EP1125844A1 - Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von gesiegelten Verpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel gekennzeichnet durch ein verbessertes Füllrohr - Google Patents

Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von gesiegelten Verpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel gekennzeichnet durch ein verbessertes Füllrohr Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1125844A1
EP1125844A1 EP00830114A EP00830114A EP1125844A1 EP 1125844 A1 EP1125844 A1 EP 1125844A1 EP 00830114 A EP00830114 A EP 00830114A EP 00830114 A EP00830114 A EP 00830114A EP 1125844 A1 EP1125844 A1 EP 1125844A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
food product
fill conduit
pressure
packaging 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.)
Granted
Application number
EP00830114A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1125844B1 (de
Inventor
Francesco Paganelli
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.)
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Original Assignee
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
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 Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA filed Critical Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority to EP00830114A priority Critical patent/EP1125844B1/de
Priority to DE60014314T priority patent/DE60014314D1/de
Priority to AT00830114T priority patent/ATE277815T1/de
Priority to JP2001008777A priority patent/JP2001233307A/ja
Publication of EP1125844A1 publication Critical patent/EP1125844A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1125844B1 publication Critical patent/EP1125844B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packaging machine for continuously producing sealed packages of pourable food products.
  • Machines for packaging pourable food products such as fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, pasteurized or long-storage (UHT) milk, etc.
  • pourable food products such as fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, pasteurized or long-storage (UHT) milk, etc.
  • UHT long-storage
  • the packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a layer of paper material covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, and, in the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, also comprises a layer of barrier material defined, for example, by an aluminium film, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material eventually defining the inner face of the package contacting the food product.
  • heat-seal plastic material e.g. polyethylene
  • barrier material defined, for example, by an aluminium film
  • the strip of packaging material is unwound off a reel and fed through a sterilizing unit in which it is sterilized, for example, by immersion in a chamber containing a liquid sterilizing agent, normally a concentrated hydrogen peroxide and water solution.
  • a liquid sterilizing agent normally a concentrated hydrogen peroxide and water solution.
  • the sterilizing agent is removed, e.g. vaporized by heating, from the surfaces of the packaging material; and the strip of packaging material so sterilized is maintained in a closed sterile environment, and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube.
  • the tube is filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product, and is gripped, sealed and cut at equally spaced cross sections to form pillow packs, which are then folded mechanically to form the finished, e.g. substantially parallelepiped-shaped, packages.
  • the food product is fed into the tube of packaging material by means of a fill circuit having a fill conduit in turn having an open-bottomed vertical portion extending coaxially inside the tube.
  • known packaging machines normally also comprise control devices for controlling food product flow along the fill conduit.
  • control devices comprise a float mounted to slide axially along a bottom end portion of the vertical portion of the fill conduit, and connected by a lever connecting mechanism to a throttle valve for regulating flow along the fill conduit. More specifically, each time the tube of packaging material is gripped and sealed transversely, the level of the product fed into the tube rises, thus raising the float, which, over and above a predetermined level, closes the throttle valve by means of the lever connecting mechanism, thus cutting off food product flow into the tube of packaging material.
  • control devices substantially comprise a flow-regulating solenoid valve fitted to a portion of the fill conduit upstream from the vertical portion; a level sensor for detecting the food product level inside the tube of packaging material; and a control unit for controlling the solenoid valve on the basis of a signal from the level sensor.
  • Known level sensors may be located either outside the tube of packaging material to determine the position of a float indicating the food product level inside the tube, or on the fill conduit to directly determine by contact a predetermined level of the food product inside the tube of packaging material.
  • known fill conduits normally comprise, on the outside, close to the bottom end of the vertical downstream portion, a pressure flange for counteracting upsurge of the food product along the tube of packaging material when the tube is gripped transversely.
  • the pressure flange is substantially annular, extends radially from the vertical portion of the fill conduit towards the inner surface of the tube of packaging material, and is normally located beneath the float or level sensor of the device controlling food product flow along the fill conduit.
  • Pressure flanges of the above type have the drawback of producing severe counterpressure peaks during formation of the package, and especially when the tube of packaging material is gripped transversely.
  • a packaging machine for producing sealed packages of a pourable food product from a tube of packaging material, which is sealed longitudinally, is fed along a vertical downward path, is filled continuously with said food product by means of a fill conduit, and is gripped under pressure and sealed along equally spaced cross sections; said fill conduit having an open-bottomed end portion extending inside said tube of packaging material and having, externally, a pressure flange for counteracting upsurge of the food product along said tube when the tube is gripped transversely; characterized in that said pressure flange comprises at least one break region defining at least two adjacent tab portions, which are flexible by the pressure inside said tube to define, for the food product, a respective passage increasing gradually in section alongside an increase in said pressure.
  • Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing sealed packages 2 of a pourable food product, such as pasteurized or UHT milk, fruit juice, wine, etc., from a tube 3 of packaging material sealed longitudinally and having an axis A.
  • a pourable food product such as pasteurized or UHT milk, fruit juice, wine, etc.
  • the packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown), and comprises a layer of fibrous material, normally paper, covered on both sides with respective layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene.
  • the packaging material also comprises a layer of barrier material, defined for example by an aluminium film, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material eventually contacting the food product.
  • Tube 3 is formed in known manner - therefore not described in detail - by longitudinally folding and sealing a strip 4 of heat-seal sheet material, is filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product by means of a fill conduit 5 extending partly inside tube 3 and forming part of a known fill circuit (not shown), and is fed by known devices along a vertical downward path, coincident with axis A, to a forming station 6, where it is gripped and sealed at equally spaced cross sections by respective pairs of jaws 7.
  • tube 3 is cut along said cross sections to form a number of sealed pillow packs 8, which are later subjected to mechanical folding operations (not shown by not forming part of the present invention) to form the finished packages 2.
  • fill conduit 5 is upside-down-L-shaped and comprises a flow-regulating valve 9. More specifically, fill conduit 5 comprises a substantially horizontal upstream portion 10 fitted with valve 9; and a vertical downstream portion 11 extending coaxially inside tube 3 of packaging material and having an open bottom end 12.
  • Packaging machine 1 also comprises a device 15 for controlling the pourable food product level inside tube 3 and of the type comprising, for example, a float 16 fitted to slide axially on downstream portion 11 of fill conduit 5 and supporting a number of magnetic elements (not shown), and a Hall-effect sensor 17 located outside tube 3 and which interacts with float 16 to generate a level signal by which to regulate inflow of the pourable food product into tube 3. More specifically, sensor 17 is located upstream from forming station 6 and supported by an arm not shown.
  • the pourable food product level inside tube 3 may be controlled and regulated by control devices other than device 15, e.g. by those described in the introduction to the present description.
  • fill conduit 5 is provided, on the outside, close to bottom end 12, with a pressure flange 20 for counteracting upsurge of the food product along tube 3 of packaging material, when tube 3 is gripped transversely between pairs of jaws 7.
  • Flange 20 is substantially defined by a thin disk of flexible material, having a central hole and fitted, e.g. welded, to downstream portion 11 of fill conduit 5, has a circular, radially outer, peripheral edge 21, and is housed with a certain amount of radial clearance inside tube 3 of packaging material.
  • flange 20 comprises a number of - in the example shown, three - transverse slits 22 extending towards fill conduit 5 from outer peripheral edge 21, and dividing flange 20 into a number of tab portions 23, which are flexible in a direction substantially parallel to axis A by the pressure of the food product inside tube 3, so as to define, for the food product, respective passages increasing gradually in section alongside an increase in pressure.
  • slits 22 are equally spaced angularly about axis A, are substantially upside-down-L-shaped, and each comprise a straight, radial first portion 24 extending from peripheral edge 21, and a straight second portion 25, which extends perpendicularly from one end of portion 24 substantially along an intermediate circumferential strip of flange 20, is separated radially from fill conduit 5, and terminates in a through hole 26 having an axis parallel to axis A and of a diameter larger than the width of slit 22.
  • Portions 25 extend from one side of respective portions 24, and are all oriented in the same direction - anticlockwise in Figure 3 - about axis A.
  • Each tab portion 23 comprises a radially inner, annular portion fixed to fill conduit 5 and extending between fill conduit 5 and portions 25 of slits 22; and a flexible, radially outer, annular portion defined laterally by portions 24 of respective slits 22.
  • the thrust exerted by the food product on flange 20 flexes tab portions 23 in a direction parallel to axis A, and gradually increases the passage sections defined by slits 22, thus increasing food product flow through flange 20.
  • holes 26 and portions 25 of slits 22 provide for preventing fatigue failure of flange 20, which would occur at the inner ends of straight radial slits.
  • tab portions 23 may overlap slightly laterally, and be separated by respective variously shaped regions defining breaks in the material of flange 20.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Supply Of Fluid Materials To The Packaging Location (AREA)
EP00830114A 2000-02-18 2000-02-18 Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von gesiegelten Verpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel mit einem verbesserten Füllrohr Expired - Lifetime EP1125844B1 (de)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00830114A EP1125844B1 (de) 2000-02-18 2000-02-18 Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von gesiegelten Verpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel mit einem verbesserten Füllrohr
DE60014314T DE60014314D1 (de) 2000-02-18 2000-02-18 Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von gesiegelten Verpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel mit einem verbesserten Füllrohr
AT00830114T ATE277815T1 (de) 2000-02-18 2000-02-18 Verpackungsmaschine zum herstellen von gesiegelten verpackungen für flüssige nahrungsmittel mit einem verbesserten füllrohr
JP2001008777A JP2001233307A (ja) 2000-02-18 2001-01-17 流動食品の密封パッケージを製造するための改良された充填導管を特徴とする包装機械

