(19)
(11) EP 4 034 815 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
21.05.2025 Bulletin 2025/21

(21) Application number: 19950929.0

(22) Date of filing: 02.11.2019
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F24C 15/04(2006.01)
F24C 15/00(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
F24C 15/04; F24C 15/006
(86) International application number:
PCT/TR2019/050918
(87) International publication number:
WO 2021/086280 (06.05.2021 Gazette 2021/18)

(54)

AN OVEN WITH DOOR COOLING ASSEMBLY

BACKOFEN MIT TÜRKÜHLUNGSANORDNUNG

FOUR COMPRENANT UN ENSEMBLE DE REFROIDISSEMENT DE PORTE


(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

(43) Date of publication of application:
03.08.2022 Bulletin 2022/31

(73) Proprietor: Femas Metal San. Ve Tic. A.S.
38070 Melikgazi/Kayseri (TR)

(72) Inventors:
  • GOCER, Mehmet Baris
    34590 Silivri/Istanbul (TR)
  • AKKUS, Yahya
    38070 Melikgazi/Kayseri (TR)
  • DUZGUN, Ogun
    38070 Melikgazi/Kayseri (TR)
  • EROGLU, Erdem
    38070 Melikgazi/Kayseri (TR)
  • DURSUN, Abdulbaki
    38070 Melikgazi/Kayseri (TR)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A1- 1 178 264
EP-A2- 2 980 490
WO-A1-2007/080043
DE-A1- 10 349 313
US-A1- 2011 214 661
EP-A1- 2 354 669
EP-B1- 2 090 832
WO-A1-2015/173332
DE-U1- 8 800 332
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD



    [0001] The present invention relates to ovens with a door with a view through access, in particular an oven with a door cooling assembly where cooling is performed by airstream between an inner and outer panel of the door.

    BACKGROUND ART



    [0002] In ovens with a door with a view through access, a cavity in which electric heaters or a gas burner are located and confining a cooking chamber is covered by a door in a hinged manner with a window at the front that allows the cooking chamber to be viewed.

    [0003] The door is generally assembled by fixing one or more panels at a distance from each other. The oven door is the part of the ovens where the user touch. The maximum temperature allowed in some standards on the outer door of the oven is 85-105°C. In pyrolytic oven operating at high temperatures, the door is equipped with four different glass pane in addition to a separate ventilation module to reduce the door temperature. In multi-functional products, the temperature set in the oven is maximum 250°C. Therefore, temperature should decrease to an average of 150-170°C from the interior of the oven to the outer door after a door thickness around 35-40 mm. Additionally, this temperature difference is higher in pyrolytic products.

    [0004] DE10349313 discloses vertical flow channels with external air access at the cavity boundaries of the oven door between the side walls and an oven muffle front flange are provided, and that the flow barriers preferably block these flow channels in both directions vertically.

    [0005] These lateral sections can reach the large area spaces of the panels by means of additional flow openings with their U-shaped and structure with their own cavity. In ovens with two glass panels, such as electric ovens with pyrolytic self-cleaning feature, airstream is provided between the windows cooled from the slots in the side frame. Deflectors are provided on each side frame that divide the cooling airflow into the upper and lower section. In this way, the road is shortened, the warming effect between the windows is minimized and safe outer panel temperature is provided.

    [0006] DE8800332U discloses an oven, particularly a built-in oven, in which a cooling airflow is generated in a cooling air duct of the housing by a cooling fan, with a pivotably hinged door containing a cooling air duct. The door has cooling air slits on all side edges, with inlet slits on three side edges and air outlet slits on one side edge. This design, where cooling air flows into the door from three sides and is drawn out on the fourth side, results in a particularly effective cooling effect.

