(19)

(11)

EP 1 278 941 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 18.04.2002 (43) Date of publication: 29.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/05 (21) Application number: 01928250.8 (22) Date of filing: 03.05.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E21D 11/10, E21D 9/08 (86) International application number: PCT/NL0100/340 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/3949 (08.11.2001 Gazette 2001/45)

(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: 03.05.2000 NL 1015097 (71) Applicant: I.T.M. Industriele Tunnelbouw Methode C.V. 2961 AG Kinderdijk (NL)	(72) Inventors: VAN LANGE, Maarten, Willibrord, Petrus NL-6991 JA Rheden (NL) de BRAAK, Richard, Johannes NL-3136 CG Vlaardingen (NL) GREVE, Hans, Arnold NL-3311 DA Dordrecht (NL) (74) Representative: Iemenschot, Johannes Andreas, Ir.  Exter Polak & Charlouis B.V.,P.O. Box 3241 2280 GE Rijswijk 2280 GE Rijswijk (NL)