Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of articles made of conglomerate material, more particularly in the form of slabs or blocks, starting from a mixture comprising an optionally expanded granulate of stone material or lithoid material, and a binder based on a resin obtained from acrylate vegetal oils. The present invention also relates to the articles thus obtained.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing articles in the form of a slab or block, the articles are obtained from an initial mix comprising aggregates and a binder. Synthetic aggregates and fillers have a hardness greater than or equal to 5 Mohs, and contain silicon dioxide substantially only in amorphous form, the silicon dioxide in crystalline form being present in quantities of less than 1% by weight.

Abstract: A grinding and/or polishing machine (10) for slabs of stone material, such as natural or agglomerated stone, ceramic or glass, comprises a support bench (12) for the slabs to be machined and at least one machining station (14) with a pair of bridge-like support structures (16, 18) arranged opposite each other with, above, a beam supporting a plurality of machining spindles (26). First relative movement means (19) move the slab in a longitudinal direction with respect to the machining station (14), while the beam moves transversely with respect to its length by means of second movement means (21). Each spindle is supported on the beam so that it can be swivelled by associated movement means (34, 35, 40, 50, 60) about an oscillation axis (33) which is parallel to, but separate from the motorized vertical axis (32) of the spindle.

Abstract: Method for the production of granular materials designed to be used as aggregates and fillers in a mix containing a binder for the manufacture of articles in slab or block form. The method comprises a step of melting a mixture of selected minerals having a specific chemical composition, a step of casting the molten material, a step of cooling the cast material until a predetermined temperature is reached and a step of crushing and/or grinding the cooled material to obtain granular materials having a selected particle size and suitable for use as aggregates or fillers in the mix for the manufacture of articles in slab or block form. Moreover, the method comprises, upstream of the melting step, a step for recovery and collection of the manufacturing waste of other previously manufactured articles. The manufacturing waste is designed to compose at least partially the mixture of selected minerals.

Abstract: Article made of conglomerate material in the form of a slab comprising an aggregate which includes granules of expanded material having a selected particle size range and defining between them inter-granular cavities containing only air and no filling material. The aggregate also includes a binder present in a controlled minimum quantity sufficient for lining the granules of expanded material. The article also comprises a lining layer integral with the aggregate. The invention also relates to a method for the production of an article made of conglomerate material.

Abstract: Method for the production of granulate materials designed to be used for manufacturing articles in slab or block form from a mixture. The method comprises the steps of a) melting a mixture of selected minerals having a specific chemical composition for obtaining a casting of molten material, c) cooling the cast material until a predetermined temperature is reached and d) crushing and/or grinding the material to obtain granules having a selected grain size and suitable for use respectively as aggregates or fillers in the mixture for manufacture of the articles. Moreover, the method comprises, downstream of the melting and casting step a), a step b) of keeping the molten and cooled material at a temperature of between 1030-1170° C. for a predetermined time period of at least 15 minutes. The granulate materials thus obtained have a content of silicon dioxide in crystalline form of less than 1%.

Abstract: Article made of conglomerate material comprising an aggregate comprising granules of expanded glass or expanded ceramic/clay and defining between them intergranular cavities, and a binder. The binder is present in the minimum quantity necessary for coating the expanded glass or expanded ceramic/clay granules, and the intergranular cavities contain only air and are free from filler material. Moreover, the binder is present in a volumetric quantity comprised between 6% and 12% of the total volume of the article.

Abstract: An article made of conglomerate material comprising an aggregate comprising granules of expanded glass or expanded ceramic/clay defining between them inter-granular cavities and a binding resin. The binding resin is present in the minimum amount required to coat the granules of expanded glass or expanded ceramic/clay and the inter-granular cavities contain only air and are devoid of filling material. The binding resin is present in an amount equal to about 6-16% of the volume of the article and is a thermosetting resin obtained by means of reaction between an epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid triglyceride and a carboxylic anhydride in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: In the method for manufacturing conglomerate stone slabs using the Bretonstone technology, in the variant where the starting mixture is enclosed between two paper sheets, the improvement consists in replacing each paper sheet with a containment element consisting of a paper sheet, one surface of which has, applied thereon, a film of plastic material which is impermeable to organic vapours, impermeable to the liquids and in particular to the liquid resin constituting the binder of said mixture, resistant to the catalysis temperatures of the said resin and resistant to hot solvents and chemical vapours. Preferably, said plastic material is water-soluble, in particular polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing slab articles from a mix, comprising the steps of a) preparing a mix comprising a preponderant amount of a glass frit and a binder, b) distributing the mix in a support, c) compacting the mix, d) drying the mix, e) sintering the mix and f) cooling the article. The glass frit comprises a weight amount of silica (SiO2) comprised between 62% and 68%, a weight amount of alumina (Al2O3) comprised between 3% and 5%, a weight amount of potassium oxide (K2O) comprised between 3% and 5%, a weight amount of calcium oxide (CaO) comprised between 18% and 26% and a weight amount of magnesium oxide (MgO) comprised between 1% and 4% The cooling step is performed in a controlled manner by modulating the cooling speed in a temperature range not p greater than 1.160° C. and not less than 1.000° C. in order to perform the at least partial devitrification and crystallization of the glass frit. The invention also relates to a glass frit and an article in slab form.

