EP1197813A2 - Méthode et dispositif pour une distibution plus homogène d'huile de fixage sur une surface de fixation - Google Patents

Méthode et dispositif pour une distibution plus homogène d'huile de fixage sur une surface de fixation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1197813A2
EP1197813A2 EP01123265A EP01123265A EP1197813A2 EP 1197813 A2 EP1197813 A2 EP 1197813A2 EP 01123265 A EP01123265 A EP 01123265A EP 01123265 A EP01123265 A EP 01123265A EP 1197813 A2 EP1197813 A2 EP 1197813A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fixing surface
roller
fuser
oil
redistribution
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01123265A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1197813A3 (fr
Inventor
David Francis Cahill
Clifton T. Hartford
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.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
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 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG filed Critical Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Publication of EP1197813A2 publication Critical patent/EP1197813A2/fr
Publication of EP1197813A3 publication Critical patent/EP1197813A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
    • G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
    • G03G15/2017—Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means
    • G03G15/2025—Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means with special means for lubricating and/or cleaning the fixing unit, e.g. applying offset preventing fluid
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/20—Details of the fixing device or porcess
    • G03G2215/2093—Release agent handling devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for redistribution of fuser oil from areas with a high fuser oil concentration on a fixing surface, to achieve a more uniform fuser oil distribution on the fixing surface.
  • Electrophotographic copying and duplicating machines typically use dry ones Toner to create an image on the paper.
  • the dry toner will over a transfer device is applied to the paper and then in a fixing device permanently fixed on paper with heat and pressure.
  • the fixing device settles usually from a heated fuser roller, a heated or unheated one Back pressure roller and an oil roller (application roller) for applying a release liquid (Fuser oil) together.
  • a fuser belt device can be used. at Both devices, it is necessary that oil on the application roller Fixing surface is applied.
  • the fuser oil is usually applied evenly to the Fixing surface applied where it comes in contact with the toner.
  • the accumulation of oil on the outer ends of the fixing surface avoided and a more even fuser oil distribution on the fixing surface can be achieved can be positioned by positioning a fuser oil redistribution roller in Active connection either with the fixing surface or a heating roller in active connection stands with the fixing surface, the redistribution roller consisting essentially of one Body made of porous material that is in full contact with the entire width Fixing surface or at least one heating roller comes with a compliant Oil transfer material is covered.
  • the invention further includes a fixation device with a more uniform one Oil distribution, consisting of: a fixing surface, a counter pressure roller, so is positioned so that it holds the paper with the toner image between the fixing surface and the Pressure roller contacted, an applicator roller, which is positioned so that it to the Fixier surface is set and a selected specified amount of fuser oil on the Fixing surface before contacting the paper and a fuser oil redistribution roller, which is positioned so that it is either in active connection with the Fixing surface after contacting the paper through the fixing surface or on at least one heating roller is operatively connected to the fixing surface.
  • a fixation device with a more uniform one Oil distribution consisting of: a fixing surface, a counter pressure roller, so is positioned so that it holds the paper with the toner image between the fixing surface and the Pressure roller contacted, an applicator roller, which is positioned so that it to the Fixier surface is set and a selected specified amount of fuser oil on the Fixing surface before contacting the paper and a fuse
  • FIG. 1 shows a conventional fuser roller 10. It can be assumed that such Fuser rollers as described for example in US Pat. No. 5,871,878 are known. These fuser rollers usually have a body made from a suitable one Material such as Aluminum, can exist and a coating of filled Has silicone rubber or another suitable elastomer on its surface, such as this is known to the person skilled in the art. Furthermore, the fuser roller can have two or more Be coated layers that have a different thermal conductivity or other Have properties. As known in specialist circles, the fuser roller can be made differently from a number of different materials.
  • a suitable one Material such as Aluminum
  • Has silicone rubber or another suitable elastomer such as this is known to the person skilled in the art.
  • the fuser roller can have two or more Be coated layers that have a different thermal conductivity or other Have properties. As known in specialist circles, the fuser roller can be made differently from a number of different materials.
