(19)

(11)

EP 0 963 162 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 15.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/50 (21) Application number: 97936639.0 (22) Date of filing: 10.07.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A23G 7/ 02( . ) A23G 9/ 24( . ) A23G 9/ 32( . ) A23G 9/ 48( . ) A23G 9/ 00( . ) A23G 9/ 26( . ) A23G 9/ 34( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/EP1997/003720 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/004149 (05.02.1998 Gazette 1998/05)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE (30) Priority: 08.01.1997 GB 19970000231 (71) Applicants: UNILEVER PLC London EC4P 4BQ (GB) UNILEVER N.V. 3013 AL Rotterdam (NL)	(72) Inventors: BIGGS, Donald, Reginald Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1NX (GB) COX, David, Robert, Graham Bedford MK40 2RZ (GB) JONES, Susan, Elaine Cambridge CB2 5SG (GB) RICHARDSON, Paul, Harvey S. Natick, MA 01760 (US) (74) Representative: Kirsch, Susan Edith, et al  Unilever plc, Patent Division, Colworth House Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1LQ Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1LQ (GB)