(19)

(11)

EP 1 090 066 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 11.04.2001 Bulletin 2001/15 (21) Application number: 99920179.1 (22) Date of filing: 30.04.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C08J 9/32, B29C 67/20, F16L 59/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9909/401 (87) International publication number: WO 9957/182 (11.11.1999 Gazette 1999/45)

(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: 01.05.1998 US 83888 P 01.05.1998 US 83885 P (71) Applicant: Textron Systems Corporation Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887-2941 (US)	(72) Inventors: BERTRAND, David, C. Nashua, NH 03060 (US) CASTLE, George, K. Hollis, NH 03049 (US) HANAFIN, Joseph, W. Marlborough, MA 01752 (US) (74) Representative: De Vries, Adriaan Jacobus  Akzo Nobel N.V.Intellectusl Property Department(DEPT. AIP)P.O. Box 9300 6800 SB Arnhem 6800 SB Arnhem (NL)