IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTUBE OF POTTERY AND TILES AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVED MACHINERY ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William Hartley, of Stoke-upon-Trent, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTUBE OF POTTERY AND TILES
AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN, PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVED MACHINERY ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Hartley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th May 1878.
JOHN WILLIAM HARTLEY, of Stoke-upon-Trent.
1
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF POTTERY AND TILES AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVED MACHINERY ARE ALSO APPLICALE TO OTHER
PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of pottery
and tiles and in the machinery and apparatus employed therein, parts of which
improved machinery are also applicable to other purposes.
The first part of my Invention relates to an improved arrangement of the
machinery used in preparing clay for making tiles and other kinds of pottery
wherein the clay is first blunged into slip, whereby I effect a great economy of space
and cost. I place one or more blungers upon an elevated platform made of any
suitable material, such as cast iron; one end of such platform is supported by a
frame, to which the driving engine is attached. This engine may be either vertical
or inclined at any suitable angle, and actuates by means of a crank a horizontal
shaft carried upon the platform; from this shaft I drive by toothed wheels the
shaft of the blunger. At the other end of the platform is a vertical pug mill, which
is specially so constructed as to serve as a support to the platform; such pug mill
is driven by suitable gearing connected with the horizontal shaft. The toothed
gear, for driving the blunger and pug mill, is disengaged by sliding the driving
wheels by means of feathers along the shaft or in any other convenient manner.
The whole structure stands upon a bed plate and is easily put down or removed,

page_text: as it requires no masonry or foundation, being self-contained. A suitable press
pump is attached to the bed plate and worked from the engine by a rocking shaft
and levers or other suitable means; and when the machinery is used for china clay,
where no pug mill is required, the platform may be carried by an independent
standard in place of the pug mill before described.
The second part of my Invention relates to the saving of wear and tear in the
valves of the pumps used for forcing the slip into the filter presses. This I effect
in the following manner :-When the slip is being pumped into the press and the
pressure has attained above its maximum height, instead of allowing the surplus
slip to escape through a weighted valve as at present practised, thus causing heavy
wear and tear, I employ an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder and ram working with a
suitable fluid, such as water. This ram is interposed between the main pump ram,
and is attached to the connecting rod working the pump, so that when the slip is
passing freely through the press the hydraulic cylinder and ram move with the
main ram, but when the maximum pressure is reached the fluid is forced from the
hydraulic cylinder through a weighted relief valve and the ram of the pump
remains stationary.
In that class of pump where the main rain is made to work in wator or other
fluid, with a loose disc of leather or india-rubber interposing between the fluid and
the slip, I apply my improved relief valve or safety valve so that the fluid passes
therethrough, and upon the withdrawal of the ram I re-admit the water or fluid
through an inflow valve, loaded so that the slip will rise from the well to the pump,
and the water will follow into the vacum caused by the withdrawal of the rain.
This part of my Invention may be advantageously applied to other presses than
those used for the purposes above described.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improvement in the filter presses
now ordinarily used in the potteries, so as to reduce the loss and waste occasioned
by the bursting of the cloths. These cloths usually burst in those parts where
they are doubled over, owing to the fact that when the pressure comes upon them
the cloth is unsupported all round for a distance of about one inch or thereabouts.
Now I reduce the thickness of the filtering spaces or chambers by bevilling off the
sides thereof where the cloth is so doubled over so that the unsupported length of
cloth will be reduced, thereby enabling the cloths to bear a much heavier pressure
than heretofore without bursting.
Another part of my Invention relates to improvements in screw presses used for
pressing articles, such as tiles or bricks, from clay either in a seme-dry or plastic
state. Hitherto it has been customary to drive such presses by bevil or friction
gearing, which is very liable to get out of order. Now I obviate these dis-
advantages by driving such presses with one or more bands driven from one or
moro pulleys fixed upon a horizontal shaft. These bands pass over suitable runner
pulleys to a pulley upon the main screw of the press or connected thereto, which
is driven by feathers or other suitable means. If the shaft is raised to about the
level of the pulley on the main screw I so arrange the band that it passes direct
from the pulleys on the shaft to the pulley on the main screw; in that case only
one runner pulley will be required.
