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EP 1 099 030 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 16.05.2001 Bulletin 2001/20 (21) Application number: 99930799.4 (22) Date of filing: 29.06.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E02B 5/08, E02B 13/00, E02B 15/04, C09K 3/32, A01G 25/00, A01G 27/04, B01D 17/022 (86) International application number: PCT/US9914/634 (87) International publication number: WO 0000/701 (06.01.2000 Gazette 2000/01)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 29.06.1998 WO PCT/US98/13449 29.06.1998 WO PCT/US98/13497 29.06.1998 WO PCT/US98/13521 29.06.1998 WO PCT/US98/13523 (71) Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY Cincinnati,Ohio 45202 (US)

(72) Inventors: EHRNSPERGER, Bruno, Johannes D-65936 Frankfurt (DE) SCHMIDT, Mattias D-65510 Idstein (DE) DESAI, Fred, Naval Fairfield, OH 45014 (US) LAVON, Gary, Dean D-61440 Oberursel (DE) YOUNG, Gerald, Alfred Cincinnati, OH 45231 (US) SCHUMANN, Karl, Michael D-65812 Bad Soden (DE) ROE, Donald, Carroll Zest Chester, OH 45069 (US) (74) Representative: Hirsch, Uwe Thomas et al Procter & Gamble European Service GmbH,Sulzbacher Strasse 40-50 65824 Schwalbach am Taunus 65824 Schwalbach am Taunus (DE)