(19)

(11)

EP 1 718 429 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/45 (21) Application number: 05712988.4 (22) Date of filing: 04.02.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B22F 3/26(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/003767 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/077571 (25.08.2005 Gazette 2005/34)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 04.02.2004 US 542271 P (71) Applicant: GKN Sinter Metals Inc. Germantown, WI 53022 (US)	(72) Inventors: BYRD, Kent, L., Jr. New Albany, IN 47150 (US) TAYLOR, Alan New Albany, IN 47150 (US) (74) Representative: Maxton Langmaack & Partner  Postfach 51 08 06 D-50944 Köln D-50944 Köln (DE)