EP1156726B1 - Depilator - Google Patents
Depilator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1156726B1 EP1156726B1 EP00907909A EP00907909A EP1156726B1 EP 1156726 B1 EP1156726 B1 EP 1156726B1 EP 00907909 A EP00907909 A EP 00907909A EP 00907909 A EP00907909 A EP 00907909A EP 1156726 B1 EP1156726 B1 EP 1156726B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- plucking
- skin
- head
- clamping
- hair
- 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
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D26/00—Hair-singeing apparatus; Apparatus for removing superfluous hair, e.g. tweezers
- A45D26/0023—Hair-singeing apparatus; Apparatus for removing superfluous hair, e.g. tweezers with rotating clamping elements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D26/00—Hair-singeing apparatus; Apparatus for removing superfluous hair, e.g. tweezers
- A45D26/0061—Hair-singeing apparatus; Apparatus for removing superfluous hair, e.g. tweezers with means for reducing pain during hair removal
Definitions
- the present invention is generally in the field of depilators and provides a depilator with a depilating head of a novel design.
- This patent discloses a depilating apparatus including a motor rotated disk which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced entrance slots which open both into an end face and into a cylindrical outer jacket of the depilating member.
- Each entrance slot includes a clamping element displaceable between an open position and a closed position whereby in the open position hair enters into an entrance slot and in the closed hair becomes clamped against a wall of the slot such that upon rotation of the disk. the clamped hair is plucked and releases as the clamping element displaces again into its open position.
- depilator comprising a cylindrical depilating head, and a recess accomodating an elongaled hair-plucking member is known from US-A-5 702 403.
- the present invention provides a depilator comprising:
- the plucking member has an edge being substantially flush with the skin-engaging surface of the depilating head.
- the revolution of the cylindrical head is manually driven by driving the head over the skin.
- the revolution of the head is motor-driven.
- the head forms part of a head assembly which may be disposable and which has an attachment arrangement for attachment to a handle. e.g. a handle of a standard heretofore known manual razor device.
- the plucking head assembly is integrally formed with or is permanently connected to a handle.
- the recess in the cylindrical head has typically generally a V-shaped cross-section, allowing for the angular reciprocation of the plucking member between the clamping phase in which it bears against the wall of the recess, and a fully open phase.
- the plucking member has an axle portion situated at an innermost portion of the recess and has a radial portion extending therefrom to its edge.
- said radial portion is planar.
- the walls of the recesses are typically formed with trough-like indentation extending longitudinally-therealong. In this manner. when said plucking member bears against the peripheral portion. there is defined between it and said trough-like indention a confined space.
- the hair is clamped, typically at a portion adjacent the skin, between the clamping portion of the plucking member and the peripheral portion of the respective wall, with the free end of the hair extending into said confined space.
- the angular reciprocation of the plucking member is by means of a cam-follower mechanism.
- the clamping member is integrally formed with or is connected to a follower assembly comprising a lateral projection, fitted into a cam groove formed in an opposite support wall of the head assembly. During rotation of the cylindrical head. by following a path defined by the groove, the projection induces the angular reciprocation of the plucking member.
- each recess has an opening in at least one side wall through which the follower assembly projects.
- the other end may have an opening at the opposite side wall or may be closed.
- the follower assembly of consecutive plucking members projects from opposite side walls into a cam recess formed in corresponding walls of the support assembly.
- the depilating head may revolve in two directions (or in one direction) whereby it may be displaced up and down along a body surface of an individual, each time changing the direction of revolution. respectively.
- one or more of the at least one recess is formed with two peripheral wall portions. with a clearance formed between the clamping portions of the plucking member and each of said two peripheral wall portions; and wherein the depilating head is adapted for revolving in two directions and the plucking member is reciprocally displaceable between closed position in which it bears against one or another of said two peripheral wall portions. and open positions, respectively. depending on the direction of revolution of the depilating head.
- the plucking member has an axle portion situated at an innermost portion of the recess and has a radial portion symmetrically extending therefrom.
- the recesses of the two peripheral wall portions may be formed either with trough-like indentations extending longitudinally-therealong or, may be formed by inwardly extending tangent extensions extending from a radial most portion of the peripheral wall portions.
- the plucking head comprises eight recesses. with corresponding eight plucking members.
- a depilator generally designated 20 with a handle 22.
