GB484473A - An improved method of and machine for applying slip, glaze or other surface materials to earthenware tiles, and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0484473/III/1> A method of applying glaze or other surfacing substance to earthenware tiles, plates and the like consists in placing the articles in grippers on an intermittently moving carrier, and during the periods of rest applying the glaze to the articles by lifting an applying-device, or a tank containing the glaze, towards the articles. The conveyer consists of endless chains 18 which pass around sprocket wheels 16, 17, and are moved intermittently over a number of tanks 40 by a ratchet and pawl device 35. Attached to the chains 18 are carriers 36 provided with spring-operated grippers the jaws of which are opened, for loading or unloading the tiles, by cams 87 fixed alongside the upper run of the conveyer. The devices for applying the glaze comprise perforated plates 66 which are raised out of, and lowered into, the glaze in the tanks 40 by rods 63 reciprocated vertically by the driving-gear of the conveyer. The plates 66 carry smaller plates on which sponges are attached, and they may be adjusted vertically, by screws 110, for regulating the thickness of the coating of glaze by bringing more or less of the sponges into contact with the tiles. In operation, tiles are placed on the carriers 36, and the grippers close on the tiles as the carriers approach the sprocket wheels 17. When a carrier is below the wheels 17, the grippers open momentarily and drop the tile on to a table 88 or flexible platform, and are closed again immediately, to bring the surface of the tile to a definite level. The tiles as they move are cleaned by a rotary brush 96, and they then move over the tanks 40 while mottle, glaze, or the like is applied by the lifting and lowering of the plates 66. The movement of the plates also agitates the glaze. Finally, the tiles are carried past a position where devices 98 scrape their edges, the excess glaze so removed falling into a tank 99. Instead of using the plates 66 and the sponges, the tanks 40 may be lifted and lowered, particularly when cups or plates are held by the grippers, to dip the articles more or less into the glaze.