EP1267389B1 - Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung - Google Patents

Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1267389B1
EP1267389B1 EP02100705A EP02100705A EP1267389B1 EP 1267389 B1 EP1267389 B1 EP 1267389B1 EP 02100705 A EP02100705 A EP 02100705A EP 02100705 A EP02100705 A EP 02100705A EP 1267389 B1 EP1267389 B1 EP 1267389B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas discharge
low
pressure gas
discharge lamp
lamp
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
EP02100705A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1267389A1 (de
Inventor
Robert Dr. c/o Philips Corp.Int.Prop. GmbH Scholl
Rainer Dr. c/o Philips Corp.Int.Prop.GmbH Hilbig
Achim c/o Philips Corp.Int.Prop.GmbH Körber
Johannes Dr. c/o Philips Corp.Int.Prop.GmbH Baier
Thomas Dr. c/o Philips Corp.Int.Prop.GmbH Jüstel
Peter Dr. c/o Philips Corp.Int.Prop.GmbH Schmidt
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.)
Philips Intellectual Property and Standards GmbH
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Philips Intellectual Property and Standards GmbH
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
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 Philips Intellectual Property and Standards GmbH, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Philips Intellectual Property and Standards GmbH
Publication of EP1267389A1 publication Critical patent/EP1267389A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1267389B1 publication Critical patent/EP1267389B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/70—Lamps with low-pressure unconstricted discharge having a cold pressure < 400 Torr
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/12—Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a low-pressure gas discharge lamp which has a gas discharge vessel, which contains a gas filling, with electrodes and with means for production and maintaining a low pressure gas discharge.
  • the generation of light in low-pressure gas discharge lamps is based on the fact that charge carriers, especially electrons, but also ions, through an electric field between the Electrodes of the lamp are accelerated so much that they are in the gas filling of the lamp stimulate them by collisions with the gas atoms or molecules of the gas filling or ionize.
  • charge carriers especially electrons, but also ions
  • Conventional low-pressure gas discharge lamps contain mercury in the gas filling and also have a fluorescent coating on the inside of the gas discharge vessel. It is a disadvantage of mercury low pressure gas discharge lamps that mercury vapor primarily radiation in the high-energy but invisible UV-C range of the emits electromagnetic spectrum, which is only visible through the phosphors in the much lower-energy radiation must be converted. The energy difference is converted into unwanted heat radiation.
  • the mercury in the gas filling is also reinforced as environmentally harmful and Toxic substance viewed in modern mass products due to environmental hazards should be avoided if possible during application, production and disposal should.
  • GB 2 014 358 A discloses a low-pressure gas discharge lamp which comprises a discharge vessel, electrodes and a filling which contains at least one copper halide as the UV emitter.
  • This copper halide-containing low-pressure gas discharge lamp emits in the visible range and in the UV range at 324.75 and 327.4 nm.
  • EP-A-0 316 189 a low pressure gas discharge lamp, the filling of which can contain the active compounds CS 2 or CSe 2 in addition to a buffer gas, is known.
  • an electrodeless lamp is known from EP 1 093 152, which contains tin iodide in the gas filling
  • a low-pressure gas discharge lamp with a gas discharge vessel that selected a gas filling with a chalcogenide from the group of sulfides, selenides and tellurides, the elements of the 4th main group of Periodic table of the elements, selected from silicon, germanium, tin and lead, and containing a buffer gas, internal or external electrodes and means is equipped to generate and maintain a low pressure gas discharge.
  • a molecular gas discharge at low pressure takes place in the lamp according to the invention instead, the radiation in the visible and near UVA range of the electromagnetic spectrum emits. Since it is the radiation of a molecular discharge, the exact location of the continuum by the type of chalcogenide, any other Additives, lamp pressure and operating temperature can be controlled.
  • the lamp according to the invention has a visual efficiency that is considerably higher than that of conventional low-pressure mercury discharge lamps.
  • the visual efficiency expressed in lumens / watt, is the ratio between the Brightness of the radiation in a certain visible wavelength range and the Generation energy for radiation.
  • the high visual efficiency of the invention Lamp means that a certain amount of light due to less power consumption is realized.
  • the chalcogenides of the elements of the 4th main group of the PSE e.g. B. silicon, germanium, tin and lead have a high dissociation energy. Therefore, only a small proportion of the molecules in the gas phase are split by electron impact ionization during gas discharge and only a few chalcogenide ions occur during gas discharge. This also has a positive effect on the visual efficiency of the lamp. It also avoids the use of mercury.
  • the lamp according to the invention is advantageously used as a UV-A lamp for Sunbeds, disinfection lights and paint curing lights.
