The patent has been granted
The patent has been granted, Grant of patent is intended, Examination is in progress, Request for examination was made, The international publication has been made, unknown
EP Register Verified
ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH RESILIENT BOTTOM LAYER
Publication No.
EP4262661
•
App No.
EP21843661
•
Filed by
Drylock Technologies NV
•
Filed on
2021-12-20
•
Issued/Published on
2025-10-01
Publication No.
EP4262661
A1
Application No.
EP21843661
Filed: 2021-12-20
Grant Date
2025-10-01
Mention of grant
Active Oppositions
2 Active
EPO Oppositions
Patent Abstract / Summary
Patent abstract is being processed or was not provided in English by the publishing office.
IPC Classifications
A61F13/475, A61F13/532, A61F13/537
Priority Claims
NL 20202027163
Date: 2020-12-18
NL 20212028199
Date: 2021-05-12
Designated Contracting States (38 EPC 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
Parties & Representation
Applicants
Drylock Technologies NV
Spinnerijstraat 12, 9240 Zele
BEInventors (2)
DERYCKE, Tom
9240 Zele
BEVAN INGELGEM, Werner
9240 Zele
BERepresentatives / Agents
Arnold & Siedsma
Bezuidenhoutseweg 57, 2594 AC The Hague
NLSaurat, Thibault
Ontex BV, Legal Department
BEDehns
10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG
GBKey Procedural Dates
Request-For-Examination
2023-07-11
Mention Of Grant Published
2025-10-01
First-Examination-Report-Despatched
2024-05-06
Patent Oppositions
Official opposition proceedings filed against European Patent EP4262661 under EPC Article 99.
#1
Opponent
Company
Ontex BV
Genthof 5, BE
Representative
Saurat, Thibault
Filing
Date
Opposition in Progress
2026-07-01
#2
Opponent
Company
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
2100 Winchester Road, US
Representative
Dehns
Filing
Date
Opposition in Progress
2026-07-01
Legal Status & Event History
Official European Patent Office legal and procedural status changes recorded for this file.
| Date | Code | Event Description | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-24 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2022-06-25 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2023-09-22 | PUAI | PUBLIC REFERENCE MADE UNDER ARTICLE 153(3) EPC TO A PUBLISHED INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION THAT HAS ENTERED THE EUROPEAN PHASE | EP |
| 2023-09-22 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2023-10-25 | 17P | REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION FILED | EP |
| 2023-10-25 | AK | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES | EP |
| 2024-02-12 | TPAC | OBSERVATIONS FILED BY THIRD PARTIES | EP |
| 2024-03-27 | DAX | REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT (DELETED) | EP |
| 2024-03-27 | DAV | REQUEST FOR VALIDATION OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT (DELETED) | EP |
| 2024-05-03 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2024-06-05 | 17Q | FIRST EXAMINATION REPORT DESPATCHED | EP |
| 2025-02-10 | GRAP | DESPATCH OF COMMUNICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT A PATENT | EP |
| 2025-02-10 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-03-12 | INTG | INTENTION TO GRANT ANNOUNCED | EP |
| 2025-04-30 | GRAJ | INFORMATION RELATED TO DISAPPROVAL OF COMMUNICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT BY THE APPLICANT OR RESUMPTION OF EXAMINATION PROCEEDINGS BY THE EPO DELETED | EP |
| 2025-04-30 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-05-09 | TPAC | OBSERVATIONS FILED BY THIRD PARTIES | EP |
| 2025-05-15 | GRAP | DESPATCH OF COMMUNICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT A PATENT | EP |
| 2025-05-15 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-06-04 | INTC | INTENTION TO GRANT ANNOUNCED (DELETED) | EP |
| 2025-06-18 | INTG | INTENTION TO GRANT ANNOUNCED | EP |
| 2025-08-29 | GRAA | (EXPECTED) GRANT | EP |
| 2025-08-25 | GRAS | GRANT FEE PAID | EP |
| 2025-08-29 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-10-01 | AK | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES | EP |
| 2025-10-01 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2025-09-30 | TPAC | OBSERVATIONS FILED BY THIRD PARTIES | EP |
| 2025-09-26 | TPAB | INFORMATION RELATED TO OBSERVATIONS BY THIRD PARTIES DELETED | EP |
| 2025-09-26 | TPAC | OBSERVATIONS FILED BY THIRD PARTIES | EP |
| 2025-10-16 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2025-12-03 | U01 | REQUEST FOR UNITARY EFFECT FILED | EP |
| 2025-12-10 | U07 | UNITARY EFFECT REGISTERED | EP |
| 2025-10-22 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-01-09 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-20 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-02-04 | U20 | RENEWAL FEE FOR THE EUROPEAN PATENT WITH UNITARY EFFECT PAID | EP |
| 2026-02-12 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-04-10 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-13 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-14 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-17 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-20 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-24 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-03 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-03 | PLBI | OPPOSITION FILED | EP |
| 2026-07-08 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-07-04 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-15 | PLAX | NOTICE OF OPPOSITION AND REQUEST TO FILE OBSERVATION + TIME LIMIT SENT | EP |
| 2026-07-23 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-07-25 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-08-05 | 26 | OPPOSITION FILED | EP |
| 2026-08-26 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-10-09 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
Patent & Non-Patent Citations
Cited documents and prior art referenced in search and examination reports.
