EP1273256A2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Vacuum cleaner Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1273256A2
EP1273256A2 EP02254643A EP02254643A EP1273256A2 EP 1273256 A2 EP1273256 A2 EP 1273256A2 EP 02254643 A EP02254643 A EP 02254643A EP 02254643 A EP02254643 A EP 02254643A EP 1273256 A2 EP1273256 A2 EP 1273256A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
impeller
vacuum cleaner
duct
airflow path
inlet
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
EP02254643A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1273256B1 (en
EP1273256A3 (en
Inventor
Silvano Fumagalli
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
Application filed by Hoover Ltd filed Critical Hoover Ltd
Publication of EP1273256A2 publication Critical patent/EP1273256A2/en
Publication of EP1273256A3 publication Critical patent/EP1273256A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1273256B1 publication Critical patent/EP1273256B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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
    • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
    • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
    • A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having an increased suction power.
  • vacuum cleaners incorporate a clean air fan system in which air is drawn through a separation unit comprising a filter bag and/or a cyclonic separator by a fan mounted downstream thereof.
  • the separation unit removes substantially all of the dust entrained in the airflow and thus the air passing through the fan is substantially clean.
  • the fan comprises a centrifugal radial flow impeller driven by an electric motor.
  • the fan is arranged to draw air axially, out of a first chamber mounted in front of the impeller. The air is then driven radially by the impeller into a second chamber which is connected to the exhaust of the cleaner.
  • a duct leads from the separation unit to the first chamber.
  • Vacuum cleaners of the above mentioned type function extremely well. However, there is increasing demand to improve the suction power of vacuum cleaners without increasing the wattage of the motor.
  • a vacuum cleaner having an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for cleaned air, an airflow path extending between the inlet and outlet, a fan unit mounted in the airflow path for causing an airflow between the inlet and outlet through a dust separation unit arranged to separate a substantial amount of the dust and other matter from the air flowing along said airflow path, the fan unit comprising a radial flow impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller about a rotational axis, the impeller comprising a plurality of blades extending radially from an axially extending central hollow region having an air inlet at one axial end thereof, the airflow path comprising a duct having an outlet end directly aligned with the inlet of the impeller, said duct having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial part of its length.
  • the fan chamber actually forms a part of the duct leading to the impeller.
  • the increased cross-sectional area of the chamber causes the airflow entering the chamber to expand and to drop in velocity. This expansion and drop in velocity causes the kinetic energy of the air molecules to drop as they enter the fan chamber. Accordingly, more power is required to move the air from the chamber.
  • the chamber also causes a turbulent flow which further inhibits the airflow and causes noise.
  • the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems by omitting the chamber and by communicating the air directly to the impeller through a duct having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial part of its length.
  • the area of said outlet end of the duct of the airflow path is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlet end of the central duct of the impeller.
  • outlet end of the duct of the airflow path extends axially of the rotational axis of the impeller.
  • outlet end of the duct of the airflow path is circular in cross-section.
  • Conventional vacuum cleaners having a fan chamber can be modified in accordance with the present invention by providing an insert member in the chamber having a passageway therethrough forming a part of the duct of the airflow path.
  • the member comprises a solid body of material which fills the chamber apart from the passageway.
  • the material comprises expanded polystyrene or polypropylene.
  • the separation unit is preferably mounted in the airflow path upstream of the fan unit, the duct having an inlet end connected to the outlet of the separation unit.
  • the fan assembly of an upright vacuum cleaner which assembly is arranged to draw air along an inlet duct 10 leading from a dust separation unit, such as a cyclonic separator and/or filter bag (not shown).
  • a dust separation unit such as a cyclonic separator and/or filter bag (not shown).
  • the output shaft 14 of the motor 13 is connected to an impeller 15 comprising a plurality of blades 16 extending radially with respect to the rotational axis of the motor shaft 14, between circular front and rear plates 18,28 of the impeller which lie normal to the rotational axis.
  • the radially outer ends of the blades 16 terminate adjacent the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 11.
  • the blades 16 extend outwardly from a central hollow region 17 which extends axially of the impeller 15.
  • a circular aperture 29 is formed in the front plate of the impeller 15 to communicate with the central hollow region 17.
  • a large cavity 19 is formed at one end of the housing 11 between the front plate 18 of the impeller 15 and an end wall of the housing 11.
  • the inlet duct 10 from the separation unit leads tangentially into the cavity 19.
  • the fan unit as hereinbefore described corresponds with that of a conventional vacuum cleaner.
  • the impeller 15 is rotated about its axis to cause air to flow radially outwardly from its central region 17 through the blades 16 and then axially over the motor 13, whereupon the air leaves the housing 11 through an exhaust duct 21.
  • the impeller 15 draws air axially into the central region 17 through the aperture 29 from the cavity 19, disposed on the opposite side of the impeller 15 to the motor 13: This creates a drop in pressure in the cavity 19 which causes air to flow from the atmosphere through the dust separation unit (not shown) and into the cavity 19, whereupon it is discharged to atmosphere through the impeller 15 and exhaust 21 as hereinbefore described.
  • the cavity 19 is filled by a cylindrical insert 20 of expanded polypropylene material.
  • An involuted through passage 22 extends through the insert 20, with one end of the passage 22 extending axially to communicate directly with the tangential inlet duct 10 from the outlet of the separation unit and the other end extending axially to communicate directly with the aperture 29 in the front plate 18 of the impeller 15: preferably this end of the passage 22 is circular in cross-section and has a diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of the aperture 29 in the front plate 18 of the impeller 15.
  • the insert 20 effectively fills the cavity 19, so as to maintain a substantially uniform cross-sectional area to the airflow path leading from the dust separation unit. We have found that this surprisingly increases the suction power.
  • the present invention solves the above-mentioned problem by effectively replacing the chamber 19 with a passageway 22 having a cross-sectional area which is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the duct 10 and the area of the aperture 29 in the front plate 18 of the impeller 15.
  • the duct 10 could lead directly to the impeller 15 or to a passageway of similar cross-sectional area that leads directly to the impeller 15.

