EP0823377A1 - Procédé pour l'emballage d'articles absorbants et pour la fabrication simultanée d'une poignée - Google Patents

Procédé pour l'emballage d'articles absorbants et pour la fabrication simultanée d'une poignée Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0823377A1
EP0823377A1 EP96112263A EP96112263A EP0823377A1 EP 0823377 A1 EP0823377 A1 EP 0823377A1 EP 96112263 A EP96112263 A EP 96112263A EP 96112263 A EP96112263 A EP 96112263A EP 0823377 A1 EP0823377 A1 EP 0823377A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
handle element
perimeter
bag
flexible
handle
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
EP96112263A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0823377B1 (fr
Inventor
Bruce Kevin Bitowft
Helmut Norbert Erbe
Michael Becker
Heiko Armin Ernst Friedrich Tischler
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.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
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 to ES96112263T priority Critical patent/ES2150621T3/es
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Priority to EP96112263A priority patent/EP0823377B1/fr
Priority to DE69610621T priority patent/DE69610621T2/de
Priority to CA002262541A priority patent/CA2262541C/fr
Priority to AU36670/97A priority patent/AU3667097A/en
Priority to US09/230,474 priority patent/US20020023408A1/en
Priority to KR1019997000676A priority patent/KR20000029612A/ko
Priority to JP10508865A priority patent/JPH11513955A/ja
Priority to PCT/US1997/012417 priority patent/WO1998004462A1/fr
Publication of EP0823377A1 publication Critical patent/EP0823377A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0823377B1 publication Critical patent/EP0823377B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/14—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a process for packing absorbent articles in a pre-made flexible bag and subsequently creating a handle element on-line.
  • Flexible bags are widely used to pack many different types of consumer products. For instance, disposable diapers are typically packed in plastic bags. The resultant bags are generally cumbersome and difficult to carry.
  • handle elements are disposed on the outer surface of the flexible bags. It has been customary to provide separate handle elements of cardboard, moulded plastic or other suitable materials that are glued, stapled or heat welded to the bag.
  • US 4,252,269 teaches a bag of polymeric plastic material that has an opening at one end and a gusset at the opposite end. Within the gusset, a handle is welded to the front and rear panels of the bag along a fold line.
  • US 5,054,619 refers to an easy open flexible bag containing one or more stacks of flexible articles that comprises a longitudinally oriented carrying handle, which is formed independently of the bag.
  • US 5,026,173 describes a plastic bag having a side panel with a carry grip area in which a carry strip portion is located.
  • the carry strip portion is formed between carry grip apertures or easily breakable weakening lines.
  • the carry strip is coplanar with the side panel of the plastic bag and does not require seals of any kind.
  • Protective and reinforcement strips are provided underneath the carry grip apertures in order to protect the contents of the plastic bag from external contamination.
  • GB 1 575 921 teaches a bag provided with a carrier handle means where the handle is not located in loose flap members protruding from a sealed top panel, but in a flap participating in the wrapping of the articles.
  • US 4,913,693 provides a bag that includes a side-to-side continuous handle, which is formed from pieces of material that make up the sidewalls of the bag and a closed top formed from a separate piece of material.
  • DE 2 051 833 describes a means of producing a package for hygienic articles comprising two strips of plastic, one wider than the other.
  • the preferred production method consists of first forming a tube around the articles to be packed, then welding transversely to separate the tubes or packages while at the same time cutting the packages successively from one another.
  • the resultant package may contain a handle and a tear-off opening.
  • the handle lies between the welding seam used to seal the package shut and an additional seam, which is present for stability purposes.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a strong handle element mounting using suitable reinforcements and effective sealing techniques.
  • a pre-made flexible bag for flexible articles is provided.
  • Flexible articles are introduced into the flexible bag through an area corresponding to the top panel, which is subsequently sealed at its top panel. At least one flap protruding from the top panel is left attached.
  • the flap comprises a grip area and a grip area perimeter.
  • the flexible bag is pre-made before the introduction of the flexible articles and a handle element is shaped from the flap protruding from the top panel, the handle element comprising a handle element perimeter.
  • the preferred embodiment comprises two flaps.
  • the handle element comprises a seal running along the handle element perimeter. In order to allow fingers or hands to wrap around the handle, a grip area is formed.
  • the reinforced handle element can comprise flaps that are sealed together in the entire area of the handle element except for the grip area or the flaps are further reinforced at the handle element perimeter or the flaps comprise a seal surrounding the grip area perimeter or the flaps comprise a seal abutting the entire grip area perimeter.
  • the term "pre-made” refers to a bag in which the front, back, top, bottom and side panels are all interconnected.
  • grip area describes the area designed for gripping that is either cut, punched or scored out.
  • grip area perimeter represents the edge of the grip area.
  • handle element perimeter represents the edge of the handle element.
  • FIG. 1 shows a pre-made flexible bag 10 comprising flexible articles.
  • the flexible articles may comprise disposable absorbent diapers, sanitary articles, incontinence pads or briefs, bandages and the like.
  • the flexible articles are typically compressed to between 20 and 70 percent of their uncompressed volume and may be oriented either with all their waist features directed upwards towards the top panel 11 of the flexible bag 10 or with all their waist features directed downwards towards the bottom panel of the flexible bag 10 or the flexible articles may be alternated.
