(19)

(11)

EP 1 732 712 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 20.12.2006 Bulletin 2006/51 (21) Application number: 05812669.9 (22) Date of filing: 25.03.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B07C 5/04(2006.01) G01N 1/22(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/010128 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/025868 (09.03.2006 Gazette 2006/10)

(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: 30.03.2004 US 812386 (71) Applicant: Smiths Detection Inc. Edgewood, MD 21040 (US)	(72) Inventors: HERMAN, Robert, Alan Baltimore, MD 21237 (US) WHITON, Fred, Jr. Towson, MD 21286 (US) KAHL, Paul, George, Jr. Perry Hall, MD 21128 (US) (74) Representative: Price, Nigel John King  J.A. KEMP & CO. 14 South Square Gray's Inn London WC1R 5JJ London WC1R 5JJ (GB)