[go: up one dir, main page]

EP0532202A2 - Distributeur de carburants - Google Patents

Distributeur de carburants Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0532202A2
EP0532202A2 EP92307782A EP92307782A EP0532202A2 EP 0532202 A2 EP0532202 A2 EP 0532202A2 EP 92307782 A EP92307782 A EP 92307782A EP 92307782 A EP92307782 A EP 92307782A EP 0532202 A2 EP0532202 A2 EP 0532202A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fuel
gas
dispenser
detector
valve
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
EP92307782A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0532202A3 (en
EP0532202B1 (fr
Inventor
John Edward Saxton
Jack F. Bartlett
Michael Lawrence Jennings
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.)
GL UK Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
Gilbarco 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 Gilbarco Ltd filed Critical Gilbarco Ltd
Publication of EP0532202A2 publication Critical patent/EP0532202A2/fr
Publication of EP0532202A3 publication Critical patent/EP0532202A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0532202B1 publication Critical patent/EP0532202B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/76—Arrangements of devices for purifying liquids to be transferred, e.g. of filters, of air or water separators
    • B67D7/763—Arrangements of devices for purifying liquids to be transferred, e.g. of filters, of air or water separators of air separators

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a fuel dispenser and in particular but not exclusively to the type of dispenser common on service station fore-courts for dispensing diesel oil or petroleum for use in motor vehicles.
  • a separator in a dispensing system upstream from the meter.
  • This essentially comprises a closed tank in which the fuel passes through a wire gauze which tends to separate out the gas so that it can be vented off. Most fuel passes through to an outlet in the bottom of the separator and to the meter.
  • the separator has to be of sufficient size to ensure adequate separation. This size is dependant upon the flow rate, viscosity and amount of contamination. These values can normally be calculated, but extremes of weather (fuel is more viscous in cold weather especially diesel oil), or faults in the system (for example air leaks in the suction pipe from the pump to a tank), cannot always be allowed for. Furthermore even under normal conditions the size of a separator can be prohibitive, especially in the case of more viscous fuels, and expensive centripetal separators may be necessary if metering of gas-free fuel is to be ensured.
  • a dispensing system which includes a gas separator 1 arranged such that gas entering the system is substantially drawn off through pipe 2, while substantially gas-free fuel passes via pipe 3 through valve 4 and meter 10 for dispensing.
  • the pipe 2 passes through a venturi 5 and into a sump 6. Any fuel accumulating in sump 6 is returned by pipe 7 to the inlet of a pump unit (not shown).
  • a vacuum a reduction in pressure
  • the vacuum is reduced and the valve 4 closes under the action of spring 9, shutting off the fuel for dispensing when gas is present, and therefore only permitting gas-free fuel to pass to the meter 10 which is monitored by a computer 11.
  • a fuel dispenser comprising a gas detector for producing an electrical signal in dependence upon the presence of gas in fuel flowing through the detector, and processing means for receiving the electrical signal and controlling the dispensing of fuel at least in part in dependence upon the signal received.
  • the dispenser further comprises a fuel separator including an inlet for receiving fuel and first and second outlets, wherein the first outlet is positioned so as to receive a greater proportion of gas than the second outlet and wherein the gas detector receives fuel from the first outlet and fuel for dispensing is received from the second outlet.
  • a fuel separator including an inlet for receiving fuel and first and second outlets, wherein the first outlet is positioned so as to receive a greater proportion of gas than the second outlet and wherein the gas detector receives fuel from the first outlet and fuel for dispensing is received from the second outlet.
  • a fuel separator including an inlet for receiving fuel and first and second outlets, wherein the first outlet is positioned so as to receive a greater proportion of gas than the second outlet and wherein the gas detector receives fuel from the first outlet and fuel for dispensing is received from the second outlet.
  • Fuel leaving through the second outlet of the separator preferably passes through a meter before being dispensed, such that only substantially gas free fuel is metered.
  • the gas detector comprises a venturi device and that this comprises a first and second closed chamber separated by a flexible diaphragm, an inlet and outlet in the first chamber forming a venturi device such that fuel passing through them produces a reduction in pressure in the first chamber, the second chamber being connected by a passage to the outlet of the detector. This enables the second chamber to be sealed from the atmosphere.
  • a metallic member is attached to the diaphragm which is adapted to be moved by the diaphragm into and out of a magnetic field between a magnetic source and a magnetically sensitive switching element in the casing of the detector, for producing said electrical signal.
  • This enables an output to be obtained through the casing of the gas detector without the need for an aperture in the casing.
  • the fuel dispenser may additionally comprise a nozzle through which fuel is dispensed, the nozzle being attached to the main body of the dispenser by a flexible hose, wherein the dispenser includes a cradle for the nozzle to be returned to when not in use, and hose cock switch for transmitting a signal to the computer indicative of the presence or absence of the nozzle in the cradle.
  • the processing means to be adapted such that, once gas-free fuel has been detected after the nozzle has been removed from the cradle, the processing means causes a valve to open allowing fuel to be dispensed, and causes the valve to close if gas is again detected.
  • the processing means may be set such that the valve remains closed until the nozzle has been returned to the cradle, or alternatively the processing means may be set so as to cause the valve to open again if gas-free fuel is again detected in a predetermined period after the initial closing of the valve, and if no gas-free fuel is detected in said period to cause the valve to remain closed until the nozzle has been returned to its cradle.
