WO1999053241A1 - Thermally protective coupling for a light conduit lighting system - Google Patents
Thermally protective coupling for a light conduit lighting system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999053241A1 WO1999053241A1 PCT/US1998/018801 US9818801W WO9953241A1 WO 1999053241 A1 WO1999053241 A1 WO 1999053241A1 US 9818801 W US9818801 W US 9818801W WO 9953241 A1 WO9953241 A1 WO 9953241A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- coupling
- light
- light pipe
- light source
- pipe
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- G02B6/0096—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the lights guides being of the hollow type
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S385/00—Optical waveguides
- Y10S385/901—Illuminating or display apparatus
Definitions
- the present invention relates to lighting systems and, more particularly, to a thermally protective coupling for connecting a light conduit, such as a light pipe, to a light source.
- a centralized light source is easier to maintain than many distributed light sources.
- Heat generated by a centralized light source can be easily vented from the lighted areas, whereas heat from distributed light sources is not easily vented.
- a light distribution system connected to a centralized light source radiates minimal or no heat.
- Light pipes or light conduits made of a transparent material having substantially planar inner surfaces and outer surfaces which are "in octature" have been utilized to transport light, as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,260,220 to Whitehead.
- These devices are typically constructed of an optical lighting film made of flexible polymeric sheets of a transparent material having a structured surface on one side and a smooth surface opposite the structured surface.
- the structured surface of the devices preferably includes a linear array of miniature substantially right angle isosceles prisms arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves. Further, the perpendicular sides of the prisms make an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the smoother surface.
- the critical angle is defined as the arc sine of the ratio of the index of refraction of the surrounding medium (typically air) to that of the wall material.
- the critical angle typically air
- incident light that enters the light conduit outside the critical angle will not be totally internally reflected.
- a light conduit can be constructed using a multi-layer optical film, such as disclosed in U.S. patent No. 5,661, 839 (Whitehead). Light conduits have been constructed with various cross-sections, such as square cross-sections as illustrated in U.S.
- Many means for facilitating emission of light from the light conduit have been used in the past, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,363,470 (Wortman).
- an extractor such as a diffuse scatterer made of a highly reflective white polymeric tape such as SCOTCHCAL ELECTROCUT brand film, manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, can be placed inside a light conduit to increase the rate of leakage, or emission, of the light from inside the light conduit.
- the diffuse scatterer increases the rate of leakage by "scattering" light that hits it into non-total internal reflecting angular regions of the light conduit, thereby increasing the amount of light in those angles which allow light to be emitted from the light conduit.
- a strip of the highly reflective while polymeric tape is placed over the length of the light conduit to cause the scattering.
- the present invention provides a light directing thermally protective coupling for connecting a light conduit, such as a light pipe, to a light source.
- the coupling includes a body member having a first end connected with the light source and a second end connected with the light pipe.
- the body member contains a longitudinal channel which extends from the first end to the second end and includes an inner surface defining the channel which directs light from the light source, through the coupling, to the light pipe.
- the inner surface is provided with a highly reflective finish.
- the body member is formed of a thermally conductive metal which conducts heat away from the light source and dissipates the heat.
- the body member has a length sufficient to produce a temperature drop between the light source and the remote end of the coupling so that the light pipe can be connected with the coupling without having the high temperature of the light source damage the light pipe.
- the coupling also provides an increased surface area which increases convective heat transfer, and further provides protection against radiative heat transfer.
- the coupling contains a plurality of radial holes which enhance convective heat transfer, and a reflective insert is arranged within the coupling to direct light through the coupling and to provide protection against radiative heat transfer.
- the first end of the coupling includes a lip portion which is connected with a gasket provided on the light source reflector cone, and the second end of the coupling can include a collar which interlocks with a mating collar provided on the adjacent end of an associated light pipe.
- the coupling of the present invention is easy to install and can transmit axial forces, such as those created by thermal expansion and contraction, between the light source and the light pipe assembly.
- Fig. l is a perspective view of a lighting system including a thermally protective coupling according to the present invention
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a thermally protective coupling
- Fig. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate lighting system including a thermally protective coupling according to the present invention
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
- a lighting system 2 including a light source 4, a coupling 26 connected with the light source, a light pipe assembly 6 connected with the coupling 26, and a mounting assembly 8 for hanging the lighting system 2 from a support surface (not shown), such as a ceiling.
