US3860057A

US3860057A - Method and apparatus for continuous metal casting

Info

Publication number: US3860057A
Application number: US339362A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas William Garlick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-10
Filing date: 1973-03-08
Publication date: 1975-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-14
Also published as: ZM4473A1; GB1429927A; CA970926A; FR2175849B1; JPS5332338B2; AR201739A1; AU474584B2; AU5312473A; JPS491432A; FR2175849A1; ES412482A1; SE400491B; IT979735B

Abstract

Continuous casting apparatus for the manufacture of a strip of anodes includes upper and lower flexible belts having edge dams disposed between them. The edge dams are movable and are formed by a series of blocks which provide spaced recesses to permit the formation of integral lugs on the anodes. Alternatively or in addition the edge dams have spaced inwardly directed projections to provide for the formation of recesses in the edges of the anodes. The edge dams are constrained by guides to depart from the line of the cast strip at a shallow angle to enable ready withdrawal of the anodes.

Description

United States Patent Garlick Jan. 14, 1975 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 3,036,348 5/1962 Hazelettetal 164/278 O NUOUS METAL CASTING 3,300,821 l/1967 Nichols et al 164/278 3,776,679 12/1973 Hegler 425/326 R [76] Inventor: Thomas William Gal-lick, 4

Bloomsbury 9- London England Primary ExaminerR. Spencer Annear 22 Filed; Man 8, 973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brumbaugh, Graves,

Donohue & Raymond [21] Appl. No.: 339,362

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Continuous casting apparatus for the manufacture of a Mar. 10, 1972 Great Britain 11334/72 Strip of anodes includes pp and lower flexible belts Mar. 30, 1972 Great Britain 15104/72 having edge dams disposed between them- The edge dams are movable and are formed by a series of 52 U.S. c1. 164/87, 164/278 blocks which Provide Spaced recesses to Permit the [51] 1nt.Cl B22d 11/06 formation of integral lugs on the anodes. Alternatively [58] Field of Search 164/82, 87, 278, 279 or in addition the edge dams have spaced inwardly rected projections to provide for the formation of re- [5 References Cited cesses in the edges of the anodes. The edge dams are UNITED STATES PATENTS constrained by guides to depart from the line of the cast strip at a shallow angle to enable ready withdrawal of the anodes.

21 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 1 M975 SHEET 1 0F 7 ,3 1oB-1'; 1 FI FIG. 5.

3,860,057 SHEET 6 BF 7 T Ill I1... I

llllll.

m w .i in 1 A 1 1 1.----m 5- 3 2-2 i ug i iii PATENTED JAN 4l975 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS METAL CASTING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been proposed, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,036,348, to provide casting apparatus which produces a continuous strip of metal which is subsequently cut into a number of more or less identical pieces which are normally provided with hangers to enable them to be handled by the appropriate machinery and suspendedin electrolytic cells.

One disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the hangers, once the anodes have been used, have to be returned to the casting apparatus for use with new anodes. This involves the use of labour and machinery which could be more economically used elsewhere in the process. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, molten metal casting apparatus comprises an endless supporting belt and movable edge dams defining between them and with the belt a casting region for a continuously cast strip, the edge dams each having a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the cast strip. The laterally shouldered section may comprise a recess in the edge dam in order to form integral supporting lugs on the cast strip. Alternatively, the laterally shouldered section may comprise a projection from the remainder of the face of the dam in order to form a recess in the edge of the cast strip.

If desired, the face of the dam may have a recess therein adjacent a projection in order to form a laterally projecting lug on the cast strip and an adjacent inwardly extending recess.

In order to maintain the advancement of the dams in correctly phased relationship, synchronisation means may be included which is adapted to co-operate with means, such as slots on each edge dam.

The edge dams preferably have a length which is longer than that of the supporting belt so that they may separate from the belt over a part of their path. For example, according to a specific aspect of the present invention, apparatus for the continuous casting of metal strip comprises at least one substantially flat supporting belt which is movable, in a casting region, in a planar path, a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams positioned immediately above the supporting belt and defining therewith a casting channel, the dams being movable in the same direction and at substantially the same speed as the supporting belt, the edge dams having opposed faces which at least at one region of each has a laterally shouldered section to enable the internal formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the cast metal strip, means for supporting the cast strip as it leaves the casting region, and means for constraining the edge dams, beyond the casting region, to follow a path which is inclined to the cast strip at a shallow angle.

