(19)

(11)

EP 0 790 782 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 27.08.1997 Bulletin 1997/35 (21) Application number: 95936682.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.11.1995

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A24C 1/ 30( . ) A24D 1/ 02( . ) A24C 5/ 18( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1995/002667 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/014761 (23.05.1996 Gazette 1996/23)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 15.11.1994 GB 19940022998 (71) Applicant: ROTHMANS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LIMITED London W1X 7FB (GB)

(72) Inventors: PARKER, Michael, Patrick Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 8BL (GB) BATES, David, John Winslow KM18 3ER (GB) BRAY, Andrew, Jonathan Milton Keynes MK15 9HP (GB) LAUGHTON, Jonathan, Charles Olney, Buckinghamshire MK46 4BU (GB) STEWART-COX, Adrian, Roy Buckingham MK18 1PW (GB) (74) Representative: Harrison, David Christopher, et al  MEWBURN ELLIS York House 23 Kingsway London WC2B 6HP London WC2B 6HP (GB)