EP0885673A1 - A head casting device for a billet continuous casting process - Google Patents

A head casting device for a billet continuous casting process Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0885673A1
EP0885673A1 EP98201376A EP98201376A EP0885673A1 EP 0885673 A1 EP0885673 A1 EP 0885673A1 EP 98201376 A EP98201376 A EP 98201376A EP 98201376 A EP98201376 A EP 98201376A EP 0885673 A1 EP0885673 A1 EP 0885673A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
duct
box
gasket
shaped portion
head
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
EP98201376A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0885673B1 (en
Inventor
Yvan Juchem
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.)
Langonnaise Sah
Original Assignee
Langonnaise Sah
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 Langonnaise Sah filed Critical Langonnaise Sah
Publication of EP0885673A1 publication Critical patent/EP0885673A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0885673B1 publication Critical patent/EP0885673B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D11/00—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
    • B22D11/08—Accessories for starting the casting procedure
    • B22D11/081—Starter bars
    • B22D11/083—Starter bar head; Means for connecting or detaching starter bars and ingots

Definitions

  • the present invention discloses a head casting device for a billet continuous casting process.
  • the head is made of steel at least partially solidified so as to engage the steel which is continuously poured into the ingot mold.
  • the ingot mold is usually made of a copper duct, which has highly cooled walls, wherein the liquid metal is poured directly from the ladle.
  • the liquid metal has to find an element that closes said duct and that will become an integral portion as well as the pulling head of said liquid metal while the liquid steel, through solidification, realises a continuous billet.
  • a fake billet is fixed to a pulling group, e.g. formed by chains, and the front portion or head of the liquid steel coming from the ladle engages with said fake billet.
  • This operation is particularly critical since, in case of a faulty engagement, when the pulling group is started, there might be the separation between the fake billet and the leading portion of the liquid steel. In such a case the steel, which is in its solidification phase, will stop flowing within the duct with the consequent stop of the plant.
  • a purpose of the present invention is then to solve the above mentioned technical problems relative both to the safety of the starting part of a continuous casting process and to the easiness of conducting this initial working phase.
  • a head casting device for a billet continuous casting process said device can be placed in a casting duct continuously cooled, characterised by comprising a box-shaped portion which can be put longitudinally inside said duct, said portion is provided with an opening in correspondence to a base which is parallel to a cross section of the duct and with an engagement portion extending from the closed wall of the box-shaped portion which is opposite the opening, a gasket can further be associated to the closed wall, said gasket is inserted between said closed wall and the inner surfaces of said duct.
  • At least one side wall of said box-shaped portion has a further opening facing said inner surfaces of said duct.
  • Said gasket is advantageously made of a flexible material, like felt.
  • the outside dimensions of said box-shaped portion are smaller than the inner dimensions of said duct.
  • said flexible material of said gasket can be bent inside an annular space comprised between the inner surfaces of said duct and the outer surfaces of said box-shaped portion.
  • a head casting device for a billet continuous casting process is shown, said device can be placed in a continuously cooled casting duct, indicated by numeral 11.
  • Said duct 11 is, for example, a copper duct having hollow walls wherein a cooling liquid is circulated, e.g. water or the like.
  • the device 10 comprises basically a box-shaped portion, having a square section in the example case and side walls 12, a first base formed by a closed front wall 13 and the other base formed by an opening 14.
  • the side walls 12 of the box-shaped element define an element which is used as a cooling element.
  • An engagement portion 15 extends from the front closed wall 13, said portion can be attached to a pulling group or to a fake billet (not shown), which are utilized to pull forward the device.
  • this engagement portion 15 is realized by means of a round bar with a side notch 16 suitable to engage the pulling group.
  • a gasket 17 is placed, said gasket has a central hole 18 which can be inserted on the engagement portion 15.
  • This gasket has dimensions much greater than the closed front wall 13 so as to extend beyond said wall edges.
  • the corners of the gasket 17 have cut areas 22 suitable to facilitate the bend of the gasket around the side walls 12 of the box-shaped portion.
  • This gasket 17 is preferably made of flexible material, e.g. felt.
  • At least one side wall 12 has an additional through opening 19 suitable to connect the inner side of the box-shaped portion with an annular space 20 defined outside the box-shaped portion.
  • a head casting device 10 for a continuous casting process is shown, said device is positioned within a duct 11 with larger outer dimensions.
  • the side overall dimensions of the box-shaped portion are smaller than the inner dimensions of the duct and therefore the box-shaped portion can be put inside the duct, thus defining said annular space 20 around said box-shaped portion.
  • the flexible material of the gasket 17 can be inserted in said annular space in order to realize a seal between the outer surfaces of the device and the inner surfaces of the duct.
  • the head casting device 10 is put in the duct from the side of its closed wall 13. In this way, the gasket bends over a portion of the side surfaces of the box-shaped portion, fills the annular space 20 and realises a seal. The device is pulled until the engagement portion 15 is connected to the pulling group.
  • the continuous casting begins through the introduction of melted liquid steel, indicated by numeral 21, said steel flows into both the box-shaped portion of the device and into the annular space 20 defined by the device outer walls and the duct inner walls.
  • the liquid steel can not flow ahead of the front portion of the duct because of the presence of the gasket 17 which fits into the space 20 and guarantees an optimum seal.
  • the steel also flows inside the additional opening 19 and realises, in this way, a bridge between the steel inside the space 20 and the steel inside the box-shaped portion.
  • the small dimensions of the space 20 and the presence of the side walls 12 of the box-shaped element allow a quick cooling of the steel therein contained and also allow the formation of a good engagement to the device of the invention. Such stable situation is further enhanced by the steel that flows into the additional opening 19 which is connected to the more fluid steel, contained in the box-shaped portion. At any rate, the bridge of material present in the opening improves the engagement of the continuous casting head to the pulling device.
  • the specific geometry of the device according to the present invention causes an optimum distribution of the resisting sections and of the cooling sections so as to obtain a high rate of cooling on all the outer surfaces of the device.
  • such a device since it has a simple construction realised with very low cost materials, can be of the disposable type and therefore be substituted at every start of the continuous casting process.
  • Such a device always new and perfectly good, further improves the guarantee of an optimum transfer of the pulling force and of a steady and perfect engagement of the head of the developing billet to the pulling device.
  • the self-matching of the gasket positioned on the front portion of the device is also a positive factor for the reliable start of the continuous casting process.
  • Such self-matching feature avoids the need of an initial accurate positioning of the gasket with further significant reduction of the plant setting time.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Continuous Casting (AREA)
  • Metal Rolling (AREA)
  • Forging (AREA)
  • Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)

