EP1265502B1 - Machine for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper and method for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper - Google Patents

Machine for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper and method for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1265502B1
EP1265502B1 EP01915915A EP01915915A EP1265502B1 EP 1265502 B1 EP1265502 B1 EP 1265502B1 EP 01915915 A EP01915915 A EP 01915915A EP 01915915 A EP01915915 A EP 01915915A EP 1265502 B1 EP1265502 B1 EP 1265502B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wrapper
glue
rolling
machine
rolling device
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
EP01915915A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1265502A1 (en
Inventor
Jozef Louis Breemans
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.)
Lareka Machines BV
Original Assignee
Lareka Machines 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
Application filed by Lareka Machines BV filed Critical Lareka Machines BV
Publication of EP1265502A1 publication Critical patent/EP1265502A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1265502B1 publication Critical patent/EP1265502B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24CMACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C1/00Elements of cigar manufacture
    • A24C1/26Applying the wrapper
    • A24C1/34Adhesive-applying means

Landscapes

  • Replacement Of Web Rolls (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Audible-Bandwidth Dynamoelectric Transducers Other Than Pickups (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)
  • Adhesive Tapes (AREA)

Abstract

Machine for rolling and gluing of a cigar wrapper containing a rolling device (1) and a transport means (2) to take a wrapper (4) from a means of supplying a wrapper, bring it to the rolling device (1) and wrap it around an inner part (B) of a cigar in the rolling device, which transport means (2) comprises a suction surface (3). The machine is fitted with a glue applicator with a glue supply (60B), which glue supply is provided with a glue nozzle (61) for - during the rolling of the wrapper - applying glue either to the wrapper between the suction tool and the rolling device or to the bunch in the rolling device in a position before the wrapper is wrapped around it.

