Process for artificially ageing blocks

Abstract

An apparatus for artificially ageing blocks, in particular concrete blocks, vitrified bricks and natural stones, has an underlying surface, on which the blocks can be placed in such a way that the surface to be worked and the adjoining edges are exposed. Provided here are essentially freely movable distressing bodies for applying to the surface to be worked and the adjoining edges. Also provided is a vibration device, to set the blocks and the distressing bodies in motion in relation to one another in such a way that the distressing bodies act on the surface and the exposed edges of the blocks. A limiting device restricts the lateral or horizontal movement of the distressing bodies essentially to the surface of the blocks. Further provided is an extraction device which extracts dust and/or fragments during the distressing action of the distressing bodies, the extraction device having a suction region which at least almost encloses the surface of the blocks to be worked.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . An apparatus for artificially ageing blocks, in particular concrete blocks, vitrified bricks and natural stones, with the following features: 
 an underlying surface, on which the blocks can be placed in such a way that the surface to be worked and the adjoining edges are exposed;    essentially freely movable distressing bodies for applying to the surface to be worked and the adjoining edges;    a vibration device, to set the blocks and the distressing bodies in motion in relation to one another in such a way that the distressing bodies act on the surface and the exposed edges of the blocks; and    a limiting device, which restricts the lateral or horizontal movement of the distressing bodies essentially to the surface of the blocks;    with provision of an extraction device ( 6 ) which extracts dust and/or fragments during the distressing action of the distressing bodies ( 3 ), the extraction device ( 6 ) having a suction region ( 7 ) which at least almost encloses the surface ( 1   a ) of the blocks ( 1 ) to be worked.    
   
   
       29 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the suction region ( 7 ) has a base area ( 8 ) which corresponds at least to the horizontal extent of the blocks ( 1 ) arranged in interlocking formation on the underlying surface ( 2 ), side walls ( 9 ) that are suitable for laterally enclosing the blocks ( 1 ) arranged in interlocking formation being formed.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the base area is formed by the underside ( 8 ) of a magnet ( 4 ) provided for at least one of depositing and removing of the distressing bodies ( 3 ).  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the side walls ( 9 ) encloses at least an upper region of the blocks ( 1 ) during the ageing process and is formed as a limiting device for the distressing bodies ( 3 ).  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the underside ( 8 ) of the magnet ( 4 ), the side walls ( 9 ) and the upper side ( 1   a ) of the blocks ( 1 ) to be worked forming an at least almost enclosing space ( 10 ) during the ageing process.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the side walls ( 9 ) have a height which ensures that the distressing bodies ( 3 ) do not contact the underside ( 8 ) of the magnet ( 4 ) during the ageing process.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the side walls ( 9 ) is formed as a frame and connected to the underside ( 8 ) of the magnet ( 4 ) one of directly and via at least one further element.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the extraction device ( 6 ) has a number of suction pipes ( 11 ), which open out into the suction region ( 7 ).  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the extraction device ( 6 ) has a second suction region ( 13 ), through which the blocks ( 1 ) run after the distressing action by the distressing bodies ( 3 ).  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the underlying surface ( 2 ) is formed as a conveyor belt.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the underlying surface ( 2 ) is formed as a plate and displaceable by a conveying device in the conveying direction.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the underlying surface ( 2 ) is formed as a stationarily arranged plate, the blocks ( 1 ) resting on the plate is displaceable on the plate by a conveying device in the conveying direction.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the plate ( 2 ) is formed as a vibration table ( 5   a ) connected to the vibration device ( 5 ).  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the second suction region ( 13 ) is arranged after the first suction region ( 7 ) in the conveying direction.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus as claimed in one of claims  36 , wherein the second suction region ( 13 ) reaches over the blocks ( 1 ) transversely in relation to the running-in direction.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the second suction region ( 13 ) is provided with stripping elements ( 14 ), preferably brushes, which strip dust, fragments and the like from the surface ( 1   a ) of the blocks ( 1 ).  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein a number of suction pipes ( 15 ) open out into the second suction region ( 13 ).  
   
   
       45 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the extraction device ( 6 ) has a switching device ( 16 ) which connects a suction unit ( 17 ) of the extraction device ( 6 ) to at least one of the first suction region ( 7 ) and the second suction region ( 13 ).  
   
   
       46 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the suction unit ( 17 ) operates with constant power and the switching device ( 16 ) connects the suction unit ( 17 ) to at least one of the first suction region ( 7 ) and the second suction region ( 13 ).  
   
   
       47 . An apparatus for artificially ageing blocks, in particular concrete blocks, vitrified bricks and natural stones, with the following features: 
 an underlying surface, on which the blocks can be placed in such a way that the surface to be worked and the adjoining edges are exposed;    essentially freely movable distressing bodies for applying to the surface to be worked and the adjoining edges;    a vibration device, to set the blocks and the distressing bodies in motion in relation to one another in such a way that the distressing bodies act on the surface and the exposed edges of the blocks; and    a limiting device, which restricts the lateral or horizontal movement of the distressing bodies essentially to the surface of the blocks;    with provision of an extraction device ( 6 ) which extracts dust and/or fragments after the distressing action of the distressing bodies ( 3 ) and reaches over the blocks ( 1 ) transversely or obliquely in relation to the running-through direction.    
   
   
       48 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the blocks ( 1 ) are continuously movable by at least one of the underlying surface ( 2 ) and by the conveying device in the conveying direction.  
   
   
       49 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the blocks ( 1 ) is discontinuously movable by at least one of the underlying surface ( 2 ) and by the conveying device in the conveying direction.  
   
   
       50 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein a suction region ( 7 ) of the extraction device ( 6 ) is provided with stripping elements ( 14 ), preferably brushes, which strip dust, fragments and the like from the surface ( 1   a ) of the blocks ( 1 ).  
   
   
       51 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein a vibration device ( 5 ) is provided to set the blocks ( 1 ) in motion during the extraction by the extraction device ( 6 ).  
   
   
       52 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein a covering shroud ( 19 ) is provided to reduce expulsion of at least one of dust and fragments during the distressing action of the distressing bodies ( 3 ) on the blocks ( 1 ).  
   
   
       53 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the extraction device ( 6 ) has a suction region ( 7 ) which at least almost encloses the surface ( 1   a ) of the blocks ( 1 ) to be worked.  
   
   
       54 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the extraction device ( 6 ) has a rotating brush ( 20 ).