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(11)

EP 1 161 590 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/50 (21) Application number: 00915029.3 (22) Date of filing: 22.02.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: D06N 3/18, D06N 3/12, D06N 3/04, D06N 7/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0040/036 (87) International publication number: WO 0049/221 (24.08.2000 Gazette 2000/34)

(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: 22.02.1999 US 255141 (71) Applicant: Milliken & Company Spartanburg, SC 29303 (US)	(72) Inventors: KIMBRELL, William, Carl Spartanburg, SC 29303 (US) USHER, Christopher, Todd Greer, SC 29650 (US) (74) Representative: HOFFMANN - EITLE  Patent- und RechtsanwälteArabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)