US1536411A - Machine for fettling floor and wall tile - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1925.

M. A. SCHWEIKER ET AL 'MACHINE FOR FETTLING FLOOR AND WALL TILE Filed April 16, 1923- 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 5, 192a 1,536,411

M. A. SCHWEIKER ET AL.

MACHINE FOR FETTLING FLOOR AND WALL TILE Filed Apri1 16. 1923 s Sheets-She t 2 May 5, 1925.

M. A. SCHWEIKER ET AL MACHINE FOR FETTLING FLOOR AND WALL TILE Filed April 16 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 1925.

. 1 1,536,411 M. A. SCHWEIKER ET AL I MACHINE FOR FETTLING FLOOR AND WALL TILE 8 Sheets-Shet 4 Filed April 16, 1925 May 5, 1925. 1,536,411

M. A. SCHWEEKER ET AL MACHINE FOR FETTLING FLOOR AND WALL TILE Filed April 16, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 5, 1925. i

M. A. SCHWEIKER ET AL MACHINE FOR FETTLING FLOOR AND WALL. TILE Filed 'April 16, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 5, 1925.

M. A. SCHWEIKER ET AL MACHINE FOR FETTLING FLOOR AND WALL TILE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 5, 1925. 1,536,411 1 M. A. SCHWEIKER ET AL MACHINE FOR FETTLING FLOOR AND WALL TILE Filed April 3 a Sheet's-Shei a Patented May 5, 1925,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MALCOLM A. SCI-IWEEKER, OF NEW YDR K, N. Y., AND JAMES R. WESTBROOK, 0F ZANESVILLE, OHIO.

MACHINE FOR FEETLING FLOOR AND WALL TILE.

Application filed April 16, 1923.

1 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MALCOLM A. Sorrwnmrn and JAMES R. i Vns'rnnooK, citi- Zens of the United States, residing, respectively, at New York, county of New York, State of New York, and Zanesville, in the county of Muskingum and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines tor Fettling Floor and Wall Tile, of which the following is a specification,

This invention'relates to a machine for :tettling floor and wall tile.

Fettling is the operation of beveling. or chamfering the edges of a floor. or wall tile after the latter comes from the tile press, the purpose being to remove the finlike projections from the tile and to suitably chamier or bevel the edges of the upper face of the tile.

In tile presses there is a certain clearance between the plunger and the die casing and as the pulverized clay which is used for the production of the tile contains ap proximately 8% to 12% moisture, the clearance results in the formation of rough edges or fin-like projections. These are tettled by handlabor, the workers usually being girls or women who sand paper the projections from the tile and form the chainfer on the upper edges thereof. Hand fettling results in lack oi uniformity of the edges of the tile and the size of the ehamter, besides which there is a tendency to carelessly brush the tile and to allow minute particles oi": clay to remain upon it. Hand fettling also adds considerably to the expense 0t production.

Much tile is ruined by workers before they become proficient :lettlers and the pro ficieut fettlers often produce imperfectly tettled tile.

The fettling operation is considered to be necessary for the purpose of giving the tile a better appearance when it is completed and, also, the chamfer stops the glaze :lfrom running over the edge of the tile and torming beads, roughnesi'es, or small lumps, it the tile is to be subsequently glazed. lloughnesses, beads, or small lumps of glaze inconvenience the tile-setter in the rapid setting of tile and detract from the appearance of the tile.

ll brushing is incorrectly carried on and loose particles of clay allowed to remain Serial No. 632,590.

adhering to the tile, these particles form exerescences on the finished tile after the latter has been burned, and the tile becomes of inferior quality.

The foregoing considerations indicate the necessity for a machine which will auto matically, accurately, and efficiently fettle floor and wall tile and to that end we have invented the present machine.

Our object is to provide a machine embodying novel means, elements, and combination of means and elements to which may be ted from the tile press, newly formed tile and which will first brush the bottom of the tile to clear it of any adhering clay particles; then, while the tile is guided and prevented from turning, fettle two of its edges; next, turn thetileand "fettle the remaining two edges and, finally, brush the top of the tile and remove the brushin-gs and deliver the completelv :tettled tile or dispose it so that it may be taken from the machine.

