[go: up one dir, main page]

EP0282723B1 - Transverse zipper bag material and method of and means for making same - Google Patents

Transverse zipper bag material and method of and means for making same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0282723B1
EP0282723B1 EP88101827A EP88101827A EP0282723B1 EP 0282723 B1 EP0282723 B1 EP 0282723B1 EP 88101827 A EP88101827 A EP 88101827A EP 88101827 A EP88101827 A EP 88101827A EP 0282723 B1 EP0282723 B1 EP 0282723B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fastener
sheet
members
film
fastener members
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP88101827A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0282723A2 (en
EP0282723A3 (en
Inventor
Donald L. Van Erden
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.)
Minigrip Europe GmbH
Original Assignee
Minigrip Europe GmbH
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 Minigrip Europe GmbH filed Critical Minigrip Europe GmbH
Publication of EP0282723A2 publication Critical patent/EP0282723A2/en
Publication of EP0282723A3 publication Critical patent/EP0282723A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0282723B1 publication Critical patent/EP0282723B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • B65B61/188—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating profile-strips, e.g. for reclosable bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B70/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B70/813—Applying closures
    • B31B70/8131—Making bags having interengaging closure elements
    • B31B70/8133—Applying the closure elements in the cross direction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of preparing material suitable for use in a form, fill and seal operation comprising in combination:
  • the present invention relates to a mechanism for carrying through said method and to the material made by said method and mechanism, respectively, said material being intended for the manufacture of reclosable plastic bags and more particularly to an improved arrangement wherein a continuous sheet of film is supplemented by attaching fastener elements to the surface thereof.
  • a sheet material of this general type is known from US-A-4,617,683 disclosing a method and mechanism, respectively, for intermittently moving a flexible reclosable fastener strip being provided with a V-type notch laterally onto the sheeth over the entire width thereof between the opposite longitudinal edges of such sheet and for adhering said strip to the sheeth material, which later on is folded about a fold line parallel to said longitudinal edges and coinciding with said notch facilitating folding of the strip and a slight lateral displacement of idendical profiles provided on said strip so as to enable closing of reclosable fastener means comprising superposed elements of said strip.
  • the fastener profiles are integral with extruded thin plastic film material and others wherein the plastic profile strips are attached to the surface of the film.
  • the bags essentially are formed in side-to-side relationship with the fastener profiles extending parallel to the continuous strip of material.
  • the fasteners will end on the wrong part of the bag, i.e., along the side instead of across the top.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for the manufacture of material from which plastic bags are to be made employing a unique arrangement for the attachment of the fastener members with the members extending laterally across a continuous supply of bag material to provide material suitable for use in a form, fill and seal operation.
  • This object is accomplished by the method indicated at the outset and being characterized, according to the present invention, in that said first fastener member is moved laterally onto the sheet from one of the longitudinal edges thereof and that said second fastener member is moved laterally onto the sheet from the opposite longitudinal edge thereof, with each said fastener member being moved with a length of substantially one half of the lateral width of said sheet.
  • It is a further advantage of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method wherein an improved bag material can be formed from which bags having reclosable tops can be made utilizing continuous rib and groove fastener members which extend laterally across the supply of bag material.
  • an arrangement whereby a continuous supply of thin thermoplastic film is advanced along a path and separate mating fastener elements are brought in laterally over the top surface of the film simultaneously from opposite directions to almost the film center and then attached to the surface of the film.
  • the fastener strips are supplied off of rolls and cut to the desired length as they are fed onto the film.
  • a continuous sheet of thin plastic film adapted for eventually providing a bag body is fed forwardly intermittently from a roll, not shown, by a means, not shown, applying a controlled intermittent forward drawing force.
  • the material may be wound on a roll and the roll driven in rotation intermittently to pull the material 10 forwardly.
  • the material has lateral side edges 11 and 12 and the longitudinal center is indicated by the broken line 13.
  • flexible rib and groove fastener elements 14 and 15 are applied to the surface of the film.
