IL313129B2 - Tool designed for mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates for making a product - Google Patents

Description

CST-P-016-IL 1 TOOL DESIGNED FOR MIXING A MIXTURE OF POLYMERIC RESIN AND AGGREGATES FOR MAKING A PRODUCT FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] The present invention relates generally to tools for making artificial stones. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tool designed for mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates for making a product from artificial stones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002] Artificial stones (also known in the art as artificial stones, agglomerated stone, etc.) are widely used as building materials e.g., for kitchen countertops, work surfaces, indoor and outdoor floors, wall claddings, dressing tables, bathtubs, washbowls, and interior articles. Artificial stone products are in great demand due to their ability to be manufactured in a wide variety of patterns and colors that cannot be found in nature and to show superior physical and mechanical performance when compared to natural stone. [003] These artificial stones are generally manufactured by mixing 5-20 wt.% unsaturated polyester thermoset or acrylic thermoset compositions and aggregate and/or mineral. The unsaturated polyester thermoset compositions comprise an oligomeric chain comprised of saturated dicarboxylic acids or its anhydride as well as unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or anhydride. These two acids are reacted with one or more di-alcohols. The Resin mixture also comprises a reactive solvent, e.g., styrene, and cobalt-octoate as a curing process accelerator. The acrylic thermoset compositions comprise monomeric units selected from acrylate, methacrylate, and any derivative thereof and a crosslinker. The aggregate and/or mineral can be any type of quartz, quartzite, feldspar, glass particles, clay, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, or any combination thereof. The mixture is substantially homogeneous across the entire slab. [004] In order to mimic the appearance of natural stones or to form patterns on artificial stones, pigments and different types of aggregates are used at different areas on the surface of the artificial stone. The pigments and/or aggregates are spread in a pattern on top and/or inside of the aggregate/resin mixture prior to pressing and heating. [005] There is need for a tool for better blending of the pigments and/or aggregates into the mixture, to achieve desired designs.

CST-P-016-IL 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [006] Some aspects of the invention may be directed to a tool for mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates, and optionally also pigments, for making an article, such as, an artificial stone. The tool according to embodiments of the invention may provide more reliable, controlled, repeatable, etc. which may result in higher mixing quality that may provide diverse results, for producing artificial stones. [007] Some embodiments of the invention may include a tool designed for mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates for making a product. The mixing tool may include: at least one mixing pair comprising: a first helical element spiraling in a first direction; and a second helical element spiraling in a second direction, opposite to the first; and a unit configured to deliver rotational movement from at least one motor to the first helical element and the second helical element in opposite rotational directions. [008] In some embodiments, the unit may be a housing comprises: a first gear unit connected to the first helical element and configured to spin the first helical element in a first spinning direction; a second gear unit connected to the second helical element and configured to spin the second helical element in a second spinning direction opposite to the first spinning direction; and at least one shaft connectable to the at least one motor ,, and configured to deliver rotational movements to the first and second gear units. In some embodiments, the unit my include at least one of, a rotatable joint, a rotating connector, and a rotary coupler. [009] In some embodiments, a distance between a first helix of the first helical element and a second helix of the second helical element may be determined based on the required distribution of at least one of a pigment in the mixture and aggregates of the mixture. In some embodiments, the first helical element may include a first axial rod and the first helix and the second helical element comprises a second axial rod and the second helix, and wherein each axial rod is connectable to a corresponding gear unit at a proximal end. [0010] In some embodiments, longitudinal axes of the first helical element and second helical element may be angled one with respect to the other. In some embodiments, an angle between longitudinal axes of the first helical element and second helical element may be between 0 to 180 . [0011] In some embodiments, the mixing tool may further include at least two pairs, and wherein longitudinal axes of a first pair and a second pair are angled one with respect to the CST-P-016-IL 3 other. In some embodiments, the mixing tool may further include at least two pairs, and wherein an angle between a first pair and a second pair is between 0 to 180 . [0012] In some embodiments, each of the first helical element and the second helical element comprises at least 0.5 turns. In some embodiments, each of the first helical element and the second helical element has a diameter of between 7 to 200 mm. In some embodiments, each of the first helical element and the second helical element may have a length of between 20 to 500 mm. In some embodiments, the first and second gear units may include one or more components selected from, gears, wheels, axes, bends, chines, shafts, and bearings. [0013] In some embodiments, the mixing tool may further include two or more mixing pairs connected to a single unit. mixing tool the housing may be an end-of-arm unit connectable to a manufacturing device. mixing tool the mixing pairs may further be configured to rotate at 5 to 5000 RMP around a central axis of the end-of-arm unit. In some embodiments, the mixing tool may further include at least three mixing pairs located evenly around a central axis of the end-of-arm unit. [0014] In some embodiments, the housing is a tool bridge and the tool further comprises a plurality of mixing pairs aligned along the tool bridge. In some embodiments, the mixing tool may be attached to an X-Y table. In some embodiments, the motor configured to spin the first helical element and the second helical element at between 5 to 5000 RPM. [0015] Some additional aspects of the invention may be directed to a tool bridge comprising: a longitudinal housing; and a plurality of helical elements connected along the longitudinal housing. In some embodiments, at least some of the helical elements are spiraling in the same direction; and the tool bridge may further include a unit configured to deliver rotational movement from at least one motor to the plurality of helical elements in the same rotational direction. [0016] In some embodiments, the unit comprises at least one of, one or more gears, a rotatable joint, a rotating connector, and a rotary coupler. [0017] Some additional aspects of the invention may be directed to a method of making an artificial stone, the method may include: spreading on a conveyor or a mold a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates; mixing the mixture using a tool according to any one of the embodiments discloses herein.

CST-P-016-IL 4 id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18"

[0018] In some embodiments, the method may further include adding an additive according to a predetermined pattern on top of the mixture; and wherein the mixing comprises mixing the additive and the mixture. In some embodiments, the additive is selected from a pigment and an additional type of aggregate. In some embodiments, adding the additive is done during the mixing. In some embodiments, adding the additive is prior to the mixing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: [0020] Figs. 1A, 1B, and 1C are illustrations of various views of a tool according to some embodiments of the invention; [0021] Figs. 1D and 1E are illustrations of a mixing pair having angled helical elements according to some embodiments of the invention; [0022] Figs. 2A and 2B are illustrations of a perspective view and a side view of a unit connectable to a manufacturing device according to some embodiments of the invention; [0023] Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C are perspective, side, and front views of a tool bridge according to some embodiments of the invention; [0024] Fig. 4 is an illustration of the end-of-arm unit connected to the robotic arm during mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates to make a product, such as, a slab, according to some embodiments of the invention; [0025] Fig. 5 is an illustration of the tool bridge during mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates to make a product, such as, a slab, according to some embodiments of the invention; [0026] Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C are illustrations of various configurations of mixing pairs in a tool according to some embodiments of the invention; [0027] Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E are illustrations of various helical elements according to some embodiments of the invention; and CST-P-016-IL id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28"

[0028] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method of making an artificial stone accoridng to some embodiments of the invention. [0029] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0030] One skilled in the art will realize the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. [0031] Some aspects of the invention may be directed to a tool for mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates for making an artificial stone. The tool may allow mixing, dispersing, compacting, fragmenting, sheering, spreading, and the like. The tool may allow to add (e.g., mix) an additive such as a pigment, an additional type of aggregate, etc., into or onto the mixture, after being spread on a conveyor or a mold, in order to alter the final appearance of the artificial stone. For example, when the pigment may applied/deposited on top of the mixture, to form veins in the artificial stone, for example, for mimicking natural marble, the mixing/ fragmenting of the pigment in the mixture may provide a more "natural" appearance to the artificial stone. Alternatively, the mixing may be conducted at specific places in order to form a specific pattern, having a non-natural appearance. [0032] Accordingly, a mixing tool according to embodiments of the invention may include at least one mixing pair comprising two helical elements configured to mix the polymeric resin and aggregates spread on a tray. [0033] A mixture according to embodiments of the invention may include at least wt.% of an inorganic filler. In some embodiments, the inorganic filler is selected from quartz, quartzite, feldspar, nepheline, amorphous silica, glass particles, frits, grits, fused silica, calcium carbonate, marble particles, ceramic particles or any combination thereof. In some CST-P-016-IL 6 embodiments, the inorganic filler (or aggregates) is in the form of a plurality of particles having a median diameter ranging from 0.001 to 10 mm or more. In some embodiments, the inorganic filler may include a mixture of two or more types of aggregates, for example, wt.% quartzite and 50 wt.% quartz, or 20 wt.% quartzite and 80 wt.% quartz. [0034] In some embodiments, the mixture may include at least 5 wt.% of polymeric binder. In some embodiments, the polymeric binder may include, acrylic binder, epoxy, silicone resin, 0polyurethane, polyester (e.g., unsaturated polyester), and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the acrylic binder may include a plurality of monomeric units selected from acrylate, or any derivative thereof. [0035] In some embodiments, the acrylate is selected from methacrylate, methyl methacrylate (MMA), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), 2–ethylhexyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, isobornyl acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, and any derivative or combination thereof. In some embodiments, the monomeric unit comprises 2-EHA and MMA. In some embodiments, the MMA and 2-EHA are present at a weight ratio ranging from 5:1 to 3:1, respectively. [0036] In some embodiments, the polymeric binder may be cross-linked. For example, cross-linked acrylic polymer may include a cross-linker selected from the group comprising of: triethylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA), pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerithritol hexaacrylate, dendritic acrylates, and methacrylates having at least two functional groups, or any derivative or combination thereof. [0037] In another example, cross-linked polyester may include styrene, triethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate or any derivative or combination thereof. [0038] Reference is now made to Figs. 1A, 1B, and 1C which are illustrations of various views of a tool according to some embodiments of the invention. A tool 100 may include at least one mixing pair 10 comprising a first helical element 12 spiraling in a first direction, and a second helical element 14 spiraling in a second direction, opposite to the first. Some nonlimiting examples for helical elements 12 and 14 are given and discussed with respect to Figs. 7A-7E. In some embodiments, the spinning velocities of each element may be between to 5000 RPM, for example, 5 to 10 RMP, 10 to 100 RPM, 100 to 500 RPM, 500 to 10RPM, 1000 to 2500 RPM, 2500 to 5000 RPM and any value or range in between.

CST-P-016-IL 7 id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39"

[0039] In some embodiments, first helical element 12 and second helical element 14 may be made from all suitable alloys, such as, tool steel, high-speed steel, tempered steel, and the like. First helical element 12 and second helical element 14 may be coated with a coating that increases the wear resistance of the helical elements, for example, diamond coating, chromatic coating, and the like. [0040] In some embodiments, a distance D (illustrated in Fig. 1C) between a first helix of first helical element 12 and a second helix 13 of second helical element 14 (e.g., the distance between the central axes). In a nonlimiting example, D may be determined based on the required distribution of a pigment in the mixture. For example, the shorter D the finer in the spreading/mixing of aggregates and/or pigments on top of the product. In another nonlimiting example, D may be determined based on the required distribution of the aggregates, the required amount of air needs to be added to the mixture and the like. [0041] In some embodiments, D may be dependent on the diameter of first helical element 12 and second helical element 14. In some embodiments, D may be between 5 to 400 mm, for example, between 5 to 10 mm, between 10 to 50 mm, between 50 to 100 mm, between 100 to 250 mm, between 250 to 500 mm, and any value of range in between. [0042] As used herein, the term ‘product’ is directed to all the objects that can be made from compacting and hardening a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates. For example, the product may be a slab (e.g., a countertop slab for a kitchen), a brick, a tile, a sink, and the like. [0043] In some embodiments, first helical element 12 may include a first axial rod and first helix 11, and second helical element 14 may include a second axial rod 18 and second helix 13. In some embodiments, each axial rod 16 and 18 is connectable to a corresponding gear unit 22 and 24 at a proximal end. [0044] Tool 100 may further include a unit 20 configured to deliver rotational movement from at least one motor to first helical element 12 and second helical element14 in opposite rotational directions. In the nonlimiting example illustrated in Fig. 1C unit 20 is a housing may include a first gear unit 22 connected to first helical element 12 and configured to spin first helical element 12 in a first spinning direction, and a second gear unit 24 connected to second helical element 14 and configured to spin second helical element 14 in a second spinning direction opposite to the first spinning direction. In some embodiments, gear units and 24 may include one or more components selected from, connector for receiving and CST-P-016-IL 8 securing axial rod 16 and 18, gears, wheels, axes, bends, chines, shafts, and bearings. Gear units 22 and 24 are configured to rotatably connect axial rods 16 and 18 to at least one motor. [0045] Alternatively, unit 20 may include any other mechanism that may be configured to deliver rotational movement from at least one motor to first helical element 12 and second helical element14 in opposite rotational directions. For example, unit 20 may include at least one of a rotatable joint, a rotating connector, a rotary coupler, and the like. [0046] In some embodiments, tool 100 may include at least one shaft 30 (illustrated in Fig. 2B) connectable to at least one motor 35 (also illustrated in Fig. 2B), and configured to deliver rotational movements to first helical element 12 and second helical element14. [0047] Reference is now made to Figs. 1D and 1E which are illustrations of mixing pairs according to embodiments of the invention. Mixing pairs 10A and 10B may include helical elements 12 and 14 angled one with respect to the other. For example, the longitudinal axes of first helical element 12 and second helical element 14 may be angled one with respect to the other, either inwardly as in mixing pair 10A or outwardly as in mixing pair 10B. In some embodiments, an angle  between the longitudinal axes of the first helical element and second helical element is between 0 to 180 . For example, the angle  may be 10 , 20 , 30 , , 45 , 50 , 60 ,70 , 80 , 90 , 100 , 120 , 135 , 140 , 160 , 170 , 180 , and any value or range in between. [0048] In some embodiments, the tool may include more than one mixing pair 10, 10A, and/or 10B connected to single unit 20. [0049] Reference is now made to Figs. 2A and 2B are illustrations of a perspective view and a side view of an end-of-arm tool unit connectable to a manufacturing device (e.g., a robotic arm, an X-Y table, a lever, etc.) according to some embodiments of the invention. A tool 200 may be an end-of-arm unit connectable to a manufacturing device, (e.g., the robotic arm shown in Fig. 4). Tool 200 may include unit 220 which may be included in the end-of-arm unit. Unit 220 may be connectable to the manufacturing device. In some embodiments, tool 200 may include at least two, at least, three, at least four, or more mixing pairs 10, 10A, and/or 10B may be located evenly around a central axis unit housing 220. In some embodiments, mixing pairs 10, 10A, and/or 10B may be configured to rotate at 5 to 50RMP around a central axis of the end-of-arm unit, at any rotational direction. For example, the mixing pairs may rotate at 5 to 10 RPM, 10 to 50 RPM, 10 to 100 RPM, 100 to 200 CST-P-016-IL 9 RPM, 100 to 500 RPM, 100 to 1000 RPM, 500 to 2000 RPM, 1000 to 3000 RPM, 2500 to 5000 RPM, and any value or range in between. [0050] Tool 200 may include at least one shaft 30 connectable to at least one motor 35, and configured to deliver rotational movements to first and second gear units and pairs 10, 10A, and/or 10B and/or to rotate pairs 10, 10A, and/or 10B around the central axis of the end-of-arm unit. Motor 35 may be any suitable motor (e.g., an electric motor) used in the art. [0051] Reference is now made to Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C which are perspective, side, and front views of a tool bridge according to some embodiments of the invention. A tool 3may include a longitudinal housing 320 being a tool bridge. Tool 300 may further include a plurality of mixing pairs 10, 10A, and/or 10B aligned along the tool bridge. For example, each longitudinal housing 320 may include 2 to 300 mixing pairs 10, 10A, and/or 10B. The mixing pairs may be aggreged in a single row, two rows, three row etc. [0052] In some embodiments, tool 300 may include a plurality of helical elements connected along longitudinal housing 320. In some embodiments, at least some of helical elements 12vare spiraling in the same direction. In such case tool 300 may further include a unit (not illustrated) configured to deliver rotational movement from at least one motor to plurality of helical elements 12 in the same rotational direction. [0053] Tool 300 may include one or more longitudinal housings 320, each comprising at least one shaft (not shown) connectable to at least one motor 35. [0054] In some embodiments, tool 300 may further be configured to bidirectionally move along the longitudinal axis of housing 320, as shown by the axis, in Fig. 3B. In some embodiments, tool 300 may move at 5 to 1500 mm/s. In some embodiments, housing 3may further move from side to side at a stroke of up to 300 mm. In some embodiments, tool 300 may be able to move vertically up and down at a stroke of 100 mm, as shown by the axis. Reference is now made to Fig. 4 which is an illustration of the end-of-arm unit connectable to the robotic arm during the mixing of a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates to make a product, such as, a slab, according to some embodiments of the invention. A robotic arm 400 may be connected to tool 200 to be applied on top of a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates. In some embodiments, pigment areas 6 and/or additional aggregates having specific appearances (e.g., shining, black, golden, etc.) may be spread on top and/or inside mixture 5 in a predesigned pattern and mixed into mixture 5 CST-P-016-IL using tool 200, prior to pressing and hardening stage. Adding pigment lines 6 may allow the forming of veins-like structures on the product made from mixture 5. [0055] Fig. 5 is an illustration of the tool bridge during mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates to make a product, such as, a slab, according to some embodiments of the invention. Arms 500 may be connected to tool 300 and placed above mixture 5. or on its side or connected to floor. Arms 500 may allow side movement of tool 300 across the entire width of mixture 5. [0056] In some embodiments, tolls 100, 200, or 300 may be applied over an X-Y table or may be connected to an X-Y table. [0057] In some embodiments, the mixing pairs may be angled and directed one with respect to the other. [0058] Reference is now made to Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C which are illustrations of various configurations of mixing pairs in a tool according to some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the tool (e.g., toll 100, 200, and 300) may include at least two pairs 10. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axes of first pair 10 and second pair 10 may be angled one with respect to the other, in an angle  and/or angle 1. In some embodiments,  and/or 1 may be between 0 to 180 . For example,  may be 10 , 20 , 30  (as illustrated in Fig. 6A), 40 , 45 , 50 , 60 ,70 , 80 , 90 , and 1 may be between 100 , 120 , 135 , 140 , 160 , 170 , 180  (as illustrated in Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C), and any value or range in between. In the nonlimiting embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6B and 6C, pairs 10 are positioned opposite to each other, and are configured to mix a surface located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ‘z’ of the tool. [0059] Reference is now made to Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E which are illustrations of various helical elements according to some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, each one of first helical element 12 and second helical element 14 may include at least 0.5 turns, for example, the 40 turns illustrated in Fig. 7A, the 7 turns illustrated in Fig. 7B, the 20 turns illustrated in Fig. 7C, the 3 turns illustrated in Fig. 7D and the 0.75 turn illustrated in Fig. 7E. As should be understood by the one skilled in the art, the illustrations in Figs. 7A-7E are given an example only. Therefore, first helical element 12 and second helical element 14 may have any number of turns larger than 0.5, 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or more.

CST-P-016-IL 11 id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60"

[0060] In some embodiments, each one of first helical element 12 and second helical element 14 may have a diameter of between 7 to 200 mm. For example, first helical element and second helical element 14 may have a diameter of between 7 to 20 mm, 10 to 50 mm, to 80 mm, 50 to 100 mm, 100 to 150 mm, 150 to 200 mm, and any value or range in between. [0061] In some embodiments, each one of first helical element 12 and second helical element 14 may have a length of between 20 to 500 mm. For example, first helical element and second helical element 14 may have a length of between 20 to 50 mm, between to 80 mm, between 50 to 100 mm, between 100 to 200 mm, between 150 to 300 mm, between 250 to 400 mm, between 350 to 500 mm and any value or range in between. [0062] Therefore, a tool according to embodiments of the invention designed for mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates for making a product may have better and more accurate an efficient performance than conventional mixing tools. [0063] Reference is now made to Fig. 8 which is a flowchart of a method of making an artificial stone according to some embodiments of the invention. In step 810, the method may include spreading on a conveyor or a mold a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates. [0064] In step 820, the method may include adding and additive according to a predetermined pattern on top of the mixture. In some embodiments, the additive may be selected from a pigment, an additional type of aggregate, and the like. In a nonlimiting example, the pigment may be added to form vines on the surface of the artificial stone, for example, to mimic natural stone appearance. [0065] In step 830, the method may include mixing the additive with the mixture using a mixing tool such as mixing tools, 100, 200, and 300 discussed herein above. In some embodiments, mixing may include at least one of mixing, dispersing, compacting, fragmenting, sheering, spreading, etc. of the mixture. [0066] In some embodiments, adding the pigment is done during the mixing. For example, a nozzle, in connection to pigment reservoir, may continuously provide pigment to specific areas in the mixture in the vicinity of mixing tool, 100, 200, and 300. Additionally or alternatively, adding the pigment is prior to the mixing following a specific pattern. The nozzle may be attached to or held by an X-Y table, a robotic arm, and/ or mixing tool, 100, 200, or 300.

