Abstract: Apparatus is described for detaching a coiled strip from a wound sheet material construct containing a plurality of coiled strips interconnected by intermittently spaced tabs of partially sheared material that bridge the parting lines between adjacent strips. The apparatus is effective to separate the selected coiled strip from the construct and to thereafter pay out the strip to a point of use.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described which are effective for detaching a coiled strip from a wound construct containing a plurality of coiled strips interconnected by intermittently spaced tabs that bridge the parting lines between adjacent strips. The apparatus is adapted to conveniently fracture the tabs in a manner which prevents distortion or marring of the adjacent strip material. The separated strip is caused to be wound into a tighter coil to facilitate subsequent handling thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for slitting an elongated web of sheet metal to produce a plurality of strips that are retained in the web during coiling by intermittently spaced connections. The connections are formed by partially sheared tabs that are easily broken apart for ultimate separation of the strips. Also described is a slitting cutter configuration particularly adapted to produce partially sheared tabs.

Abstract: Pneumatic seals are provided at the seams about movable doors of the containment enclosure for a metal processing converter to prevent leakage of undesirable effluent to the atmosphere. The seals incorporate members on the doors and the adjacent enclosure structure which, when the doors are closed, define labyrinth passages for conducting clean air from an elevated pressure source to discharge simultaneously into the enclosure interior and to the atmosphere. The invention contemplates, as an alternative, connection of the passages to a low pressure source effective to withdraw the effluent leakage for discharge into a receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the rate at which molten metal is supplied from a receiving vessel, through a pouring tube, to the mold of a continuous casting apparatus or the like. The described apparatus is particularly adapted to overcome irregularities that occur in the molten metal as it flows through the pouring tube, such irregularities being known as "superspeed effect". A method is also described for effectively using the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A slide gate valve for use with a molten metal teeming vessel is provided with elongated resilient supports that may be in the form of leaf springs, or the like, and are operative to resiliently bias the slide plate of the valve against the head plate thereof. The resilient supports are releasably secured to the vessel by linkages that facilitate disassembly of the valve elements for servicing.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating individual coils from a coil construct of wound sheet metal web material that has been partially slit along parallel lines to produce frangible parting lines between adjacent coils. The apparatus includes clamping members adapted to engage the construct on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the construct and on opposite sides of a parting line and means for effecting relative movement between the clamping members and a concomitant complete separation of the coil from the construct.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for detaching individual strip coils from a construct of wound sheet metal web material that has been partially slit along parallel lines to produce parting lines containing frangible connections between adjacent coils. The coil detaching means includes a self-contained rotatable mount for the detached coil which becomes effective upon detachment of the coil from the construct to permit dispensing of the strip material without need to transfer the coil from the apparatus to an uncoiler.

Abstract: Spring elements are described that are especially adapted for use in high temperature environments such as for example in sliding gate valves for metal pouring vessels. The spring elements include an expansable chamber defined in part by a bellows member and a thrust surface adapted to apply the spring force. The chamber is filled with a thermally expansive fluid operative to expand the chamber and thus apply the spring force when exposed to elevated temperatures and conversally, to effect retraction of the same when the elevated temperatures are removed.

Abstract: Flaring, splashing and spitting of the molten metal flow stream issuing from a flow control nozzle of the type forming the collector nozzle of a sliding plate valve is prevented by forming the flow passage through the nozzle with a flow-impeding constriction intermediate the ends thereof. The passage is also provided with a duct section downstream of the constriction and includes means for preventing recirculatory currents in the flow stream from entering and passing the constriction.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for separating individual coils from a construct of wound sheet metal web material that has been partially slit along parallel lines to produce parting lines containing frangible connections between adjacent coils. The apparatus is carriage-mounted and includes a mandrel assembly adapted to enter the construct center and carrying fluid operated means for anchoring the construct and for displacing the coil to be removed from the remainder of the construct thereby breaking the connections attaching adjacent coils thus to separate the selected coil from the construct.

