EP0914183B1 - Wasserpistole mit verbesserungen an blase und düse - Google Patents

Wasserpistole mit verbesserungen an blase und düse Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0914183B1
EP0914183B1 EP97932463A EP97932463A EP0914183B1 EP 0914183 B1 EP0914183 B1 EP 0914183B1 EP 97932463 A EP97932463 A EP 97932463A EP 97932463 A EP97932463 A EP 97932463A EP 0914183 B1 EP0914183 B1 EP 0914183B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bladder
water
water gun
toy
toy water
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
EP97932463A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0914183A1 (de
EP0914183A4 (de
Inventor
Bruce M. D Andrade
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.)
Larami Ltd
Original Assignee
Larami Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/672,933 external-priority patent/US5779099A/en
Priority claimed from US08/672,942 external-priority patent/US5758800A/en
Priority claimed from US08/672,941 external-priority patent/US5799827A/en
Application filed by Larami Ltd filed Critical Larami Ltd
Publication of EP0914183A1 publication Critical patent/EP0914183A1/de
Publication of EP0914183A4 publication Critical patent/EP0914183A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0914183B1 publication Critical patent/EP0914183B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15D—FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F15D1/00—Influencing flow of fluids
    • F15D1/02—Influencing flow of fluids in pipes or conduits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/34—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl
    • B05B1/3402—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to avoid or to reduce turbulencies, e.g. comprising fluid flow straightening means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B1/00—Installations or systems with accumulators; Supply reservoir or sump assemblies
    • F15B1/02—Installations or systems with accumulators
    • F15B1/04—Accumulators
    • F15B1/08—Accumulators using a gas cushion; Gas charging devices; Indicators or floats therefor
    • F15B1/10—Accumulators using a gas cushion; Gas charging devices; Indicators or floats therefor with flexible separating means
    • F15B1/16—Accumulators using a gas cushion; Gas charging devices; Indicators or floats therefor with flexible separating means in the form of a tube
    • F15B1/165—Accumulators using a gas cushion; Gas charging devices; Indicators or floats therefor with flexible separating means in the form of a tube in the form of a bladder
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F41B9/00—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure
    • F41B9/0003—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid
    • F41B9/0006—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid the liquid being pressurised prior to ejection
    • F41B9/0009—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid the liquid being pressurised prior to ejection the pressurised liquid being contained in an expandable chamber, e.g. a bladder or a chamber with a spring-loaded slidable wall
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F41B9/00—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure
    • F41B9/0003—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid
    • F41B9/0006—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid the liquid being pressurised prior to ejection
    • F41B9/0009—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid the liquid being pressurised prior to ejection the pressurised liquid being contained in an expandable chamber, e.g. a bladder or a chamber with a spring-loaded slidable wall
    • F41B9/0012—Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols, devices ejecting electrically charged liquid jets, devices ejecting liquid jets by explosive pressure characterised by the pressurisation of the liquid the liquid being pressurised prior to ejection the pressurised liquid being contained in an expandable chamber, e.g. a bladder or a chamber with a spring-loaded slidable wall the gun having an unpressurised liquid reservoir
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/20—Accumulator cushioning means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/30—Accumulator separating means
    • F15B2201/315—Accumulator separating means having flexible separating means
    • F15B2201/3152—Accumulator separating means having flexible separating means the flexible separating means being bladders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/30—Accumulator separating means
    • F15B2201/315—Accumulator separating means having flexible separating means
    • F15B2201/3158—Guides for the flexible separating means, e.g. for a collapsed bladder
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/40—Constructional details of accumulators not otherwise provided for
    • F15B2201/41—Liquid ports
    • F15B2201/411—Liquid ports having valve means

