(19)

(11)

EP 1 007 996 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/24 (21) Application number: 96944802.6 (22) Date of filing: 13.12.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/12, G03B 21/62 (86) International application number: PCT/US9619/834 (87) International publication number: WO 9722/896 (26.06.1997 Gazette 1997/27)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT NL (30) Priority: 18.12.1995 US 8812 P 07.11.1996 US 743781 (71) Applicant: AlliedSignal Inc. Morristown,New Jersey 07962-2245 (US)	(72) Inventors: BEESON, Karl, W. Princeton, NJ 08540 (US) ZIMMERMAN, Scott, M. Basking Ridge, NJ 07420 (US) (74) Representative: Hucker, Charlotte Jane  Gill Jennings & EveryBroadgate House,7 Eldon Street London EC2M 7LH London EC2M 7LH (GB)