EP1938732A1 - Appareil de séparation cyclonique - Google Patents

Appareil de séparation cyclonique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1938732A1
EP1938732A1 EP07124052A EP07124052A EP1938732A1 EP 1938732 A1 EP1938732 A1 EP 1938732A1 EP 07124052 A EP07124052 A EP 07124052A EP 07124052 A EP07124052 A EP 07124052A EP 1938732 A1 EP1938732 A1 EP 1938732A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stage
separation
cyclonic
cyclone separators
cyclone
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
EP07124052A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1938732B1 (fr
Inventor
David Benjamin Smith
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.)
Hoover Ltd
Original Assignee
Hoover Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0625572A external-priority patent/GB2445027B/en
Priority claimed from GB0718366A external-priority patent/GB0718366D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0719198A external-priority patent/GB2445050A/en
Application filed by Hoover Ltd filed Critical Hoover Ltd
Publication of EP1938732A1 publication Critical patent/EP1938732A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1938732B1 publication Critical patent/EP1938732B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
    • A47L9/1616—Multiple arrangement thereof
    • A47L9/1641—Multiple arrangement thereof for parallel flow
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
    • A47L9/165—Construction of inlets
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
    • A47L9/1658—Construction of outlets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04C—APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES
    • B04C5/00—Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex is reversed
    • B04C5/12—Construction of the overflow ducting, e.g. diffusing or spiral exits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04C—APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES
    • B04C5/00—Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex is reversed
    • B04C5/14—Construction of the underflow ducting; Apex constructions; Discharge arrangements ; discharge through sidewall provided with a few slits or perforations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04C—APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES
    • B04C5/00—Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex is reversed
    • B04C5/24—Multiple arrangement thereof
    • B04C5/26—Multiple arrangement thereof for series flow
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04C—APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES
    • B04C5/00—Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex is reversed
    • B04C5/24—Multiple arrangement thereof
    • B04C5/28—Multiple arrangement thereof for parallel flow

