Abstract: A roofing, cladding or siding module is described. The module comprises an underlapping region adapted to be substantially covered by an exposed region of an adjacent overlapping module when installed on a building surface. A plurality of projections are formed on an underside of the underlapping region. The projections are feet to support the module on the building surface to provide a gap between the module and the building surface, and/or provide a profile on the underside of the underlapping region to define a pathway for air flow between the module and the building surface. Each projection is formed by a downwardly projecting portion of the underlapping region with a corresponding cavity in an upper side of the underlapping region, and the cavity is shaped to prevent or minimize water pooling in the cavity.

Abstract: A roofing, cladding or siding product which is light weight, easy to install, durable, and resistant to environmental wear includes a module that can be used to form a weatherproof covering over top of a building surface. The module can also form a weatherproof covering, and be used as part of a thermal energy recovery or removal system. The module can also form part of a thermal energy recovery system that includes an array of solar cells to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roofing, cladding, or siding module, comprising an underlapping region extending from a head edge of the module and an exposed region extending from a foot edge of the module. The length of the foot edge defining the length of the module. The underlapping region is adapted to be substantially covered by the exposed region of an adjacent or overlapping module when installed on a building surface. The module is formed of at least one layer of extruded material. The layer so formed comprises at least 40% w/w filler and/or reinforcement, and one or more polymer(s).

Abstract: A method of forming a material includes presenting a formable material to a space between opposing forming surfaces of opposed forming tools from whence said material is carried as said opposing forming surfaces advance in a machine direction. The method includes pressurising, as said opposing forming surfaces advance, said material between said opposing forming surfaces in a reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces defining at least in part a pressure forming zone, said reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces being maintained constant until a form of at least one of said opposing forming surfaces is profiled into said material and is retainable thereon. The method also includes releasing the profiled material from between the said opposing forming surfaces, as the space of the pressure forming zone increases between said opposing forming surfaces as the opposing forming surfaces advance.

Abstract: A roofing, cladding or siding module is described. The module comprises an underlapping region adapted to be substantially covered by an exposed region of an adjacent overlapping module when installed on a building surface. A plurality of projections are formed on an underside of the underlapping region. The projections are feet to support the module on the building surface to provide a gap between the module and the building surface, and/or provide a profile on the underside of the underlapping region to define a pathway for air flow between the module and the building surface. Each projection is formed by a downwardly projecting portion of the underlapping region with a corresponding cavity in an upper side of the underlapping region, and the cavity is shaped to prevent or minimize water pooling in the cavity.

Abstract: A method of forming a material includes presenting a formable material to a space between opposing forming surfaces of opposed forming tools from whence said material is carried as said opposing forming surfaces advance in a machine direction. The method includes pressurising, as said opposing forming surfaces advance, said material between said opposing forming surfaces in a reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces defining at least in part a pressure forming zone, said reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces being maintained constant until a form of at least one of said opposing forming surfaces is profiled into said material and is retainable thereon. The method also includes releasing the profiled material from between the said opposing forming surfaces, as the space of the pressure forming zone increases between said opposing forming surfaces as the opposing forming surfaces advance.

Abstract: A method of forming a material includes presenting a formable material to a space between opposing forming surfaces of opposed forming tools from when said material is carried as said opposing forming surfaces advance in a machine direction. The method includes pressurizing, as said opposing forming surfaces advance, said material between said opposing forming surfaces in a reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces defining at least in part a pressure forming zone, said reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces being maintained constant until a form of at least one of said opposing forming surfaces is profiled into said material and is retainable thereon. The method also includes releasing the profiled material from between the said opposing forming surfaces, as the space of the pressure forming zone increases between said opposing forming surfaces as the opposing forming surfaces advance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roofing, cladding, or siding module, comprising an underlapping region extending from a head edge of the module and an exposed region extending from a foot edge of the module. The length of the foot edge defining the length of the module. The underlapping region is adapted to be substantially covered by the exposed region of an adjacent or overlapping module when installed on a building surface. The module is formed of at least one layer of extruded material. The layer so formed comprises at least 40% w/w filler and/or reinforcement, and one or more polymer(s).

Abstract: A roofing, cladding or siding product which is light weight, easy to install, durable, and resistant to environmental wear includes a module that can be used to form a weatherproof covering over top of a building surface. The module can also form a weatherproof covering, and be used as part of a thermal energy recovery or removal system. The module can also form part of a thermal energy recovery system that includes an array of solar cells to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a roofing, cladding or siding product which is light weight, easy to install, durable and resistant to environmental wear. One embodiment relates to a module that can be used to form a weatherproof covering over top of a building surface. Another embodiment is a module which can, in additional to forming a weatherproof covering, be used as part of a thermal energy recovery or removal system. Yet another embodiment is a module which can, in addition to forming a weatherproof covering, and optionally in addition to being useful as part of a thermal energy recovery system, bears an array of solar cells to generate electrical energy. Assemblies, systems, uses, and methods of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a material includes presenting a formable material to a space between opposing forming surfaces of opposed forming tools from whence said material is carried as said opposing forming surfaces advance in a machine direction. The method includes pressurising, as said opposing forming surfaces advance, said material between said opposing forming surfaces in a reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces defining at least in part a pressure forming zone, said reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces being maintained constant until a form of at least one of said opposing forming surfaces is profiled into said material and is retainable thereon. The method also includes releasing the profiled material from between the said opposing forming surfaces, as the space of the pressure forming zone increases between said opposing forming surfaces as the opposing forming surfaces advance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method of forming a material, including the steps of, presenting a formable material to a space from where the material can be carried by and/or between opposing surfaces of the space, as the opposing surfaces advance in an advancing direction. Also pressurising, as the opposing surfaces advance, the material between the opposing surfaces in a reduced space between the opposing surfaces defining at least in part a pressure forming zone. The reduced space between the opposing surfaces being maintained at least substantially constant until such time as the form of at least one of the opposing surfaces is profiled into the material and is retainable thereon. Thereafter releasing the now profiled material from between the opposing surfaces, as the space increases between the opposing surfaces as the surfaces advance.

Abstract: A forming apparatus for forming a formable material. Each forming tool of a second forming tool set is adapted to co-act with one or more forming tools of a first forming tool set, or vice versa, to form a co-acting forming tool in a pressure forming zone. There is a first forming tool set guide or guides about which the first forming tool set can be moved about a first circuit. There is also a second forming tool set guide or guides about which the second forming tool set can be moved about a second circuit. A drive drives the tools in a machine direction. At least on part of the circuit, adjacent forming tools of one the forming tool sets are movably supported such that the only relative movement of the adjacent forming tools is towards or away from the forming tools of the other forming tool set.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a roofing, cladding or siding product which is light weight, easy to install, durable and resistant to environmental wear. One embodiment relates to a module that can be used to form a weatherproof covering over top of a building surface. Another embodiment is a module which can, in additional to forming a weatherproof covering, be used as part of a thermal energy recovery or removal system. Yet another embodiment is a module which can, in addition to forming a weatherproof covering, and optionally in addition to being useful as part of a thermal energy recovery system, bears an array of solar cells to generate electrical energy. Assemblies, systems, uses, and methods of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method of forming a material, including the steps of, presenting a formable material to a space from where the material can be carried by and/or between opposing surfaces of the space, as the opposing surfaces advance in an advancing direction. Also pressurising, as the opposing surfaces advance, the material between the opposing surfaces in a reduced space between the opposing surfaces defining at least in part a pressure forming zone. The reduced space between the opposing surfaces being maintained at least substantially constant until such time as the form of at least one of the opposing surfaces is profiled into the material and is retainable thereon. Thereafter releasing the now profiled material from between the opposing surfaces, as the space increases between the opposing surfaces as the surfaces advance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a forming apparatus for forming a formable material or materials. The apparatus has a first forming tool set, and a second forming tool set. Each forming tool of the second forming tool set is adapted to co-act with one or more forming tools of the first forming tool set, or vice versa, to form a co-acting forming tool in a pressure forming zone. There is a first forming tool set guide or guides about which the first forming tool set can be moved about a first circuit. There is also a second forming tool set guide or guides about which the second forming tool set can be moved about a second circuit. There is also a drive means to drive the tools in a machine direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method of forming a material, including the steps of, presenting a formable material to a space from where the material can be carried by and/or between opposing surfaces of the space, as the opposing surfaces advance in an advancing direction. Also pressurising, as the opposing surfaces advance, the material between the opposing surfaces in a reduced space between the opposing surfaces defining at least in part a pressure forming zone. The reduced space between the opposing surfaces being maintained at least substantially constant until such time as the form of at least one of the opposing surfaces is profiled into the material and is retainable thereon. Thereafter releasing the now profiled material from between the opposing surfaces, as the space increases between the opposing surfaces as the surfaces advance.