EP0763633A1 - Système d'égout à vide réglé par une membrane - Google Patents

Système d'égout à vide réglé par une membrane Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0763633A1
EP0763633A1 EP95306394A EP95306394A EP0763633A1 EP 0763633 A1 EP0763633 A1 EP 0763633A1 EP 95306394 A EP95306394 A EP 95306394A EP 95306394 A EP95306394 A EP 95306394A EP 0763633 A1 EP0763633 A1 EP 0763633A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
membrane
pressure
sewer
sewer pipe
pressure chamber
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
EP95306394A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0763633B1 (fr
Inventor
Ake Nilsson
Björn von Varfalva Palffy
Peter Tell
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.)
Evac AB
Original Assignee
Evac AB
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 Evac AB filed Critical Evac AB
Priority to DK95306394T priority Critical patent/DK0763633T3/da
Priority to DE69511695T priority patent/DE69511695T2/de
Priority to EP95306394A priority patent/EP0763633B1/fr
Priority to AT95306394T priority patent/ATE183795T1/de
Publication of EP0763633A1 publication Critical patent/EP0763633A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0763633B1 publication Critical patent/EP0763633B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
    • E03F1/00—Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
    • E03F1/006—Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
    • E03F7/00—Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools
    • E03F7/02—Shut-off devices
    • E03F7/04—Valves for preventing return flow

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a vacuum sewer system of the kind referred to in the preamble of claim 1.
  • An aim of the invention is to simplify the equipment needed in small vacuum sewer systems for toilets, where the collecting tank is kept mainly at atmospheric pressure. This aim is secured by the means disclosed in claim 1.
  • the basic idea is to make the portion of the sewer pipe that is put under partial vacuum very short and to compensate for the radical decrease in available vacuum volume caused by the shortness of the sewer pipe by connecting a pressure chamber containing a movable air-impermeable membrane to the sewer pipe. By means of controlled pressure activation of the membrane every phase of the transport of waste material from a toilet or the like to a collecting tank can be carried out in a convenient manner.
  • the portion of the pressure chamber between the membrane and the short sewer pipe can be considered as the "unclean portion” and the portion on the opposite side of the membrane can be considered as the "clean portion”.
  • the short sewer pipe is normally, at its upstream and downstream ends, closed by shut-off valves. Under these conditions, removing air from the clean portion of the pressure chamber expands the unclean portion to a balanced position, in which the pressure on both sides of the membrane is the same. This produces a partial vacuum in the short sewer pipe. In this state the system is ready to receive a batch of waste material from a toilet or other waste-producing unit connected to the short sewer pipe.
  • the shut-off valve at the upstream end of the short sewer pipe ie the sewer valve
  • the means decreasing the pressure in the clean portion of the pressure chamber should preferably be active during the entire emptying phase, that is, all the time the sewer valve is open. It is feasible and in many cases also desirable that a portion of the waste material drawn from a waste-producing unit is taken up by the unclean portion of the pressure chamber.
  • the sewer valve When the unclean portion of the pressure chamber has achieved its maximum expansion, the sewer valve may be closed and the shut-off valve at the downstream end of the short sewer pipe may be subsequently opened.
  • the waste material may then flow freely due to gravity or, alternatively, the clean portion of the pressure chamber may be pressurized to drive the material from the sewer pipe.
  • the membrane transmits the pressure existing in the clean portion of the pressure chamber to the unclean portion including the short sewer pipe, where the rising pressure enhances the flow of material out from the short sewer pipe.
  • Such a flow-enhancing pressure may also be obtained by resilient means (eg by having a spring acting on the membrane for urging the membrane back to its initial position).
  • the Danish company Semco Odense AS markets a vacuum sewer system called SEMLET, in which a pump-like arrangement is used that, like a diaphragm pump or a piston pump, has a moving pump element driven by a mechanical member to cause a pump stroke that expands a space connectable to a toilet bowl on opening of a sewer valve.
  • SEMLET vacuum sewer system
  • a pump-like arrangement is used that, like a diaphragm pump or a piston pump, has a moving pump element driven by a mechanical member to cause a pump stroke that expands a space connectable to a toilet bowl on opening of a sewer valve.
  • the pressure chamber and the membrane it is advisable to dimension the pressure chamber and the membrane so that the movement of the membrane causes a change of volume in a range or about 2 to 15 litres, preferably 5 to 10 litres.
  • This change in volume is well sufficient for a system with one toilet bowl. If two toilet bowls, for example, situated at opposite sides of a separating wall, are connected to one sewer system according to the invention, a somewhat larger change in volume in the pressure chamber is recommended.
  • the emptying functions of the toilet bowls may be controlled so that both toilet bowls cannot be emptied at the same time.
  • the pressure reducing means may be an ejector driven by compressed air.
  • Such an ejector can, in a few seconds, produce a vacuum causing the desired expansion of the unclean portion of the pressure chamber.
  • Such an ejector is driven by an air pressure of approximately 4 to 6 bar gauge and is able to decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber to less than half an atmosphere, which is quite sufficient for emptying a toilet bowl.
  • the most convenient manner of operating the ejector is to activate it separately for each emptying of a toilet bowl or other waste-producing unit.
  • the ejector needs about 8 to 35 litres of air (the volume being calculated at room temperature and atmospheric pressure). In a well adjusted system, 10 to 15 litres of air are normally sufficient.
  • the membrane of the pressure chamber is preferably arranged in a pressure vessel of substantially circular cylindrical form. It is convenient to use a membrane in the form of a sack with bellows-like folds.
  • the open end of the sack can be attached to the end of the pressure vessel that is remote from the sewer pipe.
  • the folds of a bellows-type membrane may lightly touch the cylindrical inner surface of the pressure vessel. In this way the folds provide a scraping function that keeps the cylinder wall clean.
  • the outwardly directed folds may be provided with stiffening rings or the like, the purpose of which is to prevent a reduction in the outer diameter of the folds during the movement of the membrane, so that the contact between the folds and the cylinder wall is maintained in all positions of the membrane.
  • the closed end of the sack may be provided with a peripheral flexible lip sliding with some outward pressure against the cylinder wall.
  • the membrane may be so rigid that by itself it has a spring function, but it may also be urged towards its expanded condition by a separate spring member.
  • Other embodiments of the membrane are also feasible.
