EP1747890B1 - Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Tropfengrösse von Tintentropfen , die durch einen Tintenstrahldrucker ausgestossen werden. - Google Patents

Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Tropfengrösse von Tintentropfen , die durch einen Tintenstrahldrucker ausgestossen werden. Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1747890B1
EP1747890B1 EP06116943.9A EP06116943A EP1747890B1 EP 1747890 B1 EP1747890 B1 EP 1747890B1 EP 06116943 A EP06116943 A EP 06116943A EP 1747890 B1 EP1747890 B1 EP 1747890B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
reservoir
counting
droplet size
print head
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP06116943.9A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1747890A1 (de
Inventor
Hans Reinten
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.)
Canon Production Printing Netherlands BV
Original Assignee
Oce Technologies BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oce Technologies BV filed Critical Oce Technologies BV
Priority to EP06116943.9A priority Critical patent/EP1747890B1/de
Publication of EP1747890A1 publication Critical patent/EP1747890A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1747890B1 publication Critical patent/EP1747890B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17593—Supplying ink in a solid state
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • B41J2002/17569—Ink level or ink residue control based on the amount printed or to be printed

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of determining the average droplet size of ink droplets released by an ink jet printer with an ink reservoir and a dispensing device for dosing ink to the reservoir.
  • the invention also relates to an ink jet printer typically adapted for performing the method according to the invention.
  • Control of droplet speed and droplet size within an ink jet printer is important for maintaining print quality and reliability of the jetting process itself.
  • Both the droplet speed and the droplet size may drift due to various causes, such as drift in piezo-actuation efficiency, batch variations in ink properties, and temperature drift.
  • droplet speed and droplet size are coupled. For this reason, it would be satisfying to solely measure the droplet size.
  • the droplet size itself commonly provides other relevant information, such as (among others) information about the print quality.
  • a direct way to measure droplet size is by weighing a large known number of droplets by means of a balance. However, including a balance within an ink jet printer is relatively costly and is commonly undesired from a constructive point of view.
  • US 2003/014695 A1 and US 5682183 each disclose determining an ink level of an ink reservoir and determining a number of ejected ink droplets and determining from the ink level and the number of ejected droplets an average droplet size.
  • US6334658B1 discloses an inkjet printer configured to detect a jetting failure by comparing a calculated ink consumed quantity and a quantity of ink in a single ink pellet.
  • This object can be achieved by providing a method according to the preamble, comprising the steps of: A) measuring an amount of ink dosed to the ink reservoir of the inkjet printer, said ink reservoir having a substantially predetermined volume, B) measuring the ink level within said ink reservoir, C) measuring the number of ink droplets released by at least one nozzle operatively connected to the ink reservoir, and D) determining the average ink droplet size based upon the measured values gathered in steps A)-C).
  • waste-ink created by purging and cleaning the ink reservoir can be compensated for in the method according to the invention, for example by resetting reference values before actually monitoring the printing process, and in particular the jetting process.
  • the accuracy of the method according to the invention is dependent on the number of the droplets released by the nozzle(s).
  • An ink jet printer commonly comprises one or more print heads, each print head comprising multiple ink reservoirs, wherein each ink reservoir is provided with at least one nozzle, and commonly multiple nozzles, for releasing ink droplets.
  • the method according to the invention is applied to the print head or the assembly of print heads as a whole, wherein the print head is considered as being the system as described afore to which the balance of matter is applied.
