US20060096210A1 - Wall and/or floor tile and method and apparatus for its production - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall and/or floor tile (10) comprises a container element (1) and a filling material (2) disposed inside the container element and constituted by a polymeric material having a Shore hardness of between 55 and 85, preferably 75, and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of between 5 and 15 minutes, preferably 10 minutes. The filling material (2) is produced from a multi-component material, preferably a two-component material. An apparatus (20) for the production of a wall and/or floor tile (10) comprises at least one supply head (22) provided with injector means (24) having separate supply circuits (26, 28) for each of the multiple components. The filling material (2) is supplied into the container element (1) in controlled manner by a single nozzle (30) for mixing the multiple components, in order to form the wall and/or floor tile (10).

Description

• The present invention relates to a tile suitable for covering walls and/or floors, comprising a container element and a filling material disposed inside the container element.
• In particular, the present invention relates to a tile comprising a visible container element and a filling material disposed inside the container element.
• The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for producing the tile.
• In particular, the present invention relates to an injection method and to apparatus comprising an injection system for producing the tile.
• The filling material suitable for filling the tile of the present invention should, however, possess all of the following characteristics simultaneously:
• a) it should be easily injectable, that is, it should have a setting time such as to remain in the fluid state throughout the injection period and to set only once the tile is completely filled, so as to avoid blockage of the injection system due to premature setting of the material inside it,
• b) it should have a high degree of hardness, once formed inside the container element of the tile, thus enabling the tile to withstand stresses due to external loads such as, for example, those imparted by walking, for floor tiles,
• c) it should be produced from easily-injectable components which can react with one another quickly once they are put in contact with one another, and which can form the filling material having the characteristics of points a) and b),
• d) it should be non-toxic to avoid environmental problems,
• e) it should have optimal adhesiveness in relation to the container element of the tile, that is, it should be capable of remaining firmly fixed to the container element without the aid of glue and without bending of the walls of the container element to prevent the filling material coming out,
• f) it should be light to permit easy transportation, and
• g) it should be inexpensive.
• The problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of providing a filling material which simultaneously possesses all of the chemical-physical characteristics described above.
• This problem is solved by a wall and/or floor tile comprising a container element and a filling material disposed inside the container element, characterized in that the filling material is a polymeric material having a Shore D hardness greater than 50 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of more than3 minutes.
• Preferably, the filling material has a Shore D hardness of between 55 and 85 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of between 5 and 15 minutes, even more preferably, the filling material has a Shore D hardness of 75 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of 10 minutes. The setting time is calculated for a quantity of 1 g of material poured. The amount of material in fact affects the setting time; in general a larger quantity of material corresponds to a shorter setting time.
• A preferred example of the polymeric filling material is that which is produced by the reaction of several components, hereinafter referred to as multi-component material.
• Even more preferably, the polymeric filling material is that which is produced by reaction of two components, hereinafter referred to as two-component material.
• Preferred examples of these two-component materials are polyurethane or polyurea.
• Advantageously, the polyurethane is that which is produced by reaction of a polyol having a number of OH groups of between 80 and 500 mgKOH/g and a viscosity of between 200 and 200,000 cps, with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 5 and 31%.
• Even more advantageously, the polyurethane is that which is produced by reaction of a polyol having a number of OH groups of between 100 and 400 mgKOH/g, more preferably between 120 and 250 mgKOH/g, and a viscosity of between 2,000 and 10,000 cps, with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 10 and 25%.
• As a general guide, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of OH groups in the polyol and the NCO content of the isocyanate will be regulated in a manner such that the two components react stoichiometrically.
• Preferred examples of the polyols suitable for the present invention are polyols of the polyester and polyether types. Even more preferably, the polyols are polyether polyols.
• Examples of these polyether polyols are those sold by The Dow Chemical Company under the name Voramer® MB 3102 (chemical type: polyether polyol initiated with glycerol), Voranol® CP 450 (chemical type: glycerol propoxylate polyether triol with an average molecular weight of 450) and Specfil® FC 252 (chemical type: dispersion of styrene-acrylonitrile in polyether polyol).
• Preferred examples of isocyanates suitable for the present invention are aromatic isocyanates based on diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene-2,4 (2,6) diisocyanate (TDI), and aliphatic isocyanates such as, for example, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI).
• Examples of these isocyanates are those sold by The Dow Chemical Company, under the name Voramer® MB 3503 (chemical type: diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (4,4′ MDI)).
• If the filling material of the present invention is a two-component polyurea material, it will be obtained by reaction of an amine having a number of OH groups of between 500 and 1000 mgKOH/g with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 5 and 15%.
• Even more advantageously, the polyurea is that produced by reaction of a amine having a number of NH₂groups of between 600 and 800 mgKOH/g with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 7 and 10%.
• As a general guide, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of OH groups in the amine and the NCO content of the isocyanate will be adjusted in a maimer such that the two components react stoichiometrically.
• Preferred examples of isocyanates suitable for preparing the polyurea are those described above for the preparation of polyurethane.
• Preferred examples of amines suitable for preparing the polyurea are primary amines such as, for example DETA (diaminodiethyl toluene) and MOCA.
• The above-mentioned polyols, isocyanates and amines may be used as such or may include additives such as, for example, pigments, flame retardants, inert fillers, catalysts and dehydration agents.
• A preferred example of a pigment suitable for use in the filling material of the present invention is that having the international C.I. classification RED 48/4.
• Examples of these pigments are those sold under the name of Plastotint LB Rosso 312 by Icap Sira Chemicals and Polymers S.p.A and under the name Rosso Repi Fiat 47549.
• Preferred examples of flame retardants suitable for use in the filling material of the present invention are those selected from silicones, phosphorus derivatives, such as esters and ethers of haloalkyl phosphates/phosphonates, phosphate and phosphonate derivatives such as triethyl phosphate, diethyl ethyl phosphonate, tris mono-chloro-phosphate, melamine (2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5 triazine), aluminium hydroxides, halogen derivatives such as, for example, aromatic halogenated polyalcohols, cyclic halogenated hydrocarbons, halogenated aryl esters, and halogenated diols.
• An example of a silicone-type flame retardant which may be used in the filling material of the present invention is that sold under the name of Antifoam 1500 by Dow Corning.
• An example of a triethyl phosphate flame-retardant which may be used in the filling material of the present invention is that sold under the name of Eastman by Eastman Chemical BV.
• An example of a catalyst which may be used in the filling material of the present invention is an amine such as that sold under the name DABCO® 33-LV (chemical type: tertiary amine) from Air Product Chemical Europe B.V., or diethanolamine.
• Examples of inert fillers which may be used in the filling material of the present invention are compounds such as sulphates, carbonates, silicates, quartz powder and glass microspheres. Even more preferably, the inert filler is barium sulphate.
• An example of a dehydrating agent which may be used in the filling material of the present invention is a 50% dispersion of zeolite in castor oil such as that sold under the name of Voratron® EG 711 by The Dow Chemical Company.
• The filling material of the present invention is preferably deposited in the container element by a system for injecting the components into the container element.
• In detail, the injection method of the present invention comprises the steps of:
• a) introducing separately into an injector the components which are to form the filling material,
• b) reacting the components of step a) only in the region of a mixer connected to the injector,
• c) completely filling the container element with the mixture obtained in step b), and
• d) causing the filling material to set in situ inside the container element.
• The mixer of step b) is preferably a static mixing nozzle formed by a tube provided with internal obstacles for facilitating the contact of the components with one another.
• The setting step d) is advantageously accelerated by conventional heating in an oven. Even more advantageously, the heating in an oven takes place at a temperature of between 100 and 150° C.
