Abstract: A closing apparatus for the bottom pouring hole of a casting ladle, comprising a mounting plate mounted on the bottom of the ladle with a head plate resting against it, in which head plate a port is formed to pour out the melt, and further comprising a slide plate supported for pivoting movement about two axes and adapted to be pressed resiliently against the head plate. The slide plate is supported for reciprocating movement inside a housing. The housing is supported by a housing carrier structure, especially between the legs of carrier bracket for the housing, for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis, while the carrier bracket for the housing is supported by the mounting plate for pivoting about a second pivot axis. The first and second pivot axes extend parallel to each other and to the sealing face between the head and slide plates.

Abstract: Summarizing, the present invention provides a hot blast or hot gas valve, particularly for a blast furnace, comprising a liquid or water cooled valve disc adapted to be moved axially for adjustment, wherein said valve disc is formed to be arched unilaterally towards the side of said valve to be shut off, said valve disc including around the sealing edge thereof a hollow section through which coolant flows, and the concave side of said valve disc opposite from the closure side of said valve being covered by a layer or lining of a refractory material, particularly by a ceramic brickwork, within the area enclosed, for instance, by said water cooled hollow section.