Partitioned receptacle for distributing molten metal from a spout to form an ingot

A generally rectangular melt-distribution receptacle adapted to be disposed in melt-receiving relationship under the discharge end of a melt-feeding spout, said receptacle having a planar base and upstanding opposed side walls and end walls, said end walls being shorter than said side walls;

• a central zone provided by laterally spaced-apart upstanding partitions extending transversely from one side wall to the other and upwardly for a shorter distance than the height of said end walls;
• and, at least each end wall has an open-mesh discharge outlet near the bottom of the end wall so as to allow melt to be discharged laterally from opposed discharge outlets.

A melt distribution bag adapted for use under a spout the discharge end of which is positioned above the center of a mold in which a billet of generally cylindrical cross section is to be cast in a substantially cylindrical mold cavity, said bag comprising,

• an open-top generally cylindrical outer bag having a substantially planar circular base member and a peripheral outer wall rising from the periphery of said base member;
• an essentially melt-impermeable inner bag disposed upon said base member and within said outer bag, said inner bag being defined by a cylindrical inner wall rising from said base member so as to retain a pool of said melt large enough to submerge a melt-discharging spout within said inner bag;
• said cylindrical inner wall and said peripheral outer wall providing an annular discharge zone into which melt overflows from said inner bag, said inner wall having a circumferential discharge outlet having a filtration member in said peripheral outer wall near the bottom thereof, the area of said discharge outlet being sufficiently large to filter said melt into said mold cavity without providing substantial accumulation of said melt within said discharge zone.

A melt-distribution receptacle adapted to be disposed in melt-receiving relationship under the discharge end of a melt-feeding spout, said receptacle having a planar base and upstanding opposed side walls and end walls, said end walls being shorter than said side walls;

• a central zone provided by laterally spaced-apart upstanding partitions from about one-fifth to one-half the height of said end walls, said partition extending transversely from one side wall to the other and upwardly for a shorter distance than the height of said end walls, and, at least each end wall has an open-mesh discharge outlet near the bottom of the end wall so as to allow melt to be discharged laterally from opposed discharge outlets having a combined open area sufficiently large to provide a discharge velocity of melt in the range from about 40 in/min to about 100 in/min with substantially no accumulation of melt other than within said central zone, so that melt is continuously filtered and discharged through said outlets with essentially no pressure drop.

A melt distribution bag adapted for use under a spout the discharge end of which is positioned above the center of a mold in which a billet is to be cast in a mold cavity, said bag comprising,

• an open-top bag having a substantially planar base member and a peripheral outer wall rising from the periphery of said base member;
• an essentially melt-impermeable inner bag disposed upon said base member and within said outer bag, said inner bag being defined by an inner wall from about one-fifth to one-half the height of said peripheral outer wall, said inner wall rising from said base member so as to retain a pool of said melt large enough to submerge a melt-discharging spout within said inner bag;
• said inner wall and said peripheral outer wall providing an annular discharge zone into which melt overflows from said inner bag, said inner wall having a discharge outlet having an open mesh screen in said peripheral outer wall near the bottom thereof, the area of said discharge outlet being sufficient to filter said melt into said mold cavity, and to provide a discharge velocity of melt from an outlet in the range from about 40 in/min to about 100 in/min.