Patent ID: 8109670

Claim:
A loading system for loading a molten material into a container, the loading system comprising: a loading arm extending from a source of the molten material for introducing the material into a container; a valve for controlling the flow of the liquid material through the loading arm and into the container; a thermal probe inserted vertically into the molten material and including: an elongated rod; a terminal head connected to a proximal end of the elongated rod for manual manipulation of the thermal probe by a user, the terminal head including an edge for removably positioning and resting the terminal head on an edge of an opening in the container retaining the liquid material; and a plurality of temperature-sensing junctions positioned along the longitudinal length of the rod, wherein each of the plurality of temperature-sensing junctions generates an electrical signal corresponding to the temperature of the molten material contacting the respective junction; and a programmed processor responsive to the electrical signals from the plurality of temperature-sensing junctions operatively connected to control the flow of molten material through the valve, wherein the programmed processor is programmed to include a shut-off condition when the temperature of the molten material in contact with a first junction is higher than the temperature of the molten material in contact with at least one junction positioned below the first junction on the rod; and wherein the shut-off condition includes detecting when the temperature of the molten material in contact with the first junction is greater than a predetermined set temperature.