[go: up one dir, main page]

EP1040308A1 - Apparatus and process for the drying of lacquer - Google Patents

Apparatus and process for the drying of lacquer

Info

Publication number
EP1040308A1
EP1040308A1 EP98965842A EP98965842A EP1040308A1 EP 1040308 A1 EP1040308 A1 EP 1040308A1 EP 98965842 A EP98965842 A EP 98965842A EP 98965842 A EP98965842 A EP 98965842A EP 1040308 A1 EP1040308 A1 EP 1040308A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
drying
work area
adsorption
cooling
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
EP98965842A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1040308B1 (en
Inventor
Keld Gabelgaard
Heinz Jonas
Artur Kunder
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1040308A1 publication Critical patent/EP1040308A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1040308B1 publication Critical patent/EP1040308B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B21/00—Arrangements or duct systems, e.g. in combination with pallet boxes, for supplying and controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects
    • F26B21/06—Controlling, e.g. regulating, parameters of gas supply
    • F26B21/08—Humidity
    • F26B21/083—Humidity by using sorbent or hygroscopic materials, e.g. chemical substances, molecular sieves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B21/00—Arrangements or duct systems, e.g. in combination with pallet boxes, for supplying and controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects
    • F26B21/06—Controlling, e.g. regulating, parameters of gas supply
    • F26B21/10—Temperature; Pressure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing paints in a work area.
  • the present device relates to a method and a device for drying water-soluble paints applied by means of spray guns in a work area.
  • Solvent-based paints are traditionally used in the paint processing industry because they are easy and inexpensive to process. However, these solvent-based paints lead to considerable environmental pollution, since the solvent escapes into the atmosphere during the drying process. Although it would be technically possible to filter out the solvents using suitable filters, this leads to an undesired increase in the painting costs, since such filters are technically complex.
  • the present invention therefore has the problem of providing a method and a device with which the energy costs incurred in the coating processing can be considerably reduced in comparison to previously known methods, the quality of the coating being improved at the same time.
  • the above problem is solved by a method and a device according to which the air in a closed work area (the painting booth) is continuously dried.
  • the air humidity in the work area is below that of the ambient air, as a result of which the water is removed from the paint to be applied even during the spraying process.
  • Another advantage of the method according to the invention and the corresponding device is that particularly homogeneous layers of paint can be produced, since the continuous drying of the air in the work area not only leads to water removal in the paint, but in particular also dries the surface to be painted, ie makes water free. This leads to an increase in the homogeneity of the lacquer layer during the spraying process, since the Arrange color pigments on the surface to be painted the more homogeneous the drier it is.
  • the air in the work area is dried by means of an adsorption rotary dehumidifier which has an adsorption line connected to the work area and a separate regeneration circuit.
  • an adsorption rotary dehumidifier which has an adsorption line connected to the work area and a separate regeneration circuit.
  • the device according to the invention has, in addition to the drying system, a circulating and / or pre-cooling arrangement which circulates and cools the air in the work area.
  • the cooling of the air initially leads to an increase in the relative air humidity, but to a decrease in the dew point of the air. This allows a particularly effective, subsequent drying of the air to the desired relative humidity.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically a paint processing device according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows the currently preferred adsorption rotary dryer which is preferably used in the drying system according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a Vernon curve in which the water-related corrosion rate is shown for steel.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a working area 10, which can preferably have the shape of a painting booth known per se.
  • a working area 10 in addition to the objects to be painted (for example motor vehicle body parts), there are also the usual spraying devices (spray guns) used in the painting industry or in small paint shops, with which the paint is applied to the parts to be painted. Since these parts are sufficiently known to the person skilled in the art, a separate illustration is dispensed with.
  • the work area 10 is isolated from the surroundings in order to largely prevent air exchange between the air 5 in the work area 10 and the ambient air.
  • drying system 20, 30 shown schematically, can be seen in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it comprises an adsorption dryer 20, and a circulating and pre-cooling arrangement 30, which are described below.
  • an adsorption dryer 20 is used, which is connected to the working area 10 via an adsorption line 21.
  • the adsorption dryer 20 uses a continuously operating adsorption rotor 20 '(see FIG. 2), which sucks in fresh air, dries it and introduces it into the work area 10 via the adsorption line 21.
