(19)

(11)

EP 0 993 597 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.04.2000 Bulletin 2000/16 (21) Application number: 98930485.2 (22) Date of filing: 26.06.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01M 3/04, H01M 10/42, G01N 27/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US9813/121 (87) International publication number: WO 9901/733 (14.01.1999 Gazette 1999/02)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 02.07.1997 US 887387 (71) Applicant: DURACELL INC. Bethel, Connecticut 06801 (US)	(72) Inventors: TREGER, Jack Quincy, MA 02169 (US) KLEIN, David, N. Franklin, MA 02038 (US) (74) Representative: Ebner von Eschenbach, Jennifer et al c/o Ladas & Parry,Dachauerstrasse 37 80335 München 80335 München (DE)