IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PLASTIC MATERIAL
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, AND OTHER
ARTICLES OF PLASTIC MATERIAL."-A communication from abroad by
Frederich Hertel, Machinist, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th March 1867.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, AND
OTHER ARTICLES OF PLASTIC MATERIAL," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of an apparatus intended, 1st, for the preparation,
and, secondly, for the moulding of clays in the manufacture of solid or hollow
bricks, drain pipes, tiles, and in general all mouldable ceramic products. This
improved apparatus also prepares and moulds at one and the same time bricks
or slabs of artificial fuel of small coal, lignite, anthracite, and peat. By
preparation is meant griuding so as to reduce to powder all matters extraneous
to the clay in order to incorporate and cause them to combine with the mass

page_text: from which the products are to be made, so that they shall not be detrimental
to the products resulting. Thus, for example, it consists of three operations,-
1st, the flints and pebbles found in the clay, as also hard portions of clay,
are all crushed so as to be capable of working into the plastic mass.
2ndly, the working up and intimate mixture of all the crushed parts so as
to obtain a homogeneous plastic composition.
3rdly, the pressure compressing the homogeneous mass and the force
brought to bear upon the draw or dod plate, which moulds it into the products
desired. The moulded matter is presented to a cutter of special and improved
construction, whereby it is cut of suitable size.
The crushing is performed by one or two pairs of rollers, disposed bori-
zontally, coupled together and superposed the one pair above the other;
these cylinders, which turn at equal or unequal speeds are capable of
approaching or receeding from each other according to the substance
between them, the hard portions being ground to dust which is incor-
porated with the clay; the whole being crushed leaves the said rollers in
thin layers. These rollers receive the rough material from a feeding hopper
in which it is thrown in the form it leaves the pit. Two pairs of rollers
are used when the matter is hard, and the said matter having been ground
by the upper pair of horizontal rollers falls directly between the two. lower
coupled rollers, where it undergoes a second reduction and is ground more
completely. To prevent breakage of the rollers if too large or too hard
substances are present one or both of the rollers have the bearings of their
axes supported by pieces of india-rubber which yield to excess of pressure.
When two pairs of rollers are used the second pair is of harder metal, for
example, chilled east iron, and are fixed rigidly in their bearings in order to
crush all bodies that present themselves and which have escaped the action of
the first rollers. The caps of the bearings of the said rollers should, however,
alone break in ease of excessive resistance. The second pair of rollers are
specially provided with a fly wheel; they run quicker than the first pair, and
have unequal speeds, so as to abrade the clay. The two pairs of rollers receive
their motion separately from a motive power. The rollers are also provided
with a scraper which presses upon them by the action of a counterbalance
weight, the office of said scraper being to constantly clean the surface of said
rullers.
The horizontal mixer, situated underneath the crushers into which the
crushed products drop, consists of a cylindrical capacity in the axis of which
is a shaft provided with pallets, blades, or helical knives; the office of these
pallets, blades, or helical knives is to cut in every way the crushed clay

page_text: and to mix it up and then conduct it into a second circumscribed capacity,
where it is pressed and becomes denser. This second capacity, which imme-
diately follows the first, is also traversed by the same shaft, and said shaft
likewise carries helical blades which cut up the clay into thin layers, render it
more homogeneous, and carry it forward. The terminal cylindrical portion of
this second capacity is annular, and the portion of the shaft which moves
within it carries two blades or helical pallets which turn together in the
annular space; these blades serve to support the shaft of the mixer which has
thus but one bearing at the back of the machine. The portion of the hori-
zontal shaft outside of the machine is supported by a bracket bearing, forming
a part of the general frame of the apparatus; this disposition of the shaft
with a single bearing causes the plastic mass to advance. The last-named
helical pallets acting in the annular space push the plastic mass into a third
capacity called the compressing chamber, in which the homogeneous mass
receives a strong pressure which expresses it at the draw or dod plate. The
compressing chamber is provided at the sides with doors for the cleaning of
the apparatus. To prevent the clay sticking to the blades and turning round
with them without advancing towards the draw plate the capacity carries
fixed counterblades which constantly scrape the moving blades; a double
row of semi-helical blades are placed crosswise. I also provide knives
whose function is to scrape the clay from a semi-helix so arranged that
the clay or other matter to be moulded travels always towards the draw
plate. If bricks are moulded a compact mass to produce a certain number
of solid or hollow bricks is expressed at the outlet of the draw plate,
where wires stretched obliquely cut the block longitudinally into as many
pieces as bricks desired; the pieces thus cut up travel on rollers turning
in fixed bearings; they then pass on to other similar rollers mounted on the
sliding carriage of the cutter. When the severed pieces of the slab have
advanced on the slide the required distance, which is the length of a brick, a
frame carrying an inclined wire cuts across the whole of the pieces without
arresting the progress of the clay; if the cutting does not take place at the
required moment the slide of the cutter pushed by the moulded earth moves
away from the dod plate at the same speed as that of the exit of the mass, so
that the products are always cut at a right angle and of proper length without
the necessity of paying close attention to the egress of the clay. The stop
against which the cut. mass bears is hinged so as to rise for the removal of the
cut pieces. In order to cut properly the whole of the pieces the sides of the
two extreme pieces require to be supported on each side of the cutting wire
in order. to ensure a clear cut; this office is performed by four small pallets,

page_text: which support the plastic mass; they are operated by a lever so as either to
support or to be withdrawn from the clay. When the bricks are cut up by
the cutting frame the operator brings back the sliding carriage to its first
position. The same cutter is used for sollid or hollow bricks, drain and other
pipes, the lengths of which may be varied at will by placing the stop at the
required distance. Instead of the wires partitions may also be placed in the
dod plate; the clay will then be divided as in the ordinary machines.
In order to manufacture flat book tiles I employ a particular dod plate
which moulds continuously four flat slabs of earth; these four slabs arrive on
a cutting slide carriage, which each time it is operated cuts off four tiles from
the extremity of these slabs. These slabs are formed with a longitudinal mid
rib; by removing a part of this rib a hook is formed with the remaining part
at the extremity of the tile. Two horizontal and continuous slabs are super-
posed and parallel to two other horizontal and contiguous slabs; the two upper
slabs emerge with their ribs above, and the two lower slabs with their ribs
below. The said slabs on leaving the dod plate travel on rollers turning in
fixed bearings, which rollers are suitably grooved to allow the ribs of the two
lower contiguous slabs to pass, whence said slabs are transferred to rollers
mounted on a traversing carriage; these rollers are also grooved for the
reception of the ribs, and on which rollers they are carried between two cutting
wires; the said cutting wires cut the slabs into four lengths of tiles; one of
the wires may cut in a circular direction if it is desired to form tiles rounded
at the bottom ends. At the same time that the four slabs advance, superposed
two and two, and parallel on the carriage, special wires cut off a part of the
four ribs, leaving only sufficient at one of the extremities to form on each tile
the connecting hook. The parts of ribs are removed at the same time that
the tile is cut of proper length, and is operated by the same movement. The
wires removing the ribs first sever them horizontally the required length,
ceasing to act at the proper moment; they are subsequently raised to cut the
ribs transversely, and the lower rib cutting wires are depressed, cutting the
ribs transversely, having previously cut them horizontally to the required
length.
To produce artificial fuel of small coal, lignite, and peat the same apparatus
is employed, the dod plate and the cutters are alone modified. The dod plate
is provided with double partitions, and steam is introduced into the spaces
between them, while the external partition is fitted with wood or other non-
conductor to prevent the loss of heat. The horizontal surface of the dod plate
is larger than for ceramic products in order that it may continue longer the
moulding action. The cutter is also provided with a carriage similar to that

page_text: already described, but at the exit the mass is not divided in pieces, nor is
there any stop as the dimensions need not be so exact.
In the operation of cutting the plastic mass is sustained by supporting
pallets to ensure a clean cut. The cutting frame carries four wires, which cut
the entire mass into three pieces, whose length is the width of the mass when
it leaves the dod plate.
In order to facilitate the working of clay and of combustibles a horizontal
or inclined feeding cylinder may be placed between the crusher and the mixer;
said cylinder is provided with a central shaft carrying helical pallets, which
transfer the clay from the crusher to the mixer. A jet of steam may also be
introduced into this cylinder to soften the clays and render the materials
plastic.
Motion is transmitted uniformly by means of gearing and bands to all the
working parts of the apparatus with the exception of the cutter which is
worked by hand. One general frame carries all the parts, and thus forms a
single apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th September 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William Clark,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Iμ-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, AND OTHER
ARTICLES OF PLASTIC MATERIAL," a communication to me from abroad by
Frederich Hertel, Machiuist, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the

