Molten metal device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a molten metal device including a hollow columnar molten metal accommodation part having an open upper end, a heat insulation part covering at least a side part of the molten metal accommodation part, and a casing for storing the molten metal accommodation part and the heat insulation part. The casing includes a bottom plate forming a substantially horizontal plane and at least three side plates formed at a predetermined angle with respect to the bottom plate and joined to each other. One portion of the inner surface and / or the outer surface of at least one of the side plates of the casing has a prescribed height in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the side plate surface, and is reinforced by a reinforcing member including a linear portion in plan view of the side plate surface. The linear portion of the reinforcing member includes at least one inclined reinforcing member in which an angle of a straight line formed by an end part along a longitudinal direction of the linear portion of the reinforcing member with respect to an arbitrary intersection line between the surface of the side plate reinforced by the linear portion of the reinforcing member and a horizontal plane is more than 0° and less than 90° in plan view of the side plate surface.

Description

Metal melting equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a molten metal apparatus used for processing molten metal, and more specifically to a molten metal apparatus in which a casing housing a molten metal container and a heat insulating section is reinforced by a reinforcing member having a specific structure.

[0002] To improve the physical properties of processed metal products such as rolled aluminum and the workability required to obtain them, various processes, such as the removal of non-metallic inclusions, hydrogen gas, and the like, are carried out. Examples of devices used for such molten metal processing (hereinafter referred to as "molten metal processing devices") include degassing devices for removing hydrogen gas from the molten metal, molten metal filtration devices for removing non-metallic inclusions, dissolved hydrogen, and devices involved in the process flow of molten metal processing, such as holding furnaces, ladles, and ladles. For example, a typical molten metal filtration device includes a molten metal filtration unit having a plurality of ceramic filtration tubes for filtering impurities from the molten metal, which is mounted in a molten metal container having an inlet and an outlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Such molten metal equipment typically has a common structure that includes a molten metal accommodation unit that is hollow and cylindrical (e.g., roughly rectangular), an insulating unit that covers the sides of the molten metal accommodation unit, and a casing that houses the molten metal accommodation unit and the insulating unit. High-temperature molten metal is supplied through an inlet of the molten metal accommodation unit, and the necessary holding or processing is performed. Therefore, not only the molten metal accommodation unit, which is in direct contact with the high-temperature molten metal, but also the inner surface of the casing that houses the molten metal accommodation unit and the insulating unit that covers it, are exposed to considerably high temperatures.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-4868

[0005] In a molten metal apparatus, the casing housing the molten metal storage section and the thermal insulation section is typically made of steel or corrosion-resistant steel. Therefore, holding high-temperature molten metal can cause deformation, typically resulting in outward bulging of the casing. When the casing of the molten metal apparatus deforms, gaps can appear in the thermal insulation section that covers it, making it difficult to maintain sufficient heat retention. Alternatively, the molten metal can easily seep into the joints (the seams between the components of the storage section) of the molten metal storage section. This can lead to significant deformation due to the glowing of the casing, further reducing the thermal insulation of the molten metal and shortening the life of the apparatus.

[0006] There is a need for a technology that can prevent deformation of a casing that houses a molten metal storage section and an insulating section in a molten metal equipment, typically deformation such as outward bulging of the casing due to holding high-temperature molten metal, but no structure that can sufficiently prevent such deformation of the casing has been proposed to date.

[0007] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a molten metal equipment equipped with a novel reinforcing member not found in the prior art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a molten metal equipment that can prevent deformation due to holding high-temperature molten metal, ensure heat retention, and increase the equipment lifespan.

[0008] As a result of intensive research to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned objects, the inventors discovered a novel molten metal apparatus in which a part of the side plate of the casing is provided with an inclined reinforcing member that has a predetermined angle of more than 0° with respect to the horizontal plane when viewed from above on the surface of the side plate, and completed the present invention.

[0009] A typical aspect of the present invention is as follows: A molten metal apparatus including a hollow, columnar molten metal accommodation section with an open top, an insulating section covering at least a side portion of the molten metal accommodation section, and a casing containing the molten metal accommodation section and the insulating section, wherein the casing includes a bottom plate having a substantially horizontal plane and at least three side plates joined to one another and formed at a predetermined angle with respect to the bottom plate, wherein a portion of the inner and / or outer surface of at least one of the side plates of the casing is reinforced by a reinforcing member having a given height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the side plate surface and including a linear portion in a plan view of the side plate surface, and wherein the linear portion of the reinforcing member includes at least one inclined reinforcing member such that an angle formed by a straight line, formed by an end portion along the longitudinal direction of the linear portion of the reinforcing member, with any intersection line between the surface of the side plate reinforced by the linear portion of the reinforcing member and the horizontal plane in a plan view of the side plate surface.