  • the adsorption dryer 20 also has a separate regeneration circuit 29, which - as described in more detail below - regenerates the adsorption rotor 20 '.
  • the adsorption dryer 20 according to the invention is described below with reference to FIG. 2.
  • the adsorption dryer 20 consists of an adsorption rotor 20 'which is provided with axially directed air channels (not shown). These ensure a laminar flow of air through the dryer with a low pressure drop.
  • the air to be dehumidified is drawn in by an adsorption fan 24 through the adsorption rotor 20 'via a pre-filter 22.
  • a separately provided regeneration area is provided which removes the moisture accumulated in the rotor and releases it to the outside.
  • the air passed through the regeneration circuit 29 is drawn in through the regeneration section by a regeneration fan 30, having previously been cleaned by a filter 26 and subsequently raised to the necessary process temperature by a heater 28.
  • the adsorption rotor 20 essentially consists of a slowly rotating rotor made of a ceramic composite material which is permanently impregnated with either silica gel or lithium chloride.
  • Silica gel is currently preferred as the adsorbent because it is physiologically harmless and insoluble in water, and as a result can neither be washed out nor discharged with the air stream.
  • the described arrangement of adsorption and regeneration areas results in a continuous operation of the adsorption dryer, since the adsorption process runs parallel to the regeneration process.
  • a circulation and pre-cooling arrangement 30 which has a circulation and pre-cooling circuit
  • the circulation and Pre-cooling arrangement 30 provides for an air exchange in the work area 10, and optionally for a pre-cooling.
  • the circulation and pre-cooling arrangement 30 can also have filter elements (not shown) that filter the air in the work area 10.
  • the method according to the invention for processing and in particular for drying paints and the corresponding device have significant advantages over the known methods used hitherto, since on the one hand they make the subsequent drying of water-soluble paints with hot air unnecessary and on the other hand to a more homogeneous paint layer on the paint surface.
  • the paint pigments arrange themselves more homogeneously on the surface to be painted, the drier the surface to be painted is.
  • the dew point of the surrounding air must be at least 15 ° C in order to achieve an effective anchoring of the picments on the surface. If it is intended to paint steel, for example, it must be taken into account that the dry bulb temperature of the steel surface is always lower than that of the ambient air adjacent to it. This inevitably creates a cooling effect, which leads to aerosol deposition on the steel surface, even if the resulting water film is not visible to the naked eye.
  • FIG. 3 represents the corrosion curve of steel as a function of the relative air humidity (the ordinate shows the increase in weight as a measure of the susceptibility to corrosion).
  • Humidity of more than 60% increases the corrosion curve steeply, while rust formation no longer occurs if the humidity is below 30%. This means that no aerosol film has deposited on the steel.
  • the coating is carried out at a relative humidity of less than 60%, or better still less than 30%, this enables a very homogeneous arrangement of the color pigments on the steel.
  • a painting booth 10 is used which, according to the invention, is circulated with 20,000 m 3 / h or 25,000 m 3 / h air.
  • the dried fresh air portion supplied via the adsorption dryer 20 should be approximately 10%.
  • 2,000 m 3 / h or 2,500 m 3 / h fresh air are passed through an adsorption dehumidifier (for example, available from ARKU-Verfahrenstechnik GmbH, Olehing, Germany) and brought to a low dew point.
  • an adsorption dehumidifier for example, available from ARKU-Verfahrenstechnik GmbH, Olehing, Germany
  • the recirculation and pre-cooling arrangement 30 provides for pre-cooling of the air in the work area 10. If, for example, one looks at predictable conditions in summer, the following results:
  • T is the temperature
  • RH is the relative humidity
  • W is the water load
  • TP is the dew point
  • the preferred embodiment described above is only to be understood as an example; other designs are possible without leaving the inventive idea.
  • the adsorption dryer, circulating and pre-cooling arrangements according to the invention are arranged outside the working area 10. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that these can of course also be arranged within the work area.
  • the adsorption dryer is provided as a separate element (separate from the circulating and pre-cooling arrangement).
  • an integrated device can also be provided.
  • the method and the corresponding device can be used not only for water-based paints, but also for solvent-based paints. If the method according to the invention and the corresponding device are used for solvent-based paints, this leads to the fact that drying by hot air, which is still necessary, can be considerably reduced; in this case it will Process according to the invention used as a predrying process.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for processing, especially drying, lacquers in a working area (10). The inventive method comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a closed working area (10) which is filled with air; (b) drying the air in the working area (10); and (c) depositing the lacquer on the surface which is to be lacquered. The inventive device comprises the corresponding structural configurations for carrying out the method.