For example, the cast strip as it leaves the casting region may follow a substantially horizontal path and the edge dams may be constrained to follow a downward path, for example at an angle at inclination with respect to the cast strip of between 2 and 10 and specifically 5.

Alternatively the cast strip as it leaves the casting region follows a downwardly inclined path and the means for constraining the edge dams causes the edge dams to move upwardly beyond the casting region.

In order further to assist in the removal of the lugs, the trailing end walls of the recesses by which they are formed may be inclined upwardly and rearwardly ofthe recess. This inclination may be of the order of 10 20 but about 14 is preferred. Similarly, a taper may be made on the leading end wall of each recess. Such a taper may be of the order of a few degrees, for example 5.

The invention also relates to a method of continuously casting a metal strip comprising forming a casting region between an endless supporting belt and movable edge dams which have laterally shouldered sections and introducing molten metal into the casting region to form a cast strip having integral supporting shoulders defined by the laterally shouldered sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates several continuously cast anodes and at the same time shows one method of suspending an individual anode after severance;

FIGS. 2 to 6 each illustrate a different form of anode which can be manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation of one form of casting apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an end elevation as seen in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic cross section on an enlarged scale of certain parts of the apparatus of FIGS. 7 to 10;

FIG. 11 is a cross section taken on the line 1lll of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of part of an edge dam which is suitable for forming the anode shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the edge dam of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of part of an alternative form of edge dam suitable for forming the type of anode shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 15 is a sectional elevation on the line I5l5 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of part of a modified edge dam;

FIG. 17 is a section on the line l7l7 of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is a view, similar to FIG. 7, of an alternative embodiment.

Referring firstly to FIG. 1 this shows an anode 10 formed by a continuous casting process in a manner to be described. Adjacent anodes 10a and 10b are formed during the casting process but are sheared off when solidified, the anodes 10a and 10b having been shown in FIG. 1 simply to give an indication of the general method of manufacture. integrally formed with the body of the anode 10 are a pair of lugs 11, one on each side, by means of which the anode 10 can be suspended on supports 12, which include contact bars 13, during the time the anode is positioned within a cell.

If desired, in order to make it unnecessary for the projection of the lugs 11 to be sufficient to enable lifting hooks to be positioned on them between the contact bars and the edge of the anode, and to enable the anode to be lifted into and removed from the cell, it can be provided with holes 14 to accommodate arms of a lifting device.

The alternative form of anode shown in FIG. 2 is generally similar to that of FIG. 1 and like parts bear. like reference numerals. Immediately adjacent the lugs 11 the anode is provided with recesses which are spaced from the supports 12 so that arms of a lifting device can be inserted under the lugs ll in the recesses 15 so avoiding. the necessity of the separate step of making holes 14 in the anode as described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a slightly modified anode indicating that it is not essential for the lugs 11 and recesses 15 to be symmetrically disposed.

The anode shown in FIG. 4 also has a main body part 10 but has no lateral lugs. Recesses 16 are provided one on each side and in this case the anodes are suspended in cells by hanger bars 20 having arms 21 which engage in the recesses 16. A specific form of apparatus will be described for casting the type of anode shown in FIG. 4 when referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, and although this anode has the disadvantage that a separate hanger is needed, the fact that the recesses 16 are cast integrally with the body of the anode means that no additional manufacturing step has to be performed after casting and shearing and in addition the thickness of the anodes is reasonably constant even in the region of the recesses.

In all the embodiments so far described the shear lines 60 between adjacent anodes are straight and at right angles to the direction of casting. FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative arrangement, however, in which the shear line takes an alternative form 60a.

