EP1198409B1 - Fassventil mit verschluss-sicherung - Google Patents

Fassventil mit verschluss-sicherung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1198409B1
EP1198409B1 EP00946544A EP00946544A EP1198409B1 EP 1198409 B1 EP1198409 B1 EP 1198409B1 EP 00946544 A EP00946544 A EP 00946544A EP 00946544 A EP00946544 A EP 00946544A EP 1198409 B1 EP1198409 B1 EP 1198409B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
opening
seal
annular seal
projection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00946544A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1198409A1 (de
Inventor
Dirk Hendrik Van Genderen
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.)
Dispense Systems International BV
Original Assignee
Dispense Systems International BV
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
Priority claimed from NL1012660A external-priority patent/NL1012660C2/nl
Application filed by Dispense Systems International BV filed Critical Dispense Systems International BV
Publication of EP1198409A1 publication Critical patent/EP1198409A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1198409B1 publication Critical patent/EP1198409B1/de
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
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0829—Keg connection means
    • B67D1/0841—Details
    • B67D1/0847—Tamper-evident devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
    • B65D55/06—Deformable or tearable wires, strings, or strips; Use of seals, e.g. destructible locking pins
    • B65D55/08—Annular elements encircling container necks
    • B65D55/0863—Plastic snap-on cap-like collars having frangible parts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0829—Keg connection means
    • B67D1/0831—Keg connection means combined with valves
    • B67D1/0838—Keg connection means combined with valves comprising means for preventing blow-out on disassembly of the spear valve

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a container for beer, soft drinks and the like, which includes a shut-off cock comprising an inner part, on which an outer part is mounted, wherein one of said parts is fixed to the container and wherein an annular seal is fitted over said inner part and/or said outer part in such a manner that removal of the inner part from the outer part will result in to said annular seal being damaged.
  • WO 95/16613 relates to a blocking arrangement for secure prevention of a spear being unscrewed from a corresponding neck using in a container for a liquid.
  • the spear is provided with a shield made of a material, which can be broken relatively easily, for example plastic.
  • shut-off cock of a container for beer, soft drinks or wine for example, with a seal or tamper evident device, which tells a person who inspects the container, generally the producer of the beverage, whether at least the part that is usually called the "extractor tube” was removed from the container or that an attempt was made to do so during the period that the container was not at the manufacturer's premises.
  • Annular seals are often in the form of a full plastic ring, which is provided with one or more weakened spots, so that unauthorized removal of the annular seal will easily result in visible and permanent damage thereto.
  • Said annular seal is for example fitted round the outer part by means of elastic deformation of the seal.
  • the container according to the invention is characterised in that the annular seal is divided at at least one location, and that the seal comprises a once-only closure at the location of the division.
  • the closure comprises an opening on one side of said division and a projection on the other side, with at least part of which projection having a width greater than the width of the opening.
  • a part or a neck having a width smaller than or equal to the width of the opening is furthermore present between the ring and the part of the projection that has a width greater than that of the opening, a readily effected snap closure will be obtained.
  • a suitable embodiment is one wherein the projection comprises a tooth and/or wherein the opening includes at least one locking tooth.
  • Figure 1 shows an example of a plastic, annular seal 1 or tamper evident device attached to a shut-off cock 2 of a container 3 for beer, soft drinks and the like.
  • a cylindrical outer part or neck ring 4 is attached, whether or not detachably, on container 3.
  • a cylindrical inner part 5 comprising a riser pipe 6 and a shut-off member or valve 7 for closing container 3.
  • a springing locking ring 8 is confined between inner part 5 and neck ring 4. Said locking ring 8 can be pushed inwards into the wall of neck ring 4 via one or more openings 9 (six in the present embodiment), after which the inner part 6 can be removed from neck ring 4.
  • the openings 9 are sealed by means of annular seal 1, so that the clearing of said openings 9 will result in permanent damage to the annular seal 1.
  • a packing 10 is disposed between inner part 4 and neck ring 2, near container 3, which packing forms a gas-tight seal.
  • FIG. 2 shows an annular seal 20 according to the invention, which includes a once-only closure 21.
  • Annular seal 20 furthermore comprises two weakened or thin spots 22, the weakening being such that te ring will break when a preset load is exerted thereon.
  • annular seal comprises cams 23 for positioning seal 20 relative to the neck ring 4 on container 3. The location of cams 23 corresponds to the location of the openings 9 for pushing the locking ring 8 inwards.
  • FIG. 3 shows the closure 21 of annular seal 20 in more detail.
  • Annular seal 20 comprises a division 24, on one side of which a projection comprising an arrowhead including two teeth 26 and a neck 27 is present.
  • a cavity 28 which comprises an opening whose width is smaller than the widest portion of the arrowhead 25 but greater than the narrow portion of neck 27 directly behind arrowhead 25.
  • a locking tooth 29 is present on either side of the opening.
  • the angles between arrowhead 25 and neck 27 are preferably acute, that is, smaller than 90 . The same holds for the apex angle of locking teeth 29.
  • arrowhead 25 and/or the opening can be provided with two or more teeth or locking teeth arranged one behind another, so that annular seal 21 can be fitted round closures of varying diameter.
  • the outer tangential wall of cavity 28 continues in a tangential wall 30 which screens neck 27 and which additionally makes it more difficult to tamper with the closure.
  • a second tangential wall 31 is moreover provided, which wall extends parallel to neck 27 and which in turn screens tangential wall 30.
  • the end of second tangential wall 31 is bevelled. Bevelled portion 32 falls into a complementary groove 33 in the outer tangential wall of cavity 28 in the closed position of closure 21.
  • Figure 4 moreover shows a cross wall 34 which prevents arrowhead 25 and neck 28 being moved apart in the axial direction of annular seal 20.
  • the location of said cross wall 34 is selected in dependence on the shape of the closure, such that it is made impossible to disengage the annular seal in axial direction. Possibly, two cross walls can be used, thus closing cavity 28 all around.
  • Figures 5 - 7 show a second annular seal 20 according to the invention, which includes a once-only closure 21.
  • Cavity 28 is formed with a cross connection 35 opposite cross wall 34, such that arrowhead 25 can no longer be removed from the opening in axial direction.
  • Arrowhead 25 is formed with two resilient teeth 26, for example, which are each provided with an undercut 37, and a neck 27. Neck 27 is attached to the remaining portion of seal 20 by means of a comparatively thin portion. Also said thin portion 36 forms a place of fracture.
  • locking teeth 29 may be formed with an undercut. Undercut 37 of teeth 26 may be left out in that case.
  • the annular seal according to the invention is preferably made of a plastic which is resistant inter alia to acids, bases, elevated temperatures and chemicals which are used in the cleaning of the containers. Furthermore it is possible to place the brand name and/or the logo of the producer of the contents (beer, wine, soft drinks and the like) of the container on the ring.
  • the annular seals according to the invention can also be used in shut-off cocks other than the above-described one.
  • the seals can be adapted for use with shut-off cocks whose inner part and outer part include a (projecting) edge or flange, which edges will abut against each other once the inner part has been fitted in the outer part.
  • said edges are substantially flat (on their facing sides) and so wide that a sufficient amount of (static) friction can be generated between the edges.
  • the moment with which the inner part can be tightened up can be made sufficiently high to make it more difficult to unscrew the inner part (without tools).
  • the seal is formed with (inwardly) projecting edges or segments, which engage over the edges of the inner part and the outer part.
  • the invention provides an annular seal which can be fitted in a very simple manner, also if the extractor tube is already mounted in the container, all this without affecting the proper action of the seal.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
  • Applications Or Details Of Rotary Compressors (AREA)
  • Underground Structures, Protecting, Testing And Restoring Foundations (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Behälter (3) für Bier, Softdrinks und ähnliches, mit einem Absperrhahn (2), umfassend ein Innenteil (5), auf dem ein Außenteil (4) angebracht ist, wobei eines der Teile (4, 5) an dem Behälter (3) befestigt ist und wobei eine ringförmige Dichtung (1; 20) derart über das Innenteil (5) und/oder das Außenteil (4) gepasst ist, dass ein Entfernen des Innenteils (5) von dem Außenteil (4) dazu führt, dass die ringförmige Dichtung (1; 20) beschädigt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ringförmige Dichtung (20) an wenigstens einer Stelle geteilt ist und dass die Dichtung (20) an der Stelle der Teilung (24) einen Einmal-Verschluss (21) umfasst.
  2. Behälter (3) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der Verschluss (21) auf einer Seite der Teilung (24) mit einer Öffnung und auf der anderen Seite mit einem Vorsprung (25) ausgebildet ist, wobei wenigstens ein Teil des Vorsprungs eine Breite aufweist, die größer ist als die Breite der Öffnung und wobei ein Teil oder ein Stutzen (27) mit einer Breite, die kleiner als die Breite der Öffnung oder im Wesentlichen gleich dazu ist, zwischen der Dichtung (20) und dem Teil des Vorsprungs (25), der eine größere Breite aufweist als die Öffnung, vorhanden ist.
  3. Behälter (3) nach Anspruch 2, wobei der Vorsprung (25) wenigstens einen Zahn (26) umfasst.
  4. Behälter (3) nach Anspruch 3, bei dem der Zahn (26) mit einem Hinterschnitt (37) versehen ist.
  5. Behälter (3) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, bei dem die Öffnung mit wenigstens einem Verriegelungszahn (29) ausgebildet ist, der vorzugsweise mit einem Hinterschnitt versehen ist.
  6. Behälter (3) nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, bei dem der Öffnungswinkel des Zahns (26) und/oder des Verriegelungszahns (29) größer als 90° ist.
  7. Behälter (3) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 6, bei dem die Öffnung den Vorsprung (25) lokal, zum Beispiel mittels einer Querverbindung (35) oder Querverbindungen, vollständig umgibt und/oder bei dem wenigstens eine Querwand (34) hinter der Öffnung vorgesehen ist, die verhindert, den Vorsprung (25) und den Stutzen (27) von der Öffnung in der Axialrichtung der ringförmigen Dichtung (20) zu bewegen.
  8. Behälter (3) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 7, bei dem eine tangentiale Wand vorgesehen ist, die den Teil des Vorsprungs (25) abdeckt, der sich durch die Öffnung erstreckt.
  9. Behälter (3) nach Anspruch 8, bei dem sich die tangentiale Wand (30) fortsetzt und zusätzlich den Stutzen (27) abdeckt.
  10. Behälter (3) nach Anspruch 9, bei dem eine zweite tangentiale Wand (31) vorgesehen ist, die sich parallel zu dem Stutzen (27) erstreckt und die die ersten tangentialen Wände (30) abdeckt.
  11. Behälter (3) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die Teile (4, 5) des Absperrhahns (2) nur durch Freigeben des Verriegelungseingriffs eines Verriegelungsrings (8), der zwischen den Teilen (4, 5) vorhanden ist und dessen Verriegelungseingriff durch eine Öffnung (9) in der Wand des Außenteils (4) freigegeben werden kann, voneinander entfernt werden können.
  12. Ringförmige, manipulationssichere Dichtung (20) zum Abdichten eines Behälters gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ringförmige Dichtung (20) an wenigstens einer Stelle geteilt ist und dass die Dichtung (20) an der Stelle der Teilung (24) einen Einmalverschluss (21) umfasst.
EP00946544A 1999-07-21 2000-07-11 Fassventil mit verschluss-sicherung Expired - Lifetime EP1198409B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1012660 1999-07-21
NL1012660A NL1012660C2 (nl) 1999-07-21 1999-07-21 Vat voorzien van een ringvormig zegel.
NL1014951A NL1014951C1 (nl) 1999-07-21 2000-04-14 Vat voorzien van een ringvormig zegel.
NL1014951 2000-04-14
PCT/NL2000/000488 WO2001012537A1 (en) 1999-07-21 2000-07-11 Keg-valve with anti-tampering means

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1198409A1 EP1198409A1 (de) 2002-04-24
EP1198409B1 true EP1198409B1 (de) 2004-10-06

Family

ID=26643022

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00946544A Expired - Lifetime EP1198409B1 (de) 1999-07-21 2000-07-11 Fassventil mit verschluss-sicherung

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1198409B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE278634T1 (de)
AU (1) AU6028500A (de)
DE (1) DE60014652D1 (de)
IL (1) IL147730A0 (de)
NL (1) NL1014951C1 (de)
WO (1) WO2001012537A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB201006021D0 (en) * 2010-04-12 2010-05-26 Simpson Kenneth L Tamper evidence and two blow out safety features for keg spears
BE1019964A5 (nl) * 2011-05-02 2013-03-05 Dispack Projects Nv Bevestiging van een fitting op een vat.

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0356758B1 (de) * 1988-09-01 1992-07-08 Capsulit S.P.A. Verschluss für Flaschen und dergleichen, der einen Behälter mit durchstossbarem Boden enthält
FR2636311B1 (fr) * 1988-09-09 1990-10-19 Lyonnaise Bouchage Moyens de bouchage inviolables d'un recipient
DE9105547U1 (de) * 1991-05-04 1991-08-08 Josef Breitwisch & Co, 5000 Köln Sicherheitsvorrichtung für Getränkefaß
DK137593D0 (da) * 1993-12-09 1993-12-09 Micro Matic As Spaerrearrangement
US5875906A (en) * 1996-05-24 1999-03-02 Zapata Innovative Closures, Inc. Tamper evident sleeves and method of forming them

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE278634T1 (de) 2004-10-15
IL147730A0 (en) 2002-08-14
NL1014951C1 (nl) 2001-01-23
DE60014652D1 (de) 2004-11-11
WO2001012537A1 (en) 2001-02-22
EP1198409A1 (de) 2002-04-24
AU6028500A (en) 2001-03-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4712705A (en) Tamper indicating cap seal for container valves
RU2387589C2 (ru) Упаковочное изделие
US10315808B2 (en) Container closure cap and container closure
US5450973A (en) Tamper-evident closure apparatus
EP1786719B1 (de) Behältersanordnung
EP0765278B1 (de) Das wiederfüllen verhindernde vorrichtung
CN100575205C (zh) 封盖塞和防撬动的封盖外密封件的封盖组合以及封盖塞
US6685061B2 (en) Tamper evident valve outlet cap
WO1984000531A1 (en) Container closure
JPS6050664B2 (ja) 抜取防止用の密閉具
HUT74665A (en) Closure cap with warranty ring
JPH0419099B2 (de)
KR20010034041A (ko) 음료용 개봉 표시 마개
CN1997570A (zh) 具有固定到阀杆的致动器的气雾剂容器
US4664273A (en) Child-resistant container with resistance indicating means
JPS59500961A (ja) 容器蓋
JPH04128145A (ja) 鎖錠可能なクロージュアの締付け具及びいたずらの証拠の残るクロージュア
EP1198409B1 (de) Fassventil mit verschluss-sicherung
WO1993022214A1 (en) A tamper evident vent system for containers
GB2222399A (en) A closure for a container
WO1997029969A1 (en) Snap-on tamper evident closure
WO1989002858A1 (en) Tamper evident safety cap
US6024255A (en) Tamper evident closure with push-pull pour spout
US6070766A (en) Tamper evident closure
NL1012660C2 (nl) Vat voorzien van een ringvormig zegel.

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: 20020128

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

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20021206

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

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

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

Ref country code: 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: 20041006

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: 20041006

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: 20041006

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: 20041006

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: 20041006

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: 20041006

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: 20041006

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: 20041006

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60014652

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20041111

Kind code of ref document: P

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: 20050106

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: 20050106

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: 20050106

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: 20050108

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: 20050117

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20041006

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

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20050711

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: 20050711

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20050711

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20050711

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: 20050731

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: 20050707

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

Effective date: 20050711

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Ref country code: PT

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

Effective date: 20050306