  • the fuser roller normally includes the brackets 12, which are essentially on suitable required type may be attached to position the fuser roller 10 hold. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the fuser roller 10 has a central section 14, whose width corresponds to the most used paper width. The additional length of the Fuser roller 10, which is shown with the end pieces 16, is for occasional wider copies needed. If wider copies are made more often, the fuser oil that is in the Applied substantially uniformly to the fuser roller 10, broadly also consumed evenly. But if a large proportion of the copies made are one has a smaller width, the fuser oil applied to the fuser roller 10 tends to open up to collect the end pieces 16. As discussed earlier, this can lead to a number of Cause problems.
  • a typical oil or application roller 20 is shown in FIG.
  • the application roller 20 comprises a body 19 made of any suitable ceramic or non-ceramic porous material is formed.
  • the application roller 20 has an oil-transporting Surface 21, which can be made of any suitable material.
  • Such one Material is an arimid fiber material, which is called NOMAX at Dupont de Nemours and Company. This is a resilient felt material that is is suitable at the temperatures prevailing on the fuser roller surface Transfer roller 20 to transfer.
  • NOMAX arimid fiber material
  • This is a resilient felt material that is suitable at the temperatures prevailing on the fuser roller surface Transfer roller 20 to transfer.
  • the application roller 20 in Has essentially the same length as the fuser roller 10.
  • This oil is distributed in the application body 19 and passes through the Applicator roll coating 21 to the fuser roll 10.
  • the oil is usually added in an amount from about 1 ⁇ l to about 20 ⁇ l, mostly in an amount of about 1 ⁇ l to about 3 ⁇ l per Copy sheet.
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a Back-pressure roller 24 and a fuser roller 10 in position apply heat and pressure Paper on between the fuser roller 10 and the backing roller 24 in the direction of arrow 28 is transported through.
  • the fuser roller device 22 does not only include Fuser roller 10 and the counter-pressure roller 24, but also the application roller 20 and one Fuser roller oil redistribution roller 26.
  • Redistribution roller 26 has one porous body, which like the applicator roller body 19 from any porous ceramic or non-ceramic material can exist.
  • the redistribution roller 26 also includes a compliant coating (not shown) made of the same material how that of applicator roller 20 can exist, but need not. Different from that Applicator roller 20, redistribution roller 26 does not include an oil supply device.
  • the redistribution roller 26 is in active engagement with the fuser roller 10 positioned at a point of contact behind the contact of fuser roller 10 with the paper.
  • Fuser oil which may be on the end sections 16 of the fuser roller 10 has accumulated, absorbed by the surface of the redistribution roller 26. Because of that End pieces of the redistribution roller 26 has absorbed larger amounts of fuser oil the oil tends to flow through the porous body of the redistribution roller 26 toward the inner areas of the roller that have little or no oil from the central area of the Absorb fuser roller, leak. Then the oil can return to the surface move and reapplied to the middle portion of fuser roller 10.
  • FIG. 3 A further embodiment of the embodiment from FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. at In this embodiment, a belt 34 between the redistribution roller 26 and the Fuser roller 10 attached. There are an unwinding roller 30 and a winding roller 32 too see.
  • tape 34 When tape 34 is used in this manner, it usually results in one Accumulation of oil from the areas with high oil concentration of the fuser roller 10 am Belt so that the absorption of the oil in the redistribution roller 26 is facilitated. Once the oil is absorbed, it seeps into the areas with lower oil concentration and back to the middle section of the fuser roller 10, as already described above.
  • the Band 34 is a conventional band. Its function is not just absorption and improve the redistribution of the oil, but also in the fuser roller 10 too clean.
  • FIG. 5 An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In the in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, either the counter-pressure roller 24 or the fuser roller 10 or both are heated. Each of these rollers can be moved through the Radiant heat of an internal heating element or other suitable and the expert known means are heated.
  • the fuser roller 10 is made up of two heating rollers 36 heated.
  • redistribution roller 26 is positioned so that it touches the heating rollers 36.
  • the oil is, as already described, from the heating rollers 36 from the fuser roller 10 and from the redistribution roller 26 from the heating rollers 36 removed, then redistributed to the central portions of the heating rollers 36 and finally redistributed into the central region of the fuser roller 10.
  • FIG. 6 shows a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.
  • a band 34 is used as explained in connection with FIG. 4.