Referring now to the diagrammatic illustrations in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, these show a casting apparatus having an upper flexible casting belt 31 and a lower flexible casting belt 32. Both belts are continuous and movable in the direction of the arrows shown. Each belt is supported by a carriage assembly including four rollers about which the belts move. The rollers for the belt 31 are indicated by the reference numerals 33a to 33d and those for the belt 32 by the numerals 34a to 34d. As shown in FIG. 9 a hinged beam 35 supports the upper carriage assembly on a machine frame 37 so that the assembly can pivot about a horizontal axis 36. The bottom carriage for the driving of the lower belt 32 is supported on the machine frame by a cantilevered beam 38. This arrangement enables both the

casting belts

31 and 32 to be removed for renewal from the ends of the

beams

35 and 38, i.e. by movement to the right in FIG. 9.

The hinged beam 35 is connected to the machine frame 37 by a hydraulically controlled linkage 39 by which the upper belt 31 is maintained at the correct level.

Molten casting material is supplied to the belts from a feeder 40 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 which can be of conventional form. This part of the apparatus forms no part of the present invention and will not be described in detail since its function will be familiar to those skilled in this art. Molten material fed by the feeder 40 is deposited between the two

belts

31 and 32. Cooling is provided for one or both of the belts so that the material solidifies as the beltsmove and a solid strip 41 emerges from between the belts. The precise manner in which the sides ofjthe strip areformed will be described but after the material has'solidified the individual anodes 10 are separated by shearing apparatus 44 again of conventional form.

In order to prevent the molten casting material from spilling over the edges of the lower belt 32 this lower belt is provided with edge dams 42 only one ofwhich is shown in FIG. 7. The two edge dams 42, the lower belt 32 and the upper belt 31 together form a mould in which the molten material is cast and solidifies.

The form of the edge dams 42 will now be described.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 10 and 11 it will be seen that the edge dams are formed from numerous small metal blocks 50 which are connected together in end-to-end relationship by means of a continuous flexible metal strip 51 shown in FIG. 11. Further detail will be given of the manner of connection of the metal blocks 50 to one another with reference to FIG. 12 onwards. The edge dams are not attached to the lower belt 32 but move with it on its upper run so as to provide a tight seal at the edge of the lower belt and so prevent the molten metal from spilling.

As can clearly be seen from FIG. 7 the edge dams 42 are longer than the lower belt 32 and do not pass around the rollers 34a to 34d but hang down in a loop below the lower belt. The path followed by the edge dams will be described in further detail below.

FIG. 10 shows the downstream end of the lower belt 32 as it passes around the upper right-hand roller 34d. In order to form the laterally-extending lugs 11 when manufacturing anodes of the types shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, each of the edge dams is provided with a number of recesses 53, one of which is shown in FIG. 10, so that the casting material will fill the recesses and thus form laterally extending lugs at positions spaced along the length of the cast strip. The strip can be cut into lengths with the lugs 11 at or near the top of the anodes by means of the shearing apparatus 44 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Whilst the lugs 11 can be made to ride out of the edge dam recesses 53 merely by virtue of a downwardly-inclined section 54 of the edge dams as shown in FIG. 10, the process of removal of the strip from the mould is assisted by the fact that the trailing end wall 64 of each recess 53 for the lugs 11 is inclined at an angle to the vertical. In the present embodiment the angle of inclination is l4 /z. The leading end wall 65 of each recess 53 may also be inclined at a slight angle, for example 5 to the vertical, although it is desirable that this inclination is not too large since, if it is too large, the lugs which are cast cannot be hung satisfactorily in the refining tanks.

By virtue of the shallow angle of inclination of the edge darn section 54 with respect to the horizontal path of the cast strip, and if desired the sloping of the trailing and leading faces-of the edge dam recesses, it is found that the lugs 11 formed on the anodes ride out of the recesses easily. The angle of inclination can vary according to requirements but may for example be between 2 and 10, and specifically in the embodiment illustrated is approximately 5.

In FIG. 10 the strip is shown emerging from between the two

casting belts

31 and 32 and it is supported by

rollers

55a and 55b after it has passed beyond the position where the belt 32 passes towards the roller 340. The roller 55b is mounted on a water-cooled shaft 56.