The runner pulleys may, if preferred, be made movable so as to tighten or
slacken the bands, as required. The horizontal shafts are made to reverse in each
case, and this I accomplish in the latter arrangement by a single band, and in the
first arrangement either by a single band or by a straight and cross band, as
preferred.
In making tiles in a semi-dry state it is necessary to give two or more pressures
thereto, and in order to accomplish this I employ one or more fly wheels, or their
equivalents, working loosely on the main screw of the press or in connection
therewith. These fly wheels are free to turn independently of the main screw
through a certain space only. The screw on its descent puts on the first pressure
or blow, and the loose fly wheel being carried down with the screw follows through
its free space, and being provided with a suitable stop engages an arm or its

page_text: equivalent upon the screw, and by its momentum puts on the second pressure, and
so on, with any additional fly wheels, if more than two blows are required.
Another method of carrying out this part of my Invention is as follows, that is
to say-I apply a suitable auxiliary hydraulic cylinder somewhat similar to that
already described, and which cylinder I so construct that it receives the first
pressure upon the face of the ram while the second pressure or blow is produced
by the momentum of the fly wheel, which is in this case affixed to the main screw
in any suitable and convenient manner. The weight of the different blows and
the interval between their delivery can be adjusted as required, which is extremely.
desirable, as in the present practice it is found that with the fly wheel fixed to the
screw the first blow is frequently too heavy, and the air is thereby embedded in
the tiles, causing considerable loss and waste. This part of my Invention also
applies to screw presses for other purposes, where it is desirable to produce an exact
or limited amount of pressure upon the article being pressed.
I obtain the feeding, lifting out, and other motions by cams working upon a
horizontal shaft and driven in the following way:-I attach two connecting rods
to the main cross head, one on each side, and at the other ends to two lovers.
These levers work upon a fulcrum, one being provided with a segment of an
internal rack and one with an external rack, and which respectively gear into two
toothed wheels, each working loosely upon the horizontal shaft, and having upon
each a ratchet or pawl so as both to turn the shaft in the same direction. The
connecting rods rising and falling with the screw cause the shaft to revolve con-
tinuously by incans of the racks and wheels, whether the screw rises or falls, and by
removing the pins, attaching the connecting rods to the levers, either nearer to or
farther from the fulcrum the shaft can be made to turn one revolution only to one
up-and-down motion of the screw whether the stroke be lengthened or shortened.
In order to equalize the semi-dry material over the surface of the mould when
making thin tiles or slabs of large surface I employ a loose plate upon the bottom
dic, and when the mould is ready for filling this plate is slightly inclined, being
raised at the feed box end by a spring or other suitable means. When the tile is
presssd the plate sinks down until it becomes level, and the tile or slab thus
becomes of a perfectly uniform density throughout.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improved method of driving and
reversing a potter's lathe. The band from the driving shaft passes round two
pulleys, so that both are driven in the same direction. The two pulleys are keyed
upon two shafts carried in a frame. Parallel to each other at the other ends of the
shafts are two friction wheels, so arranged as to drive upon their peripheries at each
side of a disc, whose axis is at right angles with the two shafts. The frame
carrying the shafts is made movable, and when the friction wheels are brought
into contact with the disc it is driven in one direction or the other by either wheel
separately. By sliding the frame nearer or farther from the axis of the disc the
speed is increased or decreased accordingly. The lathe is driven from a pulley on
the axis of the disc, and is reversed or made to run fast or slowly, as described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent nied by
the said John William Hartley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th
November 1878.
JOHN WILLIAM HARTLEY, of Stoke-upon-Trent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF POTTERY AND TILES AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVED MACHINERY ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of pottery and
tiles, and in machinery and apparatus employed therein, parts of which improved
machinery are also applicable to other purposes.
