EP1133761B1 - Distributeurs de cigares - Google Patents

Distributeurs de cigares Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1133761B1
EP1133761B1 EP99955625A EP99955625A EP1133761B1 EP 1133761 B1 EP1133761 B1 EP 1133761B1 EP 99955625 A EP99955625 A EP 99955625A EP 99955625 A EP99955625 A EP 99955625A EP 1133761 B1 EP1133761 B1 EP 1133761B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cigar
stop
vending machine
base plate
plate
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
EP99955625A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1133761A1 (fr
Inventor
Mark Wayne Rawlins
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.)
Slim Line Design Ltd
Original Assignee
Slim Line Design Ltd
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 Slim Line Design Ltd filed Critical Slim Line Design Ltd
Priority claimed from PCT/CA1999/001120 external-priority patent/WO2000033268A1/fr
Publication of EP1133761A1 publication Critical patent/EP1133761A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1133761B1 publication Critical patent/EP1133761B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/28Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are inclined
    • G07F11/32Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are inclined two or magazines having a common delivery chute
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/007Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles wherein the storage and dispensing mechanism are configurable in relation to the physical or geometrical properties of the articles to be stored or dispensed

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vending machine for selectively dispensing cigars of varying sizes on selection by a user.
  • Vending machine dispensing various products such as cigarettes and candy are well known in the art.
  • One type of vending machine generally comprises a plurality of coils with food or other objects to be dispensed interposed between adjacent loops of a coil. The user can view the objects through a window of the vending machine and make a selection of desired product upon depositing sufficient funds into the machine. The product is dispensed when the coil of the selected product rotate one revolution which causes the object closest to the user to fall into a receptacle where it can be retrieved by the user.
  • vending machines such as those used for cigarettes, provide a series of trays within which the cigarette packages are stacked. The user may select an appropriate brand after depositing sufficient funds in the machine. This causes one package of the selected brand of cigarettes to be released into a receptacle for retrieval by a user.
  • vending machines are suitable for dispensing objects which can readily fit within the loops of coils for dispensing or which are of substantially uniform size such as, for example, cigarette packages.
  • Many types of cigars are sold one cigar at a time, rather than as packaged sets.
  • Cigars come in various sizes, ranging in diameter from about 1/2 inch to 1 inch (or even larger) and ranging in length from about 3 inches to about 8 inches in length, for the most popular types.
  • These prior art machines are not suitable for storing and dispensing single cigars of varying diameter and length.
  • GB-A-1238734 discloses a vending machine for selectively dispensing products of varying diameter, comprising:
  • the present invention provides a cigar vending machine having several cigar storage and dispensing containers which are adjustable both vertically and horizontally to store and dispense a plurality of cigars of certain diameter.
  • Each cigar storage and dispensing container permits the adjustment of the height of a restraining plate with respect to a base plate and the forward direction of a stop retaining the cigars in the containers against the force of gravity.
  • a cigar dispenser is provided for each cigar storage and dispensing container to move the first cigar past the stop to dispense the cigar upon payment and selection by a user.
  • the restraining plate ensures that each cigar is aligned in parallel alignment and an extension portion of the base plate allows the first cigar of a plurality of cigars to be exposed beyond an edge of the restraining plate to be dispensed upon activation of the cigar dispenser for that particular container.
  • the other cigars are prevented from being dispensed on that cycle by the restraining plate spaced from the base plate generally an amount equal to the diameter of the particular cigars in that container.
  • a vending machine for selectively dispensing cigars of varying diameter includes a plurality of cigar storage and dispensing containers.
  • Each of those containers include a base plate having an extension portion extending in a first direction, a restraining plate having an edge oriented in the first direction, an adjuster for adjusting the distance between the base plate and restraining plate to conform co the diameter of the cigars to be located between the base plate and restraining plate, an adjustable stop communicating with the extension for preventing movement of the cigars located between the base plate and restraining plate in the first direction and a cigar dispenser for moving the cigar adjacent the stop past the stop.
  • the restraining plate is oriented in spaced, substantially parallel relationship with the base plate, for locating a plurality of cigars of equivalent diameter between the base plate and restraining plate.
  • the extension portion extends substantially in the first direction beyond the edge of the restraining plate.
  • the stop is adjustable along the plane of the base plate to change the distance between the stop and an edge plane perpendicular with the base plate and adjacent the edge of the restraining plate, to conform to the diameter of the cigar to be located adjacent the stop.
  • a selector is provided for receiving an input from a user for selecting a particular cigar from one of the plurality of containers and an activator activates the cigar dispenser of the container containing the selected cigar to move that cigar past the stop to dispense the selected cigar.
