EP1270807B1 - Pin seamed papermaker's press felt with laminated base fabric having low melt material machine directions yarns - Google Patents

Pin seamed papermaker's press felt with laminated base fabric having low melt material machine directions yarns Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1270807B1
EP1270807B1 EP02013714A EP02013714A EP1270807B1 EP 1270807 B1 EP1270807 B1 EP 1270807B1 EP 02013714 A EP02013714 A EP 02013714A EP 02013714 A EP02013714 A EP 02013714A EP 1270807 B1 EP1270807 B1 EP 1270807B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fabric
machine direction
layer
direction yarns
press felt
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
EP02013714A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1270807A1 (en
Inventor
Rene Marchand
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.)
Weavexx LLC
Original Assignee
Weavexx LLC
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 Weavexx LLC filed Critical Weavexx LLC
Publication of EP1270807A1 publication Critical patent/EP1270807A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1270807B1 publication Critical patent/EP1270807B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21F—PAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
    • D21F7/00—Other details of machines for making continuous webs of paper
    • D21F7/08—Felts
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D03—WEAVING
    • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
    • D03D3/00—Woven fabrics characterised by their shape
    • D03D3/04—Endless fabrics
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21F—PAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
    • D21F7/00—Other details of machines for making continuous webs of paper
    • D21F7/08—Felts
    • D21F7/083—Multi-layer felts
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21F—PAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON
    • D21F7/00—Other details of machines for making continuous webs of paper
    • D21F7/08—Felts
    • D21F7/10—Seams thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to papermaking, and more particularly to fabrics used in papermaking.
  • a water slurry, or suspension, of cellulosic fibers (known as the paper "stock") is fed onto the top of the upper run of an endless belt of woven wire and/or synthetic material that travels between two or more rollers.
  • the belt often referred to as a "forming fabric,” provides a papermaking surface on the upper surface of its upper run which operates as a filter to separate the cellulosic fibers of the paper stock from the aqueous medium, thereby forming a wet paper web.
  • the aqueous medium drains through mesh openings of the forming fabric, known as drainage holes, by gravity alone or with assistance from one or more suction boxes located on the lower surface ( i.e. , the "machine side") of the upper run of the fabric.
  • the paper web After leaving the forming section, the paper web is transferred to a press section of the paper machine, in which it is passed through the nips of one or more pairs of pressure rollers covered with another fabric, typically referred to as a "press felt.” Pressure from the rollers removes additional moisture from the web; the moisture removal is often enhanced by the presence of a "batt" layer on the press felt.
  • the paper is then conveyed to a drier section for further moisture removal. After drying, the paper is ready for secondary processing and packaging.
  • Press felts typically include one or more base fabric layers; these can be "flat-woven” and formed after weaving into an endless belt, or can be woven in endless form. Generally, the flat-woven process is preferred, as it is typically less expensive and more versatile than the endless weaving process. Also, in many instances the felt is cut widthwise and reattached to simplify installation on a paper machine, in which case some of the advantages of endless weaving (such as the absence of a seam in the fabric) are lost.
  • a "pin” (usually formed of mutilfilament polymeric fiber strands) is then inserted into all of the loops to join the ends.
  • the batt layer(s) are needled or otherwise attached to the base layer, the batt layer(s) are cut at the seam location, the pin is removed, and the finished press felt is shipped to a paper mill. Once at the paper mill, the press felt can be installed by placing it onto a paper machine, then inserting another (usually more flexible) multifilament pin into the loops. Examples of this type of seam are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4, 764,417 and 4,737,241 to Gulya, 4,601,785 to Lilja et al., and 5,476,123 to Rydin.
  • the base fabric layer itself contains multiple fabric layers (i.e ., is a "laminated” base layer).
