Slide closure for vessels containing molten metal

Abstract

A slide closure for a vessel that operably contains molten metal, comprising: a slide housing including a recess for receiving a first fire-resistant shielding plate; and a slide unit including an opening for receiving a second fire-resistant shielding plate, wherein at least one clamping mechanism is arranged to initiate clamping of a corresponding fire-resistant shielding plate through actuation of the at least one clamping mechanism when the slide unit is displaced relative to the slide housing and the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates are far apart from each other, essentially before the first and second surfaces of the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates come into contact under pressure.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a slide closure for a vessel that operably contains molten metal, and to a method of operating the slide closure. [Background technology]

[0002] Slide closures of vessels containing molten metal are frequently equipped with slide clamping devices whose purpose is to keep opposing fireproof shields inserted in a given slide housing in a pre-constrained state so as to prevent further propagation of cracks that may form in the respective fireproof shields due to extreme operating conditions.

[0003] Examples of slide clamping devices are known from documents US Pat. No. 4,717,128, EP Pat. No. 587485 and DE Pat. No. 19615696 C2. The use of pre-constrained fireproof shielding plates prevents molten metal from seeping through possible cracks and ensures a proper sealing of the slide closure. Typically, the pre-constrained state of each fireproof shielding plate is obtained by a pre-constrained spring element. A disadvantage of the known solutions for preventing cracks is that the spring elements can only be adjusted during maintenance work. However, the elements of the slide closure are still very hot during maintenance, making the presetting of the spring elements particularly troublesome. To overcome this prejudice, patent document EP Pat. No. 2906376 B1 proposes an automatic clamping of the fireproof shielding plates during fastening of the slide unit to the slide housing, the clamping mechanism being activated by cooperation between the slide unit and the slide housing. A disadvantage of this solution is that the clamping occurs when the fireproof shielding plates are pressed against each other. Shear forces resulting from relative displacement between the fire-resistant shielding plates interfere with the associated automatic pretensioning of the fire-resistant shielding plates.

[0004] Object of the invention The present invention aims to provide a solution to at least one of the shortcomings of the teachings provided by the prior art.

[0005] More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a solution for improving the clamping process of fire-resistant shielding plates. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To this end, the present invention provides a slide closure for a vessel operably containing molten metal, the slide closure comprising a slide housing including a recess for receiving a first fire-resistant shield plate having a first surface with a first flow-through opening, and a slide unit including an opening for receiving a second fire-resistant shield plate having a second surface with a second flow-through opening, the slide closure being arranged such that the slide unit is displaceable longitudinally relative to the slide housing, the slide closure being adapted to adjust a gap or pressure between the opposed first and second surfaces of the first and second fire-resistant shield plates by axial parallel displacement. at least one clamping mechanism is disposed in the slide housing and / or the slide unit, and the at least one clamping mechanism is adapted to clamp a corresponding fire-resistant shielding plate, and the at least one clamping mechanism is configured to initiate clamping of the corresponding fire-resistant shielding plate via actuation of the at least one clamping mechanism when the slide unit is displaced relative to the slide housing and the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates are far away from each other, essentially before the first and second faces of each of the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates come into contact under pressure.