  • the processing means records the duration for which gas is detected and uses this information to determine whether the fuel so far dispensed is within predetermined metrological limits for the amount of fuel so far dispensed in a transaction, and to then control the valve accordingly.
  • This enables the dispenser to dispense fuel continuously during a transaction even though the fuel received by the dispenser may for a short duration contain a very high content of gas, thereby preventing the dispenser from hunting.
  • the valve may also have more than one setting, permitting the dispensing rate to be reduced enabling the separator to cope with a higher percentage of gas in the fuel. This provides an alternative to completely shutting off the dispensing of fuel, which can be confusing to an operator of the dispenser.
  • the processing means records the duration for which gas is detected and provides warning if this exceeds a predetermined limit.
  • This warning could take the form of a signal direct to a pump attendant and/or could provide some sort of flag within the dispenser to warn a service engineer that there is a problem.
  • the fuel dispenser 20 comprises a pump 21 for raising fuel from an underground tank via suction pipe 22 which is then fed to separator 23.
  • the fuel passes through a mesh 24 which encourages gases to separate out of the fuel.
  • Substantially gas-free fuel is supplied through pipe 25 via meter 26, valve 27 and flexible hose 28 to nozzle 29 from where it is dispensed.
  • the nozzle 29 is shown resting in its cradle 30 which incorporates a hose cock switch 31 which registers the presence of the nozzle 29 and transmits this information to a computer 32.
  • the computer 32 in addition to receiving information from the hose cock switch 30 also receives information from the meter 26, a remote console 33 controlled by the service station attendant, and user control panel 34.
  • the computer 32 controls the pump 21 and the valve 27, and also provides information to a display 35.
  • the computer also receives information from a gas detector 36 which is illustrated in more detail in Figures 4A and 4B.
  • the gas detector 36 receives gas and fuel via a pipe 37 from the top portion of the separator 23 where most of the gas is accumulated. As is described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4A and 4B gas/fuel passing via pipe 37 through gas detector 36 passes through a venturi in the detector which causes a switch within the gas detector to open and close dependent on the amount of gas present. Fuel and gas passing through the detector is transmitted via pipe 38 to a sump 39 where the gas is vented off to the atmosphere via a breather 40 located in the nozzle cradle 30.
  • the sump 39 includes a float 41 which, when the level of fuel within the sump 39 is high enough, raises valve 42 such that the fuel is drained via pipe 43 back to the inlet, 22.
  • the gas detector 36 of Figure 3 comprises an inlet 49 and outlet 50 which are connected to pipes 37 and 38 of Figure 3 respectively.
  • the dimensions of the inlet and outlet are such that a venturi effect is generated in the region 51 causing pressure in a first chamber 52 to be reduced via the apperture 53, when fuel is flowing from the inlet 49 to the outlet 50.
  • the chamber 52 is sealed by diaphragm 54 which also seals a second chamber 55. This second chamber 55 is connected via vent 56 to the outlet 50.
  • a metallic member 57 Connected to the diaphragm 54 is a metallic member 57 which is biased in direction "A" by spring 58.
  • the metallic member 57 When substantially gas-free fuel is flowing through the detector 35 the metallic member 57 is located as shown in Figure 4, and a magnetic field generated by magnetic member 62 causes the contacts in the reed switch 63 to be closed.
  • the vacuum in chamber 52 decreases and spring 58 urges the metallic member 57 into the recess 59 such that the reed switch 63 is shielded from the magnetic field, causing switch 63 to open.
  • a pump attendant at the remote console 33 ( Figure 3) enables the dispenser, either after it had been shut down or after a previous transaction has been completed.
  • An operator wishing to use the pump selects the grade of fuel he requires via user control 34 and removes nozzle 29 from nozzle cradle 30 and activates the hose cock switch 31, in response to which the computer 32 activates pump 21.
  • the reed switch 63 closes, and the computer causes valve 27 to open permitting fuel to be dispensed via nozzle 29.
  • Gas separated from the fuel via separator 23 and passing through gas detector 36 causes the reed switch 63 to open.
  • the computer 32 records the duration for which the reed switch is open and uses this time, with information from the meter 26, to calculate whether the fuel dispensed meets metrological limits for the current transaction. If it is too close to such limits, the computer 32 partially shuts the valve 27 slowing the rate of fuel being dispensed providing the separator 23 with more time in which to separate the fuel. If this does not bring the transaction further back within the metrological limits the computer 32 shuts the valve 27 completely. Meanwhile gas in the system is purged by passing through the gas detector 36 and pipe 38 to the sump 39 where it is vented, any fuel accumulating being returned to the pump inlet 21.
  • the computer 32 If within a predetermined time the gas detector 36 again changes state, indicating that substantially pure fuel is passing through it, the computer 32 reopens valve 27 and the transaction continues. However if gas continues to pass through the gas detector 36 for a period longer than the predetermined time the computer 32 stops the pump 21 and terminates the transaction until the nozzle 29 has been replaced. The computer 32 also transmits a signal to the control console 33 to draw the attendant's attention to the fact that the transaction had to be terminated.
  • the computer 32 also calculates the percentage of total operating time of the pump for which the gas detector indicates gas to be present. When this exceeds a predetermined percentage the service engineer is informed during the next service via display 35.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
EP92307782A 1991-09-13 1992-08-26 Distributeur de carburants Expired - Lifetime EP0532202B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9119605 1991-09-13
GB9119605A GB2259497B (en) 1991-09-13 1991-09-13 A fuel dispenser

