EP0823397B1 - Wasserspender - Google Patents

Wasserspender Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0823397B1
EP0823397B1 EP97303152A EP97303152A EP0823397B1 EP 0823397 B1 EP0823397 B1 EP 0823397B1 EP 97303152 A EP97303152 A EP 97303152A EP 97303152 A EP97303152 A EP 97303152A EP 0823397 B1 EP0823397 B1 EP 0823397B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
bottle
cabinet
dispenser
tube
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
EP97303152A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0823397A1 (de
Inventor
H.B. Ohu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0823397A1 publication Critical patent/EP0823397A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0823397B1 publication Critical patent/EP0823397B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
    • B67D1/0009—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in an intermediate container connected to a supply
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0022—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with heating arrangements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0878—Safety, warning or controlling devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0889—Supports
    • B67D1/0891—Supports for the beverage container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1247—Means for detecting the presence or absence of liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0009—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with cooling arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/005—Combined cooling and heating devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D2001/0095—Constructional details
    • B67D2001/0096—Means for pressurizing liquid
    • B67D2001/0097—Means for pressurizing liquid using a pump
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00094—Ergonomics
    • B67D2210/00097—Handling of storage containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00146—Component storage means
    • B67D2210/00149—Fixed containers to be filled in situ
    • B67D2210/00152—Automatically
    • B67D2210/00154—Level detected by a float

