(19)

(11)

EP 1 146 962 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/43 (21) Application number: 99950060.6 (22) Date of filing: 29.09.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B01L 3/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9922/763 (87) International publication number: WO 0030/754 (02.06.2000 Gazette 2000/22)

(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: 20.11.1998 EP 98402906 (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: DANNOUX, Thierry, L., A. F-77210 Avon (FR) ROOT, David Lexington, MA 02173 (US) (74) Representative: Boon, Graham Anthony  Elkington and Fife,Prospect House,8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR (GB)