Brick cleaning apparatus
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2026/057385
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-03-17
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-24
Smart Images
Figure EP2026057385_24092026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Brick cleaning apparatus
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of reusing or upcycling building materials. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning mortar from prior-used bricks.
[0003] It is well known to reuse bricks for building new structures. This has been done for many years, since bricks are a readily reusable resource. Reuse of bricks may significantly reduce the CO2 emissions related to construction. Furthermore, old bricks are generally considered aesthetically pleasing, due to the occurring variations in colour and structure. However, to reuse a brick, remaining mortar from the prior use must be removed. Commonly, this is done by hand, i.e. by hammering the brick to loosen the mortar. This works well for lime-based mortars but is difficult for cement-based mortars, often breaking the brick itself in the cleaning process. In any case, removing the mortar by hand is both tedious and slow work.
[0004] Different solutions have been proposed to automate removing mortar from bricks to allow reuse. However, these methods generally fail to work for hard cement-based mortars. This is for instance the case with the solution presented in NL 6909325A, where a brick is cleaned from above and below at the same time with two rotating cleaning means. Such a solution does not work sufficiently well for hard cement-based mortars, as sufficient pressure or grinding force cannot be achieved due to the propagation line.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to obtain a new brick cleaning apparatus, which overcomes or ameliorates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art or which provides a useful alternative.
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, this object is obtained by a brick cleaning apparatus for removing mortar from a prior-used brick. A brick to be cleaned comprises a first face to be cleaned and a second face to be cleaned, which faces to be cleaned are on opposite sides of the brick and are substantially parallel. The brick cleaning apparatus comprises an inlet section and an outlet section, wherein the inlet section is separate from the outlet section, and a cleaning section arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section. The brick cleaning apparatus further comprises a brick transporting line for propagating the brick to be cleaned from the inlet section through the cleaningsection and to the outlet section. The brick transporting line defines a longitudinal direction of the apparatus and a transverse direction perpendicular thereto. The cleaning section comprises at least a first pair of cleaning assemblies arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the brick transporting line. A first cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the first face to be cleaned, and the second cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the second face to be cleaned. Each cleaning assembly of the pair of cleaning assemblies comprises a cleaning element for removing mortar from bricks. The cleaning element is rotatable around a rotational axis, the rotational axis being arranged in a small angle with respect to a normal direction to the first or second face to be cleaned, respectively, and a drive assembly arranged to rotate the cleaning element during use of the apparatus. In this way, the apparatus enables simultaneous cleaning of two opposite sides of a brick, while the brick traverses from the inlet section to the outlet section. A brick is loaded into the apparatus at the inlet section with e.g. a front face of the brick facing the brick transporting line, to allow simultaneous access to the first and second sides to be cleaned. The brick should preferably be loaded centered on the brick transporting line. The brick is then transported through the cleaning section, such that the first cleaning element and second cleaning element simultaneously clean the two faces of the brick. With a suitable choice of cleaning elements, even hard mortar, such as cement-based mortar or similar may be conveniently removed from the brick, thus allowing reuse of the brick.
[0007] In a variant, the invention relates to a brick cleaning apparatus for removing mortar from a prior-used brick, wherein a brick to be cleaned comprises a first face to be cleaned and a second face to be cleaned, which faces to be cleaned are on opposite sides of the brick and are substantially parallel, the brick cleaning apparatus comprising:
[0008] an inlet section and an outlet section, wherein the inlet section is separate from the outlet section,
[0009] a cleaning section arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section, and
[0010] a brick transporting line for propagating the brick to be cleaned from the inlet section through the cleaning section and to the outlet section, the brick transporting line defining a longitudinal direction of the apparatus and a transverse direction perpendicular thereto, wherein
[0011] the cleaning section comprises at least a first pair of cleaning assemblies arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the brick transporting line, wherein a first cleaningassembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the first face to be cleaned, and the second cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the second face to be cleaned, and wherein each cleaning assembly of the pair of cleaning assemblies comprises:
[0012] a cleaning element for removing mortar from bricks, wherein the cleaning element is rotatable around a rotational axis, the rotational axis being arranged in a small angle with respect to a normal direction to the longitudinal direction, respectively, and
[0013] a drive assembly arranged to rotate the cleaning element during use of the apparatus.
