EP0885057B1 - Device for mixing gas in a liquid - Google Patents

Device for mixing gas in a liquid Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0885057B1
EP0885057B1 EP96910235A EP96910235A EP0885057B1 EP 0885057 B1 EP0885057 B1 EP 0885057B1 EP 96910235 A EP96910235 A EP 96910235A EP 96910235 A EP96910235 A EP 96910235A EP 0885057 B1 EP0885057 B1 EP 0885057B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
tube
liquid
housing
inlet opening
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
EP96910235A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0885057A1 (en
Inventor
Björn O. JOHNSEN
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.)
Sinvent AS
Original Assignee
Sinvent AS
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 Sinvent AS filed Critical Sinvent AS
Publication of EP0885057A1 publication Critical patent/EP0885057A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0885057B1 publication Critical patent/EP0885057B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/233—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements
    • B01F23/2334—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements provided with stationary guiding means surrounding at least partially the stirrer
    • B01F23/23341—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements provided with stationary guiding means surrounding at least partially the stirrer with tubes surrounding the stirrer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/40—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying
    • B01F23/45—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying using flow mixing
    • B01F23/454—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying using flow mixing by injecting a mixture of liquid and gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
    • B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a device for adding a gas to a liquid, particularly for use in connection with fish rearing tanks and in cleaning technique, as stated in the introductory part of Claim 1.
  • the invention is particularly directed to use in rearing tanks.
  • Adding gas to a liquid may be effected for many reasons, such as to add anaesthetic gas when slaughtering fish in rearing tanks, for floatation basins in cleaning plants, adding oxygen to biofilters or for oxygenating the water in a rearing tank (tanks and large ponds).
  • Such tasks may today be performed with different equipment, such as diffusors, ejector pumps, O 2 -columns, pond airing and deep shaft systems.
  • US 4 844 843 discloses a device for adding gas to a liquid, at the same time as they are mixed.
  • the device comprises an elongated tube for supply of liquid and gas, and a stirring mechanism in the form of a motor driven propeller arranged by the outlet of the tube, for providing the liquid and the gas to be well mixed and that the mixture is driven out in the liquid reservoir.
  • a stirring mechanism in the form of a motor driven propeller arranged by the outlet of the tube, for providing the liquid and the gas to be well mixed and that the mixture is driven out in the liquid reservoir.
  • the jet should be controlled with respect to amount, pressure and direction, and thus give optimum tank hydraulics in different operating situations.
  • a device according to the present invention, generally designated 1.
  • the device 1 comprises a pump 2 having a motor 3 connected to an operation shaft 4.
  • a pump vane 5 At the outer end of the operating shaft 4 is connected a pump vane 5.
  • the operating shaft 4 is arranged within a cylindrical housing 6, which in operation is partly submerged in water as shown in the drawing with an imaginary water line.
  • a first inlet opening 8 for air situated over the water line, and below the water line is situated a second inlet opening 9 for water.
  • a gas tube 7, which is best illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the gas tube 4 is at its upper end provided with an inlet opening for air and is at its lower end terminated in a nozzle 11, having openings 12 distributed around the circumference of the nozzle 11.
  • the nozzle 11 with the openings 12 is surrounded with a venturi 13 connected to a pump housing 14.
  • the gas tube 7 can be controlled in the longitudinal direction of housing 6, by means of a controlling means 15.
  • the controlling means 15 comprises an adjustment bracket 16 connected to housing 6, and which contains a mounting bracket 18.
  • the mounting bracket 18 is connected to a block 20 situated within housing 6.
  • Block 20 is mounted to an upper holding plate 21 connected to the gas tube 7, and movable relative to housing 6.
  • the upper holding plate 21 can move the gas tube 7, as the holding screw 19 slides in a slit (not shown) on the wall of the housing 6.
  • the gas tube can be moved up and down in the housing 6, as it slides in a lower holding plate 22, mounted to the inner wall of the housing 6.
  • a jet tube 23 which is bent 90° in fig.1, to extend parallel to the housing 6 along the substantial part of its length .
  • the jet tube 23 can also be positioned in other ways, for example, when rearing/breeding flatfish the jet tube 23 should be situated horizontally along the bottom of the rearing tank. Jet orifices 24 are situated along the jet tube 23, in its longitudinal direction.
  • the jet orifices have closure/controlling means (not shown), so that they can be individually closed, or controlled, respectively.
  • pressure controller 25 which functions as a pressure indicator and alarm transmitter.
  • the motor 3 will drive the operating axle 4 and thus the pump vane 5 into rotation. Water will be drawn in from the second inlet opening 9 into the pump housing, and ejected out through the jet orifices 24 of the jet tube 23. Additionally, air that a conventional pump would have rejected as false air, is drawn in through the first inlet opening 8, and sucked through the openings 12 of the nozzle 11 of the nozzle tube 7.
  • the air from the nozzle openings 12 is mixed into the water, in the forrn of bubbles. These bubbles are expanded in the underpressure created through the venturi 13.
  • the pump vane When water has passed the venturi 13, the pump vane will, by whipping, cause the bubbles to divide in a plurality of smaller bubbles,which will be betterdistributed in the water leaving the jet tube 23.
  • FIG. 3 In fig. 3 is shown a second example of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • air from the inlet opening 8 is not only sucked in by the pump vane 5, but also pumped in by a multiple step pump 27.
  • the device is provided with a float 26, to ensure correct operation level in the liquid.
  • Controlling the position of the nozzle 11 in relation to the venturi 13, and the velocity of the pump vane 5 can also be effected automatically. This may be performed by means of electrical and/or hydraulic means, based on the background of desired flow velocity / flow relations and O 2 -concentration.
  • the motor may be constructed horizontally and be situated below the water surface and may have a short axle to the pump vane. In such an embodynent the thermal energy of the motor may be transferred to the water of the tank.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Aeration Devices For Treatment Of Activated Polluted Sludge (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)

