(19)

(11)

EP 1 059 841 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 04.11.1999 (43) Date of publication: 20.12.2000 Bulletin 2000/51 (21) Application number: 99912280.7 (22) Date of filing: 05.03.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A01M 1/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9904/801 (87) International publication number: WO 9944/417 (10.09.1999 Gazette 1999/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 06.03.1998 US 36123 11.12.1998 US 210050 (71) Applicant: Nicosia & Reinhardt Co. North Reading, MA 01864 (US)	(72) Inventors: NICOSIA, James North Reading, MA 01864 (US) REINHARDT, Nicholas Lexington, MA 02421 (US) NICOSIA, John, Sr. North Reading, MA 01864 (US) (74) Representative: Greenwood, John David et al Graham Watt & Co.Riverhead SevenoaksKent TN13 2BN SevenoaksKent TN13 2BN (GB)