(19)

(11)

EP 0 888 073 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.01.1999 Bulletin 1999/01 (21) Application number: 97903501.0 (22) Date of filing: 19.02.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A47B 31/ 02( . ) B01D 46/ 00( . ) A47B 37/ 00( . ) B08B 15/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/000452 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/032504 (12.09.1997 Gazette 1997/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 07.03.1996 GB 19960005115 (71) Applicant: BRITISH-AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED Staines, Middlesex TW18 1DY (GB)	(72) Inventors: BEVAN, Michael, Arthur, John Eastleigh, Hampshire S050 5BS (GB) CLARINGBOULD, Anthony, Craig Jakarta 10220 (ID) WARREN, Nigel, David Southampton SO16 8LN (GB) (74) Representative: MacLean, Kenneth John Hamson  Patents Department, British-American Tobacco Co. Ltd., R&D Centre, Regents Park Road Southampton S015 8TL Southampton S015 8TL (GB)