CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS: AND OTHER PLASTIC PRODUCTS
Year: 1846

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PETER
ARMAND le Comte de. FONTAINEMOREAU, of New Broad Street, London, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present, most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great. Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Third day of September,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-six, in the tenth year of Her 'reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemóreau, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontainemoreau, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times. during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use; exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
and in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in
all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations. abroad,; the Invention" for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS: AND
OTHER PLASTIC PRODUCTS," being a communication from a Foreigner residing
abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I;, the said
Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, shall particularly describe::and
ascertain the nature of the said.Invention, and in what manner the samé is to be

page_text: performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled
in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and
by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I; the said
Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, do hereby declare the nature
of the Invention communicated to me, and the manner in which the same is
to be performed, are particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following Instrument in writing, reference being made to the letters and figures
therein contained, and to the Drawings thereunto annexed, in which the same
letters of reference are used to indicate similar parts, that is to say :-
The Invention, communicated to me, consists in certain improved modifica-
tions or new combinations of certain parts of the apparatus generally used for
manufacturing, bricks and other similar plastic products, and in certain
machines by which the bricks and other plastic articles are compressed.
These improvements, which, as before stated, are applied to the different sys-
tems of apparatus employed for producing bricks and other similar plastic
articles, are divided as follows:-Firstly, the improvements relative to moulding
machines, in which the pug wheel prepares the plastic substances; secondly,
the improvements applied to moulding bricks and other similar plastic sub-
stances by. means of pression; thirdly, the improvements for pressing and
finishing the bricks, and other similar plastic substances when moulded. The
improvements on moulding apparatus, in which the pug mill prepares the
plastic substances, are shewn by the Drawings I., II., III., IV., V., VI, VII.,
and VIII., herein-after described; the improvements on moulding machines,
by means of pression, are shewn by Drawings IX., X., and XI., as herein-
after described; the improvements for pressing and finishing the bricks and
other similar plastic articles are shewn by Drawings XII. and XIII., as
herein-after described; improvements on the apparatus for moulding the
bricks and other similar plastic articles, when the plug mill prepares the
plastic substances, as shewn by Drawings I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII.,
and VIII.
The improvements shewn by Drawings I. and II. consist, firstly, in the mode
of receiving the plastic articles as they are unmoulded; secondly, in the
different modes of giving to the piston its intermittent or continuous ascending
and descending motion; thirdly, the mode of giving to the disks or plates a
rotative motion either continuous or intermittent. The improvements shewn
by the Drawings III., IV., and V., consist, firstly, in the mode of giving to the

page_text: mould-bearer carriages some intermittent or continuous movements; secondly,
in the application of mould-bearer carriages provided with pistons, by
which the plastic articles are unmoulded above the upper surface of these
mould-bearer carriages; thirdly, in the application of the mould-bearer
carriages having orifices, the upper and lower surfaces of which are free, in
order to unmould the plastic articles underneath these orifices by means of a
piston, which is perpendicular above the surface of the mould-bearer carriages;
fourthly, in the application of the mould-bearer carriages on which the moulds
are placed. The improvements represented by the Drawings VI., VII., and
VIII., consist, firstly, in the application of two circular disks or plates, which are,
by their rotative movement, forced to pass under the pug mill; secondly, in the
application of wheels provided with cams or lifts producing the intermittent
movements; thirdly, the application of the intermittent motions of the two
circular disks or plates; fourthly, the application of sand boxes to moulding
machines.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS I. AND II.
The Figure 1 of the Drawing 1 represents a vertical section or internal
plan drawn through the axis of the mould-bearer disk F and the receiving
plate G of one of the improved apparatus entirely set up; the Figure 2 is a
bird's-eye view or a plan of the machine complete in its principal parts, as seen
from above; the Figure 3 is a transversal section passing through the centre
of the piston or driver M; the Figure 4 is another vertical section, shewing
the disposition of a moveable carriage, into which the bricks, tiles, or other
plastic articles moulded by the apparatus are received as soon as the piston or
driver M has acted upon those articles, so as to force them from the moulds.
This moveable carriage may be substituted for the plate G', mentioned in
Figure 1. The apparatus receives its motion from the main shaft, passing
through the interior of the pug mill A; that shaft is supported by the cross
bar A', on which it turns freely. It is also provided at its centre with arms
or knives, which can be altered or modified according to the greater or less
difficulties which may attend the mixing of the several kinds of earth. That
shaft must be also necessarily provided with four arms or blades, forming an
helix, fixed at such a part of the shaft that the distance between the arms of
the helix and the bottom of the pug mill be proportioned to the pressure which
is to be produced for insuring the proper. filling of the mould; the four blades
forming the helix must be set at an angle of about forty-five degrees. The
number of the knives or arms composing the other helices set on the upper
part of the four-brauched helix is to be proportioned to the nature of the
▲ 2

page_text: plastic substances and the preparation they require. The disposition and the
inclination of the blades or arms being, as herein-before described, dependant
on the preparation which the earth requires, it is easy to comprehend that the
same result will be obtained as well by the distance between each of these
blades as by their number. The shaft r can be put in motion by means of a
horse shaft or any other convenient and suitable means.
The Figures 1 and 2, Drawing 1, show the mould-bearer disk or plate F,
which forms one of the principal parts of the improved machines, placed
underneath the bottom of the pug mill A. This plate F is entirely circular,
cast in one piece, and fixed horizontally to the. lower part of the vertical
shaft G It is provided with about twenty rectangular orifices, in which are
carefully placed the brass moulds h, which present internally the forms and
sizes of the bricks, tiles, or other similar plastic articles to be moulded. These
brass moulds h may be changed in any desirable manner as to forms and sizes,
taking care however that the dimensions are such as to admit of their being
inserted in the orifices of the mould-bearer plate or disk F. .
The Figure 5 represents a bird's-eye view of a sector I. The segment of
the circular disk which it occupies is represented from a to a³, and from 6 to
6. It is made of brass, and set closely and permanently underneath the
mould-bearer disk F, but in no way connected with it, and remains fixed whilst
the mould-bearer disk F turns on its axis, so as to form, by its proximity to
the lower surface of that disk F, a closely-fitting temporary bottom to the
plastic pieces contained in the moulds, which are ultimately, by the circular
movement of the disk or mould bearer, left without any support 'underneath,
being merely upheld in their short course to the point diametrically opposite.to
the axis of the pug mill by the adhesion of the prepared earth to the sides of
the said moulds h. This sector I is immoveable, and projects from one side of
the pug mill A from 'a to a¹, and on the other from 6 to 6', occupying at one of
its extremities a'position similar to that of the knife or scraper K, herein-after
described. That sector I can be raised in case of need, so as to cause it it to
press on the upper surface of the mould-bearer disk F to the proper degree.
For this purpose some bolt screws have been adjusted, by which means any
slackness may be removed. The axis of the moulding plate F is kept steady
at its proper extremity by a support which is set upon the frame or bearings
of the improved. apparatus, and at its lower end, by means of a socket, fitted
with the cast-iron recess or pan.J. By this method; it is easy to find the
proper centre of that axis, and by means of bolt screws, purposely adapted
to J, that axis can-be-raised or lowered to the height it is necessary to give it.
The motion of that axis G is received from the straight cast-iron wheel E
.

page_text: which catches with the pinion C, set upon the vertical shaft of the pug
mill A. The mean between the diameters of, these two wheels E and C is
combined so as to be naturally in rapport with the thickness of the brick, or
of any other. similar.plastic article to be moulded. Near the pug mill A a cast-
iron knife K is placed, provided at its lower extremity with a small brass plate
covering its lower surface, which serves to scrape the superfluous quantity of
prepared earth off the moulds of the plate or disk F as soon as they are filled.
This scraping. knife K is permanently fixed, though the moulding plate F is in
motion. For that purpose the, knife K is retained in its proper position on
each side by means of straps or bolt screws, and, in order, to have it con-
tinually resting on the prepared earth at a convenient distance from the plate
or disk F, it is pressed down by means of the lever L, loaded at one of its ends
by a convenient weight.
The Figures 8 and 9 represent perfectly well the construction of that knife,
the Figure 9 being a section drawn from the line 1 to 2 of Figure 8. It
will now be very easily conceived by such, disposition that the mixed and
ground earth falling through an orifice prepared at the bottom of the pug
mill A upon. the moveable plate or disk F, immediately fills the corresponding
moulds h, which are placed under the orifice, and cannot be spread beyond it,
because on one side the moulded piece is kept by the permanent sector I,
which is underneath the moulding plate F, forming the bottom of the
moulds h, and on the other side, because the knife K, which levels and presses
the prepared earth on the surface of the moulds, serves at the same time to
form its upper side by the rotative motion of the moulding plate F. The
manufacturing can be carried on without any, interruption. As soon as the
brick, tile, or other similar, plastic article has been moulded it is carried by
the rotative motion of the mould-bearer disk or plate F to the point dia-
metrically opposite to the axis of the grinding trough A, and is supported.
during a part only of its journey by means of the sector I; and after it has.
left that sector I and the knife K, it receives some fine sand, as herein-after
described; and by the action of the piston or hammer M, herein-after
described, it is compelled to get out of, the moulds h. This piston or hammer
forms one of the most essential pieces of the improved apparatus. A very
essential motion to disengage the moulded articles from the moulds h, and
from the circular plate F, which was attended with many difficulties; has-been
obtained by this piston or driver M, its function being to penetrate successively,
into each of the moulds h, and to egress from them always with the-same pre-
cision whilst the circular course of the mould bearer F is taking place. That
desirable action is obtained by placing the rod of the piston M at the centre of

page_text: a wrought-iron crank shaft N, which is very short. By the action of the
shaft N on that rod, and thereby on the piston M itself, an alternate
ascending and descending motion is obtained, which is in proportion to
the height of the mould h, that is to say, to the thickness of the moulded
article which is to egress from the moulding disk F. The axis N is
provided at one of its extremities with a bevil pinion O, catching with
a much larger conical wheel P. That one is set on a small vertical
axis O¹, which receives directly its motion from the axis G of the moulding
plate F by means of a straight pinion Q catching with the wheel E, fixed on
the axis G of the moulding plate F. The diameters of these several wheels
are combined in-such manner that the piston M will ascend and descend each
time that the mould bearer. F is advancing a mould h; that is to say, that the
piston M descends twenty times during each circular motion of the moulding
plate F if that plate is provided with twenty moulds. These descending
motions take place at the proper time, in order to guide with perfect precision
the piston M during its movement, in-part. circular, which it must have to
enter and egress from the moulds h whilst the mould bearer F is performing
its circular motion. A box or. casing g¹ is adapted to the piston M, and
maintains its lower part constantly perpendicular; 'that box or casing g' itself
is supported by the bearer d'. This bearer is set on the axis G of the moulding
plate F by means of collars, which are sufficiently free to allow it to turn
without interruption- to the. circular movement of the axis .G. In order to
regulate the pinion M in the circular motion of its lower part, and to force it
to enter into the mould h, a guide n¹ is properly set on the frame of the
apparatus at m¹.
It is understood that the guide n¹ being provided with a
bolt screw, it is easy to guide the. piston M- conveniently, as shewn by the
Figure 7. In order to regulate with precision the position of the lower-end
or the piston. M, that is to, say, the plate which is to strike out the moulded
article, some rectangular mortices are contrived, and by their use that plate is
made to move to the right or left; or one side or the other, according to
necessity, and is steadily fixed afterwards by means of screws and nuts, and
with iron or wooden wedges, as they are shewn by the Figures 10 and 11.
The upper part of the piston M is set in an iron bridle or block, in the inside.
of which is shut a spiral spring ", serving to maintain the pression of the
piston itself at the moment it is to cause, by its descending motion, the egress
of the brick, tile, or other moulded plastic article which is contained. in the
mould immediately under the small or lower plate of that piston M, which
comes in contact with the surface of the plastic article to be acted upon.
That spiral spring is made of such power that in case the piston M should by

page_text: any mischance come on to the flat surface of the mould-bearer disk instead of
penetrating the mould h contained in it, it would be compelled to -recede or
collapse within the piston, and thereby shorten it. At the upper part of the
piston M the hinge M' is set, and serves to connect its upper and lower parts.
At a convenient distance from the box 9', and calculated according to the
course of the before-mentioned piston, is placed a circular groove Nu, repre-
sented by Figure 12. By means of that circular groove N₁ the lower part of
the piston, that is to say, that lower part of the piston between the groove Nu
and the plate striking the mould is enabled to turn whilst the upper portion
of the piston is kept nearly perpendicular by the crank N. The bricks are
received as soon as they are struck. out of the moulds either upon a plate .or.
circular disk G; moveable by the moulding plate F, or upon a carriage, like-
wise moveable; in either case the carriage or disk used must be placed
immediately under the piston M. That circular disk G' is set upon a vertical.
shaft, which is parallel to the axis of the moulding plate F. The shaft a
receives its rotative movement from the shaft F by means of the wheel R
catching with the wheel Q. These two wheels R and Q are disposed u
suitable proportions, according to the ratio of the diameter of the plates F
and G', in order that the speed at their circumference may be exactly the
same, to ensure the falling of the moulded article on to the disk G¹ at equal
distances, and corresponding to those which exist between the rectangulár
orifice of the plate F containing the moulds h. When a moveable carriage-V,
having a rectilineal course, is used in lieu of a plate or circular disk -G', 'similar
to that herein-before mentioned which has a circular movement, the apparatus
is disposed in the manner shewn by Figure. 4 of the Drawing 1. That
carriage V rests and rolls on two straight and parallel rails X, and receives
there its motion either from a straight cog wheel .Y, in junction with the
lower part of the vertical axis G³, and from another wheel supported by an
axis, on which are set two pinions, each catching in a cast-iron rack placed on
one side of the carriage, or the said carrige V. can be put in motion by any
other suitable or convenient contrivance. When the circular disk G¹ is use:]
the moulded articles are removed by a workman from the surface at the
point V₁ of the Figure 2; but when a moveable carriage is substituted it
remains until sufficiently loaded, when it is removed and replaced by an empty
one, so as to prevent any stoppage in the manufacture. On the receiving disk
or plate Ga number of small boards are placed; they are intended to support
and receive the moulded articles; and to, prevent their adhesion to them, they
are arranged so as to admit of their being slightly covered with fine sand by
means of the following disposition. On the lower part of the hopper S, which

