(19)

(11)

EP 0 935 578 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.08.1999 Bulletin 1999/33 (21) Application number: 98937315.0 (22) Date of filing: 31.07.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B65H 57/ 04( . ) B65H 57/ 00( . ) B65H 54/ 28( . ) B65H 57/ 14( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1998/016047 (87) International publication number: WO 1999/011554 (11.03.1999 Gazette 1999/10)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT (30) Priority: 01.08.1997 US 19970918734 04.08.1997 US 19970054700P (71) Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC. Woodland Hills, California 91367 (US)	(72) Inventors: COUNCIL, Thomas, G. Camarillo, CA 93012 (US) BURLINGAME, Roger, Francis Ventura County, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (US) FITZGERALD, John, E. Camarillo, CA 93012 (US) (74) Representative: Vigars, Christopher Ian, et al  Haseltine Lake & Co., Imperial House, 15-19 Kingsway London WC2B 6UD London WC2B 6UD (GB)