(19)

(11)

EP 1 084 397 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.03.2001 Bulletin 2001/12 (21) Application number: 99910013.4 (22) Date of filing: 16.03.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 27/30, G01N 27/403, C23C 22/58 (86) International application number: PCT/AU9900/166 (87) International publication number: WO 9949/307 (30.09.1999 Gazette 1999/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT NL (30) Priority: 20.03.1998 AU PP250398 (71) Applicant: USF Filtration and Separations Group Inc. Timonium, Maryland 21093 (US)	(72) Inventors: HODGES, Alastair, McIndoe Blackburn South, VIC 3130 (AU) CHATELIER, Ronald, Christopher Bayswater, VIC 3153 (AU) (74) Representative: Eyles, Christopher Thomas  W.P. THOMPSON & CO.Celcon House289-293 High Holborn London WC1V 7HU London WC1V 7HU (GB)