EP0966649B1 - Munition subsonique pour armes de petit calibre avec nouveau projectile - Google Patents

Munition subsonique pour armes de petit calibre avec nouveau projectile Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0966649B1
EP0966649B1 EP98917954A EP98917954A EP0966649B1 EP 0966649 B1 EP0966649 B1 EP 0966649B1 EP 98917954 A EP98917954 A EP 98917954A EP 98917954 A EP98917954 A EP 98917954A EP 0966649 B1 EP0966649 B1 EP 0966649B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
jacket
projectile
elements
ammunition
round
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
EP98917954A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0966649A2 (fr
EP0966649A4 (fr
Inventor
Harold F. Beal
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.)
DORIS NEBEL BEAL INTER VIVOS PATENT TRUST
Original Assignee
Cove Corp
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 US08/815,003 external-priority patent/US5822904A/en
Application filed by Cove Corp filed Critical Cove Corp
Publication of EP0966649A2 publication Critical patent/EP0966649A2/fr
Publication of EP0966649A4 publication Critical patent/EP0966649A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0966649B1 publication Critical patent/EP0966649B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/72—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material
    • F42B12/74—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material of the core or solid body

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to round of subsonic ammunition and to a method of manufacturing the same.
  • This invention relates to ammunition wherein the projectile thereof has a muzzle velocity of less than the speed of sound, i.e. subsonic, as the projectile leaves the weapon and during its free flight to a target.
  • the invention relates to subsonic ammunition for small-bore weapons, i.e. weapons of 127 cm (50 caliber) or smaller bore and which operate in a semi-automatic or automatic mode.
  • small-bore weapons i.e. weapons of 127 cm (50 caliber) or smaller bore and which operate in a semi-automatic or automatic mode.
  • the standard cartridge case is of a diameter which is substantially larger than the diameter of the bore of the weapon
  • that end of the case which receives and holds the projectile of the cartridge is "necked down" to a diameter suitable to engage and hold the projectile in the case.
  • the outer diameter of the case for a 5.56 mm cartridge commonly is approximately 9,14 mm (.360 inch), and the outer diameter of the projectile thereof is 5,69 mm (.224 inch).
  • any portion of the projectile that projects from the end of the case is received within the breech end of the bore of the weapon.
  • the circular shoulder developed on the case by the necking-down operation serves as a point of reference for the insertion of the cartridge in the chamber of the weapon.
  • a round of ammunition for a small-bore weapon wherein the projectile of the round exits the muzzle of the weapon barrel at a subsonic velocity and which continues its flight path to a target at less than a sonic velocity without generating identifiable sound associated with the flight of the projectile through air. Additionally, the ammunition provides the energy required to operate the bolt of a weapon fired in the semi-automatic or automatic mode.
  • the present inventor has discovered that by means of a unique projectile combined with a powder of selected burn rate, in a standard case, there can be attained the objectives of subsonic velocity of the projectile, development of the energy required to operate the bolt of a weapon fired in the semi-automatic or automatic mode and elimination of substantially all sound generated by the projectile during its free flight through air.
  • the projectile of the present invention is maximized in weight for a given length of a projectile for a given caliber weapon.
  • This action preferably takes the form of forming the projectile from high-density metal powders, maximizing the length of the projectile, consistent with intended caliber of the projectile and the twist of the lands in the barrel of the weapon for which the ammunition is intended, and minimizing any variation in the density of the projectile in any given plane normal to the length of the projectile and in a direction radially outward from the longitudinal centerline (spin axis) of the projectile.
  • a benefit from the use of this unique projectile is that when the projectile is inserted in the open end of a standard case for a weapon of the intended caliber, the projectile occupies a substantial portion of the internal volume of the case, thereby diminishing that portion of the internal volume of the case which is available to receive gun powder, thereby permitting the case to be filled to a higher percentage of its void volume.
  • the inventor has found that use of a gun powder of medium burn rate provides gas generation at a rate and of a volume which, in combination with the heavy projectile, propels the projectile at a subsonic velocity while generating the energy needed to operate the bolt of a weapon fired in the semi-automatic or automatic mode.
  • maximization of the projectile weight and radial uniformity of density are promoted through the use of a mixture of metal powders that are cold-compacted in a die to produce multiple discrete core elements which are ultimately combined to define a core for the projectile.
  • a mixture of metal powders that are cold-compacted in a die to produce multiple discrete core elements which are ultimately combined to define a core for the projectile.
  • the density of the product is greater adjacent the opposite ends of the formed product than in the central portion of the length dimension of the product.
  • each of the core elements is formed to its own specific geometry for purposes of the desired combining of the elements into a core for the projectile.
  • the combining of the multiple core elements is preferably accomplished by selective insertion of the core portions into a soft metal jacket contained in a die cavity.
  • the jacket employed preferably is cup-shaped, having a closed end and an open end.
  • the jacket commonly is formed by deep drawing a metal blank so that the wall thickness of the jacket decreases from a maximum adjacent the closed end thereof to a minimum thickness adjacent the open end of the jacket.
  • the change in wall thickness of the jacket along its length is of primary importance in approximately that half of the length of the jacket extending from the closed end to the midpoint of the length of the jacket.
  • the wall thickness varies sufficiently as precludes the full insertion, without the application of substantial force, into this half of the jacket of a core element which is diametrally dimensioned to equal the internal diameter of the other half of the jacket.
  • the inventor forms a first core element which is cylindrical in geometry and which has a diameter that permits the insertion of the first core element into the interior of that half of the jacket nearest the closed end of the jacket.
  • a second core element is formed which is cylindrical in geometry and which has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the first core element and which permits the second core element to fit snugly within that half of the jacket length nearest the open end thereof.
  • the combined lengths of the first and second core elements is slightly less than the total interior length of the jacket so that a portion of the jacket wall adjacent the open end thereof is available for deformation radially inwardly of the jacket to at least partially close the open end of the jacket and capture the core elements within the jacket.
  • a "heavy" projectile is defined as a projectile having a density greater than lead, e.g. about 12 or more g/cm 3 , and a total weight of at least 8,68 g (134 grains), for a 5.56 mm cartridge or a proportional weight projectile for a different size cartridge, such as a projectile of 16,20 g (250 grains) for a 7,8 mm (.308 caliber) cartridge and of a density greater than lead.
  • a preferred powder exhibits a medium burning rate.
  • a "medium burning" gun powder is a gun powder that has a burn rate substantially equal to the burn rate of Hodgdon 380® gun powder.
  • Each of the elements of the present invention is selected in combination with the other elements to obtain consistency of subsonic velocity from round to round of the ammunition and provide the energy required for operating the bolt of a semi-automatic or automatic weapon without the projectile exceeding subsonic velocity, while also substantially eliminating any sound generation associated with the free flight of the projectile through air.
  • a round of subsonic ammunition 10 which includes a generally tubular case 12 having a closed end 14 and an open end 16. Within the closed end 14 there is provided a flame port 18 and a primer 20 contiguous to the flame port.
  • the open end of the case includes a necked down, i.e. reduced diameter, portion 22 that is internally sized to receive therein a projectile 24 having a multipart core 25.
  • a cavity 26 within which there is loaded gun powder 28.
  • the geometry of the case is chosen to conform with industry standards for a given caliber cartridge, e.g.
  • Cartridges for a 5.56 mm weapon operating in the semi-automatic mode were fabricated and fired to test the velocity of the projectile from each cartridge and the ability of the cartridges to develop sufficient energy to consistently operate the bolt of the weapon. In the manufacture of these cartridges, there was chosen a standard case of brass metal.
  • a projectile comprising a copper metal jacket which has been deep drawn to a length of 27,94 mm (1.100 inch).
  • the wall thickness of the jacket adjacent the closed end thereof (“A") provided an internal diameter of about 4,75 mm (0.187 inch)at this location.
  • the wall thickness of the jacket tapered from the closed end thereof toward the midpoint of the length of the jacket to a wall thickness ("B") providing an internal diameter of 4,83 mm (0.190 inch)at this location.
  • the wall thickness of the jacket from the midpoint to the open end thereof did not vary materially for present purposes.
  • the internal diameter of the jacket at its open end was 4,83 mm (0.190 inch).
  • a first solid cylinder having an outer diameter of 4,75 mm (0.187 inch) employing a mixture of 60%, by weight, tungsten powder and 40%, by weight, of lead powder.
  • the tungsten powder was of -2 + 0,21 mm (-10 + 70 mesh).
  • the lead powder was of 0,044 mm (325 mesh).
  • These powders were blended and a portion thereof introduced into a die having a cylindrical cavity. Within the die, the powder mixture was subjected to cold-compaction (at ambient temperature) under a pressure of 3,45 ⁇ 10 8 Pa (50,000 psi). The overall density of this first cylinder was in excess of 14 g/cm 3 .
  • a second solid cylinder having an external diameter of 4,83 mm (0.190 inch) was formed in like manner as the first cylinder. This second cylinder exhibited an overall density in excess of 14 g/cm 3 .
  • the copper jacket of the projectile was inserted into a die having a cylindrical internal cavity of an internal diameter of 5,69 mm (0.224 inch).
  • the first solid cylinder was inserted into the jacket through the open end of the jacket disposed in the die, followed by insertion of the second cylinder into the jacket through the open end thereof, so that these cylinders were stacked in tandem within the jacket.
  • a die punch was inserted into the die to engage and apply pressure to the stacked cylinders in a direction aligned with and parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the jacket.
  • a pressure of 3,45 ⁇ 10 8 Pa (50,000 psi) was applied to the stacked cylinders. This pressure deformed the first cylinder, causing this cylinder to conform to and fill that portion of the internal cavity of the die adjacent the closed end thereof.
  • the applied pressure served to consolidate the two cylinders into a functionally unitary core having an overall density in excess of 14 g/cm 3 and an overall length of 26,42 mm (1.040 inch). Some length increase of the jacket
  • the rounds made up from the H 380® powder provided a standard deviation of less than 6,1 m/s (20 fps).
  • the large variation in the standard deviation exhibited by those powders that were slower or faster burning than the H 380® powder is unacceptable for reliable-firing subsonic ammunition.
  • Like cartridges were fired with like results from a M-16 weapon having a 50,8 cm (20 inch) barrel. In all tests in which the present projectiles, employing H 380® powder, were propelled at a subsonic velocity, there was no audibly detectable sound generated by the projectile due to its movement through air.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Powder Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Fixed Capacitors And Capacitor Manufacturing Machines (AREA)
  • Discharge-Lamp Control Circuits And Pulse- Feed Circuits (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Percussive Tools And Related Accessories (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
  • Electromagnets (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Cartouche de munition subsonique (10) comprenant un projectile (24, 84) comprenant une enveloppe en métal (52, 90) ayant une extrémité fermée (54), une extrémité ouverte (56), un volume interne (26), un axe longitudinal (64) et présentant des propriétés de lubrification par rapport au canon d'un fusil ;
       un noyau (25, 51) contenu à l'intérieur de ladite enveloppe (52, 90) ;
       ledit noyau (25, 51) comprenant des premiers et des deuxièmes éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88), chacun desdits éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) ayant des faces d'extrémité opposées et étant formé à partir d'un mélange composé d'une poudre d'un métal lourd et d'une poudre d'un métal plus léger qui est compressé à froid pour lui donner une forme géométrique adaptée pour être reçue dans ladite enveloppe (52, 90), chacun desdits éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) présentant une densité adjacente à ses faces d'extrémité opposées plus élevée de ce mélange que la densité adjacente à un emplacement équidistant entre ses faces d'extrémité opposées, lesdits premiers et deuxièmes éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) étant introduits dans ladite enveloppe (52, 90) selon une relation en empilement les uns par rapport aux autres et étant soumis à une pression susceptible d'amener lesdits éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) à épouser et à remplir au moins partiellement l'enveloppe (52, 90).
  2. Cartouche de munition selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle ladite enveloppe (52, 90) est complètement remplie avec lesdits éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) et comprend une portion de la longueur de ladite enveloppe (52, 90) recourbée vers l'intérieur, vers ledit axe longitudinal de ladite enveloppe (52, 90) pour fermer au moins partiellement ladite extrémité ouverte (56) de ladite enveloppe (52, 90).
  3. Cartouche de munition selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle la densité de chacun desdits premiers et deuxièmes éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) adjacente aux faces d'extrémité opposées de ceux-ci est plus élevée que la densité du plomb.
  4. Cartouche de munition selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle ladite première poudre de métal est de la poudre de tungstène.
  5. Cartouche de munition selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle ladite poudre d'un métal plus léger est du plomb.
  6. Cartouche de munition selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle ledit projectile (24) est adapté pour être tiré depuis une arme de 5,56 mm et possède un poids d'au moins 8,68 g (134 grains).
  7. Cartouche de munition selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle ledit mélange de poudres de métal comprend une autre poudre qui empêche l'agglomération desdites poudres de métal l'une avec l'autre.
  8. Cartouche de munition selon la revendication 7 dans laquelle ladite une autre poudre comprend de la cire polyoléfine micronisée.
  9. Cartouche de munition selon la revendication 8 dans laquelle ladite une autre poudre comprend un homopolymère de polyéthylène oxydé à fines particules ou un équivalent chimique et physique de celui-ci.
  10. Procédé de fabrication d'une cartouche de munition subsonique (10) comprenant un projectile (24, 84) comprenant une enveloppe en métal (52, 90) ayant une extrémité fermée (54), une extrémité ouverte (56), un volume interne (26), un axe longitudinal (64), un noyau (25, 51) contenu à l'intérieur de ladite enveloppe (52, 90),et présentant des propriétés de lubrification par rapport au canon d'un fusil,
       ce procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à :
    réaliser ledit noyau (25, 51) à partir des premiers et des deuxièmes éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88), chacun desdits éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) ayant des faces d'extrémité opposées et étant formé à partir d'un mélange composé d'une poudre d'un métal lourd et d'une poudre d'un métal plus léger qui est compressé à froid pour lui donner une forme géométrique adaptée pour être reçue dans ladite enveloppe (52, 90), chacun desdits éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) présentant une densité adjacente à ses faces d'extrémité opposées plus élevée de ce mélange, que la densité adjacente à un emplacement équidistant entre ses faces d'extrémité opposées ;
    introduire lesdits premiers et deuxièmes éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) dans ladite enveloppe (52, 90) selon une relation en empilement les uns par rapport aux autres ; et
    soumettre lesdits éléments à une certaine pression afin d'amener lesdits éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) à épouser et à remplir au moins partiellement l'enveloppe (52, 90).
  11. Procédé selon la revendication 10 dans lequel ladite enveloppe (52, 90) est complètement remplie avec lesdits éléments (40, 46 ; 86, 88) et une portion de la longueur de ladite enveloppe (52, 90) est recourbée vers l'intérieur, vers ledit axe longitudinal de ladite enveloppe (52, 90) pour fermer au moins partiellement ladite extrémité ouverte (56) de ladite enveloppe (52, 90) .
EP98917954A 1997-03-14 1998-03-16 Munition subsonique pour armes de petit calibre avec nouveau projectile Expired - Lifetime EP0966649B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US815003 1997-03-14
US08/815,003 US5822904A (en) 1997-03-14 1997-03-14 Subsuoic ammunition
US88777497A 1997-07-03 1997-07-03
PCT/US1998/005000 WO1998040690A2 (fr) 1997-03-14 1998-03-16 Munition subsonique pour armes de petit calibre avec nouveau projectile
US887774 2001-06-22

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0966649A2 EP0966649A2 (fr) 1999-12-29
EP0966649A4 EP0966649A4 (fr) 2000-09-27
EP0966649B1 true EP0966649B1 (fr) 2003-03-12

Family

ID=27123911

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98917954A Expired - Lifetime EP0966649B1 (fr) 1997-03-14 1998-03-16 Munition subsonique pour armes de petit calibre avec nouveau projectile

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0966649B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE234455T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2283828A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69812075T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0966649T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2193525T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998040690A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6317946B1 (en) * 1997-01-30 2001-11-20 Harold F. Beal Method for the manufacture of a multi-part projectile for gun ammunition and product produced thereby
US6457417B1 (en) * 1997-04-16 2002-10-01 Doris Nebel Beal Inter Vivos Patent Trust Method for the manufacture of a frangible nonsintered powder-based projectile for use in gun ammunition and product obtained thereby
WO2001033155A2 (fr) * 1999-10-12 2001-05-10 Leasure John D Cartouche subsonique destinee a des armes automatiques et semi-automatiques a emprunt de gaz
GB2357137A (en) * 1999-12-08 2001-06-13 Gamebore Cartridge Company Ltd Frangible projectile
US6371029B1 (en) * 2000-01-26 2002-04-16 Harold F. Beal Powder-based disc for gun ammunition having a projectile which includes a frangible powder-based core disposed within a metallic jacket