  • each ink reservoir and its nozzle(s) as a (micro)system to which the method according to the invention is applied. However, in practice it is expected that this latter option is less preferable.
  • the method further comprises step E) of measuring the number of pressure pulses, in particular activation pulses, to selectively expel the ink droplets via the nozzle, wherein the average ink droplet size is based upon measured values gathered in steps A)-C) and E) according to step D).
  • step E) of measuring the number of pressure pulses, in particular activation pulses an indication can be obtained of the amount of ink droplets released by the nozzle(s) thereby extending, and hence improving the balance of matter, in particular the balance of ink, of the ink jet printer.
  • thermal energy usually the momentary heating of a resistor
  • the pressure pulse may be generated anywhere in the channels or the manifold.
  • the bubble generating resistor (hence the name bubble jet) must be located in each channel near the nozzle.
  • step A) the amount of ink dosed to the ink reservoir is measured by counting the number of ink pellets dosed to the ink reservoir, each pellet having a substantially predetermined and identical volume.
  • the ink pellets are preferably formed by hot melt ink, id est an ink which is solid at room temperature but liquid at elevated temperature.
  • id est is first heated in the inkjet print head to a temperature at which it is liquid, id est has a consistency such that it can be ejected in the form of small drops by means of the print head.
  • the ink level within the ink reservoir can be detected by means of different kind of sensors such as a float level indicator, electrical resistance, and a thermal sensor.
  • the ink level within the ink reservoir is measured by means of at least one thermistor, preferably an NTC thermistor.
  • thermistor preferably an NTC thermistor.
  • Application of an NTC thermistor is relatively inexpensive with respect to the application of other types of thermal sensors.
  • PTC type thermistor or even other kinds of temperature sensitive (electronic) detecting means.
  • the number of ink droplets released by the at least one nozzle of the ink reservoir is measured by counting the number of ink droplets released.
  • a droplet counter is provided to count the number of ink droplets expelled from the ink reservoir via the nozzles.
  • the measured values of steps A)-C) (and step E) if applicable) are preferably transmitted to a control unit to process these data to calculate the average droplet size according to step D) by means of an algorithm stored in the control unit.
  • the control unit may be programmed to (automatically) adjust subsequently certain specific printer settings, such as the drive pulse settings, the settings related to colour management, and/or the settings related to the optical density (OD).
  • the ink dosed to the ink reservoirs is preferably formed by hot melt pellets.
  • the ink within the ink reservoir is preferably heated. In this manner, the ink contained within the ink reservoir can be kept easily at an elevated temperature typically of about 130° Celsius.
  • the invention also relates to a computer program adapted for carrying out the method according to the invention.
  • the average ink droplet size (step D)) can be determined by means of the computer program acting as a software level sensor for performing step B).
  • the computer program may be embedded within the ink jet printer.
  • the invention further relates to a computer running the computer program according to the invention.
  • This computer may form part of the ink jet printer according to the invention.
  • the aforementioned control unit may be an integral part of the computer.
  • the invention relates to an ink jet printer comprising: a print head comprising a plurality of nozzles, and ink channels arranged side by side, each nozzle being connected to an ink reservoir via its associated ink channel; and a device for dispensing ink pellets of substantially predetermined and identical volume to the ink reservoir, wherein the ink jet printer further comprises first counting means for counting the number of ink pellets dispensed to the reservoir, second counting means for counting the number of ink droplets released by the nozzles, detecting means for detecting the ink level within each ink reservoir, and controlling means for determining the average droplet size of ink droplets released by the nozzles based upon measured values gathered by the first counting means, the second counting means, and the detecting means.
