(19)

(11)

EP 0 951 589 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 27.10.1999 Bulletin 1999/43 (21) Application number: 98942395.0 (22) Date of filing: 17.09.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  D01B 3/ 04( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/AU1998/000768 (87) International publication number: WO 1999/014406 (25.03.1999 Gazette 1999/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 17.09.1997 AU 1997PO09267 (71) Applicant: COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION Campbell, Australian Capital Territory 2612 (AU)	(72) Inventors: ROBINSON, Gary, Alfred Anglesea, VIC 3230 (AU) AHERN, Michael, John Geelong, VIC 3215 (AU) SKOURTIS, Christos Grovedale, VIC 3216 (AU) (74) Representative: Kyle, Diana  Elkington and Fife Prospect House 8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR (GB)