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.
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