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(11)

EP 1 682 684 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 26.07.2006 Bulletin 2006/30 (21) Application number: 04806739.1 (22) Date of filing: 25.10.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C21B 3/06(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/IN2004/000333 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/040432 (06.05.2005 Gazette 2005/18)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE GB LU NL (30) Priority: 24.10.2003 IN KO05502003 (71) Applicant: The Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited Jamshedpur 831 007 (IN)

(72) Inventors: REDDY, A. S. The Tata Iron & Steel Company Limited Jamshedpur 831 007 (IN) TRIPATHI, B. The Tata Iron & Steel Company Limited Jamshedpur 831 007 (IN) CHANDRA, Sanjay The Tata Iron & Steel Company Ltd. Jamshedpur 831 007 (IN) PRADHAN, R. K. The Tata Iron & Steel Company Ltd. Jamshedpur 831 007 (IN) MUKHERJEE, T. The Tata Iron & Steel Company Ltd. Jamshedpur 831 007 (IN) (74) Representative: Myon, Gérard Jean-Pierre et al Cabinet Lavoix, 62, rue de Bonnel 69448 Lyon Cédex 03 69448 Lyon Cédex 03 (FR)