  • the lamp is combined with appropriate phosphors. Because the Losses due to Stoke's displacement are small, you get visible light with a high luminous efficacy of more than 100 lumens / watt.
  • the chalcogenide is selected from the group SiS, GeS, GeSe, GeTe, SnS, SnSe and SnTe.
  • the gas filling contains germanium sulfide.
  • a gas filling, which contains germanium sulfide is characterized by a high vapor pressure.
  • gas filling is a mixture of two or contains more chalcogenides of silicon, germanium, tin and lead.
  • the molar ratio n between the Chalcogen and element of the 4th main group of the PSE is 0.8 ⁇ n ⁇ 1.2.
  • the gas filling can be a noble gas selected from the group of helium, neon, Argon, Krypton and Xenon include.
  • the gas discharge vessel has a phosphor coating on the outer surface.
  • the UVA radiation which is emitted by the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the invention not absorbed by the common types of glass, but passes through the walls of the discharge vessel almost lossless.
  • the fluorescent coating can therefore on the outside of the Gas discharge vessel can be attached. This simplifies the manufacturing process.
  • the gas discharge vessel may also be preferred for the gas discharge vessel to have a phosphor coating the inner surface.
  • the low-pressure gas discharge lamp from a tubular lamp bulb 1, which has a discharge space surrounds. At both ends of the tube electrodes 2 are melted inside, through which the Gas discharge can be ignited.
  • the low pressure gas discharge lamp further comprises in a manner known per se an electrical ballast, the ignition and the Operation of the gas discharge lamp regulates.
  • the gas discharge vessel can also be used as a multiply folded or coiled tube executed and be surrounded by an outer bulb.
  • the wall of the gas discharge vessel preferably consists of a type of glass, quartz, Aluminum oxide or yttrium aluminum garnet.
  • the gas filling consists of a chalcogenide of silicon, germanium, tin and lead in an amount of 2x10 - 11 mol / cm 3 to 2x10 -9 mol / cm 3 and an inert gas.
  • the noble gas serves as a buffer gas and facilitates the ignition of the gas discharge.
  • the preferred buffer gas is argon.
  • Argon can be replaced in whole or in part by another noble gas, such as helium, neon, krypton or xenon.
  • Chalcogenides are binary chemical compounds that form a chalcogen, i.e. an element the 6th main group of the Periodic Table of the Elements, as electronegative Component included.
  • the chalcogenides which are the preferred Contains chalcogenic sulfur (S), selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te).
  • chalcogenides of the elements of the 4th main group of To use PSE in which the molar ratio n between the chalcogen and the Element of the 4th main group of the PSE is 0.8 ⁇ n ⁇ 1.2.
  • Table 1 shows the spectroscopic properties of some chalcogenides of the elements of the fourth main group of the PSE summarized.
  • T * [K] is the wall temperature of the Lamp in which the partial vapor pressure of the chalcogenide reaches 10 ⁇ bar.
  • Trans is the type of radiative transitions in the chalcogenide molecule specified.
  • X denotes the electronic ground state of the molecule
  • a '," B “,” D “ and “E” is an electronically excited state of the molecule
  • D [eV] is the dissociation energy of the chalcogenide in question and ⁇ * a characteristic wavelength of molecular emission.
  • One way to increase efficiency is to use two or more chalcogenides Combine silicon, germanium, tin and lead in the gas atmosphere.
  • the cold filling pressure of the buffer gas is optimal if the product from the cold filling pressure of the noble gas p with the smallest diameter of the gas discharge vessel d fulfills the condition 0.2 mbar cm ⁇ pd ⁇ 20 mbar cm.
  • a further advantageous measure to increase the lumen efficiency of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp has been to check the operating temperature of the lamp by means of suitable design measures, so that an internal temperature corresponding to T * ⁇ 50 [K] according to Table 1 during operation at an outside temperature of 25 ° C
  • the internal temperature T * refers to the coldest point of the gas discharge vessel.
  • the gas discharge vessel can also be used with a Outer bulb, which is coated with a layer reflecting IR radiation, surrounded become.
  • An infrared radiation-reflecting coating made of indium-doped is preferred Tin oxide.
  • a suitable material for the electrodes in the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the invention consists for example of nickel or a nickel alloy or one refractory metal, in particular tungsten and tungsten alloys, in particular Tungsten alloys with rhenium. Also tungsten composite materials with thorium oxide or indium oxide are suitable.
  • the electrodes can still be made with a material lower work function.
  • the gas discharge vessel of the lamp is on it Outside surface coated with a phosphor layer 4.
  • the UV radiation emitted by the Gas discharge stimulates the phosphors in the phosphor layer to emit light in the visible area 5.
  • the chemical composition of the phosphor layer determines the spectrum of the light or its color.
  • the materials that can be used as phosphors must be absorb generated radiation and in a suitable wavelength range z. B. for the three primary colors red, blue and green emit and a high fluorescence quantum yield to reach.
  • germanium chalcogenides The emission of germanium chalcogenides is mainly in the UV range and to a small extent in the blue spectral range. With the help of the phosphor layer, this bluish-white emission spectrum can be converted into a white light spectrum with a color temperature below 10,000 K.
