EP1193212A1 - Device for controlling the vacuum in bottle necks in stoppering machines - Google Patents

Device for controlling the vacuum in bottle necks in stoppering machines Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1193212A1
EP1193212A1 EP01420172A EP01420172A EP1193212A1 EP 1193212 A1 EP1193212 A1 EP 1193212A1 EP 01420172 A EP01420172 A EP 01420172A EP 01420172 A EP01420172 A EP 01420172A EP 1193212 A1 EP1193212 A1 EP 1193212A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vacuum
capping
control device
bottle
network
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
EP01420172A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1193212B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Severac
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.)
STONE Ets
Original Assignee
STONE Ets
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 STONE Ets filed Critical STONE Ets
Publication of EP1193212A1 publication Critical patent/EP1193212A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1193212B1 publication Critical patent/EP1193212B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B1/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying stoppers
    • B67B1/04—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying stoppers by inserting threadless stoppers, e.g. corks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of corking bottles, especially wine bottles, and it relates, more particularly, to a vacuum control device for stop the bottles.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 represent the upper part of the bottle 2, respectively before and after the fitting of the plug 4; the level of liquid 7, in particular wine, being indicated in N.
  • this level N is located at a height H of about a centimeter below the base of the plug 4, when the latter is in place ( Figure 3).
  • the operation of driving the plug 4 into the neck 2a can be compared to the action of a piston in a cylinder.
  • This volume of air S1 is compressed during the operation plug 4, to be reduced, at the end of insertion, to a volume S2 delimited by a portion of the interior surface of the neck 2a, by the wine level N and through the base of the stopper 4 ( Figure 3).
  • the air volume, passing from S1 to S2 rises in pressure to reach, at the end of insertion, a pressure whose value can be between 1.2 and 5 bar (absolute pressure).
  • the current vacuum control technique illustrated in Figure 4, consists in piercing the stopper 4 of a bottle 2, using a needle hollow 8, after capping. Needle 8 is connected at its end higher, than a pressure gauge 9, to constitute a so-called measuring instrument "Aphrometer". The lower end of the needle 8 is positioned in the volume S2, between the wine level N and the base of the cork 4. Thus, the pressure gauge 9 makes it possible to read the value of pressure or vacuum (by relative to atmospheric pressure) which prevails in volume S2.
  • This current vacuum control technique constitutes a control statistics, with manual intervention and destruction of each sample.
  • the current control technique mobilizes personnel, has a discontinuous and concerns only a small number of bottles, and it is also accompanied by the loss of the content of these bottles and the destruction of their caps.
  • the present invention aims to avoid these latter drawbacks, by providing a completely different technique, allowing automatic control, continuous and non-destructive quality and performance of vacuum sealing.
  • the invention essentially relates to a device for vacuum control for bottle capping machines, with filling system under vacuum, of the kind comprising at least one capping station, in particular with a centering cone for the neck of a corking bottle, with a compressor for the plug, located above the centering cone, and with a driver for fitting the plug, and at least one network or circuit vacuum leading to each capping station, for the realization of a vacuum sealing
  • the vacuum control device being characterized by the fact that it includes at least one pressure sensor mounted on at least one network or vacuum circuit of the capping machine, the probe (s) pressure being connected to a signal processing system outlet, ensuring continuous monitoring of the vacuum.
  • the invention is based on the principle of a control device "embedded" on the capping machine, and allowing to measure in a way permanent pressure in the vacuum systems of the closure system with vacuum.
  • This invention is particularly applicable to a capping machine of the rotating and multi-station type, comprising a multiplicity of capping distributed on a turntable, and a network of general vacuum leading to a connection means for the distribution of the vacuum in the rotary table, to the various capping stations, by vacuum networks secondary associated respectively with the different capping stations.
  • the vacuum control device includes a single, fixed pressure probe connected to the vacuum network general of the machine.
  • the device for controlling the vacuum includes a multiplicity of pressure probes, carried by the plate rotating, each pressure probe being mounted on a vacuum network secondary associated with a capping station.
  • the system for processing the output signals from the pressure or pressure probes is provided to compare these signals at thresholds.
  • the comparison of electrical signals, supplied by the probe (s), with the thresholds allows a unitary control of the vacuum for each bottle, with possibility of automatic rejection of any bottle with a corkage defect.
  • Signal comparison of the pressure probes with the thresholds also makes it possible to note a general drift in the quality of the vacuum, over time.
  • the vacuum control device the object of the invention guarantees total quality by continuous and unitary vacuum control on the capping machine itself, while capping each bottle, by eliminating the disadvantages of a discontinuous control by sampling and destruction of samples, as it is currently convenient.
  • the processing of signals from the pressure probe or pressure probes allows real control, eliminating bottles that are defective in their corking, and leaving no progress, in the rest of the packaging process, that the bottles showing no blocking defect.
  • the device according to the invention also makes it possible to provide a drift general vacuum, by triggering an alarm in good time indicating carry out a maintenance operation.
  • the invention helps to avoid phenomena such as oxygenation and "flow", thus contributing to the quality of the wine.
  • FIG. 5 very schematically shows a machine for stoppering bottles, rotary type and multi-station. So we find on this machine, distributed on a rotary table 10 of vertical axis A, a multiplicity capping stations 11 each comprising a centering cone 3, a compressor device 5 and a driver 6, while the reference 12 indicates the actuator of the pressers 6 which is placed, in a fixed position, above the rotary table 10.
  • the device for supplying the plugs to be installed, known per se, is not shown.
  • the capping machine still has a setting system vacuum 13 which includes a vacuum pump 14, a general vacuum network 15, and a connection means 16 for distributing the vacuum, in the turntable 10, to the various capping stations 11.
  • a pressure measurement probe 17, single and fixed, is connected to the general vacuum network 15, this probe 17 being for example fixed on the connection means 16.
  • the probe 17 provides an electrical signal S, representative of the pressure or depression which prevails in the general vacuum network 15.
  • FIG. 6 shows a bottle capping machine, with vacuum system 13, of the same type as that of FIG. 5, the elements corresponding to those described above being designated by the same benchmarks.
  • the pressure measurement probes 17 are multiple, and mobile, each probe 17 being mounted on a vacuum network secondary 18, leading to a capping station 11.
  • the information provided by the control device can be slaved individually to each bottle being capped on the machine, which makes it possible to immediately reject any bottle 2 having a defect in the quality of the vacuum created during its blocking. Detection an abnormality by the control device can also cause any other type of action: sound alarm, signal activation luminous, shutdown of the capping machine, etc ...

