EP0690428A1 - Swinging frame for exposing messages along passageways - Google Patents

Swinging frame for exposing messages along passageways Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0690428A1
EP0690428A1 EP94830325A EP94830325A EP0690428A1 EP 0690428 A1 EP0690428 A1 EP 0690428A1 EP 94830325 A EP94830325 A EP 94830325A EP 94830325 A EP94830325 A EP 94830325A EP 0690428 A1 EP0690428 A1 EP 0690428A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frame
hinge
abutment
axis
feathering
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
EP94830325A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0690428B1 (en
Inventor
Carlo Monterisi
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.)
SYNCO ITALIANA Srl
Original Assignee
SYNCO ITALIANA Srl
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 SYNCO ITALIANA Srl filed Critical SYNCO ITALIANA Srl
Priority to ES94830325T priority Critical patent/ES2096435T3/en
Priority to EP19940830325 priority patent/EP0690428B1/en
Priority to DE1994601578 priority patent/DE69401578T2/en
Publication of EP0690428A1 publication Critical patent/EP0690428A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0690428B1 publication Critical patent/EP0690428B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F7/00Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
    • G09F7/18Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure
    • G09F7/22Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure for rotatably or swingably mounting, e.g. for boards adapted to be rotated by the wind
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/08Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself
    • G09F3/18Casings, frames or enclosures for labels
    • G09F3/20Casings, frames or enclosures for labels for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels
    • G09F3/204Casings, frames or enclosures for labels for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels specially adapted to be attached to a shelf or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a feathering frame for holding printed signs and/or messages, having improved monostability characteristics of its flag-like rest position.
  • these message bearing frames must extend perpendicularly to the face of the shelves, projecting into the passageway. For this reason they must preferably be mounted in a feathering manner so as not to constitute dangerous impediments to the free movement of people along the shelves.
  • the message bearing frames should automatically return to a rest position perfectly normal to the face of the shelf, following any accidental or intentional swinging (rotation) from such a functional (rest) position.
  • feathering frames to be used in large numbers in shops selling foodstuff must combine low cost, durability and washability properties.
  • This last requirement is dictated by hygienic considerations and should be satisfied by structures that can be washed and hygienized by immersion in detergent and/or bactericide solutions.
  • This requirement makes most of the known monostable pivoting mechanisms composed by springs, cams and metallic pins hardly suitable.
  • the entire structure should be of a non-corrodible, moldable plastic material for reducing also the manufacturing cost.
  • the known structures employ an inclined-axis hinge so that, when the frame is accidentally or intentionally swung on one side or the other from its natural rest position normal to the shelf's face, its centre of gravity describes an arc in space which brings it to rise to a higher level. By gravity, the hinged frame will tend to return to its flag-like rest position, which corresponds to the lowest level that may be assumed by its centre of gravity.
  • the special hinge of the invention relies on an inclination of the axis of rotation with regard to the vertical axis so as to cause a rising of the centre of gravity of the feathering frame pursuant a rotation of it in either direction from a flag-like rest position.
  • the female (tubular) part of the hinge which may be solidly connected to the feathering frame, bears on an inclined abutment surface of the sustaining arm or bracket, substantially free of any mechanical restraint upon a reciprocal movement of the two abutting surfaces.
  • the resting bottom surface of the female part of the hinge (rigidly connected to or integral with the feathering frame) is free to rotate while lifting one side or the other, off the inclined supporting surface through an evolving motion, thus establishing a point of abutment that may shift over the inclined surface of the supporting bracket by describing a certain arc on it, because essentially there isn't any restraint to the reciprocal movement between the two abutting surfaces.