[0014] wherein the transporting line has a transporting line surface for transporting the prior-used bricks and a plane being perpendicular to the transporting line surface and wherein the cleaning element has a substantially disc-shaped geometry with a side face and a periphery, the cleaning element being arranged such that the side face is facing towards the plane being perpendicular to the transporting line surface.
[0015] Preferably the width of the perimeter of the disc is smaller than the radius of the disc.
[0016] Preferably, the ratio between the radius of the disc and the width of the perimeter is in the range 0.002 and 0.5. More preferred is a ratio between 0.003 and 0.2 and even more preferred is a ration between 0.004 and 0.1.
[0017] Typically prior-used bricks have a common geometry and therefore it is preferable that the diameter of the disc is in the range 200 mm to 500 mm, more preferred is a range 220 mm to 460 mm.
[0018] In another variant, the invention relates to a brick cleaning apparatus for removing mortar from a prior-used brick, wherein a brick to be cleaned comprises a first face to be cleaned and a second face to be cleaned, which faces to be cleaned are on opposite sides of the brick and are substantially parallel, the brick cleaning apparatus comprising:
[0019] an inlet section and an outlet section, wherein the inlet section is separate from the outlet section,
[0020] a cleaning section arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section, anda brick transporting line for propagating the brick to be cleaned from the inlet section through the cleaning section and to the outlet section, the brick transporting line defining a longitudinal direction of the apparatus and a transverse direction perpendicular thereto, wherein
[0021] the cleaning section comprises at least a first pair of cleaning assemblies arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the brick transporting line, wherein a first cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the first face to be cleaned, and the second cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the second face to be cleaned, and wherein each cleaning assembly of the pair of cleaning assemblies comprises:
[0022] a cleaning element for removing mortar from bricks, wherein the cleaning element is rotatable around a rotational axis, the rotational axis being arranged in a small angle with respect to a normal direction to the longitudinal direction, respectively, and
[0023] a drive assembly arranged to rotate the cleaning element during use of the apparatus.
[0024] wherein the brick cleaning apparatus further comprises a brick retention assembly.
[0025] Preferably, the brick retention assembly is adapted for keeping the prior-used brick stable on the transporting line when the faces to be cleaned are arranged vertically.
[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, a dust collector is mounted near the brick transporting line to collect the dust generated by the cleaning process.
[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, a debris collector is arranged beneath the cleaning section to collect debris released by the cleaning process.
[0028] In an embodiment of the invention, the at least first pair of cleaning assemblies is arranged such that a rotational direction of the first cleaning element, as seen from the drive assembly of the first cleaning assembly, is the same as a rotational direction of the second cleaning element, as seen from the drive assembly of the second cleaning assembly. In this way, the rotation of the two cleaning elements acting on the brick substantially cancels each other out. This improves the stability of the brick during cleaning, thus allowing for an improved result.In an embodiment of the invention, the drive assembly comprises an electrical motor. The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the small angle of the rotational axis is in the range from about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees, such as about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees, or even about 1 degree. Having a small angle between the rotational axis and a normal direction to the face to be cleaned allows for an improved acceptance of bricks with uneven layers of mortar on the two faces to be cleaned. This is important for such cleaning elements as grinding or abrasive elements to not get an edge stuck to any step-like variations in the mortar layer on the bricks.
[0029] For other cleaning elements such as comprising saw blades, an angle of 0 degrees is advantageous.
[0030] In some embodiments of the invention, one or more of the cleaning assemblies of the apparatus is mounted to a frame such that the angle of a cleaning assembly may be adjusted.
