US3556049A

US3556049A - Cleaning and oiling system for molding apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3556049A
Application number: US721808A
Authority: US
Inventors: William P Hidden; Robert E Hunt
Original assignee: Arthur D Little Inc
Current assignee: Arthur D Little Inc
Priority date: 1968-04-16
Filing date: 1968-04-16
Publication date: 1971-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-19

Abstract

A system for cleaning and lubricating the cavity of a mold to prepare the mold for receiving a fresh charge of concrete mix or the like. The system embodying the features of the present invention includes means for thoroughly cleaning the end portions, bottom wall and sidewalls of the mold which define the mold cavity, to loosen the dust and debris contaminating the mold cavity; means to collect substantially all of the contaminating dust and other debris and to remove the same from the entire mold cavity; and means for lubricating the interior surfaces of the mold cavity to assure that a fresh charge of concrete mix or the like will not adhere to the interior surfaces of the mold cavity. In the preferred form of the invention the end wall portions, the bottom wall, and the sidewalls of the mold are separately cleaned by successive operations, and means are provided to simultaneously collect and remove the major portion of the dust and debris loosened from the interior surfaces of the mold cavity during each separate wall-cleaning operation.

Description

United States Patent,

lnventors Appl. No Filed Patented Assignee CLEANING AND O ILING SYSTEM FOR MOLDING APPARATUS 13 Claims, 16 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 1111/72, 1s/104,11s/317 1111.121 B05c'11/00 Field ol'Search 15 104.1c, 56; 118/72, 73

2,654,911 10/1953 Sharlipetal 2,814,083 11/1957 Beyer Primary Examiner-Laverne D. Geiger Assistant ExaminerRobert 1. Smith Attorney-Humc, Clement, Hume & Lee

concrete mix or the like. The system embodying the features of the present invention includes means for thoroughly cleaning the end portions, bottom wall and sidewalls of the mold which define the mold cavity, to loosen the dust and debris contaminating the mold cavity; means to collect substantially all of the contaminating dust and other debris and to remove the same from the entire mold cavity; and means for lubricating the interior surfaces of the mold cavity to assure that a fresh charge of concrete mix or the like will not adhere to the interior surfaces of the mold cavity. In the preferred form of the invention the end wall portions, the bottom wall, and the sidewalls of the mold are separately cleaned by successive operations, and means are provided to simultaneously collect and remove the major portion of the dust and debris loosened from the interior surfaces of the mold cavity during each separate wall-cleaning operation.

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llllllll i imem e Afl'ys CLEANING AND OILING SYSTEM FOR OLDING APPARATUS I llEl ATED APPLICATIONS.

cation of Stanley V. Margolin, Paul W. Glaser, and Leonard V. Gallagher, entitled Method andApparatus for Manufacturing Prestressed Concrete Members," Ser. No, 721,834; the

application of Williaml. Hidden, entitled "Portable Molding Apparatus, Ser. No. 721,767, and theapplication of William P. Hidden and Robert Yetman, entitled Method and ,Apparatus for Making Prestressed Concrete Members, Ser. No. 721,793, each of which was filed present application. 1

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION.

This invention relates generally to a system for cleaning and oiling a mold. More specifically, this invention relates to a system for cleaning and oiling a mold for use in stress-molding concrete members, such as concrete railway ties, concrete beams and the like, so that the cavity of the mold is conditioned to receive afresh charge of concrete mix.

As fully setforthin the above-identified copendingapplications of Margolin, et al. (.Ser. No. 721,834) and-Hidden, et al. (Ser. No. 721,767), prestressed concrete members, such as beams, railway ties and the like, can be manufactured very efficiently and economically by employing methodsand apparatus which perform the'necessary steps of a casting operation successively, with a minimum amount of time and direct labor. The mass-production of molded members is made possible with such continuous casting systems by using a large quantity of individual, preferably specially-designed, portable molds. Thus, each portable mold can be passedthrough a series of treatment stations which operate successively to place the desired reinforcing strand within a mold; apply the desired amount of pretensioning' force to the strands; charge a desired amount of concrete mixinto the mold cavity surrounding the strands, and compace and vibrate the filled mold. Each portable mold is thereby provided with reinforcing strand and a charge of concrete, and i's ready for the concrete curing cycle. After the concrete is cured, the individual portable moldscan then be conveyed through a system wherein the cured concrete member is deniolded, and any excess reinforcing strand is cut away.

The abovedescribed mass-production technique for making prestressed concretemembersobviously requires a substantial number ofindividual molds. Since the molds represent a major portion of the capital investment in such a continuous manufacturing system, the individual molds must be recycled through the system, in order for the system to be economically feasible. Recycling of the molds is especially important if the individual molds are of special design, such as disclosed and claimed in the above-identified applications of Hidden (Ser. No. 721,767) and Hidden, et al. (Ser. No. 721,793).

in order that such a continuous molding system, with recycled molds, operates at optimum efficiency, and produces a high-quality molded product, each of the portable molds must concurrently with the y the interior surfaces of the side and bottom walls of the mold cavity, to remove dust and debris remaining on such surfaces from previous casting operations. The system in accordance with this invention also includes a station where the debris loosened by the above cleaning operations is removed from the cleaned mold cavity. Further, the present invention provides a station to uniformly coat the interior surfaces of the mold cavity with a layer of lubricant so that the mold cavity is conditioned to receive a fresh charge of concrete or the like.

In the preferred form of the system embodyingthe features of the present invention the cleaning of the end, bottom and side walls of the moldis accompanied by the operation of collecting means which simultaneously removes the major portion of the loosened dust and debris from the mold cavity.

, By. using the system in accordance with the present invention, individual molds can be thoroughly cleaned, and then coated with a uniform layer of lubricant, so that the mold is conditioned for receiving a fresh charge of concrete mix, without contaminating the mix with leftover dust and debris from previous casting operations. Moreover, the system in accordance with this invention isadapted to clean and lubricate the individual molds rapidly, with a minimum of direct labor. Thus, the system can be readily incorporated into a massproduction casting operation, such as described and claimed in the copending application of Margolin et al. (Ser. No. 721,834).