  • the Oil is contained by the belt 34 and thus removed from the outside of the heating rollers 36, whereby its absorption by the redistribution roller 26 and its redistribution onto the middle sections of the heating rollers 36 and then back onto a middle section the fuser roller 10 is made possible.
  • a variety of different back pressure, fixing, heating, application and Redistribution rollers can in the embodiments of the invention present invention can be used provided that the redistribution roller the fuser roller 10 contacts after the fuser roller 10 contacts the paper in the direction of arrow 28 displayed paper path or the heating rollers 36 has contacted.
  • the application roller 20 brings preferably each time a new portion of oil on the fuser roller 10 before this with their Surface contacts the paper in the paper path 28.
  • FIG. 7 shows an alternative device for fixing toner on paper.
  • This embodiment uses the fusing surface shown in Figures 3 through 6 by the fuser roller is provided by a fuser belt device 38.
  • a fuser belt device 38 In the Fuser belt device 38 is a support roller 40 opposite the counter-pressure roller 24 positioned and one or both rollers can be heated, or a fuser belt 42 can serve as a heat source.
  • the fuser band 42 can be made of a suitable material, such as e.g. stainless steel, polyester or the like.
  • US 6,096,427 there is one Fuserbandvorraum described. In such devices the fuseband is removed from the illustrated rollers 44 supported in the rotation and so the paper that is along the Paper path 28 is transported, contact.
  • the application roller 20 supplies the Fuser band 42 fixation surface as shown with fuser oil.
  • heating roller 36 which serves as a heat source.
  • a redistribution roller 26 is removed the excess oil from the outer ends of the fuser band 42.
  • a radiation heater 46 of a suitable type may be used to To supply fuserband 42 with heat. In such an embodiment, it works Redistribution roller exactly as described above to selectively remove the oil Absorb end portions of the fixing surfaces of the fuser band 42 and it on the redistribute the central portion of the fuser band 42 fixation surface.
  • FIG. 8 shows a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.
  • a belt 34 is used to cover the surface of the fuser belt 42 clean.
  • An unwinding roller 30 and a winding roller 32 can be seen.
  • the use of such tapes for cleaning purposes is known.
  • the tape has the function to clean both the fixation surface on the fuser band 42 and the absorption of To facilitate fuser oil in the redistribution roller 26.
  • FIG. 9 An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 9, in which a cleaning belt 34 can be seen together with a heating roller 36.
  • the tape 34 has as before described the function of transferring the oil from the end portions of the heating roller 36 to facilitate redistribution roller 26.
  • the Applicator roller 20 is constructed as shown in Figure 10.
  • the one shown in FIG Applicator roller 20 is an oil impermeable material attached to the end pieces 50.
  • the applicator roll coating 21 over both the oil impermeable material also arranged the open middle section 48 of the application roller 20.
  • the middle one Section 48 corresponds to the width of the most commonly used paper.
  • At the end pieces 50 there are small openings in the oil-impermeable layers to increase the amount of oil, to reach the end pieces 16 of the fuser roller 10.
  • the roller from FIG. 10 need not be used if relatively different paper widths are relatively stable run through the machine. However, if a large number of copies are made, it can be desirable, both the applicator roller described in Figure 10 and the Fuser oil redistribution roller 26 of the invention to use to accumulate oil on the end portion 16 of the fuser roller 10 to control appropriately.
  • the redistribution roller 26 is porous and with one Oil-permeable coating coated so that it is suitable oil from areas absorbed with high oil concentration on the fuser roller 10. The absorbed oil can then through the pores in the body of redistribution roller 26 to areas of lower Seep oil concentration. These areas are the middle sections of the Redistribution roller 26. Since the fuser oil does not come out of the ends of the Redistribution roller 26 can leak out, it seeps into the central areas of the Redistribution roller 26, from where it finally returns to the surface of the Fuser roller 10 arrives.
  • redistribution roller 26 and the belt 34 are used together, one occurs effective absorption of the oil from the outer portions of the fuser roller 10 and one Oil transfer through the redistribution roller into the middle sections of the Fuser roller 10. This is a very desirable result and fixes the problems involved in of oil accumulation at the outer ends of the fuser roller 10.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Lubricants (AREA)
EP01123265A 2000-10-11 2001-10-04 Méthode et dispositif pour une distibution plus homogène d'huile de fixage sur une surface de fixation Withdrawn EP1197813A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/686,030 US6449456B1 (en) 2000-10-11 2000-10-11 Method and system for providing more uniform fuser oil distribution on a fuser surface
US686030 2000-10-11