  • the cigar dispenser may optionally comprise a finger extending from a rotatable arm, the finger contacting the cigar adjacent the stop and moving that cigar past the stop upon rotation of the rotatable arm.
  • the extension portion can include a slot aligned with the finger located below the cigar adjacent the stop and the rotatable arm can rotate 180 degrees upon activation by the activator to move the cigar adjacent the stop past the stop.
  • the finger may be a plurality of fingers and the slot may be a plurality of slots aligned with the plurality of fingers.
  • the adjuster may include biasing means for biasing the base plate away from the restraining plate and a plate stop preventing further movement of the base plate and restraining plate apart from each other, acting against the force of the biasing means.
  • the plurality of cigar storage and dispensing containers may optionally be oriented at an angle and the force of gravity is used to maintain the cigars located between the base plate and restraining plate against the stop.
  • the force of gravity also advances the cigars towards the stop upon the cigar adjacent to the stop being moved past the stop to dispense that cigar.
  • the vending machine can include a pair of opposed adjustable end plates for aligning each end of the cigars, the end plates located between the base plate and restraining plate.
  • the restraining plate may optionally be clear permitting the cigars located between the base plate and restraining plate to be viewed.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cigar vending machine 10 of the present invention.
  • Vending machine 10 includes vending section 12 and cigar storing and dispensing section 14.
  • Vending section 12 is typical of many vending machines and is well known in the art. Coins are deposited in coin slot 16 which are credited and shown in LED display 18. The user selects the desired cigar by depressing the appropriate keys on keypad 20 which activates the dispensing of that cigar as will be described below. Change can be retrieved at coin dispensing unit 22. Coins inserted by a user can be returned to that user prior to the selection of a cigar by depressing manual coin return lever 24 whereupon the coins will be returned in coin dispensing unit 22.
  • Coin storage lock box 26 is used to store coins used to purchase cigars and may be readily retrieved using an appropriate key, by the vending machine operator.
  • Cigar storing and dispensing section 14 includes a plurality of cigar storage and dispensing containers 28.
  • the plurality is thirteen.
  • Containers 28 are aligned vertically with a single container 28 at each level.
  • Window 30 covers the front area of section 14 allowing users to view cigars in each container 28 to facilitate the selection of the desired cigar by the user. At the same time the cigars in containers 28 remain secure within section 14, sealed off from the outside by window 30.
  • Figure 3 is essentially an exploded view of the container of Figure 2.
  • Section 14 includes left side wall 38, rear wall 40, right side wall 39 ( Figure 4) and window 30 at the front. These elements surround containers 28 forming cavity 42 therein.
  • Cavity 42 includes containers 28 and front open section 32 ( Figure 5). Cavity 42 is sealed off from the outside when in use with the only outside access being through door 34 normally maintained in a closed position.
  • Optionally cavity 42 may be operated as a humidor with appropriate humidity being maintained by a humidifier 25 ( Figure 5) in section 12.
  • container 28 is orientated at an angle from the horizontal to permit the force of gravity to cause cigars 44 to fall downwardly as the first cigar in line, that is the closest cigar to window 30, is dispensed.
  • the angle of container 28 from the horizontal is between 30 degrees and 45 degrees, and most preferably about 33 degrees.
  • Container 28 includes base plate 46 below and in spaced parallel alignment with restraining plate 48.
  • Base plate 46 rests against support tube 50 aligned against flange 52, shown in Figure 3.
  • Rear edge 54 of plate 46 is angled inwardly from the top face 56 to the bottom face of plate 46 as seen best in Figure 5, support tube 50 lies just below flange 52, and edge 54 contacts rear wall 40, to support containers 28 in place in spaced angled relationship with one another.
  • Support tube 50 extends and is secured at its ends to left side wall 38 and right side wall 39 of section 14.
  • restraining plate 48 is attached to base plate 46 and spaced parallel alignment by means of four screws 58 extending through openings 60 in restraining plate 48 and openings 62 in base plate 46.
  • Nuts 64 are fastened to ends of screw 58 extending beyond the lower face of base plate 46.
  • Compression springs 66 are interposed between plate 46 and 48 to surround that portion of screw 58 between plates 46 and 48. Springs 66 bias plates 46 and 48 away from one another thereby maintaining restraining plate 48 against screw heads 68 and base plate 46 against nuts 64. With screw of equal length, and provided that nuts 64 are tightened an equivalent number of threads along screw 58, springs 66 will maintain plates 46 and 48 spaced apart, in parallel alignment.
  • the distance between plates 46 and 48 may be varied to increase or decrease the volume of space between plates 46 and 48 to hold cigars 44 of differing diameters in each container 28.
  • base plate 46 may include adjustable end guides 70 adjacent each end of plate 46. Slots 72 is positioned in longitudinal alignment along base plate 46 are used as guides for screw 74 and for adjustment depending on the length of cigar to be housed between plates 46 and 48. Nuts 75 ( Figure 5) attached to the outer ends of screws 74 may be used to attach guides 70 in place. Guides 70 are oriented in spaced parallel alignment to ensure that cigars 44 are oriented and positioned properly for dispensing.
