EP1048604A2 - Dispositif à câble protégé pour le levage et le transport fiable de matériaux - Google Patents

Dispositif à câble protégé pour le levage et le transport fiable de matériaux Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1048604A2
EP1048604A2 EP00106050A EP00106050A EP1048604A2 EP 1048604 A2 EP1048604 A2 EP 1048604A2 EP 00106050 A EP00106050 A EP 00106050A EP 00106050 A EP00106050 A EP 00106050A EP 1048604 A2 EP1048604 A2 EP 1048604A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cable
cable device
protected
reinforcement
protected cable
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
Application number
EP00106050A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1048604A3 (fr
EP1048604B1 (fr
Inventor
Giancarlo Dell'amico
Nello Storti
Vito Antonio Tafaro
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1048604A2 publication Critical patent/EP1048604A2/fr
Publication of EP1048604A3 publication Critical patent/EP1048604A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1048604B1 publication Critical patent/EP1048604B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D07ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
    • D07BROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
    • D07B1/00Constructional features of ropes or cables
    • D07B1/14Ropes or cables with incorporated auxiliary elements, e.g. for marking, extending throughout the length of the rope or cable
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66CCRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/12Slings comprising chains, wires, ropes, or bands; Nets
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D07ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
    • D07BROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
    • D07B2201/00Ropes or cables
    • D07B2201/20Rope or cable components
    • D07B2201/2083Jackets or coverings
    • D07B2201/2087Jackets or coverings being of the coated type
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D07ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
    • D07BROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
    • D07B2201/00Ropes or cables
    • D07B2201/20Rope or cable components
    • D07B2201/2083Jackets or coverings
    • D07B2201/2088Jackets or coverings having multiple layers
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D07ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
    • D07BROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
    • D07B2201/00Ropes or cables
    • D07B2201/20Rope or cable components
    • D07B2201/2083Jackets or coverings
    • D07B2201/2089Jackets or coverings comprising wrapped structures
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D07ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
    • D07BROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
    • D07B2205/00Rope or cable materials
    • D07B2205/30Inorganic materials
    • D07B2205/3021Metals
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D07ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
    • D07BROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
    • D07B2401/00Aspects related to the problem to be solved or advantage
    • D07B2401/20Aspects related to the problem to be solved or advantage related to ropes or cables
    • D07B2401/205Avoiding relative movement of components