Description

The present invention concerns a device for adding a gas to a liquid, particularly for use in connection with fish rearing tanks and in cleaning technique, as stated in the introductory part of Claim 1. The invention is particularly directed to use in rearing tanks.
Adding gas to a liquid may be effected for many reasons, such as to add anaesthetic gas when slaughtering fish in rearing tanks, for floatation basins in cleaning plants, adding oxygen to biofilters or for oxygenating the water in a rearing tank (tanks and large ponds). Such tasks may today be performed with different equipment, such as diffusors, ejector pumps, O2-columns, pond airing and deep shaft systems.
Especially in land-based fish farming, many different devices for reducing water consumption have lately emerged, such as a bridge filter with diffusor. In order to maintain the correct hydraulic relationship in the tanks, large amounts of energy are necessary when using the mammoth pump principle (blowing in air for moving the water). Creating optimal hydraulic relationship or conditions in a large tank by means of this technology is practically impossible.
US 4 844 843 discloses a device for adding gas to a liquid, at the same time as they are mixed. The device comprises an elongated tube for supply of liquid and gas, and a stirring mechanism in the form of a motor driven propeller arranged by the outlet of the tube, for providing the liquid and the gas to be well mixed and that the mixture is driven out in the liquid reservoir. If increasing the gas supply to the liquid reservoir is desirable, the speed of the propeller is increased. However, an increase in the amount of gas added to the liquid in this known device, will have the side effect of changing the water current relationship. By increasing the speed of the propeller to supply more gas to the liquid, also the current in the reservoir will also increase. A similar device is described in CH-A-497913.
It is thus an object of present invention to provide a device for adding a gas to a liquid, where the amount of gas and the basin hydraulics (the current speed) can be controlled independently of each other. The jet should be controlled with respect to amount, pressure and direction, and thus give optimum tank hydraulics in different operating situations.
The object of the invention is achieved with features as stated in the characterizing part of Claim 1. Further features appear from the accompanying dependent claims.
In the following the invention should be further described by means of an example of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, where
  • Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section view of a first, preferred embodiment of the present invention,
  • Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section view of the venturi pipe and the nozzle pipe from the embodiment of Fig. 1, and
  • Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
    • In Fig. 1 is shown a device according to the present invention, generally designated 1. The device 1 comprises a pump 2 having a motor 3 connected to an operation shaft 4. At the outer end of the operating shaft 4 is connected a pump vane 5. The operating shaft 4 is arranged within a cylindrical housing 6, which in operation is partly submerged in water as shown in the drawing with an imaginary water line. In the housing is a first inlet opening 8 for air situated over the water line, and below the water line is situated a second inlet opening 9 for water.
    In the centre of housing 6, surrounding the operation axle 4, is provided a gas tube 7, which is best illustrated in Fig. 2. The gas tube 4 is at its upper end provided with an inlet opening for air and is at its lower end terminated in a nozzle 11, having openings 12 distributed around the circumference of the nozzle 11. The nozzle 11 with the openings 12 is surrounded with a venturi 13 connected to a pump housing 14. The gas tube 7 can be controlled in the longitudinal direction of housing 6, by means of a controlling means 15. The controlling means 15 comprises an adjustment bracket 16 connected to housing 6, and which contains a mounting bracket 18. The mounting bracket 18 is connected to a block 20 situated within housing 6. Block 20 is mounted to an upper holding plate 21 connected to the gas tube 7, and movable relative to housing 6. By loosening the holding screw 19 and rotating an adjustment screw 17, the upper holding plate 21 can move the gas tube 7, as the holding screw 19 slides in a slit (not shown) on the wall of the housing 6. Thus, the gas tube can be moved up and down in the housing 6, as it slides in a lower holding plate 22, mounted to the inner wall of the housing 6. Peripherally of the pump vane 5 is situated a jet tube 23, which is bent 90° in fig.1, to extend parallel to the housing 6 along the substantial part of its length . The jet tube 23 can also be positioned in other ways, for example, when rearing/breeding flatfish the jet tube 23 should be situated horizontally along the bottom of the rearing tank. Jet orifices 24 are situated along the jet tube 23, in its longitudinal direction. Preferably, the jet orifices have closure/controlling means (not shown), so that they can be individually closed, or controlled, respectively. At the end of the jet tube 23, which is located above the water surface, is situated pressure controller 25, which functions as a pressure indicator and alarm transmitter.
    During operation, the motor 3 will drive the operating axle 4 and thus the pump vane 5 into rotation. Water will be drawn in from the second inlet opening 9 into the pump housing, and ejected out through the jet orifices 24 of the jet tube 23. Additionally, air that a conventional pump would have rejected as false air, is drawn in through the first inlet opening 8, and sucked through the openings 12 of the nozzle 11 of the nozzle tube 7.
    The air from the nozzle openings 12 is mixed into the water, in the forrn of bubbles. These bubbles are expanded in the underpressure created through the venturi 13. When water has passed the venturi 13, the pump vane will, by whipping, cause the bubbles to divide in a plurality of smaller bubbles,which will be betterdistributed in the water leaving the jet tube 23.
    If the position of the tube 7 is changed in relation to the venturi 13, larger, resp. smaller amounts of water/air will be drawn in and mixed in the pump housing 14. This effect is acheived because thereby the venturi effect is changed and the cross section of the water inlet is changed and thus the water velocity in the venturi and the amount of water in the pump housing 14 is thereby reduced. If changing the flow velocity in the tank is desirable, this may be achieved by changing the velocity of the pump vane 5. This can also be achieved by changing the cross section of the water inlet via the position of the nozzle 11 in the venturi 13. The effect of mixed gas and/or the flow velocity can be increased or decreased, by changing the cross section of the opening and number of jet openings 24 that is open on the jet tube 23. This enables the same pump to be used over a large range to give better agitation, for fish of different size (of rearing tanks), and by flotation of particles of different size (by cleaning plants).
    In fig. 3 is shown a second example of an embodiment of the present invention. Here, air from the inlet opening 8 is not only sucked in by the pump vane 5, but also pumped in by a multiple step pump 27. In addition, the device is provided with a float 26, to ensure correct operation level in the liquid.
    Controlling the position of the nozzle 11 in relation to the venturi 13, and the velocity of the pump vane 5 can also be effected automatically. This may be performed by means of electrical and/or hydraulic means, based on the background of desired flow velocity / flow relations and O2-concentration.
    A person skilled in the art will also see that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the motor may be constructed horizontally and be situated below the water surface and may have a short axle to the pump vane. In such an embodynent the thermal energy of the motor may be transferred to the water of the tank.

