(19)
(11) EP 3 412 970 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
12.12.2018 Bulletin 2018/50

(21) Application number: 17174511.0

(22) Date of filing: 06.06.2017
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F23N 1/00(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
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
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
MA MD

(71) Applicant: TURAS GAZ ARMATÜRLERI SAN VE TIC A.s.
34590 Istanbul (TR)

(72) Inventors:
  • Turhan, Gökhan
    34590 istanbul (TR)
  • Ersoy, Ercan
    34590 istanbul (TR)
  • Gün, Isa
    34590 istanbul (TR)
  • Söndür, Tu Ba Nur
    34590 istanbul (TR)

   


(54) GAS VALVE WITH PROGRESSIVE FLOW


(57) The invention relates to household cooker gas valve (1) working together with a motor and solenoid coil that can be driven with an electronic circuit, and the male (1.2) available therein and used for opening, closing gas passage and regulate the amount of gas there between contains grooves that enables gradual reduction of the flame as differing from the current state of the art. Moreover, at its bodys (1.1), the gas valve (1) of the invention contains at least two gas passage grooves linked to the male (1.2) and passage of gas is ensured by rotating said male (1.2) installed to said body (1.1). Furthermore, an alternate dual-outlet configuration of the gas valve (1) of the invention is also designed for the purpose of enabling use at the cookers with multiple combustion rings. Accordingly, the gas valve (3) in alternate configuration contains the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) and the body in an alternate configuration (3.1).




Description

TECHNICAL FIELD



[0001] The invention relates to household gas valve with double security working together with a motor and solenoid coil that can be driven with electronic circuit, wherein there is a male which is used in tasks of regulating gas passing amount and which provides a gradual throttling of the fire as differently from the present condition. Additionally, there are at least two gas passing chutes in connection with the male on the body of the gas valve and gas passing is provided by turning of the said male placed on this body. In addition, double output alternative structure of gas valve that is subject of the invention was designed in order that it is used in burners having multiple burning circle. Accordingly, gas valve with alternative structure comprises a male and a body with alternative structure.

[0002] There are burning holes in different sizes from each other on the male which is in gas valves controlled manually in the present condition and gas reaches to burner by passing through these holes. Gas flow is regulated depending on the size of the burning hole's diameter through which gas passes. Thus, the cooker can be operated fully opened or low position. However, gas burner cannot be reduced gradually and a homogeny transition between flame volumes cannot be provided on the present gas valves since the gas passing chute faces any of two burning holes at the same time and then comes to one burning hole when the male is turned, and that causes a sudden flaming of the fire. The male that is subject of the invention is designed to be used in gas valves which are controlled touch-operated, wherein the burner can gradually be reduced by means of the chutes that the male comprises.

[0003] The gas valve in which the male with chutes that is subject of the invention is positioned is made of brass or aluminum material such as the present gas valves. Because these materials are durable to the conditions of tests and experiments specified in standards of EN 1106, EN 125, EN 126 etc. Each gas valve manufacturer applies these gas valves to the tests specified in these standards. The safety and reliability of the product are determined according to these tests. The male that is subject of the invention is produced by machining method from aluminum or brass material.

PRIOR ART



[0004] Patent application registered on behalf of George H. Blume with patent number US 5431186 on the date of 25.07.1994 relates to using improved plastic material which considerably reduces production cost and time, is designed in a manner similar to the steel valve body and has the same strength and longer life than this steel body. It is mentioned that this valve body is preferably made of Delrin or a nylon/KEVLAR composite material. However, this invention presented is generally used for pumping abrasive fluids. Accordingly, our application that is subject of the invention is used in domestic cooking gas valves and is completely different from the said application while it does not contain plastic parts.

[0005] Another patent application was filed on 03.01.1984 with the patent number US 4717268 by Kamatics Corporation, wherein said patent application mentions about a bearing element consisting of inner and outer rings. A new technique developed by utilizing the self-lubricating property of plastics is mentioned in that technique. It is mentioned in the invention that the cured high carbon steels used in the prior art are used or stainless steel is used. Gas valve mentioned in our application and the male that is subject of the invention can be produced by machining method from aluminum or brass material.

