EP0931658A1 - Ink jet device with filter element - Google Patents

Ink jet device with filter element Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0931658A1
EP0931658A1 EP99200089A EP99200089A EP0931658A1 EP 0931658 A1 EP0931658 A1 EP 0931658A1 EP 99200089 A EP99200089 A EP 99200089A EP 99200089 A EP99200089 A EP 99200089A EP 0931658 A1 EP0931658 A1 EP 0931658A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filter element
port
ink jet
jet device
ink
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
EP99200089A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0931658B1 (en
Inventor
Peter Joseph Hollands
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.)
Canon Production Printing Netherlands BV
Original Assignee
Oce Technologies BV
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 Oce Technologies BV filed Critical Oce Technologies BV
Priority to EP19990200089 priority Critical patent/EP0931658B1/en
Publication of EP0931658A1 publication Critical patent/EP0931658A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0931658B1 publication Critical patent/EP0931658B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17563—Ink filters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an ink jet device comprising an ink reservoir and a filter element made of a sheet-like material having a curved shape and sealingly disposed in a port of the ink reservoir.
  • an ink reservoir is incorporated in the printhead or in a separate cartridge and serves to accommodate a certain amount of liquid ink which is to be supplied to a nozzle system of the printhead.
  • a filter element is disposed either in an inlet port or an outlet port of the ink reservoir, so that the ink is filtered before It is supplied to the nozzle system.
  • the port should be sealed by the filter element so that the ink may not leak around the filter element.
  • US-A-5 537 136 discloses an ink jet device of the type indicated above wherein the filter element is a stainless steel wire mesh which has a spherically curved shape.
  • US-A-5 502 479 and EP-A-0 603 902 disclose similar ink jet devices in which the filter element is bent into a cylindrical shape so that it forms a slitted tubular member.
  • the filter element is secured in the port of the ink reservoir by means of an adhesive, by welding or by injection molding techniques.
  • an adhesive for example, as is disclosed in US-A-5 537 136, the edge of the dome-shaped filter element is imbedded in an elastomeric material by injection molding, so that a self-sealing cap is formed which is placed over the port of the ink reservoir.
  • the filter element is inserted in the port of the ink reservoir in an elastically formed state and is held in engagement with the walls of this port by its elastic restoration forces.
  • the filter element can simply be mounted by inserting it into the port in a slightly compressed state, and elastic restoration forces of the filter element will cause the same to expand again and to sealingly engage the walls of the port.
  • elastic restoration forces of the filter element will cause the same to expand again and to sealingly engage the walls of the port.
  • the filter element which may be woven or non-woven fabric of stainless steel fibres, has a tubular shape and is inserted into a channel defined between opposing walls of the port of the ink reservoir.
  • the walls of this channel are matched to the tubular shape of the filter element, so that the filter element will sealingly engage the walls of the channel in a larger surface area.
  • the port of the ink reservoir has a rectangular cross-section, and the channel extends in parallel with the longer sides of this rectangular cross-section. Both ends of the channel are prolonged by recesses or holes formed in the shorter side walls of the port, so that both ends of the tubular filter element can be accommodated in these recesses or holes. At least one end of the channel is formed as a through-hole in the side wall of the port, so that the filter element can be inserted into the channel through this through-hole which may then be closed with a plug or the like.
  • An ink reservoir 10 in an ink cartidge or a printhead of an ink jet printer is formed by a casing having a bottom wall 12, two parallel longer side walls 14 and two parallel shorter side walls 16.
  • the side walls 14, 16 define an inlet port 18 which has an elongated rectangular cross-section when viewed from above. Liquid ink can be filled into the ink reservoir 10 through the inlet port 18.
  • Outlet ports 20, through which the ink is supplied to a nozzle system (not shown) of the printhead, are formed as elongate slots in the side walls 14 close to the bottom wall 12.
  • the internal surfaces of the longer side walls 14 are formed with elongate recesses which have the cross-sectional shape of a segment of a circle and are mutually opposed to each other so that they define a cylindrical channel 22 which extends in parallel with the side walls 14.
  • This channel 22 accommodates a filter element 24.
  • the filter element 24 is formed by a rectangular sheet of stainless steel mesh or fabric which has been rolled or bent into a tubular shape, so that it has the configuration of a circular cylinder with a longitudinal slit 26.
  • the channel accommodating the filter element 24 is slightly inclined and is extended into the shorter side walls 16 of the ink reservoir.
  • the lower end of the channel 22 terminates in a blind hole or recess 28 in one of the side walls 16, whereas the other end of the channel is formed as a through-hole 30 penetrating the other side wall 16.
  • the opposite ends of the tubular filter element 24 are accommodated in the recess 28 and the through-hole 30, respectively, so that the total cross-section of the port 18 is completely blocked by the filter element, and the mesh of the filter element is in surface-to-surface engagement with the internal surfaces of the recess 28, the through-hole 30 and the portions of the side walls 14 defining the channel 22.
  • the ink liquid filled-in through the port 18 is forced to pass through the filter element 24 and is prevented from leaking around the filter element.
  • the through-hole 30 is closed by a plug 32.
  • a rod-like sensor element 34 is imbedded in the plug 32 and extends coaxially in the tubular filter element 24.
  • This sensor element 34 may for example serve as a level detector for detecting the level of the ink liquid in the ink reservoir or the port 18 thereof or, in case of a hot-melt ink jet device, as a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the hot-melt ink.
  • the metal mesh forming the filter element 24 has a certain elasticity, and the tubular filter element, in its natural state, has a radius of curvature which is slightly larger than the one shown in Fig. 1.
  • the filter element When the filter element is mounted in the ink reservoir 10, it is slightly compressed in lateral direction in Fig. 1, so that the slit 26 becomes narrower and the filter element can be inserted into the channel 22 through the through-hole 30. Then, due to its own elasticity, the filter element 24 tends to flex back into its natural state, until its outer surface firmly engages the internal surfaces of the channel 22. The filter element 24 is then held in the channel 22 in a slightly compressed state. In this way, the filter element can be firmly secured in the ink reservoir 10 without the aid of any adhesive and without employing any other bonding techniques.
  • the assembly is completed by inserting the plug 32 with the sensor element 34.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