Landscapes

  • Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
  • Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner comprises a fan unit having a radial flow impeller (15) and a motor (13) for rotating the impeller (15) to cause an airflow along a flow path of the cleaner. The impeller (15) comprises a plurality of blades (16) extending radially from an axially extending central hollow region (17) having an air inlet at one axial end thereof. The air flow path through the cleaner has a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial part of its length, and comprises a portion (22) which leads directly to the impeller (15) and has an outlet end directly aligned with the air inlet of the impeller (15).
The portion (22) of the airflow path leading to the impeller (15) may extend through an insert (20) mounted inside the fan chamber (19) of a conventional vacuum cleaner.
The vacuum cleaner has an increased suction power compared with conventional vacuum cleaners having the same motor power, because the air is communicated directly to the impeller (15) through a duct having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial part of its length.

Description

  • This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having an increased suction power.
  • Typically vacuum cleaners incorporate a clean air fan system in which air is drawn through a separation unit comprising a filter bag and/or a cyclonic separator by a fan mounted downstream thereof. The separation unit removes substantially all of the dust entrained in the airflow and thus the air passing through the fan is substantially clean.
  • Typically the fan comprises a centrifugal radial flow impeller driven by an electric motor. The fan is arranged to draw air axially, out of a first chamber mounted in front of the impeller. The air is then driven radially by the impeller into a second chamber which is connected to the exhaust of the cleaner. A duct leads from the separation unit to the first chamber.
  • Vacuum cleaners of the above mentioned type function extremely well. However, there is increasing demand to improve the suction power of vacuum cleaners without increasing the wattage of the motor.
  • Thus, we have now devised a vacuum cleaner having an increased suction power compared with known vacuum cleaners having the same motor power.
  • In accordance with this invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner having an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for cleaned air, an airflow path extending between the inlet and outlet, a fan unit mounted in the airflow path for causing an airflow between the inlet and outlet through a dust separation unit arranged to separate a substantial amount of the dust and other matter from the air flowing along said airflow path, the fan unit comprising a radial flow impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller about a rotational axis, the impeller comprising a plurality of blades extending radially from an axially extending central hollow region having an air inlet at one axial end thereof, the airflow path comprising a duct having an outlet end directly aligned with the inlet of the impeller, said duct having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial part of its length.
  • In conventional vacuum cleaners, the fan chamber actually forms a part of the duct leading to the impeller. We have realised that the increased cross-sectional area of the chamber causes the airflow entering the chamber to expand and to drop in velocity. This expansion and drop in velocity causes the kinetic energy of the air molecules to drop as they enter the fan chamber. Accordingly, more power is required to move the air from the chamber. The chamber also causes a turbulent flow which further inhibits the airflow and causes noise.
  • The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems by omitting the chamber and by communicating the air directly to the impeller through a duct having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial part of its length.
  • Preferably the area of said outlet end of the duct of the airflow path is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlet end of the central duct of the impeller.
  • Preferably said outlet end of the duct of the airflow path extends axially of the rotational axis of the impeller.
  • Preferably said outlet end of the duct of the airflow path is circular in cross-section.
  • Conventional vacuum cleaners having a fan chamber can be modified in accordance with the present invention by providing an insert member in the chamber having a passageway therethrough forming a part of the duct of the airflow path.
