(19)

(11)

EP 0 923 657 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 23.06.1999 Bulletin 1999/25 (21) Application number: 97939011.0 (22) Date of filing: 02.09.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  D06B 7/ 08( . ) D06M 11/ 38( . ) D06M 11/ 76( . ) D06M 101/ 06( . ) D06M 11/ 00( . ) D06M 11/ 61( . ) D06M 23/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/002355 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/010132 (12.03.1998 Gazette 1998/10)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT CH DE ES FR GB IT LI PT (30) Priority: 03.09.1996 GB 19960018358 (71) Applicant: Acordis Fibres (Holdings) Limited Spondon, Derby DE21 7BP (GB)	(72) Inventors: BURROW, Thomas, Richard Coventry CV5 6NE (GB) IBBETT, Roger, Norman Coventry CV5 6EX (GB) TAYLOR, James, Martin Derby DE24 0GW (GB) (74) Representative: Hale, Stephen Geoffrey, et al  JY & GW Johnson, Kingsbourne House, 229-231 High Holborn London WC1V 7DP London WC1V 7DP (GB)