[0010] The present invention provides a molten metal apparatus equipped with a novel reinforcing member not found in the prior art. Furthermore, a molten metal apparatus including a preferred embodiment of the inclined reinforcing member of the present invention can sufficiently prevent deformation of the casing side plates due to holding high-temperature molten metal, typically deformation in which the casing side plates bulge outward. This provides the advantages of ensuring heat retention for the molten metal and extending the life of the apparatus. In other words, a molten metal apparatus including a preferred embodiment of the inclined reinforcing member of the present invention can be used stably over a long period of time while maintaining a high level of reinforcing effect / performance in preventing casing deformation and heat retention for the molten metal.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a layered structure of a molten metal storage section, an insulating section, and a casing housing the molten metal storage section and the insulating section in a molten metal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, illustrating an outline of a gradient reinforcement member in a molten metal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an outline of the relationship between the gradient reinforcement member and the side plate surface of the casing in a molten metal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an outline of a gradient reinforcement member in a molten metal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an outline of a gradient reinforcement member in a molten metal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are a plan view and an A-A′ cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating an outline of a gradient reinforcement member in a molten metal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a gradient reinforcement member and a wide reinforcement member in a molten metal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating an outline of the relationship between the inclined reinforcing member and the wide reinforcing member and the side plate surface of the casing in a molten metal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a plan view illustrating an outline of the inclined reinforcing member, the wide reinforcing member, and the lattice-shaped reinforcing member in a molten metal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of the inclined reinforcing member, the wide reinforcing member, and the lattice-shaped reinforcing member in a molten metal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The structure of a molten metal apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 . The configurations shown in these figures are simplified examples for the purpose of explanation, and the molten metal apparatus of the present invention is not limited to these. The molten metal apparatus of the present invention may include a combination of any two or more of the embodiments described below, including those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10 . Throughout this specification and the appended claims, the term "surface" of a casing side plate is generally used to encompass both the two-dimensional surface that forms the inner surface when the plate-shaped side plate constitutes the casing, and the two-dimensional surface that forms the outer surface when the plate-shaped side plate constitutes the casing. Throughout this specification and the appended claims, the term "at least one portion of the inner and / or outer surface of the casing side plate" being reinforced by a "reinforcing member" generally encompasses not only a state in which the entire surface of the reinforcing member is in contact with the surface of the side plate, but also a state in which only a portion of the surface of the reinforcing member is in contact with the surface of the side plate. Throughout this specification and the appended claims, the "linear portion" of a reinforcing member means that both ends of the reinforcing member along the longitudinal direction are formed approximately parallel in a plan view of the surface of the side panel reinforced by the reinforcing member. Throughout this specification and the appended claims, the word "or" (including similar words) may be used to encompass "and / or." Throughout the appended claims, even if the terms "parallel," "perpendicular," or similar are not modified by "approximately," it is intended that the scope of these terms may encompass (i.e., allow for) slight deviations from design details that inevitably occur in actual manufacturing.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of an insulating section 3, a molten metal accommodation section 4, and a casing 2 housing the insulating section 3 and the molten metal accommodation section 4 in a molten metal apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention (the top surface of the casing 2 is shown in gray). The uses of the molten metal apparatus 1 are not particularly limited, but as described above, examples include a degassing device, a molten metal filtering device for removing non-metallic inclusions, dissolved hydrogen, etc., a holding furnace (a holding furnace), a ladle, a trough, and the like, which are devices involved in the process flow of molten metal processing. High-temperature molten metal is supplied to and accommodated in the molten metal accommodation section 4 through an inlet (not shown), which has an open upper end 4U. The shape of the molten metal accommodation section 4 can be appropriately set depending on the use of the molten metal apparatus 1, and may be, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped or cubic shape as shown in the figure. The volume of the molten metal accommodation section 4 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 10 m ３ More than 1000m ３ The heat insulating portion 3 has a predetermined thickness and functions to maintain the high temperature of the molten metal by covering at least substantially the entire side of the molten metal accommodation portion 4. The heat insulating material constituting the heat insulating portion 3 may be any known material, but for example, a material containing silicate such as sodium silicate or calcium silicate may be used.

[0014] The casing 2 in the molten metal apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 houses and protects the insulation section 3 and the molten metal accommodation section 4, thereby supporting the insulation function, extending the life of the apparatus, and ensuring the safety of on-site work. The casing 2 is not particularly limited as long as it includes a substantially horizontal bottom plate and at least three side plates joined together and formed at a predetermined angle relative to the bottom plate. The angle between each side plate and the bottom plate may typically be substantially perpendicular, i.e., approximately 90°, but is not limited thereto. The casing 2 (and the insulation section 3 and molten metal accommodation section 4 housed therein) may be a hollow, substantially rectangular prism with an open top, as shown, but may also be a polygonal prism other than a substantially rectangular prism, such as a substantially triangular prism or a substantially pentagonal prism. When the casing 2 is in the shape of a substantially square pillar as shown in the figure, it includes a bottom plate forming a substantially horizontal plane and four substantially rectangular side plates 2S formed substantially perpendicular (in the substantially vertical direction) to the bottom plate and joined together. The surface shape of the side plates 2S is not limited to the substantially rectangular shape shown in the figure, but may also be a triangle or a polygon with pentagons or more sides. The surface area of ​​one side plate 2S can be appropriately designed depending on the application of the molten metal equipment, and is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 3 m ２ More than 50m ２ It can be the following:

[0015] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2(a) (perspective view) and Figure 2(b) (plan view), at least one portion of the inner and / or outer surface of a side plate 2S of a casing 2 of a molten metal apparatus 1 is reinforced by an inclined reinforcing member 5 having a given height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side plate 2S and including a linear portion in a plan view of the surface of the side plate 2S. As illustrated in Figure 2(b), the inclined reinforcing member 5 is formed such that both ends along the longitudinal direction are substantially parallel in a plan view of the surface of the reinforced side plate 2S. Also, as illustrated in Figure 2(b), the inclined reinforcing member 5 has an angle α of more than 0° and less than 90° between any intersection H between the surface of the reinforced side plate 2S and a horizontal plane H in a plan view of the surface of the side plate 2S (in very simple terms, the reinforcing member 5 is arranged "inclined" from the horizontal or vertical direction). The inclined reinforcing member 5 can sufficiently prevent deformation of the casing side plates, such as outward bulging caused by holding high-temperature molten metal, and can significantly increase the reinforcing effect of the side plates, thereby ensuring the heat retention of the molten metal and extending the service life of the device. The angle α of the inclined reinforcing member 5 can preferably be 5° to 85°, 10° to 85°, 15° to 85°, 20° to 80°, 25° to 80°, or 30° to 80°.

[0016] The material constituting the casing is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, steel or corrosion-resistant steel. Similarly, the material constituting the inclined reinforcing member is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, steel or corrosion-resistant steel. The material constituting the inclined reinforcing member may be the same as or different from the material constituting the casing, but is preferably the same from the perspective of reinforcing action. Furthermore, the inclined reinforcing member may be joined to the side plate of the casing by a heat-resistant joining means (such as a heat-resistant adhesive), or may be integrated by welding or integral molding using a mold. The latter is preferable from the perspective of reinforcing action. The matters described here can be similarly applied to reinforcing members other than the inclined reinforcing member (including the wide reinforcing member and lattice-shaped reinforcing member described below).

[0017] Only the outer surface of the side plate of the casing of the molten metal equipment may be reinforced with the inclined reinforcing element, or only the inner surface of the side plate may be reinforced with the inclined reinforcing element, or both the outer and inner surfaces of the side plate may be reinforced with the inclined reinforcing element. Only one side plate may be reinforced with the inclined reinforcing element, or multiple side plates, or in particular, all side plates may be reinforced with the inclined reinforcing element. Furthermore, the side plate of the casing may be reinforced with reinforcing elements other than the inclined reinforcing element. Alternatively, the side plate of the casing may be reinforced only with the inclined reinforcing element. In other words, the reinforcing element of the side plate of the casing may include both inclined reinforcing elements and non-inclined reinforcing elements, or may be composed only of inclined reinforcing elements. There may be one or more inclined reinforcing elements arranged on a given side plate.

