(19)

(11)

EP 0 963 477 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 15.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/50 (21) Application number: 98908824.0 (22) Date of filing: 27.02.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A47G 27/ 02( . ) D06N 7/ 00( . ) D06M 15/ 227( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1998/003992 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/038375 (03.09.1998 Gazette 1998/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 28.02.1997 US P 39217 27.02.1998 US P 32410 (71) Applicant: SHAW INDUSTRIES, INC. Dalton, GA 30722-2128 (US)

(72) Inventors: BIESER, John, O. Houston, TX 77198 (US) BRUMBELOW, Julie Dalton, GA 30720 (US) GOINS, James, D. Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) KELLEY, David, C. Angleton, TX 77515 (US) MOODY, Von Cartersville, GA 30120 (US) MULLINAX, Wesley, W. Cartersville, GA 30120 (US) PENG, Lichih, R. Fischer, IN 46038 (US) TURLEY, Robert, R. Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) (74) Representative: Merrifield, Sarah Elizabeth, et al  Boult Wade Tennant 27 Furnival Street London EC4A 1PQ London EC4A 1PQ (GB)