And in order that my said Invention may be better understood and readily
carried into effect, I will now with the aid of the accompanying Drawings pro-
ceed more particularly to describe and ascertain the same.
The first part of my Invention relates to an improved arrangement of the
machinery used in preparing clay for making tiles and other articles of pottery
wherein the clay is first blunged into slip and afterwards pugged, whereby I effect
a great economy of space and cost. To carry out this part of my Invention I
adopt the arrangement shewn at Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings,
that is to say, I place one or more blungers A upon an elevated platform B, made of
any
suitable material, such as cast iron. One end of such platform is supported by
a frame C, to which the driving engine D is attached. The engine may be either
vertical, as shown, or inclined at any suitable angle, and is actuated by means of a
crank E, and a horizontal shaft F, carried upon the platform B. From this shaft I
drive by toothed wheels G the shaft of the blunger. At the other end of the
platform B is a vertical pug mill H which is specially so constructed as to serve as
a support to the platform B. Such pug mill is driven by any suitable gearing I,
connected with the horizontal shaft F. The toothed gear for driving the blunger
and pug mill is disengaged by sliding the driving wheels by means of feathers along
the shaft, or in any other convenient manner. The whole structure stands upon a
bed plate K, and is easily put down or removed as it requires no masonry or foun-
dation, being self-contained. A. suitable press pump L is attached to the bed plate
and worked from the engine by a rocking shaft and levers M, or other suitable
means; and when the machinery is used for china clay, whore no pug mill is required,
the platform may be carried by an independent standard in place of the pug mill
before referred to.
The second part of my Invention relates to the saving of wear and tear in the
valves of the pumps used for forcing the slip into the filter presses. This I effect in
the following manner: - When the slip is being pumped into the press and the
pressure has attained above its maximum height, instead of allowing the surplus
slip to escape through a weighted valve as at present practised, thus causing heavy
wear and tear, I adopt the arrangement shewn at Figure 3 of the accompanying
Drawings, which consists of an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder A and ram B working
with a suitable fluid such as water E, E. This ram is interposed between the main
pump ram F, and is attached to the connecting rod G, working the pump ram so
that when the slip is passing freely through the press the hydraulic cylinder and
ram move with the main ram; but when the maximum pressure is reached the fluid
is forced from the hydraulic cylinder A through a suitably weighted relief valve H
and the main ram F of the punip remains stationary. The water or fluid E, E
returns into the cylinder through the valve D upon the rising of the drum.
In that class of pump (see Figure 4) where the main ram A is made to work in
water or other fluid B, B, with a loose disc' of leather or india-rubber C interposed
between the fluid and the slip E, instead of allowing the surplus fluid to escape as
before described through a weighted valve, I apply my improved relief or safety
valve D so that the fluid passes therethrough by means of a suitable passage I in

page_text: the direction of the arrows into the chamber H, and upon the withdrawal of the
rain I re-admit the fluid in the drection of the dotted arrows through an inflow
valve M, loaded so that the slip E will first rise from the well to the pump, and tho
water B, B, will follow into the vacuum caused by the withdrawal of the ram.
This part of my Invention may be advantageously applied to other presses than
those used for the purposes above described, and also for the filtration of any gritty
or other material which causes wear on the ram or valvo.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improvement in the filter prosses
now ordinarily used in the potteries so as to reduce the loss and waste occasioned
by the bursting of the cloths. These cloths usually burst in those parts where they
are doubled over owing to the fact that when the pressure comes upon thom the
cloth is unsupported all round tho chamber (see dotted lines X, X, Figure 5) for a
distance of about one inch, or thereabouts. Now I reduce the thickness of the
filtering spaces or chambers W, W, by bevilling off or narrowing the chambers all
round the sides thereof where the cloth is so doubled over in the manner exactly
shown at Y, Y, so that the unsupported length of cloth G, G, G, will be reduced,
thereby enabling the cloths to bear a much heavier pressure than heretofore without
bursting.
Another part of my Invention relates to improvements in screw presses used for
pressing articles, such as tiles or bricks from clay, in a semi-dry or plastic stato.
Hitherto it has been customary to drive such pressos by bevil or friction gearing,
which is very liable to heavy wear and to get out of order. Now I obviate these
disadvantages by driving such prosses (see Figures 5 and 6) with one or more bands
A, A, driven from one or more pulleys B, B, fixed upon a horizontal shaft G. These
bands pass over suitable runner pullies D, D, to a single pulley E, either upon the
main screw of the press, or connected thereto, and which it drives by feathers or
other suitable means. The shaft G is driven in either direction by straight and
cross bands in the usual manner by the fast pulley M, N and O being loose pullies.
The screw thus rises and falls as the shaft G is caused to revolve in one direction or
the other.
The dotted lines in Figure 6 shew the application of band pullies to both sides,
and in that case only one driving band is needed. The pulley N is attached to the
dotted pulley P, and both run loosely on the shaft G; M is then the loose pulley
and O is fixed to the shaft G. When the driving band is moved from the loose
pulley M on to the pullies N or O the screw is caused to rise or fall as desired.
In Figure 7 the shaft G is raised so that the band will pass straight from one side
of the pulley B to the pulley E, and only one runner pulley K is required. G is
then reversed, as before described, by straight and cross driving bands by means of
the pulleys N, M, O. Figure 8 shews a plan view of this arrangement.
The dotted lines in Figures 7 and 8 shew the application of an additional band
pulley D on the shaft G. In this arrangement the shaft G is reversed, as before
described, by a single driving band, M being a loose pulley, and N being attached
to B in a suitable manner and running loosely on the shaft G, as before described.
The band in this arrangement having passed half round the pulleys D and B, may
be guided either by a pulley of the same size as E, running loosely on the same shaft
as E, or by means of two runner pullies fixed as indicated by the dotted lines H, H,
or in any other suitable position, and I use either grooved pullies and round bands,
or drum pulleys and ordinary leather bands, as may be most convenient.
I actuate the driving bands upon the pulleys in the foregoing arrangements by
means of a hand lever A having a fulcrum F, and connected at D by the vertical
rod E to the strap guide B, and which has a counterweight C upon a lever L. This
lever and weight may be turned over towards H, as shewn, or towards G, as shewn
in dotted lines, and is held in position by suitable stops D, D, fixed on the lever A.
When the lever L is turned over towards G it causes the band by its own weight
and the weight of the rod E to slip on the up pulley, and thereby keeps the fly
wheel and screw in a raised position, at the same time that it does not allow the
screw to descend beyond a certain point. When thrown over the other way

page_text: towards H it balances the upright rod E, and the press is self acting, rising and
falling automatically. The vertical rod is caused to rise and fall in the usual manner
by tappets or wipers on the main screw, or it may be made to engage against the
rim of the fly wheel.
In making tiles in a semi-dry state with a screw press it is necessary to give two
or more pressures thereto, and in order to accomplish this I employ the arrangement
shewn at Figure 9, which consists of one or more fly wheels or their equivalents
working loosely on the main screw of the press or in connection therewith. These
fly wheels are free to turn independently of the main screw through a certain space
only. The screw A has attached to it by means of a light fly wheel B or a
suitable fixed arm or stop C. Upon the descent of the screw this fly wheel or arm
gives the first pressure or blow, while the second blow is given by the momentum
of the second fly wheel E in the following manner:-E is a fly wheel (preferably
heavier than B) which is allowed to turn loosely on the shaft A, or a continuation
thereof, through a suitable limited space (see plan, Figure 10). When the screw is
descending and revolving in the direction of the arrow O, C is in contact with F
immediately the screw stops, having put on its first pressure. The momentum of E
then carries it round in the direction of the arrow until the stop D engages with
the stop C, thus giving a second blow a pressure. By adding additional wheels
at E, I can give as many blows as desired.
The interval between the delivery of the blows, to the extent of nearly the time
of one revolution of the screw A, can be varied by regulating the position of the
stops F and D.
If preferred, E may revolve upon the thread of a screw cut in the shaft A, and
thus the interval between the delivery of the blows can be yet more greatly varied.
By this means the weight of the different blows, and the interval between their
delivery, can be adjusted as required. This is extremely desirable, as it is found in
present practice that with the whole weight of the fly wheel attached to the screw
the first blow is frequently too heavy, and the air is thereby embedded in the tile,
causing considerable loss and waste.
Another method of carrying out this part of my Invention is shewn at Figures 11
and 12, and is as follows:-I apply an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder B, similar to
that already described, and which interpose in any convenient manner between
the end of the screw A and the mould E in which the tile is pressed on the descent
of the screw.
When the upper die first compresses the tile there is a space between
the end of the hydraulic ram F and the bottom of the cylinder B. As the screw
continues to descend the fluid is gradually allowed to escape by suitably adjusted
valves, and the speed of the blow is retarded thereby, thus allowing time for the
air to escape; and when the ram Farrives at the bottom of the cylinder B the
second and final blow or pressure is given by the fly whcel and screw.
In order to ensure the 'gradual escape of the fluid I employ a lever having a
suitably inclined plane, which opens or closes the valve by a tappet attached to the
ram F during the time of the descent of the ram into the cylinder from F to B².
I would here observe that the lever L, shown at Figure 12, works on the fulcrum F
independently of the lever A.
If necessary, in order the better to facilitate the escape of the air, I so adjust the
valves as to relieve the pressure on the ram during the last portion of its descent,
and by means of a spring G, or in any other suitable manner, I raise the top die
from the tile, thereby allowing the greatest freedom for the escape of the air. By
this improved method I obtain a gradual first pressure with a quick motion of the
screw. This is most desirable, as I thereby not only obtain better tiles, but also an
increase of production in the same time. This part of my Invention also applies
to screw presses for other purposes where it is desirable to produce an exact or
limited amount of pressure upon the article being manufactured.
I obtain the feeding, lifting out, and other notions as shown at Figures 13 and 14
of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, by cams working upon a horizontal
shaft S driven in the following way :-I attach two connecting rods A, A, to the

page_text: main cross head B, one on each side, and at the other ends to two levers C and F.
These levers work upon a fulerum shaft D, one being provided with a segment of
an internal rack C, and one with an external rack F, and which respectively gear
into two toothed wheels G and H, each working loosely upon the horizontal shaft S,
and having upon each a ratchet or pawl I and J, so as both to turn the shaft in
the same direction. The ratchets I and J are fixed to the shaft S. The toothed
wheels and H are free to revolve upon the shaft, and are held in position by
collars or by any other suitable means. To these toothed wheels the fulcri of tho
ratchets I and J are attached.
The levers C and F being connected with the main screw of the press R rise and
fall therewith, and the shaft S is caused to revolve almost continuously in one
direction by the rising and falling of the screw. The toothed wheels G and H are
so proportioned to the internal and external racks upon the levers C and F that
the rising and falling of the screw produces exactly one revolution of the shaft S,
and by attaching the ends of the connecting rods A, A, to such lovers, nearer or
farther from the fulcrum shaft D, by a slot M or other suitable means, the shaft S
makes one revolution only to one up-and-down motion of the screw, whether such
motion be lengthened or shortened; or instead of keying the levers C and F on the
fulcrum shaft D, I key them on the shaft S, to which the cams L are attached, as
shewn in Figure 14. In this case when the rods A, A, raise the lovers, as before
described, the cams L engage a catch E, which vibrates upon a fulcrum Ŕ attached
to the lifting-out rod P, and lifts out the tile, and when the projecting part of tho
cam passes the edge of the catch E the lifting-out rod drops. When the rods A, A,
descend the cam L casily pushes aside the catch E, as indicated by the dotted lines
in this Figure, and returns to its original position; the catch then resumes its
position by the pressure of a spring M or other suitable means. The fulcrum R is
made so that it can be raised or lowered on the lifting-out rod P in order to adjust
the lift.