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to expandable bladder toy water guns. More specifically, the toy water gun of the present invention relies upon a "pressurizable" bladder for release of water wherein the water is first stored in a fill tank and is then pumped into the bladder and expands the bladder for pressurized bladder containment of the water until subsequent trigger release.
  • the present invention also provides bladders having specific features which permit controlled expansion and subsequent, predictable contraction and water ejection upon release. Additionally, an ejection nozzle is provided for achieving more even, consistent flow of ejected water by reduction of turbulence in the barrel of the water gun within proximity of the ejection nozzle.
  • the present invention is an expandable bladder toy water gun according to claims 1-2.
  • the present invention toy water gun has been developed to provide high powered, safe shooting of water, while being fully self-contained, i.e. without the need for pressurized gas canisters or batteries or external pressurizing means such as pressurized water from a garden hose or faucet.
  • the toy water gun of the present invention also provides relatively constant pressure throughout the duration of the shot. It relies upon manual pumping to fill a bladder with water which will store the water under pressure created by elastic bladder expansion for subsequent firing.
  • a significantly large nozzle opening is provided to achieve the aforesaid shotgun effect. This nozzle can have an extremely large diameter compared to all prior known water guns, the diameter being about 1 cm (three eighths of an inch) or larger.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of the present invention embodiment toy water gun 1 with main housing 3, handle 5, and barrel 9 with nozzle 11.
  • Bladder 13 is located within enclosure 15.
  • Bladder 13 has a front end 17 and back end 19 and is cylindrical, but could be of another shape and not exceed the scope of the present invention.
  • Front end 17 acts both as an inlet and an outlet in this embodiment, but the water gun could be configured so the back end acts as the outlet or vice versa.
  • Back end 19 includes clamp 22 and also includes bladder carriage 20 surrounding clamp 22.
  • Clamp 22 holds plug 24 in the back end 19 of bladder 13 and connects back end 19 of bladder 13 to bladder carriage 20.
  • Bladder carriage 20 moves towards the back of the gun as the bladder 13 is expanded (filled) and moves back to its rest position (shown in Figure 1) during release of the bladder.
  • Front end 17 has tube 21 connected thereto via clamp 23.
  • Tube 21 is connected to a "y" connection 25 which is connected to tube 27, which is connected to a pump, described below.
  • Connection 25 is also connected to tube 29 which is connected to a bladder release valve 31, discussed below.
  • FIG. 1 shows a partial side cut view, with the bladder 13 and related housing removed to show pump 45 and its operation.
  • Toy water gun 1 is operated by filling or partially filling tank 33 with water through fill port 35 after removal of cap 37.
  • Tank 33 as shown, is connected to water gun main housing 3, as shown.
  • Connected is meant physically or fluidly connected to the gun directly or indirectly or internally contained therein or integrally formed therewith.
  • Cap 37 has a small vent hole (not shown) to allow air entry but to discourage water leakage to prevent a vacuum from being formed in tank 33.
  • Tank-to-pump tube 39 is connected to pump 45 and includes one-way valve 41 which permits water to enter into pump cylinder 47, but not back into tank 33. Movement of the piston 57 within the pump cylinder 47 forces movement of water to bladder 13 from tank 33.
  • the piston 57 is operated by the pump rod 59 that connects the piston 57 to the slider handle 55.
  • the pump rod 59 is anchored to the slider handle 55 and is slidably held in place by block 61.
  • the slider handle 55 is operated manually by the user. The user holds the slider handle 55 with one hand and the gun handle 5 with the other. The slider handle 55 is then moved back and forth along the length of its path, with block 61 acting as a stop. The back and forth action is transferred to the piston 57, which draws water from tank 33 through tubing 39 and past one-way flow valve 41, into cylinder 47 on the outward stroke. On the inward stroke, water in cylinder 47 is forced (or pumped) through tubing 27, through "y" connection 25, into tubing 21 and into the bladder 13 for expansion and filling thereof. Water is pumped to the bladder 13 via pump 45 until the bladder 13 is filled. Water will also enter tube 29, but will not eject through the outlet tubing 65 and nozzle 11 because release valve 31 will be closed until trigger 7 is pulled. Once under expansion, the water in bladder 13 is prevented from flowing freely through the outlet tubing 65 by valve 31.
  • Linkage trigger riser 71 is connected to trigger 7 via linkage 72 ( Figures 1 and 2) and is slidably attached to pull rod 73.
  • Spring 75 and stop 77 work in conjunction with trigger riser 71.
  • Stop 77 is securely attached to pull rod 73.
  • Pull rod 73 has at its opposite end a flexible connection universal ball connector 83. This is slightly rotatable within valve plug 84.
  • valve plug 84 and valve seal 85 apply forces which tend to maintain valve plug 84 and valve seal 85 in the closed, sealed position.
  • spring 75 pushes stop 77 to the left, thereby; valve plug 84 and valve seal 85 are snapped to the left for rapid release and ejection of water motivated by compressive forces of the water-filled bladder 13. This creates the desired blasting effect and enhances the rate and distance of the ejected water.
  • Figures 4 through 6 show side, partially cut, simplified views of a present invention toy water gun bladder 13 in various states of expansion.
  • the bladder 13 has a predetermined inflated size and enclosure 15 has a size less than that predetermined fully expanded size.
  • bladder 13 is shown in its rest (unfilled, unexpanded) position, with identical parts being identically numbered, but with more bladder 13 detail shown.
  • the bladder 13 includes a preformed "bubble" portion 91, which is weaker than the rest of the bladder and thus enhances expansion at that location.
  • the bladder 13 preferably includes wall 93 which is tapered in the unexpanded state, with the wall having a smaller diameter towards back end 19 and a larger diameter towards bubble 91 and front end 17. The smaller diameter section requires more pressure to expand than the larger diameter section. Thus, expansion starts at the bubble 91 and progresses towards the back end 19.
  • the bladder 13 first expands radially and then expands longitudinally to provide a more constant rate of flow when released.
  • Enclosure 15 acts as a bladder guide and limits expansion of the bladder 13 to prevent bursting and to support water weight.
  • the enclosure 15 may be described relative to air pressurization of the bladder.
  • the bladder 15's uninflated diameter may be approximately 1.9 cm (three quarters of an inch), and fully inflated with 25 psig, it may have a diameter of approximately 10.1 cm (four inches).
  • the total size or volume of the bladder is based on the bladder length.
  • Enclosure 15 may have a diameter of, for example, approximately 8.9 cm (three and one half inches). This enclosure restricts over expansion and helps to cause expansion and release to occur with consistency.
  • bladder 13 is at rest.
  • bubble 91 is expanded as bubble 91', shown in Figure 5, and expansion occurs first at the outlet end 17 and does so radially.
  • the bladder 13 will expand laterally down the enclosure 15 at a fixed pressure, and rate, as shown as expanded portion 91" in Figure 6. Likewise, the contraction of the bladder 13 will cause the release of water, and at a relatively constant pressure for a constant rate of ejection will be achieved.
  • Figure 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a toy water gun 101 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the toy water gun 101 is similar to the first embodiment and includes main housing 103, handle 105, trigger 107 and barrel 109 with nozzle 111.
  • nozzle 111 is circular and has an opening of about 1.1 cm (seven sixteenths of an inch) in diameter.
  • Bladder 113 is located within enclosure 115.
  • Bladder 113 has a front end 117 and back end 119 and is generally cylindrical, but could be of another shape and not exceed the scope of the present invention.
  • Front end 117 acts both as an inlet and an outlet in this embodiment, but the water gun could be configured so that back end 119 acts as the outlet or vice versa.
  • Back end 119 includes clamp 122 which holds plug 124 in the back end 119 of bladder 113, and also includes bladder carriage 120 surrounding and connected to clamp 122.
  • Bladder carriage 120 moves towards the back of the gun as bladder 113 is expanded (filled) and moves back to its rest position (shown in Figure 7) during release of the bladder.
  • Front end 117 has tube 121 connected thereto via clamp 123.
  • Tube 121 is connected to chamber 125 which is connected to tube 127, which is connected to a pump, described below.
  • Chamber 125 is also connected to and contains a bladder release valve 131, discussed below.
  • FIG. 7 shows a partial, cut, bottom view, with the bladder 113 and related housing removed to show pump not in Figure 7 or 8 and valving arrangement.
  • Toy water gun 101 is operated by filling or partially-filling tank 133 with water through fill port 135 after removal of cap 137.
  • Cap 137 has a small vent hole (not shown) to allow air entry but to discourage water leakage to prevent a vacuum from being formed in tank 133.
  • Tank-to-pump tube 139 is connected to pump 145 and includes one-way valve 141 which permits water to be drawn into pump cylinder 147, but not back into tank 133.
  • Movement of the piston 158 within the pump cylinder 147 permits movement of water to bladder 113 from tank 133.
  • the piston 158 is operated by the pump rod 159 that connects the piston 158 to the slider handle 155.
  • the slider handle 155 is operated manually by the user. The user holds the slider handle 155 with one hand and the gun handle 105 or the top handle 167 with the other. The slider handle 155 is then moved back and forth along the length of its path. The back and forth action is transferred to the piston 158, which draws water from tank 133 through tubing 139 and past one-way flow valve 141, into cylinder 147 on the outward stroke.
  • Pressure release valve 146 prevents over pumping to bladder 113 by opening and allowing water to pass from the pump 145 back to the tubing 139 and the tank 133 once a predetermined pressure is achieved. Once under expansion, the water in bladder 113 is prevented from flowing freely through the outlet tubing 165 to nozzle 111 by valve 131.
  • Linkage trigger riser 171 is connected to trigger 107 via linkage 172 ( Figure 7) and is slidably attached to pull rod 173.
  • Spring 175 and stop 177 work in conjunction with trigger riser 171.
  • Stop 177 is permanently attached to pull rod 173.
  • Pull rod 173 has at its opposite end a flexible connection universal ball connector 183. This is slightly rotatable within valve plug 184.
  • trigger riser 171 compresses spring 175 to the left and pushes stop 177 to move pull rod 173 and valve plug 184 with valve seal 185.
  • spring 175 pushes stop 177 to the left, thereby, valve plug 184 and valve seal 185 and are snapped to the left for rapid release and ejection of water motivated by compressive forces of the water-filled bladder 113. This creates the desired blasting effect and enhances the rate and distance of the ejected water.
  • the springs 175 and 179 are balanced so that once valve seal 185 is opened, it does not close until the internal pressure is close to zero. This maintains a single, quick, shotgun blast.
  • FIG 10A illustrates another embodiment of a bladder 401 in accordance with the present invention which is a hollow tubular member 403. It has a first end 411 and a second end 405. Located in the area of first end 411 is a weakened section 413.
  • weakened section 413 is in the general shape of a bubble, but could be otherwise shaped without exceeding the scope of the invention, e.g. an enlarged elongated or ovoid shape. This is the starting or initiating expansion point described in conjunction with Figure 4 above.
  • the tubular member 403 has a unique shape developed to encourage expansion, first, radially at weakened section 413, and then lengthwise from right to left (from first end 411 to second end 405).
  • bladder 401 has a thicker wall 409 at second end 405 and a thinner wall 407 at first end 411.
  • First end 411 also has an expanded neck, as shown, for fitting over an inlet/outlet tube and, when attached as such, has no bearing on the foregoing.
  • Figure 10B shows another alternative bladder 501, with weakened section 503, first end 507 and second end 505.
  • tubular member 509 has a tapered (variable) diameter with a larger diameter 511 at first end 507 and a smaller diameter 513 at second end 505.
  • Combinations of variable wall thicknesses shown in Figure 10A and variable diameters shown in Figure 10B may alternatively be used.
  • Figure 11 shows a partial side cut view of the water gun 1 with the main aspects of the water gun not shown except for a barrel and nozzle. While the barrel and nozzle are preferably used with the water gun 1 described above, it will be recognized by the skilled artisan from the present disclosure that the barrel and nozzle can be used in conjunction with any standard water gun. These would include pump up water guns such as is described in the information disclosure statement above, bladder water guns, reciprocal firing water guns, and any other water guns which are or may be available.
  • outlet tube 65 which may be located within the barrel of a toy water gun, or may comprise the barrel of any toy water gun, as noted above, with large diameter nozzle 11 contained in nozzle cover 209.
  • the outlet tube 65 or barrel has a front section 211 which is specifically designed to receive a turbulence control member 213.
  • Turbulence control member 213 is shown in its cut side view and has a bundle of tubes such as tubes 215, 217, and 219 which run parallel to the elongated length of outlet tube 65 and act as linear stream guidance walls. This enhances laminar flow ejection of water through nozzle 11.
  • screens such as screen 221 placed against the rearward end of turbulence control member 213, screen 223 placed against the front end of turbulence control member 213, and screen 225 spaced away from screen 223 in front of turbulence control member 213 and against nozzle cover 209, as shown.
  • Figure 12 shows a front view of the nozzle shown in Figure 11. Nozzle 11 contained in nozzle cover 209 reveals behind it screen 225, as shown.
  • turbulence control member 213 has an outer hollow tube 214 and contains a plurality of hollow, elongated, parallel tubes such as tubes 215, 217, and 219.
  • a turbulence control member 251 This is unistructurally formed and includes a flanged front section 253 which may include a nozzle orifice or may be placed within a similarly structured barrel to that described in connection with the first nozzle embodiment with a nozzle cover located in front of it. Additionally, optional screens may be included in front of, behind, or both in front of and behind turbulence control member 251.
  • Elongated portion 255 has been formed with a plurality of linear stream guidance walls such as walls 257, 259, and 261, along with others, as shown. These linear stream guidance walls project radially inwardly and run parallel to an imaginary central axis for maximum turbulence control.
  • any reasonable geometry will aid in turbulence control as long as the linear stream guidance walls generally run substantially parallel to the central axis of the barrel to settle the flow of liquid to substantially reduce turbulence. This permits a more laminar slug of water to exit the nozzle, which in turn keeps the water together for a longer shooting distance.
  • the particular geometry selected may now come within the purview of the artisan.
  • Figure 15 illustrates a front view of a turbulence control member 271 with a plurality of fins acting as linear stream guidance walls. It includes an elongated outer tube 273 and parallel fins represented by fins 275 and 277 and fins arranged at right angles thereto shown as fins 279 and 281. These fins all run parallel to the elongated outer tube 273.
  • Figure 16 shows turbulence control member 291 which may be unistructurally formed and has a central core 293 with outwardly extending radial fins such as fins 295 and 297, as shown.
  • central core 293 and turbulence control member 291 may ideally be unistructurally formed and may optionally be used with one or more screens and inserted into a water gun barrel in proximity to the nozzle.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Claims (23)