Description

Lackverarbeitungsvorrichtung und- verfahren Paint processing device and method
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Verarbeitung von Lacken in einem Arbeitsbereich. Insbesondere betrifft die vorliegende Vorrichtung ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Trocknung von mittels Spritzpistolen aufgetragenen wasserlöslichen Lacken in einem Arbeitsbereich.The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing paints in a work area. In particular, the present device relates to a method and a device for drying water-soluble paints applied by means of spray guns in a work area.
Im Stand der Technik sind Verfahren und Vorrichtungen zur Verarbeitung und insbesondere zur Trocknung von Lacken bekannt. Herkömmlicherweise werden Lacke insbesondere in der Großserienfertigung in der Automobilindustrie in voneinander getrennten Bereichen zunächst aufgetragen und dann getrocknet. Das Auftragen erfolgt hierbei klassischerweise entweder mittels eines Tauchbades, oder mit Spritzpistolen (Spritzrobotern). In einem nachfolgenden Schritt werden dann die lackierten Teile in separat vorgesehenen Trocknungskammern unter Verwendung von Heißluft bei Temperaturen von ca. 80 °C getrocknet. Dieser Trocknungschritt hat erhebliche Energiekosten zur Folge, die einen großen Anteil an den Gesamtkosten der Lackierung haben.Methods and devices for processing and in particular drying lacquers are known in the prior art. Traditionally, paints are first applied and then dried, especially in large series production in the automotive industry, in separate areas. The application is traditionally done either by means of an immersion bath or with spray guns (spray robots). In a subsequent step, the painted parts are then dried in separately provided drying chambers using hot air at temperatures of approx. 80 ° C. This drying step results in considerable energy costs, which make up a large proportion of the overall cost of the painting.
Traditionell werden in der lackverarbeitenden Industrie lösungsmittelhaltige Lacke verwendet, da diese einfach und kostengünstig zu verarbeiten sind. Allerdings führen diese lösungsmittelhaltigen Lacke zu nicht unerheblichen Belastungen der Umwelt, da das Lösungsmittel beim Trocknungs Vorgang in die Atmosphäre austritt. Zwar wäre es technisch möglich, die Lösungsmittel mit geeigneten Filtern herauszufiltern, jedoch führt dies zu einer ungewollten Erhöhung der Lackierkosten, da derartige Filter technisch aufwendig sind.Solvent-based paints are traditionally used in the paint processing industry because they are easy and inexpensive to process. However, these solvent-based paints lead to considerable environmental pollution, since the solvent escapes into the atmosphere during the drying process. Although it would be technically possible to filter out the solvents using suitable filters, this leads to an undesired increase in the painting costs, since such filters are technically complex.
Aus ökologischen Gründen wurde daher bereits die Verwendung von wasserlöslichen Lacken vorgeschlagen, die unter ökologischen Gesichtspunkten den lösungsmittelhaltigen Lacken vorzuziehen sind. Allerdings sind wasserlösliche Lacke im Vergleich zu lösungsmittelhaltigen Lacken aus wirtschaftlichen Gründen derzeit nicht besonders attraktiv, da die Trocknungszeiten in den traditionellen Heißluftkabinen zu lang sind, was erneut die Kosten in die Höhe treibt. Aus diesen Gründen wurden die ökologisch an sich zu bevorzugenden wasserhaltigen Lacke von der Industrie bislang nur unzureichend übernommen.For ecological reasons, the use of water-soluble paints has therefore already been proposed, which from an ecological point of view solvent-based paints are preferable. However, compared to solvent-based paints, water-soluble paints are currently not particularly attractive for economic reasons, since the drying times in the traditional hot air booths are too long, which again increases the costs. For these reasons, the ecologically preferred water-based paints have so far been insufficiently adopted by the industry.
Der vorliegenden Erfindung stellt sich somit das Problem, ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung bereitzustellen, mit der die bei der Lackverarbeitung anfallenden Energiekosten im Vergleich zu vorbekannten Methoden erheblich gesenkt werden können, wobei gleichzeitig die Qualität der Lackierung verbessert wird.The present invention therefore has the problem of providing a method and a device with which the energy costs incurred in the coating processing can be considerably reduced in comparison to previously known methods, the quality of the coating being improved at the same time.
Die Lösung dieses Problems folgt durch ein Verfahren zur Verarbeitung von Lacken in einem Arbeitsbereich gemäß Patentanspruch 1, und durch eine entsprechende Vorrichtung gemäß Patentanspruch 14.This problem is solved by a method for processing paints in a work area according to claim 1, and by a corresponding device according to claim 14.
Genauer gesagt wird das obige Problem durch ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung gelöst, gemäß denen die Luft in einem abgeschlossenen Arbeitsbereich (der Lackierkabine) kontinuierlich getrocknet wird. Dies hat zur Folge, daß die Luftfeuchtigkeit in dem Arbeitsbereich unter der der Umgebungsluft liegt, wodurch dem aufzubringenden Lack bereits während des Aufsprühvorgangs das Wasser entzogen wird. Dies führt zu einer signifikanten Verkürzung der Trocknungszeit, die es möglich macht, auf eine Trocknung mit Heißluft gänzlich zu verzichten.More specifically, the above problem is solved by a method and a device according to which the air in a closed work area (the painting booth) is continuously dried. The consequence of this is that the air humidity in the work area is below that of the ambient air, as a result of which the water is removed from the paint to be applied even during the spraying process. This leads to a significant reduction in the drying time, which makes it possible to dispense with drying with hot air entirely.
Ein weiterer Vorteil des erfmdungsgemäßen Verfahrens und der entsprechenden Vorrichtung liegt darin, daß besonders homogene Lackschichten erzeugt werden können, da die kontinuierliche Trocknung der Luft im Arbeitsbereich nicht nur zu einem Wasserentzug in dem Lack f hrt, sondern insbesondere auch die zu lackierende Oberfläche trocknet, d. h. wasserfrei macht. Dies führt zu einer Erhöhung der Homogenität der Lackschicht beim Aufspritzvorgang, da sich die Farbpikmente um so homogener auf der zu lackierenden Oberfläche anordnen, je trockener diese ist.Another advantage of the method according to the invention and the corresponding device is that particularly homogeneous layers of paint can be produced, since the continuous drying of the air in the work area not only leads to water removal in the paint, but in particular also dries the surface to be painted, ie makes water free. This leads to an increase in the homogeneity of the lacquer layer during the spraying process, since the Arrange color pigments on the surface to be painted the more homogeneous the drier it is.