Gar machine, as described hereinafter and shown in the drawings, is constructed and operates for the purpose of fettling two tiles at a time as they are delivered from a tile press which forms two tiles simultaneously. ll e wish it understood, however, that some tile presses make only one tile at time, while others make as many as four but in the tile industry as more tile presses forming two tiles at a time are used than thos-le fori'ning a lesser or greater number, we have described and illustrated our machine for the treati'nent of tiles delivered in pairs, in succession, to the machine, it being understood that the invention is not limited to the duplex construction we have disclosed and that we claim the means, elements, and combinations entering into the fettling of a tile, or any multiple thereof.

Tile presses in common use, push the tiles, in succession, from the forming means and this results in a tendency, at times, for the tile to turn crosswise, o have, therefore, provided novel means for guiding the tile so that it will advance on the machine with its end foremost and will be prevented from turning or getting out of alinement while its longest edges are being fettled. Means is provided for preventing chipping of the taco of the tile should it enter the machine out of alinement and so that any chipping which might result from impact will occur at the back or bottom of the tile and thus result in no damage to the commercial value of the tile.

The means for keeping the tile in proper alinement while its longitudinal edges are being fettled insures evenness and accuracy in the fettling operation.

After the tile has been fettled on its longitudinal edges, it encounters novel means or abutments for turning it to an angle of 90.

Guiding and alining means then carry the turned tile past other novel fettling devices in such manner that the transverse or end edges of the tile are accurately fettled.

Finally, the upper face of the tile is brushed to remove the cuttings or fettlings and the tile is then ready to be placed on the drying racks prior to burning in a kiln.

Vi e have devised novel fettling tools possessing a spring action so that they automatically adjust themselves to varying thicknesses of tile or to tiles of varying degrees of hardness. This adaptability insures uniformity of fettling under widely varying conditions. Furthern'iore, the fettling tools are constructed to resist the very consider able wear offered by the abrasive nature of clay bodies.

Our machine also embodies various other novel features, elements, combinations and functions appearing more fully hereinafter.

Vi e are aware that our machine may be modified in certain particulars without departing from the essential principles thereof and we do not restrict the invention to the specific embodiments hereinafter described and shown .in the drawings, except as may specifically recited in the claims.

Certain subject matter herein described and which is shown in the drawings relating to the fettling tools, their mountings, and certain combinations therewith, are set forth and claimed in a divisional application 727,335.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view, showing one part of the machine.

Fig. 1 is a similar view of the remaining part thereof and to be read in connection with Figure 1.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one part of the machine.

Fig. 2" is a similar view of the remaining part thereof and to be read in connection with Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of so much of the machine as is shown in Fig. 1, taken on the line 33 thereof.

Fig. 4 is an elevation looking toward the left hand end of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the left hand end of the machine, viewed from above.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the central portion of the machine.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the brushes at the left hand end of the machine and the mounting for said brushes.

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the tileturning abutment and the pulleys or sheaves for the guide belt.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 10 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective, broken away, of the operative end of one form of a fettling, scraping, or cutting tool which may be used.

Fig. 12 is a detail side elevation, partly broken away, of another form thereof, this being the form shown herein in connection with the machine.

Fig. 18 is an end elevation of the tool of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14: is a detail perspective of the roller at the left hand end of the machine.

Fig. 15 is a similar view of one of the bridges, supports, or carriers for the fettling, cutting, or scraping tools; and

Fig. 16 is a similar view of a part of the cross piece or support for the guides for the tile guide-belts.

Tile presses such as used in the art, push the tile from the press boxes or molds and we have, therefore, arranged the machine to directly receive the tiles from the press. The tiles enter the machine at the left hand end of the latter, Figs. 1, 2, 3, on opposite sides of a parting strip or divider 1 which is tapered both lengthwise and vertically, its base being wider than its top. The purpose of this parting strip is to guide the tiles and keep them in position to advance longitudinally of themselves as they enter the machine as the tiles sometime have a tendency to turn crosswise, or partially so, as they are pushed from the press. Therefore, the parting strip or divider 1 preferably extends beyond. the left hand end of the machine so as to properly serve its purpose, and it continues longitudinally of the machine to the general region where the tile, after its longitudinal edges have been fettled, is to be turned so that its transverse edges may be fettled, as will appear hereinafter.

The purpose of beveling at least a portion of the length of the parting strip from its outermost end, as shown at 2, Figs. 4 and 5, is to form the bottom of the parting strip 1 wider than the top thereof so that if the tile is turned and is pushed hard against the parting strip, only the bottom or back of the tile will strike the parting strip and if any chipping takes place, due to this contact, it will occur on the back of the tile, instead of the top or face thereof and will not commercially damage the tile, as would be the case were the top or face chipped.

brushes may be set precisely It is necessary to remove from the bottom of the tile any adhering particles and to that end we provide stationary brushes which may be constructed and mounted as shown, more particularly, in Figs. 1, 3, 4:, 5 and 7. These brushes 3 are of fiber and flat, being adjustably mounted by means of plates 1- which carry them, and adjustable screw and slot connections 5 to the supporting frame (3. The frame 6 is pivoted to the main frame 7 of the machine at 8, said f *ame being held atthe desired elevation to properly position the brushes 3 in relation to the tile by screw hangers 9 supported from brackets 10. This support provides for a rough adjustment of the brushes, whereas the screw and slotconnections 5 provide for a fine adjustment and thus the so that they will properly brush the bottoms of the tiles; furthermore, as the brushes wear, they may be adjusted by this arrangement.

As previously stated, the present machine is shown in duplex form, adapted to handle two tiles at a time because most tile presses in common use produce two tiles simultaneously. It will be understood, however, that the machine may be made so as to treat only one tile at a time or any number of tiles.

The tiles pushed from the press onto our machine, are delivered onto endless belts. Without limiting the invention to dimensions, we have found that, according to present sizes of tiles known to the industry, the belts shouldbe about eight inches in width. The speed of approximately forty feet per minute for these belts has been found to be practical but the speed .may be varied to suit conditions. The beltswhich convey the tiles in two streams through the machine are shown at 11, these belts, at their left hand ends running over a roller 12, lligs. 2, 3, 141, and at their right hand ends over a roller 13. The roller 12. is provided with an integral, enlarged, sheave-like part 14: intermediate its ends (Figs. 3, 4:, 5, 14) for a purpose shortly to be described. While the belts 11 are independent, they travel at the same speed.

The belts run around driving drums or pulleys 15 secured to a shaft 16 mounted in suitable hearings on frame 7. The shaft 16 carries a pinion 18 fixed to a shaft 19 that carries a sprocket wheel 20.

The sprocket wheel 20 is driven by sprocket chain 21 from sprocket pinion 22 carried by shaft 23, said shaft also carrying sprocket wheel 241 which is driven by sprocket chain 25 from sprocket pinion 26 carried by counter-shaft 27. The countershaft 27 is driven by a belt 28 from any suitable source of power such, for instance,

as an electric motor 29 carried by frame 7.

gear 17 which is driven by a.

The belts11 pass around suitable idler rolls 20, 21, 32, Figs. 2, 2*, and 3. Any suitable means may be employed for keeping the belts 11 at the desired degree of tension. For instance, the rollers 31 may be carried by adjustable brackets which are secured, where adjusted, by tighteners 33.

It is of great importance that the tiles be kept in perfect alinement, that is, travel along a predetermined path, while being fettled. To that end we have provided novel. means for causing the tile to travel in a straight path while its longitudinal edges are fettled and, afterthe tile has been turned crosswise of itself, to travel in a straight path while its transverse edges are undergoing fettling. The necessity for this action arises from the fact that if the tile turns or gets out of alinement, irregular fettling will result and the tile will be damaged. The means for guiding the tiles so that they will travel in straight paths while being fettled comprises belts of small size and which are preferably round in cross sectional shape, these belts being arranged to engage the sides or edges of the tiles with a certain degree of tension. This tension is conveniently effected by the use of rollers or sheaves which bear on the belts.

As illustrated, the belts 34: are round or cylindrical and are endless. Like the belts 11, these belts 34 pass around the rollers 12, 30, drums 15, and rollers 31. The innermost belts 34 also pass around the rollers 13 and 32, as shown in Figs. 1 and2 The outermost belts 34L pass downwardly over rollers 35, Figs. 1, 2*, thence around rollers 36 and back to rollers 31, drum 15, and rollers 30.