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to hot and cold water dispensers, and more specifically to an improved hot and cold water dispenser which allows the user to install a water container or watter bottle into the bottom portion of a dispenser cabinet, rather than on top of the cabinet.
  • US 4,852,621 discloses a bottled water dispensing system.
  • a bottle may be installed with the open end upwards and a flexible tube is provided to take water from the bottle to faucets for delivery to a user.
  • a water dispenser for use with a water container or water bottle, said water dispenser comprising:
  • the present invention provides a water dispenser which is easier to use than a conventional dispenser because the invention permits the user to install a heavy five gallon water bottle into the bottom portion of the dispenser's cabinet, rather than on top of the cabinet.
  • the invention is more sanitary than a conventional water dispenser because the invention allows the water bottle to be installed with its open end up, thus eliminating spilling and when in operation, the water bottle's opening is sealed to prevent contamination from the environment.
  • the dispenser may give the further advantage that it cools the water without using CFC gases which are known to deplete the atmosphere's ozone layer.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 A typical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the perspective views of Fig. 1 and 2 and the cross-sectional views of Fig.3, 4 and 5.
  • Figures 6 to 12 show various parts of the dispenser embodying the invention in more detail.
  • FIG.1 shows a water dispenser cabinet as it appears to the user.
  • An upper front panel 1 contains an operation switch with LED's 6 and a melody alarm 5 to warn the user of the need to supply a replacement water container or water bottle.
  • a first faucet 2 for hot water and a second faucet 3 for cold water are also located on the upper front panel, and a saucer 4 is positioned beneath the faucets in order to collect the water that may spill when the user operates the faucets.
  • a cart panel 7 is located immediately adjacent to and beneath the upper front panel.
  • the rear perspective view of Figure 2 illustrates the water dispenser as it appears from the rear.
  • An upper back panel 9 contains a power cord 10 , a fuse 11 , and on/off switch 12 .
  • FIG.3, 4 and 5 illustrate the inside portion of the water cabinet.
  • the inside of the cabinet is divided into a top and bottom portion separated by a middle shield panel 21 .
  • a moveable cart assembly 44 is positioned in the bottom portion of the cabinet, said cart assembly containing the cart panel 7 with an outside surface and inside surface, said outside surface containg a built-in handle opening 39 .
  • a lever 43 is located within the handle opening, said lever releasably connected to a pair of locks 42 which are released when the handle is grabbed to pull the moveable cart assembly out of the water dispenser cabinet.
  • a pair of casters 37 are connected to the bottom, front portion of the cart assembly and a strut 38 member is connected to the bottom rear portion of the assembly.
  • top horizontal cart guide rails 40 are attached to the inside surface of the cart panel and a pair of bottom horizontal cabinet guide rails 41 are attached to the bottom of the cabinet assembly, said top and bottom rails positioned such that the top rails slide along the bottom rails when the cart is pulled out of the cabinet and pushed into the cabinet.
  • a water container or water bottle 8 containing an open end is positioned inside of the moveable cart with the bottle's open end up.
  • An upper elongated fastener A and a lower elongated fastener B are each connected to the moveable cart assembly frame to prevent the water bottle from swaying.
  • a pulley 18 is located in the top portion of the cabinet and attached to the middle shield panel by means of a guide bracket 20 , said pulley having a flexible absorption tube 17 partially wound around the pulley with a first end of the tube positioned so as to permit it to pass through a circular opening in the middle 'shield panel and through a circular opening in an absorption tube guide 25 located adjacent to the underside of the shield panel and concentric with the middle shield panel opening.
  • the first end of the absorption tube is located directly above and in an axial position relative to the center of the water bottle's open end.
  • a sealing cap 26 is connected to the first end of the absorption tube so that the open end of the water bottle is sealed when the absorption tube is inserted into the bottle.
  • a forward and reverse turning motor 19 is mounted to the guide bracket and axially connected to the pulley, said motor's operation being electrically controlled by a forward micro-switch 22 and a reverse micro-switch 23 , both switches located on the guide bracket and above the pulley.
  • a second end of the absorption tube is connected to one end of a spiral hose 14 , said spiral hoses's other end connected to an electrically controlled pumping device 13 , said pumping device connected to a cold water tank 16 by means of a first connection pipe 15 .
  • a second connection pipe 27 connects the cold water tank to a hot water tank 28 .
  • a pair of float sensors 29 are provided to sense the water level in each tank.
  • thermo-electric module 30 is attached to the bottom of the cold water tank, said module containing a cooling pin 31 , a first heat sink 32 and a second heat sink 33 and a fan 34 .
  • An electrically controlled die casting heater 35 is attached to the bottom of the hot water tank and the temperature range is controlled by a thermostat 36 .
  • An electrically operated control unit 24 controls the operation of the forward and reverse turning motor, micro-switches, float sensors, pumping device, melody alarm and operation switch.
  • the water dispenser is operated by pulling the moveable cart out of the water dispenser cabinet by lifting the lever located within the handle opening. This action releases the locks, which permits the cart to be rolled out of the cabinet, being guided by the cabinet and cart rails.
  • a water bottle may be placed inside the cart with the bottle's open end up.
  • the bottle is secured in the cart by using the upper and lower fastners.
  • the cart is pushed back inside the cabinet.
  • the absorption tube is inserted into the bottle by turning on the operation switch which activates the forward and reserse turning motor. When the motor turns forward, it causes the pulley to rotate which lowers the absorption tube's first end into the water bottle.
  • the absorption tube's vertical movement is controlled by the forward micro-switch which is set to turn off the motor when the tube reaches the bottom of the bottle.
  • the sealing cap seals the open end of the bottle.
  • the pump is activated which pumps the water from the bottle up into the cold water tank and eventually into the hot water tank.
  • the float sensor in each tank senses the water level and sends a signal to the control unit to cause the pump device to pump water until both tanks are full.
  • the pumping device When the water in the bottle is completely emptied, the hot and cold water tank water levels will then fall below certain pre-set values. When this occurs, the pumping device will stop operating and a signal from the control unit will cause the melody alarm to send a warning that the water bottle is empty. The user then operates the operation switch to raise the absorption tube out of the water bottle to permit the cart and the empty bottle to be removed from the cabinet.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)
  • Table Equipment (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Wasserspender zur Verwendung mit einem Wasserbehälter oder einer Wasserflasche, wobei der genannte Wasserspender umfasst:
    einen Wasserspenderschrank ausreichender Größe zum Enthalten einer Wasserflasche (8), wobei die genannte Wasserflasche innerhalb des Schranks positioniert werden kann, wenn sie für Betrieb mit ihrem offenen Ende nach oben ausgerichtet ist, wobei der genannte Schrank weiter eine Pumpeinrichtung (13) und einen elastischen Schlauch (17) zum Befördern von Wasser aus der Wasserflasche zu der Pumpeinrichtung (18) mit einem ersten Ende und einem zweiten Ende aufweist, wobei eine Verschlusskappe (26) zu dem ersten Ende des flexiblen Schlauchs (17) hin zum Verschließen des offenen Endes der Wasserflasche (8) vorgesehen ist, wenn der Schlauch (17) vollständig in die Flasche eingeführt ist, und das zweite Ende des genannten flexiblen Schlauchs an der Pumpeinrichtung (13) angebracht ist, um ein Mittel zum Pumpen von Wasser aus der Flasche heraus und in einen in dem Spenderschrank angeordneten Wassertank (16, 28) bereitzustellen, wobei der genannte Wassertank mit einem Ausgabemittel (2, 3) zum Ausgeben von Wasser an einen Benutzer verbunden ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte Schlauch flexibel an der Pumpeinrichtung (18) befestigt ist und teilweise um eine in dem Schrank vorgesehene Laufrolle (18) gewickelt ist, wobei die genannte Laufrolle (18) ein Mittel zum Einführen des ersten Endes des genannten Schlauchs in das offene Ende der Wasserflasche und ein Mittel zum Herausziehen des Schlauchs aus der Flasche bereitstellt.
  2. Wasserspender nach Anspruch 1, der weiter eine bewegbare Wagenbaugruppe (44) aufweist, die ein Mittel zum Halten der Wasserflasche mit ihrem offenen Ende oben und ein Mittel (39, 37) zum Herausziehen der Wasserflasche aus dem Schrank und Schieben der Flasche in den Schrank umfasst.
  3. Wasserspender nach Anspruch 2, bei dem ein zweiter Wassertank (16, 28) und ein zweites Ausgabemittel (23) vorgesehen sind, wobei die Tanks jeweils als ein Heißwassertank (28) und ein Kaltwassertank (16) wirken und jeweils mit einem Mittel zum Erhitzen (35) und Kühlen (30) des Wassers und einem jeweiligen einen der genannten Ausgabemittel zum Ausgeben von heißem und kaltem Wasser versehen sind.
  4. Wasserspender nach Anspruch 3, bei dem das Kühlmittel ein thermoelektrisches Modul (30), einen Kühlstift (31), eine erste (32) und eine zweite (33) Wärmesenke und ein Gebläse (34) aufweist.
  5. Wasserspender nach Anspruch 4, bei dem das Heizmittel (35) einen elektrischen Spritzgussheizer und ein Thermostat aufweist.
  6. Wasserspender nach Anspruch 5, der ferner einen Betriebsschalter enthält, der elektrisch einen sich vorwärts und rückwärts drehenden Motor (19) steuert, der zum Antreiben der Laufrolle eingerichtet und axial mit derselben verbunden ist.
  7. Wasserspender nach Anspruch 6, der ferner einen Vorwärtsmikroschalter (22) und einen Rückwärtsmikroschalter (23) umfasst, die die Mittel zum Steuern der vertikalen Bewegung des Schlauchs bereitstellen, wenn der Spender sich in Gebrauch in seiner normalen Ausrichtung befindet.
  8. Wasserspender nach Anspruch 7, der ferner ein Paar Schwimmersensoren (29) enthält, die ein erstes Mittel zum Senden eines Signals an die Pumpeneinrichtung, um sie zum Pumpen von Wasser zu veranlassen, bis die Heiß- und Kaltwassertanks voll sind, ein zweites Mittel zum Erfassen, dass der Wasserfüllstand in jedem Tank unter einen vorgegebenen Füllstand gefallen ist, der anzeigt, dass die Wasserflasche leer ist, und ein drittes Mittel zum Aktivieren einer Alarmmelodie bereitstellt, um den Benutzer zu warnen, dass die Flasche leer ist.
EP97303152A 1996-08-08 1997-05-09 Wasserspender Expired - Lifetime EP0823397B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR2019960023935U KR200142419Y1 (ko) 1996-08-08 1996-08-08 생수통 정립식 냉온수기
KR9623935 1996-08-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0823397A1 EP0823397A1 (de) 1998-02-11
EP0823397B1 true EP0823397B1 (de) 2002-12-04

