(19)

(11)

EP 1 173 069 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 23.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/04 (21) Application number: 00935846.6 (22) Date of filing: 26.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A23L 1/052 (86) International application number: PCT/US0011/694 (87) International publication number: WO 0064/277 (02.11.2000 Gazette 2000/44)

(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: 26.04.1999 US 131026 P (71) Applicant: Imperial Sensus, L.L.C. Sugar Land, TX 77478 (US)	(72) Inventors: ANFINSEN, Jon, R. Loveland, OH 45140 (US) ANFINSEN, Jonathan, S. Loveland, OH 45140 (US) TUNGLAND, Bryan, C. Becker, MN 55308 (US) (74) Representative: Benz, Jürgen, Dr.  Kanzlei Heumann, Benz, Spessartring 63 64287 Darmstadt 64287 Darmstadt (DE)