Surfacing device

A method for using a surfacing device to make substantially plane the top surface of a viscous material contained in a receptacle having a bottom wall and a cylindrical vertical side wall whose top edge defines a circular opening, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device comprising:
• a moving assembly designed to be placed in an operating position relative to said receptacle in which position said assembly is above said opening, said assembly having a subassembly comprising a vertical shaft that is aligned with a center of said circular opening when said assembly is in said operating position, and a rule connected to the bottom portion of said shaft, the rule being of length substantially equal to the radius of said opening and having a bottom surface presenting a horizontal longitudinal portion for smoothing the top surface of the viscous material;
• first motor means and a first guide system enabling vertical translation movement to be imparted to said assembly relative to said receptacle;
• and
• variable-speed, second motor means and a second guide system enabling rotary movement to be imparted to said moving subassembly, the top portion of said shaft being secured to said second motor means and, in operation when said second motor means are activated;
• providing, in said receptacle, said viscous material and at least one box containing contaminated waste for subsequent long-duration storage thereof;
• retaining said receptacle on a vibrating table which vibrates with vertical acceleration;
• positioning said device in such a manner as to place said assembly in its operating position over the opening of said receptacle, the shaft aligning with the center of said circular opening, the rule being above a radius of said opening;
• performing a first stage during which said first motor means are activated to lower said assembly;
• and
• performing a second stage during which said second motor means are activated to set said rule into rotation, during which said vibrating table is vibrated to cast said viscous material into said receptacle and during which said first motor means are activated to cause said assembly to rise.

A surfacing device for making substantially plane the top surface of a viscous material contained in a receptacle having a bottom wall and a cylindrical vertical side wall whose top edge defines a circular opening, the device comprising:

• a moving assembly designed to be placed in an operating position relative to said receptacle in which position said assembly is above said opening, said assembly having a subassembly comprising a vertical shaft that is aligned with a center of said circular opening when said assembly is in said operating position, and a rule connected to the bottom portion of said shaft, the rule being of length substantially equal to the radius of said opening and having a bottom surface presenting a horizontal longitudinal portion for smoothing the top surface of the viscous material, said bottom surface of the rule having a sloping portion that rises from the horizontal portion towards a side wall of the rule that forms a front wall during rotation of said rule, the front edge of the sloping portion forming a line that rises from the radially inner end towards the radially outer end of said rule;
• first motor means and a first guide system enabling vertical translation movement to be imparted to said assembly relative to said receptacle;
• and
• variable-speed, second motor means and a second guide system enabling rotary movement to be imparted to said moving subassembly, the top portion of said shaft being secured to said second motor means and, in operation when said second motor means are activated, said rule penetrating through said opening into said viscous material during a first stage in which the first motor means are activated to lower said assembly, said rule being set into rotation during a second stage during which the first motor means are activated to cause said assembly to rise.