(19)

(11)

EP 1 685 574 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 23.03.2006 (43) Date of publication: 02.08.2006 Bulletin 2006/31 (21) Application number: 04821375.5 (22) Date of filing: 10.09.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G21K 1/12(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/029616 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/086616 (22.09.2005 Gazette 2005/38)

(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 PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL HR LT LV MK (30) Priority: 10.09.2003 US 501767 P 10.09.2003 US 501741 P 30.07.2004 WO PCT/US2004/024607 (71) Applicants: SOMMER, Jr. Edward J. Nashville, TN 37228-1223 (US) HILL, Richard E. Nashville, TN 37228-1223 (US) ROOS, Charles E. Nashville, TN 37228-1223 (US)

(72) Inventors: SOMMER, Jr. Edward J. Nashville, TN 37228-1223 (US) HILL, Richard E. Nashville, TN 37228-1223 (US) ROOS, Charles E. Nashville, TN 37228-1223 (US) (74) Representative: Harrison Goddard Foote  Belgrave Hall Belgrave Street Leeds , Yorkshire LS2 8DD Leeds , Yorkshire LS2 8DD (GB)