- a depilating head assembly 24 with a support frame 26 and a revolving depilating head 28 .
- the handle 22 and the head assembly 24 are removably connected to one another at 30, by means of a dove-tail engagement.
- this type of engagement is an example only, and a myriad of other engagement means may be used, e.g. all those known in the art of connecting razor blades to handles of standard manual razors.
- the support frame 26 and handle 22 may also be integrally formed.
- the depilating head 28 is cylindrical with a circumferential skin engaging surface 40 defined between two side walls 42 and 44 and formed with a plurality of longitudinal recesses (8 in this embodiment), which comprises alternating recesses of a first type 46 which have an opening at side wall 42 and of a second set 48 which have an opening at the other side wall 44 .
- the depilating head 28 has an axle 50.
- Each recess 46 or 48 accommodates a plucking member generally designated 54 , with an axle portion 56 and a radial portion 58 terminating at an edge 60 flush with the outer face 40 of the cylindrical head 28.
- the axle portion 56 is accommodated within an innermost portion 64 of the recesses 46 and 48.
- the radii of the plucking member is slightly less (in an order of about 0.1-0.2 mm) than the radii of the skin-engaging surface.
- the plucking member 54 can angularly rotate between an open phase, shown by a solid line. and a closed, hair clamping phase. shown by means of dashed lines.
- Each of the recesses 46 and 48 has generally a V-like cross-sectional shape with a first wall 64 and a second wall 66 opposite thereto.
- wall 64 is formed with a trough-like indention 68 extending longitudinally throughout the lengths of the first wall 64.
- the second wall 66 is essentially radial.
- each plucking member has a terminal follower assembly 70 with a lateral projecting cylindrical follower 72, which engages with a cam groove 74 as will be explained below. It should be noted that in Fig. 2, the plucking members of recesses 46 have been removed for sake of illustration.
- Fig. 3 shows the depilating head 28 , with the plucking members of recesses 48 being partially slidably removed out of place, in order to illustrate their structure. When assembling, these are fully received within the recess.
- Fig. 3 further illustrates the structure of support frame 26 and as can be seen, it has two wall portions 78, each one formed at its inner face with the circumferential cam groove 74 and a bore 80 which rotatably receives axle 50 of the depilating head 28.
- the circumferential cam groove 74 receives lateral follower projections 72 of all the plucking members.
- the plucking member 54 shown in Fig. 4A which is that in the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, is integrally formed with a follower assembly 70 and has a simple, stationary following projections 72 .
- the plucking member 54 ' shown in Fig. 4B is also integral with the follower assembly 70 '. which has a slightly different structure. and which is formed with a follower roller 84.
- Plucking member 54 " shown in Fig. 4C is formed with an independent blade portion 59 and a follower assembly 70 ", which are assembled together.
- Figs. 5-8 show different operational phases of the plucking head.
- the operational phases will be described with reference to a single plucking assembly 100 which comprises a plucking member 102, accommodated within a recess 104 having a first side wall 106 which has a trough-like indention, and a second, opposite wall 108 which is essentially radial.
- the plucking member 102 is angularly rotational about an axle portion 110 , as described above, and is integrally formed or connected to the follower assembly with a follower projection 112 which is received within cam groove 114 .
- plucking member 102 In the operational state shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, plucking member 102 is in its fully opened position bearing against wall 108.
- the cylindrical depilating head 40 bears against skin 116 and by displacing it in direction of arrow 118, a rotational movement in the direction of arrow 120 is induced.
- the plucking assembly 100 In the state shown in Fig. 5A, the plucking assembly 100 is in its fully opened position, whereby hair 122 , projecting from the skin, protrudes into the space formed between the plucking member 102 and wall 106.
- Fig 5B shows the concurrent state of each of the other plucking members in the depilator head. These views are included for the purpose of illustration and will not be specifically elaborated herein.
- the plucking assembly While the plucking assembly approaches a position where it comes to lie over the skin, as a result of rotational movement dictated by the structure of the cam groove, the plucking assembly closes with plucking member 102 which has a clamping portion 126 approaches the opposite peripheral wall portion 128.
- the plucking assembly 100 is in a fully closed position, with the peripheral portion 126 of plucking member 102 bearing tightly against the peripheral wall portion 128 thus clamping hair 122 therebetween.
- the plucking member 102 and wall 106 defining a confined space 130 accommodating the free end of the hair.