page_text: condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Clark, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date. of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the four Sheets of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say)
This Invention consists of an apparatus intended, first, for the preparation,
and, secondly, for the moulding of clays in the manufacture of solid or hollow
bricks, drain pipes, tiles, and in general all mouldable ceramic products.
This improved apparatus also prepares, mixes, and moulds at one and the
same time bricks or slabs of artificial fuel, consisting of small coal, lignite,
anthracite, and peat.
I will first proceed to describe the type of machine forming the subject of
the present Invention, and will then detail the several modifications and
improvements applicable to the same.
The principal machine is represented in Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawings,
Figure 1 showing a sectional elevation of the machine, Figure 2 a plan, and
Figure 3 an end elevation, while Figure 4 shows a separate front view of
the cutter. The same letters apply to all these Figures.
The first operation consists in grinding or reducing to powder all hard or
extraneous matters contained in the clay in order to incorporate and cause
them to combine with the mass from which the products are to be made,
while at the same time preventing the fermentation of the products; thus, for
example, flints and pebbles, lime, marl, silex, and other hard concrete matters
found in the clay, which are all crushed by the machine so as to be capable of
working into the plastic mass.
The second operation consists in working up and intimately mixing all the
crushed parts so as to obtain a homogeneous plastic composition.
The third operation consists in compressing the homogeneous mass and
supplying it in a continuous manner to the dod plate which moulds the products
of the form desired.
Fourthly, the moulded material is next presented to a cutter of special

page_text: and improved construction, whereby the strip of clay after issuing from the
dod plate is cut of suitable length and width.
The crushing is performed by a pair of rollers A capable of approaching or
receding from each other according to the nature of the materials passing between
them; these rollers receive the raw material from a feeding hopper B, in which it
is thrown in the form it leaves the pit; these rollers crush the solid portions of the
matters and reduce them to powder or to a fine consistency, and this being in-
corporated with the clay the product will pass through the rollers in the form of a
thin sheet or layer. To prevent breakage of the rollers if too hard or too large
substances are presented, one or both of the crushing rollers have the
bearings C of their axes resting on blocks of india-rubber which yield to
excessive pressure, hence such matters cannot cause the breakage of the
rollers. The crushing rollers are provided on their ends with toothed wheels
which may be of the same diameter as those shown in the Drawings, or they
may vary in size in order to drive the rollers at different speeds for the purpose of
either simply crushing or simultaneously crushing and subdividing the materials.
The horizontal mixer consists of a cylindrical chamber D, in the centre
of which is a shaft E provided with pallets, blades, or helical knives F; these
pallets, blades, or helical knives serve to cut up the crushed clay into thin
layers, render it still more homogeneous, and carry it forward. I would here
observe that the helical cutters mounted on the ends of the shaft E are closer
to each other and are of a different pitch for the purpose of completing the
mixing, and also for compressing the material before leaving the dod plate.
The terminal cylindrical portion of the second chamber G is made of annular
form truly turned, and the end of the shaft which moves within it carries two
blades or helical pallets which turn together in the annular space; these
blades serve to support the shaft of the mixer at one end, which has thus but
one bearing H at the back of the machine. The portion of the horizontal
cutter shaft outside of the machine is supported by a bracket bearing, forming
a part of the general frame of the apparatus. This disposition of the shaft with
a single bearing enables the plastic mass to be forced forwards. The last-named
belical pallets acting in the annular space press the plastic mass after completing
the working up, into a third chamber called the compressing chamber, in which
the homogeneous mass receives a strong pressure which expresses it at the draw
or dod plate J. The compressing chamber is provided at its sides with doors K
for examining and cleaning the apparatus. To prevent the clay sticking to the
blades and turning round with them without advancing towards the draw
plate the chamber carries fixed counterblades L, which being constantly in
contact with the moving. blades remove any material adhering thereto. The

