Abstract: Method for manufacturing three-dimensional articles with a flexible wall, by means of a mould (1?-2?) and a counter-mould (3?) between which pieces (4?) are arranged that will form the article to be obtained. Between the pieces (4?), the mould (1?-2?) and counter-mould (3?) a conduit network (7) and cavities (6) are delimited into which, through first points (8), a plastic material is injected in a melted condition, whereas through one or more second points (9) said conduit network is connected to a vacuum network.

Abstract: A batch or continuous mixer for mixing powders, immiscible liquids, or a powder with a liquid includes one or more vibrational energy applicators which propagate vibrational energy into the mixture, causing powders to flow like liquids and breaking up liquid droplets and powder clumps. In embodiments, the vibration frequency and amplitude are selected according to properties of the mixture components. Vibrations can be propagated through container walls, impellers, or other structures within the mixing container. Vibrated structures can be flexibly supported for enhanced propagation of the vibrations. Vibrational energy can be uniform throughout the container, or focused in a desired region. Ultrasonic energy can be simultaneously applied with acoustic energy.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing engineered stone slabs provides slabs that are equal or superior in appearance and physical properties to slabs manufactured using a conventional Breton press, while weighing less, costing less to manufacture, providing shorter press cycle times, requiring less resin, and consuming less energy. In addition to providing a vibration device above the slab, the press also includes a second vibration device below the slab, which replaces the massive inertial base of a Breton press. The press can be completely enclosed within a vacuum chamber, and vibrationally isolated from surrounding structures. In embodiments, volume reduction blocks reduce the volume to be evacuated. Embodiments use screw jacks and springs or air bags to provide controlled pressing force and precisely uniform slab thickness. Slabs can be inserted and removed on a conveyor belt, or in rigid, self-supporting trays or molds on rollers.

Abstract: An engineered stone production plant includes a vacuum vibration press (“VVP”) suspended above the ground, so that a conveyor belt and/or returning empty trays or molds from a curing oven to a mixing station can pass beneath the VVP. Rigid, self-supporting trays or molds can convey slabs through the plant on rollers, which allow independent horizontal movement of the slabs during spreading and coloring/veining of the slab mixture. Embodiments include air levitation for transporting slabs into and out of the VVP. The curing oven can be air-heated. The pressing plate can be sealed with the tray or mold by walls that extend downwardly from the press plate over a flexible covering sheet, by a gasket surrounding the pressing plate, or by an angle strip surrounding the slab mixture. In embodiments, the slab size can be changed by exchanging elastomeric mold walls, or by exchanging molds and pressing platens.

Abstract: An engineered stone production plant includes a vacuum vibration press (“VVP”) suspended above the ground, so that a conveyor belt and/or returning empty trays or molds from a curing oven to a mixing station can pass beneath the VVP. Rigid, self-supporting trays or molds can convey slabs through the plant on rollers, which allow independent horizontal movement of the slabs during spreading and coloring/veining of the slab mixture. Embodiments include air levitation for transporting slabs into and out of the VVP. The curing oven can be air-heated. The pressing plate can be sealed with the tray or mold by walls that extend downwardly from the press plate over a flexible covering sheet, by a gasket surrounding the pressing plate, or by an angle strip surrounding the slab mixture. In embodiments, the slab size can be changed by exchanging elastomeric mold walls, or by exchanging molds and pressing platens.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing engineered stone slabs provides slabs that are equal or superior in appearance and physical properties to slabs manufactured using a conventional Breton press, while weighing less, costing less to manufacture, providing shorter press cycle times, requiring less resin, and consuming less energy. In addition to providing a vibration device above the slab, the press also includes a second vibration device below the slab, which replaces the massive inertial base of a Breton press. The press can be completely enclosed within a vacuum chamber, and vibrationally isolated from surrounding structures. In embodiments, volume reduction blocks reduce the volume to be evacuated. Embodiments use screw jacks and springs or air bags to provide controlled pressing force and precisely uniform slab thickness. Slabs can be inserted and removed on a conveyor belt, or in rigid, self-supporting trays or molds on rollers.

