Abstract: A thermal insulation cover for covering an opening in a tundish and forming a sealed closure thereabout according to this invention comprises a pair of cover members adapted to be positioned in covering relation over the opening, and means for locking the cover members together and ensuring that respective abutment faces of the covers are spaced apart by a predetermined amount. The locking means comprises first and second brackets mounted respectively on the cover members, an elongated lock bar mounted for movement relative to the brackets, the lock bar having a stop member at its rearward end to abut the first bracket to limit movement of the bar and position a recess at its forward end relative to the second bracket, and a lock member mountable in the recess to abut the second bracket to prevent retrograde movement of the bar.

Abstract: A pre-formed rigid ceramic thermal insulating heat conservation cover is placed over and fitted into the opening of a hot liquid metal transfer car. The cover reduces thermal loss from the liquid metal by a non-metallic middle sheet encapsulated by an upper metallic sheet and a lower metallic sheet. The middle sheet is formed of fused ceramic and silica sand.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a cover from a transport car is mounted to the car and has a swing member connected to the cover of the car. The swing member is pulled away, with the cover, by rolling down a pair of guide members to a termination point. A winch is used to pull the swing member back into position to block the opening of the transport car with the cover. The apparatus allows manual removal or placement of the cover on the transport car in environments where the space over the car is restricted.

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.