page_text: is made of wood or any other suitable material, is set the necessary sand
box v, and underneath the hopper S a metallic sieve is set in a frame or box,
of which it form's a perforated bottom, and through which, at certain periods, a
small quantity of fine sand allowed to pass from the hopper S, at first into
the chamber U, and afterwards on to the before-mentioned boards, over the
surfaces of which it becomes diffused. To this sieve an alternate motion is
given by means of a small crank or of an excentric supported on the extremity
of the crank shaft N, and of the connecting rod, which joints with the centre
of the mill hopper S. This siëve is also guided in its rectilineal course by small
rollers or pullies provided with grooves, which move on two permanent and
parallel lines similar to a rail. The same means as those used for spreading
the sand on the boards placed on the disk or plate for receiving the moulded
plastic articles, as herein-before described, have also been applied for the
purpose of spreading sand on the surface of the moulding plate F. On the
right side of the bevil wheel P is set the hopper S, which is provided
with a similar metallic cloth or sieve, set in a frame like that already
described, and is put in motion by means of an excentric or crank.in
connection with the crank shaft N. The sand also falls from the chamber U
upon. the circular plate F; the other dispositions are the same or similar to
those above described for the sand box'S. When a moveable-carriage is used
in lieu of a circular disk or receiving plate G, as herein-before described, the
sand box must be disposed' so as to be immediately above that carriage.or
waggon V, and worked by means of a right angular motion corresponding to
the crank shaft N. The surface of the moulds are sprinkled with sand to
prevent the bricks, tiles, or other similar plastic' articles which they may be
intended to contain, from adhering to them, which otherwise would frequently
occur on account of the dampness of the prepared earth; similar means are
taken to prevent the plate or lower extremity of the piston M from adhering
to the surface of the nioulded article on which it acts. On the right side of
the pug mill A is placed a reservoir Z, containing the water necessary for
washing the moulding plate or disk F, on which it drops by means of the
spout n at the required time during the plate's rotative motion. Conjointly
with the water it would be very easy to introduce into each of the moulds ha
brush, the movement of which can be obtained' by means similar to those
herein-before described for the piston M, and be received from the crank shaft
N, or by any other convenient moving power. To facilitate and ensure a
perfect moulding, the pug mill A is entirely filled up with plastic substance;
and then set alone in motion, by which means à complete mixture of the clay
is secured before the mould-bearer carriages are put in motion. The pug mill

page_text: is set to work singly by raising the pinion fixed on the upper part of its axis
in order to disconnect the axis from the cogs of the wheel giving the motion
to the mould bearers. The pinion is supported in that state of elevation by
means of a key, which is introduced into the axis of the pug mill. When the
mixture is completely perfected the mould-bearer carriages are made to work,
and the whole apparatus put in motion by withdrawing the key, which
lowering the pinion, enables it to catch immediately with the wheel, giving the
rotative motion to the mould-bearer carriages. The same mode of operating
is to be applied to the machines herein-after described, and represented by the
Drawings II., III., IV., and V. The Figure I. of the Drawing II. shews a
vertical section of the apparatus entirely set up, and passing through the axis of
the pug mill A and of the piston M. The Figure 2 is a bird's-eye view, as seen
from above the same machine. It has been shewn in the Drawing of the herein-
before described apparatus that the piston M was worked by means of catchings
and a small shaft crank A, which compelled it to force out the moulded
articles from the moulds h on the mould-bearer carriage or plate F; but that
piston M can also be put in action by an ascending and descending motion,
when the following disposition is made use of. On the vertical shaft G, which
carries the moulding plate F, a wheel, provided with cams N, is properly:
adapted, on the cogs of which a small roller continually rests. That roller is:
moveable in a bridle or block O, which terminates the lever P. The axis of
this last lever projects horizontally on every side of the axis of the machine in-
order to support on one side the lever P, placed in an opposite direction to the
precedent axis, and on the other side the third lever P, loaded well by a
counterpoise. The end of the second lever P' is united by hinges to the
connecting rod Q, which likewise ends at its lower extremity by a joint, in
order to be connected to a bent joint, which serves to connect it to the rod of
the piston or driver M. It naturally results from these arrangements that
when the shaft G is set in motion one of the cogs of the cam wheel N raises
the small roller o, and consequently lowers the lever P¹, and with this the rod
9, with which it is connected; therefore, by the motion of the rod 9, the piston.
M is forced down into one of the moulds of the plate F, and consequently
drives out the brick, tile, or plastic article which it may contain. When the
small roller o is arrived at the top of the cog which has raised it; and during.
the time the wheel N with lifts or cams is continuing its motion, the roller o
is necessarily compelled to be lowered by the counterweight placed at the
extremity of the lever P', and consequently the lever P' ascends again with the:
piston M, which is then drawn from the mould into which it had been forced,
as above stated. The internal and external construction of the piston M, in

page_text: its dispositions, is exactly similar to that of the piston herein-before described
when speaking of the precedent machine, except, however, that the mode of
connecting the rod q to the lever P¹ by means of the double hinges, set in a
contrary direction to the piston, will prevent the breaking of that piston, or
rather the upper part of the rod Q itself, the mould-bearer plate F being
disposed to work by a continuous motion without any interruption, as it
happens when it receives its movement by means of ordinary catching wheels
which have not any interval between their cogs. It is understood, that during
the time (always very short) that the piston M is engaged in the mould it is
driven with the rotative motion of the mould-bearer plate F, therefore it has
been found necessary to adapt to it a circular motion, similar to that herein-
before described when speaking of the precedent apparatus. In the description
of the apparatus herein-before contained the position of the circular disk or
plate G, Figure 1, Drawing 1, on which the moulded pieces are received when
forced to fall by the action of the piston M, has been shewn, and it has also
been proposed to substitute a moveable carriage, which has also been described,
instead of that circular disk or plate G. The description of that essential
part of the improved machine. can be as follows:-The moveable carriage is
comprised of a plate T, on which are placed the small boards, used, as before
stated, to receive the moulded articles. Underneath the moveable carriage
some bands.or iron bearings are secured to enable them to receive the wheels
or pullies U which are to travel on parallel lines. On the side of the plate which
the carriage supports a toothed rack Z is fixed; it catches at the same time two
similar pinions Y, having vertical axes, which support pullies provided with
grooves or with small wheels, over which the endless chain X passes and causes
them to turn with a similar velocity. To the upper extremity of one of those axes
is likewise fitted a pinion Y', having large cogs catching the mould-bearer disk
or plate F. This pinion has its circumference provided with separate cogs x,
placed at distances corresponding to those existing between the moulds, in
order to give an intermittent motion to the pinion Y', the rotation of which
is proportioned to the facility of the moulded articles. By the contrivance
the carriage is sometimes in motion and sometimes at rest; and it is at the
same time in constant relation with the action of the piston M itself, when
this last forces by its descending motion the article from the mould on to
the mould-bearer carriage plate F, that is to say, that the piston M penetrates
into the mould whilst the plate which is to receive the moulded articles
remains stationary; but on the contrary, when the piston M rises from
the moulds, the carriage must move in order to present another vacant
mould, on which is placed, by the same motion, another moulded article. When

page_text: the small boards placed upon the table T are occupied by moulded articles,
and the carriage on which they are placed has reached the end of its course,.
that carriage is removed and replaced by another; by that means the operation
continues without any interruption. As to the movement, disposition, and
use of the said boxes herein-before described as affixed to the preceding
apparatus, they can be altered and placed in any convenient position, so that
there is no necessity for a particular description of them in this place, more
especially as they are sufficiently demonstrated by the said box a, b, of
Figure 2. The disposition and movement of the water and brushes to clean
the moulds are the same as in the apparatus previously described. The
inclined planes of the wheel N, as well as the corresponding levers, Figure 2,
must be arranged in such a manner that they will produce the fall of the
piston within the required time. To obtain that precise action the ascending
and falling movements of the pistons must have a scope equal to twice the
thickness of the plastic moulded article; that is to say, that if the moulded
article is about the three inches thick, the piston must ascend and descend
about six inches. This ascending and descending movement of the pistons
are so required to be a space twice the thickness of the moulded plastic
article for the purpose of giving the mould-bearer carriage sufficient time
to advance a convenient distance so as to present another orifice to the piston
when the latter is in the middle of its descending action.
.
A different disposition of the machine, constituting another part of the im-
provements communicated to me, is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Drawing III.,
and in Figure 3 of the Drawing IV., and is comprised in the following descrip-
tion. That improvement consists in causing to pass directly underneath the
pug mill A a rectilineal mould-bearer carriage B, working in a strait line,
and containing a certain number. of cavities, representing as many moulds, in
each of which is set a piston C, having the exact form and dimensions of the
brick, tile, or other plastic article which is to be manufactured.
The Figure 1 of the Drawing III. shews a general bird's-eye view of the plan
of the machine and of the pug mill A. The Figure 2 is a vertical section drawn
through the axis of the pug mill, and perpendicular to the mould-bearer
carriage, according to the line 1 and 2 of the Plan. The Figure 3 of the
Drawing 1V. is another vertical section, drawn likewise through the shaft of
the pug mill, but according to the length of the mould-bearer carriage, as is
shewn by the line 3 to 4. The sections are drawn on a scale of about one
tenth of the real size. The Figures 4 and 5 shew, on a large-scale, the
vertical section and a plan of a part of the mould-bearer carriage separated
from their pistons or drivers G. Figures 6 and 7 show, on a large scale, the

page_text: piston C and the upper plate. The Figures 8 and 9 are Drawings on a larger
scale of some particular parts of the knife, serving the double purpose of
scraping off the superabundant prepared clay from the moulds and at the
same time levelling and pressing that which they contain more firmly into
them. The pug mill A is similar to that herein-before described when
speaking of Figure 1, Drawing 1. It receives its motion from the moving
power by means of the shaft a.
The mould-bearer carriage receives a
longitudinal rectilineal movement according to the direction of its length, in
order to present successively. each of its cavities or moulds to the action of
the pug mill. A, which is provided at its bottom. with an aperture-purposely
made, so as to permit the mould to be filled with the prepared earth as soon
as the motion. of the mould-bearer carriage B brings them under the bottom
of the pug mill A, and until they have passed underneath it. The aperture
of the pug mill A can be at any convenient time closed by means of a register;
in order to prevent the egress of the prepared earth, in case it should be
necessary to withdraw the whole of the mould-bearer carriage B. Underneath
the said pug A the cast-iron carriage or mould bearer B is so disposed
that the holes or rectangular cavities c, c, therein contained form as many
moulds, having exactly the shapes of the brick, tile, or other plastic article
which is to be manufactured in them. This apparatus can, mould, as many
pieces of different forms and dimensions as the mould-bearer carriage B is
provided with appertures. It will be. easily conceived, that as each of
the moulds is fitted with a convenient piston, as herein-after described, the
depth and surface of that mould, can be of any required dimension, and there-
fore the effect of that piston, (the upper surface of which corresponds exactly
to the mould) will be of forcing without any difficulty the moulded piece
out of the mould. The upper part of the piston. is; as it has been said
before, purposely provided with a plate fitting exactly the bottom of the
mould, and having the same shape and surface as that of the moulded plastic
article. On that plate may be fitted an occasional small board, fitting exactly
the surface of the piston, but of a sufficient thickness to project a little above
the level surface of the mould-bearer carriage B, in order that the moulded
plastic article could be taken from the mould, when the motion herein-after.
described would take place; care must be taken to put the piston in direct
connection with the inclined plane D. In order that there may be no inter-
ruption in the making, several mould bearers or carriages B are so constructed.
as to follow each other, as may be easily seen by the Drawing VI.; Figure 5.
They are connected by means of clasps or hooks c, which are placed in the
thickness of the side of the carriage itself, in order to prevent a projection,

page_text: which, when the carriages are passing under the pug mill A, would intercept
their motion. The mould-bearer carriage B is supposed to have two yards
and a quarter in length. It is supported on four wheels, set upon two
conveniently adapted axes, which are fixed at each of the extremities of the
mould-bearer carriage B. These two axes are maintained at each of their
ends by means of two supporters provided with brass' sockets. When the said
mould-bearer carriage B receives it forward movement, it is kept steady by
means of small wheels or rollers a¹, Figure 2, placed on the frame of the
apparatus on the side opposite to that of the herein-before mentioned rack F.
They can also be placed on the same side of that rack F, and by such means
the oscillating motion of the said mould-bearer carriage B can be easily
prevented. The cavities made in the mould-bearer carriages B for receiving
the prepared earth are closed at their lower parts by means of the plates of
the small pistons C, which are carefully adapted to them.
These pistons C
are each of them provided with a vertical spindle f, ending with a roller g; . it
is easily understood, that as long as those vertical pistons act by their own
weight they will only occupy the lower part; and from the bottom of the said
cavties; the mould-bearer carriage, in its rectilineal movement from right to
left, Figure 3, Drawing IV., has soon to pass over an inclined plane D, over
which the small rollers g of the pistons C, forming the base of the moulds,
have to traverse. By this contrivance the pistons C are completed to ascend,
being put in motion by the action of its vertical rod f, which is itself forced
upwards by the roller g, and thereby the vertical piston raises the moulded
articles at a convenient height, so as to enable them to be taken away to.the
convenient place. When the small rollers g attached to the pistons have
reached the summit of the inclined plane, nothing can be easier than to
remove the moulded plastic articles, which can then be carried to the drying
After that removal the smaller roller g, traversing the opposite side of
the inclined plane D, causes the piston, by its own weight, to descend and
occupy its usual place in the bottom of the mould. This disposition is shewn
at the left of Figure 3, Drawing IV. The inclined plane D is disposed in such
a manner that the pistons C do not ascend too precipitately; therefore:all
sudden jerks are avoided, as well as the chance of breaking. It would be
easy, also, by means of any suitable contrivance, to prolong the top of..that
plane D in a direct line, so as to have the piston C remaining some time:in
that situation, and to give an opportunity of removing the carriages containing
the moulded articles. The rods f of the pistons C may be attached at their
lower part by means of a pin o, Figure 3, Drawing III. The two extremities
room.

