Method for providing multiple tile shapes or appearances of the same

A method of providing multiple tile shapes from one mold, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first tile shape without a separation channel by use of said tile mold and a first slipper, said first tile shape being a single, generally S-tile shape;
• providing a second tile shape by use of said tile mold and a second slipper, the second tile shape being a single, generally S-tile shape comprising a cap portion and a pan portion, and the second tile shape defining a separation channel that extends longitudinally between the cap portion and the pan portion along one or more surfaces of the second tile shape, wherein the separation channel further lies along a plane that is skewed relative to a vertical plane that includes the gravitational axis of the second tile shape while in said mold;
• and
• breaking said second tile shape along said separation channel, such that said second S-tile shape is converted into two generally Mission tile shapes, one being a “cap” type and one being a “pan” type, wherein said cap type defines a concave surface relative to a supporting surface when later installed and said pan types defines a convex surface relative to the supporting surface.

A method of providing a roof structure by use of a tile mold, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first tile shape by use of said tile mold, said first tile shape having a single, generally “S”-shaped transverse cross section and including a cap portion and a pan portion, said cap portion defining a concave surface when later installed relative to a supporting surface and said pan portion defining a convex surface relative to said supporting surface;
• providing a second tile shape by use of said tile mold, said second tile shape having a single, generally “S”-shaped transverse cross section and including a cap portion and a pan portion relative to the supporting surface, and wherein the second tile shape defines a necked portion between the pan portion and the cap portion, the necked portion having a thickness that is substantially the same as or less than a thickness of the cap portion and a thickness of the pan portion immediately adjacent the necked portion, the necked portion further defining a first breakage channel on one or more surfaces of the second tile shape, the first breakage channel lying within a plane that is skewed relative to a vertical plane that includes the gravitational axis of the second tile shape while in said mold and being configured to facilitate breakage of the second tile shape between the cap portion and the pan portion, and the cap portion defining a second breakage channel extending substantially normally to a longitudinal axis of the cap portion, the second breakage channel configured to facilitate breakage of the cap portion into two sections, wherein each of the two cap portion sections and the pan portion have a generally “C”-shaped transverse cross section;
• breaking the second tile shape along the first breakage channel;
• breaking the cap portion of the second tile shape along the second breakage channel;
• installing said first tile shape atop the supporting surface;
• and
• attaching one or the two cap portion sections of said second tile shape atop the cap portion of said first tile shape.

A method of providing a plurality of tiles the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first tile shape by use of said tile mold, said first tile shape having a single, generally “S”-shaped transverse cross section and including a cap portion and a pan portion, said cap portion defining a concave surface relative to a supporting surface when later installed and said pan portion defining a convex surface relative to said supporting surface;
• providing a second tile shape having a single, generally “S”-shaped transverse cross section comprising a cap portion and a pan portion, wherein:
• the second tile shape defines a breakage channel on a surface of the second tile between the cap portion and the pan portion,
• the breakage channel lies within a plane that is skewed relative to a vertical plane that includes the gravitational axis of the second tile shape while in said mold and is configured to facilitate breakage of the second tile shape between the cap portion and the pan portion, and
• each of the cap portion and the pan section have a generally arcuate-shaped transverse cross section upon breaking;
• and
• breaking the second tile shape along the breakage channel.

A method of providing a tile using a tile mold, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a tile shape by use of a tile mold, said tile shape having a single, generally “S”-shaped transverse cross section and comprising a cap portion and a pan portion, wherein:
• said cap portion defines a concave surface relative to a supporting surface when later installed,
• said pan portion defines a convex surface relative to said supporting surface, and
• said tile shape defines at least one breakage channel on one or more surfaces of said tile shape, wherein the at least one breakage channel lies within a plane that is skewed relative to a vertical plane that includes the gravitational axis of the second tile shape while in said and is configured to facilitate breakage of the tile shape between the cap portion and the pan portion, and wherein each of the cap portion and the pan portion has a generally arcuate-shaped transverse cross section upon breaking;
• breaking said tile shape along the at least one breakage channel;
• and packaging said cap portion of said tile shape for shipment to a customer.

A method of providing a tile using a tile mold, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a tile shape by use of a tile mold, said tile shape having a single, generally “S”-shaped transverse cross section and comprising a cap portion and a pan portion, wherein:
• said cap portion defines a concave surface relative to a supporting surface when later installed,
• said pan portion defines a convex surface relative to said supporting surface, and
• said tile shape defines at least one breakage channel on one or more surfaces of said tile shape, wherein at least a portion of the at least one breakage channel lies vertically below an overhang portion of said cap portion while in said mold, said overhang portion lying between said at least one breakage channel and an apex of said cap portion, and wherein said at least one breakage channel is configured to facilitate breakage of the tile shape between the cap portion and the pan portion, and wherein each of the cap portion and the pan portion has a generally arcuate-shaped transverse cross section upon breaking;
• breaking said tile shape along the at least one breakage channel;
• and packaging said cap portion of said tile shape for shipment to a customer.