  1. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole zum Aufbewahren und Ausstoßen von Wasser, umfassend:
    ein Haupt-Gehäuse (3, 103) an welchem eine Ausstoß-Düse (11, 111) angeordnet ist;
    ein mit dem Haupt-Gehäuse (3, 103) verbundenes Blasen-Gehäuse (15, 115);
    und eine in dem Blasen-Gehäuse (15, 115) angeordnete expandierbare Blase (13, 113, 401, 501), wobei diese expandierbare Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) dazu geeignet ist, Wasser unter Druck aufzunehmen, und dazu geeignet ist, zu expandieren und das Wasser aufzubewahren, wobei diese expandierbare Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) eine treibende Kraft zum Wasser-Ausstoß bereitstellt, wobei diese expandierbare Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) ein längliches schlauchförmiges Element (403, 509) umfasst, welches ein erstes Ende (17, 117, 411, 507) und ein zweites Ende (19, 119, 405, 505) aufweist, wobei das erste Ende sich in Fluid-Verbindung mit der Ausstoß-Düse (11, 111) befindet, wobei das Blasen-Gehäuse (15, 115) das Expandieren der expandierbaren Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) begrenzt,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Blasen-Trage-Anfügung (20, 120) an dem zweiten Ende (19, 119) der Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) angeordnet ist, und dass diese Blasen-Trage-Anfügung (20, 120) in dem Blasen-Gehäuse (15, 115) bewegbar ist, wenn die Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) ausgedehnt wird.
  2. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Blasen-Trage-Anfügung (20, 120) ein Profil aufweist, welches komplementär ist zu dem Profil des Blasen-Gehäuses (15, 115).
  3. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 2, wobei das schlauchförmige Element sich ausdehnt, um ein zylindrisches rohrförmiges Element zu bilden, wobei das Blasen-Gehäuse (15, 115) eine kreisförmige QuerschnittsFläche aufweist, und der Blasen-Träger (20, 120) eine kreisförmigen Querschnitts-Fläche aufweist.
  4. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei
    (a) an dem Haupt-Gehäuse (3, 103) ein Lauf (109), eine Düse und ein Auslöser (7, 107) angeordnet ist;
    (b) die expandierbare Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) mit dem Haupt-Gehäuse verbunden ist, wobei die Blase einen Einlass und einen Auslass aufweist;
    (c) ein Wasser-Speicher-Tank (33, 133) mit der Wasser-Pistole verbunden ist und einen mit einer Pumpe verbundenen Auslass aufweist;
    (d) die Pumpe zum Pumpen von Wasser aus dem Tank (33, 133) zu der Blase (13, 113, 401, 501), um die Blase auszudehnen und mit Wasser zu füllen, was zu einer gefüllten Blase führt, wobei die ausgedehnte Blase eine Bewegungs-Kraft zum Ausstoßen von Wasser aus der Wasserpistole bereitstellt, wobei die Pumpe (45, 145) mit dem Gehäuse (3, 103) verbunden ist, und funktionsgemäß mit dem Blasen-Einlass und dem Tank verbunden ist, wobei die Pumpe einen ausreichenden Pump-Druck aufweist, um die Blase beim Pumpen von Wasser in diese auszudehnen, wobei die Pumpe ein Einweg-Ventil (41, 141) aufweist, um ein Pumpen von diesem Tank (33, 133) zu der Blase zu ermöglichen; und
    (e) ein Blasen-Auslöse-Ventil (31, 131), welches eine stromaufwärtige Seite und eine stromabwärtige Seite aufweist, und mit dem Blasen-Auslass an der stromaufwärtigen Seite des Ventils verbunden ist, und zum Öffnen und Schließen mit dem Auslöser (7, 107) verbunden ist, und ferner funktionsgemäß mit der Düse (11, 111) verbunden ist, um beim Auslösen auf der stromabwärtigen Ventil-Seite Wasser auszustoßen, wobei das Ventil eine erste, geschlossene Position aufweist, um das Aufbewahren von Wasser bei ausgedehnter Blase aufrecht zu erhalten, und eine zweite, offene Position, um ein Entspannen der Blase zu bewirken.
  5. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei sich das Blasen-Auslöse-Ventil (31, 131) normalerweise in seiner ersten, geschlossenen Position befindet, und mittels Aktivieren des Auslösers in seine zweite, offene Position bewegt wird.
  6. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei das Blasen-Freigabe-Ventil (31, 131) mit einer Feder (79, 179) verbunden ist, und zu seiner ersten, geschlossenen Position hin federbelastet ist, wobei eine Schnapp-Freigabe erfolgt, um das Blasen-Freigabe-Ventil (31, 131) schnappend in seine zweite, offene Position zu überführen, wenn der Auslöser (7, 107) betätigt wird und die Feder überwindet.
  7. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) an ihrem ersten Ende (17, 117, 411, 507) eine einzelne Öffnung aufweist, welche sowohl einen Blasen-Einlass, als auch einen Blasen-Auslass bildet.
  8. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei eine Pumpe (45, 145) mit einem Blasen-Einlass über einen einzelnen Strömungsweg verbunden ist, wobei dieser einzelne Strömungsweg auch mit einem Blasen-Freigabe-Ventil (31, 131) verbunden ist, wobei der einzelne Strömungsweg sowohl dazu dient, in Verbindung mit der Pumpe (45, 145) Wasser in die Blase zu pumpen, als auch in Verbindung mit einem Blasen-Freigabe-Ventil (31) und Auslöser (7) Wasser aus der Blase freizugeben.
  9. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die expandierbare Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) einen länglichen Abschnitt mit größerem Durchmesser aufweist, welcher in der Nähe eines Blasen-Einlasses (17, 117, 411, 507) angeordnet ist, um beim Füllen mit Wasser ein Ausdehnen der Blase zuerst radial und als zweites longitudinal zu unterstützen.
  10. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die expandierbare Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) eine Blasen-Wand (93) mit einer konstanten, vorbestimmten Dicke aufweist, wobei die Blase konisch ist, so dass ihr Einlass-Ende (17, 117, 411, 507) von größerem Durchmesser ist als ein entgegengesetztes Ende, um beim Füllen mit Wasser ein Expandieren der Blase zuerst radial an dem Einlass-Ende und als zweites longitudinal zu unterstützen.
