Dross compression apparatus including a cooling system for cooling the compression head and cooling method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The compression head of the dross compression apparatus is more effectively cooled in accordance with the present invention by blowing cooling air across the top of the compression head during the recovery of various non-ferrous metals including aluminum from various types of dross.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one or more air nozzles are provided for directing cooling air across the top of the compression head.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, one or more air vents are provided in the dross compression apparatus for venting the air after being directed across the top of the compression head.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a plurality of ribs may extend across the top of the compression head in the direction of the air vents for directing the air out of the air vents after being directed across the top of the compression head.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the air nozzles may direct air along and between the ribs on the top of the compression head toward the air vents.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the air nozzles may be movable in synchronism with the compression head during vertical movement of the compression head toward and away from the dross collector.
These and other objects, advantages, features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.