EP1033081B1 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Expansion von Nahrungs- und Genussmitteln - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Expansion von Nahrungs- und Genussmitteln Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1033081B1
EP1033081B1 EP00102159A EP00102159A EP1033081B1 EP 1033081 B1 EP1033081 B1 EP 1033081B1 EP 00102159 A EP00102159 A EP 00102159A EP 00102159 A EP00102159 A EP 00102159A EP 1033081 B1 EP1033081 B1 EP 1033081B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
foodstuffs
set forth
tobacco
carrier flow
tobacco material
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
EP00102159A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1033081A3 (de
EP1033081A2 (de
Inventor
Frank Plückhahn
Gerald Schmekel
Arno Dr. Weiss
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.)
British American Tobacco Germany GmbH
Original Assignee
British American Tobacco Germany GmbH
BAT Cigarettenfabriken GmbH
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 British American Tobacco Germany GmbH, BAT Cigarettenfabriken GmbH filed Critical British American Tobacco Germany GmbH
Publication of EP1033081A2 publication Critical patent/EP1033081A2/de
Publication of EP1033081A3 publication Critical patent/EP1033081A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1033081B1 publication Critical patent/EP1033081B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B3/00—Preparing tobacco in the factory
    • A24B3/18—Other treatment of leaves, e.g. puffing, crimpling, cleaning
    • A24B3/182—Puffing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and a device for expansion of food or Consumable items.
  • the inventive method and the invention Device for increasing the filling capacity of tobacco material or comminuted Smoking materials serve.
  • tobacco material As regards the tobacco material, the term tobacco material or crushed Smoking materials entrippt tobacco leaf, tobacco rib, tobacco stem, each cut or shredded, recycled tobacco and tobacco by-products such as TV and ZHV winnowings be understood.
  • the water content is defined as the mass loss of the tobacco relative to the % Moisture content in% in a drying oven through a drying time of 3 Hours at 80 ° C (so-called Salvis moisture).
  • This processed tobacco comes as a raw material, called raw tobacco, in the factories for the production of e.g. Cigarettes or others Beverages based on tobacco.
  • the processing chain from the green leaf to the raw tobacco leads to a strong shrinkage. This reduction in volume adversely affects the so-called filling capacity.
  • the tobacco industry refers to filling as the property with as little mass use nevertheless produce physically stable, solid or hard end products (e.g., cigarettes) to be able to.
  • the filling capacity is also defined as the residual volume in relation to the weight in ml / g, which after compression with a 3kg weight in a cylindrical Setting vessel after a 30 second reaction time).
  • phase change to gaseous by heat differ essentially by the impregnation / blowing medium and thus by the phase change.
  • Examples are the impregnation with CO 2 (phase change fixed to gaseous), the impregnation with fronen / liquefied gas (phase change liquid to gaseous) and the impregnation with highly stressed N 2 (phase change dissolved according to gaseous)
  • the variants of the chemical processes differ essentially by the type of gas generating reaction such as decomposition of additives by heat input in the dryer or by adding a further additive to initiate a reaction.
  • the type of gas generating reaction such as decomposition of additives by heat input in the dryer or by adding a further additive to initiate a reaction. Examples of this are the impregnation with NH 3 / CO 2 (thermal decomposition solid to gaseous), the impregnation with H 2 O 2 (thermal decomposition liquid to gaseous) and the impregnation with N 2 H 4 / H 2 O 2 (exothermic reaction liquid in gaseous form).
  • Impregnation process is usually designed as a complex batch process.
  • DE 195 21 243 describes a method and a device wherein in batch mode a closed container is pressurized and the material therein is heated. Of the Upper good-free area is briefly put under increased pressure. By sudden opening of the container, the material is ejected into an expansion chamber at atmospheric pressure. The increased pressure acts as a propellant. The water in the estate evaporates and the estate is expanding.
  • DE 195 21168 describes apparatus and method analogous to DE 195 21 243, however the inner container has no holes in the upper good-free area.
  • DE 195 21167 describes a device analogous to DE 195 21243 and DE 195 21 168 wherein the expansion chamber is rotatable and the expanded material by rotation of the drum is discharged in the longitudinal direction.
  • the used Heating device comprises a fluidized bed chamber in which the material is heated batchwise becomes. With the help of a branch circuit, the material is transferred to the puffing reactor.
  • This invention has set itself the task of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art overcome the technique.
  • optimal expansion should be effectively possible and with regard to the tobacco material, the mentioned reduction in filling capacity / shrinkage as far as possible undone.
  • the invention allows in the tobacco area advantageously not reached Corressteigerache with filling capabilities after expansion, which can be up to about ten percent above the values for usual, so far generally regarded as optimized expansion methods lie.
  • the positive effects on the efficiency of smoking article production are enormous in the quantities of tobacco used in industry. In the field of others expandable food and beverages are corresponding benefits.
  • the material continuously passes through an area higher Pressure, subsequently an area of reduced pressure and finally an area atmospheric pressure.
  • the core principle of the process utilizes the property of gases and vapors of pressure energy to convert completely into kinetic energy by means of a nozzle (extreme case: Pressure reduction up to 0 bar). This extreme pressure reduction succeeds only if at the narrowest point the nozzle reaches the speed of sound or, equivalently, the critical pressure ratio becomes. Under these conditions, a further pressure reduction and thus speed increase in the extended section of the nozzle.
  • the invention allows a continuous process, integrable in e.g. a tobacco preparation process without special steps (In particular, integration without previous tobacco discharge is in one Air flow dryer possible). This results in only a small additional expenditure on equipment and additional tobacco preparation process steps such as casing / flavoring are without further integrable.
  • the carrier flow may have a steam content of 10 to 100% saturated steam and in particular have superheated steam.
  • the pressure of the carrier flow is in front of the Laval nozzle in one area to 10 bar, and the temperature of the carrier flow in front of the Laval nozzle is in a range of 50 ° C to 450 ° C, preferably in a range of 100 ° C to 300 ° C.
  • the pressure at the outlet of the Laval nozzle can at 0 bar to 2 bar, preferably at 0.2 bar to 1 lie bar.
  • the carrier flow is overheated prior to introduction of the material / tobacco material.
  • the tobacco material can be the carrier flow on the one hand in the inlet section before the Laval nozzle, preferably via a rotary valve with an attaching to the inlet line Headpiece to be supplied.
  • a tobacco separator in particular to supply a centrifugal separator, the negative pressure preferably by means of a vacuum compressor is maintained.
  • the tobacco material can also after the passage through the outlet diffuser first an air dryer and then a tobacco separator, in particular a centrifugal separator are supplied.
  • the gas flow which passes the adjoining the outlet diffuser components by means of a Recirculation system collected, compressed and used again as a carrier flow component.
  • the device according to the invention is preferably characterized in that it comprises a device in particular, has a heat exchanger, which the carrier flow before introduction of the tobacco material overheats.
  • the flow guidance devices comprise in one embodiment of the device Inlet section, a nozzle pre-chamber, the Laval nozzle, an inlet diffuser and an outlet diffuser.
  • a rotary valve with a head attached to the inlet section can be provided be, by means of the tobacco material of the carrier flow in the inlet section in front of the Laval nozzle is supplied.
  • the device preferably has a tobacco separator, in particular a centrifugal separator, on which the tobacco material is supplied after passing through the outlet diffuser is, and its negative pressure is preferably maintained by means of a vacuum compressor becomes.
  • a tobacco separator in particular a centrifugal separator, on which the tobacco material is supplied after passing through the outlet diffuser is, and its negative pressure is preferably maintained by means of a vacuum compressor becomes.
  • the device has an air flow dryer and to these then a tobacco separator, in particular a centrifugal separator, on which the Tobacco material is supplied after passage through the outlet diffuser.
