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(11)

EP 1 670 604 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.06.2006 Bulletin 2006/25 (21) Application number: 04775189.6 (22) Date of filing: 10.09.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B22D 17/00(1968.09) B22D 21/00(1968.09) C22C 49/04(2000.01) B22D 47/00(1968.09) C22C 47/08(2000.01) C22C 49/14(2000.01) (86) International application number: PCT/PT2004/000023 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/025778 (24.03.2005 Gazette 2005/12)

(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 PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 12.09.2003 PT 10301803 (71) Applicants: Universidade do Minho 4700-320 Braga (PT) Universidade Do Porto 4050 345 Porto (PT)	(72) Inventors: MONTEIRO, António, Alberto, Caetano P-4710-254 Braga (PT) BARBOSA, José, Joaquim, Carneiro P-4700-155 Braga (PT) RIBEIRO, Carlos, Alberto, Silva P-4740-350 Fão (PT) (74) Representative: Pereira da Cruz, Joao  J. Pereira da Cruz, S.A. Rua Vitor Cordon, 14 1249-103 Lisboa 1249-103 Lisboa (PT)