Ink jet device comprising an ink reservoir (10) and a filter element (24) made of a sheet-like material having a curved shape and sealingly disposed in a port (18) of the ink reservoir, characterized in that the filter element (24) is inserted in the port (18) in an elastically deformed state and is held in engagement with the walls (14) of this port by its elastic restoration forces.

Description

  • The invention relates to an ink jet device comprising an ink reservoir and a filter element made of a sheet-like material having a curved shape and sealingly disposed in a port of the ink reservoir.
  • In an ink jet device, such as an ink jet printer, an ink reservoir is incorporated in the printhead or in a separate cartridge and serves to accommodate a certain amount of liquid ink which is to be supplied to a nozzle system of the printhead. In order to avoid that the nozzle system becomes clogged with particulate matter, a filter element is disposed either in an inlet port or an outlet port of the ink reservoir, so that the ink is filtered before It is supplied to the nozzle system. The port should be sealed by the filter element so that the ink may not leak around the filter element.
  • US-A-5 537 136 discloses an ink jet device of the type indicated above wherein the filter element is a stainless steel wire mesh which has a spherically curved shape. US-A-5 502 479 and EP-A-0 603 902 disclose similar ink jet devices in which the filter element is bent into a cylindrical shape so that it forms a slitted tubular member.
  • In these known devices the filter element is secured in the port of the ink reservoir by means of an adhesive, by welding or by injection molding techniques. For example, as is disclosed in US-A-5 537 136, the edge of the dome-shaped filter element is imbedded in an elastomeric material by injection molding, so that a self-sealing cap is formed which is placed over the port of the ink reservoir.
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet device of the type indicated above which can be manufactured more efficiently.
  • This object is achieved with the features indicated in claim 1.
  • According to the invention, the filter element is inserted in the port of the ink reservoir in an elastically formed state and is held in engagement with the walls of this port by its elastic restoration forces.
  • Thus, the filter element can simply be mounted by inserting it into the port in a slightly compressed state, and elastic restoration forces of the filter element will cause the same to expand again and to sealingly engage the walls of the port. As a result, neither the use of an adhesive, nor welding or molding techniques are required for securely mounting filter element.
  • More specific optional features of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.
  • In a preferred embodiment the filter element, which may be woven or non-woven fabric of stainless steel fibres, has a tubular shape and is inserted into a channel defined between opposing walls of the port of the ink reservoir. Preferably, the walls of this channel are matched to the tubular shape of the filter element, so that the filter element will sealingly engage the walls of the channel in a larger surface area.
  • In a particularly preferred embodiment, the port of the ink reservoir has a rectangular cross-section, and the channel extends in parallel with the longer sides of this rectangular cross-section. Both ends of the channel are prolonged by recesses or holes formed in the shorter side walls of the port, so that both ends of the tubular filter element can be accommodated in these recesses or holes. At least one end of the channel is formed as a through-hole in the side wall of the port, so that the filter element can be inserted into the channel through this through-hole which may then be closed with a plug or the like.
  • A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
    • Fig. 1
