Production line for bitumen cakes

A production line for oxidized bitumen cakes including

• a multiplicity of supporting frames each having a plurality of receptacles arranged to removably accomodate and carry a respective mold;
• a plurality of metal molds each comprising a relatively shallow pan or basin having a resiliently deformable bottom integral with uniterrupted side wall or walls;
• a guide and handling system arranged to sequentially move the supporting frames throughout the plant;
• a casting station whereat not liquid bitumen is sequentilly cast in at least one metal mold being carried on a supporting frame;
• a cooling station whereat supporting frames carrying molds containing liquid bitumen are stacked one on the other and bitumen cools to yield bitumen cakes;
• and
• a shake-out station comprising an extraction apparatus having adjustable retaining means arranged to act at two diagonally opposite positions on each pan or basin for holding it or them in position in a respective receptacle in its or their supporting frame, and a pusher assembly arranged to act at a controllable rate on the outside of the bottom of each said pans or basins to produce resilient deformation of both the bottom and resilient twisting or torsion of the said pans or basins and cause the said pans or basins to become detached or separated from a respective bitumen cake formed therein.