EP0864385A2 - Body-necking a wall-ironed can - Google Patents

Body-necking a wall-ironed can Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0864385A2
EP0864385A2 EP98200450A EP98200450A EP0864385A2 EP 0864385 A2 EP0864385 A2 EP 0864385A2 EP 98200450 A EP98200450 A EP 98200450A EP 98200450 A EP98200450 A EP 98200450A EP 0864385 A2 EP0864385 A2 EP 0864385A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
necked
necking
wall
diameter
accordance
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
EP98200450A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0864385A3 (en
EP0864385B1 (en
Inventor
Auke Hogendoorn
Jacobus Frans Nak
Hans Nicolaas Schaaper
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.)
Tata Steel Ijmuiden BV
Original Assignee
Hoogovens Staal 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 Hoogovens Staal BV filed Critical Hoogovens Staal BV
Publication of EP0864385A2 publication Critical patent/EP0864385A2/en
Publication of EP0864385A3 publication Critical patent/EP0864385A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0864385B1 publication Critical patent/EP0864385B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D51/00—Making hollow objects
    • B21D51/16—Making hollow objects characterised by the use of the objects
    • B21D51/26—Making hollow objects characterised by the use of the objects cans or tins; Closing same in a permanent manner
    • B21D51/2615—Edge treatment of cans or tins

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a metal, body-necked can with an ironed wall, for example one intended for being provided on one open side with an easily opening lid in order thereby to form a beverage can, comprising the stages of reducing the diameter of the can with the ironed wall by necking the wall up a considerable part of the height of the can, to be referred to as body-necking, and applying a neck rim by necking the top rim of the can.
  • EP 0 733 415 A1 discloses the manufacturing of a beverage can comprising a body with zones having different diameters by drawing a cup from a blank, reducing the diameter thereof by a restraining operation and thereafter locally increasing the diameter by an expanding operation.
  • the diameter of the rudimentary can body is firstly reduced. Then an expanding process is used to give the can a different shape e.g. in a shaping mould In order to complete the beverage can subsequently a neck rim is formed at the top of the can to which the lid can be fitted.
  • This gap is taken to be the gap located between the knock-out and the die.
  • the can rim fits precisely in that gap.
  • the can rim is thicker than the can wall so that it has sufficient deforming reserve to be necked.
  • the knock-out diameter is adapted to that thicker can rim. If the knock-out diameter were adapted to the can wall thickness, then the gap would be too small for the can rim. Therefore, adapting the knock-out diameter to the can rim thickness means that the gap is too large for the can wall, so that the chance of the can wall wrinkling increases (see Fig. 1).
  • the neck applied for body-necking gives the can body rigidity and holds it under tension so that wrinkling is prevented during body-necking.
  • the method in accordance with the invention makes it possible to body-neck without a knock-out.
  • the body because of the axial loading of the can during body-necking, the body must be supported during body-necking by applying an internal overpressure.
  • a centring pin is used with a diameter equal to the internal neck diameter of the can.
  • the internal diameter of the can neck is then approx. 52.3 mm.
  • the invention is also embodied in a method for manufacturing a shaped can by inflating a can which is obtained by applying the method in accordance with one of the Claims 1-4.
  • the material After pressure loads have been introduced in the material by body-necking, the material is better able to stretch and the can is able to be formed to a considerable extent, for example by inflating.
  • the method in accordance with the invention has been found highly suitable for cans manufactured from a packaging steel suited to wall-ironing, and manufactured from an aluminium alloy suited to wall-ironing.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically the result of three sub-processes a, b and c of the method in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 1a shows a wall-ironed can with a ⁇ 66 mm which in Fig. 1b is transformed into a necked can with a 202 neck and a flange.
  • the 202 necked can is body-necked in a die (1) into a circular cylindrical body with an outside diameter of less than ⁇ 63.5 mm or even less than ⁇ 62 mm.
  • a hollow centring pin (2) with an outside diameter equal to the internal neck diameter ofthe can, the can is placed under an internal overpressure for example by using compressed air.
  • Fig. 2 shows schematically the inflating procedure in a shaping mould (3) of the body-necked, wall-ironed, circular cylindrical body from Fig. 1c into a shaped can.