  11. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die expandierbare Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) an ihrem ersten Ende (17, 117, 411, 507) eine vorbestimmte Wanddicke aufweist, und eine vom ersten Ende zum zweiten Ende konisch zunehmende Wandstärke und eine vorbestimmte Wanddicke an dem zweiten Ende, welche größer ist als die vorbestimmte Wanddicke an dem ersten Ende, und wobei der Blasen-Durchmesser bevorzugt konstant ist.
  12. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die Düse (11, 111) einen sichtbaren Durchmesser von wenigstens einem Achtel Zoll oder einem Viertel Zoll aufweist, um ein massives, schnell berstendes Herausspritzen zu bewirken.
  13. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Elastizität der Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) die treibende Kraft für Flüssigkeits-Ausstoß ist, wobei die Blase umfasst:
    ein hohles, elastisches, längliches, rohrförmiges Element (403, 509), welches ein erstes Ende (507) und eine zweites Ende (505) aufweist, wobei das erste Ende einen geschwächten Abschnitt (413, 503) mit schwächerer elastischer Festigkeit als der Rest des rohrförmigen Elements aufweist, wobei das rohrförmige Element (403, 509) auch derart konfiguriert ist, dass es ein progressives Expandieren entlang des rohrförmigen Elements vom ersten Ende zum zweiten Ende unterstützt, wobei die Blase in dem rohrförmigen Gehäuse (15, 115) eingeschlossen ist, was ein Expandieren sowohl axial als auch longitudinal begrenzt, und wobei die Blase eine Anfügung an dem zweiten Ende (505) der Blase aufweist, welche das zweite Ende der Blase sichert, und sich entlang des rohrförmigen Gehäuses (15, 115) bewegt, wenn die Blase expandiert, bis es einen vorbestimmten Halt erreicht.
  14. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 13, wobei der geschwächte Abschnitt (413, 503) Bubbleblasen-förmig ist.
  15. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 13, wobei die Elastizität des rohrförmigen Elementes (403,509) von der Art ist, dass es zuerst radial und dann longitudinal expandiert.
  16. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 13, wobei das erste Ende (17, 117, 411, 507) einen End-Teil aufweist, welcher zum Anfügen an ein Einlass-Auslass-Rohr gegenüber dem Rest des rohrförmigen Elements (403, 509) einen vergrößerten Durchmesser aufweist.
  17. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 13, wobei die Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) von dem ersten Ende (17, 117, 411, 507) zu dem zweiten Ende (19, 119, 405, 505) konisch verläuft.
  18. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Blase zum Aufbewahren und Ausstoßen von Flüssigkeit eine Elastizität aufweist, welche die treibende Kraft zum Flüssigkeits-Ausstoß wird, wobei die Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) ein hohles, elastisches, längliches, rohrförmiges Element (403, 509) umfasst, welches ein erstes Ende (507) und ein zweites Ende (505) aufweist, wobei das erste Ende gegenüber dem Rest des rohrförmigen Elements einen Abschnitt (413, 503) von geschwächter elastischer Stärke aufweist, wobei der geschwächte Abschnitt (413, 503) entweder einen größeren Durchmesser oder eine dünnere Wand als der Rest des rohrförmigen Elements aufweist, und wobei das rohrförmige Element (403, 509) auch entweder einen variablen Durchmesser von größer an dem ersten Ende zu kleiner an dem zweiten Ende in konischer Kontur und mit konstanter Wand-Dicke aufweist oder eine variable Wand-Dicke von dünner an dem ersten Ende zu dicker an dem zweiten Ende, wodurch ein Expandieren an dem größeren Durchmesser zuerst unterstützt wird, und dann ein progressiv zunehmendes Expandieren von dem ersten Ende zu dem zweiten Ende unterstützt wird.
  19. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 18, wobei der ursprünglich schwächere Abschnitt (413, 503) eine Blasen-Form aufweist.
  20. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 18, wobei die Elastizität des Blasen-Materials derart ist, dass es sich zuerst radial und dann longitudinal ausdehnt.
  21. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 18, wobei die Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) in einem rohrförmigen Blasen-Gehäuse (15, 115) eingeschlossen ist, welches ein Ausdehnen sowohl axial wie longitudinal begrenzt, und wobei das Blasen-Gehäuse bevorzugt mit der Spielzeug-Wasserpistole verbunden ist.
  22. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole 21 gemäß Anspruch 21, wobei die Blase (13, 113, 401, 501) eine Anfügung (20, 120) am Ende der Blase aufweist, welche das zweite Ende (19, 119, 405, 505) der Blase sichert, und wobei die Anfügung sich longitudinal entlang des rohrförmigen Gehäuses (15, 115) bewegt, wenn sich die Blase ausdehnt, und bis sie einen vorbestimmten Halt erreicht.
  23. Spielzeug-Wasserpistole gemäß Anspruch 18, wobei das erste Ende (17, 117, 411, 507) einen End-Teil aufweist, welcher gegenüber dem Rest des rohrförmigen Elements (403, 509) einen vergrößerten Durchmesser zum Anfügen an ein Einlass/Auslass-Rohr aufweist.
EP97932463A 1996-06-28 1997-06-27 Wasserpistole mit verbesserungen an blase und düse Expired - Lifetime EP0914183B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US672941 1984-11-19
US672933 1996-06-28
US08/672,933 US5779099A (en) 1996-06-28 1996-06-28 Nozzle with turbulence control member for water gun laminar flow ejection
US08/672,942 US5758800A (en) 1996-06-28 1996-06-28 Bladder for water gun
US08/672,941 US5799827A (en) 1996-06-28 1996-06-28 Bladder water gun
US672942 1996-06-28
PCT/US1997/011613 WO1998000214A1 (en) 1996-06-28 1997-06-27 Bladder water gun, improved bladder and nozzle

