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Extract from the Register of European Patents

EP About this file: EP2381486

EP2381486 - Method for forming back contact electrodes for cadmium telluride photovoltaic cells [Right-click to bookmark this link]
Former [2011/43]Methods for forming back contact electrodes for cadmium telluride photovoltaic cells
[2019/52]
StatusNo opposition filed within time limit
Status updated on  09.04.2021
Database last updated on 31.05.2024
FormerThe patent has been granted
Status updated on  01.05.2020
FormerGrant of patent is intended
Status updated on  12.01.2020
FormerExamination is in progress
Status updated on  01.12.2017
Most recent event   Tooltip27.04.2024Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
New state(s): MK		published on 29.05.2024  [2024/22]
Applicant(s)For all designated states
First Solar Malaysia SDN.BHD
No 8, Jalan Hi-Tech 3/3
Zon Industri Fasa 3
Kulim Hi-Tech Park, 09000
Kulim Kedah Darul
Aman / MY
[2014/04]
Former [2011/43]For all designated states
General Electric Company
a New York Company 1 River Road
Schenectady, NY 12345 / US
Inventor(s)01 / Korevaar, Bastiaan Arie
GE Global Research
1 Research Circle Building K1-
Niskayuna, NY 12309 / US
02 / Rojo, Juan Carlos
GE Global Research
1 Research Circle Building K1-
Niskayuna, NY 12309 / US
03 / Shuba, Roman
GE Global Research
1 Research Circle Building K1
Niskayuna, NY 12309 / US
 [2011/43]
Representative(s)Thurston, Joanna, et al
Withers & Rogers LLP
2 London Bridge
London SE1 9RA / GB
[N/P]
Former [2013/42]Thurston, Joanna, et al
Withers & Rogers LLP
4 More London Riverside
London SE1 2AU / GB
Former [2011/43]Bedford, Grant Richard
Global Patent Operation - Europe GE International Inc. 15 John Adam Street
London WC2N 6LU / GB
Application number, filing date11163286.520.04.2011
[2011/43]
Priority number, dateUS2010076522522.04.2010         Original published format: US 765225
[2011/43]
Filing languageEN
Procedural languageEN
PublicationType: A2 Application without search report 
No.:EP2381486
Date:26.10.2011
Language:EN
[2011/43]
Type: A3 Search report 
No.:EP2381486
Date:15.04.2015
Language:EN
[2015/16]
Type: B1 Patent specification 
No.:EP2381486
Date:03.06.2020
Language:EN
[2020/23]
Search report(s)(Supplementary) European search report - dispatched on:EP16.03.2015
ClassificationIPC:H01L31/0224, H01L31/18, H01L31/073
[2019/52]
CPC:
H01L31/022425 (EP,US); H01L31/022441 (US); H01L31/0296 (US);
H01L31/073 (EP,US); H01L33/0083 (US); Y02E10/543 (EP,US)
Former IPC [2015/16]H01L31/0224, H01L31/18
Former IPC [2011/43]H01L31/18, H01L31/0224
Designated contracting statesAL,   AT,   BE,   BG,   CH,   CY,   CZ,   DE,   DK,   EE,   ES,   FI,   FR,   GB,   GR,   HR,   HU,   IE,   IS,   IT,   LI,   LT,   LU,   LV,   MC,   MK,   MT,   NL,   NO,   PL,   PT,   RO,   RS,   SE,   SI,   SK,   SM,   TR [2015/52]
Former [2011/43]AL,  AT,  BE,  BG,  CH,  CY,  CZ,  DE,  DK,  EE,  ES,  FI,  FR,  GB,  GR,  HR,  HU,  IE,  IS,  IT,  LI,  LT,  LU,  LV,  MC,  MK,  MT,  NL,  NO,  PL,  PT,  RO,  RS,  SE,  SI,  SK,  SM,  TR 
TitleGerman:Verfahren zur Herstellung der Rückkontaktelektroden für Cadmiumtellurid-Photovoltaikzellen[2011/43]
English:Method for forming back contact electrodes for cadmium telluride photovoltaic cells[2019/52]
French:Procédé de formation d'électrodes de contact arrière pour cellules photovoltaïques en tellurure de cadmium[2019/52]
Former [2011/43]Methods for forming back contact electrodes for cadmium telluride photovoltaic cells
Former [2011/43]Procédés de formation d'électrodes de contact arrière pour cellules photovoltaïques en tellurure de cadmium
Examination procedure14.10.2015Amendment by applicant (claims and/or description)
11.11.2015Examination requested  [2015/52]
04.12.2017Despatch of a communication from the examining division (Time limit: M06)
03.04.2018Reply to a communication from the examining division
20.11.2019Cancellation of oral proceeding that was planned for 26.11.2019
26.11.2019Date of oral proceedings (cancelled)
13.01.2020Communication of intention to grant the patent
25.03.2020Fee for grant paid
25.03.2020Fee for publishing/printing paid
25.03.2020Receipt of the translation of the claim(s)
Divisional application(s)The date of the Examining Division's first communication in respect of the earliest application for which a communication has been issued is  04.12.2017
Opposition(s)04.03.2021No opposition filed within time limit [2021/19]
Request for further processing for:The application is deemed to be withdrawn due to non-payment of the examination fee
11.11.2015Request for further processing filed
11.11.2015Full payment received (date of receipt of payment)
Request granted
23.11.2015Decision despatched
The application is deemed to be withdrawn due to non-payment of designation fees
TR, SM, SK, SI, SE, RS, RO, PT, PL, NO, NL, MT, MK, MC, LV, LU, LT, IT, IS, IE, HU, HR, GR, GB, FR, FI, ES, EE, DK, DE, CZ, CY, CH, BG, BE, AT, AL
11.11.2015Request for further processing filed
11.11.2015Full payment received (date of receipt of payment)
Request granted
23.11.2015Decision despatched
Fees paidRenewal fee
02.05.2013Renewal fee patent year 03
28.04.2014Renewal fee patent year 04
27.04.2015Renewal fee patent year 05
27.04.2016Renewal fee patent year 06
27.04.2017Renewal fee patent year 07
27.04.2018Renewal fee patent year 08
29.04.2019Renewal fee patent year 09
27.04.2020Renewal fee patent year 10
Opt-out from the exclusive  Tooltip
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Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or quality of the data displayed under the link provided lies entirely with the Unified Patent Court.
Lapses during opposition  TooltipHU20.04.2011
AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CY03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
DK03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
MC03.06.2020
MK03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SI03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
IS03.10.2020
PT06.10.2020
[2024/22]
Former [2023/29]HU20.04.2011
AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CY03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
DK03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
MC03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SI03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
IS03.10.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2023/24]AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CY03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
DK03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
MC03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SI03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
IS03.10.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2022/13]AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
DK03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
MC03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SI03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
IS03.10.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2022/10]AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
DK03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
MC03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SI03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2021/50]AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
DK03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
MC03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SI03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
IS03.10.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2021/24]AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
DK03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SI03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
IS03.10.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2021/20]AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
DK03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
IS03.10.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2021/10]AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
PL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SK03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
IS03.10.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2021/09]AL03.06.2020
AT03.06.2020
CZ03.06.2020
EE03.06.2020
ES03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
IT03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
RO03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
SM03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
PT06.10.2020
Former [2021/04]AL03.06.2020
FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
NL03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
Former [2021/01]FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
BG03.09.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
Former [2020/51]FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
RS03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
Former [2020/50]FI03.06.2020
HR03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
LV03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
NO03.09.2020
GR04.09.2020
Former [2020/48]FI03.06.2020
LT03.06.2020
SE03.06.2020
NO03.09.2020
Former [2020/47]LT03.06.2020
NO03.09.2020
Documents cited:Search[A]US5501744  (ALBRIGHT SCOT P [US], et al) [A] 1-10* column 49, lines 45-52 *;
 [XAI]WO03032406  (SOLAR SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENTS S R [IT], et al) [X] 9 * page 2, line 25 - page 3, line 16 * [A] 1-8 [I] 10;
 [XAI]US2004063326  (SZLUFCIK JOZEF [BE], et al) [X] 1,9 * page 4, paragraph 57 - page 5, paragraph 62 * * figure 3 * [A] 4-8 [I] 2,3
Examination   - MCCANDLESS B E ET AL, "Processing options for CdTe thin film solar cells", SOLAR ENE, PERGAMON PRESS. OXFORD, GB, (20041201), vol. 77, no. 6, doi:10.1016/J.SOLENER.2004.04.012, ISSN 0038-092X, pages 839 - 856, XP004661825

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2004.04.012
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