  • the or each ink reservoir is provided with multiple nozzles.
  • a volume balance of ink can be made up, as a result of which the average droplet size of ink droplets released by the nozzles can be determined relatively simplistically, though relatively truthfully and accurately.
  • Advantages of determining the average droplet size in this manner are already elucidated above in a comprehensive manner.
  • the second counting means are adapted for counting the number of pressure pulses produced to expel the ink droplets via the nozzles. In this manner, the jetting process, and hence a (possible) drift in droplet size of ink droplets released via the nozzles can be mapped commonly (even) more realistically.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an ink jet printer 1 according to the invention.
  • the printer 1 comprises a roller 2 to support a substrate 3 and move it along the four print heads 4.
  • the roller 2 is rotatable about its axis as indicated by arrow A.
  • a carriage 5 carries the four print heads 4 and can be moved in reciprocation in the direction indicated by the double arrow B, parallel to roller 2. In this way the print heads 4 can scan the receiving substrate 3, for example a sheet of paper.
  • the carriage 5 is guided over rods 6 and 7 and is driven by means suitable for the purpose (not shown).
  • each print head 4 contains eight ink reservoirs (not shown) connected to eight ink ducts, each with its own nozzle 8, which form two rows of four nozzles 8 each perpendicular to the axis of the roller 2.
  • the number of ink ducts per print head 4, and a number of nozzles 8 per ink reservoir will commonly be many times greater.
  • Each ink duct is provided with means for energising the ink duct (not shown) and an associated electric actuation circuit (not shown). In this way, the ink duct, the said means for energising the ink duct, and the actuation circuit form a unit which can serve to eject ink drops in the direction of roller 2.
  • the substrate is printed with a printer 1 of this kind in which ink drops are ejected from ink ducts, the substrate, or part thereof, is (imaginarily) divided into fixed locations which form a regular field of pixel rows and pixel columns.
  • the pixel rows are perpendicular to the pixel columns.
  • the resulting separate locations can each be provided with one or more ink drops.
  • the number of locations per unit of length in the directions parallel to the pixel rows and pixel columns is termed the resolution of the printed image, and is indicated, for example, as 400 x 600 d.p.i. ("dots per inch").
  • the printer 1 is provided with a number of dispensing devices 9, one for each colour, only one being shown in this figure for simplification. With a dispensing device of this kind it is possible to dispense ink pellets at each of the print heads 4.
  • the ink used is a hot melt ink.
  • An ink of this kind is solid at room temperature and liquid at elevated temperature.
  • This ink is dispensed in solid form in each of the print heads whereafter the ink in the print head is melted and is brought to operating temperature, typically 130° Celsius.
  • operating temperature typically 130° Celsius.
  • the carriage 5 will be so moved that the relevant print head is disposed beneath the corresponding dispensing device level with dispensing line 10.
  • One or more ink pellets will then be dispensed to the print head, said pellets entering the print head via opening 11. These pellets are then melted and brought to operating temperature. In this way each print head can be provided with sufficient ink at all times.
  • the printer 1 according to this embodiment, and in particular each reservoir further comprises a counter 12 for counting the number of ink droplets released by the nozzles 8, a counter 13 for counting the number of drive pulses produced, and an ink level sensor 14 (schematically shown).
  • the dispensing device 9 comprises a counter 15 for counting the number of ink pellets dispensed. All counters 12, 13, 15 and the ink level sensor 14 are coupled to a control unit 16.
  • the control unit 16 is also adapted to control both the dispensing devices 9 and the printer carriage 5 to timely supply the ink reservoirs with sufficient (and preferably not an overdose) ink dependent on the printing tasks to be performed within a certain timeframe and to be able to optimise the print quality of the printer 1 permanently dependent on the actual (average) droplet size calculated by the control unit 16.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)

