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(11)

EP 1 282 492 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.02.2003 Bulletin 2003/07 (21) Application number: 00929171.7 (22) Date of filing: 15.05.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B27K 5/00, B27K 5/06, B27K 3/15 (86) International application number: PCT/CA0000/563 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/7560 (22.11.2001 Gazette 2001/47)

(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 (71) Applicant: Hydro-Québec Montréal,Québec H2Z 1A4 (CA)	(72) Inventors: BESNER, André Montréal, Québec H1M 1Y9 (CA) VALL E, Alain Varennes, Québec J3X 1Y9 (CA) LABRECQUE, Jean-François Montréal, Québec H2H 1Z6 (CA) GILBERT, Roland Dunham, Québec J0E 1M0 (CA) (74) Representative: Sueur, Yvette et al Cabinet SUEUR & L'HELGOUALCH,109, boulevard Haussmann 75008 Paris 75008 Paris (FR)