Patent ID: 7666347

Claim:
A melting apparatus for melting pieces of solid metal in a bath of molten metal, the melting apparatus comprising: a device having a lower portion, an upper portion, and a body portion extending therebetween which is formed with a plurality of apertures therein, the device arranged, in use, with the lower portion and the plurality of apertures in the body portion positioned within the bath of molten metal and the upper portion positioned above the upper surface of the molten metal bath; introduction means for introducing the solid metal into the device through the upper portion of the device; flow inducing means for inducing flow of molten metal through the device, positioned within the bath of molten metal; and flow straightening means for encouraging axial flow of molten metal through the device, comprising a plurality of baffles arranged in at least one grid and positioned within the device below the plurality of apertures.