page_text: of that pin o are enabled to ascend and descend freely in a slide or groove
contrived in the thickness of the frame of the mould-bearer carriage. When
the pin has nearly reached the highest point of its ascending motion, it
causes the rod N to give it passage; and immediately after the pin has left
that rod the latter returns to its former position, in which it is forced by the
spring r. The piston C can be also supported at the most elevated point
of the plane D by means of a mechanism conveniently adapted for that
purpose. This piston C remaining thus will allow the moulded plastic
article to stop at the upper part of the mould-bearer carriage B; and when the
whole of the moulded plastic articles carried by a mould-bearer carriage are
out of the moulds, and have reached the upper part of that carriage, they are
removed on that.carriage to the drying room by a workman, who receives the
moulded articles, places them in a row, and brings back the same mould-
bearer carriage to the end of the line of the empty ones, taking care pre-
viously to wash it. The motion given to the mould-bearer carriages is very
simple; they are set on a cast-iron frame or bench E, which is supported
upon some wheels a', working in two parallel lines. On one of the sides of
the mould-bearer carriage B the straight rack F is fixed, and with it the cast-
iron cog wheel G is catching. That wheel is set at the lower extremity of the
vertical wrought-iron shaft H, which receives its motion from the wheel I,
and catches with the pinion J, set on the shaft a of the pug mill A, therefore.
the rotative motion transmitted to that shaft a by the arm of the turn
shaft k is given by means of the catching of the lower wheel G, which puts in
motion the rack F, and consequently the mould-bearer carriage B, supported
by the bench E, to which it is fixed by means of pins. The speed with which
these carriages are to advance is evidently depending upon the shaft K, and
proportionably to the labour of the pug mill A, and to the thickness of the
moulded articles. All the outlet of the pug mill A the scraper or knife L
is placed; that scraper serves at the same time the double purpose of
pressing the earth into the mould carriage B, and removing all the superfluous
material from the surface of the mould, by means of which all the moulded
plastic articles are of an equal thickness, and the surface rendered perfectly
smooth and level. On that scraper is set a transversal iever M, at the end of
which is placed a counterweight N, Figure 1, which can be increased or
diminished as may be thought most convenient, in order to change the pressure
of the knife or scraper.
On the surface of the mould-bearer carriage B,
opposite to the rack F, are set some iron pins or keys h, which being put in
contact with the two hanging connecting rods of the sand boxes O and O¹,

page_text: communicate to them a gentle motion, and thereby cause the sand purposely
contained in them to pass in small quantities through a metallic cloth sieve,
and thence to fall into the moulds b,
The Drawing V. represents 'another improved apparatus, constructed on a
principle similar to that represented in Drawing III. and IV., except, however,
with some modifications. The Figure 1 of that Drawing V. represents a
vertical section through the axis of the pug mill A and the middle of the
mould-bearer carriage B; the Figure 2 is a vertical transversal section,
drawn perpendicularly to the preceding Figure; the Figure 3 is a bird's-eye
view seen above the mould-bearer carriage B and the mechanism moving
the piston C. It is easy, by these Figures, drawn on a scale of about
one twentieth of the real size, that the mould-bearer carriage B is in its con-
struction nearly similar to those herein-before described, and represented by
the Drawings III. and IV. That apparatus, like the others, contains several
moulds or cavities b, having the exact forms and sizes of the bricks, tiles, or
other similar plastic articles, which they may be designed to make; but it has,
unlike the precedent machines, no pistons or drivers, and is only supported by
either four or six wheels R, which roll on wooden sleepers L, or, if more con-
venient, on iron parallel rails. It is moreover disposed to receive inwardly,
but under the moulds, some small boards P, which workmen or boys succes-
sively place upon it when the carriage is proceeding. Those small boards are
used to receive the moulded pieces when they are forced out of the moulds by
the upper piston C, which are caused to fall upon them. The mould car-
riage B receives a movement of transition by means of the straight rack F,
which is set on the side of the carriage. This motion of the carriage is
employed to, cause the pistons C to ascend or descend alternately. For that
purpose, on the side of the mould-bearer carriage B, opposite to the rack F
are adjusted some keys or pins g, which, as the carriage B is advancing, cause
a lever to be successively raised. That lever is supported by the axis m, to
which it gives at the same time a circular motion. On that axis is a small
cylinder or pulley T, at the circumference of which is fastened the end of a
chain or cord c', which, passing over a pulley P¹, is fastened by the other end
to a second lever n, in order to transmit to it the same movement. As soon
as the cord ceases to draw the lever n, a counterweight suspended to it always
forces it to go down. The same lever n is set at the end of the horizontal
axis o, which supports, at its middle, the third lever n in immediate junction
with the rod of the piston C. It results from that disposition that the piston C
is necessarily obliged to yield to the movement given to the first lever 1, and is
therefore forced to go down when that lever is raised, and to ascend quickly

page_text: as soon as it is left to itself, a result produced by the effect of the counter-
weight. That piston can be also constructed with a disposition similar to that
described when speaking of the piston M of the Figure 1, Drawing 1. The
simple disposition, herein-before described, is very convenient, as it permits the
piston C to be put in motion exactly at the required time, so as to get the
,moulded articles down as soon as the carriage B is advancing. A permanent
brass plate R is set under the pug mill A, and rests on supporters S¹. This
plate R is designed to receive the earth in its passage from the pug mill A
into the moulds of the carriage B, and at the same time forms a temporary
bottom, which is immoveable. It results from this contrivance that at a short
distance from the trough A the moulded piece is no longer supported at its
base, and is only held by the adhesion of the material to the sides of the
mould. It is understood, that as the earth has been strongly compressed by
the before-described action of the knife or scraper, it will of itself adhere suffi-
ciently to those moulds- to prevent the moulded article from falling before the
required moment. It. is therefore useless. to further prolong the plate R¹
serving as a temporary bottom to them. They are also, if it be judged neces-
sary, supported whilst passing under the knife or scraper L, which,at the same
time well levels their upper surface. This knife or scraper is kept. properly
adjusted by the lever M, loaded with a counterweight to increase or diminish
the pression,, as in the herein before described apparatus.
Close to this scraper
is set the sand box o¹, the motion of which being similar to that in the herein-
before described apparatus, renders a-particular description of it unnecessary.
At some slight distance from the said box the piston C.is adjusted, the motion
of which has been herein-before described. A carriage with a plain surface,
on which the moulds, made either of cast iron or wood, should be placed, could
also be employed. The moulds, during their passage under the pug mill and
scraper, would be firmly held by iron cramps, fastened to their extremities.
When this carriage, loaded with moulds in the manner, described, should have
passed under the pug mill, it would be conducted to the drying room without
being subjected to the action of a piston or driver, which does not exist in this
modification of the present apparatus; therefore, the carriage and the moulds
on. it would be taken. at once to the drying room, where workmen would
remove the moulds separately, then throw them on their larger sides, so as to
more easily effect the separation of the moulded article from the moulds. As
soon as this should have been done the moulds would be washed and replaced
upon the carriage, which would then be hooked on to the end of the empty
ones. All the other dispositions of this apparatus are represented by Figure 5,
which has been already described. In this machine there is neither piston.nor

page_text: sector, as shewn in the previous apparatus, the operation of the former being
done by the hand, and the latter being replaced by the upper plane of the car-
riage, which presents a level surface, serving as a bottom to the moulds.
Several plastic articles, differing in the shape of their upper and lower surfaces,
can be moulded by this apparatus; and, to obtain that result, it is merely
necessary to dispose the piston in such manner that they may unmould at the
same time several plastic articles. The lower surface of the piston therefore
must be provided with a number of small plates, equal in number to that of
the article to be unmoulded. It is well to observe that their small plates must
have the exact shape and dimensions of each of the articles. Let us suppose,
for example, that the piston has to unmould at the same time three articles
having different shapes and dimensions, consequently the small plates of the
piston must differ in each other in shape and dimensions, which must neces-
sarily correspond to those of the articles to be unmoulded. The other dispo-
sition of the improved apparatus for moulding bricks, tiles, and other similar
plastic articles, when the pug mill prepares the plastic substances, and the
apparatus have moveable moulding plates or discs, are represented by
Drawings VI. and VII. Some parts of the Figures of these Drawings are
represented by the same letters of reference.
Drawings VI. and VII.-The Figure 1 of the Drawing VI. is a section of
a vertical elevation of the apparatus, drawn through the axis B of the pug
mill A, and of one of the mould bearers or discs E', with an external view of
the other disc E". The Figure 2 represents a plan of a part of the apparatus,
shewing on one side the projection above the circular moveable discs, and on
the other side the plan of the mechanism by which they are put in motion.
It is well to observe that in the Figure 2 the cam wheel G of the mould-
bearer disks E", which are represented in the sectional elevation of Figure 1,
are naturally under the mould-bearer disks E, and if they are shewn in th
Figure 2 with strong marked instead of dotted lines, it is to exhibit their
effect more apparently. As the movement of the wheels is perfectly shewn
by the wheels G of the disks E, and also by the wheels E of the shaft B,
and as the forms of the cams of the mould-bearer disk or plate E¹, as well as
their intermittent motion, are exactly similar to those of the cams of the
wheel G of the disk E", it has been thought useless to represent on the
Drawing the cams of the mould-bearer disk E. The axis B of the pug mill
which gives the rotative motion to the other parts of the apparatus, is main-
tained at its upper part by means of supporters inserted in the beam C, which
is set at the top of the pug mill A. In order to facilitate the motion of the
same axis B is prolonged above the cross beam C, to receive the
apparatus the

page_text: muff or drum D, by which it is connected to the main shaft K, giving motion
to the whole apparatus, and receiving in its turn the movement from any
suitable and convenient power. The lower extremity of the axis B passing
through the
pug mill A, is supported on a steel pivot, which is moveable in a
socket 6. Before reaching this socket the axis supports a wheel, with double
cams E, serving to give the rotative motion to the moulding plates or disks
E and E. In these Drawings the cast-iron disks or mould bearers E¹ and
E are placed horizontally beneath the bottom of the pug mill A, which is
also set perfectly horizontal and level, so that their surfaces may remain in
juxta position, notwithstanding the movement to be given to them. These
disk bearers E¹, E", are mounted on small vertical axes F, which, like the
axis B, are moveable, and work in sockets. They are each of them provided
with four rectangular holes, of forms and sizes corresponding to those of the
bricks, tiles, or other similar plastic articles. which the improved apparatus is
required to produce. These apertures are placed at an equal distance from
each other, and as near the exterior of the circumference as possible. They can
be constructed, if necessary, larger than the bricks or other similar plastic
articles to be moulded in them, and then to have inserted in them small
boxes e, or moulds made of brass, or any other suitable metal having inter-
nally the exact. shape and size of the article to be. moulded. That addition
possesses the advantages of allowing the size or shape of the brick or any
other similar plastic article to be varied at will by merely changing the moulds
or boxes e, without being obliged to replace the disks or mould bearers E', E",
or any other pieces dependant on them, except the piston, which will be
hereafter described. As the apparatus is constructed with two mould-bearer
disks acting separately, two different kinds of moulded articles could be
produced at the same time, such as bricks on one disk and tiles or any other
similar plastic pieces on the other. On each of the axes F¹ are mounted the
cam wheel G, having four arms, which are employed for the purpose of
successively receiving the action of the lift or cams of the wheel E, which are
so disposed that they produce the rotative intermittent movement of the disks
E, E; that is to say, that the cams E force the disks to move in such manner
that one of their orifices is to reach under the hollowed-out part of the bottom
of the pug mill A, and then to stop at that orifice a sufficient time for its
filling up, whilst the piston H, herein-after described, has time to force out the
moulded piece from the orifice diametrically facing the aperture which is filling.
It is very easily understood that the cams of the wheel E can be constructed
with convenient curves to fulfill exactly the, wants of the intermittent move-
ment of the disks E, E", and that the length of the cross bars or wheel G

page_text: are also to be so arranged that the motion should take place during only the
required time, and not to be in contact with the excentric when the disks are
to be at rest. That excentric, which serves at the same time for the two
mould-bearer disks E¹, E", presents the advantages of being exactly propor-
tioned to the velocity of the moving shaft B; thus for each revolution of that
shaft the excentric acts twice on each of the cams of the wheel G. Above
the moveable mould-bearer disks E, E, are placed, for more convenience,
some kinds of scrapers or knives I, which take exactly away the superfluous
earth which prevents the upper surfaces of the moulds from being level.
It is not necessary to describe these knives I, as they are similar to those
described in the precedent apparatus. The moulded pieces forced out of the
mould-bearers disks E', E", by the action of the piston H, are received on the
small plates or boards herein-before described when speaking of the precedent
machines. These plates are properly arranged on a permanent level board or
floor, conveniently set underneath the disks. These small boards are removed
from the floor with the moulded pieces to the appointed and convenient places.
The floor can be replaced either by a moveable carriage, an endless chain,
or by any other suitable means or mechanism capable of removing and
carrying the small plates, on which are received the moulded pieces, to the
intended place. The endless chain carriage, or any other adapted contrivance,
could receive their motion in a very simple manner either from the shaft B
of the pug mill A, or from the axis F of the mould bearers E¹, E". In case
it should be thought necessary to have the endless chain or the carriage put
in motion by an intermittent movement, it would be only required to apply a
corresponding motion of the endless chain or of the carriage to the cams of
the wheel G moving the disks E¹ and E". As the proportions of the cor-
responding movements are perfectly adjusted, the endless chain or the
carriage would be made to advance one mould whilst the mould-bearer disks
in one of their rotative and intermittent motions would present a mould
under the piston H, and therefore cause that mould to receive the action
of that piston, and ultimately to deposit a moulded article upon the car-
riage or upon the endless chain. Some circular disks or plates can also be
employed to receive the moulded plastic article. These circular disks should
be of the same diameter as that of the mould-bearer discs E¹, E", and like
them would receive an intermittent motion. For that purpose they would
receive their action from the cams of the wheel G. The axes of these
circular disks would be on the same line as those of the mould-bearer discs
E', E". Under the mould-bearer disks E', E", must be necessarily placed a
permanent sector J, which serves as a temporary bottom to the moulded bricks

