Improvements in the Methods of and Apparatus for Moulding, Pressing, and Drying Tiles having Inlaid Patterns.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Sept, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 12th Oct., 1888
Improvements in the Methods of and Apparatus for Moulding,
Pressing, and Drying Tiles having Inlaid Patterns.
I, JEAN LARMANJAT of 69 Rue Lafayette, Paris France, Machinist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improved processes and apparatus for the manufacture of
These tiles are made of
tiles with colored designs inlaid or encrusted therein.
hydraulic lime, cement, etc., and of relatively large size and in different colors so as to
produce the representation of a leaf for example, having the veins, half tints, and well
defined outlines.
My Invention also includes an improved mode of drying the tiles whereby clear,
bright, and decorative colors are obtained from the outset. By the improved system
of manufacture of my invention, I am enabled to simplify the construction of the
moulds and presses.
In the accompanying drawings, figures 1 and 2 shew examples of patterns which
can be produced. Figure 3 shews a plan of one of the inlaying moulds. Figures 4
and are vertical sections of the mould for inlaying the pattern, in different
positions. Figure 5 is a section of the mould for inlaying the ground.
Each mould comprises a pair of plates a a¹ to the first of which are fixed the pillars
carrying on a shoulder at their upper end the ground plate d while plate a¹ which
slides on said pillars carries the portions e e corresponding in form to the patterns to
be inlaid, these pieces e being attached by nuts and shanks to the plate a' so as to be
readily removable and replaced by others of a different shape, when desired. The
plate also carries a border frame c corresponding in shape to the tile, in the case of
the mould used for moulding the ground. In forming the ground of the tile, the
blocks e project above plate d'and form cavities to receive the ground material. These
portions are made slightly tapering.
The ground having been filled into the spaces g enclosed by the border e (which
may be interrupted as shewn in figure 3) the mould shewn in figure 5 is inverted
upon a pressing mould frame upon which the margin of plate d resis, and the plate a¹
77

page_text: is drawn up towards plate a thereby leaving the ground deposited in the pressing
mould. The cavities of the mould shewn in figure 6, are then filled in their turn
after which plate d is applied upon the press mould, and the plate a moved away
from plate a so as to bring the blocks e to a level with the surface of plate d (as shewn
in figure 4) whereby the material contained in cavities (figure 6) will be forced into
the slightly conical cavities previously left by the blocks e in the ground, and thus
form the pattern in the tile.
kkare tubular distance pieces on pillars to limit the motion of plate a', and i are
register pins to ensure accurate register between the pattern and ground.
From the examples shewn in figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the most
complicated as well as simple patterns can be produced. When the colors are
numerous, masks may be employed, which enables the operation to be more readily
and quickly performed.
Figures 14 and 15 represent sections of another pair of inlaying moulds for producing
colored lines for ornamenting tiles made of ceramic material or cement. Figure 16 is
a specimen of the tile thus ornamented, contained in the press mould. Figure 17 is a
central vertical section, and figure 18, a plan of the press employed for moulding the
tiles. Figure 19 shews a detail hereinafter described.
The pair of moulds shewn in figures 14 and 15, has a plate a carrying the portions
of the ground plate d by means of pillars n, and a plate carrying the pattern pieces c
which slide through corresponding apertures in plate d. are distance pieces for
limiting the relative motion of parts ed. Each mould has register pins g which fit in
holes in lugs k of the frame mould i. The plastic material or cement having been
run into the frame mould, the mould shewn in figure 15 is first applied thereon with
pins in holes, and plate 6 is then pressed down so as to depress the parts below
the face of the plate & whereby a corresponding pattern is impressed in intaglio in
the soft material forming the ground. The parts of the mould, figure 14, being in the
position shewn the cavities m are filled with the colored material for the pattern. The
parts c of this mould corresponding identically with those of the other mould, it will be
readily understood that by applying this mould upon mould and pressing on plate b,
the colored material contained in cavities m will be forced out and deposited in the
recesses formed by the first impression. The parts e are made of thin metal strips
curved to correspond to the pattern to be produced, by means of which it will be
seen that sharply defined contours may be obtained. By suitably varying their form,
representations of veined leaves or half tones may be produced by regulating the
spacing of colored lines in various ways.