  • the phosphor layer of a white-emitting lamp with germanium chalcogenides can contain a single phosphor which converts the UV radiation into visible light with a wide color spectrum from green to red.
  • Such a phosphor is preferably a Ce 3+ -activated phosphor such as Y 3 Al 5 O 12 : Ce or (Y 1-x Gd x ) 3 (Al 1-y Ga y ) 5 O 12 : Ce (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1, 0 ⁇ y ⁇ 1).
  • SrLi 2 SiO 4 : Eu can be used.
  • the phosphor layer can contain two or three phosphors. Contains the Fluorescent layer two phosphors, so one phosphor converts UV radiation into red Light and the other phosphor convert UV radiation into green light. In the case of three The phosphor layer contains another phosphor, the UV radiation transformed into blue light.
  • the phosphors used should have a strong absorption in the Have range 250 to 400 nm. The emission maximum is preferably a blue-emitting one Phosphor between 440 and 480 nm, a green-emitting Phosphor between 510 and 560 nm and a red-emitting phosphor between 590 and 660 nm. Because the phosphors have a high thermal quenching temperature should preferably be line emitters, broadband emitters with a small Stokes shift or host lattice with low phonon frequencies.
  • a blue-emitting phosphor is preferably selected from the group (Ba 1-x Sr x ) MgAl 10 O 17 : Eu (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), (Ba 1-x , Sr x ) 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (F , Cl): Eu (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), (Ba 1-xy , Sr x , Ca y ) 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (F, Cl): Eu (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), (Y 1- x Gd x ) 2 SiO 5 : Ce, ZnS: Ag SrS: Ce, (Ba 1-x Sr x ) MgSi 2 O 8 : Eu (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1) and (La 1- xGd x ) OBr: Ce ( 0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1).
  • a green-emitting phosphor is preferably selected from the group (Ba 1-x Sr x ) MgAl 10 O 17 : Eu, Mn (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), (Ba 1-x Sr x ) 2 SiO 4 : Eu (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), ZnS: Cu, Al, Au, SrGa 2 S 4 : Eu, (Y 1-x Gd x ) BO 3 : Ce, Tb (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), (Y 1-x Gd x ) 2 O 2 S: Tb (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), LaOBr: Ce, Tb, CaS: Ce, Ca 2 MgSi 2 O 7 : Eu and (Y 1-x Gd x ) 2 SiO 5 : Ce, Tb ( 0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1).
  • a red-emitting phosphor is preferably selected from the group Sr 2 CeO 4 : Eu, (Y 1-x Gd x ) 2 O 3 : Eu, Bi (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), (Y 1-x Gd x ) 2 O 3 : Eu, Bi (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), YVO 4 : Eu, Y (V 1-x P x ) O 4 : Eu (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), Y (V 1-x , P x ) O 4 : Eu, Bi (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), Y 2 O 2 S: Eu, Mg 4 GeO 5.5 F: Mn, (Sr 1-x Ca x ) 2 P 2 O 7 : Eu, Mn (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), (Sr 1-x Ba x ) 2 Si 5 N 8 : Eu (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1), Ca 2 Si 5 N 8 : Eu, CaS: Ce, Mn and (Ca 1-x Sr x ) S: Eu (0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1).
  • Oxidation-sensitive phosphors such as BaMgAl 10 O 17 : Eu
  • Oxidation-sensitive phosphors can be used in the phosphor layer if the phosphor particles are coated with a protective layer of, for example, SiO 2 , MgO, LaPO 4 , AlPO 4 , YPO 4 , MgAl 2 O 4 , Y 2 O 3 , La 2 O 3 , Ca 2 P 2 O 7 or Al 2 O 3 are provided.
  • the specific weight of the phosphor layer is preferably between 0.1 and 10 mg / cm 2 .
  • Suitable phosphors and phosphor combinations do not have to be on the inside of the Gas discharge vessel are applied, but can also be applied to the outside be because the radiation generated in the UVA range from the common types of glass is not absorbed.
  • the lamp is a capacitive with a high frequency field with a frequency of, for example, 2.65 MHz, 13.56 MHz or 2.4 GHz excited lamp in which the electrodes are attached to the outside of the gas discharge vessel
  • the lamp is an inductively excited lamp with a high-frequency field with a frequency of, for example, 2.65 MHz, 13.56 MHz or 2.4 GHz.
  • the electrons emitted by the electrodes excite the atoms and molecules of the gas filling to emit UV radiation from the characteristic radiation and a molecular continuum.
  • the discharge heats the gas filling in such a way that the desired vapor pressure and the desired operating temperature is reached at which the luminous efficacy is optimal.
  • the radiation of the gas filling generated during operation has an intense, broad, continuous molecular spectrum which is caused by the molecular discharge of the chalcogenide.
  • the range of maximum emission of the continuous molecular spectrum usually shifts to longer wavelengths with increasing molecular weight of the chalcogenide.
  • a cylindrical discharge vessel made of a glass that is transparent to UVA radiation, with a length of 14 cm and a diameter of 2.5 cm with external electrodes made of copper.
  • the discharge vessel is evacuated and at the same time 0.3 mg GeSe metered in.
  • Argon is also filled in at a cold pressure of 5 mbar. It is an alternating current with a frequency of 13.65 MHz from an external AC power supply and the at an operating temperature of 433 ° C. Lumen efficiency measured. The lumen efficiency is 100 Lm / W.

