Abstract: A method includes feeding a heated polymer additive at a first temperature into a continuous mixer at a first feed rate. The method includes feeding a heated abrasive solid material at a second temperature into the continuous mixer at a second feed rate. The heated abrasive solid material and the heated polymer additive are mixed in the continuous mixer to form a first mixture.

Abstract: A roofing system including a plurality of roofing panels that can be releasably secured to rafters or other supports of the roof by connectors. In embodiments, the connectors can include first and second connectors, each of which can include a plate with a projection extending therefrom, and with the plates defining flanges on each side of the projection. The plates of the first and second connectors are configured to seat on and at least partially extend along one of the rafters of the roof structure and along exterior facing surfaces of adjacent ones of the roofing panels to releasibly secure the roofing panels to the rafters.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a roofing system. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a first roofing material, wherein the first roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the top surface of the first roofing material comprises a nail zone with a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a second roofing material, wherein the second roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the second roofing material comprises a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system comprises and a patterned adhesive, which directly contacts at least a portion of the plurality of fines in the nail zone and at least a portion of the plurality of fines on the bottom surface of the second roofing material.

Abstract: A roofing system including a plurality of roofing panels that can be releasably secured to rafters or other supports of the roof by connectors. In embodiments, the connectors can include first and second connectors, each of which can include a plate with a projection extending therefrom, and with the plates defining flanges on each side of the projection. The plates of the first and second connectors are configured to seat on and at least partially extend along one of the rafters of the roof structure and along exterior facing surfaces of adjacent ones of the roofing panels to releasibly secure the roofing panels to the rafters.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a roofing system. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a first roofing material, wherein the first roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the top surface of the first roofing material comprises a nail zone with a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a second roofing material, wherein the second roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the second roofing material comprises a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system comprises and a patterned adhesive, which directly contacts at least a portion of the plurality of fines in the nail zone and at least a portion of the plurality of fines on the bottom surface of the second roofing material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for die coating a moving substrate with a high viscosity material such as a polymer. The method includes heating and mixing ingredients to form a homogenous mixture, pumping the mixture around a circulation loop with a first pump, maintaining a predetermined pressure of the mixture within the circulation loop, drawing mixture from the circulation loop with a second pump, delivering the mixture using the second pump to an extrusion die adjacent the moving substrate to coat the substrate, and controlling the second pump as a function of at least the speed of the moving substrate to maintain predetermined characteristics of the coating mixture applied to the moving substrate. An apparatus for carrying out the method also is disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a roofing system. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a first roofing material, wherein the first roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the top surface of the first roofing material comprises a nail zone with a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a second roofing material, wherein the second roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the second roofing material comprises a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system comprises and a patterned adhesive, which directly contacts at least a portion of the plurality of fines in the nail zone and at least a portion of the plurality of fines on the bottom surface of the second roofing material.

Abstract: A method includes feeding a heated polymer additive at a first temperature into a continuous mixer at a first feed rate. The method includes feeding a heated abrasive solid material at a second temperature into the continuous mixer at a second feed rate. The heated abrasive solid material and the heated polymer additive are mixed in the continuous mixer to form a first mixture.

Abstract: An article includes a first layer including a front surface and a back surface and a second layer including a front surface and a back surface. A portion of the second layer overlaps the first layer. A portion of the second layer is fastened to the first layer. The back surface of the first layer contacts the front surface of the second layer. A plurality of indentations along a major dimension of the roofing shingle. The plurality of indentations are configured to partially press the second layer into the first layer such that the second layer is partially indented into the first layer. The plurality of indentations are at least one of barrel-shaped, flattened teardrop shaped, rounded taper teardrop shaped, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A roofing system with interlocking structural panels that have an outer, exterior side surface adapted to be exposed to weather, and an inner side that faces the interior of a structure when installed. The roofing system generally can include a first plurality of structural panels and a second plurality of structural panels, with at least one of the pluralities of structural panels including roofing panels, and the other plurality of structural panels including photovoltaic modules or solar panels that can be mounted in series with the roofing panels to form the roof structure. The structural panels of the roofing system are configured to act as structural components for construction of a roof structure, and are further adapted and/or constructed to be easily handled and installed by individual installers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for die coating a moving substrate with a high viscosity material such as a polymer. The method includes heating and mixing ingredients to form a homogenous mixture, pumping the mixture around a circulation loop with a first pump, maintaining a predetermined pressure of the mixture within the circulation loop, drawing mixture from the circulation loop with a second pump, delivering the mixture using the second pump to an extrusion die adjacent the moving substrate to coat the substrate, and controlling the second pump as a function of at least the speed of the moving substrate to maintain predetermined characteristics of the coating mixture applied to the moving substrate. An apparatus for carrying out the method also is disclosed.

