EP0956102B1 - A sprinkler head triggering apparatus - Google Patents

A sprinkler head triggering apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0956102B1
EP0956102B1 EP96907836A EP96907836A EP0956102B1 EP 0956102 B1 EP0956102 B1 EP 0956102B1 EP 96907836 A EP96907836 A EP 96907836A EP 96907836 A EP96907836 A EP 96907836A EP 0956102 B1 EP0956102 B1 EP 0956102B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
valve
triggering apparatus
valve piston
channel
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
EP96907836A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0956102A1 (en
Inventor
Anders Kjellberg
Bo Kure
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.)
Kure Fastighets- & Forvaltnings AB
Original Assignee
Kure Fastighets- & Forvaltnings AB
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 Kure Fastighets- & Forvaltnings AB filed Critical Kure Fastighets- & Forvaltnings AB
Publication of EP0956102A1 publication Critical patent/EP0956102A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0956102B1 publication Critical patent/EP0956102B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/08—Control of fire-fighting equipment comprising an outlet device containing a sensor, or itself being the sensor, i.e. self-contained sprinklers
    • A62C37/10—Releasing means, e.g. electrically released
    • A62C37/11—Releasing means, e.g. electrically released heat-sensitive
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C31/00—Delivery of fire-extinguishing material
    • A62C31/02—Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a sprinkler head triggering apparatus, comprising a spray nozzle with an actuator being releasable by heating to a certain temperature, and which normally holds a valve piston in a closed position against a valve seat, which valve piston, at release of the actuator, is movable in a piston sleeve in the direction away from said seat, for opening a flow passage from a feed line for pressurized water to the spray nozzle.
  • Sprinkler heads are used in sprinkler systems for fire extinguishing inside plants, buildings and on ships.
  • a triggering device comprising an actuator, e.g. a glass bulb which is actuated by heating to a high ambient temperature.
  • an actuator e.g. a glass bulb which is actuated by heating to a high ambient temperature.
  • WO-A-9321998 it is also known from WO-A-9321998 to provide such a glass bulb with an electrode which may explode the bulb electrically by remote control, e.g. by a signal from a smoke detector or for functional testing.
  • a drawback with sprinkler systems which are equipped with such actuator means is that the functional testing of the system is very difficult to perform. For example, each bulb must be exchanged and the restoration of the system to normal function thus takes a long time. Normally there are regulations for performing such function testing according to a certain regularity.
  • One purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a triggering apparatus which can be released directly both mechanically by means of a heat fuse, and also by means of electrical remote control, e.g. via a smoke detector, without the need for particular flow valves.
  • Another object is to provide a triggering apparatus which is simple to test functionally.
  • the flow passage is openable in the normal closed position of the valve piston with intact actuator, via a remote control operated pilot piston, that the valve piston is provided with a central bore and a first angular passage, and that the central bore and the first angular passage together with a second annular passage through a bulb screw, and a space form the flow passage which may be opened by the pilot piston.
  • the triggering apparatus according to the invention is in the following embodiment shown together with a sprinkler head of a special high pressure type, but the invention is not limited to this type of sprinkler nozzles.
  • the nozzle comprises a holder 10 which forms an attachment for a nozzle head 11.
  • This head 11 is in its turn mounted in the holder 10 by means of a bulb screw 12 which projects with one of its ends into the holder and which carries a bulb protector 13 at its other end.
  • a glass bulb 14 is mounted at the outer end of a valve piston 15 which is movable journalled inside the bulb screw 12, in such a way that the piston 15 is held in a closed position against a valve seat.
  • This valve seat is formed by a conical part 16 of a secondary piston 17.
  • the glass bulb 14 If the glass bulb 14 is subjected to heat above a certain temperature, e.g. 70°C, the bulb breaks and the valve piston 15 is able to move in the direction downward in Fig. 1, by the action of a fluid pressure prevailing within the space 18. This pressure is transmitted to the space via a feed line which is not shown in the drawing and which is connected at right angle to said space, acting against the end edge of said valve piston 15, which in this end portion is provided with an axially projecting, central bore 19.
  • a feed line which is not shown in the drawing and which is connected at right angle to said space, acting against the end edge of said valve piston 15, which in this end portion is provided with an axially projecting, central bore 19.
  • valve piston 15 when the valve piston 15 is pressed away from the seat of the secondary piston 17, water penetrates into the central bore 19 and flows further via a first angular passage 20 through the piston wall and a second angular passage 21 through the bulb screw 12 into a space 22 between the holder 10 and the sprinkler nozzle head 11.
  • the above described working process takes place when the glass bulb is heated above a certain temperature.
  • a pressure detecting valve which starts pumping for supply of sprinkler water with a high pressure, e.g. 200 bar.
  • the secondary piston 17 is movable journalled in a piston sleeve 24 inside the holder 10, which piston sleeve is coaxial with the guide for the valve piston 15 in the bulb screw 12.
  • a helical spring 25 rest on a angle shoulder 26 inside a pilot piston cylinder 27 which is screwed on to the upper end of the holder 10.
  • the spring 25 presses with a small force against an end edge 28 on upper side of the secondary piston, as it is shown in Fig. 1, or the left side as it is shown in Fig. 2.
  • the secondary piston 17 is provided with a first channel 29, which between the two ends of the two ends of the piston 17 and which forms a connection between the space 18 at one side of the piston, and the space 30 which houses the helical spring 25, so that equal pressure prevails on both ends of the piston.
  • the secondary piston 17 is provided with a second channel 31 arranged in parallel, which has a larger cross section than the first channel 29. This second channel 31 runs along the centre axis of the piston and is normally closed by a pilot piston 32 which is movable arranged inside the pilot piston cylinder 27, coaxial with the valve piston 15 and the secondary piston 17.
  • the pilot piston 32 is normally held in its closed position against the outlet of the second channel 31 of the secondary piston 17 by the action of a helical spring 33. Also, the pilot piston is manoeuvrable by means of a solenoid 34 which is electrically controlled via a cable connection 35.
  • This flow may be interrupted by a deactivation of the solenoid. This shuts off the channel 31 and the secondary piston 17 is pressed down in Fig. 1 against the end of the valve piston 15 and closes the bore 19.
  • the functional testing can be made by means of a short activation of the solenoid.
  • valve piston, the secondary piston and the pilot piston do not have to be coaxially arranged along a common longitudinal axis.
  • the electrically controlled release of the sprinkler head do not have to take place via a secondary piston, but the pilot piston may act directly against the valve piston.