    [0007] WO2007080043 relates to a cooking appliance door comprising at least one door aeration opening on at least one side of the cooking appliance door for admitting air into the inner chamber of the door for cooling purposes and at least one door ventilation opening for evacuating air from the inner chamber of the door. An air-conducting device for conducting the air circulating inside the door inner chamber is arranged in the door inner chamber. There is also a lateral door aeration opening, which allows air to enter into the area of both lower thirds of the door's inner chamber. A flow of air can be guided by the said type of air conducting devices and/or air paths, also in areas of the door inner chamber, for example, in a lower and a central lower area, such that also such areas can be cooled by the airflow.

    [0008] DE10349313 A1 discloses an oven wherein the oven door is fitted with barriers, the purpose of which is to prevent hot air flowing vertically along the edges of the door from entering the door through the openings, and to favour fresh outside air to be guided by the shortest route from the side of the door to the flow openings of the door and from there into the door cavity between the paired flow barriers for ensuring effective disposal of the thermal energy contained in this cavity.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0009] The object of the invention is to increase the cooling efficiency of the outer panel in the oven door with a cooling airstream.

    [0010] In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the invention includes an oven comprising a cavity confining a cooking chamber and a door having an outer panel and an inner panel covering the opening of the cavity in a selectively accessible manner attached parallel to each other at a distance such that they provide a cooling channel therebetween in which an upward cooling airstream pass through, and lateral plate covering the cooling channel from the side. The oven further comprises a grid element having a plurality of openings of which their cross-sectional area is adjusted such that an auxiliary airstream supplied from outer ambient air is mixed into the cooling airstream through lateral plate and at least partly covering the cooling channel. The grid element feeds an auxiliary airstream through the openings to the cooling channel and reduces the heating of the cooling airstream in the cooling channel. Also, the grid element reduces the negative effects that may occur in the flow dynamics of the cooling airstream by directly supplying the auxiliary airstream supplied from the external environment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grill element is provided at the upper section of the lateral plate. In this case, the grid element supplies the ambient air to the section where the cooling airstream is most heated, as an auxiliary airstream. Thus, the area where the temperature peaks in the outer panel is cooled more effectively and the highest temperature value that the outer panel can reach is reduced.

    [0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a holding cap that is fixedly engaged such that it fixes the outer panel and the inner panel from the top and the grid element directly abuts the holding cap from an upper edge thereof. The holding cap helps securing the outer panel and the inner panel from the top, protecting the cooling channel therebetween.

    [0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a lateral section of the holding cap and the grid element are aligned in the same vertical plane. In this case, since the grid does not protrude outward from the lateral panel of the door, in case the door is closed, the grid adaptation can be made without changing the dimensions at the cavity opening.

    [0013] According to the invention, the grid element comprises a plurality of flat extensions, between each pair of which the gap is limited. Flat extensions can be in the form of straight fins parallel to each other, or they can be made in different forms, for example vertically aligned, successive V-form. Flat extensions help transferring heat to the external environment with its straight fin form and heat removal from the lateral plate by convection.

    [0014] A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a slot having an outward-facing radial inlet extending on the lateral plate along the opening. The slot reduces the pressure of the ambient air it supplies from the inlet facing outwards and prevents turbulence in the cooling airstream to which the auxiliary airstream is added.

    [0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each extension extends transversely from the lateral plate towards the inner panel. Thus, the auxiliary airstream can be drawn directly across the relevant part of the cavity. It has been found that this surprisingly increases the cooling efficiency of the outer panel.

    [0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distal ends of the extensions are aligned parallel to each other in a vertical plane directly abutting the inner panel from the outside. Thus, on the one hand, a support element is provided between the inner panel and the outer panel, and on the other hand, the heat transfer surface from the hot inner panel to the outer panel is reduced, so that the cross section of the extensions is reduced to the sum.

    [0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grid element is provided at an upper section of the lateral plate extending from its one lower edge across between the outer panel and the inner panel. Thus, while the lateral plate covers the lower and middle sections of the mutual lateral face of the inner and outer panel, the grid is adapted to the upper section where the temperature is highest in the outer panel.