  • Preferably the member comprises a solid body of material which fills the chamber apart from the passageway.
  • Preferably the material comprises expanded polystyrene or polypropylene.
  • In vacuum cleaners of the clean air type, the separation unit is preferably mounted in the airflow path upstream of the fan unit, the duct having an inlet end connected to the outlet of the separation unit.
  • An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view through the fan assembly of an embodiment of vacuum cleaner in accordance with this invention; and
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line II - II of Figure 1.
  • Referring to the drawings, there is shown the fan assembly of an upright vacuum cleaner, which assembly is arranged to draw air along an inlet duct 10 leading from a dust separation unit, such as a cyclonic separator and/or filter bag (not shown).
  • The output shaft 14 of the motor 13 is connected to an impeller 15 comprising a plurality of blades 16 extending radially with respect to the rotational axis of the motor shaft 14, between circular front and rear plates 18,28 of the impeller which lie normal to the rotational axis. The radially outer ends of the blades 16 terminate adjacent the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 11. The blades 16 extend outwardly from a central hollow region 17 which extends axially of the impeller 15. A circular aperture 29 is formed in the front plate of the impeller 15 to communicate with the central hollow region 17.
  • A large cavity 19 is formed at one end of the housing 11 between the front plate 18 of the impeller 15 and an end wall of the housing 11. The inlet duct 10 from the separation unit leads tangentially into the cavity 19.
  • The fan unit as hereinbefore described corresponds with that of a conventional vacuum cleaner. When the motor 13 is energised, the impeller 15 is rotated about its axis to cause air to flow radially outwardly from its central region 17 through the blades 16 and then axially over the motor 13, whereupon the air leaves the housing 11 through an exhaust duct 21.
  • The impeller 15 draws air axially into the central region 17 through the aperture 29 from the cavity 19, disposed on the opposite side of the impeller 15 to the motor 13: This creates a drop in pressure in the cavity 19 which causes air to flow from the atmosphere through the dust separation unit (not shown) and into the cavity 19, whereupon it is discharged to atmosphere through the impeller 15 and exhaust 21 as hereinbefore described.
  • Conventional cleaners of this type function extremely well. However, we have realised that by making a relatively straightforward modification to the fan unit, the suction power of the cleaner can surprisingly be increased by approximately 15%.
  • Thus in accordance with the present invention, the cavity 19 is filled by a cylindrical insert 20 of expanded polypropylene material.
  • An involuted through passage 22 extends through the insert 20, with one end of the passage 22 extending axially to communicate directly with the tangential inlet duct 10 from the outlet of the separation unit and the other end extending axially to communicate directly with the aperture 29 in the front plate 18 of the impeller 15: preferably this end of the passage 22 is circular in cross-section and has a diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of the aperture 29 in the front plate 18 of the impeller 15.
  • The insert 20 effectively fills the cavity 19, so as to maintain a substantially uniform cross-sectional area to the airflow path leading from the dust separation unit. We have found that this surprisingly increases the suction power.
  • We have found that in conventional vacuum cleaners any increase in the cross-sectional area of the airflow path causes a corresponding drop in velocity. Thus, the kinetic energy of the air molecules drops as the velocity falls and the airflow expands in the chamber 19. This drop in energy means that more power has to be exerted by the motor 13 to move the same volume of air.
  • Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problem by effectively replacing the chamber 19 with a passageway 22 having a cross-sectional area which is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the duct 10 and the area of the aperture 29 in the front plate 18 of the impeller 15.
  • We have also found that the vacuum cleaner is quieter in operation than conventional vacuum cleaners, since a less turbulent flow is created.
  • It will be appreciated that instead of providing an insert 20, the duct 10 could lead directly to the impeller 15 or to a passageway of similar cross-sectional area that leads directly to the impeller 15.