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Sealing Of Jars (AREA)
  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

A wine bottle corking machine uses multiple corking stations on a rotating plate, each corking station consisting of a conic centralizer (3), cork compression unit (5) and ramming rod (6). A subsidiary vacuum system (18) induces low pressure in the bottle neck at the point of cork entry and the pressure is measured by sensors (17) which supply the signals (Si) to a processor (19) for analysis.

Description

La présente Invention concerne de façon générale, le domaine du bouchage des bouteilles, en particulier les bouteilles de vin, et elle se rapporte, plus particulièrement, à un dispositif de contrôle du vide pour machines à boucher les bouteilles.The present invention relates generally to the field of corking bottles, especially wine bottles, and it relates, more particularly, to a vacuum control device for stop the bottles.

L'opération de bouchage d'une bouteille, à l'aide d'un bouchon traditionnel en liège, s'effectue habituellement de la manière illustrée schématiquement par la figure 1 du dessin annexé, cette opération se décomposant comme suit :

  • Après introduction de la bouteille 2 dans la machine de bouchage, le goulot 2a de cette bouteille vient se positionner et se mettre en appui au fond d'un cône centreur 3.
  • Un bouchon 4, placé en attente au-dessus du cône centreur 3, est comprimé latéralement par un dispositif compresseur 5.
  • Puis le bouchon 4, ainsi comprimé, est enfoncé dans le goulot 2a par le déplacement vertical d'un poussoir ou "enfonceur" 6.
The operation of capping a bottle, using a traditional cork stopper, is usually carried out in the manner illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1 of the appended drawing, this operation being broken down as follows:
  • After introduction of the bottle 2 into the capping machine, the neck 2a of this bottle comes to position and rest on the bottom of a centering cone 3.
  • A plug 4, placed on standby above the centering cone 3, is compressed laterally by a compressor device 5.
  • Then the plug 4, thus compressed, is pressed into the neck 2a by the vertical displacement of a pusher or "driver" 6.

A titre d'exemple, il peut être fait ici référence à la demande de brevet français N° 2734253.As an example, reference can be made here to the request for French patent N ° 2734253.

Les figures 2 et 3 représentent la partie supérieure de la bouteille 2, respectivement avant et après la mise en place du bouchon 4 ; le niveau du liquide 7, notamment du vin, étant indiqué en N. En général, ce niveau N se situe à une hauteur H d'environ un centimètre au-dessous de la base du bouchon 4, lorsque ce dernier est en place (figure 3).FIGS. 2 and 3 represent the upper part of the bottle 2, respectively before and after the fitting of the plug 4; the level of liquid 7, in particular wine, being indicated in N. In general, this level N is located at a height H of about a centimeter below the base of the plug 4, when the latter is in place (Figure 3).

L'opération d'enfoncement du bouchon 4 dans le goulot 2a peut être assimilée à l'action d'un piston dans un cylindre. A l'instant où le bouchon 4 commence à s'enfoncer dans la bouteille 2, le volume d'air S1 contenu dans le col de cette bouteille est un cylindre délimité par la surface Intérieure du goulot 2a, par le niveau de vin N et par le sommet de la bouteille (figure 2).The operation of driving the plug 4 into the neck 2a can be compared to the action of a piston in a cylinder. The instant the cap 4 begins to sink into the bottle 2, the volume of air S1 contained in the neck of this bottle is a cylinder delimited by the Inner surface of the neck 2a, by the wine level N and by the top of the bottle (Figure 2).

Ce volume d'air S1 est comprimé pendant l'opération d'enfoncement du bouchon 4, pour être ramené, en fin d'enfoncement, à un volume S2 délimité par une portion de la surface intérieure du goulot 2a, par le niveau de vin N et par la base du bouchon 4 (figure 3). Au cours de l'enfoncement du bouchon 4, le volume d'air, passant de S1 à S2, monte en pression pour atteindre, en fin d'enfoncement, une pression dont la valeur peut être comprise entre 1,2 et 5 bars (pression absolue).This volume of air S1 is compressed during the operation plug 4, to be reduced, at the end of insertion, to a volume S2 delimited by a portion of the interior surface of the neck 2a, by the wine level N and through the base of the stopper 4 (Figure 3). During the depression of the plug 4, the air volume, passing from S1 to S2, rises in pressure to reach, at the end of insertion, a pressure whose value can be between 1.2 and 5 bar (absolute pressure).

Une telle surpression est néfaste, en ce sens qu'elle va favoriser les échanges de part et d'autre du bouchon 4, et peut entraíner deux types de phénomènes indésirables :

  • d'une part, elle provoque une oxygénation du vin contenu dans la bouteille 2 ;
  • d'autre part, elle peut être la cause de perte de vin par le goulot 2a, par un phénomène de fuite aussi appelé "couleuse".
Such overpressure is harmful, in the sense that it will promote exchanges on either side of the plug 4, and can cause two types of undesirable phenomena:
  • on the one hand, it causes oxygenation of the wine contained in bottle 2;
  • on the other hand, it can be the cause of loss of wine by the neck 2a, by a leakage phenomenon also called "couleuse".

Pour éviter ces inconvénients, on réalise un vide d'air dans le volume S1, avant l'enfoncement du bouchon 4. Ainsi, après enfoncement du bouchon 4, le volume S2 est à une pression proche de la pression atmosphérique. La combinaison de la technique de bouchage illustrée par la figure 1, et de l'application d'un vide d'air, permet de diminuer fortement les phénomènes indésirables évoqués ci-dessus.To avoid these drawbacks, an air vacuum is created in the volume S1, before the plug 4 is inserted. Thus, after the plug is inserted cap 4, the volume S2 is at a pressure close to the pressure atmospheric. The combination of the capping technique illustrated by the Figure 1, and the application of a vacuum, greatly reduces the undesirable phenomena mentioned above.

Toutefois, dans la pratique, la mise sous vide pendant l'opération de bouchage pose encore des difficultés. En effet, cette mise sous vide est réalisée par des solutions techniques faisant appel à de nombreux joints d'étanchéité, à des petits circuits et à de nombreuses pièces. La performance des systèmes de mise sous vide est donc évolutive dans le temps, et elle demande à être contrôlée fréquemment, pour s'assurer que la mise sous vide soit efficace.However, in practice, vacuuming during the operation capping still poses difficulties. Indeed, this vacuuming is realized by technical solutions using many joints sealing, small circuits and many parts. The performance vacuum systems is therefore scalable over time, and it needs to be checked frequently, to ensure that vacuuming be effective.

La technique actuelle de contrôle du vide, illustrée par la figure 4, consiste à percer le bouchon 4 d'une bouteille 2, au moyen d'une aiguille creuse 8, après le bouchage. L'aiguille 8 est raccordée, par son extrémité supérieure, à un manomètre 9, pour constituer un instrument de mesure dit "aphromètre". L'extrémité inférieure de l'aiguille 8 est positionnée dans le volume S2, entre le niveau de vin N et la base du bouchon 4. Ainsi, le manomètre 9 permet de lire la valeur de la pression ou de la dépression (par rapport à la pression atmosphérique) qui règne dans le volume S2.The current vacuum control technique, illustrated in Figure 4, consists in piercing the stopper 4 of a bottle 2, using a needle hollow 8, after capping. Needle 8 is connected at its end higher, than a pressure gauge 9, to constitute a so-called measuring instrument "Aphrometer". The lower end of the needle 8 is positioned in the volume S2, between the wine level N and the base of the cork 4. Thus, the pressure gauge 9 makes it possible to read the value of pressure or vacuum (by relative to atmospheric pressure) which prevails in volume S2.

Cette technique actuelle de contrôle du vide constitue un contrôle statistique, avec intervention manuelle et destruction de chaque échantillon. Ainsi, la technique actuelle de contrôle mobilise du personnel, possède un caractère discontinu et ne concerne qu'un faible nombre de bouteilles, et elle s'accompagne, en outre, de la perte du contenu de ces bouteilles et de la destruction de leurs bouchons.This current vacuum control technique constitutes a control statistics, with manual intervention and destruction of each sample. Thus, the current control technique mobilizes personnel, has a discontinuous and concerns only a small number of bottles, and it is also accompanied by the loss of the content of these bottles and the destruction of their caps.

La présente invention vise à éviter ces derniers inconvénients, en fournissant une tout autre technique, permettant un contrôle automatique, continu et non destructif de la qualité et de la performance des systèmes de bouchage sous vide.The present invention aims to avoid these latter drawbacks, by providing a completely different technique, allowing automatic control, continuous and non-destructive quality and performance of vacuum sealing.