- the light source is intended to represent a high intensity light source such as the LIGHTDRIVE 1000TM available from Fusion Lighting, Inc., Rockville, Maryland.
- the light source includes a housing 10, and a reflector cone 12 containing a light bulb 14.
- the light pipe assembly such as the 3M LPS1010 light pipe system available from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, includes a plurality of interconnected light pipes 16. For simplicity, only one such light pipe is shown.
- the mounting assembly includes a main housing bracket 18 connected with the light source housing 10, an elongated light source support rail 20 fixedly connected with the housing bracket 18, and a pair of hanger brackets 22, 24 mounted on the support rail 20.
- the hanger brackets 22, 24 are fixedly connected with the support surface.
- Each light pipe 16 includes a support rail 40 which extends along the length of the light pipe.
- a light pipe hanger bracket 41 similar to the light source hanger brackets 22, 24, is mounted to the support surface and slidably engages the light pipe support rail 40, thereby allowing the light pipe 16 and light pipe support rail 40 to move relative to the support surface in response to changes in the overall length of the light pipe assembly 6 caused by, for example, thermal expansion and contraction.
- Additional hanger brackets can be provided on light pipe support rail 40 for increased support.
- a connector or guide clip 42 connects the light source support rail 20 with the light pipe support rail 40.
- the guide clip 42 includes a pair of projections 42a which engage notches 44, 46 contained in the light source support rail 20 and light pipe support rail 40, respectively, which prevent the support rails from becoming separated.
- a tensile force is transmitted through the guide clip, and during expansion, a compressive force is transmitted through the guide clip.
- the ends of the light source support rail 20 and the light pipe support rail can abut so that the compressive force will be transmitted directly through the support rails 20, 40 without going through the guide clip 42.
- a typical light pipe includes a shell and an optical lighting film formed of various materials, such as polycarbonate and/or acrylic. These materials can be charred, melted, or otherwise damaged by high temperatures. - 6 -
- the coupling 26 can be formed of a thermally conductive metal, such as aluminum, so that heat is conducted away from light source 4 and effectively dissipated.
- the high thermal conductivity provides a temperature drop over the length of the coupling which is large enough to allow the light pipe 16 to be connected with the coupling 26 without damaging the light pipe. The length of the coupling can be adjusted to achieve the desired temperature drop, and therefore allow light pipes formed of various materials to be connected with the coupling without damaging the light pipe.
- the coupling 26 has a hollow cylindrical shape and includes a first end 28 which is connected with the light source 4 and a second end 30 which is connected with the light pipe 16. More specifically, the coupling includes a lip portion 26a which is connected with the reflector cone 12, a flared end portion 26b which is connected with the light pipe 16, and a narrow intermediate portion 26c having a smaller diameter than the flared end portion 26b extending between the lip portion 26a and the flared end portion 26b.
- the flared configuration of the coupling is provided to properly align the reflector cone 12 with the light pipe 16.
- the coupling can also have a tapered configuration.
- the flared end portion 26b and the intermediate portion 26c can have the same diameter depending on the diameter of the reflector cone and the diameter of the light pipe and further depending on how the coupling is connected with the reflector cone and light pipe.
- the coupling 26 contains a longitudinal internal channel 32 which extends through the coupling, and includes an inner surface 34 which directs light from the light source 4 to the light pipe 16.
- the inner surface 34 can be, for example, a highly reflective polished metal surface which directs the light through the coupling.
- the polished metal surface can include a reflective coating to further increase reflection. To minimize light loss and thereby optimize performance, the inner surface is made as highly reflective as possible. A typical highly reflective surface can be as much as 96% reflective or greater.
- the highly polished inner surface 34 surface also provides thermal protection by dispersing the radiant heat transfer from the light source 4.
- the coupling will provide thermal protection even if the inner surface is not highly reflective.
- the coupling 26 also provides an increased surface area for convective heat transfer.
- the thermal coupling provides thermal protection by conducting heat from the light source 4, by providing a radiation dispersing barrier which provides thermal protection against radiative heat transfer, and by increasing the convective heat transfer. The coupling is therefore cooled enough to allow the light pipe 16 to be connected with the reflector cone 12 without be damaging the light pipe.
- the coupling and its inner surface are shown as having circular cross-sections, other geometric configurations, such as square or triangular, can be used without significantly affecting the operation of the coupling.
- Fig. 4 shows a thermally protective coupling 126 including a collar 172 which is adapted to connect with a mating collar provided on an adjacent end of the light pipe as described below.
- the coupling 126 contains a plurality of radially arranged openings 174 which provide the coupling with enhanced heat dissipation properties.
- a light directing insert 176 is arranged concentrically within the coupling 126.
- the insert can be formed of polished aluminum having a highly reflective mirror like interior finish.
- the coupling 126 can be formed of other materials, such as polycarbonate.
- the coupling 26 is easy to install and forms a strong connection with the reflector cone 12.
- a coupling gasket 50 connects the coupling 26 with the reflector cone 12.
- the coupling gasket 50 includes an annular transversely extending groove 52 which receives the end of the light pipe 16 if the coupling 26 is not used and the light pipe 16 is connected directly with the reflector cone 12.
- the light pipe can be damaged by the heat generated from the light if the light pipe is connected directly to the reflector cone 12.
- such a connection requires an installer to apply caulk to the joint between the coupling gasket 50 and the light pipe 16 to secure the connection.
- the coupling gasket 50 also includes an inwardly directed annular groove 54 which receives the edge of the reflector cone 12, the edge of a transparent cover 56 for the reflector cone 12, and a lip portion 26a of the coupling 26.
- a V-band clamp 58 arranged around coupling gasket 50 is used to tighten the coupling gasket connection.
- Other known connecting techniques such as clamps, bolted flanges, or buckles, can also be used to connect the coupling 26 with the reflector cone 12.
- An annular gasket 60 is provided between the light pipe 16 and the coupling 26 to produce a tight seal therebetween.
- a strap 62 extends around the joint formed by the light pipe 16, the annular gasket 60, and the coupling 26 to provide added support for the connection and to provide a more effective seal.
- the strap 62 is secured to the outer surface of the guide clip 42.
- the strap can also be fastened to the support rails 20, 40, the light pipe 16, or the coupling 26.
- Figs. 5 and 6 show the coupling 126 and insert 176 installed in a light system including an alternate mounting assembly.
- the mounting assembly includes a shell or casing 164 which receives the chassis 166 of the light source 104.
- the chassis 166 contains the reflector cone 112 and the light source housing (not shown).
- An elongated support rail 120 is formed integrally with and extends along the top surface of the casing 164.
- the light source support rail 120 of Figs. 5 and 6 is not connected with the light pipe support rail 140. Rather, the entire length of the light source support rail 140 is contained - 9 -
- Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternate connection between the coupling 126 and light pipe 116 which serves to transmit both tensile and compressive forces.
- the connection includes mating interlocking collars 172, 178 on adjacent ends of the light pipe 116 and the coupling 126.
- a clamp 180 encloses the collars.
