Abstract: A deflection impedance device is provided for a stripper head plate of a concrete product machine mold assembly. The device may comprise a spacer having an axial thickness generally equal to a desired spacing between an upper surface of a stripper head plate of a mold assembly stripper head, and a lower surface of a mold head adapter plate of a concrete product machine. A magnetic element may be used to retain the spacer on the stripper head plate upper surface where it will brace the stripper head plate against the mold head adapter plate to limit or prevent upward bowing that might otherwise result from forces imparted by concrete product being formed within the mold assembly.

Abstract: A method for demolding concrete blocks which are cast in a resilient mold supported in a rigid frame, the mold having a top surface and at least one cavity with an opening on the top surface, which cavity holds a cured cast concrete block. The mold has two opposing edges. The demolded blocks are stacked on a collection surface. A support is positioned over the cavity and the mold, the support and the frame are inverted and positioned in demolding apparatus. After two opposing edges of the mold are engaged by the demolding apparatus, the support is withdrawn to allow the mold to sag. The blocks may release from the mold and fall onto the collection surface. If any blocks remain in the mold, a plunger mechanism is pushed against the sagging mold to release the blocks. Guide members may facilitate positioning the blocks on the collection surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a solid cleaning composition. The method can include pressing and/or vibrating a flowable solid of a self-solidifying cleaning composition. For a self-solidifying cleaning composition, pressing and/or vibrating a flowable solid determines the shape and density of the solid but is not required for forming a solid. The method can employ a concrete block machine for pressing and/or vibrating. The present invention also relates to a solid cleaning composition made by the method and to solid cleaning compositions including particles bound together by a binding agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a solid cleaning composition. The method can include pressing and/or vibrating flowable waxy particles of a waxy cleaning composition. For a waxy cleaning composition, pressing and/or vibrating flowable waxy particles determines the shape and density of the solid but is not required for forming a solid. The method can employ a concrete block machine for pressing and/or vibrating. The present invention also relates to a solid cleaning composition made by the method and to solid cleaning compositions including particles bound together by a binding agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a solid cleaning composition. The method can include pressing and/or vibrating a flowable solid of a self-solidifying cleaning composition. For a self-solidifying cleaning composition, pressing and/or vibrating a flowable solid determines the shape and density of the solid but is not required for forming a solid. The method can employ a concrete block machine for pressing and/or vibrating. The present invention also relates to a solid cleaning composition made by the method and to solid cleaning compositions including particles bound together by a binding agent.

Abstract: Methods of preparing monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres are provided. The methods comprise providing a solvent system comprising water and at least one alcohol having the formula R—OH, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted C2-C6 alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-C6 alkynyl, optionally substituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C3-C6 cycloalkenyl, and optionally substituted C6-C7 aryl; adding dopamine to said solvent system to form a reaction mixture; and agitating said reaction mixture for a time period of 1 to 10 days to form said monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres. Methods of preparing carbon and hollow metal or metal oxide nano- or microspheres using the polydopamine nano- or microspheres are also provided.

Abstract: A means to prepare bone cement pellets comprising bone cement paste which hardens through hydration a flexible mold mat having pellet cavities on both sides and a scraper for pasting the bone cement paste in to the pellet cavities where the paste is allowed to harden.

Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a concrete apparatus with incorporated lifter are provided. A concrete apparatus is formed by placing a reinforcement system in a mold. The reinforcement system comprises a lifter. Concrete is poured into the mold such that the lifter protrudes from the poured concrete. After the concrete has hardened and the mold is removed, the lifter is used to carry and position the concrete apparatus. After the concrete apparatus is positioned, the lifter is removed at the circumference of the concrete apparatus leaving no holes, thereby eliminating water leakage due to lifting methods.

Abstract: Fresh concrete is treated with carbon dioxide prior to delivery to a product mold for forming concrete products. Carbon dioxide gas is directed through a manifold, which may be coupled to a feedbox or a hopper, upstream from the product mold. Treating the fresh concrete with the carbon dioxide gas while it is in a loose state prior to placement in the product mold may generally promote uniform and enhanced carbon dioxide uptake.