Claims (9)

  1. A vacuum cleaner having an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for cleaned air, an airflow path extending between the inlet and outlet, a fan unit mounted in the airflow path for causing an airflow between the inlet and outlet through a dust separation unit arranged to separate a substantial amount of the dust and other matter from the air flowing along said airflow path, the fan unit comprising a radial flow impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller about a rotational axis, the impeller comprising a plurality of blades extending radially from an axially extending central hollow region having an air inlet at one axial end thereof, the airflow path comprising a duct having an outlet end directly aligned with the inlet of the impeller, said duct having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial part of its length.
  2. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, in which the area of said outlet end of the duct of the airflow path is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlet end of the central hollow region of the impeller.
  3. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which said outlet end of the duct of the airflow path extends axially of the rotational axis of the impeller.
  4. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said outlet end of the duct of the airflow path is circular in cross-section.
  5. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a fan chamber directly upstream of the impeller and an insert member mounted within the chamber and having a passageway therethrough forming a part of the duct of the airflow path.
  6. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any claim 5, in which the insert member comprises a solid body of material which fills the chamber apart from the passageway.
  7. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claims 5 or 6, in which the material comprises expanded polystyrene or polypropylene.
  8. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, in which the passageway through the insert member forms said outlet end of the duct.
  9. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the separation unit is mounted in the airflow path upstream of the fan unit, the duct having an inlet end connected to the outlet of the separation unit
EP02254643A 2001-07-05 2002-07-02 Vacuum cleaner Expired - Lifetime EP1273256B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0116539A GB2377163B (en) 2001-07-05 2001-07-05 Vacuum cleaner
GB0116539 2001-07-05

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1273256A2 true EP1273256A2 (en) 2003-01-08
EP1273256A3 EP1273256A3 (en) 2004-01-14
EP1273256B1 EP1273256B1 (en) 2010-01-06

Family

ID=9918037

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02254643A Expired - Lifetime EP1273256B1 (en) 2001-07-05 2002-07-02 Vacuum cleaner

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1273256B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE454077T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60234981D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2338763T3 (en)
GB (1) GB2377163B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2873563A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-03 Seb Sa VACUUM

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB341743A (en) * 1929-03-09 1931-01-22 Paul Pfeiffer Improvements in electrically driven vacuum cleaners
DE19616156C1 (en) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-02 Fakir Werk Gmbh & Co Vacuum cleaner with housing comprising lower and upper parts
EP0970651A2 (en) * 1998-07-06 2000-01-12 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Vacuum cleaner
GB2343837A (en) * 1998-11-18 2000-05-24 White Consolidated Ind Inc Vacuum cleaner with obliquely mounted fan; battery powered
DE10056933A1 (en) * 2000-06-30 2002-01-24 Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co Cooling system for vacuum cleaner includes a cooling chamber housing a cooling fan driven by the main motor, the fan is sucking in external air, which is then discharged in the outlet path via the outlet passage

