(19)

(11)

EP 1 663 786 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.06.2006 Bulletin 2006/23 (21) Application number: 04784045.9 (22) Date of filing: 15.09.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B65B 1/04(1968.09) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/030052 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/032942 (14.04.2005 Gazette 2005/15)

(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 PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 19.09.2003 US 504449 P 20.08.2004 US 923577 (71) Applicant: SINGLE BUOY MOORINGS INC. CH-1723 Marly (CH)	(72) Inventors: POLLACK, Jack Houston, TX 77079 (US) WILLE, Hein F-06360 Eze (FR) (74) Representative: Hedley, Nicholas James Matthew  Kilburn & Strode 20 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4PJ London WC1R 4PJ (GB)