Improvements in the Manufacture of Tiles and the like and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 14th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1898
AVERAL DIEUITIVATION
Improvements in the Manufacture of Tiles and the like and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM PRICE, of 44, Norton Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Artistic Tile Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:--
My invention relates to the manufacture of tiles and similar articles having
at the back undercut recesses for rendering the fixing and holding of them per-
fectly secure against a wall or ceiling. It is designed to form a much better
and more complete dove-tail and undercut than has been possible hitherto, and
to render impossible the spoiling or damaging of the undercuts when removing
the tiles from the die or mould.
In carrying my invention into effect the die which is to form the front or face
of the tile is of any suitable or ordinary construction, the other die which is to
form the back of the tile is provided with auxiliary dies or formers which form
the undercut recesses or dovetails in the tile. These auxiliary dies are arranged
in pairs and project above the face of the main die, to an extent corresponding
to the depth of the recesses to be formed in the back of the tiles, the arrangement
being such that when the tile press is operated to compress the loose dust or
plastic material with which the mould has been filled, the auxiliary dies make a
depression in the tiles to the required depth. The auxiliary dies in each pair
however have a lateral or expanding movement in opposite directions, and this
lateral or expanding movement is utilised to form the dove-tails or undercuts on
two opposite edges of each of the recesses in the back of the tile. In the reverse
movement of the tile press the two parts of each pair of auxiliary dies contract or
move towards each other, so as to free them from the undercuts in the tiles, and
enable the latter to be removed from the die without in the slightest degree
damaging the projecting edges of the undercuts or other parts of the tile.
To go more into detail, the main die that is utilized to form the back of the
tile, exactly fits into the hollow interior of the mould. This die is mounted on a
backing or foundation plate to which a plunger or upright rod is secured. The
backing has truncated wedges projecting from the face thereof, and the die has
wedge shaped cavities through which the truncated wedges project, leaving inclined
spaces between. The auxiliary dies or formers are arranged in pairs and project
above the face of the main die to an extent corresponding to the depth of the
recesses to be formed in the back of the tiles. Their opposite edges are cham-
fered to form the undercuts and are provided with arms or sliders which are fitted
into the pasages between the main die and backing so that they shall converge
towards each other in such a manner that if the die be separated from the backing
the two dies constituting each pair shall move towards or away from each other
and thus constitute an expanding or contracting movement. Dovetail keys or

page_text: cotters engage in dovetail grooves in the sliding faces of the truncated wedges, and
in dovetail grooves in the sloping faces of the arms or sliders in such manner
as to secure the auxiliary dies to the truncated wedges while permitting a sliding
movement thereof. Springs are provided which tend normally to separate the
die from the foundation. The die and foundation are coupled together by plates
and screws, vertical slots being provided however in the plate to permit of the die
moving vertically a limited distance independent of the foundation block. The
main die is provided with abutments which engage grooves in the auxiliary dies
and which prevent their sliding independently of the die while freely permitting
lateral movement. An apparatus of this kind provides special facilities for allow
ing the air to escape from the mould.
The operation is very simple. The mould is filled with powder in a loose state
and compressed by the top and bottom dies, preferably with a gentle préssure at
first to allow the air which is contained in the powder to escape, but augmented
to a great force so as to press the earthy material into vastly less space than it
occupied when it was in a state of loose powder. The bottom die at the com-
mencement of the operation is separated from the backing or foundation by the
springs. In this position the auxiliary dies make a depression in the tiles to the
required depth, but as the pressure is augmented to compress the earthy material
in the mould, the die is forced against the backing compressing the springs, and
imparting to the auxiliary dies in each pair a lateral or expanding movement in
opposite directions. This lateral or expanding movement forms the dovetails or
undercuts in two opposite edges of each of the recesses in the back of the tile,
and this lateral movement compresses the earthy material laterally at and about
the dovetails into a compact and solid mass, and thus ensures the dovetails being
free from faults or imperfections. When the auxiliary dies are expanded, the
ends of the truncated wedges are flush with the faces thereof. In the reverse move-
ment of the tile press, the foundation plate gradually separates from the die as
the pressure on the compressed material in the mould is relaxed, and the two
parts of each pair of auxiliary dies contract or move towards each other, and so
free themselves from the undercuts in the tiles without in the slightest degree
damaging the projecting edges of the undercuts. The compressed material can
then be removed from the mould in a solid body retaining the exact shape and
form given to it by the dies, and possessing sufficient coherence to enable it to
endure as much handling as is requisite to convert it into the state of biscuit.
In a modification, the springs are dispensed with, and much shorter springs
used which only slightly separate the foundation plate from the die. In the
foundation plate is a circular cavity having a shoulder with a hole in centre.
