(19)

(11)

EP 1 781 436 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.05.2007 Bulletin 2007/19 (21) Application number: 05778484.5 (22) Date of filing: 05.08.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B22D 41/50(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/BE2005/000125 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/015460 (16.02.2006 Gazette 2006/07)

(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 LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 11.08.2004 EP 04447185 (71) Applicant: VESUVIUS CRUCIBLE COMPANY Wilmington, DE 19803 (US)	(72) Inventor: CHALMERS, Derek, James Monkton KA9 2PR (GB) (74) Representative: Debled, Thierry et al Vesuvius Group S.A. Intellectual Property Department Rue de Douvrain, 17 7011 Ghlin 7011 Ghlin (BE)