Abstract: A working object cutting method capable of cutting a working object precisely is provided. The working object cutting method comprises irradiating a working object 1 with a laser beam while locating a converging point at the working object, so as to form a reformed region in the working object 1 along a reformed-region forming line 15 set at a predetermined distance inside from an outer edge E of the working object 1 along the outer edge, forming a cutting reformed region in the working object 1 along a cutting-scheduled line 5, and cutting the working object 1 along the cutting-scheduled line 5 from a cutting reformed region acting as a start point.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped abrasive particle includes extruding a mixture into an opening in a screen within an application zone and translating the screen and belt to a release zone and separating the screen and belt to form a precursor shaped abrasive particle on the belt, wherein the screen and belt are separated at a release angle of at least about 15° and not greater than about 45°, wherein the release angle is defined as an angle between a surface of the screen and a surface of the belt.

Abstract: A method for the monolithic furnaces construction with refractory concrete for the manufacture of glass through the formation of temporary structures for the filling and molded of refractory concrete.

Abstract: A method of producing gypsum building board, in which there is added, to an aqueous gypsum slurry containing a water swellable clay, a basic water-soluble polymer having preferential affinity for clay. The slurry is allowed to set so as to form a board. The basic water-soluble polymer may be, for example, a polyvinyl alcohol or a polymer consisting essentially of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen and having amine groups (which may be primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary) in the polymer backbone and/or in side chains thereof.

Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.

Abstract: A mold assembly for manufacturing concrete blocks in an automated dry-cast block machine. The mold assembly includes a plurality of liner plates which together form a mold cavity, wherein at least one of the liner plates includes an internal network of shafts which is configured to receive and provide a flow path for heated fluid to pass through to heat the at least one liner plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing watercourse blocks continuously arranged in the construction spot, which continuously arranges the watercourse blocks according to the construction spot by preparing iron bar grates to be orthogonal to each other inside molding frames that are continuously arranged, casting concrete, preventing moisture evaporation and frost damage and employing iron bar grates so that the watercourse blocks continuously arranged according to the construction spot can be manufactured and constructed on the spot. Therefore, works for manufacturing the watercourse blocks in a plant and then assembling or fixing them in the construction spot according to the related art can be reduced as much as possible, the watercourse blocks can be simply manufactured and constructed on the spot to reduce a manufacturing cost and a construction time, which can thus significantly reduce the prime cost of the construction cost and diminish accident risk.

Abstract: A mold for casting precise 3-inch by 3-inch by 6-inch mortar grout prisms with minimal set-up time may be reusable for each test and may allow testing of, for example, multiple trucks of mortar grout, if required. The mold may include a U-shaped main body, side walls, a lid, and a divider. The main body and the side walls may form an open container into which the divider fits and divides the open container into four equal compartments. The mold may be made of, for example, hard plastic, which can be reused multiple times.

Abstract: A precast concrete meter pit consisting of a plurality of precast concrete hollow elongated cylindrical wall sections in end to end relation to one another is fabricated by utilizing a slip form packerhead apparatus in which the wall sections are formed with an annular slip ring when concrete is injected into the slip form apparatus.

Abstract: A form and process for casting concrete blocks, each having at least one side textured. The blocks are cast in cavities which have a resilient insert on at least one side for imparting texture to the blocks. After the cast blocks are cured, the form is inverted and placed on a support surface. At least the side having the resilient insert is moved laterally away from the block and the form is lifted to leave the block on the support surface. The textured side can release from the form despite deep grooves and crevices simulating natural stones.

Abstract: A method of making a dental article including a pressable body possessing a flexural strength of at least 125 MPa and flowable at about 850° C. to about 950° C. The body is composed of at least a glass matrix phase having a composition comprising Li2O and MgO.

Abstract: Piezoelectric vibrators may be fabricated by forming a piezoelectric body of piezoelectric sheets, of which thickness is controlled, and simultaneously sintering the sheets along with cover layers, on which grooves are formed, and may be fabricated by laminating the piezoelectric sheets, of which the thickness is controlled, providing internal electrodes between the sheets, and forming external electrodes insulated from the internal electrodes.

Abstract: Lightweight trays are fabricated containing a multitude of cavities in shapes for molding dobies for supporting concrete reinforcing, such as rebar. The trays are sized to fit boxes of a convenient size and weight. The trays are also designed in a way that when placed into the box they make a seal between the tray edges and the inside wall of the box. This seal allows the cavities in the tray to be filled with grout without spilling into a lower tray. The trays are also designed so that when placed into the box and turned, alternating 180° to each other, the lower tray provides support to the upper tray. The boxes are sealed and the dobies are allowed to cure inside the box. The size and arrangement of trays and boxes is designed to fit uniformly on a standard pallet for convenient handling, storage, and shipping.

Abstract: A method of forming a mesh by a moulding a link element around other link elements to form a mesh in which the interlinking link elements are formed as continuous unjoined loops by a moulding process. An apparatus for forming a mesh including a plurality of first cavities for accommodating first link elements and a plurality of second cavities for forming interlinking link elements. The method and apparatus allow the continuous production of mesh formed of a range of materials including plastics materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing a water barrier in unsolidified roof tile preforms. The inventive device comprises a molded piece with a recess as well as a die. The molded piece is disposed above the end of a roof tile perform, whereupon all or part of the rear edge of the roof tile perform is pressed upward by means of the die. The roof tile perform is then dried.

Abstract: Displacers are used in production of concrete surfaces. The displacers are embodied, for example, as plastic balls or plastic shells and are locked in lattices that are open on one side, preferably downwardly. The modules can then be pressed into a first or second concrete layer that can already contain a first reinforcement mesh. The thus produced semi-finished product can then be covered with a concrete mass during the subsequent finishing process.

Abstract: A building material which comprises cement, cellulose fibers and admixtures is used in the fabrication of bricks, panels or other building products. The manufacture of this building material is accomplished by adding water, paper, a water repellant composed of calcium stearate, and a sodium silicate to act as a fire retardant material. The mixture is then thickened with cement and a second batch of concrete admixtures including a superplasticizer composed of a polyester polyacrylic polyol and an air entraining resin or surfactant to create an air entrained, viscous material for inserting in a mold or extruding through a press to form load bearing and insulating building materials. The resulting product can be formed into blocks or panels and the panels can be coated with polyurethane/polyurea coating to be bullet and blast resistant.

Abstract: A method of making a wall block and a mold box therefore. The wall block design maximizes the use of the mold box. The method produces wall blocks having a large surface area front face compared to the front face size of prior art blocks. The blocks have about one third more front surface area. This results in faster construction of walls and a faster construction sequence. The method of making the blocks makes efficient use of mold space and material, resulting in higher production yields and/or higher total daily production square footage.

Abstract: A method for forming a masonry unit that includes joining a pallet to a bottom surface of a mold, inserting a filler plug into the side of the mold between a partition plate and a pallet, dispensing mix into the mold, and compressing the mix with a shoe to form a masonry unit with a filler plug effect.

Abstract: A method of forming a support beam is provided. One exemplary method of forming a support beam includes supporting a C-shaped charge upon a first forming tool and placing an additional composite charge upon at least a portion of the C-shaped charge and a second forming tool proximate the first forming tool. The method of forming a support beam further includes positioning a fixed forming tool proximate a first portion of the additional charge and bending the additional charge about the forming tool.

Abstract: An embodiment generally relates to a guidance system for aligning a tamperhead and a mold in the production of concrete products. The guidance assembly includes an alignment element mounted on the tamperhead and a bushing configured on a flange of the mold. The alignment element is configured to engage with the bushing in response to movement of the tamperhead towards the mold, bringing the plungers and stripper shoes of the tamperhead into alignment with the mold cavities in the mold.

Abstract: A retaining wall block having a rear flange and a mold box and method of making the block. The mold box is configured with a mold cavity that includes a vertical flange forming cavity extending from the top of the mold box to the bottom of the mold box.

Abstract: A cementitious mix for preparing a building block wherein the mix includes the ingredients; sand, cement, sawdust and water; wherein said sawdust comprises the greater proportion of the mix constituents; and wherein the dry density of the mix ranges between 700 kg/m3 and 1500 kg/m3.

Abstract: A building material which comprises cement, cellulose fibers and admixtures is used in the fabrication of bricks, panels or other building products. The manufacture of this building material is accomplished by adding water, paper, a water repellant composed of calcium stearate, and a sodium silicate to act as a fire retardant material. The mixture is then thickened with cement and a second batch of concrete admixtures including a superplasticizer composed of a polyester polyacrylic polyol and an air entraining resin or surfactant to create an air entrained, viscous material for inserting in a mold or extruding through a press to form load bearing and insulating building materials. The resulting product can be formed into blocks or panels and the panels can be coated with polyurethane/polyurea coating to be bullet and blast resistant.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a method for producing a pre-reacted clinker used in the manufacture of E glass. The clinker is fed into an E glass furnace, and melts down into a finished E glass product at high efficiencies and short production times. The clinker allows glass to be produced at a lower cost as compared with known methods.

Abstract: A system includes a support for a pool cover box lid comprising an elongated mounting element extending along at least one wall of the pool cover box, and a plurality of bracket assemblies, each connecting to the mounting element at multiple positions along the mounting element to support the lid. A method is directed to supporting a lid on a pool cover box. A system also forms a pool cover box lid, comprising form support elements spaced apart from each other, a base sheet, lid forming elements, each being connected to one of the form support elements and extending upward, and wall elements disposed perpendicular to the lid forming elements for forming the lid. A method is directed to forming a lid for a pool cover box.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a building product from a mix (6) including particulate material and a thermoplastic binder which comprises heating the mix at least to a temperature at which the thermoplastic binder in the mix liquefies, subjecting the heated thermoplastic mix to a pressing action that shapes the heated mix, and cooling the shaped heated thermoplastic mix to solidify the thermoplastic binder and form the product (FIG. 4).

Abstract: A spacer assembly has first and second spacers that are set up integrally on first and second surfaces, respectively, of a substrate. Each spacer is tapered toward its extended end. In forming the spacer assembly, first and second molding dies having through holes coated with a parting agent that contains an organic component are prepared, and these molding dies are located on the first and second surfaces of the substrate so as to be intimately in contact with them, individually. Thereafter, a spacer forming material is filled into the through holes of the molding dies and cured, whereupon the first and second spacers are formed integrally on the substrate surfaces.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing tiles for use in a raised floor system is disclosed. The tiles comprise an outer shell and an inner core material. The method includes constructing the shells at a manufacturing facility, transporting the shells to a remote location associated with a job site, and filling the shells with a fill material at the remote location. A method is also disclosed for providing a rack to hold the tiles during the manufacturing process, stacking shells in a vertical orientation on the rack, and filling the shells with a core material while on the rack.

Abstract: A method of forming a concrete retaining wall block having a front face and an opposed back face in a front fact up position. The method includes inserting a plurality of tines of a horizontal core puller into a plurality of holes in the bottom of a mold such that the a plurality of tines are positioned to form a dovetail slot and chamfers in the back face of a concrete retaining wall block; and pressing and vibrating a semi-dry concrete mix feed into the mold with a head to form a concrete retaining wall block having a relief stamped in its front face and to form the dovetail slot and chamfers its back face. The method allows the dimensions of the concrete retaining wall block to be exact and consistent from cycle to cycle of the method.

