Method and apparatus for forming marbelized engineered stone

An apparatus comprising:

• a computer processor;
• a first tool device;
• a first device configured to hold the first tool device;
• a second device configured to move the first tool device in an x direction, a y direction, and a z direction, when the first tool device is being held by the first device, in response to commands from the computer processor;
• and
• a device for moving a material into and out of a region;
• wherein the first tool device includes a working implement;
• and
• wherein the first device is configured with respect to the device for moving the material into and out of the region, so that the working implement of the first tool device is configured to be lowered in the z direction into a material located on a surface of the device for moving the material into and out of a region, and the first tool device is configured to be moved in the x and y direction, with the working implement simultaneously physically manipulating the material on the surface, in response to commands from the computer processor;
• wherein the working implement of the first tool device is a v-shaped press wheel, and the v-shaped press wheel physically manipulates the material, by rotating and rolling through the material to create a channel in the material;
• wherein the first tool device includes a spray device which is controlled by the computer processor, and which is configured to spray the material with a dye while the v-shaped press wheel is rotating and rolling through the material;
• and
• wherein the spray device is fixed in the first tool device and the v-shaped press wheel is rotatably mounted in the first tool device, so that when the first tool device is moved in the x and y direction, the spray device and the v-shaped press wheel are simultaneously moved in the x and y direction;
• and
• wherein the spray device is fixed with respect to the v-shaped press wheel and the first tool device is oriented with respect to the device for moving the material into and out of the region, and the first tool device is configured to be moved in the x and y direction to cause the v-shaped press wheel to carve a path in the material, so that the spray device is behind the v-shaped press wheel.

A method comprising the steps of:

• lowering a stirring blade of a first tool device into a material;
• rotating the stirring blade of the first tool device through the material, to thereby physically manipulate the material;
• wherein the material is a particulate material;
• and
• wherein the first tool device consists of a single elongated axle and a stirring blade;
• wherein the single elongated axle has a first end fixed to a first device, and a second end fixed to the stirring blade;
• wherein the single elongated axle has a length and a width, with the length of the single elongated axle substantially greater than the width of the elongated axle;
• wherein the stirring blade has a width which is substantially greater than the width of the single elongated axle;
• and
• wherein the stirring blade of the first tool device is configured to be lowered in the z direction into the material, to physically manipulate the material, and thereafter to be raised out of the material in response to commands from the computer processor, while a majority of the material remains stationary at the same location.

A method comprising the steps of:

• lowering a working implement of a first tool device into a material;
• moving the working implement of the first tool device through the material, to thereby physically manipulate the material;
• wherein the material is a particulate material;
• wherein the working implement of the first tool device is a v-shaped press wheel, and the wheel physically manipulates the material, by rotating and rolling through the material to create a channel;
• and
• wherein the first tool device includes a spray device which is controlled by the computer processor, and which is configured to spray the material with a dye onto a side wall of the channel;
• and
• wherein the spray device is fixed in the first tool device and the v-shaped press wheel is rotatably mounted in the first tool device, so that when the first tool device is moved in an x and y direction, the spray device and the v-shaped press wheel are simultaneously moved in the x and y direction;
• and
• wherein the spray device is fixed with respect to the v-shaped press wheel and the first tool device is oriented with respect to a device for moving the material into and out of the region, and the first tool device is configured to be moved in the x and y direction to cause the v-shaped press wheel to carve a path in the material, so that the spray device is behind the v-shaped press wheel.

An apparatus comprising:

• a computer processor;
• a first tool device;
• a second tool device;
• a first device configured to hold either the first tool device or the second tool device;
• a second device configured to move the first tool device in an x direction, a y direction, and a z direction, when the first tool device is being held by the first device, in response to commands from the computer processor;
• and
• a conveying device for moving a material into and out of a region;
• wherein the first tool device includes a v-shaped press wheel;
• wherein the first tool device includes a spray device which is controlled by the computer processor, and which is configured to spray the material with a dye;
• wherein the spray device is fixed to the first tool device and the v-shaped press wheel is mounted to the first tool device so that when the first tool device is moved in the x and y direction with respect to the material, the spray device and the v-shaped press wheel both move in the x and y direction respect to the material;
• wherein the v-shaped press wheel of the first tool device is configured to be lowered in the z direction into the material located on a surface of the conveying device for moving the material into and out of the region, and the first tool device is configured to be moved in the x and y direction, with the v-shaped press wheel simultaneously physically manipulating the material, in response to commands from the computer processor;
• wherein the material is located within the closed perimeter on the surface;
• and
• wherein the v-shaped press wheel of the first tool device is configured to be lowered in the z direction into the material, to physically manipulate the material, and thereafter to be raised out of the material.

An apparatus comprising:

• a computer processor;
• a first tool device;
• a first device configured to hold the first tool device;
• a second device configured to move the first tool device in an x direction, a y direction, and a z direction, when the first tool device is being held by the first device, in response to commands from the computer processor;
• and
• a conveying device for moving a material into and out of a region;
• wherein the first tool device includes a working implement;
• and
• wherein the first device is configured with respect to the conveying device for moving the material into and out of the region, so that the working implement of the first tool device is configured to be lowered in the z direction into a material located on a surface of the device for moving the material into and out of a region, and the first tool device is configured to be moved in the x and y direction, with the working implement simultaneously physically manipulating the material on the surface, in response to commands from the computer processor;
• wherein the working implement of the first tool device is a v-shaped press wheel, and the v-shaped press wheel physically manipulates the material, by rotating and rolling through the material to create a channel;
• and
• wherein the v-shaped press wheel forms a v-shaped channel when the v-shaped press wheel rolls through the material, such that the v-shaped channel is configured to close when a press machine is lowered onto the material.

A processed hardened slab formed by the process of:

• placing a particulate material on a sheet, while the particulate material is in a state so that the particulate material can be mixed and compressed;
• and
• forming a channel in the particulate material by use of a rotating v-shaped press wheel, while the particulate material is on the sheet;
• spraying dye into the channel;
• closing the channel after the dye has been sprayed into the channel;
• and
• hardening the particulate material after the channel has been closed.