[0018] The inclined reinforcing member 5 may have a given height in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side panel 2S. From the viewpoints of ease of design and ease of handling (ease of operation of the device and operator safety), the inclined reinforcing member 5 may have an approximately constant height throughout its entirety, as shown in FIG. 2( a). The width (length in a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of the linear portion of the inclined reinforcing member 5 in a planar view of the surface of the side panel 2S is not particularly limited as long as it is approximately constant, but may typically be 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably 2 mm to 30 mm, or 3 mm to 20 mm. The height of the inclined reinforcing member 5 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side panel 2S is not particularly limited, but may typically be 30 mm to 150 mm, preferably 40 mm to 120 mm, or 50 mm to 100 mm. Furthermore, the ratio (height / length) of the width (length in a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of the wire diameter portion of the inclined reinforcing member 5 in a plan view of the surface of the side plate 2S to the height of the inclined reinforcing member 5 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side plate 2S may be 0.6 to 150, and preferably 1.0 to 75, or 1.5 to 50. In this way, by designing the "height / length" ratio of the inclined reinforcing member 5 to be somewhat large, the resistance to deformation of the side plate of the casing can be increased, and the reinforcing effect can be further enhanced.

[0019] Preferably, the lower end of at least one inclined reinforcing member, in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, is positioned on or below the intersection of the horizontal plane passing through the center point of the surface of the side panel reinforced by that inclined reinforcing member. The center point of the surface of the side panel referred to here refers to the center of the inscribed circle if the surface of the side panel is triangular; the intersection of two diagonals if the surface of the side panel is quadrangular (as illustrated in FIG. 3); or the intersection of two diagonals of the quadrangle formed by the four highest vertices in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane if the surface of the side panel is polygonal (pentagonal or higher). As a further variation, if the contour of the surface of the side panel includes a circular arc, the center point is defined as the polygon connecting the angle change points in the contour. This arrangement of the inclined reinforcing members on the side panel can further enhance the reinforcing effect of the entire side panel.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , an inclined reinforcing member 5 is provided on one of the substantially rectangular side panels 2S of the casing 2 in a plan view. In the figure, two DLs refer to the diagonals of the substantially rectangular side panel 2S, and 2C refers to the intersection of the two diagonals DL, which is the center point of the surface of the side panel 2S. In the figure, Hc refers to the intersection line between a horizontal plane passing through the center point 2C of the surface of the side panel 2S and the surface of the side panel 2S. Here, the lower end of the inclined reinforcing member 5 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is located lower than the intersection line Hc. In a more preferred embodiment, when multiple inclined reinforcing members 5 are provided on the side panel 2S, the lower ends of most or all of them in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane may be located on or lower than the intersection line Hc between the horizontal plane passing through the center point 2C of the surface of the side panel 2S reinforced by the inclined reinforcing member 5 and the surface of the side panel 2S.

[0021] It is preferable that the inclined reinforcing member includes at least two (i.e., two or more) inclined reinforcing members that are in contact with each other on one of the side panel surfaces of the casing. The position at which the at least two inclined reinforcing members contact is not particularly limited. From the viewpoints of increasing the reinforcing effect of the side panel and ease of installation, it is more preferable that the ends of two adjacent inclined reinforcing members contact each other at an angle typically greater than 0° and less than 180° when viewed from the top of the side panel surface. This angle may preferably be 10° to 170°, 10° to 160°, 15° to 150°, 15° to 140°, 20° to 130°, 20° to 120°, 25° to 110°, 25° to 100°, 25° to 90°, 30° to 80°, 30° to 70°, or 30° to 60°.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 4, on one side panel surface of the casing, two inclined reinforcing members 5i and 5ii are in contact with each other at an angle β (forming a "V" shape) when viewed in plan relative to the side panel surface. While Fig. 4 illustrates the longitudinal lengths of the two inclined reinforcing members 5i and 5ii as being substantially the same, these lengths may be different. In a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 5, on one side panel surface of the casing, two inclined reinforcing members 5i and 5ii are in contact with each other at an angle β (forming a "V" shape) when viewed in plan relative to the side panel surface. Furthermore, two inclined reinforcing members 5iii and 5iv, and two inclined reinforcing members 5v and 5vi are in contact with each other at an angle β (forming an inverted "V" shape and a "V" shape, respectively) when viewed in plan relative to the side panel surface. That is, the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 includes three pairs of inclined reinforcing members 5 shown in Fig. 4. Here, the three pairs of inclined reinforcing members 5 are arranged in a zigzag pattern (alternating vertically) with three "V"-shaped and inverted "V"-shaped members, forming a "W" shape overall. While FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which three pairs of inclined reinforcing members, each of which is joined at its end, are provided on one of the side panel surfaces of the casing, two pairs of inclined reinforcing members, each of which is joined at its end, or four or more pairs of inclined reinforcing members, each of which is joined at its end, may be provided. Furthermore, in an embodiment in which two or more pairs of inclined reinforcing members, each of which is joined at its end, are provided, the angle β formed by the two inclined reinforcing members in each pair may be the same or different in each pair. The angle β in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be as exemplified above. Furthermore, in an embodiment in which two or more pairs of inclined reinforcing members, each of which is joined at its end, are provided, the longitudinal lengths of the two inclined reinforcing members in each pair may be approximately the same or different.

[0023] When multiple inclined reinforcing members are arranged on the side plate of the casing in contact with each other, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, they may be joined by a heat-resistant joining means (such as a heat-resistant adhesive) or may be integrated by welding or integral molding using a mold. The latter is preferable from the viewpoint of reinforcing effect. The matters described here can be similarly applied to multiple contacts of any type of reinforcing members, including reinforcing members other than inclined reinforcing members.

[0024] In one embodiment shown in Figure 6(a) (plan view) and Figure 6(b) (A-A' cross-sectional view), two adjacent inclined reinforcing members 5ii and 5iii (corresponding to part of the structure of the preferred embodiment of Figure 5) extending in approximately the same direction, i.e., approximately parallel, are connected and integrated by a connecting member 5b. The shape of this connecting member 5b is not particularly limited as long as it is approximately plate-like. It is preferable that at least one bottom surface of the connecting member 5b is approximately flat. The connecting member 5b may connect only a portion of the longitudinal direction of the two adjacent inclined reinforcing members 5ii and 5iii extending approximately parallel, or may connect the entire longitudinal direction. In Figures 6(a) and (b), a flat plate-like connecting member 5b with a substantially uniform thickness is illustrated as a preferred embodiment. In this way, the two adjacent inclined reinforcing members are connected and integrated by the connecting member, which further enhances the reinforcing effect of the casing side panel. 6(a) and 6(b), the connecting member 5b may connect the lower ends of two adjacent inclined reinforcing members 5ii and 5iii that extend substantially parallel to each other, the lower ends contacting the side panel surface (the connecting member 5b may be U-shaped in the A-A' cross section). In this case, substantially the entire lower bottom surface of the connecting member 5b may be in contact with the side panel surface. In other embodiments, the connecting member 5b may connect the upper ends of two adjacent inclined reinforcing members 5ii and 5iii that extend substantially parallel to each other, the upper ends being on the opposite side of the side panel surface (the connecting member 5b may be in an inverted U-shape in the A-A' cross section). In yet another embodiment, the connecting member 5b may connect a portion of the inclined reinforcing member 5ii other than the lower end that contacts the side panel surface or the upper end on the opposite side of the side panel surface to a portion of an adjacent inclined reinforcing member 5iii that extends approximately parallel to the inclined reinforcing member 5ii other than the lower end that contacts the side panel surface or the upper end on the opposite side of the side panel surface (it may have an H-shape in the A-A' cross-sectional view).

[0025] In addition, in an embodiment in which multiple pairs of inclined reinforcing members are provided with ends abutting each other as shown in Fig. 5, each pair of adjacent inclined reinforcing members extending substantially parallel to each other (the pair of inclined reinforcing members 5ii and 5iii and the pair of inclined reinforcing members 5iv and 5v in the example of Fig. 5) may be connected and integrated by a connecting member, thereby further enhancing the reinforcing effect of the side panel. In a preferred embodiment, for all of the inclined reinforcing members 5 arranged on each side panel 2S of the casing 2, two adjacent inclined reinforcing members 5 extending substantially parallel to each other may be connected and integrated by a connecting member 5b.

[0026] In one embodiment, two adjacent inclined reinforcing members extending in different directions, i.e., non-parallel, on the surface of any one of the side panels of the casing, when viewed in a plan view relative to the surface of that side panel, may be connected and integrated by a connecting member as illustrated in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). Also, in one embodiment, three or more adjacent inclined reinforcing members extending in approximately the same direction or in different directions on the surface of any one of the side panels of the casing, when viewed in a plan view relative to the surface of that side panel, may be connected and integrated by a connecting member as illustrated in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). Also, in one embodiment, on the surface of any one of the side panels of the casing, when viewed in a plan view relative to the surface of that side panel, a non-terminal end portion of one inclined reinforcing member may be in contact with a terminal or non-terminal end portion of another inclined reinforcing member at a predetermined angle (e.g., the angle β illustrated above). When a non-terminal end portion of one inclined reinforcing member and a terminal end portion of another inclined reinforcing member are in contact at a predetermined angle, the two linear shapes may intersect to form a "Y" shape. On the other hand, when a non-terminal portion of one slanted reinforcing member meets a non-terminal portion of another slanted reinforcing member at a predetermined angle, the two linear shapes intersect to form an "X" shape. This "Y"- or "X"-shaped embodiment of multiple slanted reinforcing members may be combined with the embodiment of FIG. 6 or its variations (i.e., a "U-shaped" cross-section embodiment, an "inverted U-shaped" cross-section embodiment, or an "H-shaped" cross-section embodiment) in which two adjacent slanted reinforcing members extending substantially parallel are connected and integrated by a connecting member. That is, a reinforcing member formed by connecting two adjacent slanted reinforcing members extending substantially parallel with each other by a connecting member may form a "Y" or "X" shape together with another similar connecting reinforcing member.

[0027] The casing of a molten metal apparatus may include a wide reinforcing element disposed on the inner or outer surface of at least one side plate, preferably all side plates, in a continuous linear shape and substantially parallel to the plane of the casing bottom plate. The wide reinforcing element may be disposed only on the inner or outer surface of the casing side plate, or may be disposed on both the inner and outer surfaces. When viewed in plan on any side plate surface reinforced by the wide reinforcing element, the wide reinforcing element has a width wider than any other portion of the reinforcing element (and therefore wider than any inclined reinforcing element). The width of the wide reinforcing element referred to here refers to the length in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the element when viewed in plan on the side plate surface reinforced by the wide reinforcing element. The width of the wide reinforcing element is not particularly limited as long as it complies with the above definition, but may be, for example, 30 mm or more and 500 mm or less. The wide reinforcing element preferably has a substantially constant width throughout its continuous shape, but may have a width that differs from that of other portions. When the wide reinforcing member has a substantially constant width overall, the straight lines formed by its lower end and its upper end in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane are each disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom plate of the casing. By providing such a wide reinforcing member in addition to the inclined reinforcing member, the resistance to deformation of the side plate of the casing can be further increased, and the reinforcing effect can be further enhanced. Furthermore, the height of the wide reinforcing member in the substantially perpendicular direction relative to the plane of the surface of the side plate is not particularly limited, but may be typically 30 mm to 150 mm, preferably 40 mm to 120 mm, or 50 mm to 100 mm.

