(19)

(11)

EP 0 960 303 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/48 (21) Application number: 98904277.0 (22) Date of filing: 13.02.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  F16L 55/ 165( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1998/000456 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/036207 (20.08.1998 Gazette 1998/33)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 14.02.1997 GB 19970003091 (71) Applicant: THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED Reading Berks. RG1 8DB (GB)	(72) Inventor: SANDERS, Trevor, George Berks RG11 2XF (GB) (74) Representative: Johnson, Terence Leslie, et al  Edward Evans & Co. Chancery House 53-64 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1SD London WC2A 1SD (GB)