Gemäß einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung erfolgt die Trocknung der Luft in dem Arbeitsbereich mittels eines Adsorptions- Rotationsluftentfeuchters, der eine mit dem Arbeitsbereich verbundene Adsorptionsleitung und einen separaten Regenarationskreislauf aufweist. Der besondere Vorteil dieses Trocknungssystems besteht darin, daß er kontinuierlich arbeitet und sehr wartungsarm ist.According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air in the work area is dried by means of an adsorption rotary dehumidifier which has an adsorption line connected to the work area and a separate regeneration circuit. The particular advantage of this drying system is that it works continuously and requires very little maintenance.
Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform weißt die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zusätzlich zu dem Trocknungssystem eine Umwälz- und/oder Vorkühlanordnung auf, die die Luft in dem Arbeitsbereich umwälzt und kühlt. Die Kühlung der Luft führt zwar zunächst zu einer Erhöhung der relativen Luftfeuchtigkeit, jedoch zu einer Absenkung des Taupunktes der Luft. Dies erlaubt eine besonders effektive, nachfolgende Trocknung der Luft auf die gewünschte relative Feuchtigkeit.According to a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention has, in addition to the drying system, a circulating and / or pre-cooling arrangement which circulates and cools the air in the work area. The cooling of the air initially leads to an increase in the relative air humidity, but to a decrease in the dew point of the air. This allows a particularly effective, subsequent drying of the air to the desired relative humidity.
Weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus den beigefügten Patentansprüchen und der Beschreibung der derzeit bevorzugten Ausführungsform. Die derzeit bevorzugte Ausführungsform wird in folgenden unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnung erläutert, in der zeigt:Further preferred embodiments of the present invention result from the attached patent claims and the description of the currently preferred embodiment. The presently preferred embodiment is explained in the following with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 Schematisch eine Lackverarbeitungsvorrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;Fig. 1 shows schematically a paint processing device according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 den derzeit bevorzugten Adsorptions-Rotationstrockner, der bevorzugt in dem Trocknungssystem gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung Verwendung findet; und2 shows the currently preferred adsorption rotary dryer which is preferably used in the drying system according to the present invention; and
Fig. 3 eine Vernon-Kurve, in der die wasserbedingte Korosionsgeschwindigkeit für Stahl dargestellt ist.Fig. 3 is a Vernon curve in which the water-related corrosion rate is shown for steel.
In Figur 1 ist eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zur Verarbeitung und insbesondere zur Trocknung von Lacken schematisch dargestellt.In Figure 1, an inventive device for processing and in particular for drying paints is shown schematically.
Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung umfaßt einen Arbeitsbereich 10, der bevorzugterweise die Form einer an sich bekannten Lackierkabine haben kann. Innerhalb des Arbeitsbereiches 10 befinden sich neben den zu lackierenden Gegenständen (beispielsweise Kraftfahrzeugkarosserieteilen) auch die üblichen in der Lackierindustrie oder in Lackierkleinbetrieben verwendeten Spritzvorrichtungen (Spritzpistolen), mit denen der Lack auf die zu lackierenden Teile aufgebracht wird. Da diese Teile dem Fachmann hinreichend bekannt sind, wird auf eine separate Darstellung verzichtet.The device according to the invention comprises a working area 10, which can preferably have the shape of a painting booth known per se. Within the work area 10, in addition to the objects to be painted (for example motor vehicle body parts), there are also the usual spraying devices (spray guns) used in the painting industry or in small paint shops, with which the paint is applied to the parts to be painted. Since these parts are sufficiently known to the person skilled in the art, a separate illustration is dispensed with.
Für die vorliegende Erfindung ist von besonderer Bedeutung, daß der Arbeitsbereich 10 im Hinblick auf die Umgebung isoliert ist, um einen Luftaustausch zwischen der Luft 5 in dem Arbeitsbereich 10 und der Umgebungsluft weitestgehend zu verhindern.It is of particular importance for the present invention that the work area 10 is isolated from the surroundings in order to largely prevent air exchange between the air 5 in the work area 10 and the ambient air.
Weiterhin ist der Figur 1 das schematisch dargestellte erfindungsgemäße Trocknungssystem 20, 30 zu entnehmen. Es umfaßt in der in Figur 1 dargestellten Ausführungsform einen Adsorptionstrockner 20, und eine Umwälz- und Vorkühlanordnung 30, die im folgenden beschrieben werden.Furthermore, the drying system 20, 30 according to the invention, shown schematically, can be seen in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it comprises an adsorption dryer 20, and a circulating and pre-cooling arrangement 30, which are described below.
Gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung wird in der bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Trocknungssystemes ein Adsorptionstrockner 20 verwendet, der über eine Adsorptionsleitung 21 mit dem Arbeitsbereich 10 verbunden ist. Der Adsorptionstrockner 20 verwendet einen kontinuierlich arbeitenden Adsorptionsrotor 20' (vergl. Fig. 2), der Frischluft ansaugt, diese trocknet und über die Adsorptionsleitung 21 in den Arbeitsbereich 10 einführt. Weiterhin verfügt der Adsorptionstrockner 20 über einen separaten Regenarationskreislauf 29, der - wie im folgenden genauer beschrieben - den Adsorptionsrotor 20' regeneriert.According to the present invention, in the preferred embodiment of the drying system according to the invention, an adsorption dryer 20 is used, which is connected to the working area 10 via an adsorption line 21. The adsorption dryer 20 uses a continuously operating adsorption rotor 20 '(see FIG. 2), which sucks in fresh air, dries it and introduces it into the work area 10 via the adsorption line 21. The adsorption dryer 20 also has a separate regeneration circuit 29, which - as described in more detail below - regenerates the adsorption rotor 20 '.
