EP1036607B1 - Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Behälters mit profiliertem Boden - Google Patents

Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Behälters mit profiliertem Boden Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1036607B1
EP1036607B1 EP99113803A EP99113803A EP1036607B1 EP 1036607 B1 EP1036607 B1 EP 1036607B1 EP 99113803 A EP99113803 A EP 99113803A EP 99113803 A EP99113803 A EP 99113803A EP 1036607 B1 EP1036607 B1 EP 1036607B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cup
press
draw
punch
die
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
EP99113803A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1036607A2 (de
EP1036607A3 (de
Inventor
Joseph D. Bulso Jr.
Terry L. Gang Jr.
Gregory A. Calderone
Harry D. Stewart
William J. Simmons
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.)
Stolle Machinery Co LLC
Original Assignee
Stolle Machinery Co LLC
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 Stolle Machinery Co LLC filed Critical Stolle Machinery Co LLC
Publication of EP1036607A2 publication Critical patent/EP1036607A2/de
Publication of EP1036607A3 publication Critical patent/EP1036607A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1036607B1 publication Critical patent/EP1036607B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D22/00—Shaping without cutting, by stamping, spinning, or deep-drawing
    • B21D22/20—Deep-drawing
    • B21D22/30—Deep-drawing to finish articles formed by deep-drawing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D22/00—Shaping without cutting, by stamping, spinning, or deep-drawing
    • B21D22/02—Stamping using rigid devices or tools
    • B21D22/06—Stamping using rigid devices or tools having relatively-movable die parts

