Apparatus for package molding, roofing asphalt

Claim 2

In packaging apparatus, the improvement comprising an elongated trough extending between charging and discharging stations adapted to contain water, a boatlike mold disposed in said trough and adapted to float on water in the trough for movement between the stations, means at said charging station for depositing a quantity of the material to be packaged into the mold when the latter is at the charging station, and means for moving the mold along the trough to the discharging station.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1, wherein said means for moving the mold comprises means for moving water in the trough from the charging to the discharging station.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2, wherein the means for moving the water includes means for receiving water from the trough adjacent the discharge station and for delivering water so received to the trough adjacent the charging station.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 2, wherein said means for moving the water includes means for receiving water from the trough adjacent the discharge station, and means inclusive of a pump for delivering water so received into the trough adjacent the charging end.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 4, including a second elongated trough having first and second portions that are respectively relating closer to the discharge and charging stations of the first mentioned trough, said second trough being sloped downwardly from the first to the second portion thereof whereby water therein will flow from the first to the second portion thereof, said first portion of the second trough being disposed at a height less than that of the first mentioned trough at the discharge station of the latter, means for overflowing water in the first mentioned trough that is above a predetermined depth at the discharge station into the first portion of the second trough, and with said pump being disposed to receive water from the second portion of the second trough in an arrangement such that the mold can be removed from the first mentioned trough at the discharge station, and placed in the first portion of the second trough for water urged movement in the second trough to a position in the second portion of the latter in closer proximity to the charging station.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 5, including a conveyor for moving a mold from adjacent said position to a second position in relatively closer proximity to the charging station.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 3, wherein said means for receiving and delivering water includes means for cooling the water prior to delivery thereof.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 3, including a water storage tank disposed at a height greater than the charging station, whereby water can be delivered by gravity flow from the tank into the trough adjacent the charging station of the latter, and a pump for pumping received water into the tank.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 3, wherein received water is placed in direct heat exchange relation with the atmosphere for cooling thereof prior to delivery into the trough.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 3, wherein received water is placed in indirect heat exchange relation with the atmosphere for cooling thereof prior to delivery into the trough.

Claim 12

Asphalt packaging apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated and generally parallel troughs disposed in a generally rectangular array with each trough having one end at one end of the array and its other end at the other end of the array, means for introducing water into each of the troughs at its said one end, means for removing water from the other ends of the troughs, a plurality of boatlike molds adapted to float in said trougHs in heat exchange relation with water therein and to be moved by water movement therein from the one end to the other end of each trough, and means for pouring a quantity of hot asphalt into said molds when floating at said one end of each of said troughs.

Claim 13

Asphalt packaging apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated and generally parallel troughs disposed in a generally rectangular array with each trough having one end at one end of the array and its other end at the other end of the array, means for introducing water into each of the troughs at its said one end, means for removing water from the other ends of the troughs, a plurality of boatlike molds adapted to float in said trougHs in heat exchange relation with water therein and to be moved by water movement therein from the one end to the other end of each trough, and means for pouring a quantity of hot asphalt into said molds when floating at said one end of each of said troughs.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 11, wherein the means for pouring includes an asphalt dispensing manifold extending along said one end of the rectangular array, means for maintaining contents of the dispensing manifold at an elevated temperature suitable for dispensing asphalt therefrom, said asphalt dispensing manifold having a valved outlet above each of the troughs adjacent said one end of the troughs.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 11, wherein the means for introducing water includes a common water supply and each of said troughs having individually associated therewith a valve controlled means that is coupled to a water supply.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 11, including an endless conveyor means adjacent to and parallel to said one end of the rectangular array for moving molds from adjacent a corner of said array along a travel path adjacent said one end of all the troughs.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 14, including an endless conveyor adjacent to and parallel to the other end of the rectangular array for moving packaged asphalt from adjacent said other ends of all the troughs toward a single cargo handling location.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 11, wherein the means for introducing water and the means for removing water are operatively associated by means for returning removed water to the water introducing means, whereby water is recirculated through the troughs.

Claim 19

The combination of claim 16, wherein the means for returning water includes means for cooling the water.

Claim 20

The combination of claim 16, wherein the means for returning water includes an elongated generally L-shaped water return trough having first and second legs, said first leg paralleling and being disposed adjacent said other end of the array, and said second leg extending along a side of the array to a position adjacent said one end of the array, said water removing means including said troughs and the first leg of the return trough being arranged for the gravitational overflow of the former into the latter, and said return trough having its legs sloped so that water therein flows to said position, whereby empty molds can be placed in the first leg of the return trough for water urged movement in said return trough to said position.

Claim 21

The combination of claim 18, including a conveyor means parallel to and adjacent said one end of the array for moving molds from adjacent said position along a path adjacent all said one end of the troughs.

Claim 22

The combination of claim 19, including a water supply vessel in heat exchange relation with ambient atmosphere, and means for moving water from the return trough to said vessel.