EP1700646A1 - Récipient pour fil à souder et procédé pour sa fabrication - Google Patents

Récipient pour fil à souder et procédé pour sa fabrication Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1700646A1
EP1700646A1 EP05028467A EP05028467A EP1700646A1 EP 1700646 A1 EP1700646 A1 EP 1700646A1 EP 05028467 A EP05028467 A EP 05028467A EP 05028467 A EP05028467 A EP 05028467A EP 1700646 A1 EP1700646 A1 EP 1700646A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
wire
coil
liner
diameter
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP05028467A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1700646B1 (fr
Inventor
James C. Nicklas
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.)
Lincoln Global Inc
Original Assignee
Lincoln Global Inc
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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=36143280&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP1700646(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Lincoln Global Inc filed Critical Lincoln Global Inc
Publication of EP1700646A1 publication Critical patent/EP1700646A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1700646B1 publication Critical patent/EP1700646B1/fr
Revoked legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21C—MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
    • B21C47/00—Winding-up, coiling or winding-off metal wire, metal band or other flexible metal material characterised by features relevant to metal processing only
    • B21C47/02—Winding-up or coiling
    • B21C47/10—Winding-up or coiling by means of a moving guide
    • B21C47/14—Winding-up or coiling by means of a moving guide by means of a rotating guide, e.g. laying the material around a stationary reel or drum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/02—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles
    • B65D85/04—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles for coils of wire, rope or hose
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/02—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to welding wire packaging and more particularly to converting a square or polygonal package into a welding wire package that functions like a welding wire drum and that can be used in connection with braking devices design for welding wire drums.
  • Welding wire used in high production operations, such as robotic welding stations, is provided in a large package having over 200 pounds of wire.
  • the welding wire in these packages, is looped into convolutions of wire loops forming a wire coil extending around a central core or a central clearance bore.
  • a hold-down mechanism can be used to prevent the wire coil from shifting and to prevent the central core from shifting.
  • an upper retainer or braking device such as a braking ring
  • a braking ring can be used to help control the unwinding of the wire from the wire coil.
  • Cooper 5,819,934 discloses a welding wire drum that utilizes a braking ring to control the unwinding of the welding wire from the wire coil.
  • Chung 5,746,380 which also discloses a welding wire drum, however, Chung discloses a different wire flow controlling apparatus for controlling the payout of the welding wire from the drum. Chung is also incorporated by reference herein for showing the same.
  • a common package is a drum where looped welding wire is deposited in the drum as a wire stack, or coil, of wire having a top surface with an outer cylindrical surface against the drum and an inner cylindrical surface defining a central bore that is coaxial to a central package axis.
  • the central bore is often occupied by a cardboard cylindrical core, as shown in Cooper 5,819,934, extending about a core axis that is coaxial to the package axis.
  • the drum It is common practice for the drum to have an upper retainer ring that is used in transportation to stabilize the body of welding wire as it settles.
  • This ring as is shown in Cooper 5,819,934, remains on the top of the welding wire to push downward by its weight so the wire can be pulled from the body of wire between the core and the ring.
  • a hold-down mechanism can be utilized to increase the downward force.
  • the welding wire in the package is in loops or convolutions wrapped about the package axis and form the wire coil having a top and a bottom.
  • the coil further includes radial inner and outer surfaces extending between the top and the bottom of the coil.
  • the welding wire In order to work in connection with the wire feeder of the welder, the welding wire must be dispensed in a non-twisted, non-distorted and non-canted condition which produces a more uniform weld without human attention. It is well known that wire has a tendency to seek a predetermined natural condition which can adversely affect the welding process. Accordingly, the wire must be sufficiently controlled by the interaction between the welding wire package and the wire feeder.
  • the manufacturers of welding wire produce a wire having natural cast, wherein, if a segment of the wire was laid on the floor, the natural shape of the wire would be essentially a straight line; however, in order to package large quantities of the wire, the wire is coiled into the package which can produce a significant amount of wire distortion and tangling as the wire is dispensed from the package. As a result, it is important to control the payout of the wire from the package in order to reduce twisting, tangling or canting of the welding wire. This condition is worsened with larger welding wire packages which are favored in automated or semi-automated welding.
  • the payout portion of the welding wire package helps control the outflow of the welding wire from the package without introducing additional distortions in the welding wire to ensure the desired continuous smooth flow of welding wire. Both tangling or breaking of the welding wire can cause significant down time while the damaged wire is removed and the wire is re-fed into the wire feeder. In this respect, when the welding wire is payed out of the welding wire package, it is important that the memory or natural cast of the wire be controlled so that the wire does not tangle.
  • the welding wire package comprises a coil of wire having many layers of wire convolutions laid from the bottom to the top of the package. These convolutions together form an inner diameter and an outer diameter wherein the inner diameter is substantially smaller than the width or outer diameter of the welding wire package.
  • the convolutions together form the radial inner and outer surface discussed above.
  • the memory or natural cast of the wire causes a constant force in the convolutions of wire which is directed outwardly such that the diameter of the convolutions is under the influence of force to widen.
  • the walls of the wire welding package prevent such widening.
  • the walls of the package lose their influence on the wire and the wire is forced toward its natural cast. This causes the portion of the wire which is being withdrawn from the package to loosen and tend to spring back into the package thereby interfering and possibly becoming tangled with other convolutions of wire.
  • the wire can have a certain amount of twist which causes the convolutions of welding wire in the coil to spring upwardly.