page_text: or other plastic articles, so that they do not leave the moulds C before the
required time. The pistons have the exact form and dimension of the moulds
to admit of their entering and at the same time completely filling them, so that
when they are in motion they may force the brick or other moulded plastic
article from the moulds. They are attached to the lower end of the vertical
rods L, and can be altered when the size of the moulds should be changed or
varied so as to correspond in dimensions and forms with them. They are put
in motion by a very simple mechanism, which consists in a sort of muff M set
on the upper end of the moving axis B, on the circumference of which are
made some inclined grooves, which seem overturned, and in which the rollers
terminating the levers N are catching. Those levers N have their point of
rest or centre of oscillation in 。 on some small supporters bolted to the pug
mill A itself, and at their extremities, which are in the form of a fork (V), are
connected with the upper part of the vertical rods L. It results from this
disposition that these levers N alternately raise or lower the rods L, and with
them the pistons H, which are suspended to them. To understand more
easily the motion of these pistons, the several dispositions of which are deli-
neated by Figure 1, they are in the Drawing represented as being one of them
raised and the other lowered, though in reality they both act at the same
time, that is to say, ascend and descend together, and therefore should
be drawn in the same position. The grooves made in the muff M are so
disposed that they act twice, or in such manner that for every revolution of the
moving shaft B they cause the levers N to go up and down twice; and as
such an action takes place at the intended moment, the pistons H will always
be obliged to fall when the disks or mould bearers E¹ and E" stop, and they
remain in an elevated or raised position when those mould bearers E¹ and E"
are in motion. The grooves of the muff M are provided with horizontal planes
so as to allow the piston H to remain raised during the advancing motion of
the disks E and E. The mode of working and the position of the permanent.
board, endless chain, or carriage, as well as their continuous and intermittent
motions being herein-before perfectly explained, it is not necessary to shew all
their details in the Drawings. The endless chain shewn under the mould
bearer E", Figure 2, has also not been produced under the mould bearer E',
as it will be easy to comprehend that all the effect obtained on one side of the
apparatus must necessarily take place on the other side. In order that the
pug mill should work alone, and the mould bearers be at rest at the same
time, the lower part of a fork z, Figure 2, is placed in a groove prepared under-
neath the wheel E. That fork remains permanent whilst the wheels perform
their usual rotative motion. The fork is kept at one of its extremities by a

page_text: support y set at a short distance from the wheel E to facilitate the discon-
nection of the cogs, and a lever is applied to the other extremity. That lever
must be of sufficient length to allow the power requisite for the purpose of
raising the wheels E to be obtained. It is easily understood that the wheel E
being raised above the wheel G, this last wheel G is obliged to remain at rest
during the motion of the wheel E. The pistons can also be separated by
several means from the catchings by which they are set in motion. The
description of one of these means is sufficient to render the operation intel-
ligible. The bearer o, Figure 1, which supports the lever N, can be disjointed
at its middle by means of a hinge properly adapted, and which will cause it to
be lowered to a convenient degree in order that the extremity of the lever N
may be withdrawn from the inclined plane of the muff M. The same opera-
tion would take place on the opposite side to have the support o held in a
steady manner during the motion of the apparatus. The lower as well as the
upper part of the supporters is to be kept tight by means of pins passing
through two sockets, one of which will be fixed to the lower part, and the
other to the upper part of the same supporters. The cams E being raised
above the cams G, and the extremities of the levers being no longer engaged
in the inclined plane of the muff M, it is easily understood that the pug mill
will work alone, and the other parts of the machine be at rest. When the
mould-bearer disk has performed its rotative intermittent motion it remains at
rest whilst the axis of the pug mill is performing a fourth part of a revolution.
During the stationary position of that mould-bearer disk the four moulds
which it carries are each subjected to different actions. Thus the mould
immediately under the pug mill is filled by the pression of the helix of the
pug mill, which, acting upon the earth, forces it to fill up that mould, whilst
the mould diametrically opposite is subjected to the action of the piston.
Another mould, which has advanced half way from the pug mill to the piston,
receives, after the earth bas been levelled and pressed, some fine sand from the
sand boxes purposely set; and finally, the mould diametrically opposite to that
which has received the sand, receives then the water from the reservoir. Thus
the brick or other moulded article emanating from the pug mill passes under
the knife or scraper to the second point, where it receives some fine sand to
prevent the piston adhering to it, then passes to the third point, where the
driver or rammer is stationed, by the action of which it is forced to leave the
mould, which then passes on to the fourth point, where it receives some water
so as to wash it, when it again comes under the trough, and is again filled as
before described. It is easily understood that these four operations or move-
ments can be repeated with the utmost regularity, as they only take place

page_text: Whilst the mould bearer remains stationary.
The sand boxes, as well as the
taps of the water reservoirs, can receive their motion by-several contrivances,
such as that of the axis of the pug mill. And whilst describing the apparatus
represented by Drawing VII. a description of a mode of movement which can
be adapted to produce the necessary intermittent motion for the above results
will be fully described. It is well to observe, that the lower part of the piston
M is made to return close to its guide by the action of a counterweight. The
same operation takes place for the pistons herein-before described when
speaking of the apparatus represented in Drawings I. and II.
The Drawing VII. shews the mode of working a machine nearly similar to
the last described apparatus, and also the position of the permanent board,
endless chain, and mould-bearer carriage, as well as their continuous and inter-
mittent motions, which, having been herein-before perfectly explained, renders
it unnecessary to exhibit all the details in the Drawing. The Figures 1 and 2
of this Drawing VII. give an exact notion of the general disposition of that
apparatus. The basis of the grinding trough A, which is placed precisely in
the centre of the machine, is set immediately above the two plates or mould-
bearer disks B, B', which on the Drawing are provided with eight moulds,
but a greater or less number, according to their. diameter and the surface of
the orifices containing the moulded plastic articles, can evidently be applied to
them. It is well to observe that the proportions which exist between the cam
wheels of the mould bearers and the wheels D of the axis o of the pug mill
can be modified according to the number of the moulds fixed in every mould
bearer. The machines represented by the Drawing VI., and the herein present-
described apparatus, shew perfectly well the facility which these improvements
present to increase or to lessen the number of the moulds which. can be
inserted into the mould-bearer disks. The vertical axis of those disks B and
B¹ receive underneath them some wheels C, having lifts or cams which catch
the cam wheel D set on the prolonged shaft o of the pug mill A. As this shaft
turns slowly and without any interruption, the wheel D receives a similar
rotative motion; but that wheel D has only four cogs or lifts, and being also
of a diameter equal to that of the two wheels C, which are each provided
with right lifts, it necessarily results that these lifts meet with an interruption
at every fourth part of a revolution of the shaft o of the pug mill A; that is to
say, they alternately move during an eighth part of its circumference, and
then rest stationary during another eighth of the same motion, and turn again
to repeat after the same interruption to the same rotative motion during the
above stated time. By this contrivance, when the shaft o of the pug mill A
makes two revolutions on itself, each of the two moulding disks B and B

page_text: really makes but one, and consequently they produce sixteen moulded pieces
during the double rotation of the shaft o. Whilst the moulding plates or disks
B, B', are at rest a mould of each of them is directly under the basis of the
trough A whilst it is filling, when another mould containing a moulded article
is at the same time under the influence of the piston F, herein-after described.
During the space of time necessary to produce the two effects herein-before
described the moulded piece contained in the mould being immediately under
the sand box K receives the sand, whilst at the same time the empty mould,
which is diametrically opposite to it, is washed by the water falling from the
reservoir. The details of these parts of the apparatus will be shewn at the
end of the description of this machine, and also the intermittent movements
by which they act during the time that the disk is at rest. The effects herein-
before stated naturally take place on the other disk simultaneously and in a
similar manner.
In order to move the two pistons F, four pins a are set upon
the motive wheel D. These pins a alternately act upon the horizontal lever
G, the axis of which is also placed vertically, and supports the cylinder or
windlass H. To the circumference of that cylinder H two chains b, b', are
fastened; one of these chains is directed to the right and the other towards
the left side of the apparatus, in order to be tied to the ends of the levers I,
and to pass over the pullies J which direct them. Those levers are rendered
moveable by the axis which passes through their centre, and which supports at
the other end the spindle of the pistons F. It is easily understood that whilst
the moving wheel D makes a fourth part of its revolution, one of the pins d
causes the lever G to turn, and with it the windlass H to a certain degree;
it results, consequently, that the levers I raise at the same time their respective
pistons F, but as soon as the pin a leaves the lever G (which motion always
takes place suddenly), the pistons F rise immediately under the influence of
weight, or by any other suitable means, placed at the other extremity of the
levers I, and come exactly over the brick or other similar plastic article which
may be contained in the moulds beneath. The pistons F being perpendicularly
supported at their lower part by the guide C, Figure 1, are compelled to rise
so as to be always over the moulded plastic article when that presents itself to
its action. It is to be observed that the lever G receives only its action from
the pin a, when only the cogs of the wheel D are leaving the cogs of the
wheel c; it is therefore evident that the pistons F are set in motion during the
moment that the plates or disks B, B¹, are stationary. When the moulded
pieces have been subjected to the action of the piston F they are received
upon small boards which are supported either upon permanent floors, moveable
carriages, endless chains, or on circular disks similar to those herein-before

page_text: described when speaking of Drawing VI. The movement of all these parts
are in this present-describing apparatus exactly similar to those described in
allusion to Drawing VI.; it is therefore useless to give the details of them
again. The disks J and J', shewn by Figures 1 and 2, are set underneath
and at a small distance from the mould-bearer carriages B and B' in such a
manner that two of their extremities are nearly perpendicular on the sides of
the moulds when these last are at rest. The knives C¹, represented in the
Plan Figure 2 by red lines, have one of their sides facing the pug mill
and the other diametrically opposite, conjointly with the sections or discs
J and J, nearly perpendicular on the sides of the moulds when they
are stationary. The positions of the sectors J and J¹ and of the knife e¹
are exactly similar in the present apparatus to those in the machine
herein-before described in Drawing VI. The distance existing between X
and of the pug mill A, Figure 2, exhibits the width of a door with
which that pug mill is provided, so as to allow the arms or knives with
which its axis is provided to be cleaned when required. All the pug mills
constructed after the manner of the herein-before described apparatus must
have a similar door placed at any suitable part of their circumference, so as not
to interfere with their working. It is well understood, from the description
herein-before given, that each of the pistons F. is provided internally with
some spiral springs, Figure 6, by means of which their rods are prevented
from being broken, should they by any accident fall in such manner as to miss
the mould and strike the disks B, B¹. All the internal details of the pug mill
have been described when speaking of the first machine, Drawing I., Figure 1,
it is therefore.unnecessary to repeat them. The circular disk F, employed in
the herein-before described apparatus, Drawing II., can equally be put in motion
by an intermittent movement if wheels provided with lifts are made use of. The
diameter and number of cogs of these wheels must be in exact proportion with
the number of moulds contained within the moulding circular disk F. The
principle of the wheels with lifts producing the required intermittent move-
ment is similar to that herein-before described for the intermittent motion
of the apparatus represented by Drawings VI. and VII. It will be easily under-
stood, that this principle of intermittent motion being prefectly established by
the description herein-before given when speaking of the apparatus represented
in the Drawings VI. and VII., there will be no more difficulty to set such move-
ments in operation to work a circular disk provided with twenty orifices, than
to set in motion a circular disc provided only with eight or even less. If the
circular disk F receive an intermittent motion, it follows naturally that the
piston M, which is to force out the moulded plastic article from the circular

page_text: disk F should be also set in motion by means of an intermittent movement.
To obtain it the following modifications are necessarily required:-In the
herein-before described apparatus, Drawing II., the moulding circular
plate F, Figure 1, receives its power from the cog wheel E, set at the
upper part of the shaft G. This wheel E receives its motion from the
pinion c, which is set on the upper part of the shaft T.
It will be easily
understood that it will be sufficient to give an intermittent motion to
the circular disk F to cause the two cog wheels E and C, Figure 1 of the
same Drawing, to be replaced by two other wheels provided with lifts, disposed
in such manner as to cause the circular disk F, in its rotative movement, to
stop as many times as it is provided with orifices; therefore, to move that
disk F containing twenty moulds, the cam wheel which is to replace the
wheel E must have inserted on its circumference twenty lifts; and the cam
wheel which is to be set in lieu of the pinion is to be provided on its cir-
cumference with a number of cogs in proportion to the celerity which it will be
thought convenient to give to the circular disk F. The facility with which the
circular disk F is put in motion can be similarly applied to the piston M. These
modifications, necessary for obtaining the intermittent movement of that piston,
are of such facility that any intelligent workman can put them into execution.
The Figure 1 represents an horizontal wheel N, having on its upper surface
a certain number of inclined planes, which are in the proportion of the number
of moulds with which the circular disk F is provided. That wheel N, by
means of connecting levers, put in motion the piston M, as herein-before
described. In order that the course of the piston M should agree with the
continuous movement of the circular disk F, that piston receives an ascending
and descending movement, equal in space to double the thickness of the
moulded piece; and it has been also described that it was operated upon
by the inclined plane with which the wheel N is provided; therefore this
piston M can be put in motion by an intermittent movement if slight modifi-
cations are adapted to the principle on which the herein-before described
course of the piston M is founded. In order to have this piston acting by a
similar intermittent movement and corresponding to that of the circular disc F, it
is sufficient to set the wheel N, Figure 1, Drawing II., on the moving shaft of
the pug mill A under or above the cam wheel C, which then replaces the bevel
pinion c. The levers of the wheel with the inclined planes N being connected
with the rod 9 of the piston M, will depend on the principle herein-before
described. The brass box or supporter a keeping perpendicularly the lower
part of the piston M, is held firm to the frame of the apparatus by convenient
belts or bands, and causes therefore the piston to work in the same direction.