The lower casting belt 32 passes around the rollers 34d while the edge dams separate from the belt. Each edge dam passes through a guide 57. The guide is inclined at a slight angle to the horizontal in a downward direction so that the path tak'enby the edge dams is below that taken by the cast strip. The guide 57 is shown in more detail in FIG. 11 and comprises an upright 58 mounted on a cantilever arm 59 carried by the machine frame 37. A support bracket 61 is carried at the top of the upright 58 and the guide 57 is attached to the bracket 61. The

rollers

55a and 55b are also carried by the upright 58. The guide is of substantially horizontal U-shape, one lower limb 62 being longer than the other upper limb 63, the longer limb being arranged to support the edge dam and the shorter limb passing over the top of the dam and serving merely to restrain the edge dam from movement upwards or laterally of the support. As shown in FIG. 11, and as will be described with reference to FIGS. 12-17, the edge dam is formed in a number of blocks 50 including replaceable faces 52 facing the casting region.

The guide defines the path for the inclined section 54 referred to above, this section extending in a flat plane as far as the lower end of the upper limb 63 of the guide. Thereafter the lower limb 62, together with the bracket 61 form a curved guide section 57A followed by a further flat section 57B of the lower limb 62 which terminates with an inwardly turned flange 62A connected to the cantilever arm 59. The edge dams follow the path of the guide as far as the arm 59 and then loop freely downwards as shown in FIG. 7, the return path being defined by a further guide 88 positioned adjacent the

rollers

34a and 34b.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 12 and 13 which show part of an edge dam suitable for the manufacture of the form of anode shown in FIG. 2. Edge dam blocks of different shapes are employed but where the straight side edges of the anode are to be cast the individual blocks 50 are of rectangular form.

Blocks

50A and 50B together form between them a recess 53 for the formation of a lug, whilst

blocks

50C and 50D have

projections

70 and 71 respectively which are shaped to form the anode recesses 15.

The edge dam block 50A, which has the tapered wall 64 formed thereon, has this wall lying at an angle with respect to the further side 73 of the block so that the recess 53 is somewhat wedge-shaped in plan to produce the form of lug referred to. The tapering of the lug has the benefit that its weight is diminished and the flow of metal into and the release of gas from the mould is improved.

The leading and trailing edges of the

parts

70 and 71 respectively of the edge blocks 50C and 50D are angled at 29 and 28 respectively so as to permit the cast metal to be more easily removed from the dams. The remainder of the specific construction of this edge dam will be described shortly but firstly reference will be made to FIGS. 14 and 15, which show the form the edge dam takes if it is desired to cast an anode of the type shown in FIG. 4. In this case, for each anode, each edge dam is formed completely by rectangular blocks 50 except for one block 50E which has an appropriate end part 75 for the formation of the recesses 16. Since no lugs are to be formed in the case of the anodes of FIG. 4, the edge dam blocks have no recesses formed therein.

In both the construction of FIGS. 12 and 13 on the one hand and FIGS. 14 and on the other hand, in

order to prevent the joints opening between the blocks, and fins forming on the anode, a stranded flexible cable 81 is used to supplement the metal strip 51 extending between the blocks as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The flexible cable binds the blocks together. The cable 8] may be about 12 inches longer than the length of an anode and passes through holes 82, shown in detail in FIGS. 11 and 15, from the downstream side of one recess 53 to the upstream side of the next recess 53. The cable 81 is tensioned and anchored in the blocks defining the upstream and downstream edges of the recesses 53 by means of

socket set screws

83 and 84. The ends of the cable which protrude through the dams are then cut off. If desired, in order to maintain substantially uniform tension in the cable irrespective of temperature changes, the cable 81 may be in two parts, each of about equal length and joined together by helical spring. The spring need be no more than about threeeighths inch outside diameter so that it could be housed in the holes 82 in the edge dam blocks through which the cable 81 extends.

