device for cleaning a mold for casting an element made of a water-based material and hydraulic binder, and corresponding cleaning method

Abstract

The invention relates to a casting mold device for an element made of a water-based material and hydraulic binder, said mold comprising at least a bottom, a peripheral wall and an upper wall open to the inside of said mold, said device comprising at least: a reservoir comprising a bottom wall and a side wall delimiting an internal volume as well as an upper surface open to said internal volume, said side wall of said reservoir comprising a bearing surface intended to be applied against said peripheral wall of said mold; at least a first scraper element disposed, at a first end of said reservoir, extending essentially vertically beyond said open upper surface of said reservoir and extending laterally beyond said bearing surface in an inclined manner towards a second end of said reservoir opposite said first end;said device being capable of being moved along an axis passing through said first and second ends of said tank while maintaining: said bearing surface of said side wall of said tank in contact with said peripheral wall of said mold, and said first scraper element in contact with said open upper wall of said mold in such a way that the water-based material and hydraulic binder present on said upper wall of said mold is conveyed by said first scraper element into said tank.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for cleaning a mold for casting an element made of a water-based material and hydraulic binder, and corresponding cleaning method 1. Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of techniques for cleaning molds for casting elements made of water-based materials and hydraulic binders such as cement, concrete, plaster, etc. 2. Prior art

[0002] It is common to manufacture elements from water-based material and hydraulic binder, such as concrete Lego-type blocks, by casting them in molds designed for this purpose.

[0003] During the pouring of concrete into these molds, it is common for concrete to be projected onto the upper surface of the mold and for concrete to drip down the upper end of the peripheral wall of the mold.

[0004] The manufacturing process for such concrete elements therefore includes a phase of cleaning the upper surface of the molds. Two cleaning techniques are known for implementing this cleaning phase.

[0005] According to a first technique, the upper surface of the mold is cleaned, after the concrete has been poured and set, by removing the excess concrete that has dried on the surface of the mold using a hammer and chisel. The concrete debris that has fallen to the ground is then swept up and collected for placement in a skip for removal to a waste treatment area.

[0006] This technique does indeed allow the upper surface of the mold to be cleaned. However, it generates rubble that must be collected and disposed of for processing, which is time-consuming, results in a loss of raw material and thus represents a significant cost item.

[0007] According to a second technique, the cleaning of the upper surface of the mold consists, after pouring the concrete and before it sets, of sweeping the surface of the mold with water and a brush.

[0008] This technique allows for effective cleaning of the mold surface. However, it involves significant water consumption, a loss of raw material, and is time-consuming, which also represents a significant cost item, and is not very environmentally friendly.

[0009] There is therefore a need to improve mold cleaning techniques, in particular to reduce execution time and to reduce losses of raw material and water. 3. Objectives of the invention

[0010] The invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these different problems.

[0011] In particular, according to at least one embodiment, an objective of the invention is to provide an optimized technique for cleaning molds for casting elements made of water-based material and hydraulic binder.

[0012] In particular, the invention aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which makes it possible to carry out efficiently the cleaning of casting molds of elements made of water-based material and hydraulic binder which is optimized.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which contributes to improving the productivity of the manufacturing by casting of elements made of water-based material and hydraulic binder, in particular by reducing the time required to clean the molds used for this purpose.

[0014] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which is more environmentally friendly, in particular which makes it possible to reduce the consumption of water required for cleaning and / or to reduce the losses of raw materials.

[0015] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which is reliable and / or simple to implement and / or robust and / or economical. 4. Presentation of the invention

[0016] To this end, the invention proposes a device for cleaning a casting mold for an element made of a water-based material and hydraulic binder, said mold comprising at least a bottom, a peripheral wall and an upper wall open to the inside of said mold,

[0017] said device comprising at least: - a tank comprising a bottom wall and a side wall delimiting an internal volume and an upper surface open onto said internal volume, said side wall of said tank comprising a support surface intended to be applied against said peripheral wall of said mold; - at least one first scraper element disposed at one end of said tank, extending essentially vertically beyond said surface open upper end of said tank and extending laterally beyond said support surface inclined in the direction of a second end of said tank opposite said first end;

[0018] said device being capable of being moved along an axis passing through said first and second ends of said reservoir while maintaining: - said bearing surface of said side wall of said tank applied against said peripheral wall of said mold, and - said first scraper element applied against said open upper wall of said mold

[0019] in such a way that the water-based material and hydraulic binder present on said upper wall of said mold is conveyed by said first scraper element into said reservoir.

