Masonry Magazine October 1985 Page. 34

Words: Fred Beyer, Gordon Orthner
Masonry Magazine October 1985 Page. 34

Masonry Magazine October 1985 Page. 34
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Patented New Mixing Machine Makes Mortar Clean-up a Snap
The old saw about building a better mousetrap is paying off for Gordon Orthner of Largo, Fla. But his brainchild has more to do with mortar mixers than with mice. Orthner, who is president of Key Laboratories, Inc., is the developer of the Easy-To-Clean Mixing Machine featuring the removable, plastic Poly Drum, a patented item. "It's the first innovation of a mixing chamber in 60 years," says Orthner.

Until now, if concrete sat in a mixer too long and hardened, it might take hours to chisel out. "And if you did clean it properly, what do you do with the rinse water?" Orthner asks. "It will kill vegetation, stain streets and driveways, and is illegal to pour directly into sewers."

Mortar Hardens in Drum
With the Easy-To-Clean Mixing Machine, all that has changed. In fact, cement is allowed to harden in the drum. Once the drum is removed, it can be cleaned in seconds simply by tapping the exterior sides and bottom with a rubber mallet. The dried chunks and powder are then thrown in the trash. The secret is in the drum's inert plastic composition; caked-on concrete and epoxy mixtures simply flake off without scraping or chiseling.

The picture sequence above shows Orthner 1) removing the drum, 2) tapping the sides, 3) emptying the debris, and 4) replacing the drum. Plans are under way, he says, to produce a line of portable mixers ranging from 1½ to 12 cu. ft. For more information, contact Gordon Orthner at Key Laboratories, Inc., 1185 Baskins Rd., Largo, FL 33544, (813) 584-8105.

30 MASONRY-SEPTEMBER OCTOBER, 1985


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