  • Containers 28 include an adjustable stop 76 comprising a pair of screws 78 extending through slots 80 of base plate 46.
  • Base plate 46 includes an extension portion 82 extending beyond edge plane 84 oriented perpendicular to plate 46 which just contacts the front edge 86 of restraining plate 48.
  • Front edge 86 is angled inwardly toward wall 40 and away from window 30 from the top to the bottom of edge 86.
  • Bolts 88 on the upper surface of plate 46 are used to secure stops 76 in place as desired by the vending machine operator during setup as will be discussed more fully below.
  • Cigar dispenser 90 is positioned adjacent front edge 92 of base plate 46.
  • Dispenser 90 includes a plurality of rearward facing fingers 94 which align with finger slots 96 of base plate 46 and finger slots 98 of restraining plate 48.
  • Cigar dispenser 90 is connected to motor unit 100 which is activated by a signal from section 14 upon selection by the user.
  • Unit 100 causes the rotation of dispenser 90 about its axis 101, in the direction of arrow 102.
  • the other end 104 of dispenser 90 extends into right side wall 39 of cigar storing and dispensing section 14.
  • Bar 106 of dispenser 90 extends longitudinally between left side wall 38 and right side wall 39 and is adjacent edge 92.
  • Both base plate 46 and restraining plate 48 are made of transparent material such as plastic, glass or mylar material to enable users to view cigars located in container 28 as well to enable the vending machine operator to take an inventory of cigars to determine whether and to what extent refill of machine 10 is necessary. It can also be seen that fingers 94 extend almost up to but not beyond edge plane 84. Stops 76 are positioned along slots 80 the first cigar 44 adjacent window 30 is between stops 76 and plane 84. This will allow fingers 94 to lift only that first cigar upwardly and over stops 76 thereby allowing cigar 44 to fall along front open section 32 in the direction of arrows 108 ( Figure 5) to a position to be retrieved by the user.
  • FIG. 5 two containers 28, referred to in Figure 5 as upper container 28a and lower container 28b, are shown in vertical alignment within section 14.
  • Upper container 28a contains cigars 44 of diameter a.
  • Lower container 28b contains cigars 44 of diameter b, diameter b being a smaller diameter as compared to diameter a.
  • the cigars contained in the upper of the two containers 28a are larger in diameter than those contained in lower container 28b.
  • Containers 28a and 28b are oriented at the same angle downwardly from wall 40 toward window 30.
  • Lower container 28b having cigars of diameter b has had plates 46 and 48 adjusted by turning nuts 64 further along screws 58, as compared to upper container 28a. This reduces the volume between plates 46 and 48.
  • stops 76 are positioned closer to edge plane 84 in lower container 28b, as compared to upper container 28a. As a result, the distance between stops 76 and edge plane 84 is, in lower container 28b, less than that distance in upper container 28a. The distance between stop 76 and edge plane 84 is just slightly greater than the respective diameters a and b in upper container 28a and lower container 28b, respectively. This allows cigars 44 to pass over stop 76 and past front edge 86 when be dispensed by fingers 94 of dispenser 90 on activation by a user.
  • Section 14 also comprises lower cigar receiving housing 110 formed by curved rear and lower wall segment 112 and front face 113 of section 14.
  • Front face 113 includes door 34 hingedly attached at its top by means of hinge 114 for movement along arrow 118 in inward and opposite outward directions.
  • Window 36 extends in a central portion of door 34 to enable users to view cigars 44 lying in housing 110 following the dispensing of that cigar from selected container 28.
  • Door 34 may be pivoted inwardly about hinge 114 as depicted in dotted outline in Figure 5.
  • Protrusion 116 extends outwardly from segment 112 at an upper portion thereof above the point of contact of door 34 with segment 112. Protrusion 116 assists in preventing users in reaching upwardly from housing 110 to obtain cigars not properly dispensed from containers 28. It can also be appreciated that door 34 blocks access to containers 28 when door 34 is in its open position when cigars are being retrieved from housing 110.
  • vending machine 10 The user views a selection of cigars in each of containers 28 through window 30 and decides on a desired cigar for purchase.
  • the appropriate purchase price is deposited in coin slot 16 and the code for the selected cigar is entered in keypad 20.
  • This activates the motor unit 100 ( Figure 4) of the selected cigar's container 28 rotating fingers 94 of dispenser 90 in the direction of arrows 102.
  • Cigar 44 is lifted by fingers 94 over stop 76 and past front edge 86 to fall in the direction of arrows 108 to the bottom of housing 110.
  • the user then pushes open door 34 in the direction of arrow 118 and reached in housing 110 to retrieve cigar 44.
  • the vending machine 10 owner adjusts each container based on the diameter of the particular type of cigars to be housed and dispensed from that container. Nuts 64 are tightened or loosened about screws 58 so that cigars 44 just fit and are free to fall between plates 46 and 48 by force of gravity upon removal of the first cigar adjacent stop 76.
  • Stops 76 are also adjusted by the vending machine 10 operator when the machine is loaded with cigars of a particular diameter so that the distance between the inside edge of stop 76, that is the edge facing wall 40, to edge plane 84 substantially equals the diameter of the cigars to be dispensed from that container 28.
  • Fingers 94 are dimensioned in length so that they pass rearward of stop 76 just short of edge plane 84 to ensure that only one cigar 44 is dispensed at a time and also to ensure that the next cigar 44 in line is not contacted by fingers 94 thereby preventing jamming of dispenser 90.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Bedding Items (AREA)
  • Dairy Products (AREA)
  • Jellies, Jams, And Syrups (AREA)