The end of the plunger is provided with a cup having a stud projecting there-
from passing through the hole and screwed into a hole in the die. In action
the die is separated from the foundation by the short springs a quarter of an inch
or so. In this position the mould is filled with powder and compressed, but as
the pressure is augmented the die is forced against the backing compression the
short springs and imparting to the auxiliary dies a slight expanding movement
which compresses the earthy material at and about the dovetails into a compact
and solid mass. When the material has been thus compressed the top die is raised
out of the mould, the plunger by the pressure of the foot is raised also, lifting the
bottom die upwards in the mould so as to elevate the compressed material which
is resting upon the bottom die quite out of the mould. The compressed material
can then be removed by the finger and thumb. In lifting the plunger the bottom
die is raised first, contracting the auxiliary dies and so freeing them from the
undercuts in the tiles, but when the cup reaches the shoulder, then both backing
and die separated from each other are raised together.
In the above description I have described my invention more especially as
applied to the lower die, but it is obvious that it could be applied equally well
to the upper die in case the upper die is the die which is to form the back of the
tile. In that case the springs aforesaid may if desired be dispensed with, as

page_text: the weight of the die will act to separate the backing and die when the plunger
is raised. A description of a slight modification of the die for formng the back
of the tile, and of one of the auxiliary dies therefor is as follows, these being
especially suitable for use as a top die when such are employed for forming the
back of the tile, as this construction renders the apparatus more rigid and prevents
and possibility of the auxiliary dies falling cut. It comprises a die with wedge
shaped cavities through which the truncated wedges of the backing project. The
abutments and the grooves previously described are dispensed with and in place
thereof I provide the die with flanges and in the flanges vertical grooves and
furthermore the auxiliary dies are separated from their sliders by pins, the pitch of
which is the same as the pitch of the grooves in the flanges. There are also grooves
in the flanges to allow clearance for the cotters. The flanges of the die are received
by the spaces between the auxiliary dies and the sliders while the pins couple the
dies and sliders together and work laterally in the grooves. The exact distance
of the dies from the sliders can be adjusted to a nicety by the pins and thus
should the face of the die become worn so as to reduce the thickness of the flanges,
these pins can be adjusted accurately and the auxiliary dies and their sliders
brought nearer together to take up the wear.
Dated this 13th day of Junny 1808
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Tiles and the like and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM PRICE, of 44, Norton Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Artistic Tile Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of tiles and similar articles having
at the back undercut recesses for rendering the fixing and holding of them per-
fectly secure against a wall or ceiling. It is designed to form a much better
and more complete dove-tail and undercut than has been possible hitherto, and
to render impossible the spoiling or damaging of the undercuts when removing
the tiles from the die or mould.
In carrying my invention into effect the die which is to form the front or face
of the tile is of any suitable or ordinary construction, the other die which is to
form the back of the tile is provided with auxiliary dies or formers which form
the undercut recesses or dovetails in the tile. These auxiliary dies are arranged
in pairs and project above the face of the main die, to an extent corresponding
to the depth of the recesses to be formed in the back of the tiles, the arrangement
being such that when the tile press is operated to compress the loose dust or
plastic material with which the mould has been filled, the auxiliary dies make a
depression in the tiles to the required depth. The auxiliary dies in each pair
however have a lateral or expanding movement in opposite directions, and this
lateral or expanding movement is utilised to form the dove-tails or undercuts on
two opposite edges of each of the recesses in the back of the tile. In the reverse
movement of the tile press the two parts of each pair of auxiliary dies contract or
move towards each other, so as to free them from the undercuts in the tiles, and
enable the latter to be removed from the die without in the slightest degree
damaging the projecting edges of the undercuts or other parts of the tile.

page_text: The invention will be understood from the following description, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the die that is utilised to form the back
of the tile with auxiliary dies in elevation, the die and backing being in this
case compressed together as in the act of pressing the earthy material in the mould;
Figure 2 a plan of same;
Figure 3 an end elevation;
Figure 4 a longitudinal section of the die and backing separated from each
other by the springs;
Figure 5 a longitudinal section of the main die;
Figure 6 a detail view of one of the auxiliary dies that form the undercuts in
the back of the tiles;
Figure a perspective view of the underside of a tile;
Figure 8 a plan of a slightly modified form of main die;
Figure 9 fragmentary section on line -y;
Figure 10 a detail view of one of the auxiliary dies adapted for this modified
form of main die;
Figure 11 detail view of a plunger arrangement for raising the die a certain
distance independently of the backing.
Figure 12 a slight and obvious modification of Figure 11.
Figure 13 plan of die D showing one shape Day assume.