- the light pipe 116 can be connected directly to the coupling gasket 150, whereby the coupling 126 is eliminated.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
- Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU94760/98A AU9476098A (en) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-09-10 | Thermally protective coupling for a light conduit lighting system |
CA002328444A CA2328444C (en) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-09-10 | Thermally protective coupling for a light conduit lighting system |
JP2000543762A JP2002511634A (en) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-09-10 | Thermal protection couplings for light pipe lighting systems |
EP98948124A EP1071908B1 (en) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-09-10 | Thermally protective coupling for a light conduit lighting system |
DE69804683T DE69804683T2 (en) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-09-10 | THERMALLY INSULATING CONNECTING ELEMENT FOR A LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH LIGHT GUIDE |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/060,558 US6325550B1 (en) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-04-15 | Thermally protective coupling for a light conduit lighting system |
US09/060,558 | 1998-04-15 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999053241A1 true WO1999053241A1 (en) | 1999-10-21 |
Family
ID=22030269
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1998/018801 WO1999053241A1 (en) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-09-10 | Thermally protective coupling for a light conduit lighting system |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6325550B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1071908B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002511634A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1095969C (en) |
AU (1) | AU9476098A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2328444C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69804683T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999053241A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3931127B2 (en) * | 2002-09-03 | 2007-06-13 | オリンパス株式会社 | LIGHTING DEVICE AND DISPLAY DEVICE USING THE SAME |
TWM246605U (en) * | 2003-11-24 | 2004-10-11 | Benq Corp | Light pipe bracket |
JP2017519249A (en) | 2014-04-04 | 2017-07-13 | コーニング インコーポレイテッド | Treatment of glass surfaces to improve adhesion |
US9926956B2 (en) | 2016-02-19 | 2018-03-27 | Cummins Emission Solutions Inc. | Dual purpose clamp for securing aftertreatment housing joints |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4260220A (en) | 1979-06-15 | 1981-04-07 | Canadian Patents And Development Limited | Prism light guide having surfaces which are in octature |
EP0235447A2 (en) * | 1986-01-15 | 1987-09-09 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | A totally internally reflecting light conduit |
US4805984A (en) | 1985-11-21 | 1989-02-21 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Totally internally reflecting light conduit |
EP0401711A2 (en) * | 1989-06-09 | 1990-12-12 | DR.TECHN. JOSEF ZELISKO, FABRIK FÜR ELEKTROTECHNIK UND MASCHINENBAU GESELLSCHAFT m.b.H. | Lamp configuration, especially for signal device |
EP0446692A1 (en) * | 1990-03-15 | 1991-09-18 | Eta Ingenieurgesellschaft Für Energietechnik Und Energieanwendung Mbh | Lighting device using lightguides, especially for cold rooms and explosion-proof rooms |
DE4203107A1 (en) * | 1992-02-04 | 1993-08-05 | Werner Stierle | System for combined light and water display with bulb in lamp housing e.g. for aesthetic display - transmits light emanating with main radiation axis and water guiding housing is positioned in light path in front of lamp housing and has water riser and carrier |
US5363470A (en) | 1993-07-08 | 1994-11-08 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Displacing an optical lighting film's linear array of grooves to facilitate emission of light |
US5475785A (en) | 1993-04-30 | 1995-12-12 | Johanson; Walter A. | Illumination devices and methods of forming same |
WO1997024553A1 (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1997-07-10 | Miekis Kevin D | Supporting structure for a prism light guide |
US5661839A (en) | 1996-03-22 | 1997-08-26 | The University Of British Columbia | Light guide employing multilayer optical film |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3564231A (en) * | 1968-09-26 | 1971-02-16 | Poly Optics | Illumination device |
US3624385A (en) * | 1970-04-09 | 1971-11-30 | Poly Optics | Ornamental illumination device and adapter |
US5099399A (en) * | 1991-04-08 | 1992-03-24 | Miller Jack V | High efficiency fiber optics illuminator with thermally controlled light guide bushing |
US5309541A (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1994-05-03 | Laser Power Corporation | Flexible light conduit |
US5483119A (en) | 1993-06-15 | 1996-01-09 | Johanson; Walter A. | Illumination devices and methods of forming same |
US5784517A (en) | 1993-04-30 | 1998-07-21 | Johanson; Walter A. | Illumination devices and methods of forming same |
DE19640325A1 (en) | 1996-09-19 | 1998-03-26 | Semperlux Gmbh | High power hollow light conductor arrangement |
US5727108A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1998-03-10 | Troy Investments, Inc. | High efficiency compound parabolic concentrators and optical fiber powered spot luminaire |
