Method and apparatus for forming by vibration a refractory lining of a container for a molten metal

Apparatus for applying a refractory lining to the inner wall surfaces of a container which is open at the top and is used for holding molten metal, said apparatus comprising a stand unit on which said container can be received, a molding box including:

• a bottom wall,
• space encircling side wall structure extending upwardly from said base,
• said bottom wall having passage means extending therethrough, said bottom wall and side wall structure defining an upright open top housing, means for covering the top of said housing, means for suspending said housing disposed within said container with the outer surface of said bottom wall and side wall structure spaced from the inner wall surface of said container, means for vertically and two-dimensionally horizontally adjustably positioning said stand unit whereby the positioning of said molding box housing relative to said container can be correspondingly altered, said molding box further including,
• a closed vessel for holding refractory material which can be vibrated and given thixotropic fluidity extending upwardly from said bottom wall and disposed thereon centrally relatively of said side wall structure,
• means for selectively establishing communication between the interior of said closed vessel and the passage means in said bottom wall whereby refractory material present in said vessel can be conveyed therefrom through said passage means and into said container, and
• means for vibrating refractory material received in said vessel,
• said closed vessel having a lid at the top thereof, said lid carrying exhaust pipe means with which the interior of said vessel can be communicated with a source of vacuum for degassing refractory material therein, and pressure pipe means with which the interior of said vessel can be connected with a source of compressed gas to facilitate conveying said refractory material from said vessel into said container.