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0914183A1 EP0914183A1 (de) 1999-05-12
EP0914183A4 EP0914183A4 (de) 2000-11-02
EP0914183B1 true EP0914183B1 (de) 2005-08-17

Family

ID=27418262

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97932463A Expired - Lifetime EP0914183B1 (de) 1996-06-28 1997-06-27 Wasserpistole mit verbesserungen an blase und düse

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0914183B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE302052T1 (de)
AU (1) AU726843B2 (de)
CA (2) CA2486645C (de)
DE (1) DE69734001T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2247634T3 (de)
NZ (2) NZ505248A (de)
WO (1) WO1998000214A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10969193B2 (en) 2017-05-26 2021-04-06 Spyra GmbH Water gun

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7451900B2 (en) 2004-06-30 2008-11-18 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Delivery system
DE102007024247B3 (de) * 2007-05-15 2008-11-06 Lechler Gmbh Hochdruckdüse und Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Hochdruckdüse
CN109357568A (zh) * 2018-10-09 2019-02-19 张萍 一种连接有三口储水箱的玩具水枪
CN110000025A (zh) * 2019-01-28 2019-07-12 苏州市中医医院 一种水枪装置
CN114459282B (zh) * 2022-02-14 2024-02-20 东莞市山普斯科技有限公司 自动水枪

Family Cites Families (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB496231A (en) * 1937-05-27 1938-11-28 Ferranti Ltd Improvements in or relating to conduits, spouts or the like
US2237678A (en) 1939-01-04 1941-04-08 Marx & Co Louis Repeating cork-shooting toy
US2627439A (en) * 1949-11-25 1953-02-03 K C Fire Nozzle & Equipment Co Hose nozzle
US2820675A (en) * 1956-02-06 1958-01-21 Carl S Zilk Nozzle construction
NL282090A (de) * 1959-06-20
US3190229A (en) * 1961-06-09 1965-06-22 Turowski Erwin Method and apparatus for conveying liquids
US3486539A (en) 1965-09-28 1969-12-30 Jacuzzi Bros Inc Liquid dispensing and metering assembly
US3406633A (en) * 1966-11-07 1968-10-22 Ibm Collapsible chamber pump
US3630444A (en) * 1970-03-31 1971-12-28 American Standard Inc Trajectory flow control apparatus
US4140117A (en) * 1975-05-12 1979-02-20 Alza Corporation Cartridge for liquid infusion apparatus
US4135559A (en) * 1976-03-17 1979-01-23 Barnby Donald W Water squirt toy and fill valve combination
US4212460A (en) 1978-07-27 1980-07-15 Kraft Donald J Hollow water-filled game toy
US4257460A (en) 1979-06-12 1981-03-24 Paranay Bruce J Water gun
US4458830A (en) 1981-05-18 1984-07-10 Werding Winfried J Appliance for discharging a non-compressible liquid, creamy or pasty product under pressure
US4730786A (en) * 1984-08-15 1988-03-15 Nelson Walter R Low noise, flow limiting, laminar stream spout
US4657186A (en) * 1985-10-04 1987-04-14 Shapiro Eugene B Stream former
AU7588587A (en) * 1986-07-16 1988-02-10 Richard Friedrich Container with at least one chamber formed by a tubular body, tubular body, process and device for producing the same
US4735239A (en) * 1986-09-19 1988-04-05 Water Weenies, Inc. Liquid projecting device
US4854480A (en) 1988-01-04 1989-08-08 Shindo Robert S Long range trigger-actuated squirt gun
FR2625729B1 (fr) * 1988-01-08 1990-08-17 Step Soc Tech Pulverisation Dispositif de distribution de produit pateux
US4867208A (en) * 1988-02-04 1989-09-19 Fitzgerald Robert M Apparatus for storing and dispensing fluid under pressure
US4892081A (en) 1988-11-09 1990-01-09 Tonka Corporation Compressible ball launcher
US4991847A (en) 1989-01-23 1991-02-12 Elliot Rudell Timed water release toy
US4890838A (en) 1989-01-23 1990-01-02 Elliot Rudell Timed water release toy
US5011477A (en) * 1989-04-21 1991-04-30 Baxter International Inc. Continuous/bolus infusor
US5169065A (en) * 1990-06-15 1992-12-08 Naylor Industrial Services Method and apparatus for water jet cutting including improved nozzle
US5322191A (en) 1990-09-06 1994-06-21 Johnson Lonnie G Low pressure, high volume pressurized water gun
US5074437B1 (en) 1990-09-06 1997-12-16 Larami Limited Pinch trigger pump water gun
GB2277467B (en) * 1993-04-30 1996-12-18 Ecc Int Ltd Monitor stream-former
US5339987B1 (en) * 1993-06-28 2000-10-31 Andrade Bruce M D Controlled flow bursting water gun release mechanism
US5373833A (en) * 1993-07-12 1994-12-20 D'andrade; Bruce M. Projectile shooting air gun with bladder
US5373832A (en) * 1993-07-12 1994-12-20 D'andrade; Bruce M. Multi-shot soft projectile pressurized toy gun
US5392815A (en) * 1993-08-05 1995-02-28 Pacific Gas And Electric Company Gradational tube bundle flow conditioner for providing a natural flow profile to facilitate accurate orifice metering in fluid filled conduits
US5472145A (en) * 1994-04-14 1995-12-05 Delavan Inc. Straight stream nozzle
US5529525A (en) 1994-07-08 1996-06-25 Deal; Jeffry T. Water bomb - mounted water gun
US5531627A (en) * 1994-07-08 1996-07-02 Deal; Jeffry T. Cartridge-type water bomb water gun conversion device
US5438948A (en) * 1994-08-22 1995-08-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Elastomeric launch system for submarines

