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(11)

EP 1 012 043 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/26 (21) Application number: 98929921.9 (22) Date of filing: 05.06.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B65B 31/02, B65B 31/04, B65B 55/00, B65D 30/08, B65D 30/24, B65D 53/08, B65D 75/30, B65D 33/00 (86) International application number: PCT/NZ9800/077 (87) International publication number: WO 9855/359 (10.12.1998 Gazette 1998/49)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 05.06.1997 NZ 32802797 30.10.1997 NZ 32909897 (71) Applicant: Ashton Group Limited Hamilton (NZ)	(72) Inventors: ASHTON, Thomas, Felix Hamilton (NZ) ASHBY, Gordon, Walter Coral Springs, FL 33067 (US) AUCAMP, David Auckland (NZ) (74) Representative: Boden, Keith McMurray  D. Young & Co.21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)