[0006] Another application with number PI 8500156 dated 14.01.1985 owned by Adolfo de Mitry relates to gas-operated ovens and gas valve that opens and closes gas passing on lighters of these and regulates the amount of gas between. Closure of said valve is by means of an elastic disc that functions for supply of gas from its center either in larger or smaller rates by virtue of closing a metallic center, thus allowing the flame to be eventually supplied either in high or low quantities.

[0007] A tapped globe valve manufactured in such manner that enables adjustment of the inner section of the center has been used in said application and said center has been equipped with an orifice that designate opening and closing of the valve. Metal is not used at the inner sphere of the center of the elastic cap in order to provide a solution to the nonconformity arising from this gas valve comprising of a tapered shaft. Accordingly, our invention in question is also a different application than this application.

[0008] In the light of the aforementioned prior art, availability of grooves at the male in the gas-operated household cooker gas valves that allows gas flow is an innovative practice. This invention has surpassed the prior art as it provides solution to the problems in the prior art.

AIM OF THE INVENTION



[0009] The aim of the invention is to introduce a dual-safety gas valve that contains a male that differs from the males of the prior art.

[0010] The aim of the invention is to produce male from aluminum or brass material that provides adequate mechanical and thermal strength at the existing gas valve standards.

[0011] Another aim of the invention is to have grooves on the male that are interconnected with the orifices that allow gas passage at the gas valve.

[0012] Yet another aim of the invention is to have at least two gas passage grooves interconnected with the grooves at the male on the gas valve body.

[0013] Another aim of the invention is to enable gradual adjustment of the fully open or choked position of the cooker.

[0014] Another aim of the invention is to introduce a gas valve in an alternate dual-outlet configuration and a male in an alternate configuration in compliance with the same.

[0015] Yet another aim of the invention is to design the gas passage groove at the single outlet gas valve body in alternate configuration such that it sees the full combustion orifice and the groove linked with the full combustion orifice; while designing the cross-gas passage groove to see the NG and LPG pilot holes and the grooves linked to such pilot holes.

[0016] The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention shall be comprehended more clearly by virtue of the figures provided hereunder and the detailed description provided with reference to such figures, and therefore assessment should be made taking into account said figures and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES



[0017] 

Figure 1, perspective view of the male of the invention,

Figure 2, view of the full combustion orifice at the male of the invention,

Figure 3, view of the NG pilot hole and grooves at the male of the invention,

Figure 4, view of the pilot holes at the male of the invention,

Figure 5, perspective view of the male in its present state,

Figure 6, view that illustrates the cross section surfaces F-F, G-G and H-H in order to show the angles of the male at certain positions,

Figure 7, view that present the cross-section F-F in order to show the angles of the male at certain positions,

Figure 8, view that present the cross-section G-G in order to show the angles of the male at certain positions,

Figure 9, view that present the cross-section H-H in order to show the angles of the male at certain positions,

Figure 10, sectional view that illustrate the connection of the gas passage groove on the single-outlet gas valve body gas passage groove with the full combustion hole,

Figure 11, sectional view that illustrate the connection of the gas passage groove on the single-outlet gas valve body gas passage groove with the grooves on the male,

Figure 12, view that illustrates the position of the male at the time when the single-outlet gas valve allows minimum gas passage when natural gas (NG) is used at the cooker,

Figure 13, view that illustrates the position of the male at the time when the single-outlet gas valve allows minimum gas passage when LPG is used at the cooker,

Figure 14, perspective view of the male in an alternate configuration,

Figure 15, another perspective view of the male in an alternate configuration,

Figure 16, yet another perspective view of the male in an alternate configuration,

Figure 17, view that illustrates the cross section surfaces A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D and E-E in order to show the angles of the male in an alternate configuration at certain positions,

Figure 18, view that present the cross-section A-A in order to show the angles of the male in an alternate configuration at certain positions,

Figure 19, view that present the cross-section B-B in order to show the angles of the male in an alternate configuration at certain positions,

Figure 20, view that present the cross-section C-C in order to show the angles of the male in an alternate configuration at certain positions,

Figure 21, view that present the cross-section D-D in order to show the angles of the male in an alternate configuration at certain positions,

Figure 22 view that present the cross-section E-E in order to show the angles of the male in an alternate configuration at certain positions,

Figure 23, view that illustrates the position of the male in an alternate configuration at the time when the gas valve in an alternate dual-outlet configuration allows maximum gas passage,

Figure 24, view that illustrates the position of the male in an alternate configuration at the time when the gas valve in an alternate dual-outlet configuration allows maximum gas passage to the inner ring and minimum gas passage to the outer ring,

Figure 25, view that illustrates the position of the male in an alternate configuration at the time when gas valve in an alternate dual-outlet configuration has maximum combustion at the inner ring while the outer ring is closed,

Figure 26, view that illustrates the position of the male in an alternate configuration at the time when gas valve in an alternate dual-outlet configuration has minimum combustion at the inner ring while the outer ring is closed,

Figure 27, view of the single-outlet gas valve of the invention at the gas distribution pipe,

Figure 28, quintet view of the single-outlet gas valve of the invention at the gas distribution pipe,

Figure 29, view of the gas valve in an alternate dual-outlet configuration of the invention at the gas distribution pipe,

Figure 30, quintet view of the gas valve in an alternate dual-outlet configuration of the invention at the gas distribution pipe.


REFERENCE NUMBERS



[0018] 
  1. 1. Gas valve

    1.1. Body

    1.1.1. Gas passage groove

    1.1.2. Cross gas passage groove

    1.1.3. Gas inlet

    1.1.4. Gas outlet

    1.2. Male

    1.2.1. Full combustion hole

    1.2.1.1. Groove linked with the full combustion hole

    1.2.1.2. Angle "a"

    1.2.2. NG pilot hole

    1.2.2.1. Groove linked with the NG pilot hole

    1.2.2.2. Angle "b"

    1.2.3. LPG pilot hole

    1.2.3.1. Groove linked with the LPG pilot hole

    1.2.3.2. Angle "c"

  2. 2. Male at the current state

    2.1. Combustion hole

  3. 3. Gas valve in an alternate configuration

    3.1. Alternate body

    3.1.1. First gas outlet

    3.1.2. Inner ring gas passage groove

    3.1.3. Inner ring cross gas passage groove

    3.1.4. Second gas outlet

    3.1.5. Outer ring gas passage groove

    3.1.6. Outer ring second gas passage groove

    3.1.7. Gas inlet

    3.2. Male in an alternate configuration

    3.2.1. Inner ring full combustion hole

    3.2.1.1. Full combustion groove

    3.2.1.2. Angle δ

    3.2.2. Inner ring NG pilot hole

    3.2.2.1. Inner ring NG pilot groove

    3.2.2.2. Angle α

    3.2.3. Inner ring LPG pilot hole

    3.2.3.1. Inner ring LPG pilot groove

    3.2.3.2. Angle β

    3.2.4. Outer ring full combustion hole

    3.2.5. Outer ring NG pilot hole

    3.2.5.1. Angle γ

    3.2.6. Outer ring LPG pilot hole

    3.2.6.1. Outer ring LPG pilot groove

    3.2.6.2. Angle θ

  4. 4. Gas distribution pipe

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



[0019] The invention relates to a dual-safety gas valve that operates together with a motor and solenoid coil that can be driven with an electronic circuit at the household cookers, and said gas valve (1) basically contains a male (1.2) and a body (1.1) that accommodates a gas passage groove (1.1.1) and cross gas passage groove (1.1.2) interconnected with said male (1.2). Once the user enters the desired command to the touch button at said gas valve (1), the motor rotates according to the data forwarded to the electronic card and such rotation movement thus ensures orientation of the gas passage as such movement is transferred to the male (1.2) positioned at the gas valve (1) by means of the gears on the motor. The male (1.2) at the gas valve (1) of the invention contains, as distinct from the male at the current states (2), a full combustion hole (1.2.1) instead of multiple combustion holes (2.1), NG pilot hole (1.2.2), and LPG pilot hole (1.2.3), Groove linked with the NG pilot hole (1.2.2.1) and Groove linked with the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3.1) positioned behind the NG pilot hole (1.2.2) when rotated in the counterclockwise.

