(19)

(11)

EP 1 140 479 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/41 (21) Application number: 99972151.7 (22) Date of filing: 18.11.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B30B 11/08, B30B 15/06, B30B 15/00 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9903/853 (87) International publication number: WO 0029/205 (25.05.2000 Gazette 2000/21)

(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: 18.11.1998 GB 9825309 13.04.1999 GB 9908440 (71) Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF BATH Claverton Down,Bath, BA2 7AY (GB)	(72) Inventors: STEVENS, Ronald Bath, Avon BA1 2XW (GB) TOBYN, Michael Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 9SS (GB) STANIFORTH, John Nicholas Bath BA2 2ST (GB) (74) Representative: Humphreys, Ceris Anne et al Abel & Imray20 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4PQ London WC1R 4PQ (GB)