Abstract: Process and apparatus for unwinding hollow coils of wire quickly and reliably without mishaps such as jammed turns, the formation of knots or blockages, wire breakage and the like. The coils are positioned with their axes vertical and then are gripped externally by a corset element to retain the coils stationary during unwinding. Wire is withdrawn upwardly from the hollow of the coil and slides over a pressure device en route to a fixed eyelet and a rotatable drum disposed above the coil. The pressure device exerts pressure on the top of the coil to stabilize the coil during unwinding, and increases slightly the curvature of the unwinding turns of wire to facilitate withdrawal. Actuator devices are provided for opening and closing the corset element and for raising and lowering the pressure device. Two or more apparatuses may be provided for continuous unwinding.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and apparatus for improving the efficiency of the deoxidation, desulfurization and purification of molten steel in the pouring or casting ladle by the injection of a band of metal and/or a selected quantity of a granular or powdery addition product into a bath of molten steel in a ladle, wherein a band drive assembly is disposed above, in proximity to, the surface of the molten bath and is operative to propel vertically a band of metal in rectilinear form, perpendicularly to the surface of the molten bath, deep into the bath so that the metal band approaches as closely as possible the bottom of the ladle to improve the distribution of the metal and the addition product throughout the molten bath.