To hold the innermost alinement belts as at the proper height and to suitably operate them alongside the parting strip 1, they pass around the integral sheave or pul ley 14, Figs. 4 and 14, whereas the outer most alinement belts 34 pass aroundthe outsides of the belts 1.1 and then, as shown in Figs. 3 and 16, they pass through adjustable guide eyes 37 adjustably carried by cross pieces 38 secured to the frame 7. The guide eyes 37 may be adjusted trans versely of the machine to afford the requisite spacing between the belts 34 and they may also be adjusted vertically to provide any desired tension on the left hand stretches of the alinement belts 34.

For the purpose of holding the stretches of the alinement belts 34 with any desired tension against the sides of the tile whose longitudinal edges are being fettled, examples of which are represented at T, Figs. 5 and 6, brackets 39 are secured to the frame 7 and have adjustable sheaves 4 0 which bear on the stretches of the alinement belts 3 1 at proper points. At the entry end of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, for instance, the alinement belts 34 diverge so that if the tile is received in other than alined position, it is gradually brought to proper alinement. The adjustability and position of the guides 3'? enable the outer alinement belts 34 to be positioned for this purpose as may be desired.

Fettling of the longitudinal edges of the tiles T is accomplished in the manner shown most clearly in Fig. 5. Bridges 41, Figs. 1, 3, 5, 15, which are secured to the sides of the frame at 42 and overlie the belts 11 and 34, carry the fettling tools. The ends of the bridges 41 are provided with slots 43, Fig. 15, to receive the fastening screws 42, by which any desired adjustment of the bridges 41 may be obtained to properly position the general extent of the fettling devices. The fettling devices or tools have shanks 44 of springy material which are connected to the bridge 41 by adjustable screw fastenings 45 which are preferably bolts with wing nuts, the shanks of the bolts passing through slots 46 in the bridge 41. This mounting provides for bodily transverse adjustment of the fettling tools and, also, for swinging them pivotally where the fastenings 45 pass through them.

For the purpose of swinging the shanks 44, they are connected to the sides of the frame by rods 47 which have screw-threaded ends carrying wing nuts 48. Thus, after bodily adjustment of a given shank 44, it may be swung on its pivot and set precisely as desired to accomplish the fettling operation and, thereafter, any further adjustment may be had according to conditions to be met.

The shanks 44 are preferably formed of brass for the reason that they may be easily bent to the peculiar shape illustrated in Fig. 5 and require no special tools for bending. It is to be noted that the operation of fettling is for the purpose of chauifering or beveling the edges of the tile bounding the outer or upper face thereof. In Fig. 5 the tiles T are being drawn forward by the belts 11 while held in alinement by the bolts 34 and the fettling tools have begun the fettling operation by forming the chamfers or bevels B. As the tiles advance, the bevels or chamfers B are formed until the tile is fettled on both of its longitudinal edges from end to end. The tile then passes on and is turned through an angle of 90 for fettling its transverse edges, as will presently appear.

Clay being of an abrasive nature, we have found that spring steel is best adapted for service as the cutting tool which engages the edge of the tile T and forms the bevel or chamfer thereon. In Fig. 11 there is shown one form of shank 44 for holding the fettling or cutting tool 49. In this form the brass shank 44 is slashed and the metal struck up in the form of a friction loop which frictionally holds the steel tool 49 whose ends abut the lip 51 on shank 44.

The form of tool and holding means shown in Fig. 5 and other figures of the drawings is that appearing in Figs. 12 and 13. The brass shank 44 has the same lip 51 shown in Fig. 11 but in lieu of the friction loop 50 there is provided a U-clamp which straddles the shank 44 and the cutting tool 49 and screws clamp the tool 49 to the shank 44. This form of tool holder securely connects the steel fettling tool 49 against any possibility of slippage.

In either form of tool holder set forth, as the cutting tool 49 becomes worn, it can be moved forwardly against the lip 51 and a new tool substituted whenever desirable or necessary.

Referring to Figs. 1 and G, the alinement belts diverge at 34 a suitable distance beyond the fettling tools so that, after the longitudinal edges of the tile have been fettled, the machine may turn the tile through an angle of 90 to enable the transverse edges of the tile to be fettled while the tile continues its travel.