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a method for forming drawn containers. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for forming a drawn cup having a profiled bottom.
  • a typical cup includes a circular base connected to a cylindrical sidewall.
  • the cup is typically shorter and wider than a finished container.
  • the cups are typically subjected to a variety of additional processes that further form the cup into a finished container.
  • Container manufacturing lines operate at high speeds to produce large quantities of containers. Throughout these manufacturing lines, the container elements are transported from one work station to another work station where different forming processes are performed.
  • One of the problems encountered in designing the manufacturing lines is that the container elements often become deformed when being transported from station to station. As the speed of the lines increases, the number of container elements that become deformed increases. This problem is aggravated by the constantly increasing economic pressures to reduce the gauge of the material used to form the containers. The deformations are caused by the collisions between the container elements and contact between the container elements and the machinery.
  • the cups are generally intended to have circular bottoms with straight, cylindrical sidewalls. Later processes that further form these cups include tooling designed to operate on substantially cylindrical cups. After the cups are initially formed, however, various forces can cause the cups to warp. If a cup is sufficiently warped, the container eventually formed from it must be discarded as waste. Additionally, tooling damage and/or jamming can occur. It has therefore become desirable to form a cup that is more resistant to warping and deformation.
  • GB-A-2 316 029 discloses a method of forming a bottom-profiled cup which solves the above-mentioned problems.
  • the apparatus utilized to form a cup having a profiled bottom includes an annular draw die, a punch assembly configured to travel through the draw die, a die core disposed in the path of the punch assembly, and a ring pad disposed about the die core and also in the path of the punch assembly.
  • the method of forming a cup having a profiled bottom includes the steps of blanking a section of material at a first level of a double action press, drawing the blank over a draw die with a punch assembly to form a cup, carrying the cup to a second level of the press with the punch assembly, drawing the cup on a die core with one element of the punch assembly to profile the bottom of the cup, returning the profiled cup to the second level of the press, and ejecting the profiled cup from the press.
  • the phase angle of the cam or crank is set so that the angle between the inner and outer slide exceeds 80° to achieve proper liftoff timing.
  • the inner slide stroke is set to provide additional stroke for drawing the cup into the reform pad.
  • a cup having a profiled bottom formed by the apparatus and method of the present invention is depicted in Fig. 1 and is indicated generally by the numeral 10.
  • the profiled cup 10 includes a generally cylindrical outer wall 11 that is connected at its bottom edge to the outer edge of an annular outer bottom wall 12.
  • a generally cylindrical inner wall 13 extends upwardly from the inner edge of the outer bottom wall 12 in concentricity with outer wall 11 and connects with a generally circular inner bottom wall 14.
  • Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be assumed that the tooling illustrated therein is incorporated into a double acting press of the type well known in this art. It will also be assumed that the material M will be fed into the press either from sheet or coil stock, as desired.
  • FIG. 2 a sectional view of the tooling of the apparatus of the present invention may be seen.
  • an annular draw die 20 is carried by the press wall 21.
  • a draw pad 22 is disposed above the draw die 20 and is carried by the outer slide 23 of the double action press.
  • the outer slide 23 is reciprocal to move the draw pad 22 upwardly away from draw die 20 and downwardly against draw die 20.
  • a cut edge 24 is disposed radially outward of the draw pad 22 on the outer slide and is operable to blank material M after the outer slide 23 lowers the draw pad 22 to clamp the material M against the draw die 20.
  • a cut edge support pad 25 is supported by a spring 26 and is disposed beneath the cut edge 24.
  • a punch assembly 30 is disposed radially inward of the draw pad 22 and is carried by an inner slide 31 of the press.
  • the inner slide 31 is reciprocal to cause the punch assembly 30 to translate vertically through the draw die 20.
  • the punch assembly 30 includes a centrally-disposed punch core 32 partially surrounded by an annular punch ring 33.
  • the punch core 32 has a substantially flat bottom and a fluid passage 34 extending therethrough.
  • the fluid passage 34 is selectively connected to a source of fluid pressure (not shown) such as pressurized air and is used for cup removal purposes as will be subsequently described.
  • the bottom surfaces of the punch core 32 and the punch ring 33 are substantially coplanar.
  • the inner slide 31 is, however, operable to cause the punch ring 33 to move independently of punch core 32.
  • the punch ring 33 may be moved downwardly, past the punch core 32 such that the bottom surface of the punch ring 33 is disposed below the bottom surface of the punch core 32.
  • a pair of cooperating shoulders 35 formed in the punch core 32 and punch ring 33 prevent the bottom surface of the punch ring 33 from being raised above the bottom surface of the punch core 32.
  • the press wall 21 forms a substantially cylindrical chamber 40 configured to receive the punch assembly 30 and the drawn cup 10.
  • a fluid line 41 extends through the press wall 21.
  • the fluid line 41 is selectively connected to a source of pressurized fluid, such as air, for a purpose that will be subsequently described.
  • the press wall 21 has an opening 42 that is configured to allow a drawn cup 10 to pass therethrough to exit the chamber 40.
  • the bottom of the chamber 40 is formed by the cooperation of an inner die core 50 and a ring pad 51 that encircles the inner die core 50.
  • the inner die core 50 is carried by lower platen 52 and is stationary during the cup forming process.
  • the ring pad 51 is, however, carried by a plurality of springs 53 that allow the ring pad 51 to be translated vertically with respect to the inner die core 50 under pressure from punch ring 33, as will be described.
  • a pair of shoulders 54 formed in the lower platen 52 and the ring pad 51 cooperate to prevent the upper surface of the ring pad 51 from rising above the level of the upper surface of the inner die core 50.
  • Cups 10 having profiled bottoms are formed using the apparatus of the present invention in accordance with the following method.
  • a sheet of material M is inserted at a first level of the press between the draw die 20 and the draw pad 22.
  • the outer slide 23 moves the draw pad 22 against the material M, thereby clamping the material M between the draw pad 22 and the draw die 20.
  • Continued advance of outer slide 23 then causes the cut edge 24 to cut a substantially circular blank 28 out of the material M.
  • the scrap material 27 is carried by the support 25 while the blank 28 remains clamped between the draw die 20 and the draw pad 22, as depicted in Fig. 2.
  • the inner slide 31 causes the punch assembly 30 to move against the blank 26 and through the draw die 20. This movement causes the blank 28 to be drawn over edge 20a of the draw die 20, and the outer wall 11 of the cup 10 begins to be formed as may be seen in Fig. 3.
  • the punch assembly 30 is moving through the draw die 20, the clamping pressure between the draw die 20 and the draw pad 22 is controlled by the outer slide 23.
  • the punch assembly 30 continues to move through the draw die 20 until the entire blank 28 is drawn over the draw die 20, forming a cup 60.
  • the inner slide 31 then continues to move the punch assembly 30 and the cup 60 downwardly to a second press level.
  • the cup 60 remains on the punch assembly 30 as is shown in Fig. 4.
  • the inner slide 31 causes the punch ring 33 to continue moving downwardly against the ring pad 51, overcoming the force of springs 53.
  • This movement of the punch ring 33 causes bottom wall of the cup 60 to be drawn over the edge 50a of inner die core 50 to profile the bottom of the cup 60.
  • the extension of the punch ring 33 has formed the inner bottom wall 14 and outer bottom wall 12 of the profiled cup 10 as well as the generally cylindrical inner wall 13.
  • the inner slide 31 reverses its movement and the punch ring 33 is retracted.
  • the springs 53 disposed beneath the ring pad 51 force the ring pad 51 upwardly against the punch ring 33 and force the cup 10 back to the second level of the press.
  • the shoulders 54 and the shoulders 35 meet simultaneously and prevent the ring pad 51 from rising further and cause punch ring 33 and the punch core 32 to begin rising together.
  • the cup 10 has the tendency to remain on the punch assembly 30.
  • Activation of the fluid line 34 disposed in the punch core 32 provides a pneumatic force that helps to separate the cup 10 from the punch assembly 30, as may be seen in Fig. 6.
  • the fluid line 41 in the press wall 21 is then activated to create a pneumatic force that pushes the cup 10 out of the opening 42 in the press wall 21, following which it may be transferred to other apparatus for further operations.
  • the phase angle between the inner and outer slides has been set to exceed 80° in order to achieve proper liftoff timing.
  • the stroke of the inner slide 31 exceeds 5.0" to provide additional stroke for driving the cup over the inner die core 50 to profile the bottom of the cup.
  • the outer slide stroke is set for travel of the slide and the tooling in the range of 2.0" to 3.0".

