(19)

(11)

EP 1 372 892 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.01.2004 Bulletin 2004/01 (21) Application number: 02704500.4 (22) Date of filing: 04.03.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22D 41/30, B22D 41/28 (86) International application number: PCT/BE2002/000025 (87) International publication number: WO 2002/070173 (12.09.2002 Gazette 2002/37)

(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: 06.03.2001 EP 01870037 (71) Applicant: Vesuvius Crucible Company Wilmington, DE 19803 (US)	(72) Inventors: DI DOMENICO, Giampiero B-7350 Hensies (BE) FLORIO, Fabrizio B-7300 Boussu (BE) (74) Representative: Debled, Thierry  Vesuvius Group S.A.Intellectual Property DepartmentRue de Douvrain, 17 7011 Ghlin 7011 Ghlin (BE)