Abstract: Filled plastic molded articles based on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which articles resemble granite, are prepared by preparing a casting resin suspension comprising: (A) 20-80 parts by wt. (pbw) of a liquid PMMA polymer precursor; (B) 0-75 pbw of a non-metallized particulate filler; (C) 0-5 pbw, based on the sum of components (A) and (B) of a polymerizable organosilicon compound; and (D) 0-2 wt. % of at least one pigment or colorant; suspending metallic appearing particles of a platelet-like stratified silicate (SS) in the particle size range of 20-500 .mu.m in an amount of 1-35 pbw, based on the sum of components (A) and (B); polymerizing the suspension under free radical conditions in a polymerization mold; and removing the polymerized article from the mold.

Abstract: To provide a practical mat for decorative aggregate exposed finishes applying for decorative finished concretes or the like and a method of industrially manufacturing a novel mat for decorative aggregate exposed finishes carrying a wide variety of decorative aggregates such as made of natural stones, ceramics, glass and plastics. A practical mat for decorative aggregate exposed finishes according to this invention is made through following steps; placing a hot melt adhesive film on one surface of soft and flexible decorative aggregate carrying net having a mesh size smaller than the particle size of decorative aggregates and greater than 2 mm, placing decorative aggregates on the hot melt adhesive film, and heating them entirely to a temperature higher than the melting point of the hot melt adhesive, thereby adhesively bonding the decorative aggregates and the carrying net for reinforcement firmly.

Abstract: A roof tile making machine and its method of operation. The reinforcement ribs on the underside of a concrete roofing tile are formed during their manufacture by directing mortar into recesses in a pallet on which the tile is made, with a compactor means in the form of multi-tined wheels compacting the mortar in the recesses, and providing thereafter a secondary layer of mortar over the compacted reinforcement ribs, to complete the tile in a conventional manner. A tile provided by the apparatus of the invention has reinforcement ribs which are compacted to the same degree as the remainder of the tile, thereby ensuring that the finished product, when cured, has a uniform, or substantially uniform, strength.

Abstract: A roof tile which is lightweight and yet strong has a dry component that includes cement, gypsum, perlite aggregate, lava stone and a powder that may be perlite powder or volcanic ash. Water and a styrene acrylic catalyst are mixed with the dry constituents. The composition can be formed into the shape of roof tiles by conventional equipment.

Abstract: This invention relates to synthetic granite tiles made essentially from garnite sand and a process for the production of synthetic garnite tiles essentially from garnet sand which is a by-product of beach sand from rare earths extraction, said process comprising mixing beach sand garnet, feldspar and clay thoroughly; pressing the mixture using a press at a pressure in the range of 40-80 MPa to form tiles of desired shapes and sizes; drying the tiles so formed at a temperature of 100.degree.-120.degree. C.; firing the dried tiles at a temperature in the range of 1050.degree.-1250.degree. C. with a soaking for a period ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and polishing the resultant tiles.

Abstract: An accessory tile and its manufacturing method. The accessory tile is made of preformed tile bodies of plate shape which have colored patterns on their surfaces, respectively. The preformed tile bodies are disposed on both sides of a press surface of a lower mold of a V-shaped cross section, respectively, while joint end surfaces of the preformed tile bodies are contacted closely with each other. They are pressed between the lower mold and an upper mold into one body. The pressed bodies are burnt to obtain the accessory tile as a final product.

Abstract: A patterned shaped article is produced by a method which includes the steps of supplying a first material onto a given surface until the first material forms a layer of predetermined thickness, removing part of the layer to form at least one concave portion in the layer, filling the at least one concave portion with at least one kind of second material different in color and quality from the first material, and causing the first and second materials to set into an integral mass. When the first material is dry, the second material may be either dry or wet. When the first material is wet, the second material is dry and the moisture of the first wet material is absorbed before the step of removing part of the layer of the first material.

Abstract: A method of producing a patterned shaped circle includes the steps of forming a course of dry particles on a base surface; using an air flow controller having either a suction port or a blow port or both a suction port and a blow port to cause an air flow to form a cavity in the dry particle course by removing a part of the particles thereof under the control of at least one parameter among air pressure, air flow rate, air flow speed, air flow direction, air flow pulsation, air flow intermittence, suction port size, blow port size, suction port position and blow port position; charging the cavity with a different type of dry particles; and allowing the particles to set into an integral mass.

Abstract: A method of producing a pattern shaped article includes the steps of forming at least two different courses of dry particles overlaid on a base surface; using an air flow controller having either a suction port or a blow port or both a suction port and a blow port to effect an air flow to form a cavity corresponding to a pattern expression in at least a lower dry particle course by removing a portion of the lower dry particle course under control of at least one parameter among air pressure, air flow rate, air flow speed, air flow direction, air flow pulsation, air flow intermittence, suction port size, blow port size, suction port position and blow port position; collapsing particles of an upper dry particle course of a different type of dry particles into the cavity and allowing the particles to set into an integral mass.