Abstract

A sprinkler head triggering apparatus, comprising a spray nozzle with an actuator (14) being releasable by heating to a certain temperature, and which normally holds a valve piston (15) in a closed position against a valve seat. The valve piston, at release of the actuator, is movable in a piston sleeve in the direction away from said seat, for opening a flow passage (19-22) from a feed line for pressurized water to the spray nozzle. The flow passage (19-22) is openable in the normal closed position of the valve piston (15) with intact actuator (14), via a remote control operated pilot piston (32).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers to a sprinkler head triggering apparatus, comprising a spray nozzle with an actuator being releasable by heating to a certain temperature, and which normally holds a valve piston in a closed position against a valve seat, which valve piston, at release of the actuator, is movable in a piston sleeve in the direction away from said seat, for opening a flow passage from a feed line for pressurized water to the spray nozzle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sprinkler heads are used in sprinkler systems for fire extinguishing inside plants, buildings and on ships. Often, such a sprinkler head is provided with a triggering device comprising an actuator, e.g. a glass bulb which is actuated by heating to a high ambient temperature. It is also known from WO-A-9321998 to provide such a glass bulb with an electrode which may explode the bulb electrically by remote control, e.g. by a signal from a smoke detector or for functional testing.
A drawback with sprinkler systems which are equipped with such actuator means is that the functional testing of the system is very difficult to perform. For example, each bulb must be exchanged and the restoration of the system to normal function thus takes a long time. Normally there are regulations for performing such function testing according to a certain regularity.
Therefore, demands for the opportunity of a simple and effective functional testing has led to the development of sprinkler systems with one or more centrally located actuator apparatuses with electrically controlled flow valves for actuation of an optional number of spray heads, either for functional testing or for detection of an alarm, e.g. via a smoke detector. Thus, the spray heads at these sprinkler systems are not provided with the actuator, and the feed lines between valve units and spray heads are consequently dry.
A substantial drawback with these "modern" sprinkler systems, is that each individual spray head, or individual group of sprinkler heads, which shall be individually manoeuvrable, must be provided with a separate feed line to the valve unit. This involves installation of a lot of feeder pipes in parallel, which makes the installation more expensive. Also, such a system leads to a higher flow resistance than a system which branches away from a common main line.
THE TECHNICAL PROBLEM
One purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a triggering apparatus which can be released directly both mechanically by means of a heat fuse, and also by means of electrical remote control, e.g. via a smoke detector, without the need for particular flow valves. Another object is to provide a triggering apparatus which is simple to test functionally.
THE SOLUTION
This is accomplished according to the invention, in that the flow passage is openable in the normal closed position of the valve piston with intact actuator, via a remote control operated pilot piston, that the valve piston is provided with a central bore and a first angular passage, and that the central bore and the first angular passage together with a second annular passage through a bulb screw, and a space form the flow passage which may be opened by the pilot piston.
Advantageous variants of the invention are described in the depending claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described hereinafter with reference to embodiments shown in the enclosed drawings, wherein
Fig. 1
is a partly sectioned view of a triggering apparatus designed in accordance with the invention,
Fig. 2
shows in a slightly larger scale a secondary piston belonging to the triggering apparatus,
Fig. 3
shows a valve piston belonging to the triggering apparatus, and
Fig. 4
shows a bulb screw belonging to the triggering apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The triggering apparatus according to the invention is in the following embodiment shown together with a sprinkler head of a special high pressure type, but the invention is not limited to this type of sprinkler nozzles.
The nozzle comprises a holder 10 which forms an attachment for a nozzle head 11. This head 11 is in its turn mounted in the holder 10 by means of a bulb screw 12 which projects with one of its ends into the holder and which carries a bulb protector 13 at its other end. A glass bulb 14 is mounted at the outer end of a valve piston 15 which is movable journalled inside the bulb screw 12, in such a way that the piston 15 is held in a closed position against a valve seat. This valve seat is formed by a conical part 16 of a secondary piston 17.
