Method and apparatus for the manufacture of pre-cast building panels
OwnerGeoff WYETTinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for moulding a substantially hollow building panel (12) of the kind having spaced opposed outer panel walls (14) interconnected by a plurality of spaced formations 16 such that adjacent formations each define a void (18) therebetween. The apparatus including a mould (20) having means to define an outer surface of least one of the outer panel walls and a plurality of spaced apart inflatable void forming plug members (26) connectable with an inflation means, disposed within the mould. The apparatus further including a means to introduce a settable wet mix into the mould.
Claims36
1-12. (canceled)
An apparatus for use in molding a substantially hollow building panel having spaced opposed outer panel walls interconnected by a plurality of spaced formations such that adjacent formations each define a void therebetween, said apparatus including:
- a vertically oriented mold having means to define an outer surface surfaces of said outer panel walls;
- a plurality of spaced apart inflatable void forming plug members comprising at least one inflatable bladder disposed about a rigid frame, disposed within said mold;
- an inflation fluid connectable with said plug members;
- and
- a pump to introduce a settable wet mix into a lower portion of said mold.
14-15. (canceled)
(canceled)
A method for molding a substantially hollow building panel having spaced opposed outer panel walls interconnected by a plurality of spaced formations such that adjacent formations each define a void therebetween, said method including the steps of:
- (i) inflating a plurality of inflatable void forming plug members comprising at least one inflatable bladder disposed about a rigid frame disposed within a vertically mold;
- (ii) introducing a settable wet mix into a lower portion of said mold;
- (iii) deflating said plurality of inflatable void forming plug members when said settable wet mix reaches a first set condition;
- and
- (iv) removing a molded building panel from said mold.
(canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.