US 12,343,919 B2 · Roofing tile system and method of manufacture

Abstract

A synthetic roofing tile is provided that includes features enhancing the impact resistance as well as the ease of installation and/or use of the roofing tile or panel on a building structure. The roofing tile is formed in an improved color variation process which effectively simulates the appearance of the natural material represented by the synthetic roofing tile. The roofing tile also can be compression molded such as in a method for manufacturing a synthetic roofing tile or panel is provide in which a number of inserts representing the desired appearance for the roofing tile or panel can be utilized in the manufacturing process to provide roofing tiles or panels with the desired appearance. The inserts can be interchanged within the molds in order to provide different appearances to roofing tiles or panels formed using the same molds.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method for providing color variation in the formation of a roofing tile material, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a color variation device including a feed throat having a hopper at an inlet end thereof, an outlet end thereof opposite the hopper, a first color feeder secured to the feed throat at a first point between the inlet end and the outlet end, and a second color feeder secured to the feed throat at a second point different from the first point between the inlet end and the outlet end,
wherein the outlet end is attached to an extruder;
b. charging the hopper with a non-color material;
c. introducing a first color material having a first color to the first color feeder at the first point along the feed throat;
d. introducing a second color material having a second color to the second color feeder at the second point along the feed throat;
and
e. operating the extruder to draw the non-color material, the first color material, and the second color material into the feed throat under the influence of gravity and then through the extruder to produce a roofing material,
wherein a location of the first and second points is selected to provide a customized color pattern or appearance in the roofing material.

5 more elements

A method for providing color variation in the formation of a roofing tile material, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a color variation device including a feed throat having a hopper at an inlet end thereof, a first color feeder releasably secured to the feed throat at a first height, a second color feeder releasably secured to the feed throat at a second height different from the first height, and an outlet end thereof attached to an extruder, wherein the first and second heights are defined between the inlet end and the outlet end;
b. introducing a non-color material to the hopper;
c. introducing a number of color materials to the first and second color feeders;
d. operating the extruder to draw the non-color material and the number of color materials into the feed throat under the influence of gravity, where the non-color material and the number of color materials mix to form a mixed material, and then through the extruder to produce a roofing material;
and
e. heating the mixed material as it passes through the extruder,
wherein a location of the first and second heights is selected to provide a customized color pattern or appearance in the roofing material.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Roofing tile system and method of manufacture

Life of this patent

Roofing tile system and method of manufacture

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16