Abstract

Method for manufacturing a metal, body-necked can with an ironed wall, for example one intended for being provided on one open side with an easily opening lid in order thereby to form a beverage can, comprising the stages of reducing the diameter of the can with the ironed wall by necking the wall up a considerable part of the height of the can, to be referred to as body-necking, and applying a neck rim by necking the top rim of the can, whereby prior to being body-necked the can is first necked.

Description

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a metal, body-necked can with an ironed wall, for example one intended for being provided on one open side with an easily opening lid in order thereby to form a beverage can, comprising the stages of reducing the diameter of the can with the ironed wall by necking the wall up a considerable part of the height of the can, to be referred to as body-necking, and applying a neck rim by necking the top rim of the can.
Such a method is known. EP 0 733 415 A1 for example discloses the manufacturing of a beverage can comprising a body with zones having different diameters by drawing a cup from a blank, reducing the diameter thereof by a restraining operation and thereafter locally increasing the diameter by an expanding operation.
According to such a method the diameter of the rudimentary can body is firstly reduced. Then an expanding process is used to give the can a different shape e.g. in a shaping mould In order to complete the beverage can subsequently a neck rim is formed at the top of the can to which the lid can be fitted.
In the known method, to (body-) neck the can it is moved into a profiled die so that the profile of the die is transferred to the can. However, if the entire body is body-necked to a smaller diameter, there is a chance of wrinkling. In order to suppress or prevent such wrinkling the can must be supported internally by a knock-out in the neck zone during body-necking. Before expanding the top rim must first be necked into a neck rim. This necking causes damage to the in-can paint and wrinkling in the neck part close to the top rim of the can. The wrinkling is connected and associated with the presence of a large gap during body-necking in the area of the body because the body is adapted to the thicker rim of the can. This gap is taken to be the gap located between the knock-out and the die. During necking the can rim fits precisely in that gap. However, the can rim is thicker than the can wall so that it has sufficient deforming reserve to be necked. However, the knock-out diameter is adapted to that thicker can rim. If the knock-out diameter were adapted to the can wall thickness, then the gap would be too small for the can rim. Therefore, adapting the knock-out diameter to the can rim thickness means that the gap is too large for the can wall, so that the chance of the can wall wrinkling increases (see Fig. 1).
Tests have shown that wrinkling can be prevented and that a simpler manufacturing method is possible if, and the invention is based essentially on this, prior to being body-necked, the can is first necked.
The neck applied for body-necking gives the can body rigidity and holds it under tension so that wrinkling is prevented during body-necking. The method in accordance with the invention makes it possible to body-neck without a knock-out. However, because of the axial loading of the can during body-necking, the body must be supported during body-necking by applying an internal overpressure. Furthermore, during body-necking a centring pin is used with a diameter equal to the internal neck diameter of the can.
In practice it is found in accordance with the invention that it is possible to form from a ⊘ 66 mm body a can with a circumference of less than ⊘ 63.5 mm or even ⊘ 62 mm with a 202 neck. A 202 neck is taken to be a neck with a diameter (including the flange with which the lid is applied) of 2 2/16 inch (= 53.98 mm). The internal diameter of the can neck is then approx. 52.3 mm.
The invention is also embodied in a method for manufacturing a shaped can by inflating a can which is obtained by applying the method in accordance with one of the Claims 1-4.
After pressure loads have been introduced in the material by body-necking, the material is better able to stretch and the can is able to be formed to a considerable extent, for example by inflating.
The method in accordance with the invention has been found highly suitable for cans manufactured from a packaging steel suited to wall-ironing, and manufactured from an aluminium alloy suited to wall-ironing.
The invention will now be further illustrated by reference to the drawings in which:
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically the successive stages of the method in accordance with the invention, and
  • Fig. 2 shows schematically the inflating of a necked, body-necked body in accordance with the invention.
    • Fig. 1 shows schematically the result of three sub-processes a, b and c of the method in accordance with the invention. Fig. 1a shows a wall-ironed can with a ⊘ 66 mm which in Fig. 1b is transformed into a necked can with a 202 neck and a flange. In Fig. 1c the 202 necked can is body-necked in a die (1) into a circular cylindrical body with an outside diameter of less than ⊘ 63.5 mm or even less than ⊘ 62 mm. With a hollow centring pin (2) with an outside diameter equal to the internal neck diameter ofthe can, the can is placed under an internal overpressure for example by using compressed air.
    Fig. 2 shows schematically the inflating procedure in a shaping mould (3) of the body-necked, wall-ironed, circular cylindrical body from Fig. 1c into a shaped can.

