EP3380674A1

EP3380674A1 - Paving tile, method to produce paving tiles and plant to make a paving tile

Info

Publication number: EP3380674A1
Application number: EP16828972.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano Perna
Original assignee: Stefano Perna SRLS
Current assignee: SERQ SARL
Priority date: 2015-11-27
Filing date: 2016-11-28
Publication date: 2018-10-03
Also published as: ITUB20155976A1; WO2017090013A1

Abstract

Paving tile comprising a base body (12) and a covering layer (14) associated with at least one surface of the base body. The covering layer (14) is made of a covering resinous agglomerate configured to define the anchorage of the covering layer to the base body (12). A method to produce paving tiles (10) and a plane to make a paving tile are also disclosed.

Description

PAVING TILE, METHOD TO PRODUCE PAVING TILES AND PLANT TO MAKE A PAVING TILE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a paving tile, for example to make pavements, mainly outside, such as roads, squares, pavements, paths, cobbled ways, lanes, or similar structures or parts thereof, although it is not excluded that the tiles can also be used for making internal floorings.

The present invention also concerns a plant and method to produce paving tiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of constructions in general, it is now known that the technique for making self-blocking tiles for paving provides that they are produced with a single layer of concrete or a double layer or concrete with different colors and/or grain sizes.

In particular, the solution of the double-layer tile provides that a first layer, or base body, is made of cement agglomerate and that on at least one surface of the base body a covering layer is deposited, defined by an agglomerate of mineral particles bonded together by a cement-based binder.

Currently, paving tiles are made manually and/or automatically using suitable plants.

Paving tiles thus produced have esthetic limitations and disadvantages such as, by way of example, limits to the color, since only certain types of colors can be obtained and such colors are dull and faded due to the cement materials on which they are based, such as cement binders, natural inert materials and limited spectrum colorants.

Moreover, state-of-the-art paving tiles have the disadvantage of a porous structure that promotes the absorption of liquids and dirt.

Another problem connected to the porosity of known paving tiles is that it facilitates them getting dirty with mud, water, earth, rain, dust, salts, etc.

Apart from the ease with which paving tiles get dirty and retain the dirt, we must also add the difficulty and problems connected with cleaning them practically and effectively.

Furthermore, porosity promotes the occurrence of cracks and/or fractures due to solidification and consequent dilation of the liquids that penetrate them. In the case of water, for example, forming ice.

These difficulties in cleaning paving tiles in the state of the art can lead, with regard to their place of installation, to danger of the users slipping, both autonomously and also on board means of transport.

Additionally, the infiltration of liquids and dirt in general promotes the creation of molds, fungi and/or moss that damage the paving tiles, therefore conferring on them an anti-esthetic and unhygienic appearance.

Another problem derives from the action of chemical agents on the paving tiles, which are responsible for the creation of efflorescence due to saltpeter or other salts.

Such paving tiles are used mainly outside, to replace stones, asphalt and/or artefacts of various types, accentuating the problems described above.

Sometimes, these limited performances are mitigated by using surface protections, but these have the disadvantage that they have short and limited duration and effectiveness.

Another disadvantage is due to the premature degeneration of known paving tiles, so that they have to be prematurely replaced.

Document FR-A-2.926.565 describes a method for decorating tiles which, among its different operations, also provides to deposit, on a region of a slab for example made of concrete, granular material such as sand or gravel, attached to the slab by an inorganic or organic based binder. However, the sole purpose of this solution is to increase the anti-slip property of the tile and therefore it has very limited thicknesses which make the tile unsuitable to make floorings which last long over time.

Document EP-A-2.060.362 describes the embodiment of tiles for floors made of stone and on which a thin film of covering is deposited. The thin film allows to define, in the final product, zones of the tile with different effects, for example opacity, brightness or contrast between different portions.

Document EP-A-0.325.249 describes the embodiment of an artefact defined by a base body made of marble or stone, on a surface of which, after some treatments, a resin loaded with fiber glass is distributed. On the loaded resin stone chippings are subsequently sprinkled which are made to penetrate into the layer of loaded resin by vibration or compression. It is subsequently provided to catalyze the resin, to level off the surface by mechanical operations and to finish the untreated surface to obtain a product with refined esthetic characteristics.

However, this solution is extremely complex to obtain if for no other reason than the particular conformation of the base body which is defined by a single block of stone or marble. Moreover, the particular deposition modes require complex subsequent finishing operations with high production costs.

EP-A-0.731.237 describes a solution in which an artefact is defined by a support body made of polymer foam on the surface of which an epoxy resin is deposited with particles of quartz. However, this solution does not guarantee bearing properties for the artefact obtained, and that makes it particularly unsuitable for pavements.

Application EP-A-2.737.984 describes a method and a plant for making cement tiles, but this is not structured for making tiles according to the present invention.

There is therefore a need to obtain a paving tile using a corresponding method, and providing a plant to obtain it, which allow to overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to obtain a paving tile that is long-lasting over time and guarantees the duration of its initial conditions, no matter where it is installed, for as long as possible.

Another purpose is to obtain a paving tile with a structure that prevents the absorption of liquids and dirt in general.

Therefore, it is also a purpose of the present invention to obtain a paving tile that is simple and quick to clean.

Another purpose is to obtain a paving tile that can resist chemical action and/or physical stresses, even if they are of strong intensity or extended over time.

Another purpose is to obtain a paving tile that has inertia to heat dilation.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a paving tile to obtain a much wider range of esthetic solutions, allowing to obtain geometries, colors, textures, chromatic effects and esthetic qualities that are equal or superior to those obtainable in the state of the art. Another purpose is to obtain paving tiles that are less thick than those of the state of the art, while still guaranteeing to support greater or equal stresses.

One purpose connected to the previous one is to lead to a reduction in the weight of the paving tiles, facilitating their transport and storage, as well as making working for the operators much lighter and easier.

Furthermore, another purpose of the present invention is to perfect a paving tile with greater surface adherence which reduces the possibility of slipping.

Another purpose is to obtain a paving tile and corresponding method possibly by using existing plants as they are, or with minimum modifications and/or devices.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a paving tile according to the present invention comprises at least a base body, made of a base agglomerate, and a covering layer associated with at least one surface of the base body.

According to the present invention, the base body is made of a cement agglomerate, or alternatively, of a resinous agglomerate, which defines the greater part of the thickness of the paving tile.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the covering layer is made of a covering resinous agglomerate comprising one or more inert materials, and at least a material with a polymer base mixed with the inert materials and with the function of binding the latter.

The resinous covering agglomerate allows to define a paving tile in which the surface, which usually faces toward the outside during use, is covered by the layer of covering resinous agglomerate that can have more varied colors, according to specific needs and esthetic requirements and decoration.

The presence of a covering resinous agglomerate guarantees the structural absence of porosity, at least in the covering layer, preventing external elements from damaging them and conferring on them an intrinsic cleanliness.

Moreover, it is possible to obtain paving tiles that have an increased resistance to chemical and physical stresses, allowing to make them with smaller thicknesses than those known in the state of the art.

It is therefore possible to define a tile in which the base body can be made of a low-cost material, with a structural function only, while the covering layer can also be made of a quality material to obtain a desired esthetic result. This also allows to respect the low-cost production of the tiles.

Between the base body and the covering layer a synergic attachment is created due to a mechanical anchorage, as well as chemical, given by the wet and anchoring property of the resins on the base body.

According to variant embodiments, between the base body and the covering layer an anchoring layer is interposed, to increase the adhesion between them.

According to possible solutions of the invention, the finishing resinous agglomerate can comprise pigments of various types, allowing to obtain a range of esthetic solutions, effects and devices among the most diverse.

The present invention also concerns a method to make paving tiles which comprises:

- the generation of a base agglomerate;

- the production of a base body with said base agglomerate;

- the generation of a finishing resinous agglomerate with one or more inert materials and at least a polymer based material mixed with the inert materials and with the function of binding the latter;

- the application or deposition, on at least one surface of the base body, of the finishing resinous agglomerate to define a covering layer on the base body in order to obtain the tile.

Moreover, the making of the base body provides that the base body occupies a volume comprised between 60% and 95% of the volume of the tile.

Embodiments of the present invention also concern a plant to make paving tiles as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a perspective view of a paving tile in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 2 is a view of a possible variant of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 3 is a view of another variant of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a plant to make paving tiles in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 5 is a sectioned perspective view of a part of a plant to make paving tiles in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 6 is a simplified perspective view of another part of a plant to make paving tiles in accordance with embodiments described here.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1-3 are used to describe example embodiments of a paving tile 10 according to the present invention comprising at least a base body 12 and at least a covering layer 14.

The base body 12 can be made of a lower quality material compared with those of the covering layer 14 in order to reduce the cost of the paving tile 10.

Preferably the base body 12 occupies a volume comprised between 60% and 95%.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the base body 12 occupies a volume comprised between 70% and 95%, even more preferably between 80% and 90% of the volume of the paving tile 10.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the base body 12 can have a thickness comprised between 4cm and 12cm, preferably between 4cm and 10cm.

The base body 12 is made with a base agglomerate, with a structural bearing function of the paving tile 10.

According to the solutions shown in figs. 1 and 2, the base agglomerate can be defined by a cement agglomerate in which mineral parts are bound with respect to each other by a cement based binder. Merely by way of example, in the case of a cement agglomerate this can include inert materials, such as quartz, stone chippings, sand, clay, expanded clay, and cement binders, such as grey cement and/or white cement, additives for concrete, structural fibers, similar and comparable elements and water.

According to a possible variant embodiment, as an alternative or in addition, the base agglomerate can comprise a material with a resinous base as shown in fig. 3.

According to possible solutions, the resinous material includes polymer materials, such as binders with a base of mixtures of resins, additives to increase the chemical attachment to the inert materials, similar and comparable elements.

According to the present invention the resinous material can comprise epoxy resins, acrylic resins, polyurethane resins, cement resins, polyvinyl chloride PVC, polyurethane PU, polycarbonate PC, polypropylene PP, polyphenyl ether PPE, polyamide PA, polystyrene PS, polymethyl methacrylate PMMA, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS, plastic materials in general, mixtures, derivatives and/or compounds thereof, and similar or comparable elements.

The resinous based material can also include inert materials such as minerals or synthetic compounds, for example ground rubbers.

The inert materials associated with the base agglomerate can have a grain size comprised between 3mm and 15mm, preferably between 5mm and 10mm.

According to the present invention, the covering layer 14 is made of a covering resinous material defining the anchorage of the covering layer 14 to the base body 12, without the aid of suitable glues.

Indeed, between the base body 12 and the covering layer 14 an optimum attachment and interpenetration is obtained.

According to a possible solution, the covering resinous agglomerate comprises one or more inert materials, suitable to confer a particular esthetic effect on the paving tile 10 and at least one polymer based material mixed with the inert materials with the function of binding them.

According to possible solutions, the polymer based material can comprise the same materials that the resin agglomerate described above is made of, with reference to the base body 12 as in fig. 3.

According to a possible solution, the covering resinous agglomerate can also comprise pigments of natural and/or synthetic origin, also but not only with a metal, iridescent, mother-of-pearl, phosphorescent and/or photo luminescent effect, or other.

By means of the covering layer 14, which is made on the surface of the base body 12 which, during use, faces toward the outside, it is therefore possible to make the paving tile 10 assume a virtually infinite chromatic spectrum.

In addition, at least the parts of the paving tile 10 made of covering resinous agglomerate have self-cleaning properties and immunity to the action of external agents such as dirt, liquids, salts, etc.

According to a possible solution, the polymer based material can include at least one of either mono and/or bi-component synthetic resins, with or without insulating primers, and/or anchoring on the base body 12.

According to possible solutions, the inert materials can be the synthetic or natural type.

Merely by way of example, the inert materials can comprise at least one of either glass, and stone materials and/or minerals such as stones, marble, quartz, granite, natural and/or coated with colored synthetic materials or not, and similar and comparable elements.

According to possible solutions of the present invention, the inert materials used to make the covering resinous agglomerate can comprise ground polymer material. Merely by way of example, it can be provided that the ground polymer material comprises ground rubber, for example EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer). Such inert materials can also be combined with the type of inert materials described above.

According to some solutions, the ground polymer material has a hardness comprised between 60 and 90 Shore A.

According to possible embodiments of the present invention, the inert materials can have sizes comprised between 3mm and 10mm.

According to possible embodiments of the present invention, it can be provided that the covering layer 14 has a porous configuration with a ratio between solid and hollow comprised between 30% and 60%, preferably comprised between 40% and 50%.

This configuration allows to obtain a tile 10 able to supply a predefined level of draining rain water, which prevents stagnation.

At least one of either the base body 12 or the covering layer 14, that is, the agglomerates that define them, can comprise reinforcement components, such as fibers, binders, fabrics and/or reticulates, or other elements used to increase the mechanical resistance capacity.

This allows to obtain a reduction in sizes, at least in thickness, compared with tiles in the state of the art, while still guaranteeing resistance to stresses that respects desired limits. Consequently, the paving tiles 10 can be lighter, facilitating handling for the operators.

According to possible solutions of the present invention, at least one of the surfaces that are external during use of the covering layer 14 can be provided with decorative elements, such as designs and/or textures, to obtain personalized effects and esthetic devices on the paving tiles 10. The decorative elements can be obtained by means of natural and/or synthetic inert materials in variable ratios and/or grain sizes, using glass, stones, marble, quartzes and/or granite for example, either natural and/or coated with synthetic and non-synthetic materials, colored or non-colored.

According to variant embodiments, not shown, on the surface of the covering layer 14 surface irregularities can be made, such as knurling and/or ribs and/or scallops to increase the adherence of the paving tile 10.

According to variant embodiments described using fig. 2, between the base body 12 and the covering layer 14 it is possible to provide an anchoring layer 16 with a function of improved anchorage and accentuated interpenetration between the base body 12 and the covering layer 14.

The anchoring layer 16 can comprise, by way of example, a primer or fixative.

Embodiments of the present invention also concern a plant 20, shown by way of example in figs. 4-6, to produce paving tiles 10 as described above.

The plant 20 according to the present invention comprises at least a first generation unit 21 configured to generate the base agglomerate and at least a second generation unit 22 configured to generate the covering resinous agglomerate.

The first generation unit 21 and the second generation unit 22 can be configured to receive, in predefined measures, the components needed to define the respective agglomerates, and to mix them together so as to obtain uniform mixes.

According to some solutions of the present invention, the first generation unit 21 and the second generation unit 22 can comprise at least one of either a mixer, a cement mixer, one or more containers for supplying components, conveyor belts, means for supplying water solutions.

According to the solution shown in fig. 4, the first generation unit 21 and the second generation unit 22 each comprise at least one silo 23 in which one or more components, defining the base agglomerate and the covering resinous agglomerate, are stored.

The first generation unit 21 and the second generation unit 22 can also comprise a mixing apparatus 24 in which the components of the base agglomerate and the covering resinous agglomerate are mixed together to define a homogeneous mix.

To this purpose the mixing apparatuses 24 are connected by pipes to the respective silos 23 to supply the components to be mixed.

The covering resinous agglomerate advantageously has the consistency of damp earth, so as not to dirty the components of the plant 20.

The mixing apparatuses 24 are configured to mix the components to take the base agglomerate and the covering resinous agglomerate to a consistency such that they do not dirty the subsequent components of the plant 20 that are located downstream, as will be described hereafter.

Merely by way of example it can be provided that the agglomerates exiting from the mixing apparatuses 24 have a consistency of damp earth, that is, they are consistent enough to support themselves if they are compacted, they are not destroyed due to an over-liquid consistency, and do not dirty the components of the plant 20.

For example, the base agglomerate can contain substances with ratios of mixture that depend and vary depending on the zone of production and on the raw materials available.

The plant 10 also comprises a molding unit 25, or block mold, in which the base agglomerate and the covering resinous agglomerate are deposited, in a programmed sequence, to obtain at least one paving tile 10, advantageously a plurality of paving tiles 10.

The molding unit 25 can be equipped with one or more molds 26 reproducing the shape and size of the paving tiles 10 and in which the base agglomerate and the covering resinous agglomerate are disposed or inserted in sequence.

The molds 26 can be divided into a plurality of sectors 27, each of which reproduces the shape of one of the paving tiles 10. The sectors 27 can have the same shape or different shape.

According to a possible solution, the mold 26 is provided with a fixed part 28, in which the base and covering resinous agglomerates are usually disposed, and with a mobile part 29 that is put to close the fixed part 28 and allows to confer the desired form on the agglomerates.

The fixed part 28 can possibly be provided with the sectors 27 as described above.

At least the mobile part 29 of the mold 26 can be connected to a press 30, configured to move the mobile part 29 toward/away from the fixed part 28. The press 30 allows to compact the base and covering resinous agglomerates once they have been introduced into the mold 26.

According to possible solutions, vibration members 31 are associated with the mold 26, or at least one of either the fixed part 28 or the mobile part 29, and are configured to induce into the base and covering resinous agglomerates vibrations suitable to increase their compactness and to prevent the formation of bubbles inside the paving tile 10 which compromise its mechanical properties.

According to possible solutions, the molding unit 25 can be governed by a first distribution unit 32 and a second distribution unit 33, configured to distribute inside the mold 26 the base agglomerate and covering resinous agglomerate to generate the paving tile 10.

According to a possible solution, the first distribution unit 32 and the second distribution unit 33 can each comprise at least a container 34 into which the base agglomerate and covering resinous agglomerate are respectively poured, and a distribution member 35 configured to pour them into the mold 26.

By way of example, the containers 34 can have a containing capacity of base agglomerate and covering resinous agglomerate to fill about one or two molds 26. The distribution member 35 can be provided with a blade 36 which, by sliding on the mold 26, releases and levels a quantity of base agglomerate or covering resinous agglomerate adequate to make the base body 12.

According to a possible solution, between the first generation unit 21, the second generation unit 22 and the molding unit 25 transfer units 37 are interposed, configured to transfer from the first generation unit 21 and the second generation unit 22 respectively the base agglomerate and covering resinous agglomerate toward the molding unit 25 or, if present, toward the first distribution unit 32 and the second distribution unit 33.

The transfer units 37 can comprise a conveyor belt 38, as shown in fig. 5, provided to receive the base agglomerate or covering resinous agglomerate and take it toward the molding unit 25.

According to a variant embodiment shown in fig. 4, the transfer units 37 can comprise a transfer way 39 on which one or more sliders or more generally containers 40 are installed, configured to contain and transfer the agglomerates along the transfer way 39.

The transfer ways 39 are configured to take the containers 40 to a first operating position, suitable to receive one of the agglomerates from the first generation unit 21 or the second generation unit 22, and a second operating condition suitable to discharge one of the agglomerates toward the molding unit 25 or, possibly, if present, toward the first distribution unit 32 or second distribution unit 33.

The plant 20 can comprise a transfer unit 41 associated downstream of the molding unit 25 and configured to transfer the paving tiles 10 toward a temporary storage station.

According to variant embodiments, not shown, the plant 20 can comprise heating means configured to heat and dry the paving tiles 10.

Furthermore, the plant 20 can comprise suction means configured to stabilize the base body 12 and/or the covering layer 14 in a vacuum.

The present invention also concerns a method to produce a paving tile 10 as described above, which provides at least to generate the base agglomerate, to produce at least a base body 12 with the base agglomerate, to generate the covering resinous agglomerate and to make a covering layer 14 with the finishing resinous agglomerate.

These operations can be carried out manually or automatically for example using the plant 20 described above.

In particular, the method can provide to make first the base body 12 and then the covering layer 14, which is put to cover at least part of a surface of the base body 12.

This allows to obtain a base body 12 with a self-supporting function able to also support the covering layer 14 that is subsequently disposed above.

However, it is not excluded that the covering layer 14 can be made first and then the base body 12.

The method can provide to compact the base body 12, in order to make it self- supporting, and to subsequently deposit the covering layer 14 on at least a surface thereof. During the deposition of the covering resinous agglomerate 14, the first compacting of the base body 12 prevents there being any interpenetration and mixing thereof with the base agglomerate 12. This ensures that a tile is obtained with desired esthetic properties.

According to a possible solution, the finishing resinous agglomerate is applied on the base body 12, or vice versa, and the subsequent drying is provided of the base agglomerate and finishing resinous agglomerate. This solution avoids long waiting times for example to allow to dry one and/or the other material. In this case, the base body 12 and the covering layer 14 are obtained in the finished form even before either the base agglomerate or the finishing resinous agglomerate are dry, that is, when they are still in their hydrated condition.

According to a possible solution, it can be provided that, after the base body 12 and the covering layer 14 have been made, there is also an overall compacting of the base body 12 and the covering layer 14 to confer on the paving tile 10 a self-supporting structure even before it is dried.

If the base agglomerate is the "cement" type, the paving tile 10 can be self- supporting after the base body 12 and the covering layer 14 have been deposited, therefore allowing to extract the paving tile 10 from the corresponding mold 26 and the consequent operations to store and mature it in a suitable structure.

If the base agglomerate is the "resinous" type, following molding it can split apart if removed immediately from the mold. To this purpose a suitable container may be necessary in which the paving tiles 10 are maintained even after they are created. In this case, the paving tile 10 will have to stay in the suitable container until it has at least partly dried. The container can be a disposable container, such as for example a form or casing made of polystyrene or similar material, which is introduced directly into the mold even before the agglomerates have been deposited, itself functioning at least partly as a mold.

Alternatively, the container can be the re-usable type, such as an aluminum container, stainless steel, Plexiglas or other suitable material.

According to a possible solution of the invention, the plant 20 functions as follows.

The components needed to prepare the base agglomerate and covering resinous agglomerate are inserted into the mixing apparatuses 24.

The components are mixed in the mixing apparatuses 24 until their desired consistency is obtained.

Subsequently, the agglomerates are transferred by the transfer units 37 to the molding unit 25.

In particular, with reference to fig. 4, the agglomerates are transferred by the containers 40 to the first distribution unit 32 and the second distribution unit 33.

The first distribution unit 32 deposits a first layer of base agglomerate in the mold 26, to define therein at least one, in this case a plurality of base bodies 12. The base agglomerate can be distributed in the fixed part 28 of the mold 26 until it fills it.

Furthermore, to facilitate the extraction of the paving tiles 10 from the corresponding mold 26, before the agglomerates are distributed in the mold 26, it may be provided to use dismantling materials which facilitate the de-coupling of the contact surfaces.

In particular, it can be provided to drive the press 20 and/or the vibration members 31 to compact the base body 12. The compacting allows to generate in the fixed part 28 of the mold 26 a space sufficient to deposit the covering resinous agglomerate 14.

It is then provided, with the second distribution unit 33, to deposit the covering resinous agglomerate 14 in the fixed part 28 of the mold 26.

The covering layer 14 is put to fill the remaining space left free by the compacting of the base bodies 12.

According to a possible solution, before depositing the covering layer 14, the anchoring layer 16 is deposited.

The anchoring layer 16 can be laid using "airless" techniques, or other application methods for resinous compounds of liquid consistency, by way of example non-yellowing mono- and bi-component synthetic resins, insulating and/or anchoring with direct attachment on the base body 12, allowing to improve and further increase the attachment between the base body 12 and the covering layer 14.

A subsequent compacting of the paving tile 10 is provided, to compact both the base bodies 12 and the covering layer 14 together.

Then, a subsequent extraction of the paving tiles 10 is provided, while still in their non-dried condition, from the molding unit 25, to start a subsequent step of making other paving tiles 10.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the paving tile 10, the corresponding plant 20 and the method of production as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of paving tile 10, the corresponding plant 20 and the method of production, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

I . Paving tile comprising a base body (12), made with a base agglomerate, and a covering layer (14) associated with at least one surface of said base body, characterized in that said covering layer (14) is made of a covering resinous agglomerate defining the anchorage of said covering layer (14) to said base body (12), said covering resinous agglomerate comprising one or more inert materials, and at least a material with a polymer base mixed with said inert materials, with the function of binding the latter, and in that said base body (12) occupies a volume comprised between 60% and 95% of the volume of the tile.

2. Tile as in claim 1, characterized in that between said base body (12) and said covering layer (14) an anchoring layer (16) is interposed.

3. Tile as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said inert materials comprise at least one of either glass and/or stone materials and/or minerals.

4. Tile as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said inert materials used to make the covering resinous agglomerate comprise ground polymer material.

5. Tile as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said inert materials are comprised between 3mm and 10mm in size.

6. Tile as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said base agglomerate is defined by a cement agglomerate in which mineral parts are bound together by a cement-based binder.

7. Tile as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said base agglomerate comprises a material with a resinous base.

8. Tile as in claim 7, characterized in that said material with a resinous base also includes inert materials such as minerals or synthetic compounds.

9. Tile as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said base body (12) occupies a volume comprised between 70% and 95%, more preferably between 80% and 90% of the volume of the paving tile (10).

10. Tile as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said base body (12) has a thickness comprised between 4cm and 12cm.

I I. Tile as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said covering resinous agglomerate comprises pigments.

12. Method to produce paving tiles (10) comprising the generation of a base agglomerate and the production of a base body (12) with said base agglomerate, characterized in that it comprises:

- the generation of a finishing resinous agglomerate with one or more inert materials and at least a polymer based material mixed with said inert materials and with the function of binding the latter and

- the application, on at least one surface of said base body (12), of said finishing resinous agglomerate to define a covering layer (14) on said base body (12) in order to obtain said tile (10);

and in that the making of said base body (12) provides that said base body (12) occupies a volume comprised between 60% and 95% of the volume of the tile (10).

13. Method as in claim 12, characterized in that said finishing resinous agglomerate is applied on said base body (12), or vice versa, and in that the subsequent drying of said base agglomerate and said finishing resinous agglomerate is provided.

14. Method as in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said finishing resinous agglomerate and said base agglomerate are inserted, in sequence, into a mold (26) of a molding unit (25).

15. Method as in claim 12, characterized in that said finishing resinous agglomerate and said base agglomerate are compacted.

16. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises the compacting of said base agglomerate to render it self-supporting, and the subsequent deposition/application of said covering layer (14).

17. Plant to make a paving tile that comprises a first generation unit (21) configured to generate a base agglomerate, and a second generation unit (22), characterized in that said second generation unit (22) comprises a mixing apparatus (24) configured to mix one or more inert materials and at least a polymer based material and to generate a covering resinous agglomerate, and in that it comprises a molding unit (25) connected to said first generation unit (21) and to said second generation unit (22) and configured to receive, in programmed sequence, said base agglomerate and said covering resinous agglomerate to obtain at least one paving tile (10).