(19)

(11)

EP 1 401 579 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 03.04.2003 (43) Date of publication: 31.03.2004 Bulletin 2004/14 (21) Application number: 02747558.1 (22) Date of filing: 01.07.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B01L 3/00, G01N 33/48 (86) International application number: PCT/GB2002/003049 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/002256 (09.01.2003 Gazette 2003/02)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 29.06.2001 GB 0115980 (71) Applicant: Almec Alectronic Assembly Services Limited Hitchin,Hertfordshire SG4 0TY (GB)	(72) Inventor: PUDDEFOOT, Stephen Stotfold,Bedfordshire SG5 4JD (GB) (74) Representative: Burrows, Anthony Gregory  Business Centre WestAvenue One, Business Park Letchworth Garden CityHertfordshire SG6 2HB Letchworth Garden CityHertfordshire SG6 2HB (GB)