(19)

(11)

EP 1 252 374 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 30.10.2002 Bulletin 2002/44 (21) Application number: 00980265.3 (22) Date of filing: 21.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C25D 21/14, C25D 21/18 (86) International application number: PCT/US0030/148 (87) International publication number: WO 0103/8610 (31.05.2001 Gazette 2001/22)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 25.11.1999 DE 19956666 (71) Applicant: Enthone-Omi Inc. West Haven, CT 06516 (US)	(72) Inventors: TOLLS, Elmar deceased (DE) LUDWIG, Ralf, Wilhelm 41516 Grevenbroich (DE) SCHÖNGEN, Gerd 52499 Baesweiler (DE) (74) Representative: Colmer, Stephen Gary  Mathys & Squire100 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8AL London WC1X 8AL (GB)