Referring first to Figures 1-7 inclusive-
A is the main die that forms the back of the tile and which is exactly fitted
into the interior of the mould, B a block or foundation on which the die A is
mounted and to which a plunger or upright rod C is secured. The plunger block
has truncated wedges & projecting from the face thereof and the die A with wedge
shaped cavities a through which the truncated wedges project leaving inclined
spaces between. I are the auxiliary dies or formers which are arranged in pairs
and project above the face of the main die A to an extent corresponding to the
depth of the recesses to be formed in the back of the tiles. Their opposite edges
are chamfered to form the undercuts and are provided with arms or sliders d
which are fitted into the passages between A and b, so that they shall converge
towards each other in such a manner that if the die A be separated from 13 the
two dies constituting each pair shall move towards or away from each other and
thus constitute an expanding or contracting movement. E are dovetail keys or
cotters which engage in dovetail grooves e in the sliding faces of the truncated
wedges b, and in dovetail grooves in the sloping faces of the arms or sliders d,
in such manner as to secure the auxiliary dies to the truncated wedges while
permitting a sliding movement thereof. Fare springs which tend normally to
separate the die A from the foundation B. The die A. and foundation B are
coupled together by plates G, and screws H and I, vertical slots being provided
however in the plate G at J, to permit of the die moving vertically a limited
distance independent of the foundation block. The main die A is provided with
abutments K which engage grooves L in the auxiliary dies D and which prevent
their sliding independently of the die A while freely permitting lateral movement.
An apparatus of this kind provides special facilities for allowing the air to escape
from the mould.
The operation is very simple. The mould is filled with powder in a loose state
and compressed by the top and bottom dies, preferably with a gentle pressure
at first to allow the air which is contained in the powder to escape, but augmented
to a great force so as to press the earthy material into vastly less space than it
occupied when it was in a state of loose powder. The bottom die A at the com-
mencement of the operation is separated from the backing or foundation B by
the spring in the manner indicated in Figure 4. In this position the auxiliary
dies make a depression in the tiles to the required deptn. but as the pressure is
augmented to compress the earthy material in the mould, the die A is forced
against the backing B compressing the springs, and imparting to the auxiliary

page_text: dies D in each pair a lateral or expanding movement in opposite directions. This
lateral or expanding movement forms the dovetails or undercuts in two opposite
edges of each of the recesses in the back of the tile, and this lateral movement
compresses the earthy material laterally at and about the dovetails into a compact
and solid mass, and thus ensures the dovetails being free from faults or imper-
fections. When the auxiliary dies are expanded the ends of the truncated wedges
are flush with the faces thereof. In the reverse movement of the tile press, the
part A separates from the part B as the pressure on the compressed material in
the mould is relaxed, and the two parts of each pair of auxiliary dies D contract
or move towards each other, and so free themselves from the undercuts in the
tiles without in the slightest degree damaging the projecting edges of the under-
cuts. The compressed material can then be removed from the mould in a solid
body M retaining the exact shape and form given to it by the dies, and possessing
sufficient coherence to enable it to endure as much handling as is requisite to
convert it into the state of biscuit.
In the modification set forth in Figure 11 the springs are dispensed with,
and much shorter springs used which only slightly separate the foundation plate B
from the die A. In the foundation plate is a circular cavity N having a shoulder
with a hole in the centre. The end of the plunger P is provided with a cup Q
having a stud R passing through the hole aforesaid and screwed into a hole in
the die A. In action the die A is separated from the foundation B by the short
springs a quarter of an inch or so. In this position the mould is filled with
powder and compressed, but as the pressure is augmented the short springs are
compressed, and the die A is forced against the backing 13 into the position shown
in Figure 11, imparting to the auxiliary dies a slight expanding movement which
compresses the earthy material at and about the dovetails into a compact and
solid mass.
When the material has thus been compressed the top die is raised out
of the mould, the plunger P by the pressure of the foot is raised also lifting the
bottom die A upward in the mould, so as to elevate the compressed material which
is resting thereon quite out of the mould. The compressed material can then be
removed by the finger and thumb. In lifting the plunger P the bottom die A
is raised first, contracting the auxiliary dies and so freeing them from the under-
cuts in the tiles, but when the cup Q reaches the shoulder O then both backing B
and die A, separated from each other are raised together.
It is obvious that instead of securing the end of the plunger P in the die A
by means of a cup Q and stud R, said plunger P may be passed through a hole
in the foundation B (see Figure 12) and screwed direct into the die A. The
advantage of this arrangement is that it is stronger and will stand the enormous
pressure of the largest presses to which the apparatus is subjected. Thus the
liability of breaking the stud R is avoided. The truncated wedges instead of
being in one with the foundation B may be dovetailed thereto as shown. When
this die is used as a top die, the screw of press engages the threads 1", the plunger P
being employed when the die is used as a bottom die. The projecting part Wis
to fit in a groove in a steel box which fits the die when making the tiles, the
projecting part preventing the bottom die from rising beyond a given point so as
to cause the auxiliary dies to converge towards each other by the pressure of the
plunger P.