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a novel design of a protected cable device for safely lifting and moving materials, i.e. a loop-shaped rope or cable provided with eyelets at its ends and used for lifting and moving loads of all types.
  • the rope or cable which forms the body of the protected cable device may be made equally well of metallic, textile, synthetic or mixed materials depending on the various materials with which the device itself is to be used and, in accordance with the invention, the external surface of this rope or cable is provided with a protective layer.
  • slings For a long time it has been known, in the art, to use bare loop-shaped cables provided with eyelets at their ends, commonly called slings, for lifting and moving materials and loads in general. After arranging one or more slings around and underneath the material to be moved, the end eyelets of the slings are attached to a lifting and moving means which, depending on the circumstances, may be a crane, a bridge crane, a derrick, the tooth of a mechanical shovel and the like, such that the load may be lifted and moved in the desired manner.
  • a lifting and moving means which, depending on the circumstances, may be a crane, a bridge crane, a derrick, the tooth of a mechanical shovel and the like, such that the load may be lifted and moved in the desired manner.
  • the abovementioned loading slings are at present very commonly used - both individually and, more frequently, in pairs - in all those cases where heavy materials must be moved and, owing to the great degree of versatility of application, they are used practically in every type of industry and goads handling station. They are therefore widely used, for example, in ports, for loading and unloading ships, in mechanical and iron-and-steel processing workshops, in stone material quarries and in sawing mills and workshops for processing said stone materials in the form of both blocks and slabs.
  • the protected cable device according to the present invention is in particular intended to be used in all those cases - i.e. typical of the stone material excavation and processing industry - where at present slings of the known type are used in direct contact with the material to be moved.
  • the sling is subject to particularly intense wear due to rubbing against the material to be moved.
  • the weight of the material is concentrated only at the points where the material to be moved makes contact with the sling, the section of the sling at said contact points is stressed in an anomalous manner, often beyond the yield limit of the material from which it is made.
  • This gives rise to numerous drawbacks which have particularly adverse consequences for slings formed by cables which are at least partially metallic, said slings forming moreover the vast majority of the slings used for heavy work.
  • a first drawback is associated with the fact that the high flexing to which the sling is subject at the points of contact, together with the abrasive action exerted thereon by the material which is moved, results in rapid and frequent breakage of the individual elemental wires which form the strands of the cable. Since the overall number of these breakages may be perceived in an approximate manner only from an external examination of the cable, in order to eliminate any possibility of breakage of the sling and therefore serious danger for the safety of the operators involved, the sling must be periodically replaced at fairly frequent intervals. In the case where the sling is subject to intense and continuous use, replacement of the sling must be performed very frequently, i.e. about once a week or once every few weeks, therefore resulting in not insignificant costs.
  • the cable undergo ovalisation and deformation of its cross-section, and this condition, in addition to leading to the already mentioned breakage of the individual wires, results in a reduction in the maximum hanging load of the sling.
  • some of the cable fibres are subject to compressive stresses and the working cross-section of the cable which is able to withstand the tensile stresses imparted by the load is therefore correspondingly reduced.
  • a third problem, which operators using sling known devices often complain of, is associated with the fact that, due to repeated local stresses following the lifting operations, the cable of the sling undergoes permanent deformation which causes the formation of coiled and/or angularly deformed zones along the length of the sling. This deformation result not only in greater difficulty of use and correct positioning of the sling around the material to be moved, but also in inevitable longitudinal dragging of the sling over the material to be lifted before it assumes an extended configuration, with consequent greater wear of the sling.
  • a further drawback which also poses a considerable risk for the safety of the operators, is associated with the damage which may be caused by the elemental wires of the cable following their breakage.
  • These wires in fact, owing to their elasticity, when loose and detached from the strands which form the cable are always directed towards the outside of cable surface and therefore may easily cause injury to the hands of the operators or to other unprotected parts of the body which may - also accidentally - come into contact with the cable.
  • a further drawback finally arises from the rapid corrosion of the sling which may be caused by the environmental and climatic conditions, said corrosion being accelerated by the abovementioned breakage of the elemental wires of the cable and also leading to more rapid deterioration in the mechanical features of the sling and, eventually, to a further reduction in the duration of its working life.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore that of overcoming all the drawbacks examined above by proposing an improved protected cable device which allows materials of any type to be lifted and moved without this resulting in permanent damage or deformation of the load-bearing cable and consequently increasing considerably the working life of the protected cable device and decreasing significantly the risks of injury for the operators involved in the material moving operations.
  • a protected cable device characterized in that it comprises a stranded cable provided with eyelets at its ends and in that at least one portion of said cable is covered by a thick and longitudinally flexible reinforcement sheathing made of a resilient material.
  • said reinforcement sheathing consists of at least one cylindrical spiral spring element which is concentric with said cable portion.
  • said reinforcement sheathing consists of a continuous layer of plastic or elastomeric material including a metal reinforcement.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a typical use of the slings of the known type for lifting stone materials, such as marble and granite, in the form of blocks M (Fig. 1) or slabs L (Fig. 2), respectively.
  • a pair of slings B of the known type is used, said slings being arranged, in the manner shown, around the block M and then being attached at their eyelet ends (not shown in the drawing) to a hook G of a lifting and moving means T of the type described above.
  • a single sling B of the known type is used, said sling being arranged around a set of slabs L in the vicinity of the middle thereof, such that the load is all the same balanced.
  • the slings of the known type are subject, at the edges of the block M or the slabs L, to angular deformations of up to 90° of curvature over a very short portion, said deformations being precisely one of the main causes of the drawbacks described further above, considering that the cable F currently used for making the known type of slings - shown in Fig. 3 - is a bare cable and therefore a cable which exposes directly to the load the external surface consisting of the individual strands from which it is formed.
  • the protected cable device uses said cable F as a load-bearing element, with the formation, however, around the same, of a substantially continuous, thick, flexible reinforcement sheathing fixed to the cable and made of a suitable resilient material. Thanks to said reinforcement sheathing, it is possible to obtain some essential functions for the protection of the cable.
  • the reinforcement sheathing of the cable F prevents direct contact between the cable F and the load to be moved and thus eliminates any wear of said cable due to the load, this wear instead occurring on the reinforcement sheathing and therefore without any negative consequence since the reinforcement sheathing does not have any load-bearing function.
  • the reinforcement sheathing must be preferably fixed in a longitudinal direction with respect to the cable F so as to prevent any relative slipping between cable and reinforcement sheathing; said slipping could in fact give rise to undesirable wear of the same reinforcement sheathing and/or the load-bearing cable.
  • the reinforcement sheathing of the cable F has the function of "moving away" the section of the cable F from the point of contact with the material to be moved and thus allows the cable to operate in a statically more correct manner in the edges zones, i.e. with a radius of curvature which is markedly greater than that actually present in the current bare slings.
  • the reinforcement sheathing it is possible to avoid, in particular, those anomalous stresses of the cable which are responsible for yielding thereof and the consequent permanent deformation induced in the cable as well as breakage of the elemental wires forming the same.
  • the abovementioned reinforcement sheathing has a third important function, namely that of providing a "hooping" effect on the cable, thus preventing or significantly reducing the ovalisation or deformation in the zones in contact with the load and in particular in the edges zones. It is thus possible to ensure that there are no substantial reductions in the maximum hanging load of the protected cable device according to the invention, even when the latter is used for directly lifting and moving materials with sharp edges.
  • the reinforcement sheathing of the cable F suitable for forming the protected cable device according to the invention may be made of different materials, i.e. both homogeneous and composite materials, and have different forms - also depending on the use for which the protected cable device is intended - so as to be able to provide all the abovementioned functions in the best way.
  • said material have a sufficiently high degree of elasticity so as to be able to withstand the stresses imparted to the same during use of the protected cable device, without undergoing permanent deformation except after a very long period of use compared to the average working life of slings of the known type.
  • At least the external part of the reinforcement sheathing be made of a material which is wear-resistant and, finally, that the reinforcement sheathing have an adequate shape rigidity in the transverse direction to ensure a good hooping effect, and an optimum shape flexibility in the longitudinal direction such that the protected cable device may fit without any problem to the various shapes of the materials to be moved, with a flexibility similar to that of slings of the known type.
  • said reinforcement sheathing consists of a spring element 1, of example a cylindrical spiral spring. From the studies and practical tests carried out by the inventors, it has in fact been possible to ascertain that a reinforcement sheathing of this type is one which, while having a very low cost, is able to provide the abovementioned performance in the best way.
  • the spring element 1 is arranged, coaxially, around the cable F and has an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the cable F such that it may be easily mounted thereon.
  • Relative fixing of the cable F and the spring element 1 is achieved by means of fixing sleeves located at the ends of the spring element 1 and, if necessary, also in one or more intermediate positions thereof, or using other suitable fixing systems of a type per se known.
  • the coils of the spring element 1 are arranged very close to each other, i.e. practically nearly adjacent, so as to provide a substantially continuous external surface 1c contacting the material to be moved.
  • the cross-sectional shape of each individual coil is generally of the circular type, although other shapes are possible, for example in order to ensure a more continuous external surface of the spring.
  • two spring elements one of which is screwed inside the other, are used so as to form a substantially continuous external surface. It is possible, however, to use any other type of protective reinforcement sheathing, both of a metallic and non-metallic nature, provided that this reinforcement sheathing - formed by a single element or also by several elements joined or hinged together - is able to ensure the necessary already mentioned longitudinal flexibility and transverse rigidity of the protected cable device and, at the same time, provide the latter with a substantially continuous external surface.
  • the reinforcement sheathing consisting of the spring element 1 may extend over the whole length of the protected cable device, i.e. from eyelet to eyelet, or cover only the section of the protected cable device which comes into contact with the material to be moved.
  • the reinforcement sheathing consisting of the spring element 1 is supplemented by a layer 2 of plastic or elastomeric material.
  • the metallic reinforcement sheathing consisting of the spring element 1 is first mounted on the cable F and the layer of plastic or elastomeric material 2 is then formed thereon and on the cable F by means of a process involving injection moulding or immersion in a molten-material bath or also using other known coating methods, provided that they are suitable for the formation of a coating 2 having a high thickness and a good adhesion to the cable F, as required in accordance with the invention.
  • the thickness of the layer 2 must in particular be such as to cover completely the spring element 1 which is thus completely included therein and the method used for making this layer must be such as to allow penetration of the plastic or elastomeric material also between the individual wires which form the strands of the cable F.
  • the adhesion of the layer 2 - and consequently of the spring element 1 - to the cable F is considerably increased and moreover the frictional forces between the individual metal strands of said cable are significantly reduced, since the plastic or elastomeric material acts as an "internal lubricant" for the cable, thus also increasing for this reason the durability of the protected cable device according to the invention.
  • a protected cable device provided with this latter type of reinforcement sheathing is apt to ensure maximum strength for any type of use, also in the case of materials which are particularly hard and have cutting or sharp edges, as in the case of blocks and slabs of stone materials and/or ferrous materials.
  • the reinforced sheathing formed by the two above said materials show, in fact, thanks to a synergic mutual interaction between said materials an overall high resistance and stability both with respect to mechanical stresses and with respect to wear due to friction and the corrosive action of the environment.
  • the presence of the external layer of plastic or elastomeric material increases the frictional force between the protected cable device and the material to be lifted or moved, thus preventing any slipping which is very dangerous in particular when operating with a single device (Fig. 2).
  • the reinforcement sheathing formed on the cable F which constitutes the load-bearing element of the protected cable device, in fact prevents any possible contact between said cable and the material to be moved and also ensures that the maximum curvature to which the elemental wires of the cable F are subject remains within the elasticity limits. In this way the possible breakage of said elemental wires is completely prevented and therefore the working life of the protected cable device is increased enormously compared to the working life of slings of the known type. Owing to this and also owing to the hooping effect of the reinforcement sheathing around the cable F, which prevents ovalisation or deformation of the said cable, the maximum hanging load of the cable F also remaining substantially unchanged over time and equal to its nominal value.
  • the limitation of the maximum deformation of the cable F, on the one hand, and the transverse reinforcing effect of the reinforcement sheathing, on the other hand, eliminate entirety the typical coil formation to which slings of the known type are subject, thus ensuring safe and easy use of the protected cable device according to the invention during the whole of its working life.
  • the presence of the reinforcement sheathing radically prevents the elemental wires of the cable F from breaking and therefore from coming into contact with the operators using the protected cable device, thus avoiding any risk of harm or injury thereto.
  • the construction of the protected cable device according to the present invention may be obtained using methods and materials which are easily and widely available and have a low cost. It is therefore possible to manufacture said protected cable device at a very low cost such that the use thereof is much more advantageous compared to the use of slings of the known type in view of the extraordinary increase in its working life compared to the slings which are currently used.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Flexible Shafts (AREA)
  • Ropes Or Cables (AREA)
  • Suspension Of Electric Lines Or Cables (AREA)
  • Communication Cables (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Electric Cables (AREA)
EP00106050A 1999-03-29 2000-03-29 Dispositif à câble protégé pour le levage et le transport fiable de matériaux Expired - Lifetime EP1048604B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1999MO000058A IT1321192B1 (it) 1999-03-29 1999-03-29 Sistema di protezione funi e cavi.
ITMO990058 1999-03-29

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1048604A2 true EP1048604A2 (fr) 2000-11-02
EP1048604A3 EP1048604A3 (fr) 2001-05-02
EP1048604B1 EP1048604B1 (fr) 2006-03-08

Family

ID=11386924

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00106050A Expired - Lifetime EP1048604B1 (fr) 1999-03-29 2000-03-29 Dispositif à câble protégé pour le levage et le transport fiable de matériaux

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1048604B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE319647T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60026390D1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2257984T3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1321192B1 (fr)
PT (1) PT1048604E (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2498651A (en) * 2012-01-23 2013-07-24 Bridon Ltd Protective Sleeve for Wire Rope
CN107941403A (zh) * 2017-12-03 2018-04-20 桐乡市易知简能信息技术有限公司 一种可指示拉力的绳索的制备方法

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1521993A (en) * 1921-01-03 1925-01-06 Egbert S Brown Carrier
DE721459C (de) * 1940-10-04 1942-06-05 Westfaelische Union Ag Drahtseilschluppe zum Tragen von Lasten
GB1102672A (en) * 1963-11-16 1968-02-07 Martin Black & Company Wire Ro Improvements in or relating to rope slings
FR2173852A1 (fr) * 1972-03-02 1973-10-12 Stas
FR2272946A1 (en) * 1974-05-27 1975-12-26 Altabe Edmond Heavy load handling belt - comprises several slings encased in flexible protective coating
FR2364849A1 (fr) * 1976-09-21 1978-04-14 Altabe Edmond Elingue caoutchoutee pour manutention de charges lourdes et fragiles
DE19713488A1 (de) * 1997-03-19 1998-09-24 Scheuermann & Co Gmbh Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Formseiles aus einem Verbund von Kunststoff und Stahlseilen