Abstract: A high speed granule delivery system and method is disclosed for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated strip in the manufacture of roofing shingles. The system includes a granule hopper and a rotationally indexable pocket wheel in the bottom of the hopper. A series of pockets are formed in the circumference of the wheel and the pockets are separated by raised lands. A seal on the bottom of the hopper seals against the raised lands as the wheel is indexed. In use, the pockets of the pocket wheel drive through and are filled with granules in the bottom of the hopper. As each pocket is indexed beyond the seal, it is exposed to the moving asphalt coated strip below and its granules fall onto the strip to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt.

Abstract: A roofing system has metal shingles that have formed side lap features that are configured to facilitate alignment of adjacent side lapped metal shingles of a shingle installation along a roofing structure and that couple the metal shingles together and form seals along their side lapped peripheral edges. The metal shingles also can have alignment features that cooperate to align shingles in one course with shingles in a next lower course within their headlap regions.

Abstract: A roofing system has metal roofing shingles that have formed side lap features that are configured to facilitate alignment of adjacent side lapped metal roofing shingles of a shingle installation along a roofing structure and that couple the metal roofing shingles together and form seals and seams along their side lapped peripheral edges. The metal roofing shingles also can have alignment features that cooperate to align shingles in one course with shingles in a next lower course within their headlap regions. The roofing system also has standing seam features configured to couple to the metal roofing shingles to cover the formed seams.

Abstract: Interlocking laminated structural roofing panels have a lightweight foamed core sandwiched between outer and inner layers of materials such as wood, polymer materials, fire resistant and/or waterproof membranes, and metal layers. At least one layer is a self-gripping metal sheet that grips and bonds mechanically to adjacent layers such as wood layers. A self-gripping metal sheet may be used on both sides of the roofing panels to form a panel that is strong, structurally robust, and able to span between relatively widely spaced roof rafters with little or no mid-span support. Interlocking features along the edges of the panels interlock adjacent panels together to form a strong monolithic roof covering for a roof.

Abstract: Systems and methods of applying self-seal strips of multiple different adhesives are disclosed. In one embodiment, two spaced apart spoked applicator wheel assemblies are positioned beneath a web of moving shingle stock such that each of the applicator wheels applies dots of different adhesives in an alternating pattern. In other embodiments, a layer of a second adhesive is deposited onto previously applied dots of a first adhesive to form layered adhesive dots with dual properties of both adhesives.

Abstract: A high speed granule delivery system and method is disclosed for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated strip in the manufacture of roofing shingles. The system includes a granule hopper and a rotationally indexable pocket wheel in the bottom of the hopper. A series of pockets are formed in the circumference of the wheel and the pockets are separated by raised lands. A seal on the bottom of the hopper seals against the raised lands as the wheel is indexed. In use, the pockets of the pocket wheel drive through and are filled with granules in the bottom of the hopper. As each pocket is indexed beyond the seal, it is exposed to the moving asphalt coated strip below and its granules fall onto the strip to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt.

Abstract: A high speed granule delivery system and method is disclosed for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated strip in the manufacture of roofing shingles. The system includes a granule hopper and a rotationally indexable pocket wheel in the bottom of the hopper. A series of pockets are formed in the circumference of the wheel and the pockets are separated by raised lands. A seal on the bottom of the hopper seals against the raised lands as the wheel is indexed. In use, the pockets of the pocket wheel drive through and are filled with granules in the bottom of the hopper. As each pocket is indexed beyond the seal, it is exposed to the moving asphalt coated strip below and its granules fall onto the strip to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt.

Abstract: A method for applying coating material to a moving substrate such as a glass mat web in shingle manufacturing includes conveying the web through a narrow channel and ejecting at least one coating material onto at least one surface of the web as it is conveyed through the channel. In a preferred embodiment, multiple coating materials may be applied to one surface of the web and multiple coating materials may be applied to the other surface of the web. The coating materials may be molten asphalt or other coating materials. The pressure of the coating material is controlled as a function of the line speed of the moving substrate to ensure consistently thick coatings at various speeds, including relatively high speeds, of the web. An apparatus in the form of a slot die is disclosed for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: A high speed granule delivery system and method is disclosed for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated strip in the manufacture of roofing shingles. The system includes a granule hopper and a rotationally indexable pocket wheel in the bottom of the hopper. A series of pockets are formed in the circumference of the wheel and the pockets are separated by raised lands. A seal on the bottom of the hopper seals against the raised lands as the wheel is indexed. In use, the pockets of the pocket wheel drive through and are filled with granules in the bottom of the hopper. As each pocket is indexed beyond the seal, it is exposed to the moving asphalt coated strip below and its granules fall onto the strip to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt.