(19)

(11)

EP 1 871 555 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 08.11.2007 (43) Date of publication: 02.01.2008 Bulletin 2008/01 (21) Application number: 06739457.7 (22) Date of filing: 22.03.2006

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B22D 17/08(2006.01) B22D 25/00(2006.01) B22D 23/00(2006.01) C22C 21/04(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2006/010666 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/102550 (28.09.2006 Gazette 2006/39)

(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 Designated Extension States: AL BA HR MK YU (30) Priority: 22.03.2005 US 85086 (71) Applicant: Contech, LLC Portage, Michigan (US)	(72) Inventor: DASGUPTA, Rathindra Portage, Michigan 49024 (US) (74) Representative: Maury, Richard Philip  Marks & Clerk 90 Long Acre London WC2E 9RA London WC2E 9RA (GB)