page_text: dod plate, which forms the bottom of the compressing chamber, is compressed
by a metal plate J provided with openings corresponding in form to that of
the product to be obtained, rectangular if for bricks, circular if for drain pipes,
or of other forms desired. The clay after being compressed as described and
forced forward by the helical cutters through the dod plate emerges thence
in continuous rectangular blocks of homogeneous material; on leaving the
draw plate wires M stretched obliquely cut the block longitudinally into as
many parts as there are bricks desired; the pieces thus cut up travel on
rollers N turning in fixed bearings; they then pass on to other similar
rollers mounted on the sliding carriage of the cutter.
The cutter consists
of a sliding carriage O provided with rollers P, in which is mounted a frame Q
carrying a metal wire R placed in an inclined position. When the several
pieces of the slab have advanced on this slide the required distance the wire R
euts them of the required length without arresting the progress of the clay.
If the cutting does not take place at the required moment the slide of the
cutter pushed forward by the moulded earth carries it away from the dod
plate at the same speed as that of the exit of the mass, so that the products
are always cut at right angles and of equal length without the necessity of
paying close attention to the egress of the clay. After the bricks are thus
formed by the cutting frame the attendant returns the carriage to position for
a new operation. The cutter is provided with a stop S against which the
cut mass abuts; said stop is also hinged so as to rise for the removal of the
products after they have been cut up. In order to cleanly and properly cut
up the whole of the parallel strips the two extreme pieces require to be
supported on each side of the cutting wire in order to ensure a clean cut,
for which purpose four small pallets T are used to support the plastic
pieces; they are operated by a lever so as either to support or to be with-
drawn from the clay. The cutting apparatus is further provided with a
stamper for impressing the upper surface of the products, these stamps are
operated by a lever and thrown out of action by a spring. The same cutter
before described serves for solid or hollow bricks, drain and other pipes,
the lengths of which may be varied at will by regulating the position of
the stop.
2nd Part. Modifications, Improvements, and Applications of the Brick-
making Machine.-The following are the modifications I have made in the
brick-making machinery herein-before described:-1st, I use double crushing
rollers of peculiar arrangement; 2ndly, I modify the helical knives or cutters,
which as before mentioned serve for working up the clay; 3rdly, I arrange
the dod plate with partitions which serve to divide the mass expressed there-

page_text: from; 4thly, I use an improved form of cutter for cutting up the clay, not
only to form bricks, but also tiles, and cakes or blocks of fine coal, lignite,
anthracite, peat, and other matters; 5thly, I apply the machine to the manu-
facture of tiles; 6thly, for moulding cakes or lumps of agglomerated fine coal,
peat, or other matters, which is effected by the aid of a dod plate of peculiar
arrangement heated by steam, water, or other agent; 7thly, in the novel
application either of steam or hot water to the periphery of the dod plate in
the above manufacture for the purpose of keeping the surfaces sufficiently
moist.
I will now proceed to describe seriatim the various improvements above
referred to, Sheet 2 of the Drawings showing the improved machine provided
with double crushing rollers.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the machine with the mixing cylinder
in section; Figure 2, a transverse section; and Figure 3, a plan of the same..
The saine letters serve for the several Figures.
The chief feature of this machine is the double roller or cylinder press,
which may be used the one set singly or in combination, the former for
pounding clay and soft earthy matters, and the latter when the clay is mixed
with lime, marl, stones, silex, and other concrete matters, and also in the
manufacture of blocks or cakes of agglomerated coal, lignite, and peat. The
double roller or cylinder press, which serves for completing the crushing or
pounding of the materials, consists of two pairs of rollers superposed, as
separately represented in Figure 4; the lower pair of rollers serves to reduce
the matters to the requisite degree of fineness after they have passed through
the upper pair of rollers. In the double press the upper pair of rollers A, A¹,
Figures 1 and 4, and the lower pair B, B¹, are in contact with each other, the
whole of the friction being at the points 1, 2; these cylinders, as before men-
tioned, are driven at different speeds with wheel gearing of varying diameter,
R, S, of the upper rollers and T, M, of the lower rollers; by this means the
clay, marl, and other matters are not only subjected to pressure, but from the
different speeds of the rollers will also undergo a tearing action. The upper
rollers are mounted in bearings provided with india-rubber blocks, so as to
admit of their passing hard lumps, while on the contrary the lower pair turn
in fixed bearings so that all the matters scraped off the upper rollers and
falling between the lower pair will be reduced to the requisite degree of
fineness according to the distance at which said rollers are placed apart.
There is no liability of injury to the lower rollers as all the stones or hard
matters will have been already partially crushed by the upper rollers, and if
from any cause a hard substance succeeded in getting between the lower