    is a cross-sectional view of an ink reservoir and a filter element of an ink jet device; and
    Fig. 2
    is a longitudinal section of the ink reservoir with the filter element fitted therein.
  • An ink reservoir 10 in an ink cartidge or a printhead of an ink jet printer is formed by a casing having a bottom wall 12, two parallel longer side walls 14 and two parallel shorter side walls 16. In the top part of the ink reservoir, the side walls 14, 16 define an inlet port 18 which has an elongated rectangular cross-section when viewed from above. Liquid ink can be filled into the ink reservoir 10 through the inlet port 18. Outlet ports 20, through which the ink is supplied to a nozzle system (not shown) of the printhead, are formed as elongate slots in the side walls 14 close to the bottom wall 12.
  • In a portion of the inlet port 18 the internal surfaces of the longer side walls 14 are formed with elongate recesses which have the cross-sectional shape of a segment of a circle and are mutually opposed to each other so that they define a cylindrical channel 22 which extends in parallel with the side walls 14. This channel 22 accommodates a filter element 24.
  • The filter element 24 is formed by a rectangular sheet of stainless steel mesh or fabric which has been rolled or bent into a tubular shape, so that it has the configuration of a circular cylinder with a longitudinal slit 26.
  • As is shown in Fig. 2, the channel accommodating the filter element 24 is slightly inclined and is extended into the shorter side walls 16 of the ink reservoir. The lower end of the channel 22 terminates in a blind hole or recess 28 in one of the side walls 16, whereas the other end of the channel is formed as a through-hole 30 penetrating the other side wall 16. The opposite ends of the tubular filter element 24 are accommodated in the recess 28 and the through-hole 30, respectively, so that the total cross-section of the port 18 is completely blocked by the filter element, and the mesh of the filter element is in surface-to-surface engagement with the internal surfaces of the recess 28, the through-hole 30 and the portions of the side walls 14 defining the channel 22. Thus, the ink liquid filled-in through the port 18 is forced to pass through the filter element 24 and is prevented from leaking around the filter element.
  • The through-hole 30 is closed by a plug 32. In the shown embodiment a rod-like sensor element 34 is imbedded in the plug 32 and extends coaxially in the tubular filter element 24. This sensor element 34 may for example serve as a level detector for detecting the level of the ink liquid in the ink reservoir or the port 18 thereof or, in case of a hot-melt ink jet device, as a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the hot-melt ink.
  • The metal mesh forming the filter element 24 has a certain elasticity, and the tubular filter element, in its natural state, has a radius of curvature which is slightly larger than the one shown in Fig. 1. When the filter element is mounted in the ink reservoir 10, it is slightly compressed in lateral direction in Fig. 1, so that the slit 26 becomes narrower and the filter element can be inserted into the channel 22 through the through-hole 30. Then, due to its own elasticity, the filter element 24 tends to flex back into its natural state, until its outer surface firmly engages the internal surfaces of the channel 22. The filter element 24 is then held in the channel 22 in a slightly compressed state. In this way, the filter element can be firmly secured in the ink reservoir 10 without the aid of any adhesive and without employing any other bonding techniques. The assembly is completed by inserting the plug 32 with the sensor element 34.
  • Under normal conditions the elasticity is large enough to ensure an ink-tight contact between the filter element and the ink reservoir. It is however possible to enhance this pressure by inserting a pressurizing element into the filter element 24 such as a spiral spring or long leaf spring.

