A compression device, means for controlling the compression device, a drum having an inner chamber, means for rotating the drum, and first and second delivery devices for delivering first and second materials into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating. The compression device compresses the first and second material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. The apparatus may include a stirring device; and a means for controlling the stirring device; wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first and second materials in the drum while the drum is rotating.

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.

A production device for manufacturing a product in the form of a sheet or a block, including: an initial agitator (1), a primary conveyor belt (2) and a mixing agitator (3); each of initial agitators (1) is configured with the primary conveyor belt (2), one or more stones or a stone-like granular material having a selected particle size and a binder are initially mixed in the initial agitator (1) and then an initial mixture is obtained; the mixing agitator (3) includes a rotating container for undertaking a material; the initial mixture is conveyed to the mixing agitator (3) through the primary conveyor belt (2); more than one initial agitator and matched primary conveyor belts thereof are disposed around the mixing agitator (3) at intervals.

A method for manufacturing a product in the form of a sheet or a block, including: preparing an initial mixture including one or more stones or a stone-like granular material having a selected particle size and a binder; depositing a layer of the initial mixture having a predetermined thickness onto a surface of a conveyor belt; performing prepressing and finally obtaining a roughly formed material; systematically depositing layers of initial mixtures onto surface of the conveyor belt in parallel, making each layer not superposed in a direction perpendicular to surface of the conveyor belt, but arranged in sequence in a direction of width of the conveyor belt to form a multi-component or composite mixture structure; conveyor belt conveys the multi-component or composite mixture into a rotated container or support member; after discharged from the rotated container or support member, a final mixture is conveyed to perform subsequent pre-compression and hardening.

Systems and methods of thermoforming stone slabs are provided, such as by heating a stone slab while forming it to a mold. Curved stone slabs may be produced having low radii of curvature.

A plant for the production of slabs from a mixture of agglomerate comprises a station (50) with a mixture distribution unit (52) which pours the mixture onto the inner surface of a slab forming mould (11) present in the station. The mould (11) is provided with a sheet (15) of plastic protective material arranged above the inner surface of the mould and which forms the surface for contact with the mixture which is introduced into the mould by the distribution unit (52). The station comprises air suction means which are coupled/connected to suction ducts (54) which are present in the mould and which emerge with their front end inside the mould in a zone of the mould situated between the inner surface of the mould and the sheet (15), so as to allow the suction of air between the sheet and this inner surface and bring the sheet (15) against this surface by means of a vacuum. A method for the production of slabs is also described.

A device and method device for continuous mixing and laying of cementitious coating onto a substrate. There is a first mixing stage for metering and mixing a first liquid and a second liquid to create a first mix and a second mixing stage for metering and mixing the first mix with aggregate to form a second mix. The first and second mixing stages use flow meters and flow controllers for metering and restricting the flow of the first liquid, the second liquid and aggregate. A controller operatively coupled to the flow meters and flow controllers controls the mixing in a closed-feedback arrangement. A screed box applies the second mix onto the substrate to create a flooring layer. The flooring may be in a food processing plant.

A composite body includes a bound mixture and a resin. The bound mixture includes a binder and a plurality of particles. The resin fully infiltrates the bound mixture such that the resin fully infiltrates an entire thickness of the composite body. The composite body is formed by combining a plurality of particles with a binder to form a bound mixture and infiltrating the bound mixture with a resin to a depth such that substantially an entire thickness of the composite body contains the resin.

A mold (10) intended to form a slab from a mixture of agglomerate, a sheet (15) of PVA-based plastic material deposited over the mold surfaces 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 system involving a plant and mold are also described.

An apparatus including a first dispensing device configured to supply a first material to a conveyor belt of the main conveyor device in response to control by the computer processor, and a second dispensing device configured to supply a second material on top of the first material, while the first material is on the conveyor belt to form a combination comprised of at least the first and second materials, in response to control by the computer processor. The combination may be compressed by a first compression device in response to control by the computer processor. The compressed combination may be stirred by a first stirring device in response to control by the computer processor to form a first modified combination. The first modified combination may be compressed by a second compression device in response to control by the computer processor to form a compressed first modified combination.