EP1621270B1 - Langgestreckte Stopfenstange - Google Patents

Langgestreckte Stopfenstange Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1621270B1
EP1621270B1 EP04017978A EP04017978A EP1621270B1 EP 1621270 B1 EP1621270 B1 EP 1621270B1 EP 04017978 A EP04017978 A EP 04017978A EP 04017978 A EP04017978 A EP 04017978A EP 1621270 B1 EP1621270 B1 EP 1621270B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bore hole
stopper device
anchor
rod
sealing member
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 - Fee Related
Application number
EP04017978A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1621270A1 (de
Inventor
Stephen Lee
Franz Reiterer
Wilhelm Janko
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.)
Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to AT04017978T priority Critical patent/ATE333957T1/de
Application filed by Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH and Co KG
Priority to EP04017978A priority patent/EP1621270B1/de
Priority to DE602004001686T priority patent/DE602004001686T2/de
Priority to ES04017978T priority patent/ES2268551T3/es
Priority to PL04017978T priority patent/PL1621270T3/pl
Priority to CNB2005800034172A priority patent/CN100384570C/zh
Priority to BRPI0507548-3A priority patent/BRPI0507548A/pt
Priority to RU2006126990/02A priority patent/RU2338626C2/ru
Priority to MXPA06014280A priority patent/MXPA06014280A/es
Priority to PCT/EP2005/007470 priority patent/WO2006012975A1/en
Priority to US10/597,076 priority patent/US20070138715A1/en
Priority to UAA200611160A priority patent/UA84324C2/ru
Publication of EP1621270A1 publication Critical patent/EP1621270A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1621270B1 publication Critical patent/EP1621270B1/de
Priority to ZA200610112A priority patent/ZA200610112B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D41/00—Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like
    • B22D41/14—Closures
    • B22D41/16—Closures stopper-rod type, i.e. a stopper-rod being positioned downwardly through the vessel and the metal therein, for selective registry with the pouring opening
    • B22D41/18—Stopper-rods therefor

