(19)

(11)

EP 0 986 435 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/12 (21) Application number: 98925188.9 (22) Date of filing: 03.06.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B01L 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9811/344 (87) International publication number: WO 9855/232 (10.12.1998 Gazette 1998/49)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DE FR GB IT LI NL (30) Priority: 06.06.1997 US 870523 (71) Applicant: Corning Incorporated Corning, New York 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: COTE, Richard, A. Boston, MA 02122 (US) VEILLEUX, Jill Sanford, ME 04073 (US) (74) Representative: Marchant, James Ian et al Elkington and Fife,Prospect House,8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR (GB)