(19)

(11)

EP 0 998 208 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/19 (21) Application number: 98904652.9 (22) Date of filing: 23.01.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A44B 18/00, B29C 47/00, D06C 3/00, B29D 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9801/271 (87) International publication number: WO 9832/349 (30.07.1998 Gazette 1998/30)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT (30) Priority: 27.01.1997 US 789637 (71) Applicants: VELCRO INDUSTRIES B.V. Curacao (AN) Buzzell, Keith G. North Waterboro, ME 04061 (US)	(72) Inventors: BUZZELL, Keith, G. North Waterboro, ME 04061 (US) PROVOST, George, A. Litchfield, NH 03103 (US) MAYDRA, Richard, G. Manchester, NH 03101 (US) (74) Representative: Müller-Boré & PartnerPatentanwälte  Grafinger Strasse 2 81671 München 81671 München (DE) (56) References cited: :