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an elongated stopper device for flow control of molten metal, i.e. for controlling the flow of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel, such as a tundish.
  • stopper rods have also been used to introduce an inert gas, such as argon, into the molten steel for removing non-metallic inclusions from the molten metal.
  • an inert gas such as argon
  • stopper device In all cases the stopper device must withstand hours submerged in molten metal. It must also be capable of enduring the harsh thermal shock encountered on the start-up of casting and any mechanical forces imposed to it.
  • EP 0 358 535 B2 discloses a one-piece refractory stopper rod adapted to a lifting mechanism, comprising an elongated stopper rod body of a refractory material, which body being provided with a bore hole, having a longitudinal axis and extending from an upper surface of said body downwardly. Within said axial bore hole a metal bushing is inserted to threadably receive a threaded part of a metal rod, inserted in said refractory body for attachment to a corresponding lifting mechanism.
  • a stopper device providing an upper part of the bore hole embodying a ceramic insert.
  • This insert provides an inner thread, corresponding to an outer thread of a corresponding metal rod threadably fixed within said insert after insertion of the rod into said threaded insert. Whilst the use of two ceramic maters reduces the risk of differential stresses between the body material and the holding insert problems remain associated with the difficulty in maintaining an accurate threadform in a high strength ceramic material at an acceptable cost.
  • the invention provides a fixing means arranged predominantly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body and/or said bore hole respectively and at a specific position along the length of the bore within said body.
  • these fixing means are much smaller than a bushing, i.e. much less different material is introduced into the ceramic body and much less thermal and mechanical stresses between fixing means (anchor) and ceramic body are to be expected.
  • the said anchor is arranged at a specific height of said elongated stopper device at a distance to its upper surface and at a distance to its lower end. Typically it is arranged at a place between 10 and 40 % of the total length of the stopper device, calculated from the upper end of the refractory body, which may be 5-25 cm, typically about 10 cm from the upper end.
  • the manufacturing may be done as follows: The aforementioned anchor(s), for example sheet like part(s), is (are) placed with their end portion located into corresponding slits of a suitable mandrel (core rod). A rubber outer mould is placed over the mandrel assembly and a refractory ceramic material is filled into the cylindrical space between the mandrel and mould. Thereafter the mould containing the refractory material, including the fixing means, is isostatically pressed.
  • the outer mould is then removed and the mandrel, made of at least two longitudinally running parts, is removed from the compacted product leaving the outer portion(s) of the anchor(s) (sheet like parts) firmly embedded in the ceramic body with their inner extremity(ies) projecting into predetermined position(s) within the ceramic bore.
  • a sealing member may further be placed within said mould, as will be described later.
  • the invention relates to an elongated stopper device for flow-control of molten metal from a vessel, containing molten metal, said device comprising:
  • this fixing (anchoring) means should best have a certain circumferential length. It may extend over 20 to ⁇ 360° of the inner wall of said bore hole or even a bit more.
  • said sheet like part with a certain declination (descending gradient or slope) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore hole, but not necessary to achieve the desired locking.
  • the anchor (sheet like part) is more or less ring shaped, i.e. running in the circumferential direction around the inner bore hole surface for more than 180°, especially more than 270°C and it must be sloped when this part has a length of more than 360°.
  • a snap ring design is one further possibility.
  • said anchor may be designed as a ring, for example with a circumferential length between 270° and ⁇ 360° or up to 450° or 300° to 400° it is also possible to prepare said fixing means by at least two anchors, each designed like a ring section and arranged at a distance to each other along an imaginary helical line.
  • a further embodiment provides fixing means made of three anchors, each designed like a ring section and arranged at equal distances to each other along an imaginary helical line. Even two or three radially arranged pins, spaced to each other, may provide the necessary anchoring means for securing and holding the rod within the body.
  • the anchor(s) may also be arranged along a plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
  • Said fixing means may be made of any material, different from the material of the refractory body and strong enough to threadably receive the threaded part of the corresponding metal rod.
  • the fixing means may be made of metal or special ceramics like silicon nitride, zirconia or alumina.
  • a sealing member may be arranged along said bore hole and best adjacent to said fixing means.
  • a corresponding sealing member may be placed upon a corresponding annular sealing surface, provided at a certain height of the bore hole.
  • Said sealing means may also be arranged along a circumferential wall of said bore hole below or above said fixing part and extending radially into said bore hole and longitudinally along a certain length of said bore hole and adapted to receive said rod in a threadably manner.
  • Said sealing member may have a cylindrical shape. It should protrude into the bore hole.
  • That part of the bore hole, receiving the sealing member may be conically designed with its smaller part at its lower end.
  • the rod may then have a smaller width at its part adjacent to said sealing member compared with its part on top.
  • the sealing member may be made of any material withstanding high temperatures as may be present during use of stopper device.
  • Graphite is one of those materials.
  • a possible material is a compressed graphite material with a purity > 95 weight-% carbon and a density of approximately 1,4 g/cm 3 .
  • the seal may have the form of a preformed component which can be either inserted into the stopper body immediately prior to the installation of the steel support rod or co-formed with the ceramic body of the stopper rod during the production process.
  • the seal may be created during the fabrication process of the stopper by compression of a graphite element comprising either exfoliated graphite powder or a coil of a graphite foil, placed around the forming tool (mould) and then surrounded by the ceramic body material of the stopper during the mould filling process.
  • a graphite element comprising either exfoliated graphite powder or a coil of a graphite foil
  • the corresponding rod will be equipped with an axial bore through which the gas is fed.