[0020] Thus, according to this aspect, the invention provides a tool that allows the upper and peripheral surfaces of a casting mold to be cleaned by scraping in such a way as to: - to collect the excess raw material that is on the upper surface, which can then be used later to make another casting rather than being thrown away; - to clean the upper and peripheral surfaces of a casting mold without adding water.

[0021] The invention thus makes it possible to clean a mold in an environmentally friendly and rapid manner and thus increase productivity, the time not used to clean a mold can be used to use the mold to cast an element to be manufactured.

[0022] The invention thus makes it possible to increase the production of the manufacturing by casting of elements while reducing its impact on the environment.

[0023] According to a preferred feature, a device according to the invention comprises a second scraper element attached to said support surface of said reservoir and intended to come into contact with said peripheral wall of said mold.

[0024] Such a second scraper element makes it possible to improve the cleaning of the mold by allowing the removal of excess water-based material and hydraulic binder from the peripheral wall of the mold.

[0025] According to a preferred feature, said side wall of said tank includes a laterally grooved housing, along an axis orthogonal to said axis passing through said first and second end of said tank, suitable for receiving said second scraper element in sliding motion.

[0026] This implementation makes it possible to easily put in place a second scraper element and to remove it to replace it with another just as easily when it is damaged.

[0027] According to a preferred feature, a device according to the invention includes a fixing support for said first scraper element for said tank, said fixing support being configured to hold said first scraper element securely in said tank by clamping.

[0028] This fastening technique makes it possible to attach a first scraper element to the reservoir simply but effectively.

[0029] According to a preferred feature, a device according to the invention includes means for securing said support for fixing said tank in a movable translational manner to allow adjustment of the length of said first scraper element extending laterally beyond said support surface.

[0030] This implementation allows the scraping length of the first scraping element to be adjusted, in particular to adapt it to the width of the upper surface of the mold.

[0031] According to a preferred feature, said means for securing said fixing support comprise a sliding rail type system.

[0032] This ensures guidance of the first scraper element and efficient adjustment in a robust and simple manner.

[0033] According to a preferred feature, said first scraper element and / or said second scraper element are made of a material belonging to the group comprising: - polypropylene; - rubber ; EPDM.

[0034] According to a preferred characteristic, said first scraper element and / or said second scraper element have a hardness greater than or equal to 20 Shore A.

[0035] According to a preferred feature, the angle of inclination a of said first scraper element, in a horizontal plane, with respect to said axis A passing through said first and second ends of said reservoir is between 45 and 80°.

[0036] This allows for efficient scraping and effective conveying of excess water-based material and hydraulic binder into the device's reservoir. Thus, both mold cleaning and raw material recovery are optimized.

[0037] According to a preferred feature, a device according to the invention includes a gripping handle.

[0038] This facilitates the handling of the device by an operator.

[0039] The invention also relates to a method of cleaning, using a device according to any of the variants described above, a mold for casting an element made of a material based on water and hydraulic binder, said mold comprising at least a bottom, a peripheral wall and an upper wall open to the inside of said mold.

[0040] According to the invention, such a method comprises at least: - a step of applying said support surface of said side wall of said tank against said peripheral wall of said mold; - a step of applying said first scraper element against said open upper wall of said mold; - a step of moving said device along an axis passing through said first and second end of said tank while keeping said bearing surface of said side wall of said tank pressed against said peripheral wall of said mold, and said first scraper element pressed against said open upper wall of said mold in such a way that the water-based material and hydraulic binder present on said upper wall of said mold is conveyed by said first scraper element into said tank.

[0041] The invention thus makes it possible to clean a mold, in particular its upper surface, in an environmentally friendly and rapid manner and thus to increase productivity, the time not used to clean a mold being able to be used to use the mold to cast an element to be manufactured.

[0042] The invention thus makes it possible to increase the production of the manufacturing by casting of elements while reducing its impact on the environment.

[0043] According to a preferred feature, said step of applying said bearing surface of said side wall of said tank against said peripheral wall of said mold includes a step of applying said second scraper element against said peripheral wall of said mold.

[0044] This improves the cleaning of the lateral surface of the mold. 5. Description of the figures

[0045] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0046] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] illustrates a perspective view of a mold;

[0047] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates an exploded view of a cleaning device according to the invention;

[0048] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates a perspective view from one end of the device cleaning of the [Fig.2];

[0049] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates another perspective view from the end and the underside of the cleaning device of the [Fig.2];

[0050] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] illustrates another perspective view from another end and the above the cleaning device of the [Fig.2];

[0051] [Fig. 6] [Fig. 6] illustrates another perspective view from the other end and the below the cleaning device of the [Fig.2];

[0052] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates a top view of the cleaning device of [Fig.2];

[0053] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates a section along axis AA of the cleaning device of the [Fig.7];

[0054] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates a side view of the cleaning device of [Fig.2];

[0055] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] illustrates a flowchart of a process according to the invention.

[0056] 6. Description of particular embodiments 6.1. Example of a cleaning tool

[0057] An example of a cleaning device, according to the invention, for a casting mold of an element made of water-based material and hydraulic binder is presented in relation to figures 1 to 9.

[0058] Such a cleaning device allows the cleaning of a mold such as that shown in [Fig.1].

[0059] Such a mold 1 comprises at least a bottom 10 and a peripheral wall 11 together defining an internal volume 12. The mold 1 also comprises an upper wall 13 open to the interior 12 of the mold 1.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral wall 11 comprises four sides 111. In variations, it could comprise more or less than four sides or form a curved surface closed upon itself, for example a cylindrical wall, or one with an ovoid cross-section, or even a surface formed of juxtaposed curved and flat portions...

[0061] Such a mold 1 can for example allow the manufacture of “Lego®” type modules in concrete commonly used in particular in urban development.

[0062] The cleaning device 2 includes a reservoir 21.

[0063] This tank 21 comprises a bottom wall 210 and a side wall 211 delimiting together an internal volume 212. The tank 21 also includes an open upper surface 213 on the internal volume 212. The side wall 211 of the tank 21 includes a bearing surface 2111 intended to come into contact with the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1.

[0064] The cleaning device 2 also includes a first scraper element 22.

[0065] This first scraper element 22 is disposed at a first end El of the tank 21. The first scraper element 22 extends laterally beyond the support surface 2111 at an angle towards a second end E2 of the tank 21, opposite the first end El of the tank 21, over a distance, for example, preferably between 50 and 150 millimeters. The first scraper element also extends essentially vertically (where the bottom 210 extends essentially horizontally) beyond the open upper surface 213 of the tank 21 on one side and / or the other of it. It preferably forms a projection from the open upper surface 213 towards the bottom 210, over a distance preferably between 5 and 120 millimeters.

[0066] The angle of inclination a of the first scraper element 22, in a horizontal plane, with respect to the transverse axis A passing through the ends El and E2, is for example preferably between 45 and 80° and is preferably equal to 66°.

[0067] As will become clearer later upon reading the description of a method for cleaning a mold 1 using a device 2 according to the invention, the cleaning device 2 is capable of being moved along the transverse axis A passing through the first E1 and second E2 ends of the reservoir 21 while maintaining: - the bearing surface 2111 of the side wall 211 of the tank 21 applied against the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1, and - the first scraper element 22 applied against the open upper wall 13 of the mold 1,

[0068] in such a way that the water-based material and hydraulic binder present on the upper wall 13 of the mold 1 is conveyed by the first scraper element 22 into the reservoir 21.

[0069] In this embodiment, the cleaning device 2 includes a second scraper element 23.

[0070] This second scraper element 23 is attached to the bearing surface 2111 of the side wall 211 of the tank 21. It is intended to come into contact with the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1.

[0071] Preferably, a space E is provided between the upper surface of the second scraper element 23 and the upper surface 213 of the reservoir 21. The space E is preferably between 10 and 30 millimeters and even more preferably between 14 and 21 millimeters. In this case, the first scraper element 22 projects towards the bottom 210 of the reservoir 21 until its lower end extends essentially to the level of the upper end of the second scraper element 23.

[0072] In variants, the upper surface of the second scraper element 23 could, however, extend essentially to the level of the open upper surface 213 of the reservoir 21. In this case, the first scraper element 22 may not protrude beyond the upper surface 213 towards the bottom 210 and its lower end may be located essentially at the level of the upper end of the second scraper element 23.

[0073] The first scraper element 22 and / or the second scraper element 23 are made of a material belonging to the group comprising, in particular: - polypropylene; - rubber ; EPDM.

[0074] The first scraper element 22 and / or the second scraper element 23 have a hardness preferably greater than or equal to 20 Shore A.

[0075] In a particular embodiment, the second scraper element 23 will be made of EPDM foam with a hardness of 45 Shore A.

[0076] The side wall 211 of the tank 21 includes a laterally grooved housing 2112. This housing comprises two grooves 2113 formed on two opposite sides, along an axis orthogonal to the axis A passing through the first E1 and second E2 ends of the tank 21. This housing 2112 is adapted to receive the second scraper element 23 by sliding. This second scraper element 23, which constitutes a wear part, can thus be easily replaced. Preferably, the thickness of the second scraper element 23, along a direction orthogonal to that of the grooves 2113 and to the axis A, is defined such that the second scraper element 23 projects outwards from the tank 21 beyond the grooves 2113 for a distance preferably between 1 and 2 millimeters and preferably equal to 1.5 millimeters.The second scraper element 23 preferentially has an essentially parallelepiped shape and its elasticity allows it to protrude outwards from the reservoir 21 beyond the grooves 2113. The cleaning device includes a fixing support 24 for the first scraper element 22.

[0077] This mounting support 24 is configured to hold the first scraper element 22 securely attached to the reservoir 21.

[0078] More specifically, the mounting bracket 24 comprises a support element 241, with a receiving surface 2411, and a support plate 242 designed to be secured to the support element 241 by interposing the first scraper element 22 between the receiving surface 2411 and the plate 242, thereby clamping and holding it in place. The support plate 242 can be secured to the support element 241 by means of screws, clips, or any other suitable means. Preferably, the lower end of the support plate 242 extends to the level of the upper surface 213 of the reservoir 21.

[0079] The cleaning device 2 includes means for securing the mounting support 24 to the reservoir 21 in a movable translational manner to allow adjustment of the length of the first scraper element 22 extending laterally beyond the support surface 2111.

[0080] In this embodiment, to allow such an adjustment, the means for securing the fixing support 24 include a rail / slider type system.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the rail 25 is integral with the reservoir 2 and the slide 26 is integral with the mounting support 24. In a variant, this positioning could be reversed.

[0082] The mounting bracket 24 to the tank 21 is preferably held in position by means of screws. Alternatively, it could be held by clipping or any other suitable means.

[0083] The cleaning device 2 includes a gripping handle 27. This handle 27 extends from one of the distal ends El, E2 of the reservoir 21. In this example, it extends from the first end El, but it could just as easily extend from the other end. In the first case, an operator can move the cleaning device relative to the mold by pushing the cleaning device using the handle. In the second case, an operator can move the cleaning device relative to the mold by pulling the cleaning device using the handle.

[0084] The handle 27 extends from the end El, E2 of the reservoir 21 to which it is attached in a direction opposite to the opposite end El, E2. It forms in a plane parallel to the bottom 210 of the reservoir 21 an angle [3] with the axis A passing through the first El and second E2 ends of the reservoir 21, being inclined in a direction substantially opposite to that in which the first scraper element 22 extends. The angle [3] is preferably, for example, between 50 and 80° and preferably equal to 66°.

[0085] The component parts of the cleaning device, and in particular the reservoir, the handle, and the mounting bracket, are preferably made of plastic. Alternatively, they could be made, in whole or in part, of metal or any other suitable material. The reservoir and the handle preferably form a single unit but could be separate parts assembled together.

[0086] Reinforcing strips 28 optionally protrude below the second scraper element 23 on the surface of the bearing surface 2111 of the side wall 211 of the tank 21. 6.2. Example of a cleaning process

[0087] A cleaning device according to the invention, such as the one just described, can be used to implement a mold cleaning process such as that illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0088] Cleaning a mold naturally follows the pouring of an element inside the mold. This pouring consists of filling the mold with a material based on a hydraulic binder, such as concrete, possibly vibrating the mold and smoothing the concrete on its surface, then allowing the material to set before demolding the poured element.

[0089] Before the concrete sets in the mold, the cleaning process according to the invention is implemented so as to clean the upper surface 13 of the mold and possibly also the upper contour of its peripheral wall 11.

[0090] To this end, such a cleaning process includes, with reference to [Fig. 10], at least: - a step 30 of applying the bearing surface 2111 of the side wall 211 of the tank 21 against the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1, in particular the upper end thereof; - a step 31 of applying the first scraper element 22 against the open upper wall 13 of the mold 1; - a step 32 of moving the cleaning device 10 along the axis A passing through the first El and second E2 ends of the tank 21 keeping the bearing surface 2111 of the side wall 211 of the tank 21 pressed against the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1, and the first scraper element 21 pressed against the open upper wall 13 of the mold 1 in such a way that the water-based material and hydraulic binder present on the upper wall 13 of the mold 1 is conveyed by the first scraper element 22 into the tank 21.

[0091] When the cleaning device 2 includes a second scraper element 23, step 30 consists of applying this second scraper element 23 against the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1, in particular the upper end thereof.

[0092] Steps 30 and 31 can of course be carried out simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. They are carried out manually by an operator who manipulates the cleaning device 2 via the handle 27.

[0093] Step 32 scrapes the upper surface 13 of the mold 1 using the first scraper element 22, causing the raw material on the upper surface 13 of the mold 1 to flow into the reservoir 21 of the cleaning device. This operation not only recovers the raw material from the upper surface 13 of the mold 1 but also cleans this surface, leaving it free of raw material.

