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EP 1 613 793 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 11.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/02 (21) Application number: 03816188.1 (22) Date of filing: 04.03.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C25B 9/00(1974.07) C25D 17/00(1974.07) C25C 7/00(1974.07) B23H 11/00(1985.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2003/006601 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/079051 (16.09.2004 Gazette 2004/38)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (71) Applicants: Fukui, Kenji Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0043 (JP) Naya, Kazunari Toda-shi, Saitama 335-0031 (JP) Itamura, Tim M. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 (US) FRS Waterware, Inc, (d.b.a. Waterware, Inc.) Yoshikuni Komagata Building 7F Taito-ku Tokyo 111-0043 (JP)

(72) Inventors: FUKUI, Kenji Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0043 (JP) NAYA, Kazunari Todi-shi, Saitama 335-0031 (JP) ITAMURA, Tim,M. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 (US) (74) Representative: van Westenbrugge, Andries et al Nederlandsch Octrooibureau Postbus 29720 2502 LS Den Haag 2502 LS Den Haag (NL)