(19)

(11)

EP 0 948 409 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.10.1999 Bulletin 1999/41 (21) Application number: 97950641.0 (22) Date of filing: 18.11.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01J 19/ 00( . ) C12M 1/ 00( . ) C40B 60/ 14( . ) B01L 3/ 00( . ) C12P 21/ 02( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/021228 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/022219 (28.05.1998 Gazette 1998/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE CH DE DK ES FR IT LI LU NL SE (30) Priority: 18.11.1996 US 19960003102P 09.04.1997 US 19970004321P (71) Applicant: ROBBINS SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION Sunnyvale, CA 94086-1411 (US)	(72) Inventors: ROBBINS, Paul, B. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US) STANCHFIELD, James, E. San Francisco, CA 94123 (US) BAILEY, Chris, N. San Jose, CA 95129 (US) WRIGHT, David, J. Fremont, CA 94536 (US) (74) Representative: Parry, Christopher Stephen, et al  Saunders & Dolleymore, 9 Rickmansworth Road Watford, Herts. WD1 7HE Watford, Herts. WD1 7HE (GB)