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EP 1 042 549 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 11.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/41 (21) Application number: 98964030.5 (22) Date of filing: 18.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: D04H 1/54, A61F 13/15, D04H 13/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9826/843 (87) International publication number: WO 9932/699 (01.07.1999 Gazette 1999/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT (30) Priority: 19.12.1997 US 994870 (71) Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. Neenah, Wisconsin 54957 (US)	(72) Inventors: STOKES, Ty, J. Suwanee, GA 30174 (US) GRIFFIN, Rebecca, W. Woodstock, GA 30189 (US) SHULTZ, Jay, S. Roswell, GA 30076 (US) (74) Representative: Diehl, Hermann, Dr. Dipl.-Phys. et al DIEHL, GLÄSER, HILTL & PARTNERPatentanwälteAugustenstrasse 46 80333 München 80333 München (DE)