Abstract: To retard the escape of hot gases and dust from batch material being charged from a mechanical batch feeder into the doghouse at the charging end of a glass melting furnace, there is provided an enclosure comprised of two sections, one of which is supported on the side walls of the furnace over the doghouse area and which is closed at its back above the doghouse by the suspended arch wall of the furnace, the other of said enclosure sections being entirely supported on the batch feeder. It has top and end portions, the edges of which confront the top and edges of the furnace supported section when the feeder is in place to deliver batch material to the doghouse. Packing material forms a seal between said confronting edges. The feeder, however, may be quickly moved away from the furnace in case of need or emergency or for the repair of the furnace or the feeder.