Abstract: A machine tool comprises a structure in which at least one component (12) of this structure is thermally insulated from the external environment and in which this component (12) is sealed so as to prevent fluid communication between the inside (18) and the outside of the component (12) of the structure.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing automatically slabs of conglomerate stone and/or ceramic material with a veined effect from a base mix (M), which method comprises a step of a) depositing a layer of base mix (M) inside a temporary support (S), (b) automatically forming on the layer of base mix (M) at least one plurality of grooves (F) of predetermined width, c) automatically distributing at least one dye inside the grooves (F) and d) compacting the layer of base mix (F). The at least one dye consists of a colouring mix (C1, C2) comprising at least one binder. The invention also relates to a robot island (1) for forming veining in a layer of base mix (M) for the manufacture of slabs and an apparatus for manufacturing slabs with a veined effect.

Abstract: A distributor device (1) for distributing a mix (L) in one or more forming supports (S) for manufacturing articles made of composite stone material. The device (1) comprises mix supply means (10) designed to transport the mix (L) along a longitudinal feeding direction (X) towards the forming supports (S). The distribution device (1) further comprises mix lamination means (16) located between the supply means (10) and the supports (S). The invention also relates to a method and a plant for manufacturing articles made of composite stone material which use the aforementioned distributor device (1).

Abstract: Method for manufacturing coloured glass-ceramic slab articles from a base mix, comprising the steps of a) preparing a mix comprising a colouring pigment, at least one binder and a preponderant amount of a glass frit having a specific composition, b) distributing the mix in a forming support, c) compacting the mix, d) drying the mix, e) sintering the compacted and dried mix by firing to obtain a slab article, and f) cooling the articles under conditions such as to prevent—even partial—devitrification and/or crystallization of the glass frit. The invention also relates to a glass frit for manufacturing base mixes and a coloured glass-ceramic slab article obtained from the base mix.

Abstract: During the manufacture of slabs with a veined effect a liquid or powder colouring agent is deposited on the surface of a thin layer of starting mixture by means of at least one dispensing device and the resultant mixture is supplied, falling freely, from one end of an extractor belt forming the bottom of a mixture metering/distributor unit, following which the mixture is transferred, falling freely, onto a temporary moulding support. This results in the production of slabs provided with veining extending through the entire thickness of the slabs and also visible along the whole edge of the slab, even after it has been machined.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a mold (10) intended to form a slab from a mixture of agglomerate comprising the steps of depositing over the mold surfaces a sheet (15) of PVA-based plastic material so as to form with it a surface for subsequent contact with the mixture introduced into the mold for forming the slab, whereby in at least some areas a layer (14) of a fluid agent containing PVA in a solution is interposed between the sheet (15) and the mold surfaces. A plant for carrying out the method and a method for production of a slab are also described.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing articles in the form of a slab or block, obtained by means of a procedure during which an initial mix comprising aggregates and a binder undergo vacuum vibro-compression followed by a step involving hardening of the binder, the aggregates comprise synthetic aggregates and fillers with a hardness greater than or equal to 5 Mohs, which contain silicon dioxide substantially only in amorphous form.

Abstract: A mix dispenser (14) comprises a hopper (24) with a top opening (26) for filling the hopper with a predetermined amount of mix and a bottom opening (28). The dispenser comprises a conveyor (30) which forms the bottom of said hopper (24) and is designed to extract the mix from the hopper (24) and convey it towards an end from where it falls into a mould. The dispenser is characterized in that said conveyor (30) comprises a supporting meshwork (32) made of a material resistant to the vapours of solvents such as styrene and operated by an electric motor (34). Furthermore a plant comprising such as dispenser is also described.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a mold (10) intended to form a slab from a mixture of agglomerate comprising the steps of depositing over the mold surfaces a sheet (15) of PVA-based plastic material so as to form with it a surface for subsequent contact with the mixture introduced into the mold for forming the slab, whereby in at least some areas a layer (14) of a fluid agent containing PVA in a solution is interposed between the sheet (15) and the mold surfaces. A plant for carrying out the method and a method for production of a slab are also described.

Abstract: A countertop (1) for kitchen furniture comprising a hob (12) with at least one magnetic inductor (14) designed to be used for cooking food and located underneath at least one cooking area (16) of said hob (12), said hob (12) further comprising at least one removable protection element (18) designed to be positioned on top of said at least one cooking area (16). The hob (12) is provided with at least one safety device (20) designed to ensure correct positioning of the at least one removable protection element (18).