(19)

(11)

EP 0 949 996 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 20.10.1999 Bulletin 1999/42 (21) Application number: 97954623.0 (22) Date of filing: 22.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B65D 65/ 40( . ) B32B 27/ 08( . ) F16L 9/ 12( . ) B32B 1/ 08( . ) B32B 27/ 32( . ) F16L 11/ 04( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/023835 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/029245 (09.07.1998 Gazette 1998/27)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 31.12.1996 US 19960034613 (71) Applicant: THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Midland, Michigan 48674 (US)

(72) Inventors: SCHOMAKER, Joseph, A. Midland, MI 48640 (US) WHITE, Jerry, E. Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) RAMANATHAN, Ravi Midland, MI 48640 (US) HEADLEY, David, L. Midland, MI 48640 (US) BROWN, Charles, N. Bay City, MI 48706 (US) BENSASON, Selim Houston, TX 77030 (US) BALES, Stephen, E. Midland, MI 48642 (US) (74) Representative: Raynor, John, et al  W.H. Beck, Greener & Co 7 Stone Buildings Lincoln's Inn London WC2A 3SZ London WC2A 3SZ (GB)