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT The exemplary embodiment of the system in accordance with this invention is particularly adapted for cleaning and lubricating ,open ended concrete railway tie molds, such as disclosed in the copending applications of Hidden (Ser. No. 721 ,767),-and Hidden et al. (Ser. No. 721,793). The system is particularly suitable for use with such molds, since the open ended construction of the molds permits the corners of the mold cavity adjacent the mold ends to be thoroughly cleaned. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the system of the present invention is equally adaptable for cleaning and lubricating other forms of mold bodies, without the need for major alterations in the system.

The various features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by considering the following description of the exemplary embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a portable mold shown positionedat a mold end cleaning station included in the system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mold end viewed along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mold end cleaning station, taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1, illustrating the elevator platforms located at the mold end cleaning station;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a portable mold shown posicleaning station, as

tioned at a bottom wall cleaning station included in the system in accordance with the present invention;

be treated to remove the dust and debris left over from previous casting operations, before themolds are recycled. Ac-

cordingly, the present invention provides asystem for treating the corners of the moldcavity so that the end portions of the concrete member to be cast within the mold cavity are not contaminated; Other aspects of the system in accordance with i the present invention include stations which forcibly abrade FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bottom wall cleaning station, as

, viewed along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom wall cleaning station, taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a portable mold shown positioned at a mold sidewall cleaning station included in the system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the mold sidewall cleaning station, as viewed along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sidewall cleaning station, taken along the line 10-10 in FIG.,8;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a'portable mold shown positioned at a dust and debris collecting station included in the system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the collecting station, as viewed along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the collecting station, taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a portable mold shown positioned at a mold lubricating station included in the system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the mold lubricating station, as viewed along the line 15-15 in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the lubricating station, taken along the line 16-16 in FIG. 14.

Referring generally to the drawings, the system in accordance with this invention operates to convey a portable mold 100 successively through a series of treatment stations, so that the mold is progressively cleaned, and then lubricated. The dust and debris in the cavity of the mold 100 left over from previous casting operations will thereby be removed, so that the mold can be recycled without contaminating the fresh charge of concrete mix. The system thus includes a mold conveyor 700 which engages with a plurality of portable molds 100 and conveys the molds along a predetermined path into the respective mold treatment stations of the system. The operation of each of the stations of the system, and of the conveyor 700, can be coordinated so that the stations operate simultaneously to treat different portable molds. Hence, when operating on a continuous basis, the system will continuously discharge cleaned and oiled molds from the last station, with a very short time interval between successive molds.

In the exemplary embodiment of the system in accordance with this invention, the conveyor 700 initially conveys the individual portable mold 100 to a mold end cleaning station 300, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4.

Elevators

302 and 303 at the station 300 operate to raise the mold 100 from the conveyor 700 and bring the end portions of the mold into engagement with mold end cleaning heads 350a and 35011. The cleaning heads 350a and 35% can then be activated to abrade and clean the end wall portions of the mold 100. The mold end cleaning station 300 thereby forcefully removes debris and dirt from the end walls of the mold; an area where there is usually a troublesome accumulation of material in the corners of the mold as a result of previous casting operations. In the illustrated embodiment, the operation of the station 300 is greatly facilitated by the

movable end portions

130 and 190 of the mold 100, which can be opened during the end wall cleaning operations (FIGS. 1 and 2), as fully described in the copending applications of Hidden (Ser. No. 721,767), and Hidden et al. (Ser. No. 721,793). Further, in the preferred embodiment the cleaning heads 350a and 350b are coupled with a vacuum source, so that the pull of the vacuum will remove the major portion of the dust and debris loosened from the mold end walls by the cleaning heads.

After the end portions of the mold 100 are cleaned at the station 300, the mold is returned to the conveyor 700 and conveyed to a bottom wall cleaning station 400, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. Station 400 includes

elevators

402 and 403 which lift the mold 100 from the conveyor 700 and bring the mold into engagement with a bottom wall cleaning head 450. The cleaning head 450 can then traverse the length of the mold 100, in engagement with the bottom wall 112 of the mold, to thereby loosen the dust and debris clinging to the bottom mold wall as a result of previous casting operations. In addition, the station 400 is preferably provided with a vacuum hood 470 surrounding the mold 100. The vacuum hood 470 is operated simultaneously with the head 450, and forcefully removes the dust and debris loosened from the bottom wall 112 of the mold 100.

Subsequently, the mold 100 is again lowered onto the conveyor 700 and conveyed to a sidewall cleaning station 500, as shown in FIGS. 8 through 10. The station 500 also includes

elevators

502 and 503 which raise the mold 100 from the conveyor 700 and engage the mold with a sidewall cleaning head 550. The movement of the mold 100 from the conveyor 700 also preferably positions the mold within a vacuum hood 570. The sidewall cleaning head 550 then can traverse the length of the mold 100 to loosen the dust and debris collected on the mold sidewalls, and the major portion of the loosened dust and debris can be removed from the mold cavity by the vacuum hood 570.

The system in accordance with this invention further includes a collecting station 600, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13. The collecting station 600 is adapted to subject the cavity of the mold to a force, such as a blast of air or a strong vacuum, to forcefully remove any dust and debris remaining on the interior surfaces of the mold cavity after the above mold cleaning operations have been completed. To collect the remaining dust and debris, the station 600 in the exemplary embodiment is provided with

elevators

602 and 603 which raise the mold 100 from the conveyor 700 and position the mold directly under a mold vacuum head 650. The vacuum head 650 is designed to fit within the cavity of the mold 100 with a small tolerance, and traverses the length of the mold cavity to forcefully remove substantially all of the remaining dust and debris from the mold cavity. After the vacuuming operation is completed, the mold 100 is again lowered on the conveyor 700 for conveyance to the final treatment station incorporated in the system in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 16, the final treatment station 800 lubricates the interior surfaces of the mold cavity with a suitable releasing agent. To accomplish this lubrication, the mold 100 at the station 800 is raised by the

elevators

802 and 803 and positioned adjacent a lubricating head 850. As shown in FIG. 16, the head 850 is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles 856 which are adapted to spray a metered amount of suitable lubricant such as a releasing agent onto the interior surfaces of mold end, bottom and sidewalls. The head 850 is designed to traverse the length of the mold 100 at a substantially constant speed so that the spray nozzles 856 apply a uniform coat of lubricant to all of the internal surfaces of the mold cavity. After the mold 100 is oiled, the mold is again lowered onto the conveyor 700, and is prepared to be conveyed to a suitable mold storage area, or to be conveyed directly into the initial stage of a continuous concrete molding system, such as the system described and claimed in the copending application of Margolin et al. (Ser. No. 721,834).