The inner alinement belts 34 continue straight ahead but the outer belts having divergent stretches at 34, the tile is free to turn. Turning of the tile is accomplished by adjustable abutments 54 which are so arranged that they will arrest the inner parts of the forward ends of the tiles on the belts 11 and, by reason of the advance of the belts 11, the tiles will be turned through an angle of approximately 90 and will then be brought into proper alinement in true 90 relationship to their former position by the converging stretches 34 of the alinement belts 34, such convergence being effected by the arrangement of brackets 39 and the rollers 40 and their relation to the rollers 40 beyond them toward the second set of fettling tools (Figs. 1 and 1).

The construction and arrangement of th, abutments 54 is clear from Figs, 1, (3. 8. f), and 10. The abutments slope upwardly on both faces which are adapted to contact with the advancing tile so that if any chipping of the tile results from the impact, it will occur on the under face or lower edges and will not commercially damage the tile. The abutments are adjustably mounted by slot and screw connections 55 on brackets 56 which, in turn, have an adjustable bolt and slot connection 57 with a bric ge 41 of the construction previously described. By this arrangement the abutments may be brought to any desired adustment for proper cooperation with the tiles to effect the turning of the latter. In Fig. 6 there is shown a tile '1 which, after engaging the abutment 54, has been turned through an angle of from its former position and is being 1,5eaa11 brought into engagement with the parallel stretches of the alinement belts 34by the advancing movement of the belt 11 and the convergence of the stretch 34". Rollers or sheaves 58 carried by the brackets 56 change the course of the innermost belts 34 and also serve to tension them so that when the tile T has passed the abutment 54 it will shortly thereafter be properly held at its ends by the alinement belts and as it is carried foriv'ard'by the belt 11, Will be in proper position to be fettled on its transverse edges.

The shanks 4:4 and tools 49 of the fettling devices for the transverse edges of the tiles, and the means for adjusting said fettling de vices are identical with those previously described and which are shown in detail in Figs 5,12 and 13.

Fettling of the transverse edges of the tiles having been effected, the completely fettled tiles are carried along by the belts l1 and finally enter a hood or exhauster box 59, Figs. 2 and 4-, which is subject to suitable suction. Revolubly mounted in bearings 60 is a shaft 61 Which carries opposite brushes 62, 68, (Figs. 1 2) arranged to brush off the tops of the tiles all surface clay particles. The action of this brushing causes slight agitation of the air and tends'to raise dust, consequently, We prefer to employ the housing or collector 59Wl1l0l1 is subject to any suitable suction for drawing off the dust particles. The dust particles drawn off may be collected and re-prepared, in suitable manner, for incorporation in subsequently manufactured tile.

The shaft 61 has a pulley 65 driven by a belt 65 from a pulley 66 on counter-shaft 27.

The tiles as they emerge from the housing or collector are carried along by the right hand upper stretches of the belts 11 (Fig. 1) from which they may be removed by hand and placed on racks for drying prior to being burned in a kiln.

We have found that our machine produces tile which is uniformly finished and entirely free from bumps, chips, knocks, dust, or other objectionable features.

Individual belt ti ghteners 67 are provided for the respective alinement belts 34, Figs. 2, 3, 4. These belt tighteners comprise rods pivotally mounted on the frame at 68 and having rollers 69 hearing on the belts 34;. Adjustable Weights 7O afford the requisite pressure.

It will be understood that the features of adjustment provided for the brackets and sheaves that bear on the alinement belts 34, and the arrangement and adjustability of the fettling tools, permit the machine to be arranged to fettle tiles of different dimensions.

\Ve claim:

1. In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, of means for moving the tiles, means for fettling the tiles in succession, one be;- hind another While they are being moved, and alinement belts for engaging the edges or sides of the tiles to hold them in alinement, one behind another, While they are being fettled:

2. 1 In a machine for fettling floor and Wall tiles, the combination with belts for carrying thetiles, of means for fettling the tiles in succession, one behind another, and alinement belts fol-engaging the edges or sides of the tiles to hold themin alinemenhone behind another, while they are being fettled.