  • the membrane may, for example, be formed as a partition wall or as an expansive pipe. It may be expansive, foldable or rollable. For obtaining a suitable guided movement of the membrane, it may be provided with some stiffer portions reducing the flexibility of the membrane at points where less movement is desired.
  • the sewer pipe may be so short that its connection to the pressure chamber takes up almost the full length of the pipe. In that case the unclean portion of the pressure chamber will partly act as a temporary waste-collecting chamber for at least a portion of the waste material drawn from a waste-producing unit during an emptying cycle.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematical illustration of a vacuum toilet system according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows the portion A of Fig. 1 on a larger scale.
  • the vacuum toilet system shown is intended for installation in a passenger transport unit such as a railroad car, a bus or the like. Vacuum is generated separately just before each emptying of the toilet bowl.
  • the system includes a toilet with a toilet bowl 1 that is connected to a short sewer pipe 3 through a normally-closed sewer valve 2.
  • the sewer pipe 3 is in free connection with a portion 7 of variable volume in a chamber 9 and is closed at its downstream end by a valve 4 that separates the short sewer pipe 3 from an extension 5 thereof that leads to a collection tank, an outlet or the like (not shown).
  • the vacuum generator of the system is an ejector 8 that extracts air from a pressure chamber 9 through an evacuation duct 10.
  • the inner space of the pressure chamber is divided by a movable rubber membrane 11 into two portions.
  • the portion 7 (which is an unclean portion) and a clean portion 14.
  • the ejector 8 is driven by pressurized air received from a compressed air network 17 via a solenoid valve 12.
  • the compressed air network 17 is also connected to another solenoid valve 16 operable to pressurize the clean portion 14 of the pressure chamber with compressed air.
  • the air feed duct 18 of the ejector is controlled by the valve 12 and the evacuation duct 10 is controlled by a solenoid valve 6.
  • the flow duct passing through the valve 16 is provided with a pressure reduction means 16a. All the valves mentioned are remote controlled.
  • a flush button 13 arranged at or near the toilet bowl 1 is connected to a control unit 24 that controls the different functions of the system by operating the remote controlled valves of the system.
  • a toilet emptying sequence is started by operating the flush button 13. Thereby an impulse is sent to the control unit 24 which opens the valve 12 and allows compressed air to flow through the ejector 8. This creates, in a few seconds, a partial vacuum of approximately 60% of atmospheric pressure (absolute pressure approximately 0,4 bar) in the clean portion 14 of the pressure chamber, which moves the membrane 11 upwards to a pressure balance position 11a creating essentially the same vacuum in the space portion 7.
  • the sewer valve 2 is now rapidly opened and the waste present in the toilet bowl 1 is instantaneously pressed by the atmospheric pressure into the sewer pipe 3. This causes a rise in pressure in the pipe 3 and in the space portion 7, that causes the membrane 11 to move further upwards to a position 11b. This second movement will be faster and more positive if the ejector 8 is still operating during this phase.
  • a less favourable alternative is to disconnect the ejector 8 when the maximum vacuum level has been reached and the valves 6 and 16 are kept closed.
  • the sewer valve 2 When all the waste has been removed from the toilet bowl 1, the sewer valve 2 is closed and the valve 4 is opened. The sewage present in the pipe 3 and the space portion 7 may now flow into the pipe 5. Further transport of the waste material may be enhanced by pressurizing the portion 14 of the pressure chamber space.
  • An alternative is to provide a pressure spring 19 urging the membrane downwards and/or to use a membrane that itself functions as a pressure spring. In that case pressurizing of the space 7 is obtained merely by closing down the ejector 8 and by keeping the valve 6 open, provided that the ejector 8 allows ambient air to flow into the portion 14 when the ejector is closed down. If this is not possible, another air flow duct must be provided. If the portion 7 is not pressurized, or is pressurized only by means of a spring force, the valve 6 may be totally omitted as well as the valve 16 and its piping.
  • a bottom portion 15 of the membrane 11, forming the upper boundary of the space portion 7, is preferably made of thicker material. It may then provide a suitable support for a pressure spring 19 arranged to urge the membrane 11 downwards should such a spring be required.
  • Fig. 2 shows how each outer fold of the membrane 11 can be provided with a strengthening ring 20 of steel or some other suitable material. Without such rings, the outer diameter of the folds can decrease during axial expansion of the membrane so that contact between the membrane folds and the wall of the pressure chamber 9 will be lost.
  • the rings 20 keep the outer diameter of the folds practically constant.
  • the toilet bowl 1 In connection with an emptying sequence, the toilet bowl 1 is provided with a desired amount of rinse liquid for rinsing and cleaning the inner surface of the bowl. This arrangement is not illustrated because it is known art and is not part of the inventive concept.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Sewage (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
  • Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Control Of Fluid Pressure (AREA)
EP95306394A 1995-09-13 1995-09-13 Système d'égout à vide réglé par une membrane Expired - Lifetime EP0763633B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK95306394T DK0763633T3 (da) 1995-09-13 1995-09-13 Membranstyret vakuumkloaksystem
DE69511695T DE69511695T2 (de) 1995-09-13 1995-09-13 Von einer Membran reguliertes Vakuumabwassersystem
EP95306394A EP0763633B1 (fr) 1995-09-13 1995-09-13 Système d'égout à vide réglé par une membrane
AT95306394T ATE183795T1 (de) 1995-09-13 1995-09-13 Von einer membran reguliertes vakuumabwassersystem