referring to the drawings in more detail, the portable mold 100 is preferably the open ended type of mold, such as fully described and claimed in the copending applications of Hidden (Ser. No. 721,767) and Hidden et al. (Ser. No. 721,793). Thus, the illustrated portable mold 100 includes a mold body having mold sidewalls 114 and bottom walls 112 which define a hollow mold cavity for receiving a charge of concrete mix. The mold body 110 is reinforced longitudinally by means of compression tubes 128, and is reinforced transversely by a plurality of spaced struts 126, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The illustrated mold 100 is adapted for casting the concrete railway tie currently specified by the American Association of Railroads. Thus, the cavity of the mold body 110 is shaped to define the railway tie configuration, and the mold bottom wall 112 is provided with plates 122 which define the rail bearing pads on the top surface of the mold. Additionally, the plates 122 include studs 124, projecting upwardly from the pads 122, for receiving rail fastening inserts (not shown) to be cast within the concrete railway tie. Of course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the body 110 of the mold 100 can be shaped to form a concrete member of any desired configuration, such as different forms of concrete railway ties, or concrete beams or the like.

The illustrated mold body 110 is also provided with open ends 116a and 116b, and the end assemblies and 190 are movably mounted on the mold body adjacent the open mold ends 116a and 116b, respectively. By such an arrangement, the

mold end assemblies

130 and 190 can translate with respect to the mold body 110, from an open position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, to a closed position abutting against the adjacent open mold ends 116a and 11611.

Briefly described, the left mold end assembly 130 includes a mold end plate 132 which is slidably joined to the mold body 110 by means of guide rods 134. Further, a chuck plate is slidably mounted on the end plate 132, and includes a plurality of strand chucks 160. In addition, the end plate 132 includes a plurality of 'apertures146, as illustrated in FIG. 3, so that the free ends of reinforcing strand emplaced within-the cavity of the mold 100 can project'through the end plate 132,

to be received and'gripped by the strand chucks 160. The chuck plate 150 of the mold end assembly 130 also includes

guide rollers

168 and 170 which are designed for engagement with cam tracks or the like, for-controlling the positioning of the end assembly 130. The construction of the left mold end assembly 130 is completed by securing a locking plate 180 between the end plate 132and the chuck plate 150, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As explained fully in the copending applications of Hidden (Ser. No. 72l,767),.andHidden et al. (Ser. No. 721,793) the locking plate 180 operates to control the relative, positioning of the chuck plate 150 and the end plate 132 so that the ends of .reinforcingstrands are releasably secured to the movable mold end assembly 130.

The right mold end assembly 190 is substantially identical to the above-described leftend assembly 130. In this regard, the right end assembly 190 includes an end plate 192 which is slidably mounted on the right end of the mold body 110 by means ofguide rods 194. The right mold end assembly 190 further includesachuck plate 200, provided with a plurality of strand chucks 2 10. The end plate 192 also includes a plurality of strand-receiving openings (not shown) so that the right free ends of reinforcing strands emplaced within the cavity of the mold body 110'can extend through the end plate 192 and be received and gripped bythe strand chucks 210. The chuck plate 200 is also provided with a set of

guide rollers

218 and 220, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which are designed for engagement with a cam track or the like for controlling the relative positioning of the right mold end assembly 190 with respect to the mold body 110. The mold end assembly 190 also includes a slidable locking plate 230, which is positioned between the chuck plate200 and the mold end plate 192. The lockingplate 230 is operative to control the gripping and tensioning of the strandsemplaced within the mold body 110, as fully described in said applications of Hidden and Hidden et al. Finally, the right mold end assembly 190 is provided with a tensioning post 240, having gripping slots 242,'as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. T he tensioning post 240 is designed for engagement with a suitable tensioning head so that the

mold end assemblies

190 and 130 cooperate to apply the desired amount of pretensioning force to reinforcing strands emplaced within the cavity of the mold 100. The placement and tensioning of such reinforcing strands is again more fully described in said copending application of Hidden et al. (Ser. No. 721,793).

The mold conveyor 700, which carries a plurality of portable molds 100 along a predetermined path, such as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, is designed to deliver the individual molds 100 to the various stations of the mold treatment system in accordance with this invention. Briefly described, the conveyor 700 includes a pair of conveyor drive chains 702 provided with spaced mold-receiving saddles 704, as shown clearly in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7. The mold saddles 704 receive the bottom portion of the, molds 100, and secure the molds to the conveyor 700. Additionally, a pair of chain tracks 706 are oriented in the desired direction and support the drive chains 702 so that the molds 100 are conveyed along the desired path of travel. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conveyor 700 also includes a pair of parallel roller beds formed from a plurality of transversely extending rollers 708. The rollers 708 engage withthe struts 126 on the molds 100 to support the molds along the entire length of the mold conveyor 700. A suitable frame structure712 supports the conveyor chain tracks706 hand the beds of rollers 708. The conveyor 700 is intermittently driven by any suitable power source (not shown) so that'the conveyor carries the individual molds 100 to the various stations of the system in accordance with the present invention, at predetermined time intervals.

The details of the mold end cleaning station 300, incorporated in the system'of this invention, can be seen by refer- I ring to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings. The

elevators

302 and 303 at the station 300 are designed to engage the lower side of the ends of each portable mold 100. as each mold enters the station 300. The

elevators

302 and 303 can then be activated to lift the mold 100 upwardly from the conveyor 700, and thereby position the mold for treatment by the mold end cleaning head 350. To accomplish this mold raising operation, the

elevators

302 and 303 include hydraulically-actuated

elevator platforms

304 and 305, mounted on hydraulic lift cylinders 306. Guide posts'308 are provided adjacent the lift cylinders 306 to insure that the

platforms

304 and 305 remain in the desired position at-all times during the mold end cleaning operation. The

platforms

304 and 305 further include roller beds 310, as shown clearly in FIGS. 1 and 4, which engage with and support the portable mold.

