Abstract: A method for drying a material such as a polymer hydrogel which passes through a cohesive phase as it dries is disclosed. The method comprises agitating a composition while removing liquid until the solids content of the composition reaches a level at which the composition enters a cohesive phase, halting agitation, removing liquid from the composition in the absence of agitation, and resuming agitation. Practice of the present invention can eliminate the problems associated with adhesion of a material to itself and to process equipment during the cohesive phase.

Abstract: A method for drying a material such as a polymer hydrogel which passes through a cohesive phase as it dries is disclosed. The method comprises agitating a composition while removing liquid until the solids content of the composition reaches a level at which the composition enters a cohesive phase, halting agitation, removing liquid from the composition in the absence of agitation, and resuming agitation. Practice of the present invention can eliminate the problems associated with adhesion of a material to itself and to process equipment during the cohesive phase.

Abstract: A method for drying a material such as a polymer hydrogel which passes through a cohesive phase as it dries is disclosed. The method comprises agitating a composition while removing liquid until the solids content of the composition reaches a level at which the composition enters a cohesive phase, halting agitation, removing liquid from the composition in the absence of agitation, and resuming agitation. Practice of the present invention can eliminate the problems associated with adhesion of a material to itself and to process equipment during the cohesive phase.

Abstract: A three-yard concrete bucket with integral ladder is provided which comprises a series of steps attached by welding to the exterior perimeter of the bucket. When attached, a worker can easily inspect the inside of the bucket, clean the bucket, or enter the interior of the bucket. No external ladders or devices are needed.

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.

Abstract: Multifunction building machine used in civil construction sites and public works. The machine combines on a self-propelled frame, a concrete-mixer (20) with a set of tools on one side, comprising a loading power shovel (60), a grader (70) and a digging shovel (80) and on the other side a dumper (50). The concrete mixer is of the fixed container type provided with a rotary mixer (33), a hinged cover (25) being adapted to form a spout for transfering the contents from the loading shovel to the dumper.

Abstract: Apparatus for metering and feeding aggregate materials for the production of concrete is constructed so as to be transportable as a unit. To this end, the frame of the apparatus is in two parts which are pivotally connected with one another, the one, fixed, part accommodating metering apparatus, and the other, movable, part accommodating an elevated storage and mixing apparatus. The movable part pivots down into a transporting condition and up into its operating condition. The two frame parts together provide an inclined path for a charge box by which metered quantities of aggregate are transferred from the metering apparatus to the mixing apparatus. Various damping devices are provided for preventing undue vibrations at the start and end of the movement of the charge box.

Abstract: Tractor mounted mixing apparatus is disclosed including a mounting frame attachable to a three-point tractor hitch, a mixing drum rotatably mounted to the frame and having mechanism for rotatably driving the drum, and a scoop pivotally connected to the support frame and power operated to move a scoop bucket from a lowered position for scooping material off the ground and a raised position adjacent an opening in the mixing drum for loading the drum.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus, e.g. for making concrete, has a triangular base supporting a rotatable or nonrotatable, upwardly open cylindrical drum as well as a main shaft carrying a large sprocket wheel which is linked by a chain with a smaller sprocket wheel on an auxiliary shaft journaled on one of the sides of the triangle. A motor mounted on another side of the base drives the auxiliary shaft via a speed-reducing belt transmission. The main shaft and/or an extension thereof above the drum carries ancillary force-transmitting members such as a reel or a sprocket for the selective operation of external accessories, e.g. a shovel, a hoist, or a force pump. Bulk material in the drum is agitated by a set of relatively rotating blades which may be driven by the main shaft or by a separate motor.

Abstract: A transporting trailer or transporter is provided with a mixing or batch box and a support ramp for supporting a portable mixer. The batch box is stored and carried with the transporter as it is carrying the portable mixer to a construction site. At the site the portable mixer is loaded by the batch box and then driven to the pouring site. The mixer has a power takeoff and when positioned on the transporter automatically provides power to raise and lower the batch box.