3. In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination Withmeans for movthe tiles, of means for fettling certain edges of the tiles, means for thereafter turning' the tiles to a different position, other means for fettling the unfettled edges of the tiles when the latter have been turned, and alinement belts for engaging the edges of the tiles to hold them in alinement While undergoing their respective fettling operations:

a. In a machine for fettling floor and Wall tiles, the combination With a belt for carrying andadvancing the tiles, of means for fettling'certain edges of the tiles While the latter are being carried along by said belt, means for turning the tiles to another position after said fettling operation so that other edges thereof may be fettled, other fettlingniean's for fettling the unfettled edges of the tiles after the latter have been turned, and alinement belts adapted for engaging the edges of the tiles to hold them in alinement While undergoing the respective fettling operations.

In a machine for fettling floor and Wall tiles, the combination with a traveling belt adapted to carry and advance the tiles, of means for fettling certain edges of the tiles, an abutment arranged to be engaged by the tilesafter they have been fettled and to effect shifting or turning of the tiles as the belt advances, other fettling means for fettling other edges of the tiles after they have been turned by the abutment, and alinement belts adapted to engage opposite edges of the tiles for the purpose of holding the tile in alinement While being fettled and for bringing the tiles into engagement with the abutment so that they may be turned as aforesaid, one of the alinement belts being arranged so to be free of the tile to permit it to be turned, said alinement belts being arranged so that they will realine the tile, and other fettling means adapted for fettling other edges of the tiles after they have been turned.

6. In a machine for fettling floor and Wall tiles, the combination with means for advancing the tiles, of means for brushing the under faces or bottoms of the tiles, means for fettling the tiles after they have been brushed as aforesaid, and means for brushing the tops or upper faces of the tiles after they have been fettled.

7 In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination with means for advancing the tiles, of means for brushing the underfaces or bottoms of the tiles, means for fettling the tiles after they have been brushed as aforesaid, means for brushing the tops or upper faces of the tiles after they have been fettled, and means for taking off the brushings or particles removed from the tiles by the last named brushing means.

8. In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination with means for advancing the tiles, of means for fettling the tiles, and a brush which is adjustably mounted so that its position may be varied at will, said brush being arranged to remove particles from the bottoms or lower faces of the tiles before they are received by the means for advancing the tiles.

9. In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination with a carrier belt adapted to receive the tiles to be fettled, of an adjustable frame, and an adjustable brush carried by said frame which is arranged to engage the bottoms or under faces of the tiles before they pass onto the carrier belt aforesaid.

10. In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination with a carrier belt for the tiles, and means for fettling the tiles carried by said belt, of a rotary brush for brushing the upper faces of the fettled tiles, and a collector housing for said brush, from which the brushings may be removed by suction.

11. In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination of a pair of car rier belts arranged side by side, a parting strip or divider disposed between said belts to cause tiles received from a tile press to pass in two streams onto the respective carrier belts, pairs of alinement belts arranged above the respective carrier belts and adapted to engage the side edges of the tiles received onto the latter and to hold them in proper alinement as they are carried along by the carrier belts, and means for fettling tiles on the respective carrier belts when thus held by the respective pairs of alinement belts.

12. In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination with a carrier belt adapted to advance the tiles, of a. parting strip having an inclined or sloping face, means for causing the tiles to travel alongside said parting strip, and means for fettling the tiles, the sloping or inclined face of the parting strip preventing chipping of the upper part of the tile.

13. I11 a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination with a carrier belt, of a parting strip having an inclined or sloping face, alinement belts adapted to engage the edges of the tile to hold it in alinement as it is carried along by the carrier belt, one of said alinement belts running close alongside the sloping face of the parting strip, and means for fettling the tiles when held by the alinement belts, said sloping face of the parting strip preventing chipping of the upper part of the tile.

14. In a machine for fettling floor and wall tiles, the combination with carrier belts running alongside each other and adapted for advancing two streams of tiles, of a parting strip located adjacent the edges of the said belts and having inclined or sloping faces, pairs of alinement belts adapted to engage the edges of the tiles carried by the carrier belts, the innermost alinement belts running adjacent the parting strip, and means for fettling the tiles while alined by the alinement belts and during advancement by the carrier belts.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

hlriLGOLM A. SCIDVEIKER. JAMES It. WESTBROOK.

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