A cet effet, l'invention a essentiellement pour objet un dispositif de contrôle du vide pour machines à boucher les bouteilles, avec système de mise sous vide, du genre de celles comprenant au moins un poste de bouchage, en particulier avec un cône centreur pour le goulot d'une bouteille à boucher, avec un compresseur pour le bouchon, situé au-dessus du cône centreur, et avec un enfonceur pour la mise en place du bouchon, et au moins un réseau ou circuit de vide aboutissant à chaque poste de bouchage, pour la réalisation d'un bouchage sous vide, le dispositif de contrôle du vide étant caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend au moins une sonde de pression montée sur au moins un réseau ou circuit de vide de la machine de bouchage, la ou les sondes de pression étant raccordées à un système de traitement de leurs signaux de sortie, assurant une surveillance continue de la mise sous vide.To this end, the invention essentially relates to a device for vacuum control for bottle capping machines, with filling system under vacuum, of the kind comprising at least one capping station, in particular with a centering cone for the neck of a corking bottle, with a compressor for the plug, located above the centering cone, and with a driver for fitting the plug, and at least one network or circuit vacuum leading to each capping station, for the realization of a vacuum sealing, the vacuum control device being characterized by the fact that it includes at least one pressure sensor mounted on at least one network or vacuum circuit of the capping machine, the probe (s) pressure being connected to a signal processing system outlet, ensuring continuous monitoring of the vacuum.

Ainsi, l'invention repose sur le principe d'un dispositif de contrôle "embarqué" sur la machine de bouchage, et permettant de mesurer de façon permanente la pression dans les réseaux de vide du système de bouchage avec mise sous vide.Thus, the invention is based on the principle of a control device "embedded" on the capping machine, and allowing to measure in a way permanent pressure in the vacuum systems of the closure system with vacuum.

Cette invention s'applique notamment à une machine de bouchage de type tournante et multi-postes, comprenant une multiplicité de postes de bouchage répartis sur un plateau rotatif, et un réseau de vide général aboutissant à un moyen de raccordement pour la distribution du vide dans le plateau rotatif, vers les différents postes de bouchage, par des réseaux de vide secondaires associés respectivement aux différents postes de bouchage.This invention is particularly applicable to a capping machine of the rotating and multi-station type, comprising a multiplicity of capping distributed on a turntable, and a network of general vacuum leading to a connection means for the distribution of the vacuum in the rotary table, to the various capping stations, by vacuum networks secondary associated respectively with the different capping stations.

Dans le cas d'application à une telle machine de bouchage, selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention, le dispositif de contrôle du vide comprend une sonde de pression, unique et fixe, raccordée au réseau de vide général de la machine.In the case of application to such a capping machine, according to an embodiment of the invention, the vacuum control device includes a single, fixed pressure probe connected to the vacuum network general of the machine.

Toujours dans le cas d'application au même type de machine de bouchage, une variante de l'invention prévoit que le dispositif de contrôle du vide comprend une multiplicité de sondes de pression, portées par le plateau tournant, chaque sonde de pression étant montée sur un réseau de vide secondaire associé à un poste de bouchage.Always in the case of application to the same type of machine a variant of the invention provides that the device for controlling the vacuum includes a multiplicity of pressure probes, carried by the plate rotating, each pressure probe being mounted on a vacuum network secondary associated with a capping station.

Le système de traitement des signaux de sortie de la sonde de pression ou des sondes de pression, selon le cas, est prévu pour comparer ces signaux à des seuils. En particulier, la comparaison des signaux électriques, fournis par la ou les sondes, avec les seuils permet un contrôle unitaire de la mise sous vide pour chaque bouteille, avec possibilité de rejet automatique de toute bouteille présentant un défaut de bouchage. La comparaison des signaux de sortie des sondes de pression avec les seuils permet aussi de constater une dérive générale de la qualité du vide, dans le temps.The system for processing the output signals from the pressure or pressure probes, as appropriate, is provided to compare these signals at thresholds. In particular, the comparison of electrical signals, supplied by the probe (s), with the thresholds allows a unitary control of the vacuum for each bottle, with possibility of automatic rejection of any bottle with a corkage defect. Signal comparison of the pressure probes with the thresholds also makes it possible to note a general drift in the quality of the vacuum, over time.

Ainsi, dans l'ensemble, le dispositif de contrôle du vide, objet de l'invention, garantit une qualité totale, par un contrôle continu et unitaire du vide sur la machine de bouchage elle-même, pendant le bouchage de chaque bouteille, en supprimant les inconvénients d'un contrôle discontinu par échantillonnage et avec destruction des échantillons, tel qu'il est actuellement pratiqué.Thus, overall, the vacuum control device, the object of the invention guarantees total quality by continuous and unitary vacuum control on the capping machine itself, while capping each bottle, by eliminating the disadvantages of a discontinuous control by sampling and destruction of samples, as it is currently convenient.

De plus, le traitement des signaux issus de la sonde de pression ou des sondes de pression permet de réaliser un véritable asservissement, éliminant les bouteilles défectueuses quant à leur bouchage, et ne laissant progresser, dans la suite du processus de conditionnement, que les bouteilles ne présentant aucun défaut de bouchage.In addition, the processing of signals from the pressure probe or pressure probes allows real control, eliminating bottles that are defective in their corking, and leaving no progress, in the rest of the packaging process, that the bottles showing no blocking defect.

