(19)

(11)

EP 1 006 855 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/24 (21) Application number: 98903462.4 (22) Date of filing: 14.01.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A47L 7/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9800/597 (87) International publication number: WO 9831/270 (23.07.1998 Gazette 1998/29)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT (30) Priority: 15.01.1997 US 784248 11.02.1997 US 802333 (71) Applicant: SHOP VAC CORPORATION Williamsport,Pennsylvania 17701-0307 (US)	(72) Inventor: BERFIELD, Robert, C. Jersey Shore, PA 17740 (US) (74) Representative: Picard, Jean-Claude Georges  Cabinet Plasseraud84, rue d'Amsterdam 75440 Paris Cedex 09 75440 Paris Cedex 09 (FR)