[0028] In FIG. 7 , which illustrates a preferred embodiment, the wide reinforcing members 6 are continuously arranged on the outer surfaces of four generally rectangular side panels 2S (two of which are shown on the back side of the drawing) that form the casing 2, which is a generally square prism-shaped casing 2 with an open top. The wide reinforcing members 6 are arranged substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom panel 2B of the casing 2. The wide reinforcing members 6 have a substantially constant width throughout their entire continuous shape. In FIG. 7 , the lines formed by the lower and upper ends of the wide reinforcing members 6 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane are each substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom panel 2B of the casing 2. While FIG. 7 does not show reinforcing members on the inner surface of the casing 2, inclined reinforcing members, wide reinforcing members, or lattice-shaped reinforcing members (described later) may be provided on the inner surface as well as the outer surface. Alternatively, the wide reinforcing members, as well as the lattice-shaped reinforcing members (described later) may be provided on the inner surface of the casing 2, instead of the outer surface. 7 (and similarly to that shown in FIG. 1), the casing 2 may be a hollow, generally rectangular prism with an open top, but may also be a polygonal prism other than a generally rectangular prism, such as a generally triangular prism or a generally pentagonal prism. The surface shape of the side plate 2S is not limited to the generally rectangular shape shown in the figure, but may be a triangle or a polygon with more than two sides.

[0029] It is preferable that the upper end of the wide reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane be positioned on or lower than the intersection line between the horizontal plane passing through the center point of the surface of each side panel reinforced by the wide reinforcing member and the surface of that side panel. The center point of the surface of the side panel referred to here refers to the same definition as that explained in relation to the lower end of the inclined reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. By arranging the wide reinforcing member at such a low position, the reinforcing effect of the wide reinforcing member can be enhanced.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , a wide reinforcing member 6 is provided in a plan view of one of the substantially rectangular side panels 2S of the casing 2. FIG. 8 corresponds to a plan view of one of the side panels 2S forming the casing 2 of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7 . In FIG. 8 , as in FIG. 3 , two DLs indicate diagonals of the substantially rectangular side panel 2S, and 2C indicates the intersection of the two diagonals DL, with this intersection 2C being the center point of the surface of the side panel 2S. In the drawing, the upper end of the wide reinforcing member 6 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is lower than the intersection line (not shown) between the horizontal plane passing through the center point 2C of the surface of the side panel 2S and the surface of the side panel 2S. It is preferable that the wide reinforcing member 6 be disposed at the position shown in FIG. 8 on all of the side panels 2S forming the casing 2 (all four side panels 2S in the example shown in FIG. 7 ).

[0031] It is preferable that the lower end of at least one inclined reinforcing member, in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, contacts the wide reinforcing member. It is also preferable that the lower end of at least one inclined reinforcing member, in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, is located on or below the intersection line between a horizontal plane passing through the center point of the surface of the side panel reinforced by that inclined reinforcing member and the surface of that side panel, and that the lower end contacts the wide reinforcing member. This contact between the inclined reinforcing member and the wide reinforcing member additively increases the reinforcing effect of these members on the side panel of the casing, further enhancing the resistance of the entire casing to deformation. It is even more preferable that the lower ends of multiple inclined reinforcing members, in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, contact the wide reinforcing member. It is also even more preferable that the lower ends of the inclined reinforcing members, in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, of multiple side panels contact the wide reinforcing member.

[0032] 7 and 8, it is preferable that a pair of inclined reinforcing members 5 (V-shaped) form a predetermined angle in a plan view relative to the surface of the side panel 2S, with their ends contacting each other at approximately the same position on the upper end of the wide reinforcing member 6. As described above for angle β, this angle may be preferably 10° to 170°, 10° to 160°, 15° to 150°, 15° to 140°, 20° to 130°, 20° to 120°, 25° to 110°, 25° to 100°, 25° to 90°, 30° to 80°, 30° to 70°, or 30° to 60° in a plan view of the side panel surface.

[0033] 7 and 8 , similar to FIG. 5 , multiple pairs of inclined reinforcing members 5 (V-shaped and inverted V-shaped) are arranged in a zigzag pattern, with their ends abutting each other. This results in the inclined reinforcing members 5 forming a W-shape as a whole. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , each pair of adjacent inclined reinforcing members 5 extending substantially parallel to each other is preferably connected and integrated by a connecting member. In other embodiments, each pair of adjacent inclined reinforcing members 5 extending substantially parallel to each other may not be connected by a connecting member. In the figures, the lower end of each inclined reinforcing member 5 abuts the upper end of the wide reinforcing member 6, and the ends of each pair of V-shaped inclined reinforcing members 5 abut the upper end of the wide reinforcing member 6 at substantially the same position. This preferred arrangement of the inclined reinforcing members and wide reinforcing members further enhances the reinforcing effect of the casing side panels and can further increase the overall resistance to deformation of the casing.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the inner and / or outer surface of at least one side panel of the casing may be provided with a lattice-like reinforcing member. The lattice-like reinforcing member includes vertical members having a predetermined height in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the side panel surface and extending generally perpendicular to the plane of the bottom panel, and horizontal members having a predetermined height in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the side panel surface and extending generally horizontally (i.e., generally parallel to the plane of the bottom panel). The vertical members and horizontal members intersect at a plurality of generally perpendicular positions to form a lattice pattern. In some or all of the side panels provided with the lattice-like reinforcing member, the generally perpendicular heights of the vertical members and / or horizontal members relative to the plane of the side panel surface may be generally constant. Similarly, in some or all of the side panels provided with the lattice-like reinforcing member, the widths (lengths perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of the vertical members and / or horizontal members may be generally constant in a plan view relative to the surface of the side panel. In an embodiment in which a wide reinforcing member is provided together with a lattice-shaped reinforcing member on a single side panel, the lattice-shaped reinforcing member may be disposed only above the wide reinforcing member, only below the wide reinforcing member, or both above and below the wide reinforcing member.

[0035] The width (length perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of the vertical and / or horizontal members of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member in a plan view relative to the surface of the side panel is not particularly limited, but may typically be 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably 2 mm to 30 mm, or 3 mm to 20 mm. The height of the vertical and / or horizontal members in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side panel is not particularly limited, but may typically be 30 mm to 150 mm, preferably 40 mm to 120 mm, or 50 mm to 100 mm. The spacing between two or more vertical members or two or more horizontal members is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 50 mm to 1000 mm, or preferably 100 mm to 800 mm.

[0036] When three or more vertical members or three or more horizontal members are provided on the inner and / or outer surface of a side panel, the spacing between the vertical members or the horizontal members may be substantially the same or different, although it is preferable that the spacing be substantially the same in order to obtain a more uniform reinforcement effect. In this case, the spacing between the vertical members and the horizontal members may be substantially the same or different (i.e., the grid-patterned blocks may or may not be substantially square overall).

[0037] The reinforcing members on the inner and / or outer surface of at least one side panel of the casing may include any combination of inclined reinforcing members and / or lattice-like reinforcing members, as long as they include at least one inclined reinforcing member. The reinforcing members on the inner and / or outer surface of at least one side panel may include the following combinations: In any of these cases, the side panel may also be further reinforced by some reinforcing member other than an inclined reinforcing member, a wide reinforcing member, or a lattice-like reinforcing member.(1) The inner surface of at least one side panel is unreinforced, and the outer surface of that side panel is reinforced with inclined reinforcing members (or inclined reinforcing members and wide reinforcing members) (Figure 7 corresponds to this form because the reinforcing members on the inner surface of the side panel are not shown); (2) The inner surface of at least one side panel is unreinforced, and the outer surface of that side panel is reinforced with inclined reinforcing members (or inclined reinforcing members and wide reinforcing members) and lattice-shaped reinforcing members; (3) The inner surface of at least one side panel is reinforced with lattice-shaped reinforcing members, and the outer surface of that side panel is reinforced with inclined reinforcing members (or inclined reinforcing members and wide reinforcing members); (4) The inner surface of at least one side panel is reinforced with lattice-shaped reinforcing members, and the outer surface of that side panel is reinforced with inclined reinforcing members (or inclined reinforcing members and wide reinforcing members) and lattice-shaped reinforcing members; (5) The inner surface of at least one side panel is reinforced with inclined reinforcing members (or inclined reinforcing members and wide reinforcing members), and the outer surface of that side panel is unreinforced; (6) The inner surface of at least one side panel is reinforced with an inclined reinforcing member (or an inclined reinforcing member and a wide reinforcing member), and the outer surface of the side panel is reinforced with a lattice-shaped reinforcing member; (7) The inner surface of at least one side panel is reinforced with an inclined reinforcing member (or an inclined reinforcing member and a wide reinforcing member), and the outer surface of the side panel is reinforced with an inclined reinforcing member (or an inclined reinforcing member and a wide reinforcing member) and a lattice-shaped reinforcing member; (8) The inner surface of at least one side panel is reinforced with an inclined reinforcing member (or an inclined reinforcing member and a wide reinforcing member) and a lattice-shaped reinforcing member, and the outer surface of the side panel is not reinforced; (9) The inner surface of at least one side panel is reinforced with an inclined reinforcing member (or an inclined reinforcing member and a wide reinforcing member) and a lattice-shaped reinforcing member, and the outer surface of the side panel is reinforced with a lattice-shaped reinforcing member; (10) The inner surface of at least one side panel is reinforced by an inclined reinforcing member (or an inclined reinforcing member and a wide reinforcing member) and a lattice-shaped reinforcing member, and the outer surface of the side panel is reinforced by an inclined reinforcing member (or an inclined reinforcing member and a wide reinforcing member) and a lattice-shaped reinforcing member.

[0038] When one or more reinforcing members (including inclined reinforcing members, and optionally wide reinforcing members, lattice-shaped reinforcing members, and other reinforcing members) are provided on the inner or outer surface of a side panel of the casing, the ratio of the total area occupied by the reinforcing members to the area of ​​the side panel surface, in a plan view of the surface of the side panel, is preferably 1% to 70%. This ratio may be more preferably 2% to 68%, and even more preferably 3% to 65%. Furthermore, when one or more reinforcing members are provided on the inner or outer surface of each of multiple side panels of the casing, the ratio of the total area occupied by the reinforcing members to the area of ​​the side panel surface, in a plan view of each of the surfaces of these side panels, is preferably 1% to 70%, more preferably 2% to 68%, and even more preferably 3% to 65%. Adjusting the ratio of the area of ​​the reinforcing members to the surface of the side panel of the casing within the above ranges allows for sufficient reinforcing of the side panel, reduces manufacturing costs, and maintains good handleability and maintainability.

[0039] When both a grid-like reinforcing element and an inclined reinforcing element are provided on the inner or outer surface of a certain side panel of the casing, it is preferable that the grid-like reinforcing element and the inclined reinforcing element contact each other at at least one point, and more preferably at two or more points. Furthermore, in this case, it is even more preferable that the contact point between the grid-like reinforcing element and the inclined reinforcing element includes an intersection point between the longitudinal and horizontal members of the grid-like reinforcing element. It is even more preferable that the contact point between the grid-like reinforcing element and the inclined reinforcing element on the inner or outer surface of a certain side panel includes two or more intersection points between the longitudinal and horizontal members of the grid-like reinforcing element. Such contact between the grid-like reinforcing element and the inclined reinforcing element additively increases the reinforcing effect of these elements on the side panel of the casing, further improving the overall resistance to deformation of the casing.

[0040] When both a lattice-shaped reinforcing member and a sloped reinforcing member are provided on the inner or outer surface of a certain side panel of the casing, and the lattice-shaped reinforcing member and the sloped reinforcing member are in contact at least one point, it is preferable that the height of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member in the substantially vertical direction relative to the plane of the side panel surface be substantially the same as the height of the sloped reinforcing member in the substantially vertical direction relative to the plane of the side panel surface at at least one of the contact points.It is even more preferable that the height of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member in the substantially vertical direction relative to the plane of the side panel surface be substantially the same as the height of the sloped reinforcing member in the substantially vertical direction relative to the plane of the side panel surface at all contact points between the lattice-shaped reinforcing member and the sloped reinforcing member on the inner or outer surface of a certain side panel.Furthermore, when both a lattice-shaped reinforcing member and a sloped reinforcing member are provided on the inner or outer surfaces of all side panels constituting the casing, it is even more preferable that the heights of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member and the sloped reinforcing member are substantially the same at all contact points on each of those side panels. This uniformity in height between the grid-like reinforcement members and the inclined reinforcement members on the surface of the side panel provides more uniform reinforcement to the side panel, increasing resistance to deformation and potentially improving the ease of handling and maintenance of the device.