Der erfindungsgemäße Adsorptionstrockner 20 wird im folgenden unter Bezugnahme auf die Figur 2 beschrieben. Im wesentlichen besteht der Adsorptionstrockner 20 aus einem Adsorptionsrotor 20', der mit axial gerichteten Luftkanälen (nicht dargestellt) versehen ist. Diese sorgen für eine laminare Strömung der Luft durch den Trockner bei einem geringen Druckabfall. Die zu entfeuchtende Luft wird von einem Adsorptionsventilator 24 durch den Adsorp- tionsrotor 20' über einen Vorfilter 22 angesaugt. Zur Regeneration des Adsorptionsrotors 20' (d.h. zu seiner Entfeuchtung) ist ein getrennt vorgesehener Regenerationsbereich vorgesehen, der die im Rotor angelagerte Feuchtigkeit entfernt und ins Freie abgibt. Die über den Regenerationskreislauf 29 geführte Luft wird von einem Regenerationsventilator 30 durch den Regenerationsabschnitt hindurch angesaugt, wobei sie zuvor von einem Filter 26 gereinigt, und nachfolgend von einer Heizung 28 auf die notwendige Prozesstemperatur erhöht wurde.The adsorption dryer 20 according to the invention is described below with reference to FIG. 2. Essentially, the adsorption dryer 20 consists of an adsorption rotor 20 'which is provided with axially directed air channels (not shown). These ensure a laminar flow of air through the dryer with a low pressure drop. The air to be dehumidified is drawn in by an adsorption fan 24 through the adsorption rotor 20 'via a pre-filter 22. For the regeneration of the adsorption rotor 20 '(i.e. for its dehumidification), a separately provided regeneration area is provided which removes the moisture accumulated in the rotor and releases it to the outside. The air passed through the regeneration circuit 29 is drawn in through the regeneration section by a regeneration fan 30, having previously been cleaned by a filter 26 and subsequently raised to the necessary process temperature by a heater 28.
Der Adsorptionsrotor 20' besteht im wesentlichen aus einen sich langsam drehenden Rotor aus einem Keramik- Verbundwerkstoff, der dauerhaft mit entweder Silicagel oder Lithiumchlorid imprägniert ist. Derzeit ist Silicagel als Adsorptionsmittel bevorzugt, da es physiologisch unschädlich und nicht wasserlöslich ist, und dadurch weder ausgewaschen noch mit dem Luftstrom ausgetragen werden kann. Durch die beschriebene Anordnung von Adsorptions- und Regenerationsbereich ergibt sich eine kontinuierliche Arbeitsweise des Adsorptionstrockners, da der Adsorptionsprozeß parallel zum Regenerationsprozeß verläuft.The adsorption rotor 20 'essentially consists of a slowly rotating rotor made of a ceramic composite material which is permanently impregnated with either silica gel or lithium chloride. Silica gel is currently preferred as the adsorbent because it is physiologically harmless and insoluble in water, and as a result can neither be washed out nor discharged with the air stream. The described arrangement of adsorption and regeneration areas results in a continuous operation of the adsorption dryer, since the adsorption process runs parallel to the regeneration process.
Weiterhin ist in der derzeit bevorzugten Ausführungsform eine Umwälz- und Vorkühlanordnung 30 vorgesehen, die über einen Umwälz- und VorkühlkreislaufFurthermore, in the currently preferred embodiment, a circulation and pre-cooling arrangement 30 is provided, which has a circulation and pre-cooling circuit
32 mit dem Arbeitsbereich 10 verbunden ist. Die Umwälz- und Vorkühlanordnung 30 sorgt zum einen für einen Luftaustausch in dem Arbeitsbereich 10, und wahlweise für eine Vorkühlung. Zusätzlich kann die Umwälz- und Vorkühlanordnung 30 auch über Filterelemente (nicht dargestellt) verfügen, die die Luft in dem Arbeitsbereich 10 filtern.32 is connected to the work area 10. The circulation and Pre-cooling arrangement 30 provides for an air exchange in the work area 10, and optionally for a pre-cooling. In addition, the circulation and pre-cooling arrangement 30 can also have filter elements (not shown) that filter the air in the work area 10.
Da die Betriebsweise von Luftumwälz- und Kühlsystemen dem Fachmann hinreichend bekannt ist, wird auf eine detaillierte Beschreibung von ihnen an dieser Stelle verzichtet.Since the mode of operation of air circulation and cooling systems is well known to the person skilled in the art, a detailed description of them is omitted here.
Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zur Verarbeitung und insbesondere zur Trocknung von Lacken sowie die entsprechende Vorrichtung haben gegenüber den bislang verwendeten bekannten Methoden signifikante Vorteile, da sie zum einen die nachfolgende Trocknung von wasserlöslichen Lacken mit Heißluft unnötig machen, und zum anderen zu einer homogeneren Lackschicht auf der zu lackierenden Oberfläche führen. Wie bereits zuvor erwähnt, ordnen sich nämlich die Lackpigmente auf der zu lackierenden Oberfläche umso homogener an, je trockener die zu lackierende Oberfläche ist. Bei Lackiertemperaturen von ca. 20 °C muß nämlich der Taupunkt der auftreffenden Umgebungsluft wenigstens 15 °C betragen, um eine effektive Verankerung der Pikmente am Untergrund zu erreichen. Ist beabsichtigt, beispielsweise Stahl zu lackieren, ist zu berücksichtigen, daß die Trockenkugeltemperatur der Stahloberfläche immer kleiner ist als die der an sie angrenzenden Umgebungsluft. Dadurch entsteht zwangsläufig ein Kühleffekt, der zu einer Aerosolabscheidung auf der Stahloberfläche führt, auch wenn der sich ergebende Wasserfilm mit bloßem Auge nicht sichtbar ist.The method according to the invention for processing and in particular for drying paints and the corresponding device have significant advantages over the known methods used hitherto, since on the one hand they make the subsequent drying of water-soluble paints with hot air unnecessary and on the other hand to a more homogeneous paint layer on the paint surface. As already mentioned before, the paint pigments arrange themselves more homogeneously on the surface to be painted, the drier the surface to be painted is. At painting temperatures of approx. 20 ° C, the dew point of the surrounding air must be at least 15 ° C in order to achieve an effective anchoring of the picments on the surface. If it is intended to paint steel, for example, it must be taken into account that the dry bulb temperature of the steel surface is always lower than that of the ambient air adjacent to it. This inevitably creates a cooling effect, which leads to aerosol deposition on the steel surface, even if the resulting water film is not visible to the naked eye.