[0031] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, a transverse position of each of the first and second cleaning assemblies of the at least first pair of cleaning assemblies is adjustable so as to define a cleaning depth. In this way, the apparatus may be adjusted to accommodate bricks with different dimensions. In some cases, it may also be desirable to remove only a part of the mortar in a pass by of the first pair of cleaning assemblies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning section comprises at least a second pair of cleaning assemblies arranged after the at least first pair of cleaning assemblies, in the longitudinal direction. An improved removal of mortar may be achieved by including a second pair of cleaning assemblies to the apparatus as this allows an operator a larger freedom to tailor the operating parameters of the apparatus e.g. to the particular batch of bricks to be cleaned. In some cases, the cleaning depth of the first pair of cleaning assemblies may be adjusted to remove, e.g., a first half of the mortar, while the second pair of cleaning assemblies may then be adjusted to remove the remaining mortar. In other cases, the first pair of cleaning assemblies may be set up with one kind of cleaning elements, while the other pair of cleaning assemblies may be set up with another kind of cleaning elements.In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning section comprises at least a third pair of cleaning assemblies arranged after the at least second pair of cleaning assemblies, in the longitudinal direction. In this way, an even better removal of mortar may be achieved by including a third pair of cleaning assemblies to the apparatus. For instance, the apparatus may be set up such that the first pair of cleaning elements remove approximately the first third of the mortar, the second pair remove approximately the second third of the mortar, and the third pair remove the remaining mortar.
[0033] As an example, a typical mortar joint may commonly have a thickness of about 12mm. In this case, the apparatus may for instance be set up to remove about 4mm on both sides of the brick per pass of a pair of cleaning assemblies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning element has a substantially disc-shaped geometry. In this way, a large area of contact between the cleaning element and the brick may be achieved, such that cleaning efficiency and / or speed may be increased. Also, the substantially disc-shaped geometry allows for compatibility with a large selection of different types of cleaning elements. This provides flexibility to set the apparatus up to different combinations of bricks and mortars.
[0035] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning element comprises an abrasive element. In one embodiment, the abrasive element comprises diamonds.
[0036] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning element comprises a grinding element.
[0037] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning element comprises a cutting element, such as a saw blade. In one embodiment, the cutting element comprises a diamond saw blade.
[0038] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning element comprises a brush. In this way, loose debris or dust may be removed from the brick by the brushing action. Preferably, such a cleaning element comprising a brush ismounted after abrasive / grinding / cutting cleaning elements in the cleaning section. In this way, mortar or other material loosened by the previous cleaning elements may be removed by the brush-containing element.
[0039] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning element comprises a scraper.
[0040] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the rotational axis is arranged to intersect the face to be cleaned of the brick.
[0041] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the transporting line comprises a chain drive.
[0042] In a particular embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the transporting line comprises two or more chains arranged in parallel to transport the brick from the inlet section to the outlet section. In this way, an improved positional stability of the brick may be achieved as the brick passes through the cleaning section.
[0043] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the transporting line comprises a conveyor belt.
[0044] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the cleaning section further comprises a brick retention assembly arranged opposite the brick transporting line, the brick retention assembly being arranged to hold the brick in contact with the brick transporting line resiliently as it is transported through the cleaning section. In this way, the brick is kept stable against the brick transporting line. Further, this helps counter the brick slipping on the brick transporting line.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the contact force between the brick retention assembly and the brick may be adjusted to suit the current conditions. This may for instance comprise adjusting a spring force of a spring arranged to keep the brick retention assembly in resilient contact with the brick.
[0046] In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the brick retention assembly comprises one or more rollers.In an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus according to the invention, the brick retention assembly comprises caterpillar tracks.
[0047] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for removing mortar from a prior-used brick, wherein the prior-used brick comprises a first face to be cleaned and a second face to be cleaned, which faces to be cleaned are on opposite sides of the prior-used brick and are substantially parallel, the method comprising the steps of:
[0048] positioning the prior-used brick on a transporting line with the first face to be cleaned and the second face to be cleaned extending in a vertical direction passing the prior-used brick through a cleaning section, where said cleaning section comprises at least a first pair of cleaning assemblies arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the brick transporting line, wherein a first cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the first face to be cleaned, and the second cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the second face to be cleaned, and wherein each cleaning assembly of the pair of cleaning assemblies comprises:
[0049] o a cleaning element for removing mortar from bricks, wherein the cleaning element is rotatable around a rotational axis, the rotational axis being arranged in a small angle with respect to a normal direction to a propagating direction of the transporting line, and
[0050] o a drive assembly arranged to rotate the cleaning element removing mortar from the first face to be cleaned and the second face to be cleaned simultaneously.