Abstract: A surface coating composition comprising generally cement, sand, a polymer binder, and water, and a method for applying the composition to a surface. The composition is used to apply an ornamental surface coating onto a pre-existing cementitious surface, or a surface to which a cementitious base layer has been applied. The surface is cleaned with a muriatic acid solution. A flexible plastic template is laid on the surface to define the desired pattern and a thin layer of the composition is applied. The template is removed after the composition is applied. After the composition starts to cure, the surface is wiped with a damp sponge to round off corners and open up surface pores. The surface is sealed after curing. Texturizing rollers may be used to provide a more realistic finish. The coating is tough and durable, and can withstand up to approximately 6,000 psi (about 400 kg/cm.sup.2) pressure.

Abstract: A method of applying porous building plates includes applying plate-like porous building plates having pores on the surfaces and then jointing them by means of a coated joint method. In the method, the pores on the surfaces of the porous building plates are packed with an acid soluble substance and then the plates are joined by means of a coated joint method. Subsequently, the surfaces of the porous building plates are washed with an acid.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing concrete panels by continuously pressing and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The concrete panels are successively manufactured by continuously feeding pallets onto a conveyor, feeding a concrete material onto the pallets, continuously pressure frames against the concrete material from the upper side and both lateral sides of the concrete material while imparting vibrations to the pressure frames, forming hollows in the concrete material by thrusting a rotary screw-type core rod therethrough to provide a panel shape hollow molding, and cutting the molded concrete material into a length corresponding to the length of each pallet. In the manufacture process, an organic or inorganic fiber material may be incorporated into the concrete material for the purpose of reinforcement of the finished products.

Abstract: Artistic tile designs are mass produced with precut tile pieces from commercially available square tile units. An initial tile design is created with the tile pieces to serve as a pattern. Thereafter the tile designs are reproduced by placing a transparent, semi-transparent or translucent sheet-type substrate or backing over the initial design, and by securing matching tile pieces to the substrate, as viewed through the substrate. The substrate is of the type that is sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain its shape while handled. The tile design can be repeated on the reverse side of the substrate using the design on the front side as the pattern to provide a double-sided design. If an opaque substrate is to be used, the front faces of the tile pieces are temporarily secured to a readily removable substrate, and the adhesive is thereafter applied to the back of the tile pieces to be permanently mounted.

Abstract: A synthetic fire resistant and flame retardant shake shingle suitable for roofing construction is formed of a water-extended polyester resin that has been molded to the shape of a shake shingle and dried to form a semi-rigid, cellular lightweight structure containing a filler of fiberglass pieces substantially uniformly dispersed throughout the cross section of the molded and dried polyester resinous structure. In one embodiment, the ratio of polyester resin to fiberglass pieces to water in the molding formulation is about 3 to about 2 to about 5.5. In an alternative form of the invention, the fiberglass pieces are replaced with a coarse fiberglass mat impregnated with the polyester material to form a core of the resulting shake shingle.

Abstract: A process for using shredded scrap or virgin fiber glass in combination with starch, water and other components to make ceiling tiles. The tiles are made by initially preparing a mixture of water, starch, boric acid and fire clay. That initial mixture is then heated to form a gel. Fiber glass is then added to the gel to form a pulp. The pulp is fed into trays to form slabs. The slabs are dried and finished into tiles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel in which a base sheet having adhesive or all or selected parts of a surface thereof. Small stones are applied to the base sheet and a water absorbing polymer is also applied. A hardening material, such as center, is spread over the stones and the polymer. The polymer absorbs the water of the cement and expands. It is thereafter washed off or allowed to evaporate.

Abstract: The method of forming a three-dimensional pattern, wherein a pattern forming mold formed from an expanded polyethylene is attached to the work surface where a desired pattern is to be formed, a surfacing material of a specific acrylic resin concrete is cast onto the work surface, the surfacing material is allowed to harden, and the mold is detached and removed from the work surface.

Abstract: A depositing method of wall concrete, in which unset concrete is deposited in a form, includes the step of disposing a non-hygroscopic soft sheet which has a large number of hollow projections or ridges on an inner surface of the form being deformable when lateral pressure is applied thereto by the hardening of the concrete.

Abstract: A powdered mineral material is thoroughly mixed with a minor proportion of a thermosetting resin material followed by mixing the resulting dough with glass fibre reinforcement. A batch of the resulting formulation is extruded through a rectangular section die to form an extrudate of predetermined length. Several of these lengths are simultaneously pressed in a stack, one above the other, each extrudate between a pair of planar plates, one of which is a cast metal body which has been cast in material bearing an impression of the textured finished building product. The plates are thermostatically heated, at a temperature such that the extruded formulation can be thermally deformed and cured. The resulting mineral-filled resin product is typically a roofing panel.

