Abstract: A method and apparatus for the fabrication of a vertical block wall section. A vertical wall section is formed by conveying a row of blocks from a first conveyor belt to a second conveyor belt, elevating the row of blocks on the second conveyor belt until it is in contact with a wall section held vertically above the second conveyor belt, and holding the wall section with the additional row in elevated position while the second conveyor belt is lowered to receive a further row. After formation of a wall section of a given predetermined height, a wheeled pallet is moved onto a track on the second conveyor belt to a position below the elevated wall section. The pallet is then elevated by the second conveyor belt into engagement with the elevated wall section, the hold for the wall section is released, the pallet is lowered to an original position, and the wall section disposed on the pallet is moved to a position vertically displaced from the second conveyor means.

Abstract: Both method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the distribution of powdered solid fuel to one or more burners. The powdered solid fuel is caused to pass downwardly through an air current passing from an air inlet to one or more outlet ports. The total rate at which fuel is distributed is controlled by the rate at which air is supplied to the air inlet. In addition, each outlet port is provided with an individual adjustment for controlling the relative rates at which fuel is supplied through the various individual outlet ports. The construction of the distributor is such that the system may be controlled to distribute fuel continuously or in successive controlled impulses while at the same time controlling both the total amount of distributed fuel as well as the relative amounts of fuel distributed in the various outlet lines to the burners.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for cutting clay columns, while continuously moving the clay columns in a generally horizontal direction. One or more clay columns are moved in a given generally horizontal direction A, prior to and during and subsequent to cutting. At least one cutting wire disposed in a generally vertical plane and disposed at an angle of substantially less than 90.degree. with respect to the direction A is moved toward, into engagement with, and through the clay column while the clay column is continuously moved, to provide at least one cut through the column disposed in a plane that is parallel to a line extending in the direction A. The clay column is substantially rectangular in cross-section, and the wire is moved so that it moves at a diagonal through the column, first contacting the leading upper corner of the column, and last contacting the trailing lower corner of the column as it passes through the column.

Abstract: A device and method for spreading apart and transferring rows of block-like articles such as bricks which have previously been cut including an exemplary apparatus comprising a roller table for receiving the row of blocks from the cutting area and a separating device designed to be raised between the rollers in the roller table for spreading the blocks apart in a predetermined manner, prior to transfer of the blocks onto a pallet. The invention accomplishes the separating and transfer of the items being handled, while such items continue to move in the machine direction, thereby increasing the per unit processing capacity while also reducing the space requirements of such machines.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous and automatic manufacture of both glazed and unglazed split tiles by accepting automatically produced uncured newly cut and/or stamped split tile and thereafter automatically glazing and/or hacking same for kiln firing. A first conveyor system is provided where previously cut unglazed split tiles are placed on a conveying system in a spaced-apart fashion, and moved to a transfer position. Thereafter, a whole row of the unglazed spaced-apart split tiles are transferred to a grouping table where layers for a hack are formed by a plurality of adjacent transferred rows. Each layer is subsequently transferred to a kiln car and oriented 90.degree. with respect to the just previously deposited layer so as to maintain the desired spaced relationship in the final hack. A second alternative conveying system is also provided in the preferred exemplary embodiment which moves unglazed split tiles individually through a glazing area where both sides are glazed.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically constructing prefabricated wall sections of brick wall panels with a tile lining. A prefabricated brick wall panel has columns of mortar disposed in parallel strips thereon, a lining panel of unconnected tile members is assembled, proper spacing being introduced between each of the tile members, and the tile members are transferred in groups or en masse to a position over the wall panel. The lining panel members are then firmly pressed into engagement with the wall panel with mortar columns therealong, thereby forming a completed wall section. Preferred specific apparatus includes vacuum grippers, scissor-connected link spacing means, and flatbed cars movable on tracks to a position below automatic mortar applying means.