    Claims (7)

    1. Method for manufacturing a metal, body-necked can with an ironed wall, for example one intended for being provided on one open side with an easily opening lid in order thereby to form a beverage can, comprising the stages of reducing the diameter of the can with the ironed wall by necking the wall up a considerable part of the height of the can, to be referred to as body-necking, and applying a neck rim by necking the top rim of the can, characterized in that prior to being body-necked it is first necked.
    2. Method in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the body-necking is carried out with a knock-out with a circular cylindrical shape with an outside diameter corresponding to the internal neck diameter of the neck rim.
    3. Method in accordance with one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a can of ⊘ 66 mm is necked to a 202 top diameter and then body-necked into a circular cylindrical body with an outside diameter of less than ⊘ 63.5 mm.
    4. Method in accordance with one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a can of ⊘ 66 mm is necked to a 202 top diameter and then body-necked into a circular cylindrical body with an outside diameter ofless than ⊘ 62 mm.
    5. Method for the manufacture of a shaped can by inflating a can which is obtained by applying the method in accordance with one of the Claims 1-4.
    6. Body-necked, wall-ironed can obtained from the method in accordance with one of the Claims 1-5, characterized in that the can is manufactured from packaging steel.
    7. Body-necked, wall-ironed can obtained from the method in accordance with one of the Claims 1-5, characterized in that the can is manufactured from aluminium.
    EP98200450A 1997-02-21 1998-02-13 Body-necking a wall-ironed can Expired - Lifetime EP0864385B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    NL1005340A NL1005340C2 (en) 1997-02-21 1997-02-21 Body checking out stretched bus.
    NL1005340 1997-02-21

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0864385A2 true EP0864385A2 (en) 1998-09-16
    EP0864385A3 EP0864385A3 (en) 1998-10-14
    EP0864385B1 EP0864385B1 (en) 2002-12-11

    Family

    ID=19764469

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP98200450A Expired - Lifetime EP0864385B1 (en) 1997-02-21 1998-02-13 Body-necking a wall-ironed can

    Country Status (7)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0864385B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE229388T1 (en)
    BR (1) BR9800710A (en)
    DE (1) DE69809983D1 (en)
    NL (1) NL1005340C2 (en)
    TR (1) TR199800283A1 (en)
    ZA (1) ZA981433B (en)

    Cited By (25)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    NL1012126C2 (en) * 1999-05-21 2000-11-23 Corus Staal Bv Use of tensile stress to transform a lateral surface metal object.
    USD607754S1 (en) 2008-10-22 2010-01-12 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD619459S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-07-13 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD619457S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-07-13 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD619458S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-07-13 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD620360S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-07-27 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD621723S1 (en) 2009-01-27 2010-08-17 Rexam Beverage Can Company Beverage container
    USD622145S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-08-24 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD625616S1 (en) 2009-01-27 2010-10-19 Rexam Beverage Can Company Beverage container
    USD638708S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2011-05-31 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD639164S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2011-06-07 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    US8016148B2 (en) 2006-07-12 2011-09-13 Rexam Beverage Can Company Necked-in can body and method for making same
    USD670167S1 (en) 2010-06-17 2012-11-06 Rexam Beverage Can Europe Limited Container with cap
    USD675527S1 (en) 2010-06-17 2013-02-05 Rexam Beverage Can Europe Limited Container with closure
    USD684483S1 (en) 2010-06-17 2013-06-18 Rexam Beverage Can Europe Limited Container
    USD707568S1 (en) 2011-07-15 2014-06-24 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD707569S1 (en) 2011-07-15 2014-06-24 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD712753S1 (en) 2011-07-15 2014-09-09 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container
    USD713267S1 (en) 2011-07-15 2014-09-16 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container
    EP2859966A1 (en) * 2013-10-08 2015-04-15 Ardagh MP Group Netherlands B.V. Shaped metcal container and a method for making a shaped metal container
    USD744833S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-08 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    USD745396S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-15 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    USD745399S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-15 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    USD745397S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-15 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    USD745398S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-15 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle

    Families Citing this family (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6253597B1 (en) 1988-02-19 2001-07-03 Corus Staal B.V. Body-necking a wall-ironed can

    Citations (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US3786957A (en) * 1971-03-22 1974-01-22 Continental Can Co Double stage necking
    US5355710A (en) * 1992-07-31 1994-10-18 Aluminum Company Of America Method and apparatus for necking a metal container and resultant container
    EP0733415A1 (en) * 1995-03-21 1996-09-25 Sollac S.A. Method of manufacture of a metal container in a form

    Patent Citations (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US3786957A (en) * 1971-03-22 1974-01-22 Continental Can Co Double stage necking
    US5355710A (en) * 1992-07-31 1994-10-18 Aluminum Company Of America Method and apparatus for necking a metal container and resultant container
    EP0733415A1 (en) * 1995-03-21 1996-09-25 Sollac S.A. Method of manufacture of a metal container in a form

    Cited By (32)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    NL1012126C2 (en) * 1999-05-21 2000-11-23 Corus Staal Bv Use of tensile stress to transform a lateral surface metal object.
    WO2000071279A1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2000-11-30 Corus Staal Bv Use of tensile stress for deforming a metal object in the form of a circumferential surface
    US8016148B2 (en) 2006-07-12 2011-09-13 Rexam Beverage Can Company Necked-in can body and method for making same
    USD619457S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-07-13 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD619459S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-07-13 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD619458S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-07-13 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD620360S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-07-27 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD622145S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-08-24 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD638708S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2011-05-31 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD639164S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2011-06-07 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD607754S1 (en) 2008-10-22 2010-01-12 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD621723S1 (en) 2009-01-27 2010-08-17 Rexam Beverage Can Company Beverage container
    USD625616S1 (en) 2009-01-27 2010-10-19 Rexam Beverage Can Company Beverage container
    USD670167S1 (en) 2010-06-17 2012-11-06 Rexam Beverage Can Europe Limited Container with cap
    USD675527S1 (en) 2010-06-17 2013-02-05 Rexam Beverage Can Europe Limited Container with closure
    USD684483S1 (en) 2010-06-17 2013-06-18 Rexam Beverage Can Europe Limited Container
    USD707568S1 (en) 2011-07-15 2014-06-24 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD707569S1 (en) 2011-07-15 2014-06-24 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container body
    USD712753S1 (en) 2011-07-15 2014-09-09 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container
    USD713267S1 (en) 2011-07-15 2014-09-16 Rexam Beverage Can Company Container
    USD745398S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-15 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    USD744833S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-08 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    USD745396S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-15 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    USD745399S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-15 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    USD745397S1 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-12-15 Rexam Beverage Can Company Bottle
    WO2015054284A3 (en) * 2013-10-08 2015-06-18 The Coca-Cola Company Shaped metal container and method for maiking a shaped metal container
    EP2859966A1 (en) * 2013-10-08 2015-04-15 Ardagh MP Group Netherlands B.V. Shaped metcal container and a method for making a shaped metal container
    CN105722618A (en) * 2013-10-08 2016-06-29 可口可乐公司 Shaped metal container and method for maiking a shaped metal container
    CN105722618B (en) * 2013-10-08 2019-05-31 可口可乐公司 Forming metal container and method for being manufactured canister
    US10906081B2 (en) 2013-10-08 2021-02-02 The Coca-Cola Company Shaped metal container, microstructure, a method for making a shaped metal container
    EP4116006A3 (en) * 2013-10-08 2023-04-26 The Coca-Cola Company Shaped metal container, microstructure, a method for making a shaped metal container
    US11738382B2 (en) 2013-10-08 2023-08-29 The Coca-Cola Company Shaped metal container, microstructure, a method for making a shaped metal container

