EP0943039A1 - Abgabevorrichtung - Google Patents

Abgabevorrichtung

Info

Publication number
EP0943039A1
EP0943039A1 EP97953091A EP97953091A EP0943039A1 EP 0943039 A1 EP0943039 A1 EP 0943039A1 EP 97953091 A EP97953091 A EP 97953091A EP 97953091 A EP97953091 A EP 97953091A EP 0943039 A1 EP0943039 A1 EP 0943039A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
body part
catches
catch
dispenser
hinge
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
EP97953091A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0943039B1 (de
Inventor
Guy R. Thompson
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.)
SC Johnson and Son Inc
Original Assignee
SC Johnson and Son Inc
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 SC Johnson and Son Inc filed Critical SC Johnson and Son Inc
Publication of EP0943039A1 publication Critical patent/EP0943039A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0943039B1 publication Critical patent/EP0943039B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03DWATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/02Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
    • E03D9/03Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing consisting of a separate container with an outlet through which the agent is introduced into the flushing water, e.g. by suction ; Devices for agents in direct contact with flushing water
    • E03D9/032Devices connected to or dispensing into the bowl
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D50/00Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures
    • B65D50/02Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions
    • B65D50/04Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one
    • B65D50/045Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one where one action elastically deforms or deflects at least part of the closure, the container or an intermediate element, e.g. a ring
    • B65D50/046Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures openable or removable by the combination of plural actions requiring the combination of simultaneous actions, e.g. depressing and turning, lifting and turning, maintaining a part and turning another one where one action elastically deforms or deflects at least part of the closure, the container or an intermediate element, e.g. a ring and such deformation causes the disengagement of locking means, e.g. the release of a pawl-like element from a tooth or abutment, to allow removal of the closure by simultaneous rotation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for dispensing a product into the bowl of a water closet (toilet).
  • a device for dispensing a product into the bowl of a water closet toilet
  • the product placed in such a dispenser is in the form of a block of solid material, and is sometimes known as a rim block.
  • the dispenser is sometimes described as a rim block cage.
  • rim blocks usually consisted only of fragrancing materials.
  • Refiliable rim block dispensers were known, but there was not a great need to provide them with child resistant closures.
  • rim blocks containing bleaching agents have been put on the market, and the desirability of ensuring the child resistance of any refiliable dispensers has increased.
  • a number of refiliable dispensers have been placed on the market in some countries. For example, one company markets a bleaching rim block in a dispenser with a catch released by pressing the end of the suspension hook into the cage. Other refiliable dispensers currently on the market are not reliably child resistant.
  • Toilet blocks are relatively low cost products. They are used in dispensers which are attached to the rim of toilet bowls.
  • the dispensers for reasons of cost, are often produced as a single plastics molding which includes a hook and two body parts joined by a molded hinge. Once the toilet block has been placed in the dispenser by the manufacturer, no one will wish to obtain access to the toilet block within the cage. Any need to open the dispenser will only arise in the case of refiliable dispensers when a replacement block will be inserted after the original block has been exhausted.
  • Child-resistant packages based on containers with a hinged cover are known for other products such as medicines. In such containers, the user needs to gain access to the container at relatively frequent intervals in order to remove the medicine contained within.
  • Hinged containers for medicines in which the catches on one part of the container engage with apertures on another part of the container are disclosed, for example, in US Patent No. 5,346,069.
  • This patent discloses the use of two types of catches. Both types must be opened before the container itself can be opened. However, the catches are designed to be opened sequentially. The ability to open each set of catches in sequence simplifies the opening procedure, which is desirable for a container intended to be frequently opened. Attempts to operate all the catches simultaneously are stated to be counter-productive.
  • a dispenser suitable for attachment to the rim of a toilet bowl comprises a body adapted to receive a block of product to be dispensed into the toilet bowl and a hook attached to the body for suspending the body from the rim of a toilet bowl.
  • the body comprises first and second body parts relatively rotatable about a hinge and at least one releasable catch for holding the said body parts in a closed position, said hook being attached to said first body part.
  • the dispenser has a plurality of catches for holding the body parts in a closed position, and at least two first indirect catches are disposed such that pressure on the body on opposed sides of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge is required to release the catches, and at least on e second indirect catch is disposed on the dispenser opposite the hinge, said indirect catch being releasable by pressure on the second body part in a direction substantially at right angles to the hinge, the said catches being so shaped that all the catches must be released simultaneously to open the body.
