(19)

(11)

EP 1 025 409 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/32 (21) Application number: 98948428.2 (22) Date of filing: 22.09.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F26B 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9819/793 (87) International publication number: WO 9915/845 (01.04.1999 Gazette 1999/13)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 23.09.1997 US 935671 03.03.1998 US 34369 02.07.1998 US 109460 (71) Applicant: Ferrell, Gary W. Half Moon Bay, CA 94109 (US)	(72) Inventors: FERRELL, Gary, W. Half Moon Bay, CA 94109 (US) ELSON, Robert, J. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US) SCHIPPER, John, F. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US) (74) Representative: Hallam, Arnold Vincent et al LEWIS & TAYLOR5 The Quadrant Coventry, CV1 2EL Coventry, CV1 2EL (GB)