Patent ID: 7597221

Claim:
An elongated stopper device for flow-control of molten metal from a vessel, containing molten metal, said device comprising: a) a body ( 10 ) made of a refractory ceramic material, b) a bore hole ( 12 ), having a longitudinal axis (A) and extending from an upper surface ( 10 u ) of said body downwardly, c) a rod ( 14 ), penetrating with one end ( 14 l ) into said bore hole ( 12 ) and being fixedly secured within said body ( 10 ), d) a sealing member ( 18 ), being arranged within a space adjacent to or being part of said bore hole ( 12 ), e) said space being defined at least partly by at least three unlike opposing surface sections ( 12 a , 12 i , 14 s ) of said body ( 10 ) and said rod ( 14 ) respectively, with at least one of said surface sections ( 14 s ) of the rod ( 14 ) or the body ( 10 ) respectively extending at an angle α>0 and <90° to the longitudinal axis (A) of said bore hole ( 12 ) or provides an appropriate curved surface, so that sealing member ( 18 ) varies its shape to fill the space when said rod ( 14 ) is introduced into said bore hole ( 12 ), while at the same time flowing into voids between said rod ( 14 ) and bore hole ( 12 ) adjacent to said space, f) said rod ( 14 ) has a smaller width at its part ( 14 s , 14 l ) adjacent to said space than at its part on top ( 14 u ) and said part ( 14 l ) adjacent said space extends below said space, g) fixing means ( 16 , 16 t , 14 t ) are arranged below said sealing member to receive and fasten the rod ( 14 ) within the body ( 10 ).