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1197813A2 true EP1197813A2 (fr) 2002-04-17
EP1197813A3 EP1197813A3 (fr) 2005-11-16

Family

ID=24754611

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01123265A Withdrawn EP1197813A3 (fr) 2000-10-11 2001-10-04 Méthode et dispositif pour une distibution plus homogène d'huile de fixage sur une surface de fixation

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6449456B1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1197813A3 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002196607A (fr)
CA (1) CA2358759C (fr)
DE (1) DE10148938A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7046948B1 (en) * 2005-03-01 2006-05-16 Xerox Corporation Brush streak eraser
US7376378B2 (en) * 2005-04-25 2008-05-20 Xerox Corporation Method and system for improved metering of release agent in an electrophotographic system
DE102007044783A1 (de) * 2007-09-19 2009-04-09 Audi Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Silicierung von kohlenstoffhaltigen Werkstoffen
US8565657B2 (en) * 2010-10-28 2013-10-22 Xerox Corporation Redistributing release agent using a flexible blade in an image forming system
US8509665B2 (en) * 2010-12-17 2013-08-13 Xerox Corporation Redistributing release agent using a smoothing roll in an image forming system

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4045165A (en) * 1974-10-19 1977-08-30 Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. Contact heat fixing device
US4285295A (en) * 1978-09-19 1981-08-25 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Fixing device for electrophotographic copying machines
JPS58200263A (ja) * 1982-05-19 1983-11-21 Canon Inc 複写機定着装置のオイル塗布装置
US4496235A (en) * 1983-05-31 1985-01-29 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser apparatus
US5045889A (en) * 1990-08-20 1991-09-03 Eastman Kodak Company Release liquid applying wick having a grooved feed tube
US5298959A (en) * 1991-11-08 1994-03-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with re-feeding means
JPH08160800A (ja) * 1994-12-07 1996-06-21 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着装置用オイル塗布ローラ及び画像形成装置
US5950060A (en) * 1998-01-13 1999-09-07 Minolta Co., Ltd. Fixing device
EP0969334A2 (fr) * 1998-07-03 2000-01-05 Nichias Corporation Appareil applicateur d'huile
JP2000098783A (ja) * 1998-09-18 2000-04-07 Canon Inc 定着装置及び画像形成装置

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4501483A (en) 1983-09-02 1985-02-26 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser apparatus
US5477316A (en) 1994-05-18 1995-12-19 Eastman Kodak Company Articulatable wick assembly
US5708914A (en) 1995-09-20 1998-01-13 Eastman Kodak Company Electrostatographic apparatus having fusing process and system for improved toner offset control
US5824416A (en) 1996-03-08 1998-10-20 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser member having fluoroelastomer layer
US5781840A (en) 1996-12-06 1998-07-14 Eastman Kodak Company Process for fusing a toner image to a substrate using a wicking agent
US5805968A (en) 1997-03-21 1998-09-08 Eastman Kodak Company Ceramic rollers
US5871878A (en) 1997-03-21 1999-02-16 Eastman Kodak Company Toner offset preventing oils for zirconia ceramic and its composites rollers
US6091924A (en) * 1999-06-07 2000-07-18 Xerox Corporation Fuser release agent management (RAM) system including an external fuser roll heater and agent redistributor