Abstract: A batch or continuous mixer for mixing powders, immiscible liquids, or a powder with a liquid includes one or more vibrational energy applicators which propagate vibrational energy into the mixture, causing powders to flow like liquids and breaking up liquid droplets and powder clumps. In embodiments, the vibration frequency and amplitude are selected according to properties of the mixture components. Vibrations can be propagated through container walls, impellers, or other structures within the mixing container. Vibrated structures can be flexibly supported for enhanced propagation of the vibrations. Vibrational energy can be uniform throughout the container, or focused in a desired region. Ultrasonic energy can be simultaneously applied with acoustic energy.

Abstract: A vacuum vibration press manufactures engineered stone slabs that are equal or superior in appearance and physical properties to slabs manufactured using a conventional Breton press, while weighing less, costing less to manufacture, providing shorter press cycle times, requiring less resin, and consuming less energy. In addition to providing a vibration device above the slab, the press also includes a second vibration device below the slab, which replaces the massive inertial base of a Breton press. The vibration devices can have different frequencies, amplitudes, and/or vibration axes. The press can be completely enclosed within a vacuum chamber, and vibrationally isolated from surrounding structures. In embodiments, volume reduction blocks reduce the volume to be evacuated. Embodiments use screw jacks and springs or air bags to provide controlled pressing force and precisely uniform slab thickness. Slabs can be inserted and removed on a conveyor belt, or in separate trays on rollers.

Abstract: A vacuum vibration press manufactures engineered stone slabs that are equal or superior in appearance and physical properties to slabs manufactured using a conventional Breton press, while weighing less, costing less to manufacture, providing shorter press cycle times, requiring less resin, and consuming less energy. In addition to providing a vibration device above the slab, the press also includes a second vibration device below the slab, which replaces the massive inertial base of a Breton press. The vibration devices can have different frequencies, amplitudes, and/or vibration axes. The press can be completely enclosed within a vacuum chamber, and vibrationally isolated from surrounding structures. In embodiments, volume reduction blocks reduce the volume to be evacuated. Embodiments use screw jacks and springs or air bags to provide controlled pressing force and precisely uniform slab thickness. Slabs can be inserted and removed on a conveyor belt, or in separate trays on rollers.

Abstract: A vacuum vibration press for making composite stone slabs applies as much or more vibration and pressure than a conventional Breton press, while weighing less, costing less to manufacture, providing shorter press cycle times, and consuming less energy. Instead of vibrating the entire vacuum chamber, the press includes vibration devices within the vacuum chamber which vibrate only the pressing apparatus. Instead of more than 100 tons, the press vibrates less than 5000 pounds of apparatus, using less than 25 hp instead of 100-300 hp. In embodiments, vacuum volume reduction blocks reduce the volume to be evacuated within the chamber. Embodiments use screw jacks and springs or air bags to provide controlled pressing force and precisely uniform slab thickness. The vibration can be vertical and/or horizontal, linear and/or circular, and mechanical and/or ultrasonic. Slabs can be inserted and removed on a conveyor belt or in separate trays on rollers.

Abstract: A trash receptacle is configured to use a shopping bag as a liner by hanging the shopping bag handles over handles or other extensions of the trash receptacle. Separating features such as protruding handle appendages and/or recessed or horizontally offset receptacle rims provide grasping spaces below the suspended bag handles into which a user's hands can be inserted for easy grasping of the bag handles during bag removal. The receptacle extensions can be fixed or removably attachable to the trash receptacle, or can be fixed to a removable receptacle adaptor. They can be curved and/or slanted inward. They can pivot inward during bag removal to relieve strain on the bag handles. Pivoting handles can be conveniently released by a foot pedal or by actuating a hand trigger while lifting the bag handles. A receptacle lid can be included, and a foot pedal can be used to operate the lid.

Abstract: A trash receptacle is configured to use a shopping bag as a liner by hanging the shopping bag handles over handles or other extensions of the trash receptacle. Separating features such as protruding handle appendages and/or recessed or horizontally offset receptacle rims provide grasping spaces below the suspended bag handles into which a user's hands can be inserted for easy grasping of the bag handles during bag removal. The receptacle extensions can be fixed or removably attachable to the trash receptacle, or can be fixed to a removable receptacle adaptor. They can be curved and/or slanted inward. They can pivot inward during bag removal to relieve strain on the bag handles. Pivoting handles can be conveniently released by a foot pedal or by actuating a hand trigger while lifting the bag handles. A receptacle lid can be included, and a foot pedal can be used to operate the lid.

