The invention relates to a system for making a relatively large surface comprising fragments arranged in a mosaic, comprising at least two relatively small mosaic elements which are each provided with a plurality of fragments positioned next to each other and formed as a layer, the layer being provided on a longitudinal edge with a toothing, while a first of the at least two elements can be fittingly linked up to a second of the at least two elements when the toothing of the first element and the toothing of the second element are fitted together.

The invention further relates to a mosaic element for use in such a system.

Further, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a mosaic element.

A system as described hereinabove is known per se. With it, a large surface of mosaic can be laid out rapidly. Such a surface can, for instance, comprise a portion of a floor. As a rule, the known system has as a drawback that after linking up the first and second element, a boundary between the first and the second element is noticeable straightaway, indicating that the large mosaic surface has been built up from mosaic elements each comprising several fragments. Hence, an impressive effect of the large mosaic surface is lost.

. An object of the invention is to meet this problem.

This object is achieved with a system according to the invention which is characterized in that in each element, the fragments are positioned substantially randomly relative to each other, and for the first and the second element it holds that dimensions of the toothing and dimensions of the fragments are chosen such that there where the toothing of the first element links up with the toothing of the second element, the surface composed with the first and the second element is substantially clear from a difference,

noticeable to the human eye, between the randomness with which the fragments belonging to the first or to the second elements have been positioned relative to each other, and the randomness with which the fragments located on both sides of the link-up between the first and the second element have been positioned relative to each other.

Surprisingly, it has appeared that a relatively large mosaic surface obtained with the aid of the system according to the invention is seen as being an uninterrupted, large surface in which no pattern can be recognized.

The invention also relates to a mosaic element with a linkage fitting invisibly to four sides.

Such an element is known from NL-1000749, the elements and the associating method forming a floor which, according to the document mentioned, forms a whole in which the seams are not visible.

A drawback of this solution is that, relative to each other, the tiles represent a fixed pattern betraying the presence of a recurring standard.

An object of the present invention is to provide a floor which does not have the above-mentioned drawback.

This object is achieved with a mosaic element with a linkage fitting invisibly to four sides, while the mutual relation of dimension and rhythm prevent the elements from being recognized by the eye. Another object of the invention is to provide a floor system in mosaic form which can be laid relatively rapidly.

It has appeared favorable to interrupt the rhythm of the stones in the elements. It has also appeared favorable to establish a relation between the dimension of the fragments in the mosaic element, the toothing and, optionally, the thickness of joint. As a result, it becomes possible to form an interrupted seam that seems arbitrary and whose shape can be predetermined and can be established with the aid of a mold. The toothing provides that, in use, the seams are no longer visible.

It is advantageous to interconnect fragments belonging to a mosaic element by means of a mat, as a result thereof the mosaic forms a whole while the fragments of the mosaic are interconnected. The mosaic element can now be transported by itself.

The fragments for the mosaic element can be manufactured by breaking a plate of material which can be sawed or poured, the fragments can optionally be aftertreated such as tumbled, polished or shaken. The fragments can be manufactured from all sorts of materials, preferably natural stone or ceramic materials. The fragments form random shapes. The fragments can be manufactured industrially and manually.

After the fragments have been manufactured, they are placed in a mold which determines an outer contour. Then, the fragments are interconnected by a mat which is glued onto the fragments. After the glue has dried or cured, the mosaic element can be taken from the mold and is ready for transport.

A first manner of interconnecting the fragments is effected by means of a gauze-shaped mat which is connected to the fragments with glue and which, in order to be processed, allows glue through the workpiece. A second manner can be realized by interconnecting the fragments with a hardening material which is self-supporting and not flexible, a third mutual connection can be realized by a mat in the shape of, for instance, paper which is applied to the top side of the mosaic with a soluble glue layer.

The invention is presently elucidated with reference to a drawing.

