(19)

(11)

EP 1 179 150 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.02.2002 Bulletin 2002/07 (21) Application number: 00919558.7 (22) Date of filing: 21.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16J 15/08 (86) International application number: PCT/US0007/692 (87) International publication number: WO 0057/089 (28.09.2000 Gazette 2000/39)

(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: 22.03.1999 US 125493 P (71) Applicant: The Advanced Products Company North Haven, CT 06473 (US)	(72) Inventors: MORE, Dominick, G. Middletown, CT 06457 (US) STONE, Stephen, S. North Haven, CT 06473 (US) (74) Representative: Gray, James  Withers & Rogers, Goldings House, 2 Hays Lane London SE1 2HW London SE1 2HW (GB)