Concrete reclamation system and method for utilizing same
AssigneeResource Recovery Systems, Inc.
InventorRichard D. DeBoer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for reclaiming unused portions of mixed concrete by adding a chemical agent to retard the hydration state of the concrete for up to several days. When the stored concrete is again desired for use, a chemical accelerating agent is added to the mixed concrete which returns the hydration state to normal, once again allowing the concrete to set. The concrete can then be poured at a construction site or alternatively, the stored concrete can be added to a new batch of newly mixed concrete before pouring.
Claims21
A system for reclaiming unused portions of mixed concrete comprising:
- a) unloading means for discharging the unused portions of concrete from a movable container;
- b) a material handling bucket for receiving the unused portions of concrete from said unloading means;
- c) means for elevating and lowering said material handling bucket;
- d) means for automatically tilting said material handling bucket and for pouring the concrete contained by said material handling bucket to a desired location;
- e) means for adding a chemical agent to said unused concrete to change the hydration state of the concrete;
- f) at least one storage mixer for receiving the unused concrete from said material handling bucket and for storing the unused concrete, said mixer being capable of revolving;
- g) means for revolving said mixer and causing said chemical agent to homogeneously mix with the concrete in said at least one storage mixer;
- and
- h) means for discharging the concrete from said storage mixer into said material handling bucket and for loading the concrete into a desired receptacle.
A method for storing and reclaiming unused portions of concrete comprising:
- a) discharging the unused portions of concrete from a container into a material handling bucket when said material handling bucket is in an upright position;
- b) adding a chemical agent to the concrete to change the hydration state of the concrete;
- c) elevating said material handling bucket to a predetermined level;
- d) automatically tilting said material handling bucket and discharging the concrete contained in said material handling bucket into at least one storage mixer which is capable of revolving;
- e) revolving said storage mixer so that said chemical agent is homogeneously dispersed throughout the concrete in said storage mixer;
- f) storing the unused portions of the concrete in said storage mixer for a predetermined length of time;
- g) adding a chemical agent to the concrete to accelerate the hydration state of the concrete;
- h) revolving said concrete so that said accelerating agent is homogeneously dispersed throughout the concrete in said storage mixer;
- and
- i) utilizing said accelerated hydration state concrete as a normal batch of concrete.
A material handling bucket for use in a system for reclaiming unused portions of mixed concrete comprising:
- a) two spout walls defined by two opposing walls including a spout extending outwardly from each of said spout walls;
- b) two additional opposing walls defining connection walls providing a central connection point on said connection walls for connecting hydraulic arms to said central connection point;
- c) at least two sloping trough walls being substantially shorter than said spout walls, said trough walls being attached to said connection walls, one of said spout walls and one of said trough walls defining a first trough and the other of said spout walls and the other of said trough walls defining a second trough, each of the connection walls closing off each end of said first and second troughs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.