[go: up one dir, main page]

EP0976845A1 - Method for producing copper tubes - Google Patents

Method for producing copper tubes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0976845A1
EP0976845A1 EP99114365A EP99114365A EP0976845A1 EP 0976845 A1 EP0976845 A1 EP 0976845A1 EP 99114365 A EP99114365 A EP 99114365A EP 99114365 A EP99114365 A EP 99114365A EP 0976845 A1 EP0976845 A1 EP 0976845A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
annealing
oxygen
tubes
gas
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
EP99114365A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0976845B1 (en
Inventor
Seppo Välimäki
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.)
CUPORI GROUP OY
Original Assignee
Outokumpu Oyj
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 Outokumpu Oyj filed Critical Outokumpu Oyj
Publication of EP0976845A1 publication Critical patent/EP0976845A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0976845B1 publication Critical patent/EP0976845B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22F—CHANGING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF NON-FERROUS METALS AND NON-FERROUS ALLOYS
    • C22F1/00—Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working
    • C22F1/08—Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working of copper or alloys based thereon
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22F—CHANGING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF NON-FERROUS METALS AND NON-FERROUS ALLOYS
    • C22F1/00—Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working
    • C22F1/02—Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working in inert or controlled atmosphere or vacuum

Definitions

  • This invention focuses on a method for producing copper tube and particularly for hard-drawn temper sanitary tube.
  • the extruded tube shell is cold formed until almost its final size, after which the tube undergoes inline annealing in oxidizing conditions in order to adjust the tube to its final size in the cold forming step with finally sand blasting to the inner surface of the tube.
  • the use of organic solvents is avoided and at the same time a tube with excellent corrosion resistance is achieved.
  • the conventional method for treating hard tubes has comprised cold forming steps following extrusion, such as bull-block drawing, straightening and cutting and subsequent degreasing, in which drawing lubricant is removed from the inner surface of the tube. Residual lubricant is removed so that it does not form a carbon film during installation, which in turn would promote pitting.
  • this degreasing step has involved immersing the tubes in an organic solvent such as trichloroethylene.
  • EP patent application 647 723 describes a manufacturing method for half hard or hard tubes, where the intention is for the tube to release as small an amount of copper ions as possible into for example normal drinking water.
  • the tube shell is cold formed to an intermediate size, after which the inner surface is roughened.
  • the roughening can be either performed by sand blasting or etching (Beizen).
  • the tube is routed to annealing treatment at a temperature of 350 - 650 °C, wherein a mixture of shielding gas and oxygen (1-7% O 2 ) is introduced into the tube, in order to form a protective oxide film to the inner surface of the tube.
  • the tube subsequently undergoes cold drawing to a final size, wherein the reduction is about 20%.
  • the tube can be degreased after cold drawing. After the final draw the tube is subjected to further thermal treatment at a temperature of 175 - 275 °C in the presence of oxygenous gas (at least 20% O 2 ). The result of this treatment is that a very stable malachite layer forms rapidly on the inner surface of the tube, which prevents the dissolution of copper ions into drinking water.
  • hard copper tubes suitable for sanitary installations can be manufactured in a simple fashion.
  • the extruded tube shell is drawn using conventional cold forming technology until almost its final size.
  • oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas is conducted into the tube coil, and the tube is heated by inline annealing briefly at a temperature of 450 - 650 °C, preferably 500 - 600 °C. In so doing, any residual lubricants on the inner surface are be burnt off.
  • the tube undergoes a final, approx. 5-20% forming step. After this the tube is cut to the specified size and the inner surface of the tube is sand blasted.
  • the drawing of the tube through the annealing furnace is carried out at such a speed, 100 - 200 m/min, preferably 120 - 160 m/min, that the structure has not time to recrystallize or soften.
  • there is oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas inside the tube with oxygen enrichment of at least 20% and preferably at least 50%.
  • the tube is formed in such a way that its values are well within the region of hard tube.
  • One advantage of drawing after annealing is that the tube will be formed precisely to the tolerance sets.
  • Copper tube was manufactured as normal by extrusion and bull-block drawing, but in the final bull-block drawing the tube was left at a bigger size than the final one.
  • the tube coil was filled with oxygen-containing gas and heated briefly at a temperature of 500-650 °C.
  • the table below lists the properties of the tube after the final drawing (tube size 15 x 1 mm) and a comparison with the requirements set by standard EN1057 for hard tubes. Bending according to the standard means that the bending test is performed in accordance with the conditions laid down in standard EN 10232, so no tear shall be visible to the unaided eye at this stage.
  • the 1 st class mentioned in the test results means that the tube meets the stringent requirements of the standard.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Metal Extraction Processes (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Heat Treatment Of Articles (AREA)
  • Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)