  • a felt may contain a "duplex" fabric (i.e ., a fabric having upper and lower sets of machine direction yams interwoven with at least one set of cross machine direction yarns - also known as a "double layer” fabric) as well as a finer mesh single layer fabric (i.e. , a fabric having only one set each of machine direction yarns and cross machine direction yarns). This combination provides a good balance of strength and durability to the felt with relatively little marking.
  • the felt is constructed by flat weaving the duplex fabric, endless weaving the single layer fabric, joining the duplex fabric with a pin as described above, overlaying the single layer fabric over the duplex fabric, needling both fabric layers with batt to form machine side and paper side batt layers, removing the pin from the double layer fabric and cutting the batt layers and the single layer fabric at the seam to form a flat structure.
  • the felt is installed on the papermaking machine by inserting a new, typically thinner and more flexible pin into the duplex fabric layer.
  • This press felt construction has at least one significant shortcoming.
  • the single layer fabric When the single layer fabric is cut, its yarns tend to fray somewhat at the cut.
  • the frayed ends of the finer mesh single layer fabric can interfere with the manner in which the cut portion of the batt layer (which is often a flap of batt layer material) overlays the base fabric.
  • paper formed with such a felt can have an inconsistent appearance and be more susceptible to breaking on the paper machine due to the presence of the seam of the felt.
  • International Application 1200017433 No.
  • PCT/US98/19850 which discusses a press felt in which a band of cross machine direction yams formed of a "low melt” material is included at the seam of the single layer fabric.
  • the low melt material can soften somewhat during heat-setting of the fabric, which can induce the cross machine direction yarns to agglomerate somewhat and reduce fraying.
  • the press felt according to claim 1 comprises: a paper side batt layer; a machine side batt layer; and a base fabric layer sandwiched between the paper side batt layer and the machine side batt layer.
  • the base fabric layer comprises a first fabric and a second fabric.
  • the first fabric includes machine direction yarns and cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the machine direction yarns.
  • the first fabric has first and second ends with loops, wherein the loops of the first end are interdigitated with the loops of the second end, and the loops of said first and second ends receive a pin to form the first fabric into an endless belt having a seam.
  • the second fabric is formed into an endless belt overlying the first fabric and includes machine direction yarns and cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the machine direction yarns, wherein the machine direction yarns are formed of a low melt material.
  • the low melt machine direction yarns of the second fabric may have a reduced tendency to fray at the seam cut during prolonged operation.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is a method of constructing a papermaker's press felt according to claims 10 to 18.
  • machine direction (MD) and “cross machine direction” (CMD) refer, respectively, to a direction aligned with the direction of travel of the papermakers' fabric on a papermaking machine, and a direction parallel to the fabric surface and transverse to the direction of travel.
  • MD machine direction
  • CMD cross machine direction
  • endless belt refers to belts made by either method.
  • the press section 10 includes a press felt 14 that is installed upon and conveyed by a set of rollers 12. In its travel, the felt 14 travels over a press roll 15. An opposed press roll 17 is positioned to, in conjunction with the felt 14 and press roll 15, form a nip N between the press rolls 15.
  • a paper web P is conveyed from a forming section 16 through the nip N formed by the press rollers 15, 17, wherein pressure is applied to the paper web P by the press rolls 15, 17.
  • the pressure forces moisture from the paper web P that is absorbed by the felt 14.
  • the felt 14 is conveyed around its roller set 12 , moisture is removed therefrom, and the felt 1 4 is conditioned by one or more suction boxes 20.
  • Figures 2 and 3 illustrate an enlarged section of the felt 14.
  • the felt 14 includes a laminated base fabric layer 22 which comprises two separate fabrics: namely, a lower fabric layer comprising a duplex fabric 24 and an upper fabric layer comprising a single layer fabric 36.
  • the duplex fabric 24 includes two sets of machine direction yarns 26 and one set of cross machine direction yarns 28 interwoven with the machine direction yarns 26.
  • the duplex fabric 24 is woven in a flat weave process; thus, in a flat condition, the duplex fabric 24 has two free ends 29a, 29b, one of which (29a) includes loops 30 (formed by machine direction yarns 26), and the other of which (29b) includes loops 32 formed by machine direction yarns 26.
  • the duplex fabric 24 When the duplex fabric 24 is in an endless condition such as that illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the loops 30, 32 are positioned in interdigitated fashion, and a pin 34 is inserted through the loops 30, 32 to join the ends 29a, 29b of the duplex fabric 24 (see Figures 4A and 4B).
  • This fabric can be flat woven in a process such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,476,123 to Rydin.
  • the lower fabric layer of the base fabric layer 22 in the manner of the duplex fabric 24, including single layer fabrics, other duplex fabrics, and triplex fabrics ( i.e. , those having two sets of machine direction yarns and two sets of cross machine direction yarns).
  • the lower fabric layer will typically, but not always, have a mesh that is somewhat more coarse than that of the upper fabric layer, it is preferred that the mesh of the lower fabric layer be between about 30 to 50 machine direction yarns and 50 to 100 cross machine direction yarns per inch.
  • the lower fabric layer should have the aforementioned loops 30, 32 at its ends 29a, 29b to enable it to be joined into an endless belt with the pin 34.
  • the construction of the loops 30, 32 and pin 34 are known to those skilled in this art and need not be described in detail herein; exemplary loop and pin constructions are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,737,241 and 4,764,417 to Gulya.
  • the single layer fabric 36 comprises machine direction yarns 38 interwoven with cross machine direction yarns 40 in a plain weave pattern.
  • the machine direction yarns 38 are formed of a low melt material that differs in composition from the material employed with the cross machine direction yarns 40 and the yarns of the duplex fabric 24.
  • the term "low melt” means that the yarns have a lower melting point than at least the cross machine direction yarns 40 of the upper fabric 36, and in many instances than the other yarns of both the upper and lower fabric layers.
  • the melting point of the low melt yarns is preferably at least 25°C lower than that of the machine direction yarns 26 of the lower fabric layer 24.
  • Exemplary low melt materials to be employed as machine direction yarns 38 include nylons (including nylon 6, nylon 6-6, nylon 6-10, nylon 6-12 and nylon 12, and blends and copolymers thereof), polyesters and copolymers thereof and polypropylene and copolyiners thereof. It is preferred that the low melt material have a melting point of between about 130 and 200°C.
  • the upper fabric layer of the base fabric layer 22 in the manner of the single layer fabric 36, including other single layer fabrics, duplex fabrics, and triplex fabrics.
  • the mesh of the upper fabric layer may vary from between about 16 to 100 machine direction yarns and 16 to 100 cross machine direction yarns per inch, but typically the mesh will be somewhat finer than that of the lower fabric layer.
  • low melt yarns can also be used as the cross machine direction yarns 40 of for some or all of the single layer fabric 36, or even as the machine direction yarns 26 or cross machine direction yarns of the duplex fabric 24.
  • the single layer fabric 36 includes a band 42 that includes no cross machine direction yarns 40.
  • the band 42 should overlie the pin 34 of the duplex fabric 24.
  • the band 42 is approximately 2 to 12 inches with 8 inches being preferred in length ( i.e. , the band 42 extends approximately 4 inches on either side of the pin 34).
  • the presence of the band 42 eliminates CMD yarns that might otherwise fray in the seam area.
  • the single layer fabric 36 is woven in a flat weaving process that produces a fabric with two free ends.
  • the single layer fabric 36 is formed into an endless belt through a joining process such as heat welding, which forms a weld line 46, although other methods of joining known in the art may also be employed.
  • the single layer fabric 36 can be woven in an endless process so that the band 42 is formed during weaving.
  • the form of the yarns employed in the lower and upper fabric layers of the base fabric layer 24 can vary, depending upon the desired properties of the final press felt.
  • the yarns may be multifilament yarns, monofilament yarns, twisted or cabled multifilament or monofilament yarns, spun yarns, or any combination thereof.
  • the materials from which the "non-low melt" yarns employed in the fabric layers are formed may be those commonly used in press felts, such as nylon, cotton, wool, polypropylene, polyester, aramid, polyamide, or the like, and blends and combinations thereof.
  • the felt 14 also includes scrim sheets 44a, 44b, 44c.
  • the scrim sheet 44a is positioned between the double layer fabric 24 and the single layer fabric 36.
  • the scrim sheet 44b is positioned directly beneath the double layer fabric 24.
  • the scrim layer 44c is positioned directly above the single layer fabric 36.
  • the scrim sheets 44a, 44b, 44c overlie the seam area of the felt 14, typically extending between about 4 to 10 inches on either side of the seam formed by the pin 34.
  • the scrim sheets 44a, 44b, 44c comprise a non-woven, porous low melt nylon fabric.
  • the felt 14 also includes two batt layers: a machine side batt layer 50 and a paper side batt layer 52.
  • these batt layers 50, 52 are attached to the base fabric layer 22 through a needling process, although other attachment techniques, such as heat bonding and adhesives, can also be used with the present invention.
  • An exemplary needling process is illustrated and described in co-assigned and co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 09/359,213, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • the machine side and paper side batt layers 50, 52 should be formed of material, such as a synthetic fiber like acrylic, aramid, polyester, or nylon, or a natural fiber such as wool, that assists in wicking water away from the base fabric layer 22 .
  • Preferred materials for the batt layers 50, 52 include polyamide, polyester and blends thereof.
  • the weight and thickness of the batt layers 50, 52 can vary, although it is preferably that the ratio of batt weight to fabric weight is about between about 0.5 and 2.0, with 1.0 being more preferred. Also, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to have additional batt layers or to omit either or both of the batt layers 50, 52.
  • the machine side belt layer 50 has an open area 50 below the pin 34 in which batt has been removed (Figure 3).
  • the felt 14 also includes a seam cut 48.
  • the seam cut 48 extends through the paper side batt layer 52, the single layer fabric 36, and the machine side batt layer 50.
  • the seam cut 48 is made at an angle of between about 30 and 80 degrees to the plane of the base fabric layer 22, and a flap 52a is formed by loosening the portion of the paper side batt layer 52 adjacent the seam cut 48. This process is described in detail in the aforementioned U.S. Patents to Gulya and Lilja.
  • no cut is necessary for the duplex fabric 24, as the pin 34 can simply be removed to enable the ends 29a, 29b of the duplex fabric 24 to be separated.
  • Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary manufacturing process for the felt 14.
  • the duplex fabric 24 is flat woven such that machine direction loops 30, 32 are created on the ends 29a, 29b.
  • a pin 60 (which is typically larger and less flexible than the pin 34 described above) is inserted through the loops 30, 32 (as they are interdigitated) to join them and thereby form the duplex fabric 24 into an endless belt.
  • the single layer fabric 36 is woven in a flat weaving or endless weaving process. If flat woven, the single layer fabric 36 is formed into an endless belt with a heat welding process, such as one that employs heat or ultrasonic radiation.
  • the single layer fabric 36 is then positioned to overlie the duplex fabric 24 such that the band 42 that lacks cross machine direction yarns overlies the pin 34, the scrim sheets 44a, 44b, 44c are positioned over the seam area, and the machine side and paper side batt layers 50, 52 are needled to the base fabric layer 22 (the open area 50a is typically created by removing fiber with a brush and tweezers).
  • the entire felt 14 is then heat treated at a temperature sufficient to cause softening of the machine direction yarns 38 formed of low melt material without unduly softening the other yarns of the base fabric 22. Typically, the heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of between about 130° to 200° C.
  • the pin 60 is then removed, and the seam cut 48 is formed with blades or other cutting devices through the paper side batt layer 52 and the single layer fabric 36.
  • the felt 14 can then be shipped in its flat form to a paper mill, where the pin 34 can be inserted into the machine direction loops 30, 32 as the felt 14 is installed on the upper rolls 12.
  • the yarns of the single layer fabric 36, and in particular the machine direction yarns 38 can have a far lower tendency to fray than the fabrics of prior art felts.
  • This reduced fraying is the result of the inclusion of the low melt machine direction yarns 38.
  • the softening of the low melt machine direction yarns 38 causes the agglomeration of the machine direction yarns 38 and the fibers of the paper side batt layer 52.
  • the flap 52a adjacent to the seam cut 48 can lay uniformly, even during operation, which has not always been the case for prior art fabrics.
  • a press felt was constructed according to the following parameters MD yarns CMD yarns Mesh Count Base Fabric Layer Size (inches) Material Size (inches) Materials Duplex Layer 0.015 Nylon 0.415 Nylon 40x48 Single Layer* 0.014. Nylon 0.008 Nylon 40x24 * The single layer fabric was woven without CMD yarns in a 8 inch wide band that was positioned directly over the pin seam of the duplex fabric. Batt Layers Material Weight (g/m 2 ) Machine Side Nylon staple 150 Paper Side Nylon staple 780

