Abstract: In an example embodiment, a doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive plant material, a bracket assembly connected to the hopper assembly, and a roller in a hopper opening defined by the hopper assembly extending through the hopper assembly. An interior surface of the hopper assembly may define the hopper opening. The bracket assembly may include a shaft extending across a portion of the hopper opening. The roller may be in the portion of the hopper opening of the hopper assembly and may extend between a first part and a second part of the interior surface of the hopper assembly. The roller may be connected to the shaft and may be configured to rotate with rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a chambered package can include a dispensing nozzle angled relative to a perpendicular of a machine direction of a carrying mechanism, the dispensing nozzle being disposed adjacent to the carrying mechanism having one or more chambered recess defined about a surface thereof, the dispensing nozzle being configured to dispense a quantity of the medium into the one or more chambered recess defined about the surface of the carrying mechanism. The apparatus includes a housing and at least one wiping material arranged to define an angle having a vertex toward the machine direction about a bottom surface of the housing, the angle of the at least one wiping material being configured to direct any of the quantity of the medium dispensed out of the second end of the dispensing nozzle, but not directed into the one or more chambered recess, into the one or more chambered recess.

Abstract: A device is for ejecting at least one capsule from a capsule holder. The capsule holder has at least two capsule receptacles for, in each case, one capsule. The device comprises: at least two ejectors, each of the ejectors being configured to eject a respective one of the capsules from the corresponding one of the receptacles; a drive unit configured to actuate the at least two ejectors independently of each other in an ejection direction and in an opposite return direction; the drive unit having a pneumatic actuating cylinder for each ejector; the pneumatic actuating cylinders being individually actuatable as a drive for respective ones of the at least two ejectors; a limiter element which is provided jointly for a plurality of the at least two ejectors and which has a cyclical lifting drive; and, each ejector being assigned a stop acting in the return direction for the limiter element.

Abstract: A rotary cylindrical mold member and a method for its production, is adapted to be used in a system for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of one or more food starting materials which are suitable for consumption. The method includes preparing at least one mold body forming part of the cylindrical outer surface of the mold member, wherein one or more recessed mold cavities are formed. Subsequently preparing a support member defining one or more fluid channels, recessed in the support surface Heat emitting parts or particles are provided close to the inner surface of the mold body and/or the supporting surface of the support member. Energy is provided to the heat emitting parts or particles, thereby causing the parts or particles to emit heat and thereby locally melt the adjacent porous first plastic and the second plastic to obtain a weld and thereby secure the support member and the mold body to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gypsum board forming device which provides improved slurry spread. The device includes a forming table with an arcuate or angled profile that promotes a uniform slurry spread. An arcuate or angled hinge plate can also be included to further promote the uniform distribution of slurry prior to an extrusion plate.

Abstract: A system for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of one or more food starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular human consumption, has a production device having a frame, a mould member provided with at least one mould cavity, the frame supporting the mould member, mass feed means for feeding the mass to the one or more mould cavities of the mould member. The system also has at least one cleaning device for cleaning one or more parts of the production device which come into contact with the mass. The mould member is removable from the frame. The system has a storage device for storing a plurality of mould members, which may be provided with an identification, has recognition means for recognizing the identification of a mould member, and may have a memory for storing at least one history of a mould member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprise means for, and the steps of, softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, pressing the sheet of veneer between complementary corrugating press rollers having a pitch and a depth to press the sheet of veneer into a wavy or corrugated configuration, and surfacing the pressed sheet of veneer to remove crests of the corrugations, making the piece of figured veneer. Another method and apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer, comprise means for, and the steps of, softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, placing the sheet of veneer onto a wavy or corrugated surface of a plate, pressing the sheet of veneer using a press roller so that the roller presses the sheet of veneer against the surface to achieve a wavy or corrugated veneer, and surfacing the pressed sheet of veneer to remove peaks of the corrugations, making the piece of figured veneer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gypsum board forming device which provides improved slurry spread. The device includes a forming table with an arcuate or angled profile that promotes a uniform slurry spread. An arcuate or angled hinge plate can also be included to further promote the uniform distribution of slurry prior to an extrusion plate. As a result of the improved slurry spread, gypsum board with increased strength and durability can be created.

Abstract: A system including a mold having a fluoropolymer wherein the mold defines a plurality of cavities having a predetermined shape and a cross-sectional dimension less than about 100 micrometers; a roller; a surface in cooperation with the roller to form a nip point configured to receive the mold, wherein the nip point is further configured to receive a substantially liquid composition and accelerate entry of the substantially liquid composition into the cavity.

Abstract: A system for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of one or more food starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular human consumption, which system comprises: -a production device having: -a frame, -a mould member provided with at least one mould cavity, the frame supporting the mould member, -mass feed means for feeding the mass to the one or more mould cavities of the mould member, the system furthermore comprising at least one cleaning device for cleaning one or more parts of the production device which come into contact with the mass. The mould member is preferably removable from the frame. Furthermore, the system preferably comprises a storage device for storing a plurality of mould members. It is preferable for each removable mould member to be provided with an identification, the system comprising recognition means for recognizing the identification of a mould member.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and moulding devices for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff which is suitable for human consumption, in particular from a mass of meat, in particular chicken. The method comprises filling a mould cavity with a portion of the mass under the influence of a filling pressure exerted on the mass and for a filling period via a filling opening associated with the mould cavity, closing the filling opening of the mould cavity and holding the mass in the mould cavity for a fixing period. Then, the mould cavity is opened and the moulded product is removed from the mould cavity. The method uses fixing-pressure-exerting means which are designed to exert a fixing pressure which acts on the mass in the mould cavity after the filled mould cavity has been closed.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for air forming an article having a plurality of superimposed fibrous layers. The layers are formed in substantially discrete forming chambers by depositing fibrous material on a forming surface which moves along an arcuate path through the chambers. A first layer is air-formed on the forming surface as the surface moves through the first forming chamber and a second layer is air-formed over the first layer as the surface moves through the second forming chamber.

Abstract: A gypsum board forming device having a gypsum forming station including two laterally disposed edger shoes, and at least one laterally disposed edger bar clamping element on the edger bar. In one embodiment a laterally extending forming plate extends over the top surface of the formed gypsum board, the forming plate including a plurality of micropore conduits through which pressurized water is supplied to provide a film of smoothing water over the top surface of the gypsum board. In another embodiment the edger shoes have a flapper mechanism for retaining unset slurry skimmed off the surface of the gypsum board by the edger bar.

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 printing form for rotary screen printing is provided and includes a thin-walled hollow cylinder made from fiber-reinforced plastics material, the cylinder wall of which is provided with continuous printing openings which define an image which is to be printed. The cylinder includes at least one layer having fibers with at least one oriented direction of the fibers. Multi-layer laminates made from carbon/epoxy having at least one layer with an oriented direction of the fibers which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of printing form are preferred.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and molding devices for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff which is suitable for human consumption, in particular from a mass of meat, in particular chicken.

Abstract: A plant is provided for manufacture of latex foam products comprising recesses, such as mattresses, cushions and the like. The plant makes use of a plurality of carriers placed in a ring-like configuration limited by a first, upper stretch between a foam injecting station and a product-removing station and by a second lower stretch for the return of the carriers devoid of foam, to the injecting station. At any moment the first stretch is filled with carriers, touching each other and making a single mold on which foam is injected, while on the second stretch, at least one carrier, or a discrete number of carriers, considerably separated form one another, travel. The carriers of the first and second stretch are moved by different and independent operating systems and the speed of the carriers in the second stretch is considerably higher than the speed of the carriers in the first stretch, so that, a carrier can always be present at the injecting station, while another carrier leaves the removing station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mould container for an apparatus for manufacturing green bricks from clay for the brick manufacturing industry, wherein mould containers are arranged on a circulating conveyor, which mould containers comprise a number of mould cavities open to the top,

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for automatically and continuously producing a mass of moldings. A continuous molding is manufactured by injecting a solid solution in order of precedence into a plurality of molds circulating in a line along an endless track and by solidifying the injected solution. The solution is preferably vinyl chloride resin or another synthetic resin. After the solution solidifies the mold is automatically removed from the molding. The continuous molding consists of a number of moldings open at the bottoms and connected end to end by a top plate, molded at the same time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing green bricks from clay for the brick manufacturing industry. The apparatus includes a circulating conveyor carrying mould containers combined to mould container parts, a reservoir for clay arranged above the mould containers, a mechanism for carrying clay out of the reservoir into the mould containers, a mechanism for pressing and trimming clay in the mould containers, a mechanism for supplying and placing take-off plates for the green bricks and a mechanism for discharging green bricks released from the mould containers. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the mould container parts filled with green bricks such that a protruding edge is formed on at least one side of the green bricks.

