(19)

(11)

EP 0 915 669 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.05.1999 Bulletin 1999/20 (21) Application number: 97931778.0 (22) Date of filing: 04.07.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A43B 7/ 12( . ) A43B 7/ 36( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/EP1997/003550 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/001049 (15.01.1998 Gazette 1998/02)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE (30) Priority: 04.07.1996 DE 19961027030 (71) Applicant: W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES GmbH 85640 Putzbrunn (DE)	(72) Inventor: SILVA, Jose, Quinta do Ariero,30 P-4520 Feira (PT) (74) Representative: Hirsch, Peter  Klunker Schmitt-Nilson Hirsch Winzererstrasse 106 80797 München 80797 München (DE)