[go: up one dir, main page]

EP0651951B1 - Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung - Google Patents

Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0651951B1
EP0651951B1 EP94307966A EP94307966A EP0651951B1 EP 0651951 B1 EP0651951 B1 EP 0651951B1 EP 94307966 A EP94307966 A EP 94307966A EP 94307966 A EP94307966 A EP 94307966A EP 0651951 B1 EP0651951 B1 EP 0651951B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
component
tobacco
filler
cutting
optimized
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
EP94307966A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0651951A3 (de
EP0651951A2 (de
Inventor
Antonio P.A. Frattolillo
Stephen E. Clark
Tommy C. Holland
Robert S. Mullins
Clifton A. Wood
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.)
Philip Morris Products SA
Philip Morris Products Inc
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products SA
Philip Morris Products Inc
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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=22525863&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0651951(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Philip Morris Products SA, Philip Morris Products Inc filed Critical Philip Morris Products SA
Priority to SI9430397T priority Critical patent/SI0651951T1/xx
Publication of EP0651951A2 publication Critical patent/EP0651951A2/de
Publication of EP0651951A3 publication Critical patent/EP0651951A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0651951B1 publication Critical patent/EP0651951B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B13/00—Tobacco for pipes, for cigars, e.g. cigar inserts, or for cigarettes; Chewing tobacco; Snuff
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B3/00—Preparing tobacco in the factory
    • A24B3/08—Blending tobacco
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B3/00—Preparing tobacco in the factory
    • A24B3/18—Other treatment of leaves, e.g. puffing, crimpling, cleaning

