Abstract: A concrete column forming tube is provided for receiving poured concrete therein to produce a concrete column and which is characterized by producing surface characteristics on the concrete column including a matte finish without seam lines of the forming tube. A flexible cylindrical liner is positioned in a generally friction-fit relationship within an elongate rigid cylindrical tube constructed of partially-overlapped spirally-wound plies of paper adhered together and defining an inside wall surface having spiral seam lines thereon. The flexible liner is constructed of a paperboard layer secured at butted edges and having an inside wall surface of desired paper fiber matte texture and a thickness sufficient to bridge and cover the spiral seam lines on the inside wall surface of the rigid tube to prevent the formation of seam lines on the outside surface of the produced concrete column.

Abstract: A disposable form for manufacturing curb inlet drains in situ includes a base for forming the main body of the curb inlet drain, and a neck for forming a manhole opening. The base is made of a frangible material that can be broken into pieces and removed from the drain after concrete is poured and sets around the form. In other embodiments, both the neck and base are made of a frangible material. The form is lightweight, inexpensive, and reduces the cost of manufacturing curb inlet drains in situ.

Abstract: A mold assembly for casting optical lenses in which an integral lens blank-mold cup unit is created by placing liquid monomers in a cup mold which tightly adheres to polymerized lens material. A radial die is disposed upon the cup mold to contain the monomers during polymerization and to provide the polymerized material with an optical surface. A contact lens is manufactured from the integral lens blank-mold cup unit by machining off the first cup and then extraneous portions of the blank to create a finished lens.

Abstract: There is provided an ice tray and ice cubes formed therein in which the ice cubes contain embossments. The ice cube tray includes a base having a plurality of cavities. Each cavity has a bottom and a plurality of said walls and preferably the bottom has a surface in the cavity which surface has a protuberance. The ice tray also includes a cover secured to the base. Once a formed ice cube is removed from a cavity, the cavity can not be used to form a new ice cube.

Abstract: A conduit positioning and accessing apparatus, and resulting concrete form structure, comprises a compression type coupling, a flange member rigidly attached to the coupling, a filler element which removably surrounds a portion of the coupling and fastening elements for removably fastening the apparatus to a concrete form, wherein the filler element is formed of polystyrene foam or other easily disfigured material, and wherein an access cavity is defined in the hardened concrete upon removal of the form and filler element.

Abstract: A disposable plastic container for ices comprising a pair of substantially equally shaped films of a thermoplastic synthetic resin laid one upon the other and welded or adhered to each other. They are joined only partly to define therebetween a liquid inlet which is closed after a liquid for forming ices has been introduced therethrough, and a plurality of compartments each capable of holding the liquid therein and allowing it to be frozen at a low temperature. The films define a joined edge portion surrounding all of the compartments and provided with a plurality of notches which enable the films to be torn across the compartments, so that the frozen products which have been formed in the compartments can be removed therefrom.

Abstract: A recess plug for positioning lifting anchors in precast concrete panel includes first and second hollow plug halves having complementary, frictionally-engaging mating surfaces, and also having pairs of projecting bosses positioned to overlap, when the plug halves are joined together, such that holes therethrough are in registry to receive nails therethrough for locking the plug halves together in enclosing relation with the head of an anchor as they are mounted on a vertical formwork wall. The plug halves also include boss portions for attaching a reinforcing bar to the plug assembly so that the reinforcing bar is properly positioned relative to the anchor held by the recess plug to bear the stresses applied to the anchor when the panel is lifted by the anchor. Each plug half includes a rear wall having a notch which forms an opening with the notch in the mating plug half sized to receive the shank of an anchor therethrough.

Abstract: A mold forming method in which a pattern is made of an organic material such as foamed polystyrene and at least a portion of the outer or inner surface of the mold pattern is covered by a thin coating, and surrounded with a mold material. The pattern is then dissolved by a solvent, leaving the coating undissolved. The coating is finally removed by a solvent contained in a slip which is poured into the cavity provided with the coating.

Abstract: A container in which fresh water can be packed and from which if desired it can be poured or if frozen from which ice cubes of any particular shape can be removed. If the container is filled with uncontaminated water, uncontaminated ice cubes can be removed therefrom.

Abstract: Methods are set forth for fabricating a concrete panel with embedded glass block. According to the invention the panel form includes at least one partially anchorable support form, i.e., a support form having an anchorable portion and a removable, nonanchorable portion. After concrete is poured into the panel form and hardened, the nonanchorable portion of the support form is removed. A noncementitious band (or collar), of which the anchored portion of the support form is comprised, remains. The glass block is then inserted within this band. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention a rubber seal may be inserted between the glass and noncementitious surface to both waterproof the panel and cushion the block to improve the completed panel's ability to be handled and transported without damage. Furthermore, the invention teaches utilizing the support form to create at least one support lip. Each lip may be formed as part of the anchored band or as part of the formed concrete panel.

Abstract: A lightweight, concrete form having an inner elongate cylindrical member with an internal opening having a cross section to provide the desired shape for a concrete column and a layer of thin stretch film stretched about the inner member to place the inner member in compression and with the ends of the film overlapped for self-adherence.

