By Weight Patents (Class 366/18)
  • Publication number: 20030002384
    Abstract: A portable concrete plant for producing ready mix concrete proximate to a location where the ready mix concrete is used. The portable concrete plant includes storage regions for storing components used in the ready mix concrete. The portable concrete plant also includes a slurry mixer for preparing slurry that is used in the ready mix concrete. The portable concrete plant further includes conveying systems for conveying the components from the storage regions and from the slurry mixer to a system discharge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey Flood
  • Publication number: 20020191482
    Abstract: This invention applies to a concrete mixing plant, with an aggregate storage (1) to which a central part (8) is fixed, forming a whole. In the concrete mixing plant there is a conveyor (2) that transfers the aggregate to the aggregate mixer component (6), the mixer Component (6) containing the mixing equipment with its batching and weighing devices. The characteristics of the invention are the following the connecting unit (70) is attached To the lower part of the mixer component (6) with a joint (7a), and to the upper side (8a) Of the central part (8) with a joint (7b). The jointed frame (4a) is attached with the top Joint (4b) to the upper part of the mixer component (6) and with the bottom joint (4c) to The top at the back of the central part (8). As a result the mixer component (6) can be Lifted from the transporting position to the mixing position and lowered to the Transporting position, retaining all the cabling; connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Viljo Ryhanen
  • Patent number: 6491421
    Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joel Rondeau, Pierre Vigneaux
  • Patent number: 6486475
    Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a sample of the aggregate, adding liquid to the sample, subjecting the sample to a light source signal, monitoring a light reflected signal reflected from the sample and controlling addition of liquid to the sample as a function of the light reflected signal. The apparatus comprises a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate, a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample, a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal, a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample and a processor/controller which controls addition of liquid from the liquid source as a function of the reflected light signal. The light source is preferably an infrared source and the light sensor is preferably an infrared detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Barnstead-Thermolyne Corporation
    Inventors: Roger W. Earle, Sr., Eric T. Garz, Peter O. Lee, Mark D. Lockwood, Jason J. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6481883
    Abstract: Apparatus for the rapid production of concrete having a grout slurry forming device, a cyclonic mixer for aggregate and a weighing device for feeding weighed amounts of aggregate to the cyclonic mixer. The slurry forming device including, subjecting fine particles in a liquid to the action of one or more rotating disc shaped blades, arranged to create within the slurry alternating areas of high and low pressures, thereby breaking up agglomerations. The cyclonic mixer includes, a hopper in which at least two conveyors simultaneously transport aggregate streams tangentially into, in opposite directions inducing helical mixing paths. The weighing device including, an aggregate weigher wherein a number of aggregate storage bins selectively releases aggregate onto a variable speed controlled conveyor. Intimately mixed concrete being formed from the simultaneous release of the grout slurry into the cyclonic mixer combining with the mixing aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Pei Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Edington Ellen
  • Publication number: 20020093875
    Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Joel Rondeau, Pierre Vigneaux
  • Publication number: 20020031044
    Abstract: This invention applies to a concrete mixing plant, with an aggregate storage (1) to which a central part (8) is fixed, forming a whole. In the concrete mixing plant there is a conveyor (2) that transfers the aggregate to the aggregate mixer component (6), the mixer Component (6) containing the mixing equipment with its batching and weighing devices. The characteristics of the invention are the following the connecting unit (70) is attached To the lower part of the mixer component (6) with a joint (7a), and to the upper side (8a) Of the central part (8) with a joint (7b). The jointed frame (4a) is attached with the top Joint (4b) to the upper part of the mixer component (6) and with the bottom joint (4c) to The top at the back of the central part (8). As a result the mixer component (6) can be Lifted from the transporting position to the mixing position and lowered to the Transporting position, retaining all the cabling connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Tecwill Oy
    Inventor: Viljo Ryhanen
  • Patent number: 6352360