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10969193B2 (en) 2017-05-26 2021-04-06 Spyra GmbH Water gun

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0914183A1 (de) 1999-05-12
NZ505248A (en) 2001-12-21
DE69734001D1 (de) 2005-09-22
ES2247634T3 (es) 2006-03-01
AU726843B2 (en) 2000-11-23
AU3591797A (en) 1998-01-21
CA2486645A1 (en) 1998-01-08
CA2268924C (en) 2006-10-17
CA2268924A1 (en) 1998-01-08
NZ333049A (en) 2000-11-24
WO1998000214A1 (en) 1998-01-08
DE69734001T2 (de) 2006-04-13
ATE302052T1 (de) 2005-09-15
CA2486645C (en) 2006-05-30
EP0914183A4 (de) 2000-11-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5799827A (en) Bladder water gun
US6012609A (en) Bladder water gun
US5875927A (en) Toy gun having an expandable tear drop shaped bladder for ejection of liquid therefrom
US5531627A (en) Cartridge-type water bomb water gun conversion device
US5373833A (en) Projectile shooting air gun with bladder
US4257460A (en) Water gun
JP2517502B2 (ja) 空気圧式水鉄砲玩具
US5373832A (en) Multi-shot soft projectile pressurized toy gun
US5292032A (en) Pinch trigger water gun with rearwardly mounted hand pump
AU686194B2 (en) Controlled flow, bursting water gun release mechanism
US4854480A (en) Long range trigger-actuated squirt gun
US8875945B1 (en) Toy water gun apparatus
US5865344A (en) Water gun with refillable pressurized bladder chamber
US5779099A (en) Nozzle with turbulence control member for water gun laminar flow ejection
US5529525A (en) Water bomb - mounted water gun
US20050167441A1 (en) Single pump water gun with adjustable force pressure chamber
US5538457A (en) Water gun with turreted multiple water bomb launchers
US5531626A (en) Toy water bomb device
EP0914183B1 (de) Wasserpistole mit verbesserungen an blase und düse
US5303848A (en) Double position bayonet connection for pressure tank
US6158619A (en) Bladder gun with body mounted nozzle and quick-charged system
AU1840401A (en) Improved water bladder
AU1970801A (en) Bladder water gun, improved bladder and nozzle
US5332120A (en) Water arrow projecting bow
US20070289995A1 (en) Steady stream water gun

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: 19990212

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

R17P Request for examination filed (corrected)

Effective date: 19981212

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 6A 63H 3/18 A, 6F 41B 9/00 B

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7A 63H 3/18 A, 7F 41B 9/00 B, 7F 15D 1/06 B, 7B 05B 1/34 B

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20000915

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A4

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: 20031121

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: LARAMI LIMITED

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: D ANDRADE, BRUCE M.

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: 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: 20050817

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: 20050817

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: 20050817

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: 20050817

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: 20050817

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: 69734001

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20050922

Kind code of ref document: P

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: 20051117

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: 20051117

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: 20051117

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: 20060117

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2247634

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20060608

Year of fee payment: 10

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20060621

Year of fee payment: 10

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: IE

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

Effective date: 20060627

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: 20060630

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20060630

Year of fee payment: 10

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20060518

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

Ref country code: NL

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

Effective date: 20070101

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

Effective date: 20070101

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: DE

Payment date: 20070621

Year of fee payment: 11

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20070717

Year of fee payment: 11

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

Effective date: 20070627

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20080229

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: 20070627

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: 20060627

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: 20070702

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: 20090101

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20080628

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

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20070627

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: 20080628