(19)

(11)

EP 0 840 890 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.05.1998 Bulletin 1998/20 (21) Application number: 96925014.0 (22) Date of filing: 22.07.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 21/ 62( . ) G01N 21/ 87( . ) G01N 21/ 64( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1996/001751 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/004302 (06.02.1997 Gazette 1997/07)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL (30) Priority: 24.07.1995 GB 19950015143 (60) Divisional application: 01117365.5 / 1158293 (71) Applicant: GERSAN ESTABLISHMENT Fl-9490 Vaduz (LI)

(72) Inventors: WELBOURN, Christopher, Mark Waltham St. Lawrence, Berkshire RG10 0NT (GB) SMITH, Martin, Phillip Wargrave, Berkshire RG10 8BB (GB) SMITH, James, Gordon, Charters High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 7AH (GB) SPEAR, Paul, Martyn Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 6DZ (GB) MARTINEAU, Philip, Maurice Cookham, Berkshire SL6 9BT (GB) COOPER, Martin Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 2RE (GB) (74) Representative: Waldren, Robin Michael  MARKS & CLERK, 57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields London WC2A 3LS London WC2A 3LS (GB)