Other characteristics and advantages of a mosaic element with a linkage fitting invisibly to four sides according to the invention will also be clarified with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a cross section of a first surface which can be obtained with the aid of a system according to the invention ; and

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of a second surface which can be obtained with the aid of a system according to the invention.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a system for making a relatively large surface comprising fragments (1) arranged in a mosaic. The system comprises at least two relatively small mosaic elements (2,3, 4) which are each provided with a plurality of fragments (1) positioned next to each other and formed as a layer. On a longitudinal edge (8), the layer is provided with a toothing. The elements can be fittingly linked up. The toothing can be similar on all longitudinal edges. However, it is also possible that each side has a toothing unique for that respective element. The system is such that the toothing of one element fits into the toothing of another element. With the system according to the invention, it holds for each element that the fragments are positioned substantially randomly relative to each other. The dimensions of the toothing and dimensions of the fragments are selected such that there where the toothing of one element links up with the toothing of another element, the surface composed of the one element and the other element is substantially clear of a difference, noticeable to the human eye, between the randomness with which the fragments belonging to the one or to the other element have been positioned relative to each other, and the randomness with which fragments located on both sides of the link-up between the first and the second element have been positioned relative to each other. It is possible that then, to the human eye, there is no noticeable difference between the distances between neighbouring fragments belonging to the first or to the second element and distances between neighbouring fragments located on both sides of the link-up between the first and the second element. Preferably, the fragments are interconnected only on one side of the layer. This connection can be located on a side such that after"laying"the system, the link is substantially hidden from view. This can also be on a side of the layer forming the top side, during use.. In that case, it is possible to break the connection or remove it and to thereupon interconnect the fragments within the layer, i. e.

between the fragments with a jointing material. Preferably, the system comprises a substantially cell-shaped connecting structure for interconnecting the fragments. This connecting structure can be designed to be flexible. This allows, for instance, rolling up and/or laying on a, for instance, sloping surface.

It is possible that the connecting structure allows glue to pass. This- simplifies connection by, for instance, applying a layer of glue to the layer and providing the connecting structure against the layer. The glue can flow away from areas where it cannot effect connection, especially when glue is used which is very flowable prior to hardening. The connecting structure can comprise a mat or net.

The dimensions of the toothing can be such that the toothing has an irregular shape. However, it is also possible that the dimensions of the toothing are such that the toothing has a even shape. Generally it holds that before the system is laid, the layer between the fragments is clear of jointing material. Jointing material can be added after the elements have been fittingly laid.

The fragments can be obtained from a natural stone and/or ceramic plate material by means of breaking and, optionally, an aftertreatment such as tumbling, washing, polishing or shaking, known techniques in the technical field.

In Fig. 1, schematically, a top plan view and, therebelow, in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3, two cross sections of the system mosaic floor or wall are represented. Fragment 1 is glued to mat 7 which can be designed to be self- supporting such as, for instance, a concrete plate, or flexible such as, for instance, gauze. It is also possible to glue fragment 1 to a top carrier 6 consisting, for instance, of paper. The mosaic element are divided in three form types: the first type is a corner piece 4 and has two straight sides and two toothed sides 8, the toothed sides 8 are all interchangeable. The second type is an edge piece 2 and consist of one straight side and three toothed sides 8, the third type is a middle piece 4 and has four similar, toothed sides 8. For the

sake of clarity, elements 2,3 and 4 are drawn separate from each other, in practice they are positioned against each other. The elements can be glued or positioned on the substrate 5.

An element of the system can be manufactured with the aid of a mold comprising a circumferential edge in which the fragments are laid next to- each other randomly until a surface defined by the circumferential edge has been filled with a layer of fragments.

A possible method for manufacturing a mosaic element as described hereinabove comprises: providing a mold comprising a circumferential edge with toothing; providing a plurality of fragments which can cover a surface defined by the circumferential edge virtually completely when the fragments are laid next to each other within the circumferential edge; laying the fragments next to each other within the mold until the surface defined by the circumferential edge is virtually completely covered with fragments; and interconnecting the fragments.

It is possible that interconnecting the fragments takes place by gluing the fragments with a sheet-shaped connecting structure.