Claims (24)

  1. Distributeur automatique (10) pour la distribution sélective de cigares (44) de différents diamètres (a, b), comprenant :
    (a) un certain nombre de récipients de stockage et de distribution de cigares (28) comprenant chacun :
    (i) une plaque de base (46) ayant une rallonge s'étendant dans une première direction,
    (ii) une plaque de retenue (48) ayant un bord (86) orienté dans la première direction et espacée et sensiblement parallèle à la plaque de base (46), pour le placement d'un certain nombre de cigares (44) de diamètre équivalent entre la plaque de base (46) et la plaque de retenue (48), la rallonge (82) s'étendant sensiblement dans la première direction au-delà du bord (86),
    (iii) un ajusteur (64) pour l'ajustement de la distance entre la plaque de base (46) et la plaque de retenue (48) pour l'adaptation de cette distance au diamètre (a, b) des cigares (44) à placer entre la plaque de base (46) et la plaque de retenue (48),
    (iv) une butée ajustable (76) communiquant avec la rallonge pour empêcher un mouvement dans la première direction des cigares (44) placés entre la plaque de base (46) et la plaque de retenue (48), cette butée (76) étant ajustable le long du plan de la plaque de base (46) pour changer la distance entre la butée (76) et un plan de bord (84) perpendiculaire à la plaque de base (46) et adjacent au bord (86) de la plaque de retenue (48), pour l'adaptation de cette distance au diamètre (a, b) du cigare (44) à placer contre la butée (76),
    (v) un distributeur de cigares (90) destiné à mener au-delà de la butée (76) le cigare (44) situé contre celle-ci,
    (b) un sélecteur (20) recevant une entrée d'un utilisateur pour choisir un cigare (44) particulier dans un des récipients (28),
    (c) un activateur pour activer le distributeur de cigares (90) du récipient (28) contenant le cigare (44) choisi par le sélecteur (20) pour mener ce cigare (44) au-delà de la butée (76) pour le délivrer.
  2. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la plaque de retenue (48) est orientée au-dessus de la plaque de base (46).
  3. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le bord (86) de la plaque de retenue (48) s'incline vers l'intérieur de haut en bas en s'éloignant de l'activation.
  4. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le distributeur de cigares (90) comprend un doigt (94) s'étendant à partir d'un bras tournant (90), ce doigt (94) étant en contact avec le cigare situé contre la butée (76) et menant ce cigare au-delà de la butée (76) sur rotation du bras tournant (90).
  5. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la rallonge comprend une fente (96) alignée avec le doigt (94) situé au-dessous du cigare situé contre la butée (76), et dans lequel le bras tournant (90) tourne de 180° lorsqu'il est activé par l'activateur, afin de mener au-delà de la butée (76) le cigare situé contre celle-ci.
  6. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le doigt (94) est une série de doigts (94).
  7. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel le doigt (94) est une série de doigts (94) et la fente (96) est une série de fentes (96) alignées avec les doigts (94).
  8. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les doigts (94) et les fentes (96) sont au nombre de deux.
  9. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les doigts (94) et les fentes (96) sont au nombre de quatre.
  10. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'ajusteur (64) maintient la plaque de retenue (48) et la plaque de base (46) en alignement espacé sensiblement parallèle.
  11. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 10, dans lequel l'ajusteur (64) comprend un moyen d'écartement (58, 64, 66) destiné à écarter la plaque de base (46) de la plaque de retenue (48) et une butée de plaque (52) qui limite l'écartement de la plaque de base (46) de la plaque de retenue (48) en agissant contre la force du moyen d'écartement (58, 64, 66).