[0051] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of maintaining the prior-used brick on the transporting line with a retention assembly.
[0052] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the retention assembly comprises a series of freely rotatable rollers mounted to provide a bias downwards the transporting line.
[0053] The advantage of using a retention assembly is that the prior-used brick is kept in place while the cleaning elements remove the mortar, but it is kept in place in such a mannerthat the bricks are not forced through the cleaning sections as this reduces the risk of damage to the apparatus if a brick gets stuck.
[0054] Preferably, the cleaning element of each of the first cleaning assembly and the second cleaning assembly of the first pair comprises a substantially disc-shaped geometry with a side face and a periphery, the cleaning element being arranged such that the side face is arranged with a minor angle to the first face to be cleaned and the second face to be cleaned, respectively.
[0055] Preferably, the minor angle is in the range from 0 degrees to 10 degrees, such as 0.5 degrees to 5 degrees, or even 0.75 to 1.5 degree. By having such an angle, a combination of abrasion and cutting can be achieved when removing the mortar.
[0056] Preferably, the width of the perimeter of the disc is smaller than the radius of the disc.
[0057] Preferably, the ratio between the radius of the disc and the width of the perimeter is in the range 0.002 and 0.5. More preferred is a ratio between 0.003 and 0.2 and even more preferred is a ratio between 0.004 and 0.1.
[0058] Some types of hard mortars are best handled with a sawing kind of mortar removal and there the smallest ratio is desired. Other types of hard mortars are better suited for a grinding removal and there a higher ratio is desired.
[0059] Typically, prior-used bricks have a common geometry and therefore it is preferable that the diameter of the disc is in the range 200 mm to 500 mm, more preferred is a range 220 mm to 460 mm. Such a radius gives a particularly good curvature of the part of the cleaning element that is in contact with the mortar of the prior-used brick. The curvature makes is easier for removed mortar to exit the contact region.
[0060] Brief description of the drawings
[0061] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus in a top view, Figure 2a and 2c show an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus in an end view, and figure 2b shows a detailed view,Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus in a side view, Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view along the line R-R in Figure 2a,
[0062] Figure 5a shows a top view of an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus, Figure 5b is a detailed view W of Figure 5a,
[0063] Figure 6a shows a cross-sectional view along the line Il-Il in figure 5a, and
[0064] Figure 6b is a detailed cross-sectional view V of Figure 6a.
[0065] Description of the drawings
[0066] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus 1 according to the invention, here shown in a top view. The brick cleaning apparatus 1 comprises an inlet section 10, an outlet section 12, and a cleaning section 14 arranged between the inlet section 10 and the outlet section 12. In the embodiment as shown here, tables 16 are arranged next to both of the inlet section 10 and outlet section 14 for handling the bricks to be cleaned. Arrow 18 illustrates a propagation direction of the bricks during the cleaning process, from the inlet section 10 to the outlet section 12, through the cleaning section 14. In this embodiment, the cleaning section 14 is shown to comprise three pairs of cleaning assemblies 20, 30, 40. However, the inventors envision that other numbers of pairs of cleaning assemblies may also be used, such as one, two, four or more. The first pair of cleaning assemblies 20 comprises a first cleaning assembly 21 comprising a first drive assembly 22 and a first cleaning element 23. The first pair of cleaning assemblies 20 further comprises a second cleaning assembly 24, analogously comprising a second drive assembly 25 and a second cleaning element 26. Preferably, the drive assemblies comprise electrical motors to ensure a convenient power source for the apparatus, no emissions from the drive assemblies, convenient control of rotational speed, etc. In some embodiments, the drive assemblies comprise a motor control, wherein the motor control comprises a torque control adapted to stop the drive assembly if the torque on the cleaning element exceeds a preset torque limit. In this way, a risk of damaging the cleaning assembly if the cleaning element should become stuck during cleaning is significantly reduced. The embodiment shown here further comprises a second and a third pair of cleaning assemblies 30, 40, each comprising elements and components as described for the first pair of cleaning assemblies 20, wherein like numbers refer to like parts. To limit the emission of dust and debris from the cleaning process, the cleaning section 14 is covered by a lid 50. To transport bricks from the inlet section 