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(11)

EP 1 296 889 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 02.04.2003 Bulletin 2003/14 (21) Application number: 01939384.2 (22) Date of filing: 23.05.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C01B 31/00, C09K 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0116/810 (87) International publication number: WO 0109/8207 (27.12.2001 Gazette 2001/52)

(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: 19.06.2000 US 598008 26.03.2001 US 817411 (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: GADKAREE, Kishor, P. Big Flats, NY 14814 (US) MACH, Joseph, F. Lindley, NY 14858 (US) STEMPIN, John, L. Beaver Dams, NY 14812 (US) (74) Representative: Behnisch, Werner, Dr.  Reinhard-Skuhra-Weise & Partner,Patentanwälte,Postfach 44 01 51 80750 München 80750 München (DE)