  • the corresponding bore hole of the body will then be provided with at least one opening at its lower end.
  • the only figure shows schematically an upper part of a stopper device in a partly longitudinal cross sectional view.
  • the stopper device comprises an elongated refractory body 10 with a central bore hole 12, positioned coaxially with respect to body 10 and adapted to receive fixedly a metal rod 14 for its attachment to a (non-shown) lifting mechanism.
  • the bore hole 12 is of more or less cylindrical shape and is running from an upper surface 10u of the body 10 downwardly (arrow D) and terminating in a (non-shown) opening at a lower end of said body 10.
  • a sheet like metal ring 16 is integrated in the refractory material of body 10. Said ring projects radially into said bore hole 12. Main surfaces (upper surface 16u; lower surface 161) are running predominantly perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A of said bore hole 12.
  • said flat ring 16 is arranged such that is provides an angle ⁇ of ca. 3 degrees to a horizontal plane (perpendicular to longitudinal axis A). This angle may be adapted to match the pitch of the threadform on the metal rod 14. Said ring 16 is not closed but slit and encircles an angle of about 330°. Free ends of said ring are offset in the longitudinal direction of bore hole 12.
  • This sheet like ring 16 serving as a fixing means for said rod 14, which will be described later, has been co-pressed with body 10. It protrudes (projects) into bore hole 12 over a certain width so as to threadably receive an outer thread 14t (symbolized by dots) of a lower part 141 of metal rod 14, which may have a central, longitudinal through passage 14c (symbolized by lines).
  • Rod 14 is then further introduced into bore hole 12 (downwardly, arrow D) and then engages a cylindrical graphite gasket 18, arranged over a length L in front of an inner wall 12w of bore hole 12.
  • the final position of rod 14 within bore hole 12 is characterized by a small projection of threaded end 14e past the end of sealing member 18.
  • the threaded rod could finish within the length of the sealing element.
  • Blocking means 20, 22 have a nut-like shape and are prepared with inner threads, corresponding to thread 14t of rod 14.
  • the described design leads to an improved stopper device which may be used for different purposes, i.a. for feeding a gas along channel 14c and bore hole 12 into a metal melt.
  • the intimate contact between gasket 18 and outer thread 14t of rod 14 are further responsible for the radial compression of the sealing element and improved tightness of said device.
  • the expansion of the metallic rod at service temperature serves to further increase the sealing efficiency by maintaining compressive forces on the seal.
  • the fixing means In the longitudinal direction the fixing means should be as small as possible. It may have a "thickness" of ⁇ 5mm, ⁇ 3mm, ⁇ 2mm or even ⁇ 1mm, while the "length" (L) of said sealing means may be ⁇ 10 mm, ⁇ 20mm, ⁇ 30mm or ⁇ 40 mm.
  • the invention includes embodiments with two or more fixing means at different positions along the longitudinal axis of the elongated stopper rod, i.e. the respective fixing means have a distance to each other (in the longitudinal direction of the bore hole). The distance may be in the range of a few cm or more.
  • These distinct fixing means may coact with one or more outer threads of the metallic rod.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casting Support Devices, Ladles, And Melt Control Thereby (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Continuous Casting (AREA)
  • Spinning Or Twisting Of Yarns (AREA)
  • Special Conveying (AREA)
  • Dowels (AREA)
  • Fishing Rods (AREA)
  • Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
  • Waste-Gas Treatment And Other Accessory Devices For Furnaces (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Längliche Stopfeneinrichtung zur Strömungssteuerung von geschmolzenem Metall aus einem Gefäß, welches geschmolzenes Metall enthält, wobei die Einrichtung:
    a) einen Körper (10) aus einem feuerfesten keramischen Material,
    b) ein Bohrloch (12) mit einer Längsachse (A) aufweist, das sich von einer oberen Oberfläche (10u) des Körpers abwärts erstreckt, wobei
    c) das Bohrloch (12) entlang seiner Länge mit mindestens einem Anker (16) eines unterschiedlichen Materials ausgebildet ist, und
    d) der Anker (16) eine blattähnliche Form aufweist, wobei die Hauptoberflächen (16u, 161) im Wesentlichen senkrecht zur Längsachse (A) des Bohrlochs (12) verlaufen und eine Umfangslänge aufweisen, die sich über 20 bis 450° der Innenwand des Bohrlochs (12) erstreckt, wobei
    e) der Anker (16) im Körper (10) zwischen der oberen Oberfläche (10u) des Körpers (10) und einem unteren Ende des Bohrlochs (12) befestigt ist und radial in das Bohrloch vorsteht, wobei
    f) der Anker (16) so ausgebildet ist, dass er ein Gewindeende (141) eines Metallstabes (14), der in das Bohrloch (12) eingeführt wird, aufnimmt und festlegt.
  2. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Metallstab (14) an seinem Einführende zumindest teilweise einen Gewindeabschnitt (141) aufweist.
  3. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 1 mit einem Dichtungsteil (18) benachbart zum Anker (16).
  4. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Dichtungsteil (18) entlang der Umfangswand (12u) des Bohrlochs (12) verläuft, unterhalb des Teils (16) und sich radial in das Bohrloch und in Längsrichtung über eine gewisse Länge (L) des Bohrlochs (12) erstreckt und so ausgebildet ist, um den Stab (14) drehbar aufzunehmen.
  5. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Dichtungsteil (18) eine Zylinderform aufweist.
  6. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Teil des Bohrlochs (12), der den Dichtungsteil (18) aufnimmt, konisch ausgebildet ist, mit dem schmaleren Abschnitt am unteren Ende.
  7. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Stab (14) an dem Ende, welches zuerst in Kontakt mit dem Dichtungsteil (18) gelangt, schmaler als in dem Teil darüber ausgebildet ist.
  8. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Dichtungsteil (18) aus Graphit besteht.
  9. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Anker (16) aus mindestens zwei Blättern besteht, die jeweils in Ringsegmentform gestaltet sind und mit Abstand zueinander entlang einer imaginären Schraubenlinie verlaufen.
  10. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Anker (16) aus drei Blättern besteht, die jeweils eine Ringsegmentform aufweisen und in gleichmäßigen Abständen zueinander entlang einer imaginären Schraubenlinie angeordnet sind.
  11. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der der Anker (16) ein Sprengring ist.
  12. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der der Anker (16) aus Metall besteht.
  13. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der der Stab (14) eine axiale Bohrung (14c) aufweist.
  14. Stopfeneinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der der (die) Anker (16) in einem Winkel zwischen 1 und 5°, bezogen auf eine Ebene, die senkrecht zur Axialachse (A) des Bohrlochs (12) verläuft, angeordnet ist (sind).
EP04017978A 2004-07-29 2004-07-29 Langgestreckte Stopfenstange Expired - Fee Related EP1621270B1 (de)

