Abstract: A hose connector includes a cylindrical elongated member having a first and second end, a first and second inner sleeve rotatably mounted on the cylindrical member, and a first and second outer sleeve capable of connecting to the respective first and second inner sleeves.

Abstract: A hose assembly comprises: a flexible corrugated inner hose suitable for conveying and dispensing loose-fill insulation material, and a non-conforming outer hose snugly fitted about the inner hose, the outer hose having a substantially cylindrical outer surface that is substantially free of corrugations.

Abstract: A sizer assembly for providing a shaped polymeric article in an extrusion process includes a sizer body having a product profile channel corresponding to the shaped polymeric article formed therethrough. The sizer body includes a plurality of cooling liquid inlet slots forming an opening substantially around the product profile channel and a plurality of vacuum slots forming an opening substantially around the product profile channel for removing cooling liquid expelled from said cooling liquid inlet slots.

Abstract: A roof structure and a method of installing a snow guard on the base of a roof is provided, wherein the roof structure includes a plurality of synthetic shingles of thermoplastic materials, and where a snow guard is provided having an outwardly projecting snow-engaging platform and an oppositely provided hook at an upper end, wherein the hook is adapted to engage over and upper edge of a butt portion of one or more shingles in an underlying course of shingles, and wherein a tab portion of a shingle in a next-overlying course of shingles is disposed over the upper end of the snow guard, substantially covering its base, and wherein the snow-engaging platform is adapted to receive snow and ice that may slide down the roof, to intercept the same or break the snow or ice up into small harmless particles.

Abstract: One method for controlling edge thickness includes applying a coating to a moving substrate, thereby forming a film having a cross direction and a machine direction and one or more edges. The method also includes modifying a thickness of a first portion of the coating along one of the edges of the film, thereby forming a film having a substantially predetermined profile in the cross direction. A method of making a polymeric sheet includes applying a polymer to a moving substrate, thereby forming a sheet having a cross direction and a machine direction. This method further includes removing a first portion of the polymer from a first edge of the sheet, thereby the sheet having a substantially predetermined profile in the cross direction.

Abstract: A roof membrane is disclosed, for use in simulating a standing seam metal roof when applied to a roof surface and a roof system is also provided, that employs the roof membrane, disposed between longitudinal, but spaced-apart, generally parallel roof battens. Underlayments of various constructions are also provided, beneath the membrane, as an option. Caps are provided for upstanding legs of the roof battens.

Abstract: A roof membrane is disclosed, for use in simulating a standing seam metal roof when applied to a roof surface and a roof system is also provided, that employs the roof membrane, disposed between longitudinal, but spaced-apart, generally parallel roof battens. Underlayments of various constructions are also provided, beneath the membrane, as an option. Caps are provided for upstanding legs of the roof battens.

Abstract: Cementitious exterior sheathing products are provided which include a rigid support member affixed to a cementitious layer. The rigid support member includes at least one nailing flange disposed along one of its lateral sides for allowing the sheathing product to be affixed to an exterior wall of a building. Preferred mechanical and adhesive bonding techniques are suggested for combining the cementitious layer and rigid support member together to form an integrated product. Such products are lighter in weight and are more crack resistant than currently available fiber cement trim boards.

Abstract: An insulation product and method of making the same are provided. The insulation product includes a mat containing randomly oriented fibers bonded by a binder, the mat having first and second major surfaces and a pair of side portions, and at least one flexible reinforcing layer bonded to the mat between the first and second major surfaces and extending along a length of said mat.

Abstract: A co-extruded structural member is disclosed having first and second co-extruded layers. The first co-extruded substrate layer comprises a structural preform and is substantially reflective of near-infrared (near-IR) radiation. A co-extruded cap layer is substantially transparent to near-IR radiation. The cap layer can be provided in aesthetically pleasing dark colors, while heat absorption is minimized due to the reflective properties of the near-IR reflective substrate layer. Using a co-extrusion process enhances the durability of the ultimate product over previous systems which use relatively fragile paint coatings to limit heat absorption. By providing near-IR transmissive and reflective pigments within the co-extruded polymers, a highly durable finished product is obtained. The co-extruded layers are disclosed for use in fence and deck applications, but will also find application in a wide variety of building product applications, both exterior and interior.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a process for obtaining a material comprising a substrate at least part of whose surface and at least one of whose faces is based on organic compounds, the said process being implemented at atmospheric pressure comprises moreover the following stages. In the immediate vicinity of the said substrate a zone containing active species of a non-thermal plasma is created; into the said zone is injected at least one precursor of a chemical element so as to deposit upon at least one face of the said substrate (at least part of whose surface comprises an organic compound base), a first thin layer capable of protecting the said substrate against oxidation reactions, specifically those due to radicals. A further purpose of the invention is the material obtainable according to this process.

Abstract: Algae-resistant roofing granules are formed by extruding a mixture of mineral particles and a binder to form porous granule bodies, and algaecide is distributed in the pores. Release of the algaecide is controlled by the structure of the granules.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.

Abstract: A shingle and a method of making it is provided in which the rear surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation has insulation fibers (104) with a fungicide in a dispersed additive affixed to the fibers (104), and a method of making a fibrous insulation by dispersing a fungicide and a dispersed additive on the fibers (104) followed by affixing the dispersed additive on the fibers (104). The method produces thermal, acoustic, duct liner or board insulation either as loose fill insulation or as an insulation mat.

Abstract: An insulation product is provided comprising an insulation mat comprising randomly oriented fibers. The mat has first and second major surfaces and a pair of side portions. A vapor retardant facing layer is bonded to at least one of the major surfaces of the mat. The facing layer has a fiber orientation such that the facing layer has a ratio of machine direction tensile strength to cross machine direction tensile strength which permits the facing layer to be separated by hand along a substantially straight line selected in the machine direction.