  • the tubular (female) part of the hinge that is solidly connected to the feathering frame is engaged along an inclined axis of rotation that is incident on said inclined rest surface, by a pin, formed at the extremity of an arm extending from the sustaining bracket of the frame.
  • this pin-terminated arm has an arcuate form and possesses elastic memory characteristics sufficient to exert a certain elastically compressive force on the female part, the bottom end of which rests on the inclined surface of the sustaining bracket, at least pursuant a lifting of one side or the other of the abutting bottom surface of the female part of the hinge, off said inclined rest surface.
  • the rotation of the feathering frame induces an evolution/rotation of the bottom surface of the female part of the hinge on the inclined abutment surface of the sustaining bracket so as to determine an unstable (out-of-axis) abutment along a perimetral edge of the abutment surface of the female part of the hinge, on which the arm bearing the pin of the hinge exerts an elastic contrasting force.
  • the message holding frame may comprise a rectangular frame 1 of a plastic material, having a tubular (female) part 2 of a hinge that can be integrally formed with the rectangular frame 1 or otherwise solidly fastened to it.
  • the axis of the tubular hinge body 2 may have a certain angle of inclination ⁇ with regard to a vertical side of the rectangular frame 1.
  • the lower face 2' of the tubular part of the hinge 2 has a certain angle of inclination ⁇ with regard to a horizontal plane.
  • the two angles ⁇ and ⁇ may also be identical, but this is not a necessary condition and in particular the angle ⁇ may also be larger or smaller than the angle ⁇ . Commonly the angle ⁇ may be comprised between 10° and 15°, while the angle ⁇ may be comprised between 45° and 75°.
  • a sustaining bracket 3 which may be provided with clip means 4 for mounting on a magnetic block 5 or with suitable anchor plates that can be fastened to a shelf or to a wall.
  • the pin 6 of the hinge is carried by an arcuate arm 7 which extends from the support bracket 3.
  • the inclined axis of the pin 6 is incident on a rest surface 8, which may be substantially flat and inclined by an angle ⁇ with regard to a horizontal plane.
  • the mounting of the feathering frame is carried out by forcibly shifting the arm 7 sufficiently to permit to slip the tubular part 2 of the hinge over the pin 6.
  • the arcuate arm 7 has a certain elastic memory and may be able to exert a certain contrasting force on the tubular part 2 of the hinge to keep the inclined terminal face 2' of the tubular part 2 of the hinge abutting flat on the inclined surface 8 of the supporting bracket 3 also when the frame 1 is in a rest position.
  • the hinged frame 1 When the hinged frame 1 is rotated in either side off its stable rest position (flag-like position), beside lifting its centre of gravity because of the inclination of the pivoting axis of the hinge with regard to the vertical axis, the lower face 2' of the tubular part 2 undergoes an evolving movement by lifting one side off abutment with the rest surface 8 thus bearing on the inclined rest surface 8 of the support arm 3 with one point of its elliptical perimeter in opposition to a contrasting elastic force exerted by the arcuate arm 7 of the pin 6 of the hinge.
  • the elastic force exerted by the arm 7 determines a moment-of-force or torque about the point of abutment between the two surfaces which forces the hinged frame 1 to return to a rest position so as to re-establish a stable flat abutment of the lower face 2' of the tubular part 2 of the hinge on the inclined surface 8 of the support bracket 3 (i.e. nullification of the moment-of-force).
  • the device of the invention combines with the moment-of-force caused by the inclination of the pivoting axis of the hinge, and therefore by the lifting upon rotation of the centre of gravity of the hinged frame, a moment-of-force determined by the contrasting elastic force exerted by the arm 7 about the out-of-axis abutment point between a bottom edge of the tubular part 2 of the hinge and the inclined surface 8 of the supporting bracket.
  • the second moment-of-force that is determined by the elastic force exerted by the arcuate arm 7 retains an "arm" lenght that is perfectly effective as long as the returning of the abutting surfaces 2' and 8 to a mutually parallel position is not complete. This ensures a characteristic of substantial monostability of the rest position and therefore the return to it after any swinging of the hinged frame 1 off its rest position (flag-like position of the frame).

Abstract

A feathering frame (1) for holding printed messages having an inclined-axis hinge (2,6) for favouring the return of the feathering frame (1) to a flag-like rest position after having been accidentally or intentionally rotated, has improved monostable characteristics imparted by an unrestrained abutment between opposed inclined surface (2',8) of the hinged frame (1) and of the supporting bracket (3), forced elastically along the axis of rotation of the hinge. Upon rotation off the rest position, the abutting surface of the hinged frame (1) lifts one side off the rest surface of the bracket (3), establishing a point of abutment that may evolve along an arc on the rest surface. This determines an unstable out-of-axis abutment. The moment-of-force retains an effective arm as long as a substantial parallel abutment between the two opposed surfaces is restored.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a feathering frame for holding printed signs and/or messages, having improved monostability characteristics of its flag-like rest position.
  • In modernly equipped retail sale outlets, especially though not exclusively designed as self-service shops, as well as in libraries, stores and similar environments, it is often required to display visual messages and/or printed information along the shelves (either having a promotional character or an addressing and/or indexing function) in a flag-like position, that is such a way as to make them visible at a distance from observation points along an axis parallel to the longitudinal extent of the shelves (that is of the passageway between parallel shelves).
  • Inevitably these message bearing frames must extend perpendicularly to the face of the shelves, projecting into the passageway. For this reason they must preferably be mounted in a feathering manner so as not to constitute dangerous impediments to the free movement of people along the shelves.
  • For performing their function, the message bearing frames should automatically return to a rest position perfectly normal to the face of the shelf, following any accidental or intentional swinging (rotation) from such a functional (rest) position.
  • On the other hand, feathering frames to be used in large numbers in shops selling foodstuff must combine low cost, durability and washability properties. This last requirement is dictated by hygienic considerations and should be satisfied by structures that can be washed and hygienized by immersion in detergent and/or bactericide solutions. This requirement makes most of the known monostable pivoting mechanisms composed by springs, cams and metallic pins hardly suitable. Preferably, the entire structure should be of a non-corrodible, moldable plastic material for reducing also the manufacturing cost.
  • So far, the renounce to use metal hardware has implied a substantial renounce to a truly monostable mode of operation of the pivoting mechanism of the feathering frame onto a supporting bracket.
  • Generally, the known structures employ an inclined-axis hinge so that, when the frame is accidentally or intentionally swung on one side or the other from its natural rest position normal to the shelf's face, its centre of gravity describes an arc in space which brings it to rise to a higher level. By gravity, the hinged frame will tend to return to its flag-like rest position, which corresponds to the lowest level that may be assumed by its centre of gravity.
  • This simple system often reveals itself insufficient to ensure the return of the feathering frame to a perfectly flag-like position because of the relative light weight of the frames themselves (a characteristic that it's hardly renounceable for other obvious reasons) and of the friction in the hinge that is commonly formed by a pin and by a tubular (female) socket, both of plastic. Substantially, the inclined-axis in hinge used in the known structures does not ensure a truly monostable mode of operation; rather it provides for an equilibrium position more or less close to a perfectly flag-like position of the swinging frame.
  • It has now been found and is the object of the present invention a hinging system that though not requiring the use of any metallic hardware is capable of providing a truly monostable mode of operation thus ensuring the return to a certain and perfectly flag-like position of the hinged frame.
  • Also the special hinge of the invention relies on an inclination of the axis of rotation with regard to the vertical axis so as to cause a rising of the centre of gravity of the feathering frame pursuant a rotation of it in either direction from a flag-like rest position. On the other hand, the female (tubular) part of the hinge, which may be solidly connected to the feathering frame, bears on an inclined abutment surface of the sustaining arm or bracket, substantially free of any mechanical restraint upon a reciprocal movement of the two abutting surfaces. Basically, the resting bottom surface of the female part of the hinge (rigidly connected to or integral with the feathering frame) is free to rotate while lifting one side or the other, off the inclined supporting surface through an evolving motion, thus establishing a point of abutment that may shift over the inclined surface of the supporting bracket by describing a certain arc on it, because essentially there isn't any restraint to the reciprocal movement between the two abutting surfaces.
  • On the other hand, the tubular (female) part of the hinge that is solidly connected to the feathering frame is engaged along an inclined axis of rotation that is incident on said inclined rest surface, by a pin, formed at the extremity of an arm extending from the sustaining bracket of the frame. Preferably this pin-terminated arm has an arcuate form and possesses elastic memory characteristics sufficient to exert a certain elastically compressive force on the female part, the bottom end of which rests on the inclined surface of the sustaining bracket, at least pursuant a lifting of one side or the other of the abutting bottom surface of the female part of the hinge, off said inclined rest surface.
  • The freedom of the point of abutment of the bottom surface of the female part of the hinge (solid with the feathering frame) to evolve on the inclined rest surface of the bracket and the elastically contrasting force exerted on the abuting surfaces by the flexible arm that carries the inclined pin of the hinge, concur to determine a substantially monostable rest position of the oscillating frame, in a perfectly flag-like position.
  • In fact, the rotation of the feathering frame induces an evolution/rotation of the bottom surface of the female part of the hinge on the inclined abutment surface of the sustaining bracket so as to determine an unstable (out-of-axis) abutment along a perimetral edge of the abutment surface of the female part of the hinge, on which the arm bearing the pin of the hinge exerts an elastic contrasting force. This forces the return to a stable abutment condition between the two surfaces, in practice to a parallel position of the opposed abutting surfaces and to a substantially "coaxial" abutment with regard to the pivoting axis of the hinge.
    • Figure 1 shows a feathering frame provided with a tubular (female) part of an inclined-axis hinge;
    • Figure 2 shows a configuration of the supporting bracket of the feathering frame of Figure 1;
    • Figure 3 is an assembled view of the feathering frame installed on the relative sustaining bracket.
  • With reference to Figure 1, the message holding frame may comprise a rectangular frame 1 of a plastic material, having a tubular (female) part 2 of a hinge that can be integrally formed with the rectangular frame 1 or otherwise solidly fastened to it. The axis of the tubular hinge body 2 may have a certain angle of inclination α with regard to a vertical side of the rectangular frame 1. The lower face 2' of the tubular part of the hinge 2 has a certain angle of inclination β with regard to a horizontal plane. The two angles α and β may also be identical, but this is not a necessary condition and in particular the angle β may also be larger or smaller than the angle α. Commonly the angle α may be comprised between 10° and 15°, while the angle β may be comprised between 45° and 75°.
  • In Figure 2 is shown a sustaining bracket 3, which may be provided with clip means 4 for mounting on a magnetic block 5 or with suitable anchor plates that can be fastened to a shelf or to a wall.
  • The pin 6 of the hinge is carried by an arcuate arm 7 which extends from the support bracket 3. The inclined axis of the pin 6 is incident on a rest surface 8, which may be substantially flat and inclined by an angle β with regard to a horizontal plane.
  • The mounting of the feathering frame is carried out by forcibly shifting the arm 7 sufficiently to permit to slip the tubular part 2 of the hinge over the pin 6.
  • Having done this, the assembly presents itself as depicted in Figure 3.
  • The arcuate arm 7 has a certain elastic memory and may be able to exert a certain contrasting force on the tubular part 2 of the hinge to keep the inclined terminal face 2' of the tubular part 2 of the hinge abutting flat on the inclined surface 8 of the supporting bracket 3 also when the frame 1 is in a rest position.
  • When the hinged frame 1 is rotated in either side off its stable rest position (flag-like position), beside lifting its centre of gravity because of the inclination of the pivoting axis of the hinge with regard to the vertical axis, the lower face 2' of the tubular part 2 undergoes an evolving movement by lifting one side off abutment with the rest surface 8 thus bearing on the inclined rest surface 8 of the support arm 3 with one point of its elliptical perimeter in opposition to a contrasting elastic force exerted by the arcuate arm 7 of the pin 6 of the hinge.
  • The elastic force exerted by the arm 7 determines a moment-of-force or torque about the point of abutment between the two surfaces which forces the hinged frame 1 to return to a rest position so as to re-establish a stable flat abutment of the lower face 2' of the tubular part 2 of the hinge on the inclined surface 8 of the support bracket 3 (i.e. nullification of the moment-of-force).
  • Therefore, the device of the invention combines with the moment-of-force caused by the inclination of the pivoting axis of the hinge, and therefore by the lifting upon rotation of the centre of gravity of the hinged frame, a moment-of-force determined by the contrasting elastic force exerted by the arm 7 about the out-of-axis abutment point between a bottom edge of the tubular part 2 of the hinge and the inclined surface 8 of the supporting bracket.
  • On the other hand, while the "arm" of the resetting moment-of-force caused by the lifting of the centre of gravity of the hinged frame 1 tends to diminish progressively until making the residual moment-of-force comparable to the resistant friction force of the hinge, the second moment-of-force that is determined by the elastic force exerted by the arcuate arm 7 retains an "arm" lenght that is perfectly effective as long as the returning of the abutting surfaces 2' and 8 to a mutually parallel position is not complete. This ensures a characteristic of substantial monostability of the rest position and therefore the return to it after any swinging of the hinged frame 1 off its rest position (flag-like position of the frame).

Claims (2)

  1. A feathering frame for holding messages comprising a message holding frame (1) hingedly mounted on a supporting bracket (3) by an inclined-axis hinge (2, 6) for favouring the return of the frame (1) to a flag-like rest position pursuant a forced rotation thereof by gravity, characterized by the fact that said inclined-axis hinge comprises an unrestrained abutment between opposed inclined surfaces (2', 8) of the hinged frame (1) and of the supporting bracket (3) respectively, elastically forced along the axis of the hinge.
  2. A feathering frame as defined in claim 1, wherein the female part (2) of the hinge is integral to the hinged frame (1) and is engaged by a pin (6) connected to the supporting bracket (3) by an elastic arm (7) capable of exerting said elastic force on said abutment.
EP19940830325 1994-06-30 1994-06-30 Swinging frame for exposing messages along passageways Expired - Lifetime EP0690428B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES94830325T ES2096435T3 (en) 1994-06-30 1994-06-30 TILTABLE FRAME FOR POSTING MESSAGES ALONG CORRIDORS AND SIMILAR.
EP19940830325 EP0690428B1 (en) 1994-06-30 1994-06-30 Swinging frame for exposing messages along passageways
DE1994601578 DE69401578T2 (en) 1994-06-30 1994-06-30 Swivel frame for displaying messages along passageways

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19940830325 EP0690428B1 (en) 1994-06-30 1994-06-30 Swinging frame for exposing messages along passageways

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0690428A1 true EP0690428A1 (en) 1996-01-03
EP0690428B1 EP0690428B1 (en) 1997-01-22

Family

ID=8218482

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19940830325 Expired - Lifetime EP0690428B1 (en) 1994-06-30 1994-06-30 Swinging frame for exposing messages along passageways

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0690428B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69401578T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2096435T3 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4805331A (en) * 1982-01-10 1989-02-21 Comark Merchandising, Inc. Pivotable display and dispensing apparatus
US4909464A (en) * 1989-07-10 1990-03-20 Henschel-Steinau, Inc. Deflectable price channel-mounted sign holder
FR2640789A1 (en) * 1988-12-20 1990-06-22 Beghelli G P B Srl SURFACE SIGN ON VERTICAL WALLS OR HORIZONTAL BEAMS

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4805331A (en) * 1982-01-10 1989-02-21 Comark Merchandising, Inc. Pivotable display and dispensing apparatus
FR2640789A1 (en) * 1988-12-20 1990-06-22 Beghelli G P B Srl SURFACE SIGN ON VERTICAL WALLS OR HORIZONTAL BEAMS
US4909464A (en) * 1989-07-10 1990-03-20 Henschel-Steinau, Inc. Deflectable price channel-mounted sign holder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2096435T3 (en) 1997-03-01
DE69401578T2 (en) 1997-05-15
EP0690428B1 (en) 1997-01-22
DE69401578D1 (en) 1997-03-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4365435A (en) Portable sign
US3646696A (en) Poster display device
CA2047141A1 (en) Two-part swivel hook with safety mounting
US5095642A (en) Foldable sign
EP0690428B1 (en) Swinging frame for exposing messages along passageways
US4912865A (en) Multi-axis pivoting display sign
US6612527B1 (en) One-piece, straight entry display hook
US6357711B1 (en) Sign holder
CA2527355A1 (en) Suspended greeting card display
JP2598143Y2 (en) Product hanging display
US2202178A (en) Animated display
CN217156953U (en) U-shaped support arm myopia-preventing reading amplifier
JP2019213850A (en) Merchandise display hook
KR100469575B1 (en) Display stand
JP3447557B2 (en) Product display
KR102594521B1 (en) Fire extinguisher holder
CN210057393U (en) Suspension mechanism, robot arm with suspension mechanism and toy robot
CN217003780U (en) Magnetic suction type supporting structure
CN211146026U (en) Wall-mounted support
KR102310115B1 (en) Stand with Hand Sterilizer and Advertizing Material
JP3020369U (en) Support
KR200298832Y1 (en) a coat hanger
US20040041072A1 (en) Flexible connection system for a mounting device
JPH056529U (en) lighting equipment
ITMI931056A0 (en) WALL SHELF WITH VERTICAL UPRIGHT, IN MOUNTING POSITION, AND CANTILEVER ARM

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: 19950318

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

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

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19960417

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

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: SOCIETA' ITALIANA BREVETTI S.P.A.

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

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

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

Ref country code: DK

Effective date: 19970122

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: PATENTANWAELTE GEORG ROEMPLER UND ALDO ROEMPLER

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2096435

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69401578

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19970306

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

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19970422

Ref country code: PT

Effective date: 19970422

ET Fr: translation filed
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: 19970630

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 19970630

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: 19970701

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: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

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: 19980227

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: 19980303

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

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: 19980630

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

Effective date: 19980630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20030303

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;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: 20050630