Another feature of my Invention consists in feeding articles of plastic clay into
the presses by means of a revolving feeder, having, say, 6, or any other suitable
number of radial arms. This feeder carries the block of clay from the side of the
press round to the back upon a table arranged level with the top of the mould;
suitable oiling rollers are placed in the table for lubricating the clay. When the
press rises the feeder makes a partial revolution, taking off the pressed tile from the
mould, and putting in a block of clay, after which the feeder revolves backwards
through a very short space, so that the radial arms clear the top mould.
In order to equalize the semi-dry material over the surface of the mold when
making thin tiles or slabs of large surface, I employ a loose plate A, Figure 15, upon
the bottom die B, and when the mold is ready for filling, this plate is slightly
inclined, being raised at the feed box end E by a spring C or other suitable means.
When the tile is pressed the plate sinks down until it becomes level, and the tile or
slab thus becomes of a perfectly uniform density throughout.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improved method of driving and
reversing a potter's lathe. Figures 16 and 17 of the accompanying Drawings
respectively show views in plan and elevation of this arrangement. The band from
the driving shaft passes round two pulleys F, F, so that both are driven in the
same direction. The two pulleys are keyed upon two shafts G, G, carried in a
frame H parallel to each other, while at the other ends of the shafts are two friction
wheels K, K², so arranged as to drive upon their peripheries at each side of a disc L,
whose axis M is at right angles with the two shafts. The frame H carrying the
shafts is made movable, and when the friction wheels aro brought into contact with
the disc it is driven in one direction or the other by either wheel separately. By
sliding the frame nearer or farther from the axis of the disc the speed is increased
or decreased accordingly. By carrying the axis M of the disc through, as shown
in dotted lines in Figures 16 and 17, and applying another disc Q, I use only one
friction wheel K* and one pulley F, the action being similar, and I obtain the
reverso motion from the wheel K² coming alternately in contact with the discs Q

page_text: and L. The lathe is driven from a pulley N on the axis M, and is reversed or made
to run either fast or slowly as desired. I use this arrangement also for other
potters machines, such as throwing wheels where accelerated or retarded motion is
required, but not for any reverse motion. In this case I use only one disc L
Figures 16 and 17, and one friction disc K. The disc L is fixed upon a vertical
axis and the frame H moves nearer and farther from the centre of the axis M., as
before described. This is usually accomplished by a disc on the horizontal shaft
and a small pulley sliding on feathers on the vertical shaft. This method gives
much trouble in wear and tear, which defects are thoroughly obviated by the
arrangement just described and by the sliding of the frame H carrying the friction
disc K
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and the mode in which I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein shewn and described, as
the same are capable of modification, but what I do claim is,-
Firstly. The construction and use of the combined self-contained arrangement of
pug mill, engine, blunger, and pump, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated.
Secondly. The method of relieving the pressure in filter press pumps by attaching
an intermediate hydraulic cylinder with valves, as described, to the motor rod of
the pump ram, or by using membrane pumps, and allowing the fluid to escape
through weighted valves and return, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated.
Thirdly. The narrowing of the chambers of such filter presses as have folded over
cloths, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and
described.
Fourthly. The improved methods of actuating the screws of a press by means of
bands and pulleys, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described and illustrated.
Fifthly. The improved methods of obtaining two or more pressures by a single
downward motion of the screw, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before described and illustrated.
Sixthly. The improved method of regulating such pressure, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein-before described and illustrated.
Seventhly. The general arrangement and combination of mechanical appliances,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John William Hartley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight,