EP1042132A1 - Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of grooves - Google Patents
Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of groovesInfo
- Publication number
- EP1042132A1 EP1042132A1 EP98962614A EP98962614A EP1042132A1 EP 1042132 A1 EP1042132 A1 EP 1042132A1 EP 98962614 A EP98962614 A EP 98962614A EP 98962614 A EP98962614 A EP 98962614A EP 1042132 A1 EP1042132 A1 EP 1042132A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- diamond
- mark
- gemstone
- grooves
- ion beam
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING
- B44B7/00—Machines, apparatus or hand tools for branding, e.g. using radiant energy such as laser beams
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING
- B44B3/00—Artist's machines or apparatus equipped with tools or work holders moving or able to be controlled substantially two- dimensionally for carving, engraving, or guilloching shallow ornamenting or markings
- B44B3/04—Artist's machines or apparatus equipped with tools or work holders moving or able to be controlled substantially two- dimensionally for carving, engraving, or guilloching shallow ornamenting or markings wherein non-plane surfaces are worked
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING
- B44B2700/00—Machines, apparatus, tools or accessories for artistic work
- B44B2700/08—Machines, apparatus or hand tools for branding
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for marking a surface of a diamond or other gemstone.
- the mark may be any mark, but the invention is particularly but not exclusively directed to applying an information mark to the diamond.
- the diamond may be, for instance, an industrial diamond such as a wiredrawing die, though the invention is of particular interest in marking gemstone diamonds, and especially for applying a mark which is invisible to the naked eye or invisible to the eye using a xlO loupe (which is the loupe used by jewellers), when the mark can be applied to a polished facet of the gemstone without detracting from its clarity grade.
- the marks can be used to uniquely identify the gemstone by a serial number or as a brand or quality mark, but it should not detract from the value or appearance of the stone, and should preferably not exhibit blackening.
- a method of forming a mark on the surface of a diamond or gemstone comprising the step of forming a plurality of grooves on the surface of the diamond or gemstone, the mark being such that it cannot be read by the naked eye, the grooves producing a visible diffraction effect under certain predetermined lighting conditions, such that the mark can be read under certain predetermined magnification conditions.
- an apparatus for performing the above-mentioned method comprising: a diamond or gemstone which has been marked by the above-mentioned method.
- a method of forming a mark on the surface of a diamond or gemstone comprising the step of forming a plurality of grooves on the surface of the diamond, said grooves producing a visible diffraction effect under certain predetermined illumination conditions without detrimentally affecting the clarity grade of the diamond or gemstone.
- an apparatus for performing the above-mentioned method comprising: a diamond or gemstone which has been marked by the above-mentioned method.
- each groove is not less than about 10 nm deep and/or not more than about 50 nm deep with no evidence of blackening. A specific example would be around 30 nm.
- the grooves may be in the form of parallel lines, or even a plurality of intersecting grooves forming cross-hatched pattern, depending on the effect desired.
- marking can be carried out using any suitable means, e.g. etching with an excimer laser or plasma etching, marking is preferably carried out using an ion beam, and most preferably by direct writing on the diamond surface with a focused ion beam.
- etching with an excimer laser or plasma etching marking is preferably carried out using an ion beam, and most preferably by direct writing on the diamond surface with a focused ion beam.
- ion beam By limiting the dose, sputtering of carbon atoms can be avoided, sputtering causing direct material removal; this enables a mark to be applied with a controlled depth and good resolution.
- Gallium ions are used, but a beam of other suitable ions may alternatively be used.
- the incident ions cause disordering that converts the diamond to a graphite-like or other non-diamond structure that can be cleaned using, for example, a powerful oxidizing agent, such as molten potassium nitrate, at a temperature of approximately 380-550 Centigrade for a period of between a few minutes and several hours.
- a powerful oxidizing agent such as molten potassium nitrate
- potassium nitrate has been found to be more effective in removing disordered diamond than other known processes, thus allowing a mark of a given depth to be produced with a relatively low dose of ions.
- Suitable oxidising agents may be molten compounds such as alkali metal salts; compounds in the form XnYm where the group X may be Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , Cs + or other cation, and the group Y may be OH " , NO 3 " , O 2 2 ⁇ O 2 ⁇ CO 3 " or other anion, the integers n and m being used to maintain charge balance. Mixtures of such compounds may be used. Air or other oxygen-containing gases may also be present.