Abstract

Invention focuses on a method for producing copper tube and particularly for hard-drawn temper sanitary tube. According to the method developed, the extruded tube shell is cold formed until almost its final size, after which the tube undergoes inline annealing in oxidizing conditions in order to adjust the tube to its final size in the cold forming step with finally sand blasting to the inner surface of the tube. Through this method, the use of organic solvents is avoided and at the same time a tube with excellent corrosion resistance is achieved.

Description

  • This invention focuses on a method for producing copper tube and particularly for hard-drawn temper sanitary tube. According to the method developed, the extruded tube shell is cold formed until almost its final size, after which the tube undergoes inline annealing in oxidizing conditions in order to adjust the tube to its final size in the cold forming step with finally sand blasting to the inner surface of the tube. Through this method, the use of organic solvents is avoided and at the same time a tube with excellent corrosion resistance is achieved.
  • The conventional method for treating hard tubes has comprised cold forming steps following extrusion, such as bull-block drawing, straightening and cutting and subsequent degreasing, in which drawing lubricant is removed from the inner surface of the tube. Residual lubricant is removed so that it does not form a carbon film during installation, which in turn would promote pitting. In practice, this degreasing step has involved immersing the tubes in an organic solvent such as trichloroethylene.
  • The washing of tubes in organic solvents is increasingly subject to limits and regulations, since trichloroethylene for example is not considered an environmentally friendly substance. Washing with other solvents however does not always produce a satisfactory result.
  • In patent application EP 306 810, there is known a treatment method for hard-drawn sanitary tubes, in which tube is produced from tube shell using normal cold forming steps, after which the tube undergoes degreasing, wherein the tubes are first immersed in organic solvent and subsequently treated with a jet of sand.
  • In patent publication EP 281 641 a treament method is described for hard or half hard tubes, where the tubes are formed by cold drawing to their final lenght, after which they are subjected to inline annealing in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. During annealing, the traces of drawing grease burn away and after annealing the tubes are sand blasted.
  • EP patent application 647 723 describes a manufacturing method for half hard or hard tubes, where the intention is for the tube to release as small an amount of copper ions as possible into for example normal drinking water. According to the method, the tube shell is cold formed to an intermediate size, after which the inner surface is roughened. The roughening can be either performed by sand blasting or etching (Beizen). After this, the tube is routed to annealing treatment at a temperature of 350 - 650 °C, wherein a mixture of shielding gas and oxygen (1-7% O2) is introduced into the tube, in order to form a protective oxide film to the inner surface of the tube. The tube subsequently undergoes cold drawing to a final size, wherein the reduction is about 20%. If required, the tube can be degreased after cold drawing. After the final draw the tube is subjected to further thermal treatment at a temperature of 175 - 275 °C in the presence of oxygenous gas (at least 20% O2). The result of this treatment is that a very stable malachite layer forms rapidly on the inner surface of the tube, which prevents the dissolution of copper ions into drinking water.
  • According to the newly developed method, hard copper tubes suitable for sanitary installations can be manufactured in a simple fashion. The extruded tube shell is drawn using conventional cold forming technology until almost its final size. After this, oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas is conducted into the tube coil, and the tube is heated by inline annealing briefly at a temperature of 450 - 650 °C, preferably 500 - 600 °C. In so doing, any residual lubricants on the inner surface are be burnt off. After heating, the tube undergoes a final, approx. 5-20% forming step. After this the tube is cut to the specified size and the inner surface of the tube is sand blasted. The essential features of the invention will become apparent in the appended claims.
  • Even though the method developed still involves annealing the hard tube, it is essential that the drawing of the tube through the annealing furnace is carried out at such a speed, 100 - 200 m/min, preferably 120 - 160 m/min, that the structure has not time to recrystallize or soften. During annealing, there is oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas inside the tube, with oxygen enrichment of at least 20% and preferably at least 50%. There are signs of the onset of recrystallization in the microstructure, but during the final cold drawing after annealing, the tube is formed in such a way that its values are well within the region of hard tube. One advantage of drawing after annealing is that the tube will be formed precisely to the tolerance sets.
  • Conventionally washing of the inner surface of hard tubes takes place with organic solvents but as stated in the prior art, organic solvents are becoming an environmental hazard. Sand blasting has proven very effective in removing drawing grease residues, thereby preventing carbon film formation and cold water pitting. The newly developed method replaces the previously known one, which used organig solvent to clean the inner surface of tubes.
  • Another problem has arisen with the use of organic solvents: In the market there is a need to make a colour stamp in addition to the normal punching stamp on tubes and it has been shown that the colour stamp does not withstand washing in organic substances. Adding the colour stamp separately after washing creates a new and therefore expensive additional working step. When sand blasting is used as the cleaning method for the inside of tubes, no additional work step is required to make the colour stamp.
  • The invention is further described in the following example:
    • Example
  • Copper tube was manufactured as normal by extrusion and bull-block drawing, but in the final bull-block drawing the tube was left at a bigger size than the final one. The tube coil was filled with oxygen-containing gas and heated briefly at a temperature of 500-650 °C. The table below lists the properties of the tube after the final drawing (tube size 15 x 1 mm) and a comparison with the requirements set by standard EN1057 for hard tubes. Bending according to the standard means that the bending test is performed in accordance with the conditions laid down in standard EN 10232, so no tear shall be visible to the unaided eye at this stage. The 1st class mentioned in the test results means that the tube meets the stringent requirements of the standard.
    Annealing temperature °C Hardness HV Tensile strenght N/mm2 Inner surf. C-content mg/dm2 HNO 3 -test Bending
    EN 1057 min. 290 max. 0,2 no films bending acc. to standard
    Test 1 500 121 438 0,06 - 1st class
    Test 2 600 121 438 0,06 - 1st class
    Test 3 650 121 424 0,06 - 1st class

