Abstract: Method for loading ceramic moulds presenting a die plate having at least one forming cavity in which a die is slidingly received, comprising the following operative steps for each complete loading cycle: preparing a powder layer at least the upper part of which has properties conforming to the required aesthetic characteristics of the exposed face of the tile; transferring said layer to above said at least one forming cavity; depositing into said at least one cavity a powder layer having a thickness greater than that necessary to obtain the desired tile thickness, and before pressing removing, by a mechanical cutting action with simultaneous removal of the thus separated material, the surface layer of the powder contained in the mould cavity, without appreciable mixing of the powder present at the interface between the surface layer and the underlying layer.

Abstract: A method for forming large-dimension ceramic tiles includes at least one first pressing operation for obtaining an incompletely compacted and consistent blank, and at least one second pressing operation for completing the compacting of the blank following an optional surface decoration, the at least one second pressing operation being effected without any lateral retention action on the blank.

Abstract: Plant for forming predetermined quantities of synthetic material comprising a rotary turntable carrying on its periphery a plurality of dispensing devices, and means for feeding the material in the molten state to said dispensing devices; the plant also comprises a fixed part directly connected to the molten material feed, a rotary sealed joint connecting said fixed part to the rotary turntable, operating means for interacting with the dispensing devices positioned on the rotary turntable to operate them in the sense of opening and closing them in response to the rotations of the turntable, and means for rotating the turntable.

Abstract: A apparatus for pressure casting sanitary appliances including an outer framework, at least one block slidable within the outer framework arid having a male mould part and a female mould part, a fixed endpiece for said framework being provided with the male part which is adapted to be inserted into the female part of said at least one block, a movable head of the framework being provided with the female mould part which is adapted to receive the male part of said at least one block, means for thrusting said movable head in the direction of said fixed endpiece, and means for feeding pressurized slip into the cavities which form when said locks are positioned one against the other, wherein at least the mould portion defining the cavity of the female mould part is surrounded by at least one inflatable element provided with a pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A highly versatile method for manufacturing ceramic tiles of different formats, a plant for its implementation, and tiles obtained thereby includes the following operational stages. First, a single panel is dry-formed within a ceramic mold by compressing at least one ceramic material in powder form. At least two tiles are then separated from said panel, after the formation of the panel but before a firing process of said panel. The plant for implementing the method incorporates a press of relatively large power with which there is associated a single-exit ceramic mold arranged to form a starting panel of large dimensions, and at least one sectioning unit provided downstream of the press to obtain at least one tile of the desired format from said starting panel.

Abstract: In a method for pressing ceramic powders comprising a powder compaction stage within a mold, after exerting the powder compacting pressure the powder is subjected to close-together pressure pulses while maintaining the compacting pressure applied.

Abstract: The die comprises a rigid body (20) having its upper surface (20′) covered by a flexible covering membrane (11) which defines the active surface of the die, and a plurality of seats (30) of vertical axis provided in the rigid body (20); within said seats (30) there is positioned a corresponding plurality of vertically slidable pistons (40) which have an active surface (40′) for acting on the material being pressed, and are disposed in contact with an operative liquid which fills the lower chambers (31) of the seats (30) and connects said chambers (31) together; said covering membrane (11) covers the active surface (40′) of the pistons (40), said pistons (40) acting on the material being pressed via the covering membrane (11). According to the invention each seat comprises abutment means (35) arranged to limit the stroke of the piston (40) in the direction of movement both towards the interior of the seat, and outwards from the seat (30).

Abstract: Method for forming large-dimension ceramic tiles comprising the following operative stages: feeding a determined quantity of powders into the mould cavity of a first pressing station; pressing said quantity of powders to obtain a slab of congruent material the thickness of which is reduced by a quantity between 20 and 40%; feeding said slab to at least one decorating station which deposits in a controlled manner at least a second layer of powders; feeding said decorated slab to a second pressing station; pressing the decorated slab.

Abstract: Tile cutting device comprises a height-positionable frame positioned transversely above the translating support surface on which at least one tile to be sectioned is positioned, there being associated with said frame at least one cutting implement provided with at least one cutting blade (or wheel) rotated by a suitable motor; said cutting implement can be translationally moved horizontally relative to said frame by suitable positioning means, in order to be located in the desired position for cutting said tile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the dry-forming of crockery, using isostatic molds, wherein a powder is compressed within an isostatic mold and subjected to close-together pressure pulses during the exertion of the compacting pressure.

Abstract: A plant for forming ceramic tiles by means of a partially isostatic mold, comprising the following stages: loading the ceramic powder to be pressed into the mold cavity; exerting a uniform pressure on the entire surface of the ceramic powder present in the mold cavity; releasing the pressure and partially opening the mold to facilitate powder deaeration; exerting pressure on a first portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mold cavity; exerting pressure on a second portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mold cavity, while simultaneously nullifying the pressure on said first surface portion of the powder contained in the mold cavity; and alternating the exertion of pressure on said first and on said second portion alternately.

Abstract: A method for forming ceramic tiles by means of a partially isostatic mold, comprising the following stages: loading the ceramic powder to be pressed into the mold cavity; exerting a uniform pressure on the entire surface of the ceramic powder present in the mold cavity; releasing the pressure and partially opening the mold to facilitate powder deaeration; exerting pressure on a first portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mold cavity; exerting pressure on a second portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mold cavity, while simultaneously nullifying the pressure on said first surface portion of the powder contained in the mold cavity; and alternating the exertion of pressure on said first and on said second portion alternately.

Abstract: A method for forming ceramic tiles, including those of large dimensions, comprising the following stages: loading the powder to be pressed into the mould cavity; exerting an initial pressure on the entire surface of the powder present in the mould cavity; releasing the initial pressure; exerting the compacting pressure on the entire surface of the powder contained in the mould cavity; increasing the pressure on a first portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mould cavity up to a value permitted by the press capacity; releasing the pressure on said first portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mould cavity and increasing the compacting pressure on a second portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mould cavity; alternating the exertion of pressure on said first portion and on said second portion; and interrupting the exertion of pressure.

Abstract: A porous, open-pore, hardened, plastic mold for shaping a ceramic article by any of various ceramic shaping methods. The mold is prepared by subjecting a water-in-oil emulsion to hardening in the desired mold shape without breaking the emulsion and then drying the hardened, shaped mold. The emulsion has incorporated in it any of sodium disilicate or disodium tetraborate to accelerate the shaping of the ceramic article in the mold. The emulsion may also have incorporated in it any of microbeads of glass, barite, quartz powder and powdered polymers to reduce the pure volume and increase the mechanical strength of the porous, open-pored hardened, plastic mold.