Patent ID: 7780905
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: C04B,F27D

Abstract:
1. A method of providing support for ceramic articles during firing of the ceramic articles, said method comprising the steps of providing a first support, engaging a lower side of a first ceramic article with a first array of projections which extend upward from a base of said first support, providing a first retainer, positioning a first reference surface on the base of the first support and a second reference surface on a base of the first retainer in engagement, limiting upward movement of an upper side of the first ceramic article with a second array of projections which extend downward from a base of said first retainer, firing the first ceramic article while the lower side of the first ceramic article is engaged by the first array of projections and while the upper side of the first ceramic article is adjacent to the second array of projections and while the first reference surface and the second reference surface are disposed in engagement, providing a second support, engaging a lower side of a second ceramic article with a third array of projections which extend upward from a base of said second support, said second ceramic article having a configuration which is different than the configuration of said first ceramic article, providing a second retainer, positioning a third reference surface on the base of the second support and a fourth reference surface on a base of the second retainer in engagement, limiting upward movement of an upper side of the second ceramic article with a fourth array of projections which extend downward from a base of said second retainer, and firing the second ceramic article while the lower side of the second ceramic article is engaged by the third array of projections and while the upper side of the second ceramic article is adjacent to the fourth array of projections and while the third reference surface and the fourth reference surface are disposed in engagement.