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4045165A (en) * 1974-10-19 1977-08-30 Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. Contact heat fixing device
US4285295A (en) * 1978-09-19 1981-08-25 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Fixing device for electrophotographic copying machines
JPS58200263A (ja) * 1982-05-19 1983-11-21 Canon Inc 複写機定着装置のオイル塗布装置
US4496235A (en) * 1983-05-31 1985-01-29 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser apparatus
US5045889A (en) * 1990-08-20 1991-09-03 Eastman Kodak Company Release liquid applying wick having a grooved feed tube
US5298959A (en) * 1991-11-08 1994-03-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with re-feeding means
JPH08160800A (ja) * 1994-12-07 1996-06-21 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着装置用オイル塗布ローラ及び画像形成装置
US5950060A (en) * 1998-01-13 1999-09-07 Minolta Co., Ltd. Fixing device
EP0969334A2 (fr) * 1998-07-03 2000-01-05 Nichias Corporation Appareil applicateur d'huile
JP2000098783A (ja) * 1998-09-18 2000-04-07 Canon Inc 定着装置及び画像形成装置

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN Bd. 008, Nr. 048 (P-258), 3. März 1984 (1984-03-03) -& JP 58 200263 A (CANON KK), 21. November 1983 (1983-11-21) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN Bd. 1996, Nr. 10, 31. Oktober 1996 (1996-10-31) -& JP 08 160800 A (RICOH CO LTD), 21. Juni 1996 (1996-06-21) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN Bd. 2000, Nr. 07, 29. September 2000 (2000-09-29) & JP 2000 098783 A (CANON INC), 7. April 2000 (2000-04-07) *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE10148938A1 (de) 2002-04-25
EP1197813A3 (fr) 2005-11-16
US6449456B1 (en) 2002-09-10
CA2358759C (fr) 2005-09-13
CA2358759A1 (fr) 2002-04-11
JP2002196607A (ja) 2002-07-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE3910481C2 (fr)
DE3910459C2 (fr)
DE2259213C3 (de) Druckrollen-Wärmefixiereinrichtung
DE19933991B4 (de) Fixiereinrichtung für ein Bilderzeugungsgerät
DE3734673C2 (fr)
DE3432189C2 (de) Fixiervorrichtung
DE2703382C3 (de) Vorrichtung zur Zuführung von Trennflüssigkeit zur Oberfläche einer Fixierwalze
DE3539377A1 (de) Elastischer drehkoerper
DE10332971A1 (de) Walzeneinschmelzvorrichtung mit intelligenter Steuerung der Einschmelzelementtemperatur zum Drucken verschiedender Mediensorten
DE3133021A1 (de) Bildwiedergabegeraet
DE19535996C2 (de) Tonerfixiervorrichtung
DE2419026A1 (de) Vorrichtung zum abnehmen eines kopierblattes
DE2444876A1 (de) Fixiervorrichtung zum thermischen fixieren elektroskopischer tonerbilder auf einem traeger
DE2617682A1 (de) Reinigungsvorrichtung zum reinigen der empfindlichen glatten oberflaeche einer umlaufenden rolle von ablagerungen
DE2654628C2 (de) Fixierstation für elektrostatische Kopiergeräte
DE69826131T2 (de) Wärme-Druck-Fixiereinrichtung
EP1197813A2 (fr) Méthode et dispositif pour une distibution plus homogène d'huile de fixage sur une surface de fixation
DE102004002234B4 (de) Einrichtung zur Regulierung der Gleiteigenschaften eines Bedruckstoffes bei einer elektrografischen Druck- oder Kopiereinrichtung
DE2729523B1 (de) Entwicklungseinrichtung zur Entwicklung von Diazokopiermaterial nach dem Halbfeuchtverfahren
DE10149963A1 (de) Verfahren und verbesserte Trennmittelwalze zum Steuern der Verteilung von Fuseröl auf einer Fixierfläche
DE2461690C2 (de) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Entfernen von Tonerrückständen von photoleitfähigen Oberflächen
DE2607549A1 (de) Kopiergeraet mit einem umlaufenden, endlosen band zum uebertragen eines elektrostatischen oder aus pulverfoermigem material bestehenden bilds
CH624229A5 (fr)
EP1029259A1 (fr) Station d'impression par transfert pour appareil electrographique comportant un element de pression dans la zone d'impression par transfert
EP0240834B1 (fr) Installation de fixage par la chaleur pour fixer des images de toner thermoplastique

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

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

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

18W Application withdrawn

Effective date: 20060119