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Woven Fabrics (AREA)
EP02013714A 2001-06-20 2002-06-20 Pin seamed papermaker's press felt with laminated base fabric having low melt material machine directions yarns Expired - Lifetime EP1270807B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US88543001A 2001-06-20 2001-06-20
US885430 2001-06-20

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1270807A1 EP1270807A1 (en) 2003-01-02
EP1270807B1 true EP1270807B1 (en) 2006-01-11

Family

ID=25386891

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02013714A Expired - Lifetime EP1270807B1 (en) 2001-06-20 2002-06-20 Pin seamed papermaker's press felt with laminated base fabric having low melt material machine directions yarns

Country Status (11)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1270807B1 (es)
JP (1) JP2003096685A (es)
KR (1) KR20020097031A (es)
CN (1) CN1396339A (es)
AT (1) ATE315682T1 (es)
AU (1) AU4887702A (es)
BR (1) BR0202331A (es)
CA (1) CA2391027A1 (es)
DE (1) DE60208607D1 (es)
ES (1) ES2257488T3 (es)
MX (1) MXPA02006129A (es)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101184893B1 (ko) * 2004-07-22 2012-09-28 알바니 인터내셔널 코포레이션 이송 벨트 및 프레스 직물용 반투과성 직물

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BRPI0417600B1 (pt) * 2003-12-15 2016-05-17 Albany Int Corp tecido industrial
US7229531B2 (en) * 2004-05-12 2007-06-12 Albany International Corp. Method of seaming a multiaxial papermaking fabric to prevent yarn migration
US20060068665A1 (en) * 2004-09-29 2006-03-30 Heinz Pernegger Seamed felt for forming fiber cement articles and related methods
US7384513B2 (en) 2004-11-11 2008-06-10 Albany International Corp. Forming fabrics
US20130008552A1 (en) 2011-07-06 2013-01-10 Hans Peter Breuer Felt for forming fiber cement articles and related methods
US20220228318A1 (en) * 2019-05-03 2022-07-21 Voith Patent Gmbh Seamed felt and use of the seamed felt in a tissue machine
DE102019111441A1 (de) * 2019-05-03 2020-11-05 Voith Patent Gmbh Bespannung und Verwendung in einer Tissuemaschine

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5897745A (en) * 1994-06-29 1999-04-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Method of wet pressing tissue paper
CA2343541A1 (en) * 1998-09-24 2000-03-30 Rene Marchand Pin seamed papermaker's press felt with low melt material band in laminated base fabric

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101184893B1 (ko) * 2004-07-22 2012-09-28 알바니 인터내셔널 코포레이션 이송 벨트 및 프레스 직물용 반투과성 직물

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MXPA02006129A (es) 2003-10-06
KR20020097031A (ko) 2002-12-31
AU4887702A (en) 2003-01-02
BR0202331A (pt) 2003-04-15
CA2391027A1 (en) 2002-12-20
DE60208607D1 (de) 2006-04-06
EP1270807A1 (en) 2003-01-02
ATE315682T1 (de) 2006-02-15
ES2257488T3 (es) 2006-08-01
CN1396339A (zh) 2003-02-12
JP2003096685A (ja) 2003-04-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5110672A (en) Papermakers' press felt with base fabric that does not require seaming
US4824525A (en) Papermaking apparatus having a seamed wet press felt
CA2219382C (en) Laminated industrial conveying fabric having seaming end loops projecting through outer lamination
AU2002225981B2 (en) Seamed papermaker's fabrics
EP0940499A2 (en) Flow-resistant material additions to double-seam on-machine-seamable fabrics
EP1270807B1 (en) Pin seamed papermaker's press felt with laminated base fabric having low melt material machine directions yarns
CA2459832C (en) Pin seamed papermaker's press felt with cross machine direction yarns woven in dreher weave at seam loops
EP3960932B1 (en) Papermaking felt and a method of producing the same
EP2943614B1 (en) Pin seamed press felt with triple layer base fabric
US6797121B2 (en) Press felt structure and method of manufacturing press felt
EP0760878A1 (en) Corrugator fabric
WO2000017433A1 (en) Pin seamed papermaker's press felt with low melt material band in laminated base fabric
US4940630A (en) Base fabric structures for seamed wet press felts
CN110662867B (zh) 针缝压榨毛毯及其制造方法
NZ539844A (en) Monofilament low caliper one-and-a-half layer seamed press fabric
US20150308045A1 (en) Seamed papermaker's press felt with reinforced batt layer
MXPA01003102A (es) Filtro de prensa de fabricante de papel unido mediante pasadores con banda de material de bajo punto de fusion en telas de base laminadas

Legal Events

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

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030206

AKX Designation fees paid

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

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20041105

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 TR

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

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: 20060111

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: 20060111

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: 20060111

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: 60208607

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060406

Kind code of ref document: P

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

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060411

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: 20060412

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: TROESCH SCHEIDEGGER WERNER AG

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

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060612

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: 20060620

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: 20060630

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: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2257488

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: 20061012

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

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: 20060412

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: 20060620

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: 20060111

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

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060111

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20090626

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20090630

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20090617

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20090625

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20090625

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090625

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20090629

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: FI

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

Effective date: 20100620

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20100620

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20110228

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

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20100620

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

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20100630

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20100630

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: 20100630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20110714

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: 20110704

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20100620

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: 20100621

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100621