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1521993A (en) * 1921-01-03 1925-01-06 Egbert S Brown Carrier
DE721459C (de) * 1940-10-04 1942-06-05 Westfaelische Union Ag Drahtseilschluppe zum Tragen von Lasten
GB1102672A (en) * 1963-11-16 1968-02-07 Martin Black & Company Wire Ro Improvements in or relating to rope slings
FR2173852A1 (fr) * 1972-03-02 1973-10-12 Stas
FR2272946A1 (en) * 1974-05-27 1975-12-26 Altabe Edmond Heavy load handling belt - comprises several slings encased in flexible protective coating
FR2364849A1 (fr) * 1976-09-21 1978-04-14 Altabe Edmond Elingue caoutchoutee pour manutention de charges lourdes et fragiles
DE19713488A1 (de) * 1997-03-19 1998-09-24 Scheuermann & Co Gmbh Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Formseiles aus einem Verbund von Kunststoff und Stahlseilen

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2498651A (en) * 2012-01-23 2013-07-24 Bridon Ltd Protective Sleeve for Wire Rope
GB2498651B (en) * 2012-01-23 2016-04-20 Bridon Ltd Protective sleeve for wire rope
CN107941403A (zh) * 2017-12-03 2018-04-20 桐乡市易知简能信息技术有限公司 一种可指示拉力的绳索的制备方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2257984T3 (es) 2006-08-16
EP1048604A3 (fr) 2001-05-02
ATE319647T1 (de) 2006-03-15
EP1048604B1 (fr) 2006-03-08
IT1321192B1 (it) 2003-12-30
DE60026390D1 (de) 2006-05-04
ITMO990058A1 (it) 1999-06-29
PT1048604E (pt) 2006-06-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6164053A (en) Synthetic non-metallic rope for an elevator
US7272921B2 (en) Wire rope with galvanized outer wires
KR20010039002A (ko) 스틸코드 권취용 스풀
EP1048604B1 (fr) Dispositif à câble protégé pour le levage et le transport fiable de matériaux
EP2020398B1 (fr) Appareil élévateur
KR101602723B1 (ko) 압착방식을 이용한 와이어로프슬링 제조장치
CA2556952C (fr) Constituants remplacables pour glissiere tournante
US4102118A (en) Multi-part wire rope fabric assembly
CN88210201U (zh) 化纤吊绳
EP1079020B1 (fr) Câble métallique antigiratoire
JP7147597B2 (ja) クレーンのワイヤー交換方法
US3104515A (en) Wire rope
KR101663456B1 (ko) 와이어로프슬링 및 와이어로프슬링 제조 방법
CN107416640B (zh) 电梯设备和方法
US7014905B1 (en) Wear pad
KR20040025650A (ko) 와이어로프 그로멧 슬링 및 그 제조방법
KR101757807B1 (ko) 내마모성이 우수한 라운드 슬링
JP2006069756A (ja) スリングにおけるアイスプライス端部の処理構造
EP0659661A1 (fr) Câble à éléments de transport pour matériaux dans une tuyauterie de transport
CN215711087U (zh) 一种耐摩擦和抗老化的复合吊装带
CN220364224U (zh) 一种防割防磨吊装带
CN215366518U (zh) 一种耐磨防水钢丝绳
KR101601842B1 (ko) 와이어로프슬링
JPH0313510Y2 (fr)
US11207796B2 (en) Cutting belt with a plurality of cable segments

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

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7B 66C 1/12 A, 7D 07B 1/16 B

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: 20011102

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

AXX Extension fees paid

Free format text: MK PAYMENT 20011102;RO PAYMENT 20011102;SI PAYMENT 20011102

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20040517

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: MK RO SI

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

Effective date: 20060308

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: 20060308

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: 20060308

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: 20060308

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: 20060308

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: 20060308

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: IE

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

Effective date: 20060329

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: 20060331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60026390

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060504

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: 20060608

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: 20060608

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20060608

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: SC4A

Effective date: 20060508

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2257984

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

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: DE

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

Effective date: 20061003

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: 20061211

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060608

EN Fr: translation not filed
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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070309

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: 20060609

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

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20080328

Year of fee payment: 9

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: 20060329

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

Effective date: 20060331

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

Effective date: 20060308

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: 20060308

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Effective date: 20090929

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: 20090929

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20190227

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20190401

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20200803

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 EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20200330