Patents Assigned to Building Materials Investment Corporation
  • Patent number: 11492805
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining a roofing membrane. A first layer of the roofing membrane is applied along a length of a roofing substrate covering a first portion of the roofing substrate. At least a first edge of the first layer is fastened to the roofing substrate. A second layer of the roofing membrane is applied over the first layer along the length of the roofing substrate such that a first edge of the second layer overlies the second edge of the first layer. The first edge of the second layer and the second edge of the first layer are fastened to the roofing substrate using a second fastener in a fastening zone along the length the roofing substrate. The second layer is reoriented such that the second layer overlies the fastening zone and covers a second portion of the roofing substrate adjacent the first portion of the roofing substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Ying Yang, Jeffrey Avitabile, Joseph Nigro, Daniel Podewils, Brian A. Davis, Eric R. Anderson, Matthew Gimpert
  • Patent number: 11326107
    Abstract: It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills (reactor columns) can be improved by filling the blow still with various types of packing material, such as metal or glass spheres (or other rigid materials). The packing material acts to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The packing material also increases the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduced blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Denis Muki Tibah, Daniel E. Boss
  • Publication number: 20220077564
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are configured to determine that a signal strength of a fifth generation cellular networking (5G) protocol communication is below a threshold strength value. The 5G protocol communication includes a millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency transmission between a computing device and a first integrated roofing accessory of a first roof. It is determined that a second integrated roofing accessory of a second roof would have an improved signal strength is indicative of a better line of sight to the computing device, and the first integrated roofing accessory and the second integrated roofing accessory are part of a 5G network. At least one of transferring the 5G protocol communication to the second integrated roofing accessory from the first integrated roofing accessory of the first roof, or including the second integrated roofing accessory into the 5G protocol communication with the computing device is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Rich Robinson, Xavier Riley
  • Publication number: 20220056271
    Abstract: This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt (PMA) using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (“puffed”) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (“Zero PEN Asphalt”) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced. In fact, this technique can be used to attain polymer modified asphalt having a highly desirable combination of characteristics that could not otherwise be attained using the base asphalt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: Denis Muki Tibah
  • Publication number: 20210324631
    Abstract: A roofing material is provided having an asphalt-coated mat or felt made up of or in combinations of fiberglass, polyester, nylon, cotton, cellulosic fibers or materials, polyethylene, polypropylene, co-polymers, melamine, phenolic, acrylics, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, clay, metallic in woven, non-woven, strands or sheets, styrene compounds, rubber, silk, leather, or wool in a woven, non-woven, or solid form. The surfacing materials can be made up of or in combination minerals, plastic particles or film, metal particles or film, cement particles, clay particles, paints, coatings, glass, ceramics, wood, wood fiber, or composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matti Kiik, Michael L. Bryson, Paul G. Wilson, Margie A. Beerer, Olan Leitch
  • Patent number: 11085189
    Abstract: A hail resistant roofing system and method includes a roofing substrate such as a shingle or tile or membrane having an array of exposed upwardly projecting features. The features may rise to sharp points and may have side surfaces that are angled relative to the plane of the roofing substrate. The features are spaced and arranged so that a large hail stone capable of damaging the roofing substrate will always impact one or more of the exposed features. This can break up the hail stone into smaller benign pieces or can redirect the energy and direction of the hail stone so that the impact is absorbed without damage to the roofing substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Zheng, Adem Chich, Yixi Xiao, Eric R. Anderson, Walter Zarate
  • Patent number: 11053391
    Abstract: This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (“puffed”) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (“Zero PEN Asphalt”) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced. This technique can be used to attain polymer modified asphalt having a highly desirable combination of characteristics not otherwise attainable using the base asphalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: Denis Muki Tibah
  • Patent number: 11028590