Cited Patent Documents
WO2022026283
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JP6479520
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JP2008284190
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WO2018004564
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EP1833445
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WO2012170778
Espacenet
EP3403629
Espacenet
US2015174857
Espacenet
EP2810630
Espacenet
EP3711732
Espacenet
EP3167858
Espacenet
US2020016013
Espacenet
US2019136426
Espacenet
EP0924328
Espacenet
JP4916282
Espacenet
US2015065973
Espacenet
WO0154641
Espacenet
US2012316528
Espacenet
EP3403630
Espacenet
JP2010075462
Espacenet
EP3799848
Espacenet
Non-Patent Scientific Literature (NPL)
- DIPAYAN DAS, ET AL.: "Structure, Properties, and Applications", COMPOSITE NONWOVEN MATERIALS 1ST EDITION, 14 March 2014 (2014-03-14), XP055470852
Worldwide Patent Family
Related applications and patents in the same INPADOC worldwide family.
| Country | Publication Number | Kind | Publication Date | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP | EP4262661A1 | A1 | 2023-10-25 | Espacenet |
| EP | EP4262661B1 | B1 | 2025-10-01 | Espacenet |
| EP | EP4262661C0 | C0 | 2025-10-01 | Espacenet |
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| EP | EP4262663C0 | C0 | 2025-06-18 | Espacenet |
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| EP | EP4563132C0 | C0 | 2026-07-29 | Espacenet |
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| ES | ES2956516T3 | T3 | 2023-12-22 | Espacenet |
| ES | ES2993374T3 | T3 | 2024-12-27 | Espacenet |
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| PL | PL4262664T3 | T3 | 2024-12-02 | Espacenet |
| PL | PL4548888T3 | T3 | 2026-09-21 | Espacenet |
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| US | US20240041668A1 | A1 | 2024-02-08 | Espacenet |
| US | US20240050287A1 | A1 | 2024-02-15 | Espacenet |
| US | US20240099911A1 | A1 | 2024-03-28 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2022128391A1 | A1 | 2022-06-23 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2022129635A1 | A1 | 2022-06-23 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2022129636A1 | A1 | 2022-06-23 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2022129642A2 | A2 | 2022-06-23 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2022129642A3 | A3 | 2022-08-11 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2022129642A9 | A9 | 2023-03-30 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2022129643A1 | A1 | 2022-06-23 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2022129643A9 | A9 | 2023-03-30 | Espacenet |
Official File Inspection
EPC Art. 128 Public Dossier
Complete European Patent Register Dossier (148 Total Documents)
The full inspection file for Application EP21843661 contains 148 total documents, including all notices of opposition, proprietor counter-statements, examination communications, third-party observations, and procedural forms. Below are all major recorded procedural filings and publication specifications.
Recorded Filings & Patent Specifications
Official publication specifications, opposition filings, proprietor replies, and procedural submissions.
