(19)

(11)

EP 0 864 017 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 16.09.1998 Bulletin 1998/38 (21) Application number: 96940027.0 (22) Date of filing: 29.11.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  E02D 29/ 02( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1996/002953 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/020996 (12.06.1997 Gazette 1997/25)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT NL PT (30) Priority: 01.12.1995 GB 19950024569 11.07.1996 GB 19960014585 (71) Applicants: SOCIETE CIVILE DES BREVETS HENRI VIDAL F-75116 Paris (FR) Piesold, Alexander, James London EC4V 4EL (GB)	(72) Inventors: VIDAL, Henri, Charles F-75116 Paris (FR) JAILLOUX, Jean-Marc F-95110 Sannois (FR) (74) Representative: Piésold, Alexander J.  Frank B. Dehn & Co., European Patent Attorneys, 179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)