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the production of blended cigarette filler. More particularly, this invention relates to the production of different blended cigarette fillers in a way that is more flexible with respect to changing from one blend to the other, and that improves the process yield and filling power, and controls the subjective character, of the resulting blended cigarette filler.
  • blended cigarette fillers include a number of different tobacco components, including, but not limited to, bright (or Virginia) tobacco, burley tobacco, and oriental tobacco, as well as a number of pre-processed and reprocessed tobacco components such as expanded tobacco, expanded stems, or one or more of a number of types of reconstituted or non-reconstituted tobacco.
  • Each blend may also be distinguished by the conditions under which the components were processed, as well as by the various flavorings, or "casings", applied to the blend, both to the individual components before blending and to the total blend.
  • leaves in certain positions on the tobacco plant are of different quality.
  • Leaves of lower quality include flyings, sandy lugs and tips in burley tobacco, sandy leaves, primings and tips in bright tobacco, and third and fourth class and tips in oriental tobacco.
  • Tobacco blends are further distinguished by the amounts of these components of different quality.
  • the various types of tobacco are separately vacuum conditioned to destroy insects and to add heat and moisture.
  • a number of the component tobaccos may be further processed in a conditioning cylinder, in which the leaf is opened up and "pads" of tobacco (agglomerations of strip and leaves) are eliminated, by tumbling and the application of steam and water.
  • This stage may also include the use of a number of air separators to help eliminate pads.
  • various types of reconstituted tobacco products may be similarly processed. Burley, bright and oriental tobaccos, reconstituted products, and other pre-processed components are then stored in preblend silos.
  • vacuum conditioning and conditioning cylinder steps it is also known for the vacuum conditioning and conditioning cylinder steps to be replaced by a single step known as direct cylinder conditioning in which insect destruction and leaf separation are accomplished in a single cylinder in which heat, steam and water are applied.
  • initial flavoring or casing step is carried out.
  • initial base or "top” casings are applied separately to the individual components as required by their individual characteristics.
  • the reconstituted tobacco components may have been preflavored during their production, and thus are not treated in this stage, while the bright and oriental preblends may receive an initial flavoring treatment.
  • the burley component usually receives the most treatment at this stage. Because of the naturally lower sugars content of burley tobacco, the burley preblend is sprayed with a solution of sugars and other flavors and then dried both to drive off water from the solution and to cause the sugars to react with the natural leaf constituents. Finally, "top" casings appropriate for burley tobacco are applied.
  • the line must then be cleaned, and then the new blend can be produced. This results in inefficient use of equipment and personnel because of the need to change over the equipment for the next blend. For example, it may take ten to thirty minutes each time the equipment is cleaned and changed over for the next blend. Because the method and equipment are set up to produce large amounts of blended cut filler, it is frequently necessary to produce more of the special blend than is required, and then store it for future use. This results in high storage costs, and in some cases, if the blend is used infrequently enough, may result in the waste of tobacco or the need to reprocess it if, for example, some of the more volatile of the added flavors evaporate in storage.
  • a method of preparing blended cigarette filler including a plurality of filler components.
  • the method includes the steps of, for each one of the components, treating the one component under treatment conditions optimized for the one component, and cutting the one component to produce a cut filler component.
  • the method also includes the step of blending the plurality of cut filler components to produce blended cigarette filler.
  • GB-A-2140270 discloses the treatment of burley tobacco (by being subjected to nitrate extraction process), followed by blending with a cut flue-cured tobacco; there is no suggestion that the cut flue-cured tobacco is itself treated under optimal conditions prior to blending. The blended tobacco is then subjected to treatment, including in particular expansion.
  • WO-A-83/03186 discloses in claim 1 the separate cutting of blend components prior to blending.
  • One of the components is a reconstituted tobacco sheet.
  • the conditions are optimized for the total blend, and may not produce the final blended cut filler with the maximum filling power and optimal size from the initial leaf used, because the overall conditions, while optimizing these parameters for the blend, do not optimize them for each component or tobacco type.
  • the optimum cutting width for the different components may differ.
  • the cutting conditions are known to be particularly detrimental to certain components. Nevertheless, this stage is carried out after blending because it has heretofore been believed that it is too difficult, because of concerns related to differences in component strand density, size, moisture and rigidity, to efficiently and effectively blend cut tobacco filler components. Of course, once this step has been performed, the remaining steps must necessarily be performed on the total blend. Similarly, the conditions that favor maximum survivability and minimum breakage (or formation of fines) for the blend, may not be those for the individual components. The overall filling power of the blend could be even greater if each component could be processed individually under conditions optimized for that component. Similarly, the total yield of filler produced could be greater if each component achieved increased survivability.
  • those temperatures are optimized for the blend, but may not be the most favorable temperatures to preserve the flavor or other characteristics of any particular component.
  • those temperatures are optimized for the blend, but may not be the most favorable temperatures to preserve the flavor or other characteristics of any particular component.
  • the tobacco filler or its components are frequently far from their ambient storage equilibrium values for moisture content. And those repeated heating and drying steps may drive off naturally occurring flavors in the tobacco which could be preserved if some of those steps could be eliminated.
  • each type of tobacco component is treated separately up to and including cut component storage. Accordingly, up to that time each component can be processed at conditions that are optimized for that component. Specifically, temperature and humidity can be maintained within ranges that maximize filling power and survivability, and minimize breakage, for that component, without regard to other components with which the component may ultimately be blended.
  • the final cutting width can also be adjusted to that which provides the maximum filling power, as well as optimized subjective characteristics, for that component. In that connection, it has been found that the characteristics of poorer quality tobacco, even within the same component type, can be improved by cutting it to a wider width--i.e., fewer cuts per centimetre (inch)--than higher quality tobacco of the same type.
  • the ultimate blend may have tobacco strands of different widths, depending on the components in the blend. However, the ultimate blend will also have maximized filling power and survivability, and minimized breakage thus resulting in high yield.
  • the treatment conditions can be adjusted to enhance the taste of each component and, thus, the final blended product.
  • flavor systems are applied to the final blend, and it is contemplated that that would ordinarily be the case with the method according to the invention.
  • it may be determined that the taste of the final blend may be enhanced if certain casings are applied to individual components. For example, it may be determined that a particular casing, which is part of the flavor system for a particular blend, can be used in much smaller amounts if it is applied to a particular component of the blend before blending. This may be because the casing reacts in a certain way, for example, with the particular component.
  • applying casings in this way may also reduce the amount of a particular casing that is needed. In turn, that may reduce the amount of that casing that is released into the environment as compared to when a larger amount of the same casing is applied to the total blend.
  • the individual components may be stored until needed for a particular blend.
  • the storage life of the individual treated cut components is about several weeks, which is a result in part of only applying limited base, or "top,” casings to the components, with most casings, particularly the most volatile casings, being applied later as discussed below.
  • This invention produces cut components which are more similar with respect to size distribution, and when processed in the aforementioned blending and flow-splitting devices, produce through subsequent process operations a level of complete blending which is at least as uniform as is achieved in previously known systems, but with less degradation.
  • the final "after-cut” casings are applied. These casings, which are usually the casings that distinguish a blend from other blends, are generally more volatile than the base casings, and hence are applied closer to the time that the filler is actually to be used. If they are applied too far in advance, at least some of them may evaporate before the filler can be made into a cigarette.
  • the filler now substantially finished, can be used immediately if necessary, or can be stored for about ten days.
  • the temporal proximity of production to usage also allows reduction in the amount of casings applied, because there is less storage time during which evaporation can occur.
  • the filler When the filler is delivered to cigarette making equipment, it can be delivered by conventional pneumatic conveyors or by any other suitable conveyor apparatus.
  • the method of the invention can be thought of as two major stages--preparation of cut filler components and fabrication of final blends.
  • the first stage--cut filler preparation-- is better suited for large runs, insofar as it requires high-volume equipment such as conditioning devices and cutters. However, this is acceptable because the resulting components can be used in any of the blends to be fabricated in the second stage.
  • the first stage can thus be run substantially continually--e.g., with parallel lines for each component or fewer lines serially processing components--at least until a predetermined maximum amount on hand of each component is reached.
  • the second stage--blend fabrication-- is better suited to smaller runs with quick starts and stops, as it involves mainly feeders, weigh belts and blending devices.
  • certain blends are needed in large quantities and thus may be produced over a large part of the total operating time of the blend fabrication equipment, production can be easily stopped to produce a new blend with minimal loss of time and tobacco.
  • a small amount, as needed, of the new blend can be produced, and then production of the original blend, or yet another blend, can resume or begin.
  • some duplication is required, the flexibility of the process in changing from production of-one blend to another allows that duplication to be minimal.
  • whatever duplication is required can be accomplished easily and inexpensively to further increase the ability to produce multiple filler blends.
  • the components are put ⁇ through an opening and preblending step 12A, 12B, 12C, in which the strip material is passed through an arrangement of feeders, weigh belts and cylinders, and treated with heat, steam and water, in order to open up any folded or clumped material, as well as to preblend each component so that tobaccos of different origin and different sized pieces are uniformly mixed.
  • certain components can be preblended together. For example, while burley tobacco is preblended alone in step 12B, in step 12A as shown, bright and oriental tobaccos are preferably preblended together, and in step 12C as shown, the plurality of reconstituted tobacco components are preferably preblended together.
  • each of the three preblended components is then initially stored at step 13A, 13B, 13C in preblend silos. After preblending, each of the different components may be treated differently, depending on its composition. For example, burley tobacco receives the most treatment in the method as shown. Because of its relatively low sugars content, burley tobacco is sprayed with a "burley spray" solution of sugars and flavorings at step 14. Because the burley spray wets the tobacco substantially, it is then dried at step 15. Appropriate base, or "top,” casings for burley tobacco are then applied at step 16B.
  • the bright/oriental preblend does not require the sugars spray, and hence does not require drying, but does require top casing at step 16A with casings appropriate to bright and oriental tobaccos.
  • the reconstituted tobaccos which are flavored and otherwise treated when made, normally are not further treated at this point, and are passed immediately after preblending to total blending step 17.
  • the preblended, and top cased (if appropriate), components are blended together.
  • the total blend of strip tobaccos is then further moistened and heated in step 18 prior to being cut to filler width at step 19. Up to this point, the components have been maintained at a moisture level appropriate for cutting.
  • the blended cut filler is dried at step 100 to a moisture level appropriate for flavoring and final storage.
  • step 101 final, or "after-cut,” casings are applied, preferably in an after-cut cylinder.
  • expanded tobacco components including leaf, stem or both, and non-reconstituted tobaccos, having already been preblended, top cased as necessary, and cut, when made, may be added in and flavored with the other components.
  • step 102 the finished cut blended filler is deposited in a final storage silo, from which it is taken when needed for cigarette manufacture.
  • the method 20 according to the present invention can be broken down into two major stages, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • Each of the bright, burley and oriental tobaccos and the reconstituted components is processed through cut filler component preparation stage 21, producing individual cut filler components, each cased (if appropriate) and cut under conditions optimized for that component.
  • the individual cut filler components are stored in separate cut filler component silos at steps 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D.
  • blended filler As a blended filler is required, appropriate amounts of the various cut components are removed from storage and, along with appropriate non-reconstituted and expanded components which preferably have been cut and flavored when made, are processed through blend fabrication stage 23. Of course, the non-reconstituted or expanded components could also be processed through cut filler preparation stage 21 if desired. The processed blend is stored in step 24 until required for cigarette manufacture.
  • cut filler component preparation stage 21 The details of a preferred embodiment of cut filler component preparation stage 21 are shown in FIG. 3, which shows step 21 as it is carried out for each component.
  • the strip and reconstituted tobacco materials are subjected at step 30 to cylinder conditioning for insect destruction and moistening, and to open up the material. Flavorings may also be added in step 30.
  • the tobacco material is passed through separators to eliminate clumps and to separate and remove foreign materials such as sticks, stems, etc.
  • the materials are blended to assure that materials of all origins and pieces of all sizes are uniformly distributed.
  • the preblended component may then be flavored at step 34 with whatever top casings are appropriate for that component.
  • that flavoring includes the traditional burley spray described above.
  • the full amount of burley spray required preferably should not be applied at this step because it would render the tobacco too wet for cutting.
  • the component is then conditioned with moisture, heat or both at step 35 prior to cutting into cut filler component in step 36.
  • the cutting width in step 36 is set to the optimum for the particular component, as described above.
  • flyings, sandy lugs and tips from burley tobacco, sandy leaves, primings, and tips from bright tobacco, and third and fourth class and tips from oriental tobacco should preferably be cut to widths of between about 1.0 mm and about 2.6 mm (about 25 cuts per inch to about 10 cuts per inch), most preferably about 1.8 mm (about 14 cuts per inch).
  • Good lugs and cutters from burley or bright tobacco, first and second class oriental tobacco, and reconstituted tobacco components, which are of higher quality, should preferably be cut to widths of between about 0.85 mm and about 0.95 mm (about 30 cuts per inch to about 26 cuts per inch), most preferably about 0.90 mm (about 28 cuts per inch).
  • the highest quality leaf and leafy tips of Burley and bright tobacco should preferably be cut to widths of between about 0.60 mm and about 0.80 mm (about 42 cuts per inch to about 31 cuts per inch), most preferably about 0.70 mm (about 36 cuts per inch).
  • stem components are processed off-line, it has been found that cutting stems to different widths can also improve the subjective and other qualities of the tobacco blend.
  • flue-cured stems should preferably be cut to widths between about 0.15 mm and about 0.25 mm (about 169 cuts per inch to about 102 cuts per inch), most preferably about 0.20 mm (about 127 cuts per inch), while air-cured or fire ⁇ cured stems should preferably be cut to widths between about 0.20 mm and about 0.30 mm (about 127 cuts per inch to about 85 cuts per inch), most preferably about 0.25 mm (about 101 cuts per inch).
  • the conditioning at step 35 is designed to maximize the survivability of the component and reduce the inherent internal stress generated by cutting, and is optimized for the particular component.
  • tobacco materials have previously been raised to relatively high moisture content (e.g., about 20% O.V.) to prevent breakage during cutting, in the present invention, it is preferred to keep the tobacco material as close to its normal moisture level as possible.
  • the moisture content is between about 13% O.V. and about 18% O.V.
  • the tobacco materials are heated to a temperature between about 54°C (130°F) and about 77°C (179°F), preferably about 66°C (150°F), to make them more pliable.
  • Heating can be achieved using a steam tunnel, with superheated steam used to prevent wetting of the tobacco, but it is more particularly preferred to use microwave heating at near equilibrium conditions for the relative humidity at the location where cutting is to occur. This thermal conditioning before cutting allows for less severe thermal treatment after cutting.
  • step 38 After cutting, the component is subjected to post-cutting thermal treatment, drying, or both, at step 38 to enhance the filling power and subjective character of the component.
  • step 38 can be less severe if there is thermal treatment at step 35.
  • Step 38 helps to maximize the filling power of the component in a tobacco rod, in part as a result of physical changes caused in the component strands.
  • Step 38 can be performed at any time after cutting step 36 and before flavoring step 43 (discussed below).
  • the beneficial effects of step 38 are enhanced by the ability to cut the component in step 36 at relatively low moisture content, which in turn is a result of the treatment applied in step 35.
  • blend fabrication stage 23 The details of blend fabrication stage 23 are shown in FIG. 4.
  • Individual bright, burley and oriental and reconstituted components are metered at steps 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D from cut filler component storage.
  • the metered out components are weighed, preferably on respective weigh belts, and then mixed at step 41.
  • mixing is performed by delivering all components from their respective weigh belts to the same location on a single conveyor, and additional devices can be used to achieve mixing.
  • the components can be delivered to separate locations along the single conveyor, where specific devices achieve mixing.
  • an optional trim drying/cooling step 42 may be necessary depending upon the moisture level of the blend and the desired moisture level needed for cigarette manufacturing.
  • Expanded components are metered at step 40E from the respective component feed devices or silos. Other components, such as stems, may also be introduced at this point.
  • step 43 The mixed components are then flavored at step 43 similarly to step 101 above.
  • the flavored mixture is then blended at step 44.
  • step 44 is carried out using a batch blend silo in which the flavored mixture is deposited in layers in one direction and removed in a different direction--e.g., perpendicular to the layering direction--to eliminate variations in the blend.
  • the final blend is transported at step 45 either directly to a cigarette maker or to final blend storage where it can be kept--for up to about ten days in the preferred embodiment--until it is needed for cigarette manufacture.
  • the blended filler can be transported to the cigarette makers by any suitable means, such as a conventional pneumatic conveyor, or by any other appropriate conveyor.
  • a method is provided to produce different blends of cut tobacco filler with minimum loss of efficiency to change from one blend to another, to produce a blended cut tobacco filler closer in time to when it is used, to optimize the production of blended cut tobacco filler to the requirements of each component of the blend, to maximize the filling power and survivability of blended tobacco filler, to minimize the production of fines, and to minimize the loss to the environment of both natural and added flavor components of blended cut tobacco filler.