  • Payout devices or retainer rings have been utilized to control the spring back and upward springing of the wire along with controlling the payout of the wire. This is accomplished by positioning the payout or retainer ring on the top of the coil and forcing it downwardly against the natural springing effect of the welding wire.
  • the downward force is either the result of the weight of the retainer ring or a separate force producing member such as an elastic band connected between the retainer ring and the bottom of the package.
  • the optimal downward force during the shipment of the package is different than the optimal downward force for the payout of the welding wire. Accordingly, while elastic bands or other straps are utilized to maintain the position of the payout or retainer ring during shipping, the weight of the retainer ring can be used to maintain the position of the payout relative to the wire coils during the payout or the wire.
  • welding wire packages can further include an inner core to help prevent the outgoing wire from looping across the central axis of the package.
  • the central core can be positioned in the wire package within the cylindrical inner region defined by the inner surface of the wire coil.
  • the core is coaxial to a core axis in line with the central package axis.
  • the inner core and the outer packaging together form a generally annular coil compartment wherein the wire can only move upwardly, not transversely of the package axis.
  • the central core produces an inner barrier for the wire coil to help direct the outgoing wire upwardly and out the top opening of the wire package such that one convolution of wire does not interfere with other convolution of wire.
  • the welding wire can also be controlled by other mechanisms such as the packaged beads as is shown in Chung.
  • the packaged beads along with pressing pipes help control the out flowing welding wire as it exits the wire drum.
  • welding wire drums produce effective containers for welding wire
  • the cylindrical configuration is not well suited for transporting and/or storing the container. This can include the transportation from the wire manufacturer to the end user of the wire, movement within the end user's facility, storage of the wire at the wire manufacturer and/or storage of the wire at the end user's facility.
  • the adjacent wire drums engage one another alone a very small contact patch wherein any forces therebetween are focused along the small contact patch. This can cause damage to the drum and potentially damage to the wire coil from minor contact between adjacent drums or other objects.
  • damage to the wire coil can cause deformation of the wire which can have an adverse affect on the welding wire flow out of the package and through the wire feeder and/or the welding wire torch.
  • a welding wire package or container for containing and dispensing wire from a wire coii which includes the wire controlling benefit of a wire drum while providing the packability of a polygonally shaped container.
  • a welding wire container having an outer box with flat vertical side walls, such as a square box, each side wall having an inner wall surface.
  • the outer box further including a corresponding number of vertically extending corners between the side walls.
  • the container includes a first and a second vertically extending cylindrical liner to make the container function like a drum.
  • the first liner has a first radial outwardly facing surface and a first radial inwardly facing surface.
  • the first inward surface having a diameter A and being coaxial with a vertically extending container axis such that the first outward surface engages each of the inner wall surfaces.
  • the second cylindrical liner has a second radial outwardly facing surface and a second radial inwardly facing surface wherein the second outward surface has a diameter B that is less than the diameter A.
  • the second liner is also coaxial with the vertical axis such that the second outward surface defines a radial inward extent of an annular wire cavity and the first inward surface defines a radial outward extent of the annular wire cavity.
  • the liner configuration allows the wire coil, which is made up of a plurality of convolutions of the wire, to be encased between the liners even though the outer configuration of the package is not cylindrical. Further, the wire coil has a coil bottom supported by a closed bottom of the outer box and an oppositely facing coil top.
  • Each of the convolutions has a similar effective convolution diameter that is greater than fifty percent of the diameter A but less than the diameter A to help prevent unwanted distortion in the welding wire.
  • the wire has a natural cast which produces a radially outward force in the each convolution which is fully supported by the first liner.
  • the container can further include a braking ring for controlling the unwinding of the wire from the wire coil.
  • the ring rests on the coil top and descends within the cavity during the unwinding of the wire from the container.
  • the braking ring can be an annular having an inner periphery, an outer periphery, a bottom surface extending between the inner and outer peripheries and a top.
  • the bottom surface rests on the coil top and the inner periphery includes an upwardly curved surface extending from the bottom surface to an inner edge of the ring for guiding the wire from the coil toward the top opening.
  • the ring is sized to allow freely descending movement of the ring within the cavity during the unwinding of the wire from the container.
  • the container can include a plurality of resistance elements on the coil top.
  • the resistance elements substantially cover the coil top and descend within the cavity during the unwinding of the wire from the container.
  • the first and second liners maintain the resistance elements on the coil top.
  • the resistance elements are shaped like nickels.
  • the container can further include vertically extending corner supports adjacent one of the vertically extending corners in the outer box.
  • the corner supports can include cylindrical outer corner support surface such that the corner support surfaces engaged both the first liner and the outer box.
  • FIG. 1 is a top, side perspective view of a welding wire container according to an aspect of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partially exploded top, side perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a top partially sectioned view of the container shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial side sectional view of a top portion of another embodiment of the present invention including a wire dispensing hat;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 4 which includes spherical resistance elements
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a nickel, shaped resistance element according to another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a cylindrical resistance element according to a further aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an elongated resistance element having a square cross-sectional configuration according to yet another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a spherical resistance element according to yet a further aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a top partially sectioned view of another embodiment of the present invention including a braking ring;
  • FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial side sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 12 is an enlarged top partially sectioned view of yet a further embodiment of the present invention including yet another braking ring;
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial side sectional view taken along fine 13-13 in FIG. 12.
  • FIGS. 1-3 show a welding wire container 10 having an outer box 12, a first liner 14, a second liner 16 and corner support 20, 22, 24 and 26.
  • the square box configuration of outer box 12 can be converted into a drum-like wire containing package having an annular wire receiving cavity 30 that is coaxial with a vertically extending package axis 32.
  • Outer box 12 is shown to have a square cross-sectional configuration which can be used to maximize the packability of container 10, however, container 10 can be configured in other cross-sectional configurations including, but not limited to other polygonal cross-sectional configurations.
  • container 10 can be configured in other cross-sectional configurations including, but not limited to other polygonal cross-sectional configurations.
  • multiple containers 10 can be packed together such that the large flat sides of adjacent containers engage one-another.
  • This arrangement of packages produces a large contact patch between adjacent containers and creates a nesting of containers.
  • the nested containers are less likely to damage one another and/or the welding wire, by reducing shifting of adjacent containers and increasing the contact patch between containers in the event that there is relative movement which will be discussed in greater detail below.
  • outer box 12 includes four planar vertically extending box walls 40, 42, 44 and 46. Each box wall includes a top edge 50, 52, 54 and 56, respectively, and an opposite bottom edge 60, 62, 64 and 66. Outer box 12 further includes vertically extending corners 70, 72, 74 and 76 joining the box walls. Box walls 40, 42, 44 and 46 have an outer wall surface 80, 82, 84 and 86, respectively, and inner wall surfaces 90, 92, 94 and 96.
  • Adjacent bottom edges 60, 62, 64 and 66 is a closed bottom 98 that can be configured in any way known in the art, including, but not limited to, bottom flaps extending from the bottom edges of the box walls. Further, the bottom flaps or other bottom configurations can be secured or closed in any way known in the art, including, but not limited to, gluing, taping and/or stapling the bottom flaps together. Yet even further, closed bottom 98 can further include a bottom insert (not shown) separating the bottom flaps and any fastening devices, such as staples, from the wire cavity. As can be appreciated, it is important to minimize the potential to damage the welding wire which can have adverse effects in the feedability of the welding wire from welding wire container 10 through the wire feeder and the welding torch.
  • Top edges 50, 52, 54 and 56 define a top opening 100 in outer box 12 which can be used to remove the welding wire from container 10.
  • container 10 includes a top (not shown) to close container 10 when the container is not in use.
  • the top can be any top known in the field, including flaps extending from one or more of the top edges of the outer box.
  • both closed bottom 98 and/or the top can be a component separate from outer box 12 such that the separate component(s) is(are) configured to selectively inter-engage with the outer box to close either the top and/or the bottom opening in the box.
  • First liner 14 is cylindrical and is coaxial with vertical axis 32. Liner 14 defines a radial outward extent of annular wire cavity 30. As is stated above, utilizing first liner 14 helps transform the square box configuration of box 12 into a drum-like welding wire container without loosing the beneficial effects of the square outer configuration.
  • First liner 14 includes a top edge 110 and an oppositely facing bottom edge 112 which together define a first liner height that can be the same height as the outer box walls. As can be appreciate, the height of first liner 14 is dictated by the desired height of wire cavity 30. First liner 14 further includes a first radial outwardly facing surface 120 and a first radial inwardly facing surface 122.
  • First liner 14 can be sized such that first inward surface 122 has a diameter 130 and first outer surface 120 engages the inner surfaces of each of the box walls. Obviously, by sizing first liner 14 such that its outer surfaces engages box 12 can maximize the size of the wire cavity, however, spacers could be used between the liner and the box to change the wire cavity and/or to further protect the welding wire.
  • first line can be designed to be self supporting wherein the function of outer box 12 primarily for packability and/or coil protection.
  • First liner 14 can be supported by outer box 12 in many ways.
  • first liner 14 can be sized such first outer surface 120 engages the inner surfaces of each of the box walls. This engagement can include, but is not limited to, direct contact between first outer surface 120 and inner wall surfaces 90, 92, 94 and 96. This can also include intermediate structural components between the liner and the outer box to increase the points of support and/or to increase the protective values.
  • container 10 can include corner supports 20, 22, 24 and 26 as discussed above.
  • the corner supports are sized and configured to provide support for first liner 14 near the corners of the outer box. Again, the natural cast in the welding wire produces radial outward forces when wrapped into a wire coil wherein support of the first liner is advantageous.
  • the corner support helps support the first liner in the large gaps in the packaging near the box corners.
  • Corner supports 20, 22, 24 and 26 support first liner 14 by heiping to translate the radial outward forces to the outer box.
  • corner supports 20, 22, 24 and 26 can include cylindrical outer surfaces 140, 142, 144 and 146, respectively.
  • the corner supports are sized and configured such that these outer surfaces engage the inner surfaces of the box walls along with first radial outward facing surface 120 of the first liner.
  • corner support 20 has cylindrical outer surface 140 sized and configured to engage first outward surface 120, inner surface 94 and inner surface 96. Engagement of inner surfaces 94 and 96 are on either surface of corner 74. While cylindrical corner supports are shown, other corner supports can be utilized which translate the radial outward forces of the coiled wire into the corner of the box.
  • corner supports 20, 22, 24 and 26 are less likely to deform from the radial outward forces of the coiled wire than other corner support configurations.
  • other corner support configurations can be utilized without detracting from the invention of this application.
  • a solid corner support such as an energy absorbing foam.
  • This can include a pre-made foam insert configured to fill the void between the liner and the outer box or it can be a liquid foam that is injected into the opening between the corner and the liner which then hardens.
  • a material such as, but not limited to, a hardening foam material can provide a more rigid packaging configuration that increases radial support for the wire coil and even increases coil protection.
  • the solid style corner support does not need to completely fill the corner region of the box.
  • the solid corner support can include, but is not limited to, a solid cylindrical configuration such as the corner support discusses above and can include internal opening to obtain a desired absorbing factor and/or to reduce costs.
  • the corner supports 20, 22, 24 and 26 do not need to be the same height as the outer box walls or the liners, the corner supports can be configured to be used as stacking supports for stacking multiple packages on top of one another.
  • container 10 can be a stackable container such that one container can be stacked on the top of another container without damaging the bottom container or the bottom wire coil.
  • the corner supports can be configured to support a load resting on the top of the package and to direct the load away from the wire coil. This can include, but is not limited to, corner supports having a height substantially similar to the height of the outer box such that any upper load that begins to deform the outer box will engage the corner supports.
  • container 10 can further include upper and/or lower support plates (not shown) that can be used to direct virtually all loads to the corner supports.
  • container 10 can include upper and/or lower plates that are square plates similar to the cross-sectional configuration of box 12 and which are positioned near the closed bottom and/or the top opening.
  • Second liner 16 is also cylindrical and is also coaxial with vertical axis 32.
  • Second liner 16 includes a second radial outward surface 150 and a second inward facing surface 152 which are coaxial with axis 32.
  • Second liner 16 has a top edge 154 and an oppositely facing bottom edge (not shown) which, together, define a second liner height.
  • Top edge 154 can be rounded to further help prevent damage to the wire during the unwinding from the coil.
  • Second outward facing surface 150 has a diameter 160 which is smaller than diameter 130 of first liner 14.
  • Liners 14 and 16 can be made from any known materials in the art and by any known manufacturing method in the art. For example, which is best shown in FIG.
  • the liners can be made from a strip or sheet of material that is wrapped into a cylindrical configuration and positioned within the outer box. Further, the liner can be seamless, which includes, but is not limited to, molded liners or even extruded liners. Further, in view of the radial outward forces produced by the coiled wire, the coiled wire exerts more force against liner 14 than liner 16. As a result liner 14 can have different properties than liner 16. This can include different liner configuration, different liner materials and different liner designs. Essentially liner 14 can be constructed to be more robust liner than liner 16.
  • liners 14 and 16 define annular wire cavity 30.
  • the wire cavity is defined by first radial inward facing surface 122 of first liner 14 and second outer surface 150 of second liner 16.
  • the surfaces define the radial extent of the annular wire cavity based on the differences between diameters 130 and 160 of the respective surfaces.
  • wire cavity 30 extends vertically between closed bottom 98 and top edges top edges 110 and 154 of the liners.
  • the liners can be sized such that their respective heights are similar to the heights of the box walls or the liners can have different heights. Further, the first and the second liners do not have to have equal heights. However, as can be appreciated, the annular wire cavity is limited by the heights of the liners.
  • a welding wire 170 is coiled into annular wire cavity 30 thereby forming a wire coil 172.
  • Wire coil 172 has a coil top 174, a coil bottom 176, which together define a coil height that is shorter than at least liner 14. The coil height can also be shorter than liner 16.
  • the natural cast of the welding wire produces significant radial outward forces which must be controlled by the wire container.
  • Wire coil 172 further includes a radial outer edge 180 and a radial inward edge 182 wherein radial outer edge 180 is supported by first liner 14.
  • Welding wire 170 can be coiled wrapped into wire cavity 30 by any known wire wrapping method in the art. As is known in the art, many wire coiling methods include wrapping the wire coil without second liner 16 in position which allows the wire coiling apparatus to extend into the inner coil opening defined by radial inner edge 182 of the coil. Second liner is then positioned in place after the wire is wrapped into coil 172. In view of the radial outward forces produced by the natural cast in the wire, inner supports of the wire coil may not be necessary during the winding process. However, as will be discussed in greater detail below, during the payout or unwinding of the wire, second liner can be utilized to help direct the outgoing wire towards the upper box opening to prevent tangling.
  • the welding wire from container 10 be dispensed such that the wire is free of tangles and the flow of wire to the welding wire operation is uninterrupted. Therefore, the welding wire is looped into wire coil 172 in such a way that the distortions in the wire are minimized. Further, it has been found that it is advantageous to loop the welding wire in convolutions that have an effective diameter which is similar from one convolution to another. In this respect, looping one convolution having an effective diameter similar to diameter 160 while looping another convolution that is similar to diameter 130 could ultimately produce differing distortions from one convolution to the next. Furthermore, as the effective diameter of each convolution is reduced, the potential to distort the natural cast in the wire is increased.
  • wrapping the welding wire around a pencil will significantly change and/or completely eliminate the natural cast in the wire which should be maintained as close as possible to a straight natural cast.
  • the effect on the natural cast for wire wrapped around a pencil would be significantly different than the effect on the natural cast for the wire wrapped around a drum having a two foot diameter. Therefore, it is desirous to maintain a consistent effective loop diameter from one cast to another that is as large as possible.
  • each effective convolution has a diameter that is greater than 50 percent of diameter 130.
  • the greater the diameter of the effective loop diameter is preferred that the loop diameter is maximized.
  • loop diameters that are greater than 70 percent of diameter 130, loop diameters that are greater than 80 percent of diameter 130, and loop diameters that are greater than 90 percent of diameter 130 can be utilized to minimize the distortion of the natural cast in the welding wire.
  • each convolution in the wire coil may not be coaxial with axis 32.
  • first liner 14 and first liner 14 can be supported by box 12.
  • One method of packaging a wire coil in container 10 can include positioning first liner 14 along with corner supports 20, 22, 24 and 26 within outer box 12 before the wire is coiled into the wire cavity. Then, winding wire 170 into wire coil 172 and subsequently positioning second liner 16 into the inner coil opening.
  • Another method according to the present invention includes the steps of:
  • a polygonal container having a plurality of outer planar side walls coaxial with a vertically extending container axis, each of the plurality of planar side walls having a top edge, a bottom edge and an inner wall surface, the spacing between the top and bottom edges defining a container height; a corresponding plurality of vertically extending corners between the each side walls; a closed bottom; and a top opening for removing the welding wire;
  • first liner that is cylindrical, the first liner having a bottom edge and an oppositely facing top edge, the first liner having a height between the bottom edge and the top edge that is approximately equal to the container height, the first liner further including a first radial outwardly facing surface and a first radial inwardly facing surface, the first inward surface having a diameter A;
  • the bottom edge is adjacent to the closed bottom of the polygonal container, the top edge is near the top opening, and the first radial outward surface is supported by the inner wall surfaces, the first inward surface defining a radial outward extent of a wire cavity;
  • the second outward surface defines a radial inward extent of the wire cavity.
  • a welding wire container 10 has all the advantages of a polygonal welding wire container and all of the advantages of a drum-line welding wire container.
  • a polygonal wire container such as a square cross-sectionally configured wire container, has substantially advantages in the packability of the packaging. These advantages include, but are not limited to, providing stable packaging configurations for adjacent packages. In this respect, the square outer configuration allows multiple packages to be nested together which result in a stable grouping of packages.
  • Yet another packability advantage of a polygonal or square welding wire container is the stackability of this packaging configuration.
  • the corner supports used in the square packaging configuration can also be utilized to support the weight of containers stacked on one-another which diverts the stacking forces away from the welding wire coil and which allows inexpensive and lightweight materials to be used for the outer box.
  • Cylindrical packages such as a drum like welding wire container, utilize the outer walls of the container to support the weight of a stacked container.
  • the out wall of the cylindrical container must be sufficiently strong to fully support a welding wire container and heavy wire coil. This necessitates the use of substantially rigid outer walled drums to support the weight of the stacked package.
  • drums can include expensive materials that are also expensive to dispose. As can be appreciated, it is advantageous to produce welding wire packages that can be economically disposed in an environmentally friendly manner. As a result of the stackability issues, welding wire drums are often made from more than one material which further makes discarding difficult and costly. In this respect, and as is known in the art, drums often include metal bottoms and metal ring tops with thick fiber outer walls that together prevent easy disposal and/or recycling.
  • outer boxes can be made from cardboard and can be made from a single material that is easily recycled.
  • corner supports can be made from a different material based on the structural needs of the corner support, and since these two components are easily separated, they can still be easily be disposed.
  • the liners can also be made of a separate material based on the desired material properties of the liner without detracting from the ability to recycle the package.
  • the use of corner supports, that are separate from the outer box allows all packaging material to be made from paper products if desired.
  • container 10 includes the advantages of a polygonal or square cross-sectionally configured packaging arrangement
  • the liner arrangement provides the benefit of the drum-like welding wire container for the unwinding of the welding wire when this product is in use.
  • the welding wire has a natural cast wherein a segment of the welding wire cut from the wire coil would essentially be straight. While this produces radial outward forces, it also produces an upward, springing effect in the wire coil which must be controlled during the transportation of the wire container and also during the unwinding of the wire from the wire coil when it is used in a welding operation.
  • hold-down mechanisms can be utilized during the transport of the wire container to prevent the upward springing of the wire coil and hence, prevent wire tangling before the welding wire is in use.
  • braking or tensioning devices can also be used to help control the unwinding of the wire from the wire coil during the use in a welding operation.
  • container 10 includes resistance elements 200 positioned on coil top 174.
  • Resistance elements 200 are small three dimensional objects having an outer configuration and a weight. The objects are free to move relative to one another and relative to the wire coil. As a result, elements 200 will not work in the traditional square welding wire container in that they would not remain on coil top 174. As can be appreciated, the resistance elements that are free to move relative to one another and the coil, would quickly fall into the corner recesses of the square container an would loose there contact with the outgoing wire from the coil.
  • Liners 14 and 16 maintain the proper position of the resistant elements on the coil top and maintained a desired resistant element height or thickness 210 over the coil top.
  • height 210 is a general height of the elements which will vary from one position to the next based on the size, configuration and density of resistance elements used.
  • Resistance elements 200 can have a structure that is uniformly solid, porous and/or hollow. As can be appreciated, the structure along with the material chosen will control the density of the elements. The size of the elements can also vary from elements that are small granular material to elements that are several inches long. Further, as will be discussed in greater detail below, the elements can have a number of outer configurations without detracting from the invention of this application.
  • the proper resistance element height is a function of several factors including, but not limited to, the weight of the resistance elements, the outward configuration of the resistance element and the frictional properties of the outer surfaces of the elements.
  • the resistance elements can be used to control the upward springing effect of the wire coil.
  • the resistance elements can also provide a resistance or drag in the wire being unwound from coil.
  • the resistance elements together have a combined weight. Enough elements can be used such that this combined weight sufficient to overcome the upward springing forces in the wire coil Resistance elements with a lower density will necessitate a greater thickness 210 to have the same effect on the upward springing forces in the coil than denser resistance elements. For example, use of spherical balls 200A made from steel would require less height than spherical balls 200A made from plastic to have the same effect.