Landscapes

  • Discharge Lamp (AREA)
  • Luminescent Compositions (AREA)
EP02100705A 2001-06-15 2002-06-13 Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung Expired - Lifetime EP1267389B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10128915 2001-06-15
DE10128915A DE10128915A1 (de) 2001-06-15 2001-06-15 Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1267389A1 EP1267389A1 (de) 2002-12-18
EP1267389B1 true EP1267389B1 (de) 2004-11-17

Family

ID=7688300

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02100705A Expired - Lifetime EP1267389B1 (de) 2001-06-15 2002-06-13 Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6731070B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP1267389B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JP2003007248A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CN (1) CN1311512C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (2) DE10128915A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10044562A1 (de) * 2000-09-08 2002-03-21 Philips Corp Intellectual Pty Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung
DE10127961A1 (de) * 2001-06-08 2002-12-12 Philips Corp Intellectual Pty Gasentladungslampe
WO2005015601A2 (en) * 2003-08-07 2005-02-17 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Low-pressure gas discharge lamp with alkaline earth chalcogenides as electron emitter material
CN1879193A (zh) * 2003-11-11 2006-12-13 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 具有无汞气体填充物的低压蒸气放电灯
WO2006035339A1 (en) * 2004-09-28 2006-04-06 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Low-pressure gas discharge lamp
US7265493B2 (en) * 2004-10-04 2007-09-04 General Electric Company Mercury-free compositions and radiation sources incorporating same
US7847484B2 (en) * 2004-12-20 2010-12-07 General Electric Company Mercury-free and sodium-free compositions and radiation source incorporating same
US7358656B1 (en) 2005-02-04 2008-04-15 Technical Consumer Products, Inc. A Delaware Corporation Universal cooling points for fluorescent lamps
JP2009535772A (ja) 2006-05-01 2009-10-01 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ 低圧放電ランプ

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL7107535A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1971-06-02 1972-12-05
GB2014358B (en) 1978-02-10 1982-03-03 Thorn Electrical Ind Ltd Discharge lamp
US5300859A (en) * 1987-11-12 1994-04-05 Yissum Research Development Company Of The Hebrew University Of Jerusalem IR-radiation source and method for producing same
IL84463A (en) 1987-11-12 1992-06-21 Yissum Res Dev Co Ir-radiation source and method for producing same
GB8922862D0 (en) 1989-10-11 1989-11-29 Emi Plc Thorn A discharge tube arrangement
KR20010037340A (ko) * 1999-10-15 2001-05-07 구자홍 요오드화주석을 사용한 무전극램프

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE50201546D1 (de) 2004-12-23
US20030001505A1 (en) 2003-01-02
DE10128915A1 (de) 2002-12-19
CN1311512C (zh) 2007-04-18
US6731070B2 (en) 2004-05-04
CN1392588A (zh) 2003-01-22
EP1267389A1 (de) 2002-12-18
JP2003007248A (ja) 2003-01-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1187174A2 (de) Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit indiumhaltiger Gasfüllung
JP3714952B2 (ja) 誘電体妨害放電蛍光ランプ
US6734631B2 (en) Low-pressure gas discharge lamp with phosphor coating
DE10129464A1 (de) Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung
EP1267389B1 (de) Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung
DE10057881A1 (de) Gasentladungslampe mit Leuchtstoffschicht
DE2835575C2 (de) Leuchtstoff für eine Niederdruckquecksilberdampfentladungslampe
EP1253624A2 (de) Gasentladungslampe mit Down-Conversion-Leuchtstoff
DE69322834T2 (de) Fluoreszenzlampe mit verbesserter Phosphormischung
EP2737003B1 (de) Leuchtstoff mit schutzschicht und leuchtstofflampe denselben enthaltend
EP1187173A2 (de) Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit kupferhaltiger Gasfüllung
DE3109538A1 (de) Leuchtstofflampe mit leuchtstoffkombination
EP1253625B1 (de) Gasentladungslampe mit Down-Conversion-Leuchtstoff
EP1271618A2 (de) Gasentladungslampe für dielektrisch behinderte Entladungen mit blauem Leuchtstoff
EP1254943A2 (de) Down-Conversion-Leuchtstoff, und Gasentladungslampe mit diesem Leuchtstoff
EP3114701B1 (de) Niederdruckentladungslampe mit leuchtstoffpartikeln kleiner korngrösse
DE2128065C2 (de) Leuchtstoffschicht für eine elektrische Lichtquelle zur Erzeugung von weißem Licht sowie Verwendung dieser Leuchtstoffschicht
DE10242241A1 (de) Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit Ba TiO3-ähnlichen Elektronen-Ermittersubstanzen
DE10242049A1 (de) Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit zinnhaltiger Gasfüllung
DE10254737A1 (de) Niederdruckgasentladungslampe mit quecksilberfreier Gasfüllung
DE2747330A1 (de) Niederdruckquecksilberdampfentladungslampe
DE1464181C (de) Elektrische Hochdruck Dampfentladungs lampe
MERCURE NIEDERDRUCKGASENTLADUNGSLAMPE MIT QUECKSILBERFREIER GASFÜLLUNG LAMPE A DECHARGE DE GAZ A BASSE PRESSION CONTENANT UNE ATMOSPHERE GAZEUSE
EP0251550A1 (en) Improvements in or relating to inorganic phosphors
Jüstel et al. Enhancing the Lumen Output of Trichromatic Fluorescent Lamps

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

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

Owner name: PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS GMBH

Owner name: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030618

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20030723

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

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): DE FR GB

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: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: GERMAN

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 50201546

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20041223

Kind code of ref document: P

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20050216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 746

Effective date: 20050217

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

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: 20050818

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: D6

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20070813

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20070626

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20070626

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Effective date: 20080613

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20090228

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090101

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: 20080613

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: 20080630