(19)

(11)

EP 1 242 571 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/39 (21) Application number: 00979583.2 (22) Date of filing: 14.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C11D 3/00, C11D 3/20, C11D 3/26, C11D 3/30 (86) International application number: PCT/EP0011/377 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/4424 (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: 15.12.1999 GB 9929693 (71) Applicant: UNILEVER N.V. 3013 AL Rotterdam (NL)

(72) Inventors: BATCHELOR, S. N.,Unilever Research Port Sunlight Wirral,Merseyside CH63 3JW (GB) CARR, Denise A.Unilever Research Port Sunlight Wirral,Merseyside CH63 3JW (GB) CRAWFORD, R. J.Unilever Research Port Sunlight Wirral,Merseyside CH63 3JW (GB) FAIRCLOUGH, L.Unilever Research Port Sunlight Wirral,Merseyside CH63 3JW (GB) (74) Representative: Elliott, Peter William  Unilever plcPatent DivisionColworth HouseSharnbrook Bedford MK44 1LQ Bedford MK44 1LQ (GB)