[0094] When the cleaning device 2 uses a second scraper element 23, step 32 also makes it possible to scrape the upper part of the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1. This operation also makes it possible to clean this upper peripheral part of the mold 1 onto which, during the pouring operation, raw material tends to flow from the upper surface 13 of the mold 1.

[0095] This cleaning according to the invention is therefore done by simple scraping, without the addition of water, and in a particularly rapid manner compared to the techniques of the prior art.

[0096] Thus, the technique according to the invention makes it possible to quickly and efficiently clean a casting mold in an environmentally friendly manner, since it does not require the addition of water and allows for the recovery of excess raw material, which can then be used for another casting rather than being discarded. The technique according to the invention therefore increases productivity because the time saved on cleaning the mold generates additional time to use the mold for further castings.

Claims

Claims

1. Cleaning device (2) for a mold (1) for casting an element made of a water-based material and hydraulic binder, said mold (1) comprising at least a bottom (10), a peripheral wall (11) and an upper wall (13) open to the interior (12) of said mold (1), said device (2) comprising at least: - a tank (21) comprising a bottom wall (210) and a side wall (211) delimiting an interior volume (212) as well as an upper surface (213) open onto said interior volume (212), said side wall (211) of said tank (21) comprising a bearing surface (2111) intended to come into contact with said peripheral wall (11) of said mold (1); - at least one first scraper element (22) arranged, at a first end (El) of said tank (21), extending essentially vertically beyond said open upper surface (213) of said tank (21) and extending laterally beyond said bearing surface (2111) in an inclined manner towards a second end (E2) of said tank (21) opposite said first end (El); said device (2) being able to be moved along an axis passing through said first (El) and second (E2) ends of said reservoir (21) while maintaining: - said bearing surface (2111) of said side wall (211) of said reservoir (21) applied against said peripheral wall (11) of said mold (1), and - said first scraper element (22) applied against said open upper wall (13) of said mold (1) such that the water-based and hydraulic binder-based material present on said upper wall (13) of said mold (1) is conveyed by said first scraper element (22) into said reservoir (21).

2. Device according to claim 1 comprising a second scraper element (23) secured to said bearing surface (2111) of said reservoir (21) and intended to come into contact against said peripheral wall (11) of said mold (1).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said side wall (211) of said reservoir (21) comprises a laterally grooved housing (2112), along an axis orthogonal to said axis passing through said first (El) and second (E2) ends of said reservoir (21), capable of slidingly receiving said second scraper element (23).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising a fixing support (24) for said first scraper element (22) to said reservoir (21), said fixing support (24) being configured to hold said first scraper element (22) integral with said reservoir (21) by clamping.

5. Device according to claim 4 comprising means for securing said fixing support (24) to said reservoir (21) in a movable manner in translation to allow adjustment of the length of said first scraper element (22) extending laterally beyond said bearing surface (2111).

6. Device according to claim 5 wherein said means for securing said fixing support (24) comprise a sliding rail type system.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said first scraper element (22) and / or said second scraper element (23) are made of a material belonging to the group comprising: - polypropylene; - rubber; EPDM.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said first scraper element (22) and / or said second scraper element (23) have a hardness greater than or equal to 20 Shore A.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the angle of inclination a of said first scraper element (22), in a horizontal plane, relative to said axis A passing through said first (El) and second (E2) ends of said reservoir (21) is between 45 and 80°.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising a gripping handle (27).

11. Method for cleaning, using a device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a mold (1) for casting an element made of a water-based material and hydraulic binder, said mold (1) comprising at least a bottom (10), a peripheral wall (11) and an upper wall (13) open to the interior (12) of said mold (1), said method comprising at least: - a step (30) of applying said bearing surface (2111) of said side wall (211) of said reservoir (21) against said peripheral wall (11) of said mold (1); - a step (31) of applying said first scraper element (22) against said open upper wall (13) of said mold (1); - a step (32) of moving said device (2) along an axis passing through said first (El) and second (E2) ends of said reservoir (21) while maintaining said bearing surface (2111) of said side wall (211) of said reservoir (21) in contact with said peripheral wall (11) of said mold (1), and said first scraper element (22) in contact with said open upper wall (13) of said mold (1) in such a way that the water-based and hydraulic binder-based material present on said upper wall (13) of said mold (1) is conveyed by said first scraper element (22) into said reservoir (21).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step (32) of applying said bearing surface (2111) of said side wall (211) of said reservoir (21) against said peripheral wall (11) of said mold (1) comprises a step of applying said second scraper element (23) against said peripheral wall (11) of said mold (1).

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