If the glass bulb 14 is subjected to heat above a certain temperature, e.g. 70°C, the bulb breaks and the valve piston 15 is able to move in the direction downward in Fig. 1, by the action of a fluid pressure prevailing within the space 18. This pressure is transmitted to the space via a feed line which is not shown in the drawing and which is connected at right angle to said space, acting against the end edge of said valve piston 15, which in this end portion is provided with an axially projecting, central bore 19. Thus, when the valve piston 15 is pressed away from the seat of the secondary piston 17, water penetrates into the central bore 19 and flows further via a first angular passage 20 through the piston wall and a second angular passage 21 through the bulb screw 12 into a space 22 between the holder 10 and the sprinkler nozzle head 11.
Now the water is able to flow out of the sprinkler head via not shown channels in the contact surfaces between the holder 10 and the nozzle head 11. These contact surfaces, except said channels, are sealed by means of an O-ring 23.
Thus, the above described working process takes place when the glass bulb is heated above a certain temperature. At the above described high pressure sprinkler system, it is convenient if the pressure fall in the feed line, at release of the sprinkler head, influences a pressure detecting valve which starts pumping for supply of sprinkler water with a high pressure, e.g. 200 bar.
Functional testing or release of the sprinkler head in any other way, e.g. via a smoke detector or from a command central, is made possible in accordance with the following.
The secondary piston 17 is movable journalled in a piston sleeve 24 inside the holder 10, which piston sleeve is coaxial with the guide for the valve piston 15 in the bulb screw 12. A helical spring 25 rest on a angle shoulder 26 inside a pilot piston cylinder 27 which is screwed on to the upper end of the holder 10. The spring 25 presses with a small force against an end edge 28 on upper side of the secondary piston, as it is shown in Fig. 1, or the left side as it is shown in Fig. 2.
As is best shown in Fig. 2, the secondary piston 17 is provided with a first channel 29, which between the two ends of the two ends of the piston 17 and which forms a connection between the space 18 at one side of the piston, and the space 30 which houses the helical spring 25, so that equal pressure prevails on both ends of the piston. Also, the secondary piston 17 is provided with a second channel 31 arranged in parallel, which has a larger cross section than the first channel 29. This second channel 31 runs along the centre axis of the piston and is normally closed by a pilot piston 32 which is movable arranged inside the pilot piston cylinder 27, coaxial with the valve piston 15 and the secondary piston 17.
The pilot piston 32 is normally held in its closed position against the outlet of the second channel 31 of the secondary piston 17 by the action of a helical spring 33. Also, the pilot piston is manoeuvrable by means of a solenoid 34 which is electrically controlled via a cable connection 35.
During activation of the solenoid 34, the pilot piston 32 is pulled upwards in Fig. 1 against the action of the helical spring 33. This opens the channel 31, which leads fluid from the space 30 via the central bore 19 of the valve piston, the angular passages 20, 21 and the sprinkler channels and the space 22 out of the sprinkler head. At the same time a smaller flow of fluid takes place from the space 18 via the second channel 28. This limited flow does not manage to compensate for the pressure difference between the two ends of the secondary piston, i.e. between the two spaces 18, 30, which results in that the piston 17 is pressed/pulled in the direction upward in Fig. 1. This opens the valve seat between the secondary piston 17 and the end of the valve piston 15 and feeding of sprinkler water takes place in the same manner as in the preceding example of function.
This flow may be interrupted by a deactivation of the solenoid. This shuts off the channel 31 and the secondary piston 17 is pressed down in Fig. 1 against the end of the valve piston 15 and closes the bore 19.
Thus, the functional testing can be made by means of a short activation of the solenoid.
The invention is not limited to the above described embodiment, instead more variants are conceivable within the scoop of the following claims. For example, the valve piston, the secondary piston and the pilot piston do not have to be coaxially arranged along a common longitudinal axis. The electrically controlled release of the sprinkler head do not have to take place via a secondary piston, but the pilot piston may act directly against the valve piston.

