Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method of melting a charge blank of an electrically-conductive fusible material including the steps of positioning at least one substantially ring-shaped charge blank in a crucible wherein the charge blank has an outside transverse dimension and height of about 1.1 to 10 and 0.8 to 3, respectively, times an inside transverse dimension thereof, and thereafter subjecting the charge blank to the electromagnetic field of an induction coil.
Abstract: A melting crucible for small amounts of material has a plurality of pouring openings for the discharge of material selectively from the crucible, or comprises a ring member which is connected to a lower crucible portion containing the material, and which has at least one pouring opening for selective discharge of material from the crucible portion.