(19)

(11)

EP 1 294 449 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 11.04.2002 (43) Date of publication: 26.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/13 (21) Application number: 01959768.1 (22) Date of filing: 25.06.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A62C 31/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0141/132 (87) International publication number: WO 0200/0302 (03.01.2002 Gazette 2002/01)

(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: 26.06.2000 US 603686 22.05.2001 US 862974 (71) Applicant: GRINNELL CORPORATION Granston, RI 02910 (US)	(72) Inventors: FISCHER, Michael, A. West Kingston, RI 02892 (US) LEBLANC, David, J. Smithfield, RI 02917 (US) (74) Representative: Thomson, Paul Anthony  Potts, Kerr & Co.15, Hamilton Square BirkenheadMerseyside CH41 6BR BirkenheadMerseyside CH41 6BR (GB)