Disclosed is a deagglomeration apparatus, to improve the quality of a mixture used for the production of concrete blocks. An illustrative embodiment of the deagglomerator comprises a vertical shaft high-shear mixer, wherein a rotational force (hydraulic or electric) is mounted to a vertical shaft onto which are mounted chains and/or knives, housed within a flexible rubber boot or tube. The deagglomerator is configured to be controllably powered, to rotate the shaft and the attached tools. Partially mixed formula is introduced to a top region of the deagglomerator, and falls downwardly past the rotating tools wherein the formula is pulverized and mixed, before exiting the lower area of the mixing region.

Disclosed is a block press and associated process, for dynamically forming a block mold, to produce a masonry block. In some embodiments, the block mold includes a plurality of mold elements, such as a lower impact plate, an upper impact plate, and a plurality of side plates, and can further include one or more block cores. In operation, one or more of the mold elements are moved to dynamically forming a block mold, which is then filled with product formula. The product formula is then compressed, to form a masonry block. One or more of the mold elements are then released, such as to release pressure on the formed masonry block, and to allow removal of the formed masonry block from the block press, wherein the formed masonry block can be moved to a curing area, and the block press can reform the block mold for subsequent production.

The mortar mixer paddle assembly includes a rectilinear shaft having a centrally registered longitudinal axis, a tow-end and an engine-end axially opposed from the tow-end, and a plurality of rectilinear paddle arms radially extending outwardly from the centrally registered longitudinal axis. A mechanism for entraining air into the mortar mixture and along the rectilinear shaft inside the existing polyethylene drum is provided. A mechanism for horizontally reciprocating a mortar mixture slurry along a bi-directional linear travel path parallel to the centrally registered longitudinal axis of the rectilinear shaft is provided. A mechanism for radially redirecting slow-moving mortar mixture slurry, traveling along the rectilinear shaft, upwards into faster moving arcuate travel paths rotating about the rectilinear shaft thus eliminating mortar mixture slurry build-up on the rectilinear shaft and the rectilinear paddle arms is provided.

The mortar mixer paddle assembly includes a rectilinear shaft having a centrally registered longitudinal axis, a tow-end and an engine-end axially opposed from the tow-end, and a plurality of rectilinear paddle arms radially extending outwardly from the centrally registered longitudinal axis. A mechanism for entraining air into the mortar mixture and along the rectilinear shaft inside the existing polyethylene drum is provided. A mechanism for horizontally reciprocating a mortar mixture slurry along a bi-directional linear travel path parallel to the centrally registered longitudinal axis of the rectilinear shaft is provided. A mechanism for radially redirecting slow-moving mortar mixture slurry, traveling along the rectilinear shaft, upwards into faster moving arcuate travel paths rotating about the rectilinear shaft thus eliminating mortar mixture slurry build-up on the rectilinear shaft and the rectilinear paddle arms is provided.

A method in which a stream of dry cementitious powder from a dry powder feeder passes through a dry cementitious powder inlet conduit to feed a first feed section of a fiber-slurry mixer. An aqueous medium stream passes through at least one aqueous medium stream conduit to feed a first mixing section the fiber-slurry mixer. A stream of reinforcing fibers passes from a fiber feeder through a reinforcing fibers stream conduit to feed a second mixing section of the fiber-slurry mixer. The stream of dry cementitious powder, aqueous medium stream, and stream of reinforcing fibers combine in the fiber-slurry mixer to make a stream of fiber-cement mixture which discharges through a discharge conduit at a downstream end of the mixer.

A mixer (1) comprises a drum (2) having at least one inlet (6) and one outlet (7). The mixer (1) furthermore comprises a drive (3) and a stirring shaft (4), which is arranged in the drum (2) and is coupled to the drive (3). Furthermore, the mixer (1) comprises a conveying device (5), which is arranged in the drum (2) and which is arranged on one and the same axis as the stirring shaft (4).

A method in which a stream of dry cementitious powder from a dry powder feeder passes through a dry cementitious powder inlet conduit to feed a first feed section of a fiber-slurry mixer. An aqueous medium stream passes through at least one aqueous medium stream conduit to feed a first mixing section the fiber-slurry mixer. A stream of reinforcing fibers passes from a fiber feeder through a reinforcing fibers stream conduit to feed a second mixing section of the fiber-slurry mixer. The stream of dry cementitious powder, aqueous medium stream, and stream of reinforcing fibers combine in the fiber-slurry mixer to make a stream of fiber-cement mixture which discharges through a discharge conduit at a downstream end of the mixer.

A system and method for placing and circulating concrete is disclosed. The system includes a hopper body, a feed auger, one or more circulating elements, a pump, a valve with two or more outlets, a return conduit, and two or more hoses. The hopper body of the system may additionally include a heat exchanger. Concrete slurry is placed into the hopper body, continuously circulated within the hopper body, and drawn from the hopper body by the pump and conveyed through the hoses, or through the return conduit, or both. Concrete slurry within the hoses may be returned to the hopper body.

A method and apparatus for a mobile twin shaft mixer, which includes a mixing chamber formed of a flexible sheath and a frame formed of a rigid material. A benefit to the mobile twin shaft mixer can be a compact, lightweight, high capacity twin shaft mixer useful for mixing, proportioning, and transporting construction materials in mobile operations. A benefit to the methods of use of the mobile twin shaft mixer can be the supply of modern construction materials to the delivery location at the point of installation.

A mixer includes a drum having at least one inlet and one outlet. The mixer furthermore includes a drive and a stirring shaft, which is arranged in the drum and is coupled to the drive. Furthermore, the mixer includes a conveying device, which is arranged in the drum and which is arranged on one and the same axis as the stirring shaft.