- the rotational movement causes plucking of the clamped hair as can be seen in Fig. 7A. and after further rotation, the angular displacement guided by follower groove 114 causes the opening of the plucking assembly 100 and release of the plucked hair.
- FIGs. 9A-9D Another embodiment of a cam-follower arrangement for angular displacement of a plucking member can be seen in Figs. 9A-9D. in states corresponding to Figs. 5-8. respectively.
- the depilating head generally designated 150 is essentially similar to the depilating head illustrated in previous figures. However, as it can be seen, the depilating head 150 comprises a plurality of longitudinal recesses 154 and 155 which in the present case are radially oriented and symmetrically about a radial axis.
- depilating head 150 is formed with a circumferential skin engaging surface 156 and the recesses are alternating between a first type 154 and a second type 155 , as in the previous embodiment, wherein the first type have an opening at a first side wall and the second type have an opening at the other side wall.
- Each of the recesses 154 and 155 has a generally V-like cross-sectional shape symmetrical about the radial axis extending from the longitudinal axis of the depilating head 150.
- Each of the recesses 154 and 155 is formed with a first wall 160 and a second wall 162 , each wall being formed with a cut-out portion 164 and 166 , respectively.
- a plucking member 170 (only one seen for the sake of clarity of illustration) has an axle portion 172 received within a corresponding axle housing 174 of the recess 154 and 155 , and a radial portion 176 terminating at an edge 178 .
- Axle portion 172 of the plucking member is associated with a follower 177 engaged within a cam groove 180 (see below).
- the plucking member 170 is angularly displaceable between a closed, plucking position in which it bears against one of the side walls 160 and 162 and an open state in which it is disengaged from the respective wall.
- Fig. 10 The arrangement of Fig. 10 is principally similar to the previous embodiments, the significant difference residing in that the plucking head 150 may be rotated in both directions, whereby the plucking member 170 is adapted for bearing against a respective wall 160 or 162 , respectively, depending on the direction of rotation of the plucking head 150 .
- the cam portion 180 formed on the side walls of the plucking head may be formed as mirror images of one another whereby rotation of the plucking head in either direction entails displacing all plucking members (those received within grooves 154 and those received within grooves 155 , respectively) against the same corresponding peripheral wall of the recess.
- rotation of the plucking head in either direction may entail displacement of alternating plucking members against first peripheral walls 160 of the recesses and intermediately alternating plucking members against second peripheral walls 162 of the recesses. This arrangement is possible by forming the cam patches on the side walls of the plucking head in identical position.
- plucking member 170 is illustrated in a position in which it bears against a first peripheral wall 160 , whilst in Fig. 10F the plucking member 170 pluckingly bears against a second peripheral wall portion 162 of a recess.
- Figs. 11A and 11B illustrate a depilating head 200 which is essentially similar to the embodiment illustrated hereinabove with the addition of a plurality of friction inserts 204 , typically made of a rubber material, inserted into the head and slightly extending from the skin-engaging surface 206 .
- This arrangement increases the friction contact of the depilating head 200 with the skin surface, thus giving rise to a friction based mechanism for imparting the depilating head with rotary motion.
- the extent at which the inserts 204 project from the skin-engaging surface 206 is designed so as to prevent tweezing of skin by the plucking member and the walls of the recesses of the depilating head.
- At least portions of the skin-engaging portions may be coated or provided with a friction element such as different types of rubber.
- Such friction elements may be embedded in the skin-engaging portion or may be inserts applied to by any other way as known, per se .
- rotation of the depilating head in accordance with this embodiment will typically be carried out by friction displacement over the skin of an individual.
- the plucking head may also be rotated by an electric motor as known per se .
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
- Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
- Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
- Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
- Polymers With Sulfur, Phosphorus Or Metals In The Main Chain (AREA)
- Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
- Hair Curling (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (19)
- A depilator comprising:a cylindrical depilating head (28) revolving about its longitudinal axis (50) and having a circumferential skin-engaging surface (40) extending between two side walls (42,44) thereof; the head being formed with at least one axial recess (46,48) extending between the two sides (42,44), each at least one recess (46,48) accommodating an elongated hair-plucking member (54) having a peripheral hair clamping portion (58); the plucking member (54) being capable of angular reciprocation about an axial axis parallel (56) to said longitudinal axis (50) and having a duty cycle involving a clamping state in which the clamping portion (58) tightly bears against a peripheral wall portion (64) of a wall of the recess (46,48), and an open state in which there is a clearance between the clamping portion (58) and said peripheral wall portion (64); during revolution of the depilating head (28), the plucking member (54) performing at least one reciprocation for each revolution. and being in an open state while approaching a hair-engaging state where during use it will bear against the skin. and closing to a clamping position prior to moving towards a position where it disengages the skin, and remaining closed during a portion of the revolution to allow plucking of hair clamped thereby.