Abstract

A head casting device for a billet continuous casting process, said device can be placed in a casting duct (11) continuously cooled and comprising a box-shaped portion which can be put longitudinally inside the duct (11), said portion is provided with an opening (14) in correspondence to a base which is parallel to a cross section of the duct and with an engagement portion (15) extending from the closed wall (13) of the box-shaped portion which is opposite the opening (14), a gasket (17) can further be associated to the closed wall (13), said gasket is inserted between said closed wall and the inner surfaces of the duct (11).

Description

The present invention discloses a head casting device for a billet continuous casting process.
In the continuous casting processes, in particular for steel casting, during the starting phase of the continuous casting process a stable casting head must be formed, said head is made of steel at least partially solidified so as to engage the steel which is continuously poured into the ingot mold. In fact, the ingot mold is usually made of a copper duct, which has highly cooled walls, wherein the liquid metal is poured directly from the ladle. At the start of said operation, the liquid metal has to find an element that closes said duct and that will become an integral portion as well as the pulling head of said liquid metal while the liquid steel, through solidification, realises a continuous billet.
Currently, a fake billet is fixed to a pulling group, e.g. formed by chains, and the front portion or head of the liquid steel coming from the ladle engages with said fake billet.
This operation is particularly critical since, in case of a faulty engagement, when the pulling group is started, there might be the separation between the fake billet and the leading portion of the liquid steel. In such a case the steel, which is in its solidification phase, will stop flowing within the duct with the consequent stop of the plant.
Further, once the fake billet has started pulling the developing billet, it will be necessary to cut the connection area between the fake billet and the billet in the making process. Said operation has to be performed once that the continuous billet has reached a situation of sufficient cooling and is positioned on a conveyor.
Such an operation requires the following restoration of the head of the fake billet so as that said fake billet is ready to start a new operation of continuous casting.
A purpose of the present invention is then to solve the above mentioned technical problems relative both to the safety of the starting part of a continuous casting process and to the easiness of conducting this initial working phase.
This purpose, according to the present invention, is reached through the realization of a head casting device for a billet continuous casting process, said device can be placed in a casting duct continuously cooled, characterised by comprising a box-shaped portion which can be put longitudinally inside said duct, said portion is provided with an opening in correspondence to a base which is parallel to a cross
section of the duct and with an engagement portion extending from the closed wall of the box-shaped portion which is opposite the opening, a gasket can further be associated to the closed wall, said gasket is inserted between said closed wall and the inner surfaces of said duct.
Preferably, at least one side wall of said box-shaped portion has a further opening facing said inner surfaces of said duct.
Said gasket is advantageously made of a flexible material, like felt.
The outside dimensions of said box-shaped portion are smaller than the inner dimensions of said duct. In this way, said flexible material of said gasket can be bent inside an annular space comprised between the inner surfaces of said duct and the outer surfaces of said box-shaped portion.
The structural and functional features and the associated advantages will be better understood through the description of a non limiting example of a head casting device for a billet continuous casting process realised according to the present invention and to the attached drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of a portion of the continuous casting duct wherein a device according to the invention has been placed, said device containing liquid steel in the solidification phase;
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1, after a 90° rotation;
  • Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 2.
    • With reference to the figures, a head casting device, indicated by numeral 10, for a billet continuous casting process is shown, said device can be placed in a continuously cooled casting duct, indicated by numeral 11. Said duct 11 is, for example, a copper duct having hollow walls wherein a cooling liquid is circulated, e.g. water or the like.
