Abstract: Apparatus for molding concrete wherein a mold has vertical side members which are mounted for rotation about internal axes substantially parallel to sides of said members.

Abstract: A device for producing a block of solidified carbon dioxide essentially comprising a high pressure vessel of liquidified carbon dioxide, a thermally insulated high pressure feed tube and a molding box in which a product of solidified carbon dioxide is molded in the form of block, wherein the molding box contains a single molding chamber in a cubic structure which consists of a top cover, a pair of first side walls, a pair of second side walls and a base board, each of which members is designed so as to be easily assembled or disassembled, said first and/or second side walls being formed with a plurality of openings through which gaseous medium flows and being provided with a layer of filter fixedly secured to the inner wall thereof respectively. The base board and the second side walls are formed with engagement grooves for allowing the first and second side walls and base board to be easily assembled or disassembled. Further locking means are provided for ensuring tight locking of the molding box.

Abstract: Mold clamping forces are provided by mounting the mold halves between spaced crossheads connected by elastically deformable rods of tensile steel. The crossheads are pulled slightly apart by hydraulic cylinders to expand and tension the rods, and the prepared molds are then inserted together with appropriately dimensioned wedges or shims to occupy the expansion space. When the hydraulic pressure is released the elastic restoration or spring forces of the stretched rods serve to clamp the assembled molds tightly together to enable injection, curing, etc. A plurality of such mold assemblies may be circumferentially spaced around a rotatable turntable, and the various opening and closing movements may be controlled by rollers on the mold components running in stationary cam tracks around the turntable. C-shaped mold clamps may also be used instead of the crosshead and rod configurations.

Abstract: A mold comprises a base, a split die and a plunger. The base has longitudinal shoulders with resilient elements, and sloping surfaces which form an upwardly flaring nest adapted to accommodate a vertically movable die. The side walls of the die have their sloping surfaces in contact with the sloping surfaces of the longitudinal shoulders and, together with the die end walls, are placed around the die bottom. Provided between the base and the die are means for lifting the latter and means for supporting the die bottom in the raised position after the die has been lowered. Such die construction makes it possible to reduce the time required for its assembly and disassembly, as well as for detaching the finished abrasive segment from the die walls.

Abstract: A molding machine is disclosed which can be used in the manufacture of concrete building elements. A method for the molding of concrete modular units using the disclosed concrete molding machine is also provided. The molding machine is constructed of vertical walls joined to form a single outer frame which is moveable up and down by means of expandable joints such as pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders which allow positioning and vibration of the outer frame. To said outer frame are attached horizontally expandable joints which support at least two mold sides which can be placed in abutment by the action of the expandable joints so as to form the continuous sides of a mold. The bottom side of the sequentially assembled mold is provided by a metal plate to which the aforesaid sides are lowered or attached.

Abstract: A mold especially adapted for forming precast, waffle-shaped concrete panels employs a one-piece mold body of plastic sheet material to provide a reusable mold structure that may be rapidly stripped and reset. Each corner of the mold body is open; thus, the sides of the mold present pliable flaps due to the inherent flexibility of the sheet material and are swung outwardly after molding is completed in order to release the molded product. External reinforcing members on the sides maintain the same rigid and true during the molding process. The corners are held closed by simple locking devices which are readily released for stripping. Raised portions in the mold body form the characteristic voids in the molded waffle product, and are reinforced and rigidified by a foam filler.

Abstract: A mold-locking or catching device which comprises a support on one mold half or part, a bellows anchored to this support at one side of the bellows, a hook engageable with the rim of the other mold half or part and carried by the other side of the bellows and means for swinging the hook laterally into and out of engagement with the rim of the other mold half when the bellows is activated by fluid pressure or depressurized respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct casting of steel slabs for subsequent processing instead of casting ingots and then reducing them to slabs, blooms or billets. A flat elongated casting cavity is formed by an assembly of mold components to define a slab. Prior to casting, this mold is inclined at an angle of about 3.degree. to the horizontal with the bottom end of the casting cavity higher than the pouring end. The molten metal is poured through a sprue attached to the mold assembly adjacent the pouring end. The sprue provides a reservoir for molten metal at a level above the bottom end of the casting cavity so that the casting cavity is completely filled during pouring. When pouring is completed, the mold assembly is promptly tilted to an upright position with the pouring end and sprue at the top.