  • the reference numerals 1 designate an inlet section, 2 a rotary valve, 3 a nozzle prechamber, 4 a Laval nozzle (also referred to as a propulsion nozzle), 5 Head on the Laval nozzle, 6 an inlet diffuser, 7 an outlet diffuser, 8 a discharge lock, 9 a cyclone separator, 10 a compressor, 11 a recirculation system, 12 a Exhaust air system, 13 a carrier flow, 14 a tobacco discharge from the cyclone separator, 15 a drying tower, 16 an optional casing / flavor feed, 17 a carrying air feed to the drying tower and 18 the discharge from the drying tower.
  • T indicates tobacco material.
  • Like reference numerals indicate like components.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show those embodiments of the invention in which the tobacco material in the inlet section, ie on the pressure side of the Laval nozzle in the carrier flow 13 is fed.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment with a direct separation in the tobacco separator 9 after the nozzle 4.
  • the tobacco is through a lock, preferably through a Rotary valve 2, which is suitable for larger differential and absolute pressures, into the inlet section 1 promoted.
  • the tobacco is mixed with the carrier flow 13, preheated and moistened when using steam.
  • the mass flow ratio of carrier flow Tobacco material can be easily selected by choosing the narrowest cross section in the Laval nozzle 4 (motive nozzle) can be set at a given mass flow of the tobacco material. For example, at 2 bar saturated steam inlet pressure (about 120 ° C), a maximum mass flow of 400 kg / h with nozzle diameter 21.8 mm; however, at 15.4 mm nozzle diameter a maximum throughput of 200 kg / h achieved.
  • the useful ratio is in the range 0.1-10 kg carrier flow per kg of tobacco material.
  • the tobacco material After passing the Nozzle prechamber 3 and nozzle 4 adjusts depending on the adiabatic expansion Type of carrier flow, after construction of the apparatus and after the procedure low pressure and thus a corresponding low temperature of the carrier flow one.
  • the tobacco material tries the temperature imbalance by evaporation and Removal of internal energy, by charging in the entrance area the tobacco material was imposed to counteract.
  • the steam must be compressed using the inlet / outlet diffuser 6/7 become.
  • This process variant according to FIG. 1 is preferably at those subsequent to the expansion Tabaktrocknungsvon displayed which the carrier flow 13 not as drying or transport medium. These are z. B. the drum, vibro / fluidized bed or Belt drying. These drying methods require the prior separation of tobacco material and carrier flow by means of a tobacco separator, preferably a Centrifugal separator 9, such. B. cyclone or Tangentialseparator occurs. Should the benefits used the vacuum expansion without subsequent compression to atmospheric pressure must, in the sense of drum or Vibro- / fluidized bed or belt drying the tobacco material are also separated from the carrier flow, the tobacco discharge 14 from the vacuum to the atmospheric pressure area. The negative pressure in the tobacco separator 9 can be maintained, for example, by a vacuum pump, not shown become.
  • the tobacco material deposition takes place after a passage of a Luftstromtrockners, here a drying tower 15th
  • the tobacco is directly without separation of the carrier flow 13 after passage of the diffuser 6/7 passed into the drying tower 15 and after moistening on the tobacco separator 9, preferably a centrifugal separator, such as. B. cyclone or tangential separator, by means a discharge lock 8 discharged (arrow 14).
  • a centrifugal separator such as. B. cyclone or tangential separator
  • the carrier flow 13 with respect to speeds and pressure to adapt to the conditions in the drying tower 15.
  • an operation of the expansion is preferred in which in the outlet diffuser 7 pressures are present, which are between 0.9-1.1 bar.
  • the two variants according to FIGS. 1 and 2 together have the option of circulating air / partial recirculation mode of operation by means of recirculation system 11 for reuse of the carrier flow 13, preferably in air as a carrier flow 13, the consideration of the economy as particularly cost-effective solution can be used.
  • both variants optionally allow the introduction of liquid / solid additives (casing, Flavor) in the head region 5 at the Laval nozzle 4, as in Fig.2 with the reference numeral 16 is indicated.
  • FIG. 3 shows a bar chart showing the increase in filling capacity in accordance with the invention Compared to the prior art method and comparison method.
  • the Experimental parameters are shown below:
  • parameter total area Preferred area Carrier flow pressure in front of nozzle 1-30 bar 1-10 bar Carrier flow temperature before nozzle 50-450 ° C 100-250 ° C Carrier flow pressure in nozzle > 0-2 bar 0.2-1.0 bar Carrier flow pressure in outlet diffuser (item 7) > 0-2 bar 0.2-1.1 bar

