(19)

(11)

EP 1 071 895 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/05 (21) Application number: 99912422.5 (22) Date of filing: 10.03.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16J 15/34 (86) International application number: PCT/US9905/319 (87) International publication number: WO 9949/244 (30.09.1999 Gazette 1999/39)

(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: 23.03.1998 US 79045 P (71) Applicant: Utex Industries, Inc. Houston, TX 77043 (US)	(72) Inventor: LEBECK, Alan, O. Albuquerque, NM 87109 (US) (74) Representative: Claeys, Pierre et al Gevers & Vander Haeghen,Patent Attorneys,Rue de Livourne 7 1060 Brussels 1060 Brussels (BE)