  • a catch for use in the present invention will generally comprise an engaging member which projects from one body part and is sufficiently resilient to ride over a locking member associated with the other body part as the body is caused to close, the locking member retaining the engaging member and so holding the body closed until the catch is released.
  • Catches used in child resistant containers may be classified as direct or indirect catches.
  • Direct catches are opened by manipulating the engaging member directly.
  • Indirect catches are opened by manipulating the body rather than the engaging means itself. It is preferred to use catches which are released by compressive forces applied towards the interior of the body. In other words, it is preferred to open the body by pressing rather than pulling.
  • the two body parts may be hinged together so that the hinge is at one side of the body (the side carrying the hook being considered as the top).
  • the hinge is on the lower side of the body opposite the hook, so that the second body part is opened by rotating it downwards.
  • the catch may be in the form of an engaging means in the form of a lug projecting forwardly from the edge of one body part towards the other body part (when the body is closed) and which carries a outwardly projecting part (outwardly in relation to the surface of the adjacent body part) which engages with a locking member in the other body part.
  • the locking member may be an aperture extending thorough the body part or a recess within the body part.
  • the body is made of material which is resiliently deformable under pressure
  • the body part carrying the lugs can be deformed by pressing on it adjacent to the lugs so as to deform it sufficiently to move the lugs inwardly (towards the interior of the body) to disengage the projecting portions on the lugs from the locking members in the other body part.
  • the catches can be made resistant to opening by direct pressure on the catches, even if the catches are accessible through apertures in the body.
  • the indirect catches may be/have forwardly projecting lugs that lie outside the other body part, and inwardly directed projections which engage locking members, e.g. apertures, in the other body part. Such catches will be released by applying pressure on the body part which carries the locking member rather than the part which carries the lugs.
  • the second indirect catch may be constructed in a similar way to the first catch. It is preferred to provide only one indirect catch on the second body part, and it may be desirable to make this catch somewhat larger than the first indirect catches. However, because it is an indirect catch, it is not necessary to provide a projecting portion which is as large as would be required if the catch were a direct catch released by direct finger pressure on the projection portion itself. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide an aperture in the first body part through which the projecting portion can be subjected to direct finger pressure. As a result, it is possible to use a catch which extends forward of the second body part t a lesser extent than would be the case if a direct catch were to be used.
  • toilet blocks are often introduced into dispensers in mechanized filling lines.
  • the block is placed inside the unfolded open dispenser.
  • the dispenser is then closed by hinging one body part towards the other.
  • the dispensers are inexpensive plastics moldings and the hinges will not always be perfect. If there are excessively long lugs or the like projecting from one body part towards the other body part, there is a risk that the catches will not engage correctly when the body is closed in the manufacturing process.
  • lugs may extend over the outer surface where they are intended to engage with an inner surface.
  • the first indirect catches are in the form of lugs carrying the projections mounted on the first body part (which carries the hook) which interact with apertures in the second body part. This enables the pressure from opposed sides of the first body part necessary to release the indirect catches to be applied by extending a hand across the length of the dispenser, leaving the other hand free to act from the front to rotate the second body part about the hinge when the direct catch has been released.
  • first catches and the second catch or catches are preferred to have the first catches and the second catch or catches on different body parts.
  • pressure in directions parallel to the hinge to open not only the first catches which it is intended to release by such pressure, but also to deform the second body part so as to release the second catch.
  • pressure members projecting from one body part and bearing against the other body part, the pressure members being so disposed so as to resist any deformation of a body part which results indirectly from the manipulation of that body part to release a catch of one type (first or second catches) and which tends to release a catch of the other type.
  • These pressure members are to be distinguished from the catches mentioned above in that the pressure members do not engage with a body part so as to resist opening and closing the body by hinging the body parts together.
  • the pressure members may conveniently be ribs projecting from one body part towards the other body part and which bear against an inner surface of the other body part when the body is closed.
  • the ribs may be provided with curved ends to facilitate the closure of the body when the other body part rides over the curved end of the rib as the body parts are hinged together.
