(19)

(11)

EP 0 929 361 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.07.1999 Bulletin 1999/29 (21) Application number: 97945535.0 (22) Date of filing: 03.10.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01J 19/ 00( . ) C40B 60/ 14( . ) B01L 3/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/018046 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/014277 (09.04.1998 Gazette 1998/14)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 04.10.1996 US 19960027776P (71) Applicant: WHATMAN INC. Clifton, New Jersey 07014 (US)	(72) Inventors: SCARMOUTZOS, Louis, M. Lynnfield, MA 01940 (US) MANNS, Roy, L. Marshfield Hills, MA 02051-0358 (US) BOLESSA, Evon, A. Edison, NJ 08820 (US) ROBBINS, James, C. Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852 (US) (74) Representative: Hammond, Andrew David, et al  Goteborgs Patentbyra Dahls AB, Sjoporten 4 417 64 Goteborg 417 64 Goteborg (SE)