Landscapes

  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
  • Paints Or Removers (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Confectionery (AREA)

Claims (51)

  1. Verfahren (20) zum Herstellen einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung, einschließlich einer Mehrzahl von Füllstoffkomponenten, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:
    Behandeln (21) jeder einzelnen Komponente unter für die jeweilige Komponente optimierten Behandlungsbedingungen und Schneiden (21) der Komponente, um eine Schnittfüllstoffkomponente herzustellen; und anschließend
    Vermischen einer Mehrzahl der genannten Schnittfüllstoffkomponenten zur Erzeugung einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung.
  2. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 1, wobei wenigstens eine der Füllstoffkomponenten ein Lagenmaterial umfasst.
  3. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Lagenmaterial Tabak umfasst.
  4. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei das Tabaklagenmaterial Tabakblätter umfasst.
  5. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei das Tabaklagenmaterial neu gebildete Tabaklagen umfasst.
  6. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der Behandlungsschritt (21) wenigstens einen der folgenden Schritte umfasst:
    Ausdehnen der Komponente; und
    Ummanteln der Komponente.
  7. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Ausdehnungsschritt unter für die Komponente optimierten Bedingungen durchgeführt wird.
  8. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Ausdehnungsbedingungen optimiert werden, um die Ausdehnung der Komponente zu maximieren.
  9. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Ausdehnungsbedingungen optimiert werden, um die Füllkraft der Komponente zu maximieren.
  10. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Ausdehnungsbedingungen optimiert werden, um die Überlebensfähigkeit der Komponente zu maximieren.
  11. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Ummantelungsschritt das Anbringen eines für die Komponente optimierten Mantels umfasst.
  12. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der Schritt des Schneidens der Komponente das Schneiden der Komponente unter für die Komponente optimierten Schneidbedingungen umfasst.
  13. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 12, wobei die optimierten Scheidbedingungen eine für die Komponente optimale Schnittbreite beinhalten.
  14. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, wobei die Schnittbreite optimiert wird, um die Füllkraft der Komponente zu maximieren.
  15. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, wobei die Schneidbedingungen optimiert werden, um die Überlebensfähigkeit des Zigarettenfüllstoffs zu maximieren.
  16. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, wobei die Schneidbedingungen optimiert werden, um die Entstehung von Feinanteilen während des Schneidvorgangs gering zu halten.
  17. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 13, 14, 15 oder 16, wobei die Schnittbreite für eine Komponente geringerer Qualität eines bestimmtes Typs größer ist als für eine Komponente höherer Qualität dieses Typs.
  18. Verfahren (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 17, wobei die Schnittbreite zwischen 1 mm und 2,6 mm (zwischen 25 Schnitten pro Zoll und 10 Schnitten pro Zoll) liegt für Flyings (Grumpen), Sandy Lugs (Sand-Mittelgut) oder Tips (Geizen/Obergut) von Burley-Tabak;
       Sandblätter, Primings (Grumpen) oder Tips von hellem Tabak; oder Drittprodukt oder Viertprodukt oder Tips von Orienttabak.
  19. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 18, wobei die Schnittbreite bei etwa 1,8 mm (etwa 14 Schnitte pro Zoll) liegt.
  20. Verfahren (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 17, wobei die Schnittbreite zwischen 0,85 mm und 0,95 mm (zwischen 30 Schnitten pro Zoll und 26 Schnitten pro Zoll) liegt für:
    gute Lugs (Mittelgut) oder Cutters (Schneidgut) von Burley-Tabak und hellem Tabak;
    Erstprodukt oder Zweitprodukt von Orienttabak; oder
    neu gebildete Tabakkomponenten.
  21. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 20, wobei die Schnittbreite etwa 0,9 mm (etwa 28 Schnitte pro Zoll) beträgt.
  22. Verfahren (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 17, wobei die Schnittbreite zwischen 0,65 mm und 0,85 mm (zwischen 39 Schnitten pro Zoll und 30 Schnitten pro Zoll) liegt für:
    Burley-Tabakblätter;
    blättrige Tips von Burley-Tabak;
    helle Tabakblätter; oder
    blättrige Tips von hellem Tabak.
  23. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 22, wobei die Schnittbreite etwa 0,75 mm (etwa 34 Schnitte pro Zoll) beträgt.
  24. Verfahren (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 17, wobei die Schnittbreite zwischen 0,15 mm und 0,25 mm (zwischen 169 Schnitten pro Zoll und 102 Schnitten pro Zoll) bei heißluftgetrockneten Tabakstielen liegt.
  25. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 24, wobei die Schnittbreite etwa 0,2 mm (etwa 127 Schnitte pro Zoll) beträgt.
  26. Verfahren (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 17, wobei die Schnittbreite zwischen 0,2 mm und 0,3 mm (zwischen 127 Schnitten pro Zoll und 85 Schnitten pro Zoll) liegt für:
    luftgetrocknete Tabakstiele; oder
    feuergetrocknete Tabakstiele.
  27. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 26, wobei die Schnittbreite etwa 0,25 mm (etwa 101 Schnitte pro Zoll) beträgt.