  • a pressure member to counteract the involuntary opening of the second catch or catches resulting from the force applied to open the first catch.
  • at least two pressure members are provided disposed to bear against an inner surface of the second body part on either side of the second catch.
  • pressure members more preferably two for each catch, are provided corresponding to all the catches on the dispenser body.
  • the catches are so shaped that one catch cannot be released by the application of pressure and left in a released state while the other catches are still engaged. While the body parts are together, the catches are only in a released state when pressure is applied, and return to the engaged position as soon as pressure is released. All catches must therefore be released simultaneously to open the body. The skilled person will be readily able to provide catch arrangements meeting this condition.
  • the catches are preferably provided with means, such as barbs, which facilitate locking the catches when the body parts are brought together, but which resist release unless pressure is applied to the body to release the catches.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of dispenser in the open position according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of a dispenser similar to that shown in Figure 1 in the open position showing the surfaces that form the exterior of the dispenser in the closed position
  • Figure 3 is a cross section of an open dispenser taken through the center line of the view shown in Figure 2
  • Figure 4 is a view of one end of the molding of Figure 2
  • Figure 5 is a view of the opposite end of the open dispenser of Figure 2.
  • the dispenser comprises a body (1) for receiving a block of material (not shown) and a hook (2) of conventional form (shown only in part) attached to its upper end by which the dispenser may be attached to the rim of a toilet bowl.
  • the body (1) is provided with apertures (3) by which water may enter and/or leave the body (1) when the toilet bowl is flushed.
  • the dispenser is a single molding made from a suitable thermoplastics material.
  • the molding comprises a first part which comprises the hook (2) and a first body part (4) which is linked to a second part comprising a second body part (5) by molded hinge portions (6).
  • the body parts (4,5) carry three locking members (7,8,9) comprising short projecting lugs which terminate in barbs (10,11 ,12).
  • the lugs and barbs in body part (4) (8,9,11 ,12) engage with two apertures (13) in body part (5) (only one of which is visible in the drawing), and the lug and barb in body part (5) engage with a recess (14) (not visible in Figure 1).
  • the body parts and projections are sufficiently flexible to allow the barbs to enter the corresponding apertures so as to hold the body (1) closed. The barbs, however, resist separation of the two body parts (4) and (5).
  • the catches (8,9) in body part (4) are provided in extensions (15,16) of the body part which are dished so as to facilitate the application of finger pressure to the body part in the vicinity of the lugs and barbs (8,11 ,9,12).
  • these extensions close corresponding spaces (17,18) provided in the body part (5).
  • a dished portion (19) in body part (5) facilitates the application of finger pressure in the vicinity of barb (10).
  • Two projecting ribs (20) are provided extending from body part (4).
  • the ends (21) of these ribs are curved on their upper sides.
  • the barb (10) on catch (7) will ride over the inner surface of body part (4) until it engages the internal recess in body part (4) and is held in engagement.
  • the catches (8,9) engage with apertures (13) in body part (5).
  • the embodiment shown in Figures 2,3,4 and 5 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 , and the same numbers are used to identify the same parts as in Figure 1.
  • the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 has projecting ribs (22) with curved ends (23) (similar to ribs (20)) in body part (5) on either side of the apertures (13).
  • the edge of the body part (4), which faces towards a corresponding edge of body part (5) in the closed position, has a barb (24) over which the barb (10) can ride when the body parts are rotated towards each other to close the body and which retains the barb (10) in recess (14) so as to hold the body parts together.
  • the body part (4) has an aperture (25) communicating with the recess (14). This aperture is provided for convenience in molding the dispenser but plays no part in the use of the dispenser.
  • the body part (5) has a recess (26) which is also provided for convenience in molding but plays no part in the use of the dispenser.
  • the dispenser of the present invention may be manufactured utilizing inexpensive molding, without compromising the ability of the unfolded open dispensers to be filled with toilet block product and successfully closed by hinging one body part towards the other on mechanized filling lines.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Encapsulation Of And Coatings For Semiconductor Or Solid State Devices (AREA)
  • Formation And Processing Of Food Products (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
  • Toilet Supplies (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
EP97953091A 1996-12-05 1997-12-05 Abgabevorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP0943039B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9625323 1996-12-05
GBGB9625323.2A GB9625323D0 (en) 1996-12-05 1996-12-05 Dispensing device
PCT/US1997/022324 WO1998024988A1 (en) 1996-12-05 1997-12-05 Dispensing device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0943039A1 true EP0943039A1 (de) 1999-09-22
EP0943039B1 EP0943039B1 (de) 2003-04-09

Family

ID=10804009

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97953091A Expired - Lifetime EP0943039B1 (de) 1996-12-05 1997-12-05 Abgabevorrichtung

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0943039B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE237039T1 (de)
AU (1) AU721766B2 (de)
DE (1) DE69720764T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2195195T3 (de)
GB (1) GB9625323D0 (de)
WO (1) WO1998024988A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2347150A (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-30 Johnson & Son Inc S C Dispensing device with two-stage closure arrangement
WO2016040341A1 (en) 2014-09-08 2016-03-17 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rimblock and method of making such rimblock
USD752198S1 (en) 2015-03-18 2016-03-22 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rim block holder
USD752733S1 (en) 2015-03-18 2016-03-29 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rim block holder
GB201600930D0 (en) * 2016-01-19 2016-03-02 Obrist Closures Switzerland A child-resistant closure system
USD789485S1 (en) 2016-05-17 2017-06-13 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rim block holder
USD784491S1 (en) 2016-05-17 2017-04-18 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rim block
USD850578S1 (en) 2017-01-31 2019-06-04 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rimblock
USD841120S1 (en) 2017-01-31 2019-02-19 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rim-block
USD914131S1 (en) 2019-06-07 2021-03-23 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rim-block holder
USD912761S1 (en) 2019-06-07 2021-03-09 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rim-block
USD923139S1 (en) 2019-06-07 2021-06-22 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Set of toilet rim-blocks

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4219116A (en) * 1979-02-28 1980-08-26 Pharmacaps, Inc. Child-resistant container and safety closure therefor
DE8030265U1 (de) * 1980-11-13 1981-03-12 Max Hübner GmbH & Co, 8950 Kaufbeuren Kindersicherer Verpackungsbehaelter
FR2643665B1 (fr) * 1989-02-28 1991-06-21 Oreal Procede pour la mise en place d'un produit solide hydrosoluble dans une cuvette de toilettes et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede
FR2677386B1 (fr) * 1991-06-04 1993-10-15 Reckitt Colman Dispositif d'ouverture de securite, notamment pour blocs destines aux wc.
US5346069A (en) * 1992-09-24 1994-09-13 Intini Thomas D Container
DE4428970A1 (de) * 1994-08-16 1996-02-22 Buck Chemie Gmbh WC-Körbchen
DE9420824U1 (de) * 1994-12-28 1995-03-02 Globol Gmbh, 86633 Neuburg Einhängevorrichtung für WCs

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9824988A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2195195T3 (es) 2003-12-01
AU5690498A (en) 1998-06-29
WO1998024988A1 (en) 1998-06-11
EP0943039B1 (de) 2003-04-09
GB9625323D0 (en) 1997-01-22
AU721766B2 (en) 2000-07-13
ATE237039T1 (de) 2003-04-15
DE69720764D1 (de) 2003-05-15
DE69720764T2 (de) 2004-02-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6311340B1 (en) Dispensing device
US5718347A (en) Child resistant, user friendly container and closure
EP0943039B1 (de) Abgabevorrichtung
AU748433B2 (en) Child-resistant container
NZ206832A (en) Child-resistant container: requires two dissimilar movements to open
US4890742A (en) Child-resistant moisture-proof container
AU691618B2 (en) Closure with opening assist feature
US4730731A (en) Child-resistant container
RU2328429C2 (ru) Раздаточное устройство для таблеток с защитой от детей
US6213351B1 (en) Push body valve closure
EP0784576B1 (de) Verschluss mit einsetzbarer garantieanordnung
JPH0825568B2 (ja) ディスペンス可能なクロージュアおよびその容器パッケージ
EP0365316A2 (de) Ausgabeverschluss
CA2147997A1 (en) Child resistant closure with recessed latch
US6854619B2 (en) Flip-top closure with child resistant packaging system
AU717360B2 (en) Closure with a tamper-indicating element optionally suitable for use as a tool
US5462183A (en) Closure with a tamper-evident element
AU734445B2 (en) Dispensing device
WO2000050699A1 (en) Dispensing device
AU740998B2 (en) Dispensing device
JP2002509058A (ja) 一体的なロッキング・スイッチと開封された証拠を残す構造とを有する取り出し用閉鎖体
CN210654402U (zh) 安全储物盒
AU679338B2 (en) Closure with a tamper-evident element
GB2307229A (en) A safety closure for re-fillable containers
MXPA97006434A (en) Closure with apert help characteristics

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: 19990525

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 NL PT SE

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20020612

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

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU 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: 20030409

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: 20030409

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: 20030409

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: 20030409

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: 20030409

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: 20030409

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

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: 20030709

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: 20030709

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: 20030709

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: 20030709

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: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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: 20031205

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20031205

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: 20031209

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: 20040112

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20031209

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: 20051205

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20051216

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20070831

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: 20070102

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20161128

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20161121

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 69720764

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20171204

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 EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20171204