(19)

(11)

EP 0 937 003 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.08.1999 Bulletin 1999/34 (21) Application number: 96935106.0 (22) Date of filing: 30.10.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B65G 27/ 32( . ) A24C 5/ 00( . ) B65G 27/ 08( . ) A24B 7/ 14( . ) A24C 5/ 39( . ) B65G 27/ 20( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1996/002635 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/018699 (07.05.1998 Gazette 1998/18)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DK ES FI FR GR IE LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited London WC2R 3LA (GB)	(72) Inventors: KLAMMER, Barbara, Carol Highfield, Southhampton SO17 1DP (GB) TATHAM, Ian, Ernest Purley, Surrey CR8 1BD (GB) BUCKLEY, Peter, James Nottinghamshire NG23 5PE (GB) (74) Representative: MacLean, Kenneth John Hamson, et al  Patents Department, British American Tobacco (investments) Limited, R & D Centre, Regents Park Road Southampton S015 8TL Southampton S015 8TL (GB)