(19)

(11)

EP 1 145 104 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 17.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/42 (21) Application number: 98966042.8 (22) Date of filing: 22.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 7/00, G06F 17/00, B65G 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9827/283 (87) International publication number: WO 0038/046 (29.06.2000 Gazette 2000/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated Wilmington, DE 19899 (US)	(72) Inventors: HUBERT, Ronald, M. Yardley, PA 19067 (US) MILLER, Rodney, D. West Chester, PA 19380 (US) (74) Representative: Enskat, Michael Antony Frank et al Saunders & Dolleymore,9, Rickmansworth Road Watford,Hertfordshire WD18 0JU Watford,Hertfordshire WD18 0JU (GB)