- the disordered layer of the diamond can be removed using an acid or potassium nitrate dissolved in acid.
- an acid or potassium nitrate dissolved in acid for example, molten potassium nitrate eliminates acid fumes.
- the need to dispose of spent acid is eliminated, thereby offering safety, environmental and economic benefits.
- the depth of disordering is determined by the range of ions. For 50 keV Gallium, this range is about 30 nm.
- the minimum dose may be around 10 13 / cm 2 and is preferably about 10 14 /cm 2 to 10 15 /cm 2 , but good marks can be applied with a fairly modest dose, the preferred maximum dose being about 10 /cm or even up to about 10 /cm . However, the dose depends upon the ions being used and their energy (as measured in keV).
- the ion beam dose is a total number of incident ions per unit area at the sample surface, during the marking.
- the beam current may be about 0.5 nA, and the beam energy not less than about 10 keV or about 30 keN and/or not greater than about 100 keV or about 50 keV.
- the region to be marked and/or the surrounding area may be coated with an electrically conducting layer, for instance gold, prior to forming the mark, so that an electrical connection can be provided before marking with an ion beam, to prevent charging.
- the thickness of the gold, or other coating alters the variation of depth of the mark with beam energy and may thus be chosen to optimise the mark produced.
- the accuracy of the method is such that no masking is required: the ion beam is applied directly to the surface of the diamond at the positions where the grooves are required to be formed.
- the ion beam is applied directly to the surface of the diamond at the positions where the grooves are required to be formed.
- an apparatus for viewing a mark formed on a diamond using the method of the first or second aspect of the present invention comprising illumination means for illuminating the mark with directional light at an angle which corresponds to the diffraction angle of light of a predetermined wavelength or band of wavelengths, viewing means for viewing said mark, and magnification means for magnifying the viewed image of said mark.
- the invention also extends to a method of viewing the mark corresponding to the apparatus defined above.
- the mark is preferably viewed against a dark background, ie. it is preferred that the illuminating light is substantially prevented from reflecting through the stone and appearing directly behind or close to the mark. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that, in order to achieve this, the angle and direction from which the illuminating light is supplied (and hence the orientation and spacing of the lines) must be chosen so as to ensure that no light can follow the undesired path.
- the typical range of magnification required to view the mark is xlO to x50.
- n is an integer.
- d is the distance between each groove
- ⁇ is the angle of the incident light
- ⁇ is the wavelength of the diffracted light
- n is an integer.
- n l.
- d and n are fixed, and the wavelength of diffracted light, i.e. the colour which the mark will appear when viewed, can be varied by varying the angle of incident light.
- the angle of the incident light i.e. ⁇
- ⁇ is set so that ⁇ is around 450nm, using the above equation.
- ⁇ is set so that ⁇ is around 620nm.
- the illuminating means may comprise a light source and an opaque screen located in the incident light path, the screen having two apertures formed therein, the apertures being formed on either side of a generally central position such that two angular directional light sources are produced. The distance between the apertures determines the angle of the incident light sources.
- the directional light source(s) may be provided by any convenient means, e.g. two separate light sources.
- a conventional microscope may include illumination means comprising a circular ring-shaped source comprising optical fibres illuminated by a remote tungsten light bulb. The illumination means of the present invention can be obtained by masking off all but two diametrically opposite sections of the illuminator.
- Figure 1 is a magnified schematic diagram of the type of mark which is formed using the method and apparatus of the first and second aspects of the present invention
- Figure 2 is a further magnified cross-sectional view along line A - A of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention.
- a mark in the form of an alphanumeric character may be formed by means of a plurality of equally spaced, parallel elongate grooves 10 each separated by a distance d.
- Each groove 10 may have a generally square or rectangular cross-section, as shown in Figure 2.
- a sinusoidal profile may be preferred to reduce unwanted higher order diffraction.
- a diamond gemstone is mounted in a suitable holder and placed in a vacuum chamber equipped with a focused ion beam source such as supplied by FEI or Micrion.
- a focused ion beam source such as supplied by FEI or Micrion.
- the region to be marked may be irradiated using an electron flood gun supplied by Micrion, providing a low energy, e.g. 1-100 eN, source of electrons, to prevent the diamond from becoming charged.