Claims (10)

  1. Ink jet device comprising an ink reservoir (10) and a filter element (24) made of a sheet-like material having a curved shape and sealingly disposed in a port (18) of the ink reservoir, characterized in that the filter element (24) is inserted in the port (18) in an elastically deformed state and is held in engagement with the walls (14) of this port by its elastic restoration forces.
  2. Ink jet device according to claim 1, wherein the filter element (24) has a tubular shape.
  3. Ink jet device according to claim 2, wherein the tubular filter element (24) has a longitudinal slit (26).
  4. Ink jet device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the port (18) has an elongated rectangular shape and the filter element (24) extends in parallel with the longer walls (14) of the port.
  5. Ink jet device according to claim 4, wherein the internal surfaces of the longer walls (14) of the port (18) are formed with mutually opposing recesses defining a channel (22) in which the filter element (24) is accommodated.
  6. Ink jet device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein recesses (28) and/or holes (30) are formed in the shorter side walls (16) of the port (18), and the opposite ends of the filter element (24) are accommodated in these recesses (28) or holes (30):
  7. Ink jet device according to claim 6, wherein one of the holes (30) is formed as a through-hole penetrating the side wall (16) of the port (18) and the outer end of this through-hole (30) is closed by a plug (32).
  8. Ink jet device according to claim 7, wherein a sensor element (34) is incorporated in the plug (32) and extends into the tubular filter element (24),
  9. Ink jet device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element (24) is made of metal mesh or a fabric of metal fibres.
  10. Ink jet device according to any of the preceding claims, adapted for use with hot-melt ink.
EP19990200089 1998-01-23 1999-01-12 Ink jet device with filter element Expired - Lifetime EP0931658B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19990200089 EP0931658B1 (en) 1998-01-23 1999-01-12 Ink jet device with filter element

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98200188 1998-01-23
EP98200188 1998-01-23
EP19990200089 EP0931658B1 (en) 1998-01-23 1999-01-12 Ink jet device with filter element

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0931658A1 true EP0931658A1 (en) 1999-07-28
EP0931658B1 EP0931658B1 (en) 2003-11-26

Family

ID=26149984

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19990200089 Expired - Lifetime EP0931658B1 (en) 1998-01-23 1999-01-12 Ink jet device with filter element

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0931658B1 (en)

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5933154A (en) * 1982-08-19 1984-02-22 Canon Inc Ink jet recorder
JPH01133747A (en) * 1987-11-20 1989-05-25 Canon Inc Liquid jet recording head
EP0488829A2 (en) * 1990-11-30 1992-06-03 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink container and recording head having same
EP0603902A2 (en) 1992-12-25 1994-06-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid jet-head and liquid jet apparatus having said liquid jet-head used therefor
JPH06326447A (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-11-25 Tokyo Kakoki Kk Drying device
US5477256A (en) * 1992-03-27 1995-12-19 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Ink mist filter
US5502479A (en) 1992-06-16 1996-03-26 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet cartridge and ink jet apparatus having same
US5537136A (en) 1993-12-07 1996-07-16 Lexmark International, Inc. Ink jet cartridge including filter inserts
EP0730966A2 (en) * 1995-02-21 1996-09-11 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink container and manufacturing method therefor
JPH08267778A (en) * 1995-03-31 1996-10-15 Canon Inc Ink tank and method for attaching filter to ink tank
EP0791464A2 (en) * 1996-02-21 1997-08-27 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Ink supply device and recording apparatus

