(19)

(11)

EP 1 031 157 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 30.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/35 (21) Application number: 98952932.6 (22) Date of filing: 12.11.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G11B 27/031 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9803/400 (87) International publication number: WO 9924/987 (20.05.1999 Gazette 1999/20)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IE IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 12.11.1997 GB 9723893 (71) Applicant: SNELL & WILCOX LIMITED Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 1RQ (GB)	(72) Inventor: KNEE, Michael, James Hampshire GU32 2EE (GB) (74) Representative: Garratt, Peter Douglas et al Mathys & Squire100 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8AL London WC1X 8AL (GB)