(19)

(11)

EP 1 052 920 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.11.2000 Bulletin 2000/47 (21) Application number: 98957846.3 (22) Date of filing: 12.11.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A47C 23/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US9824/110 (87) International publication number: WO 9925/509 (27.05.1999 Gazette 1999/21)

(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: 13.11.1997 CH 262097 27.02.1998 CH 47098 (71) Applicant: L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY South Gate, Ca 90280 (US)	(72) Inventor: GRUENINGER, Siegfried CH-9000 St. Gallen (CH) (74) Representative: Findlay, Alice Rosemary et al Lloyd Wise, Tregear & Co.,Commonwealth House,1-19 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1LW London WC1A 1LW (GB)