Abstract: A roof tile making machine and its method of operation. The reinforcement ribs on the underside of a concrete roofing tile are formed during their manufacture by directing mortar into recesses in a pallet on which the tile is made, with a compactor means in the form of multi-tined wheels compacting the mortar in the recesses, and providing thereafter a secondary layer of mortar over the compacted reinforcement ribs, to complete the tile in a conventional manner. A tile provided by the apparatus of the invention has reinforcement ribs which are compacted to the same degree as the remainder of the tile, thereby ensuring that the finished product, when cured, has a uniform, or substantially uniform, strength.

Abstract: Composite polymeric articles, which may be in layer or film form, comprise a larger portion of a polymer which is water soluble at 20.degree. C. against a smaller proportion of a polymer which is substantially water-insoluble at that temperature. For example, a layer product may have a thin layer (e.g. less than 5 microns) of insoluble polymer superimposed on a thicker layer (e.g. at least 20 microns) of soluble polymer. Both polymers are conveniently polyvinyl alcohol, which is non-toxic and useful in a number of domestic applications, e.g. as a diaper backing sheet. The insoluble portion gives water resistance but negligible mechanical strength; the soluble part gives the mechanical strength. On dissolution of the soluble portion, the insoluble portion disintegrates mechanically. Articles may be made by co-extrusion or by molding.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing green bricks for the brick manufacturing industry includes mould containers which are placed on a chain conveyor and which are provided with movable bottoms. The green bricks are released by displacing the bottom of the mould containers. According to the invention the mould containers are combined to a mould container part and coupled to a chain part connectable to the chain. During exchange of mould containers the chain part remains coupled to the chain conveyor while the mould container part can be rapidly uncoupled and exchanged.

Abstract: A machine for producing configurated products including a rotary die roll having die cavities therein and a pair of feed rollers for feeding viscous product into the die cavities. The feed rollers may be easily moved away from the die roll and the die roll may be rolled out of the machine to allow replacement thereof. Relief members extend from a backing knife between adjacent die cavities of each row as the die roll rotates. These pressure relief pads reduce the amount of product contained in the pressure chamber and thereby reduce the amount of working of the material as it is forced into the die cavities. The machine includes a front shearing knife having removable and replaceable shearing inserts. The feed rolls of the machine include longitudinally extending tapered recesses with opposed recesses of the respective feed rolls being staggered at the inlet of the pressure chamber to cause particulates within the feed product to be more easily fed into the pressure chamber with less resulting damage.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing concrete panels by continuously pressing and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The concrete panels are successively manufactured by continuously feeding pallets onto a conveyor, feeding a concrete material onto the pallets, continuously pressure frames against the concrete material from the upper side and both lateral sides of the concrete material while imparting vibrations to the pressure frames, forming hollows in the concrete material by thrusting a rotary screw-type core rod therethrough to provide a panel shape hollow molding, and cutting the molded concrete material into a length corresponding to the length of each pallet. In the manufacture process, an organic or inorganic fiber material may be incorporated into the concrete material for the purpose of reinforcement of the finished products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the insert for the drum of a device for producing shaped pads from fibrous material. These inserts are attached to a disk of the drum and are designed in accordance with the shape and size of the pads to be produced. To simplify the retrofittability of the device or the drum for the production of pads of another size or shape and the number of drum inserts which must be kept in stock, it is provided that the drum insert consists of a base body, which, in turn, consists of a supporting sheet having several openings and several laminar sheets disposed in the direction of rotation of the drum and at right angles thereto.

Abstract: The apparatus includes molding a plurality of recesses on a layer of foam material which is laid on a laying surface and moved forward. These recesses include a base open on the laying surface and are subsequently cross-linked by introducing steam under pressure through the bases of the recesses into cavities of the recesses formed during the molding step. The apparatus includes a conveyor element in which a plurality of plates disposed side-by-side are provided with protuberances corresponding to the recesses to be formed in the foam layer. The protuberances are open at their bases to enable introduction of steam into an inner space within each of the protuberances.

