(19)

(11)

EP 1 536 902 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.06.2005 Bulletin 2005/23 (21) Application number: 03749254.3 (22) Date of filing: 02.09.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22D 41/54, B22D 41/58 (86) International application number: PCT/US2003/027209 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/022267 (18.03.2004 Gazette 2004/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 03.09.2002 US 407815 P (71) Applicant: Vesuvius Crucible Company Wilmington, DE 19803 (US)	(72) Inventor: RICHAUD, Johan Dundas, Ontario L9H 7B6 (CA) (74) Representative: Debled, Thierry  Vesuvius Group S.A.Intellectual Property DepartmentRue de Douvrain, 17 7011 Ghlin 7011 Ghlin (BE)