  12. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le moyen d'écartement (58, 64, 66) comprend un ressort (66).
  13. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel l'ajusteur (64) comprend une vis (58) qui passe par des trous alignés de la plaque de base (46) et de la plaque de retenue (48) et un écrou (75) fixé à la vis (74) à son extrémité, le boulon et la tête de vis agissent comme butée de plaque, et le moyen d'écartement (58, 64, 66) est un ressort (66) qui entoure la vis (58) entre la plaque de base (46) et la plaque de retenue (48).
  14. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les récipients de stockage et distribution de cigares (28) sont orientés sous un angle, la force de gravité maintient contre la butée (76) les cigares situés entre la plaque de base (46) et la plaque de retenue (48), et la force de gravité fait avancer les cigares vers la butée (76) lorsque le cigare situé contre la butée (76) est mené au-delà de la butée (76) pour être délivré.
  15. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une paire de plaques d'extrémité opposées réglables (70) pour l'alignement de chaque extrémité des cigares, la plaque d'extrémité (70) étant située entre la plaque de base (46) et la plaque de retenue (48).
  16. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la plaque de retenue (48) est transparente et permet ainsi de voir les cigares situés entre la plaque de base (46) et la plaque de retenue (48).
  17. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la butée (76) est une série de butées (76) orientées le long de la rallonge dans une direction parallèle au bord (86).
  18. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 17, dans lequel la série est de deux.
  19. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 17, dans lequel la série est de trois.
  20. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la butée (76) comprend une vis (78) passant par une fente (96) faite dans la plaque de base (46), l'axe longitudinal de cette fente (96) étant perpendiculaire au bord (86), et un écrou (88) fixé à la vis pour fixer la vis (78) et l'écrou (88) à la fente (96) de la plaque de base (46).
  21. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le doigt (94) ne s'étend pas au-delà du plan (84) du bord.
  22. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le distributeur de cigares soulève le cigare au-dessus de la butée (76) pour mener au-delà de la butée (76) le cigare situé contre celle-ci.
  23. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'angle que font les récipients (28) avec l'horizontale est compris entre 30 degrés et 45 degrés.
  24. Distributeur automatique (10) selon la revendication 23, dans lequel l'angle est d'environ 33 degrés.
EP99955625A 1998-11-26 1999-11-22 Distributeurs de cigares Expired - Lifetime EP1133761B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2254665 1998-11-26
CA002254665A CA2254665A1 (fr) 1998-11-26 1998-11-26 Distributeur automatique de cigares
PCT/CA1999/001120 WO2000033268A1 (fr) 1998-11-26 1999-11-22 Distributeurs de cigares

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1133761A1 EP1133761A1 (fr) 2001-09-19
EP1133761B1 true EP1133761B1 (fr) 2003-05-28

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99955625A Expired - Lifetime EP1133761B1 (fr) 1998-11-26 1999-11-22 Distributeurs de cigares

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1133761B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE241835T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2254665A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69908408D1 (fr)

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2254665A1 (fr) 2000-05-26
ATE241835T1 (de) 2003-06-15
DE69908408D1 (de) 2003-07-03
EP1133761A1 (fr) 2001-09-19

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