Patents by Inventor James A. Svec

James A. Svec has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10058888
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Patent number: 9912284
    Abstract: A self-sealing mounting bracket includes an outer shell that defines at least one downwardly facing chamber. A plunger is located in the downwardly facing chamber and is slidable within the chamber. The chamber is filled with sealant either at the manufacturing facility or in the field. Larger openings are formed in the top of the outer shell that align with and provide access to bolt holes in the top of the plunger. Smaller openings in the top of the outer shell are for attaching the shell to a roof with lag bolts. The mounting bracket is located on a shingled roof and lag bolts are inserted through the larger openings and threaded into the roof deck. The heads of these lag bolts pass through the larger openings and engage the plungers to press the plungers down in their chambers. This, in turn, compresses, squeezes, and extrudes sealant between the mounting bracket and the roof below forming a water tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Patent number: 9795981
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying a strip of sealant to a web of roofing shingle stock as the web moves along a processing path. The apparatus includes an applicator wheel disposed on one side of the processing path and having a peripheral surface. The applicator wheel is rotatably mounted and oriented such that rotation of the applicator wheel moves the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel toward, adjacent to, and then away from the moving web of shingle stock. A nozzle preferably in the form of a slot die is disposed adjacent to the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel. A source of sealant is supplied and a delivery system is configured to deliver the sealant from the source of the sealant to the slot die under a predetermined pressure. The slot die and delivery system are configured to project a stream of sealant toward and onto the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel at a predetermined speed. This applies a coating of sealant to the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Publication number: 20170108165
    Abstract: A self-sealing mounting bracket includes an outer shell that defines at least one downwardly facing chamber. A plunger is located in the downwardly facing chamber and is slidable within the chamber. The chamber is filled with sealant either at the manufacturing facility or in the field. Larger openings are formed in the top of the outer shell that align with and provide access to bolt holes in the top of the plunger. Smaller openings in the top of the outer shell are for attaching the shell to a roof with lag bolts. The mounting bracket is located on a shingled roof and lag bolts are inserted through the larger openings and threaded into the roof deck. The heads of these lag bolts pass through the larger openings and engage the plungers to press the plungers down in their chambers. This, in turn, compresses, squeezes, and extrudes sealant between the mounting bracket and the roof below forming a water tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Patent number: 9555439
    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 having an alternating series of pockets and lands formed into the circumference thereof, and which is positioned adjacent a nozzle in the bottom of the hopper. Upper and lower side portions of the pocket wheel define and are exposed to upper and lower extents of a store of granules. A seal on the bottom of the lower extent of the store of granules 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 store of granules. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Publication number: 20160375463
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Patent number: 9498795
    Abstract: A high speed granule delivery system and method for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated substrate 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 separated by raised lands. A seal on the bottom of the hopper seals against the raised lands as the pockets are filled with granules during rotation of the pocket wheel through the hopper. As each pocket is indexed beyond the seal, it is exposed to the moving asphalt coated substrate below and its granules fall onto the substrate to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt. The speed at which the wheel is indexed is coordinated with the speed of the asphalt coated substrate to form well defined patterns of granules at high production rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Patent number: 9457354
    Abstract: A continuous system for making shingles from recyclable material is provided comprising a milling device to receive recyclable material and process the recyclable material into particulate and a transfer device to receive and transfer the particulate from the milling device. An apparatus receives the particulate from the transfer device and weighs the particulate. A continuous processor receives the particulate and reacts and/or mixes the particulate with at least one admixture to form a homogenous mixture. A filler mixer receives the homogenous mixture and incorporates the homogenous mixture with shingle material to form core product and a control panel controls input of the homogenous mixture into the filler mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Svec, Denis Muki Tibah, Keith Edward Stephens
  • Patent number: 9359765
    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. Well defined patterns of granules are possible at high production rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Publication number: 20160045927
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying a strip of sealant to a web of roofing shingle stock as the web moves along a processing path. The apparatus includes an applicator wheel disposed on one side of the processing path and having a peripheral surface. The applicator wheel is rotatably mounted and oriented such that rotation of the applicator wheel moves the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel toward, adjacent to, and then away from the moving web of shingle stock. A nozzle preferably in the form of a slot die is disposed adjacent to the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel. A source of sealant is supplied and a delivery system is configured to deliver the sealant from the source of the sealant to the slot die under a predetermined pressure. The slot die and delivery system are configured to project a stream of sealant toward and onto the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel at a predetermined speed. This applies a coating of sealant to the peripheral surface of the applicator wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Publication number: 20160001319
