Abstract: In embodiments, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities; a hopper that receives a hardenable paste and deposits the hardenable paste into the mold cavities as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper. The hopper includes a plurality of side walls and a bottom panel having an opening, wherein the plurality of walls and the bottom panel define an interior chamber; and an auger rotatably mounted in the interior chamber and having a plurality of radially extending protrusions along a length thereof, the radially extending protrusions including angled surfaces to displace the material received in the interior chamber along a length of the interior chamber to fall through the opening into the mold cavities.

Abstract: A system and method for rolling up a flexible sheet includes a frame; a friction element mounted on the frame and having an endless friction outer surface with a sheet-engaging portion to engage an end of the sheet; and a drive connected to the friction element to move the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions thereof move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and lift up and roll the end of the flexible sheet over on itself to form a roll. The method for rolling up the flexible sheet includes rotating the friction element and engaging the end of the flexible sheet with the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and curl the end of the flexible sheet upwardly back over on itself to form a roll.

Abstract: In embodiments, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities; a hopper that receives a hardenable paste and deposits the hardenable paste into the mold cavities as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper. The hopper includes a plurality of side walls and a bottom panel having an opening, wherein the plurality of walls and the bottom panel define an interior chamber; and an auger rotatably mounted in the interior chamber and having a plurality of radially extending protrusions along a length thereof, the radially extending protrusions including angled surfaces to displace the material received in the interior chamber along a length of the interior chamber to fall through the opening into the mold cavities.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities about an outer periphery thereof; a hopper positioned adjacent the drum, the hopper shaped to receive a hardenable paste and deposit the hardenable paste into successive mold cavities of the plurality of mold cavities facing the hopper, as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; wherein the hopper includes an opening shaped and positioned to align with the mold cavities facing the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper.

Abstract: A system and method for rolling up a flexible sheet includes a frame; a friction element mounted on the frame and having an endless friction outer surface with a sheet-engaging portion to engage an end of the sheet; and a drive connected to the friction element to move the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions thereof move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and lift up and roll the end of the flexible sheet over on itself to form a roll. The method for rolling up the flexible sheet includes rotating the friction element and engaging the end of the flexible sheet with the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and curl the end of the flexible sheet upwardly back over on itself to form a roll.

Abstract: A system for rolling up a flexible sheet may include a frame; a friction element mounted on the frame, the friction element having an endless friction outer surface with a sheet-engaging portion positioned to engage an end of the flexible sheet lying in a substantially horizontal position relative to the frame; and a drive connected to the friction element to move the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions thereof move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and lift up and roll the end of the flexible sheet over on itself to form a roll.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities about an outer periphery thereof; a hopper positioned adjacent the drum, the hopper shaped to receive a hardenable paste and deposit the hardenable paste into successive mold cavities of the plurality of mold cavities facing the hopper, as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; wherein the hopper includes an opening shaped and positioned to align with the mold cavities facing the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper.

Abstract: A flexible mat forming system may include an elongate, rotatable drum having a plurality of transverse rows of mold cavities about an outer periphery thereof, an elongate hopper positioned adjacent the drum, the hopper shaped to receive a hardenable paste and deposit the hardenable paste along a facing row of the plurality of transverse rows of mold cavities, a spool assembly for feeding a sheet of mesh material between the hopper and the facing row, and a retaining plate extending partially about the outer periphery of the drum and positioned on a downstream side of the elongate hopper, the retaining plate spaced sufficiently close to the outer periphery to retain the mesh material against the outer periphery of the drum and the hardenable paste within the mold cavities adjacent the retaining plate.

Abstract: An erosion-preventing laminate mat may include a first layer of slivers of a natural material, a second layer of slivers of a synthetic material, and, in embodiments, a third layer of an open mesh. A system for utilizing the erosion-preventing laminate may include a movable frame having an upper surface shaped to pass beneath a substantially flat sheet of tied block mat, the frame including a spindle below the upper surface for supporting a roll of the first mat, the first mat including the first layer of slivers of a natural material, the second layer of slivers of a synthetic material, and the third layer of an open mesh. In embodiments, a system for forming the mat includes a movable frame shaped to pass beneath a substantially flat sheet of the tied block mat, and including a spindle below the upper surface for supporting a roll of the first mat.

Abstract: A system for rolling up a flexible sheet may include a frame; a friction element mounted on the frame, the friction element having an endless friction outer surface with a sheet-engaging portion positioned to engage an end of the flexible sheet lying in a substantially horizontal position relative to the frame; and a drive connected to the friction element to move the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions thereof move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and lift up and roll the end of the flexible sheet over on itself to form a roll.

Abstract: An erosion-preventing laminate mat may include a first layer of slivers of a natural material, a second layer of slivers of a synthetic material, and, in embodiments, a third layer of an open mesh. A system for utilizing the erosion-preventing laminate may include a movable frame having an upper surface shaped to pass beneath a substantially flat sheet of tied block mat, the frame including a spindle below the upper surface for supporting a roll of the first mat, the first mat including the first layer of slivers of a natural material, the second layer of slivers of a synthetic material, and the third layer of an open mesh. In embodiments, a system for forming the mat includes a movable frame shaped to pass beneath a substantially flat sheet of the tied block mat, and including a spindle below the upper surface for supporting a roll of the first mat.

Abstract: A flexible mat forming system may include an elongate, rotatable drum having a plurality of transverse rows of mold cavities about an outer periphery thereof, an elongate hopper positioned adjacent the drum, the hopper shaped to receive a hardenable paste and deposit the hardenable paste along a facing row of the plurality of transverse rows of mold cavities, a spool assembly for feeding a sheet of mesh material between the hopper and the facing row, and a retaining plate extending partially about the outer periphery of the drum and positioned on a downstream side of the elongate hopper, the retaining plate spaced sufficiently close to the outer periphery to retain the mesh material against the outer periphery of the drum and the hardenable paste within the mold cavities adjacent the retaining plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously forming flexible mat structure in the form of spaced, interconnected concrete panels. The mat structure can serve as an erosion control mat along the banks of waterways and within drainage ditches and channels, and can also be utilized to provide temporary or permanent walkways and roadways. A rotatable drum includes peripherally-positioned mold cavities that receive concrete mix from a trough supplied from a source of concrete mix. A grid is fed against the drum periphery and over the mold cavities before the concrete mix is introduced, and after the mix is introduced a web of fibrous material is brought into contact with the concrete-mix-containing mold cavities to overlie the concrete-containing surface of the drum. As the drum rotates the fibrous material with overlying, interconnected concrete panels is deposited on the ground to provide the a finished mat structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously forming flexible mat structure in the form of spaced, interconnected concrete panels. The mat structure can serve as an erosion control mat along the banks of waterways and within drainage ditches and channels, and can also be utilized to provide temporary or permanent walkways and roadways. A rotatable drum includes peripherally-positioned mold cavities that receive concrete mix from a trough supplied from a source of concrete mix. A grid is fed against the drum periphery and over the mold cavities before the concrete mix is introduced, and after the mix is introduced a web of fibrous material is brought into contact with the concrete-mix-containing mold cavities to overlie the concrete-containing surface of the drum. As the drum rotates the fibrous material with overlying, interconnected concrete panels is deposited on the ground to provide the finished mat structure.

Abstract: An erosion-preventing laminate mat may include a first layer of slivers of a natural material, a second layer of slivers of a synthetic material, and, in embodiments, a third layer of an open mesh. A system for utilizing the erosion-preventing laminate may include a movable frame having an upper surface shaped to pass beneath a substantially flat sheet of tied block mat, the frame including a spindle below the upper surface for supporting a roll of the first mat, the first mat including the first layer of slivers of a natural material, the second layer of slivers of a synthetic material, and the third layer of an open mesh. In embodiments, a system for forming the mat includes a movable frame shaped to pass beneath a substantially flat sheet of the tied block mat, and including a spindle below the upper surface for supporting a roll of the first mat.