(19)

(11)

EP 1 456 242 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 22.01.2004 (43) Date of publication: 15.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/38 (21) Application number: 02784267.3 (22) Date of filing: 24.10.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C08B 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/034091 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/035991 (01.05.2003 Gazette 2003/18)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 24.10.2001 US 335582 P (71) Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc. Zeeland,Michigan 49464-0302 (US)	(72) Inventors: INSALACO, Robert, W. Holland, MI 49424 (US) HO, Joseph Cambridge, MA 02139 (US) KWOK CHUEN LAU, Edwin Cambridge, MA 02139 (US) TESTA, Peter Cambridge, MA 02142 (US) (74) Representative: Winckels, Johannes Hubertus F. et al VereenigdeNieuwe Parklaan 97 2587 BN Den Haag 2587 BN Den Haag (NL)