(19)

(11)

EP 1 252 115 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 30.10.2002 Bulletin 2002/44 (21) Application number: 00969452.2 (22) Date of filing: 05.10.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C03C 8/02, C04B 41/86 (86) International application number: PCT/EP0009/859 (87) International publication number: WO 0102/7048 (19.04.2001 Gazette 2001/16)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 14.10.1999 EP 99870209 (71) Applicant: Vesuvius Crucible Company Wilmington, DE 19803 (US)	(72) Inventors: DESVIGNES, Cécile 42680 Saint Marcellin En Forez (FR) BRANDY, Gilbert F-59600 Maubeuge (FR) (74) Representative: Debled, Thierry  Vesuvius Group S.A.Intellectual Property DepartmentRue de Douvrain, 17 7011 Ghlin 7011 Ghlin (BE)