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0532202A2 true EP0532202A2 (fr) 1993-03-17
EP0532202A3 EP0532202A3 (en) 1993-07-14
EP0532202B1 EP0532202B1 (fr) 1995-06-07

Family

ID=10701373

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92307782A Expired - Lifetime EP0532202B1 (fr) 1991-09-13 1992-08-26 Distributeur de carburants

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0532202B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE123475T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69202841T2 (fr)
FI (1) FI924073L (fr)
GB (1) GB2259497B (fr)
HU (1) HUT62239A (fr)
NO (1) NO923515L (fr)
PL (1) PL295886A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997041057A1 (fr) * 1996-04-29 1997-11-06 Tankanlagen Salzkotten Gmbh Dispositif pour doser et mesurer des volumes de liquide
WO1998050303A1 (fr) * 1997-05-05 1998-11-12 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Systeme de distribution de carburant separant l'air
WO2006016793A1 (fr) * 2004-08-13 2006-02-16 Jorge Cortes Garcia Systeme electromecanique destine a l'extraction de l'air et des vapeurs d'un gaz de petrole liquefie pour son acheminement et son dosage
EP1742026A1 (fr) * 2005-07-08 2007-01-10 Dresser Wayne Aktiebolag Compteur à gaz
US7814942B2 (en) 2005-06-29 2010-10-19 Dresser, Inc. Vapor recovery system for low temperatures
CN115057405A (zh) * 2021-08-19 2022-09-16 湖北云汉环保科技有限公司 一种加油站油气回收在线监测系统

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU4852272A (en) 1971-11-17 1974-05-09 Gilbarco Aust Limited Air and/or vapour separation device

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB860622A (en) * 1957-05-17 1961-02-08 Junkers & Co Improvements in or relating to liquid pressure actuated control devices for automatically switching on and off the heating means of liquid flow heaters
GB926537A (en) * 1958-12-22 1963-05-22 Hans Vaillant Electric continuous-flow heater with water deficiency safety device
GB1315855A (en) * 1970-03-14 1973-05-02 Porter Lancastrian Ltd Dispensing of carbonated beverages
AT313095B (de) * 1972-05-17 1974-01-25 Schwelm Strager Tankgeraetebau Gasmeßverhütungseinrichtung
GB1360225A (en) * 1972-10-19 1974-07-17 Distillers Co Carbon Dioxide Carbonated liquid moving apparatus
US4611729A (en) * 1984-08-28 1986-09-16 Dresser Industries, Inc. Universal nozzle boot for fuel dispenser
FR2636056B1 (fr) * 1988-09-02 1991-05-24 Schlumberger Ind Sa Dispositif de commande automatique d'une lance a hydrocarbure en fonction de la teneur en gaz de l'hydrocarbure
IT1234751B (it) * 1989-02-10 1992-05-26 Rossignoli Michele E C Valvola idropressostatica particolarmente per impianti di riscaldamento muniti di apparecchio per la produzione di acqua sanitaria.
ES2042163T3 (es) * 1990-09-04 1993-12-01 Scheidt & Bachmann Gmbh Dispositivo para la regulacion de la alimentacion de carburantes liquidos a un aparato de medicion de cantidades.