By this arrangement, actuation of the lift cylinders 306 lifts the mold 100 from the conveyor 700 after the mold has engaged with the roller beds 310. The roller beds 310 will then allow the mold 100 to be shifted laterally (along the path of the conveyor 700) into the desired position, to orient the mold 100 with respect to the cleaning head 350. In this regard, the station 300 includes a pair of brackets 312 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) which are mounted on a suitable frame structure (not shown) adjacent the

elevators

302 and 303. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the brackets 312 extend downwardly toward the

elevator platforms

304 and 305, and have open lower ends for receiving the portable mold 100. The brackets 312 are dimensioned to engage with the mold 100 and urge the mold into the desired transverse position as the

elevators

302 and 303 raise the mold 100 from the conveyor 700, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 1, to a raised position, such as illustrated in full lines in FIG. 1.

Additionally, the mold end cleaning station 300 in accordance with this invention is prolvihd with means to control the longitudinal positioning of the mold body 110 and the movable

mold end assemblies

130 and 190. In this regard, the

elevator platforms

304 and 305 are provided with

cam tracks

315 and 317, respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. The cam tracks 315 and 317 are substantially parallel to the path of travel of the conveyor 700 (transverse to the mold 100), and are designed to engage with the adjacent struts 126 on the mold body 110 as the mold 100 is carried into the station 300. As seen in FIG. 4, the engagement between the struts 126 and the cam tracks 315 and 317 is assisted by providing the cam tracks with a bevelled outer edge 315a. Accordingly, the cam tracks 315 and 317 operate to position the mold body in the desired longitudinal position as the mold 100 enters the station 300.

Further, the

elevator platforms

304 and 305 at the mold end cleaning station 300 are provided with outwardly spaced cam tracks 314 and 316, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the cam tracks 314 and 316 are also substantially parallel to the path of travel of the,conveyor 700, and are designed to control the relative longitudinal positioning of the adjacent movable

mold end assemblies

130 and 190. Thus, the cam track 314 will engage with the roller on the adjacent mold end assembly 130, and the cam track 316 will engage with the roller 220 on the adjacent mold end assembly 190, as the portable mold 100 enters the mold end cleaning station 300. Again, the engagement of the cam tracks 314 and 316 with the adjacent movable mold end assemblies can be assisted by providing the cam tracks with a beveled forward edge, such as the beveled edge 314a shown in FIG. 4. The cleaning station 300 is thereby provided with means to control the longitudinal positioning of the movable

mold end assemblies

130 and 190, so that the mold and assemblies are oriented in the desired location with respect to the mold body 110. The mold body 110 platform 304 upon a suitable frame structure, such as an I- beam 360. The beam 360 extends longitudinally along the path of the mold conveyor 700, and oriented laterally so that the head 3500 is positioned between the cam tracks 314 and 315 on the adjacent elevator platform 304. By this arrangement, the left cleaning head 350a is positioned vertically above and between the left end 116a of the mold body 110 and the opened left mold end assembly 130, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The left cleaning head 350:: includes a bristle brush 3520 for abrading and cleaning the interior surfaces of the left end portion of the mold 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the brush 352a is preferably cylindrical in configuration and is composed of stiff bristles made from light wire, plastic, heavy hair, or the like. The brush 3520 is mounted on a vertically-extending shaft 353, and extends downwardly from the supporting beam 360 so that substantially the entire length of the brush is positioned adjacent the mold 100, after the mold is raised into the upper position illustrated in FIG. 1. The brush shaft 353 is connected to a power source by any suitable means (not shown) which will rotate the brush 352a and the shaft 353, preferably at a high speed. With the brush 352a rotating at such a speed, engagement of the bristles of the brush with the interior of adjacent end portion of the mold 100 will loosen the dust and debris from the mold end portion.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the brush shaft 353 of the cleaning head 350a extends upwardly through a housing 354. In the preferred form of the invention, the housing 354 is hollow, and is connected to a strong vacuum source (not shown). The housing 354 thereby forms a vacuum chamber for receiving the dust and debris loosened from the left end portion of the mold 100 by the operation of the cleaning brush 352a. A conduit such as the conduit 355 can be used to connect the housing 354 to the vacuum source, so that the housing is continuously subjected to a vacuum pull throughout the operation of the end cleaning head 350a. Thus, the major portion of the dust and debris loosened from the mold 100 by means of the cleaning head 350a is simultaneously removed from the mold cavity by means of the vacuum pull from the housing 354.

As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, the brush 352a is designed to travel laterally across the end of the mold 100, and longitudinally along the adjacent mold end portion, so that the pattern of travel for the brush 3520 is generally rectangular. To permit such brush travel, the housing 354, supporting the shaft 353 and brush 352a, is connected to the support beam 360 by means of a pair of slotted

U-shaped channels

356 and 358. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the channel 356 is slotted in a direction substantially transverse to the path of the conveyor 700 so that the housing 354 can oscillate parallel to the mold 100. A tongue on the upper channel 358 engages with the slot in the lower member 356. In addition, the upper channel 358 is positioned over the flange of the beam 360, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. Thus, the housing 354 and the cleaning head 350a can translate on the beam 360 in a direction substantially parallel to the path of the conveyor 700, so that the cleaning brush 352a can oscillate transversely across the left end wall 132 ofthe mold 100.

The cleaning head 350b positioned at the right end of the cleaning station 300 is substantially identical to the abovedescribed left cleaning head 350a, and therefore need not be described in complete detail. The right cleaning head 350b thus includes a heavy bristled brush 352b which also oscillates in a rectangular pattern, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. The right brush 352b thereby abrades and cleans the right end wall 192 and the adjacent end portion of the mold 100.

After the operation is completed at the end wall cleaning station 300, the mold 100 is lowered onto the mold conveyor 700 and conveyed to a bottom wall cleaning station 400 in accordance with this invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7, the bottom wall cleaning station 400 also includes a pair of

elevators

402 and 403 positioned along the sides of the conveyor 700. The

elevators

402 and 403 are substantially identical with the

elevators

302 and 303 located at the end wall cleaning station 300 described above. However, since the

end walls

132 and 192 of the mold are not treated at this station 400 the

elevators

402 and 403 need not engage with the movable

mold end assemblies

130 and 190. The

elevator platforms

404 and 405 which engage with and support the adjacent ends of the mold 100 at the station 400, can thus be narrower than the corresponding

platforms

304 and 305 at the station 300. In addition, the

platforms

404 and 405 include cam tracks 415 and 417, respectively, to engage with the mold 100 and position the mold in the desired longitudinal location. Further, the bottom" wall cleaning station 400 includes brackets 512 (FIG. 5) which engage with the mold body as the

elevators

402 and 403 raise the mold from the conveyor 700. The brackets 412 thereby position the mold 100 in the desired transverse relationship at the station 400.

The bottom wall cleaning station 400 also includes a cleaning head 450, which includes a large bristle brush 452 made from a suitable wear-resistant material. A shaft 453 connects the brush 452 to a suitable rotating power source (not shown) so that the brush can be rotated rapidly within the cavity of the mold 100. The brush 452 and the shaft 453 are supported by a housing 454 which is slidably connected to a transversely-extending support beam 460 by a bracket 458.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the support beam 460 extends transversely across the path of the conveyor 700 directly above the

mold elevators

402 and 403. By such an arrangement, the cleaning head 450 is positioned in alignment with the elongate cavity of the mold 100 as the mold is raised from the conveyor 700 by the

elevators

402 and 403. As illustrated by the phantom lines in FIG. 6, the cleaning head 450 can thereby translate along the support beam 560, so that the bristle brush 552 traverses the entire length of the mold body 110 in engagement with the bottom mold wall 112. The station 400 thereby operates to loosen the dust and debris from the bottom wall 112 along the entire length of the mold 100.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the bottom wall cleaning station 400 is also provided with a vacuum hood 470 which collects the dust and debris loosened from the cavity of the mold 100 by the action of the brush 452. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, the vacuum hood 470 is positioned across the mold conveyor 700 directly above the

elevators

402 and 403, and is dimensioned to extend along the entire length of the portable mold body 110. The hood 470 also is dimensioned laterally so that the mold body 110 can be received within the hood, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The hood 470 is connected to a suitable vacuum source (not shown) such as by means of a conduit 472, and will operate simultaneously with the head 450, to collect and discharge the debris loosened from the mold body 110 during the bottom wall cleaning operation. The hood 470 is also provided with a slot 474 (FIG. 7) which receives the brush shaft 453, so that the brush 452 can easily traverse the length of the mold 100.

After the operations are complete at the bottom wall cleaning station 400, the mold 100 is lowered onto the conveyor 700 and carried to a mold sidewall cleaning station. The construction of the mold sidewall cleaning station 500, incorporated in the system in accordance with this invention, is shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 of the drawings. The station 500 includes a pair of

elevators

502 and 503 which are spaced from the previous station 400, and which are positioned along the sides of the mold conveyor 700. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the

elevators

502 and 503 are substantially the same as the above-described

elevators

402 and 403 positioned at the bottom wall cleaning station 400. Briefly, the

elevators

502 and 503 include platforms 504 and 505, respectively, which are provided with roller beds 510. The roller beds 510 engage with and support the adjacent end portions of mold 100. In addition, the left elevator platform 504 includes a cam track 515, and the right platform 505 includes a cam track 517, for controlling the longitudinal positioning of the mold body 110 at the sidewall cleaning station 500. The cam tracks 515 and 517 also may be beveled at the forward edge (not shown) to facilitate the engagement of the cam tracks with the mold body 1 10.

By the above arrangement of the station 500, the

elevators

502 and 503,. canbe operated to raise the mold 110 above the conveyor 700. Brackets l2,,as illustrated in FIG. 8, will engage with the. mold 100 and position the mold laterally as the the mold100 so that the outer periphery of. the brushes continuously engages the mold sidewalls 114. Accordingly, rotation of the brushes 552a. and 5521: 'will cause the brushes to abrade and clean the mold sidewalls 114. To rotate the brushes 552a and 552b,'the head 550 includesa drive shaft 555 (FIG. which is connected between the brush'552b and an external power source. (not shown). A set of mating gears 556 (FIG. l0) th en can be used to drive the other sidewall brush 55211., J

The sidewall cleaning head 550 additionally includes a housing 554 for supporting the brushes 552a and 552b. The housing 554 is mounted on a pair of channels 558 (FIGS. 8 and 10),whichin turn are slidably mounted we support beam 560. The beam 560 extends transversely across themold conveyor 700 above and in substantial alignment with the mold elevators 502 and. 503. By such an arrangement, the cleaning head550 can be translated along the frame 560 along the entire 'Iengthof the portable mold'100. The rotating brushes 552a and 5 52b will then engage with the mold sidewalls 114, and forcefully abrade and clean the mold sidewalls. t

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the sidewall cleaning station 500 also includes means to collect and remove the loosened dust and debris simultaneously with the operation of the cleaning head 450.10 accomplish this, the station 500 is provided with a vacuum hood'570 extending transversely across the mold conveyor 700, directly above the

mold elevators

502 and 503. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the hood 570 is at least as long as the mold body 110, and is dimensioned so that the mold body 110 can be received within the hood as the

elevators

502 and 503 lift the mold body from the conveyor 700. Asuitable vacuumsource (not shown) is connected to the ho'od'570 bythe conduit 572. Accordingly,

the major portion of the dust and debris" loosened by the brushes 552a and. 552!) during the operation of the cleaning head 550 willbe collected by the vacuumiin the hood 570, and

then dischargcdthroughthe conduit 572 into a suitable collecting basin or the uket not shown); As illustrated-in FIG.-10,

the hood 570 is provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 574 which receive the brushes 552a and 552b, so that the cleaninghead 550 can translate along the length of the mold body 110 during the sidewall cleaning operations. r

The operation of the cleaning

stations

300, 400 and 500in accordance with this invention will loosen the dust and debris collected in the cavity of the mold'100-during previous molding operations. In addition, a vacuum force, operatedsimultancously withthe. brushing operations in each of thecleaning station, collects and removcsthe major portion of the dust and debris loosened from the interior surfaces of the mold 100.

However, the systemin accordance with thisinvention also includes a separate collecting station-600, to assure that the rately positioned in the'desired longitudinal location, and

brackets 612 engage with the mold body 110 as the mold is lifted by the elevators 602. and 603,to orient the mold into the desired lateral location.

