(19)

(11)

EP 0 852 682 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 15.07.1998 Bulletin 1998/29 (21) Application number: 95936196.0 (22) Date of filing: 26.09.1995

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  F16L 37/ 12( . ) F16L 39/ 00( . ) F16L 37/ 084( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1995/012282 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/012170 (03.04.1997 Gazette 1997/15)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY, INC. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-7048 (US)	(72) Inventor: BARTHOLOMEW, Donald, D. Mt. Clemens, MI 48045 (US) (74) Representative: Price, Nigel John King, et al  J.A. KEMP & CO. 14 South Square Gray's Inn London WC1R 5LX London WC1R 5LX (GB)