page_text: As the circular disk- F is put in motion by means of an intermittent motion, it
will allow the moulded plastic article to be under the piston M a convenient
time. In order to cause the piston M to force out the moulded plastic article
when the moulds are stopping under that piston, it is absolutely necessary that
the brass box a¹ be held in a permanent manner. The wheel N must be
provided with inclined and horizontal planes, to cause the piston to ascend and
descend at the required time. The inclined planes must be set in such a
manner that they will produce the course herein-before described, and force
out the moulded plastic article whilst the circular plate F is stationary. The
horizontal planes serve to maintain the piston in a state of elevation, so as to
enable the circular disk F to advance a convenient degree. The keys x, set
on the circumference of the circular disk F, Figure 1, are easily regulated in
such a manner that they cause the carriages to advance at the same time as
the circular disk F is advancing, and to stop when the latter is at rest; it
naturally happens, therefore, that the piston M being in action when these two
other circular disks and the carriage are stationary, the moulded plastic article
is deposited on the carriage before this can be set again in motion. The
movement of the sand boxes can be also regulated, by an intermittent motion.
For that purpose their gearing must be in connexion with the wheel N,
which is provided with inclined planes, and set on the shaft, or if preferred,
by connecting them with the keys a set on the circumference of the circular
disk F. In order to disconnect the cam wheel D, Figure 2, Drawing VII.,
a fork c¹ is employed. That fork c is exactly similar to that hercin-before
described, as represented in Figure VI.
•
The Figure 6, Drawing VII., shews on a larger scale the section of the
pistons. On the plates B and B', Drawing VII., two plates y¹ are fixed on a
level with them. These plates are intended to prevent the plastic substance
passing through the mould, one half of which is under the pug mill, and the
other half uncovered during the moment the circular plates are at rest. The
fore part of the plate y¹ is provided with a blade serving to clean the surface
of the circular moulding plate B, B.. The Figures 3, 4, and 5 shew a plan
and a section of the plate y' and its blade.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SAND Box, DRAWING VIII.
The Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, of this Drawing represent a

page_text: of the box C, drawn from A, B, Figure 1; the Figure 3 is a plan
of the sieve E, set directly under the box C; the Figure 4 shews a plan of
the sieve G, set under the upper sieve E. The Figure 5 shews a plan of the
third sieve II; the Figure 6 shews a longitudinal section of the sand box
and of the sieve drawn from D, F, Figure 3; the Figure 7 shews a trans-
versal section of the box and sieve drawn from I, J, Figure 3. At the bottom
of the box C are adjusted, as is shewn by Figure 2, three bands K, disposed
in such a manner as to allow the sand to egress through the space which is
between them. Directly under the bands K are set the hollowed out parts L
of the upper sieve E, in order that the sieve, when advanced a proper distance,
the hollowed out parts L may be carried underneath the empty spaces M,
which are contrived at the bottom of the box C. Figure 6 shews a longitu-
dinal section of the position of the hollowed out parts L of the sieve E
relatively to the bands K, set at the bottom of the box C. It is easily under-
stood from the Figure 6 that it is sufficient to advance the sieve E in order
that the four empty spaces M, adjusted at the bottom of the box C. The sand
egressing through the hollowed-out surfaces L is spread over the sieve G, the
holes of which are so disposed that the sand cannot descend in a direct line;
therefore, in order to cause the sand to be spread as much as possible on the
surface of the sieve G, it has been necessary to adjust to this sieve surfaces
having a larger number of orifices, as is shewn by the Plan, Figure 4. In the
Drawing of the sieve G it is easy to perceive that directly under the hollowed-
out surface L of the sieve E a few holes are contrived in order to spread it as
it falls. The Figure 5 shews a sieve H, provided with a greater number of
holes, set at nearly equal distances, in order to force the sand to spread when it
is falling from the second sieve G. It is easily understood that the sand
having to pass through the sieves must be necessarily spread in an equal
manner over the surface of the moulded plastic articles. The two sieves G
and H, Figures 4 and 5, are set permanently inside the box N, Figure 7, which
is itself fastened by means of bolts to the principal sieve E. In order to cause
the two sieves G and H to advance with the former sieve E, the sieves are'
held underneath the box C by four wheels o, Figure 3, set on two parallel
lines P; these wheels o are fixed permanently to the box C, Figure 7. The
box C being permanently set on the frame of the apparatus, it is easily under-
stood that the sieve E can be readily caused to advance or recede, since the
wheels o are set on two parallel lines fixed to the box C. That sand box is
put in motion by means of intermittent movements corresponding exactly with
the intermittent circular motion of the moulding disks. The sand boxes are
stationary whilst the moulding plates are in motion, and when the moulding

page_text: plates are at rest the sand boxes receive an alternate movement which causes
their hollowed-out parts L, Figure 6, to advance under the empty spaces M,
set at the bottom of the box C. During the very short period that the hol-
lowed-out spaces L pass under those empty parts M, the sands descends upon
the sieve G, and from this sieve it egresses on to the sieve H, whence it spreads
on the surface of the moulded plastic articles. When the operation just before
described has taken place, the principal sieve E has returned to its former
position, as shewn by Figure 6, -and presents then, underneath the empty
space M of the box C, the full parts q, not hollowed out, with which it is pro-
vided. The result of that contrivance is, that the bottom of the box C is com-
pletely closed, and consequently that the sand can only egress when the sand
boxes are caused to act, which motion takes place when the moulded article
is stationary under the sand box. The sand boxes receive their intermittent
movement from the shaft H, Figure 9, which receives its intermittent move-
ment from the pins a, set on the cam wheel D, as herein-before described when
speaking of the apparatus represented by Figure 2, Drawing VII. The Figures
6, 8, and 9, Drawing VIII., represent an elevation and section of the sand boxes,
water cocks, and the movements by which they are put in motion. The
Figure 9 shews a plan of the movements by means of which the said boxes
and water cocks of the reservoir are set in motion. The Figures 6 and 8
represent an elevation of the sand boxes and the necessary parts connected
with the water reservoir. The Figure 9 shews that on the shaft H is set a
muff or drum containing two levers C, B. One of their extremities passes
through a slide or groove set on the segment D and E, forming the end of the
lever A and B. The groove is contrived in the segments D, E, of A¹ and
B in such a manner that the levers' C and B may work a certain time without
meeting with any resistance. It results from that contrivance that the sand
boxes and the water cocks act only when the piston has begun its motion, and
they return quickly as well as those pistons to their former positions. The:
other end of the levers A' and B' is connected with the straight rods .E¹, E¹¹,
as shewn by Figure 9. The rods E¹, E, Figure 9, are fastened by means of
a hinge 'to the sieve E, which they can also put in motion according to the
impulse which they have received from the movements represented in that
Figure. On the sievė E. Figure 6, a pin A is rivetted; it serves to hold by
means of a hinge the straight rod B fixed at its other end to the key C of. the
rack D. It is easily conceived that the sieve E being compelled to advance,
the rod B is consequently forced to advance the same distance; the same
motion takes place with the key C, which being acted upon by the rod B',
describes a segment of a circle long enough to allow the egress of the water.

page_text: The rod E, fixed at the extremity of the lever B', Figure 9, is fastened to the
sieve E by means of bolts. A pin C, Figure 8, is adjusted to the trough E¹.
This pin holds at its upper part the rod D, the other extremity of which is
kept by means of a hinge to the key A of the cock F. It is easily understood
that the rod E¹ being put in motion the sand boxes as well as the keys of the
cock are compelled to act. The movements which give the action to the sand
boxes and to the water cocks, if it be thought necessary, may, by means of a
slight alteration, be prepared so as to cause a brush to go up and down within
the moulds in order to clean them. This brush is kept by a guide which
compels it to remaiu always at the same point, so that when it is put in motion
it enters into the moulds. When they are stationary, the sand boxes, water
cocks, and brushes herein-before described can be employed in the apparatus
herein-before described when speaking of Drawing VI. They could be put in
motion by the same means as herein-before described, or by any other suitable
movement. In order to disconnect the cam wheel D, Figure II., Drawing VII.,
a fork C is employed, which is exactly the same as that herein-before described
when speaking of Drawing VL., Figure 6. Drawing VII. shews on a larger
scale the section of the piston. On the plates B and B', Drawing VII., are
set, level with them, two plates y¹, intended to prevent the earth from passing
through the moulds, one half of which is under the pug mill, and the other
balf is uncovered when the disks B, B', are stationary. That plate is pre-
vided at its fore part with a blade serving to clean the surface of the disk
B, B. Figures 3, 4, and 5, shew a plan and section of the plates y', and of
the blades. That plate y', with its blade, as herein-before described, can be
TE

page_text: acting underneath the plastic articles to be moulded; secondly, in the appli-
cation of the mould-bearer carriages receiving a rectilinear intermittent course,
and producing the pressure underneath the plastic article to be moulded;
thirdly, in the application of the mould-bearer carriages put in motion by a
rectilinear and intermittent motion, and producing the pression above the
articles to be moulded. The other improvements herein-after described in
Drawing XI. consist, firstly, in the application of two circular disks or plates
receiving a continuous rotative movement, and producing the pression above
the plastic article to be moulded; secondly, in the application of two circular
disks or plates receiving a rotative and intermittent motion, and producing the
pression underneath the plastic articles to be moulded; thirdly, in the appli-
cation of two circular disks or plates receiving an intermittent simultaneous
motion, and producing. the pression underneath the plastic articles to be
moulded; fourthly, in the application of two circular disks or plates receiving
an intermittent simultaneous motion, and producing the pression above the
plastic articles to be moulded.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING IX.
The Drawing IX. represents a machine for moulding bricks and other
similar plastic articles by means of pressure, conjointly with the adoption
of rectilineal carriages, in which are contained some orifices of the form and
size of the plastic articles to be moulded. Those orifices are provided wi:h
pistons having likewise the form and size of the intended plastic article. This
system consists in causing the carriages to pass under a plate which serves to
maintain the pressure of the plastic article set in mould when filled with earth,
and in forcing the piston, when ascending an inclined plane, to compress the
particles of earth closer with such a pressure that the moulded article may
keep its form when it is taken out of the mould. The taking out of the
moulds is effected, as shewn by the Drawing IX., by means of inclined and
horizontal planes disposed for that purpose. When the plastic article is taken
out of the moulds the piston which holds it continues to be supported on a hori-
zontal plane until it is kept by the mechanism so disposed that the piston, though
no longer supported on a horizontal plane, may be compelled to keep its state
of elevation until all the articles continued in a carriage be taken out of the
moulds. All the plastic articles contained in a carriage being so taken out of
the moulds and held in this state of elevation by the pistons, are carried
always in the same position to the drying rooms, where they are taken out of
the carriage and stacked by the workman, who draws the carriage back again
to the moving power which causes it to act.

page_text: The Figure 1, Drawing IX., shews a plan or bird's-eye view of the machine;
the Figure 2 is a longitudinal section drawn on A, B, Figure 1; the
Figure 3 is a transversal section drawn on C, D, Figure 1; the Figure 4
shews a front view in elevation of a part of a carriage; the Figure 5 is an
elevation on a larger scale of part of a carriage, as shewn by Figure 4; the
Figures 6, 7, and 8 represent several parts of the piston; the Figures 9, 10,
shew the mechanism used to keep the pistons in a state of elevation. The
carriages are compelled by the moving power which acts on them to pass in
their rectilinear course underneath a hopper, contrived in such a manner that
the plastic substances contained in it may be forced to descend into the aper-
tures contained in the carriages. These orifices being filled with earth are
naturally brought forward by the rectilinear course of the carriage under a
plate firmly fastened to the frame of the apparatus, and set at a small distance
from the carriage, so that it may form the upper surface of the apertures when
those are brought by the rectilinear course of the carriage to the point where
the pistons are forced to rise to a convenient degree, and therefore to press the
earth contained in the orifices. This pressing is effected by the pistons which
are caused to ascend as soon as the moulds or apertures are completely covered
by the plate. The ascending movement of the pistons takes place by the inclined
planes set directly under the plate where the plastic article contained in the
orifices of the carriages is moulded; it is naturally, by the course of the carriages,
disengaged from the plate; there is consequently no obstacle to its ascending
above the upper surface of the carriage. In order to effect in a sure manner
the taking out of the moulds, an horizontal plane, set at the extremity of the
first inclined plane, has been disposed so as to give the moulded plastic article
sufficient time to be disengaged from the plane by which it was covered when
the pressing has been operated. Next to that horizontal plane is another
inclined plane, on which the pistons being forced to pass, are made to rise of
a degree which is in proportion to the thickness of the inclined plastic article.
When those pistons are so elevated, and the moulded article has reached the
upper surface of the carriages, the pistons are held by a very simple mechanisın,
and by which they are forced to rest in their elevated position until the carriage
be carried to the drying room. The machine is put in motion by the lever B,
Figure 3, which communicates its movement to the moving shaft A, on which
is set a catching wheel E with double cogs;
having also double cogs, Figures 1 and 3.
bearer carriage D by means of screws.
proportioned to the velocity which is intended to be given to the course of the
carriage D. The Figure 2 exhibits the whole operations of the apparatus.
that wheel catches with the rack C,
This rack C is fixed to the mould-
The diameter of the wheel E is