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE57101C (de) * J. L. THOMSON, 332 Hawley Street, Syracuse, New-York, und J. J. UNBEHEND, 711 Mc. Bride Street, Syracuse, New-York, V. St. A Verfahren und Maschine zum Spalten oder Aufschneiden von Nietstiften und dergl
GB538268A (en) * 1939-11-10 1941-07-28 Martin Littmann Improvements in projectiles for military weapons
DE1116575B (de) * 1958-10-04 1961-11-02 Dipan Dinner Patentnutzung Leichtes Langgeschoss mit Mantel fuer Handfeuerwaffen
GB1514908A (en) * 1974-01-22 1978-06-21 Mallory Metallurg Prod Ltd Armour piercing projectiles
DE3131265C1 (de) * 1981-08-07 1983-04-07 Heckler & Koch Gmbh, 7238 Oberndorf Schallgedaempfte Handfeuerwaffe
DE3835808A1 (de) * 1988-10-21 1990-04-26 Rheinmetall Gmbh Verfahren zur herstellung von hartkerngeschossen
US5033356A (en) * 1990-01-16 1991-07-23 Richardson H Gary Firearm with noise suppressor
US5279787A (en) * 1992-04-29 1994-01-18 Oltrogge Victor C High density projectile and method of making same from a mixture of low density and high density metal powders
US5399187A (en) * 1993-09-23 1995-03-21 Olin Corporation Lead-free bullett
MX9700050A (es) * 1994-07-06 1997-12-31 Lockheed Martin Energy Sys Inc Proyectiles sin plomo, seguros ambientalmente, y metodo para su fabricacion.
US5594186A (en) * 1995-07-12 1997-01-14 Magnetics International, Inc. High density metal components manufactured by powder metallurgy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0966649A2 (fr) 1999-12-29
DK0966649T3 (da) 2003-05-26
ES2193525T3 (es) 2003-11-01
EP0966649A4 (fr) 2000-09-27
ATE234455T1 (de) 2003-03-15
DE69812075D1 (de) 2003-04-17
DE69812075T2 (de) 2003-11-13
WO1998040690A3 (fr) 1999-01-07
WO1998040690A2 (fr) 1998-09-17
CA2283828A1 (fr) 1998-09-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5822904A (en) Subsuoic ammunition
US6626114B2 (en) Projectile having a disc and multiple cores
US5442989A (en) Frangible armor piercing incendiary projectile
US5665808A (en) Low toxicity composite bullet and material therefor
US20030019385A1 (en) Subsonic cartridge for gas-operated automatic and semiautomatic weapons
US5375529A (en) Prefragmenting munitions
US4760794A (en) Explosive small arms projectile
WO2008090505A2 (fr) Cartouche de fusil subsonique rechargeable
EP0966649B1 (fr) Munition subsonique pour armes de petit calibre avec nouveau projectile
JP2004531441A (ja) 銃砲兵器のための発射薬
US5063852A (en) Forward full caliber control tube for a cased telescoped ammunition round
WO1998040675A1 (fr) Projectile plaque servant de munition subsonique
CA1207186A (fr) Projectile explosif pour armes de petit calibre
US20230194222A1 (en) Short-range projectile
WO2000020819A2 (fr) Procede de fabrication d'un obus de canon comprenant un projectile allonge et munition encartouchee ainsi produite
US20240035786A1 (en) Low lethal projectile system
US20240035787A1 (en) Low lethal projectile system
WO2001033155A2 (fr) Cartouche subsonique destinee a des armes automatiques et semi-automatiques a emprunt de gaz
WO2000073728A2 (fr) Projectile a base de poudre pour arme a separation anti effet de souffle et anti chaleur sur la partie arriere
WO1998046963A1 (fr) Projectile avec extremite arriere pare-eclats thermoresistante
WO2001069165A2 (fr) Procede de fabrication de projectile a pieces multiples pour munitions d'arme et produit ainsi fabrique

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: 19991012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

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

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7F 42B 5/00 A, 7F 42B 12/74 B

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20000810

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: 20010918

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 MC NL PT SE

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

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: 20030312

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

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: 20030316

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: 20030317

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20030320

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20030324

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20030324

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20030324

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20030325

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20030325

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20030327

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20030328

Year of fee payment: 6

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: 20030331

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20030403

Year of fee payment: 6

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: DORIS NEBEL BEAL INTER VIVOS PATENT TRUST

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: PATENTANWALTSBUERO JEAN HUNZIKER

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69812075

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030417

Kind code of ref document: P

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20030429

Year of fee payment: 6

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

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: 20030616

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2193525

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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: 20031215

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: 20040316

Ref country code: FI

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

Effective date: 20040316

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20040316

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040317

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 20040317

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040331

Ref country code: DK

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

Effective date: 20040331

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20040331

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20040331

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *DORIS NEBEL BEAL INTER VIVOS PATENT TRUST

Effective date: 20040331

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: 20041001

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20041001

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20040316

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: FR

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

Effective date: 20041130

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

Effective date: 20041001

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

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: 20050316

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20040317

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20030320

Year of fee payment: 6