Abstract: A GPS docking station for a multi-purpose handheld device mounted to the interior of a vehicle and provides easily viewable and readable GPS display under control of the handheld device. The docking station can further include a keypad and/or audio inputs/outputs. Communication with the handheld device can be through a connector, a cable, and/or wirelessly, e.g. using Bluetooth. The GPS display can be a touch screen. A handheld device cradle can physically support the handheld device, and can be cooperative with the GPS display or separately mountable within the vehicle. In embodiments, the handheld device can perform non-GPS functions using its built-in keypad and display, while simultaneously displaying GPS information on the docking station display and broadcasting GPS announcements through the audio outputs of the docking station. At least one keypad key can be dedicated to a special GPS-relevant function, and can include a visible indication of its function.

Abstract: A trash receptacle is configured to use a shopping bag as a liner by hanging the shopping bag handles over handles or other extensions of the trash receptacle. Separating features such as protruding handle appendages and/or recessed or horizontally offset receptacle rims provide grasping spaces below the suspended bag handles into which a user's hands can be inserted for easy grasping of the bag handles during bag removal. The receptacle extensions can be fixed or removably attachable to the trash receptacle, or can be fixed to a removable receptacle adaptor. They can be curved and/or slanted inward. They can pivot inward during bag removal to relieve strain on the bag handles. Pivoting handles can be conveniently released by a foot pedal or by actuating a hand trigger while lifting the bag handles. A receptacle lid can be included, and a foot pedal can be used to operate the lid.

Abstract: A trash receptacle is configured to use a shopping bag as a liner by hanging the shopping bag handles over handles or other extensions of the trash receptacle. Separating features such as protruding handle appendages and/or recessed or horizontally offset receptacle rims provide grasping spaces below the suspended bag handles into which a user's hands can be inserted for easy grasping of the bag handles during bag removal. The receptacle extensions can be fixed or removably attachable to the trash receptacle, or can be fixed to a removable receptacle adaptor. They can be curved and/or slanted inward. They can pivot inward during bag removal to relieve strain on the bag handles. Pivoting handles can be conveniently released by a foot pedal or by actuating a hand trigger while lifting the bag handles. A receptacle lid can be included, and a foot pedal can be used to operate the lid.

Abstract: A decorative composite stone material, the finished face of which is more durable and requires less maintenance than previous composite stone products. The decorative component of the aggregate material is specifically limited to a hard aggregate of enhanced aesthetic appeal, specifically, to granules of quartz or other transparent or semi-transparent material having a Mohs index of at least 7, naturally occurring or synthetic. The granules of quartz are adjustably coated with a metallic, ceramic, plastic or other film, mixed with a binder, cast, and cured. In the surface finishing step, granules close to the surface are ground to create an exposed facet through which light passes in and out, the coating providing reflective properties that add color, sparkle, glitter, metallic or other visual effect to the hard composite stone surface without compromising the hardness and durability of the product.

Abstract: A pre-cast terrazzo panel having detailed, multicolor designs therein constituted by background and inlay designs of different colors includes inlay and background colors which are integral with no surface difference between the inlay and the background.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing a pre-cast terrazzo panel having detailed, multicolor designs therein constituted by background and inlay designs of different colors. The inlay and background colors are integral with no surface difference between the inlay and the background. The process involves the steps of (a) providing a pre-cast unpolished terrazzo panel with a first background color; (b) cutting out an inlay pattern or design in the terrazzo panel to create a silhouette cut-out panel; (c) placing the cut-out panel in a mold, pouring a blend of a second color comprising a binder and aggregate into the cut-out and curing the blend to create a cured inlay of a second color in the panel; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) as often as desired with blends having colors the same or different from the first and second colors; and (e) polishing the resulting panel to produce a terrazzo panel having a plurality of colors.