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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (2) for a mould (1) for casting an element made of a water-based material and a hydraulic binder, the mould (1) comprising at least one bottom (10), a peripheral wall (11) and an upper wall (13) open to the inside (12) of the mould (1), the device (2) comprising at least: - a tank (21) comprising a bottom wall (210) and a side wall (211) defining an interior volume (212) and an upper surface (213) open to the interior volume (212), the side wall (211) of the tank (21) comprising a bearing surface (2111) intended to come into contact with the peripheral wall (11) of the mould (1); - at least one first scraper element (22) arranged at a first end (E1) of the tank (21), the scraper element extending essentially vertically beyond the open upper surface (213) of the tank (21) and extending laterally beyond the bearing surface (2111) in an inclined manner towards a second end (E2) of the tank (21), opposite the first end (E1); the device (2) being capable of being moved along an axis passing through the first (E1) and second (E2) ends of the tank (21) while maintaining: - the bearing surface (2111) of the side wall (211) of the tank (21) in contact with the peripheral wall (11) of the mould (1); and - the first scraper element (22) in contact with the open upper wall (13) of the mould (1), in such a way that the water-based material and the hydraulic binder present on the upper wall (13) of the mould (1) are directed by the first scraper element (22) into the tank (21).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Device for cleaning a casting mold for an element made of a water-based material and hydraulic binder, and corresponding cleaning method

[0003] 1. Field of the invention

[0004] The field of the invention is that of techniques for cleaning casting molds for elements made from water-based materials and hydraulic binders such as, for example, cement, concrete, plaster, etc.

[0005] 2. Prior art

[0006] It is common to manufacture elements from water-based materials and hydraulic binders, such as concrete Lego-type blocks, by casting them in molds designed for this purpose.

[0007] When pouring concrete into these molds, it is common for concrete to splash onto the upper surface of the mold and for concrete to drip down the upper end of the mold's peripheral wall.

[0008] The manufacturing process of such concrete elements therefore includes a cleaning phase of the upper surface of the molds. Two cleaning techniques are known to implement this cleaning phase.

[0009] According to a first technique, the upper surface of the mold is cleaned after the concrete has been poured and set, by using a hammer and chisel to remove the excess concrete that has dried on the surface of the mold. The concrete waste that has fallen to the ground is then swept up and collected in order to be packed in a skip for disposal to a waste treatment area.

[0010] This technique certainly allows the upper surface of the mold to be cleaned. However, it produces rubble that must be collected and removed for processing, which is time-consuming, results in a loss of raw material and thus represents a significant cost item.

[0011] According to a second technique, cleaning 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.

[0012] This technique allows for effective cleaning of the mold surface. However, it involves significant water consumption, a loss of raw material, is time-consuming, which also represents a significant cost item, and is not very environmentally friendly.

[0013] There is therefore a need to improve mold cleaning techniques, particularly to reduce execution time and to reduce losses of raw material and water.

[0014] 3. Objectives of the invention

[0015] The invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these different problems.

[0016] In particular, according to at least one embodiment, an objective of the invention is to provide a technique for cleaning casting molds for elements made of water-based material and hydraulic binder which is optimized.

[0017] In particular, the invention aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which makes it possible to efficiently clean the casting molds of elements made from a water-based material and hydraulic binder which is optimized.

[0018] 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 from a water-based material and hydraulic binder, in particular by reducing the time required for cleaning the molds used for this purpose.

[0019] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which is more ecological, in particular which makes it possible to reduce the water consumption necessary for cleaning and / or to reduce losses of raw materials.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 4. Presentation of the invention

[0022] For this, the invention proposes a device for cleaning a mold for casting an element made of a water-based material and a hydraulic binder, said mold comprising at least a bottom, a peripheral wall and an upper wall open to the interior of said mold, said device comprising at least: a reservoir comprising a bottom wall and a side wall delimiting an interior volume as well as an upper surface open to said interior volume, said side wall of said reservoir comprising a bearing surface intended to come into contact with said peripheral wall of said mold; at least one first scraper element arranged, at one 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 able to be 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 reservoir 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 and hydraulic binder-based material present on said upper wall of said mold is conveyed by said first scraper element into said reservoir.;

[0023] Thus, according to this aspect, the invention provides a tool which makes it possible to clean, by scraping, the upper and peripheral surfaces of a casting mold so as to: collect the excess raw material which is on the upper surface, which can then be subsequently used to carry out another casting rather than being discarded; to clean the upper and peripheral surfaces of a casting mold without adding water.

[0024] The invention thus makes it possible to clean a mold in an ecological 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.