Le dispositif selon l'invention permet aussi de prévoir une dérive générale du vide, en déclenchant en temps utile une alarme indiquant de procéder à une opération de maintenance.The device according to the invention also makes it possible to provide a drift general vacuum, by triggering an alarm in good time indicating carry out a maintenance operation.

Enfin, dans le cas d'application du dispositif à une machine de bouchage de bouteilles de vin, l'invention contribue à éviter les phénomènes tels qu'oxygénation et "couleuse", en contribuant ainsi à la qualité du vin.Finally, in the case of application of the device to a corking of wine bottles, the invention helps to avoid phenomena such as oxygenation and "flow", thus contributing to the quality of the wine.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description qui suit, en référence au dessin schématique annexé représentant, à titres d'exemples, quelques formes d'exécution de ce dispositif de contrôle du vide pour machines à boucher les bouteilles :

  • Figure 1 (déjà mentionnée) illustre l'opération de bouchage d'une bouteille ;
  • Figures 2 et 3 (déjà mentionnées) représentent la partie supérieure de la bouteille, avant et après la mise en place du bouchon ;
  • Figure 4 (déjà mentionnée) illustre la technique actuelle de contrôle du vide ;
  • Figure 5 est une vue schématique, en coupe verticale, d'une machine à boucher les bouteilles équipée d'un dispositif de contrôle du vide conforme à l'invention ;
  • Figure 6 est une vue schématique, en coupe verticale, d'une machine à boucher les bouteilles équipée d'un autre dispositif de contrôle du vide conforme à l'invention.
    • The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of examples, some embodiments of this vacuum control device for machines for corking bottles:
  • Figure 1 (already mentioned) illustrates the operation of capping a bottle;
  • Figures 2 and 3 (already mentioned) show the upper part of the bottle, before and after the installation of the stopper;
  • Figure 4 (already mentioned) illustrates the current vacuum control technique;
  • Figure 5 is a schematic view, in vertical section, of a bottle capping machine equipped with a vacuum control device according to the invention;
  • Figure 6 is a schematic view, in vertical section, of a bottle capping machine equipped with another vacuum control device according to the invention.

    • La figure 5 représente, très schématiquement, une machine à boucher les bouteilles, de type tournante et multi-postes. On trouve donc sur cette machine, répartis sur un plateau rotatif 10 d'axe vertical A, une multiplicité de postes de bouchage 11 comprenant chacun un cône centreur 3, un dispositif compresseur 5 et un enfonceur 6, tandis que la référence 12 indique l'actionneur des enfonceurs 6 qui est placé, en position fixe, au-dessus du plateau rotatif 10. Le dispositif d'amenée des bouchons à poser, connu en soi, n'est pas représenté.FIG. 5 very schematically shows a machine for stoppering bottles, rotary type and multi-station. So we find on this machine, distributed on a rotary table 10 of vertical axis A, a multiplicity capping stations 11 each comprising a centering cone 3, a compressor device 5 and a driver 6, while the reference 12 indicates the actuator of the pressers 6 which is placed, in a fixed position, above the rotary table 10. The device for supplying the plugs to be installed, known per se, is not shown.

    La machine de bouchage possède encore un système de mise sous vide 13 qui comprend une pompe à vide 14, un réseau de vide général 15, et un moyen de raccordement 16 permettant de distribuer le vide, dans le plateau rotatif 10, vers les différents postes de bouchage 11.The capping machine still has a setting system vacuum 13 which includes a vacuum pump 14, a general vacuum network 15, and a connection means 16 for distributing the vacuum, in the turntable 10, to the various capping stations 11.

    Dans cette forme de réalisation, une sonde de mesure de pression 17, unique et fixe, est raccordée au réseau de vide général 15, cette sonde 17 étant par exemple fixée sur le moyen de raccordement 16. La sonde 17 fournit un signal électrique S, représentatif de la pression ou dépression qui règne dans le réseau de vide général 15.In this embodiment, a pressure measurement probe 17, single and fixed, is connected to the general vacuum network 15, this probe 17 being for example fixed on the connection means 16. The probe 17 provides an electrical signal S, representative of the pressure or depression which prevails in the general vacuum network 15.

    La figure 6 représente une machine à boucher les bouteilles, avec système de mise sous vide 13, du même type que celle de la figure 5, les éléments correspondant à ceux décrits précédemment étant désignés par les mêmes repères. Sur cette figure 6 sont en outre Indiqués les réseaux de vide secondaires 18, associés aux différents postes de bouchage 11. Chaque réseau de vide secondaire 18, ménagé dans le plateau rotatif 10, a son point de départ situé à la périphérie de ce plateau 10, au niveau du moyen de raccordement 16, et il est dirigé vers le poste de bouchage 11 correspondant.Figure 6 shows a bottle capping machine, with vacuum system 13, of the same type as that of FIG. 5, the elements corresponding to those described above being designated by the same benchmarks. In this figure 6 are further indicated the vacuum networks secondary 18, associated with different capping stations 11. Each secondary vacuum network 18, formed in the turntable 10, at its point starting point located on the periphery of this plate 10, at the level of the means of connection 16, and it is directed to the corresponding capping station 11.

    Dans ce dernier cas, les sondes de mesure de pression 17 sont multiples, et mobiles, chaque sonde 17 étant montée sur un réseau de vide secondaire 18, aboutissant à un poste de bouchage 11. Les différentes sondes 17, ainsi portées par le plateau 10 et tournant avec celui-ci, fournissent des signaux électriques SI représentatifs des pressions ou dépressions qui règnent, respectivement, dans les réseaux de vide secondaires 18.In the latter case, the pressure measurement probes 17 are multiple, and mobile, each probe 17 being mounted on a vacuum network secondary 18, leading to a capping station 11. The various probes 17, thus carried by the plate 10 and rotating with it, provide electrical signals SI representative of the pressures or depressions which prevail, respectively, in secondary vacuum systems 18.

    Selon le cas, le signal S issu de la sonde de pression unique 17 (figure 5), ou les signaux Si issus des différentes sondes 17 (figure 6), sont traités et interprétés dans un système de traitement 19. Ces signaux donnent des courbes régulières et superposables, représentant la valeur du vide en fonction du temps. En tenant compte d'un ou plusieurs seuils de tolérance, l'analyse de ces courbes permet de détecter toute anomalie concernant le vide, anomalie dont les causes peuvent être :

    • un encrassement des réseaux de vide 15 et/ou 18, aussi bien fixes que tournants ;
    • un fonctionnement défectueux de la pompe à vide 14 ;
    • des fuites diverses et multiples dans les zones du cône centreur 3, du dispositif compresseur 5, etc.. ;
    • un défaut que présente le goulot 2a d'une bouteille 2 ;
    • un défaut du bouchon 4 lui-même.
    Depending on the case, the signal S from the single pressure probe 17 (FIG. 5), or the signals Si from the different probes 17 (FIG. 6), are processed and interpreted in a processing system 19. These signals give curves regular and superimposable, representing the value of the vacuum as a function of time. Taking into account one or more tolerance thresholds, the analysis of these curves makes it possible to detect any anomaly concerning the vacuum, anomaly whose causes can be:
    • fouling of the vacuum networks 15 and / or 18, both fixed and rotating;
    • faulty operation of the vacuum pump 14;
    • various and multiple leaks in the zones of the centering cone 3, of the compressor device 5, etc .;
    • a defect presented by the neck 2a of a bottle 2;
    • a defect in the plug 4 itself.

    En particulier, l'information fournie par le dispositif de contrôle peut être asservie unitairement à chaque bouteille en cours de bouchage sur la machine, ce qui permet de rejeter immédiatement toute bouteille 2 présentant un défaut quant à la qualité du vide réalisé lors de son bouchage. La détection d'une anomalie par le dispositif de contrôle peut aussi provoquer toute autre type d'action : déclenchement d'une alarme sonore, activation d'un signal lumineux, mise à l'arrêt de la machine de bouchage, etc...In particular, the information provided by the control device can be slaved individually to each bottle being capped on the machine, which makes it possible to immediately reject any bottle 2 having a defect in the quality of the vacuum created during its blocking. Detection an abnormality by the control device can also cause any other type of action: sound alarm, signal activation luminous, shutdown of the capping machine, etc ...

    L'on ne s'éloignerait pas du cadre de l'invention, telle que définie dans les revendications annexées :

    • en modifiant le nombre, et/ou l'implantation, des sondes de mesure de pression ;
    • en effectuant tout type de traitement des signaux issus de ces sondes, et en commandant tout type d'action à partir de l'information ainsi fournie ;
    • en modifiant les détails constructifs de la machine de bouchage équipée du dispositif de contrôle du vide ;
    • en destinant ce dispositif non seulement à des machines de bouchage pour bouteilles de vin, mais aussi, plus généralement, à des machines assurant le bouchage de tous récipients analogues, tels que flacons, pouvant recevoir tous liquides, alimentaires ou non.
    One would not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims:
    • by changing the number, and / or layout, of the pressure measurement probes;
    • by performing any type of processing of the signals from these probes, and by ordering any type of action from the information thus provided;
    • by modifying the construction details of the capping machine equipped with the vacuum control device;
    • by providing this device not only to corking machines for wine bottles, but also, more generally, to machines ensuring corking of all similar containers, such as bottles, which can receive all liquids, food or not.

    Claims (6)

    Dispositif de contrôle du vide pour machines à boucher les bouteilles, avec système de mise sous vide (13), du genre de celles comprenant au moins un poste de bouchage (11), en particulier avec un cône centreur (3) pour le goulot (2a) d'une bouteille (2) à boucher, avec un compresseur (5) pour le bouchon (4), situé au-dessus du cône centreur (3), et avec un enfonceur (6) pour la mise en place du bouchon (4), et au moins un réseau ou circuit de vide (15, 18) aboutissant à chaque poste de bouchage (11), pour la réalisation d'un bouchage sous vide, le dispositif de contrôle du vide étant caractérisé en ce qu 'il comprend au moins une sonde de pression (17) montée sur au moins un réseau ou circuit de vide (15, 18) de la machine de bouchage, la ou les sondes de pression (17) étant raccordées à un système de traitement (19) de leurs signaux de sortie (S), assurant une surveillance continue de la mise sous vide.Vacuum control device for bottle capping machines, with a vacuum system (13), of the type comprising those with at least one capping station (11), in particular with a centering cone (3) for the neck ( 2a) of a bottle (2) to be capped, with a compressor (5) for the cap (4), located above the centering cone (3), and with a driver (6) for the installation of the cap (4), and at least one vacuum network or circuit (15, 18) leading to each stoppering station (11), for carrying out a vacuum stopper, the vacuum control device being characterized in that it comprises at least one pressure probe (17) mounted on at least one network or vacuum circuit (15, 18) of the capping machine, the pressure probe (s) (17) being connected to a treatment system (19 ) of their output signals (S), ensuring continuous monitoring of the vacuum. Dispositif de contrôle du vide selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, dans le cas d'une machine de bouchage de type tournante et multi-postes, comprenant une multiplicité de postes de bouchage (11) répartis sur un plateau rotatif (10), et un réseau de vide général (15) aboutissant à un moyen de raccordement (16) pour la distribution du vide dans le plateau rotatif (10), vers les différents postes de bouchage (11), ce dispositif de contrôle du vide comprend une sonde de pression (17), unique et fixe, raccordée au réseau de vide général (15) de la machine.Vacuum control device according to claim 1, characterized in that , in the case of a rotary type and multi-station capping machine, comprising a multiplicity of capping stations (11) distributed on a rotary plate (10) , and a general vacuum network (15) leading to a connection means (16) for the distribution of the vacuum in the rotary table (10), to the various capping stations (11), this vacuum control device comprises a pressure probe (17), single and fixed, connected to the general vacuum network (15) of the machine. Dispositif de contrôle du vide selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la sonde de pression (17) est fixée sur le moyen de raccordement (16).Vacuum control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure probe (17) is fixed to the connection means (16). Dispositif de contrôle du vide selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, dans le cas d'une machine de bouchage de type tournante et multi-postes, comprenant une multiplicité de postes de bouchage (11) répartis sur un plateau rotatif (10), et un réseau de vide général (15) aboutissant à un moyen de raccordement pour la distribution du vide dans le plateau (10), vers les différents postes de bouchage (11), par des réseaux de vide secondaires (18) associés respectivement aux différents postes de bouchage (11), ce dispositif de contrôle du vide comprend une multiplicité de sondes de pression (17), portées par le plateau tournant (10), chaque sonde de pression (17) étant montée sur un réseau de vide secondaire (18) associé à un poste de bouchage (11).Vacuum control device according to claim 1, characterized in that , in the case of a rotary type and multi-station capping machine, comprising a multiplicity of capping stations (11) distributed on a rotary plate (10) , and a general vacuum network (15) leading to a connection means for distributing the vacuum in the tray (10), to the various capping stations (11), by secondary vacuum networks (18) associated respectively with the different capping stations (11), this vacuum control device comprises a multiplicity of pressure probes (17), carried by the turntable (10), each pressure probe (17) being mounted on a secondary vacuum network ( 18) associated with a capping station (11). Dispositif de contrôle du vide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que le système de traitement (19) des signaux de sortie (S) de la sonde de pression ou des sondes de pression (17) est prévu pour comparer ces signaux (S) à des seuils.Vacuum control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the system for processing (19) the output signals (S) of the pressure probe or of the pressure probes (17) is provided for compare these signals (S) to thresholds. Dispositif de contrôle du vide selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que le système de traitement (19) est prévu pour un contrôle unitaire de la mise sous vide pour chaque bouteille (2), avec possibilité de rejet automatique de toute bouteille (2) présentant un défaut de bouchage.Vacuum control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the treatment system (19) is provided for a unitary control of the evacuation for each bottle (2), with the possibility of automatic rejection of any bottle (2) with a plugging defect.
    EP01420172A 2000-09-28 2001-07-25 Device for controlling the vacuum in bottle necks in stoppering machines Expired - Lifetime EP1193212B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    FR0012387 2000-09-28
    FR0012387A FR2814450B1 (en) 2000-09-28 2000-09-28 VACUUM CONTROL DEVICE FOR BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINES

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1193212A1 true EP1193212A1 (en) 2002-04-03
    EP1193212B1 EP1193212B1 (en) 2003-05-02

    Family

    ID=8854799

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP01420172A Expired - Lifetime EP1193212B1 (en) 2000-09-28 2001-07-25 Device for controlling the vacuum in bottle necks in stoppering machines

    Country Status (4)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1193212B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE238964T1 (en)
    DE (1) DE60100232D1 (en)
    FR (1) FR2814450B1 (en)

    Cited By (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP1375412A1 (en) * 2002-06-19 2004-01-02 Gruppo Bertolaso S.p.A. Corking machine
    WO2006061858A1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2006-06-15 Emanuele Crespi Closure for liquid container, particularly, for sparkling wine and champagne bottles

    Citations (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    FR2394452A1 (en) * 1977-06-17 1979-01-12 Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A VACUUM-TIGHT BOTTLE
    FR2734253A1 (en) 1995-05-17 1996-11-22 Allegre Jacques Paul Method for fitting elastic and compressible cork entirely in bottle neck
    GB2322851A (en) * 1997-03-05 1998-09-09 Bosch Gmbh Robert Evacuating and closing device with an additional holding element

    Patent Citations (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    FR2394452A1 (en) * 1977-06-17 1979-01-12 Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A VACUUM-TIGHT BOTTLE
    FR2734253A1 (en) 1995-05-17 1996-11-22 Allegre Jacques Paul Method for fitting elastic and compressible cork entirely in bottle neck
    GB2322851A (en) * 1997-03-05 1998-09-09 Bosch Gmbh Robert Evacuating and closing device with an additional holding element

    Cited By (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP1375412A1 (en) * 2002-06-19 2004-01-02 Gruppo Bertolaso S.p.A. Corking machine
    WO2006061858A1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2006-06-15 Emanuele Crespi Closure for liquid container, particularly, for sparkling wine and champagne bottles

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    FR2814450B1 (en) 2003-01-03
    ATE238964T1 (en) 2003-05-15
    EP1193212B1 (en) 2003-05-02
    DE60100232D1 (en) 2003-06-05
    FR2814450A1 (en) 2002-03-29

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    EP2001788B1 (en) Cleaning device for a filling machine
    EP0038492A1 (en) Leak checking device for high-voltage metal-clad switchgear
    FR2533903A1 (en) ROTARY TYPE CLOSING APPARATUS
    FR2554801A1 (en) CAPPING APPARATUS
    FR2578980A1 (en) APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PRESENCE OF POSSIBLE DEFECTS IN BOTTLES
    FR2600723A1 (en) MEMBRANE PISTON PUMP WITH RUNNING.
    EP1109727B1 (en) Sealing device for a bottle containing sparkling wine
    CA1305336C (en) Process and apparatus for measuring the elasticity of a superficial stratum, especially of the skin
    EP1193212B1 (en) Device for controlling the vacuum in bottle necks in stoppering machines
    FR2960454A1 (en) DEVICE FOR REDUCING EVAPORATION IN A REAGENT BOTTLE
    FR2560587A1 (en) DEVICE FOR FITTING A CONTAINER TO A FILLING VALVE, IN PARTICULAR FOR AUTOMATIC CONTINUOUS TYPE MACHINES INTENDED TO FILL BOTTLE LIQUID
    JP2000085887A (en) Apparatus for inspecting cap attached state
    EP3057532B1 (en) Straw for conserving a pre-determined dose of a liquid-based substance, especially pure or diluted animal semen, and assembly comprising same
    EP1861331B1 (en) Sealing machine comprising a motor-driven jack
    GB2042164A (en) Testing for container defects
    FR2522820A1 (en) Measurement of leaks in gas bottle, e.g. LPG bottle - using sensor for increase of gas in bell placed around leak zone
    FR2733923A1 (en) MATRAS SHUTTERING SYSTEM AND MICROWAVE PROCESSING APPARATUS HAVING SUCH A SHUTTERING SYSTEM
    FR2681685A1 (en) LEVEL DETECTOR WITHIN A CONTAINER CONTAINING A GRANULAR MATERIAL, ESPECIALLY SAND, PARTICULARLY INSIDE A SANDBLASTER ASSOCIATED WITH A DRIVE WHEEL.
    FR2700389A3 (en) Apparatus for testing the tightness of tire rims for automobiles and the like.
    JP4346808B2 (en) Cork stopper inspection device
    FR2568371A1 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE PRESENCE AND THE CONDITION OF THE VALVE GASKET OF A CONTAINER CONTAINING A GAS UNDER PRESSURE, IN PARTICULAR A LIQUID OIL GAS
    FR2590019A1 (en) Device for detecting a drop in partial vacuum in a pipe
    JPS5934131A (en) Detecting method and device of break in mouth of bottle
    EP0731341A1 (en) Device for indicating the position of an interface between two septic media and detecting method using this device
    FR2746503A1 (en) DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING GLASS DEBRIS

    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 TR

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 20020715

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    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 TR

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    GRAA (expected) grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

    AK Designated contracting states

    Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

    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: 20030502

    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: 20030502

    Ref country code: GB

    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: 20030502

    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: 20030502

    Ref country code: TR

    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: 20030502

    Ref country code: IE

    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: 20030502

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: EP

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 60100232

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20030605

    Kind code of ref document: P

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    Free format text: FRENCH

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

    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: 20030725

    Ref country code: LU

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

    Effective date: 20030725

    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: 20030731

    Ref country code: BE

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

    Effective date: 20030731

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

    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: 20030802

    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: 20030802

    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: 20030802

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

    Effective date: 20030804

    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: 20030805

    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: 20030813

    NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
    GBV Gb: ep patent (uk) treated as always having been void in accordance with gb section 77(7)/1977 [no translation filed]

    Effective date: 20030502

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: FD4D

    Ref document number: 1193212E

    Country of ref document: IE

    BERE Be: lapsed

    Owner name: ETS *STONE

    Effective date: 20030731

    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: 20040203

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

    Ref country code: CH

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

    Effective date: 20050731

    Ref country code: LI

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

    Effective date: 20050731

    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: FR

    Payment date: 20070628

    Year of fee payment: 7

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

    Ref country code: IT

    Payment date: 20080731

    Year of fee payment: 8

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: ST

    Effective date: 20090331

    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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20080731

    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: 20090725