(19)

(11)

EP 1 789 220 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 02.03.2006 (43) Date of publication: 30.05.2007 Bulletin 2007/22 (21) Application number: 05763960.1 (22) Date of filing: 15.07.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B22D 41/18(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/BE2005/000116 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/007672 (26.01.2006 Gazette 2006/04)

(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: 20.07.2004 EP 04447179 (71) Applicant: VESUVIUS CRUCIBLE COMPANY Wilmington, DE 19803 (US)	(72) Inventor: GUILLO, Philippe F-75009 PARIS (FR) (74) Representative: Debled, Thierry et al Vesuvius Group S.A. Intellectual Property Department Rue de Douvrain, 17 7011 Ghlin 7011 Ghlin (BE)