(19)

(11)

EP 1 072 059 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/05 (21) Application number: 99911443.2 (22) Date of filing: 17.03.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01M 2/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US9905/784 (87) International publication number: WO 9948/161 (23.09.1999 Gazette 1999/38)

(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: 17.03.1998 US 42720 23.06.1998 US 102902 (71) Applicant: EXIDE CORPORATION Reading,Pennsylvania 19601 (US)	(72) Inventor: FERES, Fred, F. Rochester Hills, MI 48309 (US) (74) Representative: Gray, John James  Fitzpatricks,4 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 1RS Glasgow G2 1RS (GB)