Abstract: A shingle blank comprises an asphalt coated mat having a cut line formed in the asphalt coated mat. The cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion. The perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.

Abstract: A roofing underlayment comprising an asphalt-coated fibrous sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface is provided. A first portion of the upper surface has granules adhered thereto. A slip-resistant member is bonded to a second portion of the upper surface, an upper surface of the slip-resistant member having substantially no granules adhered thereto.

Abstract: A shingle blank comprises a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface configured to include a first prime region and a second prime region. The first prime region is substantially covered by prime granules having a first overall visual effect and the second prime region is substantially covered by prime granules having a second overall visual effect different from the first overall visual effect. The shingle blank is capable of being divided into individual cap shingles that can be applied to a roof ridge or hip, with the cap shingles including both the first and second prime regions, thereby enabling the cap shingles to be installed in an overlapping manner on the hip or ridge with either the first or the second prime colors being exposed.

Abstract: A laminated asphalt shingle including a base layer, a first decorative layer, and a second decorative layer is provided. The first decorative layer may be affixed to the base layer and to the second decorative layer by a flexible adhesive that permits the first decorative layer to move relative to both the base layer and the second decorative layer without de-bonding. The relative movement of the shingle layers permits the shingle to be folded over the ridge line of a roof without de-bonding or breaking the layers. Additionally, the relative movement of the layers when the shingle is installed over a ridge creates opposing transverse edges in which each layer is offset from the other layers as a result of the shingle bending about a different radius of curvature, thereby providing a dimensional appearance along the transverse edges.

Abstract: Shingle blanks including a first fold region, a second fold region, a third region, a lower edge and an upper edge are provided. The shingle blank has a length. The first and second fold regions extend substantially across the length of the shingle blank. The second fold region is positioned between the first and third fold regions. A first perforation line is positioned between the second and third fold regions. A second perforation line is positioned between the first and second fold regions. A reinforcement material is positioned over the first perforation line and configured to reinforce the first perforation line. The reinforcement material includes apertures configured to allow an asphalt coating to bleed through the reinforcement material. The first and second perforation lines facilitate folding of the first and second fold regions on top of the third region to form a three layered stack.

Abstract: A shingle blank is provided including a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and including a first fold region, a second fold region, a third region, a lower edge and an upper edge. The shingle blank has a length. The first fold region extends substantially across the length of the shingle blank. The second fold region extends substantially across the length of the shingle blank and is positioned between the first fold region and the third region. A first perforation line is positioned between the second fold region and the third region. A second perforation line is positioned between the first fold region and the second fold region. The first and second perforation lines are sufficient to facilitate folding of the first fold region and the second fold region on top of the third region to form a three layered stack configured to be applied across a ridge or hip.

Abstract: This invention relates to an underlayment for use under a plurality of courses of roofing shingles. The underlayment includes a water impermeable membrane layer containing at least one flap extending horizontally across the membrane layer. The flap is movable between a flat position and a raised position. In the raised position, an upper edge of a roofing shingle can be positioned under the flap. The upper edge of the roofing shingle can then be subsequently overlapped by the flap when the flap is moved into the flat position. The flap can then subsequently be overlapped by another course of roofing shingles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of a steam trap include a device for sensing a process condition of the steam trap and a device for processing the sensed condition. The apparatus can include a processor positioned on a steam trap. The connection of the monitoring device to the steam trap can be to the trap itself or to an adjacent pipe or other apparatus.

Abstract: Ridge vents configured to cover an open ridge of a roof and allow a flow of air to exit from the open ridge through the ridge vents are provided. The ridge vents include a center portion having a length and a plurality of grooves. Left and right portions are connected to the center portion. The center portion is configured to flex along it's length, thereby forming a ridge vent angle between the left and right portions. The formed ridge vent angle is configured to correspond with a slope between roof decks defining the open ridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of a steam trap include a device for sensing a process condition of the steam trap and a device for processing the sensed condition. The apparatus can include a processor positioned on a steam trap. The connection of the monitoring device to the steam trap can be to the trap itself or to an adjacent pipe or other apparatus.

Abstract: An attic soffit ventilation system configured to enable ventilation of a building having an attic and a soffit is provided. The system comprises a vent attached over an opening in the soffit. The vent has a vent flange that extends through the soffit opening. The vent is configured to allow air from an area exterior to the building to enter through the soffit. A flow conduit is provided having a lower portion, an extension portion and an attic aperture. The lower portion is configured to align with and connect to the vent flange. The extension portion of the flow conduit extends into the attic to the extent that the attic aperture is positioned in a non-insulated attic space. Air from the area exterior to the building can flow though the vent and through the flow conduit to the attic space.

Abstract: A shingle blank is provided comprising a substrate coated with an asphalt coating and configured to include a prime region. The asphalt coating includes an upper section and a lower section, the upper section is positioned above the substrate and the lower section is positioned below the substrate. A web is applied to the lower section of the prime region. At least one perforation line is positioned in the shingle blank. The at least one perforation line is sufficient to facilitate separation of the shingle blank.

Abstract: This invention relates to an underlayment for use under a plurality of courses of roofing shingles. The underlayment includes a water impermeable membrane layer containing at least one flap extending horizontally across the membrane layer. The flap is movable between a flat position and a raised position. In the raised position, an upper edge of a roofing shingle can be positioned under the flap. The upper edge of the roofing shingle can then be subsequently overlapped by the flap when the flap is moved into the flat position. The flap can then subsequently be overlapped by another course of roofing shingles.

Abstract: An agglomerated microorganism resistant granule includes a base material having microorganism resistant characteristics and a filler material mixed with the base material. The filler material is configured to erode over time. The erosion of the filler material leaves voids and irregular surfaces in the agglomerated base material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of at least one steam trap includes at least one monitor including at least one sensor for sensing at least one process condition of the steam trap; at least one means for calculating an average of the at least one monitored process condition; and, at least one transmitter for transmitting at least one signal responsive to the averaged monitored process condition.

Abstract: A mixing valve for mixing steam and water comprising an inlet chamber for steam, an inlet chamber for water, and a mixing chamber for mixing the steam and the water. The mixing chamber has at least one outlet connected thereto. A valve member arranged in the steam inlet chamber is coupled to a diaphragm. The valve is responsive to pressure differentials in the water inlet chamber, and is utilized to control steam flow from the steam inlet chamber to the mixing chamber. The mixing valve includes an internal partition between the steam inlet chamber and the water inlet chamber. The internal partition includes a thermal break that minimizes the contact between the steam inlet chamber and the water inlet chamber, thus minimizing the heat transfer therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing granules onto a moving asphalt coated sheet includes first and second granule feed chambers containing granules that are fed to a discharge slot by first and second pockets. The pockets are formed in a slidable divider positioned between the feed chambers and the discharge slot. The divider is slid between a first position and a second position by a fluid powered actuator via an actuator rod. In the first position, the first pocket is in communication with the first granule feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber and the second pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the second pocket. In the second position the first pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the first pocket and the second pocket is in communication with the second feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing granules onto a moving asphalt coated sheet includes first and second granule feed chambers containing granules that are fed to a discharge slot by first and second pockets. The pockets are formed in a slidable divider positioned between the feed chambers and the discharge slot. The divider is slid between a first position and a second position by a fluid powered actuator via an actuator rod. In the first position, the first pocket is in communication with the first granule feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber and the second pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the second pocket. In the second position the first pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the first pocket and the second pocket is in communication with the second feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber.