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EP 1 274 527 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 15.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/03 (21) Application number: 02705057.4 (22) Date of filing: 28.02.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22D 27/04, B22D 29/00, B21J 1/02 (86) International application number: PCT/JP0201/857 (87) International publication number: WO 0206/8140 (06.09.2002 Gazette 2002/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 28.02.2001 JP 2001055977 19.03.2001 US 276501 P (71) Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K. Tokyo 105-8518 (JP)

(72) Inventors: YANAGIMOTO, ShigeruShowa Denko K.K. Kitakata-shiFukushima 966-0845 (JP) HIRANO, KunioShowa Denko K.K. Kitakata-shiFukushima 966-0845 (JP) FUKUDA, MasashiShowa Denko K.K. Kitakata-shiFukushima 966-0845 (JP) UCHIDA, TomooShowa Denko K.K. Kitakata-shiFukushima 966-0845 (JP) (74) Representative: Smith, Norman Ian et al fJ CLEVELAND 40-43 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1JQ London WC2A 1JQ (GB)