- the sample is removed from the vacuum chamber, placed in a stainless steel crucible, and covered with a powerful oxidising agent, such as molten potassium nitrate, for a period of around one to two hours.
- a powerful oxidising agent such as molten potassium nitrate
- the sample is subsequently cooled and removed from the potassium nitrate before being cleaned using water and ethanol, thereby removing the portions of the diamond surface which have been disordered by the ion beam, and leaving a series of closely spaced grooves each around 30 - 35 nm deep, with no evidence of blackening.
- the exposed region Upon examination before cleaning, the exposed region is identifiable by its graphitelike appearance when examined, for example, in a reflected light microscope. Such a mark would not be acceptable to a diamond grader, in that it would substantially reduce the clarity grade of the diamond. However, after cleaning using the powerful oxidising agent, the mark is not easily visible in a microscope, with no contrast between the mark and surrounding areas. The mark only becomes visible when illuminated by preferably two directional light sources at an angle which corresponds to the angle of diffracted light of a particular wavelength, for example blue light, at which time the mark appears blue. Such a mark is acceptable to a diamond grader in that it does not detrimentally affect the clarity grade of the diamond.
- the closely spaced grooves are preferably formed within an 'invisible outline' of an alphanumeric character or the like, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.
- the marked diamond 104 is placed on the viewing surface 100 of a conventional microscope 102.
- the diamond 104 is illuminated by two directional light sources 106 having an angle ⁇ relative to the vertical axis Y.
- ⁇ is chosen so that the mark appears to be, for example, blue or red, as desired.
- d is approximately 1200nm, then ⁇ is chosen to satisfy:
- the directional light sources may be provided by a generally ring-shaped illuminator, all but two diametrically opposite portions thereof being masked off. However, any suitable light source may be used to produce the same effect.
Landscapes
- Adornments (AREA)
- Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
- Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
- Welding Or Cutting Using Electron Beams (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9727364.3A GB9727364D0 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Watermark |
GB9727364 | 1997-12-24 | ||
PCT/GB1998/003889 WO1999033671A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-12-23 | Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of grooves |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1042132A1 true EP1042132A1 (en) | 2000-10-11 |
EP1042132B1 EP1042132B1 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
Family
ID=10824244
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98962614A Expired - Lifetime EP1042132B1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-12-23 | Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of grooves |
Country Status (15)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1042132B1 (en) |
JP (2) | JP4497720B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100501089B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1146506C (en) |
AU (1) | AU746557B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2316957C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69820295T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2212385T3 (en) |
GB (2) | GB9727364D0 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1020032A1 (en) |
IL (1) | IL136967A0 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2215659C2 (en) |
TW (1) | TW458836B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999033671A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA9811838B (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2357737A (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2001-07-04 | Yasuhira Mori | Digitally marking a gemstone using a laser |
CA2445443C (en) * | 2001-04-26 | 2013-01-08 | Valinmark Inc. | Method for producing and visualising an optically invisible mark |
AU2004303615A1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2005-07-07 | Element Six Limited | Method of incorporating a mark in CVD diamond |
EP1959780A1 (en) * | 2005-12-06 | 2008-08-27 | California Institute of Technology | Enhancing the optical characteristics of a gemstone |
US8069688B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2011-12-06 | California Institute Of Technology | Gemstones and methods for controlling the appearance thereof |
RU2427041C2 (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2011-08-20 | Юрий Константинович Низиенко | Method of making identification mark for marking valuable articles and valuable article with said mark |
RU2426487C2 (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2011-08-20 | Юрий Константинович Низиенко | Identification mark to mark valuable items and valuable item with its application |
RU2427908C1 (en) | 2010-03-29 | 2011-08-27 | Юрий Константинович Низиенко | Method to detect visually invisible identification mark on surface of valuable item, method of its positioning in process of detection and detector for process realisation |