10 to the outlet section 12, they are loaded one at a time onto a brick transporting line (not shown), such as achain or conveyor belt extending in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. The inventors have realized that there are several advantages of using brick transporting line without any external protrusions, such as dogs, fingers, uprights, etc for forcing the bricks through the cleaning section 14. Especially, this also reduces the risk of damaging the apparatus in case a brick gets stuck, as the transporting line will then just disengage from the brick and not force it further. The operator may then stop the apparatus, remove the stuck brick, and restart the apparatus. Further, loading the bricks onto such a brick transporting line is simplified as the need for aligning the individual bricks longitudinally to abut such fingers, e.g., is alleviated. In some cases this results in an increased capacity as bricks may be spaced closer together without the requirement of aligning each brick to individual slots on the transporting line. To keep bricks engaged in contact with the brick transporting line during cleaning, it is advantageous to arrange a brick retention assembly opposing the bricks, to hold the brick in contact with the brick cleaning line resiliently in the vertical direction. This will be discussed in further detail below in connection with Figure 4
[0067] Figure 2a shows the embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus 1 from Figure 1 in an end view. Specifically, the brick cleaning apparatus 1 is seen from the outlet section 12 end in. Cleaning assemblies 41 and 44 of the third pair of cleaning assemblies 40 are seen in the figure. In the embodiment shown here, the cleaning section comprises an openable lid 50. This eases access to the inside of the cleaning section 14 for maintenance, cleaning, in case a brick gets stuck, etc. Figure 2b is a detailed view of section P in Figure 2a and shows a chain sprocket 52 for supporting the brick transporting line (not shown). The chain sprocket 52 is arranged at an end of the outlet section 12, allowing bricks to be transported all the way to the outlet section 12. Further, Figure 2b shows the cleaning elements 43, 36, 46 of the second and third pair of cleaning assemblies 30, 40. It is evident from this view that a position of the cleaning elements in the transverse direction may be adjusted by the operator, e.g. to counter the effect of wear on a cleaning element, to accommodate different dimensions of bricks, or to finetune the individual steps of the cleaning process. Figure 2c shows an end view of the brick cleaning apparatus 1 as also shown in Figures 1, 2a, and 2b, but in this Figure seen from the end of the inlet section 10. In this figure, the openable lid 50 is shown in its closed configuration, ready for cleaning. As the apparatus is view from the inlet section 10 end here, the first 21 and second 24 cleaning assemblies of the first pair of cleaning assemblies 20 are seen. This figure also shows a chain sprocket 54 arranged at the inlet section 10, i.earranged opposite to the chain sprocket 54 as seen in Figure 2b. Not shown in the figures is a brick transporting line drive, such as an electrical motor, for driving the brick transporting line.
[0068] Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus 1 from Figures 1 and 2 in side view. Specifically, the brick cleaning apparatus 1 is seen with the inlet section 10 on the right hand side of the figure, the outlet section 12 on the left hand side of the figure, and the cleaning section 14 therein between. As previously described, this embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus 1 comprises three pairs of cleaning assemblies 20, 30, 40. The chain sprockets 52 and 54 are shown here, as parts of an example of a brick transporting line comprising a chain. To help ensure a safe working environment for operators and other workers located in the vicinity of the apparatus during operation, a dust collector system may be arranged as a part of the brick cleaning apparatus 1. In this figure, dust exhaust openings 56 are arranged above each of the pairs of the cleaning assemblies 20, 30, 40. A dust extractor (not shown) as known in the art may be connected to each of these dust exhaust openings 56. Larger pieces of debris loosened by the cleaning process may typically not be removed by the suction of a dust extractor. Rather such debris may be collected by arranging one or more funnel-like debris collectors 60 underneath the cleaning assemblies 20, 30, 40. In this way, debris exiting the debris collector 60 through the openings 58 may be collected by a suitable container (not shown), such as a bucket. The inventors have realized that funnel-like debris collectors 60 having an angle of inclination of about 25 degrees to about 80 degrees, such as about 30 degrees to about 70 degrees, or even about 35 degrees to about 50 degrees are advantageous for simultaneously achieving a sufficient coverage in the longitudinal direction and at the same time ensuring that most of the debris will proceed to fall out of the opening 58.
[0069] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view along the line R-R in Figure 2a. More specifically, the figure shows a detail of the cleaning section 14, with the brick transporting line 71 towards the bottom and the lid 50 in the top. As previously described, the embodiment comprises a brick retention assembly 70 for maintaining the bricks in contact with the brick transporting line 71. Here, the brick retention assembly 70 is illustrated as comprising a series of freely rotatable rollers 72 that are mounted resiliently via a spring arrangement 74 to provide a bias downwards towards the brick transporting line 71. We note that this is just one way of achieving a brick retention assembly according to theinvention. In other embodiments, a caterpillar track may be used instead of rollers 72. Also, other ways of providing a bias towards the brick transporting line 71 is envisioned, such as a weighted arrangement, a non-spring resilient member, etc.
[0070] Figure 5a shows a top view of the embodiment of the brick cleaning apparatus 1 as also shown in figures 1-4. Particularly, this figure corresponds closely to Figure 1 to which we refer for description of the features seen. In this figure, detailed view W that is shown as figure 5b is indicated. In the detailed view, it is seen that the cleaning assemblies 41 , 44 are slightly angled with respect to the brick transporting line and longitudinal direction of the apparatus 1. This creates a slight wedge between an incoming brick and the cleaning elements 43, 46. This wedge creates an opening for better accommodating the incoming brick thus reducing a risk of the brick getting hung up on any abrupt changes in dimension due to the layers of mortar to be removed. The inventors have realized that an angle of about 0 to about 10 degrees is suitable for a wide range of used bricks, different types of cleaning elements, etc. In case the cleaning element in question is a cutting blade, such as a saw, an angle of about 0 is typically advised.
[0071] Figure 6a shows a cross-sectional view along the line Il-Il in figure 5a, and Figure 6b is a detailed cross-sectional view V of Figure 6a. In the detailed view, the first cleaning assembly 41 of the third pair is seen. However, this could in principle be any of the cleaning assemblies 21, 24, 31, 34, 41, 44 of the brick cleaning apparatus 1. It is here illustrated that a transverse position of the cleaning assembly 41 may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism 80. In this case, the adjustment mechanism 80 is illustrated by a turn wheel handle for rotating a spindle drive 82 onto which the cleaning assembly 41 is mounted. In some embodiments, each cleaning assembly may be adjusted individually. However, in this embodiment, the two cleaning assemblies of a pair are adjusted together via one turn wheel handle. By adjusting the transverse position, the cleaning assembly may be arranged to clean to a desired cleaning depth, e.g. to accommodate different dimensions of bricks, different layer thicknesses of mortar, etc.
