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The patent EP3777996 was granted to Donaldson on Nov 30, 2022. The application was filed on Oct 26, 2012 under application number EP20172040A. The patent is currently recorded with a legal status of "Granted And Under Opposition".

Patent oppositions filed by competitors challenge the validity of a granted patent. These oppositions are typically based on claims of prior art, lack of novelty, or non-obviousness. They are a key part of the process for determining a patent's strength and enforceability.
| Company | Opposition Date | Representative | Opposition Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MANN HUMMEL | Jul 28, 2023 | MAIWALD | ADMISSIBLE |
Patent citations refer to prior patents cited during different phases such as opposition or international search.
| Citation Phase | Publication Number |
|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | US19530614466 |
| DESCRIPTION | US19960614732 |
| DESCRIPTION | US20010616655 |
| DESCRIPTION | US20080615030 |
| DESCRIPTION | US6190432 |
| DESCRIPTION | US6419718 |
| DESCRIPTION | US7396376 |
| DESCRIPTION | US7396736 |
| DESCRIPTION | US8216334 |
| DESCRIPTION | WO0050149 |
| DESCRIPTION | WO2005063361 |
| DESCRIPTION | WO2006006241 |
| DESCRIPTION | WO2006026241 |
| DESCRIPTION | WO2007053411 |
| DESCRIPTION | WO2008157251 |
| DESCRIPTION | WO2009014988 |
| OPPOSITION | DE4322226 |
| OPPOSITION | EP1388360 |
| OPPOSITION | GB2119674 |
| OPPOSITION | JP2004136203 |
| OPPOSITION | US2011036770 |
| OPPOSITION | WO2006084094 |
| OPPOSITION | WO2009047196 |
| OPPOSITION | WO2012045583 |
| SEARCH | DE19935297 |
| SEARCH | US2010064646 |
| SEARCH | US5487767 |
| SEARCH | WO2006084094 |
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
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Nov 11, 2025
Nov 6, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Nov 6, 2025
Nov 6, 2025
Reply to appeal
Appeal
Jul 7, 2025
Jun 26, 2025
(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Jun 26, 2025
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(Electronic) Receipt
Appeal
Apr 24, 2025
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Notice of appeal
Appeal
Feb 26, 2025
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Means of redress
OPPO
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Description
OPPO
Dec 4, 2024
Drawings
OPPO
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Dec 13, 2022
Nov 4, 2022
Decision to grant a European patent
Search/Exam
Oct 10, 2022
Oct 5, 2022
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Oct 5, 2022
Filing of the translations of the claims
Search/Exam
Oct 5, 2022
French translation of claims
Search/Exam
Oct 5, 2022
German translation of the claims
Search/Exam
Oct 5, 2022
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Jun 10, 2022
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Intention to grant (signatures)
Search/Exam
Jun 10, 2022
Text intended for grant (clean copy)
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Jun 10, 2022
Mar 31, 2022
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Mar 31, 2022
Amended claims with annotations
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Mar 31, 2022
Amended description with annotations
Search/Exam
Mar 31, 2022
Claims
Search/Exam
Mar 31, 2022
Description
Search/Exam
Mar 31, 2022
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Mar 31, 2022
Nov 29, 2021
Annex to the communication
Search/Exam
Nov 29, 2021
Communication from the Examining Division
Search/Exam
Nov 24, 2021
Examination started
Search/Exam
Jul 13, 2021
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Jul 13, 2021
Jul 13, 2021
Amended claims with annotations
Search/Exam
Jul 13, 2021
Jul 13, 2021
Amended description with annotations
Search/Exam
Jul 13, 2021
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Amendments received before examination
Search/Exam
Jul 13, 2021
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Feb 22, 2021
Jan 20, 2021
Notification of forthcoming publication
Search/Exam
Nov 25, 2020
Refund of fees
Search/Exam
Nov 24, 2020
Nov 24, 2020
European search opinion
Search/Exam
Nov 24, 2020
European search report
Search/Exam
Nov 24, 2020
Information on Search Strategy
Search/Exam
Nov 16, 2020
Search started
Search/Exam
Aug 19, 2020
(Electronic) Receipt
Search/Exam
Aug 19, 2020
Claims
Search/Exam
Aug 19, 2020
Letter accompanying subsequently filed items
Search/Exam
Aug 19, 2020
Matter concerning the application
Search/Exam
Jul 22, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
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Jul 22, 2020
Communication to designated inventor
Search/Exam
Jun 9, 2020
Invitation to file claims
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Apr 29, 2020
Abstract
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Apr 29, 2020
Apr 29, 2020
Description
Search/Exam
Apr 29, 2020
Designation of inventor
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Apr 29, 2020
Drawings
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Apr 29, 2020
Request for grant of a European patent
Search/Exam
May 24, 2013
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