Additional recesses 85 (see FIG. 15) are provided in the blocks of both the edge dams to enable the dams to be synchronised to ensure that the lugs and recesses on the anodes produced are symmetrical, or not, as desired. This synchronisation can be achieved for example by providing at a shaft 114 across the width of the apparatus and carried in two suitable bearings 115 and having keyed at its ends two wheels 116 provided with teeth 117 of such shape and pitch that they would en gage with the synchronising recesses 85. Provision can be made for longitudinal adjustment of the wheels on their shaft so that the distance between them could be adjusted to suit the position of the edge dams (by varying which the width of the cast strip itself is adjusted as desired).

The edge dam synchronising recesses 85 also provide means for establishing the position of a mould cavity (for example) when the machine is closed and in use. They would therefore facilitate the automatic spraying of a release agent into the mould cavities prior to these coming into the casting zone of the machine. Such sprays could, for example, be conveniently turned on and off at the appropriate times by switches or cams actuated by the rotation of the shaft 114 carrying the wheels 116 intermeshing with the recesses 85.

FIG. 16 and 17 show a somewhat modified edge dam which may be needed if certain circumstances arise. As the continuously cast strip solidifies it will contract and the distance between the adjacent lugs on each side of the cast strip will tend to become less than the distance between the adjacent recesses 53 in the edge dam in which the lugs are formed. In the majority of cases this will not create any difficulty since when one lug is at the point of disengagement from the recess 53 the adjacent upstream lug will either still be in the liquid metal phase or at least in a plastic condition due to its high temperature. The lug and strip can, therefore, extend by an amount sufficient to neutralise the contraction of the downstream colder portion of the strip. However, there may be occasions when this does not happen, for example when casting at a fast rate with metals which quickly solidfy and the lugs are so close together that the upstream lug is below solidifying temperature be fore the one immediately downstream of it has been disengaged. In such a situation the modified edge dam of FIGS. 16 and 17 can be used.

It will be seen that the edge dam block immediately upstream of the block 90 is formed into two nonslightly oversized holes 97 in the block 91a. The part I 91b has a projection 98 extending at right angles to its longitudinal axis and which is able to slide over the end face 99 of the block 91a.

When the split block is in the position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, i.e. adjacent the block 90, the inner face 92 of the block 90 is extended so as to be substantially flush with the projection 98. An anode formed with such an edge darn would be as shown in FIG. and would have an extra recess 49 on each side adjacent its lower edge. This would have no functional disadvantage.

It is not necessary for the split block to be positioned adjacent the block 90 and if it were positioned elsewhere the projection 98 could terminate at the chaindotted line 100 shown in FIG. 16. The projection 98 is sufficient to ensure that any flash on the sides of the strip due to liquid metal penetrating between the edge dam and the casting belts would not penetrate as far as the space 102 normally existing between the two parts 91a and 91b. The distance by which the projection 98 extends beyond the end face of the part 91a is normally about 10 mm.

In use the strip will contract and when this happens the blocks 90 and 9lb will move towards the part 91a. Such movement will create a gap between the block 90 and its adjacent block 104 and will cause the projection 98 to slide forward over the end face 99 of the block 910. The gap between the

blocks

90 and 104 will have no consequence since the metal of this position has already solidified and the sliding of the projection 98 over the block 91a will also have no consequence since the contraction of the strip will have caused the recess in its edge to have moved by substantially the same amount as the block 91b.

When the lugs have been disengaged from the edge dams the

springs

93 and 94 will close the gap between the

blocks

90 and 104.

In all the embodiments described the edge dam blocks may be connected to the flexible strip 51 by means of a screw or rivet, for example as indicated at 105 in FIG. 16. About one block in four could be so secured. Inthe modified construction of FIGS. 16 and 17 it will of course be ensured that none of the movable blocks will be so secured to the strip 51.

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment similar to FIG. 7 except that the edge dams 110 are constrained to move above the cast strip 111 over a number of rollers 113 and back, downwards over a guide 88A. The strip extends downwards at a shallow angle of approximately 5 to the horizontal.

The blocks have been shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 14 as having'separate end pieces 52 while those shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are shown as being of one-piece construction. Clearly all the blocks shown could have removable end-pieces although this is not essential and they could all be of one-piece construction.

In general the blocks or end-pieces having one or more edges in contact with the cast strip'should be made from a suitable grade of alloy steel or titanium.

If the edge is in the form of a removable piece fixed to a separate block, the block may be made from a different material with suitable properties, such as copper or a light metal alloy.

Various other modifications are possible, for example, the function of the guide 57 could'be performed by a series of small rollers rotating on axles fixed to the guide support 58 so that they support and constrain the blocks to follow substantially the same path as indicated on the drawing.

The edge dams described could also be used in casting machines of the type in which the travelling top and bottom faces of the strip mould are formed by a series of water cooled segmented blocks connected together by chain type elements to form a continuous sequence. An example of such a machine is the Hunter-Douglas machine.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Molten metal casting apparatus comprising an endless supporting belt and movable edge dams defining between them and with the belt a casting region for a continuously cast strip, the edge dams each having a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation ofa supporting shoulder on each side of the cast strip.

2. Apparatus for the continuous casting of a metal strip comprising at least one substantially flat supporting belt which is movable, in a casting region, in a planar path, a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams engaging the 'casting region of the supporting belt anddefining therewith a casting channel, the dams being movable in the same direction and at substantially the same speed as the supporting belt, the edge dams having opposed faces which at least at one region of each has a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the cast metal strip. I

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the laterally shouldered section comprises a recess in the edge dam.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the laterally shouldered section comprises a projection from the remainder of the face of the dam.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the I shouldered section comprises a recess in, and an adjacent projection from the face of the dam whereby the casting is formed, in each edge face thereof, with a laterally projecting lug and an adjacent inwardly extending recess.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including synchronisation means adapted to cooperate with means on each edge dam to maintain the advancement of the dams in correctly phased relationship.

7. Apparatus for the continuous casting of anodes in the form of a metal strip including molten metal feed means, mould conveyor means, ,cast strip receiving means, and anode severing means in the region of the cast strip receiving means, the mould conveyor means comprising a pair of horizontal flexible conveyors each arranged to advance in a planar direction of travel, the conveyors being spaced one above the other to define parallel top and bottom mould surfaces, lateral mould surfaces being defined by a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams each positioned between and engaging the mould surfaces of the flexible conveyors and being supported for movement therewith at substantially the same speed, the edge clams having opposed faces which, for each anode, has a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the anode.

8. Molten metal casting apparatus comprising an endless supporting belt and movable edge dams defining between them and with the belt a casting region for a continuously cast strip, the edge dams each having a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the cast strip, means for supporting the cast strip as it leaves the casting region, and means for constraining the edge dams, beyond the casting region, to follow a path which is inclined to the cast strip at a shallow vertical angle.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the cast strip as it leaves the casting region follows a substantially horizontal path, and the means for constraining the edge dams causes the edge dams to move downwardly beyond the casting region.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the cast strip as it leaves the casting region follows a downwardly inclined path and the means for constraining the edge dams causes the edge dams to move upwardly beyond the casting region.

11. Apparatus for the continuous casting of a metal strip comprising at least one substantially flat supporting belt which is movable, in a casting region, in a planar path, a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams engaging the supporting belt in the casting region and defining therewith a casting channel, the dams being movable in the same direction and at substantially the same speed as the supporting belt, the edge dams having opposed faces which at least at one region of each has a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the cast metal strip, means for supporting the cast strip as it leaves the casting region, and means for constraining the edge dams, beyond the casting, to follow a path which is inclined to the cast strip at a shallow vertical angle.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the cast strip, as it leaves the casting region follows a substantially horizontal path, and the edge dams are constrained to follow a downward path.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the angle of inclination of the edge dam path with respect to the cast strip is between 2 and 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the angle of inclination is 5.

15. Apparatus for the continuous casting of anodes in the form of a metal strip including molten metal feed means, mould-forming conveyor means, cast strip receiving means, and anode severing means in the region of the cast strip receiving means, the mould conveyor means comprising a pair of horizontal flexible conveyors each arranged to advance in a planar direction of travel, the conveyors being spaced one above the other to define parallel top and bottom mould surfaces, lateral mould surfaces being defined by a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams each positioned between and engaging the mould surfaces of the flexible conveyors and being supported for movement therewith at substantially the same speed, the edge dams having opposed faces which, for each anode, have a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the anode, and guide means for constraining the edge dams, beyond the casting region to follow a path which is inclined at a shallow vertical angle to the path of the cast strip in the region of the cast strip receiving means.

16. A method of continuously casting a metal strip comprising forming a casting region between an endless supporting belt and movable edge dams which have laterally shouldered sections and introducing molten metal into the casting region to form a cast strip having integral supporting shoulders defined by the laterally shouldered sections.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16 including guiding the cast strip along a path which diverges at a shallow vertical angle from a section of path of the edge dams beyond the casting region.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the laterally shouldered sections comprise recesses in the edge dams and the molten metal flows into the recesses to form integral lugs on the strip.

19. A method of continuously casting anodes comprising forming a mould between a pair of horizontal flexible conveyors each advancing in a planar direction of travel and having lateral mould surfaces defined by a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams each positioned between and engaging the mould surfaces of the flexible conveyors and moving therewith at substantially the same speed, the edge clams having opposed faces which, for each anode, have laterally shouldered sections, introducing molten metal from feed means into the mould to form therein a cast strip having integral supporting shoulders defined by the said laterally shouldered sections and constraining the edge dams beyond the casting region to follow a path which is inclined at a shallow vertical angle to the path of the cast strip leaving the mould, receiving the cast strip on cast receiving means, and severing the anodes from the strip on the cast strip receiving means.

20. Molten metal casting apparatus comprising an endless supporting belt and movable edge dams defining between them and with the belt a casting region for a continuously cast strip, said edge dams each having a laterally shouldered section to enable formation of a continuous support shoulder on each side of the strip, said shouldered section including a trailing wall inclined to the vertical at a predetermined angle thereby to facilitate release of said strip from the edge dams.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 in which said shouldered portion comprises a leading wall inclined to the vertical at a predetermined angle which is less than the angle of inclination of said trailing wall.

Claims

1. Molten metal casting apparatus comprising an endless supporting belt and movable edge dams defining between them and with the belt a casting region for a continuously cast strip, the edge dams each having a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the cast strip.

2. Apparatus for the continuous casting of a metal strip comprising at least one substantially flat supporting belt which is movable, in a casting region, in a planar path, a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams engaging the casting region of the supporting belt and defining therewith a casting channel, the dams being movable in the same direction and at substantially the same speed as the supporting belt, the edge dams having opposed faces which at least at one region of each has a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the cast metal strip.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the shouldered section comprises a recess in, and an adjacent projection from the face of the dam whereby the casting is formed, in each edge face thereof, with a laterally projecting lug and an adjacent inwardly extending recess.

7. Apparatus for the continuous casting of anodes in the form of a metal strip including molten metal feed means, mould conveyor means, cast strip receiving means, and anode severing means in the region of the cast strip receiving means, the mould conveyor means comprIsing a pair of horizontal flexible conveyors each arranged to advance in a planar direction of travel, the conveyors being spaced one above the other to define parallel top and bottom mould surfaces, lateral mould surfaces being defined by a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams each positioned between and engaging the mould surfaces of the flexible conveyors and being supported for movement therewith at substantially the same speed, the edge dams having opposed faces which, for each anode, has a laterally shouldered section to enable the integral formation of a supporting shoulder on each side of the anode.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the angle of inclination of the edge dam path with respect to the cast strip is between 2* and 10*.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the angle of inclination is 5*.

19. A method of continuously casting anodes comprising forming a mould between a pair of horizontal flexible conveyors each advancing in a planar direction of travel and having lateral mould surfaces defined by a pair of horizontally spaced edge dams each positioned between and engaging the mould surfaces of the flexible conveyors and moving therewith at substantially the same speed, the edge dams having opposed faces which, for each anode, have laterally shouldered sections, introducing molten metal from feed means into the mould to form therein a cast strip having integral supporting shoulders defined by the said laterally shouldered sections and constraining the edge dams beyond the casting region to follow a path which is inclined at a shallow vertical angle to the path of the cast strip leaving the mould, receiving the cast strip on cast receiving means, and severing the anodes from the strip on the cast strip receiving means.