Claims (8)

  1. A method for manufacturing hard copper tubes for sanitary applications, wherein the tube is manufactured by extrusion and cold forming, characterized in that in the cold drawing the tube is drawn until almost its final size, after which oxygen-containing gas is conducted into the tube and the tube undergoes brief inline annealing at a temperature of 450 - 650 °C, and the tube undergoes a forming of 5 - 20% and the inner surface of the tube is sand blasted.
  2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that inline annealing is carried out on the tube at a speed of 100 - 200 m/min.
  3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that inline annealing is carried out on the tube at a speed of 100 - 160 m/min.
  4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that inline annealing is carried out on the tube at a temperature of 500 - 600 °C.
  5. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that there is oxygen inside the tube during annealing.
  6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that there is gas inside the tube during annealing, which gas has oxygen enrichment of at least 50%.
  7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that there is gas inside the tube during annealing, which gas has oxygen enrichment of at least 20%.
  8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the final forming step is sinking.
EP99114365A 1998-07-30 1999-07-21 Method for producing copper tubes Expired - Lifetime EP0976845B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI981683 1998-07-30
FI981683A FI107543B (en) 1998-07-30 1998-07-30 A method for making a copper tube

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0976845A1 true EP0976845A1 (en) 2000-02-02
EP0976845B1 EP0976845B1 (en) 2003-07-16

Family

ID=8552250

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99114365A Expired - Lifetime EP0976845B1 (en) 1998-07-30 1999-07-21 Method for producing copper tubes

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0976845B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE245208T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69909565T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0976845T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2202969T3 (en)
FI (1) FI107543B (en)
NO (1) NO312619B1 (en)
PL (1) PL189820B1 (en)
PT (1) PT976845E (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1167563A1 (en) * 2000-06-20 2002-01-02 Outokumpu Oyj Method for manufacturing internally coated copper or copper alloy pipes
WO2004055230A1 (en) * 2002-12-18 2004-07-01 Outokumpu Oyj Method and arrangement for treating the inner surface of a copper or copper alloy pipe
CN101492798B (en) * 2009-03-13 2010-12-29 无锡隆达金属材料有限公司 Pickling free producing process for copper alloy tube
CN111979390A (en) * 2020-07-02 2020-11-24 中国船舶重工集团公司第七二五研究所 Method for removing residual carbon on inner surface of small-caliber seawater copper-nickel pipe

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110605304A (en) * 2019-09-18 2019-12-24 上海海亮铜业有限公司 Production process of aluminum brass thin-wall pipe

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1461961A (en) * 1973-07-06 1977-01-19 Liege Usines Cuivre Zinc Method of cleaning the internal surfaces of copper tubes
GB2055061A (en) * 1979-07-31 1981-02-25 Liege Usines Cuivre Zinc Improvements concerning copper or copper-alloy tubes for pipes used in sanitary, condenser and other installations
DE3003228B1 (en) * 1980-01-30 1981-03-26 Wieland-Werke Ag, 89079 Ulm Process for improving the corrosion resistance of copper installation pipes
US4351678A (en) * 1980-08-06 1982-09-28 Usines A Cuivre Et A Zinc De Liege Method of making corrosion resistant phosphorous copper or phosphorous copper alloy pipes
US4393566A (en) * 1980-05-10 1983-07-19 Kabel-Und Metallwerke Gutehoffnungshutte Ag Processing of copper tubing
EP0281641A1 (en) 1987-03-07 1988-09-14 Wieland-Werke Ag Process for improving the corrosion resistance of hard or semi-hard copper fitting tubes
EP0306810A2 (en) 1987-09-10 1989-03-15 KM Europa Metal Aktiengesellschaft Method of producing pitting-resistant hard drawn tubes made of copper or copper-based alloys
EP0335999A1 (en) * 1988-04-08 1989-10-11 Wieland-Werke AG Method of cleaning metal tubes, in particular cupper-tubes
EP0356732A1 (en) * 1988-08-12 1990-03-07 KM-kabelmetal Aktiengesellschaft Internally oxidized tube
EP0647723A1 (en) * 1993-10-09 1995-04-12 KM Europa Metal Aktiengesellschaft Process for manufacturing of seamless drawn medium hard/hard copper fitting tubes

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1461961A (en) * 1973-07-06 1977-01-19 Liege Usines Cuivre Zinc Method of cleaning the internal surfaces of copper tubes
GB2055061A (en) * 1979-07-31 1981-02-25 Liege Usines Cuivre Zinc Improvements concerning copper or copper-alloy tubes for pipes used in sanitary, condenser and other installations
DE3003228B1 (en) * 1980-01-30 1981-03-26 Wieland-Werke Ag, 89079 Ulm Process for improving the corrosion resistance of copper installation pipes
US4393566A (en) * 1980-05-10 1983-07-19 Kabel-Und Metallwerke Gutehoffnungshutte Ag Processing of copper tubing
US4351678A (en) * 1980-08-06 1982-09-28 Usines A Cuivre Et A Zinc De Liege Method of making corrosion resistant phosphorous copper or phosphorous copper alloy pipes
EP0281641A1 (en) 1987-03-07 1988-09-14 Wieland-Werke Ag Process for improving the corrosion resistance of hard or semi-hard copper fitting tubes
EP0306810A2 (en) 1987-09-10 1989-03-15 KM Europa Metal Aktiengesellschaft Method of producing pitting-resistant hard drawn tubes made of copper or copper-based alloys
EP0335999A1 (en) * 1988-04-08 1989-10-11 Wieland-Werke AG Method of cleaning metal tubes, in particular cupper-tubes
EP0356732A1 (en) * 1988-08-12 1990-03-07 KM-kabelmetal Aktiengesellschaft Internally oxidized tube
EP0647723A1 (en) * 1993-10-09 1995-04-12 KM Europa Metal Aktiengesellschaft Process for manufacturing of seamless drawn medium hard/hard copper fitting tubes

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1167563A1 (en) * 2000-06-20 2002-01-02 Outokumpu Oyj Method for manufacturing internally coated copper or copper alloy pipes
WO2004055230A1 (en) * 2002-12-18 2004-07-01 Outokumpu Oyj Method and arrangement for treating the inner surface of a copper or copper alloy pipe
EA011199B1 (en) * 2002-12-18 2009-02-27 Отокумпу Оюй Method and arrangement for treating the inner surface of a copper or copper alloy pipe
CN101492798B (en) * 2009-03-13 2010-12-29 无锡隆达金属材料有限公司 Pickling free producing process for copper alloy tube
CN111979390A (en) * 2020-07-02 2020-11-24 中国船舶重工集团公司第七二五研究所 Method for removing residual carbon on inner surface of small-caliber seawater copper-nickel pipe

