Apparatus and method for loading concrete components in a mixing truck
First Claim
1. An apparatus for charging constituent components of concrete into a mixing vessel, the apparatus comprising:
- a discharge hopper having an outlet;
a substantially vertically-disposed cement discharge pipe substantially centered within the discharge hopper;
a water inlet in the discharge hopper; and
an aggregate feeding mechanism having an outlet above the discharge hopper.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an apparatus used for loading concrete components through a loading hopper of a mixing truck. It comprises a substantially vertically-disposed cement discharge pipe substantially centered within the discharge hopper. A water inlet is also provided in the discharge hopper. An aggregate feeding mechanism having an outlet above the discharge hopper allows providing aggregates to the mixture. This apparatus is less vulnerable to congestion since cement falls directly into the mixing truck and is encapsulated in the other concrete components. It also provides less and possibly no airborne dust particles because of encapsulation. Overall, the apparatus and the corresponding method provide an increase in flow and discharge of concrete components, thereby allowing faster loading of mixing trucks.
62 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for charging constituent components of concrete into a mixing vessel, the apparatus comprising:
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a discharge hopper having an outlet;
a substantially vertically-disposed cement discharge pipe substantially centered within the discharge hopper;
a water inlet in the discharge hopper; and
an aggregate feeding mechanism having an outlet above the discharge hopper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of charging constituent components of concrete through a loading hopper into a mixing vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
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supplying water and aggregate to a discharge hopper having an outlet aligned with an inlet to a mixing vessel discharging cement powder through a substantially vertically-disposed cement discharge pipe substantially centered within the discharge hopper whereby aggregates, water and cement are discharged from the outlet of the discharge hopper to the mixing vessel. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification