Minnesota Patent of the Month – February 2023

While concrete is an essential construction material for nearly any construction project, it takes considerable time to harden after being poured into molds. As a result, construction workers need to consider the weather and anticipate rain before pouring any concrete. In response to this limitation, Concrete Products Group LLC, a group of market leaders in the concrete products industry, has recently patented a unique technology that reduces the time needed for concrete blocks to harden. 

Their technology involves using a special mixture of concrete that is poured into the molds as a “zero-slump concrete”. This mixture has a high consistency and set time, allowing for faster block formation using block-making machines. 

After the blocks are formed, they are placed in a curing rack and then moved into a curing chamber. Traditionally, the curing process takes about 24 hours to several days to ensure the continued hydration of the cement paste and gain strength. However, Concrete Products Group’s innovative technology allows the curing process to be significantly shortened to just a few hours, resulting in more efficient production and quicker delivery.

Their technology has been gaining popularity in the construction industry because it not only saves time, but also improves the quality of the blocks produced. The technology is suitable for different types of curing chambers and kilns and can be used in different climates, making it versatile and adaptable.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

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Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

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