-
1998
- 1998-04-15 US US09/060,558 patent/US6325550B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-10 WO PCT/US1998/018801 patent/WO1999053241A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-09-10 EP EP98948124A patent/EP1071908B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-10 AU AU94760/98A patent/AU9476098A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-09-10 CA CA002328444A patent/CA2328444C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-09-10 DE DE69804683T patent/DE69804683T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-09-10 CN CN98813972A patent/CN1095969C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-09-10 JP JP2000543762A patent/JP2002511634A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4260220A (en) | 1979-06-15 | 1981-04-07 | Canadian Patents And Development Limited | Prism light guide having surfaces which are in octature |
US4805984A (en) | 1985-11-21 | 1989-02-21 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Totally internally reflecting light conduit |
EP0235447A2 (en) * | 1986-01-15 | 1987-09-09 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | A totally internally reflecting light conduit |
EP0401711A2 (en) * | 1989-06-09 | 1990-12-12 | DR.TECHN. JOSEF ZELISKO, FABRIK FÜR ELEKTROTECHNIK UND MASCHINENBAU GESELLSCHAFT m.b.H. | Lamp configuration, especially for signal device |
EP0446692A1 (en) * | 1990-03-15 | 1991-09-18 | Eta Ingenieurgesellschaft Für Energietechnik Und Energieanwendung Mbh | Lighting device using lightguides, especially for cold rooms and explosion-proof rooms |
DE4203107A1 (en) * | 1992-02-04 | 1993-08-05 | Werner Stierle | System for combined light and water display with bulb in lamp housing e.g. for aesthetic display - transmits light emanating with main radiation axis and water guiding housing is positioned in light path in front of lamp housing and has water riser and carrier |
US5475785A (en) | 1993-04-30 | 1995-12-12 | Johanson; Walter A. | Illumination devices and methods of forming same |
US5363470A (en) | 1993-07-08 | 1994-11-08 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Displacing an optical lighting film's linear array of grooves to facilitate emission of light |
WO1997024553A1 (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1997-07-10 | Miekis Kevin D | Supporting structure for a prism light guide |
US5661839A (en) | 1996-03-22 | 1997-08-26 | The University Of British Columbia | Light guide employing multilayer optical film |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2328444A1 (en) | 1999-10-21 |
US6325550B1 (en) | 2001-12-04 |
DE69804683T2 (en) | 2002-11-21 |
EP1071908B1 (en) | 2002-04-03 |
CN1291271A (en) | 2001-04-11 |
CA2328444C (en) | 2007-05-01 |
CN1095969C (en) | 2002-12-11 |
DE69804683D1 (en) | 2002-05-08 |
JP2002511634A (en) | 2002-04-16 |
EP1071908A1 (en) | 2001-01-31 |
AU9476098A (en) | 1999-11-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7874690B2 (en) | LED lighting fixture for illuminating a cavity | |
US5309544A (en) | Light pipe having optimized cross-section | |
US5436805A (en) | Thermally insulated distributed light network from a central light source | |
US4805984A (en) | Totally internally reflecting light conduit | |
CA1268969A (en) | Totally internally reflecting light conduit | |
CN1090333C (en) | Apparatus coupling power source to fiber optic | |
WO1997036131A1 (en) | Illumination system comprising microprisms with blocking means | |
US6226440B1 (en) | Optical coupler and illumination system employing the same | |
US5725296A (en) | Light head assembly with remote light source | |
CA2079304C (en) | Fiber optic lighting device | |
US6217205B1 (en) | Cold coupling apparatus and method | |
KR100628057B1 (en) | Ventilating and iluminating duct | |
EP1071908B1 (en) | Thermally protective coupling for a light conduit lighting system | |
EP1078201B1 (en) | Mounting assembly for a light conduit lighting system | |
US6113285A (en) | Illuminator heat dissipation system | |
US5708737A (en) | Multiport illuminator mechanical design for macro-fibers | |
US6612718B1 (en) | Optical flange for maintaining luminaire performance and smoothly coupling a lens to a reflector for enclosed luminaires | |
EP0653587B1 (en) | Luminaires | |
KR100463934B1 (en) | Back-coupled lighting system to regenerate light | |
JP2000100205A (en) | Optical lighting system | |
KR20090079431A (en) | Illuminating system utilizing an optical pipe | |
JPS63163309A (en) | Light source device for optical fiber |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 98813972.3 Country of ref document: CN |
|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 1998948124 Country of ref document: EP |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2328444 Country of ref document: CA Ref document number: 2328444 Country of ref document: CA Kind code of ref document: A |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2000 543762 Country of ref document: JP Kind code of ref document: A |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: KR |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 1998948124 Country of ref document: EP |
|
REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: CA |
|
WWG | Wipo information: grant in national office |
Ref document number: 1998948124 Country of ref document: EP |