(19)

(11)

EP 1 036 236 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 20.09.2000 Bulletin 2000/38 (21) Application number: 98944033.4 (22) Date of filing: 14.09.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: D21C 7/00 // (D21C3/20, 5:00) (86) International application number: PCT/GB9802/712 (87) International publication number: WO 9914/424 (25.03.1999 Gazette 1999/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE (30) Priority: 15.09.1997 GB 9719479 08.04.1998 GB 9807593 14.09.1998 GB 9819865 (71) Applicant: Melville, Gordon Brown Edinburgh EH14 2JH (GB)	(72) Inventor: KROTOV, Vladimir Northbridge, W.A. 6003 (AU) (74) Representative: Cross, James Peter Archibald et al R.G.C. Jenkins & Co.,26 Caxton Street London SW1H 0RJ London SW1H 0RJ (GB)