[go: up one dir, main page]

EP0663883B1 - Container and closure therefor - Google Patents

Container and closure therefor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0663883B1
EP0663883B1 EP93921017A EP93921017A EP0663883B1 EP 0663883 B1 EP0663883 B1 EP 0663883B1 EP 93921017 A EP93921017 A EP 93921017A EP 93921017 A EP93921017 A EP 93921017A EP 0663883 B1 EP0663883 B1 EP 0663883B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
closure
perfume
headspace
product
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
EP93921017A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0663883A1 (en
Inventor
Pierre Dumas
Dominique Favier
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.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
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 Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP0663883A1 publication Critical patent/EP0663883A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0663883B1 publication Critical patent/EP0663883B1/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
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
    • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
    • B65D41/0435—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with separate sealing elements
    • B65D41/0442—Collars or rings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
    • B65D81/264—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to containers and in particular to containers with a cap closure and headspace perfuming means. Such containers are particularly suitable for housing and delivering liquid detergent compositions.
  • a problem with heavy duty liquid detergent compositions or concentrated liquid detergent compositions is that the structured nature of the liquid tends to trap perfume within it.
  • the perfume can be delivered to fabric during the washing process, it is not discernible simply by smelling the container. This is a disadvantage because this technique is the one normally used by consumers to choose their detergent or to be assured that it will deliver an acceptable fragrance.
  • Another problem occurs when the use of the contents of the container dictates that the perfume level should be kept to a minimum. This can result in the contents having an undesirable smell due to insufficient masking by the perfume, which can be off-putting to a consumer and defeats the object of including the perfume in the first place.
  • EP-A-0004463 describes a cardboard box for granular solid detergent, in which the cardboard is impregnated with a perfume to provide fragrance to the headspace.
  • the use of cardboard is clearly unsuitable for liquid products and the incorporation of perfume into a plastics container material would tend to trap the more volatile components of the perfume and may damage other components of the perfume.
  • US-A-4540721 describes the use of oil-based perfumes to create an aqueous emulsion with a water-emulsifiable or water-soluble polymer.
  • the emulsion is dried to trap the perfume within the matrix of the polymer and the matrix is then coated inside the top of a container to fragrance the headspace as the perfume diffuses out of its protective matrix. This is an expensive and complicated technique and also damages the perfume activity.
  • EP-A-0258991 addresses the above problem for granular contents such as solid bleach compositions and proposes the use of a container cap having a perfumed disc or liner formed by co-melting the fragrance oil with the polymer from which the disc is fabricated.
  • the perfumed disc is protected from coming into contact with bleach granules by means of a perforated cover.
  • the perforations are small enough to prevent ingress of bleach particles to the perfumed disc.
  • cap is for use on a container for storing air-degradable food products, the object being to remove oxygen from the headspace in the container once the closure cap is in place.
  • the cap incorporates a body of oxygen-absorbent material shielded from the interior of the container by a gas-permeable, water-impermeable membrane.
  • the cap also includes an air-tight seal surrounding the oxygen-absorbing wad, in order to completely isolate the container interior from the atmosphere when the cap is in place.
  • a primary object of the present invention therefore is to provide a container closure comprising headspace perfuming means of which at least a portion is adequately isolated from the product to be placed in the container and is constructed and arranged to release perfume into the headspace sufficiently rapidly and to an adequate degree upon closure of the container.
  • the present invention provides a closure for an opening of the container, the closure including headspace perfuming means comprising a body of compressible absorbent material containing perfume to be delivered into a headspace of the container, characterised in that at least a portion of the body is constructed and arranged to be compressed so as to form a seal for the closure against the container opening, and is thereby shielded from product contained within the container while the closure is in place, and in that the said compression of the body causes excretion of perfume therefrom into the headspace.
