Extract from the Register of European Patents

EP About this file: EP0673276

EP0673276 - REMOVAL OF IMPURITIES [Right-click to bookmark this link]
StatusPatent maintained as amended
Status updated on  12.11.1999
Database last updated on 24.03.2026
Most recent event   Tooltip28.12.2007Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Updated state(s): LU
published on 30.01.2008  [2008/05]
Applicant(s)For all designated states
THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED
Nugent House Vastern Road Reading
Berks. RG1 8DB / GB
[N/P]
Former [1995/39]For all designated states
THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED
Nugent House Vastern Road
Reading Berks. RG1 8DB / GB
Inventor(s)01 / FOSTER, David
7 Stirling Close, Frimley
Surrey GU16 5SR / GB
02 / SANDERS, Trevor
7 Scots Drive, Wokingham
BerkshireRG11 2XF / GB
[1995/39]
Representative(s)Johnson, Terence Leslie
Marks & Clerk LLP
90 Long Acre
London
WC2E 9RA / GB
[N/P]
Former [1995/39]Johnson, Terence Leslie
Edward Evans & Co. Chancery House 53-64 Chancery Lane
London WC2A 1SD / GB
Application number, filing date94902043.208.12.1993
[1995/39]
WO1993GB02511
Priority number, dateGB1992002579310.12.1992         Original published format: GB 9225793
GB1993001282022.06.1993         Original published format: GB 9312820
GB1993001305324.06.1993         Original published format: GB 9313053
[1995/39]
Filing languageEN
Procedural languageEN
PublicationType: A1 Application with search report
No.:WO9413381
Date:23.06.1994
Language:EN
[1994/14]
Type: A1 Application with search report 
No.:EP0673276
Date:27.09.1995
Language:EN
The application published by WIPO in one of the EPO official languages on 23.06.1994 takes the place of the publication of the European patent application.
[1995/39]
Type: B1 Patent specification 
No.:EP0673276
Date:12.03.1997
Language:EN
[1997/11]
Type: B2 New European patent specification 
No.:EP0673276
Date:29.12.1999
Language:EN
[1999/52]
Search report(s)International search report - published on:EP23.06.1994
ClassificationIPC:B01D24/20, C02F1/00
[1995/39]
CPC:
C02F1/283 (EP); Y02W10/33 (EP)
Designated contracting statesAT,   BE,   CH,   DE,   DK,   ES,   FR,   GB,   GR,   IE,   IT,   LI,   LU,   MC,   NL,   PT,   SE [1995/39]
TitleGerman:ENTFERNUNG VON VERUNREINIGUNGEN[1995/39]
English:REMOVAL OF IMPURITIES[1995/39]
French:ELIMINATION D'IMPURETES[1995/39]
Entry into regional phase09.06.1995National basic fee paid 
09.06.1995Designation fee(s) paid 
09.06.1995Examination fee paid 
Examination procedure07.07.1994Request for preliminary examination filed
International Preliminary Examining Authority: EP
09.06.1995Examination requested  [1995/39]
01.12.1995Despatch of a communication from the examining division (Time limit: M04)
04.04.1996Reply to a communication from the examining division
25.07.1996Despatch of communication of intention to grant (Approval: Yes)
12.08.1996Communication of intention to grant the patent
31.10.1996Fee for grant paid
31.10.1996Fee for publishing/printing paid
Opposition(s)Opponent(s)01  13.03.1997    ADMISSIBLE
Norit N.V.
Nijverheidsweg-Noord 72 Postbus 105
3800 AC AMERSFOORT / NL
Opponent's representative
Smulders, Theodorus A.H.J.
Vereenigde Postbus 87930
2508 DH Den Haag / NL
 [1997/19]
15.01.1998Invitation to proprietor to file observations on the notice of opposition
23.09.1998Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition
19.03.1999Legal effect of interlocutory decision in opposition
19.03.1999Date of oral proceedings
26.03.1999Despatch of interlocutory decision in opposition
26.03.1999Despatch of minutes of oral proceedings
22.07.1999Despatch of communication that the patent will be maintained as amended
23.09.1999Fee for printing new specification paid
Fees paidRenewal fee
08.12.1995Renewal fee patent year 03
11.12.1996Renewal fee patent year 04
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Lapses during opposition  TooltipDK12.03.1997
ES12.03.1997
GR12.03.1997
IT12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
IE08.12.1997
LU08.12.1997
MC30.06.1998
[2004/38]
Former [2003/18]DK12.03.1997
ES12.03.1997
GR12.03.1997
IT12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
IE08.12.1997
LU31.12.1997
MC30.06.1998
Former [2003/17]DK12.03.1997
ES12.03.1997
GR12.03.1997
IT12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
IE08.12.1997
LU31.12.1997
MC03.07.1998
Former [2002/26]DK12.03.1997
ES12.03.1997
GR12.03.1997
IT12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
IE08.12.1997
LU31.12.1997
MC30.06.1998
Former [2001/01]DK12.03.1997
GR12.03.1997
IT12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
IE08.12.1997
LU31.12.1997
MC30.06.1998
Former [2000/05]DK12.03.1997
GR12.03.1997
IT12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
LU31.12.1997
MC30.06.1998
Former [1999/42]DK12.03.1997
IT12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
MC30.06.1998
Former [1998/45]DK12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
MC30.06.1998
Former [1998/15]DK12.03.1997
PT12.06.1997
Former [1998/03]PT12.06.1997
Cited inOpposition  L. Huisman et al., WHO, Geneva, 1974, p. 54
   M.R. Collns et al., "Modifications to the slow sand filtration process for improved removals of trihalomethane precursors", AWWA, Denver, 1989, pp. 44-48
   Prof. Ir. L. Huisman, "Slow sand filtration", Delft University of Technology, 1973, pp. 3-4 and 3-5
   A. J. Rachwal et al., "Advanced techniques for upgrading large scale slow sand filters", in "Slow sand filtration", ed. H.J.D. Graham,..., 1988, pp. 331-347
   Prof. Ir. L. Huisman, "Slow sand filtration", Delft University of Technology, 1982, pp. 50 and 58-65 (please note that this is a later edition of the same D5 that has previously been cited);
   A. Hazen, The filtration of public water supplies, John Wiley & Sons, 1913, pp. 6, 35, 40 and 68
   Barrett et al., Manual of Design for Slow Sand Filtration, AWWA, 1991, pp. 20, 25, 172, 183, 201, and 234;
   Schalekamp, GWA 1991-8;
   AWWA Standard for filtering material B100, 1989
   J.T. Visscher et al., Slow Sand Filtration for community Water Supply, Techn. paper No. 24, Int Ref. Centre for Community Water Supply and Sanitation, The Hague, NL
The EPO accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of data originating from other authorities; in particular, it does not guarantee that it is complete, up to date or fit for specific purposes.