(19)

(11)

EP 1 441 868 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 03.07.2003 (43) Date of publication: 04.08.2004 Bulletin 2004/32 (21) Application number: 02784090.9 (22) Date of filing: 10.10.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22C 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/032655 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/031096 (17.04.2003 Gazette 2003/16)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 11.10.2001 US 328841 P (71) Applicant: Brewer Science, Inc. Rolla,MO 65401-9926 (US)	(72) Inventors: SHIH, Wu-Sheng Rolla, MO 65401-9926 (US) LAMB, James, E., III Rolla, MO 65401-9926 (US) DAFFRON, Mark Rolla, MO 65401-9926 (US) (74) Representative: UEXKÜLL & STOLBERG  PatentanwälteBeselerstrasse 4 22607 Hamburg 22607 Hamburg (DE)