[0020] At the gas valves of the current state, as the gas passage groove coincides with any two combustion holes (2.1) simultaneously and then arrives to a single combustion hole (2.1) when the male (2) is rotated, the gas burner cannot be turned down gradually, thus preventing achievement of homogenous transition between the flame intensities. This, in turn, leads to an instant deflagration of the flame. By virtue of the triangular groove linked with the full combustion hole (1.2.1.1) available at the male (1.2) of the invention, on the other hand, not only allows gradual reduction of the flame slowly but also precludes deflagration of the flame.

[0021] The gas valve (1) body (1.1) is also redesigned according to the current state in compliance with the male (1.2) of the invention. Accordingly, there are multiple gas outlet grooves at the body (1.1). At the same time, LPG or natural gas transformation is also possible by virtue of the software depending on the return of the male (1.2). The gas burner can be rendered suitable for use with the natural gas as the cross gas passage groove (1.1.2) sees the grooves (1.2.3.1) associated with the NG pilot hole (1.2.2) and the LPG pilot hole; and for use with the LPG as it sees only the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3.1).

[0022] Upon entry of gas from the gas inlet (1.1.3) and as the inlet allows flow of gas from the rotating male (1.2) through the rotational motion driven by the motor, the gas flows from the full combustion hole (1.2.1) at the male (1.2) to the gas passage groove (1.1.1) and reaches the gas outlet (1.1.4), thus initiating full combustion of the gas burner. Connection of the gas passage groove (1.1.1) with the full combustion hole (1.2.1) can be seen in figure 10. As the male (1.2) rotates, the gas flows from the triangular groove linked with the full combustion hole (1.2.1.1) towards the gas passage groove (1.1.1) and the flame intensity is reduced slowly as its structure shrinks due to such triangular shape. The cross gas passage groove (1.1.2) at the body (1.1), on the other hand, is positioned so as to see the grooves linked with the NG and LPG pilot holes (1.2.2.1 and 1.2.3.1). In this manner, starting from the instant when the male (1.2) starts to rotate, gas flows from the groove linked with the NG pilot hole (1.2.1.1), and from the groove linked with the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3.1) after a certain position of the male (1.2), thus preventing flame deflagrations as experienced in the present state. Minimum gas flow is provided when the rotation of the male (1.2) within the gas valve (1) is completed, and the gas burner burns at the lowest level and, at this stage, for NG, the gas flows from the groove linked with the NG pilot hole (1.2.2) and the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3.1) to the cross gas passage groove (1.1.2) and reaches to the gas outlet (1.1.4). At this stage, for LPG, on the other hand, the gas flows from the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3) to the cross gas passage groove (1.1.2) and reaches to the gas outlet (1.1.4). These angles at the said male (1.2) that allows reaching to such positions where maximum and minimum combustions are achieved and illustrated in figure 6 at cross-sections F-F, G-G and H-H on the male (1.2) are angle "a" (1.2.1.2), angle "b" (1.2.2.2) and angle "c" (1.2.3.2), and their values are disclosed hereunder: The angle "a" (1.2.1.2) between the groove linked with the full combustion hole (1.2.1.1) that allows maximum combustion at the male (1.2) and the full combustion hole (1.2.1) is in the range of 90° to 140°; the angle "b" (1.2.2.2) between the groove linked with the NG pilot hole (1.2.2.1) and the NG pilot hole (1.2.2) that allows minimum combustion when NG gas is used is in the range of 90° to 140°; and the angle "c" (1.2.3.2) between the groove linked with the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3.1) and the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3) that allows minimum combustion when LPG gas is used is in the range of 90° to 140°.

[0023] In addition to the foregoing, an alternate duel-outlet configuration of the gas valve (1) of the inception and the male in an alternate configuration (3.1) for use in such configuration has been designed for the purpose of controlling gas passage at the burners with multiple combustion rings.

[0024] The body of the gas valve (3) in alternate configuration contains gas inlet (3.1.7), first gas outlet (3.1.1), second gas outlet (3.1.3), inner ring gas passage groove (3.1.2), inner ring cross gas passage groove (3.1.3), outer ring gas passage groove (3.1.4) and outer ring second gas passage groove (3.1.6). The male (3.2) in an alternate configuration, on the other hand, contains the inner ring full combustion hole (3.2.1), outer ring full combustion hole (3.2.4), inner ring NG pilot hole (3.2.2), outer ring NG pilot hole (3.2.5), inner ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.3) and outer ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.6), and figure 14, figure 15 and figure 16 illustrates perspective views of the male (3.2) in alternate configuration.

[0025] Accordingly, passage of gas at the gas valve (3) in alternate configuration is as follows: gas from the gas inlet (3.1.7) passes through the inner ring full combustion hole (3.2.1) and the outer ring full combustion hole (3.2.4) at the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) and reaches to the first gas outlet (3.1.1) and the second gas outlet (3.1.3). In this manner, maximum combustion occurs at the inner and outer ports at the burners with multiple combustion rings. Figure 23 illustrates the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) at maximum combustion position and the location of the inner ring and outer ring gas passage grooves (3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.5 and 3.1.6) at the alternate body (3.1). By rotating the male (3.2) in alternate configuration at certain angle, it is ensured that certain inner ring gas passage groove (3.1.2) sees the inner ring full combustion hole (3.2.1), and the outer ring gas passage groove (3.1.5) sees the outer ring NG pilot hole (3.2.5) and outer ring LPG pilot groove (3.2.6.1) when gas used is NG, and see the outer ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.6) when gas used is LPG. In this manner maximum combustion is achieved at the inner ring, and the combustion at minimum position is achieved at the outer ring. The view that depicts this position is illustrated in figure 24. As the holes that supply gas to the outer ring on the male (3.2) in an alternate configuration will close when rotation of the male (3.2) in alternate configuration continues at certain angle, the outer ring ports move to close position while maximum combustion still continues at the inner ring ports. Figure 25 illustrates the position of the male (3.2) in an alternate configuration when the outer ring ports are closed and inner ring ports burn at maximum position. When the male (3.2) in an alternate configuration is further rotated, minimum gas passage occurs to the inner ring ports from the inner ring NG pilot hole (3.2.2) if NG is used, and from the inner ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.3) if LPG is used. The view that depicts this position is illustrated in figure 26. When said male (3.2) in an alternate configuration is further rotated, as the holes that supply gas to the inner ring on the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) will close, the inner ring ports will also come to closed position. Said angles that enable the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) to reach such positions and illustrated in figure 17 at cross-sections A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D and E-E on the male in an alternate configuration(3.2) are angle δ (3.2.1.2), angle α (3.2.2.2), angle β (3.2.3.2), angle γ (3.2.5.1) and angle θ (3.2.6.2), and their values are disclosed hereunder: angle δ (3.2.1.2) between the inner ring full combustion hole (3.2.1) and the full combustion groove (3.2.1.1) on the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) is in the range of 100° to 140°; angle α (3.2.1.2) between the inner ring NG pilot hole (3.2.2) and the inner ring NG pilot groove (3.2.2.1) is in the range of 100° to 140°, angle β (3.2.3.2) between the inner ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.3) and the inner ring LPG pilot groove (3.2.3.1) is in the range of 90° to 130°, angle γ (3.2.5.1) between the outer ring full combustion hole (3.2.4) and the outer ring NG pilot hole (3.2.5) is in the range of 40° to 80°, and angle θ (3.2.6.2) between the outer ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.6) and the outer ring LPG pilot groove (3.2.6.1) is in the range of 40° to 80°.

