A preparing process for pressing particulate aggregates into a slab and a shaping apparatus are described. The preparing process includes: mixing particulate aggregates of different sizes and a liquid material as per a preset proportion to obtain a mixture; spreading the mixture flatly in a preset thickness onto a conveyor belt or into a mould frame; vacuumizing the mixture; shaping, wherein a pressing plate is disposed covering the mixture during the shaping procedure to constantly apply a downward pressure against the mixture; a ram disposed over the pressing plate continuously smashes the pressing plate, wherein during ram smashing, the pressure created by the pressing plate forms a continuous holding force to the mixture, the smashing force created from up-down motion of the ram is transferred to the mixture via the pressing plate.

The changes to the abstract are shown below:

A preparing process for pressing particulate aggregates into a slab and a shaping apparatus are described. The preparing process includes: mixing particulate aggregates of different sizes and a liquid material as per a preset proportion to obtain a mixture; spreading the mixture flatly in a preset thickness onto a conveyor belt or into a mould frame; vacuumizing the mixture; shaping, wherein a pressing plate is disposed covering the mixture during the shaping procedure to constantly apply a downward pressure against the mixture; a ram disposed over the pressing plate continuously smashes the pressing plate, wherein during ram smashing, the pressure created by the pressing plate forms a continuous holding force to the mixture, the smashing force created from up-down motion of the ram is transferred to the mixture via the pressing plate.

A preparing process for pressing particulate aggregates into a slab and a shaping apparatus are described. The preparing process includes: mixing particulate aggregates of different sizes and a liquid material as per a preset proportion to obtain a mixture; spreading the mixture flatly in a preset thickness onto a conveyor belt or into a mould frame; vacuumizing the mixture; shaping, wherein a pressing plate is disposed covering the mixture during the shaping procedure to constantly apply a downward pressure against the mixture; a ram disposed over the pressing plate continuously smashes the pressing plate, wherein during ram smashing, the pressure created by the pressing plate forms a continuous holding force to the mixture, the smashing force created from up-down motion of the ram is transferred to the mixture via the pressing plate.

The changes to the abstract are shown below:

A preparing process for pressing particulate aggregates into a slab and a shaping apparatus are described. The preparing process includes: mixing particulate aggregates of different sizes and a liquid material as per a preset proportion to obtain a mixture; spreading the mixture flatly in a preset thickness onto a conveyor belt or into a mould frame; vacuumizing the mixture; shaping, wherein a pressing plate is disposed covering the mixture during the shaping procedure to constantly apply a downward pressure against the mixture; a ram disposed over the pressing plate continuously smashes the pressing plate, wherein during ram smashing, the pressure created by the pressing plate forms a continuous holding force to the mixture, the smashing force created from up-down motion of the ram is transferred to the mixture via the pressing plate.

Disclosed is a concrete product incorporating rubber aggregate produced by casting under pressure. The concrete product may optionally be cast at 6.9-27.7 MPa for periods of, for example, 24 hours. In one embodiment the rubber aggregate may comprise coarse and/or fine rubber aggregate to replace natural sources of coarse and fine aggregate. Casting under pressure was found to generally improve the performance characteristics of the concrete when compared to corresponding concrete cast without pressure.

The present invention provides a wet press process and admixture components for making concrete slabs (flags) (16), curb (kerb) units, panels, boards, and other flat shapes, whereby colloidal silica and at least one alkanolamine and optional rheology control components are employed to provide an ideal combination of pressing time, green strength, surface definition, stack-ability, final concrete strength, and permeability. Stack-ability can be expressed in terms of minimum deflection or non-eccentricity of the units while standing on thickness edges at distances apart less than width or standing height. A wet press process typically involves introducing a highly fluid concrete mix into a mold (10,12), applying hydraulic pressure to consolidate the concrete (e.g., 1000-3000 PSI) and to extract excess water, removing the pressed concrete (16) while in a green state from the mold (10,12), and then standing the slab (16) units immediately upon removal from the mold (10,12) while in a green state, on an edge adjacent to but spaced apart from other edge-standing units. In further embodiments, rounded aggregates such as naturally occurring sand and/or gravel obtained from local sources can be incorporated into the concrete slabs without defeating (vertical) stack-ability in the green state.

The present invention provides a wet press process and admixture components for making concrete slabs (flags) (16), curb (kerb) units, panels, boards, and other flat shapes, whereby colloidal silica and at least one alkanolamine and optional rheology control components are employed to provide an ideal combination of pressing time, green strength, surface definition, stack-ability, final concrete strength, and permeability. Stack-ability can be expressed in terms of minimum deflection or non-eccentricity of the units while standing on thickness edges at distances apart less than width or standing height. A wet press process typically involves introducing a highly fluid concrete mix into a mold (10,12), applying hydraulic pressure to consolidate the concrete (e.g., 1000-3000 PSI) and to extract excess water, removing the pressed concrete (16) while in a green state from the mold (10,12), and then standing the slab (16) units immediately upon removal from the mold (10,12) while in a green state, on an edge adjacent to but spaced apart from other edge-standing units. In further embodiments, rounded aggregates such as naturally occurring sand and/or gravel obtained from local sources can be incorporated into the concrete slabs without defeating (vertical) stack-ability in the green state.

A method for making reconstituted limestone blocks includes using a batching plant to make a mixture comprising crushed limestone and cement. The mixture may additionally include water and an additive, such as a plasticizer. The batching plant has been modified to be compatible with the mixture. Next, the mixture is transferred from the batching plant to a mobile stamping machine having a mold box, a hopper, and a feed apparatus configured for transferring the mixture from the hopper to the mold box. Finally, the mobile stamping machine is activated so that the mobile stamping machine forms a construction block by transferring the mixture from the hopper to the mold box, depositing the construction block out of the mold box, and then moving to a next location. The mobile stamping machine is configured to produce approximately 100 construction blocks per hour.

A method for making reconstituted limestone blocks includes using a batching plant to make a mixture comprising crushed limestone and cement. The mixture may additionally include water and an additive, such as a plasticizer. The batching plant has been modified to be compatible with the mixture. Next, the mixture is transferred from the batching plant to a mobile stamping machine having a mold box, a hopper, and a feed apparatus configured for transferring the mixture from the hopper to the mold box. Finally, the mobile stamping machine is activated so that the mobile stamping machine forms a construction block by transferring the mixture from the hopper to the mold box, depositing the construction block out of the mold box, and then moving to a next location. The mobile stamping machine is configured to produce approximately 100 construction blocks per hour.

A powder pressing device, such as a metal powder or ceramic powder pressing device includes at least one die and at least one punch. In a pressing position, the punch is arranged to be immersible from a first side of the die into a cavity filled with powder. The powder pressing device further includes at least one powder sealing device, which can have at least two parts. The powder sealing device can be arranged in sections, which can be arranged completely around the cavity.

A powder pressing device, such as a metal powder or ceramic powder pressing device includes at least one die and at least one punch. In a pressing position, the punch is arranged to be immersible from a first side of the die into a cavity filled with powder. The powder pressing device further includes at least one powder sealing device, which can have at least two parts. The powder sealing device can be arranged in sections, which can be arranged completely around the cavity.

A mold for manufacturing interlocking, dry-cast concrete retaining wall blocks in an upright orientation comprises a mold box comprising two side walls joined to end walls to define a mold cavity, a top face, and a substantially open bottom face. Partitions configured to define a space between adjacent blocks or a space between a block and a side of the mold box extend parallel to the side walls of the mold box substantially from the top face into the mold cavity, to form first transverse portions of the profile of the top and bottom surfaces the blocks which do not include any undercut portion that would impede removal of the mold box in a substantially vertical direction. At least one removable insert comprises insert members which, when positioned in the mold box beneath the partitions, form remaining transverse portions of the profile of the top and bottom surfaces, the remaining transverse portions including at least one undercut portion. The insert members, when in position in the mold box for casting, are substantially in lateral alignment with respective bottom surfaces of at least some of the partitions and can be inserted and retracted through openings in an end wall of the mold box.