    [0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer panel and the inner panel are made of glass. In this case, both visual access to the inner chamber limited by the cavity is possible and the temperature of the outer panel is kept below 100° by reducing the heat transfer compared to the metal panel.

    [0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lateral plate and the grid element are integral. Thus, it is possible to obtain a part that automatically supplies the auxiliary airstream while closing the lateral section between the inner panel and the outer panel. It is not necessary to assemble separate sections together. Also, the lateral plate and the grid element react together against thermal stresses and the door structural integrity is easily maintained in case of heating.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0020] 

    Figure 1 is a side schematic cross-sectional view of a representative embodiment of an oven having the inventive door cooling assembly, including the cooling airstream.

    Figure 2 is an interior perspective view of a door used in a representative embodiment of the oven comprising the inventive door cooling assembly.

    Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the upper side of the door shown in Figure 2.

    Figure 4 is a side view of a lateral plate comprising an integrated grid element.

    Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the section of the lateral plate shown in Figure 4, comprising the grid element.

    Figure 6 is an illustration of the partial door-inside grid element layout of a representative embodiment of an oven having the inventive door cooling assembly.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0021] In this detailed description, the inventive development is described without any limitation and only with reference to the examples for a better disclosure of the subject.

    [0022] In Figure 1, a representative embodiment of the inventive oven is shown schematically by taking a side section. The oven comprises a cavity (1) confining a cooking chamber and an openable and closable door (10) in the form of a panel (2) that closes the opening of the cavity (1) in a hinged manner from the bottom. At the upper section of the cavity (1), an air channel (3) is provided, in which air movement is provided by a fan (4). The air channel (3) discharges the air coming from the chimney of the cavity (1) and from the bottom of a cooling channel (5) in the panel (2) through an exhaust hole located above the panel (2).

    [0023] In Figure 2, the door (10) with cooling assembly used in the oven is shown in perspective in the assembled condition. The door (10) comprises a flat inner panel (16) forming a viewing section (18) made of translucent glass and covering the cavity, and a flat outer panel (12) made of glass provided in parallel with and spaced from the inner panel. A handle (11) is provided in the upper section of the outer panel (12) that extends transversely and is attached to the outer panel (12) at its ends. A holding cap (20) is mounted transversely across the upper edges of the outer panel (12) and inner panel (16). The holding cap (20) surrounds the cap (10) circumferentially from the top. The holding cap (20) with an U-section form, extends from the rear to the upper edge of the inner panel (16), and grasps a lateral plate (50) extending vertically between the outer panel (12) and the inner panel (16) from the sides, with its extension on one side (22) from above. The holding cap (20) covers the cooling channel (5) between the outer panel (12) and the inner panel (16) with an upper section (26). In the upper section (26) elongated openings (24) are provided at a distance from each other. The openings (24) allow air discharge from the cooling channel (5). On the other hand, a housing (25) in a cut form is provided in the middle of the lateral plate (50) extending from the top of the holding cap (20). As shown in Figure 3, an opening element (32) in the button form of a locking mechanism (30) extends out of this housing (25). The opening element (32) is adjusted such that it enables the holding cap (20) to be removed from the upper section of the outer and inner panels (12, 16) when pressed. The lateral plate (50) is located close to the hinge (not shown) from a lower end (52) of its elongated body (54). As of the upper section (56) of the elongated body (54), which is opposite to the lower end (52), a slot (58) reaches the cooling channel (5) by extending upwards on a support section (57). The support section (57) is the column of the elongated body (54) of the lateral plate (50) that extends adjacent to the outer panel (12) and the slot (58) is located at the section facing the inner panel (16). A grid element (40) is provided in the lateral plate (50) integrally and as covering the slot (58). The grid element (40) comprises a plurality of wing-shaped extensions (42) arranged vertically in equal width by arranging parallel-wise and spaced from each other. Each of the extensions (42) abuts the outer plate (12) from one proximal end (41), on the other hand, from an opposite distal end (43), it abuts the inner panel (16) by covering the slot (58) transversely. Openings (44) in the form of a thin slit are provided between the extensions (42). The holding cap (20) fits on a corresponding upper edge (47) of the grid element (40) along its lower edges (27), with its lateral section (22) and subsequently an inner section (29) bent over the inner panel (16). Lateral section (22) and extensions (42) are aligned in the same vertical plane. The inner section (29) is aligned with the inner wall of the inner panel (16).

    [0024] By forming the outer panel (12) to form a flange, the holding cap (20) and the inner panel (16) are kept shorter than this. On the other hand, when the door (10) is in the closed position, it is possible for the air to enter from the distance between the cavity (1) and the lateral plate (50). From the cooling channel (5), a cooling airstream (f1) is supplied from the lower section of the door (10) in an upward direction and an auxiliary airstream (f2) is transferred to it through the grid element (40) through the openings (44) to the slot (58) and from here it is added to the cooling channel (5).

    [0025] In Figure 4, the lateral plate (50) carrying the grid element (40) is shown from the side. The lateral plate (50) in the form of a column has a handle section (59) that is seated to the holding cap (20) from inside. The upper edge (47) is the same size as the holding cap (20) in accordance with the height of the holding cap (20) so that the holding cap (20) is placed from the lateral section (22). The outer panel (12) and the opposing lateral plates (50), which cover the lateral cavities of the inner panel (16), sit from the corners of the holding cap (20), abutting the lateral section (22). A lower section (49) of the grid element (40) is located in an upper section (56) of the lateral plate (50).

    [0026] In Figure 5, the lateral plate (50) is shown in perspective and as zoomed. Here, the U profile (592) structure of the holding section (59) can be seen. There is a hole (591) on the frontal surface of the U profile (592) extending upwards from the support section (57). This hole (591) is concentric with the housing (25) of the holding cap (20). Thus, the opening element (32) passes through the hole (591) and reaches the housing (25) from there and extends outwards from the housing (25). A top section (593) of the handle section (59) is in flat form and the holding cap (20) sits in this section from inside.

    [0027] The area between the extensions (42) in the form of flat plates (42) from its proximal end (41) in the support section, comprises a radial inlet (581) that extends towards the slot (58). The curvilinear radial inlet (581) gives a convex form to the inlet that limits the openings (44) on the support section (57) side and provides transition to the slot (58). Thus, the radial inlet (581) between both adjacent proximal ends (41) prevents the auxiliary airstream (f2) from causing turbulence in the auxiliary airstream (f2) due to its form by preventing the formation of sharp edges during its progress from the external environment towards the slot (58).

    [0028] As shown in Figure 6, when the cooling airstream (f1) moving from bottom to top in the air channel (3) during the operation of the oven rises to the level of the grid element (40), with the vertical flow, an additional air intake area is obtained on the slot (58) through the lateral plate (50) with the vertical flow. Thus, the ambient air passing between the cavity (1) and the panel (2) is taken into the openings (44) between the extensions (42) and passes to the slot (58) from here, and is supplied to the cooling channel (5) such that it creates an auxiliary airstream (f2) along the length of the grid element (40). Thus, the cooling airstream (f1), which moves in contact with the hot inner panel (16) and the temperature of which increases as it rises, is cooled again with the auxiliary airstream (f2) that is added from the slot (58). The grid element (40) is minimally affected by the hot inner panel (16) with the structure of the extensions (42) in the transverse direction and narrowing towards the distal end (43) and the auxiliary airstream (f2) supplied from the outside passes through the openings (44) is minimally negatively affected since the heating level is low.

