Method of preparing fibrous concrete

• US 4,023,706 A
• Filed: 07/11/1975
• Issued: 05/17/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dearlove, William E., Engelking, Frederick S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reeves, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handren, Frederick R.
• Application Number:
  US05/595,073
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 221/70, 221/71, 221/72, 221/73, 106/99, 259/164, 259/145
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 5/404 Pre-treatment of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 63/04 for folding or winding articles, e.g. gloves or stockings
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 69/00 Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/012 Discrete reinforcing elements, e.g. fibres

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of mixing fiber reinforced concrete without the formation of fiber balls therein. The method includes the steps of depositing a uniform layer of substantially individual concrete reinforcing fibers on an elongated web, coiling the web to contain the fibers, locating the coiled web in proximity to a concrete mixing device, and progressively uncoiling the web at a predetermined rate to discharge the layer of fibers therefrom into the mixer. Also disclosed is a unique package for concrete reinforcing fibers for use in connection with the above method.

Claims

1. A method of mixing fiber reinforced concrete without the formation of fiber balls therein, comprising the steps of:

a. depositing a uniform layer of randomly oriented substantially individual concrete reinforcing fibers on an elongated web;

b. coiling the web so as to contain the fibers within the convolutions of the web, the fibers being otherwise unattached to the web;

c. locating the coiled web in proximity to a concrete mixing device;

d. progressively uncoiling the web at a predetermined rate to discharge the layer of fibers therefrom to progressively deposit the fibers in said mixing device; and

e. mixing the deposited fibers with concrete ingredients in the mixer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) is accompanied by the step of recoiling the web at a location below the coiled web containing said uniform layer in a direction opposite from the coiling of the web according to step (a).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) is performed by cutting fibers above the web.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fibers are steel fibers having a length on the order of one to three inches.