Method of securing a thermoplastic covering to a grooved block

Claim 1

A method of continuously securing a covering of thermoplastic sheet material to a surface of individual masonry blocks each of which has a plurality of surfaces and a groove formed in the surfaces extending from the surface to be covered, said groove being formed about the exterior of said block, comprising the steps of: a. providing a series of receptacles carried on conveyor means, each receptacle having an opening and dimensions such that a space is provided between the walls of each said receptacle and the surfaces of a block, b. disposing a said block in a said receptacle with the surface to be covered and said groove of each block projecting out of said opening in the receptacle at a first station, c. continuously moving the receptacles carrying said blocks beneath means for supplying a heated thermoplastic sheet material at a second station, d. continuously draping said heated thermoplastic sheet material over a said block and opening of a said receptacle as said block and receptacle move through said second station, e. drawing a vacuum on the interior of a said receptacle at a third station which is downstream of said second station whereby portions of said heated sheet material will be pulled into contact with a said groove of a said block at said third station, f. subsequently, severing excess sheet material at a fourth station, and g. then removing each block from its associated receptacle at a fifth station.

Claim 2

A method of continuously securing a covering of thermoplastic sheet material to a surface of individual masonry blocks each of which has a plurality of surfaces and a groove formed in the surfaces extending from the surface to be covered, said groove being formed about the exterior of said block, comprising the steps of: a. providing a series of receptacles carried on conveyor means, each receptacle having an opening and dimensions such that a space is provided between the walls of each said receptacle and the surfaces of a block, b. disposing a said block in a said receptacle with the surface to be covered and said groove of each block projecting out of said opening in the receptacle at a first station, c. continuously moving the receptacles carrying said blocks beneath means for supplying a heated thermoplastic sheet material at a second station, d. continuously draping said heated thermoplastic sheet material over a said block and opening of a said receptacle as said block and receptacle move through said second station, e. drawing a vacuum on the interior of a said receptacle at a third station which is downstream of said second station whereby portions of said heated sheet material will be pulled into contact with a said groove of a said block at said third station, f. subsequently, severing excess sheet material at a fourth station, and g. then removing each block from its associated receptacle at a fifth station.