CST-P-016-IL 12 id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67"

[0067] Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Furthermore, all formulas described herein are intended as examples only and other or different formulas may be used. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof may occur or be performed at the same point in time. [0068] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. [0069] Various embodiments have been presented. Each of these embodiments may of course include features from other embodiments presented, and embodiments not specifically described may include various features described herein.

Claims (27)

313129/ CLAIMS

1. A tool designed for mixing a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates for making a product, the mixing tool comprising: at least one mixing pair comprising: a first helical element spiraling in a first direction; and a second helical element spiraling in a second direction, opposite to the first; and a unit configured to deliver rotational movement from at least one motor to the first helical element and the second helical element in opposite rotational directions.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the unit is a housing comprises a first gear unit connected to the first helical element and configured to spin the first helical element in a first spinning direction; a second gear unit connected to the second helical element and configured to spin the second helical element in a second spinning direction opposite to the first spinning direction; and at least one shaft connectable to the at least one motor, and configured to deliver rotational movements to the first and second gear units.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the unit comprises at least one of, a rotatable joint, a rotating connector, and a rotary coupler.

4. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a distance between a first helix of the first helical element and a second helix of the second helical element is determined based on a required distribution of at least one of a pigment in the mixture and aggregates of the mixture.

5. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first helical element comprises a first axial rod and the first helix and the second helical element comprises a second axial rod and the second helix, and wherein each axial rod is connectable to a corresponding gear unit at a proximal end.

6. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein longitudinal axes of the first helical element and second helical element are angled one with respect to the other.

7. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an angle between longitudinal axes of the first helical element and second helical element is between 0 to 180 . 313129/

8. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least two pairs, and wherein longitudinal axes of a first pair and a second pair are angled one with respect to the other.

9. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least two pairs, and wherein an angle between a first pair and a second pair is between 0 to 180 .

10. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each of the first helical element and the second helical element comprises at least 0.5 turns.

11. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 10, each of the first helical element and the second helical element has a diameter of between 7 to 200 mm.

12. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the first helical element and the second helical element has a length of between 20 to 500 mm.

13. The mixing tool of any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the first and second gear units comprise one or more components selected from, gears, wheels, axes, bends, chines, shafts, and bearings.

14. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 13, comprises two or more mixing pairs connected to a single unit.

15. The mixing tool of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the housing is an end-of-arm unit connectable to a manufacturing device.

16. The mixing tool of claim 15, comprising at least two mixing pairs which are further configured to rotate at 5 to 5000 RMP around a central axis of the end-of-arm unit.

17. The tool of any one of claims 15-16, comprising at least three mixing pairs located evenly around a central axis of the end-of-arm unit.

18. The tool of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the housing is a tool bridge and the tool further comprises a plurality of mixing pairs aligned along the tool bridge.

19. The tool of any one of claims 1 to 18, attached to an X-Y table.

20. The tool of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the motor configured to spin the first helical element and the second helical element at between 5 to 5000 RPM.

21. A tool bridge comprising: a longitudinal housing; and a plurality of helical elements connected along the longitudinal housing, wherein at least some of the helical elements are spiraling in the same direction; and a unit configured to deliver rotational movement from at least one motor to the plurality of helical elements in the same rotational direction. 313129/

22. The tool bridge of claim 21, wherein the unit comprises at least one of, one or more gears, a rotatable joint, a rotating connector, and a rotary coupler.

23. A method of making an artificial stone comprising: spreading on a conveyor or a mold a mixture of polymeric resin and aggregates; mixing the mixture using a tool according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising adding an additive according to a predetermined pattern on top of the mixture; and wherein the mixing comprises mixing the additive and the mixture.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the additive is selected from a pigment, and an additional type of aggregate.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein adding the additive is during the mixing.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein adding the additive is prior to the mixing.