Recess Former With Plug Seal For Concrete Anchor Casting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recess formers for concrete elements fail to completely seal around lifting anchors, allowing cement to ingress and causing issues with anchor accessibility and concrete integrity, and require mechanical attachment to the mold, which is inconvenient and can damage the mold.
Innovation Solution
A recess former assembly with a resilient body and a plug that fits into the anchor head aperture to prevent cement ingress, allowing for easy removal and eliminating the need for mechanical attachment to the mold, while maintaining anchor integrity and preventing concrete failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a recess former is used to form a recess around a lifting anchor, then the anchor becomes accessible after concrete casting, but cementitious material can ingress into the anchor aperture causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A plug is introduced as an intermediary element into the anchor aperture to prevent cementitious material from directly contacting and ingressing into the anchor head, while still allowing the recess former to function and the anchor to remain accessible after casting
Solution Approach 2:
The recess former assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: the recess former body that defines the recess shape, the plug that seals the anchor aperture, and the formwork that contains the concrete. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, preventing cement ingress while maintaining anchor accessibility
2Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical attachment to the mold is used to secure the recess former, then the recess former remains stable during casting, but the mold can be damaged and attachment is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The recess former is designed to be self-securing through its interaction with the anchor and the formwork. The plug and recess former body work together to automatically position and secure the anchor without requiring separate mechanical attachment mechanisms to the mold, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of securing the recess former and positioning the anchor are merged into a single integrated assembly. The recess former body and plug work together as one unit that simultaneously stabilizes the anchor and secures itself to the formwork, eliminating the need for separate mechanical attachment to the mold
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures a clean, accessible anchor aperture free from cement and reduces the risk of concrete failure by maintaining anchor integrity and eliminating the need for mold attachment, enhancing production efficiency and quality.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient body which is pivotable between a first position in which the opening is open and a second position in which the opening is closed
Data Source
AI summary
A recess former is disclosed for use with anchors which are to be cast into a concrete slab. The recess former preferably includes a removable plug and preferably rectangular lugs which engage with corresponding apertures in the attachment head of the lifting anchor and prevent the ingress of cement during casting of the slab. In addition, flaps are preferably provided on the recess former to prevent the sides of the attachment head from being encased in the concrete. Preferably the former is pivoted between open and closed positions and has a slightly V-shaped base which when abutted against a mould or formwork, urges the recess former into the closed position. Furthermore, a recess former is disclosed which stays behind after the casting and remains embedded in the concrete in order to provide a waterproof membrane between the recess and adjacent reinforcing rods thereby preventing corrosion of the reinforcing rods.