kapseln unter Verwendung von Geschwindigkeitsmessungen
DD152870A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum klassieren in bewegung befindlichen stueckgutes
EP3755471A1 (fr) Identification de marchandises expédiées non transportables
EP1940564A1 (fr) Dispositif de detection pour identifier des elements de matiere a transporter pouvant etre detectes par electromagnetisme et dispositif de tri dote d'un dispositif de detection de ce type
DE3926641A1 (de) Vorrichtung zum separieren bestimmter, wiederverwertbarer gegenstaende
DE4014130A1 (de) Vorrichtung zum behandeln von kartenfoermigen gegenstaenden
DE19649154C1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Steigerung der Trennschärfe von Wirbelstromscheidern
DE19518328C1 (de) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Sortieren von länglichen metallischen Gegenständen, insbesondere von Besteckteilen
DE69019734T2 (de) Sortiervorrichtung mit pünktlicher Photobehandlung.
EP3396404B1 (fr) Procédé de détection de la position d'objets
DE4130399A1 (de) Automatische fenstertechnik zur gegenstandserkennung
DE2915021A1 (de) Flaschensortiervorrichtung
EP1347311B1 (fr) Procédé de détection d'objets, particulièrement d'objets métalliques
EP0325558A1 (fr) Méthode et dispositif de détection de corps étrangers dans un courant de corps transparents pour radiation électromagnétique
WO1997005968A1 (fr) Procede de triage de courrier
DD294678A5 (de) Anordnung zur beruehrungslosen einzelueberwachung eines fadenfoermigen materials

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): DE FR GB IT SE

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

Owner name: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.

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 SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19980724

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20000328

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

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 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: 20020130

Ref country code: FR

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: 20020130

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

Effective date: 20020130

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59608659

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20020314

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: 20020430

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20020430

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: 20021101

EN Fr: translation not 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

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

Effective date: 20020430

26N No opposition filed