    Claims (6)

    1. A device for adding a gas to a liquid, comprising an elongated housing (6) which is submersible in the liquid, said housing (6) having a first and upper inlet opening (8) for gas, and a second and lower inlet opening (9) for liquid, a gas tube (7) situated in the housing (6), which gas tube at its first end communicates with the first inlet opening (8) for gas, and an axle (4) which at its first end is connected to a motor (3), and at its second end is provided with a pump vane (5) arranged at the second end of the gas tube, wherein in operation gas entering through the first inlet opening and liquid entering through the second lower inlet opening are mixed and expelled by the rotating pump vane (5), characterized in that the gas tube (7) at its second lower end is equipped with a nozzle (11) with nozzle openings (12), that the nozzle (11) is situated in a venturi (13), and that the gas tube (7) is controllable in the longitudinal direction by means of controlling means (15), so that the position of the nozzle (11) in the venturi (13) can be changed.
    2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a gas pump (27) is situated in the housing (6), which gas pump pumps gas into the gas tube (7).
    3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the controlling means (15) comprises an adjustment screw (17), which by rotation is adapted to move the gas tube (7), and a holding screw (19) adapted for holding the gas tube (7) in a desired position, adjusted by the adjustment screw (17).
    4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a jet tube (23) is arranged outside the pump vane (5), which jet tube is equipped with jet openings (24).
    5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the size of the jet openings (24) can be controlled individually.
    6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the jet openings (24) are arranged for individually closure, and opening, respectively.
    EP96910235A 1994-09-06 1996-03-05 Device for mixing gas in a liquid Expired - Lifetime EP0885057B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (4)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    NO943285A NO180073C (en) 1994-09-06 1994-09-06 Device for adding a gas to a liquid
    PCT/NO1996/000047 WO1997032661A1 (en) 1994-09-06 1996-03-05 Device for mixing gas in a liquid
    CN96180152A CN1213986A (en) 1994-09-06 1996-03-05 device for mixing gas into liquid
    CA002247262A CA2247262A1 (en) 1994-09-06 1996-03-05 Device for mixing gas in a liquid

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0885057A1 EP0885057A1 (en) 1998-12-23
    EP0885057B1 true EP0885057B1 (en) 2001-09-12

    Family

    ID=27427466

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP96910235A Expired - Lifetime EP0885057B1 (en) 1994-09-06 1996-03-05 Device for mixing gas in a liquid

    Country Status (9)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0885057B1 (en)
    CN (1) CN1213986A (en)
    AU (1) AU710845B2 (en)
    CA (1) CA2247262A1 (en)
    DE (1) DE69615222T2 (en)
    DK (1) DK0885057T3 (en)
    ES (1) ES2163620T3 (en)
    NO (1) NO180073C (en)
    WO (1) WO1997032661A1 (en)

    Family Cites Families (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    AT276262B (en) * 1967-09-26 1969-11-25 Hubert Fuchs Mixing unit for introducing any additional substances as secondary components into liquids or stationary waters, in particular for the biological purification of water

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    CA2247262A1 (en) 1997-09-12
    NO943285L (en) 1996-03-07
    WO1997032661A1 (en) 1997-09-12
    NO943285D0 (en) 1994-09-06
    AU710845B2 (en) 1999-09-30
    NO180073B (en) 1996-11-04
    DE69615222T2 (en) 2002-06-13
    DK0885057T3 (en) 2002-01-21
    ES2163620T3 (en) 2002-02-01
    NO180073C (en) 1997-02-12
    EP0885057A1 (en) 1998-12-23
    AU5348596A (en) 1997-09-22
    DE69615222D1 (en) 2001-10-18
    CN1213986A (en) 1999-04-14

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    AU701402B2 (en) Live well aerator and method for aeration
    US5744072A (en) Method of treating waste water
    US4817561A (en) Aquatic aeration and filtering system
    US5938981A (en) Water aerator and circulation system
    US3814396A (en) Aeration apparatus
    EP0562314B1 (en) Water treatment equipment
    US5676889A (en) Apparatus for aerating and mixing liquids and/or gases
    JP2003145190A (en) Aeration device
    US4558990A (en) Composite pumping system
    US4710325A (en) Aspirating aeration and liquid mixing apparatus
    AU767572B2 (en) Multi-stage aerator
    JP2012125690A (en) Through-flow pump aeration apparatus
    US4707308A (en) Apparatus for circulating water
    EP0002369B1 (en) Aerator and method of aerating liquid
    CA2222394A1 (en) A mixing and aeration unit
    AU710845B2 (en) Device for mixing gas in a liquid
    AU2005306515A1 (en) Device to treat liquid and foam
    GB2230204A (en) Water aeration device
    JP3020975B2 (en) Bubble generator
    JPS6215249B2 (en)
    JP2629164B2 (en) Circulation aeration equipment for pond water, etc.
    KR970003062B1 (en) Gas-liquid Mixing Device
    JP3936635B2 (en) Fluid convection nozzle device
    KR950007281Y1 (en) Mixed Aeration Equipment for Water Treatment
    JPS6330555Y2 (en)

    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

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 19980921

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A1

    Designated state(s): DE DK ES FI FR GB IE IT NL PT SE

    17Q First examination report despatched

    Effective date: 20000105

    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): DE DK ES FI FR GB IE IT 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: 20010912

    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: 20010912

    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: 20010912

    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: 20010912

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 69615222

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20011018

    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: 20011212

    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: 20011212

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: IF02

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DK

    Ref legal event code: T3

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FG2A

    Ref document number: 2163620

    Country of ref document: ES

    Kind code of ref document: T3

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

    Ref country code: GB

    Payment date: 20020222

    Year of fee payment: 7

    NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DK

    Payment date: 20020304

    Year of fee payment: 7

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

    Ref country code: IE

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

    Effective date: 20020305

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

    Ref country code: DE

    Payment date: 20020309

    Year of fee payment: 7

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

    Ref country code: ES

    Payment date: 20020320

    Year of fee payment: 7

    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
    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: MM4A

    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: 20030305

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

    Ref country code: ES

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

    Effective date: 20030306

    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: 20030331

    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: 20031001

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

    Effective date: 20030305

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DK

    Ref legal event code: EBP

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FD2A

    Effective date: 20030306