Patent ID: 7036555

Claim:
A distributor device for use in an aluminium casting operation to direct the flow of molten aluminium into an associated mould, the distributor device comprising: a rigid, substantially bowl-shaped receptacle ( 2 ) of a refractory material having a base member ( 4 ) and a peripheral wall ( 6 ) that extends upwards from the base member, said receptacle having an inlet opening ( 8 ) towards the upper end thereof and at least one outlet opening ( 14 ) towards the base member, and a porous element ( 38 ), the distributor device being constructed and arranged such that, in use, molten aluminium poured into the distributor device through the inlet opening ( 8 ) is redirected by the distributor device and flows through said porous element and outwards into the mould through said at least one outlet opening ( 14 ), said porous element ( 38 ) comprising a substantially bowl-shaped mesh of woven material that fits into and is supported by said receptacle ( 2 ).