Abstract: The problem of wet-cast concrete products getting stuck or being uncontrollably ejected from a flexible mold during demolding is solved by moving the flexible mold through a passage, defined by both a mold-receiving surface and a rotatable mold-support distanced therefrom, while moving an edge of the flexible mold along an unsmooth path that includes at least one sharp point.

Abstract: The problem of wet-cast concrete products getting stuck or being uncontrollably ejected from a flexible mold during demolding is solved by moving the flexible mold through a passage, defined by both a mold-receiving surface and a rotatable mold-support distanced therefrom, while moving an edge of the flexible mold along an unsmooth path that includes at least one sharp point.

Abstract: The problem of wet-cast concrete products getting stuck in a flexible mold during demolding is solved, prior to demolding the wet-cast concrete products, by removing a vacuum on the flexible mold by moving at least one side edge of the flexible mold away from a part of the flexible mold that is adjacent to the at least one side edge in a direction opposite the open side of the flexible mold.

Abstract: A wheel and tire assembly positioning system for automatically identifying characteristics of a wheel is presented, the wheel and tire assembly positioning system comprising a mechanical mechanism for transporting a wheel and tire assembly, and a control module connected to a mechanical mechanism actuator managing the transport of the wheel and tire assembly, a profile sensor adapted to sense a profile of an interior portion of the wheel to identify the characteristics of the wheel and tire assembly, and a sensor adapted to identify a wheel reference location.

Abstract: A liner-removing tool for peeling a protective liner secured to a wheel-balancing weights strip is presented, the liner-removing tool comprising a liner peeler comprising a liner-contacting portion for engaging the protective liner secured to the wheel-balancing weights strip, the liner peeler being movable between a liner-contacting position, for engaging an end of the protective liner secured to the wheel-balancing weights strip; and a liner-removing position for routing the protective liner once the end of the protective liner is unsecured from the wheel-balancing weights strip and engaged with the liner peeler.

Abstract: A wheel-balancing weights application tool for applying wheel-balancing weights to a central portion of a wheel is hereby presented, the wheel-balancing weights application tool comprising a pair of opposed semi-circular weights holder capable of simultaneously carrying two sets of wheel-balancing weights to a wheel for sequentially securing the two sets of wheel-balancing weights to the central portion of the wheel.

Abstract: A spool-supplying apparatus for managing a plurality of spools is presented and is comprising a spool support frame, a spool-supporting axle secured in cantilever, at a first end thereof, to the spool support frame, the spool-supporting axle being configured to support a plurality of axially-supported spools thereon, the plurality of spools axially engaging the spool-supporting axle through a second end thereof, and a spool unwinder operatively associated with the spool-supplying apparatus for unwinding a spool, the spool unwinder being configured to rotatably engage a first spool from the second end of the spool-supporting axle. A method of using the spool-supplying apparatus is also presented.

Abstract: A wheel-balancing weight application apparatus comprising a supplying module including a first strip of wheel-balancing weights and a second strip of wheel-balancing weights, the first and the second strips of wheel-balancing weights including a different characteristic, and an application module for securing a portion of one of the first strip of wheel-balancing weights and the second strip of wheel-balancing weights to a wheel, wherein a selection of wheel-balancing weights from the first strip of wheel-balancing weights and the second strip of wheel-balancing weights is selected on a basis of a characteristic of the wheel to match the wheel-balancing weights characteristic with an identified characteristic of the wheel. A method of using the balancing weight application apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A spool-securing mechanism is presented herein and comprises a spool-engaging member including a rotation axis thereof, a spool-contacting member comprising a fixed portion fixedly secured to the spool-engaging member about the rotation axis and a mobile portion slidably secured to the spool-engaging member about the rotation axis, the mobile portion being distal and adjacent to the fixed portion, the spool-securing mechanism further comprising a torque member rotatably secured to the spool-engaging member distal to the mobile portion, the torque member comprising at least one radially disposed slot-engaging member, and a locking member secured to a distal end of the spool-engaging member. A kit and a method of use thereof are equally herein presented.

Abstract: A spool, presented herein, is comprising a proximal side including a central opening about a rotation axis thereof, a distal side including a central opening about the rotation axis thereof, the proximal side and the distal side being assembled together with alignment of the rotation axis thereof, an axial slot radially extending from the central opening and a recessed portion communicating with the central opening, the recessed portion extending between the axial slot and a locking member receiver. A method of using same and a mechanism to engage lock and actuate the spool is also presented therein.

Abstract: A wheel-balancing weight application apparatus comprising a supplying module including a first strip of wheel-balancing weights and a second strip of wheel-balancing weights, the first and the second strips of wheel-balancing weights including a different characteristic, and an application module for securing a portion of one of the first strip of wheel-balancing weights and the second strip of wheel-balancing weights to a wheel, wherein a selection of wheel-balancing weights from the first strip of wheel-balancing weights and the second strip of wheel-balancing weights is selected on a basis of a characteristic of the wheel to match the wheel-balancing weights characteristic with an identified characteristic of the wheel. A method of using the balancing weight application apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A spool-supplying apparatus for managing a plurality of spools is presented and is comprising a spool support frame, a spool-supporting axle secured in cantilever, at a first end thereof, to the spool support frame, the spool-supporting axle being configured to support a plurality of axially-supported spools thereon, the plurality of spools axially engaging the spool-supporting axle through a second end thereof, and a spool unwinder operatively associated with the spool-supplying apparatus for unwinding a spool, the spool unwinder being configured to rotatably engage a first spool from the second end of the spool-supporting axle. A method of using the spool-supplying apparatus is also presented.

Abstract: A spool, presented herein, is comprising a proximal side including a central opening about a rotation axis thereof, a distal side including a central opening about the rotation axis thereof, the proximal side and the distal side being assembled together with alignment of the rotation axis thereof, an axial slot radially extending from the central opening and a recessed portion communicating with the central opening, the recessed portion extending between the axial slot and a locking member receiver. A method of using same and a mechanism to engage lock and actuate the spool is also presented therein.