COLORING SYSTEM AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR ARTIFICIAL COVERING STONES

摘要

A coloring system and a manufacturing process for coloring artificial covering stones are provided. A board layout represents a board of artificial covering stones. Several natural stone color patterns are provided, each being different from one another. The natural stone color patterns are associated with selected artificial stones of the board layout. Graphic parameters represent the natural stone color and are converted into coloring instructions. A conveyor conveys the board of artificial covering stones, and a positioning system determines respective positions of the artificial covering stones of the board, relative to a reference position. An in-line coloring device colors the artificial covering stones with the natural stone patterns, according to the coloring instructions and to the positions of the artificial stones. The selected artificial stones colored by the system are thus different from other stones of the board, and have a distinct, natural random-look.

主权项

1. A coloring system for coloring artificial covering stones, the system comprising:
a memory for storing:
a board layout representing a board of artificial covering stones; andseveral natural stone color patterns, each of the patterns being different from one another; a display for displaying the board layout and the natural stone patterns; an input for receiving instructions to select at least some of the stones of the board layout, and to associate the natural stone color patterns with selected artificial stones of the board layout; generating means for generating graphic parameters representative of the natural stone color patterns associated with the selected stones of the board layout; converting means for converting said graphic parameters into coloring instructions; a conveyor for conveying the board of artificial covering stones; a positioning system for determining respective positions of the artificial covering stones of the board, relative to a reference position; an in-line coloring device for coloring the artificial covering stones of the board conveyed by the conveyor with the natural stone patterns, according to the coloring instructions and to the positions of the artificial stones; the selected artificial stones colored by the system thereby being different from other stones of the board, and having a distinct, natural random-look.