[0041] When both a grid-like reinforcing element and an inclined reinforcing element are provided on the inner or outer surface of one side panel of the casing, and the grid-like reinforcing element and the inclined reinforcing element are in contact with each other at at least two points, it is preferable that, in a plan view of the side panel surface, each polygon formed by two intersections of two adjacent longitudinal members or two adjacent horizontal members or one intersecting longitudinal member and one horizontal member of the grid-like reinforcing element with the inclined reinforcing element and one or two intersections of a longitudinal member and a horizontal member of the grid-like reinforcing element near the two intersections includes an approximately triangular and / or approximately trapezoidal shape. Furthermore, when both a grid-like reinforcing element and an inclined reinforcing element are provided on the inner or outer surfaces of all side panels constituting the casing, it is even more preferable that this geometric relationship be established for each of the side panels. This contact and arrangement of the grid-like reinforcing element and the inclined reinforcing element additively increases the reinforcing effect of the side panel of the casing, further improving the resistance of the entire casing to various deformation pressures.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 9 (a plan view of the outer surface of the side panel 2S) and 10 (a perspective view), on the outer surface of the side panel 2S of the casing 2, in a plan view of the surface, a lattice-shaped reinforcing member 7 consisting of a plurality of vertical members 7x extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bottom panel 2B and a plurality of horizontal members 7y extending substantially horizontally is arranged in a substantially rectangular lattice pattern above and below the wide reinforcing member 6 having a substantially constant width. That is, in Figures 9 and 10, a plurality of inclined reinforcing members 5 and a lattice-shaped reinforcing member 7 consisting of a plurality of vertical members 7x and a plurality of horizontal members 7y are arranged above the wide reinforcing member 6. Here, the wide reinforcing member 6 forms part of the lattice pattern and is therefore considered to function as a horizontal member of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member. As shown, when the plurality of vertical members 7x reach the position of the bottom panel 2B, the upper edge of the bottom panel 2B forms part of the lattice pattern in a plan view of the surface of the side panel 2S. Therefore, the bottom plate 2B is considered to function as a horizontal member of the grid-like reinforcing member. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9 , a top frame member 2T, typically having a substantially uniform width, may be attached to the top of the surface of the side plate 2S of the casing 2 for reinforcement or protection. Although the top frame member 2T is not shown in FIG. 10 , a top frame member 2T may be attached as in FIG. 9 . In the configuration in which the top frame member 2T is provided as shown in FIG. 9 , if multiple vertical members 7x extend up to the position where the top frame member 2T is located, the lower edge of the top frame member 2T forms part of the grid pattern in a plan view of the surface of the side plate 2S. Therefore, the top frame member 2T is considered to function as a horizontal member of the grid-like reinforcing member. In FIGS. 9 and 10 , the grid-pattern blocks are generally substantially square, but they do not have to be substantially square. In addition, in FIGS. 9 and 10, the vertical members 7x and the horizontal members 7y are provided on the entire surface of the side plate 2S, but they may be provided on only a part of the surface.

[0043] 9 and 10, pairs of adjacent inclined reinforcing members 5 extending substantially parallel to one another form a "W" shape overall, with the lower end of each inclined reinforcing member 5 contacting the upper end of a wide reinforcing member 6 (which functions as a horizontal member of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member), and the ends of each of the pairs of "V"-shaped inclined reinforcing members 5 contacting the upper end of the wide reinforcing member 6 at substantially the same position. Each inclined reinforcing member 5 is contacted by a vertical member 7x and a horizontal member 7y. As shown in the drawings, in a plan view of the surface of the side panel 2S, it is preferable that each of the polygons formed by two intersections of two adjacent vertical members 7x or two adjacent horizontal members 7y or one intersecting vertical member 7x and one intersecting horizontal member 7y of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member 7 with the inclined reinforcing member 5, and one or two intersections of the vertical member 7x and the horizontal member 7y of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member 7 near these two intersections, is approximately triangular and / or approximately trapezoidal. In this way, the surface of the side panel 2S is reinforced multiple times by the inclined reinforcing members 5, the wide reinforcing members 6, and the lattice-shaped reinforcing member 7, thereby further increasing the resistance of the side panel 2S to various deformations.

[0044] 9 and 10 , the inclined reinforcing member 5, the vertical member 7x, and the horizontal member 7y may each have a substantially constant height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side panel 2S. Preferably, at least one of the contact points between the inclined reinforcing member 5 and the vertical member 7x may have substantially the same height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side panel 2S, and / or at least one of the contact points between the inclined reinforcing member 5 and the horizontal member 7y may have substantially the same height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side panel 2S. More preferably, at all of the contact points between the inclined reinforcing member 5 and the vertical member 7x, the height may be substantially the same in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side panel 2S, and / or at all of the contact points between the inclined reinforcing member 5 and the horizontal member 7y, the height may be substantially the same in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface of the side panel 2S. Such uniformity in height between reinforcing members of different shapes increases the resistance of the side panel to various deformations, and may also improve handling and maintenance workability.

[0045] The molten metal apparatus including the inclined reinforcing member of the present invention is a novel device not found in the prior art. According to a preferred embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently prevent deformation of the casing side plates due to holding high-temperature molten metal, typically deformation such as outward bulging of the casing side plates, thereby ensuring the heat retention of the molten metal and increasing the life of the apparatus. Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the ease of handling and maintenance of the apparatus can also be improved. Therefore, the molten metal apparatus including the inclined reinforcing member of the present invention can be suitably used as, but not limited to, a degassing apparatus, a molten metal filtering apparatus for removing non-metallic inclusions, dissolved hydrogen, etc., a holding furnace (holding furnace), a ladle, a trough, and other apparatuses involved in the process flow of molten metal processing.

[0046] 1: Molten metal device 2: Casing 2B: Bottom plate of casing 2S: Side plate of casing 2C: Center point of the surface of the side plate of casing 2T: Top reinforcing member of the side plate of casing DL: Diagonal line of the surface of the side plate of casing Hc: Intersection line between a horizontal plane passing through the center point of the side plate surface and the side plate surface 3: Heat insulating section 4: Molten metal accommodation section 4U: Open upper end of the molten metal accommodation section 5: Sloped reinforcing member H: Arbitrary intersection line between the side plate surface and the horizontal plane α: Angle of the sloped reinforcing member with respect to an arbitrary intersection line between the side plate surface and the horizontal plane 5i: Sloped reinforcing member 5ii: Sloped reinforcing member 5iii: Sloped reinforcing member 5iv: Sloped reinforcing member 5v: Sloped reinforcing member 5vi: Sloped reinforcing member β: Angle between adjacent sloped reinforcing members 5b: Connecting member for adjacent sloped reinforcing members 6: Wide reinforcing member 7: Lattice-shaped reinforcing member 7x: Vertical member of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member 7y: Transverse member of grid-like reinforcing member