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    EP0864385A3 (en) 1998-10-14
    EP0864385B1 (en) 2002-12-11
    ATE229388T1 (en) 2002-12-15
    NL1005340C2 (en) 1998-08-26
    TR199800283A1 (en) 1998-09-21
    DE69809983D1 (en) 2003-01-23
    ZA981433B (en) 1998-08-24
    BR9800710A (en) 1999-06-15

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    EP0864385B1 (en) Body-necking a wall-ironed can
    US5394727A (en) Method of forming a metal container body
    US4341103A (en) Spin-necker flanger for beverage containers
    US5209099A (en) Draw-process methods, systems and tooling for fabricating one-piece can bodies
    EP2739412B1 (en) Can manufacture
    US4991735A (en) Pressure resistant end shell for a container and method and apparatus for forming the same
    US4685322A (en) Method of forming a drawn and redrawn container body
    US5622070A (en) Method of forming a contoured container
    HU188156B (en) Method for producing thin-walled one-section metal bodies first for pressure vessels and the hollow metal body produced by the method
    US5297414A (en) Method for necking containers
    AU2011212400B2 (en) Can manufacture
    IE52072B1 (en) Containers
    JPH09122775A (en) Method and device to manufacture t-shape hollow body or hollow body which is equipped with at least one dome-form
    US3423985A (en) Stripper and pre-draw ring for wall-ironing can bodies
    US6253597B1 (en) Body-necking a wall-ironed can
    JP3517532B2 (en) Method for forming uneven pattern on seamless can side wall
    GB2202777A (en) Method of producing a neck-in can
    JPH09253763A (en) Production of bulge can
    JPH08108235A (en) Menufacture of aluminum alloy di can and device therefor
    AU707477B2 (en) Method of fabricating sheet metal can body
    US20130032602A1 (en) Can manufacture using an annealing step
    WO2000013815A1 (en) Process for the production of can bodies, of filled and closed cans from can bodies of this nature, as well as a metal can body
    WO2000064609A1 (en) Method of forming a can body
    JP2003245731A (en) Ironing die

    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

    PUAL Search report despatched

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A2

    Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A3

    Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 19990414

    AKX Designation fees paid

    Free format text: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

    RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

    Owner name: CORUS STAAL BV

    17Q First examination report despatched

    Effective date: 20010328

    GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

    GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    GRAA (expected) grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: B1

    Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

    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: 20021211

    Ref country code: LI

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

    Effective date: 20021211

    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 PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20021211

    Ref country code: FR

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

    Effective date: 20021211

    Ref country code: CH

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

    Effective date: 20021211

    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: 20021211

    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: 20021211

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 229388

    Country of ref document: AT

    Date of ref document: 20021215

    Kind code of ref document: T

    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

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 69809983

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20030123

    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: 20030311

    Ref country code: GB

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

    Effective date: 20030311

    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: 20030311

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

    Ref country code: DE

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

    Effective date: 20030312

    NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: 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: 20030627

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: PL

    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

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

    Effective date: 20030311

    EN Fr: translation not filed
    26N No opposition filed

    Effective date: 20030912