EP1313354B1 - Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1313354B1
EP1313354B1 EP01309626A EP01309626A EP1313354B1 EP 1313354 B1 EP1313354 B1 EP 1313354B1 EP 01309626 A EP01309626 A EP 01309626A EP 01309626 A EP01309626 A EP 01309626A EP 1313354 B1 EP1313354 B1 EP 1313354B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
body part
inner body
electroluminescent
flexible
elongate
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
EP01309626A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1313354A1 (de
Inventor
Luk Wah Jackson Chu
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.)
Ewig Industries Co Ltd
Ewig Ind Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Ewig Industries Co Ltd
Ewig Ind Co Ltd
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 Ewig Industries Co Ltd, Ewig Ind Co Ltd filed Critical Ewig Industries Co Ltd
Priority to AT01309626T priority Critical patent/ATE293876T1/de
Priority to EP01309626A priority patent/EP1313354B1/de
Priority to DE60110242T priority patent/DE60110242D1/de
Publication of EP1313354A1 publication Critical patent/EP1313354A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1313354B1 publication Critical patent/EP1313354B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B33/00—Electroluminescent light sources
    • H05B33/12—Light sources with substantially two-dimensional radiating surfaces
    • H05B33/26—Light sources with substantially two-dimensional radiating surfaces characterised by the composition or arrangement of the conductive material used as an electrode
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B33/00—Electroluminescent light sources
    • H05B33/02—Details
    • H05B33/06—Electrode terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B33/00—Electroluminescent light sources
    • H05B33/10—Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of electroluminescent light sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electroluminescent lighting device that is elongate and flexible for various lighting purposes.
  • Electroluminescent lighting devices have been known in general, which typically have a multi-layer structure including, for example, an indium tin oxide layer deposited on a substrate. This may be covered by a layer containing phosphorus or similar material. An additional dielectric layer may overlie the phosphorus layer, which is typically a barium titanium oxide layer such as barium titanate.
  • the structure may further include a conductive layer of silver ink, carbon or the like for the conduction of electrical current and, finally, an insulating transparent or translucent outermost plastic layer or the like for protection.
  • the layers including the indium tin oxide and silver ink or carbon layers
  • the layers including the indium tin oxide and silver ink or carbon layers
  • the released light can be emitted through surrounding layers to provide light from the devices as a whole.
  • the invention seeks to mitigate or to at least alleviate such problems by providing an improved electroluminescent lighting device.
  • DE-A-4208044 (published 17.09.1992) discloses an electroluminescent light strip comprising a phosphor layer, a semi-transparent metallised film layer, and a moisture-impervious encapsulant formed by extrusion.
  • EP-A-0838975 discloses a light source consisting of at least one flexible, cable-like electroluminescent filament with a central electrode surrounded by a dielectric layer and a layer consisting of a mixture of electroluminophor powder and a binder and being surrounded by a transparent electrode.
  • US-A- 5959402 discloses an electroluminescent light source with a core sandwiched between transparent bands.
  • the core comprises elongate electrodes interconnected by dielectric material. Spaces between the electrodes are filled with electroluminescent material applied as a film onto the dielectric material.
  • EP-A-1173048 discloses an electroluminescent device comprising an elongate flexible body having an inner part and an outer part which is of transparent or translucent material, an elongate multi-layer electroluminescent element including a pair of co-extending conductive regions and extending along the inner body part for supplying electrical power to the electroluminescent element, the conductors being separated from the electroluminescent element by at least a portion of the inner body part, and a plurality of metal contact elements located at intervals along the inner body part for electrically connecting the conductive regions of the electroluminescent element to the conductors, each contact element having a first part in contact with a respective said conductive region and a second part penetrating through the said portion of the inner body part to come into contact with a respective said conductor.
  • the present invention provides an electroluminescent device as set forth in claim 1 and methods of forming the device as set forth in claims 13 and 14 respectively.
  • an electroluminescent lighting device comprising a elongate flexible body having an inner part and an outer part, said outer part being of a transparent or translucent material, a elongate multi-layer electroluminescent element including a pair of co-extending conductive regions and extending along the inner body part, a pair of elongate conductors extending along the inner body part for supplying electrical power to the electroluminescent element, said conductors being separated from the electroluminescent element by at least a portion of the inner body part, and a plurality of flexible contact elements located at intervals along the inner body part for electrically connecting the conductive regions of the electroluminescent element to the conductors, each said contact element having a first part in contact with a respective said conductive region and a second part extending through said portion of the inner body part and contacting a respective said conductor.
  • the electroluminescent element is supported by the inner body part.
  • the inner body part is formed with a channel holding the electroluminescent element therein.
  • the channel has an open side having a reduced width which is smaller than the width of the electroluminescent element.
  • the electroluminescent element has a flat cross-section and opposite edges, along which edges the conductive regions extend respectively in a continuous manner.
  • the conductors are embedded within the inner body part.
  • the conductors are provided by respective stranded metal wires.
  • the flexible contact elements are formed as conductive resilient inserts.
  • At least some of the inserts are of conductive rubber.
  • At least some of the flexible contact elements are formed of wire.
  • the wires are soldered to the elongate conductors.
  • the wires are clipped through the conductive regions of the electroluminescent element.
  • a method of forming the above-disclosed electroluminescent lighting device comprising: cutting a plurality of access cavities in the inner body part, inserting a conductive rubber piece into each cavity to come into contact with one of said elongate conductors and installing the electroluminescent element into the inner body part so that each of said elongate conductors and one of said conductive regions of the electroluminescent element comes into contact with one or more of said conductive rubber pieces.
  • a method of forming the above-disclosed electroluminescent lighting device comprising: taking the inner body part and cutting a plurality of access cavities therein to expose portions of each elongate conductor and said conductive regions, the method further comprising attaching respective pieces of flexible wire to each exposed portion of each elongate conductor and attaching each piece of flexible wire to a corresponding exposed portion of the respective conductive region.
  • the outer body part is extruded onto the inner body part to form the complete electroluminescent lighting device.
  • an electroluminescent lighting device or light 10 embodying the invention which light 10 is of an indefinite length and has a elongate flexible body 20 made of a transparent or translucent material such as plastic including polyvinyl chloride in particular.
  • the body 20 is manufactured initially as an extruded inner base strip 30 (Figure 1) which is finally enclosed by an outer sheath 40 of the same or like material extruded thereon for protection ( Figure 2).
  • the base strip 30 has a generally flat rectangular channel shaped cross-section consisting of a lower part 31 and an upper part 32, in which upper part 32 a channel 33 is formed.
  • the upper part 32 includes a pair of co-extending horizontal integral flanges 34 on opposite sides of the channel 33, which lie on the same plane parallel to and immediately above the channel 33.
  • the flanges 34 extend laterally over part of the opposite sides of the channel 33, thereby reducing the width of the channel open side and forming a pair of opposed side grooves 35 facing each other.
  • a pair of electrically conductive metal stranded wires 36 is embedded within opposite sides of the lower part 31, each of which is positioned directly below the corresponding side groove 35.
  • the wires 36 serve the purpose of supplying electrical power to the overall electroluminescent light 10, as hereinafter described.
  • the electroluminescent light 10 includes an electroluminescent strip 50 fitted within the channel 33 of the base strip 30.
  • the electroluminescent strip 50 is manufactured to have a multi-layer structure as referred to in the prior art description above, and has a width smaller than that of the open side of the channel 33 as between the flanges 34. More specifically, the electroluminescent strip 50 has an underside having opposite edges, along which a pair of co-extending continuous electrically conductive tracks 52 (made of silver ink, carbon or the like) is exposed or otherwise provided.
  • the electroluminescent strip 50 While being used in the channel 33, the electroluminescent strip 50 is separated from the wires 36 by the portion of the base strip 30 forming the bottom of the channel 33, The tracks 52 are to be electrically connected to the respective power supply wires 36 by means of a plurality of flexible contact elements 60.
  • flexible contact elements 60 are formed of a conductive, resilient material such as conductive rubber. As shown in FIG. 9, the conductive rubber elements 60 extended between the tracks 52 of the electroluminescent strip 50 and an elongate conductor 36.
  • cut-outs 70 are made at each side of the base strip 30 and the conductive rubber 60 in a pre-formed size to fit within the cut-out 70 is pushed into place.
  • the flanges 34 are prised up in the direction indicated by arrows A. This provides vertical, downward access for forming the cut-outs and then inserting the rubber blocks 60.
  • the cut-out 70 are formed, portions of the elongate conductors 36 are exposed for contact by the conductive rubber blocks.
  • cut-outs 70 are made through the bottom of the base strip 30.
  • flexible metallic wires 80 are soldered at 90 to the elongate conductors 36.
  • the other end of each wire 80 is soldered at 91 to a piercing clip 81 in the form of a "U" that has two prongs that are pressed through the conductive regions 52 of the electroluminescent strip 50 and bent down thereon for permanent electrical contact.
  • the cut-outs 70 are spaced along the bottom of the base strip 30.
  • the outer layer 40 is extruded over the base strip 30 to thereby seal the contact elements in place.
  • the contact elements 60 or 80 are spaced at regular intervals along and within the base strip 30 which includes the pair of wires 36.
  • the electroluminescent strip 50 is inserted into the channel 33 of the base strip 30, while the side flanges 34 are temporarily prised open, and prior to the soldering steps.
  • the electroluminescent light 10 is cut into a suitable lengths for use, with each end thereof covered by a rectangular plastic end cap 42.
  • One of the end caps 42 incorporates a pair of terminal pins 44 having outer ends 46 and inner ends 48.
  • the outer ends 46 are for connection to an AC or pulsating DC power source.
  • the inner ends 48 are sharp for piercing into the respective end of the base strip 30 and providing electrical connection with the respective wires 36.
  • a single eletroluminescent light could be formed with both the flexible rubber type of contact elements and the flexible wire type of elements. These may be regularly or randomly alternated along a single wire 46 or one type might be provided along one of the wires 46 and another type provided along the other wire 46.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Electroluminescent Light Sources (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Claims (17)

