(19)

(11)

EP 0 947 017 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 06.10.1999 Bulletin 1999/40 (21) Application number: 97935681.0 (22) Date of filing: 08.08.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  H01M 2/ 16( . ) H01M 6/ 22( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/002148 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/007204 (19.02.1998 Gazette 1998/07)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 09.08.1996 GB 19960016703 05.12.1996 GB 19960025325 05.06.1997 GB 19970011646 (71) Applicant: Ever Ready Limited Southgate London N14 5AQ (GB)	(72) Inventors: RANDELL, Christopher Fred Newton Hall, Durham DH1 5SP (GB) WHITE, Neal Charles Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3AT (GB) (74) Representative: Lord, Hilton David  MARKS & CLERK, 57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields London WC2A 3LS London WC2A 3LS (GB)