Claims (2)

  1. Verfahren der Formung eines bodenprofilierten Bechers aus einer Metallplatte in einer zweifach wirkenden, innere (31) und äußere (23) Schlitten aufweisenden Presse, mittels Formung eines ausgestanzten Bechers (28) aus der Materialplatte in einer ersten Ebene durch Halten des Materials unter einem durch den äußeren Schlitten (23) beförderten Ziehblock (22), Bewegung eines durch den inneren Schlitten (31) beförderten Ausstanzers (30) gegen den Becherformling (28), um das Material in einer zweiten Ebene zu einer Becherform zu ziehen, Profilierung des Becherbodens in der zweiten Ebene, Zurückziehung des inneren Schlittens (31) und Entfernung des profilierten Bechers in der zweiten Ebene, dadurch charakterisiert, dass der Phasenwinkel zwischen den inneren (31) und äußeren (23) Schlitten der Presse auf der Steuerkurve oder Kurbel der Presse größer ist als 80°.
  2. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Hub des inneren Schlittens (31) größer ist als 12,7 cm und der Hub des äußeren Schlittens (23) im Bereich von etwa 5,08 cm bis etwa 7,62 cm liegt.
EP99113803A 1999-03-09 1999-07-14 Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Behälters mit profiliertem Boden Expired - Lifetime EP1036607B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US26355099A 1999-03-09 1999-03-09
US263550 1999-03-09

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1036607A2 EP1036607A2 (de) 2000-09-20
EP1036607A3 EP1036607A3 (de) 2003-01-08
EP1036607B1 true EP1036607B1 (de) 2004-11-17

Family

ID=23002230

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99113803A Expired - Lifetime EP1036607B1 (de) 1999-03-09 1999-07-14 Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Behälters mit profiliertem Boden

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1036607B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2000254736A (de)
AT (1) ATE282489T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69921961T2 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3219402A1 (de) 2016-03-15 2017-09-20 Can - Pack S.A. Verfahren zur herstellung von pressteilen zur herstellung von behältern

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1394580B1 (it) * 2009-05-26 2012-07-05 Sacmi Apparato di goffratura
JP5674769B2 (ja) 2009-05-26 2015-02-25 サチミ、コオペラティバ、メッカニーチ、イモラ、ソチエタ、コオペラティバＳａｃｍｉ Ｃｏｏｐｅｒａｔｉｖａ Ｍｅｃｃａｎｉｃｉ Ｉｍｏｌａ Ｓｏｃｉｅｔａ’ Ｃｏｏｐｅｒａｔｉｖａ エンボス加工方法及び装置
CN109937097B (zh) 2016-10-06 2022-04-08 斯多里机械有限责任公司 容器和选择成形杯、提供其的工具和相关方法