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Patent number: 9187864
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed drying and dewatering system comprises an air knife and a vacuum slot, wherein the air knife is positioned over the vacuum slot and fibrous nonwoven material is passed under the air knife and over the vacuum slot. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to achieve greater water removal and more uniform binding agent distribution across the nonwoven fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Svec, Paul G. Wilson, Margie Ann Beerer, Jacob Stephen Zhanel
  • Patent number: 9187644
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a method for producing essentially homogeneous asphalt compositions which are comprised of the asphalt, a block copolymer (such as a linear block copolymer or a radial block copolymer), and one or more additional desired additives. This method offers the advantage of being capable of attaining the essentially homogeneous asphalt composition in one pass procedure with a short residence time in the mixing equipment. This greatly reduces the thermal history to which heat sensitive asphalt additives, such as asphalt modification polymers, are exposed. It also simplifies the mixing procedure and can reduce the overall amount of energy required to attain the desired blend. In some case, it allows for the production on a commercial basis of asphalt compositions which would otherwise not be feasible, for instance the production of asphalt compositions which contain high levels of asphalt modifications polymers which are otherwise difficult to process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Svec, Keith Edward Stephens, Denis Muki Tibah
  • Publication number: 20150072073
    Abstract: A high speed granule delivery system and method is disclosed for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated substrate 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 substrate below and its granules fall onto the substrate to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Publication number: 20150044365
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Svec
  • Publication number: 20140338850
    Abstract: The invention relates to asphalt emulsions comprising an asphalt component selected from the group consisting of a solvent extracted asphalt, an oxidized asphalt, and combinations thereof. The invention also relates to products made therefrom, including fibrous mats comprising a fiber component, such as glass fibers, and a binder component comprising an asphalt emulsion. The invention further relates to wet-laid processes for manufacturing fibrous mats and that employ the use of an amphoteric surfactant, which is applied to a wet fiber web prepared from a dispersion of fiber components, such as glass fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Younger Ahluwalia, James A. Svec, Margie Beerer
  • Patent number: 8841364
    Abstract: The invention relates to asphalt emulsions comprising an asphalt component selected from the group consisting of a solvent extracted asphalt, an oxidized asphalt, and combinations thereof. The invention also relates to products made therefrom, including fibrous mats comprising a fiber component, such as glass fibers, and a binder component comprising an asphalt emulsion. The invention further relates to wet-laid processes for manufacturing fibrous mats and that employ the use of an amphoteric surfactant, which is applied to a wet fiber web prepared from a dispersion of fiber components, such as glass fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Younger Ahluwalia, James A. Svec, Margie Beerer
  • Publication number: 20140263779
    Abstract: A continuous system for making shingles from recyclable material is provided comprising a milling device to receive recyclable material and process the recyclable material into particulate and a transfer device to receive and transfer the particulate from the milling device. An apparatus receives the particulate from the transfer device and weighs the particulate. A continuous processor receives the particulate and reacts and/or mixes the particulate with at least one admixture to form a homogenous mixture. A filler mixer receives the homogenous mixture and incorporates the homogenous mixture with shingle material to form core product and a control panel controls input of the homogenous mixture into the filler mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: James A. Svec, Denis Muki Tibah, Keith Edward Stephens
  • Publication number: 20140275337
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a method for producing essentially homogeneous asphalt compositions which are comprised of the asphalt, a block copolymer (such as a linear block copolymer or a radial block copolymer), and one or more additional desired additives. This method offers the advantage of being capable of attaining the essentially homogeneous asphalt composition in one pass procedure with a short residence time in the mixing equipment. This greatly reduces the thermal history to which heat sensitive asphalt additives, such as asphalt modification polymers, are exposed. It also simplifies the mixing procedure and can reduce the overall amount of energy required to attain the desired blend. In some case, it allows for the production on a commercial basis of asphalt compositions which would otherwise not be feasible, for instance the production of asphalt compositions which contain high levels of asphalt modifications polymers which are otherwise difficult to process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Svec, Keith Edward Stephens, Denis Muki Tibah
  • Patent number: 8834681
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed drying and dewatering system comprises an air knife and a vacuum slot, wherein the air knife is positioned over the vacuum slot and fibrous nonwoven material is passed under the air knife and over the vacuum slot. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to achieve greater water removal and more uniform binding agent distribution across the nonwoven fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Svec, Paul G. Wilson, Margie Ann Beerer, Jacob Stephen Zhanel