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a cyclone separation apparatus.
  • the separation efficiency is inversely proportional to the diameter of the cyclone chamber, such that smaller diameter cyclones are more suited to separating lighter particles than larger diameter cyclones.
  • a first upstream separation stage comprising a relatively large diameter cyclone and a plurality of parallel connected downstream cyclones having a smaller diameter.
  • the upstream cyclone separates coarse dirt and dust from the airflow, whereas the downstream cyclones separate the finer dirt and dust.
  • Cyclonic separators for vacuum cleaners comprising two stages of separation have been proposed.
  • US2171248 discloses an arrangement whereby a high efficiency downstream cyclone is nested co-axially inside a low efficiency upstream cyclone.
  • the respective cyclones discharge their separated solid material into a removable receptacle comprising a central chamber for the material discharged from the downstream cyclonic chamber, and an annular chamber from material discharged from the upstream cyclonic chamber.
  • EP1674021 discloses a two stage cyclonic separator for a vacuum cleaner comprising a low efficiency upstream cyclone separator, followed by an array of parallel-connected mini cyclones disposed in an annular chamber, which surrounds the first cyclonic chamber. Partly cleaned air that exits first stage passes upwards by way of an axially orientated central outlet and is fed into the high efficiency cyclones.
  • the complex alignment of the flow path between the two stages of the separation gives rise to a pressure drop.
  • DE 202006017010 discloses a two stage cyclonic separator for a vacuum cleaner again comprising a low efficiency cyclone separator followed by an array of parallel connected high efficiency cyclone separators situated above the first stage. Partly cleaned air leaving the first stage is ducted upwards through an annual cavity between the high efficiency cyclones and the outer wall of the separator unit and is then ducted regularly inwards to the respective high efficiency cyclones. This arrangement gives rise to less of a pressure drop. However, in situations where the high efficiency cyclones are not disposed equidistantly on the periphery of the separator unit, the cyclones can become unevenly loaded with respect to the dust laden air, and can result in the blocking of some cyclones.
  • a cyclonic separation apparatus comprising a first separation stage and second separation stage, the first stage comprising a first cyclone separator, the second stage comprising a plurality of parallel connected second cyclone separators, the apparatus further comprising a receptacle for collecting material separated by the second cyclone separators, the first and second separation stages arranged in fluid communication by at least one transfer duct which transfers fluid that has been partly cleaned by the first separation stage, to the second separation stage, wherein the at least one transfer duct extends through the receptacle.
  • the at least one transfer duct extends substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the cyclone separators of the first and second separation stages.
  • the second cyclone separators are arranged in plurality of groups.
  • the cyclonic separation apparatus preferably comprises a plurality of transfer ducts. Each transfer duct preferably transfers fluid to one group of the plurality of groups of second cyclone separators.
  • each group of second cyclone separators are arranged equidistantly from the downstream end of the respective transfer duct to avoid uneven loading of the second cyclone separators of the group.
  • the receptacle is disposed partly above the first separation stage.
  • the cyclonic separation apparatus comprises a collection chamber disposed axially within the first separation stage, for collecting material discharged by the first and second cyclone separators.
  • the receptacle is funnel shaped and discharges material separated by the second separation stage into the collection chamber.
  • the first separation stage and second separation stage are connected in series.
  • the separation portion comprises a generally cylindrical upright housing, which houses the first and second separation stages 10, 11 at its lower and upper ends respectively, the second stage 11 being fluidly connected downstream of the first stage 10.
  • the first stage 10 comprises a tubular side wall 12 defining a circular-section cyclone chamber 13.
  • the lower end of the tubular side wall 12 is provided with a closure 14, which can be opened to allow separated dirt and dust to be emptied from the chamber 13.
  • An inlet duct 15 for carrying dirt and dust laden air from the floor cleaning head extends tangentially into the upper end of the tubular side wall 12 of the first stage 10.
  • An elongate tubular container 16 extends through the cyclone chamber 13 along the centre axis thereof.
  • the lower end of the container 16 is sealingly closed by a disk 17, which is mounted to the closure 14 such that the lower end of the container 16 is also opened when the closure 14 is opened.
  • the upper end of the container 16 communicates with an outlet of the second stage 11 from which the separated fine dust is discharged.
  • the upper end of the first stage 10 is closed by an annular end wall 18 having a central aperture 19, through which the elongate container 16 extends.
  • a perforated shroud 20 depends from the upper end wall into the cyclone chamber 13, the lower end of the shroud being sealed against the external surface of the tubular container 16.
  • a circular manifold 21 is sealingly mounted on top of the upper end wall 18 of the first stage 10.
  • the manifold 21 comprises six upstanding tubular projections 22, which are disposed at equally spaced circumferential positions on a concentric circular line on the manifold 21.
  • the lower end of the projections 22 fluidly communicate with the space inside the shroud 22 through the aperture 19 in the upper end wall 18 of the first stage 10.
  • the second stage 11 comprises a cylindrical main body 23, which is fitted to the upper end of the first stage 10, the manifold projections 22 extending into corresponding apertures 24 which extend through the body 23 between opposite sides thereof.
  • Each aperture 24 is surrounded by six cyclone separators 25 which extend axially therewith and which are equally spaced around the circumference of the apertures 24.
  • the cyclone separators 25 are contained within hexagonal tubular boundary walls 26.
  • Each cyclone separator 25 comprises a frusto-conical side wall 27 (as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings), which tapers inwardly to a cone opening at the lower end of the body 23.
  • the cyclone separators 25 are arranged in six groups, each group e.g. A (as denoted by the shaded area in Figure 4 ) comprises five cyclone separators 25 arranged about a respective aperture 24 and disposed in an arc, which is centred on the central axis of the respective aperture 24. It will be appreciated that one of the six cyclone separators 25 surrounding each aperture 24 belongs to an adjacent group of separators.
  • Five channels 28 extend radially outwardly from the upper end of each aperture 24 in the upper surface of body 23.
  • the channels 28 lead tangentially into the upper ends of respective cyclone separators 25 of the group of separators associated with that aperture.
  • baffles 40 supported by stems 41 extending from the upper surface of the manifold 21 may be positioned inside each hexagonal tubular boundary wall 26, just below the opening of each cone.
  • the bottom end of the hexagonal boundary walls 26 open into a gallery 29 formed below the body 23 and above the manifold 21.
  • the floor of the gallery 29 comprises an opening at its centre which is connected to the upper end of the elongate tubular container that extends through the cyclone chamber 13 of the first stage 10.
  • an apertured cover plate 30 is fitted to the upper surface of the body 23.
  • the apertures 31 in the plates 30 are disposed axially above respective cyclone separators 25, the lower surface of the cover plate 30 comprising tubular projections 32 which extend from the apertures 31 into the upper ends of the cyclone separators to form so-called vortex finders.
  • a filter housing 33 is disposed above the second stage 11 and, in use, a vacuum is applied to the filter housing 33 to cause an airflow through the first and second stages 10, 11 from the dirty air inlet 15.
  • the tangential orientation of the inlet 15 with respect to the wall 12 creates a cyclonic air flow inside the chamber 13 of the first stage 10, whereby air spirals downwardly around the chamber 13 towards its lower end. As the air flows downwards, the volume of air in the spiral flow is constantly being diminished by virtue of it having been drawn radially through the perforated shroud 20 towards the second stage 11.
  • the air flowing through the perforated shroud 20 is divided equally into six separate parallel paths along the respective tubular projections 22 of the manifold 21.
  • the six separate air flows then divide below the lower surface of the cover plate 31 into five further air flows along the respective channels 28.
  • the channels 28 direct the airflows tangentially into the upper end of respective cyclone separators 25 to create a cyclonic airflow therein.
  • the airflows spiral downwardly around the frusto-conical walls 27 of the separators 25 towards their lower ends. As the air flows downwards, the volume of air in the spiral flow is constantly being diminished, by virtue it having been drawn radially inwardly and axially upwardly through the vortex finders 32.
  • a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention is relatively simple in construction, yet has a substantially improved separation efficiency by enabling large numbers of high-efficiency cyclones to be compactly accommodated.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
  • Cyclones (AREA)
EP20070124052 2006-12-22 2007-12-24 Appareil de séparation cyclonique Not-in-force EP1938732B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0625572A GB2445027B (en) 2006-12-22 2006-12-22 Cyclonic separation apparatus
GB0718366A GB0718366D0 (en) 2007-09-20 2007-09-20 Cyclonic separation apparatus
GB0719198A GB2445050A (en) 2006-12-22 2007-10-02 Cyclone array

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1938732A1 true EP1938732A1 (fr) 2008-07-02
EP1938732B1 EP1938732B1 (fr) 2010-11-17

Family

ID=39204940

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20070124052 Not-in-force EP1938732B1 (fr) 2006-12-22 2007-12-24 Appareil de séparation cyclonique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1938732B1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021126687A1 (fr) * 2019-12-20 2021-06-24 Techtronic Cordless Gp Aspirateur

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1739315U (de) * 1956-09-12 1957-02-07 Theo Horstkoetter Staubfangvorrichtung mit einer vielzahl von zyklonen.
EP0885585A1 (fr) * 1997-06-20 1998-12-23 CANDY S.p.A. Aspirateur de poussière domestique à cyclon axial
US20060123590A1 (en) * 2004-12-13 2006-06-15 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Vacuum Cleaner with Multiple Cyclonic Dirt Separators and Bottom Discharge Dirt Cup
EP1707273A1 (fr) * 2005-03-29 2006-10-04 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Séparateur de poussières cyclonique
US20060230719A1 (en) 2005-03-29 2006-10-19 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Multi-cyclone dust separator and a vacuum cleaner using the same
DE202006017010U1 (de) 2006-06-12 2007-01-04 Spitzer Holding Gmbh Staubsammelvorrichtung sowie Staubsauger

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1739315U (de) * 1956-09-12 1957-02-07 Theo Horstkoetter Staubfangvorrichtung mit einer vielzahl von zyklonen.
EP0885585A1 (fr) * 1997-06-20 1998-12-23 CANDY S.p.A. Aspirateur de poussière domestique à cyclon axial
US20060123590A1 (en) * 2004-12-13 2006-06-15 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Vacuum Cleaner with Multiple Cyclonic Dirt Separators and Bottom Discharge Dirt Cup
EP1707273A1 (fr) * 2005-03-29 2006-10-04 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Séparateur de poussières cyclonique
US20060230719A1 (en) 2005-03-29 2006-10-19 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Multi-cyclone dust separator and a vacuum cleaner using the same
DE202006017010U1 (de) 2006-06-12 2007-01-04 Spitzer Holding Gmbh Staubsammelvorrichtung sowie Staubsauger

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021126687A1 (fr) * 2019-12-20 2021-06-24 Techtronic Cordless Gp Aspirateur

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1938732B1 (fr) 2010-11-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7955406B2 (en) Cyclonic separation apparatus
EP1938733B9 (fr) Appareil de séparation cyclonique et aspirateur muni d'un tel appareil de séparation
EP2052659B1 (fr) Appareil de séparation cyclonique
AU2006200504B2 (en) Filter assembly and cyclone dust collecting apparatus having the same
AU2009100933B4 (en) Cyclonic separating apparatus
RU2337605C2 (ru) Мультициклонный пылеуловитель
EP1779761B1 (fr) Collecteur de poussière à cyclones multiples
EP1915083B1 (fr) Dispositif de collecte de poussière pour aspirateur
US9456724B2 (en) Separating apparatus in a vacuum cleaner
US20060168923A1 (en) Multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus
GB2410911A (en) Cyclonic dust-collecting apparatus
EP3060095A1 (fr) Séparateur cyclonique comportant des cyclones empilés
JP2006272322A (ja) サイクロン集塵装置
WO2006125944A1 (fr) Separateur cyclonique
WO2006125946A1 (fr) Separateur cyclonique de salete et poussiere
IL137900A (en) Apparatus for separating particulates from fluid stream
WO2015114334A1 (fr) Appareil de séparation dans un aspirateur
KR100546622B1 (ko) 청소기의 집진장치
EP1938732B1 (fr) Appareil de séparation cyclonique
KR100606795B1 (ko) 다중 싸이클론 집진장치
KR100628062B1 (ko) 진공청소기의 집진장치

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 MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK RS

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20080814

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20080924

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 MT 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 MT 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: 602007010576

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20101230

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20101117

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2356570

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20110411

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20101117

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: 20101117

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

Effective date: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20110217

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: 20101117

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: 20110317

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: 20110317

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: 20101117

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

Ref country code: GR

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

Effective date: 20110218

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

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 20101231

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

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: 20101117

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

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

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20110818

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: 20101224

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602007010576

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110818

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

Ref country code: MT

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: 20101117

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20101224

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: 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: 20110518

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20101224

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: 20111231

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: 20101117

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20111231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20151221

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20151214

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20151117

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20160302

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20151231

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602007010576

Country of ref document: DE

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

Effective date: 20161224

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20170831

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: 20170102

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20161224

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: 20161224

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20170701

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

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 20161225

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20181116