(19)

(11)

EP 1 023 421 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/31 (21) Application number: 97913672.8 (22) Date of filing: 10.10.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C11D 1/00, C11D 1/14, C11D 1/37, C11D 1/65, C11D 1/83, C11D 1/86, C11D 1/94 (86) International application number: PCT/US9718/570 (87) International publication number: WO 9919/428 (22.04.1999 Gazette 1999/16)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (71) Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY Cincinnati,Ohio 45202 (US)

(72) Inventors: KVIETOK, Frank, Andrej Cincinnati, OH 45208 (US) HELTOVICS, Gabor Kenton,Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE3 RT (GB) FIGUEROA, Francisco Ramon North SShields,Tyne & Wear NE30 3LT (GB) WILLMAN, Kenneth, William Fairfield, OH 45014 (US) MOSS, Michael Alan John Stocksfield,Northumberland NE43 7DZ (GB) KATSUDA, Rinko,Kobe Park City C507 Chuo-ku, Kobe,Hyogo 650 (JP) (74) Representative: Peet, Jillian Wendy et al Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited,Whitley Road,Longbenton Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9TS Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9TS (GB)