• The tiles thus produced can be transported by the deposition of a glass-fibre fabric on the filling material.
• The above-mentioned method is implemented by apparatus of the present invention comprising at least one supply head suitable for depositing, in the container element of the tile, the multi-component polymeric filling material, which is capable of setting after a predetermined period of time, upon mixing of the multiple components, at ambient temperature, the supply head comprising injector means provided with separate supply circuits for each of the multiple components, and the separate supply circuits converging in a single nozzle for mixing the multiple components, from which nozzle the filling material is supplied into the container element, in controlled manner, to form the wall and/or floor tile.
• Further characteristics and advantages of the wall and/or floor tile, of the apparatus, and of the method used for filling the tile according to the present invention will become clearer from the description of some preferred embodiments, given below, by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of the tile of the present invention, in which the filling material is visible,
• FIG. 2 is an inverted and partially cut-away axonometric view of the tile ofFIG. 1, in which the container element is visible,
• FIG. 3 is an overall schematic view showing the separate supply circuits of the apparatus of the present invention,
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the supply head of the apparatus of the present invention, in section,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a detail of the supply head ofFIG. 4 in a section taken on the line5-5 ofFIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mixing nozzle and of its protective tube, which are associated with the injection chamber ofFIG. 4,
• FIG. 7 is a view of the output side of the apparatus of the present invention,
• FIG. 8 is a view of the input side of the apparatus of the present invention,
• FIG. 9 is a view of the particular pump-unit and reservoir assembly of the apparatus of the present invention,
• FIG. 10 is a view of a detail ofFIG. 8, taken on the arrow X ofFIG. 8,
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a detail of the apparatus of the present invention from above, and
• FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing, in section, a further embodiment of the supply head of the apparatus of the present invention.
• As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a wall and/orfloor tile10 according to the present invention comprises a container element1 and a fillingmaterial2 disposed inside the container element1.
• The container element1 may have various shapes and sizes, for example, it is square with dimensions of 2×2 cm.
• The container element1 may also be made of various materials; it is preferably made of metal, even more preferably of stainless steel.
• The container element1 has an outer, visible surface la and aninner surface1bwhich is to come into contact with the fillingmaterial2.
• The outer,visible surface1amay be a smooth surface or may be treated by a printing process or an engraving process.
• Theinner surface1bmay remain smooth or may be treated to improve adhesion to the fillingmaterial2.
• Typical examples of these treatments are butter-finishing, for example, 80-grain butter-finishing, and pickling with solvents such as, for example, trichloroethylene or nitro solvents.
• The container element1 is preferably produced by conventional pressing techniques.
• As shown in a preferred embodiment inFIGS. 1 and 2, the container element1 has chamferedcorners1cand a fillingmaterial2 which is capable of completely filling the container element to form aflat surface2atherewith.
• Thetiles10 of the present invention can easily be transported and deposited on the surface to be covered, by virtue of the deposition of a fabric, for example, a glass-fibre fabric, on theflat surfaces2aof the fillingmaterials2 of a plurality oftiles10 disposed adjacent one another.
• Alternatively, the above-mentioned operations of transportation and deposition on the surface to be covered may easily be performed if a plurality oftiles10 of the present invention are held together by a layer of the fillingmaterial2.
• The advantages of the wall and/or floor tile of the present invention are clear from the foregoing description.
• One advantage is that the wall and/or floor tile of the present invention comprises a filling material having a Shore D hardness of at least 50. This enables the tile to withstand external loads without deformation of the container element, thus enabling the aesthetic shape of the latter to be maintained.
• A further advantage is that the wall and/or floor tile of the present invention comprises a filling material having a setting time of more than 3 minutes, at ambient temperature. This allows the filling material to be in the fluid state throughout the time necessary to fill the container element completely and to be in the solid state only once it is in situ, that is, inside the container element. Moreover, this enables the container element to be filled by an injection system without the injection system being blocked because of premature setting of the material inside it.