Abstract: An apparatus for portioning dough has a filler hopper (31) for the dough in which hopper a pre-portioning tool (51) in form of two star rollers (32) is disposed which rotate in inverse direction and are driven by a drive device if the amount of dough in a chamber (30) below decreases a predetermined value. From this chamber the dough (30) is pressed by a pusher device (25) in receiving openings (4) on the periphery of a step-wisely rotated drum (2). The volume of dough in the chamber (30) is controlled by a capacitive sensor (35) embedded into the wall (36) of the filler hopper (31) so that this sensor (35) does not interfere with the stream of the dough.

Abstract: A brick making device wherein clay is dispensed into moulds having sidewalls and a bottom movable relative to the sidewalls. A releasing material such as sand is dispensed by a rotating roller which intermittently forms a dispensing slit so that the releasing material is only applied to the mould bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing crisp, long term preservation, small loaves on an industrial scale including a forming machine having a feeder assembly, a molding station and a forming station laid sequentially to each other. The feeder assembly includes a plurality of parallel, sequentially-laid driven roll pairs, a gap between corresponding roll pairs decreasing in width from the most upstream roll pair to the most downstream roll pair. The molding station includes first and second counter rotating driven rolls, the first roll having a plurality of mold cavities uniformly distributed across its skirt, and the second roll having a smooth surface skirt, the rolls being mounted in pressure contact with each other. The forming station includes a folder device.

Abstract: A process for the production and treatment of concrete blocks, which are produced in molds filled with concrete and are imprinted on their surface by means of dies that exhibit recesses or protrusions. Subsequently thereto, the surface of the concrete blocks is roughened or formed or textured and freed of loose particles by brushes, in particular strip brushes and roller brushes.

Abstract: A process for consistently making ceiling tiles having uniform density and surface texture includes using a conveyor along which trays are moved in a generally horizontal direction. A feeder box is used to deposit pulp in the trays, the pulp being comprised of a mixture of water, starch, fibrous material, and other ingredients. The feeder box through which pulp is deposited in the trays is of a special design, and includes a sloping front edge which creates a negative rake angle with respect to layers produced by the system. The lower front edge of the feeder box includes a surface having a compound curvature. Ceiling tiles are produced by the process having improved uniformity of density and surface texture.

Abstract: A rotary molding apparatus has a die roll and a split clamping pillow block structure of self-centering structure supporting the opposite shaft ends of the die roll. The split pillow block has a pivotally mounted portion and a device for locking that portion when the die roll is in operation. A feed roller is mounted on upright arms which are urged toward the die roll. The arms carry doctor blade structure between the feed roller and the die roll and the doctor blade is biased toward the die roll. A fluent material supply hopper cooperates with the feed roller and there is a guide structure for effecting movement of the hopper between the feed roller cooperation position and a backed-off position. A magazine is provied for storing a plurality of die rolls and a mechanism is provided for selecting any die roll from the magazine and for transporting such die roll from the magazine into working position in the pillow blocks and for selectively returning the die roll to the magazine.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing bricks with smooth side surfaces includes a conveyor carrying a plurality of mould containers past a releasing material applying mechanism, a container filling and trimming member, and a brick ejection station. Each mould container has a bottom which is displaceable out of the mould to both receive releasing material at the releasing material applying mechanism and to eject a formed brick at the ejection station.

Abstract: A process is described for manufacturing laminated pieces, such as tiles and wall tiles, by means of successive independent extrusion of mortars or concretes, process in which mortar is deposited on some molds, said mortar is extruded and compacted and is dislodged from a transversal strip in the zone of contact of two consecutive molds. Thereafter a complete sheet of mortars is shaped on the first layer, filling in turn the emptied transversal zone and the limited sides and lastly the thickness of the piece is cut in its entirety in a vertical transversal plane.An installation is also described for carrying out the abovementioned process which in essence includes a molding bench with a series of molding heads, a lower pushing train of the molds, a bevelling mechanism inserted between the heads and which is provided with incisor blades and with devices for evacuating and returning the mortar, as well as with a cutting mechanism provided after the last head.

Abstract: In manufacturing concrete tiles a stiff concrete mass is molded and heavily compacted by means of a rapidly rotating pressing roller on sheet metal molding trays, which during the molding operation are supported by carriers having relief-like supporting surfaces which are generally complementary to the bottom sides of the tiles. The tray carriers form parts of an endless conveyor passing a concrete extruding station, in which the pressing roller is included, the tray carriers being formed as platforms placed freely between a pair of driving chains, to which each platform is connected by one pair of coaxial pivots only. Each platform is composed of two segments, which are hingedly interconnected independently of the chains. When passing the concrete extruding station the tray carrying platforms rest on an endless intermediate belt moving over a stationary supporting bed, through the top side of which pressurized air is supplied in order to reduce the friction.

Abstract: In the manufacture of roof tiles comprising extruding a continuous shaped ribbon of tile forming material onto a succession of pallets, and cutting the ribbon where pallets adjoin to form individual green state tiles on pallets, there is performed the step of causing a cutting tool to engage with the upper surface of the ribbon only for part of the length of each pallet whereby a recess is formed in the upper surface of each tile. In a particular embodiment the recess is a channel cut in the tile at a location immediately downstream of the extruding step. The recess is also subsequently smoothed by applying a smoothing roll thereto.

Abstract: A roof tile (9) having contoured interlocking regions (20) along its side edges is provided with a plurality of relatively shallow closely spaced, longitudinally extending grooves on its upper surface (19) and optionally upwardly extending grooves on its lower end face (21). An improved appearance on a roof is obtained, and through the provision of dark brown streaks on a light brown base a roof tile may be given a wooden appearance. In a process and apparatus for the manufacture of such tiles, a slipper compressing tile forming material is provided with closely spaced ridges which form the grooves on the tiles.

Abstract: In order to produce a decorative pattern on the surface of a layer of material in a soft plastic condition, the surface is whipped by the free end portions of a plurality of flexible thread-like members. The whipping action provides random depressions in the surface. The thread-like members are preferably fastened to the peripheral surface of a rotatable body which is spaced from the surface to be treated at a distance which is substantially smaller than the length of the thread-like members, and the surface to be treated is moved in relation to the rotatable body while this body is rotated. By this whipping action it is possible to make surface patterns imitating a slaty surface or the surface of other natural materials. Such decorative surfaces may be made on layers of materials which are cut into plates or blocks for use as building materials after firing, setting or hardening of the material. As an example, the decorative pattern or structure may be made on plates to be used as roofing plates.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the height of building blocks or similar, which operates to form inside a mold blocks the height of which varies between a predetermined height and a height which is lower than the predetermined height, laying over the blocks an amount of material the height of which is higher than the height difference between the predetermined height and the actual height of the blocks, and levelling the material amount until the total height of the blocks as formed by the sum of the actual block height and the height of the material amount substantially corresponds to the predetermined height.

Abstract: An automatic machine for pressing bricks at high speeds is provided with a pressure wheel and pressing tongues attached to the circumference of the wheel through an axle which permits the tongues to rotate or swing about the axle. Clay material is fed to an endless belt comprising a plurality of moulds, pressed by the pressure wheel, and then conveyed to a release station. The railing for the endless belt has an expanded portion so that the end walls of the moulds are released outwardly as they pass this portion, allowing the pressed brick to drop to another belt to be sent to an oven.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling flat molds for slabs and the like carried on a conveyor belt is disclosed. The molds are displaced by the conveyor belt from a filling unit to a finishing unit. The filling unit comprises a vibrating table imparting vertical vibrations to the mold and a distributor member extends transversely of the conveyor for spreading the molding material supplied immediately ahead of the distributor member in the mold at the filling station. Horizontal vibrations are imparted to the distributor member parallel to the path of movement of the conveyor belt. The finishing unit has a smoothing member to which horizontal vibrations are imparted. The smoothing member is reciprocated transversely of the path of movement of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming, in two steps, panel, or shaped article, by first providing a bath of fluent cementitious material under a core of cellular, preexpanded and cohered polystyrene cells or pearls, having a density less than that of the cementitious material, allowing the core partially immersed to rise in a controlled way over the cementitious material, maintaining the core under pressure until the bath has partially set to prevent further rise of the core, pouring onto the core and partially set bath, a second quantity of fluent cementitious material to completely enrobe the core and form thereover a top revetment, smoothing the surface of the second quantity of cementitious material and letting it set to complete the panel.