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP95306394A EP0763633B1 (fr) 1995-09-13 1995-09-13 Système d'égout à vide réglé par une membrane

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0763633A1 true EP0763633A1 (fr) 1997-03-19
EP0763633B1 EP0763633B1 (fr) 1999-08-25

Family

ID=8221320

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95306394A Expired - Lifetime EP0763633B1 (fr) 1995-09-13 1995-09-13 Système d'égout à vide réglé par une membrane

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0763633B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE183795T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69511695T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0763633T3 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1013838A1 (fr) * 1998-12-23 2000-06-28 Evac International Oy Dispositif de transport d'eaux usées
WO2002059432A1 (fr) 2001-01-26 2002-08-01 Geberit Technik Ag Systeme de toilettes dote d'une cuvette de toilettes
WO2003000999A1 (fr) * 2001-06-21 2003-01-03 Evac International Oy Systeme d'egout a vide
CN101012663B (zh) * 2006-01-30 2011-02-23 埃瓦克国际有限公司 真空下水道系统
JP2014000370A (ja) * 2012-06-19 2014-01-09 Fukushima Seisakusho:Kk 簡易便槽タンクと汚水回収システム
WO2018091507A1 (fr) * 2016-11-15 2018-05-24 Alte Technologies S.L.U. Système de transfert de déchets pour toilettes d'un véhicule de transport public
EP3699088A1 (fr) * 2019-02-19 2020-08-26 B/E Aerospace, Inc. Système de déchets sous vide

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20301649U1 (de) * 2003-02-03 2004-06-17 Evac Gmbh Vakuumtoilette
US8490223B2 (en) 2011-08-16 2013-07-23 Flow Control LLC Toilet with ball valve mechanism and secondary aerobic chamber

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2865028A (en) * 1955-10-04 1958-12-23 Verne L Patenaude Sewage system for mobile homes and the like
US4034421A (en) 1975-04-23 1977-07-12 Ifo Ab Vacuum sewer system including a collecting tank
US4184506A (en) 1973-12-29 1980-01-22 Krister Nordberg Vacuum sewer system
US4297751A (en) 1978-08-25 1981-11-03 Oy Wartsila Ab Sewer system
FR2516119A1 (fr) * 1981-11-06 1983-05-13 Soterkenos Sarl Installation d'ecoulement d'un fluide notamment pour l'evacuation des eaux usees
DE9111247U1 (de) * 1991-09-11 1992-04-23 Semco A/S c/o Semco Odense A/S, Odense Toilettensystem
EP0555984A1 (fr) 1992-02-05 1993-08-18 Evac Ab Traitement des mauvaises odeurs pour système de toilettes à vide mobile

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2865028A (en) * 1955-10-04 1958-12-23 Verne L Patenaude Sewage system for mobile homes and the like
US4184506A (en) 1973-12-29 1980-01-22 Krister Nordberg Vacuum sewer system
US4034421A (en) 1975-04-23 1977-07-12 Ifo Ab Vacuum sewer system including a collecting tank
US4297751A (en) 1978-08-25 1981-11-03 Oy Wartsila Ab Sewer system
FR2516119A1 (fr) * 1981-11-06 1983-05-13 Soterkenos Sarl Installation d'ecoulement d'un fluide notamment pour l'evacuation des eaux usees
DE9111247U1 (de) * 1991-09-11 1992-04-23 Semco A/S c/o Semco Odense A/S, Odense Toilettensystem
EP0555984A1 (fr) 1992-02-05 1993-08-18 Evac Ab Traitement des mauvaises odeurs pour système de toilettes à vide mobile