US20140312017A1 (en) | 2011-07-27 | 2014-10-23 | Alexander Potemkin | Method For Applying a Data Marking to the Surface of a Diamond or Brilliant and For Determining the Authenticity Thereof |
WO2013152155A1 (en) * | 2012-04-04 | 2013-10-10 | Merenfeld Miriam | Reflective surface having a computer readable code |
WO2014190801A1 (en) * | 2013-05-30 | 2014-12-04 | Goldway Technology Limited | Method of marking material and system therefore, and material marked according to same method |
WO2015051640A1 (en) * | 2013-10-11 | 2015-04-16 | Goldway Technology Limited | Method of providing markings to precious stones including gemstones and diamonds, and markings and marked precious stones marked according to such a method |
HK1198858A2 (en) | 2014-04-16 | 2015-06-12 | Master Dynamic Ltd | Method of marking a solid state material, and solid state materials marked according to such a method |
CH713538B1 (en) * | 2017-03-02 | 2020-12-30 | Guebelin Gem Lab Ltd | Procedure for making a gemstone traceable. |
US20210146716A1 (en) * | 2018-02-23 | 2021-05-20 | Master Dynamic Limited | Method of marking a solid-state material, markings formed from such methods and solid-state materials marked according to such a method |
SG10201805438TA (en) * | 2018-06-25 | 2020-01-30 | Iia Tech Pte Ltd | A diamond having nanostructures on one of its surface to generate structural colours and a method of producing thereof |
EP3712717A1 (en) | 2019-03-19 | 2020-09-23 | Comadur S.A. | Method for marking a sapphire watchglass |
RU2720100C1 (en) * | 2019-03-26 | 2020-04-24 | Акционерная Компания "АЛРОСА" (публичное акционерное общество) (АК "АЛРОСА" (ПАО)) | Method of creating and detecting optically permeable image inside diamond and detection system (embodiments) |
CN111983804A (en) * | 2020-08-27 | 2020-11-24 | 蔡汉荣 | Metal surface and method for forming reflective projection imaging by utilizing metal surface processing |
Family Cites Families (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB718651A (en) * | 1952-06-23 | 1954-11-17 | Ici Ltd | Improvements in or relating to optical goniometers |
US4200506A (en) * | 1977-11-08 | 1980-04-29 | Dreschhoff Gisela A M | Process for providing identification markings for gemstones |
JPS56108712U (en) * | 1980-01-24 | 1981-08-24 | ||
EP0064780A1 (en) * | 1981-05-07 | 1982-11-17 | Maurice Hakoune | Process for treating a gem, and gem so treated |
US4467172A (en) * | 1983-01-03 | 1984-08-21 | Jerry Ehrenwald | Method and apparatus for laser engraving diamonds with permanent identification markings |
US4639301B2 (en) * | 1985-04-24 | 1999-05-04 | Micrion Corp | Focused ion beam processing |
DE3802535A1 (en) * | 1987-05-21 | 1989-02-23 | Sattler Hans Eberhard | DEVICE FOR CONSIDERING, IN PARTICULAR, RAW GEMS IN AN IMMERSION LIQUID |
US5178645A (en) * | 1990-10-08 | 1993-01-12 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Cutting tool of polycrystalline diamond and method of manufacturing the same |
JP2867694B2 (en) * | 1990-11-27 | 1999-03-08 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Polycrystalline diamond cutting tool and its manufacturing method |
JPH0594615A (en) * | 1991-09-30 | 1993-04-16 | Toppan Printing Co Ltd | Information recording medium |
GB2275788B (en) * | 1993-03-05 | 1996-07-31 | Gersan Ets | Distinguishing natural from synthetic diamond |
JPH07108007A (en) * | 1993-10-13 | 1995-04-25 | Daiwa Kako Kk | Ornament |
GB9514558D0 (en) * | 1995-07-17 | 1995-09-13 | Gersan Ets | Marking diamond |
US5932119A (en) * | 1996-01-05 | 1999-08-03 | Lazare Kaplan International, Inc. | Laser marking system |
JPH10244382A (en) * | 1997-03-04 | 1998-09-14 | Mitsubishi Chem Corp | Texture device and its method |
IL124592A (en) * | 1997-05-23 | 2002-07-25 | Gersan Ets | Method of marking a gemstone or diamond |
-
1997
- 1997-12-24 GB GBGB9727364.3A patent/GB9727364D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1998
- 1998-12-22 GB GB9828393A patent/GB2332651B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 DE DE69820295T patent/DE69820295T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 AU AU17743/99A patent/AU746557B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-12-23 ES ES98962614T patent/ES2212385T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 RU RU2000119785/12A patent/RU2215659C2/en active
- 1998-12-23 JP JP2000526381A patent/JP4497720B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 CA CA002316957A patent/CA2316957C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 EP EP98962614A patent/EP1042132B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 CN CNB988137879A patent/CN1146506C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 KR KR10-2000-7007105A patent/KR100501089B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-23 IL IL13696798A patent/IL136967A0/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-23 ZA ZA9811838A patent/ZA9811838B/en unknown
- 1998-12-23 WO PCT/GB1998/003889 patent/WO1999033671A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-12-31 TW TW087122018A patent/TW458836B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1999
- 1999-10-19 HK HK99104599A patent/HK1020032A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2009
- 2009-08-20 JP JP2009190919A patent/JP2009285733A/en active Pending
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9933671A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1042132B1 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
CA2316957C (en) | 2004-04-27 |
ZA9811838B (en) | 2000-06-23 |
ES2212385T3 (en) | 2004-07-16 |
DE69820295T2 (en) | 2004-10-21 |
CN1284916A (en) | 2001-02-21 |
CN1146506C (en) | 2004-04-21 |
TW458836B (en) | 2001-10-11 |
AU1774399A (en) | 1999-07-19 |
RU2215659C2 (en) | 2003-11-10 |
CA2316957A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
AU746557B2 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
GB9727364D0 (en) | 1998-02-25 |
GB2332651A (en) | 1999-06-30 |
JP2001526996A (en) | 2001-12-25 |
DE69820295D1 (en) | 2004-01-15 |
HK1020032A1 (en) | 2000-03-10 |
GB9828393D0 (en) | 1999-02-17 |
IL136967A0 (en) | 2001-06-14 |
JP4497720B2 (en) | 2010-07-07 |
KR100501089B1 (en) | 2005-07-18 |
JP2009285733A (en) | 2009-12-10 |
GB2332651B (en) | 2001-11-07 |
WO1999033671A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
KR20010040311A (en) | 2001-05-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
AU746557B2 (en) | Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of grooves | |
US6391215B1 (en) | Diamond marking | |
RU2102231C1 (en) | Method of marking on diamond, method of production of mould insert, method of working of articles of diamonds, mould for extrusion of fibres, wires threads and similar articles, and method of marking on pearl, precious or semiprecious stone | |
US4912298A (en) | Method for producing a marking on a spectacle lens | |
US4686162A (en) | Optically structured filter and process for its production | |
WO2013013685A1 (en) | Method for applying a data marking to the surface of a diamond or brilliant and for determining the authenticity thereof | |
US6358427B1 (en) | Marking diamond | |
KR100509546B1 (en) | Marking Diamond | |
GB2361671A (en) | Diamond marking | |
JP2002326199A (en) | Producing method of micro optical element, micro optical element by the producing method, and optical device using the element |
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: 20000720 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20011130 |
|
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 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): BE CH DE ES FR IT LI NL |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): BE CH DE ES FR IT LI NL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69820295 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20040115 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: RITSCHER & PARTNER AG PATENTANWAELTE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2212385 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20040906 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20071203 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20071213 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PCAR Free format text: RITSCHER & PARTNER AG;RESIRAIN 1;8125 ZOLLIKERBERG (CH) |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20080118 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
NLV4 | Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20090701 |
|
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: 20081231 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20081231 |
|
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: 20090701 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20081224 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20081224 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: TP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R081 Ref document number: 69820295 Country of ref document: DE Owner name: DE BEERS UK LTD., GB Free format text: FORMER OWNER: GERSAN ESTABLISHMENT, VADUZ, LI Effective date: 20110331 Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R081 Ref document number: 69820295 Country of ref document: DE Owner name: DE BEERS CENTENARY AG, CH Free format text: FORMER OWNER: GERSAN ESTABLISHMENT, VADUZ, LI Effective date: 20110331 |
|
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: DE Ref legal event code: R081 Ref document number: 69820295 Country of ref document: DE Owner name: DE BEERS UK LTD., GB Free format text: FORMER OWNER: DE BEERS CENTENARY AG, LUCERN, CH |
|
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 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: TP Owner name: DE BEERS UK LTD, GB Effective date: 20171030 Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: CA Effective date: 20171030 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20171113 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20171024 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: 20171220 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20171221 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R071 Ref document number: 69820295 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: PD Owner name: DE BEERS UK LTD; GB Free format text: DETAILS ASSIGNMENT: CHANGE OF OWNER(S), AFFECTATION / CESSION; FORMER OWNER NAME: DE BEERS CENTENARY AG Effective date: 20160905 Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MK Effective date: 20181223 |