Abstract: A reblow former for use in the manufacture of moulded construction products from dry particulate materials is proposed which includes an elongate body part (11) and an inflatable elastomeric sleeve (14) disposed about the body part, the body part having ribs (12) thereon to provide an indented transverse profile and the sleeve (14) having a transverse perimeter length which corresponds to that of the body part (11) and lying in intimate surface contact with the body part (11) in the non-inflated condition thereof. The transvere perimeter length of the sleeve (14) in the unstretched state thereof approximates to the transverse perimeter length of a core void (15) into which the reblow former is inserted such that, on inflation, the sleeve (14) is brought into contact with the core void surface of the core with not material stretching of the material of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method and a device for introducing reinforcing strands into a vertical mold through the open upper end thereof. An array of strand material is positioned to extend across the open end of a mold and an insertion device is lowered into the mold. The insertion device engages the strand material during its downward motion and draws an appropriate amount of such material from a continuous supply thereof to give a strand reinforcement of elongate U-shape within the mold. A reciprocable carriage is provided whereby the leading end of the strand is presented to a clamp at a remote side of the mold opening, the carriage having a selectively operable clamp thereon for engagement with the strand during movement of the carriage toward the clamp.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an hydration means for wetting the exposed surface of a core void formed on the withdrawal of a core former from a construction panel comprising compacted gypsum or like particulate materials, and proposes the free suspension of a reciprocable spray head by a flexible small-bore tube through which a setting liquid is applied to the spray head from a cross-head with which the tube is connected in fluid flow relationship. If necessary, the spray head may be weighted, while an apertured guide plate through which the tube passes may be provided above the upper limit of movement of the spray head.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of cored construction products from dry particulate materials including feeding the materials into a vibrating mould so as to bring the same into pre-compacted condition, and subjecting the materials when in such condition to a transverse pressure so as to effect final compaction thereof. After compaction, a free standing surface of the material is impregnated with a setting liquid. The vibration is of such frequency and amplitude as to bring the individual particles into substantially uniform closely spaced disposition, the subsequent application of pressure bringing the material into a compacted state without any substantial re-arrangement or crushing of the particles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing construction products which involves feeding dry or substantially dry constituents including a liquid-setting powder and a reinforcement therefor into a molding zone. At least a part of the mold is vibrated to effect compacting of the constituents in the molding zone to such a degree that the constituents will stand and be self-sustaining upon removal of an upstanding portion of the mold. At least a portion of the mold is removed from contact from the compacted constituents, thereby exposing at least one upstanding surface of of the compacted constituents. A quantity of setting liquid is applied to substantially the full extent of the surface. The quantity of setting liquid is sufficient to wet all of the compacted constituents in the molding zone so as to initiate a chemical setting reaction but not sufficient to completely saturate the compacted constituents and to cause the associated effect of structural collapse of the compacted constituents in the region of the exposed surface.

Abstract: Construction products are moulded by mixing the dry constituents, including a proportion of fine particulate material, feeding (1, 2) the mixture into a mould (5), compacting the mixture, removing part (6) of the mould (5), lightly spraying (9) an exposed upstanding surface of the product with setting liquid, removing the product from the mould (5) and allowing it to set. Sufficient fine particulate material to surround the coarse particles and compaction, using vibration (7) of the mould (5) and compression of the mixture, to cause the fine particles to fill the interstices between the coarse particles, provide sufficient support of the exposed surface to prevent collapse or erosion thereof during wetting even though no fibre reinforcement is included in the mixture. Sufficient liquid to wet the product but not to saturate it is applied by the spray (8, 9).