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(11)

EP 0 963 476 A2

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(43) Date of publication: 15.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/50 (21) Application number: 98908770.0 (22) Date of filing: 27.02.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A47G 27/ 02( . ) D06N 7/ 00( . ) D05C 17/ 02( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1998/003886 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/038374 (03.09.1998 Gazette 1998/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE ES FI FR GB IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 28.02.1997 US 19970039411P 28.02.1997 US 19970039412P 28.02.1997 US 19970039584P 28.02.1997 US 19970039587P (71) Applicant: THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Midland, Michigan 48674 (US)

(72) Inventors: BIESER, John, O. Houston, TX 77098 (US) DIBBERN, Joseph, A. Brazoria, TX 77422 (US) DIEHL, Charles, F. Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) GOINS, James, D. Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) KELLEY, David, C. Angleton, TX 77515 (US) MAUGANS, Rexford, A. Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) MCKINNEY, Osborne, K. Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) PENG, Lichih, R. Fischer, IN 46038 (US) TURLEY, Robert, R. Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) (74) Representative: Weickmann, Heinrich, et al  Weickmann-Fincke-Huber-Liska-Prechtel, Postfach 860820, Kopernikusstr. 9 81635 München 81635 München (DE)