(19)

(11)

EP 1 156 721 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/48 (21) Application number: 00912132.8 (22) Date of filing: 02.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A24C 1/32, A24C 5/32, B65B 1/08, B65B 1/04, B65B 43/42, B65B 1/20, B65B 1/28 (86) International application number: PCT/US0005/435 (87) International publication number: WO 0051/451 (08.09.2000 Gazette 2000/36)

(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: 02.03.1999 US 122507 P (71) Applicant: Phillip Morris Products Inc. Richmond, VA 23234 (US)	(72) Inventors: GARTHAFFNER, Martin, T. Chesterfield, VA 23832 (US) SCOTT, George, Robert Midlothian, VA 23113 (US) ATWELL, Charles, Gary Mechanicsville, VA 23116 (US) (74) Representative: Lloyd, Patrick Alexander Desmond  Reddie & Grose16 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8PL London WC1X 8PL (GB)