(19)

(11)

EP 1 239 968 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/38 (21) Application number: 00991208.0 (22) Date of filing: 18.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B03C 5/02 (86) International application number: PCT/EP0012/896 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/3880 (21.06.2001 Gazette 2001/25)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 16.12.1999 EP 99125151 05.04.2000 EP 00107355 (71) Applicant: PRIOR ENGINEERING AG 8008 Zürich (CH)	(72) Inventors: PRIOR, Adalbert A-6841 Götzis (AT) BYERS, Charles Menlo Park, CA 94025 (US) (74) Representative: Büchel, Kurt F., Dr.  Patentbüro Büchel, Kaminski & PartnerAustrasse 79 9490 Vaduz 9490 Vaduz (LI)