(19)

(11)

EP 1 040 181 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/40 (21) Application number: 98918567.3 (22) Date of filing: 22.04.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12M 1/20 (86) International application number: PCT/US9808/092 (87) International publication number: WO 9932/601 (01.07.1999 Gazette 1999/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE DK ES FR GB IT NL SE (30) Priority: 23.12.1997 US 997337 (71) Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY St. Paul,Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)	(72) Inventors: WICKERT, Peter, D. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US) WILLIAMS, Michael, G. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Siebertstrasse 4 81675 München 81675 München (DE)