Patent ID: 6548007
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B28B,E04F,G21F

Abstract:
A surfacing method for making substantially plane the top surface of a viscous material contained in a receptacle having a bottom wall and a cylindrical vertical side wall whose top edge defines a circular opening, said method comprising the following steps:providing a device comprising: a moving assembly designed to be placed in an operating position relative to said receptacle in which position said assembly is above said opening, said assembly having a subassembly comprising a vertical shaft that is aligned with a center of said circular opening when said assembly is in said operating position, and a rule connected to the bottom portion of said shaft, the rule being of length substantially equal to the radius of said opening and having a bottom surface presenting a horizontal longitudinal portion for smoothing the top surface of the viscous material; first motor means and a first guide system enabling vertical translation movement to be imparted to said assembly relative to said receptacle; and variable-speed, second motor means and a second guide system enabling rotary movement to be imparted to said moving subassembly, the top portion of said shaft being secured to said second motor means and, in operation when said second motor means are activated; positioning said device in such a manner as to place said assembly in its operating position over the opening of said receptacle, the shaft lying on the axis of said receptacle, the rule being above a radius of said opening; performing a first stage during which said first motor means are activated to lower said assembly until said longitudinal portion of the rule has penetrated into said viscous material; and performing a second stage during which said second motor means are activated to set said rule into rotation and during which said first motor means are activated to cause said assembly to rise at least until said longitudinal portion of the rule has moved out from the viscous material.