(19)

(11)

EP 1 377 709 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.01.2004 Bulletin 2004/02 (21) Application number: 02723634.8 (22) Date of filing: 27.03.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: D06M 14/04, D06M 14/22, D06P 5/08, D06M 15/643 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/009438 (87) International publication number: WO 2002/081811 (17.10.2002 Gazette 2002/42)

(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: 04.04.2001 US 824732 04.04.2001 US 825283 04.04.2001 US 825287 (71) Applicant: Healthtex Apparel Corp. Wilmington, DE 19810 (US)	(72) Inventors: SANDUJA, Mohan, L. Flushing, NY 11355 (US) HOROWITZ, Carl Brooklyn, NY 11234 (US) ZILBERT, Izabella Brooklyn, NY 11234 (US) THOTTATHIL, Paul New Hyde Park, NY 11040 (US) WILLIAMSON, Gerald, L. Greensboro, NC 27410 (US) (74) Representative: Horner, Martin Grenville et al Cruikshank & Fairweather19 Royal Exchange Square Glasgow G1 3AEScotland Glasgow G1 3AEScotland (GB)