Abstract: Steel, cast iron, synthetic resin or concrete pipes are coated with a hydraulically setting mass, such as cement mortar or a mixture of cement, fibers, aggregates and optional additives, by entraining the mass before it has set from a storage container having two opposite walls moving at about the same speed, one of the container walls being formed by a portion of the circumferential wall of the pipe being rotated about its longitudinal axis and the opposite container wall being formed by a tensioned carrier band having one end affixed to the rotating pipe and the mass with the covering tensioned carrier band being wound around the rotating pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transforming the physical characteristics of a material such as for an end finished molded product and to the materials or products obtained thereby. The method and apparatus are characterized in that the temperature of the material is simultaneously varied with at least one other rheological variable such as hydrostatic pressure, shear stress, mechanical vibration (frequency or amplitude), dielectric vibration (frequency or amplitude) for dielectric materials and electromagnetic properties for metallic materials. The variation in temperature and the simultaneous variation in one or more other rheological variables are intimately connected by a relationship selected and specifically programmed to obtain a product having improved properties.

Abstract: A network of reinforcing fibers is pressed against the surface of an underlying carrier sheet by the weight of a concrete mix. A vertical gap between the sheet and the network is created so that the concrete mix may penetrate the voids of the network and spread out on the underlying sheet to embed the fibers.

Abstract: This glass fiber-reinforced cement plate is comprised of both outside layers and an intermediate layer interposed therebetween, the former each comprising a glass fiber chopped strand-containing cement layer, the latter comprising a regulated set cement layer.

Abstract: A flowable thermoplastic polymer powder is fed to the nip of a pair of cooperatively rotating compression rolls whereupon the polymer feed is passed between the rolls which compact and cause the particles to coalesce into a shaped article which thereupon emerges from between the rolls in the form of a sheet or film. During the operation, the circumferential speed of the rolls is maintained essentially equal to the linear speed of the sheet or film exiting therefrom. The sheet or film is withdrawn from between the rolls under tension at a force which is adjusted so as not to exceed the elastic limit of the resulting sheet or film product. Flowable thermosetting polymer powder is also compacted into fully dense products by feeding the powder to the nip of a pair of cooperatively rotating compression rolls, whereupon the polymer feed is passed between rolls which compact and cause the particles to cold weld.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling flat molds for slabs and the like carried on a conveyor belt is disclosed. The molds are displaced by the conveyor belt from a filling unit to a finishing unit. The filling unit comprises a vibrating table imparting vertical vibrations to the mold and a distributor member extends transversely of the conveyor for spreading the molding material supplied immediately ahead of the distributor member in the mold at the filling station. Horizontal vibrations are imparted to the distributor member parallel to the path of movement of the conveyor belt. The finishing unit has a smoothing member to which horizontal vibrations are imparted. The smoothing member is reciprocated transversely of the path of movement of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in manufacturing concrete parts or products is disclosed. The apparatus for extruding concrete, of the present invention, includes a first frame which is adapted to travel on tracks. A second frame is mounted on top of the first frame by removable fasteners so that the second frame may be disconnected from the first frame. The first frame includes wheels so that it may travel along the track.

Abstract: A process for pelletizing limestone or other fines into pellets, having controlled properties of hardness and liquid dispersion, by the addition of a suitable binder and water to form a cohesive plastic mix and by extrusion at relatively low pressures through a plurality of orifices in a specially designed die plate. The orifices in the plate are of a predetermined length relative to the thickness of the die plate. Each orifice in the die plate is formed at the inlet end thereof with a compacting zone in which the mix is compacted as it enters the orifice, a zone in which the mix is subjected to a damped flow and high longitudinal stresses, and a zone on leaving the orifice so as to effect microstructure cracks in the surface of the extruded product. The product is vibrated or tumbled for breaking at the surface cracks therein into pellets of a substantially uniform size and is subsequently dried under controlled temperature and time conditions in order to enhance hardness and dispersibility characteristics.

Abstract: A process for the continuous manufacture of sheeting from thermoplastic synthetic resins includes the steps of applying thermoplastic synthetic resin, in the form of particles, such as shreds, crumbs, cuttings, pieces, chips, or the like, continuously as a sheet-like layer of raw material to a moving support; passing the raw material layer through a heating zone to thereby preheat the material layer to a temperature approximately in the range from 100.degree. to 140.degree. C.; pressing the preheated material layer continuously over its full area during travel through a treatment zone so that, in a first phase, the raw material layer is compacted and welded under the effect of a pressure of from about 10 to 60 kp/cm.sup.2 and at the same time the material layer is heated to a temperature in the range from about 160.degree. to 220.degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of a composite sheet material and a material produced thereby are described, a typical product being a lightweight permanent or temporary formwork sheet of accurate thickness and parallelism made from material including glass fiber reinforced cement. A base or mould is moved through successive stations at which uncured but curable material is deposited in layers thereon. At least the final layer is consolidated by a local surface treatment with a vibratory screeder, the influence of which spreads through the material to promote intimate bonding together of the uncured layers. In a preferred form, the material comprises three layers, the first and third being of glass fiber reinforced cement and the central second layer being of cementitious material including a lightweight aggregate such as hollow microspheres.

