(19)

(11)

EP 1 202 831 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.05.2002 Bulletin 2002/19 (21) Application number: 00948125.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.07.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B23K 9/04 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0002/704 (87) International publication number: WO 0105/546 (25.01.2001 Gazette 2001/04)

(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: 15.07.1999 GB 9916573 (71) Applicant: BGM (Patents) Limited Aberdeen AB21 0GU (GB)	(72) Inventor: Murray, Brian George Near Insch AB52 6QS (GB) (74) Representative: Gray, John James et al Fitzpatricks,4 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 1RS Glasgow G2 1RS (GB)