page_text: rollers the cast-iron bearings a would be the first to give way, they being made
of the requisite degree of strength for the purpose; hence these rollers may be
brought into close contact with each other, the matters passing through being
reduce to a very fine paste.
A crushing apparatus arranged as above may be employed with great
advantage where calcareous and marly clays are used, without which it would
be impossible to work these matters, except by using very expensive washing
apparatus. This double cylinder apparatus is also indispensable in the manu-
facture of agglomerated lignite, peat, or small coal where the materials require
to be reduced excessively fine before passing to the mixing cylinder in order
to produce a thorough homogeneous paste.
2nd. Screw Cutters on the Mixing Shaft.-Sheet 3 of the Drawings
represents various views of the mixer provided with its cutter shaft. Figure 1
shows a central. vertical section of the dod plate and cutter; Figure 2,
a horizontal section of the mixing cylinder and cutter shaft, also showing the
position of the counterblades; Figure 3 is a front view of the cutter, and
Figure 4 a similar view of one of the screw cutters. I modify the arrange-
ment of the cutter shaft E of the brick machine as follows:-I place a
double row of semi-helical blades E¹ crosswise on said shaft, and in the space
comprised between them I place counterblades L serving to scrape the
matters off the one screw plate and transfer it to the next, and so cause the
plastic mass to continually travel towards the dod plate; these screw blades
and counterblades are clearly shown in the horizontal section of the mixer,
Figure 2, Sheet 3, and require no further description.
3rd. Dod Plate.-Sheet 4 of the Diawings shows the dod plate and
apparatus for cutting up the clay for forming tiles. Figure 1 is a plan of the
dod plate and cutting apparatus; Figure 2, a central longitudinal section of
same on line S, S;. Figure 3, a partial front view of the cutting apparatus;
Figure 4, a similar view of the dod plate; and Figure 5, a longitudinal
section of the same. When the machine is to be used for the manufacture
of flat hooked tiles I employ a dod plate A of peculiar arrangement pro-
vided with a division. plate B and knives C. It will mould at one time.
four continuous flat surfaces of material each provided with a central
longitudinal rib, by removing all but a small portion of which a hook is
formed at one end of the tile. Two adjoining horizontal slabs are superposed
parallel with two other horizontal slabs; the two upper slabs emerge from
the dod plate with their ribs above, and the two lower slabs with their ribs
below; said slabs on leaving the dod plate A travel on rollers D turning
in a fixed frame F. These rollers have spaces E between them to allow of.

page_text: the ribs on the two lower tiles passing, and said slabs, after passing over
rollers D, are transferred to a travelling carriage G also provided with rollers,
forming an improved cutting apparatus.
4th. Cutter. This apparatus when used for cutting up the slabs into
lengths for tiles is applicable both to the machinery of this Invention or any
other tile-making machine. The cutter, which is represented in Sheet 4 of
the Drawings, is placed in juxtaposition with the dod plate above described.
The slabs, after passing over the rollers D of the fixed frame F on to the
carriage G, meet with the iron wires c, c¹, stretched horizontally between the
fixed guides H, H¹, Figure 3; by the aid of these wires the ribs on the tiles
are removed, except a small portion left at one end to form the hook. The
slabs next come in contact with a stop J, Figure 2, so as to advance the tra-
velling carriage G running on wheels R on rails F; in this manner the constant
adjustment of the slabs continually emerging from the dod plate is.obviated.
I will now proceed to describe the mode of forming the hooks on the tiles
which, as before mentioned, is effected by removing the greater part of each
rib. When the carriage and slab move forward simultaneously the operator
raises the lever h, Figure 3, mounted on an axis, and by means of the levers
h³, h, pulls the bars h*, h*, jointed at E, E. By these several movements
the wires c, c¹, fixed to the slides are caused to expand so as to cut off the
greater portion of the ribs both on the upper and lower slabs. at one time,
after which the wires are arrested in their movement. The ribs that have
been removed from the slabs fall through the openings Q, all the waste being
worked up afresh with the clay; the operator at this moment acts on the
frame K with bis right hand for cutting the slabs in lengths for tiles, leaving
a straight edge at the one end and a rounded or curved edge at the opposite end,
as I will now proceed to describe. The two frames K, L, are connected by
a lever n jointed at o, and having grooves for receiving the axes m, l, of said
frames K, L. In this manner, supposing the frame K to be moved in a
direction at right angles to the axis of the apparatus, frame L will move in a
curve in the reverse direction. The wires d fixed to K serve to cut the
straight end of the tile next the hook, while wires e fixed to L cut the curved
and opposite end, or it may be straight if desired. The distance between the
wires c and d is equal to the length of a tile less that of the hook formed
thereon. In order to cut the tile in a straight line on the one side and round
on the other, rectilinear motion is imparted to the frame K in guides 9, 9, and
grooves y formed of angle plates, while the curvilinear movement of frame L
is regulated by the pivots i fixed at the top of L and k, k, fixed below, both
running in curvilinear guides M, M'. By the first movement of frame K the

page_text: operator separates four tiles from the slab emerging continuously from the dod
plate, the front ends being cut of rounded form at the same time; he then
raises the stop J to the position shown dotted in Figure 2, removes the
finished tiles, and again brings down the stop J in order that the slabs of clay
may abut against it, and so ensure a uniform length of tile; the lever h is then
moved downwards, when the arms h¹, h³, E, E, h³, h', slides H, H¹, and
wires c, c³, fixed thereto will all return to their former positions. This result
is obtained by the aid of a part 7, Figure 2, on which the slides bear after
depressing levers h, so that the wires c, c¹, shall always retain their original
distance apart for cutting the slabs of clay. The frame G, which while stop J
is again brought down is slightly away from the dod plate at the time the
slabs are abutting against it, is also returned to position and the operation
repeated, except that the operator alternately moves the frame K towards and
from himself.
Applications of the Machine, 5thly, to the Manufacture of Tiles.-It will be
understood, from what has been before stated with reference to the dod plate
and cutting apparatus represented in Sheet 4, that I claim the application of
said apparatus either to the machinery of this Invention or on any other
system for the manufacture of square or flat tiles with or without hooks, and
generally of all ceramic products presenting a sufficiently large surface rela-
tively to their thickness.
6th. Agglomerated Matters.-The machinery herein described is not only
applicable for the manufacture of all moulded ceramic products, but may also
be usefully applied to the production of cakes or blocks of agglomerated
lignite, peat, anthracite, and small coal, the process being the same as for the
treatment of clay. I would simply remark that I use a jet of steam or a
current of hot water in the dod plates J supplied by a pipe X for heating said
dod plates, and thus keep the product in a sufficiently moist condition when
passing through. I reserve the exclusive right of using steam, hot water, or
other heating agent as above for this purpose.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st, the improved machinery for the manufacture of bricks or other ceramic
products as herein described, and one example of which is illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings, which combines the three opertions of crushing, mixing,
and compressing, this combination being a novel feature of the Invention.
2ndly, I claim crushing or grinding clay matters by the single or double sets
of rollers, as before described.

page_text: 3rdly, I claim the several arrangements of dod plates before described.
4thly, I claim the several arrangements of apparatus for cutting the products
into lengths.
5thly, I claim the application of the machinery to the manufacture of flat
hooked tiles.
6thly, I claim its application for the manufacture of products of agglome-
rated matters.
7thly, I claim the application of heat, consisting either of steam, hot water,
or otherwise, as and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of September, in the year. of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
W. CLARK. (L.B.)