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of a fibrous web comprises provision of a conduit having a plurality of outlets for discharging classified fibers onto a linearly movable planar section of an endless screen. The fibers pass through openings in the screen and land on an underlying planar section of a forming wire, in formation of the fibrous web, with the aid of an underlying vacuum box. Uniformity of fiber distribution is provided by parallel banks of brushes that engage the planar section of the endless screen and are rapidly oscillated in short, non-synchronous strokes transversely of the direction of screen movement.

Abstract: A method of forming, in two steps, panel, or shaped article, by first providing a bath of fluent cementitious material under a core of cellular, preexpanded and cohered polystyrene cells or pearls, having a density less than that of the cementitious material, allowing the core partially immersed to rise in a controlled way over the cementitious material, maintaining the core under pressure until the bath has partially set to prevent further rise of the core, pouring onto the core and partially set bath, a second quantity of fluent cementitious material to completely enrobe the core and form thereover a top revetment, smoothing the surface of the second quantity of cementitious material and letting it set to complete the panel.

Abstract: The hollow glass vacuum microspheres are made by forming a liquid film of molten glass across the coaxial blowing nozzles, applying the metal vapor blowing gas at a positive pressure on the inner surface of the glass film to blow the film which combines with the centrifugal force to form an elongated cylinder shaped liquid film of molten glass. A transverse jet is used to direct the inert entraining fluid over and around the blowing nozzle at an angle to the axis of the blowing nozzle. The entraining fluid as it passes over and around the blowing nozzle fluid dynmically induces a pulsating or fluctuating pressure field at the opposite or lee side of the blowing nozzle in the wake or shadow of the coaxial blowing nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the internal structure of articles of manufacture which are formed by solidifying a plastic or metal in a mold or extrusion die simultaneously as ultrasonic energy is applied to the solidifying material to effect beneficial control of the crystalline structure formed thereof upon solidification. Ultrasonic energy may be transmitted to the solidifying material through either the wall of the die or mold, a mandrel portion of a die or a portion of a mold which defines a cavity formation in the molded article. Ultrasonic vibrations may be utilized per se or in combination with other forms of energy applied to the solidifying material so as to orient or otherwise control the grain or crystalline structure thereof for improving the strength and other physical characteristics of the solidified article.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a sheet having a chip-like design composed of a plurality of chips densely aligned in a plane without overlapping and a solidified binder uniformly filling the interstices among the chips and firmly and integrally bonding the chips to one another in sheet form. The sheet is useful as a floor material, wall material, and the like.

Abstract: Concrete railroad crossties are mass-produced by slip-forming concrete using a specially adapted continuous casting machine to deposit concrete over a plurality of forms arranged side by side and end to end above an elongated casting bed. Each group of side-by-side casting forms is supported above the bed on a carriage longitudinally moveable on rollers, thereby permitting relative movement of adjacent end-to-end carriages to compensate for concrete contraction when pretensioned wire strands in the concrete are detensioned and for a slight recoil action when adjacent end-to-end crossties are separated by sawing. An apparatus for lifting side-by-side crossties in groups is equipped with hydraulic jacks for forcibly ejecting the concrete crossties from their forms.

Abstract: This invention is a method for making a plain bearing in the form of a strong backing strip carrying a bearing lining. The lining is formed from powder material drawn from the bottom of a container by the strip moving past it, and a downstream wall of the container is vibrated towards and away from the strip to compact the powder layer.

Abstract: Reinforced facings, including reinforcing webs entrained in hydraulic cement via a slurry bath, adhere to a nailable lightweight aggregate cementitious core to form a panel web. The reinforced web is formed on abutting conveyed carrier sheets, and the web is transversely cut, between the sheets, while moving or when stopped, in response to sensing of the sheets. The cut panels, on respective sheets are stacked for curing without damaging the panel edges and in a manner to minimize panel flex. Slurry bath, facing applicators, and cutter and stacking apparatus are included.

Abstract: A glide-casting machine for the manufacturing of hollow concrete elements. The machine is movable in relation to a casting base and comprises means for feeding concrete mix onto a number of screw feeders with vibrator sleeves constituting extension of each screw feeder. In addition, the machine comprises external vibrating means. In connection with each screw feeder there are provided on one hand, two guide plates parallel to the axis of the screw feeder, which guide plates follow the shape of the screw feeders in the bottom portion of the screw feeders. Between the guide plates there is an elongated space parallel to the axis of the screw feeder so as to allow concrete mix to fall straight onto the base on a substantial portion of the length of the screw feeder. On the other hand there are provided flow plates which follow the shape of the outermost screw feeders from above and from the sides.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a concrete panel having a fractured rib finish is disclosed. A quantity of relatively low slump concrete mixture is cast upon a pallet in the form of a panel and is extruded to define projecting ribs and channels. The casting is permitted to harden until the concrete becomes rigid but not completely set. Thereafter an array of wedges secured to a carriage assembly is drawn along the length of the panel with each wedge disposed in shearing engagement with edge portions of an adjacent pair of ribs. Each wedge includes a shoulder portion wider than the channel for shearing and forcibly displacing portions of the ribs as the wedge is drawn through the channel. Means are provided for propelling the carriage assembly along the length of the panel and in a direction parallel to the orientation of the ribs. A concrete panel having a fractured rib finish produced by the method of the invention is similar in appearance to a concrete panel having a manually hammered rib finish.

Abstract: A plastic coating is provided on a heated wire in that powder is poured around the heated wire for adhesion thereto; the wire is then passed through a funnel shaped heating chamber, wherein the wire encounters chamber space narrowing radially progressively in direction of passing, for heating and melting the powder completely, the melted plastic is uniformly distributed thereby about the wire when leaving the chamber in special cases, foam can be deposited on the still warm and sticky coating.

Abstract: A method of slip forming concrete comprising moving concrete continuously through a formwork, and continuously extracting a portion of the water of said concrete prior to its release from said form.

Abstract: A fixed, linear, ground-based primary reflector having an extended curved sawtooth-contoured surface covered with a metalized polymeric reflecting material, reflects solar energy to a movably supported collector that is kept at the concentrated line focus of the reflector primary. The primary reflector may be constructed by a process utilizing well-known freeway paving machinery.

Abstract: Prefabricated building components such as panels, roofing units, and floor blocks and a method and machinery for producing the same. The prefabricated components are obtained by casting in form a mix containing granules of expanded polystyrene or other suitable light thermal and sound insulating material which is bonded to cement by adhesive. Depending upon their particular application, the components may be used for either load bearing or non-load bearing purposes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing covering plates, particularly thin, flat and rigid plates, employing hard materials which are previously granulated or reduced to powder, agglomerated with the aid of synthetic resins, comprising the steps of:(a) depositing on a conveyor belt a layer of binding agent, containing hard purverulent matter and dyes,(b) depositing cleaned granules on the layer of binding agent,(c) depositing base granules on the preceding layer,(d) pressing vibro-compressor rollers on the strip thus formed,(e) passing the strip into a polymerization furnace,(f) removing the excess granules by suction,(g) stripping the strip from the belt and effecting the finishing and checking operations.

Abstract: In manufacturing pressed boards, a flowable mixture of thermosetting resinous material and filler is blown through one or more nozzles into a converging throat formed by a pair of relatively inclined perforated conveyor bands in which the mixture is compacted into a continuous, coherent but preferably still pliable web by the application of heat to preset the resinous material thereof. The web may be immediately converted into a rigid board by being led, without intermediate cooling, into a continuously working press for final condensation of the resin; on the way to that press it may be subjected to a finishing operation, as by adhesion of preheated strips of paper or other coverings to its still tacky surfaces.

Abstract: An extrusion machine for continuously making articles, such as concrete slabs, by forcing the article-forming material through a mold, said machine being moved forwardly by reaction as the material is forced against the portion of the article already formed. The material is moved under pressure by one or more spiral conveyors through the mold, and a forming element of any predetermined cross-sectional shape is substantially aligned with the down-stream end of each spiral conveyor and is mounted so as not to rotate with the latter. It is preferable to provide a vibrator in each forming element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for continuously producing a dense board of cement-like material reinforced by glass fiber, which comprises (1) preparing a slurry of cement-like material; (2) simultaneously spraying the cement-like slurry and short lengths of glass fiber on a suction conveyor in such a manner that the cement-like slurry stream and the glass fiber stream intersect on the suction conveyor to form a dense mat of an intimate mixture of the two; and (3) dehydrating the mat by pulse-like intermittent suction using one or more suction boxes before the cement-like material begins to set, and to an apparatus used in carrying out the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming tubing and pipe with the inside surface of the pipe wall shaped irregularly for the purpose of either reducing boundary layer drag of a fluid flowing through the pipe or for anchoring a protective lining within the pipe. The apparatus includes an extruder having a die and a mandrel extending through the die for defining the inside surface of the extrusion. In one form, the mandrel is longitudinally oscillated to form circular serrations in the wall of the extrusion formed over the mandrel. In another form, the mandrel is rotated to provide circular or spiral serrations in the wall of the pipe. In yet another form, an electromagnetic field is generated and is varied in intensity in the vicinity of the extrusion die so as to cause variations in the dimensions of either or both the die and the mandrel located therein for varying the surface configuration or roughness of both the internal and external surfaces of the tube or pipe extruded through the die.