[0072] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Modifications and variations obvious to those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the brick cleaning apparatus illustrated in the figures is shown with three pairs of cleaning assemblies, however having one, two,four or more cleaning assemblies is still considered to fall within the scope of the invention.In the following, items of the invention are explained in further details
[0073] #1 A brick cleaning apparatus for removing mortar from a prior-used brick, wherein a brick to be cleaned comprises a first face to be cleaned and a second face to be cleaned, which faces to be cleaned are on opposite sides of the brick and are substantially parallel, the brick cleaning apparatus comprising:
[0074] an inlet section and an outlet section, wherein the inlet section is separate from the outlet section,
[0075] a cleaning section arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section, and
[0076] a brick transporting line for propagating the brick to be cleaned from the inlet section through the cleaning section and to the outlet section, the brick transporting line defining a longitudinal direction of the apparatus and a transverse direction perpendicular thereto, wherein
[0077] the cleaning section comprises at least a first pair of cleaning assemblies arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the brick transporting line, wherein a first cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the first face to be cleaned, and the second cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the second face to be cleaned, and wherein each cleaning assembly of the pair of cleaning assemblies comprises:
[0078] a cleaning element for removing mortar from bricks, wherein the cleaning element is rotatable around a rotational axis, the rotational axis being arranged in a small angle with respect to a normal direction to the first or second face to be cleaned, respectively, and
[0079] a drive assembly arranged to rotate the cleaning element during use of the apparatus.
[0080] #2 The brick cleaning apparatus according to item # 1 , wherein the small angle of the rotational axis is in the range from about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees, such as about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees, or even about 1 degree.
[0081] #3 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein a transverse position of each of the first and second cleaning assemblies of the at least first pair of cleaning assemblies is adjustable so as to define a cleaning depth.#4 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning section comprises at least a second pair of cleaning assemblies arranged after the at least first pair of cleaning assemblies, in the longitudinal direction.
[0082] #5 The brick cleaning apparatus according to item 0, wherein the cleaning section comprises at least a third pair of cleaning assemblies arranged after the at least second pair of cleaning assemblies, in the longitudinal direction.
[0083] #6 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning element has a substantially disc-shaped geometry.
[0084] #7 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning element comprises an abrasive element.
[0085] #8 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning element comprises a grinding element.
[0086] #9 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning element comprises a cutting element, such as a saw blade.
[0087] #10 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning element comprises a brush.
[0088] #11 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning element comprises a scraper.
[0089] #12 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the transporting line comprises a chain drive or a conveyor belt.
[0090] #13 The brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning section further comprises a brick retention assembly arranged opposite the brick transporting line, the brick retention assembly being arranged tohold the brick in contact with the brick transporting line resiliently as it is transported through the cleaning section.
[0091] #14 The brick cleaning apparatus according to item 0, wherein the brick retention assembly comprises one or more rollers.
[0092] #15 The brick cleaning apparatus according to item 14, wherein the brick retention assembly comprises caterpillar tracks.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A brick cleaning apparatus for removing mortar from a prior-used brick, wherein a brick to be cleaned comprises a first face to be cleaned and a second face to be cleaned, which faces to be cleaned are on opposite sides of the brick and are substantially parallel, the brick cleaning apparatus comprising:an inlet section and an outlet section, wherein the inlet section is separate from the outlet section,a cleaning section arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section, anda brick transporting line for propagating the brick to be cleaned from the inlet section through the cleaning section and to the outlet section, the brick transporting line defining a longitudinal direction of the apparatus and a transverse direction perpendicular thereto, whereinthe cleaning section comprises at least a first pair of cleaning assemblies arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the brick transporting line, wherein a first cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the first face to be cleaned, and the second cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the second face to be cleaned, and wherein each cleaning assembly of the pair of cleaning assemblies comprises:a cleaning element for removing mortar from bricks, wherein the cleaning element is rotatable around a rotational axis, the rotational axis being arranged in a small angle with respect to a normal direction to the longitudinal direction, respectively, anda drive assembly arranged to rotate the cleaning element during use of the apparatus,wherein the brick cleaning apparatus further comprises a brick retention assembly.
2. A brick cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the brick retention assembly is adapted for keeping the prior-used brick stable on the transporting line when the faces to be cleaned are arranged vertically.
3. A brick cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brick retention assembly is arranged opposite the brick transporting line.
4. A brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brick retention assembly comprises a series of freely rotatable rollers that are mounted resiliently via a spring arrangement to provide a bias downwards towards the brick transporting line.
5. A brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the cleaning element has a substantially disc-shaped geometry.