3. In the illustrated embodiment,since the bottom wall 112 with the mold body 110 includes the insert-receiving studs 124, the bottom portion of the nozzle body 652 is provided with the recess 652a, as seen in FIG. 13. Thus, the body 652 can readily pass over the studs 124, as the body is translated within the cavity of the mold 100. I

The nozzle body 652 is connected to a pair of channel brackets 658, which in turn are slidably joined to an elongate support beam 660. As illustrated in FIGS. .11 and 13, the beam 660 extends transversely across the-path'of the mold conveyor 700-at the vacuum station 600, and permits the open nozzle 651 to be translated the entire length of the cavity defined by the mold body 110.- Accordingly, with the body .652 connected to a suitable vacuum source, such as by a conduit 654, the nozzle 651 will forcefully vacuum the entire length of the mold cavity defined by the mold body 110. Due to the close proximity of the nozzle 651 with the

walls

112 and 114 of the mold body 110 the vacuum head 650 will collect and remove substantially all the dust and debris which may remain in the mold cavity after the completion of the above-described cleaning operations. The mold body 110 will thereby be thoroughly cleaned by the ,head 650, so that the mold 100 will not contaminate a fresh charge of concrete mix.

After the entire mold body 110 is cleaned by means of the vacuum head 650, the mold 100 is again lowered on the conveyor 700, and finally conveyed to a mold lubricating station 800. At this station 800 the interior surfaces of the mold cavity defined by the mold body 110 will be coated with a suitable lubricant, such as a releasing agent, so that a fresh concrete charge will not adhere to the interior surfaces of the mold walls. I i

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 16, the Iubricatingstation 800' includes

mold elevators

802 and 803, having

elevator platforms

804 and 805. Additionally, the platforms 804-and desiredlongitudinal location. Additionally, brackets 812 will engagewith'the mold body110as the'mold is raised by the

elevators

802 and 803, and arrange the mold body in the desiredtransverse location.

In accordance with, this invention, the mold lubricating station 800 is also provided with a lubricating head 850 for spraying the interior surfaces of the mold body 110. As seen in FIG.

14, the head 850 is slidably mounted on a support beam 860 which extends across the mold conveyor 700 directly. above the

mold elevators

802 and 803. As illustrated in FIG. -16,"the

head 850- includes a spraying receptacle 852 which is dimensioned to fit within the cavity of themold body 110 whenthe .mold 100 is in the raised position. Additionally, the receptacle 852 is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles 856, through which lubricant is directed toward all of the interior surfaces of the mold walls 114, the mold bottom wall 1 l2, and the

mold end walls

132 and 192. Channel brackets 858 slidably mount the receptacle 852 on the support beam 860. 1

By the above arrangement of the components of the station 800, the entire spray head'850 can be translated alon g 'the beam 860 so that the spray, nozzles 856 traverse the e'ntire length of the mold body 110. Accordingly, with the receptacle 852 of the head 850 connected to a suitable source of lubricant, the nozzles 856 will operate tocoat the interior surfaces of the mold before the mold is used with a fresh charge of concrete mix. Since the spray emanating from the nozzles 856 can be readily metered, the spray head 850 can be accurately controlled so as to coat the surfaces of the moldfda'vity uniformly, thereby eliminating the need for manually wiping excess lubricant from the mold 100.

The operation of the mold cleaning and lubricating system in accordance with this invention is apparent from the above description of an exemplary embodiment. Briefly described, the operation of the system is initiated by conveying a plurality of portable molds 100 along a predetermined path on the conveyor 700. As one of the molds 100 approaches the mold end cleaning station 300, the conveyor 700 is stopped by any suitable means (not shown), and the

elevators

302 and 303 are activated. As the mold 100 is raised by the

elevators

302 and 303, the brackets 312 align the mold transversely, and the cam tracks 315 and 317 align the mold body 110 longitudinally. Additionally, the cam tracks 314 and 316 engage with the movable

mold end assemblies

130 and 190, respectively, and maintain the mold end assemblies in the desired open position with respect to the mold body 110 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The elevation of the mold 100 at the mold end cleaning station 300 thereby causes the cleaning brushes 352a and 352b to project downwardly between the adjacent ends of the mold body 110 and the movable

mold end assemblies

130 and 190.

With the mold 100 maintained in such raised position at the station 300, the cleaning heads 350a and 350b are activated so that the cleaning brushes 352a and 352b rotate at a substantial speed. Additionally, suitable means (not shown) translate the cleaning heads 350a and 35% in a rectangular pattern, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, so that the

brushes

352a and 352b forcefully engage with the interior surface of the adjacent open

mold end walls

132 and 192. The

brushes

352a and 352b will also forcefully engage with the mold

end guide rods

134 and 194, and thereby assure that the portion of the mold end assemblies which define the corners of the mold cavity are thoroughly brushed and cleaned. The vacuum source connected to the housing 354 is operated simultaneously with the cleaning head 350. The vacuum thereby removes the major portion of the dust and debris loosened by the head 350.

After the operation of the mold end cleaning station 300 is completed, the mold 100 is lowered by the

elevators

302 and 303 onto the conveyor 700, and carried to the next cleaning station in accordance with this invention. Thus, the mold 100 can be conveyed to the mold bottom wall cleaning station 400, as illustrated in F IGS. 5, 6 and 7. As the mold 100 approaches the station 400, the mold body 110 engages with the cam tracks 415 and 417 on the

mold elevators

402 and 403, and the mold is thereby positioned in the desired longitudinal location. The conveyor 700 is then stopped, and the

mold elevators

402 and 403 are actuated to raise the mold 100 above the conveyor 700. The upward'motion of the

elevators

402 and 403 also brings the mold body 110 into engagement with the brackets 412 (FIG. 7), which align the mold body in the desired transverse location. Further upward movement of the mold 100 at the station 400 places'the mold body 110 within the vacuum hood 470, and engages the brush 452 of the cleaning head 450 with the bottom wall 112 of the mold body.

Accordingly, the

elevators

402 and 403 at the mold station 400 position the mold 100 so that the bottom mold wall 112 can be cleaned. The cleaning of the bottom wall 112 is completed by rotating the brush 452 on the cleaning head 450 by a suitable power source (not shown) with the brush in engagement with the bottom mold wall 112. The rotation of the brush 452 will thereby loosen and remove the dust and debris clinging to the bottom wall 112 as the result of previous molding operations. Other suitable means (not shown) cause the cleaning head 450 to translate along the beam 460 for the full length of the mold body 110, so that the brush 552 forcefully engages with the bottom wall 112 along the entire length of the mold body 110.