Claims (2)

  1. Verfahren zum Bestimmen der mittleren Tropfengröße von Tintentropfen, die von einem Tintenstrahldrucker (1) ausgestoßen werden, wobei der Tintenstrahldrucker aufweist:
    - eine Steuereinheit (16),
    - ein Tintenreservoir, das ein im wesentlichen vorbestimmtes Volumen hat,
    - einen Druckkopf (4) mit einer Vielzahl von Düsen und Tintenkanälen, die Seite an Seite angeordnet sind, wobei jede Düse über ihren zugehörigen Tintenkanal mit dem Tintenreservoir verbunden ist,
    - eine Abgabeeinrichtung (9) zur Abgabe von Tintenpellets mit einem im wesentlichen vorbestimmten und identischen Volumen in das Tintenreservoir;
    - einen Wagen (5), der den Druckkopf trägt, wobei der Wagen beweglich ist, um den Druckkopf unter die Abgabeeinrichtung zu bewegen,
    - eine erste Zähleinrichtung (15) zum Zählen einer Anzahl von Tintenpellets, die in das Reservoir abgegeben werden,
    - eine zweite Zähleinrichtung (12) zum Zählen der Anzahl von Tintentropfen, die von den Düsen ausgestoßen werden,
    - eine Detektoreinrichtung (14) zum Detektieren des Tintenpegels innerhalb jedes Tintenreservoirs;
    welches Verfahren die folgenden Schritte aufweist:
    A) Messen einer Menge an Tinte, die in das Tintenreservoir eindosiert wurde, mit Hilfe der ersten Zähleinrichtung durch Zählen der Anzahl von Tintenpellets, die in das Tintenreservoir des Druckkopfes des Tintenstrahldruckers abgegeben wurden;
    B) Messen des Tintenpegels in dem Tintenreservoir mit der Detektoreinrichtung (14),
    C) Messen der Anzahl von Tintentropfen, die von wenigstens einer Düse (8) abgegeben werden, die funktionsmäßig mit dem Tintenreservoir verbunden ist, mit Hilfe der zweiten Zähleinrichtung durch Zählen der Anzahl von Tintentropfen, die von den Düsen abgegeben werden, und
    D) Bestimmen der mittleren Tintentropfengröße mit der Steuereinheit auf der Grundlage der gemessenen Werte, die in den Schritten A) - C) erhalten wurden; und
    F) Steuern der Abgabeeinrichtung und des Wagens durch die Steuereinheit, um das Tintenreservoir zeitgerecht mit genügend Tinte zu versorgen, in Abhängigkeit von den innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitrahmens auszuführenden Druckaufgaben, und um die Druckqualität des Tintenstrahldruckers permanent auf die von der Steuereinheit bestimmte aktuelle tatsächliche Tropfengröße zu optimieren.
  2. Tintenstrahldrucker (1) mit:
    - einem Druckkopf (4), der aufweist: mehrere Düsen (8) und Tintenkanäle, die Seite an Seite angeordnet sind, wobei jede Düse über ihren zugehörigen Tintenkanal mit einem Tintenreservoir verbunden ist, und
    - einer Abgabeeinrichtung (9) zur Abgabe von Tintenpellets mit einem im wesentlichen vorbestimmten und identischen Volumen in das Tintenreservoir,
    - einem Wagen (5), der den Druckkopf trägt, wobei der Wagen beweglich ist, um den Druckkopf unter die Abgabeeinrichtung zu bringen,
    wobei der Tintenstrahldrucker weiterhin eine erste Zähleinrichtung (15) zum Zählen der Anzahl von Tintenpellets, die in das Reservoir abgegeben werden, eine zweite Zähleinrichtung (12) zum Zählen der Anzahl von Tintentropfen, die von den Düsen abgegeben werden, eine Detektoreinrichtung (14) zum Detektieren des Tintenpegels innerhalb jedes Tintenreservoirs, und eine Steuereinheit (16) aufweist, zum Bestimmen der mittleren Tropfengröße der von den Düsen abgegebenen Tintentropfen auf der Grundlage der gemessenen Werte, die von der ersten Zähleinrichtung, der zweiten Zähleinrichtung und der Detektoreinrichtung erhalten werden; und
    wobei die Steuereinheit dazu eingerichtet ist, die Abgabeeinrichtung und den Wagen zu steuern, um das Tintenreservoir zeitgerecht mit ausreichend Tinte zu versorgen, abhängig von den innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitrahmens auszuführenden Druckaufgaben, und um die Druckqualität des Tintenstrahldruckers permanent auf die von der Steuereinheit bestimmte aktuelle mittlere Tropfengröße zu optimieren.
EP06116943.9A 2005-07-26 2006-07-11 Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Tropfengrösse von Tintentropfen , die durch einen Tintenstrahldrucker ausgestossen werden. Not-in-force EP1747890B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06116943.9A EP1747890B1 (de) 2005-07-26 2006-07-11 Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Tropfengrösse von Tintentropfen , die durch einen Tintenstrahldrucker ausgestossen werden.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05106848 2005-07-26
EP06116943.9A EP1747890B1 (de) 2005-07-26 2006-07-11 Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Tropfengrösse von Tintentropfen , die durch einen Tintenstrahldrucker ausgestossen werden.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1747890A1 EP1747890A1 (de) 2007-01-31
EP1747890B1 true EP1747890B1 (de) 2015-09-09

Family

ID=37562206

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06116943.9A Not-in-force EP1747890B1 (de) 2005-07-26 2006-07-11 Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Tropfengrösse von Tintentropfen , die durch einen Tintenstrahldrucker ausgestossen werden.

