(19)

(11)

EP 1 202 855 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.05.2002 Bulletin 2002/19 (21) Application number: 00957355.1 (22) Date of filing: 10.08.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B31B 1/14, B31B 1/36 (86) International application number: PCT/US0021/811 (87) International publication number: WO 0112/424 (22.02.2001 Gazette 2001/08)

(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: 12.08.1999 US 148834 P (71) Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC. Upper Saddle River,New Jersey 07458 (US)	(72) Inventor: BALLARD, Eugene, M. Arvada, CO 80003 (US) (74) Representative: Smith, Samuel Leonard  J.A. Kemp & Co.,14 South Square,Gray's Inn London WC1R 5JJ London WC1R 5JJ (GB)