(19)

(11)

EP 0 784 587 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 23.07.1997 Bulletin 1997/30 (21) Application number: 95904047.0 (22) Date of filing: 18.10.1994

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B65G 59/ 06( . ) G07F 11/ 22( . ) G01N 35/ 04( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1994/011459 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/011866 (25.04.1996 Gazette 1996/18)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE IT (71) Applicant: MEDICAL LABORATORY AUTOMATION INC. Pleasantville NY 10570 (US)	(72) Inventors: CALHOUN, Jeffrey, E. Peekskill, NY 10566 (US) PERAGINE, Daniel, A., Jr. Mount Vernon, NY 10550 (US) SCORDATO, Emil Eastchester, NY 10709 (US) HELSTERN, Gary, C. West Redding, CT 06896 (US) (74) Representative: Marsh, Roy David, et al  Hoffmann Eitle & Partner Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Arabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)