(19)

(11)

EP 0 970 350 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/02 (21) Application number: 98911836.9 (22) Date of filing: 20.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01D 15/18 (86) International application number: PCT/US9805/420 (87) International publication number: WO 9843/050 (01.10.1998 Gazette 1998/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DE ES FI FR GB IE IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 25.03.1997 US 828758 (71) Applicant: Trident International Inc. Brookfield, CT 06804 (US)	(72) Inventor: GREEN, Ronald, L. Bethel, CT 06801 (US) (74) Representative: Vetter, Ewald Otto, Dipl.-Ing. et al Meissner, Bolte & PartnerAnwaltssozietätPostfach 10 26 05 86016 Augsburg 86016 Augsburg (DE)