    REFERENCE NUMBERS



    [0029] 
    1 Cavity 40 Grid element
    2 Panel 41 Proximal end
    3 Air channel 42 Extension
    4 Fan 43 Distal end
    5 Cooling channel 44 Opening
    10 Door 47 Top edge
    11 Handle 49 Bottom edge
    12 Outer panel 50 Lateral panel
    16 Inner panel 52 Lower end
    18 Viewing section 54 Elongated body
    20 Holding cap 56 Top section
    22 Lateral section 57 Support section
    24 Opening 58 Slot
    25 Housing 581 Radial entry section
    26 Upper section 59 Handle section
    27 Lower edge 591 Hole
    29 Inner section 592 U profile
    30 Locking mechanism 593 Top section
    32 Opening element f1 Cooling airstream
        f2 Auxiliary airstream



    Claims

    1. An oven having a door comprising a cavity (1) confining a cooking chamber and a door (10) having an outer panel (12) and an inner panel (16) covering the opening of the cavity (1) in a selectively accessible manner attached parallel to each other at a distance such that providing a cooling channel (5) in which an upward cooling airstream (f1) pass through and a lateral plate (50) covering the cooling channel (5) from the side and a grid element (40) having a plurality of openings (44) of which the cross-sectional area is adjusted such that an auxiliary airstream (f2) supplied from the outside ambient air is mixed into the cooling airstream (f1) through the lateral plate (50) and at least partially covering the cooling channel (5) characterized in that the grid element (40) comprises a plurality of flat extensions (42) between each pair of which the openings (44) are delimited.
     
    2. An oven according to claim 1, wherein the grid element (40) is provided on the upper part of the lateral plate (50).
     
    3. An oven according to claim 2, wherein a holding cap (20) is engaged from the top fixing the outer panel (12) and the inner panel (16) and grid element (40) directly abuts the holding cap (20) from an upper edge (47).
     
    4. An oven according to claim 3, wherein a lateral section (22) of the holding cap (20) and the grid element (40) are aligned in the same vertical plane.
     
    5. An oven according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a slot (58) is having an outward facing radial inlet (581) extending on the lateral plate (50) along the openings (44).
     
    6. An oven according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each extension (42) protrudes transversely from the lateral plate (50) towards the inner panel (16).
     
    7. An oven according to claim 6, wherein the distal ends (43) of the extensions (42) are aligned directly abutting the inner panel (16) in a vertical plane parallel to each other.
     
    8. An oven according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid element (40) is provided in an upper section (56) of the lateral plate (50) extending from its lower edge (49) across between the outer panel (12) and the inner panel (16).
     
    9. An oven according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer panel (12) and the inner panel (16) are made of glass.
     
    10. An oven according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral plate (50) and the grid element (40) are integral.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Ein Ofen mit einer Tür, die einen Hohlraum (1) umfasst, der eine Kochkammer begrenzt, und eine Tür (10), die eine Außenplatte (12) und eine Innenplatte (16) aufweist, welche die Öffnung des Hohlraums (1) auf selektiv zugängliche Weise abdecken und parallel zueinander in einem Abstand befestigt sind, sodass ein Kühlkanal (5) entsteht, durch den ein aufsteigender Kühl-Luftstrom (fi) strömt, und eine Seitenplatte (50), die den Kühlkanal (5) seitlich abdeckt, sowie ein Gitterelement (40) mit mehreren Öffnungen (44), deren Querschnittsfläche so eingestellt ist, dass ein aus der Außenumgebung zugeführter Hilfsluftstrom (f?) durch die Seitenplatte (50) in den Kühl-Luftstrom (fi) eingemischt wird und den Kühlkanal (5) zumindest teilweise abdeckt,
     
    2. Ein Ofen nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gitterelement (40) am oberen Teil der Seitenplatte (50) vorgesehen ist.
     
    3. Ein Ofen nach Anspruch 2, wobei eine Haltekappe (20) von oben eingreift, um die Außenplatte (12) und die Innenplatte (16) zu fixieren, und das Gitterelement (40) direkt an der Haltekappe (20) an einer oberen Kante (47) anliegt.
     