    Abstract: A continuous mixing plant that, for example simply continuously feeds the necessary materials while metering the amount thereof and drops these materials by gravitational force so that the mixed material may be manufactured continuously. As a means for attaining this object, a continuous mixing plant comprising a continuous metering and feeding means for feeding at least two kinds of materials to be mixed with each other while continuously metering the materials, and at least one mixing box unit for mixing the materials, is characterized in that the mixing box unit is provided with: a plurality of modified passages each of which has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end and a cross-sectional shape of which is continuously changed from the inlet toward the outlet and which extend in an axial direction; and a merging and dividing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Institute of Construction Engineering
    Inventor: Kazuie Yamada
  • Publication number: 20020001255
    Abstract: A portable concrete plant for producing ready mix concrete proximate to a location where the ready mix concrete is used. The portable concrete plant includes storage regions for storing components used in the ready mix concrete. The portable concrete plant also includes a slurry mixer for preparing slurry that is used in the ready mix concrete. The portable concrete plant further includes conveying systems for conveying the components from the storage regions and from the slurry mixer to a system discharge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Flood, Daniel J. Zwart
  • Patent number: 6188936
    Abstract: A method for weight blending of granular materials comprises at a remote site generating a command for desired operation of granular material weight blending apparatus; encoding said command into transportable time-stable machine readable tangible storage media; transporting said media to a bar code reader operatively connected to said granular material weight blending apparatus; scanning the tangible media having the command encoded thereon to read the command; and providing the read command as input to a in microprocessor operatively connected to said granular material weight blending apparatus for regulating operation of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventors: Stephen B. Maguire, Paul S. Maguire
  • Patent number: 6186654
    Abstract: A portable concrete plant capable of producing up to 240 to 300 cubic yards or more of concrete per hour is disclosed in which two hauling trailers, a mixer trailer and an aggregate trailer, both serve as the transport vehicles and as foundation for the completely erected plant. The aggregate trailer includes three bins used respectively for sand, fine aggregate and course aggregate. Weigh belts convey weighed and humidity measured amounts of sand and aggregate from discrete open top bins to a batch aggregate loading belt for batch loading of a compulsory mixer on the mixer trailer. The side of the aggregate trailer is provided with a bulkhead for an earthen or gravel ramp with large width bins enabling a single loader to supply the high volume of sand and aggregate required. The mixer trailer supports a twin shaft compulsory mixer on a foundation pad which is top loading for concrete constituents and bottom emptying to an elevating and concrete discharge point to awaiting trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Guntert & Zimmerman Construction Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Gunteret, Jr., William R. Cape, Christopher Cape, Roberto Salgarollo, Lowell B. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6183123
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing concrete with a fiber additive and other ingredients including the steps of mechanically manipulating a shipping container (36) having a gross amount of fiber additive (50) substantially greater than the an amount susceptible to unaided manual handling with a mechanical manipulator to dump the gross amount of fiber additive (50) from the shipping container (36) into an additive hopper (46) moving at least some of the fiber additive (50) dumped in the additive hopper (46) to an additive hopper-bin (20) by means of a mechanically powered fiber conveyor (48) and conveying a preselected amount of the fiber additive (50) from the additive hopper-bin (20) to a mixer (14) for mixing with the other ingredients of the concrete being made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: K-Five Construction Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Sniegowski, Arthur Robert Osborn
  • Patent number: 5967654
    Abstract: A binder system component metering apparatus for use in core sand mixing equipment comprising an elongate hollow vessel of substantially greater length than width and having upper and lower end portions, valves located in a lower end portion of the elongate vessel for introducing via hydrostatic pressure, liquid binder system components into the vessel so that as the vessel is filled the liquid presents an upper surface that rises vertically, and sensor located in the upper end portion of the elongate vessel to continuously sense the position of the liquid surface at infinite locations along the length of elongate vessel whereby the upper surface rises with minimum turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Simpson Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David O. Kennedy, Anthony J. Beyer
