Abstract: An apparatus for making a foam pad for carpets has features to improve the quality of the pad. The apparatus has a hopper section for receiving foam particles coated with heat activated bonding agent. An extruder section compresses the particles as they are moved continuously along a conveyor belt. A heat section heats the particles after being compressed. A raking device in the hopper section rakes the top of the body of particles prior to entering the extruder section. The raking device rakes in a direction opposite to the movement of the body of particles. The raking device can be raised and lowered to change the level of the particles, and thus the density. The raking device also forms the top of the body of particles with upwardly tapered corners. A plate located below the hopper and extruder sections supports the lower conveyor belt. The heat section uses steam chambers with a perforated top, which also serves to support the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Concrete structural members are cast in a metal mold form which comprises side members closed off by a horizontally extending resilient pallet. The side members have affixed thereto at their lower ends adjustable swivel arm actuating mechanisms adapted to flex the side members laterally away from one another to enable stripping of the cast member from the form. The resilient pallet forms the bottom surface of the mold form and etablishes a seal to prevent slurry leakage. The pallet is supported by a roller transfer assembly that enables the cast member to be transported to another operating station after the cast member has been stripped from the form. The transfer assembly is adjustable in height by means of a swing arm assembly which in addition to setting the depth of the casting also causes the cast member to be elevated clear of the form to enable it to be removed therefrom.