European Patent Specification - Granted Patent (B1)
Publication Specification
Date: 2025-10-01
Procedure: Grant
EP4262661B1
Official European Patent Register Full Dossier
Publication Specification
Date: 2025-10-01
Procedure: All Proceedings (Examination & Opposition)
EP21843661
European Patent Application with Search Report (A1)
Publication Specification
Date: 2022-06-23
Procedure: Publication
EP4262661A1
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-08-28
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-31
Procedure: Examination
0009250
New entry: Communication of a notice of opposition and request to file observations + time limit
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-15
Procedure: Opposition
EPIDOSNOBS2
Invitation to proprietor to file observations on the notice of opposition
Procedural Step
Date: 2026-07-15
Procedure: Opposition
OBSO
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-10
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Opposition filed
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-03
Procedure: Opposition
0009260
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-05-01
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-04-24
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-04-17
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Change - divisional application(s)
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-10-03
Procedure: Examination
0008299DANR
New entry: Observations by third parties
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-09-30
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNTIPA
Deletion: Observations by third parties
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-09-26
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSDTIPA
New entry: Observations by third parties
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-09-26
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNTIPA
(Expected) grant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-08-29
Procedure: Grant
0009210
Observations by a third party
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-08-29
Procedure: Examination
TIPA
New entry: Receipt of the translation of the claim(s)
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-08-27
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNIGR7
New entry: Payment of fee for grant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-08-25
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR3
New entry: Payment of fee for publishing/printing
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-08-25
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNIGR5
Intention to grant the patent
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-05-16
Procedure: Grant
IGRA
New entry: Communication of intention to grant a patent
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-05-15
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR1
New entry: Observations by third parties
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-05-09
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNTIPA
Observations by a third party
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-05-03
Procedure: Examination
TIPA
Deletion - Disapproval of the communication of intention to grant the patent by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the EPO
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-04-30
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSDIGR1
DISSAPPROVAL_OF_COMMUNICATION_OF_INTENTION_TO_GRANT_PATENT
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-04-29
Procedure: Grant
IGRE
Intention to grant the patent
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-02-11
Procedure: Grant
IGRA
New entry: Communication of intention to grant a patent
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-02-10
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR1
New entry: Reply to examination report
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-01-22
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXR3
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-12-28
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-12-27
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
New entry: Despatch of examination report + time limit
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-09-19
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXR2
Communication from the examining division
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-09-18
Procedure: Examination
EXRE
New entry: Reply to examination report
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-09-10
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXR3
New entry: Despatch of examination report + time limit
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-05-07
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXR2
Communication from the examining division
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-05-06
Procedure: Examination
EXRE
First examination report
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-05-03
Procedure: Examination
0009185
Change - extension states
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-02-23
Procedure: Examination
0009199EXPT
Change: Validation states
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-02-23
Procedure: Examination
0009199VAPT
New entry: Observations by third parties
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-02-12
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNTIPA
Observations by a third party
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-02-09
Procedure: Examination
TIPA
Amendment by applicant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-02-05
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS ABEX
Amendments
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-02-05
Procedure: Examination
ABEX
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-12-27
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2023-12-27
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
The date on which the examining division becomes responsible, has been established
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-09-22
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXAM52
Publication in section I.1 EP Bulletin
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-09-22
Procedure: Examination
0009012
Request for examination filed
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-09-22
Procedure: Examination
0009171
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-08-28
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-07-17
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-07-12
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Change - representative
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-07-11
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS FREP
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-07-11
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Payment of national basic fee
Procedural Step
Date: 2023-07-11
Procedure: Examination
FFEE
Payment of the first designation fee
Procedural Step
Date: 2023-07-11
Procedure: Examination
DEST
Payment of the fee for examination
Procedural Step
Date: 2023-07-11
Procedure: Examination
EXAM_PCT
Date on which the examining division has become responsible
Procedural Step
Date: 2023-07-11
Procedure: Examination
EXAM52
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-06-25
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
New entry: applicant or inventor
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-06-25
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNWIAI
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-01-24
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Validation of the patent
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
VAPT
Extension of the patent
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
EXPT
Language of the procedure
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
PROL
International searching authority
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
ISAT