Dies wird durch in Figur 3 dargestellte Vernon-Kurve erläutert, die die Korrosionskurve von Stahl in Abhängigkeit der relativen Luftfeuchtigkeit darstellt (als Maß für die Korrosionsanfälligkeit ist auf der Ordinate die Gewichtszunahme dargestellt). Wie man dem Diagramm entnehmen kann, steigt bei einer relativen Luftfeuchtigkeit von mehr als 60% die Korrosionskurve steil an, während bei einer Luftfeuchtigkeit von unter 30% keine Rostbildung mehr auftritt. Dies bedeutet, daß sich kein Aerosolfilm auf dem Stahl niedergeschlagen hat.This is illustrated by the Vernon curve shown in FIG. 3, which represents the corrosion curve of steel as a function of the relative air humidity (the ordinate shows the increase in weight as a measure of the susceptibility to corrosion). As you can see from the diagram, a relative increases Humidity of more than 60% increases the corrosion curve steeply, while rust formation no longer occurs if the humidity is below 30%. This means that no aerosol film has deposited on the steel.
Führt man demnach die Lackierung bei einer relativen Luftfeuchtigkeit von weniger als 60% , oder besser bei weniger als 30% durch, ermöglicht dies eine sehr homogene Anordnung der Farbpigmente auf dem Stahl.Accordingly, if the coating is carried out at a relative humidity of less than 60%, or better still less than 30%, this enables a very homogeneous arrangement of the color pigments on the steel.
Im folgenden soll ein Beispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung erläutert werden. Benutzt wird eine Lackierkabine 10, die erfindungsgemäß mit 20.000 m3/h oder 25.000 m3/h Luft umgewälzt wird. Der über den Adsorptionstrockner 20 zugeführte getrocknete Frischluftanteil soll dabei ca. 10% betragen.An example of the present invention will be explained below. A painting booth 10 is used which, according to the invention, is circulated with 20,000 m 3 / h or 25,000 m 3 / h air. The dried fresh air portion supplied via the adsorption dryer 20 should be approximately 10%.
Demgemäß werden also 2.000 m3/h bzw. 2.500 m3/h Frischluft über einen Adsorptionsluftentfeuchter (beispielsweise erhältlich über ARKU- Verfahrenstechnik Gmbh, Olehing, Deutschland) geführt und auf einem niedrigen Taupunkt gebracht. Gleichzeitig sorgt die Umwälz- und Vorkühlanordnung 30 für eine Vorkühlung der Luft in dem Arbeitsbereich 10. Betrachtet man beispielsweise im Sommer vorhersehende Bedingungen, ergibt sich folgendes:Accordingly, 2,000 m 3 / h or 2,500 m 3 / h fresh air are passed through an adsorption dehumidifier (for example, available from ARKU-Verfahrenstechnik GmbH, Olehing, Germany) and brought to a low dew point. At the same time, the recirculation and pre-cooling arrangement 30 provides for pre-cooling of the air in the work area 10. If, for example, one looks at predictable conditions in summer, the following results:
Beispielexample
Wobei T die Temperatur, r.F. die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit, W die Wasser- beladung, und TP der Taupunkt ist.Where T is the temperature, RH is the relative humidity, W is the water load, and TP is the dew point.
Vergleicht man die für die Trocknung sich ergebende Energiebilanz der klassischen Verfahren (mit Heißlufttrocknung) im Vergleich zu dem obigen erfin- dungsgemäßen Verfahren ergibt sich, daß mit obigen Parametern ca. 50% der Energiekosten eingespart werden können. Hierbei ist zu beachten, daß der Trocknungsprozeß um so effektiver gestalten werden kann, je weniger Gesamtluftmenge umgewälzt wird (Verhältnis der wasserhaltigen Umluft zum hochtrockenen Frischluftanteil). Daher sollte die Erhöhung des hochtrockenen Frischluftanteils zu einer weiteren Reduzierung der notwendigen Energiekosten führen.If one compares the energy balance for the drying of the classic methods (with hot air drying) compared to the above method according to the invention, it results that approximately 50% of the energy costs can be saved with the above parameters. It should be noted that the less total air volume is circulated, the more effectively the drying process can be designed (ratio of the water-containing circulating air to the highly dry fresh air portion). Therefore, the increase in the highly dry fresh air portion should lead to a further reduction in the necessary energy costs.
Schließlich wird darauf hingewiesen, daß die oben beschriebene bevorzugte Ausführungsform lediglich beispielhaft zu verstehen ist; andere Gestaltungen sind möglich, ohne den Erfindungsgedanken zu verlassen. Beispielsweise sind in der Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 1 die erfindungsgemäßen Adsorptionstrockner-, Umwälz- und Vorkühlanordnungen außerhalb des Arbeitsbereichs 10 angebracht. Dem Fachmann ist klar, daß diese selbstverständlich auch innerhalb des Arbeitsbereiches angeordnet werden können.Finally, it is pointed out that the preferred embodiment described above is only to be understood as an example; other designs are possible without leaving the inventive idea. For example, in the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the adsorption dryer, circulating and pre-cooling arrangements according to the invention are arranged outside the working area 10. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that these can of course also be arranged within the work area.
Weiterhin ist in der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Adsorptionstrockner als separates Element (getrennt von der Umwälz- und Vorkühlanordnung) vorgesehen. Selbstverständlich kann man auch eine integrierte Vorrichtung vorsehen.Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the adsorption dryer is provided as a separate element (separate from the circulating and pre-cooling arrangement). Of course, an integrated device can also be provided.
Schließlich wird darauf hingewiesen, daß das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren und die entsprechende Vorrichtung nicht nur für wasserhaltige Lacke anwendbar ist, sondern auch für lösungsmittelhaltige Lacke. Wird das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren und die entsprechende Vorrichtung für lösungsmittelhaltige Lacke verwendet, führt dies dazu, daß die nach wie vor notwendige Trocknung durch Heißluft erheblich reduziert werden kann; in diesem Fall wird das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren gleichsam als Vortrocknungsverfahren verwendet. Finally, it is pointed out that the method and the corresponding device can be used not only for water-based paints, but also for solvent-based paints. If the method according to the invention and the corresponding device are used for solvent-based paints, this leads to the fact that drying by hot air, which is still necessary, can be considerably reduced; in this case it will Process according to the invention used as a predrying process.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Verfahren zur Verarbeitung, insbesondere Trocknung, von Lacken in einem Arbeitsbereich (10), das die Schritte umfaßt:1. A method for processing, in particular drying, lacquers in a work area (10), which comprises the steps:
a. Bereitstellen eines mit Luft gefüllten, abgeschlossenen Arbeitsbereiches (10);a. Provision of an air-filled, closed work area (10);
b. Trocknen der Luft in dem Arbeitsbereich (10); undb. Drying the air in the work area (10); and
c. Aufbringen des Lackes auf eine zu lackierende Oberfläche.c. Applying the paint to a surface to be painted.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, in dem die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit in dem Trocknungsschritt auf unter 25% gesenkt wird.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the relative humidity in the drying step is reduced to below 25%.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, in dem die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit in dem Trocknungsschritt auf unter 10% gesenkt wird.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the relative humidity in the drying step is reduced to below 10%.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, in dem die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit in dem Trocknungsschritt auf ca. 6% gesenkt wird.4. The method of claim 1, in which the relative humidity in the drying step is reduced to about 6%.
5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, das vor dem Schritt des Trocknens der Luft in dem Arbeitsbereich (10) zusätzlich den Schritt des Vorkühlens der Luft aufweist.5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which additionally comprises the step of pre-cooling the air before the step of drying the air in the work area (10).
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, in dem die Luft in dem Vorkühlschritt auf unter 20 Grad Celsius gekühlt wird.6. The method of claim 5, in which the air is cooled to below 20 degrees Celsius in the pre-cooling step.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, in dem die Luft in dem Vorkühlschritt auf unter 15 Grad Celsius gekühlt wird.7. The method of claim 5, wherein the air in the pre-cooling step is cooled below 15 degrees Celsius.
8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, in dem die Luft in dem Vorkühlschritt auf ca. 10 Grad Celsius gekühlt wird.8. The method of claim 5, in which the air is cooled to about 10 degrees Celsius in the pre-cooling step.
55
9. Verfahren nach einem der Anspruch 1 bis 8, das zusätzlich den Schritt des kontinuierlichen Umwälzens der Luft in dem Arbeitsbereich (10) aufweist.9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which additionally comprises the step of continuously circulating the air in the work area (10).
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, in dem die Umwälzung und die Trocknung 10 der Luft mittels eines außerhalb des Arbeitsbereiches (10) angeordneten10. The method according to claim 9, in which the circulation and drying 10 of the air by means of an outside of the work area (10) arranged
Luftkreislauf sy stemes erfolgt, und das zusätzlich den Schritt des Ein- mischens eines Frischluftanteils umfaßt.Air cycle sy stemes takes place, and which additionally includes the step of mixing in a fresh air portion.
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, in dem das Verhältnis von umgewälzter Luft 15 zu Frischluft 90 : 10 ist.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the ratio of circulated air 15 to fresh air is 90:10.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, in dem das Verhältnis von umgewälzter Luft zu Frischluft 60 : 40 ist.12. The method of claim 10, wherein the ratio of recirculated air to fresh air is 60:40.
20 13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, in dem das Verhältms von umgewälzter Luft zu Frischluft geringer als 50 : 50 ist.13. The method of claim 10, wherein the ratio of recirculated air to fresh air is less than 50:50.
14. Vorrichtung zur Verarbeitung, insbesondere Trocknung, von Lacken in einem Arbeitsbereich (10), die umfaßt:14. Device for processing, in particular drying, of paints in a work area (10), which comprises:
25 a. einen mit Luft gefüllten, abgeschlossenen Arbeitsbereiches (10);25 a. an air-filled, closed work area (10);
b. ein Lackapplikationssystem, zum Aufbringen des Lackes auf eine zu lackierende Oberfläche; undb. a paint application system for applying the paint to a surface to be painted; and
30 c. ein Trocknungssystem (20, 30), das die Luft in dem genannten Ar- beitsbereich (10) trocknet.30 c. a drying system (20, 30), which the air in the above-mentioned beitsbereich (10) dries.
15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 14, in der das Trocknungssystem (20, 30) einen Adsorptionstrockner (20) umfaßt.15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the drying system (20, 30) comprises an adsorption dryer (20).
16. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 15, in der der Adsorptionstrockner (20) als Adsorptionsmittel Silicagel oder Lithiumchlorid umfaßt.16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the adsorption dryer (20) comprises silica gel or lithium chloride as adsorbent.
17. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 15 oder 16, in der der Adsorptionstrockner (20) einen Adsorptionsrotor (20') umfaßt, der aus einem Keramikverbundwerkstoff besteht und mit dem Adsorptionsmittel imprägniert ist.17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, in which the adsorption dryer (20) comprises an adsorption rotor (20 ') which consists of a ceramic composite material and is impregnated with the adsorbent.
18. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 14 bis 17, in der der Adsorptionstrockner (20) über eine Adsorptionsleitung (21) und einen separaten Regenera- tionskreislauf (29) verfügt.18. The apparatus of claim 14 to 17, in which the adsorption dryer (20) has an adsorption line (21) and a separate regeneration circuit (29).
19. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 14-18, in der das Trocknungssystem (20, 30) zusätzlich über eine Umwälz- und Vorkühlanordnung (30) verfügt. 19. Device according to one of claims 14-18, in which the drying system (20, 30) additionally has a circulation and pre-cooling arrangement (30).
EP98965842A 1997-12-17 1998-12-16 Apparatus and process for the drying of lacquer Expired - Lifetime EP1040308B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19756194 1997-12-17
DE19756194A DE19756194B4 (en) 1997-12-17 1997-12-17 Paint processing apparatus and method
PCT/EP1998/008240 WO1999031449A1 (en) 1997-12-17 1998-12-16 Lacquer processing device and method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1040308A1 true EP1040308A1 (en) 2000-10-04
EP1040308B1 EP1040308B1 (en) 2003-09-10

Family

ID=7852315

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98965842A Expired - Lifetime EP1040308B1 (en) 1997-12-17 1998-12-16 Apparatus and process for the drying of lacquer

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1040308B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE249609T1 (en)
DE (2) DE19756194B4 (en)
WO (1) WO1999031449A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015214706A1 (en) 2015-07-31 2017-02-02 Dürr Systems Ag Treatment plant and method for treating workpieces
DE102015214711A1 (en) 2015-07-31 2017-02-02 Dürr Systems Ag Treatment plant and method for treating workpieces
DE102015224916A1 (en) 2015-12-10 2017-06-14 Dürr Systems Ag Treatment plant and method for treating workpieces

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4173924A (en) * 1978-03-01 1979-11-13 Schweitzer Industrial Corporation Paint spray booth with air supply system
JPS5913267B2 (en) * 1978-07-12 1984-03-28 日産自動車株式会社 painting booth
US4413427A (en) * 1981-07-29 1983-11-08 Aer Corporation Fuel control system for dryer
DE3336048C2 (en) * 1983-10-04 1985-08-29 Klaus 8066 Bergkirchen Oschmann Method and device for dehumidifying a drying gas
US4687686A (en) * 1985-10-28 1987-08-18 George Koch Sons, Inc. Spray booth with climate regulation system
JP2715332B2 (en) * 1990-06-28 1998-02-18 富士写真フイルム株式会社 Dew point adjustment method using dry dehumidifier
DE9109134U1 (en) * 1991-07-24 1991-10-02 Herrmann, Johannes, 8490 Cham Painting and drying booth
JPH067635A (en) * 1992-06-24 1994-01-18 Hiroshima Gas Kaihatsu Kk Organic solvent removing device for coating booth with dehumidifying and humidifying functions
US5709038A (en) * 1993-09-24 1998-01-20 Optimum Air Corporation Automated air filtration and drying system for waterborne paint and industrial coatings
DE19644717A1 (en) * 1996-10-28 1998-04-30 Schlierbach Gmbh Process for drying thin layers and device for carrying out the process

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9931449A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999031449A1 (en) 1999-06-24
DE19756194A1 (en) 1999-07-01
DE59809597D1 (en) 2003-10-16
DE19756194B4 (en) 2006-06-08
ATE249609T1 (en) 2003-09-15
EP1040308B1 (en) 2003-09-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE69817157T2 (en) DRYING DEVICE IN A SPRAYING CAB
DE2928226A1 (en) PAINT SPRAYING SYSTEMS FOR OBJECT AND ENERGY-SAVING METHOD FOR SPRAYING
EP0050794A1 (en) Transfer lacquer film and method of making it
EP0943701B1 (en) Process and reactive solution for producing a patina
DE102010050704A1 (en) Method for coating and/or spray painting elongated components e.g. rotor blade, for offshore wind turbine of e.g. aircraft, involves applying coating on components within cabin that is partially operated with re-circulating air operation
WO1995014540A1 (en) Repair enamelling process with several layers of enamel
EP1040308B1 (en) Apparatus and process for the drying of lacquer
EP0719185B1 (en) Method of producing a multi-coat repair paint coating
DE2855771C2 (en) Method and device for applying water-thinnable paints to surfaces by spraying on under pressure
DE19912361B4 (en) paint shop
DE4421172C2 (en) Stone chip protection varnish containing overspray, process for its production and its use
DE202006005330U1 (en) Device for applying a coating to at least one side of a leather, and coated leather produced by means of such a device
WO1998019124A1 (en) Method and device for drying thin coatings
EP1395784B1 (en) Method and device for drying
EP1503868A1 (en) Painting and drying cubicle
DE3935476C2 (en)
EP4289516A1 (en) Coating tent humidor
DE19517277C2 (en) Process for the production of multi-layer effect coatings
EP2976163B1 (en) Method
DE2243812C3 (en) Process for the production of coatings on metal surfaces
DE102015010717A1 (en) Filter element tempering device, device for tempering objects and method for this
DE19633742A1 (en) Process and installation for applying a coating agent, in particular paint, to a strip of metal, in particular steel, in one pass
DE19620730A1 (en) Drying system for water-soluble paint
DE347226C (en) Process for treating the surface of bodies of any kind
DE9312505U1 (en) Chamber for painting or repainting flat objects

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: 20000712

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK FR GB LI LU NL SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010706

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

RTI1 Title (correction)

Free format text: APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR THE DRYING OF LACQUER

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK FR GB LI LU 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: 20030910

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59809597

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20031016

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: HEPP, WENGER & RYFFEL AG

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

Effective date: 20031210

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

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20031216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20031219

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
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: 20040614

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20041206

Year of fee payment: 7

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20041221

Year of fee payment: 7

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

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20041227

Year of fee payment: 7

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

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20041228

Year of fee payment: 7

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20041229

Year of fee payment: 7

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20050112

Year of fee payment: 7

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: 20051216

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20051216

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: 20051217

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: 20051231

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20051231

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20051231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20051216

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: 20060831

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20060831

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20061229

Year of fee payment: 9

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *GABELGAARD KELD

Effective date: 20051231

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: 20080701