[0025] The invention thus makes it possible to increase the production of the casting manufacturing of an element while reducing its impact on the environment. According to a preferred characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises a second scraper element secured to said support surface of said reservoir and intended to come into contact with said peripheral wall of said mold.

[0026] Such a second scraper element improves mold cleaning by removing excess water-based material and hydraulic binder from the peripheral wall of the mold.

[0027] According to a preferred characteristic, said side wall of said tank comprises a laterally grooved housing, along an axis orthogonal to said axis passing through said first and second ends of said tank, capable of slidingly receiving said second scraper element.

[0028] This implementation allows a second scraper element to be easily installed and removed to be replaced with another just as easily when it is damaged.

[0029] According to a preferred characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises a support for fixing said first scraper element to said tank, said fixing support being configured to hold said first scraper element integral with said tank by clamping.

[0030] This fixing technique allows a first scraper element to be attached to the tank simply but effectively.

[0031] According to a preferred characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises means for securing said fixing support to said tank in a translationally movable manner to allow adjustment of the length of said first scraper element extending laterally beyond said support surface.

[0032] This implementation makes it possible to adjust the scraping length of the first scraping element, in particular to adapt it to the width of the upper surface of the mold.

[0033] According to a preferred characteristic, said means for securing said fixing support comprise a sliding rail type system.

[0034] This makes it possible to ensure guidance of the first scraper element and effective adjustment in a robust and simple manner. According to a preferred characteristic, said first scraper element and / or said second scraper element are made of a material belonging to the group comprising: polypropylene; rubber;

[0035] - EPDM.

[0036] 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.

[0037] According to a preferred characteristic, the angle of inclination a of said first scraper element, in a horizontal plane, relative to said axis A passing through said first and second ends of said tank is between 45 and 80°.

[0038] This allows for efficient scraping and conveyance of excess water-based material and hydraulic binder into the device's reservoir. This optimizes both mold cleaning and raw material recovery.

[0039] According to a preferred characteristic, a device according to the invention comprises a grip handle.

[0040] This makes it easier for an operator to handle the device.

[0041] The invention also relates to a method of cleaning, using a device according to any one of the variants set out above, a mold for casting 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 interior of said mold.

[0042] According to the invention, such a method comprises at least: a step of applying said bearing surface of said side wall of said reservoir 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 ends of said reservoir while maintaining said bearing surface of said side wall of said reservoir in application against said peripheral wall of said mold, and said first scraper element in application against said open upper wall of said mold in such a way that the water-based and hydraulic binder-based material present on said upper wall of said mold is conveyed by said first scraper element into said reservoir.

[0043] The invention thus makes it possible to clean a mold, in particular its upper surface, in an ecological 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.

[0044] The invention thus makes it possible to increase the production of casting elements while reducing their impact on the environment.

[0045] According to a preferred characteristic, said step of applying said bearing surface of said side wall of said reservoir against said peripheral wall of said mold comprises a step of applying said second scraper element against said peripheral wall of said mold.

[0046] This improves the cleaning of the side surface of the mold.

[0047] 5. Description of figures

[0048] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

[0049] [Fig 1] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mold;

[0050] [Fig 2] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a cleaning device according to the invention;

[0051] [Fig 3] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view from one end of the cleaning device of Figure 2;

[0052] [Fig 4] Figure 4 illustrates another perspective view from the end and bottom of the cleaning device of Figure 2;

[0053] [Fig 5] Figure 5 illustrates another perspective view from another end and top of the cleaning device of Figure 2;

[0054] [Fig 6] Figure 6 illustrates another perspective view from the other end and below the cleaning device of Figure 2;

[0055] [Fig 7] Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the cleaning device of Figure 2;

[0056] [Fig 8] Figure 8 illustrates a section along axis AA of the cleaning device of Figure 7;

[0057] [Fig 9] Figure 9 illustrates a side view of the cleaning device of Figure 2; [Fig 10] Figure 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method according to the invention.

[0058] 6. Description of particular embodiments

[0059] 6.1. Example of a cleaning tool

[0060] An example of a cleaning device according to the invention for a casting mold for an element made of a water-based material and hydraulic binder is presented in relation to Figures 1 to 9.

[0061] Such a cleaning device allows the cleaning of a mold such as that shown in Figure 1.

[0062] Such a mold 1 comprises at least a bottom 10 and a peripheral wall 11 together defining an interior volume 12. The mold 1 also comprises an upper wall 13 open onto the interior 12 of the mold 1.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral wall 11 comprises four sides 11 1. In variants, it could comprise more or less than four sides or form a curved surface closed on itself, for example a cylindrical wall, or with an ovoid section, or even a surface formed of curved portions and juxtaposed flat portions...