• A third advantage is that the wall and/or floor tile of the present invention comprises a filling material formed by easily injectable components which can react with one another rapidly (from about 3 to 10 seconds) once they are put in contact. Moreover, both the components and the filling material produced therefrom are non-toxic to the environment and do not require solvents for their reactivity.
• An advantage is that the tile of the present invention is formed by a filling material which can adhere firmly to the container element without the need to interpose a layer of gluing material.
• A further advantage is that the tile of the present invention is light and is made with inexpensive filling material.
• An advantage is that the tile of the present invention is easy to produce.
• Clearly, only a few embodiments of the wall and/or floor tile, of the method, and of the apparatus of the invention have been described and a person skilled in the art will be able to apply thereto all of the modifications necessary to adapt them to particular applications without, however, departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.
• The following example serves to illustrate the present invention without, however, limiting it in any way.
Example 1
• Preparation of Filling Material
• Component A: 60 p/w of diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate sold by The Dow Chemical Company under the name of Voramer® Me 3053, having an NCO content of 21%, a viscosity at 25° C. of less than 500 cSt, measured by the Cannon Fenske method, and a specific weight at 25° C. of 1.19 g/ml.
• Component B: 100 p/w of polyol of the glycerol propoxylate polyether triol type sold by The Dow Chemical Company under the name of Voramer® Me 3102, having a number of hydroxyl groups of169 mgKOH/g, and a viscosity at 25° C. of 3000 cps.
• After being stirred, component A and component B were loaded into an injector of known type by a volumetric pump and were kept separated as far as the inlet to a mixing nozzle of a static mixer, formed by a tubular plastics body provided with internal obstacles for facilitating mixing of the components.
• The mixing together of components A and B was thus S performed at ambient temperature and only in the region of the mixing nozzle, for a period of time equal to the time necessary to pass through the entire tubular body of the mixer and to reach the tile to be filled (3 to 10 seconds).
• The mixture obtained was set after 3 minutes by heating to 120° C. in a conventional oven.
• The polyurethane thus obtained showed the following characteristics:
• Shore D hardness: 75-80 (measured by the ASTM D 2240 method), and
• Density: 1.4 g/l (measured by the DIN53420 method).
• As shown in FIGS.3 to12,apparatus20 for producing the wall and/or floor tile of the present invention comprises at least onesupply head22 suitable for depositing, in a container element1 of atile10, a multi-componentpolymeric filling material2 which is capable of setting after a predetermined period of time, at ambient temperature, upon the mixing of the multiple components. The supply head comprises injector means24 provided withseparate supply circuits26 and28 for each of the multiple components. Theseparate supply circuits26 and28 converge in asingle nozzle30 for mixing the multiple components, from which the filling material is supplied into the container element1, in controlled manner, to form the wall and/orfloor tile10.
• Theapparatus20 is suitable for supplying filling material into a container element1 by means of a mixingnozzle30 housed in aprotective tube32 comprising, at oneend32a, an opening which cooperates with asupply opening30aof the nozzle and, at the opposite end, aring nut32bfor fixing to abody24aof the injector means24.
• The mixingnozzle30 comprises a tubular body provided, at one end, with asupply opening30aand, at an opposite end, with areceptacle30bfor collecting the multiple components emerging from the injector means24 and conveying them into a mixingchamber34.
• The mixingchamber34 comprisesobstacles36, shown schematically inFIGS. 4 and 6, for facilitating contact and mixing of the multiple components forming the filling material.
• According to one possible embodiment, the apparatus provides for theseparate supply circuits26 and28 of the injector means24 to be closed by valve means38 which bring about controlled opening and/or closure of the circuit.
• According to one possible embodiment, the valve means38 compriseclosure members40 which are constantly urged into abutment againstvalve seats42 to closeflow apertures44 for the multiple components of the circuits. Theclosure members40 can be opened pneumatically in controlled manner bypneumatic means45.
• According to one possible embodiment, the injector means24 comprise aninjection chamber46, suitable for connection to thesingle mixing nozzle30, and theseparate supply circuits26 and28 converge in the chamber. Preferably, at least onepartition48 is provided in theinjection chamber46, and is disposed between outlets of theseparate supply circuits26 and28, in a manner such that each component of the filling material comes into contact with another component only after reaching thenozzle30.
• According to a further possible embodiment of the apparatus, anti-drip means50 are provided and comprise separate means for withdrawing, from the injection chamber, a predetermined quantity of each component which is not yet mixed, to prevent drips falling from the free opening of the nozzle.
• Each of the anti-drip means50 preferably comprises adiaphragm52 which cooperates, in a leaktight manner, by means of a through-hole54, with theinjection chamber46 and, on the opposite side, with asuction duct56 suitable for creating a partial vacuum which, by deforming thediaphragm52, draws the predetermined quantity of component which is not yet mixed, from theinjection chamber46.
• In an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus, a plurality of supply heads22 is provided (FIG. 3). The plurality of supply heads22 is preferably connected to supplymanifolds58 and60 suitable for causing each of the components for forming the filling material to flow separately to eachhead22.
• According to a further embodiment, two pluralities of supply heads22 are provided (FIG. 3) and are arranged parallel to one another and a predetermined distance apart suitable for the deposition of filling material in two rows of container elements1.
• According to a further possible embodiment, the at least onesupply head22 is operatively connected to a plurality of separate supply ducts for each of the components for forming the filling material.
• Moreover, each of the ducts may be heated, and each of the ducts may be heated to a temperature of between 20° C. and 40° C., preferably 30° C.
• According to one possible embodiment, each of theseparate supply circuits26 and28 is operatively connected to apump62 which is controlled in a manner such as to supply the component which is to form the filling material to each component-supply head at a predetermined pressure.
• Preferably, each separate supply circuit is supplied at a predetermined pressure which is independent of the others. For example, the supply circuit is supplied at a pressure of between 20 and 70 atmospheres, preferably between 30 and 50 atmospheres.
• According to one possible embodiment, one component is supplied at 30 atmospheres and a second component is supplied at 50 atmospheres.
• Moreover, theseparate supply circuits26 and28 may advantageously be arranged to be supplied at respective pressures such that, if the various components are supplied for the same period of time, when mixed, they form the filling material which has a shore D hardness greater than 50, and which sets, at ambient temperature, within a time longer than 3 minutes.
• According to one possible embodiment, areservoir64 suitable for holding each of the components of the filling material is operatively connected to eachpump62. A stirringdevice66 may advantageously be associated with each reservoir.
• Moreover, the reservoir may be heated, for example, to a temperature of between 20° C. and 40° C. and preferably to 30° C.
• According to one possible embodiment, afurther store68 for each of the components suitable for forming the filling material may be provided, operatively connected to each of theseparate supply circuits26 and28.
• Advantageously, the at least onesupply head22 is associated with a movement carriage70 (FIG. 8) for bringing about controlled movement thereof. Thecarriage70 is, for example, moved in controlled manner longitudinally relative to aconveyor line72 of the container elements1 which are arranged in a manner suitable for receiving the fillingmaterial2 when it emerges form thenozzle30. Moreover, the carriage is, for example, moved in controlled manner transversely relative to aconveyor line72 of the container elements1.
• According to one possible embodiment, thecarriage70 is associated with slidingguides74, preferably ball or roller guides.
• Moreover, thecarriage70 may be operatively connected to actuators which are operated in controlled manner, preferably with position and/or velocity feedback.
• According to one possible embodiment of the apparatus in question, eachsupply head22 is operatively connected to acontrol unit76 for bringing about controlled opening of the valve means38. For example, the valve means38 are opened for a period of time of between 0.3 and 150 msec.
• Moreover, in one possible embodiment, in addition to working operations brought about in controlled manner, thecarriage70 adopts at least one rest position (FIG. 8). An operative connection with a device for activating the discharge of material at predetermined time intervals may be provided in the rest position of the carriage so as to prevent setting of the material which is present in the mixingnozzle30.
