(19)

(11)

EP 1 116 055 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 07.12.2000 (43) Date of publication: 18.07.2001 Bulletin 2001/29 (21) Application number: 99942453.4 (22) Date of filing: 24.08.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9919/259 (87) International publication number: WO 0010/447 (02.03.2000 Gazette 2000/09)

(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: 24.08.1998 US 97618 P 26.03.1999 US 126339 P (71) Applicants: Baruch, Martin C. Charlottesville, VA 22906 (US) Adkins, Charles Charlottesville, VA 22906 (US) Gerdt, David W. Charlottesville, VA 22906 (US)	(72) Inventors: Baruch, Martin C. Charlottesville, VA 22906 (US) Adkins, Charles Charlottesville, VA 22906 (US) Gerdt, David W. Charlottesville, VA 22906 (US) (74) Representative: Rostovanyi, Peter  AWAPATENT AB,Box 5117 200 71 Malmö 200 71 Malmö (SE)