Cathode base plate for electrolytic refining

A cathode plate useful for the electrolytic refining of nonferrous metals, comprising an electroconductive base plate of relatively large length and width and relatively small thickness, said plate having a central area adapted to receive an electrodeposited nonferrous metal layer on one or both sides thereof, said plate having a pair of vertical marginal side edge portions, the upper region of at least one of said marginal side edge portions being of reduced thickness relative to said central area, a pair of electrical insulating frame sections respectively mounted on said side edge portions of said base plate and covering the opposite surfaces and the edges of said side edge portions except for said upper region of said one side edge portion, said upper region having a plurality of through holes arranged in a vertical row and at least one additional through hole horizontally offset from said vertical row of holes;

• a unitary insulating member separate from said frame sections, said member being made of electrical insulating material and being mounted on said upper region and covering both sides and the side edge of said upper region and filling said holes such that said member is rigidly affixed to said upper region of said plate and covers same, the opposite surfaces of said member being substantially flush with the opposite surfaces of said central area of said base plate, the lower edge of said member substantially abutting the upper edge of the frame section disposed therebelow, said member having a height and width sufficient to permit a stripping means to be moved thereover to strip off said electrodeposited metal layer or layers from said plate.