page_text: Thus, on one side the apertures or moulds G of the carriage D are seen placed
immediately under the hopper F. It is easily understood that while the work-
man is pouring the plastic substance into the hopper F the moulds G, moved
by the action of the carriage, are forced to pass underneath the hopper, where
they are necessarily filled up, after which the filled moulds will be brought by
the continuation of the course of the carriage D under the plate H, which
will cover them entirely so as to form their upper surface. As soon as a
mould has arrived underneath the plate H, having the plastic article to be
moulded in the exact position, as it has been herein-before described, the
roller I, forming the lower extremity of the rod j of the piston K, will commence
to ascend on the inclined plane L, and will be compelled to ascend till it has
reached the top of the same plane L. As soon as this roller I is arrived at the
top of the inclined plane L, and has commenced to roll upon the horizontal
planes M, the article contained in the mould G will be necessarily pressed and
consequently moulded, as is represented by the mould G", which is exhibited
here in order to render its action more clearly understood. The article being
moulded, the roller I continues its course upon an horizontal plane, and allows
the mould G" to be completely disengaged from the plate H. When that
operation has been performed the roller I progresses on an inclined plane,
which compels it to rise, and consequently to elevate the moulded article in
such manner that its lower surface be nearly level with the upper surface of
the carriage D. The moulded article contained in the mould G is, as it is
represented, at the middle of its course, and consequently at the middle
of the inclined plane L'. The plastic articles contained in the mould Gare
completely unmoulded, and the pistons which have elevated them are
held at their lower part by means of a rod N, on which the pins o,
Figure 3, crossing the rollers I, are supported. The pins are main-
tained at their two extremities by means of a slide or groove, into
which they can move about, and which permits them to follow the
ascending or descending movement of the rollers I. When the pins o
have nearly reached the highest point of their ascending motion, they
cause the rod N, Figure 3, to be moved aside, and give them passage imme-
diately after the pins o have left the rod N. This rod is pushed at its upper
extremity by a spring P, Figure 10, and returns to its primitive position. This
movement consequently forces the pins o to repose on the rod N until the
workman, having transported the moulded articles to the drying chamber, forces
the pistons to descend, which can be performed in a very simple manner. It is
merely necessary to lay hold of the handle q, Figure 10, of the rod N, and to
press it in such a manner that the handle 9 may approach the mould carriage..

page_text: This movement of the handle 7 necessarily will force the rod N to recede from
the mould carriage. The mould carriages may be constructed in different
shapes and dimensions. The Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, shew in a sufficiently
clear manner the forms and numbers of moulds which can be placed in the
breadth of the mould carriages. Three moulds have been represented; but it
will be easily understood that this number can be increased or diminished.
This is the case also with the form of the mould carriages. The section,
Figure 8, shews the three rods J, J, J, retained together by the pin O, the
ends of which slide into the groove. By that contrivance the rods J, J, J,
are prevented from turning. The Figure represents a line or row composed
of a certain number of mould-bearer carriages, which are supposed to be of
the length of nine of the moulded articles. As in each length of the moulded
article there are three moulds, a mould carriage therefore contains twenty-
seven articles. When a mould-bearer carriage is unfastened from the line, to
which it is attached by means of hooks, or by any other convenient means, it
is replaced by another. The mould-bearer carriage is represented in three
parts, in order to facilitate its construction. The Figures 4 and 5 are suffi-
ciently detailed, and give a full explanation of its construction. The mould-
bearer carriage, which is supposed to contain twenty-seven orifices, is supported.
on four wheels working in two parallel lines. When it is filled with moulded
plastic articles, which are separated from their moulds, it is removed and
replaced by another, which is placed at the other extremity of the apparatus,
as herein-after described. By that precaution any loss of time arising from a
stoppage is prevented. Several small rollers R, Figure 3, fixed on the frame
of the machine, are properly set, and prevent the oscillating motion of the
mould-bearer carriages when they are moving. It is easy to understand that
several plastic articles of different shapes may be moulded at the same time.
To obtain that result it suffices to give to the piston the form of the plastic
articles to be moulded, and to put the rods J, J, J, of the piston K in direct
communication with the inclined planes L and L'; and it is obvious also that
these rods may be of a length proportioned to the thickness of the plastic
articles to be moulded. If thought necessary two or three cog wheels may be
adapted to the shaft A, Figure 3, and consequently two or three racks may be
adapted to the carriage mould bearers D to resume the dimensions of the
forms, and the number of motions may be modified or increased. A sand box
can be easily applied to this apparatus for the purpose of spreading sand on
the bottom of the moulds before they are filled with the plastic substances.
That sand box would be put in motion by means of cams set in the sides of
the mould-bearer carriages, or by any convenient means.

page_text: Drawing X. represents another machine for moulding bricks, or any
other similar plastic article, by the system of pressure. That machine is based on
à principle nearly similar to that herein-before described and represented by
Drawing IX. It differs only from the latter in two operations, which are produced
differently. Thus, according to the first apparatus herein-before described in
Drawing IX, the course of the mould-bearer carriage is uninterrupted, and in the
present machine that course is intermittent. In the machine which has been
herein-before described in Drawing IX. the pressure is obtained during the con-
tinuous course of the mould-bearer carriages by means of pistons, as shewn in
Drawing IX; but in the machine which is represented by Drawing X. these
pistons serve only to unmould the moulded article, without having to perform
any other function. In this present apparatus the article to be moulded
receives the pressure from one single piston, placed perpendicularly over the
high surface of the mould-bearer carriage. This piston is provided at. its
lowest extremity with three plates, in order that it may press three plastic
articles at the same time. Its motion is intermittent, and the movements are
so contrived as always to force it to descend into the moulds when the mould-
bearer carriages are at rest, the pressure on the plastic articles to be moulded
being obtained by the descending action of the piston on the upper surface.
It is obvious, however, that the orifices in the mould-bearer carriages must be
kept uncovered, in order that no obstacle should be placed to the free descent of
the pistons. This machine, like that herein-before described in Drawing IX.,
is composed of a chain of mould-bearer carriages, which are removed and
replaced successively, as it has been already described. They are likewise
provided with orifices having the form and dimensions of the plastic articles
to be moulded. In this machine as well as in the preceding one, Drawing IX.,
several articles may be made at the same time. To obtain that effect it is
merely necessary to give to the three iron plates of the piston different forms
and dimensions, which, as a matter of course, must correspond in all respects
with the orifices into which they are to enter. Thus, were the three plates of
the piston to differ from each other in form and dimensions, the apparatus will
produce at the same time and with the same piston three different plastic
articles, having entirely different surfaces. It is also very easy to vary the
thickness of the three articles to be moulded by regulating at a convenient
height the piston forming the lower surface of the plastic articles to be
moulded. It would also be necessary to regulate the three plates of the
piston at a convenient height, in order that they might produce a degree of.
"

page_text: pressure proportionate to the thickness of the article to be moulded; the
three plates of the piston being placed at different heights one from another,
the same pressure can produco three plastic articles simultaneously of different
thicknesses. Thus three articles, dissimilar not only in their surface but also in
their thicknesses, can conveniently be produced by the same stroke of the
piston, and consequently at the same time. The mould-bearer carriages are
constructed exactly the same as those herein-before described in Drawing IX.;
and it is also the same with the mechanism employed for holding the pistons.
in a state of elevation when the plastic article is forced out of the mould. The
working of the mould-bearer carriage of this machine is obtained by the appli-
cation of the system of wheels provided with cams, herein-before described;
and the motion of the piston is obtained by means of the lever connected with
inclined and horizontal planes which are contrived in the upper surface of the
cam wheel in connection with the lever.
The Figure 1 of Drawing X. represents a bird's-eye view or plan of the
machine; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section from A, B, Figure 1; Figure 3
is a transversal section of C, D, Figure 1. The machine is put in motion by
the lever B, which transmits its rotative motion to the shaft A, and thereby to
the cam wheel C, to which some inclined and horizontal planes are applied.
The cam wheel C, provided with three cogs, catches with the cam. wheel D,
the circumference of which is also provided with six cogs or cams.
The cam
wheel D being fixed to the shaft K transmits to it in consequence an inter-
mittent rotary motion, and that shaft K communicates that movement to the
double cog wheel E, which catches with the rack j, provided with a double
cog. The inclined planes L and N of the wheel C force the levers G to take
an ascending and descending motion when the mould-bearer carriages have
ceased to be in motion. The cam wheel C, whose upper surface is provided
with inclined and horizontal planes (being the wheel which transmits the
motion), must at first act on the cam wheel D, in order to communicate a
rotative motion, which forces it to advance one cog. When the cam wheel D
is put in motion the double-catching wheel E receives also its action at the
same time, and thereby the mould-bearer carriage, which must advance the
length of the article to be moulded during the rotative motion, communicates
it to the cam wheel D. When one of the cogs e of the cam wheel C leaves
one of the teeth e of the cam wheel D, Figure 1, the small roller o, fixed to
the extremity of the lever G, begins to rise on an inclined plane L, which
consequently forces the other extremity of the lever G, to which the piston H
is fixed, to lower, in order to press the article to be moulded. The cam
wheel C continuing to turn, the roller o is necessarily forced to rise until the

page_text: wheel C should have arrived at a point where it presents the top a of the
inclined plane L, at the end of which it is obliged to descend by the effect of
the inclined plane N, placed in an inverse direction to the plane L. It is
obvious that the roller o, in its descent, will force the lever to cause again the
ascent of the piston H, in order to allow the mould-bearer carriage to advance
the length of another article. While the mould-bearer carriage advances
the roller o turns on an horizontal plane M, and thereby forces the piston to
remain elevated. The piston H is held in its middle by a supporter P, per-
manently fixed to the frame of the machine. At its lower extremity a rect-
angular muff or drum 9, Figure 8, is adapted, and under thus muff 9 are
adjusted three plates I, I, I. These plates can be fastened by means of
screws if necessary, so that they may be lowered or raised at pleasure. They
may be so disposed as to permit one of them to be raised or lowered without
touching the other; the same operation may be carried on with the three
plates of the pistons herein-before described. The plates could be regulated
by the same means as already herein-before described when speaking of the
pistons in the precedent herein-described. apparatus. Two sand boxes are
employed, one for spreading sand on the bottom of the moulds before being
filled with earth, the other for spreading sand on the earth contained in the
moulds before they are forced by the course of the mould-bearer carriages to
proceed under the piston. The sand boxes are put in motion by the small
pinions S, Figure 1. These pinions catch with the double-toothed rack J. At
the upper part of the shaft on which the pinions S are fixed the small
excentrica is adapted; that excentric a communicates with the rods T of the
sand box u. The intermittent movements which are used. in this machine for
the purpose of giving the moving action to the mould-bearer carriage may be
also employed for the mould-bearer carriage of the machines which have been
herein-before described when speaking of the machines respectively represented
in Drawings III., IV., V. and IX. In order to make such an application of the
above-described intermittent movements to the machines described when
speaking of the machines represented in the Drawings III., IV., and V., it is
merely necessary to replace the catching pinion fixed to the shaft of the pug
mill, as well as the wheels with which it catches, by two wheels provided with
cams constructed on a principle similar to that herein-before described. In
the apparatus represented by Drawing IX., the application of the cam wheels
herein-before described in the apparatus Drawing X. can be made use of
for advancing the carriages by an intermittent motion. In case. the mould-
bearer carriage should be put in motion by means of an intermittent move-
ment, the piston should also be moved by an intermittent motion. For that

page_text: purpose it is merely necessary to fix horizontally on the shaft of the pug mill a
wheel provided with inclined and horizontal planes. That wheel must also be
connected with the pistons by means of a lever serving to raise or lower the
pistons, when the mould-bearer carriages should be stationary. The inclined
and horizontal planes should be disposed in such a manner that the pistons
would be obliged to descend when the mould-bearer carriages are at rest, and
to remain in their elevated position when the mould-bearer carriages receive
The Drawings IX. and X. herein-before described demonstrate the applica-
tion of the mould-bearer carriages to the moulding of bricks, and other similar
plastic articles, by the system of pressure. They also shew therein different
applications by which the pressure may be operated on the article to be
moulded either under or above. In the machine herein-after described in
Drawing IX., the moulding of bricks or other plastic articles is likewise
performed by applying the system of pressure by means of two circular plates,
whose rotary motions, if thought proper, may be made continuous or inter-
mittent. The cam wheels which have been employed for putting in motion
intermittently the circular plates, allow these circular disk to be set in motion
at the same time or alternately. If it is thought proper the pressure can be
obtained in operating either above or underneath the articles to be moulded.
When the pressure is operated underneath the articles to be moulded, all the
orifices with which the circular plates are provided are furnished with pistons
having the form and dimensions of the article to be moulded. These pistons
form the bottom of the moulds. At the lower extremity of the rods of these
pistons there is fixed a small roller which, during the rotative, continuous, or
intermittent motion of the circular plates is forced to rise or to remain at the
same point of elevation, according to the horizontal or inclined planes on which
it is brought by the rotary course of the circular plates. When the pressure is
produced above the article to be moulded the circular plates are subjected to a
rotary intermittent motion, and must be put in action at the same time; if
they act simultaneously they will necessarily be forced to stop together, and
consequently will each of them present a mould under the pistons, which will
be immediately obliged to perform their descending and ascending movements
on the inclined planes adapted for that purpose upon the wheel fixed to the
motive shaft. The inclined and horizontal planes with which this wheel is
provided are combined in such a manner that they cause the pistons to descend
and ascend whilst the circular plates are stationary, and force the pistons to