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU4852272A (en) 1971-11-17 1974-05-09 Gilbarco Aust Limited Air and/or vapour separation device

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997041057A1 (fr) * 1996-04-29 1997-11-06 Tankanlagen Salzkotten Gmbh Dispositif pour doser et mesurer des volumes de liquide
US6196065B1 (en) 1996-04-29 2001-03-06 Marconi Commerce Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Device metering and measuring quantities of liquid
WO1998050303A1 (fr) * 1997-05-05 1998-11-12 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Systeme de distribution de carburant separant l'air
US5884809A (en) * 1997-05-05 1999-03-23 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Air separating fuel dispensing system
WO2006016793A1 (fr) * 2004-08-13 2006-02-16 Jorge Cortes Garcia Systeme electromecanique destine a l'extraction de l'air et des vapeurs d'un gaz de petrole liquefie pour son acheminement et son dosage
US7814942B2 (en) 2005-06-29 2010-10-19 Dresser, Inc. Vapor recovery system for low temperatures
EP1742026A1 (fr) * 2005-07-08 2007-01-10 Dresser Wayne Aktiebolag Compteur à gaz
US7963423B2 (en) 2005-07-08 2011-06-21 Dresser, Inc. Fuel dispensing unit with gas sensor
CN115057405A (zh) * 2021-08-19 2022-09-16 湖北云汉环保科技有限公司 一种加油站油气回收在线监测系统

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL295886A1 (en) 1993-05-17
NO923515D0 (no) 1992-09-10
FI924073L (fi) 1993-03-14
GB2259497B (en) 1994-06-22
EP0532202A3 (en) 1993-07-14
HU9202922D0 (en) 1992-12-28
FI924073A0 (fi) 1992-09-11
GB9119605D0 (en) 1991-10-23
DE69202841D1 (de) 1995-07-13
HUT62239A (en) 1993-04-28
ATE123475T1 (de) 1995-06-15
DE69202841T2 (de) 1995-10-19
EP0532202B1 (fr) 1995-06-07
GB2259497A (en) 1993-03-17
NO923515L (no) 1993-03-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5363988A (en) Fuel dispenser controlled in dependence on an electrical signal from a gas detector of the dispenser
US5988232A (en) Vapor recovery system employing oxygen detection
US5507325A (en) Vapor recovery system for fuel dispensers
US4167958A (en) Hydrocarbon fuel dispensing, vapor controlling system
EP0532202B1 (fr) Distributeur de carburants
US7963423B2 (en) Fuel dispensing unit with gas sensor
CN109476474A (zh) 燃料储存和分配设备
US4167957A (en) Hydrocarbon fuel dispensing, vapor controlling system
US6119528A (en) System for measuring liquid flow through a metering device
US6179163B1 (en) System and method for evaluating the presence of air in a liquid-state fuel stream
US3542092A (en) Automatic shut-off dispensing nozzle
US5613535A (en) Fuel dispenser shutoff switch
US1599081A (en) Apparatus for dispensing liquids through meters
US20030062381A1 (en) Multiproduct fuel dispenser using a common meter
JPH0551098A (ja) 給油システム
EP1035071A1 (fr) Distributeur de carburant avec dispositif de coupure lors de la présence de liquide dans la conduite de récupération de vapeurs
US6247615B1 (en) Fluid flow system and method with low flow inhibiting
US1987766A (en) Liquid dispensing apparatus
US7000628B2 (en) Electronic air separation system
JPS61142195A (ja) ベ−パ−回収装置
JPH0640495A (ja) 混油検出機能を備える給油装置
JP3163442B2 (ja) 燃料漏れ検出機能を有する燃料供給システム
CA2141783A1 (fr) Systeme de distribution de fluide en fonction de la phase
EP1739053B1 (fr) Système de récuperation des vapeurs de carburant avec détecteur de temperature
MXPA00003663A (es) Sistema de recuperacion de vapor que emplea deteccion de oxigeno

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 DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT 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 DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19930804

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940816

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

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

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 GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

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

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19950607

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 19950607

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19950607

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: 19950607

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: 19950607

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19950607

Ref country code: DK

Effective date: 19950607

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19950607

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19950607

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19950607

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 123475

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19950615

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: 64091

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69202841

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19950713

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: 19950831

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 19950831

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

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19950907

Ref country code: PT

Effective date: 19950907

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
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
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20010820

Year of fee payment: 10

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20020808

Year of fee payment: 11

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: 20030301

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: 20040430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST