In a closure plate for a slide closure on the spout of a container containing molten metal, two outer longitudinal sides, a flow-through opening disposed on a central longitudinal axis of the closure plate and a closing surface passing from the latter are provided. There are formed on each of these two outer longitudinal sides, at least two shoulder surfaces serving as clamping surfaces or as centring surfaces of the closure plate which are at an angle to the longitudinal axis and tapering inward. At least on the shoulder surfaces on the side of the closing surface, adjoining outer sides are provided which are respectively at a smaller angle to the longitudinal axis than those of the shoulder surfaces.

In a device for fastening a perforated block (1) to a metal melt container, the perforated block (1) can be fastened by means of at least one clamping wedge (36) which can be inserted transversely with respect to its through opening (D) and which has a clamping jaw (35) coupled thereto, wherein this clamping jaw (35) acts on a clamping surface (13) formed on the circumferential surface of the perforated block (1). The respective clamping wedge (36) is guided in a carrier plate (33) so as to be displaceable in its longitudinal extent and transversely with respect thereto, while the clamping jaw (35) coupled thereto can be moved in this transverse direction. Consequently, the perforated block can be fastened with precise positioning in the carrier plate (33) in a simple manner.

In a device for fastening a perforated block (1) to a metal melt container, the perforated block (1) can be fastened by means of at least one clamping wedge (36) which can be inserted transversely with respect to its through opening (D) and which has a clamping jaw (35) coupled thereto, wherein this clamping jaw (35) acts on a clamping surface (13) formed on the circumferential surface of the perforated block (1). The respective clamping wedge (36) is guided in a carrier plate (33) so as to be displaceable in its longitudinal extent and transversely with respect thereto, while the clamping jaw (35) coupled thereto can be moved in this transverse direction. Consequently, the perforated block can be fastened with precise positioning in the carrier plate (33) in a simple manner.

A metal casting installation comprises a ladle comprising an inner nozzle in fluid communication with the through-opening of a top gate plate. The installation contains a ladle shroud coupling assembly comprising a support frame comprising a bottom gate plate and a passage. The support frame is slidingly coupled to a planar bottom surface of a top gate plate of the inner nozzle of the ladle, such that the opening of the bottom gate plate can be brought in or out of registry with the through-opening of the top gate plate. A drawer frame can be can be moved through the passage of the support frame. The bore of a specifically designed ladle shroud capable of being reversibly coupled to latches can be brought into or out of registry with the opening of the bottom gate plate.

A metal casting installation comprises a ladle comprising an inner nozzle in fluid communication with the through-opening of a top gate plate. The installation contains a ladle shroud coupling assembly comprising a support frame comprising a bottom gate plate and a passage. The support frame is slidingly coupled to a planar bottom surface of a top gate plate of the inner nozzle of the ladle, such that the opening of the bottom gate plate can be brought in or out of registry with the through-opening of the top gate plate. A drawer frame can be can be moved through the passage of the support frame. The bore of a specifically designed ladle shroud capable of being reversibly coupled to latches can be brought into or out of registry with the opening of the bottom gate plate.

A sliding nozzle apparatus includes a fixed metal frame, and a sliding metal frame which is provided openable-closable and slidable with respect to the fixed metal frame. When the sliding metal frame is opened, the sliding nozzle apparatus is erected such that a sliding direction of the sliding metal frame is oriented in a vertical direction. The fixed metal frame is provided with a fall prevention member, and the sliding metal frame is provided with an engagement member. The fall prevention member has a catching surface for catching the engagement member when the sliding metal frame is opened, in the uppermost position where the sliding metal frame is moved to the uppermost side in a state in which the sliding nozzle apparatus is erected such that the sliding direction of the sliding metal frame is oriented in the vertical direction.

A sliding nozzle apparatus in which components constituting the sliding nozzle apparatus are less likely to be damaged even when a surface pressure is loaded with no refractory plate mounted. The sliding nozzle apparatus comprises a fixed metal frame and a sliding metal frame which is slidably provided with respect to the fixed metal frame. The sliding metal frame is movable between a first position where, in a state where two refractory plates are mounted, respectively, in a plate-receiving recess of the fixed metal frame and a plate-receiving recess of the sliding metal frame, a surface pressure can be loaded between the two refractory plates, and a second position where, in a state where no refractory plate is mounted to either plate-receiving recess, a surface pressure can be loaded between the fixed metal frame and the sliding metal frame.

A sliding nozzle apparatus in which components constituting the sliding nozzle apparatus are less likely to be damaged even when a surface pressure is loaded with no refractory plate mounted. The sliding nozzle apparatus comprises a fixed metal frame and a sliding metal frame which is slidably provided with respect to the fixed metal frame. The sliding metal frame is movable between a first position where, in a state where two refractory plates are mounted, respectively, in a plate-receiving recess of the fixed metal frame and a plate-receiving recess of the sliding metal frame, a surface pressure can be loaded between the two refractory plates, and a second position where, in a state where no refractory plate is mounted to either plate-receiving recess, a surface pressure can be loaded between the fixed metal frame and the sliding metal frame.

A mounting device capable of smoothly mounting a drive unit being in a hanging state to a sliding nozzle device, using a manipulator. The mounting device is mounted to a distal end of a manipulator to mount a drive unit whose upper end is connected to a suspending device, to a holder of a sliding nozzle device. The mounting device includes: a holding part for holding an upper portion or central portion (to-be-held plate) of the drive unit; and a contact part which is contactable with a lower portion (to-be-contacted part) of the drive unit when mounting the drive unit to the holder.

A mounting device capable of smoothly mounting a drive unit being in a hanging state to a sliding nozzle device, using a manipulator. The mounting device is mounted to a distal end of a manipulator to mount a drive unit whose upper end is connected to a suspending device, to a holder of a sliding nozzle device. The mounting device includes: a holding part for holding an upper portion or central portion (to-be-held plate) of the drive unit; and a contact part which is contactable with a lower portion (to-be-contacted part) of the drive unit when mounting the drive unit to the holder.