(19)

(11)

EP 1 076 728 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.02.2001 Bulletin 2001/08 (21) Application number: 99919392.3 (22) Date of filing: 27.04.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C23C 14/06, C23C 30/00 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9901/311 (87) International publication number: WO 9955/930 (04.11.1999 Gazette 1999/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 27.04.1998 GB 9808938 14.10.1998 GB 9822445 (71) Applicant: European Community (EC) 2920 Luxembourg (LU)	(72) Inventors: GILMORE, Richard I-21014 Laveno (IT) GISSLER, Wolfram I-21014 Laveno-Mombello (IT) MITTERER, Christian A-8700 Leoben (AT) LOSBICHLER, Paul A-4442 Kleinraming (AT) (74) Representative: Baldock, Sharon Claire et al BOULT WADE TENNANT,Verulam Gardens70 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8BT London WC1X 8BT (GB)