  • Patent number: 5908240
    Abstract: An apparatus for cement blending includes a pressure vessel for containing a slurry and an agitating member which mixes the slurry within the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel includes a first inlet for connection to a source of pressurized driving fluid and a first outlet through which the slurry can be discharged when the pressure vessel is pressurized by the driving fluid. The apparatus is capable of blending a thick slurry of water and cement. A vibrating mechanism vibrates the vessel to facilitate mixing of the slurry and discharge of the slurry from the vessel by the driving fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Max George Hood
  • Patent number: 5893639
    Abstract: Apparatus for distributing and producing cement mixes, substantially concrete, using an endless conveyor belt movable at the base of separate containers which contain the inert materials and the cement, and a reservoir for the mixing water, to form proportioned mixes in a screw mixer, with unloading of the product simultaneously with mixing; the apparatus comprising a supporting framework, on which are supported, at least one hopper-like prism-shaped container for the inert materials with adjustable discharge openings, and, in a raised position with respect to the hopper for the inert materials, at least one hopper-shaped container with adjustable opening for the cement; an endless conveyor belt being interposed between the framework and the discharge openings of the hoppers for the inert materials and for the cement, which are aligned to each other along an inclined plane; the belt is arranged at an angle along the plane of arrangement of the discharge openings, so as to make contact with, and pass beyond, t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Blend S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Tetoldini
  • Patent number: 5873653
    Abstract: A mobile pugmill accurately mixes an aggregate, an additive and a liquid supplied to a mixing chamber. The pugmill includes a first scale for weighing the aggregate being supplied to the mixing chamber and producing a signal proportional to aggregate weight as the aggregate is being continually conveyed to the mixing chamber. The pugmill also includes a second scale for weighing the additive being supplied to the mixing chamber and producing a signal proportional to additive weight as the additive is being continually conveyed to the mixing chamber. The pugmill further includes a programmable logic controller responsive to the signals proportional to aggregate and additive weights for selectively controlling flow rates into the mixing chamber of the aggregate, the additive and the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Excel Machinery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John Paetzold
  • Patent number: 5797676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile concrete mixing system which substantially comprises: a feeding unit (2); a mixing unit (3); a conveyor belt; and a support structure (5) that embodies a first framework (18) supporting the conveyor belt (4), and a second framework (19) supporting the mixing unit (3). According to the present invention, the first (18) and second (19) frameworks are connected to each other by means of a hinge (22) which allows for the rotation of the first framework (18) about a substantially horizontal axis (X) in relation to the second framework (19). In this manner, a movement of the mixing unit (3) between a transporting position (23) and an operative position (24) is determined. Such a rotation about the axis (X) is obtained by keeping the mixing unit (3) in a horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: SIMEM S.p.A.
    Inventor: Michele Furlani
  • Patent number: 5730523
    Abstract: A portable concrete plant that can be transported on a single vehicle to a construction site consists of a transporting vehicle, a rotating drum for mixing the concrete, containers for sand and crushed rock, a scale for weighing a mixture of sand and crushed rock, a conveyor for conveying the mixture of sand and crushed rock to the rotating drum, a container for portland cement, a conveyor for conveying the portland cement to the rotating drum, a source of water, and a concrete pump for dispensing the concrete from the rotating drum. A fly ash container and a second scale for weighing fly ash may also be on the vehicle. The entire apparatus may be controlled by a computer which controls the various containers and scales so as to vary the proportions of sand, crushed rock, fly ash, portland cement, and water in the rotating drum to produce concrete of varying strength. The entire apparatus has dimensions which meet the length, width and height requirements for vehicles moving on the highways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Flood
  • Patent number: 5667298
