Method and apparatus for artificially aging pre-cast blocks

Abstract

A method and apparatus for modifying the surface texture of pre-cast building blocks including a pressure-applying device so positioned as to selectively engage blocks and being adapted to apply a pressure on the surface of blocks so as to modify their texture thereof prior to the curing of the blocks. Also disclosed is an apparatus for modifying the surface texture of pre-cast building blocks including mechanisms and structures adapted to provide a plurality of longitudinal movements and a plurality of rotational movements to adjust the direction of the wearing tool in respect to the alignment of the blocks when modifying the surface texture of these blocks as well as a block-stabilizing device for stabilizing blocks during surface-texture modification operations.

1 . A method for artificially aging the surface texture of pre-cast building blocks said method comprising:
 (a) pre-casting said building blocks by pressing cementitious material within a mould resting on a pallet, said mould having a pattern of side walls defining the shape and spacing of an array of pre-cast blocks;   (b) removing the mould to reveal said array of pre-cast blocks spaced apart on the pallet as per the pattern of side walls of the mould;   (c) providing for curing of said array of spaced apart pre-cast blocks obtained in step (b);   (d) immobilizing said array of cured and spaced apart pre-cast blocks in a holding device which presses the pre-cast blocks against the pallet and exposes at least a portion of each of the array of pre-cast blocks;   (e) artificially aging the exposed surface of each pre-cast block by submitting the exposed surface to a movable wearing tool.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises pressing the cementitious material with a press head having a predetermined shape imparting an aged look to the pressed surface of cementitious material. 
     
     
         3 . A method for artificially aging the surface texture of pre-cast building blocks said method comprising:
 (a) pre-casting said building blocks by pressing cementitious material within a mould resting on a pallet, said mould having a pattern of side walls defining the shape and spacing of an array of pre-cast blocks;   (b) removing the mould to reveal said array of pre-cast blocks spaced apart on the pallet as per the pattern of side walls of the mould;   (c) immobilizing said array of spaced apart pre-cast blocks in a holding device which presses the pre-cast blocks against the pallet and exposes at least a portion of each of the array of pre-cast blocks;   (d) artificially aging the exposed surface of each pre-cast block by submitting the exposed surface to a movable wearing tool; and   (e) providing for curing of said array of spaced apart pre-cast blocks obtained in step (d).   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein steps (d) and (e) are repeated while exposing and artificially aging a new portion of the pre-cast blocks.