Priority Applications (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04017978A EP1621270B1 (de) 2004-07-29 2004-07-29 Langgestreckte Stopfenstange
DE602004001686T DE602004001686T2 (de) 2004-07-29 2004-07-29 Langgestreckte Stopfenstange
ES04017978T ES2268551T3 (es) 2004-07-29 2004-07-29 Dispositivo de tapon alargado.
PL04017978T PL1621270T3 (pl) 2004-07-29 2004-07-29 Wydłuzona żerdź zatyczkowa
AT04017978T ATE333957T1 (de) 2004-07-29 2004-07-29 Langgestreckte stopfenstange
BRPI0507548-3A BRPI0507548A (pt) 2004-07-29 2005-07-09 um dispositivo de batente alongado
CNB2005800034172A CN100384570C (zh) 2004-07-29 2005-07-09 一种细长的塞棒装置
RU2006126990/02A RU2338626C2 (ru) 2004-07-29 2005-07-09 Стопорный стержень
MXPA06014280A MXPA06014280A (es) 2004-07-29 2005-07-09 Dispositivo de tapon alargado.
PCT/EP2005/007470 WO2006012975A1 (en) 2004-07-29 2005-07-09 An elongated stopper device
US10/597,076 US20070138715A1 (en) 2004-07-29 2005-07-09 Elongated stopper device
UAA200611160A UA84324C2 (en) 2004-07-29 2005-09-07 stopper device
ZA200610112A ZA200610112B (en) 2004-07-29 2006-12-04 An elongated stopper device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04017978A EP1621270B1 (de) 2004-07-29 2004-07-29 Langgestreckte Stopfenstange

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1621270A1 EP1621270A1 (de) 2006-02-01
EP1621270B1 true EP1621270B1 (de) 2006-07-26

Family

ID=34925981

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04017978A Expired - Fee Related EP1621270B1 (de) 2004-07-29 2004-07-29 Langgestreckte Stopfenstange

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US20070138715A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1621270B1 (de)
CN (1) CN100384570C (de)
AT (1) ATE333957T1 (de)
BR (1) BRPI0507548A (de)
DE (1) DE602004001686T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2268551T3 (de)
MX (1) MXPA06014280A (de)
PL (1) PL1621270T3 (de)
RU (1) RU2338626C2 (de)
UA (1) UA84324C2 (de)
WO (1) WO2006012975A1 (de)
ZA (1) ZA200610112B (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE539835T1 (de) * 2009-01-16 2012-01-15 Refractory Intellectual Prop Strömungssteuerungsvorrichtung in einem stahl stranggussprozess
CN114769573B (zh) * 2022-04-28 2023-08-25 马鞍山钢铁股份有限公司 一种塞棒及预防连铸开浇低温事故的方法

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1696876A (en) * 1925-07-31 1928-12-25 Ross Tacony Crucible Company Ladle stopper
GB1032291A (en) * 1963-01-03 1966-06-08 Morganite Crucible Ltd Improvements in and relating to refractory sleeve sheaths
US4946083A (en) * 1988-12-29 1990-08-07 Vesuvius Crucible Company One-piece stopper rod
GB2247637B (en) * 1990-08-11 1994-08-10 Thor Ceramics Ltd Stoppers for use in molten metal handling
GB9206394D0 (en) * 1992-03-24 1992-05-06 Crane Ltd A stopper device
SK7842000A3 (en) * 1997-11-27 2000-12-11 Foseco Int Stopper rod
DE19823988C2 (de) * 1998-05-29 2000-07-20 Didier Werke Ag Stopfen für den Verschluß von Metallschmelze aufnehmenden Behältnissen
DE19823990C2 (de) * 1998-05-29 2000-07-20 Didier Werke Ag Stopfen für den Verschluß von Metallschmelze aufnehmenden Behältnissen
TR200101360T2 (tr) * 1998-11-20 2001-10-22 Vesuvius Crucible Company Durdurma çubuğu
CN2439345Y (zh) * 2000-07-17 2001-07-18 山东淄川特种耐火材料厂 整体式塞棒
CA2319290A1 (en) * 2000-09-14 2002-03-14 Akechi Ceramics Kabushiki Kaisha Holding structure for continuous casting long stopper

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1621270A1 (de) 2006-02-01
ZA200610112B (en) 2008-04-30
RU2338626C2 (ru) 2008-11-20
US20070138715A1 (en) 2007-06-21
MXPA06014280A (es) 2007-03-12
UA84324C2 (en) 2008-10-10
PL1621270T3 (pl) 2006-11-30
ES2268551T3 (es) 2007-03-16
BRPI0507548A (pt) 2007-07-03
CN100384570C (zh) 2008-04-30
ATE333957T1 (de) 2006-08-15
WO2006012975A1 (en) 2006-02-09
CN1913992A (zh) 2007-02-14
DE602004001686T2 (de) 2007-08-09
RU2006126990A (ru) 2008-04-10
DE602004001686D1 (de) 2006-09-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4946083A (en) One-piece stopper rod
CZ42896A3 (en) Part for steel casting and process for producing thereof
EP1621270B1 (de) Langgestreckte Stopfenstange
US5851414A (en) Tundish stopper rod for continuous casting
RU2276630C2 (ru) Стопорный стержень
US7597221B2 (en) Elongated stopper device
US5695675A (en) Arrangement and method for connection of a stopper rod for a metallurgical vessel to a lifting device
SI20312A (sl) Mašilni drog
EP1724036B1 (de) Verschlussvorrichtung zur Regulierung eines Schmelzflusses
WO2001008837A1 (en) Stopper rod
EP2189231B1 (de) Stopfenstange
WO2017036497A1 (en) Ceramic refractory stopper
CZ265095A3 (en) Device for joining stopper rods for metallurgical vessels with lifting gear, the stopper rod and process for producing the device
US6511751B2 (en) Stopper rod
MXPA00005146A (en) Stopper rod

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

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20050308

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL HR LT LV MK

GRAF Information related to payment of grant fee modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCIGR3

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 BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: LV

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

Ref country code: SI

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: 20060726

Ref country code: CZ

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: 20060726

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: 20060726

Ref country code: SK

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: 20060726

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: 20060726

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: 20060726

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: 20060726

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: 20060726

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: 20060726

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

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: 20060731

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20060731

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602004001686

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060907

Kind code of ref document: P

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AXX Extension fees paid

Extension state: LV

Payment date: 20050308

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: RO

Ref legal event code: EPE

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: 20061026

Ref country code: BG

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: 20061026

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: 20061226

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2268551

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

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: 20070427

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: 20061027

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

Ref country code: EE

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: 20060726

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

Ref country code: HU

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: 20070127

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20060729

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: 20060726

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20090724

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20090720

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20090801

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090724

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: PL

Payment date: 20090727

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: RO

Payment date: 20090728

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20090727

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: TR

Payment date: 20090717

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20090729

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Effective date: 20100729

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20110331

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: 20110201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602004001686

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110201

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: 20100802

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20100729

Ref country code: RO

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

Effective date: 20100729

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: 20100729

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20110818

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: 20100730

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PL

Ref legal event code: LAPE

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

Ref country code: PL

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

Effective date: 20100729

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: 20100730

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100729