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1747890B1 (de)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5682183A (en) * 1993-11-22 1997-10-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Ink level sensor for an inkjet print cartridge
US7188918B2 (en) * 1997-01-21 2007-03-13 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Ink delivery system adapter
FR2784936B1 (fr) * 1998-10-23 2001-04-13 Canon Kk Procede et dispositif de gestion des ressources d'un produit d'impression disponible dans une imprimante
JP3754963B2 (ja) * 2002-02-05 2006-03-15 キヤノン株式会社 インクジェット記録装置
US6802581B2 (en) * 2002-07-30 2004-10-12 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method, program product and system for ink management control

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1747890A1 (de) 2007-01-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20070024650A1 (en) Method of improved controlling of an ink jet printer, and ink jet printer
US8336981B2 (en) Determining a healthy fluid ejection nozzle
JP3131930B2 (ja) キャリッジ型インクジェットプリントヘッド及びそのモニター方法
US6431673B1 (en) Ink level gauging in inkjet printing
US6494553B1 (en) Ink level sensing for ink printer
JP6009996B2 (ja) 小さい容積で不規則な形状の容器内の液面を検知する圧電センサの配列
US7425061B2 (en) Ink consumption determination
US7458669B2 (en) Ink consumption determination
JP3628085B2 (ja) カートリッジのインク供給量指示方法
US7517072B2 (en) Solid ink stick with enhanced differentiation
JP3761975B2 (ja) インクジェットカートリッジレベル監視用冷却タイミングシステム
US7988274B2 (en) Ink consumption determination
US5644343A (en) Method and apparatus for measuring the temperature of drops ejected by an ink jet printhead
US20070024649A1 (en) Method of determining the droplet size of ink droplets released by an ink jet printer
US6938971B2 (en) Method of servicing a pen when mounted in a printing device
US6896350B2 (en) Optimized servicing that adapts preventative and corrective actions to the life of a printhead
US8240807B2 (en) Calibration process for multi-die print cartridge
US5686943A (en) Ink jet printer having temperature sensor for periodic contact with printhead
EP1747890B1 (de) Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Tropfengrösse von Tintentropfen , die durch einen Tintenstrahldrucker ausgestossen werden.
EP1022139B1 (de) Tintenstrahldrucker
US6517182B1 (en) Droplet volume calculation method for a thermal ink jet printer
EP1747891A2 (de) Verbessertes Steuerungsverfahren eines Tintenstrahldruckers und ein Tintenstrahldrucker
US6547365B1 (en) Printhead end of life detection system
JPH09187963A (ja) インクジェット記録方法及びインクジェット記録装置
JP3990640B2 (ja) 流体噴出装置の性能の測定方法

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: 20070731

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20070903

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

APBK Appeal reference recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREFNE

APBN Date of receipt of notice of appeal recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA2E

APBR Date of receipt of statement of grounds of appeal recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA3E

APAF Appeal reference modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNE

APBT Appeal procedure closed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA9E

POAG Date of filing of petition for review recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNPRV3

POAH Number of petition for review recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNPRV1

POAI Petitioner in petition for review recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNPRV2

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20150402

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: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 747791

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150915

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: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602006046559

Country of ref document: DE

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

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: 20150909

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: 20150909

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: 20151210

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: 20150909

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: FP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 747791

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150909

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: 20150909

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: 20150909

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

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20150909

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: 20150909

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: 20160109

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: 20150909

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: 20150909

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

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: 20150909

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: 20160111

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: 20150909

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: 20150909

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602006046559

Country of ref document: DE

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20160610

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: 20150909

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: 20150909

POAK Decision taken: petition for review obviously unsubstantiated

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009255

PRVN Petition for review not allowed

Free format text: REJECTION OF THE PETITION FOR REVIEW

Effective date: 20161021

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: 20150909

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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

Effective date: 20150909

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: 20160731

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20160731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20160711

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

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20160711

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20170711

Year of fee payment: 12

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; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20060711

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: 20150909

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: 20150909

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

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

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: 20150909

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20180725

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20180723

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20180719

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180801

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

Ref country code: NL

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

Effective date: 20180801

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602006046559

Country of ref document: DE

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

Effective date: 20190711

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: 20190711

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20200201

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: 20190731