page_text: remain at the same elevated point when the circular plates receive their
rotative motion.
Figure 1 shews a plan or bird's-eye view of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a
longitudinal section drawn from A to B; Figure 3 is a plan representing the
movements of the cam by which the circular plates and the sieves of the sand
boxes are put in motion. The two circular plates employed in that machine
are provided, as is shewn in the Drawing, with eight orifices, to which can be
given the form and dimensions of the article to be moulded. These apertures
are shut at their lower extremity by the piston B, Figure 2, which receives its
ascending motion from the rod C. This rod as at its lower extremity a roller D.
The circular plates or disks A, A¹, can receive either a simultaneous intermittent
or an alternate intermittent motion. They are put in motion simultaneously by
placing their axes and those of the cam wheels on the same line, as represented
in the Drawings VI. and VII. herein-before described. By examining the
Drawing XI. it will be understood that the two circular plates A, A¹, may be
made to act at will, either separately or together, without altering the mode of
moulding the plastic articles. In Figure 1 of Drawing XI. the axes of the cam
wheels E, which give the motion to the circular disks A, A¹, are so arranged
that the cam wheel F catches alternately with the wheels E, and therefore
compels them to act one after the other. The cams of the wheels E act one after
the other, and the circular plates A, A¹, having both the same axis, it results
from that contrivance that when one of the circular plates receives its rotative
motion the other circular plate is stationary, and thus successively. It is easy to
give to the circular plates A, A', continuous rotative motions without interfer-
ing with the method of giving the pressure to the plastic article to be moulded;
and for that purpose it suffices to replace the cam wheels F and E by catching
wheels, the diameters of which must be proportioned according to the velocity
with which the said circular plates A and A¹ are to move. It has been herein-
before stated that these circular plates A and A' could be put in motion by
.the three different means without altering the mode of pressing underneath
the plastic article to be moulded. The three methods of putting these said
plates in motion are as follows:-Firstly, by means of alternate intermittent
movements; secondly, by means of simultaneous intermittent movement; and
thirdly, by means of continuous movements. The apparatus is set in motion
by the action of the lever G, Figure 2, Drawing XI., or by any other suitable
moving power by which the rotatory motion can be transmitted to the shaft H.
At the lower extremity of that shaft the cam wheel F is set, and it catches
alternately with the cam wheels E, by which the circular plates A and A' are
put in motion. The disposition of the cams is, as herein-before described, such

page_text: that the circular plates A, A', are compelled to act separately or one after
the other. It results from this movement that the acting power is divided ;
and as the cam wheel F is provided with only four cogs or lifts, whilst the
wheels E are provided with eight cogs set on them, the circular plates A, A',
are subjected alternately to a rotative movement, by which they are made to
advance one eighth of their circumference. And as they are provided with
eight orifices they must necessarily, during each of their rotative motions,
present one piston under the last horizontal plane to enable the moulded
plastic article to be taken away. The Figure 2, representing a section of the
apparatus, renders easy the full comprehension of the possession of the
pistons B, which are diametrically set opposite each other when the circular
plates A, A', are at rest. Thus on one side of each of the circular plates the
pistons B are shewn at the bottom of the moulds, and the rollers D, which are
at the lower extremity of the rod C, are seen reposing on an horizontal plane ;
and on the other side of the circular plates A and A¹ the rollers D are seen,
having reached the top of the last inclined plane, and reposing on some hori-
zontal planes, purposely set for holding the plastic moulded articles above the
upper surface of the circular disks A and A¹, in order that the workman may
take those articles out whilst the circular plates A and A¹ are at rest. The
inclined planes J are disposed in such a manner that as soon as the circular
plates A and A¹ are set in motion the rollers D are compelled to ascend, so
that when the pistons, by their ascending motions, press the plastic articles to
be moulded, these said articles have their upper surfaces covered by the
plates M. When the rollers D have reached, by means of the rotative course
of the circular plates A, A', the summit of the inclined plane J, the plastic
articles contained in the moulds are moulded. After the rollers D have passed
over the inclined plane J they are brought upon the horizontal planes K,
which allow them to remain at the same point of elevation until the moulds are
no longer covered by the plate M. When the rollers D have passed over the
horizontal plane they are conducted by the circular plates A and A¹ on the in-
clined plane L, by which they are forced to ascend again, and thereby to unmould
the moulded plastic articles. The pistons B are made to descend by means of
an inclined fork N, Figure 2, into which the pin o catches. The inclination
of that fork N is so calculated as to cause the piston B to return to the bottom
of the mould. The pin o is held at its two extremities in slides or grooves in.
which it is free, in order to allow it to follow the ascending and descending
motion of the pistons B. Two sand boxes R and R', Figure 3, are employed
in that apparatus, and serve to sprinkle the bottom of the moulds with sand,
and to prevent thereby the plastic articles from adhering to the moulds. The

page_text: sieves of the sand boxes and a¹ are put in motion by means of the muff or
drum I, represented in plan by Figure 3, and in section by Figure 2. That
muff or drum is set at the lower part of the shaft H, and is provided with
inclined and vertical planes in order to allow the rods P to move alternately.
These rods P are connected with the sieves, and allow them to remain at rest
during the motion of the circular plates A and A¹. The sieves of the sand
boxes receive an alternate intermittent motion. The sand boxes employed for
the present apparatus being similar to those herein-before mentioned, it is
useless to give a new description of them. When the moulds have received
the sand and have been brought under the hopper y, Figure 3, they aro filled
up with plastic substances. The hopper y forms an angle, as is shewn by
Figure 3. The iron bands forming the angle can have the height which is
judged most convenient. As it has herein-before been shewn, the circular
plates A and A¹ can be put in motion by means of an intermittent movement
either conjointly or separately; they can even receive a continuous motion
without being subjected to modifications differing from the principal disposition
herein-before described. The only variations necessary for that purpose apply
to the cam wheels by which they are put in motion; therefore, to have their
circular plates A and A' moving by means of simultaneous intermittent
movements it is sufficient, as herein-before stated, to place the axis of the cam
wheels upon the same line, and to dispose the movements by which the sieves
of the sand boxes are acted upon in such a manner that these axes may move
them properly. The form of the circular plates is in no way altered, the
inclined planes and the plates forming the surfaces of the plastic articles when
they receive the pressure, as well as the position of the sand boxes and sieves,
are exactly the same. To give to the plates a continuous intermittent motion
it is merely necessary to replace the cam by some cog wheels without altering
the dispositions represented in Figure 2. The movements by which the sieves
of the sand boxes are put in motion can be modified if thought nccessary, and
it is possible to dispose a muff with inclined planes only: The Figures 4 and 5
represent another disposition of the same system; it differs, however, in the
node of producing pressure on the articles to be moulded. The machine
represented by Figures 4 and 5 consists of two circular plates, having exactly
the same dispositions as those of the circular plates herein-before described.
The movements by which the circular plates are set in motion are simulta-
neous and intermitted, in order that these circular plates may be stationary at
the same time. The wheel N¹, set at the lower part of the shaft H, Figure 4,
is provided with inclined horizontal planes, into which are placed the rollers L,
which are fixed to the upper part of the pistons J. The inclined and hori

page_text: zontal planes of the wheel N¹ are so disposed that the pistons J are forced to
descend into the moulds that they may press the plastic articles to be moulded,
and force them to egress from the moulds while the circular plates A, A¹, are
at rest. The wheel N¹ has been adjusted with horizontal planes, on which the
rollers D move, in order to cause the pistons J to remain at a state of elevation
during the rotative course of the circular plates A, A¹. The pistons are held
in square boxes or casings K', in which they ascend or descend without being
followed during their ascending or descending motion by the casings K',
these casings being permanently fixed to a supporter bolted and screwed to the
frame of the apparatus. When the plastic articles are pressed the circular
plates A and A', during their rotative course, force the rollers D to roll over
the inclined planes L, and to cause the moulding and unmoulding of the plastic
articles contained in the mould. When the rollers D have reached the top of
the inclined plane L they are made to roll over the horizontal plane K, which
prevents then from ascending more. The plastic articles being unmoulded
are taken out by the workman. The pistons J are forced to descend according
to the mode herein-before described. The plastic substance is ponred into a
hopper similar to that herein-before described by means of the inclined planes
of the fork N. A sand box is necessary for each of the circular plates A, A¹;
one serves to sprinkle the bottom of the moulds before receiving the plastic
substance with sand, and the other serves to sand the surface of the plastic
substance contained in the mould, and thus prevent that surface from adhering
to the small plate forming the lower surface of the piston. The sand boxes
are put in motion by the piston by means of the inclined planes M', which
give an alternate motion to the rods o. This alternate motion of the rods o
gives the motion to the two sieves of the same boxes. The Figure 5 shews a
plan of the sand boxes relatively to the circular plates. With the several dis-
positions of the apparatus herein-before described several different kinds of
plastic articles can be moulded at the same time; to obtain this it being merely
necessary to dispose the circular plates accordingly. The number of the
moulds can also be increased or diminished according to the diameter of the
circular plates. It is understood also that the cam wheels and the cogs or
catching wheels must necessarily be proportioned to the diameter of the
circular plates and to the number of moulds with which they. are provided..
The Figure 6 is the plan of the wheel N', having inclined and horizontal
planes. The Figure 4 represents a section of the said wheel. The improve-
ments for pressing the bricks and other similar plastic articles when moulded are
herein after represented in Drawings XII. and XIII.; they consist in finishing
and pressing the bricks and other similar plastic articles by means of six circular:

page_text: disks advancing progressively and remaining stationary a sufficient time to pro-
duce the required pression on all the surfaces of the bricks or other similar plastic
articles in such manner that they may be of an uniform shape and rigorously
true, with their surfaces perfectly level, having sharp angles. The apparatus
herein-after described has, in addition to all these advantages, a simple con-
struction with a great facility of working. That improvement consists in the
manner of disposing several disks or moveable plates, which are intended to
act on all the surfaces of the bricks or other similar plastic products so as to
press and finish them. The principle of that system is to give successively
to several disks or plates a motion by which two surfaces of the brick or any
other similar plastic articles may be pressed at the same time, videlicit, firstly,
the two largest surfaces, then the two middle ones, and finally, the two smallest
surfaces or ends. It is well to observe that the discs, after having produced
their pression, remain at rest in order to maintain the other surfaces of the
article whilst they receive the pression. The pressing of the plastic article
being obtained at three different times, the operations are produced as fol-
lows:-When the upper disk C is set horizontally the lower disk B ascends, and
having reached its most elevated point it remains stationary. The two
disks I, I, continue to advance till they have produced their pressure, after
which they remain at rest to allow the disks I', I', the necessary time to
produce their pression, which is the last. That pressing being performed the
contrary motion is produced to cause all the disks to return to their proper
position, that is to say, firstly, the superior disk C is raised, and secondly the
two disks I, I, recede, and whilst they perform that motion the two disk I
are receding in order to let the article placed on the lower disk remain upon
it, and the disk B then descended. It will be easily understood that on this
principle several means can be employed to cause these disk to move in order
to obtain the required pression.
The Drawing XII. shews a plan and sections of the apparatus so constructed.
The Figure 1 of this Drawing shews a plan or bird's-eye view of the apparatus
when entirely set up. The plate or upper cover is raised in order to shew
the other disk and the apparatus in connection with them. This cover, when
in its proper place, forms the upper disk, and acts on the corresponding surface
of the brick or other similar plastic moulded article to be pressed. The
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal section drawn by the centre of the machine
according to the line 1, 2, of the plan shewn by Figure 1. This Figure shews
all the internal mechanism through which that line traverses. The Figure 8
is a vertical. transversal section drawn perpendicularly to the precedent
according to the line 8, 4, of the before-described plan. By those Figures it

page_text: will be easily seen that the lower plate or disk B rises to press the plastic
articles which it-carries with it in its ascending motion until the upper cover C
stops its further progress; and as the motive power still continues to act, the
plastic article is pressed to any desirable degree between the disks. It has
been here supposed that the upper cover C is in its place; the upper disk, as
well as the lower disk B, remain naturally at rest by the means hercin-after
described. After having pressed to the required degree these two sides, the
same operation is performed on the two other sides I, and finally a third
operation finishes the two ends I, I'. To direct the motion as herein described
of those disks with a gradual and rectilineal movement, some screws having
one or more worms are employed. Thus the principal disk B, upon which is
placed the brick or other similar plastic article to be operated upon, ascends
or descends as the workman may require to increase or diminish the pression,
and remains at rest a certain time at the extremities of its course, which is
necessarily very short. That disk B is supported on a vertical screw F which
passes through a brass nut e, set in the centre of the bevil wheel G. This
wheel must turn on itself either in one way or in the other, and is so disposed
as to remain always at the same place. At the lower part of this nut e are
contrived two projections e', Figure 4, which are alternately engaged in the
inclined notches of the ring f (Figure 5), placed at the lowest part of the
prolonged nave of the wheel G, or to remain above the horizontal plane of
the ring f. The inclination of the notches e¹ is just enough to equalize that of
the worms of the screw F, but it is directed in a contrary way; consequently,
when the wheel G turns, driving along with it in its rotative motion the
nut e, so long the notches e³ of this nut e are resting on the plane parts of the
ring f. It is understood that the screw F being forced to ascend, according to
the well-known principle of screw pression, it causes the disk B which it
supports to ascend or descend according to the direction of the movement
applied; but whilst turning, the projection e¹ soon meet with the inclined notches
of the ring f, which cannot turn because it is detained by a peg to the screw f,
which allows the nut e to go down, and consequently the screw F remains in
its place. That effect takes place during some part of the time necessary
for each pressing, that is to say, when the brick, tile, or other similar plastic
moulded article is placed on the plate or disk B, this latter (the disk B)
ascends as soon as the machine is put in motion, then it remains at rest until
all the other remaining sides of the plastic articles have been likewise pressed;
and when all the operations have been finished and the manufactured article
removed from the machine, this lower plate or disk B returns to its former
position of itself. To be able properly to direct the movement of the lower