[0007] According to certain embodiments of the invention, the device comprises one or more of the following technical features, taken alone or in any combination thereof: - at least one clamping mechanism is arranged to terminate actuation of the at least one clamping mechanism of a corresponding fire-resistant shield plate before the first and second faces of each of the first and second fire-resistant shield plates come into contact under pressure; - the slide closure comprises at least one ramp which engages with at least one corresponding guide element arranged on the slide unit, the ramp and the guide element being arranged to move the slide unit away from the slide housing when the slide unit reaches a certain part of its stroke, in particular its end stroke; - the at least one clamping mechanism comprises a first and a second clamping mechanism, the first clamping mechanism being arranged on the slide housing and actuated by a first cooperating element arranged on the slide unit, and the second clamping mechanism arranged on the slide unit being actuated by a second cooperating element arranged on the slide housing; - at least one clamping mechanism comprises at least one spring element; at least one spring element is shaped as a U-spring clip, the two ends of said spring element corresponding to the two branches of the U; at least one spring element of the sliding housing or unit comprises a spring element having one of its opposing ends abutting against a portion of a side wall of the corresponding first or second fire-resistant shielding plate and another of its opposing ends abutting against a pretensioning element arranged on the corresponding sliding housing or unit; - at least one spring element of the sliding housing or unit comprises a further spring element having one of its opposing ends abutting against another portion of the side wall of the corresponding first or second fire-resistant shielding plate and the other of its opposing ends abutting against an abutment element attached to the corresponding sliding housing or unit, or another portion of the side wall of the corresponding first or second fire-resistant shielding plate abuts directly against an abutment element attached to the corresponding sliding housing or unit; - each pretensioning element is a sliding element with a side wall in sliding contact with the other end of the corresponding at least one spring element of the sliding housing or unit, the shape of the side wall and of the spring element both being arranged such that a longitudinal displacement of the sliding element compresses the plate in its recess; - each of the first or second cooperating elements comprises a capture profile element; - each capture profile element has a ramp adjacent to at least one claw, preferably two claws; - each capture profile element is elastically connected to a corresponding slide housing or unit so as to be able to bias the capture profile element in the axial direction; - the sliding elements of the sliding housing or unit are provided with a protrusion adapted to cooperate with a capture profile element arranged on a corresponding opposing sliding unit or housing, and each capture profile element can press the corresponding sliding element in the longitudinal direction via said protrusion during displacement of the sliding unit relative to the sliding housing.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a method for positioning a fire-resistant shield in a slide closure, the method comprising the steps of: - providing first and second clamping mechanisms on the slide housing and the slide unit, respectively; and inserting a first fire-resistant shield plate and a second fire-resistant shield plate into recesses in the slide housing and the slide unit, respectively, when the slide closure is in an accessible position; - closing the slide closure so that the slide unit faces the slide housing; - initiating clamping of the first and / or second fire-resistant shielding plates when the slide unit is displaced relative to the slide housing and the first and second surfaces of the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates, respectively, are far away from each other, before the first and second surfaces of the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates, respectively, are under operating pressure.

[0009] The present invention is also advantageous since it reduces the time to replace the fireproof shield by not requiring manual tightening of the fireproof shield. Furthermore, thanks to the better tightening of the fireproof shield in the respective recess, the use of the fireproof shield can be extended. Furthermore, the automatic clamp design allows for more systematic clamping and the tension can be precisely adjusted in a repeatable manner. The device according to the present invention can finally be adapted to different sizes of slide closures and / or containers.

[0010] Generally, preferred embodiments of each subject matter of the present invention are also applicable to the other subject matters of the present invention. Wherever possible, each subject matter of the present invention can be combined with other subject matters. The features of the present invention can also be combined with the embodiments of the present specification, which can in addition be combined with each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like features, and in which:

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a slide closure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a slide closure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a slide closure. [Figure 4A] 4A-4C are simplified diagrams of different stages of displacement of the slide unit relative to the slide housing. [Figure 4B] 4A-4C are simplified diagrams of different stages of displacement of the slide unit relative to the slide housing. [Figure 4C] 4A-4C are simplified diagrams of different stages of displacement of the slide unit relative to the slide housing. [Figure 4D] 4A-4C are simplified diagrams of different stages of displacement of the slide unit relative to the slide housing. [Figure 4E]4A-4C are simplified diagrams of different stages of displacement of the slide unit relative to the slide housing. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of a slide housing receiving a first fire-resistant shield plate having two spring elements; [Figure 5B] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a second embodiment of a slide housing receiving a first fire-resistant shield plate having one single spring element; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a cooperating element and a capture profile element. [Explanation of symbols]

[0013] 2 Slide closure 6A Slide Housing 6B Slide unit 6C Guide Frame 8A, 8B Fireproof shielding board 22A, 22B (first) spring element 24A, 24B (second) spring element 26A, 26B Pretensioning elements, sliding elements 28A, 28B Abutment elements, abutment inserts 30 Lamp 32 Guide Elements 40A, 40B Collaborative elements, Capture profile elements 42A, 42B protrusion 50 Lola DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] 1 is a perspective view of a slide closure 2 for a vessel containing molten metal (not shown). The slide closure 2 comprises a slide housing 6A attached to the vessel and a slide unit 6B displaceable relative to the slide housing 6A during operation. Relative displacement between the slide unit 6B and the slide housing 6A allows for flow control of the molten metal.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the slide closure 2 is in its open, unfolded (accessible) position for its maintenance and extends vertically. To facilitate maintenance, the container can be rotated 90°, so that the slide closure 2, which is normally positioned horizontally at the bottom of the container in use, is positioned vertically. The slide unit 6A can slide in a guide frame 6C, which can be connected to the slide housing 6A via a hinge, as shown in FIG. 1. The slide housing 6A and the slide unit 6B are provided with recesses for receiving the first and second fireproof shielding plates 8A and 8B. The first and second fireproof shielding plates 8A and 8B each have a first face with a first flow-through opening and a second face with a second flow-through opening. In use, the relative positioning of the first flow-through opening to the second flow-through opening makes it possible to control the flow of the molten metal being discharged. The control can be stepped between a fully open position, where the two openings are aligned with one another, and a fully closed position, where the two openings are completely offset from one another.