  • headspace perfuming means comprising a body of compressible absorbent material containing perfume to be delivered into a headspace of the container, characterised in that at least a portion of the body is constructed and arranged to be compressed so as to form a seal for the closure against the container opening, and is thereby shielded from product contained within the container while the closure is in place, and in that the said compression of the body causes excretion of perfume therefrom into the headspace.
  • the present invention provides a container having an opening fitted with a closure as defined above.
  • closure is intended to include any form of closure for an opening of a container, especially various kinds of caps which include screw caps, push-on caps, composite caps having a retractable pouring spout and the like.
  • the invention is applicable to any type of container, though containers having mouth-like openings, e.g. bottles, are particularly applicable. Other types of container however, for example drums or cartons, are also within the ambit of applicability of the present invention.
  • the invention is not limited in its application to containers for liquids, although these may be preferred. Solid products as well as liquid products are applicable to utilisation of the present invention.
  • the term "headspace” generally means that region of the interior of the container above the level of any product contained therein. It is to be understood, however, that this term also encompasses the situation where what is defined as the "headspace” is a closed void formed beneath the closure cap, for example by means of a labyrinth or baffle, which does not necessarily extend as far into the container as the level of a product within it.
  • At least part of the perfuming means of the closure is prevented from contacting the product in the container whilst the closure is in place, by virtue of that at least part of the perfuming means constituting a sealing member which seals the container opening and thus prevents leakage of perfume into the atmosphere.
  • This means that the perfume will survive at least until the container is opened for the first time, which may, in some instances, be after a period of storage.
  • a principal advantage of the invention in using as the sealing member at least part of the body of compressible, absorbent material in which the perfume is impregnated, is that as the closure is put in place on the container opening such as to seal it, the absorbent body is compressed, thereby excreting a small quantity of the absorbed perfume therefrom into the container headspace.
  • This mini-pumping action occurs every time the container is sealed with the closure and, as a consequence, after every such closing operation, the headspace in the container is rapidly given a dose of perfume which is sufficient to provide the desired aesthetic results when the container is next opened, even if it is within a short space of time. Because of the positive dosing through the mini-pumping action, instead of mere diffusion out of the perfume impregnated absorbent body, sufficient perfume content within the headspace is achieved, even if the overall level of perfume in the perfuming means is required to be low.
  • the body of compressible, absorbent material is in the form of a resilient absorbent liner which is positioned in that part of the closure which abuts the container mouth when the closure is in place.
  • the liner is preferably shaped to match the container opening, so that it fulfils its sealing function when the closure is in place. Since many containers, particularly bottles, have circular mouths, the liner preferably takes the form of a circular or annular disc.
  • the liner is in the form of a circular disc, it will generally be positioned in the base of the closure cap and preferably held in place by a suitable retaining means, for example by means of adhesive or by means of one or more retention lugs, shoulders or the like.
  • closure caps which themselves act as dosing or measuring means for product to be dispensed from the container.
  • closure caps may comprise, for example, a cup-like main body, the open end of which protrudes into the container interior when the closure is fitted on the opening thereof, and extending outwardly and towards the open end of the cap intermediate its closed and open ends is a flare or flange which includes the necessary securing means such as screw threads or push- or snap- fit features, the resilient liner impregnated with the perfume being positioned within this flare or flange and thereby sealingly abutting the walls of the mouth of the container when the closure is secured thereon.
  • the liner is formed from an open cell plastic foam, preferably polyurethane foam, into which perfume has been loaded by impregnation.
  • the method of impregnation may be entirely conventional, e.g. the perfume may be incorporated during the foaming stage of the liner manufacture, or it may be post-impregnated by simply soaking the liner in the perfume.
  • the compressible, preferably resiliently compressible, nature of the foam liner enables a small dose of perfume to be delivered to the container headspace each time the liner is compressed upon closure of the container. This ensures some fresh release of perfume into the headspace each time the closure is secured which can be detected readily by the consumer when the container is next opened.