Simultaneous with the operation of the cleaning head 450, the vacuum source connected to the vacuum hood 470 is actuated so that the dust and debris loosened by the brush 452 can be collected by the hood, and removed from the mold body 110 through the conduit 472. The cleaning head 450 preferably begins operating at the leftward end of the mold body 110, and is moved laterally along the frame 460 toward the vacuum hood conduit 472. By such an arrangement, the brush 452 will urge the loosened dust and debris toward the conduit 472. After the cleaning of the bottom wall is completed, suitable means, such as a motorized chain or cable drive, a cable-type hydraulic cylinder or the like (not shown), can be employed to return the cleaning head 450 to the initial position at the leftward end of the cleaning station 500.

Again, after the operations at the bottom wall cleaning station 400 are completed, the mold is lowered onto the conveyor 700 and conveyed to the sidewall cleaning station 500, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 10. As the conveyor 700 carries the mold 100 toward the station 500, the cam tracks 515 and 517 engage with the mold body to align the mold longitudinally. The conveyor 700 is then stopped, and the

elevators

502 and 503 are activated to lift the mold 100. The upward motion of the

elevators

502 and 503 bring the mold body 110 into engagement with the brackets 512, which align the mold in the desired transverse location. Further upward movement of the mold 100 raises the mold body 110 into the vacuum hood 570(F1G. 10) and brings the mold sidewalls 114 into engagement with the conical brushes 552a and 552b on the cleaning head 550. (FIGS. 8 and 10).

With the mold 100 in a raised position at the station 500, the cleaning head 550 is activated to rapidly rotate the brushes 552a and 552b. in addition, suitable means (not shown) drives the cleaning head 550 longitudinally along the entire length of the mold body 110. By this operation, the brushes 552a and 552b forcefully engage with and abrade the sidewalls 114, and thereby clean the dust and debris from the mold sidewalls.

Simultaneous with the operation of the cleaning head 550, the vacuum source (not shown) for the vacuum hood 570 is actuated, so that the hood 570 will collect the dust and debris loosened by the head 550, and will remove the material through the conduit 572. Again, it is preferred that the translation of the cleaning head 550 be from the leftward end of the mold body 110, as shown in FIG. 8, toward the conduit 572. in this manner, the cleaning brushes 552a and 552b will urge the loosened dust and debris toward the conduit 572. After the operation of the cleaning head 550 is completed, suitable means such as a motorized or hydraulically actuated chain or cable drive or the like (not shown) can be employed to return the cleaning head 550 to the initial position at the leftward end of the cleaning station 500.

In accordance with this invention, after the end wall portions, and the side and bottom walls of the mold body 110 are abraded and cleaned at the above-described cleaning stations, the cleaned mold 100 is again lowered onto the conveyor 700, and carried to a collecting station 600, as illustrated in F168. 11 through 13. Cam tracks 615 and 617 at the station 600 align the mold body 110 longitudinally, and brackets 612 align the mold body transversely, as the

elevators

602 and 603 are activated to raise the mold 100 from the conveyor 700. The operation of the

elevators

602 and 603 at the station 600 further brings the mold body 110 into close proximity with the cleaning nozzle 651 of the vacuum head 650, as illustrated in H65. 11 and 13. With the mold 100 in such a raised position at the station 600, the power source (not shown) for the vacuum head 650 is activated, and the cavity of the mold 100 is forcefully vacuumed by the cleaning nozzle 651. Suitable means (not shown) translate the nozzle body 652 throughout the full length of the mold body 110, so that the entire length of the mold cavity is vacuumed by the head 650. Since the cleaning nozzle 651 is in close proximity with the sidewalls 114 and the bottom wall 112 of the mold body 110, the interior surfaces of the mold body 110 will be thoroughly cleaned. The head 650 thereby collects and removes the dust and debris remaining in the mold cavity afier the above-described cleaning operations. After the cleaning head 650 has translated along the full length of the mold body 110, means such as a cable or chain drive, or a cable-typehydraulic cylinder (not shown) is activated to return the head 650 to the initial The final operation of the mold cleaning system in accordance with this invention is completed at the station 800. The mold 100, after being vacuumed in'the collecting station 600,'is again lowered onto the conveyor 700 and carried to the station 800. The cam tracks 815 and 817 align the mold body 110 in the desired longitudinal location at the station 800; and the brackets 812 align the mold in the desired transverse location as the

mold elevators

802 and 803 are activated to raise the mold body 110 into the position illustrated in FIG. 14. The upward movement of the mold 100 is continued until the spray head 850 is positioned within the cavity of the mold body 110, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16. The spray head 850 is then'activated so-that a metered amount of mold lubricant is sprayed-into the mold body 110 through the spray nozzles 856 (FIG. 16). Suitable means"(not shown) simultaneously translates the head 850 longitudinally along the length of the mold body 110 at a substantially uniform speed. The head 850 will thereby coat the interior wall surfaces of the mold 100 with a uniform coat of lubricant.

The operation of the station 800 completes the cleaning and lubricating of the portable mold 100 by means of the system in accordance with this invention. After the operations at station 800 are completed,the mold 100 may be lowered onto the conveyor 700, and may be conveyed to a suitable mold storage facility, where the mold can be stored for use in later molding operations. Alternatively, the above-described system in accordance with this invention can be incorporated struction, the size,'configurationand arrangement of the components andmaterlals, and in the modes of application of the mold cleaning and lubricating system in accordance with this invention will be apparent to those familiar withthe art, and may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention, asset forth in the following claims. I

1. In a system'for manufacturing concrete members which employs a portable mold having a mold cavity defined by longitudinal mold sldeand bottom walls and transverse mold end walls which are movable into an open position spaced from said side and bottom walls, apparatus for cleaning and lubricating the interior surfaces of said walls defining said mold cavity, said apparatus comprising:

means to convey said mold travel;

. cleaning means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said pathand operably engagcable with said mold within said mold cavity to forcefully abrade said interior surfaces of said mold walls with said end walls in said open position and thereby clean contaminants from said walls; 4 I

Collecting means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path and adapted for association with said mold to forcefully collect and'remove the contaminants cleaned from said mold walls by said cleaning means; and

lubricating means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted to coat said interior surfaces of said walls with a substantially uniform layer of lubricant, whereby said apparatus cleans and lubricates the cavity of said mold and thereby, prepares said mold for receiving a fresh charge of concrete mixture within said mold cavity.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cleaning means comprises a plurality of cleaning heads and wherein each head is engageable with said interior surfaces of along a predetermined path of i end, bottom and sidewalls with said end walls in said open position.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said cleaning heads includes collecting means adapted to collect and remove a substantial portion of contaminants from said mold cavity as said walls are cleaned by said heads.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said collecting means comprises a vacuum head dimensioned for insertion within said mold cavity closely adjacent said mold side and bottom walls and adapted to collect contaminants from the full length of said mold.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lubricating means comprises a spraying head dimensioned for insertion within said mold cavity and adapted to spray a substantially uniform coat of lubricant onto the interior surfaces of said mold walls.

6. A system for cleaning and lubricating a portable mold having a mold cavity defined by longitudinal mold sidewall means, bottom wall; means and transverse mold end wall means, said system comprising:

means to convey said mold along a predetermined path of travel;

a first cleaning means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path of travel including a first cleaning head adapted to abrade and clean the interior surfaces of one of said wall means of said mold;

a second cleaning means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said pathof travel including a second cleaning head adapted to abrade and clean the interior surfaces of a second of said mold wall means;

a third cleaning means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path of travel including a third cleaning head adapted to abrade and clean the interior surfaces of a third of said wall means of said mold, whereby contaminants are cleaned from said mold walls;

collecting means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path and adapted for association with said mold to forcefully collect and remove the contaminants from said mold cavity;

lubricating means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted to coat said interior surfaces of said mold walls with a substantially uniform layer of lubricant; and

means to releasably retain said mold in a predetermined fixed position during the operations of each of said cleaning, collecting and lubricating means.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein each of said cleaning heads includes brushes adapted to engage with the associated mold wall means and wherein said brush on each of said heads is configured to conform to 'the interior surface of the associated mold wall means.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said brush included in said cleaning head associated with said mold end wall means is adapted to translate transversely across said mold end wall means, andwherein said brushes'included in said cleaning heads associated with said side and bottom wall means translate longitudinally through said mold cavity, so that said brushes abrade and thoroughly clean said associated mold wall means.

9. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said collecting means comprises a vacuum head adapted for insertion within said mold cavity and further adapted to translate longitudinally along substantially the full length of said mold cavity, to thereby thoroughly vacuum the contaminants from said cavity.

10. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said lubricating means comprises a spraying head adapted for insertion within said mold cavity and further adapted to spray lubricant onto the interior surfaces of said mold walls.

11. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said cleaning means and said collecting and lubricating means are spaced adjacent said mold conveying means along said path of travel, and operate separately to successively thoroughly clean at least one of said mold wallsto abrade and clean said mold and lubricate said portable mold.

of a hollow mold cavity and which are movable with respect to each other to temporarily open said mold corners defined thereby, and cleaning means engageable with said wall means when said mold corners are temporarily opened to forcefully abrade and clean the interior surfaces of said wall means and remove contaminants therefrom, whereby the cleaning of said mold cavity is greatly facilitated.

Claims

1. In a system for manufacturing concrete members which employs a portable mold having a mold cavity defined by longitudinal mold side and bottom walls and transverse mold end walls which are movable into an open position spaced from said side and bottom walls, apparatus for cleaning and lubricating the interior surfaces of said walls defining said mold cavity, said apparatus comprising: means to convey said mold along a predetermined path of travel; cleaning means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path and operably engageable with said mold within said mold cavity to forcefully abrade said interior surfaces of said mold walls with said end walls in said open position and thereby clean contaminants from said walls; Collecting means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path and adapted for association with said mold to forcefully collect and remove the contaminants cleaned from said mold walls by said cleaning means; and lubricating means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted to coat said interior surfaces of said walls with a substantially uniform layer of lubricant, whereby said apparatus cleans and lubricates the cavity of said mold and thereby prepares said mold for receiving a fresh charge of concrete mixture within said mold cavity.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cleaning means comprises a plurality of cleaning heads and wherein each head is engageable with said interior surfaces of at least one of said mold walls to abrade and clean said mold end, bottom and sidewalls with said end walls in said open position.

6. A system for cleaning and lubricating a portable mold having a mold cavity defined by longitudinal mold sidewall means, bottom wall means and transverse mold end wall means, said system comprising: means to convey said mold along a predetermined path of travel; a first cleaning means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path of travel including a first cleaning head adapted to abrade and clean the interior surfaces of one of said wall means of said mold; a second cleaning means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path of travel including a second cleaning head adapted to abrade and clean the interior surfaces of a second of said mold wall means; a third cleaning means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path of travel including a third cleaning head adapted to abrade and clean the interior surfaces of a third of said wall means of said mold, whereby contaminants are cleaned from said mold walls; collecting means positioned adjacent said conveying means along said path and adapted for association with said mold to forcefully collect and reMove the contaminants from said mold cavity; lubricating means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted to coat said interior surfaces of said mold walls with a substantially uniform layer of lubricant; and means to releasably retain said mold in a predetermined fixed position during the operations of each of said cleaning, collecting and lubricating means.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein each of said cleaning heads includes brushes adapted to engage with the associated mold wall means and wherein said brush on each of said heads is configured to conform to the interior surface of the associated mold wall means.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said brush included in said cleaning head associated with said mold end wall means is adapted to translate transversely across said mold end wall means, and wherein said brushes included in said cleaning heads associated with said side and bottom wall means translate longitudinally through said mold cavity, so that said brushes abrade and thoroughly clean said associated mold wall means.

11. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said cleaning means and said collecting and lubricating means are spaced adjacent said mold conveying means along said path of travel, and operate separately to successively thoroughly clean and lubricate said portable mold.

12. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein each of said cleaning means, collecting means, and lubricating means operates substantially simultaneously within a selected time interval with a portable mold stationed at each of said cleaning, collecting, and lubricating means, so that a plurality of said molds can be handled by said system within said time interval.

13. In a mold cleaning system, a portable mold having first and second wall means which join together to define corners of a hollow mold cavity and which are movable with respect to each other to temporarily open said mold corners defined thereby, and cleaning means engageable with said wall means when said mold corners are temporarily opened to forcefully abrade and clean the interior surfaces of said wall means and remove contaminants therefrom, whereby the cleaning of said mold cavity is greatly facilitated.