(19)

(11)

EP 1 147 589 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/43 (21) Application number: 99962363.0 (22) Date of filing: 20.12.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H02G 15/076, G02B 6/44 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9904/313 (87) International publication number: WO 0038/291 (29.06.2000 Gazette 2000/26)

(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: 22.12.1998 GB 9828168 (71) Applicant: CCS Technology, Inc. Wilmington, DE 19803 (US)	(72) Inventor: WHITESMITH, Peter John Ledbury,Gloucestershire HR8 1PQ (GB) (74) Representative: Poole, Michael John et al Corning Communications Ltd.,Patent and Licensing Dpt.,Quantum House,Maylands Avenue Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 7DE Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 7DE (GB)