  • the member 14 is a rib member and the member 15 is a groove member, with 14 and 15 being complementary shaped so that when pressed together, they will interlock.
  • the member 14 has a central rib 14a and side flanges 14b and 14c to accommodate attachment to the surface of the film.
  • the strip 15 has a center groove 15a with lateral flanges 15b and 15c for attachment to the surface of the strip.
  • the rib and groove strips 14 and 15 are preferably formed of a thin thermoplastic so that they can be heat sealed to the surface but other forms of attachment such as by adhesive may be employed. Under other circumstances, attachment by heat or impulse seal need be made only at the base area, directly under the grooves 15d or rib 14d, or can be by means of a reactivatable adhesive on the fastener base.
  • the film is moved forwardly incrementally and stopped so that the fastener strips 14 and 15 can be fed laterally across the material at a fastener attachment station shown wherein a supporting frame 26 is located.
  • the fastener strip 14 is fed laterally from the left, as shown in Fig. 1, by a pair of friction rolls 16 and 17 which are suitably driven to advance the material axially in a lateral direction over the side of the sheet 10.
  • a pair of pinch rolls 8 and 9 which are suitably driven to advance the fastener strip 15 laterally over the side of the material 10.
  • the strips are advanced until they are adjacent the center 13, but a space at 14d may be left between the ends of the strips to accommodate folding of the sheet 10 about its longitudinal center 13 and to permit providing a spot heat seal at the ends of the strips 14 and 15. Also spaces at 14e and 15d may be left at the ends of the strips, i.e., between the ends and the edges of the film.
  • the strips are advanced to the position shown in Fig. 1 with a space therebetween and cutters are brought down to sever the strips to the desired length.
  • the cutters are shown in the form of knives 28 and 30 which are lowered to perform their severing operation by supporting the piston and cylinder assemblies 27 and 29 carried on the frame 26.
  • the knives have sharpened edges so that when they are brought down, they sever the material.
  • fixed outer downwardly facing channels 19 and 20 are positioned at either end. These channels are shaped to accommodate the rib, for the channel 19 and the groove for the channel 20, with the latter generally as shown in the end view of Fig. 2.
  • the fixed channels have a center continuation channel 18 which is shaped on one side, up to its center point, so as to accommodate the fastener rib and on the other side of the center point so as to accommodate the fastener groove and has a front or forward gate 21 - a downstream gate considering the direction of advancing sheet 10 - which when lowered completes the channel groove, but which when raised releases the fastener strips by then attached to the film so that they can be moved forwardly as the sheet 10 is advanced.
  • the center portion and end portions of the channels are suspended on vertical posts depending from the frame 26.
  • the channel 18 has a rear fixed portion 32 which remains in place while the front gate 21 is supported on hinges 22 and 23.
  • the gate is lifted to permit the fastener strips to be slid forwardly with movement of the sheet 10 by a bracket 25 attached to the gate 21 and which is operated by a piston rod 24 and a cylinder 30 supported on brackets 31 on the frame 26.
  • a vertical reciprocal heat sealing shoe 31 moves upwardly.
  • the shoe has a center groove 32 so that heat is not applied to the rib 14a or the groove 15a portion of the strips but heat is applied to the film directly opposite the webs 14b and 14c, and the webs 15b and 15c.
  • a suitable heating element, not shown, within the shoe 31 provides heat and the shoe is brought up into contact with the film long enough to seal the fastener strips to the film.
  • a shoe with a single centrally positioned wire that seals the base sections of the fastener directly under the rib and groove elements, to the film can be used.
  • the shoe is then dropped, and the forward gate 21 is lifted, and the film 10 then is moved forwardly as indicated by the arrowed line in Fig. 1.
  • the forward gate is then returned to its closed position.
  • the strips, thus attached, move forwardly as shown in Fig. 1 and a new set of strips is placed on the sheet with the strips being attached at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals.
  • the fastener can either be cut to the same width as the film, or to a slightly shorter width. In the latter case, small base plates 34 are provided that ride between the film and the fastener so as to prevent cutting of the film at that location. Whichever arrangement is used, the sealing bars will have the same width as the cut fastener section.
  • Figs. 3 through 7 illustrate the method and apparatus adapted for a different form of fastener strip wherein the strip portions from both sides of the film are identical in construction.
  • the strip as shown at 41 in Fig. 3 has a plurality of ribs 41c thereon with grooves 41d therebetween.
  • a complementary strip having the identical construction has ribs which will enter the grooves 41d, but the strips must be slightly laterally offset from each other so that the ribs of the other strip will confront the grooves.
  • the strips have webs 41a and 41b at the sides for attaching the strips to the film 10.
  • Fig. 4 two strips are brought in from opposite lateral sides of the film 10 in the manner which was described in connection with Fig. 1.
  • a space may be left between the inner ends of the film as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.
  • the channels which guide the film are slightly offset as indicated at 42a so that ribs 41c are opposite grooves 41d. With this relationship of the strips when the film is folded upon itself along the centerline 13, the ribs will enter the grooves for the strips to interlock.
  • Figs. 5, 6 and 7 indicate the guide arrangements for guiding the strips into place.
  • a fixed channel 46 is positioned at the lateral edge of the film and as the strip 41 is driven laterally across the film, it also slides into the center portion 40 of the channel.
  • the center portion has a hinged front gate 42 which is in its lowered position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, when the fastener strip is driven into place, and which is raised to its raised position as shown in Fig. 7 when the film 10 with the attached fastener 41 is advanced in the direction indicated by the arrowed line in Fig. 7.
  • a heated sealing shoe 44 is brought up beneath the film to seal the flanges 41a and 41b of the strip to the upper surface of the film, or to seal the base area of the fastener.
  • the film thus formed is ready for processing through a form, fill and seal machine or is suited for the manufacture of bags and at that point may be rolled onto a roll or may be first folded upon itself in the manner indicated in Fig. 8, for subsequent manufacture into empty bags.
  • Fig. 8 the film is folded down its longitudinal center so that the edges 50 and 51 are brought together.
  • Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate one form of utilization of the film which has now had the fasteners attached.
  • the features of the invention find principal use in the preparation of material for a form, fill and seal operation.
  • the film is fed forwardly intermittently, wrapped around a mandril where contents are placed in the wrapped film, and the edges that are brought together from the wrapping are sealed to each other so that a tube is formed. Thereafter, a cross seal is formed behind the contents and forming the bottom of the next bag to hold the next charge of contents.
  • the fasteners are in a location so that there will be a reclosable fastener at the top of each of the bags.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative way of utilizing the continuous strip of material which has had the fastener strips attached.
  • the edges are sealed to each other to form a side seam 53 for the bag by bringing a heated bar 54 against the aligned edges.
  • a side seam 53a is formed, on the folded film, opposite seam 53 by another heated bar 54a.
  • Pressure rollers 57 and 58 are moved across the bag to join the interlocking rib and groove members.
  • upper and lower pressure bars can be used.
  • Spot seals 61 and 62 are formed at the ends of the strips locking them in their relative positions so that the ribs and grooves remain aligned.
  • the spot seals are formed by bringing heated spot seal members 63 and 64 down onto the material at the ends.
  • a cross-seam 56 is formed by a heat seal bar 55 with the cross-seams being formed at spaced intervals to be spaced from the fastener strips 52 to form a bag.
  • the bag 60 is completed when individual bags are cut from the length of material formed in the manner above described.
  • the sheet of plastic film is folded along the longitudinal center and said first and second fastener members are interlocked.
  • a seam is folded along the lateral overlying edges of the sheet after folding.
  • cross bottom seams are formed at a predetermined distance from the location of the fastener members.
  • the inventive mechanism includes a hot shoe with means for moving the shoe upwardly beneath the film opposite the location of said first and second thermoplastic fastener strip material for heat sealing the material to the sheet of film.
  • the mechanism includes a cutter means for severing said first and second supply of strip material at the edge of the sheet of thin plastic material.
  • said first and second supply of fastener strip material is identical and includes a plurality of ribs and grooves and said second guide means is slightly offset from the first so that the ribs of one strip will be aligned with grooves of the other strip.
  • the mechanism includes means for folding said sheet longitudinally down its center positioning said first and second fastener strip material into overlying relationship.
  • a preferred embodiment of the mechanism includes means for applying a joining pressure forcing said first and second fastener strip together to cause ribs and grooves on the surface thereof to interlock.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
EP88101827A 1987-03-16 1988-02-09 Transverse zipper bag material and method of and means for making same Expired - Lifetime EP0282723B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2601187A 1987-03-16 1987-03-16
US26011 1987-03-16