In this manner any desired decorative effect may be produced by combining two or
more moulds and proceeding by successive operations according to the number of tints
to be obtained.
When the surfaces to be inlaid are of large dimensions, there may be several
handles to be acted on in succession, each carrying a certain portion of the pattern
but all working through the same ground plate d. As before mentioned, the several
moulds herein described are placed in mould frames y fixed on the table c of the press
represented in figures 17 and 18.
The press is mainly composed of a pair of cross-heads a a tied together by rods d,
the upper cross-head a having a chamber m in which works the piston plunger b.
The table e revolves around the rod d on which it turns freely but is prevented from
rising beyond a limited extent, by the collar a secured by a set screw g. To mould
the material contained in the moulds, on the table, the latter is revolved, in order to
bring the inould beneath the plunger to which pressure is then applied.
In order to prevent the table e becoming clogged by the material exuded from the
mould and also by dirt which accumulates between said table and the base n of the
press, a rising movement is imparted to the mould table by any suitable means, but
preferably in the following manner -The table c is supported upon a collar having
trunnions (see figure 19) resting in notches made in the short arms i of two elbow
levers e pivoted at o and having weights hung on their long arms. By this means,
a slight rising movement, limited by stop is imparted to the table c which slides
;
C

page_text: upon rod d whereby the easy rotation of the table is permitted. This method of
relieving the mould table may also be applied to other machines of a similar kind and
the moulds and press herein described, may be employed either in combination or
separately, and the press may be applied in connection with any other description of
mould, and the materials inlaid to form the tile as described, may be compressed in any
other manner, or by means of any suitable apparatus.
The tiles after they have been formed as described are then dried, which in the case
of tiles having a base of hydraulic lime or hard cement, usually occupies several
months before they acquire the necessary hardness to be fit for use, as is well known.
This drying has hitherto been effected in the open air, which causes the formation
upon the face of the tile of a layer of silicate which is very adherent and affects the
brilliancy of the colors and depreciates the value of the newly made products.
In order to remedy this, I propose to protect the ornamental face of the tile from the
air during the process of drying, by coating it with any suitable fatty body in solution
or applied in any suitable manner and in order to still further protect the tiles, thus
coated, from the action of air while drying, I arrange them in pairs face to face,
employing for this purpose a novel construction of drying frame illustrated in the
drawings in which figure 7 shows an edge view, and figure 9, a plan of a drying
frame provided with double end blocks. Figure 8 shows a series of these drying frames
superposed with tiles laid thereon for drying. Figure 10 shows a modified form of
drying frame and figures 11, 12 and 13 edge and plan views of a drying frame for
bricks ornamented on one or more of their faces. The same letters of reference
represent like parts in all these figures.
Each drying frame a is provided with a double row of bearer blocks at each end in
order that when the frames are superposed sufficient space may be provided for placing
two tiles thereon laid face to face, but separated from each other by a layer of soft
soap in solution or other suitable fatty body d, either applied directly upon the face
of each tile or upon a fabric interposed between the tiles. In this manner the faces
of the tiles will be completely protected from the action of air, whereby the
objectionable efflorescence is prevented. In drying ornamental bricks, the colored or
decorated surfaces e are placed together and an isolating fabric (preferably coated with
a solution of from 10 to 20 parts of soft soap to 100 parts of water) introduced between
them, as shown in figures 11, 12 and 13.
Any kind of material may be used for the purpose, and it may be made either of the
same dimensions as a single tile, or of a row of tiles in length or breadth, or be made
of the same size as the frame itself.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1887.
J. LARMANJAT.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agents.

page_text: Improvements in the Methods of and Apparatus for Moulding,
Pressing, and Drying Tiles having Inlaid Patterns. .
I, JEAN LARMANJAT, of 69, Rue Lafayette, Paris, France, Machinist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My Invention relates to improved processes and apparatus for the manufacture of
moulded tiles made of hydraulic lime, cement, etc., of relatively large size and in
different colors which are inlaid or encrusted therein so as to produce the representation
of a leaf, for example, having the veins, half-tints, and outlines, well defined.