Description

The invention concerns a machine for rolling and gluing of a cigar wrapper comprising a rolling device and a transport means to take a wrapper from a means of supplying a wrapper, bring it to the rolling device and wrap it around an inner part of a cigar, which transport means comprises a suction surface, wherein the machine is provided with a glue applicator with a glue supply.
Such a machine is also called an 'wrapping roller'.
An wrapping roller is a machine, which wraps a wrapper around a bunch. This bunch is a crude cigar (in the first paragraph called the 'inner part') that usually contains the tobacco filler and a cover leaf. For the further completion into a cigar, this bunch still needs a wrapper. Within the scope of the invention, 'cigar' is understood to mean cigars of all sorts and sizes.
A wrapper is usually a form that is cut out of the right-hand or left-hand side of a tobacco leaf and is wrapped around the bunch by the machine mentioned in the first paragraph. A wrapper may also be made of tobacco paper, a so-called wrapper of homogenized tobacco.
The wrappers may be supplied on a roll/bobbin or be cut out of a tobacco leaf right at the machine.
The bunch may be supplied by a conveyor belt or be manufactured by a machine that is coupled directly to the wrapping roller.
The bunch is placed into the rolling device, for instance with the aid of a gripper. This rolling device is a holder with rotating parts, for example rollers in which the wrapper can be guided and rolled and in which the cigar will be given its eventual form.
In the existing standard wrapping rollers the rolling tool contains a suction plate to pick up a wrapper and this plate with wrapper is moved above the rolling device. Next the tip of the wrapper is punched into the rolling device by means of a needle. The rotating rolling device in its rotating movement pulls the wrapper into the roiling device and by means of the suction plate the wrapper is further guided by governing the x-y position and the angle of the suction plate with respect to the rolling device. The tension of the wrapper can be regulated by means of the suction power of the suction tool. In existing machines the glue is added to the wrapper. This may be done in a stamping mode, by which the suction tool together with the wrapper is pushed against a glue stamp, or in a wiping mode, by which the suction tool together with the wrapper is moved across a comb filled with glue.
After the cigar has been completely rolled and shaped, the suction plate moves away from the rolling device in order to collect a new wrapper for the next cycle. Now a second gripper can take the cigar out of the rolling device for further processing and the former gripper can supply a new bunch.
The existing standard methods and machines show a number of important disadvantages. The suction power exerted by the suction tool (and, thus, the tension in the wrapper) will drop during the course of time. Wrapper breakage is a common occurrence. Furthermore, the glue adds moisture to the cigar and before use this moisture must be removed. Hence the cigar must be dried, which is time consuming and may perhaps lead to loss of quality.
From German Gebrauchsmuster DE 94 00 405 U a machine is known which has a fixed span plate having an aperture for supplying glue. The span plate (Spannplatte or Strechblech) and the suction surface are so positioned that the glue supply supplies glue to the wrappers after it has been realized from the suction surface, thus applying glue to the wrapper between the suction surface and the rolling device. Although this known device prevents glue from entering into the suction device, there is still a need for improving the efficiency of the supply of glue.
From German Auslegeschrift DE 1148 929 a device is known also having a span plate with a glue supply. In this known device however, the span plate runs parallel to the suction surface, glue supplied by the glue aperture in the span plate will enter the suction device.
A goal of the invention is to supply a machine for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper with an improved efficiency of the supply of glue.
To this end, in a first aspect of the invention, the machine for rolling and gluing a wrapper is provided with a glue supply with a glue nozzle (61) for - during the rolling of the wrapper - appling glue to the wrapper between the suction surface and the rolling device, and in addition the machine comprises moving means (74) to change the glue nozzle's position (61) during rolling.
In the machine according to the invention, the glue is applied to the wrapper during the rolling process between the suction tool and the rolling device (in the first embodiment) or on the bunch in the rolling device (in the second embodiment). In this way no glue will be deposited in or on the suction tool or the suction system. The suction tool and the suction system are no longer contaminated with glue. The regulation of the suction power and hence the regulation of the tension in the wrapper is improved, which reduces the risk of the wrapper breaking. The machine is furthermore fitted with means to change the position of the glue nozzle during the rolling process.
This allows the glue nozzle to move along - during unwrapping - with the movement of the suction foot and/or the wrapper that is being rolled. A controlled movement of the glue nozzle coupled with the unwrapping movement allows gluing in the most economical way. This brings the important benefit that on average less glue needs to be used with the result that less moisture is added to the cigar, increasing the efficiency of the gluing process and of the process of making the cigars.
In a second aspect of the invention, the machine the nozzle is positioned and oriented for - during the rolling of the wrapper - applying glue directly to the bunch in the rolling device in a position before the wrapper is wrapped around the bunch.
Applying the glue directly to bunch B in the rolling device, but before the wrapper is wrapped around it enables as little glue as possible to enter the rolling device, increasing the efficiency of the gluing process.
The suction tool may be flat, but is preferably curved. A curved suction tool provides more room for the glue supply which is advantageous for both embodiments, but in particular when the glue supply is fitted with a glue nozzle to apply glue during the rolling of the wrapper to the wrapper between the suction tool and the rolling device.
The invention also concerns a method for the manufacture of cigars, which method comprises a process stage in which the wrapper is rolled and glued.
In an economical version the glue is applied in solid form.
The crux of the invention is the application of glue during the rolling process and this between the suction foot and the rolling device having a gluing nozzle that makes a movement coupled with the unwrapping of the wrapper, or, alternatively, glue is supplied in the rolling device immediately before the application of the wrapper and wherein the suction tool is preferably curved.