    Abstract: A roofing system comprises layered construction panels, each having a bottom structural layer to provide strength and support. A performance layer overlies the structural layer and provides performance or functional characteristics such as water proofing, water shedding and/or impact resistance. An upper or decorative layer overlies the performance layer and provides aesthetic features or a decorative appearance for the roofing system. The decorative layer of the construction panels can be removed without damaging or affecting the performance layer. The appearance of a roof can thereby be changed at will without requiring that the entire roofing system be removed and replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Boss, Kevin A. Pollack, Denis Tibah, Trieu Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11012024
    Abstract: A roof integrated photovoltaic mounting system includes a plurality of aluminum rails mountable in horizontal spaced relationship on a roof for receiving courses of photovoltaic panels or photovoltaic tiles. The PV panels or tiles have an extruded attachment feature along their forward edge portions that defines a downwardly projecting forwardly facing hook. Panels or tiles are installed by placing each panel or tile on a pair of rails and sliding the panel or tile down until its forward facing hook engages beneath a rear facing tongue on a rail below. A PV panel or tile in a next lower course is installed by slipping its rear edge beneath the forward edge of a panel or tile in a next higher course. The panel is then hinged down about its rear edge until its forward edge portion engages a support rail below. The panel is then slid down until the hook of its attachment fixture engages beneath the tongue of the downslope rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Tommy F. Rodrigues, David J. Gennrich, Nazar Dzoba, Lucas Masi, Daniel E. Boss, Sudhir Railkar
  • Patent number: 11002015
    Abstract: A roofing material is provided having an asphalt-coated mat or felt made up of or in combinations of fiberglass, polyester, nylon, cotton, cellulosic fibers or materials, polyethylene, polypropylene, co-polymers, melamine, phenolic, acrylics, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, clay, metallic in woven, non-woven, strands or sheets, styrene compounds, rubber, silk, leather, or wool in a woven, non-woven, or solid form. The surfacing materials can be made up of or in combination minerals, plastic particles or film, metal particles or film, cement particles, clay particles, paints, coatings, glass, ceramics, wood, wood fiber, or composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matti Kiik, Michael L. Bryson, Paul G. Wilson, Margie A. Beerer, Olan Leitch
  • Patent number: 10995495
    Abstract: A roofing material is provided having an asphalt-coated mat or felt made up of or in combinations of fiberglass, polyester, nylon, cotton, cellulosic fibers or materials, polyethylene, polypropylene, co-polymers, melamine, phenolic, acrylics, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, clay, metallic in woven, non-woven, strands or sheets, styrene compounds, rubber, silk, leather, or wool in a woven, non-woven, or solid form. The surfacing materials can be made up of or in combination minerals, plastic particles or film, metal particles or film, cement particles, clay particles, paints, coatings, glass, ceramics, wood, wood fiber, or composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matti Kiik, Michael L. Bryson, Paul G. Wilson, Margie A. Beerer, Olan Leitch
  • Patent number: 10995233
    Abstract: Water-resistant waterborne acrylic coating materials, systems and methods providing enhanced water resistance and durability are provided. Such coatings extend the service life of roofing systems that are exposed to ponding water and other extreme weather conditions. Coatings described herein exhibit superior water resistance attributes including one or more of water infiltration resistance, wet tensile strength and wet adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Wilson Cheung, Benjamin Pearl, Kihyun Kim, Adem Chich, Daniel E. Boss, Michael Hagen
  • Patent number: 10970991
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an exemplary system that includes radio frequency (RF) tags; positioned at locations throughout a roof; a tag reader configured to: generate reader RF signals at one or more frequencies to read the plurality of RF tags, and detect return RF signals from the plurality of RF tags; where the RF signals carry tag data comprising impedance values and tag identifiers; a processor of a computing device, programmed to receive the tag data; determine corresponding locations of the plurality of RF tags; and determine a wet state or dry state of the roof at one or more corresponding locations, and output an indicator of the wet state or the dry state of the roof at the one or more corresponding locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: Igor Alovert
  • Patent number: D911490
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Norman M. Chin, Lingtao Yu, Linlin Xing, Daniel Boss, Eric R. Anderson
  • Patent number: D912506
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Caicedo, Natalie Cruz, Carol Monza, Michael Comiskey, David Shin, Don Miller, Carolyn Eckert
  • Patent number: D912507
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Caicedo, Natalie Cruz, Carol Monza, Michael Comiskey, David Shin, Don Miller, Carolyn Eckert
  • Patent number: D915882
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Caicedo, Natalie Cruz, Carol Monza, Michael Comiskey, David Shin, Don Miller, Carolyn Eckert
  • Patent number: D918716
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Caicedo, Natalie Cruz, Carol Monza, Michael Comiskey, David Shin, Don Miller, Carolyn Eckert
  • Patent number: D928284
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Norman M. Chin, Lingtao Yu, Linlin Xing, Daniel Boss, Eric R. Anderson
  • Patent number: D928285
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Norman M. Chin, Lingtao Yu, Linlin Xing, Daniel Boss, Eric R. Anderson