  • the compressible, absorbent liner body is faced with a membrane which is impermeable to the product to be placed in the container and is preferably water-impermeable.
  • the membrane is permeable to the perfume vapour. It is preferred that any face, edge or side of the liner which is exposed to the container interior when the closure is in place on the container opening is so faced, in order to avoid or minimise degradation of the perfume by product within the container.
  • liners in the form of circular or annular discs at least that face of the disc which faces towards the interior of the container is provided with such a membrane. Most preferably, both faces of such liners are so covered, as this provides a most efficient barrier between the contents of the container and the perfume-impregnated foam.
  • a foam matrix as at least a major part of the compressible, absorbent body solves the problem of stably loading the perfume into the headspace perfuming means, which many prior art proposals have suffered from.
  • it obviates the use of high-temperature melting processes or the need for special perfume formulations to take account of the modified release from a polymer lattice.
  • the perfume used can therefore contain heat-sensitive or volatile components, thereby widening the choice of perfumes available for use with the present invention.
  • the possibility is therefore created of using a different perfume in the headspace of the container from that in the product itself.
  • the headspace to be scented in a manner which is particularly pleasing to the consumer, whilst masking any odours emanating from the product, and the product can contain less volatile perfumes which may make the product more suitable for its intended purpose.
  • the perfume may be substantive to fabric in the case of fabric washing liquids.
  • the use of a perfumed liner also allows lower levels of more volatile perfume components to be used, because the perfume is delivered directly and immediately to the area where it is needed.
  • the invention provides a method of perfuming a headspace within a container comprising fitting to the container a closure which includes a perfume-impregnated body of compressible absorbent material, characterised in that at least a portion of the body, on fitting to the closure to the container is compressed against the container opening, the compression causing forcible excretion of a dose of perfume from the body into the headspace and the compression also causing a seal to be formed between the closure and the container and the body or the said portion of it, as the case may be, being shielded from product in the container while the closure is in place on the container opening.
  • a detergent container 1 is in the form of a bottle which is fabricated from a water-impermeable plastics material such as polyethylene.
  • a handle 2 is molded into the container 1 and it is closed by means of a screw-threaded cap 4.
  • FIG 2 shows a cross-section through a screw-cap 4 of a first embodiment of the invention, which cap also serves as a dosing/measuring means for the purpose of dispensing a desired volume of liquid detergent which is poured out of the container.
  • the cap 4 takes the form of a cup 5 with graduated markings 6.
  • Disposed annularly around the cup 5 is a threaded flare 7 which contains an annular liner 8 which constitutes the perfuming means for delivering perfume to the headspace 3a (see Figure 1) in the container.
  • the liner 8 is shown enlarged in Figure 4. It comprises an inner layer of open cell polyurethane foam 9, which is sandwiched between two layers of polyethylene 10.
  • the polyurethane foam 9 is loaded with perfume oil which has been absorbed into the foam structure, for example by post-foaming impregnation.
  • the amount of perfume oil loaded into the foam layer 9 may depend upon various parameters, such as the potency of the perfume itself, the volatility of the perfume oil, the level of perfume vapour which it is desired to establish within the container headspace and the temperature at which typical storage and/or use of the container will occur. A suitable amount of the perfume will therefore generally be set by experience and/or trial and error on the part of the manufacturer.
  • Figure 3 shows an alternative design of cap which is not designed for use as a measuring aid.
  • an annular liner 11 (which, in this embodiment, could even be circular) is situated adjacent a threaded skirt 12 and extending outwardly and downwardly from the skirt 12 is a shroud 13 which is designed to be aesthetically pleasing and may, for example, be provided with grip formations on its outer surface.
  • the liner 11 in this embodiment can be structurally the same as the liner 8 of the embodiment of Figure 2, but is not necessarily so, as already mentioned.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
EP93921017A 1992-09-29 1993-09-28 Container and closure therefor Expired - Lifetime EP0663883B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9220500 1992-09-29
GB929220500A GB9220500D0 (en) 1992-09-29 1992-09-29 Container
PCT/GB1993/002021 WO1994007757A1 (en) 1992-09-29 1993-09-28 Container and closure therefor