The invention also concerns a machine for the manufacture of a cigar, comprising a machine for rolling and gluing the wrapper.
Machines for rolling and gluing the wrapper can be detached from the machines that cut the wrappers or produces the bunches, but they can also bean integral part of a production machine for the manufacture of a cigar, which machine comprises further components, such as machines that cut wrappers or that produce bunches and even packaging machines. The aforementioned benefits of the invention and particularly the fact that the suction tool requires less cleaning and the reduction of the risk of wrapper breakage and the possibility to increase the production speed are also or even more important for such machines for the manufacture of cigars. There where the speed of rolling can be increased, this will also affect the components of such a machine that supply bunches and/or wrappers as well as parts of such a machine that further process the formed cigars, for example packaging them.
These and further aspects of the invention are described below and illustrated by means of a drawing.
In the drawing:
  • Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the cross-section of an existing machine for rolling wrappers
  • Figures 2A and 2B show diagrammatically a detail of a machine according to the invention in the first, respectively second embodiment.
  • Figures 3A and 3B show a perspective view and a cross-section respectively of a machine according to the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows in a perspective view a further example of a machine according to the invention.
  • The figures have not been drawn to scale, equal parts are usually designated with the same reference numbers.
    Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the cross-section of an existing machine for rolling and gluing the wrapper of a cigar.
    During the rolling process there is a bunch in rolling device 1. Transport tool 2 comprises a flat suction plate 3. Using transport tool 2 (not shown here) a wrapper is taken from the carrier and moved to rolling device 1. During the unwrapping of wrapper 4 the, in this machine flat, suction surface 3 moves in both x-direction (along the cigar) and y-direction. In figure 1 is diagrammatically indicated that transport tool 2 together with wrapper 4 is pressed against a glue stamp 5.
    In the existing machine the glue is applied while the wrapper is sucked into position. The wrapper is a natural product and sometimes shows cracks and is porous. As a result of this the glue will stick in or on the suction foot and penetrate the vacuum system. The regulation of the suction power and hence the regulation of the tension in the wrapper will be hampered because of this. During the course of time the suction foot must be disconnected and cleaned. Glue remains on the suction foot may also give rise to wrapper breakage. Furthermore, on average too much glue is used. Too much glue means too much moisture in the cigar.
    Figures 2A and 2B show details of the rolling machine according to the invention. The rolling device 1 contains a number of rollers 6, 7, 8 and 9 in which bunch B is rolled. Wrapper 4 is essentially a kind of strip that wraps itself around the bunch. During the rolling process transport means 2 makes a partly forward and partly sideways movement over the bunch, in the figure indicated by arrows 71, 72 and 73. After rolling the wrapper must remain in place and this is the reason why glue is used. The machine according to the invention is fitted with a glue applicator (60) with a glue supply (60B). The glue supply has a connection 60A with the glue container, which may or may not form a fixed part of the machine. The glue applicator has a glue nozzle (61) that applies glue to either the wrapper between the suction surface of transport means 2 and rolling device (6, 7, 8 and 9), (Fig. 2A) or directly to bunch B in the rolling device, but before the wrapper is wrapped around it (Fig. 2B) (so that as little glue as possible will enter the rolling device). Then no glue will penetrate the vacuum system or be deposited on to the suction foot any longer. Preferably glue nozzle 61 makes a movement during unwrapping that corresponds to the movement of the suction foot, or more in detail with the wrapper that is being rolled. In the figures 2A and 2B this is diagrammatically shown by arrow 70. This controlled movement that is coupled with the unwrapping movement allows gluing in the most economical way (with less moisture being an important benefit). Apart from this glue supply line 60B (in a preferred version) can also serve as a guiding comb for the wrapper, over which the wrapper runs. The glue can, contrary to the existing method, be supplied in dry form (benefit: less moisture). Preferably the suction tool will be curved, i.e. curving away from the rolling device. This provides more room for the glue nozzle and the glue supply. This is advantageous for both embodiments but in particular for the embodiment of Fig. 2A.
    Figures 3A and 3B show a perspective view (figure 3A) and a cross-section (figure 3B) of an example of a machine according to the invention. The glue nozzle 61 is situated between the suction surface of transport means 2 and the rolling device and applies glue to wrapper 4. In this preferred version, the machine is fitted with tool 74 to let the glue supply 60B and, thus, the glue nozzle 61 make movement 70, whereas the suction tool makes the movement 71, 72 and 73.
    Figure 4 shows a version of a machine according to the invention, which is fitted with a transport means 2 with a curved suction surface 3. Because the suction surface 3 is curved (and curved away from the rolling device), there is more room between the rolling device and the suction tool for the suction nozzle. This renders the application of the invention simpler.
    The crux of the invention is the application of glue during the rolling process and this between the suction surface and the rolling device (or alternatively in the rolling device immediately before the application of the wrapper) and (very) preferably by a gluing nozzle that makes a movement coupled with the unwrapping of the wrapper.
    The machine and the method according to the invention also allow the use of glue in dry form, for example in the form of powder. In the existing machines this is difficult, if not impossible, because using the glue in the form of powder would run the risk that during the transport of the powdered wrapper at least a part of the applied glue would come loose. This loss of glue does not just reduce the bonding strength, but also results in glue remainders deposited on other parts of the machine, which is very undesirable. In the machine and the method according to the invention the glue is applied direct between wrapper and bunch and will not cause any or much less problems, or get lost. This is of particular advantageous if the glue is applied directly on the bunch.
    It will be clear that there are many possible variations within the scope of the invention and that the invention is not limited to the examples given above.