Claims (9)

  1. A sprinkler head triggering apparatus, comprising a spray nozzle with an actuator (14) being releasable by heating to a certain temperature, and which normally, via a bulb screw (12), holds a valve piston (15) in a closed position against a valve seat, which valve piston, at release of the actuator, is movable in a piston sleeve in the direction away from said seat, for opening a flow passage (19-22) from a feed line for pressurized water to the spray nozzle,
    characterized in that the flow passage (19-22) is openable in the normal, closed position of the valve piston (15) with intact actuator (14), via a remote control operated pilot piston (32), that the valve piston is provided with a central bore (19) and a first angular passage (20), and that the central bore and the first angular passage together with a second angular passage (21) through a bulb screw (12), and a space (22) form the flow passage which may be opened by the pilot piston (32).
  2. A triggering apparatus according to claim 1,
    characterized in that the pilot piston (32) is movable mounted inside a piston sleeve between a secondary piston (17) and at least one spring means (33).
  3. A triggering apparatus according to claim 2,
    characterized in that the valve piston (15) is coaxially arranged with the pilot piston (32), that the secondary piston (17) is located between the pilot piston (32) and the valve piston (15), and that the valve piston is displaced from its resting position by the action of a fluid pressure acting on one side of said valve piston.
  4. A triggering apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
    characterized in that one end of the secondary piston (17) constitutes a seat for the valve piston (15).
  5. A triggering apparatus according to claim 4,
    characterized in that the secondary piston (17) is provided with a first channel (29) with a small cross section, said first channel running through this piston and transmitting the fluid pressure from one end of the piston to the other.
  6. A triggering apparatus according to claim 5,
    characterized in that the secondary piston (17) also is provided with a second channel (31) with a larger cross section, which second channel also runs from one end of the piston to the other.
  7. A triggering apparatus according to claim 6,
    characterized in that the second channel (31) can be opened and closed by means of the pilot piston (32), wherein the opening of this channel leads to a pressure reduction at the opposite end of the secondary piston (17) with reference to the seat, so that said secondary piston is displaced in the direction from the valve piston (15) by the pressure difference, for opening of the flow passage (19-22) from the feed line for pressurized water to the spray nozzle.
  8. A triggering apparatus according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the pilot piston (32) is manoeuvrable by means of an electromagnet (34).
  9. A triggering apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed line for pressurized water is directly connected, without particular valve means, to one or more feed pumps via a pressure detector which starts said pump when detecting a change in pressure.
EP96907836A 1995-03-16 1996-03-15 A sprinkler head triggering apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0956102B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9500920 1995-03-16
SE9500920A SE504325C2 (en) 1995-03-16 1995-03-16 Sprinkler head release device
PCT/SE1996/000331 WO1996028218A1 (en) 1995-03-16 1996-03-15 A sprinkler head triggering apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0956102A1 EP0956102A1 (en) 1999-11-17
EP0956102B1 true EP0956102B1 (en) 2004-09-01

Family

ID=20397556

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96907836A Expired - Lifetime EP0956102B1 (en) 1995-03-16 1996-03-15 A sprinkler head triggering apparatus

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0956102B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE274977T1 (en)
AU (1) AU5129996A (en)
DE (1) DE69633305D1 (en)
NO (1) NO316765B1 (en)
SE (1) SE504325C2 (en)
WO (1) WO1996028218A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2778751C1 (en) * 2021-11-24 2022-08-24 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Фогстрим" Sprinkler of fire extinguishing system
WO2023096537A1 (en) * 2021-11-24 2023-06-01 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Фогстрим" Sprinkler for a fire extinguishing system

