Abstract: A method for producing engineered stone slabs including steps of depositing a composite material onto a supporting structure; disrupting the composite material using a plurality of stirring devices attached to a shifting structure; depositing colorant in a predefined region in the composite material using a spray device to form a colored disrupted composite material; and using a first device to press, flatten and stretch the composite material into a slab after disrupting and depositing colorant. The step of disrupting may occur before, after, or during the step of depositing colorant. The step of disrupting the composite material or the step of depositing colorant may include causing the shifting structure to move along a width of the supporting structure. Prior to depositing the composite material onto the supporting structure, and after compressing the composite material, the composite material may be fragmented into a plurality of fragments of composite material.

Abstract: A method for producing engineered stone slabs includes depositing fragments onto a surface and using a height limiting device to disrupt the fragments so a height of the fragments at the highest point from the supporting structure is substantially the same height as the height limiting device from the supporting structure. The method then includes using a digital printing device, in a first digital printing step, to print an image onto at least part of a top and side walls of at least some of the fragments, and then depositing additional composite material onto at least some of the fragments. The method further includes using a digital printing device, in an additional digital printing step, to print an image onto at least part of the additional damp composite material, and then using a press roller to press, flatten and stretch the fragments into a slab.

Abstract: A method for producing engineered stone slabs including steps of depositing a composite material onto a supporting structure; disrupting the composite material using a plurality of stirring devices attached to a shifting structure; depositing colorant in a predefined region in the composite material using a spray device to form a colored disrupted composite material; and using a first device to press, flatten and stretch the composite material into a slab after disrupting and depositing colorant. The step of disrupting may occur before, after, or during the step of depositing colorant. The step of disrupting the composite material or the step of depositing colorant may include causing the shifting structure to move along a width of the supporting structure. Prior to depositing the composite material onto the supporting structure, and after compressing the composite material, the composite material may be fragmented into a plurality of fragments of composite material.

Abstract: A method for producing engineered stone slabs which includes: compressing composite material to form compressed composite material; fragmenting the compressed composite material into a plurality of fragments of composite material; depositing colorant in a predefined region onto at least part of side walls of some of the plurality of fragments of composite material; and using a device to press, flatten and stretch the plurality of fragments of composite material into a slab. The method may further include moving one or more of the plurality of fragments without substantially breaking or deforming them to form a channel in the plurality of fragments prior to depositing colorant in the predefined region. The device may include a first press roller and a second press roller; wherein the plurality of fragments pass between the first and second press rollers to press, flatten and stretch the plurality of fragments of composite material into the slab.