6. A brick cleaning apparatus for removing mortar from a prior-used brick, wherein a brick to be cleaned comprises a first face to be cleaned and a second face to be cleaned, which faces to be cleaned are on opposite sides of the brick and are substantially parallel, the brick cleaning apparatus comprising:an inlet section and an outlet section, wherein the inlet section is separate from the outlet section,a cleaning section arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section, anda brick transporting line for propagating the brick to be cleaned from the inlet section through the cleaning section and to the outlet section, the brick transporting line defining a longitudinal direction of the apparatus and a transverse direction perpendicular thereto, whereinthe cleaning section comprises at least a first pair of cleaning assemblies arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the brick transporting line, wherein a first cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the first face to be cleaned, and the second cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the second face to be cleaned, and wherein each cleaning assembly of the pair of cleaning assemblies comprises:a cleaning element for removing mortar from bricks, wherein the cleaning element is rotatable around a rotational axis, the rotational axis being arranged in a small angle with respect to a normal direction to the longitudinal direction, respectively, anda drive assembly arranged to rotate the cleaning element during use of the apparatus.wherein the transporting line has a transporting line surface for transporting the prior-used bricks and a plane being perpendicular to the transporting line surface and wherein the cleaning element has a substantially disc-shaped geometry with a side face and aperiphery, the cleaning element being arranged such that the side face is facing towards the plane being perpendicular to the transporting line surface.
7. A brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 5-6, wherein the small angle of the rotational axis is in the range from about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees, such as about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees, or even about 1 degree.
8. A brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein a transverse position of each of the first and second cleaning assemblies of the at least first pair of cleaning assemblies is adjustable so as to define a cleaning depth.
9. A brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein the cleaning section comprises at least a second pair of cleaning assemblies arranged after the at least first pair of cleaning assemblies, in the longitudinal direction.
10. A brick cleaning apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning section comprises at least a third pair of cleaning assemblies arranged after the at least second pair of cleaning assemblies, in the longitudinal direction.
11. A brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the small angle of the rotational axis is in the range from about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees, such as about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees, or even about 1 degree.
12. A brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a transverse position of each of the first and second cleaning assemblies of the at least first pair of cleaning assemblies is adjustable so as to define a cleaning depth.
13. A brick cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 5-12, wherein the ratio between the radius of the disc and the width of the perimeter are in the range the range 0.002 and 0.5.
14. A method for removing mortar from a prior-used brick, wherein the prior-used brick comprises a first face to be cleaned and a second face to be cleaned, which faces21to be cleaned are on opposite sides of the prior used brick and are substantially parallel, the method comprising the steps of:positioning the prior-used brick on a transporting line with the first face to be cleaned and the second face to be cleaned extending in a vertical direction passing the prior-used brick through a cleaning section, where said cleaning section comprises at least a first pair of cleaning assemblies arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the brick transporting line, wherein a first cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the first face to be cleaned, and the second cleaning assembly of the pair is arranged to remove mortar on the second face to be cleaned, and wherein each cleaning assembly of the pair of cleaning assemblies comprises:o a cleaning element for removing mortar from bricks, wherein the cleaning element is rotatable around a rotational axis, the rotational axis being arranged in a small angle with respect to a normal direction to a propagating direction of the transporting line, ando a drive assembly arranged to rotate the cleaning element removing mortar from the first face to be cleaned and the second face to be cleaned simultaneously.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of maintaining the prior-used brick on the transporting line with a retention assembly.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the retention assembly comprises a series of freely rotatable rollers mounted to provide a bias downwards the transporting line.
17. A method according to any one of claims 13-16, wherein the cleaning element of each of the first cleaning assembly and the second cleaning assembly of the first pair comprises a substantially disc-shaped geometry with a side face and a periphery, the cleaning element being arranged such that the side face is arranged with a minor angle to the first face to be cleaned and the second face to be cleaned, respectively.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the ratio between the radius of the disc and the width of the perimeter is in the range the range 0.002 and 0.5.
19. A method according to any one of claims 17-18, wherein the minor angle is in the range from 0 degrees to 10 degrees, such as 0.5 degrees to 5 degrees, or even 0.75 to 1.5 degree.