Family

ID=19463529

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97303152A Expired - Lifetime EP0823397B1 (de) 1996-08-08 1997-05-09 Wasserspender

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0823397B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3004227B2 (de)
KR (1) KR200142419Y1 (de)
CN (1) CN1138698C (de)
AT (1) ATE228966T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69717559D1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105249818A (zh) * 2015-11-26 2016-01-20 上海应用技术学院 一种接水盘可自动升降的饮水机

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2333514B (en) * 1998-01-21 2002-04-24 Eastman Kodak Co Mounting arrangement
CA2243870A1 (fr) * 1998-09-08 2000-03-08 Clermont Tremblay Reservoir d'eau potable
TW422215U (en) * 1998-10-22 2001-02-11 Ohu Hee Bum Water dispenser for upright stand type water bottles
GB0201541D0 (en) * 2002-01-24 2002-03-13 Ebac Ltd Bottled liquid dispensers
KR100625190B1 (ko) * 2004-08-16 2006-09-20 정석동 냉온수기
KR100691768B1 (ko) * 2004-12-30 2007-03-12 주식회사 디마퓨어텍 정립식 냉온수기
KR100920690B1 (ko) 2008-01-29 2009-10-07 서광이앤피주식회사 벽걸이형 냉온수기
JP5529209B2 (ja) * 2012-06-14 2014-06-25 株式会社コスモライフ ウォーターサーバー
KR101405516B1 (ko) * 2012-08-10 2014-06-11 주식회사 영원코퍼레이션 물백 타입 냉온수기
CN102860750B (zh) * 2012-09-24 2016-03-09 苏州华爱电子有限公司 下置式饮水机的水瓶连接装置及下置式饮水机
CN107098306A (zh) * 2017-06-02 2017-08-29 广东惠利普智能科技股份有限公司 一种取水装置
CN108392079A (zh) * 2018-05-29 2018-08-14 慈溪市威航环保科技有限公司 一种能够自动升降水管的茶吧机

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3584472A (en) * 1969-05-27 1971-06-15 Westinghouse Electric Corp Bottled-water cooler
US4153181A (en) * 1976-07-29 1979-05-08 Parker-Nosser Company, Inc. Liquid dispenser
GB2059362A (en) * 1979-08-23 1981-04-23 Whitbread & Co Ltd Delivery of liquid from tanker vehicles
US4852621A (en) * 1987-08-10 1989-08-01 Bear Don E Bottled water pressurization system
US5540355A (en) * 1990-10-24 1996-07-30 Water Chef Water cooler and dispensing system
US5172832A (en) * 1991-08-15 1992-12-22 Sunroc Corporation Liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquid from a container
GB2268925B (en) * 1992-07-23 1995-11-29 Kwong Kan Ng Beverage dispensers
FR2728552A1 (fr) * 1994-12-21 1996-06-28 Cmd Sa Dispositif integre de stockage et de distribution de lubrifiants et autres liquides pour vehicules a moteur

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105249818A (zh) * 2015-11-26 2016-01-20 上海应用技术学院 一种接水盘可自动升降的饮水机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1138698C (zh) 2004-02-18
EP0823397A1 (de) 1998-02-11
DE69717559D1 (de) 2003-01-16
KR19980010507U (ko) 1998-05-15
JPH1075889A (ja) 1998-03-24
ATE228966T1 (de) 2002-12-15
KR200142419Y1 (ko) 1999-06-01
JP3004227B2 (ja) 2000-01-31
CN1173311A (zh) 1998-02-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5833096A (en) Water dispenser
EP0823397B1 (de) Wasserspender
US6443334B1 (en) Comestible fluid dispenser apparatus and method
US5573142A (en) Bottled water dispensing cabinet
US5766453A (en) Filtered water dispensing cabinet
US5542265A (en) External refrigerator-mounted liquid dispenser
US6453955B1 (en) Liquid dispensing system
US6824013B2 (en) Integrated cap for upright water bottle coolers
US5497918A (en) System for dispensing a thermally manipulated drink in a land vehicle
US8356731B2 (en) Energy saving baffle for water cooler
EP1118582B1 (de) Flaschenzapfeinrichtung
US5537838A (en) Beverage dispenser
US20080035241A1 (en) Multiple function liquid dispenser
US4488664A (en) Beverage dispensing machine
US6793099B1 (en) Supply system for a bottled water cooler and method of use
EP0364206B1 (de) Post-Mix-Getränkespender
EP0695278B1 (de) Abgabevorrichtung für flaschenwasser mit abnehmbarem vorratsbehälter sowie trägerplattform mit verteilerleitungen
US3333438A (en) Water cooler and dispenser having a replaceable reservoir
JP2016199300A (ja) 飲料サーバ
EP1022251A1 (de) Wasserspender
US2830613A (en) Liquid dispensing unit for motor vehicles
KR101138330B1 (ko) 소형 자동판매기용 급수장치
AU2019418308B2 (en) Method and apparatus for dispensing a beverage in chilled condition
JP2019142592A (ja) 飲料サーバ
JP3020264U (ja) 自動販売機

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 BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19980722

AKX Designation fees paid

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

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010605

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 BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20021204

Ref country code: LI

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: 20021204

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 PRE;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.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20021204

Ref country code: GR

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: 20021204

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: 20021204

Ref country code: FI

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: 20021204

Ref country code: CH

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: 20021204

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: 20021204

Ref country code: AT

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: 20021204

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 228966

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20021215

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69717559

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030116

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: 20030304

Ref country code: DK

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: 20030304

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

Ref country code: PT

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: 20030305

Ref country code: DE

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: 20030305

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20030509

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20030509

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20030509

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

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 20030531

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: ES

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: 20030627

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

EN Fr: translation not filed
26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20030905

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

Effective date: 20030509

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A