(19)

(11)

EP 1 019 209 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/29 (21) Application number: 99938971.1 (22) Date of filing: 04.08.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22D 11/04, B22D 11/18 (86) International application number: PCT/US9917/602 (87) International publication number: WO 0007/752 (17.02.2000 Gazette 2000/07)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 06.08.1998 US 130144 (71) Applicant: AG Industries, Inc. Coraopolis, PA 15108 (US)	(72) Inventors: SEARS, James, B. Cranbury Township, PA 16066 (US) KNOBLE, John, L. Rose Valley, PA 19086 (US) (74) Representative: Madgwick, Paul Roland et al RUSCHKE HARTMANN BECKER,Pienzenauerstrasse 2 81679 München 81679 München (DE)