[0064] Such a mold 1 can, for example, allow the manufacture of “Lego®” type concrete modules commonly used in particular in urban planning.

[0065] The cleaning device 2 comprises a reservoir 21.

[0066] This tank 21 comprises a bottom wall 210 and a side wall 211 together delimiting an interior volume 212. The tank 21 also comprises an open upper surface 213 on the interior volume 212. The side wall 211 of the tank 21 comprises a support surface 2111 intended to come into contact with the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1.

[0067] The cleaning device 2 also comprises a first scraper element 22.

[0068] This first scraper element 22 is arranged at a first end E1 of the reservoir 21. The first scraper element 22 extends laterally beyond the bearing surface 2111 in an inclined manner towards a second end E2 of the reservoir 21, opposite the first end E1 of the reservoir 21, over a distance for example preferably between 50 and 150 millimeters. The first scraper element also extends essentially vertically (when the bottom 210 extends essentially horizontally) beyond the open upper surface 213 of the reservoir 21 on one side and / or the other thereof. It preferably projects from the open upper surface 213 towards the bottom 210, over a distance preferably between 5 and 120 millimeters.

[0069] The angle of inclination a of the first scraper element 22, in a horizontal plane, relative to the transverse axis A passing through the ends E1 and E2, is for example preferably between 45 and 80° and is preferably equal to 66°.

[0070] As will become more clear later on reading the description of a method for cleaning a mold 1 by means of 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 reservoir 21 pressed against the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1, and the first scraper element 22 pressed against the open upper wall 13 of the mold 1, in such a way that the water-based and hydraulic binder-based material present on the upper wall 13 of the mold 1 is conveyed by the first scraper element 22 into the reservoir 21.

[0071] In this embodiment, the cleaning device 2 comprises a second scraper element 23.

[0072] This second scraper element 23 is secured to the bearing surface 21 11 of the side wall 211 of the reservoir 21. It is intended to come into contact with the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1.

[0073] 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 at the level of the upper end of the second scraper element 23. In variants, the upper surface of the second scraper element 23 could however extend essentially at the level of the open upper surface 213 of the reservoir 21. In this case, the first scraper element 22 may not project 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.

[0074] 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;

[0075] - EPDM.

[0076] The first scraper element 22 and / or the second scraper element 23 have a hardness preferably greater than or equal to 20 Shore A.

[0077] In a particular embodiment, the second scraper element 23 will be made of EPDM foam with a hardness of 45 Shore A.

[0078] The side wall 211 of the reservoir 21 comprises a laterally grooved housing 2112. This housing comprises two grooves 2113 arranged on two opposite sides, along an axis orthogonal to the axis A passing through the first E1 and second E2 ends of the reservoir 21. This housing 2112 is capable of slidingly receiving the second scraper element 23. 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 in such a way that the second scraper element 23 projects towards the outside of the reservoir 21 beyond the grooves 2113 over a distance preferably between 1 and 2 millimeters and preferably equal to 1.5 millimeters.The second scraper element 23 preferably has an essentially parallelepiped shape and its elasticity allows it to project towards the outside of the tank 21 beyond the grooves 2113. The cleaning device comprises a fixing support 24 for the first scraper element 22. This fixing support 24 is configured to hold the first scraper element.

[0079] 22 attached to the tank 21.

[0080] More specifically, the fixing support 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 between the receiving surface 2411 and the plate 242 the first scraper element 22 which is thus clamped and held in place. The support plate 242 can be secured to the support element 241 by means of screws or by clipping or any other suitable means. Preferably, the lower end of the support plate 242 extends at the level of the upper surface 213 of the tank 21.

[0081] The cleaning device 2 comprises means for securing the fixing support 24 to the tank 21 in a translationally movable manner to allow the length of the first scraper element 22 extending laterally beyond the support surface 2111 to be adjusted.

[0082] In this embodiment, to allow such adjustment, the means for securing the fixing support 24 comprise a rail / slider type system.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, the rail 25 is secured to the tank 2 and the slider 26 is secured to the fixing support 24. In a variant, this positioning could be reversed.

[0084] The fixing bracket 24 is preferably held in position on the tank 21 by means of screws. Alternatively, it could be done by clipping or any other suitable means.

[0085] The cleaning device 2 comprises a gripping handle 27. This handle 27 extends from one of the distal ends E1, E2 of the reservoir 21. In this example, it extends from the first end E1 but 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. The handle 27 extends from the end E1, E2 of the reservoir 21 to which it is secured in a direction opposite to the opposite end E1, E2.It forms in a plane parallel to the bottom 210 of the reservoir 21 an angle P with the axis A passing through the first E1 and second E2 ends of the reservoir 21 while being inclined in a direction substantially opposite to that in which the first scraper element 22 extends. The angle P is preferably between 50 and 80° for example and preferably equal to 66°.

[0086] The constituent parts of the cleaning device, and in particular the reservoir, the handle and the fixing support, are preferably made of plastic. They could alternatively be made, in whole or in part, of metal or any other suitable material. The reservoir and the handle preferably form a single-piece assembly but could be separate parts assembled together.

[0087] Reinforcing strips 28 optionally form a projection, below the second scraper element 23, on the surface of the bearing surface 211 1 of the side wall 211 of the tank 21.

[0088] 6.2. Example of a cleaning process

[0089] A cleaning device according to the invention, such as that which has just been described, can be used to implement a method of cleaning a mold such as that illustrated in Figure 1.

[0090] Cleaning a mold naturally follows the casting of an element inside the mold. This casting consists of filling the mold with a hydraulic binder-based material, such as concrete, possibly vibrating the mold and smoothing the concrete on its surface, then allowing the material to set before removing the cast element from the mold.

[0091] Before the concrete sets in the mold, the cleaning method 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.

[0092] For this purpose, such a cleaning method comprises, with reference to FIG. 10, at least: a step 30 of applying the bearing surface 2111 of the side wall 211 of the reservoir 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 E1 and second E2 ends of the reservoir 21 while maintaining the bearing surface 2111 of the side wall 211 of the reservoir 21 in contact with the peripheral wall 11 of the mold 1, and the first scraper element 21 in contact with the open upper wall 13 of the mold 1 in such a way that the water-based and hydraulic binder-based material present on the upper wall 13 of the mold 1 is conveyed by the first scraper element 22 into the reservoir 21.

[0093] When the cleaning device 2 comprises 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.

[0094] Steps 30 and 31 can of course be implemented simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. They are implemented manually by an operator who manipulates the cleaning device 2 via the handle 27.

[0095] Step 32 makes it possible to scrape the upper surface 13 of the mold 1 by means of the first scraper element 22 and to cause the raw material which is on the upper surface 13 of the mold 1 to flow into the reservoir 21 of the cleaning device. This operation makes it possible not only to recover the raw material which was on the upper surface 13 of the mold 1 but also to clean this surface to leave it free of raw material.

[0096] 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 thus also makes it possible to clean this upper peripheral part of the mold 1 onto which, during the casting operation, raw material tends to flow from the upper surface 13 of the mold 1. This cleaning according to the invention is therefore carried out by simple scraping, without adding water, and in a particularly rapid manner compared to the techniques of the prior art.

[0097] 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 the recovery of excess raw material which can subsequently be used to carry out another casting rather than being discarded. The technique according to the invention thus makes it possible to increase productivity because the time saved on cleaning the mold generates additional time to use the mold to carry out other castings.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Cleaning device (2) for a mold (1) for casting an element made of a water-based material and a 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 reservoir (21) comprising a bottom wall (210) and a side wall (211) delimiting an interior volume (212) as well as an upper surface (213) open to said interior volume (212), said side wall (211) of said reservoir (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 (E1) 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 (E1);said device (2) being able to be moved along an axis passing through said first (E1) 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), characterized in that said device comprises a second scraper element (23) secured to said bearing surface (2111) of said reservoir (21) and intended to come into contact with said peripheral wall (11) of said mold (1).; 2. Device according to claim 1 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 (E1) and second (E2) ends of said reservoir (21), capable of slidingly receiving said second scraper element (23).

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 comprising a fixing support (24) for said first scraper element (22) to said tank (21), said fixing support (24) being configured to hold said first scraper element (22) integral with said tank (21) by clamping.

4. Device according to claim 3 comprising means for securing said fixing support (24) to said reservoir (21) in a translationally movable manner to allow adjustment of the length of said first scraper element (22) extending laterally beyond said bearing surface (2111).

5. Device according to claim 4 wherein said means for securing said fixing support (24) comprise a sliding rail type system.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 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.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said first scraper element (22) and / or said second scraper element (23) have a hardness greater than or equal to 20 Shore A.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 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 (E1) and second (E2) ends of said reservoir (21) is between 45 and 80°.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising a gripping handle (27).

10. A method of cleaning, using a device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, 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 (E1) 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).; 11. Method according to claim 10, wherein said step (32) of applying said bearing surface (21 11 ) of said side wall (211 ) of said reservoir (21 ) against said peripheral wall (1 1 ) 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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