The auxiliary die D may be made of any suitable shape in plan, such as that
shown in Figure 13.
In the above description I have described my invention more especially as
applied to the lower die, but it is obvious that it could be applied equally well
to the upper die in case the upper die is the die which is to form the back of the
tile. In that case the springs aforesaid may if desired be dispensed with as the
weight of the die A will act to separate the backing B and die A when the
plunger is raised.
A slight modification of the die A for forming the back of
the tile and one of the auxiliary dies D therefor is set forth in Figures 8, 9 and 10,
these being especially useful for use as a top die when such are employed for

page_text: forming the back of the tile, and this construction renders the apparatus very
strong and rigid and prevents any possibility of the auxiliary dies D
falling out or getting out of the square. It comprises the die A
with wedge shaped cavities a through which the truncated wedges of the
backing project. The abutments and grooves previously described are
dispensed with, and in place thereof I provide the die A with flanges S and in
the flanges vertical grooves T. Furthermore the auxiliary dies 1 are separated
from their sliders d by pins U, the pitch of which is the same as the pitch of
the grooves T in the flanges. There are also grooves in the flanges to allow
clearance for the cotters E. The flanges S of the die are received by the spaces between
the auxiliary dies D and the sliders d, while the pins U couple the dies and sliders
together and work laterally in the grooves. The exact distance of the dies from
the sliders can be adjusted to a nicety by the pins U, and thus should the face
of the die A become worn so as to reduce the thickness of the flanges S, these pins
can be adjusted accurately, and the auxiliary dies and their sliders brought nearer
together to take up the wear.
It is obvious that I do not necessarily confine myself to the projections being
made in the form of truncated wedges, as these may be made of a rounded or
oval section or any other suitable shape. If made of oval section, the cavities a
in the disc A and the arms or sliders of the auxiliary arms D are made to corres-
pond.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be under-
stood that I am aware that it has already been proposed to provide in the manu-
facture of tiles and similar articles provided at the back with undercut recesses,
auxiliary dies or formers arranged in pairs on the face thereof, but projecting
beyond its face to an extent corresponding to the depth of the recesses to be formed
in the back of the tile, said auxiliary dies in each pair being so arranged as to
have a lateral or expanding movement in opposite directions when the tile press
is operated to form the dovetails or undercuts on two opposite edges of each of
the recesses, while in the reverse movement of the tile press the two parts of each
pair of auxiliary dies contract or move towards each other so as to free them from
the undercuts in the tiles, and enable the latter to be removed from the die with-
out in any way damaging the projecting edges of the undercuts, and I declare
that what I claim is:-
1. In apparatus for the manufacture of tiles and similar articles having under-
cut recesses therein, the combination of a backing or foundation plate having
truncated wedges projecting from the face thereof, a die mounted on this backing
having wedge shaped cavities through which the truncated wedges project leaving
inclined spaces between, auxiliary dies or formers having arms or sliders which are
fitted into the inclined passages aforesaid and keyed to the sloping faces of the
truncated wedges in such a manner as to secure the auxiliary dies to the wedges
while permitting sliding movement, whereby the earthy material is compressed
laterally at and about the dovetails into a compact and solid mass, and thus ensure
the dove-tails being free from faults or imperfections, while in the reverse move-
ment the two parts of each pair of auxiliary dies contract or move towards each
other so as to free them from the undercuts in the tiles, substantially as described.
2. In an apparatus of the kind described in Claim 1, forming cavities in the
backing, and inserting therein springs adapted normally to separate the die from
the foundation when the power which pressed or moulded the tile on the die is
removed.
3. In an apparatus of the kind set forth, forming the wedge shaped cavities
of the die with abutments or lips, and the sliders or arms of the auxiliary dies
with grooves adapted to engage the lips in such a manner as to prevent their
sliding independently of the die while freely permitting lateral movement, sub-
stantially as described.

page_text: 4. In an apparatus of the kind set forth, forming the wedge shaped cavities
of the die with lateral flanges, having vertical slots therein, and in separating the
auxiliary dies and their sliders by pins in such a manner that the spaces between
the dies and their sliders will receive the flanges, which latter form bearing
surfaces for the auxiliary dies, while the pins passing through the slots act as
guides and enable wear of the main die to be taken up, substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of October 1898.
WM. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London.