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PT976845E (en) 2003-10-31
NO312619B1 (en) 2002-06-10
DE69909565D1 (en) 2003-08-21
FI107543B (en) 2001-08-31
DE69909565T2 (en) 2004-01-29
NO993683D0 (en) 1999-07-29
NO993683L (en) 2000-01-31
FI981683A0 (en) 1998-07-30
ATE245208T1 (en) 2003-08-15
DK0976845T3 (en) 2003-10-27
EP0976845B1 (en) 2003-07-16
PL334652A1 (en) 2000-01-31
PL189820B1 (en) 2005-09-30
FI981683A (en) 2000-01-31
ES2202969T3 (en) 2004-04-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN101146643B (en) Magnesium weld line
CN1123562A (en) Method of manufacturing stainless steel sheet of high corrosion resistance
EP0976845B1 (en) Method for producing copper tubes
WO2009005534A1 (en) Methods and systems for steel patenting
KR20160122813A (en) High-strength steel plate and method for producing high-strength steel plate
JP4900385B2 (en) High alloy rolling mandrel bar, surface treatment method and manufacturing method thereof, and method of operating seamless steel pipe manufacturing apparatus
JP2895095B2 (en) Internal oxidized tube
JP2005171356A (en) Surface treatment method for aluminum material
JP4150585B2 (en) Copper tube manufacturing method
JP2009084658A (en) Aluminum alloy foil for electrolytic capacitors
JP2812905B2 (en) Metal tube drawing method
JPH05200566A (en) Production of steel plate laminated with aluminum foil
CN103692167B (en) Manufacture the method for UNSN08028 tubing and casing
JPS63255322A (en) Manufacture of seamless two-phase stainless steel tube
SU701734A1 (en) Method of making bimetallic wire
CN113600726A (en) Stamping method for quickly positioning and forming hollow needle copper bar cold heading
JPH059767A (en) Pre-pickling method for steel pipe for bearing
DE102023206562A1 (en) Manufacturing process of a ceramic bearing component, ceramic bearing component and hybrid bearing with such a component
KR101585710B1 (en) Patterning steel plate and method for patterning the same
CN114164481A (en) Holing corrosion method, medium-high voltage corrosion foil and preparation method thereof
JP2006122951A (en) Stainless steel pipe manufacturing method
JPH07300646A (en) Aluminum alloy tube for photoconductor substrate and method of manufacturing the same
JP2005138236A (en) Manufacturing method for electrode wire for electric discharge machining, and electrode wire for electric discharge machining
JP2006283049A (en) Method for producing steel material
JP2003082415A (en) Method for manufacturing steel wire of excellent surface roughness

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: A1

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000731

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

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

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB 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: FI

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

Effective date: 20030716

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20030721

Ref country code: CY

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

Effective date: 20030721

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: 20030731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: JULIAN DAVID WILLIAMS C/O INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS M

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69909565

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030821

Kind code of ref document: P

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

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: 20031016

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2202969

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

ET Fr: translation filed
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

Effective date: 20040419

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PUE

Owner name: CUPORI GROUP OY

Free format text: OUTOKUMPU OYJ#RIIHITONTUNTIE 7#02200 ESPOO (FI) -TRANSFER TO- CUPORI GROUP OY#VAISALANTIE 2#02130 ESPOO (FI)

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

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20090629

Year of fee payment: 11

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20090731

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20090721

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20090724

Year of fee payment: 11

NLS Nl: assignments of ep-patents

Owner name: CUPORI GROUP OY

Effective date: 20090821

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: PC4A

Owner name: CUPORI GROUP OY, FI

Effective date: 20091016

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20090730

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20090722

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 20090724

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090728

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20090728

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20090720

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20090721

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20091217 AND 20091223

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20090727

Year of fee payment: 11

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20090722

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Effective date: 20110121

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: CUPORI GROUP OY

Effective date: 20100731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: V1

Effective date: 20110201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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

Effective date: 20100721

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20110331

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

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20100731

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20100731

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20110201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69909565

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110201

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

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20100721

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 20100802

Ref country code: PT

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

Effective date: 20110121

Ref country code: NL

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

Effective date: 20110201

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20100721

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

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20100731

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: 20100721

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20110818

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

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: 20100722

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

Ref country code: DK

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

Effective date: 20100802

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

Ref country code: SE

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

Effective date: 20100722

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20100721