Patent ID: 8696341
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: B28B

Abstract:
1. A device for producing concrete building blocks, comprising: a storage container having a main body which defines an internal cavity, and wherein the storage container has an upper, intake end, and an opposite, and lower discharge end, and wherein the storage container is additionally defined by at least one sidewall which has a vertically extending dispensing opening formed therein, and wherein the at least one sidewall is inclined in relation to a vertical plane such that a portion of the sidewall which positioned adjacent to the intake end of the storage container overhangs a portion of the sidewall which is positioned adjacent to the discharge end of the storage container, and wherein the storage container is further defined by a moveable floor which is located at the lower discharge end of the storage container; a source of flowable concrete supplied to the internal cavity of the storage container, and wherein the source of concrete includes predetermined discrete layers of flowable concrete having different colors, and wherein the source of concrete is introduced at the intake end of the storage container, and moves under the influence of gravity in the direction of the lower discharge end of the storage container; a dispensing means cooperating with the storage container, and which further is operable to selectively, open and close the dispensing opening, and wherein a partial amount of each of the respective predetermined, discrete and differently colored layers of the source of concrete, under the influence of gravity, respectively move, through the dispensing opening, when the dispensing means opens the dispensing open, and wherein the partial amounts of the predetermined, and discrete layers of concrete which have moved through the dispensing opening flowably move together, and then gravitationally mixes with each other so as to then form a resulting flowable concrete mixture having a predetermined color, and which moves gravitationally, downwardly relative to the storage container; and a downstream release device positioned in gravity receiving relation relative to the resulting flowable concrete mixture having the predetermined color, and wherein the downstream release device is operable to selectively release predetermined amounts of the resulting, flowable concrete mixture.