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19618092A1 (en) * 1996-05-06 1997-11-13 Total Feuerschutz Gmbh Excitation element
DE19618072A1 (en) * 1996-05-06 1997-11-13 Total Feuerschutz Gmbh Fire extinguishing device for motor vehicles that are parked in multi-storey car parks
FI103480B (en) * 1998-01-09 1999-07-15 Marioff Corp Oy Holder for mounting the spray head
ITBS20070155A1 (en) * 2007-10-11 2009-04-12 Fiorentini Minireg S P A SAFETY SOLENOID VALVE
SE535545C2 (en) * 2010-07-28 2012-09-18 Ultra Fog Ab Sprinkler head
WO2017218538A1 (en) * 2016-06-13 2017-12-21 Tyco Fire Products Lp Fire sprinkler with actuator
CN110652679B (en) * 2019-09-03 2021-02-02 国网浙江省电力有限公司嘉兴供电公司 Circuit breaker fault processing system and method based on ubiquitous power Internet of things

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993021998A1 (en) * 1992-04-23 1993-11-11 Sundholm Goeran Quick response sprinkler head

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3827002A1 (en) * 1988-08-09 1990-02-15 Willi Horcher Device for initiating a sprinkler
US4984637A (en) * 1989-06-23 1991-01-15 Finnigan Wilfred J Electronic fire protection system

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993021998A1 (en) * 1992-04-23 1993-11-11 Sundholm Goeran Quick response sprinkler head

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2778751C1 (en) * 2021-11-24 2022-08-24 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Фогстрим" Sprinkler of fire extinguishing system
WO2023096537A1 (en) * 2021-11-24 2023-06-01 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Фогстрим" Sprinkler for a fire extinguishing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9500920D0 (en) 1995-03-16
AU5129996A (en) 1996-10-02
WO1996028218A1 (en) 1996-09-19
EP0956102A1 (en) 1999-11-17
SE9500920L (en) 1996-09-17
ATE274977T1 (en) 2004-09-15
NO974215D0 (en) 1997-09-12
NO974215L (en) 1997-11-14
DE69633305D1 (en) 2004-10-07
NO316765B1 (en) 2004-05-03
SE504325C2 (en) 1997-01-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0956102B1 (en) A sprinkler head triggering apparatus
EP0665761B1 (en) Spray-head for fighting fire
US5236049A (en) Fire emergency, sprinkling control system and method thereof
US7143775B2 (en) Valve element
CA1105804A (en) Cylinder valve for gas fire extinguishing system and system embodying same
CA2678623A1 (en) Fire protection system
US4678120A (en) Refractory flame-gunning apparatus
CN1378474A (en) Fire extinguishing device
AU1880399A (en) Holder for mounting a spray head
US3052304A (en) Fire extinguishing system
GB2156213A (en) An automatically and manually operable portable fire extinguisher
US4099573A (en) Sprinkler head
US4136851A (en) Valve for fire extinguishing system of gas distribution type
US3812914A (en) Automatic on-off sprinkler
US4424909A (en) Crane boom warning actuator
AU675815B2 (en) Installation for fighting fire
GB2094441A (en) Valves
RU2016598C1 (en) Device for delivery of fire-extinguishing liquid to fire-fighting unit
US4627497A (en) Stop valve alarm for sprinkler system
US20220355328A1 (en) Extinguishing nozzle adapter for fitting an extinguishing nozzle to a wall, and fire-fighting system comprising said extinguishing nozzle adapter
EP4111098B1 (en) Pressure regulator with outlet overpressure security
GB2251475A (en) Coolant control valve assembly
EP0884531B1 (en) Valve assembly
US1958285A (en) Fire extinguishing apparatus
SU1606134A1 (en) System for controlling sprinkler fire-fighting unit

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: 19971016

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

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: KURE, BO

Inventor name: KJELLBERG, ANDERS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20000906

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

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: 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: 20040901

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: 20040901

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20040901

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040901

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: 20040901

Ref country code: ES

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: 20040901

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: 20040901

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: 20040901

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: 20040901

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: 69633305

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20041007

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: 20041201

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: 20041201

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: 20041201

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20041202

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
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: 20050315

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20050315

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20050315

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: MC

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

Effective date: 20050331

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: 20050602

EN Fr: translation not filed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050315

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Ref country code: PT

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

Effective date: 20050201