[0016] Figure 2 shows the slide closure 2 in the closed position after pivoting of the guide frame 6C from its open position for maintenance as shown in Figure 1. In the closed position, the slide unit 6B faces the slide housing 6A. Here, there is a gap between the first and second fireproof shielding plates 8A, 8B. This axially extending gap can be adjusted by the parallel displacement of the slide unit 6B.

[0017] The connection option of the guide frame 6C to the slide housing 6A is not limited to a hinge arrangement, but any other suitable arrangement can be envisaged, for example the guide frame 6C is not necessary in some applications where the slide unit 6B is fixed directly onto the slide housing 6A.

[0018] The sliding unit 6B is configured to move in the longitudinal direction in addition to the axial direction. The displacement along the longitudinal direction is not only used to control the flow of molten metal discharged when the vessel is in use, but also to adjust the gap or pressure between the first and second fireproof shield plates 8A, 8B. Indeed, FIG. 3 shows that the parallel displacement of the sliding unit 6B can be ensured by at least one ramp 30, for example arranged on the guide frame 6C, which engages with a corresponding guide element 32 arranged on the sliding unit 6B. The longitudinal displacement of the sliding unit 6B relative to the sliding housing is ensured by a drive element (not shown), such as a hydraulic actuator. The drive element can be arranged on the guide frame. The moving end of the drive element can be attached to the sliding unit 6B in a form-fitting manner (not shown). The ramp 30 and the guide element 32 can be configured to increase the gap between the sliding unit 6B and the sliding housing 6A when the sliding unit 6B reaches a certain part of the stroke of the sliding unit 6B. The certain part is the end stroke (overstroke) of the sliding unit 6B, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0019] 4A to 4E show schematic views of different stages of displacement of a slide unit 6B relative to a slide housing 6A mounted on a container (not shown).

[0020] 4A shows the slide unit 6B and the slide housing 6A far away from each other and in the end stroke position of the slide housing 6A. In this position, the first and second fire-resistant plates are relaxed to the extent that the spring elements 22A, 22B are not yet cooperating with the respective capture profile elements 40A, 40B and are not yet under tension by their respective pretensioning elements 26A, 26B. Each clamping mechanism on each section comprises at least one spring element 22A, 22B and a corresponding pretensioning element 26A, 26B.

[0021] Once the first and second fire-resistant plates 8A, 8B are inserted into their respective recesses, the clamping process is initiated by moving the slide housing 6B to the right, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4A.

[0022] FIG. 4B represents the moment just before the clamping process is finished. The spring elements 22A, 22B are symbolically depicted as compressed, indicating that the first and second fire-resistant plates 8A, 8B are clamped in their respective recesses. The clamping process is preferably finished when the slide unit 6B and the slide housing 6A are still far away from each other, which allows a proper positioning of each fire-resistant plate 8A, 8B without having to overcome the shear forces between both fire-resistant plates 8A, 8B. Between the stages shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the slide unit 6B moves longitudinally (indicated by the arrows) and optionally axially relative to the slide housing 6A. The skilled person knows how to adapt the longitudinal and / or axial directions, for example by adjusting the inclination of the ramps 30 and the guide elements 32.

[0023] Once actuation of the clamping of the first and second fire-resistant plates 8A, 8B has been achieved, the capture profile elements 40A and 40B are disengaged from the pretensioning elements 26A, 26B, so that no further pressure can be applied (not shown). The pretensioning elements 26A, 26B are configured such that, once cooperation with the respective capture profile elements 40A, 40B has ceased, they are locked in position. To achieve this, the pretensioning elements 26A, 26B can be tightened by friction or by a one-way clutch system.

[0024] Figure 4C shows the moment when the first and second fire-resistant plates 8A, 8B are still not subjected to actuation pressure, despite being in direct contact with each other. Between the stages shown in Figures 4B and 4C, the slide unit 6A moves longitudinally (indicated by the arrows) and axially relative to the slide housing 6B to close the gap between the two fire-resistant shielding plates 8A, 8B.

[0025] FIG. 4D shows the moment when the pressure between the first and second fire-resistant plates reaches a sufficient operating level (working pressure) to allow proper sealing of the slide closure 2. Between the stages shown in FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D, the slide unit 6B moves longitudinally relative to the slide housing 6A. During this transition, the pressure between the first and second fire-resistant plates 8A, 8B is increased, preferably by a dedicated mechanism comprising a number of rollers 50 biased against the slide unit 6B, as shown in FIG. 3. The rollers 50 are preferably in direct contact with the opposing faces of the slide unit 6B. The profile of the opposing faces of the slide unit 6B is configured so that the working pressure remains within a predetermined pressure range. During this transition, the shear force between the two fire-resistant shielding plates 8A, 8B also increases. The initiation of clamping of the fire-resistant shielding plates 8A, 8B is performed when they are far away from each other, so that the positioning and the clamping of each fire-resistant shielding plate remain stable even under the shear force. It should be noted that positioning of the fireproof shielding plates 8A, 8B is facilitated if the clamping process is finished before both plates 8A, 8B come into contact with each other.

[0026] FIG. 4E shows the moment when the openings in the first and second refractory shields 8A, 8B coincide to allow maximum outflow of molten metal.

[0027] FIG. 5A discloses an arrangement including a (first) fireproof shield plate 8A, a clamping mechanism 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A and a catch element 40A arranged on the contact surface of the slide housing 6A. The clamping mechanism 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A preferably comprises a pretensioning element 26A, a first spring element 22A, a second spring element 24A and an abutment element 28A. An identical arrangement is present on the opposing contact surface of the slide unit 6B (not shown). It is intended that the slide unit 6B and the slide housing 6A cooperate and are pressed against each other. For example, a catch profile element 40B (not shown) of the slide unit 6B can actuate the pretensioning element 26A of the slide housing 6A and vice versa.

[0028] Furthermore, the sliding housing of FIG. 5A comprises first and second spring elements 22A, 24A arranged on both sides of the fireproof shielding plate 8A. Each spring element 22A, 22B is preferably shaped as a U-spring clip. Each spring element 22A, 24A can be described as being shaped in the same way as a crab's claws, in other words. Each spring element 22A, 24A is pivotally arranged on a shaft on the corresponding sliding housing 6A. The pivot is preferably located at the center position (apex) of the U (crab's claws) at the center position of the corresponding spring element 22A, 24A. The first spring element 22A has one end (one branch of the U) that rests against a part of the side wall of the corresponding first shielding plate 8A, and the other end (the other branch of the U) that rests against a pretension element 26A (e.g., slide element 26A), which is slidably attached to the sliding housing unit 6A. When the slide unit 6B is displaced relative to the slide housing 6A, the capture element 40B (not shown) of the slide unit (not shown) engages with the projections 42A, 42B formed on the slide element 26A. The slide element 26A is preferably guided at least by a rod extending between two abutting ends. The rod can extend through an opening formed in the slide element 26A. The slide element 26A preferably has one side that is intended to be in sliding contact with a corresponding branch of the spring element 22A.

[0029] During the clamping process, the slide element 26A moves from one abutment end towards the other, and when the slide element 26A contacts the adjacent branch of the first spring element 22A, the first spring element 22A preferably starts to rotate, and the translational movement of the slide element 26A is converted into a slight rotation of the first spring element 22A.

[0030] When the other branch of the first spring element 22A abuts against the fireproof shielding plate 8A, the fireproof shielding plate 8A is pressed by the other branch of the spring element 22A. If the slide element 26A is moved further, the fireproof shielding plate is pressed against the second spring element 24A. The second spring element 24A can also be pivotally arranged on the slide housing 6A. The magnitude of rotation of the second spring element can be limited by an abutment element 28A (for example an insert as shown in FIG. 5A or integrally formed in the slide housing 6A (not shown)). The effective clamping of the fireproof plate 8A starts when all the gaps between the elements of the clamping mechanism are eliminated. The longitudinal displacement of the slide element 26A has the purpose of compressing the fireproof shielding plate in its recess. After this stage, any additional stroke of the slide element 26A is converted into a prestress of the fireproof shielding plate 8A. Actuation of the clamping process is accomplished when capture profile element 40B (not shown) disengages from protrusions 42A, 42B formed on slide element 26A. After disengagement, slide element 26A is preferably held in place by friction between slide element 26A and spring element 22A.

[0031] The above-mentioned arrangement of the slide housing 6A is applied to the slide unit 6B.

[0032] Instead of the clamping mechanism of Fig. 5A, the sliding housing 6A of Fig. 5B comprises only one spring element 22A arranged only on one side of the fireproof shielding plate 8A. The only difference between this alternative and the previous embodiment lies in the fact that only one spring element 22A, 22B is used, and the fireproof shielding plate 8A abuts directly against an abutment element 28A (for example an insert as shown in Fig. 5B or integrally formed in the sliding housing 6A (not shown)) arranged on the side of the sliding housing 6A opposite to the sliding element 26A. It should be noted that during the clamping process of this alternative, when the other branch of the spring element 26A abuts against the fireproof shielding plate 8A, the fireproof shielding plate 8A is pushed by the other branch of the spring element 22A until the fireproof shielding plate 8A is placed directly against the abutment element 28A. The arrangement of the sliding housing 6A described above applies to the sliding unit 6B.

[0033] Figure 6 shows in detail the cooperation between the first and second capture profile elements (i.e. cooperating elements) 40A, 40B and is shown as an enlarged view of Figure 3. Each cooperating element 40A, 40B comprises a ramp adjacent to at least one claw, preferably two claws. Each capture profile element 40A, 40B is elastically connected to the corresponding slide housing 6A or unit 6B via a biasing element (e.g. a pair of coil springs) which can bias the corresponding capture profile element 40A, 40B in the axial direction. When the slide unit 6A is positioned at the end stroke (left side of Figure 3), the projections 42A, 42B formed on the respective slide elements 26A, 26B extend into the grooves formed by the two adjacent claws. When the sliding unit 6B is displaced relative to the sliding housing 6A, one side of the claws engages with the corresponding side of the projection 42A, 42B in such a way that the respective sliding element 26A, 26B is pulled longitudinally by the contacting claw of the capture profile element 40A, 40B. When the sliding element 26A, 26B shows a certain level of resistance following an increase in the fastening of the first or second fire-resistant shielding plate 8A, 8B, the biasing element of the capture profile element 40A, 40B is compressed by a force within that resulting from the pressure exerted by the projection 42A, 42B on the capture profile element 40, 40B in the axial direction. The axial force originates from the shape of the projection 42A, 42B and the profile selected for the claws. When a certain magnitude of displacement between the sliding housing 6B and the sliding unit 6A is reached, the projection 42A, 42B is disengaged from the capture profile element 40A, 40B.

[0034] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and should not be treated as limiting, the scope of the invention being limited only by the language of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A slide closure (2) for a vessel (4) for operably containing molten metal, comprising: - a slide housing (6A) including a recess for receiving a first fireproof shield (8A) having a first face with a first flow-through opening; a slide unit (6B) including an opening for receiving a second fire-resistant shield (8B) having a second surface with a second flow-through opening, - the slide closure (2) is arranged such that the slide unit (6B) is longitudinally displaceable relative to the slide housing (6A); - said slide closure (2) is further arranged so that the gap or pressure between the opposing first and second faces of said first and second fire-resistant shielding plates (8A, 8B) can be adjusted by axial parallel displacement; at least one clamping mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) is arranged in said slide housing (6A) and / or in said slide unit (6B), said at least one clamping mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) being adapted to clamp a corresponding fire-resistant shielding plate (8A, 8B); the at least one clamping mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) is arranged to initiate the clamping of the corresponding fire-resistant shielding plate (8A, 8B) via actuation of the at least one clamping mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) when the slide unit (6B) is displaced relative to the slide housing (6A) and the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates (8A, 8B) are far away from each other, before the first and second faces of the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates (8A, 8B), respectively, come into contact under pressure, a slide closure (2).

2. 2. The slide closure (2) of claim 1, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) is arranged to terminate the actuation of the at least one clamping mechanism of the corresponding fire-resistant shield plate (8A, 8B) before the first and second faces of the first and second fire-resistant shield plates (8A, 8B), respectively, come into contact under pressure.

3. The slide closure (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the slide closure (2) comprises at least one ramp (30) which engages with at least one corresponding guide element (32) arranged on the slide unit (6B), and the ramp (30) and the guide element (32) are arranged to move the slide unit (6B) away from the slide housing (6A) when the slide unit (6B) reaches a particular part of the stroke, in particular an end stroke, of the slide unit (6B).

4. 4. The slide closure (2) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) comprises first and second clamp mechanisms (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B), the first clamp mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A) being arranged on the slide housing (6A) and actuated by a first cooperating element (40B) arranged on the slide unit (6B), and the second clamp mechanism (22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) arranged on the slide unit (6B) being actuated by a second cooperating element (40A) arranged on the slide housing (6A).

5. The slide closure (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) comprises at least one spring element (22A, 24A, 22B, 24B).

6. 6. The slide closure (2) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one spring element (22A, 24A, 22B, 24B) is shaped as a U-spring clip, the two ends of the spring element (22A, 24A, 22B, 24B) corresponding to the two branches of the U.

7. 7. The slide closure (2) of claim 6, wherein the at least one spring element (22A, 24A, 22B, 24B) is pivotable on a shaft attached to a corresponding slide housing (6A) or unit (6B), the pivot being located at a central position of the spring (22A, 24A, 22B, 24B) at the apex of the U.

8. 8. The slide closure (2) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one spring element (22A, 22B, 24A, 24B) of the slide housing (6A) or unit (6B) comprises a spring element (22A, 22B) having one of the opposing ends abutting against a portion of a side wall of the corresponding first or second fire-resistant shielding plate (8A, 8B) and the other of the opposing ends abutting against a pretensioning element (26A, 26B) arranged on the corresponding slide housing (6A) or unit (6B).

9. 9. The slide closure (2) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one spring element (24A, 24B) of the slide housing (6A) or unit (6B) comprises a further spring element (24A, 24B) having one of its opposing ends abutting against another portion of the side wall of the corresponding first or second fire-resistant shielding plate (8A, 8B) and the other of its opposing ends abutting against an abutment element (28A, 28B) attached to the corresponding slide housing (6A) or unit (6B), or wherein another portion of the side wall of the corresponding first or second fire-resistant shielding plate (8A, 8B) abuts directly against an abutment element (28A, 28B) attached to the corresponding slide housing (6A) or unit (6B).

10. 9. The slide closure (2) according to claim 8, wherein each pretensioning element (26A, 26B) is a slide element (26A, 26B) with a side wall in sliding contact with the other end of the corresponding at least one spring element (22A, 22B) of the slide housing (6A) or unit (6B), and the shape of the side wall and the spring element (22A, 22B) are both arranged such that a longitudinal displacement of the slide element (26A, 26B) presses against the first or second fire-resistant shielding plate (8A, 8B) in its recess.

11. 5. The slide closure (2) of claim 4, wherein each of the first or second cooperating elements (40A, 40B) includes a capture profile element (40A, 40B).

12. 12. The slide closure (2) of claim 11, wherein each capture profile element (40A, 40B) has a ramp adjacent to at least one tab.

13. A slide closure (2) according to any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein each capture profile element (40A, 40B) is elastically connected to the corresponding slide housing (6A) or unit (6B) so as to be able to axially bias the capture profile element (40A, 40B).

14. A slide closure (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the slide elements (26A, 26B) of the slide housing (6A) or unit (6B) are provided with protrusions (42A, 42B) adapted to cooperate with the capture profile elements (40A, 40B) arranged on a corresponding opposing slide unit (6B) or housing (6A), and each capture profile element (40A, 40B) can press the corresponding slide element (26A, 26B) in the longitudinal direction via the protrusion during displacement of the slide unit (6B) relative to the slide housing (6A).

15. A method for positioning a fireproof shield (8A, 8B) in a slide closure (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: - providing a first and a second clamping mechanism (22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B) on the slide housing (6A) and on the slide unit (6B), respectively; - inserting a first fireproof shield plate (8A) and a second fireproof shield plate (8B) respectively into recesses of the slide housing (6A) and the slide unit (6B) when the slide closure (2) is in the accessible position; - closing the slide closure (2) so that the slide unit (6B) faces the slide housing (6A); - initiating clamping of the first and / or second fire-resistant shielding plates (8A, 8B) when the slide unit (6B) is displaced relative to the slide housing (6A) and the first and second surfaces of the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates (8A, 8B), respectively, are far away from each other, before the first and second surfaces of the first and second fire-resistant shielding plates (8A, 8B), respectively, are under operating pressure.

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