  28. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der Schritt zum Behandeln einer Komponente unter für die Komponente optimierten Behandlungsbedingungen das Erwärmen und/oder Befeuchten der Komponente vor dem Schneiden umfasst.
  29. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 28, wobei der Erwärmungsschritt das Erwärmen der Komponente unter annähernden Gleichgewichtsfeuchtigkeitsbedingungen umfasst und der Schneidschritt das Aufrechterhalten des annähernden Gleichgewichtsfeuchtigkeitszustands der Komponente während des Schneidens umfasst.
  30. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 28 oder 29, wobei der Erwärmungsschritt das Erwärmen der Komponente auf eine Temperatur zwischen 54°C (130°F) und 77°C (170°F) umfasst.
  31. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 30, wobei der Erwärmungsschritt das Erwärmen der Komponente auf 66°C (150°F) umfasst.
  32. Verfahren (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 28 bis 31, wobei der Erwärmungsschritt das Aufrechterhalten eines Feuchtigkeitgehalts der Komponente zwischen 13% und 18% an Ofen Flüchtigem umfasst.
  33. Verfahren (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 28 bis 32, wobei der Erwärmungsschritt das Aussetzen der Komponente einer Mikrowellenstrahlung umfasst.
  34. Verfahren (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 28 bis 32, wobei der Erwärmungsschritt das Aussetzen der Komponente einem Dampf umfasst.
  35. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 34, wobei der Erwärmungsschritt das Aussetzen der Komponente einem überhitzten Dampf umfasst.
  36. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die genannten Behandlungsbedingungen optimiert werden, um die Füllkraft des genannten Zigarettenfüllstoffs zu maximieren.
  37. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, ferner umfassend das Lagern jeder Schnittfüllstoffkomponente nach dem Schneidschritt; wobei der Mischschritt im Wesentlichen bei Bedarf durchgeführt wird, wenn die Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung zum Herstellen von Zigaretten benötigt wird, wobei die gelagerte Schnittfüllstoffkomponente im Mischschritt verwendet wird.
  38. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 37, wobei der Schneidschritt und der Behandlungsschritt im Wesentlichen kontinuierlich durchgeführt werden, um die Schnittfüllstoffkomponenten zur Lagerung zu produzieren, und der Mischschritt bei Bedarf in Abständen durchgeführt wird.
  39. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 38, wobei die Abstände regelmäßig sind.
  40. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 38, wobei die Abstände unregelmäßig sind.
  41. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, ferner umfassend das Hinzufügen von wenigstens einer zusätzlichen Füllstoffkomponente.
  42. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 41, wobei die zusätzliche Komponente vorbehandelt wird.
  43. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, ferner umfassend das Behandeln der Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung.
  44. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 41 oder 42 und nach Anspruch 43, wobei die Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung vor der Zugabe der zusätzlichen Komponente behandelt wird.
  45. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 41 oder 42 und nach Anspruch 43, wobei die Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung nach der Zugabe der zusätzlichen Komponente behandelt wird.
  46. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 43, 44 oder 45, wobei der Schritt zum Behandeln der Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung das Ummanteln der Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung umfasst.
  47. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 46, wobei die Ummantelung für die Mischung optimiert wird.
  48. Verfahren (20) nach Anspruch 46 oder 47, wobei die Ummantelung kurz vor der Verwendung der Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung in der Zigarettenproduktion aufgebracht wird, wodurch eine Verdampfung flüchtiger Fraktionen der Ummantelung gering gehalten wird.
  49. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei die Behandlungsbedingungen optimiert werden, um die Überlebensfähigkeit des Zigarettenfüllstoffs zu maximieren.
  50. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei die Behandlungsbedingungen optimiert werden, um die Entstehung von Feinanteilen im Zigarettenfüllstoff gering zu halten.
  51. Verfahren (20) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche zum Herstellen einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung mit verbesserter Füllkraft, wobei die Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung eine Mehrzahl von Füllstoffkomponenten beinhaltet, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:
    Behandeln jeder einzelnen Komponente zur Verbesserung der Füllkraft der Komponente unter für die Komponente optimierten Behandlungsbedingungen, und Schneiden der Komponente, um eine Schnittfüllstoffkomponente zu erzeugen; und anschließend
    Mischen einer Mehrzahl der genannten Schnittfüllstoffkomponenten zur Erzeugung einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung.
EP94307966A 1993-11-08 1994-10-28 Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung Expired - Lifetime EP0651951B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SI9430397T SI0651951T1 (en) 1993-11-08 1994-10-28 Method for producing blended cigarette filler