page_text: disk B in its rectilineal and vertical course, some ears are inserted in its
lateral sides. These ears have straight notches b, Figures 6 and 7, through
which pass some leaders c in connection with the supports (a cast-iron chain s
Figure 1). In order to furnish a visible guide to the workman whereby he
may be enabled to place the brick or other similar plastic article requiring to
be pressed upon the proper part of the disk or plate B, three small cylindrical
muffs m, Figures 2 and 6, are contrived to be set in the thickness of that disc
or plate B. These muffs are crossed by pins n (of the same Figures), whose
position is excentric relatively to the centre of the muffs, and they are pro-
longed beneath so as to rest at their extremities on the horizontal plate P
(Figure 2), which is bound to the bevil wheel G. These three pins n form
of themselves a right angle, representing by one of their sides the dimen
sions of the largest (or top and bottom) surfaces of the brick or other plastic
article to be subject to this system of pressing, and by the other side the
dimensions of the smallest surfaces of the said articles. Therefore when the
plate or disk B is lowered, which, as has been already stated, occurs when the
machine is to be put in motion, the three pins n, placed as herein-before
mentioned, jut out from its surface, and thereby enable the workman who
brings the plastic article to place it in such a manner that one of its largest sides
may be in juxta-position with two of the said pins n, and the smaller sides or
ends with the remaining pin (Figures 6 and 7). As it may happen that bricks
and other similar plastic articles of various and widely different dimensions or
shapes have to be compressed in this machine, it is of consequence that the
place of those pins n could be varied in order to agree with the different sizes
of the articles to be operated upon, still keeping in view the importance of an
equal pression on all the surfaces of the plastic article, and the necessity of
facilitating the operations. This end has been obtained by a very simple
.contrivance. The pins n are set in an excentric position relatively to the
muffs m, to which they are attached. It is evident, therefore, that if those
muffs are constructed so as to turn, they will be compelled to move towards
or retire from the centre of the disk or plate B, and consequently will be
enabled to determine a distance more or less considerable, according to the
dimensions of the article to be pressed. For that purpose some dividing lines
and figures have been engraved on the thin brass plate which covers the
disk. These lines serve to determine the exact places of the pins n; and
therefore, by paying the most trivial attention to them, it is rendered impossible
to misplace the brick, tile, or other similar plastic article which is intended to
be operated on. In order that the pins n should not rise with the plate B
when it receives its ascending motion, at their lower part some spiral

page_text: springs n', Figure 7, as set, by means of which they are compelled to bear
constantly on the plate P, Figure 2, and to prevent them from varying their
position when once it has been fixed. These muffs m are not allowed to turn
by means of lateral screws m¹ which press on the muffs m themselves. Four
similar bevil pinions M, M, M', M', catch with the toothed wheel G; these
cause the motion of the lateral disks. The two pistons M', M', are set on
the threaded axes J', which turns with them, being drawn in their rotative
movement communicated to one of them by the right intermediato wheel n,
and transmitted to the other by the great bevil wheel G.
These axes J pass
through the nuts v¹, which are adjusted and kept in the cast-iron sup-
porters S¹; consequently, when those axes J¹ turn, they are obliged to move in
a continuous longitudinal manner, their nuts V₁ being fixed and screwed by
the screws v. However, they do not cause the small disks 1' which they carry
at their extremities to turn, because they are only fastened to them by a collar
for the purpose of propelling or withdrawing the disks without dragging them
in their rotative motion. As those two disks I' effect their pression after the
other disks, they are so contrived that on one side they are to run over a
greater space, and on the other side to relax their motion. The two other
lateral disks I are also fastened to the screws J, but these screws J do not
turn like the preceding ones, as the pinion M through which they pass is not
invariably fixed to them. These disks I are caused to progress during a
certain length of time, then to stop their action during a short interval, and
afterwards to resume their former places by a retrograde movement; the
screws by which they are acted upon are constructed in such a manner that
they alternately move and stop. For that purpose they are arranged so as
to place on one side in the nave of each of the two pinions M a brass nut j,
which, although kept by a key, can nevertheless slide in it according to the
lirection of the axis; and on the other side a socket forming a second nut d;
the threads of which are similar, but in a contrary direction to those of the
nut j, and in which nut d is inserted a small hollow screw C, which moves
freely on the great screw J, Figures 8 and 9. On the external circumference
of the socket d is a nerve a; which at one of its ends is surmounted by a
button a', Figure 8, on which a spring r, Figure 1, continually presses. This
spring r has a tendency to permit the nerve a to penetrate into the interior of
the pinion M, and to cause this pinion to transmit a rotative motion to the
socket d, which, being subjected to that rotative motion, occasion the hollow
nut c to advance or recede, and therefore allows the screw j to recede or advance,
by which means the screw J remains stationary. It is necessary that the
key a', which is above the nerve a of the socket d, when moving on its rotative:

page_text: motion, the impediment St, Figure 3, disengages that nerve a, and therefore
forces the socket d to remain stationary until the spring r, Figure 1, pushes
again the nerve a into the notches of the pinion M. By the description
herein-before given of the movement which compels the disks I to be alter
nately in action and at rest by means only of the movement which is applied
to the interior of the pinion M, the same movement allows the screw j to
recede when the screw j remains stationary. The upper lid C, which is
placed immediately above the brick or other plastic article as soon as one of
them has been adjusted on the lower plate or disk B as it has been herein-
before explained, is joined to the frame by means of hinges, so as to balance
easily on itself. In the Drawing of the Figures 1, 2, and 3, the lid is
supposed to be raised in order to allow the aforesaid brick or other plastic
article to be placed on the disk B. When a brick or other moulded plastic
article is to be pressed the lid is kept in its proper position by means of the
handlez, Figure 1, which is pulled with the hand in order to cover the two
projecting parts z, Figure 2, of the lid C, and thus to allow that lid to
maintain the pression without being raised. In order to obtain a successful
application of the machine to the purpose of compressing bricks of different
sizes, it has been necessary to dispose the system in such a manner as to vary
at will the degree of proximity which the plates or disks were to have in
reference to each other. One way of obtaining that end is by adjusting on the
extremity of the nuts V¹, Figure 2, a muff or drum a³, provided with
handles X.,.on turning which the disks or plates are compelled to advance or
recede, so as to allow the workman to turn the nuts V', and to do that he
must at first ease the screws V, which are pressing the nuts V³. When
the positions of those disks have been determined, the screws V are again
tightened, and the other side a handle a¹ has been adjusted on the extremity
of the screws. J, Figure 3, to cause that screw to turn, in order to determine
at will the width of the article which is to be compressed. On the side and
above each of the lateral disks some small metal bands of a convenient
thickness are placed; afterwards they serve to increase the sizes of those plates
or disks B, and to cause them to correspond with the sides of the plastic
article to be pressed. These small bands are suitably adapted by means of
screws. The lid c is also disposed so as to agree with the difference of
thickness which the brick may have. For that purpose it is set in an iron
frame C, and kept by a screw C". This screw serves to regulate its exact
position, which is maintained by a counter screw C", provided with a
handle C. The construction of this machine fulfils all the conditions which
may be desired for pressing bricks or other similar plastic articles. Similar

page_text: resints may also be obtained by constructing the apparatus with a mome
tions shewn by the Drawing 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING XIII.
.
The Figure 1 is the general plan of an apparatus constructed on the same
principle as that laid down for the machine herein-before described, but with
some alterations; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the said apparatus drawn
through the centre. It is seen by those Figures that the machine is put in
motion by a lever P; but it is easy to conceive that some cogs can be set on
the wheel H to catch with a pinion, which is to be maintained at its axis by
means of an horizontal shaft, the extremity of which is to be provided with a
handle. In order that the brick or other similar plastic article may be taken
out of the machine with facility, the three pressing plates or disks 1', 1", I¹³,
receive a sensibly greater extension, so that they may recede further, and
therefore have a sufficient space between them and the brick or other similar
plastic article to admit the hands of the workman between the plates or disks
and the plastic article which has been operated upon. To effect this the form
of the lifts or cams h, h', must be altered; they are made more excentric, and
a greater length is given to them. In order that those lifts or cams may bring,
forward the plates, as well as causing them to recede, they are constructed so
as to be double, and the small rollers or bearings i, i, are placed between
them. Those lifts are besides sufficiently lengthened according to their cir-
cumference, and are therefore prevented leaving the rollers i, i, during the
alternate movement of the wheel II which supports them. In case of need
those rollers i, i, could be made to resemble small washers, to enable them to
follow more easily the direction of the curves of the lifts. The disposition of
the several parts is such that the plates approach successively to the brick or
other similar plastic article, so that it may be pressed firstly on the flat parts,
then on the two longest sides, and lastly on the two small ends, as it has been
herein already described. In all cases the whole of the movement is effected,.
and the operation completed in less than about half a turn of the wheel D,.
which is provided with lifts, so that the man working the lever P does not need
to give it more than about half a revolution. And it is easily understood that
one of the two disks I and II" can be so disposed as to move about two-fifth
parts of an inch, or even one half of that distance, if that be necessary. The.
brick or other similar plastic article to be pressed must be placed at a short
distance from the disk I on the lower plate B, which acts at the same time as
a leader. In order that the plates or disks may in case of need advance or

page_text: recede much more, so that the same machine can be used to press bricks or other
similar plastic articles of the different sizes which may be required, on those
plates or disks some brass bands o, Figure 4, are adjusted, which are moveable,
that is to say, by means of some wedges placed beneath these brass bands and
the plates, or by the assistance of screws P, Figures 3 and 4, the bands o
can be kept more or less close or apart from those plates. It is also necessary,
when the plastic article is larger, to lengthen the shortest disks I and I
This can be done with the greatest ease, either by adjusting, by means of
screws at their extremities, some small bands, or by replacing them by any
other similar or suitable means. The facility with which the brass bands o
advance or recede; Figures 4 and 5, allows to be placed behind the plates of
the disks I and II, Figure 2, a spring to each extremity of these plates, as
shewn by Figure 5. It will be easily understood that if less pression is
required from the above-named disk, it may be obtained by means of springs,
the force of which is proportioned to the required pression. The machine can
also be disposed either with variable lifts or with lifts the position of which
could be changed on the wheel H according to the sizes of the bricks or
other similer plastic articles to be pressed. The lower plate or disc B is united
to the hollowed-out axis F, which can ascend-or descend without turning. A
ring or washer G of steel is adjusted underneath the plate B, and disposed in
such a manner as to present a sort of flat lift or excentric, formed of inclined
planes in two parts of its circumference, in the shape of a left helicoid surface.
This ring rests on two iron pieces e, which are fixed to the arms of the cam
wheel H. This wheel gives motion to all the principal parts of the machine.
It is easy to understand that in turning the wheel H the pins e, which are
drawn in its rotative motion, meet the inclined planes of the ring G; and as
they can but remain always at the same height they necessarily compel that
ring G, and with it the plate B, to rise to a certain altitude, the exact degree
of which depends on the inclination of the left surfaces. By means of that
ascending motion the brick or other similar plastic article becomes strongly
pressed against the plate and the upper cover or disk c. The pistons are held
between the disks I, I, I, I, and the rollers i and i, by means of a brass
supporter set in the groove with which the plate B is provided. By this con-
trivance the plate B can' ascend or descend without the piston ascending or
descending with it.
The apparatus shewn by the Drawings XII., XIII., exhibit the principle of
several disk, which are caused to act successively upon the different faces of
the bricks or other similar plastic articles, in order to press them. They can

page_text: be constructed on a larger or smaller scale, and also with greater or less
advantageous modifications, among which are the apparatus represented by the
Drawings XII. and XIII.
And having now fully described the Invention communicated to me, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that
I do not confine myself to the precise details of the several parts of the
machinery as herein-before described and represented in the Drawings, pro-
vided that the general features be similar to what is herein described. But
what I claim as new, and as the Invention communicated to me, and intended
to be protected by the said Letters Patent, is,-
Firstly, the application to apparatus for making bricks and other similar
plastic articles of circular disks or plates, and of the movements by which
they are put in motion, as herein-before described in reference to the
Drawings I., II., VI., and VIII.
Secondly, the application to apparatus for making bricks and other similar
plastic articles of pistons, and of the movements serving to put them in
motion, as herein-before described in reference to the Drawings I., II.,
V., VI., and VIII.
Thirdly, the application of sand boxes to the apparatus for making bricks
and similar plastic articles, as herein-before described.
Fourthly, the several applications of sand boxes, and of the movements
serving to put them in motion, as herein-before described in reference to the
Drawings I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII., IX., X., XI.
Fifthly, the application of brushes to clean the moulds, and the movements
serving to put them in motion, as herein-before described in reference to the
Drawings I., II., VI., VII.
Sixthly, the several applications to apparatus for making bricks and other
similar plastic articles, of my system of wheels, provided with cams, as herein-
before described in reference to the Drawings II., III., IV., V., VI., VII.,
IX., and XI.
Seventhly, the application of receiver carriages, and the movements by
which they are put in motion, to apparatus for making bricks and other
similar plastic articles, as herein-before described in reference to the
Drawings I., II., VI., VII.
Eighthly, the application of endless chains to apparatus for making bricks
and other similar plastic articles, as herein-before described in reference to
Drawings VI. and VII.
Ninthly, the arrangement for pouring water, and the movements by which
the same is applied, in apparatus for making bricks and other similar plastic
articles, as herein-before described in reference to Drawings I., II., VI., VII.
:

page_text: Tenthly, the application of the mould-bearer carriages, and the movements
by which they are set in motion, to apparatus for moulding bricks and other
similar plastic articles, as herein-before described in reference to Drawings
II., IV., V., IX., X.
Eleventhly, the application of pistons to press the bricks and other similar
plastic articles above their upper surface, and the movements by which they
are set in motion, to apparatus, as herein-before described in reference to the
Drawings X. and XI.
Twelfthly, the application of the circular disks, and the movements to set
them in motion, as herein-before described in reference to Drawing XI. .
Thirteenthly, the application of several circular discs, and the movements by
which they are set in motion, to prepare and finish the bricks and other
similar plastic articles, as herein-before described in reference to Drawings
XII. and XIII.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this First day of
March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
forty-seven.
P. DE (L.s:) FONTAINEMOREAU.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same First day of March, in
the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau came before our Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged
the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute in that case made and provided."
Inrolled the Third day of March, in the year above written.