  • the elements can be spherical 200A, cylindrical 200B, elongated with a square cross-sectional configuration 200C and/or disk shaped 200D. These configurations produce similar but different unwinding properties. For example, as the wire passes through spherical resistance elements 200A, the spheres tend to move laterally as the wire passes therearound. Conversely, disk shaped elements 200D are also lifted by the welding wire as it is pulled therethrough.
  • Resistance elements can be made from virtually any material depending on the desire weight of the elements and the desired resistance qualities. These materials include, but are not limited to, metal, glass, polymers, natural materials such as processed agricultural materials. Some examples include foam materials that have goods frictional qualities, marbles, ball bearings, nickels, and even packing materials used in other industries such as packing pellets. However, this list is only an example of elements that can be used and is not exhaustive of the types of elements that can be used.
  • a wire container 10 utilizing an annular braking ring 250.
  • Braking 250 is also for controlling the unwinding of the welding wire from the wire coil.
  • Ring 250 has an inner periphery 252, an outer periphery 254, a bottom surface 256 between the inner and outer peripheries and a top surface 258. Ring 250 rests on coil top 174 such that bottom surface 256 engages a portion of the coil top.
  • Ring 250 further includes an upwardly curved surface 260 extending from bottom surface 256 to an inner edge 262.
  • Inner edge 262 has a diameter 270 that is greater than diameter 160 thereby producing a wire extraction opening 272 between edge 262 and second outward facing surface 150 of second liner 16.
  • Curved surface 260 provides a distortion minimizing ramp to direct the outgoing wire from the wire coil to the welding operation. Since second liner 16 provides one of the barriers for extraction opening 272, it also helps direct the outgoing wire from the wire coil out of container 10. Further, as stated above, top edge 154 can be rounded to further minimize damage to wire 170. Accordingly, while second liner 16 may have minimal supporting properties, it significantly helps direct the outgoing wire upwardly and helps prevent one convolution of wire from engaging another convolution of wire thereby reducing tangling of the welding wire.
  • Braking ring 250 is configured to freely descend within wire cavity 30 as the wire is removed and as the coil height shortens based on the depletion of the welding wire from the container.
  • the descending of ring 250 can be based on the weight of the ring itself or can be assisted by separate weights (not shown).
  • the weight of the ring and/or the separate weights (not shown) are used to help control the upward springing forces produced by the wire coil.
  • the ring can include projecting lobes 280, 282, 284, 286 and 288. However, while five lobes are shown, more or less lobes can be used. More particularly, the radial distance between inner edge 262 and outer periphery 254 is greater at the projecting lobes than between the projecting lobes.
  • the projecting lobes are generally disposed in the flat outer portion of the ring and produce generally point contact between the ring and first liner 14 thereby maintaining the position of the ring and preventing convolutions from popping up between the ring and liner 14 while minimizing the frictional engagement between the ring and liner 14.
  • increased resistance between liner 14 and ring 250 will require the ring to be heavier and/or include greater additional weights to produce the same downward force on the coil top. Further, increased resistance can cause the ring to become jammed with the first liner.
  • the point contact between the ring and liner 14 further prevents jamming of the ring by making the ring more forging of liner imperfections.
  • Imperfections in the wire cavity can also be caused by damage to the container during shipping and/or use. As can be appreciated, movement of manufacturing materials is not perfect and is often done as quickly as possible. As a result, packages are often damaged by lift trucks and other mechanism used to move the material. The lobe design discussed above is also more forgiving to this type of damage. Furthermore, the configuration of the package according to the present invent also minimizes this type of damage to the wire cavity by spacing the wire cavity from the outer wall of the packaging.
  • ring 300 also includes inner periphery 252, outer periphery 254, bottom surface 256 between the inner and outer peripheries and top surface 258. Ring 300 rests on coil top 174 such that bottom surface 256 engages a portion of the coil top. Ring 300 can further includes upwardly curved surface 260 extending from bottom surface 256 to inner edge 262. Inner edge 262 can have the same diameter 270 that is greater than diameter 160 thereby producing wire extraction opening 272 between edge 262 and second outward facing surface 150 of second liner 16.
  • Braking ring 300 is also configured to freely descend within wire cavity 30 as the wire is removed and as the coil height shortens based on the depletion of the welding wire from the container.
  • the descending of ring 300 can be based on the weight of the ring itself or can be assisted by separate weights (not shown).
  • the weight of the ring and/or the separate weights (not shown) are used to help control the upward springing forces produced by the wire coil.
  • ring 300 includes a circular outer periphery 310 having flexible tabs 330, 332, 334, 336 and 338 instead of the projecting lobes discussed above.
  • wile five tabs are shown, more or less tabs can be used.
  • the flexible tabs maintain the engagement between the ring and liner 14 while allowing the ring to freely descend within wire cavity 30. Again, the flexible tabs help account for distortions in liner 14 and help prevent wire convolutions from popping up between ring 300 and liner 14.
  • any of the embodiments above can include other mechanisms known in the art such as hold-down mechanisms which are utilized to secure the wire coil during the transport of container 10.
  • vapor barriers can also be used to help protect the welding wire from adverse environments such as during the transport of the container by ship across the ocean.
  • other wire controlling mechanisms can be used to control the out flowing welding wire from the container beyond those discussed above. Accordingly, while only two rings were discussed in relation to the invention of this application, the braking ring configuration should not be limited to these two ring configuration. It should be distinctly understood that other drum style rings can be used in the container of this application without detracting from the invention of this application. Again, by utilizing the liner configuration described above, the advantages of a square or polygonal cross-sectional configuration package can be achieved while the control of the welding wire can be the same as a drum-like container.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
  • Metal Extraction Processes (AREA)
  • Wire Processing (AREA)
EP05028467A 2005-03-07 2005-12-24 Récipient pour fil à souder et procédé pour sa fabrication Revoked EP1700646B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/073,451 US20060196794A1 (en) 2005-03-07 2005-03-07 Welding wire container and method of making the same

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1700646A1 true EP1700646A1 (fr) 2006-09-13
EP1700646B1 EP1700646B1 (fr) 2008-12-17

Family

ID=36143280

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05028467A Revoked EP1700646B1 (fr) 2005-03-07 2005-12-24 Récipient pour fil à souder et procédé pour sa fabrication

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US20060196794A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1700646B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2006248613A (fr)
KR (1) KR100729297B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN100519382C (fr)
AT (1) ATE417677T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2005220189C1 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0504512A (fr)
CA (1) CA2520476A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE602005011752D1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA05011393A (fr)
TW (1) TWI298702B (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013092658A1 (fr) * 2011-12-19 2013-06-27 Sidergas Spa Dispositif de retenue pour réceptacle de fil de soudure et réceptacle de fil de soudure muni dudit dispositif de retenue

Families Citing this family (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070277707A1 (en) * 2006-05-31 2007-12-06 Robbins Edward S Double stacked pallet system for rolled sheet goods
KR100853528B1 (ko) * 2006-12-13 2008-08-21 고려용접봉 주식회사 용접 와이어용 페일팩
KR100853527B1 (ko) * 2006-12-13 2008-08-21 고려용접봉 주식회사 용접 와이어용 페일팩
US9493294B2 (en) * 2007-12-31 2016-11-15 Lincoln Global, Inc. Vapor barrier for electrode packaging
US8579224B2 (en) * 2008-05-29 2013-11-12 Adc Gmbh Device for dispensing a telecommunication cable from a reel
JP5390806B2 (ja) * 2008-08-08 2014-01-15 古河電気工業株式会社 ケーブルの梱包形態
AU2010257221B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2016-10-06 Commscope Technologies Llc Assembly for dispensing cable
DE102011080017B3 (de) * 2011-07-28 2012-11-22 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zur Aufnahme und zum Abspulen mindestens einer Drahtrolle, damit ausgestattete metallurgische Anlage sowie Verfahren zum Abspulen von Draht
CN102502360A (zh) * 2011-10-14 2012-06-20 吴江市联航纺织有限公司 带防震条的棉条筒
US8967520B2 (en) 2011-11-22 2015-03-03 Lincoln Global, Inc. Wire retaining ring for a welding system
US8752782B2 (en) 2011-11-22 2014-06-17 Lincoln Global, Inc. Wire retaining ring for endless bulk mig wire boxes
US10294065B2 (en) 2013-06-06 2019-05-21 Sidergas Spa Retainer for a welding wire container and welding wire container
US9975728B2 (en) 2015-09-10 2018-05-22 Sidergas Spa Wire container lid, wire container and wire feeding system
CN107876937B (zh) * 2016-09-30 2020-08-07 天津沃盾耐磨材料有限公司 一种焊丝筒及其耐磨板自动堆焊机
US9950857B1 (en) * 2016-10-17 2018-04-24 Sidergas Spa Welding wire container
US10703557B2 (en) * 2017-06-07 2020-07-07 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Drums for transporting and feeding wire
US10435195B2 (en) 2017-08-09 2019-10-08 Converter Manufacturing, Llc Reinforced gaylord container
CN107416368A (zh) * 2017-09-13 2017-12-01 王保锋 一种智能手环用防水收纳盒
US11014735B2 (en) * 2019-03-26 2021-05-25 Lincoln Global, Inc. Method and apparatus for packaging wire in a storage container
CN112045117B (zh) * 2020-08-20 2022-06-03 江苏朗禾控制系统有限公司 一种焊丝回收连接装置
USD991299S1 (en) 2021-04-30 2023-07-04 Esab Ab Hood for a welding consumable container
USD998665S1 (en) 2021-04-30 2023-09-12 Esab Ab Welding consumable container
USD998664S1 (en) 2021-04-30 2023-09-12 Esab Ab Welding consumable container
CN114030735B (zh) * 2021-11-09 2023-05-12 陇芯微(西安)电子科技有限公司 一种多功能上料装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1112071A (fr) * 1953-08-18 1956-03-08 Continental Can Co Perfectionnements apportés aux procédés d'emballage des fils ou matériaux analogues et autres machines pour mettre en oeuvre ces procédés
EP0519424A1 (fr) * 1991-06-18 1992-12-23 The Lincoln Electric Company Anneau de retenue pour un récipient de fils à souder
FR2729373A1 (fr) * 1995-01-16 1996-07-19 Trefimetaux Conditionnement en fut de fil d'alliage de cuivre pre-dresse
US20010006184A1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-07-05 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha And Welding wire holder
US20040069669A1 (en) * 2001-09-04 2004-04-15 Lincoln Global, Inc. Packaging for containing and dispensing large quantities of wire

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR0135931Y1 (ko) * 1996-03-20 1999-02-18 정몽석 용접용 와이어의 엉킴방지장치
US5819934A (en) * 1997-10-27 1998-10-13 The Lincoln Electric Company Wire transport drum
US6019303A (en) * 1998-12-16 2000-02-01 Lincoln Global, Inc. Method and apparatus for packing wire in a storage drum
DE69910357T2 (de) 1999-05-31 2004-04-29 C.I.F.E. S.R.L., Chiusi Della Verna Aus Karton hergestellte Faltschachtel zur Aufnahme und Abgabe von Draht
JP2002273572A (ja) 2001-03-16 2002-09-25 Kobe Steel Ltd 溶接ワイヤ用ペールパック引き出し容器
US6564943B2 (en) 2001-07-13 2003-05-20 Lincoln Global, Inc. Container for welding wire
US6913145B2 (en) * 2003-04-15 2005-07-05 Lincoln Global, Inc. Welding wire container with ribbed walls and a mating retainer ring

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1112071A (fr) * 1953-08-18 1956-03-08 Continental Can Co Perfectionnements apportés aux procédés d'emballage des fils ou matériaux analogues et autres machines pour mettre en oeuvre ces procédés
EP0519424A1 (fr) * 1991-06-18 1992-12-23 The Lincoln Electric Company Anneau de retenue pour un récipient de fils à souder
FR2729373A1 (fr) * 1995-01-16 1996-07-19 Trefimetaux Conditionnement en fut de fil d'alliage de cuivre pre-dresse
US20010006184A1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-07-05 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha And Welding wire holder
US20040069669A1 (en) * 2001-09-04 2004-04-15 Lincoln Global, Inc. Packaging for containing and dispensing large quantities of wire

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013092658A1 (fr) * 2011-12-19 2013-06-27 Sidergas Spa Dispositif de retenue pour réceptacle de fil de soudure et réceptacle de fil de soudure muni dudit dispositif de retenue

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20060097546A (ko) 2006-09-14
JP2006248613A (ja) 2006-09-21
ATE417677T1 (de) 2009-01-15
CN1830734A (zh) 2006-09-13
AU2005220189C1 (en) 2009-01-08
KR100729297B1 (ko) 2007-06-18
US20060196794A1 (en) 2006-09-07
BRPI0504512A (pt) 2006-10-31
TW200631878A (en) 2006-09-16
AU2005220189A1 (en) 2006-09-21
CN100519382C (zh) 2009-07-29
CA2520476A1 (fr) 2006-09-07
TWI298702B (en) 2008-07-11
EP1700646B1 (fr) 2008-12-17
AU2005220189B2 (en) 2008-06-12
DE602005011752D1 (de) 2009-01-29
MXPA05011393A (es) 2006-09-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1700646B1 (fr) Récipient pour fil à souder et procédé pour sa fabrication
US7198152B2 (en) Welding wire container with ribbed walls and mating retainer ring
US7309038B2 (en) Endless wire container and method of using the same
US6889835B2 (en) Packaging for containing and dispensing large quantities of wire
CA2689419C (fr) Bague de guidage de fil de soudage
US7958996B2 (en) Welding wire package
JP3955020B2 (ja) 溶接ワイヤ繰出しドラム
CA2508395C (fr) Emballage de fil a souder avec sangle de levage
MXPA04003272A (es) Un aparato para empacar alambre en un recipiente de almacenamiento para el uso de enrollamiento inverso.
US20140246532A1 (en) Endless wire container and method of using same
EP2338629B1 (fr) Ensemble de stockage de fil de soudure avec un élément de pression ayant une projection
KR100991425B1 (ko) 감겨진 용접 와이어를 포장하고 풀기 위한 컨테이너 및유지 장치
US20220410236A1 (en) Method for packing welding wire inside containers
KR20190003452A (ko) 곤포체의 제조 방법
US3341002A (en) Packaging container

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20061117

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20070126

AKX Designation fees paid

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

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

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: 602005011752

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20090129

Kind code of ref document: P

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

Ref country code: LT

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: 20081217

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20081217

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: 20081217

Ref country code: LV

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: 20081217

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: 20081217

Ref country code: PL

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: 20081217

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: 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: 20081217

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 20081231

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: 20081217

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: 20090317

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: 20090328

Ref country code: RO

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: 20081217

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

Ref country code: SE

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

Effective date: 20090317

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: 20090518

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: 20081217

Ref country code: IS

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: 20090417

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: 20081217

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

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

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: 20081217

PLAX Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: SIDERGAS SPA

Effective date: 20090915

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: 20081217

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20081224

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20090701

PLBB Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition received

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3

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: 20090217

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: 20081217

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20081224

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: 20090618

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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

Effective date: 20091224

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

Ref country code: TR

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

Effective date: 20081217

RDAF Communication despatched that patent is revoked

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREV1

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

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20091231

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: 20090318

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20091231

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: 20091224

RDAG Patent revoked

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009271

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: PATENT REVOKED

27W Patent revoked

Effective date: 20101009

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20111202