Granted Patent B2

US 8,245,759 · App. 12/134,270 · Granted Aug 21, 2012

Abstract

Claims (13)

1. A method of transferring a molten material to a casting mold, the method comprising:

providing a ladle having a hollow interior adapted to receive a molten material therein, the ladle having an aperture formed therein, wherein the ladle is adapted to rotate about an eccentric axis when filled with the molten material and wherein the pivoting about the eccentric axis minimizes a drop of the molten material into said ladle during a filling thereof with the molten material;

providing a mold having a cavity formed therein adapted to receive the molten material, wherein the ladle abuts the mold and the mold and the ladle are cooperatively rotated to pour the molten material from the ladle into the cavity of the mold, wherein the mold is without a gate system;

filling the ladle with the molten material;

positioning the aperture of the ladle adjacent the cavity of the mold; and

rotating the mold and ladle to facilitate the pouring of the molten material from the ladle into the cavity of the mold.

2. A casting apparatus comprising:

a ladle having a hollow interior adapted to receive a molten material therein, wherein said ladle is adapted to pivot about an eccentric axis when filled with the molten material and wherein the pivoting about the eccentric axis minimizes a drop of the molten material into said ladle during a filling thereof with the molten material; and

a mold having a cavity formed therein adapted to receive the molten material, wherein said ladle abuts said mold, and said mold and said ladle are cooperatively rotated to pour the molten material from said ladle into the cavity of said mold, wherein said mold is without a gate system.

3. A casting apparatus comprising:

a ladle having a hollow interior adapted to receive a molten material therein, wherein said ladle is adapted to pivot about an eccentric axis when filled with the molten material and wherein the pivoting about the eccentric axis minimizes a drop of the molten material into said ladle during a filling thereof with the molten material;

a mold having a cavity formed therein adapted to receive the molten material, wherein said ladle abuts said mold, and said mold and said ladle are cooperatively rotated to pour the molten material from said ladle into the cavity of said mold; and

a mold feature having a height greater than a height of a portion of the cavity of said mold disposed adjacent said ladle.

Assignments (12)