(19)

(11)

EP 0 890 146 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.01.1999 Bulletin 1999/02 (21) Application number: 96945455.0 (22) Date of filing: 27.12.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  F16K 15/ 14( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/020913 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/029786 (09.07.1998 Gazette 1998/27)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: RESEAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP New York, NY 10022 (US)	(72) Inventor: HANDLER, Michael, David Danbury, CT 06811 (US) (74) Representative: Patentanwälte Meinke, Dabringhaus und Partner  Westenhellweg 67 44137 Dortmund 44137 Dortmund (DE)