    Abstract: An improved concrete mixing plant is mounted on several mobile chassis to provide portability. The plant includes a horizontally oriented, internally urethane coated mixing drum having spiral and lift flights such that the rate of discharging concrete material is controllable without altering the direction or rate of rotation. The drum and chute are self-erecting from a low-profile, transport configuration to an elevated, mixing configuration. A water dispensing system wherein the water is automatically measured volumetrically or, alternatively, gravimetrically provides automatic cleaning of internal surfaces of the mixing drum as an integral part of the batching process. Feeder belt and weigh-bridge arrangements are interposed between bins containing denser ingredients and a collecting conveyor to provide a first surge capability. A hopper and load cell arrangement is interposed between a compartmented silo and a surge conveyor to provide a further surge capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Cedarapids, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Musil, Douglas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5664699
    Abstract: A binder system component metering apparatus for use in core sand mixing equipment comprising an elongate hollow vessel of substantially greater length than width and having upper and lower end portions, valves located in a lower end portion of the elongate vessel for introducing via hydrostatic pressure, liquid binder system components into the vessel so that as the vessel is filled the liquid presents an upper surface that rises vertically, and a sensor located in the upper end portion of the elongate vessel to continuously sense the position of the liquid surface at infinite locations along the length of elongate vessel whereby the upper surface rises with minimum turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Simpson Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David O. Kennedy, Anthony J. Beyer
  • Patent number: 5605397
    Abstract: A system and method for mixing particulate cement with mineral aggregate(s) so as to minimize the formation and escape of dust. The system involves dispensing aggregate(s) downwardly from a hopper and simultaneously dispensing the cement particles from a tube within the aggregate hopper above the hopper opening. The cement particles adhere to moisture on the surface of the aggregate(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Port-A-Pour, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil G. Oberg, Jerome J. Doherty
  • Patent number: 5590976
    Abstract: A mobile paving system (10) is provided that produces paving material while the mobile system (10) proceeds over a surface. The mobile paving system (10) includes an aggregate hopper (12) operable to hold aggregate for use in producing paving material and a mixer (24) operable to mix aggregate with remaining ingredients to produce paving material. A moisture sensor (47) is associated with the aggregate. The moisture sensor (47) is operable to measure moisture in the aggregate and to provide an output representing an amount of moisture measured. A processor (34) is operable to receive an input representing the amount of moisture measured. The processor (34) is further operable to determine a dry weight of aggregate by converting from to dry weight volume used to produce paving material using bulking effect data for the aggregate corresponding to the amount of moisture measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel Ashpalt Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Kilheffer, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Lesley T. Hays
  • Patent number: 5564823
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to simplify the measurement of lightweight concrete components and to recycle waste materials that result from lightweight concrete block manufacture. The method involves separating coarse and fine components of the waste. The apparatus uses several devices, separately or in combination, to separate the components, such as a sieve, auger, and blower. The coarse components are conveyed by auger, gravity or other means to be measured by weight in a first hopper. The fine components are conveyed by gravity, blower, auger or other means to be measured by volume in a second hopper. Fresh materials may be added to both hoppers. The materials from both hoppers are then mixed together in a primary mixing chamber and finally conveyed into molds for curing before use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Rastra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Holik
  • Patent number: 5556196
    Abstract: A cement mixer pivotably mounted on a linkage of an arm assembly of a heavy-duty machine, for example, an excavator or a shovel. The cement mixer includes a barrel, an agitator assembly rotatably mounted on the barrel and used to agitate materials to be mixed in the barrel, a mounting beam connecting the barrel to the linkage, a funnel mounted on the mounting beam and positioned above the barrel and used to receive the materials to be mixed and a weight measuring device provided on the mounting beam and used to measure the weight of the materials received in the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Yeong-sen Lin
  • Patent number: 5522658
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing lightweight concrete includes a main mixing unit which receives volumetrically measured dry aggregate material including polystyrene and wet material which includes cement measured by weight and water measured volumetrically. The wet and dry materials are mixed in the main mixing unit prior to the mixed material being poured into molds for curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Stanley K. John
  • Patent number: 5480256
    Abstract: A method for the preparation, placement, and compacting of fibrous concrete material components laid onto an object which consists of forming on a conveyor a sandwich consisting of sequential layers of a mortar component, long fibers, coarse aggregate, directing the sandwich onto the surface of large-diameter rotor (113), converting the components of the sandwich into a controllable flow (F), directing a part of the components onto the object (O) and a part onto a second small-diameter rotor (115) having blades (115a) longer in the radial direction than blades (113a) of the rotor (113), and controlling the direction, speed, density distributions, and distribution of the flow components by adjusting the amount of short fibers added to the flow and by introducing into the flow a third rotor (116). The apparatus for the realization of the method contains a three-rotor-type dispenser with the third rotor (116) pivotal with around the center of rotation of the second rotor (115).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventors: Boris Itsekson, Michael Dyuzhenko, Vladimir Itsekson, Alexander Itsekson, Igor Tsigelman
  • Patent number: 5423606
    Abstract: A designated amount of recycled asphalt product (RAP) is fed to the pugmill of a batch asphalt plant during the production of hot mix asphalt (HMA) at a controlled rate so as not to overload the pugmill scavenging system. The designated amount of RAP is metered in a RAP weigh hopper, stored temporarily in a RAP holding hopper, and is then fed from the RAP holding hopper to the pugmill at a controlled rate. The feed of RAP to the pugmill, though electronically initiated, is preferably manually or automatically adjustable so as to avoid overloading the pugmill scavenging system while at the same time assuring adequate mixing of the RAP with the virgin aggregate and liquid asphalt. The scavenging system directs vapors removed from the pugmill to the dryer and preferably includes electronically operated dampers connecting the combustion air inlet of the dryer to the pugmill only during the mixing operation and otherwise connecting the combustion air inlet to the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Milstead
  • Patent number: 5381837
    Abstract: A new powder mixing apparatus can mix a plurality of materials in a limited area of installment of apparatus by providing a plurality of container devices on both sides of a movement device so that the movement device carrying a mixing vessel can move reciprocally between the container devices of the both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Tsukishima Kikai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetsugu Kurosu, Mituo Hosono
  • Patent number: 5251976
    Abstract: An asphalt production plant which is adapted to process mixtures of recycled paving and aggregate, and which comprises a rotary drum dryer for heating and drying stone aggregate, and an elevator for conveying the heated and dried aggregate to an elevated discharge location. A batch tower is positioned adjacent the elevator, and the batch tower comprises an aggregate sizing screen which receives and segregates the aggregate by size, and several underlying aggregate storage bins, with each aggregate bin receiving aggregate of predetermined average size from the sizing screen. Also, a recycle bin is positioned between and in alignment with the aggregate bins. A weigh hopper is provided for receiving the aggregate and/or recycle material from the bins, and a pugmill is positioned below the weigh hopper for mixing the material with hot liquid asphalt and then delivering the resulting mix into an underlying truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Milstead
  • Patent number: 5219224
    Abstract: A method and apparatus whereby livestock and poultry are administered feed additives in their feed ration. The apparatus stores additive concentrates separately until just prior to use, then on demand dispenses the additive concentrates into one or more weigh hoppers for weighing therein. The weighed contents of the weigh hoppers are discharged into a liquid carrier within a mixing vessel where the dispensed additives are diluted, suspended, and dispersed by mixing. The resulting carrier-and-additive slurry is pumped to a receiving station for mixing with a feed ration. The weighing components are isolated from movements that would affect additive weight determinations during the weighing process so that accurate measurements of additive weights are obtained. Dispensing and weighing of multiple additives within a single weigh hopper are sequential. Each additive may be weighed and discharged from the hopper individually or cumulatively with other additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Micro Chemical, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Pratt
  • Patent number: 5215372
