# US 12,109,725 B2 · Method for pressing ceramic slabs > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,725 B2 - Document ID: US12109725B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/040,630 - Filed: 2019-03-25 - Published: 2021-04-22 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-26 - Assignees: System Ceramics S.P.A. - Applicants: System Ceramics S.P.A. - Inventors: Franco Stefani; Franco Gozzi; Ivan Ghirelli - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109725B2 ## CPC - B28B 11/12: for removing parts of the articles by cutting - B28B 13/022: {Feeding several successive layers, optionally of different materials} - B28B 3/02: wherein a ram exerts pressure on the material in a moulding space; Ram heads of special form - B28B 3/123: {on material in moulds or on moulding surfaces moving continuously underneath or between the rollers, e.g. on an endless belt} - B28B 13/0215: {Feeding the moulding material in measured quantities from a container or silo} - B28B 17/00: Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for shaping the material; Auxiliary measures taken in connection with such shaping (moulds B28B7/00; after-treatment B28B11/00; feeding or discharging B28B13/00; arrangements for embedding elements in the material B28B23/00) - B30B 5/06: co-operating with another endless band - B30B 15/308: {in a continuous manner, e.g. for roller presses, screw extrusion presses} - B28B: SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER (foundry moulding B22C; working stone or stone-like material B28D; shaping of substances in a plastic state, in general B29C; making layered products not composed wholly of these substances B32B) - B30B: PRESSES IN GENERAL (producing ultra-high pressure or ultra-high pressure and high temperature to effect modifications of a substance, e.g. for making artificial diamonds B01J3/00 ){(compressing means for refuse receptacles B65F1/1405)} ## Abstract A pressing method for pressing ceramic slabs, comprising the following steps: spreading a layer (1) of granular or powdered material onto a pressing plane (2), wherein the layer (1) comprises at least a first zone (11), with a prefixed area and border, made of a granular or powdered primary material, and at least a second zone (12), with a prefixed area and border, made of a granular or powdered secondary material different from the primary material; pressing the layer (1) using a press (P); separating at least a main portion (10) of the first zone (11) from the second zone (12). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressing method for pressing ceramic slabs or tiles, wherein the pressing takes place through a press structured to press a maximum format comprising following steps: spreading a layer of granular or powdered material on a continuous pressing plane, wherein the layer comprises at least a first zone, made of a granular or powdered primary material, which has a smaller area and border than the maximum format, and at least a second zone, made of a granular or powdered secondary material, different from the primary material, which has an area and border conformed so that the total border and area of the layer correspond to the maximum format; pressing the layer using a press; separating at least a main portion of the first zone from the second zone, wherein the primary material of the main portion of the first zone is separated from all of the secondary material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of subdividing the main portion into a determined number of portions having a smaller surface area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the second zone comprises one or more lateral zones flanked to the first zone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first zone has a rectangular border. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the second zone comprises one or two lateral zones flanked to opposite sides of the first zone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the second zone comprises one or two transversal zones flanked to opposite sides of the first zone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of recovering and reusing the granular or powdered material separated from the main portion for spreading the second zone of another layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the recovery and reuse step comprises at least a step of crushing the granular or powdered material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the recovery and reuse step comprises at least a step of particle size selection or screening of the granular or powdered material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the recovery and reuse step comprises at least a step of moistening the granular or powdered material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the recovery and reuse step comprises at least a step of mixing the granular or powdered material with a prefixed quantity of primary material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of recovering and reusing the granular or powdered material separated from the main portion, wherein a determined quantity of granular or powdered material separated from the main portion is mixed with the primary material for spreading the first zone of another layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of spreading a surface layer of primary material above the layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of spreading a surface layer of a third material above the layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, comprising a step of recovering and reusing the granular or powdered material separated from the main portion, wherein a determined quantity of granular or powdered material separated from the main portion is mixed with the primary material for spreading the first zone of another layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of recovering and reuse the granular or powdered material separated from the main portion for spreading a base or intermediate layer within the thickness of another layer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the pressing of layer uses a pressing die. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary material of the main portion of the first zone is separated from all of the secondary material in a pressing device.