    4. Ein Ofen nach Anspruch 3, wobei ein seitlicher Abschnitt (22) der Haltekappe (20) und das Gitterelement (40) in derselben vertikalen Ebene ausgerichtet sind.
     
    5. Ein Ofen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein Schlitz (58) mit einer nach außen gerichteten radialen Eintrittsöffnung (581) vorgesehen ist, die sich entlang der Öffnungen (44) auf der Seitenplatte (50) erstreckt.
     
    6. Ein Ofen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei jede Verlängerung (42) quer von der Seitenplatte (50) in Richtung der Innenplatte (16) hervorsteht.
     
    7. Ein Ofen nach Anspruch 6, wobei die distalen Enden (43) der Verlängerungen (42) parallel zueinander in einer vertikalen Ebene ausgerichtet sind und direkt an der Innenplatte (16) anliegen.
     
    8. Ein Ofen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Gitterelement (40) in einem oberen Abschnitt (56) der Seitenplatte (50) vorgesehen ist, der sich von dessen unterem Rand (49) zwischen der Außenplatte (12) und der Innenplatte (16) erstreckt.
     
    9. Ein Ofen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Außenplatte (12) und die Innenplatte (16) aus Glas bestehen.
     
    10. Ein Ofen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Seitenplatte (50) und das Gitterelement (40) einteilig ausgebildet sind.
     


    Revendications

    1. Un four ayant une porte comprenant une cavité (1) confinant une chambre de cuisson et une porte (10) ayant un panneau extérieur (12) et un panneau intérieur (16) couvrant l'ouverture de la cavité (1) de manière sélectivement accessible, fixés parallèlement l'un à l'autre à une distance telle qu'ils forment un canal de refroidissement (5) dans lequel un flux d'air de refroidissement ascendant (fi) passe, une plaque latérale (50) couvrant le canal de refroidissement (5) sur le côté, et un élément de grille (40) ayant une pluralité d'ouvertures (44) dont la surface en coupe transversale est ajustée de sorte qu'un flux d'air auxiliaire (f?) fourni par l'air ambiant extérieur est mélangé au flux d'air de refroidissement (fi) à travers la plaque latérale (50) et recouvre au moins partiellement le canal de refroidissement (5), caractérisé en ce que l'élément de grille (40) comprend une pluralité d'extensions plates (42) entre chaque paire desquelles les ouvertures (44) sont délimitées.
     
    2. Un four selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de grille (40) est disposé sur la partie supérieure de la plaque latérale (50).
     
    3. Un four selon la revendication 2, dans lequel un capuchon de maintien (20) est engagé par le haut pour fixer le panneau extérieur (12) et le panneau intérieur (16), et l'élément de grille (40) s'appuie directement contre le capuchon de maintien (20) depuis un bord supérieur (47).
     
    4. Un four selon la revendication 3, dans lequel une section latérale (22) du capuchon de maintien (20) et l'élément de grille (40) sont alignés dans le même plan vertical.
     
    5. Un four selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une fente (58) comporte une entrée radiale (581) orientée vers l'extérieur et s'étendant sur la plaque latérale (50) le long des ouvertures (44).
     
    6. Un four selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chaque extension (42) fait saillie transversalement depuis la plaque latérale (50) en direction du panneau intérieur (16).
     
    7. Un four selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les extrémités distales (43) des extensions (42) sont alignées en s'appuyant directement contre le panneau intérieur (16) dans un plan vertical parallèle entre elles.
     
    8. Un four selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément de grille (40) est disposé dans une section supérieure (56) de la plaque latérale (50) s'étendant depuis son bord inférieur (49) entre le panneau extérieur (12) et le panneau intérieur (16).
     
    9. Un four selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le panneau extérieur (12) et le panneau intérieur (16) sont en verre.
     
    10. Un four selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la plaque latérale (50) et l'élément de grille (40) sont intégrés.
     




    Drawing











    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