    Abstract: An asphaltic mix batch apparatus which comprises a tower which mounts a number of aggregate storage bins, a weigh hopper underlying the storage bins, and a pugmill underlying the weigh hopper. Also, a screen assembly is positioned above the bins for segregating the aggregate by size, and such that the initial bin receives the more fine aggregate and the subsequent bins receive the more coarse aggregate. The initial bin has a relatively wide open top, and it receives a relatively broad gradation of the aggregate from its front to its back, with the front being disproportionately fine and the back being disproportionately coarse. A divider plate is positioned in the initial bin to prevent the gradation from interfering with the free discharge of the aggregate when the associated discharge port is opened, and to thereby provide a more uniform gradation being withdrawn through the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Milstead
  • Patent number: 5121989
    Abstract: A transportable concrete batching plant is disclosed which combines improvements in the discharge section of the aggregate storage bin and aggregate batching hopper together with an unique suspension system which allows for weighing of both aggregate batching hopper and the cement batching vessel by a plurality of load cells and which also allows tension to be removed from the load cells if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Horton, Ronald E. Christenson, Tim Irwin
  • Patent number: 5100239
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing concrete by mixing concrete materials including a cement, aggregate, admixture and at least one of water and ice. The aggregate is moved prior the mixing and a low-temperature liquid is sprayed on the aggregate for cooling while the aggregate is being moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadamu Ono, Sadao Goto, Koji Minegishi, Kenichi Oshita, Daisuke Ishikura, Yoshiaki Negami, Kazuya Kamezaki, Katsuhiko Kimura, Takashi Kuwahara, Yasuo Kajioka
  • Patent number: 5082553
    Abstract: An aggregate collecting apparatus. A meter which measures the gross weight of the rotary drum is linked to the speed change gear for the rotary drum in such a manner as to be operationally connectable therewith so that the speed of rotation of the drum can be varied in accordance with variations in the amount of sludge charged in the drum. The upstream and downstream edges of a trommel in the rotary drum are intermittently twisted in each of opposite directions so that gravel clogging the trommel is automatically removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventor: Masao Tanii
  • Patent number: 5076702
    Abstract: A floating vessel which can move about a sand pit mounts apparatus for garing granular material at the bottom of the sand pit, for processing the granular material into a mixture of a desired granular composition, and for delivery to a barge which can transport the granular material mixture to an ultimate user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: B.V. Grint - en Zandexploitatie Maatschappij v/h Gebrs. Smals
    Inventor: Michael R. Smals
  • Patent number: 5044819
    Abstract: A paving system (10) is described which comprises an aggregate hopper (12), a mineral filler hopper (14), water tank (16), an emulsion tank (18) and an additive tank (20). Aggregate, mineral filler, water, emulsion and additive are conveyed from their respective storage devices into a mixer (24) where they are mixed into paving material. A processor (34) is used in conjunction with a load cell (28), an auger tachometer (50) and flow meters (58), (62) and (66) to continuously monitor the relative amounts of aggregate mineral filler, water, emulsion and additives in the paving material mixture manufactured by system (10). A ground speed sensor (74) senses the speed of a vehicle (76) so that the processor (34) may also figure an application rate of paving material. Manual controls (46) may be used by an operator to alter the amounts of aggregate, mineral filler, water, emulsion or additive in the paving material mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Scanroad, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Kilheffer, Keith B. Mosley, Robert J. Province
  • Patent number: 4966463
    Abstract: A cellular concrete paste mixer unit is provided consisting of a first mixer and an increased number of second mixers. The mixer unit is able to simultaneously produce cement paste and cellular concrete paste. A method of making cellular concrete paste using the claimed mixer unit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Nisset Plan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikio Hihara, Nobuhisa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4963031
    Abstract: A novel process and apparatus for discharging, on a batch basis, cement and water as a slurry or in the form of separate discharges of slurry and cement, where the materials so discharged contain a predetermined amount of water and a predetermined amount of cement, is disclosed. A major quantity of water and all or a major quantity of the cement is mixed in a slurry mixer to produce a primary slurry. A major portion of the primary slurry is then discharged, and the remaining slurry mixed with the remaining quantity of water for discharge as a second slurry. A minor portion of the cement can optionally be added to a dry chamber for discharge therefrom. The slurry mixer and dry chamber, which are substantially closed systems, can be vented together, and then vented to atmosphere, so that air in the slurry mixer which is displaced during water and cement charging flows through the dry chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Alsur Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Brown