My Invention also includes an improved mode of drying the tiles whereby clear,
bright, and decorative colors are obtained from the outset. By the improved system
of manufacture of my invention, I am enabled to simplify the construction of the
moulds and presses.
Reference is to be had to the drawings left with my provisional specification, in
which figures 1 and 2 shew examples of patterns which can be produced. Figure 3
shews a plan of one of the inlaying moulds. Figures 4 and 6 are vertical sections of
the mould for inlaying the pattern, in different positions. Figure 5 is a section of the
mould for inlaying the ground.
Each mould comprises a pair of plates a a to the first of which are fixed the
pillars carrying on a shoulder at their upper end the ground plate & while plate a
which slides on said pillars carries the portions e e corresponding in form to the patterns
to be inlaid, these pieces e being attached by nuts and shanks to the plate a' so as to
be readily removable and replaced by others of a different shape, when desired. The
plate a also carries a border frame e corresponding in shape to the tile, in the case of
the mould used for moulding the ground. In forming the ground of the tile, the
blocks e project above plate d and form cavities to receive the ground material
(see figure 5). These portions e are made slightly tapering.
The ground having been filled into the spaces g enclosed by the border (which
may be interrupted as shown in figure 3) the mould shewn in figure 5 is inverted upon
a pressing mould frame upon which the margin of plate d rests, and the plate a¹ is
drawn up towards plate a thereby leaving the ground deposited in the pressing mould.
The cavities of the mould shewn in figure 6, are then filled in their turn after which
plate is applied upon the press mould, and the plate a moved away from plate a so
as to bring the blocks e to a level with the surface of plate d (as shewn in figure 4)
whereby the material contained in cavities (figure 6) will be forced into the slightly
conical cavities previously left by the blocks e in the ground, and thus form the pattern
in the tile.
kare tubular distance pieces on pillars & to limit the motion of plate a¹, and i are
register pins to ensure accurate register between the pattern and ground.

page_text: From the examples shewn in figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that the most complicated
as well as simple patterns can be produced. When the colors are numerous, masks
may be employed, which enables the operation to be more readily and quickly
performed.
Figures 14 and 15 represent sections of another pair of inlaying moulds for
producing colored lines for ornamenting tiles made of ceramic material or cement.
Figure 16 is a specimen of the tile thus ornamented, contained in the press mould.
Figure 17 is a central vertical section, and figure 18, a plan of the press employed for
moulding the tiles. Figure 19 shews a detail hereinafter described.
b
The pair of moulds shewn in figures 14 and 15, has a plate a carrying the portions
of the ground plate d by means of pillars n, and a plate carrying the pattern pieces c
which slide through corresponding apertures in plate d. eare distance pieces for
limiting the relative motion of parts ed. Each mould has register pins which fit in
holes in lugs of the frame mould i (see figure 16). The plastic material or cement
having been run into the frame mould, the mould shewn in figure 15 is first applied
thereon with pins g in holes l, and plate is then pressed down so as to depress the
parts below the face of the plate & whereby a corresponding pattern is impressed in
intaglio in the soft material forming the ground. The parts of the mould, figure 14,
being in the position shewn the cavities m are filled with the colored material for the
pattern. The parts of this mould corresponding identically with those of the other
mould, it will be readily understood that by applying this mould upon mould i and
pressing on plate 6, the colored material contained in cavities m will be forced out and
deposited in the recesses formed by the first impression. The parts c are made of thin
metal strips curved to correspond to the pattern to be produced, by means of which it
will be seen that sharply defined contours may be obtained. By suitably varying their
form, representations of veined leaves or half tones may be produced by regulating the
spacing of the colored lines in various ways.
In this manner any desired decorative effect may be produced by combining two or
more moulds and proceeding by successive operations according to the number of tints
to be obtained.
When the surfaces to be inlaid are of large dimensions, there may be several handles
to he acted on in succession, each carrying a certain portion of the pattern but all
working through the same ground plate d. The several moulds herein described
are placed in mould frames y fixed on the table of the press represented in
figures 17 and 1.8.