    The device 10 comprises basically a box-shaped portion, having a square section in the example case and side walls 12, a first base formed by a closed front wall 13 and the other base formed by an opening 14. The side walls 12 of the box-shaped element define an element which is used as a cooling element.
    An engagement portion 15 extends from the front closed wall 13, said portion can be attached to a pulling group or to a fake billet (not shown), which are utilized to pull forward the device. In the shown example, this engagement portion 15 is realized by means of a round bar with a side notch 16 suitable to engage the pulling group.
    Further, above said closed front wall 13 a gasket 17 is placed, said gasket has a central hole 18 which can be inserted on the engagement portion 15. This gasket has dimensions much greater than the closed front wall 13 so as to extend beyond said wall edges. The corners of the gasket 17 have cut areas 22 suitable to facilitate the bend of the gasket around the side walls 12 of the box-shaped portion. This gasket 17 is preferably made of flexible material, e.g. felt.
    Further, at least one side wall 12 has an additional through opening 19 suitable to connect the inner side of the box-shaped portion with an annular space 20 defined outside the box-shaped portion.
    In fact in figure 1, a head casting device 10 for a continuous casting process is shown, said device is positioned within a duct 11 with larger outer dimensions.
    The side overall dimensions of the box-shaped portion are smaller than the inner dimensions of the duct and therefore the box-shaped portion can be put inside the duct, thus defining said annular space 20 around said box-shaped portion.
    When the device of the invention is put into the duct 11, the flexible material of the gasket 17 can be inserted in said annular space in order to realize a seal between the outer surfaces of the device and the inner surfaces of the duct.
    As already said, when it is necessary to start a continuous casting process, the head casting device 10 is put in the duct from the side of its closed wall 13. In this way, the gasket bends over a portion of the side surfaces of the box-shaped portion, fills the annular space 20 and realises a seal. The device is pulled until the engagement portion 15 is connected to the pulling group.
    At this moment, the continuous casting begins through the introduction of melted liquid steel, indicated by numeral 21, said steel flows into both the box-shaped portion of the device and into the annular space 20 defined by the device outer walls and the duct inner walls. The liquid steel can not flow ahead of the front portion of the duct because of the presence of the gasket 17 which fits into the space 20 and guarantees an optimum seal.
    Further, the steel also flows inside the additional opening 19 and realises, in this way, a bridge between the steel inside the space 20 and the steel inside the box-shaped portion.
    The small dimensions of the space 20 and the presence of the side walls 12 of the box-shaped element allow a quick cooling of the steel therein contained and also allow the formation of a good engagement to the device of the invention. Such stable situation is further enhanced by the steel that flows into the additional opening 19 which is connected to the more fluid steel, contained in the box-shaped portion. At any rate, the bridge of material present in the opening improves the engagement of the continuous casting head to the pulling device.
    The specific geometry of the device according to the present invention causes an optimum distribution of the resisting sections and of the cooling sections so as to obtain a high rate of cooling on all the outer surfaces of the device.
    Advantageously, such a device, since it has a simple construction realised with very low cost materials, can be of the disposable type and therefore be substituted at every start of the continuous casting process. Such a device, always new and perfectly good, further improves the guarantee of an optimum transfer of the pulling force and of a steady and perfect engagement of the head of the developing billet to the pulling device.
    The possibility of using said device just once accelerates the restoration operations of the casting plant at each start and drastically reduces the dead times of the manufacturing cycle.
    The self-matching of the gasket positioned on the front portion of the device is also a positive factor for the reliable start of the continuous casting process. Such self-matching feature avoids the need of an initial accurate positioning of the gasket with further significant reduction of the plant setting time.