Abstract: A structural ice mold of the large, single use type, preferably made of FDA approved low density polyethylene plastic, is rotationally molded into a shape forming a hollow cavity on the inside thereof which defines the ice sculpture or figurine to be formed therein. In the improvement of the invention a narrow peripheral ridge or U-shape rib is extended vertically around the outside of the ice mold, preferably at the parting line of the permanent parent mold. The one-piece mold may be opened at the U-shape rib by cutting across the side of the rib at positions away from the surface of the ice figure formed in the mold, rather than by cutting perpendicularly through the mold surface and potentially into the ice figure therein. An additional improvement in ice molds resides in a hollow core formed in the base of the mold which allows for expansion of water in the mold when it changes phase into ice, thereby reducing stress and cracking in the finished ice form.

Abstract: A concrete insert apparatus comprising an insert adapted to be embedded in concrete and having therein an internally threaded bore, a nail including a head end received in the bore and a pointed end extending outwardly of the bore, and wax surrounding the head end of the nail within the bore so as to removably secure the nail within the bore, the wax being removable from the bore with the nail in response to pulling of the nail from the bore.

Abstract: A reinforced fiberboard box for creating a void in and under concrete formations. A single piece of double faced, corrugated fiberboard is defined by a face, a bottom, a pair of end flaps, and a pair of side flaps. The end flaps are folded into at least four uniformly shaped partitions which are subsequently folded onto the face of the fiberboard and are aligned along the longitudinal axis to create a box-like structure. Pairs of side flaps are then wrapped around the sides and top of the partitions to form a completely closed, internally reinforced, box-like structure. A portion of the side flaps are tucked inwardly, intersecting the partitions so that slots in the side flaps interlock with slots in the partitions which prevents the box void from unfolding during use.

Abstract: A pre-measured amount of dry mix cement that is enclosed in water soluble material and shaped with a water reservoir is placed in a ground hole sized to the form it is receiving. It is in conical or cylindrical form with a center square or round hole receiving a square or round post or pole and is placed in the ground and the post or pole is inserted in the center hole. The water reservoir is of such volume that when it is filled the proper amount of water is provided for the amount of dry mix cement in the form. Then with dissolving of the water soluble material the cement and water may be mixed and stirred in place around the post or pole manually with a mixing rod. With drilling through a floor and into earth beneath the floor a similar product is used with the dry mix cement encased in water soluble material and shaped with a water reservoir. The form is placed in the hole and the reservoir is filled with water and then mixed with dissolving of the water soluble material.

Abstract: A concrete crosstie has a recess for holding a rail securing member engaging beneath a nose in the recess. Upper ends holding the rail down resiliently are loop-shaped, to obtain a low surface pressure at two spaced areas and exact positioning of the rail securing member in the recess. The greatest possible crosstie cross-section is retained in that the recess only partially penetrates the concrete crosstie. The nose lower and side faces and the rail foot support surface are formed by steel reinforcements connected to the concrete.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a device for forming a post-receiving cavity in a solid material during the solidification thereof with the device including a clamping element having first and second side walls disposed in facing relationship to each other, with each of the side walls having a vertical extent, and a resilient wall which extends between the first and second side walls and interconnects the first and second side walls intermediate the respective vertical extent of each side wall to thereby divide each side wall into an upper end portion and a lower basal portion. The resilient wall is constructed and configured to cause the upper end portions of the side walls to move outwardly in response to application of an inward lateral force to the lower basal portions of the side walls and also to cause the upper end portions of the side walls to be maintained at a predetermined distance from each other in the absence of any inward lateral force being applied to the lower basal portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable concrete forming apparatus. The apparatus includes an elongate, tubular and rigid form having at least one inner wall surface defining an enclosure in which concrete can be poured and allowed to harden. The apparatus further includes a flexible liner of predetermined thickness which lines the inner surface to preclude formation of form lines on the hardened concrete that correspond to markings on the inner wall surface of the rigid form. The flexible liner has at least one outside wall surface for each inner wall surface and is movable between a compressed position permitting insertion of the liner into the enclosure and a normal expanded position with the outside wall surface pressing against the inner wall surface of the rigid form. As a result, no gap is present between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface.

Abstract: An ice maker with a flexible wall bag supported on a planar cooling surface and having a plurality of water compartments for molding ice cubes. The planar cooling surface is in direct thermal communication with a thermoelectric refrigeration unit for freezing water contained in the ice mold bag. The cooling surface may be the bottom of a cooling tray cooperating with an insulated housing to define a freezing chamber for receiving the ice mold bag. The refrigeration unit is mounted on the bottom wall of the cooling tray. The insulated housing includes an insulated door for access into the freezing chamber and may comprise integral front, rear and side walls. The insulated housing and cooling tray are detachably supported within a cabinet for housing the refrigeration unit. The flexible walls of the ice mold bag are of a material that is easily ruptured for removal of individual ice cubes and may include additional means to facilitate wall rupture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting of fragile complex shapes by the formation of a two layer wax mold about a pattern of the shape to be cast. Thereafter, the pattern is removed from the mold and the outer layer of wax dissolved. The slip is then poured into the mold and allowed to solidify before the inner layer of the mold is completely removed from the cast article.

Abstract: A pad eliminatable by heat prior to casting has a patterned surface and a non-porous backing. The pad is sized and shaped into at least part of the appliance and the patterned surface is conformed to the desired bonding surface contour. The patterned surface yields irregularities in the cast bonding surface which increases bondability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a factory prefabrication method for hollow panels for the on-site erection of insulated constructions.This method employs a three-dimensional framework 1 composed of thrust bars arranged in two parallel planes and of link bars linking the former. The method consists in placing said framework in a mold 13 containing a pulverulent material 16 wherein the framework is embedded by part of its thickness, in molding an insulating synthetic material 4 in the empty part of the mold so as to embed the visible parts of the framework 1, in placing above the mold a form sheet 2 so that the insulating material shall make contact with it and adhere to it during hardening, and after this hardening, in extracting the pulverulent material and in ejecting the obtained panel. The panel so manufactured can be provided after ejection with a second form sheet opposite the first.

Abstract: A destructible core is formed from a frangible plastic shell filled with inert ballast. The core is used for forming complex cavities in the production of cast resin parts.

Abstract: A one-piece, homogeneous electrical connector insulator is disclosed having an integral contact retention cone in each contact passage thereof. The insulator is made by the use of a mold having two core pins for each contact passage, and a suitably formed bushing positioned between the core pins which is removed by etching after the core pins are withdrawn from the molded insulator.

Abstract: Freezing mould bags are disclosed, having a plurality of mould compartments which communicate with each other and, in turn, with a liquid inlet. The liquid inlet and the mould compartments are defined by a pattern of joints or sealings between two opposed bag sheets constituting the bag walls. The mould bags are well-suited for preparing ice pieces of the ice "cube"-type, but may also be used for other purposes.

Abstract: A form for casting stepped openings in concrete walls, the form having four elongated form members arranged in a rectangle, each form member having outer casting surfaces thereon to form one side of the opening. A corner piece at each corner of the form engages the ends of the form members thereat and completes the casting surfaces thereof, the corner pieces and form members being shaped to allow translatory movement of the form members away from the sides of the opening cast thereby so that the form members may be removed from the opening. Selected of the form members have recesses in the casting surface thereof for reception of hardware to be cast into the wall, the hardware being held in the recesses by magnets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a moldable foamed polymer composition that can be molded at relatively low ambient temperatures and pressures. The moldable composition comprises a wax and particles of a foamed polymer, the wax being present in an amount capable of bonding the particles together in a coherent body. A method for forming articles from said composition along with processes for using said molded articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is related to an improved technique for destructing chills. A novel tool, preferably in the form of a piston cylinder mechanism is introduced into the cavity of the chill, said tool comprising at least two reciprocally movable parts which are set in motion relative to each other in the cavity so as to squeeze apart the walls of the chills or portions thereof.

Abstract: The beverage cooling device includes a semi-flexible plastic container and a liquid foodstuff which is totally enclosed within the container. The container and its contents are adapted to be frozen and utilized as a beverage cooling device. While the liquid foodstuff is in the frozen state within the container, the container may be broken open to remove the frozen liquid to permit the same to be used simultaneously as a coolant and as a flavoring for the beverage. Alternatively, the frozen foodstuff can be consumed directly. On the other hand the device can be allowed to cool within a drinking vessel to cool a liquid or beverage therein and then refrozen for reuse.

Abstract: A concrete form which is particularly suited for casting-in-place concrete structures, such as a building, comprises a plurality of metallic form members that are interconnected so as to define a planar form surface having a plurality of spaced, parallel elongated depressions extending across the entire length of the form. The resulting concrete structure is generally planar having a relatively thin planar surface which is reinforced by unitary, spaced, parallel beams formed by said depressions. The resulting structure is of comparable strength to a thicker slab of concrete, requires less concrete, and provides spacing in-between the parallel beams for the ducting of utility lines. In a modification, the depressions may also include frangible mandrels which may be readily punched out of the concrete structure to enable the ducting of utility lines transverse to the beams of concrete.

Abstract: A compactible mold pack useful for forming articles of complex inner and outer contour and substantial uniform density directly from metal powder is disclosed. The mold pack includes first and second porous, compactible mold sections defining therebetween a cavity in the outer contour of the article to be made, a porous, compactible core suspended in the cavity to define the inner contour and metal powder disposed in the cavity between the mold sections and core, the mold sections and core having an initial porosity substantially equal to that of the metal powder to be consolidated. The mold pack may be compacted to size by conventional forging and pressing techniques to consolidate the metal powder therein into the desired article.

Abstract: Freezing mould bags are disclosed, having a plurality of mould compartments, which communicate with each other and, in turn, with a liquid inlet. The liquid inlet and the mould compartments are defined by a pattern of joints or sealings between two opposed bag sheets constituting the bag walls. The mould bags are well-suited for preparing ice pieces of the ice "cube"-type, but may also be used for other purposes.The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/000,090, filed October 15, 1981, has been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).