Abstract: A field transplant system including a machine for sequentially forming groups of polymerized soil plugs having seed receiving recesses in one end thereof and supported on a carrier, and in certain cases interconnected by strips, the carrier being used to transport the soil plugs through a seeding station and then to a germination station and then to a growing station either in the flat or on a plant turning machine in a greenhouse to grow the germinated seeds to transplant size, and then using the carrier to transport the soil plugs with the transplants growing therein to the field for transplanting by an automatic transplanter; several forms of soil plugs are disclosed, and several methods for supplying seeds to the soil plugs are disclosed, as well as an improved method of mounting a mat of soil plugs on the cylinder of a plant turning machine.

Abstract: This invention is a chemical applicator apparatus normally secured to an auger conveyor to discharge a controlled amount of chemical or other substance to the material being conveyed into a storage bin to prevent insect damage. The chemical applicator apparatus includes (1) a main housing means to hold the chemical or other substance therein; (2) a main drive means secured to the main housing means; and (3) an actuator and discharge means connected to and operated by the main drive means. The actuator and discharge means includes (1) an actuator assembly to agitate and compact a portion of the chemical or other substance contained therein; (2) a sprocket and chain assembly driven by the main drive means adapted to receive and convey the compacted portion of the chemical or other substance to a discharge area for positive injection into the auger or other type conveyor.

Abstract: A process for molding a cheese piece of a desired shape comprises filling a mold having a hollow interior of the desired shape with softened, uncured cheese, cooling the mold to harden and partially cure the cheese, and then opening the mold to release the cheese piece under the surface of a cold brine so that the fluid pressure of the brine prevents the shape of the partially cured cheese piece from being distorted. An apparatus for automatically performing the described method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and machine for producing a configurated and specified weight food product in die cavities of a rotary die roll, each of the die cavities being defined by a configurated side wall and a porous bottom wall. During each revolution of the roll a batch of the product is forced into each cavity as the cavities pass beneath a hopper. Upon continued rotation of the roll, the bottom walls of the cavities are moved outwardly so as to force the configurated products from the die cavities. Tempered air at a controlled temperature and at a pressure above that of the atmosphere is directed through the porous bottom walls while the bottom wall is extended so that the configurated product is forced off of the wall and onto a conveyor located beneath the die roll. To facilitate cleaning of the porous dies, the die roll is so constructed that hot water may be directed through the air flow passage during cleaning and the porous bottom wall dies of the drum may be easily removed from the drum without drum disassembly.

Abstract: A rotary moulding machine for biscuit dough of the kind comprising a pair of co-operating rolls defining the bottom of a dough hopper, one roll having an embossed surface for feeding dough downwardly and into contact with the surface of the other or moulding roll which is formed with moulding recesses, and a scraper blade mounted to bear against the surface of the latter roll so as to press dough into the moulding recesses and remove excess dough from the remainder of the surface, includes the improvement that the scraper blade is carried by a pivoted mounting capable of infinitely variable adjustment along a path which guides the mounting in a direction having at least a substantial vertical component and a biasing arrangement is provided which exerts a turning moment on the mounting about the pivotal axis so as to press the scraper blade against the surface of the moulding roll.

Abstract: Brick forms on stackable pallets are delivered in succession by a conveyor belt beneath the outlet of a clay hopper equipped with an internal vibrator and a clay feed auger. A pivoted flapper blade trips over each brick form divider wall and assures that the clay is forced first into the forward part of each mold cavity. Water is supplied to the front face of the flapper blade. Immediately beyond the hopper outlet, a diaper assembly having a mechanical vibrator engages each moving form to vibrate the clay and promote random clay crystal orientation. A strike blade on the diaper assembly removes excess clay and water from the top of each moving form. Water is also supplied constantly to the strike blade.

Abstract: A building block is disclosed which is intended to be arranged in substantially horizontal layers stacked upon each other without the use of mortar. The upper and lower support surfaces of the blocks are wave-shaped in two perpendicular directions in such a manner that the wave-patterns in both directions have the same amplitude and periodicity and a constant wave section over their entire extension. Disclosed also is apparatus for manufacturing the blocks, comprising at least one mold which has a bottom surface having a wave-shape corresponding to that of the block and an upper edge profile corresponding to the wave-shape of the top of the block in the longitudinal direction of the block. Means is located above the mold for supplying a casting mass to the mold and a rotary and vertically movable roll is located above the mold for levelling out and smoothing the mass at the upper end of the mold.