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB341743A (en) * 1929-03-09 1931-01-22 Paul Pfeiffer Improvements in electrically driven vacuum cleaners
DE19616156C1 (en) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-02 Fakir Werk Gmbh & Co Vacuum cleaner with housing comprising lower and upper parts
EP0970651A2 (en) * 1998-07-06 2000-01-12 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Vacuum cleaner
GB2343837A (en) * 1998-11-18 2000-05-24 White Consolidated Ind Inc Vacuum cleaner with obliquely mounted fan; battery powered
DE10056933A1 (en) * 2000-06-30 2002-01-24 Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co Cooling system for vacuum cleaner includes a cooling chamber housing a cooling fan driven by the main motor, the fan is sucking in external air, which is then discharged in the outlet path via the outlet passage

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2873563A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-03 Seb Sa VACUUM
WO2006024713A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-03-09 Seb S.A. Vacuum cleaner provided with components made of expanded polypropylene
CN100589744C (en) * 2004-07-29 2010-02-17 Seb公司 Vacuum cleaner provided with components made of expanded polypropylene

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2377163A (en) 2003-01-08
ES2338763T3 (en) 2010-05-12
EP1273256B1 (en) 2010-01-06
DE60234981D1 (en) 2010-02-25
GB2377163B (en) 2004-12-15
ATE454077T1 (en) 2010-01-15
GB0116539D0 (en) 2001-08-29
EP1273256A3 (en) 2004-01-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6851928B2 (en) Blower motor
JP4520503B2 (en) Cyclone separator
US6991664B2 (en) Intake system
US6306199B1 (en) Separator with multiple function vanes for a vacuum cleaner apparatus
CN1322834C (en) Cyclone dust collecting apparatus and a vacuum cleaner having the same
WO2009104959A1 (en) Gas cleaner for at least partially separating entrained components from a contaminated gas flow
EP1121044B1 (en) Cyclone dust collector
BR0318247B1 (en) engine driven air cleaning system and process to manufacture the same.
EP3576589B1 (en) Separation system for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner comprising the separation system
EP1273256B1 (en) Vacuum cleaner
KR100445651B1 (en) Cyclone type vacuum cleaner
KR20060081416A (en) Multifunctional back-flowing type strong suction blower
KR100437035B1 (en) Centrifugal fan of vacuum cleaner
JP3746253B2 (en) Fan filter unit
JPH0560091A (en) Fan and oil mist remover utilizing the fan
CN218993551U (en) Air exhaust and water removal device for humid space
JPH0526125U (en) Oil mist removal device
JP3091751B1 (en) Vacuum cleaner and its auxiliary member
JPH04370391A (en) Fan device
JPH0673609B2 (en) Oil mist removal device
JPH0718434B2 (en) Fan and oil mist removing device using fan
KR20050088601A (en) Centrifugal fan for vaccum cleaner
KR20050078874A (en) Blower of vacuum cleaner
KR20000017489U (en) cyclone dust collector for vacuum cleaner
KR20030060242A (en) Centrifugal fan of vacuum cleaner

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: A2

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

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

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

PUAF Information related to the publication of a search report (a3 document) modified or deleted

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009199SEPU

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

D17D Deferred search report published (deleted)
AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20040818

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE 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 IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE 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: 60234981

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20100225

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20100106

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2338763

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

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

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: 20100106

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: 20100106

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: 20100506

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

Ref country code: FI

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

Effective date: 20100106

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: 20100106

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: 20100407

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: 20100106

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: 20100106

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: 20100106

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

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: 20100106

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: 20100406

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: 20100106

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20101007

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: 20100106

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: 20100731

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: CH

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

Effective date: 20100731

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20100731

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: 20100702

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: 20100702

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: 20100106

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20130708

Year of fee payment: 12

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20130719

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20130731

Year of fee payment: 12

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20130712

Year of fee payment: 12

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20130930

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60234981

Country of ref document: DE

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

Effective date: 20140702

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20150331

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150203

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20140702

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60234981

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20150203

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: 20140731

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20140702

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20150828

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: 20140703