• In a further embodiment of the apparatus, thecarriage70 has associated sensor means78 for identifying the position of the carriage relative to a grating80 for supporting and transporting at least one container element1, the grating being disposed on aconveyor line72 in a manner such that the nozzle is positioned so as to deposit the fillingmaterial2 in the at least one container element1.
• Advantageously, aconveyor line72 for at least one container element1, which passes through anoven82 suitable for accelerating the setting of the filling material, in series with positions for cooperation with the at least onesupply head22, may be provided.
• More advantageously, aconveyor line72 for at least one container element1, which passes through positions in which the at least one container element1 containing the fillingmaterial2 cooperates with adevice84 suitable for depositing binding and reinforcing fabric on the rear of eachtile10, may be provided.
• Optionally, aconveyor line72 for at least one container element1, which passes through positions in which it cooperates with a second oven for setting the fillingmaterial2, is provided.
• FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of thesupply head22 in which elements already described with reference to the embodiment ofFIG. 4 are indicated by the same reference numerals. In particular, theseparate supply circuits26 and28 of the injector means24 are arranged to be closed by the valve means38 which bring about controlled opening and/or closure of the circuit.
• According to the possible embodiment shown inFIG. 12, the valve means38 compriseclosure members40 formed by pistons which have diameters that vary along their longitudinal axes.
• In fact, anend40aof each piston has a larger diameter than anintermediate portion40bof each piston. Theend40aconstitutes the actual closure member which is intended to abut therespective valve seat42 to close theflow apertures44 for the multiple components of the circuits.
• Thevalve seat42 comprises sealing rings88 with inside diameters such as to permit leaktight sliding of the larger-diameter end40aand to leave an outlet aperture relative to the smaller-diameterintermediate portion40b.
• Theinjection chambers46 are separated from one another as inFIG. 4 and the two components are combined only at the end of thepartition48, as they emerge into the mixingchamber34.
• The valve means38 are operated pneumatically, in controlled manner, both during opening and during closure, by pneumatic means45. According to the embodiment ofFIG. 12, the pneumatic means45 comprise apiston90 fitted slidingly in ashell92 provided with a first air-duct94 and a second air-duct96, which are arranged on opposite sides of thepiston90 and the functions of which are the admission and discharge of air under pressure, in dependence on the stage of operation of thehead22.
• According to one possible embodiment, thepiston90 is connected to the rods of thepistons40 by threadedconnections98.
• According to one possible embodiment, theshell92 also comprisesmeans100 for adjusting the stroke of thepiston90, themeans100 being constituted, for example, by an adjustment screw arranged in the base of thejacket92.
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 12, the anti-drip means are formed by means suitable for bringing about a withdrawal, from theinjection chamber46, of a predetermined quantity of each component which is not yet mixed, so as to prevent drips falling from the free opening of the nozzle.
• These means comprise the adjustment means100 and the configuration of theend40aof the piston, as described below.
• The position shown inFIG. 12 corresponds to the flow of the components from therespective supply circuits26 and28 to theinjection chamber46. In fact, each component flows between the valve seats42 and theintermediate portions40bof the pistons. In order to close the valve means38, air is admitted under pressure from thefirst duct94 and urges thepiston90 upwards, lifting the twopistons40.
• The ends40aof the pistons abut the respective sealing rings88, closing the component-flow apertures. the stroke of thepiston90, and hence of thepistons40, to continue, giving rise to sliding of the lateral walls of theend40aagainst the internal walls of the sealing rings88. The further upward movement of theend40abrings about the withdrawal of material from theinjection chamber46, thus preventing dripping.
• According to one possible embodiment, thehead22 may also comprise means102 for checking the wear of sealingrings104 fitted along the sliding seats of the rods of thepistons40.
• These checking means102 comprise, for example, anelement106 inserted in the body of thehead22 and provided with through-holes which define a portion of the sliding seat of thepistons40. Each piston sliding seat comprises two sealingrings104, one disposed on the actual body of thehead22 and the other disposed on theelement106.
• Theelement106 also has twoducts108 which are put into communication with the exterior and which open into respective piston sliding seats, between the two sealing rings104. If thesealing ring104 disposed closer to the component-flow apertures44 wears, the component thus returns along the sliding seat of the respective piston and emerges to the exterior along therespective duct108.

Claims (60)

1. A wall and/or floor tile comprising a container element and a filling material disposed inside the container element, characterized in that the filling material is a polymeric material having a Shore D hardness greater than 50 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of more than 3 minutes.

2. A tile according toclaim 1 in which the filling material has a Shore D hardness of between 55 and 85 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of between 5 and 15 minutes.

3. A tile according toclaim 1 in which the filling material has a Shore D hardness of 75 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of 10 minutes.

4. A tile according toclaim 1 in which the filling material is produced from a multicomponent material, preferably a two-component material.

5. A tile according toclaim 4 in which the two-component material is a polyurethane.

6. A tile according toclaim 5 in which the polyurethane is produced by reaction of a polyol having a number of OH groups of between 80 and 500 mgKOH/g, and a viscosity of between 200 and 200,000 cps, with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 5 and 31%.

7. A tile according toclaim 6 in which the polyurethane is produced by reaction of a polyol having a number of OH groups of between 100 and 400 mgKOH/g, preferably 120 and 250 mgKOH/g, and a viscosity of between 2,000 and 10,000 cps, with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 10 and 25%.

8. A tile according toclaim 4 in which the two-component material is a polyurea.

9. A tile according toclaim 8 in which the polyurea is produced by reaction of an amine having a number of OH groups of between 500 and 1000 mgKOH/g with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 5 and 15% .

10. A tile according toclaim 9 in which the polyurea is produced by reaction of an amine having a number of NH₂groups of between 600 and 800 mgKOH/g with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 7 and 10%.

11. A tile according toclaim 1 in which the container element (1) is in view.

12. A tile according toclaim 1 in which the container element completely filled with the filling material so that the tile has a flat surface of the filling material.

13. A tile according toclaim 1 in which the container element is metallic.

14. A tile according toclaim 13 in which the container element (1) is made of stainless steel.

15. A method of producing a tile4, the method comprising the steps of:

a) introducing separately into an injector the components which are to form the filling material.

b) reacting the components of step a) only in the region of a mixer connected to the injector,

c) completely filling the container elements) with the mixture obtained in step b), and

d) causing the filling material2to set in situ inside the container elements.

16. Apparatus for the production of a wall and/or floor tile the apparatus comprising at least one supply head suitable for depositing, in a container element of a tile a multi-component, polymeric, filling material which is capable of setting after a predetermined period of time, upon mixing of the multiple components, at ambient temperature, the supply head comprising injector means provided with separate supply circuits for each of the multiple components, and the separate supply circuits converging in a single nozzle for mixing the multiple components, from which nozzle the filling material is supplied into the container element.

17. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which the at least one supply head is suitable for supplying filling material into a container element.

18. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which the mixing nozzle is housed in a protective tube comprising, at one end, an opening which cooperates with a supply opening (30a) of the nozzle and, at the opposite end, a ring nut for fixing to the body of the injector means.

19. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which the mixing nozzle comprises a tubular body provided, at one end, with a supply opening and, at an opposite end, with a receptacle suitable for collecting the multiple components emerging from the injector means and conveying them into a mixing chamber.

20. Apparatus according toclaim 19 in which the mixing chamber comprises obstacles for facilitating contact and mixing of the multiple components forming the filling material.

21. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which each of the separate supply circuits of the injector means is closed by valve means which bring about controlled opening and/or closure of the circuit.

22. Apparatus according toclaim 21 in which the valve means comprise closure members which are constantly urged into abutment against valve seats to close flow apertures for the multiple components of the circuits.

23. Apparatus according toclaim 22 in which the closure members are opened pneumatically, in controlled manner.

24. Apparatus according toclaim 21 in which the injector means comprise an injection chamber suitable for connection to the single mixing nozzle, the separate supply circuits converging in the chamber.

25. Apparatus according toclaim 24 in which at least one partition is provided in the injection chamber and is disposed between outlets of the separate supply circuits in a manner such that each component of the filling material comes into contact with another component only after reaching the nozzle.

26. Apparatus according toclaim 24 or which anti-drip means are provided and comprise separate means for withdrawing, from the injection chamber, a predetermined quantity of each component which is not yet mixed, to prevent drips falling from the free opening of the nozzle.

27. Apparatus according toclaim 26 in which each of the anti-drip means comprises a diaphragm which cooperates, in a leaktight manner, through a through-hole, with the injection chamber and, on the opposite side, with a suction duct suitable for creating a partial vacuum which, by deforming the diaphragm draws the predetermined quantity of component which is not yet mixed, from the injection chamber.

28. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which a plurality of supply heads is provided.

29. Apparatus according toclaim 28 in which the plurality of supply heads is connected to supply manifolds suitable for causing each of the components for forming the filling material to flow separately to each head.

30. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which two pluralities of supply heads are provided and are arranged parallel to one another and a predetermined distance apart suitable for the deposition of the filling material in two rows of container elements.

31. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which the at least one supply head is operatively connected to a plurality of separate supply ducts for each of the components for forming the filling material.

32. Apparatus according toclaim 31 in which each of the ducts is heated.

33. Apparatus according toclaim 32 in which each of the ducts is heated to a temperature of between 20° C. and 40° C., preferably to 30° C.

34. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which each of the separate supply circuits is operatively connected to a pump which is controlled in a manner such as to supply the component which is to form the filling material to each supply head at a predetermined pressure.

35. Apparatus according toclaim 34 in which each separate supply circuit is supplied at a predetermined pressure which is independent of the other pressures.

36. Apparatus according toclaim 34 in which the supply circuit is supplied at a pressure of between 20 and 70 atmospheres, preferably between 30 and 50 atmospheres.

37. Apparatus according toclaim 36, in which one component is supplied at 30 atmospheres and a second component is supplied at 50 atmospheres.

38. Apparatus according toclaim 34 in which the separate supply circuits are supplied at respective pressures such that, if the various components are supplied for the same period of time, when mixed, they form the filling material which has a Shore D hardness greater than 50 and which sets at ambient temperature within a time longer than 3 minutes.

39. Apparatus according toclaim 34 in which a reservoir suitable for holding each of the components of the filling material is operatively connected to each pump.

40. Apparatus according toclaim 39 in which a stirring device is associated with each reservoir.

41. Apparatus according toclaim 39 in which the reservoir is heated.

42. Apparatus according toclaim 41 in which the reservoir is heated to a temperature of between 20° C. and 40° C. and preferably to 30° C.

43. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which a further store for each of the components for forming the filling material is provided, operatively connected to the respective separate supply circuit.

44. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which the at least one head is associated with a movement carriage for bringing about controlled movement thereof.

45. Apparatus according toclaim 44 in which the carriage is moved in controlled manner, longitudinally relative to a conveyor line of the container elements, which are arranged in a manner suitable for receiving the filling material when it emerges from the nozzle.

46. Apparatus according toclaim 44 in which the carriage is moved in controlled manner, transversely relative to a conveyor line of the container elements.

47. Apparatus according toclaim 44 in which the carriage is associated with sliding guides, preferably ball or roller guides.

48. Apparatus according toclaim 44 in which the carriage is operatively connected to actuators which are operated in controlled manner, preferably with position and/or velocity feedback.

49. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which each supply head is operatively connected to a control unit for bringing about controlled opening of the valve means.

50. Apparatus according toclaim 49 in which the valve means are opened for a period of time of between 50 and 150 msec.

51. Apparatus according toclaim 44 in which, in addition to working operations brought about in controlled manner, the carriage adopts at least one rest position.

52. Apparatus according toclaim 51 in which an operative connection with a device for activating the discharge of material at predetermined time intervals is provided in the rest position of the carriage so as to prevent setting of the material which is present in the mixing nozzle.

53. Apparatus according toclaim 44 in which the carriage has associated sensor means for identifying the position of the carriage relative to a grating for supporting and transporting at least one container element, the grating being disposed on a; conveyor line in a manner such that the nozzle is positioned so as to deposit the filling material in the at least one container element.

54. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which a conveyor line for at least one container element is provided and passes through an oven suitable for accelerating the setting of the filling material, in series with positions of cooperation with the at least one supply head.

55. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which a conveyor line for at least one container element is provided and passes through positions in which the at least one container element containing the filling material cooperates with a device for depositing binding and reinforcing fabric on the rear of each tile.

56. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which a conveyor line for at least one container element is provided and passes through positions in which it cooperates with a second oven for setting the filling material.

57. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which the at least one supply head comprises valve means having at least one piston the diameter of which varies along a longitudinal axis of the piston.

58. Apparatus according toclaim 57 in which the at least one piston is operated for opening and closure in controlled manner by pneumatic means.

59. Apparatus according toclaim 58 in which means are provided for adjusting the stroke of the at least one piston and can cause the stroke of the piston for closing a valve seat to continue in order to bring about withdrawal of material from an injection chamber.

60. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which means are provided for checking the wear of the sealing rings disposed along a sliding seat of valve means.

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