Abstract: The invention discloses an improved die assembly for the extrusion of thermoplastic resin cellulosic fiber composite profiles meant to minimize and substantially prevent the occurrence of melt fracture on the surface of the extruded composite profiles. Comprising the die assembly are a balanced flow passage having a heated compression zone, a heated transition zone, a heated converging die zone, a die land, which corresponds to at least a portion of the downstream end of the flow passage and is cooled to temperature below the melting point temperature of the thermoplastic resin. The invention also discloses a production process for composite profiles which include the steps of providing resin and fiber, producing a composite compound, processing the compound through an extrusion system, extruding the compound through the die assembly to form the desired profile, cooling the profile and cutting it to length. Also disclosed are products produced by the production process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shingles which are designed to simulate the look of wood shingles while providing for a comparative ease of installation. Each shingle has a plurality of alignment features located on its inner and outer surfaces, which are a combination of corresponding male and female features. The alignment features are positioned on each shingle to allow for the shingles to be easily installed with a predetermined gap between adjacent shingles, while providing for multiple possible exposures for each course of shingles and multiple possible alignments between shingles in successive courses. Also disclosed are various preferred embodiments for shingles having alternate arrangements for the alignment features and various additional desirable configurations. The present invention also relates to a cladding system comprised of separate molded shingles that are installed in successive courses.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved die assembly for the extrusion of thermoplastic resin cellulosic fiber composite profiles meant to minimize and substantially prevent the occurrence of melt fracture on the surface of the extruded composite profiles. Comprising the die assembly are a balanced flow passage having a heated compression zone, a heated transition zone, a heated converging die zone, a die land, which corresponds to at least a portion of the downstream end of the flow passage and is cooled to temperature below the melting point temperature of the thermoplastic resin. The invention also discloses a production process for composite profiles which include the steps of providing resin and fiber, producing a composite compound, processing the compound through an extrusion system, extruding the compound through the die assembly to form the desired profile, cooling the profile and cutting it to length. Also disclosed are products produced by the production process.