Abstract: A portable single station method and apparatus for compressing a quantity of freshly dug soil into building blocks by an enclosed system which provides a linear process for receiving and compressing the quantity of soil and for ejecting the formed, compressed building blocks. The system includes a stationary chamber equipped with an internal adjustable cavity in which the desired block is formed and a pair of opposing pressure heads capable of moving toward and away from each other in unison or independently to receive, compress, and eject the building blocks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently forming individual building units is provided, generally includes providing a plurality of molds, each capable of simultaneously forming a plurality of building units. Batches of cementitious slurry are individually mixed in order to control the density of each building unit formed. The ingredients are individually measured and combined into the mixing device. The cementitious slurry is then conveyed or transported and poured into one of the molds. The method provides the ability to control the amount of cementitious slurry in each batch in order to control to the extent possible the quantity of cementitious slurry poured into each mold and the ability to precisely control the dimensions of each building unit produced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing single layer tiles or slabs from a mixture of a granulated stone material having a selected particle size, and from a slurry formed by cement, a quantity of between 0.25 and 0.36 parts by weight of water relative to the weight of cement, and a plasticizer for cementitious slurries, in which the quantity of slurry added is slightly in excess of the quantity corresponding to the void fraction of the granulated material, in forming mould, containing a layer of predetermined thickness of the mixture, to be subjected to a first very short deaeration step under the effect of a very high vacuum and to a subsequent vibration step under a lower vacuum, after which the mould goes on to seeing and hardness steps.

Abstract: A method of preparing stackable block structures from raw concrete mixes and block structures prepared in accordance with the method, wherein the process utilizes a mold box configured to form the block on its side surface. The mold box is arranged to travel along the surface of a moving conveyor belt, with the box having an open top, an open bottom, and lateral side panels supported on the conveyor belt surface, and with the panels having core bar receiving openings formed therein. The core bars are introduced and removed from the mold box along an axis which is parallel to the surface of the core bars and to the motion axis of the conveyor belt, and with the core bars configuring one of the two opposed side surfaces of the stackable block. A reciprocating top shoe arranged for reciprocatory up and down motion engages and configures the top surface of the raw concrete mix held within the walls of the mold box.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing concrete dual blocks where the concrete block is separated into two individual blocks during the manufacturing process without an additional separating step after curing.

Abstract: A modular building unit (1-6, 1A) including a building block (10, 10A) having lower and upper faces (9, 9A, 11, 11A), side faces (12, 12A, 13, 13A) and end faces (14, 14A). At least the lower and upper faces are provided with mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) interfit with mating mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) on similar adjacent modular building units (1-6, 1A) to join the adjoining building block units (1-6, 1A) in predetermined dimensionally accurate relationships. A method of securing the mounting strips (21-24, 53A, 54A) to the building block or brick (10, 10A) and the method of interlocking and securing adjacent modular building units (1-6, 1A) to each other are disclosed. A preferred embodiment of mounting strips (53A, 54A) is shown in FIGS. 8-10. A mold (203) is shown in FIG. 12 for the preferred method of forming a building block or brick (200).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing artificial stone having a curved surface or a deformed shape including the steps of heating a plate-like artificial stone forming body, whose surface has previously been polished or roughened, to a temperature ranging from 120° C. to 200° C. under a pressurized atmosphere equal to or higher than 3 atms so as to soften and deform it to a predetermined curved surface or deformed shape and cooling it to a temperature not higher than 90° C.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a tilt-up concrete wall panel atop a concrete slab includes reinforcing a form atop the concrete slab with at least one stick-on block to avoid making nail or screw holes in the concrete slab. The block is removably secured to the slab adhesively. One common form block includes an injection molded body of material with a stick-on base portion and two upstanding flange portions that define a channel adapted to receive a common form member. A preferred edge form block is triangularly shaped.

Abstract: A mold box is flexibly mounted to a product forming machine having upper and lower vertically displaceable beams. A feed drawer dispenses concrete material into the mold box while a vibration system vertically vibrates the mold box while dampening horizontal vibration. The vibration system is driven by a single drive shaft that actuates first and second vibrator rods while at the same rotating a counter-weight in a counter-rotating direction. A set of alignment brackets lock the mold box into a predetermined aligned relationship while being mounted in the product forming machine. The bottom side of each mold box is mounted to the product forming machine in the same relative position to reduce machine readjustments. A set of telescoping legs hold the feed drawer assembly variable distances above the mold box. A unitized pallet feeder quickly moves pallets one at a time from an “on-deck” position to a “receiving” position underneath the mold box.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an improved ballistic concrete barrier and methods of using the barrier for training with weapons using live ammunition or grenades or other fragmentation devices.