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(11)

EP 1 112 234 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.07.2001 Bulletin 2001/27 (21) Application number: 99935650.4 (22) Date of filing: 16.07.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C03B 37/07, C03B 37/018 (86) International application number: PCT/US9916/175 (87) International publication number: WO 0009/455 (24.02.2000 Gazette 2000/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 12.08.1998 US 96297 P (71) Applicant: Corning Incorporated Corning, New York 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: HEFNER, Donald, L. Wilmington, NC 28409 (US) LYNCH, Brian, C. Hampstead, NC 28443-2140 (US) WILLIAMS, Richard, R. Wilmington, NC 28403 (US) (74) Representative: Reinhard - Skuhra - Weise & Partner  Postfach 44 01 51 80750 München 80750 München (DE)