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00830114A EP1125844B1 (de) 2000-02-18 2000-02-18 Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von gesiegelten Verpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel mit einem verbesserten Füllrohr

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1125844A1 true EP1125844A1 (de) 2001-08-22
EP1125844B1 EP1125844B1 (de) 2004-09-29

Family

ID=8175187

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00830114A Expired - Lifetime EP1125844B1 (de) 2000-02-18 2000-02-18 Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von gesiegelten Verpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel mit einem verbesserten Füllrohr

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1125844B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2001233307A (de)
AT (1) ATE277815T1 (de)
DE (1) DE60014314D1 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2189375A1 (de) * 2008-11-24 2010-05-26 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Verpackungseinheit zur Herstellung versiegelter Verpackungen eines Lebensmittels, das in eine Hülse aus Verpackungsmaterial gegossen werden kann
EP2277781A1 (de) * 2008-05-11 2011-01-26 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Packungsfüllgerät
CN1948088B (zh) * 2005-10-14 2011-03-02 利乐拉瓦尔集团及财务有限公司 控制管道平滑度的方法和装置
EP3623301A1 (de) * 2018-09-11 2020-03-18 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Verpackungsvorrichtung zur formung versiegelter packungen
US11548238B2 (en) 2018-09-10 2023-01-10 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Method for forming a tube and a method and a packaging machine for forming a package

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008008961A1 (de) 2008-02-13 2009-08-20 Interstuhl Büromöbel GmbH & Co. KG Kopf- und/oder Nackenstütze
US8938938B2 (en) 2008-05-11 2015-01-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Packaging and filling machine
JP2010143627A (ja) * 2008-12-21 2010-07-01 Nihon Tetra Pak Kk 包装充填装置
JP2010274971A (ja) * 2009-05-29 2010-12-09 Nihon Tetra Pak Kk 包装充填装置
JP6322449B2 (ja) * 2014-03-13 2018-05-09 四国化工機株式会社 充填包装機のプレッシャフランジ
JP6272095B2 (ja) * 2014-03-13 2018-01-31 四国化工機株式会社 充填包装機のプレッシャフランジ
JP6763519B2 (ja) * 2016-03-31 2020-09-30 三菱パワー株式会社 燃焼器およびガスタービン
EP3409447B1 (de) 2017-05-30 2021-04-21 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Vorrichtung zur abdichtung des oberen endes einer verpackung für ein lebensmittelprodukt und system zur formung und befüllung einer lebensmittelverpackung
EP4400434A1 (de) * 2023-01-13 2024-07-17 Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH Füllrohr-einführeinrichtungs-system, verfahren zum befestigen eines füllrohrs sowie verwendung einer einführeinrichtung

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0273507A2 (de) * 1986-12-29 1988-07-06 AB Tetra Pak Vorrichtung zur Kontrolle des Inhaltsflusses in einer Verpackungsmaschine

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0273507A2 (de) * 1986-12-29 1988-07-06 AB Tetra Pak Vorrichtung zur Kontrolle des Inhaltsflusses in einer Verpackungsmaschine

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1948088B (zh) * 2005-10-14 2011-03-02 利乐拉瓦尔集团及财务有限公司 控制管道平滑度的方法和装置
EP2277781A1 (de) * 2008-05-11 2011-01-26 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Packungsfüllgerät
EP2277781A4 (de) * 2008-05-11 2011-06-29 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Packungsfüllgerät
EP2388198A1 (de) * 2008-05-11 2011-11-23 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Verpackungs- und Abfüllmaschine
EP2189375A1 (de) * 2008-11-24 2010-05-26 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Verpackungseinheit zur Herstellung versiegelter Verpackungen eines Lebensmittels, das in eine Hülse aus Verpackungsmaterial gegossen werden kann
CN101734383B (zh) * 2008-11-24 2014-03-05 利乐拉瓦尔集团及财务有限公司 用于生产食品密封包装的包装设备
US11548238B2 (en) 2018-09-10 2023-01-10 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Method for forming a tube and a method and a packaging machine for forming a package
EP3623301A1 (de) * 2018-09-11 2020-03-18 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Verpackungsvorrichtung zur formung versiegelter packungen
WO2020053050A1 (en) * 2018-09-11 2020-03-19 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Packaging apparatus for forming sealed packages
CN112638777A (zh) * 2018-09-11 2021-04-09 利乐拉瓦尔集团及财务有限公司 用于形成密封包装的包装设备
US11820540B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2023-11-21 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Packaging apparatus for forming sealed packages

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE277815T1 (de) 2004-10-15
EP1125844B1 (de) 2004-09-29
JP2001233307A (ja) 2001-08-28
DE60014314D1 (de) 2004-11-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1125844B1 (de) Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von gesiegelten Verpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel mit einem verbesserten Füllrohr
US10301050B2 (en) Shutter for a valve and corresponding valve for controlling an air flow and relative valve
US6397557B1 (en) Packaging machine for producing sealed packages of pourable food products
EP2388198B1 (de) Verpackungs- und Abfüllmaschine
EP3081497B1 (de) Verpackungsmaschine und verfahren zur herstellung von verpackungen aus verpackungsmaterial
CN113710581B (zh) 用于生产密封包装的包装机和方法
RU2188782C2 (ru) Наполняющая труба для упаковочных машин для жидких пищевых продуктов и упаковочная машина для жидких пищевых продуктов
JP2001018907A (ja) 密封流動食品パッケージ用の一連のキャップを所定の位置に置くための選択装置
CN111655601B (zh) 用于包装机的料盒单元、具有料盒单元的包装机和操作包装机的方法
JP7535314B2 (ja) 充填包装方法および充填包装機
EP4219321B1 (de) Verpackungsmaschine und verfahren zum formen von verpackungen
EP4368525A1 (de) Sterilisationsvorrichtung, verpackungsmaschine mit einer sterilisationsvorrichtung und verfahren zur sterilisation
EP1138595A1 (de) Mit einem Füllstandssensor versehene Verpackungsmaschine zum Herstellen von versiegelten Verpackungen fliessfähiger Nahrungsmittel
EP4039600A1 (de) Verpackungsvorrichtung, verfahren zur herstellung von versiegelten verpackungen und verwendung einer tdr-sensorvorrichtung in einer verpackungsvorrichtung
JP2024504895A (ja) 密封パッケージを形成するためのパッケージ装置
EP4183693A1 (de) Puffereinheit für eine verpackungsvorrichtung, verpackungsvorrichtung und verfahren zur herstellung von versiegelten verpackungen
EP4276025A1 (de) Verpackungsmaschine und verfahren zur herstellung von verpackungen
EP4414300A1 (de) Magazineinheit für eine verpackungsmaschine, verpackungsmaschine mit einer magazineinheit und verfahren zum betreiben einer magazineinheit für eine verpackungsmaschine
JP2024525956A (ja) パッケージ用の開口装置及びパッケージ
JP2002019744A (ja) 流動食品の密封パッケージを生産するための包装材料のストリップの引裂領域の加熱方法および装置
MXPA00005791A (en) Selecting device for orienting in a predetermined position a succession of container caps

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: A1

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: 20020219

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

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: 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: 20040929

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: 20040929

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: 20040929

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: 20040929

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: 20040929

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: 20040929

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: 20040929

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60014314

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20041104

Kind code of ref document: P

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

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20041229

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: 20041229

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: 20041229

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

Effective date: 20041230

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: 20050109

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

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20050218

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20050218

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: 20050218

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20050218

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: 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

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: 20050630

EN Fr: translation not filed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050218

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: 20050228