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0663883A1 EP0663883A1 (en) 1995-07-26
EP0663883B1 true EP0663883B1 (en) 1996-06-26

Family

ID=10722670

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93921017A Expired - Lifetime EP0663883B1 (en) 1992-09-29 1993-09-28 Container and closure therefor

Country Status (11)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0663883B1 (pt)
JP (1) JPH08501758A (pt)
AU (1) AU4830093A (pt)
BR (1) BR9307123A (pt)
CA (1) CA2144064C (pt)
CZ (1) CZ285039B6 (pt)
DE (1) DE69303377T2 (pt)
ES (1) ES2088684T3 (pt)
GB (1) GB9220500D0 (pt)
HU (1) HU219184B (pt)
WO (1) WO1994007757A1 (pt)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000053508A1 (en) * 1999-03-05 2000-09-14 Firmenich S.A. Perfuming device for perfuming the headspace of a container

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
HU218177B (hu) * 1996-12-16 2000-06-28 dr. Ledniczky Mária Pálfiné Tárolóedény elegyek elkészítésére
US6394264B2 (en) 1999-03-05 2002-05-28 Firmenich Sa Perfuming device for perfuming the headspace of a container
WO2001023274A1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2001-04-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Detergent package with means to mask amine malodours
AU2001235834A1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-09-24 Brian Slade Closure device for the diffusion of aroma
GB2398775A (en) * 2002-11-23 2004-09-01 Bryan Yeubrey The measuring lid
US20060175349A1 (en) * 2005-02-09 2006-08-10 Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa, Division Of Conopco, Inc. Scented dispensing fitment for bottles delivering household care liquid products

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2915404A (en) * 1955-05-12 1959-12-01 Glidden Co Lecithin package
US4840280A (en) * 1988-01-28 1989-06-20 American Air Liquide Sealing cap for liquid food or beverage containers
JPH0474515A (ja) * 1990-07-13 1992-03-09 Toray Ind Inc 酸素吸収体

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000053508A1 (en) * 1999-03-05 2000-09-14 Firmenich S.A. Perfuming device for perfuming the headspace of a container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2144064A1 (en) 1994-04-14
HUT71574A (en) 1995-12-28
DE69303377T2 (de) 1996-11-28
HU9500853D0 (en) 1995-05-29
DE69303377D1 (de) 1996-08-01
CZ285039B6 (cs) 1999-05-12
ES2088684T3 (es) 1996-08-16
HU219184B (hu) 2001-02-28
AU4830093A (en) 1994-04-26
GB9220500D0 (en) 1992-11-11
CA2144064C (en) 2005-02-22
CZ79095A3 (en) 1995-08-16
EP0663883A1 (en) 1995-07-26
WO1994007757A1 (en) 1994-04-14
BR9307123A (pt) 1999-03-30
JPH08501758A (ja) 1996-02-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR0148809B1 (ko) 화장실 변기용 세척 및/또는 청정용 장치
US6394264B2 (en) Perfuming device for perfuming the headspace of a container
CA2122757A1 (en) Packaging System for Dispensing Cartridge for Volatiles
US4168128A (en) Seal roller dispensing package
EP1838597B1 (en) Container assembly
JP3403727B2 (ja) 特殊なシールを備えた非流通エレベータシステムを持つ充填／倒立パッケージ
US20030213804A1 (en) Disposable cassette for incremental withdrawal of tubular plastic with malodor-counteractant capacity
US2818202A (en) Glass package dispenser for aerosols
EP0663883B1 (en) Container and closure therefor
US5259555A (en) Wooden air freshener with fragrance loading chamber
US4480759A (en) Child-proof closure
CN113825567B (zh) 用于保存活性物质的器皿以及相应的盖和容器
US20010027958A1 (en) Container, cover, and insert for a consumer product
KR101662750B1 (ko) 에어타이트 가압 쿠션형 콤팩트
JP4117059B2 (ja) 高濃度粉末エアゾール製品
EP1159204B1 (en) Perfuming device for perfuming the headspace of a container
KR200443199Y1 (ko) 뚜껑에 방향제 수용부를 구비한 용기
US20070286978A1 (en) Liner material
JPH08112339A (ja) 芳香剤容器
US20100155357A1 (en) Liner Material
JP7237132B2 (ja) 香り見本容器
WO1995005855A1 (en) Wooden air freshener with fragrance loading chamber
JPH07223684A (ja) 液剤容器
JP2022136672A (ja) 香り見本容器
CN113840779A (zh) 用于保存活性物质的器皿以及相应的封闭件和具有这种器皿的容器

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950221

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

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

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950725

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): CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

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

Ref country code: NL

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

Effective date: 19960626

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19960626

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19960626

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: BA2A

Ref document number: 2088684

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69303377

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19960801

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2088684

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
ET Fr: translation filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19960926

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

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
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: ES

Payment date: 20090928

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090929

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20090929

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20090929

Year of fee payment: 17

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

Effective date: 20100928

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

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20100928

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20110531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69303377

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110401

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: 20110401

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 20100930

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: 20100928

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20091006

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20111019

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

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 20100929