(19)

(11)

EP 1 240 454 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/38 (21) Application number: 99962304.4 (22) Date of filing: 22.12.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16L 39/00, F16L 1/19, F16L 9/18, F16L 7/02, F16L 13/02 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9904/237 (87) International publication number: WO 0105/0058 (12.07.2001 Gazette 2001/28)

(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 (71) Applicant: Corus UK Limited London SW1P 4WY (GB)	(72) Inventors: WELCH, Stuart Burton LatimerNorthants NN15 5LS (GB) SUMMERFIELD, Paul OakhamLeicestershire LE15 9LR (GB) (74) Representative: Downing, Michael Philip  Fry Heath & Spence,The Old College,53 High Street Horley,Surrey RH6 7BN Horley,Surrey RH6 7BN (GB)