    Claims (7)

    1. A head casting device for a billet continuous casting process, said device can be placed in a casting duct (11) continuously cooled, characterized by comprising a box-shaped portion which can be put longitudinally inside said duct (11), said portion is provided with an opening (14) in correspondence to a base which is parallel to a cross section of the duct (11) and with an engagement portion (15) extending from the closed wall (13) of the box-shaped portion which is opposite the opening (14), and a gasket (17) can further be associated to the closed wall (13), said gasket is inserted between said closed wall and the inner surfaces of the duct (11).
    2. A head casting device according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one side wall (12) of said box-shaped portion has an additional opening (19) facing said inner surfaces of said duct (11).
    3. A head casting device according to claim 1, characterised in that said gasket (17) is made of flexible material.
    4. A head casting device according to claim 3, characterised in that said flexible material is felt.
    5. A head casting device according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer dimensions of said box-shaped portion are smaller than the inner dimensions of said duct (11).
    6. A head casting device according to claim 1, characterised in that said flexible material of said gasket (17) can be bent within an annular space (20) defined between the inner surfaces of said duct and the outer surfaces of said box-shaped portion.
    7. A head casting device according to claim 1, characterised in that said engagement portion (15) has a notch (16) suitable for the engagement with the pulling group.
    EP98201376A 1997-05-05 1998-04-28 Continuous casting device for billets Expired - Lifetime EP0885673B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    ITMI971035 1997-05-05
    IT97MI001035A IT1291722B1 (en) 1997-05-05 1997-05-05 HEAD DEVICE FOR A CONTINUOUS CASTING PROCESS OF BILLETS

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0885673A1 true EP0885673A1 (en) 1998-12-23
    EP0885673B1 EP0885673B1 (en) 2002-06-12

    Family

    ID=11377066

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP98201376A Expired - Lifetime EP0885673B1 (en) 1997-05-05 1998-04-28 Continuous casting device for billets

    Country Status (5)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0885673B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE218938T1 (en)
    DE (1) DE69805917T2 (en)
    ES (1) ES2176898T3 (en)
    IT (1) IT1291722B1 (en)

    Citations (7)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    FR1310964A (en) * 1962-01-18 1962-11-30 Concast Ag Continuous casting plant with a device for connecting or separating the cold bar or pilot rod and the drive part
    GB2144660A (en) * 1983-08-05 1985-03-13 Ob Uralmash Proizv Dummy bar for use in horizontal continuous casting of round billets
    EP0231520A1 (en) * 1986-01-03 1987-08-12 Margrit Dr. Dislich Method and device for connecting a new continuously cast ingot in a continuous-casting machine
    DE8803181U1 (en) * 1988-03-09 1988-04-28 Büchele, Erich, 8901 Erlingen Access pot
    DE3916287C1 (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-08-09 Dislich, Geb. Hoyer, Margrit, Dr., 4100 Duisburg, De Joining up dummy bar in continuous steel casting - by leaving gap between mould wall and sleeve, lining plate with paper or plastic foil etc.
    JPH03291148A (en) * 1990-04-07 1991-12-20 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd Dummy bar for drawing billet and continuous casting method
    DE19503911A1 (en) * 1994-02-18 1995-08-24 Concast Standard Ag Continuous casting starter bar head

    Patent Citations (7)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    FR1310964A (en) * 1962-01-18 1962-11-30 Concast Ag Continuous casting plant with a device for connecting or separating the cold bar or pilot rod and the drive part
    GB2144660A (en) * 1983-08-05 1985-03-13 Ob Uralmash Proizv Dummy bar for use in horizontal continuous casting of round billets
    EP0231520A1 (en) * 1986-01-03 1987-08-12 Margrit Dr. Dislich Method and device for connecting a new continuously cast ingot in a continuous-casting machine
    DE8803181U1 (en) * 1988-03-09 1988-04-28 Büchele, Erich, 8901 Erlingen Access pot
    DE3916287C1 (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-08-09 Dislich, Geb. Hoyer, Margrit, Dr., 4100 Duisburg, De Joining up dummy bar in continuous steel casting - by leaving gap between mould wall and sleeve, lining plate with paper or plastic foil etc.
    JPH03291148A (en) * 1990-04-07 1991-12-20 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd Dummy bar for drawing billet and continuous casting method
    DE19503911A1 (en) * 1994-02-18 1995-08-24 Concast Standard Ag Continuous casting starter bar head

