ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 25 -- United States Patent no. 12,480,711, issued on Nov. 25.
"Half-crucible dry hearth melter" was invented by Eric Rea (Seffner, Fla.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "The present invention relates to an electric dry hearth melter furnace designed for efficient and controlled metal melting. The furnace features a half-crucible chamber with an embedded heating element, ensuring direct heat transfer for improved energy efficiency. A refractory cover and insulation minimize heat loss, while a discharge outlet with an integrated filter reduces slag contamination. Adjustable support legs and an automated tilting mechanism facilitate controlled metal flow. A thermocouple and po...