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14845793A 1993-11-08 1993-11-08
US148457 1993-11-08

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0651951A2 EP0651951A2 (de) 1995-05-10
EP0651951A3 EP0651951A3 (de) 1996-08-28
EP0651951B1 true EP0651951B1 (de) 2001-10-10

Family

ID=22525863

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94307966A Expired - Lifetime EP0651951B1 (de) 1993-11-08 1994-10-28 Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0651951B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH07184624A (de)
AT (1) ATE206588T1 (de)
BR (1) BR9404360A (de)
DE (1) DE69428563T2 (de)
SI (1) SI0651951T1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2745715A2 (de) 2012-12-21 2014-06-25 HAUNI Maschinenbau AG Blendverfahren und Blendvorrichtung zum Mischen einer Mehrzahl von Tabakkomponenten

Families Citing this family (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19543263C2 (de) * 1995-11-20 2001-04-19 Bat Cigarettenfab Gmbh Verfahren und Anlage zur Behandlung von Tabakblättern für die Herstellung von Schnittabak
ATE252328T1 (de) * 1996-11-14 2003-11-15 British American Tobacco Co Verfahren und anlage zur behandlung von tabakrippen für die herstellung von schnitttabak
DE19756217A1 (de) 1997-12-17 1999-07-01 Bat Cigarettenfab Gmbh Verfahren zur Behandlung von Tabakfeinschnitt
EP0931464A1 (de) * 1998-01-23 1999-07-28 Fabriques De Tabac Reunies S.A. Verfahren zur Herstellung von Schnitttabak für Zigaretten
DE60120665T2 (de) * 2000-02-16 2007-05-31 Japan Tobacco Inc. Verfahren zur herstellung von geschnittenem tabak und herstellungssystem dafür
DE102004045040A1 (de) * 2004-09-15 2006-03-30 Hauni Primary Gmbh Aufbereitung und Bereitstellung von Tabakgut
EP1925218A1 (de) * 2006-11-23 2008-05-28 Philip Morris Products S.A. System zur Herstellung von expandiertem Tabak
EP2733078A1 (de) 2012-11-14 2014-05-21 Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung und Verpackung einer tabakbezogenen Mischung
CN103238918B (zh) * 2013-04-27 2015-04-08 红云红河烟草(集团)有限责任公司 一种流化床式烟丝掺配加香装置及掺配加香方法
JP6162797B2 (ja) 2013-05-13 2017-07-12 日本たばこ産業株式会社 たばこ材料、該たばこ材料が添加されたたばこ製品及びたばこ材料の製造方法
EP2962580A1 (de) * 2014-07-01 2016-01-06 Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH Tabakprodukt, das von Tabak unterscheinbare Elemente beinhaltet
WO2016193147A1 (en) * 2015-05-29 2016-12-08 Philip Morris Products S.A. Method of making tobacco cut filler
WO2018042662A1 (ja) * 2016-09-05 2018-03-08 日本たばこ産業株式会社 ラミナからなるたばこ原料の製造方法、ラミナ及びラミナ充填物
CN107897995B (zh) * 2017-03-23 2020-04-28 上海创和亿电子科技发展有限公司 一种基于原烟配方模块拆分的分段均质化调控方法
EP3827675A4 (de) * 2018-07-23 2022-02-23 Japan Tobacco Inc. Verfahren zur herstellung von tabakmaterial, tabakmaterial, verfahren zur herstellung von tabak, tabakaromaflüssigkeit und aromainhalator vom heiztyp
DE102019105417A1 (de) * 2019-03-04 2020-09-10 Tews Elektronik Gmbh & Co. Kg Verfahren zur Verarbeitung von mindestens zwei Eingangsmaterialien
CN110432539B (zh) * 2019-08-06 2022-01-11 河南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种卷烟原料余缺替代方法
RU2737942C1 (ru) * 2019-12-09 2020-12-07 Федеральное государственное бюджетное научное учреждение Всероссийский научно-исследовательский институт табака, махорки и табачных изделий (ФГБНУ ВНИИТТИ) Способ изготовления курительного табака
CN111000279A (zh) * 2019-12-20 2020-04-14 湖北烟草金叶复烤有限责任公司 一种烟草叶片加工方法
WO2022138263A1 (ja) * 2020-12-24 2022-06-30 日本たばこ産業株式会社 非燃焼加熱型香味吸引物品用たばこロッド部の製造方法
WO2022138261A1 (ja) 2020-12-24 2022-06-30 日本たばこ産業株式会社 たばこ組成物、たばこ含有セグメント、非燃焼加熱型香味吸引器具、及び非燃焼加熱型香味吸引システム
WO2022138260A1 (ja) 2020-12-24 2022-06-30 日本たばこ産業株式会社 たばこ組成物、たばこ含有セグメント、非燃焼加熱型香味吸引器具、及び非燃焼加熱型香味吸引システム
CN115153077B (zh) * 2022-06-17 2023-06-13 广西中烟工业有限责任公司 一种残丝掺配方法

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1066930B (de) * 1959-10-08
US3811585A (en) * 1971-07-06 1974-05-21 Griffin & Co Method of processing tobacco in a blend-bulk silo
DE2405947C2 (de) * 1974-02-08 1982-12-09 Hauni-Werke Körber & Co KG, 2050 Hamburg Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum gesteuerten Zusammenführen von Tabakkomponenten
DE2540411C2 (de) * 1975-09-11 1986-02-20 Hauni-Werke Körber & Co KG, 2050 Hamburg Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Tabakmischung
GB2115681B (en) * 1982-03-02 1985-05-30 Rothmans Of Pall Mall Tobacco lamina and stem processing
WO1983003186A1 (en) * 1982-03-18 1983-09-29 Philip Morris Inc Improved method of blending reconstituted tobacco in filler
US4566468A (en) * 1983-05-25 1986-01-28 Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation Process and system for making a blended tobacco product
SE9203465D0 (sv) * 1992-11-18 1992-11-18 Svenska Tobaks Ab Cigarett och foerfarande foer framstaellning daerav

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2745715A2 (de) 2012-12-21 2014-06-25 HAUNI Maschinenbau AG Blendverfahren und Blendvorrichtung zum Mischen einer Mehrzahl von Tabakkomponenten
DE102012224272A1 (de) 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Blendverfahren und Blendvorrichtung zum Mischen einer Mehrzahl von Tabakkomponenten

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0651951A3 (de) 1996-08-28
JPH07184624A (ja) 1995-07-25
BR9404360A (pt) 1995-07-04
SI0651951T1 (en) 2002-06-30
EP0651951A2 (de) 1995-05-10
ATE206588T1 (de) 2001-10-15
DE69428563D1 (de) 2001-11-15
DE69428563T2 (de) 2002-06-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0651951B1 (de) Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Zigarettenfüllstoffmischung
US4244381A (en) Upgraded tobacco stem material and its method of preparation
US8297288B2 (en) Reconstituted tobacco with bonded flavorant, smoking article and methods
US10709163B2 (en) Method for the preparation of a cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material
EP2230950B1 (de) Verfahren zur herstellung von tabakprodukten
US5722431A (en) Method and plant for treating tobacco leaves for the production of cut tobacco
US10842182B2 (en) Method for the production of homogenized tobacco material
JP3871258B2 (ja) 刻タバコの製造方法およびその製造システム
JP7185008B2 (ja) 刻み葉柄タバコ材の処理方法
EP0693885A1 (de) Zigarette und verfahren zur herstellung derselben
JPH09163965A (ja) 刻みタバコを製造するためのタバコ葉の処理方法およびプラント
EP1056362B1 (de) Verfahren zur herstellung von schnitttabak für zigaretten
US4620556A (en) Loose leaf chewing tobacco
US5826590A (en) Method and plant for treating tobacco stems for the production of cut tobacco
CN115135172A (zh) 处理烟草材料的方法、处理烟草材料的装置、处理过的烟草材料及其用途
JP7639828B2 (ja) タバコ材を処理する方法、タバコ材を処理するための装置、処理されたタバコ材およびその使用
WO2023235902A1 (en) Process and equipment for manufacturing cut rag
CN107846961A (zh) 用于制备混合烟草的至少一烟草条的方法和烟草加工业的设施

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

RAX Requested extension states of the european patent have changed

Free format text: LT PAYMENT 941123;SI PAYMENT 941123

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: LT PAYMENT 941123;SI PAYMENT 941123

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19970219

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19981204

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 GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: LT PAYMENT 19941123;SI PAYMENT 19941123

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: 20011010

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: 20011010

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 PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;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.

Effective date: 20011010

Ref country code: GR

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

Effective date: 20011010

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: 20011010

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: 20011010

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

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20011010

Year of fee payment: 8

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 206588

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20011015

Kind code of ref document: T

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20011012

Year of fee payment: 8

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20011019

Year of fee payment: 8

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: 20011028

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20011028

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20011029

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20011029

Year of fee payment: 8

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69428563

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20011115

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

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: 20020110

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: 20020110

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: 20020110

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
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: 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: 20020430

PLBQ Unpublished change to opponent data

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OPPO

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: REEMTSMA CIGARETTENFABRIKEN GMBH

Effective date: 20020710

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20021028

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20021028

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

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: 20030501

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee
LTLA Lt: lapse of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20021028

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: 20030630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PLBD Termination of opposition procedure: decision despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOPC1

PLBM Termination of opposition procedure: date of legal effect published

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009276

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: OPPOSITION PROCEDURE CLOSED

27C Opposition proceedings terminated

Effective date: 20060831