(19)

(11)

EP 0 877 826 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.11.1998 Bulletin 1998/47 (21) Application number: 96943540.0 (22) Date of filing: 20.11.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C21D 1/ 673( . ) C21D 9/ 40( . ) C21D 1/ 42( . ) C21D 9/ 00( . ) C21D 1/ 18( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/019087 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/020955 (12.06.1997 Gazette 1997/25)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT (30) Priority: 20.11.1995 US 19950007360P (71) Applicant: ROBOTRON CORPORATION Southfield, MI 48075-5638 (US)	(72) Inventors: COLE, John, F., Jr. Rogersville, TN 37875 (US) POHL, Gregory, L. Sterling Heights, MI 48310 (US) BORDEN, Randall, P. Farmington Hills, MI 48335 (US) HOLMES, George, W., Jr. Canton, MI 48188 (US) (74) Representative: MacDougall, Donald Carmichael, et al  Cruikshank & Fairweather 19 Royal Exchange Square Glasgow G1 3AE, Scotland Glasgow G1 3AE, Scotland (GB)