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0282723A2 EP0282723A2 (en) 1988-09-21
EP0282723A3 EP0282723A3 (en) 1989-10-18
EP0282723B1 true EP0282723B1 (en) 1992-05-20

Family

ID=21829337

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88101827A Expired - Lifetime EP0282723B1 (en) 1987-03-16 1988-02-09 Transverse zipper bag material and method of and means for making same

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0282723B1 (fi)
CA (1) CA1294473C (fi)
DE (1) DE3871192D1 (fi)
DK (1) DK169168B1 (fi)
ES (1) ES2031936T3 (fi)
FI (1) FI88475C (fi)
NO (1) NO881070L (fi)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SG154316A1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2009-08-28 Hosokawa Yoko Kk Reclosable packaging bag method for manufacturing same

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4969309A (en) * 1989-01-27 1990-11-13 Kramer & Grebe Canada, Ltd. Method and apparatus for producing resealable packages
US4909017B1 (en) * 1989-07-28 1999-02-09 Minigrip Inc Reclosable bag material method and apparatus
JPH10296884A (ja) * 1997-04-24 1998-11-10 Illinois Tool Works Inc <Itw> ジッパーストリップおよび長手の軸線に対して横断方向に前記ストリップを配設する方法
FR2769288B1 (fr) * 1997-10-03 1999-12-24 Flexico France Sarl Procede de fabrication automatique de sachets, machine a cet effet et sachets obtenus
IT1299851B1 (it) * 1998-02-18 2000-04-04 Bfb Spa Apparato per il taglio a misura della banda di strappo per confezioni di prodotti e per la preincisione del film di confezionamento
US6017412A (en) * 1998-07-06 2000-01-25 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Method for attaching reclosable zipper strip transversely to thermoplastic film material
GB9922747D0 (en) * 1999-09-24 1999-11-24 Molins Plc Method and apparatus for producing bags having a reclosable fastener
US6868649B1 (en) 2000-11-03 2005-03-22 Bodolay Packaging, A Division Of B&M Zipper applicator for packaging machine
US6751932B1 (en) * 2003-02-19 2004-06-22 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Method for attaching reclosable zipper strip transversely to a sheet of thermoplastic film material
DE102005026149B4 (de) * 2005-06-06 2011-05-26 Nordenia Deutschland Halle Gmbh Verfahren zur Herstellung von Folienbeuteln
US7563219B2 (en) * 2007-05-02 2009-07-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Dual drum configuration for transverse direction application of zippers
JP4902796B1 (ja) * 2011-03-30 2012-03-21 トタニ技研工業株式会社 製袋機

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4617683A (en) * 1984-01-30 1986-10-14 Minigrip, Inc. Reclosable bag, material, and method of and means for making same

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SG154316A1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2009-08-28 Hosokawa Yoko Kk Reclosable packaging bag method for manufacturing same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0282723A2 (en) 1988-09-21
FI88475C (fi) 1993-05-25
ES2031936T3 (es) 1993-01-01
NO881070D0 (no) 1988-03-10
NO881070L (no) 1988-09-19
EP0282723A3 (en) 1989-10-18
FI88475B (fi) 1993-02-15
FI881235L (fi) 1988-09-17
FI881235A0 (fi) 1988-03-15
DK143888A (da) 1988-09-17
DK169168B1 (da) 1994-09-05
DE3871192D1 (de) 1992-06-25
DK143888D0 (da) 1988-03-16
CA1294473C (en) 1992-01-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4878987A (en) Transverse zipper bag material and method of and means for making same
US4024010A (en) Open profile bag
US4844759A (en) Method of and means for applying reclosable fasteners to plastic film
US4617683A (en) Reclosable bag, material, and method of and means for making same
US4655862A (en) Method of and means for making reclosable bags and method therefor
US4909017A (en) Reclosable bag material, method and apparatus
US4709398A (en) Chain bags, method and apparatus
EP0282723B1 (en) Transverse zipper bag material and method of and means for making same
US3853671A (en) Apparatus for making multiple plastic bags with reclosable fastener thereon
CA1205786A (en) Method of making multiple reclosable bag material and the resulting material
EP1070672B1 (en) Slide fastener assembly and method to apply the same onto a tubular film on a form-fill-seal machine
EP0686557B1 (en) Method of making reclosable plastic bags on a form, fill and seal machine with open zipper profiles
CA1230252A (en) Method and apparatus for manufacturing draw tape bags
EP0276554A2 (en) Bag with resealable closure and a method of manufacturing same
EP0692602A1 (en) Cellular panel and method and apparatus for making the same
US6810641B2 (en) Method and apparatus for forming double zipper bags
EP1270195B1 (en) Transverse zipper applicator and method
AU608916B2 (en) Zippered film feed and stretcher for package forming
US6941726B2 (en) Method and apparatus for making reclosable packages having slider-actuated string zippers
US4523918A (en) Method of forming a bag chain
EP1447340A1 (en) Bag with suspension means and a slider operated zipper
EP1737311B1 (en) Application of zipper lengths to a web
US5021117A (en) Sealing jaw for heat sealable film with zippered section
EP1195239B1 (en) Method of Making a Carrier Web with Zipper
AU2005278954B2 (en) Reclosable bag

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 CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

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 CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19900322

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19910430

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

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

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3871192

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19920625

ET Fr: translation filed
ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2031936

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

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
EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 88101827.9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20031217

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20031230

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20040227

Year of fee payment: 17

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050210

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

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20050228

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *MINIGRIP EUROPE G.M.B.H.

Effective date: 20050228

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

Ref country code: NL

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

Effective date: 20050901

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20050901

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20061115

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20070207

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20070209

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20070321

Year of fee payment: 20

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20070323

Year of fee payment: 20

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *MINIGRIP EUROPE G.M.B.H.

Effective date: 20050228

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20070509

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20080211

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 EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20080208

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 EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20080211