Holding furnace particularly for vacuum diecasting apparatus

Abstract

A holding furnace, particularly for a die-casting apparatus, comprising a bucket which can be heated, is adapted to contain molten material and is provided with a lid which can be opened and is shaped substantially like an inverted cup; the lid is provided with at least one opening for introducing protective gas having a higher relative density than air and adapted to generate an atmosphere for protection from contact with air for the molten material at regions that are free from the containment means walls of the bucket.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A holding furnace, particularly for a die-casting apparatus, comprising a bucket which can be heated, is adapted to contain molten material and is provided with a lid which can be opened and is shaped substantially like an inverted cup, said lid being provided with at least one opening for introducing a protective gas having a higher relative density than air and adapted to generate an atmosphere for protection from contact with air for said molten material at regions that are free from the containment walls of the bucket.  
     
     
         2 . The furnace according to    claim 1   , wherein said lid is provided with at least one probe for detecting at least one physical characteristic of the protective gas.  
     
     
         3 . The furnace according to    claim 2   , wherein said at least one physical characteristic to be detected is the temperature of the protective gas.  
     
     
         4 . The furnace according to    claim 1   , wherein said protective gas is nitrogen.