Claims

1. A molten metal apparatus comprising: a hollow, columnar molten metal accommodation section with an open top; an insulating section covering at least the side of the molten metal accommodation section; and a casing containing the molten metal accommodation section and the insulating section, wherein the casing comprises a bottom plate having a substantially horizontal plane and at least three side plates joined to one another and formed at a predetermined angle relative to the bottom plate, wherein a portion of the inner and / or outer surface of at least one of the side plates of the casing is reinforced by a reinforcing member having a given height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the side plate surface and including a linear portion in a plan view of the side plate surface, and wherein the linear portion of the reinforcing member includes at least one inclined reinforcing member such that, in a plan view of the side plate surface, an angle formed by a straight line formed by an end portion along the longitudinal direction of the linear portion of the reinforcing member with any intersection line between the surface of the side plate reinforced by the linear portion of the reinforcing member and the horizontal plane is greater than 0° and less than 90°.

2. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linear portion of the reinforcing member includes at least one inclined reinforcing member, in which, in a plan view of the side plate surface, the angle of the straight line formed by the end of the linear portion of the reinforcing member along the longitudinal direction with any intersection line between the surface of the side plate reinforced by the linear portion of the reinforcing member and a horizontal plane is 10° or more and 85° or less.

3. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of at least one inclined reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is positioned on or below the intersection line between the horizontal plane passing through the center point of the surface of the side plate reinforced by the inclined reinforcing member and the surface of the side plate (however, the center point of the surface of the side plate refers to the center of the inscribed circle if the surface of the side plate is triangular, refers to the intersection point of two diagonals if the surface of the side plate is quadrangular, and refers to the intersection point of two diagonals of a quadrangle formed by the four vertices located higher in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane if the surface of the side plate is a polygon with pentagons or more sides).

4. The molten metal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the angled reinforcing members include at least two angled reinforcing members in contact with each other on either side plate surface.

5. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined reinforcing members include a pair of inclined reinforcing members that are in contact with each other at their ends on either side plate surface and have an angle of more than 0° but less than 180° when viewed in plan on the side plate surface.

6. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the inclined reinforcing members include a pair of inclined reinforcing members that are in contact with each other at their ends on either side plate surface and have an angle of 10° or more and 160° or less when viewed in plan on the side plate surface.

7. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the inclined reinforcing members include two or more pairs of inclined reinforcing members that are in contact with each other at their ends on either side plate surface and have an angle of 10° or more and 160° or less in a plan view of the side plate surface.

8. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined reinforcing member comprises two adjacent inclined reinforcing members extending substantially parallel to each other, and at least a portion of each of the two inclined reinforcing members is connected to each other and integrated by a substantially plate-shaped connecting member.

9. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the connecting member comprises at least one of: (i) a connecting member connecting the lower ends of two adjacent inclined reinforcing members extending generally parallel to each other, the lower ends being in contact with the side plate surfaces; (ii) a connecting member connecting the upper ends of two adjacent inclined reinforcing members extending generally parallel to each other, on the opposite side of the side plate surfaces; and (iii) a connecting member connecting a portion of one inclined reinforcing member other than the lower end in contact with the side plate surface or the upper end on the opposite side of the side plate surface to another adjacent inclined reinforcing member extending generally parallel to the one inclined reinforcing member, the lower end being in contact with the side plate surface or the upper end on the opposite side of the side plate surface.

10. A molten metal apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the linear portion of the reinforcing member includes a wide reinforcing member disposed in a continuous line on the inner or outer surface of all side plates and approximately parallel to the plane formed by the bottom plate, and this wide reinforcing member has an approximately constant width that is wider than any other portion included in the reinforcing member when viewed in plan on the surface of any side plate.

11. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the upper end of the wide reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is located on the line of intersection between the horizontal plane passing through the center points of the surfaces of each side plate reinforced by the wide reinforcing member and the surface of that side plate, or lower than this line of intersection (however, the center point of the surface of the side plate refers to the center of the inscribed circle if the surface of the side plate is triangular, refers to the intersection point of two diagonals if the surface of the side plate is quadrangular, and refers to the intersection point of two diagonals of a quadrangle formed by the four vertices that are higher in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane if the surface of the side plate is a polygon with pentagons or more sides).

12. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a lower end of at least one inclined reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is in contact with the wide reinforcing member.

13. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the lower end of at least one inclined reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is located on or below the intersection line between the horizontal plane passing through the center point of the surface of the side plate reinforced by the inclined reinforcing member and the surface of the side plate, and the lower end is in contact with the wide reinforcing member.

14. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inclined reinforcing member includes a pair of inclined reinforcing members that have an angle of 10° or more and 160° or less in a plan view of the side plate surface and whose ends contact the wide reinforcing member at approximately the same position.

15. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linear portion of the reinforcing member further comprises a lattice-like reinforcing member arranged on the inner and / or outer surface of at least one side plate, in which vertical members having a given height in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by the side plate surfaces and extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by the bottom plate, and horizontal members having a given height in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by the side plate surfaces and extending in a direction approximately horizontal, intersect with each other at least at a plurality of points.

16. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the grid-shaped reinforcing member and the sloped reinforcing member are in contact at least one point.

17. The molten metal apparatus of claim 16, wherein the points of contact between the grid-like reinforcing member and the angled reinforcing member include intersections between the longitudinal and transverse members of the grid-like reinforcing member.

18. The molten metal apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the lattice-shaped reinforcing member and the inclined reinforcing member are in contact with each other at at least two points, and when viewed from above on the side plate surface, each polygon formed by two intersections of two juxtaposed vertical members or two juxtaposed horizontal members or one intersecting vertical member and one intersecting horizontal member of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member with the inclined reinforcing member, and one or two intersections of the vertical member and the horizontal member of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member near these two intersections, includes an approximate triangle and / or an approximate trapezoid.

19. A molten metal apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein, when the lattice-shaped reinforcing member and the inclined reinforcing member are in contact with each other at at least one point, the height of the lattice-shaped reinforcing member in the generally vertical direction relative to the plane formed by the side plate surface at at least one of the contact points is generally the same as the height of the inclined reinforcing member in the generally vertical direction relative to the plane formed by the side plate surface.

Images