(19)

(11)

EP 1 716 335 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/44 (21) Application number: 05701964.8 (22) Date of filing: 21.01.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  F04B 43/00(2006.01) F04B 43/06(2006.01) F04B 43/02(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/GB2005/000201 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/071267 (04.08.2005 Gazette 2005/31)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 21.01.2004 GB 0401198 24.04.2004 GB 0409149 (71) Applicant: IMI VISION LIMITED Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6EU (GB)	(72) Inventors: NIGHY, Richard, John Stratford on Avon CV37 9LU (GB) HUNTER, John Rogers, MN 55374 (US) BRAMLEY, Hugh, Christopher, 13 Barn House Mews Rugely, Staffordshire WS15 4QA (GB) (74) Representative: Wightman, David Alexander  Barker Brettell 138 Hagley Road Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 9PW Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)