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(11)

EP 0 986 832 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/12 (21) Application number: 98921610.6 (22) Date of filing: 14.05.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01M 8/08, H01M 8/10, H01M 8/02, C25B 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9801/380 (87) International publication number: WO 9852/243 (19.11.1998 Gazette 1998/46)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 14.05.1997 GB 9709742 13.11.1997 GB 9723840 (71) Applicant: The Smart Chemical Company Limited London EC2N 2AT (GB)	(72) Inventors: TSEUNG, Alfred, Chang, Chung London N10 2AN (GB) BRATTON, Graham, John SidcupKent DA15 8AL (GB) NAYLOR, Timothy de Villiers Surrey TW20 0NQ (GB) (74) Representative: Lucas, Brian Ronald et al Lucas & Co.135 Westhall Road WarlinghamSurrey CR6 9HJ WarlinghamSurrey CR6 9HJ (GB)