Abstract: The disclosure includes method and apparatus for handling elongated webs of sheet metal, and a sheet metal construct formed as an intermediate product and comprising a parent coil pre-divided into a plurality of daughter coils. In one method sequence, separation can be completed by the end user of the coil just before it is fed into a press or the like. In another method sequence, separation is completed during wrapping of the parent coil. In still other sequences, completion of separation can be accomplished at stages intermediate these two. Slitting may be done directly off a mill. Edge trim strip may be wound as part of the parent coil to simplify scrap handling, and may be used to protect the coil in transit.

Abstract: A method for handling an elongated web of sheet metal formed as a parent coil construct pre-divided into a plurality of severable daughter coils in which the daughter coils are selectively severed from the parent coil at one site and then transported to another ultimate point of use. The daughter coils defining the outermost ends of the parent coil form edge trim strips that protect the construct during tranport and are severed therefrom prior to or incident with ultimate use.

Abstract: The disclosure includes method and apparatus for handling elongated webs of sheet metal, and a sheet metal construct formed as an intermediate product and comprising a parent coil pre-divided into a plurality of daughter coils. In one method sequence, separation can be completed by the end user of the coil just before it is fed into a press or the like. In another method sequence, separation is completed during wrapping of the parent coil. In still other sequences, completion of separation can be accomplished at stages intermediate these two. Slitting may be done directly off a mill. Edge trim strip may be wound as part of the parent coil to simplify scrap handling, and may be used to protect the coil in transit.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve assembly for pouring liquid metal is described in which the frame that mounts the sliding plate is attached directly to oppositely spaced motor apparatus of particular design. Thus, in addition to imparting motion to the slide frame, the motor apparatus also serve to slidably mount the frame thereby eliminating the need for a housing enclosure about the slide frame. According to one aspect of the invention, the frame is movable longitudinally by motor apparatus on two opposed sides of the frame. According to another aspect of the invention, the frame is movable both longitudinally and transversely by pairs of motor apparatus rectangularly disposed about the four sides of the frame. Motor apparatus that is mechanically, electrically or fluid operated can be employed.

Abstract: The disclosure includes method and apparatus for handling elongated webs of sheet metal, and a sheet metal construct formed as an intermediate product and comprising a parent coil pre-divided into a plurality of daughter coils. In one method sequence, separation can be completed by the end user of the coil just before it is fed into a press or the like. In another method sequence, separation is completed during wrapping of the parent coil. In still other sequences, completion of separation can be accomplished at stages intermediate these two. Slitting may be done directly off a mill. Edge trim strip may be wound as part of the parent coil to simplify scrap handling, and may be used to protect the coil in transit.

Abstract: Pour tubes for use in conjunction with slidable gate valves that regulate the flow of molten metal from the pour opening in a bottom pour teeming vessel are operatively positioned with respect to the gate valve collector nozzle by means of mounting apparatus of particular construction. A pouring tube is replaceably positioned in the apparatus which is operative to manipulate the tube within a confined space into its operating position with respect to the collector nozzle between the teeming vessel and a receiving vessel.

Abstract: Oxidation of a molten metal pour stream is prevented by enclosing the stream in a shroud formed by one or more jets of inert gas arranged to envelope the stream.

Abstract: A pour passage of particular configuration for controlling the flow of aluminum-killed steels, or the like, is described which is effective for preventing the accumulation of oxide inclusions in an orifice opening disposed in the pour passage. The described pour passage configuration may be formed in a replaceable nozzle insert that is mountable in the pour opening of a molten metal teeming vessel or in the slidable panel of a sliding gate valve operably associated with the vessel. A method of preventing inclusion accumulation in a control orifice opening when pouring aluminum-killed steels or the like is also described.

Abstract: A pour passage of particular configuration for controlling the flow of aluminum-killed steels, or the like, is described which is effective for preventing the accumulation of oxide inclusions in an orifice opening disposed in the pour passage. The described pour passage configuration may be formed in a replaceable nozzle insert that is mountable in the pour opening of a molten metal teeming vessel or in the slidable panel of a sliding gate valve operably associated with the vessel. A method of preventing inclusion accumulation in a control orifice opening when pouring aluminum-killed steels or the like is also described.