The press is mainly composed of a pair of cross-heads aa tied together by rods d,
the upper cross-head a having a chamber m in which works the piston plunger b. The
table c revolves around one of the rods d on which it turns freely, but is prevented
from rising beyond a limited extent, by the collar secured by a set screw g.
To mould the material contained in the moulds, on the table, the latter is revolved,
in order to bring the mould beneath the plunger to which pressure is then applied.
In order to prevent the table c becoming clogged by the material exuded from the
mould and also by dirt which accumulates between said table and the base of the
press, a rising movement is imparted to the mould table by any suitable means, but
preferably in the following manner -The table c is supported upon a collar / having
trunnions (see figure 19) resting in notches made in the short arms i of two elbow
levers e pivoted at o and having weights h hung on their long arms. By this means,
a slight rising movement, limited by stop is imparted to the table c which slides upon
rod whereby the easy rotation of the table is permitted. "This method of relieving
the mould table may also be applied to other machines of a similar kind" and the
moulds and press herein described, may be employed either in combination or
separately, and the press may be applied in connection with any other description of
mould, and the materials inlaid to form the tile as described, may be compressed in
any other manner, or by means of any suitable apparatus.
The tiles after they have been formed as described are then dried which, in the
case of tiles having a base of hydraulic lime or hard cement, usually occupies several
months before they acquire the necessary hardness to be fit for use as is well known.

page_text: This drying has hitherto been effected in the open air which causes the formation upon
the face of the tile of a layer of silicate which is very adherent and affects the
brilliancy of the colors and depreciates the value of the newly made products.
In order to remove this, I propose to protect the ornamental face of the. tile from
the air, during the process of drying, by coating it with any suitable fatty body in
solution or applied in any suitable manner, and in order to still further protect the
tiles thus coated from the action of air, while drying, I arrange them in pairs face to
face employing for this purpose a novel construction of drying frame illustrated in the
drawings in which figure 7 shews an edge view, and figure 9 a plan, of a drying
frame provided with double end blocks. Figure 8 shews a series of these drying
frames superposed with tiles laid thereon for drying. Figure 10 shews a modified
form of drying frame, and figures 11, 12, and 13, shew edge, and plan, views of a
drying frame for bricks ornamented on one or more of their faces. The same letters
of reference represent like parts in all these figures.
Each drying frame a is provided with a double row of bearer blocks at each end,
in order that, when the frames are superposed, sufficient space may be provided for
placing two tiles thereon laid face to face but separated from each other by a layer
of soft soap in solution or other suitable fatty body'd either applied directly upon the
face of each tile or upon a fabric interposed between the tiles. In this manner, the
faces of the tiles will be completely protected from the action of air whereby
the objectionable efflorescence is prevented. In drying ornamental bricks, the colored
or decorated surfaces e are placed together and an isolating fabric (preferably coated
with a solution of from 10 to 20 parts of soft soap to 100 parts of water) introduced
between them, as shewn in figures 11, 12, and 13.
Any kind of material may be used for the purpose and it may be made either of the
same dimensions as a single tile or of a row of tiles in length or breadth or be made
of the same size as the frame itself.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
1st. The herein-lescribed improvements in the manufacture of tiles having inlaid
patterns, by means of apparatus consisting of the mould provided with removable
pattern blocks for inlaying the ground of the tile and the pressing moulds for inlaying
the pattern in the moulded ground, as illustrated in figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14,
15, and 16.
2nd. In a press for moulding tiles made of ceramic materials, the means of
relieving the mould table represented in figures 17, 18, and 19 and consisting of the
collar having trunnions kk, elbow levers, o, e, and weights n, as hereindescribed.
3rd. The process of drying tiles or bricks having a base of hydraulic lime or
cement, which consists in protecting the faces of the tiles, while drying, from the
action of air and light by coating them with a layer of any fatty or other suitable
matter, substantially as herein described and illustrated in figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, and 13.
Dated this 3rd day of September 1888