  • Patent number: 4961887
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for manufacturing insulation for metallic rod which includes a mechanism for housing a plurality of ingredients, scales for weighing a predetermined quantity of each ingredient, a blender for blending predetermined amounts of each ingredient into one material, a mixer to mix the dry blend of ingredients, a mill to form the blended material into strips, a dicer to transform the strips into pellets of insulation, an extruder for placing insulation around the metallic rod, a conveyor to transport the ingredients and/or material between each of the above steps, a controller for outputting commands to the blender and receiving inputs from the scales to obtain the predetermined amount of each ingredient, and a computer for verifying that the correct amount of each ingredient has been obtained. The ingredients used in the manufacture of this insulation material include plasticizers, fillers, a resin, and modifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Crumpler, George W. Barker, III, Darrell L. Smith, Willard W. Posey, Howard S. Shepard, Steven R. Campbell
  • Patent number: 4898472
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plant of batch system for producing a composite paving material by using a bituminous waste pavement material, which comprises a heating means equipped with a new aggregate material introduction shoot and a bituminous waste material introduction shoot, the former shoot being connected to a new aggregate material supply passageway and the latter shoot being connected to a reproduction material supply passageway. The plant also comprises a ratio control section which is intended to compare with each other respective supplying indicated values of new and waste aggregate materials as measured by conveyor scales disposed with respect to their corresponding supply passageways, and thereafter proportionally control the value of the waste material relative to the value of the new material so that both the values may bear a predetermined mixing ratio. The ratio control section, thereafter, generates a command control signal to an inverter involved in the waste material supply passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Taisei Road Construction Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 4895450
    Abstract: Cement weighing and measuring apparatus includes a primary mixing chamber into which two different types of material are placed, and the materials are measured separately. The different materials are fed into the primary mixing chamber from two separate hoppers, a wet materials hopper and a dry materials hopper. The material in the wet materials hopper is measured by weight and the material in the dry materials hopper is measured by weight and volume. The wet and the dry materials are mixed together in the primary mixing chamber. In addition, other materials, such as foaming agents, bonding agents, etc., may be mixed in with the wet and dry materials in the primary mixing chamber. From the primary mixing chamber, the mixed materials flow outwardly and are conveyed ultimately into molds for curing before use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: Karl Holik
  • Patent number: 4889433
    Abstract: A method and apparatus whereby livestock and poultry are administered feed additives in their feed ration. The apparatus stores additive concentrates separately until just prior to use, then on demand dispenses the additive concentrates into one or more weigh hoppers for weighing therein. The weighed contents of the weigh hoppers are discharged into a liquid carrier within a mixing vessel where the dispensed additives are diluted, suspended, and dispersed by mixing. The resulting carrier-and-additive slurry is pumped to a receiving station for mixing with a feed ration. The weighing components are isolated from movements that would affect additive weight determinations during the weighing process so that accurate measurements of additive weights are obtained. Dispensing and weighing of multiple additives within a single weigh hopper are sequential. Each additive may be weighed and discharged from the hopper individually or cumulatively with other additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Micro Chemical, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Pratt
  • Patent number: 4881819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing concrete mortar. In order to regulate the moisture content of the concrete mortar a sand sample is taken of the sand used. This sand sample is dried. The amount of water added to a concrete charge is regulated subject to the weight difference of the sand sample prior to and after drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Deltracon Deventer B.V.
    Inventor: Frederik C. Blees
  • Patent number: 4865457
    Abstract: A concrete mixing apparatus including a paddle type mixer and a cement and water container mounted on a scale. The cement and water container is divided into separate cement and water compartments mounted above and upon the mixer to permit gravity flow of their contents through an open top portion of the mixer. Aggregate is supplied by a belt conveyor through a side opening. All ingredients are supplied by weight based on the indication of the scale. The scale includes load cells supporting the mixer. The arrangement provides flexibility in the manner of introduction of cement, water, and aggregate into the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Mixer Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Strehlow
  • Patent number: 4830508
    Abstract: A measuring mixer for use with either liquids or powders in which different supply systems supply different stock liquids or powders to a receiving container from supply containers. A continuously variable flow regulator is associated with each supply container. The cumulative weight of the receiving container is measured and compared with a target weight. Then a computation section calculates a desired flow rate based upon both the deviation from the target weight and a time variation thereof. This calculation is preferably done according to fuzzy inference. The desired flow rate is then used to control a selected one of the flow regulators so that the measurement is sequentially performed between supply systems. Optionally, the receiving container can be movable between the different supply systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Higuchi, Keizo Matsui, Chuzo Kobayashi, Hiroshi Ohnishi, Shigeru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 4812048
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material feed device for an extruder. The material feed device has a storage container (4) suspended with provision for free movement on measuring members (3) of a mass throughput weighing device. The outlet (13) of the storage container (4) discharges into an inlet (5) of a feed unit (6) of the extruder. The outlet (13) and the inlet (5) are sealed off on the outside by a seal (16) enabling the storage container (4) to move freely in relation to the inlet (5). The seal comprises a rigid ring bearing via a sealing lip (17) against the outside of the tubular outlet (13) and borne via a sealing lip (18) on a flat sliding surface (15) of the inlet (5). While the sealing lip (17) bearing on the tubular outlet (13) enables the storage container (4) to make a vertical movement, the sealing lip (18) bearing on the flat surface (15) enables the storage container (4) to make a horizontal movement in both axes in relation to the inlet (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Inoex GmbH Innovationen und Austrustungen Fur Die Extrusionstechnik
    Inventors: Ulrich Neumann, Volkmar Wolfl
  • Patent number: 4798475
    Abstract: A device for adding lime to acidulated flowing water including a feed hopper and an endless belt conveyor arranged below the feed hopper. The belt conveyor is driven via a one-way clutch of an arm that is, in turn, driven by a tilting movement of a vessel. The vessel is so journaled that when it has been filled with water to a certain level, it tilts forward, allowing the water to stream out of the vessel. At each tilting movement, a chain coupled to the arm drives the conveyor a distinct stretch forward. When the water has left the vessel, a counterweight makes it tilt upwards again, to be filled again. The water is delivered from the stream in proportion to the flow in the stream, for instance by means of a chute starting in a defined cross-section of the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Boxholmkonsult AB
    Inventor: Anders Strandberg
  • Patent number: 4795264
    Abstract: A concreting train consists of a plurality of wagons supporting a mixer, a multiple conveyor arrangement and separate containers for cement and aggregate. A container for cement has at least one integrated conveyor worm. All container wagons are provided with inclined conveyor belts which extend below the containers and overlap one another. On separate pathes aggregate and cement are supplied into a housing of the mixer wagon. The housing is supported on a weighing frame in order to additively weigh the mixing components. The housing contains a mixing shaft operatively connected with a drive motor. The housing is mounted for reciprocating movement along an inclined angled track in order to lift the housing on a higher level for discharging the concrete into a hopper of a concrete pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Messrs. Stetter GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Riker
  • Patent number: 4793711
    Abstract: In such batchwise production of a paving mix of mineral particles and bituminous binder, in which a coarse-grained portion of the mineral aggregate batch is first introduced in measured quantity into a container and then discharged through a discharge opening in the container, controlled by a discharge door into an asphalt mixer where the coarse-grained portion of the mineral aggregate batch is mixed with a batch of binder, whereupon the remaining, fine-grained portion of the mineral aggregate batch is introduced in measured quantity into the container and then discharged through the discharge opening into the mixer the time needed to discharge the fine-grained portion of the mineral material batch is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Karl G. Ohlson
  • Patent number: 4792234
    Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile concrete batch plant transportable by highway as a single unit. A cement storage hopper, a cement weigh hopper, and an aggregate weigh hopper are mounted on a standard trailer bed. The cement hopper is loaded to the desired weight from the storage bin, and the aggregate hopper is loaded as desired by a front end loader. A charging conveyor carries discharged cement and aggregate from the hoppers to a point above two oppositely facing mixing drums. The charge is dumped from the conveyor into a load hopper, and from there into a load diverter which directs it into a selected one of the two drums. Water and admixture are added and the mixing drum rotates, mixing the contents and producing concrete. The finished concrete is removed from the drum by reversing the rotation thereof, and is carried from the plant by a discharge conveyor. A second batch may be begun while the first is being mixed or discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Port-A-Pour, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome J. Doherty