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3902347A (en) * 1973-10-23 1975-09-02 Minster Machine Co Mechanical press, especially a cupping press
US4043169A (en) * 1976-10-14 1977-08-23 Buhrke Industries, Inc. Triple action cupping tool
US5881593A (en) * 1996-03-07 1999-03-16 Redicon Corporation Method and apparatus for forming a bottom-profiled cup

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3219402A1 (de) 2016-03-15 2017-09-20 Can - Pack S.A. Verfahren zur herstellung von pressteilen zur herstellung von behältern

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE282489T1 (de) 2004-12-15
EP1036607A2 (de) 2000-09-20
DE69921961T2 (de) 2005-12-22
JP2000254736A (ja) 2000-09-19
DE69921961D1 (de) 2004-12-23
EP1036607A3 (de) 2003-01-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5881593A (en) Method and apparatus for forming a bottom-profiled cup
AU681435B2 (en) Method of forming a metal container body
US4414836A (en) Method of and apparatus for deep drawing metal containers
US4903521A (en) Method and apparatus for forming, reforming and curling shells in a single press
US4808052A (en) Method and apparatus for forming container end panels
US4441354A (en) Process for manufacturing thin unitary hollow metal bodies
US4977772A (en) Method and apparatus for forming reforming and curling shells in a single press
GB2141052A (en) Forming end panels for two-piece cans in double acting press
EP0149823B1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Deckeln
US6658911B2 (en) Method and apparatus for forming container end shells
GB2214117A (en) Method and apparatus for forming container with profiled bottom
US4800743A (en) Method and apparatus for accommodating thermal expansion and other variances in presses
US6539767B2 (en) Method and apparatus for forming a container component
US20100242567A1 (en) Method and apparatus for producing untrimmed container bodies
US7240531B2 (en) Press for forming containers with profiled bottoms
EP1126939B1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum herstellen von dosendeckeln
US5341667A (en) Container bottom wall reforming apparatus and method
EP1036607B1 (de) Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Behälters mit profiliertem Boden
US5628224A (en) Method for sequentially forming can bodies
WO2009052608A1 (en) Method and apparatus for producing untrimmed container bodies
US4147049A (en) Drawing heavy walled parts
US4856176A (en) Process and apparatus for assembling a tubular container
US5970775A (en) Method and apparatus for forming cup-shaped container bodies
EP0106435B1 (de) Luft-Transportsystem für eine Deckelpresse
JP3771349B2 (ja) 異形底カップを形成するための方法及び装置

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

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7B 21D 22/30 A, 7B 21D 22/24 B

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030701

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): 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: 20031205

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: SIMMONS, WILLIAM J.

Inventor name: STEWART, HARRY D.

Inventor name: CALDERONE, GREGORY A.

Inventor name: GANG, TERRY L. JR.

Inventor name: BULSO, JOSEPH D. JR.

RTI1 Title (correction)

Free format text: METHOD FOR FORMING A BOTTOM-PROFILED CUP

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: SIMMONS, WILLIAM J.

Inventor name: STEWART, HARRY D.

Inventor name: CALDERONE, GREGORY A.

Inventor name: GANG, TERRY L. JR.

Inventor name: BULSO, JOSEPH D. JR.

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC

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: 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: 20041117

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: 20041117

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 PRE;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.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20041117

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: 20041117

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: 20041117

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: 20041117

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: 20041117

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: SIMMONS, WILLIAM J.

Inventor name: STEWART, HARRY D.

Inventor name: CALDERONE, GREGORY A.

Inventor name: GANG, TERRY L. JR.

Inventor name: BULSO, JOSEPH D. JR.

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: 69921961

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20041223

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: 20050217

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: 20050217

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: 20050217

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: 20050228

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20050714

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20050714

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: 20050714

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: 20050731

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: 20050818

ET Fr: translation filed
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: 20050417

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

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: 20180612

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20180703

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20180711

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 69921961

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20190713

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: 20190713