Patent ID: 8568655

Claim:
A cover for a molten metal container, said container having an access point through which molten metal may be periodically extracted, said cover comprising: a. a mechanical support for positioning at or near the access point on the container; b. at least one cover segment that is capable of: (i) folding onto itself and (ii) reducing heat loss from the molten metal in the container through its access point; c. means for repeatedly moving the cover segment with the mechanical support for temporary positioning over the access point of the container, said moving means enabling said cover segment to be held adjacent said access point when not temporarily positioned over said access point; and d. means for programming the cover to extend and retract over the container access point on a timed cycle selected from the group consisting of: more than 10×/minute; 5 to 10×/minute; 2 to 4×/minute; less than 2×/minute; and 1× or more per hour.