Abstract: A process for the production of concrete roofing products of reduced weight loading having a thickness in section of not greater than 15 mm. The process involves forming an asbestos-free cementitious composition comprising (i) lightweight aggregate, (ii) hydraulic cement, (iii) water and (iv) reinforcing fibers in an amount of not more than 4% by weight of the total weight of the composition but the fibers being present in an amount sufficient to provide a reinforcing effect and impact strength in the roofing product, the cementitious composition being capable of being shaped by a roller and slipper method, and thereafter shaping the cementitious composition by the method to provide a shaped extrudate, dividing the extrudate to form sections and curing the sections to provide roofing products, wherein the reinforcing fibers have lengths of 0.5 mm to 20 mm. The impact resistant roofing products are useful as roofing tiles, or a replacement for shingles, shakes and slates.

Abstract: The production of concrete building products having thickness in section of not greater than 15 mm includes forming a cementitious composition containing aggregate, hydraulic cement and water. The composition is shaped by a roller and slipper method to produce a shaped extrudate which is then divided into form sections. The sections are then cured to provide the aesthetically pleasing product. The cementitious composition also contains reinforcing fibres. The building products are used for roofing tiles or replacement of shingles, shakes and slates.

Abstract: A method for producing concrete paving stones includes slidably mounting paving stone molds in a vertical row in a rack; sliding one mold to a different depth in the rack; filling the mold with concrete; sliding the mold to its original position; and filling the other molds in a similar manner.

Abstract: A multilayer tile, wherein the tile-materials of the first and third layers are substantially equal to each other in shrinkage during drying and firing and in thermal expansion coefficient after firing.

Abstract: A process for consistently making ceiling tiles having uniform density and surface texture includes using a conveyor along which trays are moved in a generally horizontal direction. A feeder box is used to deposit pulp in the trays, the pulp being comprised of a mixture of water, starch, fibrous material, and other ingredients. The feeder box through which pulp is deposited in the trays is of a special design, and includes a sloping front edge which creates a negative rake angle with respect to layers produced by the system. The lower front edge of the feeder box includes a surface having a compound curvature. Ceiling tiles are produced by the process having improved uniformity of density and surface texture.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing stratified pieces, such as roof tiles and wall tiles, by sucessive and independent extrusion of mortars or concretes. In the process mortar is deposited on a limited part of the molds. The mortar is extruded and compacted, and some mortar is dislodged from cross strips in each zone of contact between two consecutive molds. Thereafter, complete sheets of mortar are shaped on the first layers, filling both the emptied cross strips and the limited sides, and lastly the thicknesses of the pieces are cut in their entirety in a vertical transversal plane at each zone of contact of the molds to form multiple layer tiles having homogeneous facing surfaces.

Abstract: Artistic tile designs are mass produced with precut tile pieces from commercially available square tile units. An initial tile design is created with the tile pieces to serve as a pattern. Thereafter the tile designs are reproduced by placing a transparent, semi-transparent or translucent sheet-type substrate or backing over the initial design, and by securing matching tile pieces to the substrate, as viewed through the substrate. The substrate is of the type that is sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain its shape while handled. The tile design can be repeated on the reverse side of the substrate using the design on the front side as the pattern to provide a double-sided design. If the opaque substrate is to be used, the front faces of the tile pieces are temporarily secured to a readily removable substrate, and the adhesive is thereafter applied to the back of the tile pieces to be permanently mounted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to laminated acoustical tile products which are derived from compositions that are suitable to provide rigid, water-resistant phosphate ceramic materials. The tile products comprise a decorative facing comprising a substantially open-celled character and a backing layer of higher density, the backing layer and edges of the tile comprising substantially closed-celled facing characteristics. The backing layer provides structural strength and dimensional stability to the tile product whereas the decorative, open-celled facing provides access by sound waves to the interior regions of the board. The resulting composite material provides good acoustical performance, yet is capable of withstanding conventional handling stresses.

Abstract: A process for the production of decorated molded articles wherein a base article is produced by casting and/or compression molding from a hardenable substance containing a minor amount of a thermosetting synthetic resin and a hardener therefor, and a major amount of at least one inert filler, and, optionally, accelerators, colorants and other auxiliary materials and by providing the article with a surface layer of hardenable lacquer resin.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of making foamed ceramic building elements by coating the bottom of a mould with a layer of uncolored glass material, applying a layer of colored glazing material over said layer of uncolored glass material and charging an expandable mass to the mould over said layer of glazing material.

Abstract: Ornamental element consisting of a number of tile-shaped parts which are joined, with interspaces, on the non-exposed side to form a bond. The adjacent tile-shaped parts are given a fixed relative bond by one or more joining strips, which form one whole with the tile-shaped parts, and consist preferably of one and the same material, and are moulded in one action.The joining strips are made as bridgings, the height of the opening of which plus the tile thickness is equal to or larger than the width of the joint between the tile shaped parts; the thickness if equal to or smaller than the width of the joint. The bridge-shaped parts have a form which allows release from a mould.The ornamental element consists of a thermosetting agent, for example of an unsaturated polyester with fillers or a ceramic material.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process of manufacturing panels composed of units in, for example, ceramic assembled by a thermoplastic material.The interstitial spaces between the units are filled with granules of thermoplastic material. After heating to the highest possible temperature but just lower than the degradation temperature, the units are firmly joined to one another.Such panels can be used as decorative floor or wall-coverings.