(19)

(11)

EP 0 850 431 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.07.1998 Bulletin 1998/27 (21) Application number: 97932380.0 (22) Date of filing: 27.06.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C03C 13/ 04( . ) G02B 6/ 036( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/011347 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/000739 (08.01.1998 Gazette 1998/01)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IE IT LI SE (30) Priority: 01.07.1996 US 19960021142P (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: MURPHY, James, P. Corning, NY 14830 (US) SMITH, David, K. Painted Post, NY 14870 (US) (74) Representative: Marchant, James Ian, et al  Elkington and Fife, Prospect House, 8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR (GB)