- A depilator according to Claim 1, wherein the plucking member (54) has an edge (60) having a radius slightly shorter than a radius of the skin-engaging surface (40) of the depilating head (28).
- A depilator according to Claim 1, wherein the plucking member (54) has an edge (60) being essentially flush with the skin-engaging surface (40) of the depilating head (28).
- A depilator according to Claim 1. wherein the revolution of the cylindrical head (28) is manually driven by driving the head over the skin.
- A depilator according to Claim 1. wherein the revolution of the head is motor-driven.
- A depilator according to Claim 1, wherein the plucking member (54) has an axle portion (56) situated at an innermost portion (64) of the recess (46,48) and has a radial portion (58) extending therefrom to its edge.
- A depilator according to Claim 6, wherein said radial portion (58) is planar.
- A depilator according to Claim 1, wherein at least one wall (66) of said at least one recess (46,48) is typically formed with trought-like indentation extending longitudinally-therealong.
- A depilator according to Claim 8, wherein the hair is clamped at a portion adjacent the skin, between the clamping portion (58) of the plucking member (54) and the peripheral portion of the wall (42,44) with the free end of the hair extending into a space defined by said trough-like indention.
- A depilator according to Claim 1, wherein angular reciprocation of the plucking member (54) is induced by means of a cam-follower mechanism (72,74).
- A depilator according to Claim 10, wherein the clamping member (54) is integrally formed with, or is connected to a follower assembly (70) comprising a lateral projection (72), fitted into a cam groove (74) formed in an opposite support wall (78) of the head assembly (24).
- A depilator according to Claim 11, wherein the follower assembly (70) of consecutive plucking members (54), projects from opposite side walls (42,44) into a cam recess (74) formed in corresponding wall (78) of the head assembly (24).
- A depilator according to Claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one recess (154,155) is formed with two peripheral wall portions (160,162), with a clearance (164:166) formed between the clamping portions of the plucking member (170) and each of said two peripheral wall portions; and wherein the depilating head is adapted for revolving in two directions and the plucking member is reciprocally displaceable between closed position in which it bears against one or another of said two peripheral wall portions (160,162), and open positions, respectively, depending on the direction of revolution of the depilating head.
- A depilator according to Claim 13, wherein the plucking member has essentially a T-like shape thus constituting the clearance between the clamping portions of the clamping member and each of said two peripheral wall portions.
- A depilator according to Claim 13. wherein the clearance between the clamping portions of the plucking member and each of said two peripheral wall portions is established by grooves or indention (164,166) formed in the walls of the recesses.
- A depilator according to Claim 13. wherein the plucking member (170) has an axle portion (172) situated at an innermost portion of the recesd (154,155) and has a radial portion (176) symmetrically extending therefrom.
- A depilator according to Claim 1. wherein at least portions of the skin-engaging surface (40) comprises friction inducing portions for inducing friction with the skin as the depilating head revolves over the skin.
- A depilator according to Claim 17. wherein the friction inducing portions are internal with or attached to the skin-engaging surface (40).
- A depilator according to Claim 1. wherein during the plucking position the skin is depressed by respective skin-engaging surface (40) of the depilating head (28).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IL12879599 | 1999-03-02 | ||
IL12879599A IL128795A0 (en) | 1999-03-02 | 1999-03-02 | Depilator |
PCT/IL2000/000124 WO2000051460A1 (en) | 1999-03-02 | 2000-03-01 | Depilator |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1156726A1 EP1156726A1 (en) | 2001-11-28 |
EP1156726B1 true EP1156726B1 (en) | 2004-02-11 |
Family
ID=11072553
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00907909A Expired - Lifetime EP1156726B1 (en) | 1999-03-02 | 2000-03-01 | Depilator |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1156726B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE259171T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2936900A (en) |
DE (1) | DE60008217D1 (en) |
IL (1) | IL128795A0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000051460A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
MA50275B1 (en) | 2020-07-01 | 2022-06-30 | Univ Euromed De Fes | Interchangeable filter mask with virucidal and/or bactericidal capacity |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2220811A (en) | 1936-09-30 | 1940-11-05 | Comb Pluckers Ltd | Means for carrying out plucking operations |
US2900661A (en) | 1957-03-11 | 1959-08-25 | Schnell Carl | Plucking device for feathers, hairs or the like |
GB1508528A (en) | 1975-12-09 | 1978-04-26 | Daar Y | Apparatus for plucking hair from skin |
NL7805230A (en) | 1978-05-16 | 1979-11-20 | Philips Nv | EPILER. |
FR2568110B1 (en) * | 1984-07-27 | 1986-08-08 | Guillon Robert | APPARATUS FOR HAIR REMOVAL |
IL81779A0 (en) | 1987-03-04 | 1987-10-20 | Gross Joseph | Depilatory device |
FR2637784B1 (en) | 1988-10-14 | 1990-12-21 | Demeester Jacques | HAIR REMOVAL APPARATUS |
NL8901753A (en) | 1989-07-10 | 1991-02-01 | Philips Nv | EPILER. |
IL93266A0 (en) | 1989-09-14 | 1990-11-29 | Crestmoore Ltd | Depilatory device |
US5234441A (en) | 1992-01-06 | 1993-08-10 | Braun Aktiengesellschaft | Epilating appliance |
DE19602559A1 (en) * | 1996-01-25 | 1997-03-13 | Braun Ag | Rotary cylinder for depilation appliance |
-
1999
- 1999-03-02 IL IL12879599A patent/IL128795A0/en unknown
-
2000
- 2000-03-01 AU AU29369/00A patent/AU2936900A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-03-01 DE DE60008217T patent/DE60008217D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-03-01 AT AT00907909T patent/ATE259171T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-03-01 WO PCT/IL2000/000124 patent/WO2000051460A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-03-01 EP EP00907909A patent/EP1156726B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2936900A (en) | 2000-09-21 |
DE60008217D1 (en) | 2004-03-18 |
WO2000051460A1 (en) | 2000-09-08 |
EP1156726A1 (en) | 2001-11-28 |
ATE259171T1 (en) | 2004-02-15 |
IL128795A0 (en) | 2000-01-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2792268B1 (en) | Attachment for epilator and epilator | |
US4960422A (en) | Depilating appliance | |
JP3925071B2 (en) | Hair removal equipment | |
EP0290119A2 (en) | Depilatory device for removing hair | |
JPH0779731B2 (en) | Hair removal device | |
US5057116A (en) | Depilatory device | |
US6322569B1 (en) | Epilating device | |
US4825867A (en) | Depilatory device for removing hair | |
EP1156726B1 (en) | Depilator | |
KR20020005436A (en) | Shaver | |
EP1673996A1 (en) | Epilating apparatus | |
EP1961328A1 (en) | Hair removal apparatus | |
JPH06121708A (en) | Depilator | |
JPH0351004A (en) | Hair-removing apparatus | |
WO2010063240A1 (en) | Depilation unit and its depilation device | |
US7300443B2 (en) | Epilating appliance | |
CN214072197U (en) | Cosmetic box | |
JPH07313243A (en) | Depilating device | |
JP3024818B2 (en) | Hair removal device | |
JPH07289350A (en) | Hair removing device | |
CN111374430A (en) | Epilation head for an epilation device with a single row of tweezers | |
JPH07289349A (en) | Hair removing device | |
JP2005046330A (en) | Depilator | |
JPH09103319A (en) | Hair remover | |
JPH05168525A (en) | Removing device for body hair |
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: 20010820 |
|
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 |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
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: 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: 20040211 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: 20040211 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED. Effective date: 20040211 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: 20040211 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: 20040211 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: 20040211 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: 20040211 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: 20040211 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: 20040211 |
|
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: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20040301 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20040301 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 60008217 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20040318 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
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: 20040331 |
|
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: 20040511 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: 20040511 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: 20040511 |
|
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: 20040512 |
|
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: 20040522 |
|
LTIE | Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension |
Effective date: 20040211 |
|
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 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20041111 Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
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 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
EN | Fr: translation not filed | ||
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20041112 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20050301 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20050301 |
|
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: 20040711 |