[0026] In addition to the foregoing, the gas valve (1) of the invention and the gas valve in an alternate configuration (3) can be attached to the gas distribution pipe (4) either as single valve or in multiple quantities. These situations can be seen at figure 27, figure 28, figure 29 and figure 30.


Claims

1. The invention is a dual-safety gas valve (1) that operates together with a motor and solenoid coil that can be driven with an electronic circuit at the household cookers and contains body (1.1) that features gas passage groove (1.1.1) and cross gas passage groove (1.1.2), characterized in that

• the valve contains a male (1.2) that enables gradual reduction of the flame,

• the gas valve in an alternate configuration (3) has dual outlets, and

• the gas valve in an alternate dual-outlet configuration (3) contains the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) and the alternate body (3.1) comprising the first gas outlet (3.1.1), the second gas outlet (3.1.4), the inner ring gas passage groove (3.1.2), the inner ring cross gas passage groove (3.1.3), the outer ring gas passage groove (3.1.5) and the outer ring second gas passage groove (3.1.5).


 
2. The invention is the male (1.2) mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that the male contains

• the full combustion hole (1.2.1) that enables gas passage for full combustion of the cooker,

• the groove linked with the full combustion hole (1.2.1.1) that enables gradual reduction of the flame,

• at least one of the NG pilot hole (1.2.2) that enables minimum gas passage from the gas inlet (1.1.3) to the gas outlet (1.1.4), and the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3) positioned slightly behind the NG pilot hole (1.2.2), and

• at least one of the groove linked with the NG pilot hole (1.2.2.1) and the groove linked with the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3.1).


 
3. The invention is the male (1.2) mentioned in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that;

• If it can be used at the cookers burning natural gas, the groove linked with the NG pilot hole (1.2.2) and the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3.1) is positioned in such manner to see the cross gas passage groove (1.1.1) at the body (1.1),

• If it can be used at the cookers burning LPG, only the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3) is positioned in such manner to see the cross gas passage groove (1.1.1) at the body (1.1).


 
4. The invention is the male (1.2) mentioned in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that;

• angle "a" (1.2.1.2) between the groove linked with the full combustion hole (1.2.1.1) and the full combustion hole (1.2.1) is in the range of 90° to 140°,

• angle "b" (1.2.2.2) between the groove linked with the NG pilot hole (1.2.2.1) and the NG pilot hole (1.2.2) is in the range of 90° to 140°,

• angle "c" (1.2.3.2) between the groove linked with the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3.1) and the LPG pilot hole (1.2.3) is in the range of 90° to 140°.


 
5. The invention is the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that it contains at least one of the inner ring full combustion hole (3.2.1), full combustion groove (3.2.1.1), outer ring full combustion hole (3.2.4) and the inner ring NG pilot hole (3.2.2), inner ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.3), outer ring NG pilot hole (3.2.5) and outer ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.6).
 
6. The invention is the male in an alternate configuration (3.2) mentioned in claim 1 or claim 5, characterized in that;

• angle δ (3.2.1.2) between the inner ring full combustion hole (3.2.1) and the full combustion groove (3.2.1.1) is in the range of 100° to 140°,

• angle α (3.2.1.2) between the inner ring NG pilot hole (3.2.2) and the inner ring NG pilot groove (3.2.2.1) is in the range of 100° to 140°,

• angle β (3.2.3.2) between the inner ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.3) and the inner ring LPG pilot groove (3.2.3.1) is in the range of 90° to 130°,

• angle γ (3.2.5.1) between the outer ring full combustion hole (3.2.4) and the outer ring NG pilot hole (3.2.5) is in the range of 40° to 80°, and

• angle θ (3.2.6.2) between the outer ring LPG pilot hole (3.2.6) and the outer ring LPG pilot groove (3.2.6.1) is in the range of 40° to 80°.


 




Drawing




























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Search report




Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description