    Claims (9)

    1. Machine for rolling and gluing of a cigar wrapper comprising a rolling device (1) and a transport means (2) to take a wrapper (4) from a means of supplying a wrapper, bring it to the rolling device (1) and wrap it around an inner part (B) of a cigar, which transport means (2) comprises a suction surface (3), wherein the machine is provided with a glue applicator with a glue supply (60B), which glue supply is provided with a glue nozzle (61) for - during the rolling of the wrapper - applying glue to the wrapper between the suction surface and the rolling device, characterized in that the machine comprises moving means (74) to change the glue nozzle's (61) position during rolling.
    2. Machine for rolling and gluing of a cigar wrapper comprising a rolling device (1) and a transport means (2) to take a wrapper (4) from a means of supplying a wrapper, bring it to the rolling device (1) and wrap it around an inner part (B) of a cigar, which transport means (2) comprises a suction surface (3), wherein the machine is provided with a glue applicator with a glue supply (60B), which glue supply is provided with a glue nozzle (61), characterized in that the nozzle is positioned and oriented for - during the rolling of the wrapper - applying glue directly to the bunch (B) in the rolling device (1) in a position before the wrapper (4) is wrapped around the bunch (B).
    3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the machine comprises moving means (74) to change the glue nozzle's position (61) during rolling.
    4. Machine according to any of the claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the transport means (2) comprises a curved suction surface (3).
    5. Machine for the manufacture of a cigar comprising a machine for rolling and gluing of a cigar wrapper according to any one of the claims 1, 2 or 3.
    6. Method for the production of cigars, which method comprises a process step for wrapping a wrapper (4) of a cigar around a bunch (B), during which process step a wrapper (4) is sucked by a suction tool (3) and moved to a rolling device (1) and wrapped around the bunch (B), wherein during the rolling glue is applied through a glue nozzle (61) to the wrapper between the suction tool and the rolling device characterized in that the glue nozzle (61) is moved during the rolling process.
    7. Method for the production of cigars, which method comprises a process step for wrapping a wrapper (4) of a cigar around a bunch (B), during which process step a wrapper (4) is sucked by a suction tool (3) and moved to a rolling device (1) and wrapped around the bunch, characterized in that during the rolling glue is applied through a glue nozzle (61) directly to the bunch (B) in the rolling device (1) in a position before the wrapper (4) is wrapped around the bunch (B).
    8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that glue nozzle is moved during the rolling process.
    9. Method according to claims 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the glue is applied in a dry form.
    EP01915915A 2000-03-21 2001-03-09 Machine for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper and method for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper Expired - Lifetime EP1265502B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    NL1014711A NL1014711C2 (en) 2000-03-21 2000-03-21 Machine for wrapping and gluing a cigar wrapper and method for winding and gluing a cigar wrapper.
    NL1014711 2000-03-21
    PCT/NL2001/000202 WO2001070051A1 (en) 2000-03-21 2001-03-09 Machine for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper and method for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1265502A1 EP1265502A1 (en) 2002-12-18
    EP1265502B1 true EP1265502B1 (en) 2003-09-24

    Family

    ID=19771047

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP01915915A Expired - Lifetime EP1265502B1 (en) 2000-03-21 2001-03-09 Machine for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper and method for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper

    Country Status (7)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1265502B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE250350T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU2001242863A1 (en)
    DE (1) DE60100854D1 (en)
    ES (1) ES2206411T3 (en)
    NL (1) NL1014711C2 (en)
    WO (1) WO2001070051A1 (en)

    Family Cites Families (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    DE1148929B (en) * 1961-09-01 1963-05-16 Arenco Ab Device for rolling cigar rolls in cover sheets
    DE9400405U1 (en) * 1994-01-12 1994-02-24 Brockfeld & Meyer Gmbh & Co Kg Device for gluing cover sheet blanks

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    WO2001070051A1 (en) 2001-09-27
    ATE250350T1 (en) 2003-10-15
    EP1265502A1 (en) 2002-12-18
    ES2206411T3 (en) 2004-05-16
    NL1014711C2 (en) 2001-09-25
    AU2001242863A1 (en) 2001-10-03
    DE60100854D1 (en) 2003-10-30

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    CN1913791B (en) Filter rod manufacturing machine
    US2367911A (en) Continuous process for forming cigar bunches
    JPH08238082A (en) Method and machine to manufacture cigarette with filter
    US4674697A (en) Splicing and threading device for strips of paper, especially for strips of cigarette paper
    US20070022884A1 (en) Printing unit used in the tobacco-processing industry
    US5479947A (en) Cigarette making machine
    EP1265502B1 (en) Machine for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper and method for rolling and gluing a cigar wrapper
    KR200474002Y1 (en) Tip paper and apparatus to manufacture thereof
    EP1358808B1 (en) A curling device
    US5339836A (en) Cigarette-making machine with transfer device
    EP1149788A3 (en) Fiberboard splice apparatus, corrugate machine, and fiberboard splice method
    JP2854004B2 (en) Method and apparatus for transferring and rearranging rod-shaped articles from four rows to two rows in the tobacco processing industry
    EP0911261A1 (en) Method and unit for cleaning the surface of a web of pre-impregnated wrapping material
    US4197864A (en) Conveying rod-like articles
    GB776777A (en) Improvements in or relating to mouthpiece cigarettes and to their manufacture
    JPS6357526B2 (en)
    NL1017768C2 (en) Machine for winding surface leaf of cigar comprises winding nest and device for delivering surface leaf into it for winding around cigar located in nest innermost part
    US3152497A (en) Method and apparatus for feeding web in a cigar machine
    EP0487023A1 (en) Method of making cigarettes and apparatus therefor
    JP2004141149A (en) Method and device for combining smoking article
    JP2002176965A (en) Device for installing filter
    JP4945071B2 (en) Apparatus and method for producing at least two fiber continuums
    JPS6244159A (en) Method and apparatus for producing tobacco strand
    US3294097A (en) Paster for machine made cigars
    JP2005151989A (en) Cooling apparatus

    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: 20020820

    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

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    GRAS Grant fee paid

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

    GRAA (expected) grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: B1

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

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

    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: 20030924

    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: 20030924

    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: 20030924

    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 PRE;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.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20030924

    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: 20030924

    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: 20030924

    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: 20030924

    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: 20030924

    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: 60100854

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20031030

    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: 20031224

    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: 20031224

    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: 20031224

    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: 20031225

    NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: LU

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

    Effective date: 20040309

    Ref country code: IE

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

    Effective date: 20040309

    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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20040310

    LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

    Effective date: 20030924

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

    Ref country code: MC

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

    Effective date: 20040331

    Ref country code: BE

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

    Effective date: 20040331

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: PL

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FG2A

    Ref document number: 2206411

    Country of ref document: ES

    Kind code of ref document: T3

    ET Fr: translation filed
    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: 20040625

    BERE Be: lapsed

    Owner name: *LAREKA MACHINES B.V.

    Effective date: 20040331

    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: GB

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

    Effective date: 20050309

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FD2A

    Effective date: 20040310

    GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

    Effective date: 20050309

    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: 20040224

    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: 20040331

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: ST

    Effective date: 20091130