Patent ID: 6257865
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B28B

Abstract:
Apparatus for molding and texturizing the upper surfaces of non-cured concrete products having upper and lower faces bounded by a perimetral edge surface, the upper surfaces including coarse aggregate, fines, and a cement binder, comprising:a. a generally horizontally disposed longitudinally extending conveyor driven continuously for receiving individual concrete products, with their upper surfaces uppermost from a concrete molding machine, to travel in a continuous stream in an uncured state along said conveyor;b. an overhead force spraying station above said conveyor and said continuously moving stream of products having orifice mechanism for directing a predetermined volumetric overhead force spray of liquid at a predetermined, substantially vertical spray angle and pressure connected with a liquid source to force spray liquid with sufficient force to progressively loosen a predetermined amount of said fines on said upper surfaces as said products move past said force spraying station;c. a first blow off station above said conveyor spaced a predetermined longitudinal distance downstream from said force spraying station connected with a gas supply for directing a high pressure flow of gas generally vertically at said upper surfaces of said products at a pressure to blow off much of said liquid and said loosened amount of fines from said upper surfaces of said products;d. a flooding station spaced above said conveyor a predetermined longitudinal distance downstream from said first blow off station having orifice mechanism connected with a liquid supply for flooding said product upper surfaces with a lower pressure liquid in a volume sufficient only substantially to entrain remaining loose fines on said upper surfaces; ande. a second blow off station above said conveyor spaced a predetermined longitudinal distance downstream from said flooding station such that said products do not absorb enough liquid to affect their strength adversely, connected with a gas supply to create a gas flow at said upper surfaces to blow off said flooding liquid and said entrained fines to leave a textured surface substantially without loose fines on said upper surfaces of said products.