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5933154A (en) * 1982-08-19 1984-02-22 Canon Inc Ink jet recorder
JPH01133747A (en) * 1987-11-20 1989-05-25 Canon Inc Liquid jet recording head
EP0488829A2 (en) * 1990-11-30 1992-06-03 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink container and recording head having same
US5477256A (en) * 1992-03-27 1995-12-19 Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. Ink mist filter
US5502479A (en) 1992-06-16 1996-03-26 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet cartridge and ink jet apparatus having same
EP0603902A2 (en) 1992-12-25 1994-06-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid jet-head and liquid jet apparatus having said liquid jet-head used therefor
JPH06326447A (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-11-25 Tokyo Kakoki Kk Drying device
US5537136A (en) 1993-12-07 1996-07-16 Lexmark International, Inc. Ink jet cartridge including filter inserts
EP0730966A2 (en) * 1995-02-21 1996-09-11 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink container and manufacturing method therefor
JPH08267778A (en) * 1995-03-31 1996-10-15 Canon Inc Ink tank and method for attaching filter to ink tank
EP0791464A2 (en) * 1996-02-21 1997-08-27 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Ink supply device and recording apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 008, no. 132 (M - 303) 20 June 1984 (1984-06-20) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 013, no. 380 (M - 863) 23 August 1989 (1989-08-23) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 095, no. 002 31 March 1995 (1995-03-31) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 097, no. 002 28 February 1997 (1997-02-28) *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0931658B1 (en) 2003-11-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4946040A (en) Device for fitting a connecting nipple on a pouch
KR100398998B1 (en) Fluid filter
US20040050766A1 (en) Filter cartridge with floating seal
EP0791290B1 (en) Regulated flow-restrictor device for drip irrigation
RU94007347A (en) DEVICE AND METHOD OF INTRODUCTION SEALING INTO THE CLEARANCE
US6152560A (en) Ink jet device with a filter element
EP0600286B1 (en) Fluid substance dispenser with deformable head
SE466892B (en) FILTER DEVICE
CN112807831B (en) Water filter cartridge assembly, method of replacing water filter cartridge, and refrigerator
EP0475610A1 (en) Fuel tank filter
US5556543A (en) Filter for filtering gaseous and liquid media
PT781402E (en) CUP-SHAPED PRESSURE RESERVOIR AND PROCESS FOR OPTIMIZING THE SAME
EP0795408B1 (en) Ink jet recording apparatus and ink cartridge
CA1182055A (en) Float bag hold down for a filter
EP0931658B1 (en) Ink jet device with filter element
EP0212975B1 (en) Filtering device
JP4402038B2 (en) Suction filter and fuel supply device using the same
JP2007511361A (en) Filter structure
DE19710969C2 (en) Ink tank for an inkjet printer or plotter
US8496119B2 (en) Two piece non-metallic relief valve
US5919363A (en) Filter having pinched ends for improved sealing effect
EP0296607B1 (en) Multifunctional pen
EP0842674A3 (en) Système de drainage
US6113296A (en) Valve arrangement for controlling a flow of fluid between two fluid chambers and writing implement provided therewith
KR200144704Y1 (en) Elastic strainer to filter this material out of fluid

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): DE FR GB NL

AX Request for extension of the european patent

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000128

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE FR GB NL

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB NL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69913006

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20040108

Kind code of ref document: P

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20040827

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20150114

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20150121

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20150122

Year of fee payment: 17

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20150121

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69913006

Country of ref document: DE

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

Effective date: 20160112

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20160201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20160930

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: 20160802

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20160112

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: 20160201

Ref country code: NL

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

Effective date: 20160201