  1. Elektrolumineszenz-Beleuchtungsvorrichtung mit einem langgestreckten biegsamen Körper (20) mit einem inneren Teil (30) und einem äußeren Teil (40), wobei der äußere Teil aus einem durchsichtigen oder durchscheinenden Material besteht, einem langgestreckten mehrschichtigen Elektrolumineszenz-Element (50), das ein Paar sich gleich erstreckender leitfähiger Bereiche (52) aufweist und sich entlang des inneren Körperteils (30) erstreckt, einem Paar langgestreckter Leiter (36), die sich entlang des inneren Körperteils erstrecken, um dem Elektrolumineszenz-Element (50) elektrische Leistung zuzuführen, wobei die Leiter (36) von dem Elektrolumineszenz-Element (50) durch mindestens einen Abschnitt des inneren Körperteils (30) getrennt sind, und einer Vielzahl von Kontaktelementen (60; 80), die in Intervallen entlang des inneren Körperteils (30) angeordnet sind, um die leitfähigen Bereiche (52) des Elektrolumineszenz-Elements (50) mit den Leitern (36) elektrisch zu verbinden, wobei jedes Kontaktelement (60; 80) einen ersten Teil in Kontakt mit einem jeweiligen besagten leitfähigen Bereich (52) und einen zweiten Teil aufweist, der sich durch den Abschnitt des inneren Körperteils (30) erstreckt und einen jeweiligen besagten Leiter (36) kontaktiert, wobei jedes Kontaktelement (60; 80) biegsam ist.
  2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Elektrolumineszenz-Element (50) vom inneren Körperteil (30) getragen wird.
  3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der innere Körperteil (30) mit einem Kanal (33) ausgebildet ist, in dem das Elektrolumineszenz-Element (50) gehalten wird.
  4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der der Kanal (33) eine offene Seite mit einer verringerten Breite, die kleiner ist als die Breite des Elektrolumineszenz-Elements (50), aufweist.
  5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Elektrolumineszenz-Element (50) einen flachen Querschnitt und einander gegenüberliegende Ränder aufweist, wobei sich die leitfähigen Bereiche (52) jeweils durchgehend entlang dieser Ränder erstrecken.
  6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Leiter (36) innerhalb des inneren Körperteils (30) eingebettet sind.
  7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei als die Leiter jeweilige metallische Litzendrähte (36) vorgesehen sind.
  8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die biegsamen Kontaktelemente als leitfähige elastische Einsätze (60) ausgebildet sind.
  9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, wobei mindestens einige der Einsätze (60) aus leitfähigem Gummi bestehen.
  10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei mindestens einige der biegsamen Kontaktelemente aus biegsamen metallischen Drähten (80) bestehen.
  11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Drähte (80) an die langgestreckten Leiter (36) gelötet sind.
  12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Drähte (80) durch die leitfähigen Bereiche (52) des Elektrolumineszenz-Elements (50) hindurchgeklemmt sind.
  13. Verfahren zur Ausbildung der Elektrolumineszenz-Beleuchtungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfaßt:
    Aussparen einer Vielzahl von Zugangshohlräumen (70) im inneren Körperteil (30), Einfügen eines leitfähigen Gummistücks (60) in jeden Hohlraum (70), um in Kontakt mit einem der langgestreckten Leiter (36) zu kommen, und Installieren des Elektrolumineszenz-Elements (50) auf dem inneren Körperteil (30), so daß jeder der langgestreckten Leiter (36) und einer der leitfähigen Bereiche (52) des Elektrolumineszenz-Elements (50) in Kontakt mit einem oder mehreren der leitfähigen Gummistücke (60) kommen, die als die biegsamen Kontaktelemente (60) in der Elektrolumineszenz-Beleuchtungsvorrichtung fungieren.
  14. Verfahren zur Ausbildung der Elektrolumineszenz-Beleuchtungsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfaßt:
    Ergreifen des inneren Körperteils (30) und Aussparen einer Vielzahl von Zugangshohlräumen (70) darin, um Abschnitte jedes langgestreckten Leiters (36) und der leitfähigen Bereiche (52) freizulegen, wobei das Verfahren ferner die folgenden Schritte umfaßt: Befestigen jeweiliger biegsamer Drahtstücke (80) an jedem freiliegenden Abschnitt jedes langgestreckten Leiters (36) und Befestigen jedes biegsamen Drahtstücks (80) an einem entsprechenden freiliegenden Abschnitt des jeweiligen leitfähigen Bereichs (52), wobei die biegsamen Drahtstücke als die biegsamen Kontaktelemente (60) in der Elektrolumineszenz-Beleuchtungsvorrichtung fungieren.
  15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei die biegsamen Drahtstücke (80) mit jedem freiliegenden Abschnitt jedes langgestreckten Leiters (36) verlötet werden.
  16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei jedes biegsame Drahtstück (80) mit einer Klemme (81) verlötet wird, die durch die entsprechenden freiliegenden Abschnitte der jeweiligen leitfähigen Bereiche (52) hindurchgeklemmt ist.
  17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13 oder 14, wobei der äußere Körperteil (40) auf den inneren Körperteil (30) extrudiert wird, um die vollständige Elektrolumineszenz-Beleuchtungsvorrichtung auszubilden.
EP01309626A 2001-11-15 2001-11-15 Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP1313354B1 (de)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT01309626T ATE293876T1 (de) 2001-11-15 2001-11-15 Elektrolumineszierende beleuchtungsvorrichtung
EP01309626A EP1313354B1 (de) 2001-11-15 2001-11-15 Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung
DE60110242T DE60110242D1 (de) 2001-11-15 2001-11-15 Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01309626A EP1313354B1 (de) 2001-11-15 2001-11-15 Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1313354A1 EP1313354A1 (de) 2003-05-21
EP1313354B1 true EP1313354B1 (de) 2005-04-20