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1013838A1 (fr) * 1998-12-23 2000-06-28 Evac International Oy Dispositif de transport d'eaux usées
WO2002059432A1 (fr) 2001-01-26 2002-08-01 Geberit Technik Ag Systeme de toilettes dote d'une cuvette de toilettes
US6910231B2 (en) 2001-01-26 2005-06-28 Geberit Technik Ag Toilet system with a toilet pan
WO2003000999A1 (fr) * 2001-06-21 2003-01-03 Evac International Oy Systeme d'egout a vide
CN101012663B (zh) * 2006-01-30 2011-02-23 埃瓦克国际有限公司 真空下水道系统
JP2014000370A (ja) * 2012-06-19 2014-01-09 Fukushima Seisakusho:Kk 簡易便槽タンクと汚水回収システム
WO2018091507A1 (fr) * 2016-11-15 2018-05-24 Alte Technologies S.L.U. Système de transfert de déchets pour toilettes d'un véhicule de transport public
US10941556B2 (en) 2016-11-15 2021-03-09 Alte Technologies S.L.U. Waste transfer system for a toilet of a public transport vehicle
EP3699088A1 (fr) * 2019-02-19 2020-08-26 B/E Aerospace, Inc. Système de déchets sous vide
US11078655B2 (en) 2019-02-19 2021-08-03 B/E Aerospace, Inc. Vacuum waste system
US11629486B2 (en) 2019-02-19 2023-04-18 B/E Aerospace, Inc. Vacuum waste system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK0763633T3 (da) 2000-03-20
DE69511695T2 (de) 1999-12-23
EP0763633B1 (fr) 1999-08-25
ATE183795T1 (de) 1999-09-15
DE69511695D1 (de) 1999-09-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0763633B1 (fr) Système d'égout à vide réglé par une membrane
EP1013838B1 (fr) Dispositif de transport d'eaux usées
JP3100992B2 (ja) 真空トイレット装置
EP1813734B1 (fr) Système d'évacuation d'eau sous vide
EP0555984B1 (fr) Traitement des mauvaises odeurs pour système de toilettes à vide mobile
EP2657418B1 (fr) Unité de réduction de bruit de drains d'aspiration sous vide
EP0659948B1 (fr) Système d'égout sous vide entraíné par de l'air comprimé
US6085366A (en) Apparatus for supplying pressurized rinse water to a toilet
JPS6234578B2 (fr)
EP2143848A1 (fr) Système d'aspiration d'air pour canal de vidange de toilettes
EP4164769A1 (fr) Agencement de soupape pour un extracteur de poussière industrielle
JPH08503035A (ja) 負圧トイレシステムとその排出弁
JPH0585698B2 (fr)
US6279176B1 (en) Low water toilet
CA2032882A1 (fr) Montage pour le transport sous vide des eaux d'egout
JP2006112057A (ja) 便器装置
JP3647497B2 (ja) 弁組立体
SE506005C2 (sv) Membranstyrt vakuumavloppsystem
WO2019236022A1 (fr) Système de toilettes pouvant être caché compatible avec des systèmes de pompe à vide ou broyeuse
EP0217185B1 (fr) Clapet d'écoulement pour toilette d'acion
US20210001384A1 (en) Vacuum clog toilet removal apparatus
EP0848239A3 (fr) Système et procédé d'inspection et d'essai d'un tube de fumée
EP4153819A1 (fr) Toilette
GB2552561A (en) Fluid deployment apparatus and method
AU8082491A (en) A fluid valve device and a positive-displacement pump

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: A1

Designated state(s): AT CH DE DK FR IT LI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19970619

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19971013

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 CH DE DK FR IT LI

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 183795

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19990915

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: INTERPATENT ST.TECN. BREV.

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69511695

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19990930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: A. BRAUN, BRAUN, HERITIER, ESCHMANN AG PATENTANWAE

ET Fr: translation filed
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
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20020813

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20030807

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: 20030811

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20030818

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: 20030821

Year of fee payment: 9

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: 20030930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

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

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20040913

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: 20040930

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20040930

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: 20050401

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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: 20050531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

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: 20050913