Abstract: A hot metal transfer car has a pouring mouth and integral apparatus for removably covering the pouring mouth.A track has a first section which is supported by the transfer car at one end and extends upwardly toward its second end. A second section of the track extends downwardly away from the second end toward the pouring mouth. A carriage driven by means of a motor and a chain drive moves on the track. A pouring mouth cover having a handling arm slideably connected with the carriage is moved over the track by the carriage.

Abstract: An expandable tap hole plug includes a plug comprising a cylindrical member having a circular nose and an outwardly extending flexible sidewall forming a variable obtuse angle with respect to the nose. The plug is adatepd to be oriented within a tap hole of a metallurgical vessel with the nose directed towards the interior of the vessel. An expander, in the form of a truncated cone, has a base and spokes extending outwardly from the base forming a variable obtuse angle with respect to the base. The expander is inverted relative to the plug and is attached to the plug with the spokes of the expander engaging the sidewall of the plug. The angle between the side section and base of the expander is varied so as to vary the angle of the sidewall of the plug relative to the nose thereof to block the tap hole.