(19)

(11)

EP 0 904 199 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.03.1999 Bulletin 1999/13 (21) Application number: 97926132.0 (22) Date of filing: 16.06.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G07D 1/ 00( . ) G07D 9/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/001622 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/047470 (18.12.1997 Gazette 1998/02)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT (30) Priority: 14.06.1996 GB 19960012452 (71) Applicant: MARS, INCORPORATED McLean, Virginia 22101-3883 (US)	(72) Inventors: TOD, Timothy, William Abergaveny, Gwent N17 6NV (GB) ALLAN, Richard, Douglas Reading, Berkshire RG5 3BG (GB) (74) Representative: Musker, David Charles, et al  R.G.C. Jenkins & Co. 26 Caxton Street London SW1H 0RJ London SW1H 0RJ (GB)