Refractory head with optional spike for dross press

Abstract

A dross press head is constructed of refractory material. The refractory material may be a vitreous silica based refractory or other suitable refractory material including ceramic material. The refractory head may include reinforcing fibers, which may be stainless steel fibers. The refractory head may be provided with refractory clips or anchor bolts and secured at its upper end to a metal plate for structural strength. One or more spikes may be formed on or mounted to a lower surface of the refractory head for aiding flow of the upper layer of metal recovered from the dross. The spikes may be constructed of refractory material including ceramic material, cast steel, cast iron or hot rolled steel. Spike material may be selected based on the type of dross. The spike may be formed on the head threadably mounted to a supporting rod mounted to the upper metal plate.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In a dross press, an apparatus comprising a dross press head constructed of refractory material.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said refractory material is constructed of a vitreous based silica.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said refractory material is provided with reinforcing fibers.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 3    wherein said reinforcing fibers are stainless steel.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said dross press head is of a substantially semi-hemispherical shape.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said dross press head is substantially oblong in shape.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said refractory material is constructed of a ceramic material.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said dross press head is provided with a spike positioned on a lower surface of said dross press head.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 8    wherein said spike is constructed of a refractory material.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 8    wherein said spike is constructed of a refractory material having a vitreous silica base.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 8    wherein said spike is constructed of a refractory material which is a ceramic.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 8    wherein said spike is constructed of cast steel.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 8    wherein said spike is constructed of hot rolled steel.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said dross press head constructed of refractory material is secured to an upper plate.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 14    wherein said refractory material of said dross press head is secured to said upper plate by bolts mounted in said refractory material with a flared lower end.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 15    wherein said dross press head is provided with an opening extending from said upper plate to a lower surface of said head, a shaft being mounted in said opening and secured to said upper plate, and a spike mounted to a lower end of said shaft.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 16    wherein said spike is threadably mounted to said shaft.  
     
     
         18 . In a dross press, an apparatus, comprising: 
 a dross press head constructed of a refractory material; and    a spike projecting downwardly from said dross press head.    
     
     
         19 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    including a skim pot, said skim pot having a drain hole in a lower portion thereof, said spike being positioned on said head and adapted to pass into said drain hole upon lowering of said head into said skim pot.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said spike is constructed of a refractory material.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said spike is constructed of a refractory material having a vitreous silica base.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said spike is constructed of a refractory material which is a ceramic.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said spike is constructed of cast steel.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said spike is constructed of hot rolled steel.  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said head is constructed of a vitreous based silica.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said spike is constructed of a vitreous based refractory material having stainless steel reinforcing fibers.  
     
     
         27 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said dross press head is of a substantially semi-hemispherical shape.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said dross press head is substantially oblong in shape.  
     
     
         29 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said dross press head constructed of refractory material is secured to an upper plate.  
     
     
         30 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 29    wherein said refractory material of said dross press head is secured to said upper plate by bolts mounted in said refractory material with a flared lower area.  
     
     
         31 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 18    wherein said spike is selected to be constructed of a refractory material or a metal based upon the type of dross to be pressed.  
     
     
         32 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 31    wherein said spike is selected to be constructed of refractory material for use in connection with thermiting dross.  
     
     
         33 . An apparatus in accordance with    claim 31    wherein said spike is selected to be constructed of refractory material for use in connection with dross anticipated to be substantially at the melting temperature of the metal to be recovered.