Landscapes

  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
  • Seasonings (AREA)
  • Confectionery (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Formation And Processing Of Food Products (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
EP00102159A 1999-03-03 2000-02-08 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Expansion von Nahrungs- und Genussmitteln Expired - Lifetime EP1033081B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19909318A DE19909318C2 (de) 1999-03-03 1999-03-03 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Expansion von Tabakmaterial
DE19909318 1999-03-03

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1033081A2 EP1033081A2 (de) 2000-09-06
EP1033081A3 EP1033081A3 (de) 2001-02-07
EP1033081B1 true EP1033081B1 (de) 2005-12-21

Family

ID=7899573

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00102159A Expired - Lifetime EP1033081B1 (de) 1999-03-03 2000-02-08 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Expansion von Nahrungs- und Genussmitteln

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (2) US6397851B1 (pt)
EP (1) EP1033081B1 (pt)
AT (1) ATE313276T1 (pt)
AU (1) AU758500B2 (pt)
BR (1) BR0000725B1 (pt)
CA (1) CA2300022C (pt)
DE (2) DE19909318C2 (pt)
PL (1) PL192942B1 (pt)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4155639A1 (fr) * 2021-09-22 2023-03-29 Proxipel SA Procédé et dispositif de séchage de biomasse

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9922746D0 (en) * 1999-09-24 1999-11-24 Rothmans International Ltd Tobacco processing
DE10117783A1 (de) * 2001-04-10 2002-10-24 Bat Cigarettenfab Gmbh Prozessgasaufbereitung für Tabaktrockner
US7556047B2 (en) * 2003-03-20 2009-07-07 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Method of expanding tobacco using steam
TW200531647A (en) * 2003-12-22 2005-10-01 Us Smokeless Tobacco Co Conditioning process for tobacco and/or snuff compositions
DE102004017596A1 (de) * 2004-04-07 2005-11-03 Hauni Primary Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Konditionieren eines Tabakprodukts
DE102006024936B3 (de) * 2006-05-23 2007-10-11 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Stromtrockner zum Trocknen eines faserförmigen Tabakprodukts
PL211481B1 (pl) * 2007-05-30 2012-05-31 Int Tobacco Machinery Poland Sposób zwiększenia sprawności suszarki, zwłaszcza suszarki strumieniowej
IT1400928B1 (it) * 2010-07-05 2013-07-02 Comas Costruzioni Macchine Speciali S P A Impianto di espansione del trinciato di lamina/costola di tabacco.
GB2511331A (en) * 2013-02-28 2014-09-03 Dickinson Legg Ltd Drying Apparatus
PL2929788T3 (pl) * 2014-04-04 2018-10-31 Garbuio S.P.A. Instalacja susząca dla materiałów drobnocząstkowych
CN109090686B (zh) * 2018-09-14 2021-06-04 厦门烟草工业有限责任公司 一种烟草处理系统和处理方法
CN110238053B (zh) * 2019-05-30 2024-06-21 广州励美环保科技有限公司 负压吸附捕集器
EP3771349B1 (en) 2019-07-30 2024-04-17 Muzer Makina Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti. Tobacco expansion system (tes)

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4377173A (en) * 1979-02-16 1983-03-22 Airco, Inc. Methods and apparatus for expanding tobacco
US4248253A (en) * 1979-06-11 1981-02-03 Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. Method for separating veins from lamina of tobacco leaf
DE3147846C2 (de) * 1981-09-05 1984-07-19 B.A.T. Cigaretten-Fabriken Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg Verfahren zur Verbesserung der Füllfähigkeit von Tabakmaterial
US4418706A (en) * 1981-09-21 1983-12-06 Office Of Monopoly Method for expanding tobacco and apparatus therefor
US4407306A (en) * 1981-12-17 1983-10-04 American Brands, Inc. Method for expanding tobacco with steam at high temperature and velocity
CH658367A5 (de) * 1982-05-11 1986-11-14 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg Verfahren und vorrichtung zum volumenvergroessern von tabak.
DE3315274A1 (de) * 1982-05-11 1983-11-17 Hauni-Werke Körber & Co KG, 2050 Hamburg Verfahren und vorrichtung zum volumenvergroessern von tabak
US4528995A (en) * 1983-10-13 1985-07-16 Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation Sealed pneumatic tobacco conveying and treating apparatus
GB8530019D0 (en) * 1985-12-05 1986-01-15 British American Tobacco Co Expansion of vegetable material
AU644736B2 (en) * 1991-05-20 1993-12-16 Japan Tobacco Inc. Expanding apparatus for agricultural product or the like
CH683226A5 (de) * 1991-12-09 1994-02-15 Egri Laszlo Expandieren und Trocknen von Tabak.
JPH07294371A (ja) * 1994-04-28 1995-11-10 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd 超音速風洞
DE19734364A1 (de) * 1997-08-08 1999-02-11 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Konditionierungsmediums auf Tabakmaterial

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4155639A1 (fr) * 2021-09-22 2023-03-29 Proxipel SA Procédé et dispositif de séchage de biomasse

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2063100A (en) 2000-09-07
EP1033081A3 (de) 2001-02-07
CA2300022A1 (en) 2000-09-03
CA2300022C (en) 2007-09-18
BR0000725B1 (pt) 2010-12-28
US20020189624A1 (en) 2002-12-19
US6397851B1 (en) 2002-06-04
DE50011878D1 (de) 2006-01-26
DE19909318C2 (de) 2001-06-28
PL192942B1 (pl) 2006-12-29
EP1033081A2 (de) 2000-09-06
US6834653B2 (en) 2004-12-28
AU758500B2 (en) 2003-03-20
PL338751A1 (en) 2000-09-11
ATE313276T1 (de) 2006-01-15
BR0000725A (pt) 2000-10-31
DE19909318A1 (de) 2000-09-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1033081B1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Expansion von Nahrungs- und Genussmitteln
EP1177730B1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Konditionierung von zerkleinerten Tabakmaterialien
DE3725309C2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Expandieren von Tabak
EP0370447A1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur produktschonenden Mahlung und gleichzeitigen Trocknung von feuchten Celluloseethern
DE69310546T2 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zur trocknung und kalzinierung von natriumbicarbonat
DE1604900A1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Schnelltrocknung
EP2117340B1 (de) Verfahren zum trocknen von nebenprodukten
WO2007104389A1 (de) Trocknungsvorrichtung für tabak
EP0065222B1 (de) Verfahren zum Trocknen von durch Hochdruckextraktion hergestellten Naturstoffextrakten aus Pflanzen und Pflanzenteilen
EP0123116B1 (de) Verfahren zur Verbesserung der Füllfähigkeit von Tabak
DE3818915A1 (de) Verfahren zur explosionszerkleinerung von zellmaterial
EP1317191B1 (de) Verfahren zur verbesserung der füllfähigkeit von tabak
DE2231722A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum entfernen von fluessigkeit von nassen oder feuchten teilchen
DE3705879C2 (pt)
DE3602098A1 (de) Verbessertes tabak-expansionsverfahren
DE2901721C2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Trocknen eines ein verdampfungsfähiges Material enthaltenden Feststoffmaterials
DE2731931C2 (pt)
DE3780849T2 (de) Rueckgewinnung und uebertragung von aroma.
WO1990006695A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum expandieren von tabak
DE2147878A1 (de) Verfahren zum Herstellen von gefrier getrockneten Kaffee oder Tee Extrakten und Vorrichtung zur Durchfuhrung des Verfahrens
DE2834501A1 (de) Verfahren zum expandieren von tabak
EP2501241B1 (de) Verfahren zur konservierung von nahrungsmitteln und verfahren zur herstellung von konservierten nahrungsmitteln
CH679104A5 (en) Removing bitter taste from soybean
DE3841915C1 (en) Tobacco heat treatment plant - incorporates drums with wetting jets and revolving blades
DE202015009570U1 (de) Vorrichtung zum Trocknen von teilchenförmigem Schüttgut

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

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

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010301

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20030415

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 CY 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: IE

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: 20051221

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: 20051221

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: KIRKER & CIE SA

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 50011878

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060126

Kind code of ref document: P

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

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20060208

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: 20060228

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20060228

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20060228

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

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: 20060321

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: 20060321

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: 20060321

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20060227

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

Effective date: 20060401

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: 20060522

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20060922

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: BRITISH-AMERICAN TOBACCO (GERMANY) G.M.B.H.

Effective date: 20060228

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

Ref country code: CY

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: 20051221

PLAA Information modified related to event that no opposition was filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009299DELT

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

R26N No opposition filed (corrected)

Effective date: 20060922

RIN2 Information on inventor provided after grant (corrected)

Inventor name: WEISS, ARNO, DR.

Inventor name: SCHMEKEL, GERALD

Inventor name: PLUECKHAHN, FRANK

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 18

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 19

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20190218

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20190218

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20190219

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20190219

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20190218

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20190219

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 50011878

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MK

Effective date: 20200207

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20200207

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: 20200207