Family

ID=8182459

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01309626A Expired - Lifetime EP1313354B1 (de) 2001-11-15 2001-11-15 Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1313354B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE293876T1 (de)
DE (1) DE60110242D1 (de)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0817113B2 (ja) * 1991-03-13 1996-02-21 ザ スタンダード プロダクツ カンパニー エレクトロルミネッセントライトストリップ
US5869930A (en) * 1996-10-22 1999-02-09 Elam-Electroluminescent Industries Ltd. Electroluminescent light source with a mixture layer filled with a transparent filler substance
US5959402A (en) * 1997-07-30 1999-09-28 Ruben Polyan Flexible electroluminescent light source
EP1173048A1 (de) * 2000-07-11 2002-01-16 Ewig Industries Co., LTD. Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE293876T1 (de) 2005-05-15
EP1313354A1 (de) 2003-05-21
DE60110242D1 (de) 2005-05-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6660935B2 (en) LED extrusion light engine and connector therefor
EP1730437B1 (de) Parallel-/reihen-led-streifen
EP0289504B1 (de) Bandleiter für elektrische leiter und fernmeldeleiter
WO2007041805A1 (en) Elongate lighting means
EP0107480A3 (de) Lampe mit lichtemittierender Diode und Verfahren zu deren Herstellung
US6527401B1 (en) Electroluminescent lighting device
SE0201589D0 (sv) Kabel med skärmband
US6717360B2 (en) Flexible electroluminescent strip having supplementary control conductor
EP1313354B1 (de) Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung
MX9300293A (es) Conectador de alambre para una conexion electrica entre una pluralidad de alambres y metodo para su fabricacion.
EP1173048A1 (de) Elektrolumineszierende Beleuchtungsvorrichtung
US4295270A (en) Electrode positioning system
US20040222743A1 (en) Dielectric barrier discharge type low-pressure discharge lamp
JP3056471B2 (ja) エレクトロルミネセンス素子
JP2002319318A (ja) 接続ケーブル
EP1489892A1 (de) Elektrolumineszenzeinrichtung
US11353174B2 (en) Multi-wire light string structure
DE50201563D1 (de) Elektrische Flachleiter-Bandleitung
CN218039269U (zh) 支架及半导体发光装置
JPH0461478B2 (de)
JPH0721807A (ja) ガイドライトおよびその製造方法
JPH05303995A (ja) 電界発光灯及びその製造方法
CN1419397A (zh) 电致发光照明装置
CN218494812U (zh) 一种led灯带
CN1449226A (zh) 电发光照明装置

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

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20031117

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: 20040401

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: 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: 20050420

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: 20050420

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: 20050420

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: 20050420

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: 20050420

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: 20050420

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: 20050420

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: 20050420

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: 60110242

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20050525

Kind code of ref document: P

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: 20050720

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: 20050720

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: 20050720

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: 20050721

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: 20050731

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: 20050920

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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: GB

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

Effective date: 20051115

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: 20051115

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20051115

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: 20051130

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 20051130

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: 20060123

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

Effective date: 20051115

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: FR

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

Effective date: 20051130

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: 20050420