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 process for reducing edge curl in green sheets in which the sheets are first placed in a chamber at about 95% relative humidity for a period of about 2 weeks at room temperature. In this part of the process, the sheets absorb water which causes the internal stresses in the green sheet to relax. Thereafter, the sheets are dried by placing them in a chamber at about 35% relative humidity for a period of about 1 week at room temperature. In this period, the absorbed water evaporates and the green sheets become firm with less edge curl than they exhibited prior to the treatment.

Abstract: Producing a concrete object by first pouring an uncured mixture into a mold and then removing undesired uncured concrete using a suctioning apparatus having a liquid supply and a suction nozzle attached to a suction channel. The concrete mixture is loosened and diluted by liquid supplied through the liquid supply. This liquid and loosened diluted concrete are suctioned through the suction nozzle and the suction channel into a tank.

Abstract: In a method for forming inverts in a manhole base using a two pour technique, the manhole base is initially formed. Thereafter, channel invert forms are aligned with sidewall openings by alignment members arranged within the manhole openings to assure precise alignment therebetween, wherein the invert formed within the manhole base by pouring the casting material into the base member is in precise alignment with associated sidewall openings. The apparatus for the two pour technique incorporates at least one adjustably positionable channel-forming assembly for forming an invert communicating between associated sidewall openings each having a central axis and whose intersecting central axes define an angle different from 180.degree.. In one arrangement, flexible members join the ends of the invert form.

Abstract: A method for modifying a surface to a desired contour by pressing a flexible molding plate, having holes for releasing trapped fluids and excess molding compound, is pressed on a molding compound by a plurality of ordered pressure points which are set to define a shaped plane corresponding to a desired contour. The pressure points are adjustably included in a support frame, or are provided by shaped rollers. Compound extruded through the holes by the operation is removed from the plate which is then removed. Nubs resulting from excess molding compound in the holes are removed by sanding or other finishing means.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a modular, monolithic, integrated, multi-layered, mold building structure including the steps of constructing a dismantleable mold having an outer rigid matrix and an inner inflatable plug, wherein the inside dimensions of the matrix correspond to the outside dimensions of the structure and the outside dimensions of the plug correspond to the inside dimensions of the structure, placing high strength fibers between the plug and the matrix, injecting hardenable material between the matrix and the plug, curing the hardenable material into a hard shell, removing the matrix, deflating the plug, and installing walls, doors or windows. The structures may be joined together on-site in various combinations and configurations to create different types and styles of buildings.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing glazed cement products of a foam light-weight aggregate, reinforcing steel under pretension or a stress-absorbing layer around the reinforcing steel. An action of generating crack, caused by a difference of coefficient of thermal expansion between the reinforcing steel and a portion of cement material while burning and cooling are carried out, is absorbed by the foam light-weight aggregate, the stress-absorbing layer or pretension given to the reinforcing steel. A reaction of unreacted cement component is promoted by the hydration to harden for recovering mechanical strength.

Abstract: A process of forming a refractory mass on a surface, which process includes spraying against that surface a mixture of refractory particles and oxidisable particles which react exothermically with oxygen to generate sufficient heat to soften or melt at least the surfaces of the refractory particles and so bring about formation of said refractory mass, and causing the sprayed mixture to be heated sufficiently to cause the oxidisable particles to undergo such exothermic reaction, the granulometry of the particles which are sprayed in the mixture being such that the mean of the 80% and 20% grain sizes of the refractory particles is greater than the mean of the 80% and 20% grain sizes of the oxidisable particles and that the size range spread factor of the refractory particles is at least 1.2.

Abstract: A method for making light, thin, thermoplastic slats for use in decorative window blinds of the Venetian or vertical rotatable slat types. Strips are prepared of flexible and resilient planar thermoplastic material of not more than 1/16 inch thickness with selected light transmitting qualities. The strips are then deformed into a permanent V-shaped cross-sectional configuration which is stiff and will not sag when supported by spaced blind slat supporting means. The deformation step is accomplished by bending the strips without the application of heat over a forming surface of not more than 1/4 inch radius to exceed the elastic limit of the strip material over the radius.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a concrete structure such as columns and beams with sufficient reinforcement in the shear strength to be durable against earthquakes, etc. A reinforcing member composed of a fiber-reinforced plastic is applied onto the outer periphery of a concrete structural member by winding the fiber strands around the outer periphery of the concrete structural member while impregnating the fiber material with a resin.

Abstract: Method for the production of building elements preferably brick facings by granulation of a mixture of 40-60% by weight of cement, 60-40% by weight of aggregate, 0.5-2% by weight of thickening agent such as carboxymethylcellulose and preferably coloring agent or one or more additives and water in an amount of 8-17% by weight based on the dry matter of the mixture, hot pressing the granules under a pressure of 50-100 kg/cm.sup.2 and at a temperature above 100.degree. C. to form single elements or a string, and cutting the string into single elements, and storing the elements in a humid atmosphere until a considerable setting of the cement has taken place. The method is considerably simpler and quicker than the known methods for the production of brick facings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a building block which imitates a pile of dry stones. According to the method, the stones (10) are placed side-by-side on the bottom of a mold whose inside shape corresponds to the desired block shape, said bottom being constituted by a grating. Cement is then cast inside the mold. The cement (11) is compressed in order to force it to spread out uniformly inside the mold and to creep between the stones (10). While the cement is kept under pressure, water is projected through the bottom grating against the outside face of the block (1), so as to remove any cement which may be found thereon. Pressure is then removed from the cement and it is allowed to set. Finally the block (1) is extracted from the mold.

Abstract: A process of molding a single-piece article by placing a resin body on a divider of a resin supply container containing different resins, fitting the resin supply container against a mold surface, engaging the resin body between the divider and the mold surface defining two discrete mold chambers, rotating the resin supply container and mold surface to contact the different resins against the mold surface, and heating the mold surface to simultaneously set the different resins and the resin body into a single-piece article.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an embossed gypsum panel on a conveyor including an embossing device mounted on a movable device such that the embossing device can be moved to the optimum location for embossing.

Abstract: Shaped articles, especially ones containing a plurality of fine through passages, are made from a composition containing a refractory particulate material by extrusion, cutting the extrudate, while vertically hanging or suspending into lengths while in the green deformable state by a high velocity water jet, and then calcining to bind the refractory particles together. Depending on the nature of the refractory material, the articles are of use as catalyst supports or precursors, adsorbents, or absorbents. The extrudate is extruded horizontally and allowed to sag into a gap between the extrusion die and a transport device, which is driven positively to maintain the degree of sag within predetermined limits, and the frequency of cutting depends on the rate of movement of the transport device.

Abstract: A concrete structural member of improved stability is produced by preparing a concrete composite layer having a concrete layer on one side and an aggregate layer on the other side thereof, impregnating the composite layer with a monomer, thermally or catalytically polymerizing the monomer impregnated in the composite layer, and thereafter placing fresh concrete on the aggregate layer side of the polymer-impregnated composite layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis from a shaped, slightly solid phase fritted metal oxide infrastructure whose pores are impregnated with a glass by molding a tooth model from a linearly expanding molding mass and contacting the model with a slip of metal oxide particles which particles are agglomerated onto the model. The agglomerated metal oxide particles forming an infrastructure which is shaped and baked to effect dehydration and withdrawal of the model from the infrastructure before the fritting and glass impregnation of the infrastructure.

Abstract: Methods for forming prestressed concrete members wherein a pressure-containing casing is disposed around the outside surface of the concrete member and is spaced therefrom so that a cavity is formed between the casing and the outside surface of the concrete member. A pressurized medium is injected into the cavity between the casing and concrete member at a pressure sufficient to apply the required prestressed compressive force to the outside surface of the concrete member. The pressurized medium changes form by hardening or solidifying after injection. Examples of solid pressurized mediums include cement-like grouts and plastic, and epoxy resin materials. When the concrete member is cast within the casing so as to be in intimate contact with the casing the cavity is then formed by peeling the concrete member and casing away from each other as the pressurized medium is injected therebetween.

Abstract: Process for making hollow, ceramic macrospheres by making a paste of a continuous phase material (e.g., sodium silicate or potassium silicate) and an insolubilizing agent (e.g., kaolin clay). Pellets are formed from the paste and expanded by subjection to heat to form hollow spheroids. The spheroids are fired at a temperature (typically 600.degree.-1000.degree. C.) and for a time sufficient to insolubilize the continuous phase material. The process may further include coating the fired spheroids with an epoxy resin (to reduce porosity) and/or bonding a plurality of the fired spheroids together to form a rigid mass of bonded spheroids.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete wall, such as a road barrier or barricade, has a monolithic surface ornamentation thereon constituted by pigmented cements and grooves simulating mortar joints. In the horizontally oriented top portions of the wall where the pigmented cements are substantially thicker than the layers of pigmented cements monolithically joined to the vertical oriented portions of the wall so that these portions, which are subject to chipping and the like during handling and use will retain their aesthetically pleasing appearance. In the molding process, ribs on the mold surface which will form the grooves have a retardant applied thereto so that the cement forming the mortar joint will set at a slower rate than the rest of the body of the concrete wall and when removed from the mold can be brushed. When the wall is in the form of a road barrier, the ends are provided with a conical projection and a conical recess, respectively, to provide coupling between adjacent wall units.