    Non-Patent Citations (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Title
    PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 016, no. 129 (M - 1228) 2 April 1992 (1992-04-02) *

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    ITMI971035A0 (en) 1997-05-05
    ITMI971035A1 (en) 1998-11-05
    EP0885673B1 (en) 2002-06-12
    DE69805917D1 (en) 2002-07-18
    ATE218938T1 (en) 2002-06-15
    IT1291722B1 (en) 1999-01-21
    ES2176898T3 (en) 2002-12-01
    DE69805917T2 (en) 2003-03-20

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    EP0897768B1 (en) Shot sleeve for a die casting machine and a process for removing impurities
    US20020084053A1 (en) Hot chamber die casting of semisolids
    US3080625A (en) Continuous casting apparatus
    AU765130B2 (en) Method for sealing the ingot-mould/dummy-bar assembly in a continuous-casting plant, and corresponding seal element
    EP0885673A1 (en) A head casting device for a billet continuous casting process
    US4036280A (en) Method of starting the casting of a strand in a continuous casting installation
    CN109877307A (en) Self-locking inner tube port system
    US3593776A (en) Starter bar having a frangible coupling
    JPS6132106B2 (en)
    KR100427608B1 (en) Plate for dispenser with minimal resistance - internal nozzle assembly
    US4381030A (en) Dummy bar head for a steel continuous casting installation containing an open-ended mold
    US20020017373A1 (en) Start-up billet head for a continuous casting machine for metal, in particular, steel
    US4969506A (en) Method for sequence casting of steel strip
    US5271452A (en) Continuous casting method and apparatus
    DE3141867C2 (en) Method and casting mold for casting a metal lid onto the handle of a drinking vessel
    JPH01107951A (en) Tundish for horizontal continuous casting
    JPH0741396B2 (en) Casting method of copper pipe casted into copper alloy casting
    US4773469A (en) Composite mold for continuous thin strip casting
    JPS6039459B2 (en) Bumping prevention method during continuous or semi-continuous casting
    Kaaufmann et al. New Rheocasting: a novel approach to semi-solid casting
    JPS56131049A (en) Connecting method of solidified shell and dummy bar in continuous casting
    JPH0634033Y2 (en) Dummy bar for horizontal continuous casting
    SU1071213A3 (en) Method and apparatus for continuous casting of thin-walled pipes
    WO2004052576A1 (en) Metallic frame for a pouring nozzle, assembly of a metallic frame with a pouring nozzle and device for the insertion and/or removal of a pouring nozzle
    JPH09267161A (en) Structure of runner part in die for die casting

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

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 19990511

    AKX Designation fees paid

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

    17Q First examination report despatched

    Effective date: 19991203

    GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

    RTI1 Title (correction)

    Free format text: CONTINUOUS CASTING DEVICE FOR BILLETS

    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 CY 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: 20020612

    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: 20020612

    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: 20020612

    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: 20020612

    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: 20020612

    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: 20020612

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 218938

    Country of ref document: AT

    Date of ref document: 20020615

    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

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 69805917

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20020718

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    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: 20020912

    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: 20020912

    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: 20020916

    ET Fr: translation filed
    NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FG2A

    Ref document number: 2176898

    Country of ref document: ES

    Kind code of ref document: T3

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: PL

    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

    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: 20030428

    Ref country code: IE

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

    Effective date: 20030428

    Ref country code: CY

    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: 20030428

    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: 20030430

    26N No opposition filed

    Effective date: 20030313

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

    Ref country code: ES

    Payment date: 20090508

    Year of fee payment: 12

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

    Ref country code: IT

    Payment date: 20090407

    Year of fee payment: 12

    Ref country code: FR

    Payment date: 20090417

    Year of fee payment: 12

    Ref country code: DE

    Payment date: 20090428

    Year of fee payment: 12

    Ref country code: AT

    Payment date: 20090415

    Year of fee payment: 12

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

    Ref country code: GB

    Payment date: 20090422

    Year of fee payment: 12

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

    Effective date: 20100428

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: ST

    Effective date: 20101230

    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: 20100428

    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: 20101103

    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: 20100428

    Ref country code: IT

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

    Effective date: 20100428

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FD2A

    Effective date: 20110715

    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: 20110705

    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: 20100429

    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: 20100430