Abstract: A series of moving articles (brick or slug-sized) is supplied to an accumulating apparatus adapted to engage the articles so as to slow their further movement thereby causing them to accumulate in a closed up formation. A sensor detects the accumulation of a predetermined length comprising at least one such article on the accumulating apparatus whereupon a control signal is generated causing a clamping or transfer control means to temporarily prevent further supply of the articles onto the accumulating apparatus and a further conveyor is caused to cooperate with the accumulating apparatus to transport the thus separated predetermined lengths of articles onto a push-off station. Here, the predetermined length is pushed onto other apparatus for accumulating the predetermined lengths into flats of bricks, facing those bricks into double layered flats, grouping the double layered flats, gripping and stacking them such as, for instance, in hacking freshly cut bricks for firing in a kiln.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of prefabricated block wall panels wherein a row of blocks is placed on a conveyor system with the intended vertical joints of the blocks facing upwardly in a horizontal plane. A first mortar applying device applies mortar to these intended vertical joints whereupon the blocks are rotated 90.degree. onto another conveyor system where the now actually vertical joints of the blocks are compressed against each preceeding block. The mortar for the upper horizontal joint is then applied by a second mortar applying device and the thus assembled row of mortared blocks are then stacked onto a descending wall panel comprising a plurality of such rows. Openings for doors and windows may also be provided in the wall panel by aligning blocks into piers and lifting them onto a wall panel. Different sized blocks and cross-pieces may also be fed onto the conveyor system for subsequent stacking onto a wall panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for producing ceramic tiles with ornamental shapes from clay emerging from an extrusion press. Shaped punching tools are disposed on either side of the clay column from which the tiles are to be formed, and are moved on a carriage in the direction of the moving column at a speed corresponding to the speed of the moving column. Supports hold the clay while it is being punched. A drive system such as a fluid actuated drive system moves the punching tools, and the drive system is selectively actuated in response to movement of the carriage. Cutting wires sever each column section acted upon by the punching tools from the rest of the column.

Abstract: Method for more uniformly blending a layered stack of bricks having a central core section of lesser hardness and lighter color than in a surrounding outer shell section. The bricks are first unloaded from a hack into layers which include a corresponding core section and surrounding shell section. Thereafter, the bricks in each alternate layer are rearranged by placing bricks from the normally occurring core section areas into the normally occurring shell section areas and vice versa. Then the layers of bricks (both rearranged and unaltered) are restacked. The resulting stack will be blended such that when each "slice" of the stack is strapped into a packaged group of bricks, the resulting packaged groups will have approximately equal numbers of bricks having differing degrees of hardness and color.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for more uniformly blending a layered stack of bricks having a central core section of lesser hardness and lighter color than in a surrounding outer shell section. The bricks are first unloaded from a hack into layers which include a corresponding core section and surrounding shell section. Thereafter, the bricks in each alternate layer are rearranged by placing bricks from the normally occurring core section areas into the normally occurring shell section areas and vice versa. Then the layers of bricks (both rearranged and unaltered) are restacked. The resulting stack will be blended such that when each "slice" of the stack is strapped into a packaged group of bricks, the resulting packaged groups will have approximately equal numbers of bricks having differing degrees of hardness and color.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of prefabricated block wall panels wherein a row of blocks is placed on a conveyor system with the intended vertical joints of the blocks facing upwardly in a horizontal plane. A first mortar applying device applies mortar to these intended vertical joints whereupon the blocks are rotated 90.degree. onto another conveyor system where the now actually vertical joints of the blocks are compressed against each preceeding block. The mortar for the upper horizontal joint is then applied by a second mortar applying device and the thus assembled row of mortared blocks are then stacked onto a descending wall panel comprising a plurality of such rows. Openings for doors and windows may also be provided in the wall panel by aligning blocks into piers and lifting them onto a wall panel. Different sized blocks and cross-pieces may also be fed onto the conveyor system for subsequent stacking onto a wall panel.