  • the flexible bag 10 is preferably made from conventional flexible polymer such as polyethylene or oriented polypropylene and the film caliper ranges from 30 to 120 micrometres.
  • the flexible bag 10 comprises a top panel 11 , a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel and a pair of side panels, which are all interconnected according to means known in the art.
  • the pre-made flexible bag 10 to be used for containing the flexible articles is supplied either on wickets or on rolls, wickets being preferred.
  • the flexible bag 10 is sealed at its top panel 11 after introduction of the flexible articles, leaving attached at least one flap 12 , which protrudes from the top panel 11 of the flexible bag 10 .
  • the preferred embodiment comprises two flaps 12 . These flaps 12 represent excess trim material.
  • a handle element 13 is then shaped from the flaps 12 , and comprises a handle element perimeter 16 .
  • the handle element 13 can combine both curved and straight portions as is depicted in Figure 2.
  • the base of the handle element 13 can lie along a portion of the top panel 11 as is visible in embodiments (1), (2) and (4) of Figure 2 or the base of the handle element 13 can run along the entire length of the top panel 11 as is visible in embodiment (3) of Figure 2.
  • the formation of the handle element 13 is preferentially carried out during or shortly after the top panel 11 has been sealed.
  • the key features of the handle element 13 are the grip area 14 , the grip area perimeter 15 and the handle element perimeter 16 .
  • the grip area 14 can be formed on-line by either cutting, punching or scoring out the desired shape, which is suitable for gripping by the end user, namely the consumer. Alternatively, grip holes can be cut, punched or scored out of the flaps 12 . Several grip holes, preferably three or four, may be present and they can also be pre-made at the bag suppliers.
  • the grip area perimeter 15 and the handle element perimeter 16 follow the contours of the selected shapes for the grip area 14 and the handle element 13 , respectively.
  • the handle element 13 is capable of sustaining bag loads ranging from 2.5 to 4 kilograms without causing deformation or failure when being carried by the end user, namely the consumer. It is preferred that the base of the handle element 13 run along the entire length of the top panel 11 (for example, refer to embodiment (3) in Figure 2) such that the handle element 13 can better support the bag load and lead to improved stability.
  • Figure 3 shows six different embodiments of sealing design configurations that are suitable for the handle element 13 .
  • the base of the handle element 13 comprises a seal 17 , which is either the complete seal 17 or a portion of the seal 17 arising from the closure of the top panel 11 of the flexible bag 10 .
  • a seal 17 runs along the handle element perimeter 16 .
  • the flaps 12 are sealed together in the entire area of the handle element 13 except for the grip area 14 .
  • the flaps 12 are further reinforced at the handle element perimeter 16 .
  • the third embodiment comprises the first embodiment and further comprises seals 17 that are located in the corners lying closest to the seal 17 of the base of the handle element 13 and the seal 17 running along the side of the handle element perimeter 16 . It is feasible to place approximately one to three seals 17 per corner, the form of the seals 17 being either straight or curved.
  • the fourth embodiment comprises the first embodiment plus a seal 17 surrounding the grip area perimeter 15 .
  • the seal 17 is preferably located a distance ranging from 5 to 25 millimetres from the grip area perimeter 15 and typically the seal 17 follows the contours of the shape selected for the grip area 14 .
  • the fifth embodiment similarly comprises the first embodiment plus a seal 17 abutting the entire grip area perimeter 15 .
  • the sixth embodiment similar to the third embodiment, further comprises reinforcements at the handle element perimeter 16 . More specifically, the sixth embodiment comprises both the first and fifth embodiments plus diagonal seals 17 that extend from a location on the seal 17 running along the outermost part of the handle element perimeter 16 to a location on the seal 17 of the base of the handle element 13 .
  • the seals 17 in all cases preferably range from three to four millimetres in width although any width is possible.
  • the sealing can be performed using conventional heat sealing techniques or alternatively, techniques such as ultrasound, crimping or pressure bonding can be employed.
  • Heat sealing techniques tend to weaken the flaps 12 in the immediate vicinity of the sealed area due to the concentration of heat along the seal 17 .
  • the other techniques rely less on heat and more on pressure and thus do not weaken adversely the flaps 12 .
  • the sealing pattern can comprise crosses, dashed lines, v-shapes, u-shapes, inverted shapes, to cite but a few of the many possibilities existing. The effect of the pattern results in an improved distribution of heat over a wider area and consequently, a stronger supporting film around the seals 17 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
EP96112263A 1996-07-30 1996-07-30 Procédé pour l'emballage d'articles absorbants et pour la fabrication simultanée d'une poignée Expired - Lifetime EP0823377B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96112263A EP0823377B1 (fr) 1996-07-30 1996-07-30 Procédé pour l'emballage d'articles absorbants et pour la fabrication simultanée d'une poignée
DE69610621T DE69610621T2 (de) 1996-07-30 1996-07-30 Verfahren zum Verpacken von absorbierenden Gegenständen und zum gleichzeitigen Herstellen eines Handgriffes
ES96112263T ES2150621T3 (es) 1996-07-30 1996-07-30 Procedimiento para embalar articulos absorbentes y crear simultaneamente un elemento de asa.
AU36670/97A AU3667097A (en) 1996-07-30 1997-07-16 Process for packing and creating a handle
CA002262541A CA2262541C (fr) 1996-07-30 1997-07-16 Procede d'emballage avec creation d'une poignee
US09/230,474 US20020023408A1 (en) 1996-07-30 1997-07-16 Process for packing and creating a handle
KR1019997000676A KR20000029612A (ko) 1996-07-30 1997-07-16 가요성백으로가요성제품을포장하는방법
JP10508865A JPH11513955A (ja) 1996-07-30 1997-07-16 包装して取っ手を形成する方法
PCT/US1997/012417 WO1998004462A1 (fr) 1996-07-30 1997-07-16 Procede d'emballage avec creation d'une poignee

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96112263A EP0823377B1 (fr) 1996-07-30 1996-07-30 Procédé pour l'emballage d'articles absorbants et pour la fabrication simultanée d'une poignée

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0823377A1 true EP0823377A1 (fr) 1998-02-11
EP0823377B1 EP0823377B1 (fr) 2000-10-11

Family

ID=8223054

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96112263A Expired - Lifetime EP0823377B1 (fr) 1996-07-30 1996-07-30 Procédé pour l'emballage d'articles absorbants et pour la fabrication simultanée d'une poignée

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US20020023408A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP0823377B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH11513955A (fr)
KR (1) KR20000029612A (fr)
AU (1) AU3667097A (fr)
CA (1) CA2262541C (fr)
DE (1) DE69610621T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2150621T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998004462A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001038193A1 (fr) * 1999-11-25 2001-05-31 Lemo Maschinenbau Gmbh Emballage portable pour la conservation et le prelevement successif d'articles souples tels que couches pour bebe ou analogues
EP1623926A3 (fr) * 2004-08-04 2006-04-12 Windmöller & Hölscher KG Procédé et dispositif pour la fabrication et le remplissage de sacs
EP2657807A3 (fr) * 2012-04-27 2014-04-23 Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc. Support pour dispositif électronique portable
EP2361842B1 (fr) 2010-02-27 2015-05-20 Bischof+Klein GmbH & Co. KG Sachet en film plastique

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7716901B2 (en) * 2004-05-27 2010-05-18 Price Charles E Packaging for particulate and granular materials
US20100172600A1 (en) * 2009-01-06 2010-07-08 The Coca-Cola Company Flexible container and method of making the same
US20180319545A1 (en) * 2017-05-08 2018-11-08 Coveris Holding Corp. Bags with reinforced handles and related methods
US20180362218A1 (en) * 2017-06-16 2018-12-20 Coveris Holding Corp. Multi-handled bags and related methods of use
IT201700107549A1 (it) * 2017-09-26 2019-03-26 Ica Spa confezioni in materiale flessibile

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3732661A (en) * 1971-01-18 1973-05-15 Nat Environmental Corp Apparatus for making a heat-sealable bag
DE2357667A1 (de) * 1973-11-19 1975-09-18 Icopac Ag Beutelverpackung aus kunststofffolie sowie verfahren zur herstellung derselben
FR2648784A1 (fr) * 1989-06-23 1990-12-28 Ciarrocca Adelchi Procede et dispositif pour l'emballage en lots de series d'articles a l'aide d'un film plastique etirable
DE9411588U1 (de) * 1994-07-16 1994-09-29 Hensen Angelika Standbeutel mit Bodengriff

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8815330D0 (en) * 1988-06-28 1988-08-03 Procter & Gamble Opening device for flexible bags filled with compressed flexible articles
US4934535A (en) * 1989-04-04 1990-06-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Easy open flexible bag filled with compressed flexible articles and method and apparatus for making same
US4966286A (en) * 1989-06-26 1990-10-30 The Procter & Gamble Company Easy open flexible bag
DE4028508C2 (de) * 1990-09-07 1994-01-20 Sengewald Karl H Gmbh Packung, insbesondere für kompressibles Packgut
US5050742A (en) * 1990-11-02 1991-09-24 The Procter & Gamble Company Easy opening package containing compressed flexible articles

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3732661A (en) * 1971-01-18 1973-05-15 Nat Environmental Corp Apparatus for making a heat-sealable bag
DE2357667A1 (de) * 1973-11-19 1975-09-18 Icopac Ag Beutelverpackung aus kunststofffolie sowie verfahren zur herstellung derselben
FR2648784A1 (fr) * 1989-06-23 1990-12-28 Ciarrocca Adelchi Procede et dispositif pour l'emballage en lots de series d'articles a l'aide d'un film plastique etirable
DE9411588U1 (de) * 1994-07-16 1994-09-29 Hensen Angelika Standbeutel mit Bodengriff

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001038193A1 (fr) * 1999-11-25 2001-05-31 Lemo Maschinenbau Gmbh Emballage portable pour la conservation et le prelevement successif d'articles souples tels que couches pour bebe ou analogues
EP1623926A3 (fr) * 2004-08-04 2006-04-12 Windmöller & Hölscher KG Procédé et dispositif pour la fabrication et le remplissage de sacs
EP2361842B1 (fr) 2010-02-27 2015-05-20 Bischof+Klein GmbH & Co. KG Sachet en film plastique
EP2361842B2 (fr) † 2010-02-27 2019-03-27 Bischof+Klein GmbH & Co. KG Sachet en film plastique
EP2657807A3 (fr) * 2012-04-27 2014-04-23 Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc. Support pour dispositif électronique portable

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2262541A1 (fr) 1998-02-05
KR20000029612A (ko) 2000-05-25
DE69610621D1 (de) 2000-11-16
JPH11513955A (ja) 1999-11-30
DE69610621T2 (de) 2001-05-03
EP0823377B1 (fr) 2000-10-11
AU3667097A (en) 1998-02-20
US20020023408A1 (en) 2002-02-28
ES2150621T3 (es) 2000-12-01
WO1998004462A1 (fr) 1998-02-05
CA2262541C (fr) 2002-07-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0936993B1 (fr) Procede de fabrication d'un emballage hermetique, refermable, fait d'une matiere flexible
US4713839A (en) Resealable reusable flexible plastic bag with loop handle
US6929400B2 (en) Flexible reclosable container with easy opening
US5882117A (en) Carrier bag
RU2282571C2 (ru) Контейнер для хранения продуктов и способ его изготовления
JP2892716B2 (ja) 包装容器の開孔装置
US6231237B1 (en) Container having rectangular base and its manufacturing
EP1783059B1 (fr) Emballage souple avec une fermeture intérieur refermable
CA1248060A (fr) Emballage de sacs thermoplastiques
CA2105663A1 (fr) Emballage pelliculaire tubulaire, en particulier pour le conditionnement de serviettes hygieniques et produits assimiles
JP2007533553A (ja) 構造化再閉止自在な包装
WO2004092022A2 (fr) Systeme de fermeture pour receptacle et receptacles reutilisables comprenant ce systeme de fermeture
JPH04226607A (ja) ループ状のハンドルを有するバッグ
MX2010011259A (es) Empaque flexible con medio de desgarre.
US4927028A (en) Package having a tear-open strip
EP0823377B1 (fr) Procédé pour l'emballage d'articles absorbants et pour la fabrication simultanée d'une poignée
US5758971A (en) Container made of flexible material with a handle system formed without external added material
NZ250835A (en) Heat shrinkable thermoplastic bag - line of perforations in front and/or rear panel covered by a corona treated tear tab panel
WO1992021582A1 (fr) Sac double souple dote d'une ouverture pouvant etre refermee hermetiquement et procede d'elaboration dudit sac
AU598535B2 (en) A liquid pack, method of manufacture thereof and plastics web for an opening strip for the pack
US20030118254A1 (en) Easy-opening, reclosable flexible container
JPH03148479A (ja) 平坦状物品用のソフトパッケージ
US5011722A (en) Rectangular paperboard package and method of making same
AU2013265394B2 (en) Package and method for producing the package
WO2009095806A2 (fr) Sac doté d'une poignée

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): BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;SI

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19981022

R17P Request for examination filed (corrected)

Effective date: 19980727

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990806

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

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

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): BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

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

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20001011

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: RITSCHER & SEIFERT

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69610621

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20001116

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2150621

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: ING. C. GREGORJ S.P.A.

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20010614

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20010618

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20010702

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20010703

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20010717

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20010731

Year of fee payment: 6

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: CH

Payment date: 20010927

Year of fee payment: 6

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

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: 20020730

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020731

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20020731

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 20020731

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20020731

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: 20030201

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20030201

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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

Effective date: 20020730

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: 20030331

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

Effective date: 20030201

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: 20030811

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: 20050730