A system provides building materials including a packaging, a lifting device and a mixing and conveying device. The packaging can be positioned by the lifting device via the mixing and conveying device in such a way that a total height of the system is less than 230 cm.

A mobile aggregate hopper for a volumetric and gravimetric mixer having arcuate longitudinal walls for holding and isolating aggregate. The mobile aggregate hopper has a base integral with the arcuate longitudinal walls with an aggregate transfer conveyor and means for attachment to a trailer or chassis having wheels. The single sheet structure of the longitudinal arcuate side walls minimizes welding and mechanical joints during manufacturing and provides a hopper with high strength and capacity and low overall weight.

Flexible molds have an elastic membrane supported by modules, arranged next to one another along a horizontal longitudinal axis of the mold. Each module has traction units, each forming a respective group with a respective thrust unit, with the groups arranged opposite one another at a preset distance. Pairs of traction units are arranged opposite one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and the respective thrust units thereof are arranged therebetween. The modules hold the membrane with the mold via reinforced eyelets distributed on both edges parallel to the axis. Each traction unit has linear actuators arranged horizontally and another linear actuator arranged vertically, which together enable movement. The membrane is previously deformed according to an approximation of the prior design of a part to be molded, and prestressed according to a mathematical prediction of the deformation thereof after receiving a conglomerate in liquid or plastic state.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that includes providing a liquid nitrogen storage system configured to cool a supply of liquid nitrogen to a temperature below the vapor point of liquid nitrogen; coupling a piping system with the liquid nitrogen storage system to convey a portion of the supply of liquid nitrogen from the liquid nitrogen storage system; coupling the piping system with a liquid nitrogen control valve configured to control a flow of liquid nitrogen to at least one liquid nitrogen dispensing head; disposing the at least one liquid nitrogen dispensing head above a conveyance device operable to convey an aggregate stream of a concrete batching plant during use; and disposing the at least one liquid nitrogen dispensing head in a position to dispense an output flow of liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate stream of the concrete batching plant during use.

A portable concrete mixer includes a frame, a hopper, coupled to the frame, for receiving therein dry commercially available prepackaged concrete mixes containing gravel aggregates, a chute coupled to the hopper, a water supply system that supplies water to the chute, a motor, and an auger coupled to and rotated by the motor. The auger includes a shaftless helical auger body extending from the hopper into the chute via an aperture in the hopper. The shaftless helical auger body has an interior volume and a plurality of fingers extending from the auger body into the interior volume. The shaftless helical auger body has an uneven pitch such that a second portion of the helical auger body in the chute has a greater pitch than a first portion of the helical auger body in the hopper.

A mobile aggregate hopper for a volumetric and gravimetric mixer having arcuate longitudinal walls for holding and isolating aggregate. The mobile aggregate hopper has a base integral with the arcuate longitudinal walls with an aggregate transfer conveyor capable of attachment to a trailer or chassis having wheels. The single sheet structure of the longitudinal arcuate side walls minimizes welding and mechanical joints during manufacturing and provides a hopper with high strength and capacity and low overall weight.

An emptying station for a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) is provided. The emptying station has a body having a front wall, a rear wall defining an aperture, and left and right side walls, the walls collectively defining a hopper for receiving particulate matter contained in the FIBC, at least one power source connected to the body, a lift assembly operatively connected to the at least one power source and to the body. The lift assembly moves the FIBC between lowered and raised positions. A cutter is connected to the body and is disposed in the hopper. The cutter is positioned for cutting a bottom of the FIBC when moved from the lowered position to the raised position. At least one mixer is connected to the body for mixing the particulate matter received in the hopper. The at least one mixer also conveys the particulate matter towards the rear wall.

A system for delivery ingredients to a cement mixing barrel has a container. The container is divided into a plurality of compartments, each compartment used to store one ingredient for making cement. A dispensing opening is formed in a bottom area of each of the plurality of compartments. A delivery trough is positioned below each dispensing opening transferring the ingredient from each of the plurality of compartments to the cement mixing barrel.

An example apparatus for additive manufacturing can include a supply of dry cement powder (702) having an individually controllable outlet (704); a supply of a dry mineral filler (706) having an individually controllable outlet (708); a supply of a curing accelerator (712) having an individually controllable outlet (714); and a supply of water (716) having an individually controllable outlet (718). A batch mixer (722) can receive and mix a controlled amount dry cement powder from the supply of dry cement powder, a controlled amount of dry mineral filler from the supply of dry mineral filler, a controlled amount of curing accelerator from the supply of curing accelerator, and a controlled amount of water from the supply of water, thus forming a batch of cementitious material. A pump (750) can be connected to the batch mixer to pump the cementitious material. A delivery hose (150) can be connected to the pump to deliver the cementitious material pumped by the pump from the batch mixer. A printhead (502) can be connected to an outlet of the delivery hose. The printhead can be positionable in three-dimensional space.

An example apparatus for additive manufacturing can include a supply of dry cement powder (702) having an individually controllable outlet (704); a supply of a dry mineral filler (706) having an individually controllable outlet (708); a supply of a curing accelerator (712) having an individually controllable outlet (714); and a supply of water (716) having an individually controllable outlet (718). A batch mixer (722) can receive and mix a controlled amount dry cement powder from the supply of dry cement powder, a controlled amount of dry mineral filler from the supply of dry mineral filler, a controlled amount of curing accelerator from the supply of curing accelerator, and a controlled amount of water from the supply of water, thus forming a batch of cementitious material. A pump (750) can be connected to the batch mixer to pump the cementitious material. A delivery hose (150) can be connected to the pump to deliver the cementitious material pumped by the pump from the batch mixer. A printhead (502) can be connected to an outlet of the delivery hose. The printhead can be positionable in three-dimensional space.