Abstract: An apparatus for setting of formed articles is provided wherein a transport belt carries cross rows of closely located ceramic briquettes into the region of a provision for separating the briquettes. When the briquettes are separated the cross rows are moved to a readying belt where after feeding of additional cross rows a setting is formed which can be lifted by a gripping machine. The provision for separating the ceramic briquettes closely located in cross rows comprises a liftable bridge spanning across the transport belt. A gripper carriage movable back and forth across to the transport belt is disposed at the liftable bridge which comprises neighboring individual grippers for gripping the briquettes at their front side, for lifting them up from the transport belt and for moving them in the direction providing a gap between them. After the gaps have been drawn as predetermined, the briquettes are placed onto the transport belt.

Abstract: In a setting machine for spacing formed articles a conveyor belt provides closely spaced green bricks in longitudinal rows. The longitudinal rows are transferred to a setting support collecting the green bricks as a compact setting or a partial setting of several parallel longitudinal rows or of one longitudinal row. The setting support comprises spaced rollers and carrying strips between the rollers and capable of moving in the direction of the roller axes. Each carrying strip is subdivided into spaced apart sections which are linked to lift cylinders moving them up and down independently. The lift cylinders are mounted on a carriage movable in the direction of the roller axes and which carries along the sections. The sections can lift up the green bricks from the rollers, the carriage can then move and after sufficient distance is reached the green bricks are lowered onto the rollers. The thus provided setting can be removed onto a conveyor or can be lifted by grippers.

Abstract: Bricks are conveyed to a grouping device in rows for arrangement into setting layers which are placed in crosswise relation on kiln cars for firing. Excess bricks in the rows are pushed off the grouping device onto one of a pair of storage tables until a sufficient number are accumulated on the table to form a setting layer. The storage tables are movable and are alternately positioned adjacent the grouping device to permit formation of two different setting layer configurations.