Abstract: A method of forming a structure comprises forming a pattern of elongate features extending vertically from a base structure. Conductive material is formed on the elongate features. After completing the forming of the pattern of elongate features, the elongate features, the conductive material, or both is (are) exposed to at least one surface treatment gas. The at least one surface treatment gas comprises at least one species formulated to diminish attractive or cohesive forces at a surface of the conductive material. Apparatus and additional methods are also described.

Abstract: A re-moistenable adhesive-coated drywall corner trim piece having an elongated semi-rigid core piece with a right and left flange, where the semi-rigid core piece has a centerline along which the flanges meet forming a hinge that can be bent and re-bent to any angle any number of times. The piece can also include a step running longitudinally along each of the flanges that can be located between the centerline and the flange edges so that the flanges change from a thicker portion toward the centerline to a thinner portion toward the edges making the piece boxable (capable of being wet mudded simultaneously on both sides without an intermediate drying step). Flanges can be curved slightly inward for perfect bonding.

Abstract: A re-moistenable adhesive-coated drywall corner trim piece having an elongated semi-rigid core piece with a right and left flange, where the semi-rigid core piece has a centerline along which the flanges meet forming a hinge that can be bent and re-bent to any angle any number of times. The piece can also include a step running longitudinally along each of the flanges that can be located between the centerline and the flange edges so that the flanges change from a thicker portion toward the centerline to a thinner portion toward the edges making the piece boxable (capable of being wet mudded simultaneously on both sides without an intermediate drying step). Flanges can be curved slightly inward for perfect bonding.

Abstract: A re-moistenable adhesive-coated drywall corner trim piece having an elongated semi-rigid core piece with a right and left flange, where the semi-rigid core piece has a centerline along which the flanges meet forming a hinge that can be bent and re-bent to any angle any number of times. The piece can also include a step running longitudinally along each of the flanges that can be located between the centerline and the flange edges so that the flanges change from a thicker portion toward the centerline to a thinner portion toward the edges making the piece boxable (capable of being wet mudded simultaneously on both sides without an intermediate drying step). Flanges can be curved slightly inward for perfect bonding.

Abstract: An improved corner trim material construction such that a pair of flanges of the material, normally approximately perpendicular to one another, may “flex”, or change angle, relative to one another and the apex, or nose, of the material allowing the flanges to lay flat against the wall surface adjacent the corner onto which they are being bonded or attached. The present invention can use a single, twin or tri-hinge created by a groove running end-to-end to allow flexing.

Abstract: A drywall trim application device that can hold a large role of drywall flex corner trim material and, as the material is being dispensed, pre-crease or form the material for use on an inside or outside corner, or any angle within the range of the trim material, apply a mastic material (drywall mud, adhesive or any other bonding medium) to the flex trim material, and cut the material at any desired length automatically. Measurements may be either input by hand or downloaded from an electronic measurement tool into this device. This invention can generally store multiple measurements such as length and angles, measure the length of flex trim material as it is dispensed from the device, crease the material, apply predetermined amount of mastic, and automatically cut the flex trim material to each length previously input.

Abstract: A powered cutter for cutting drywall tape or plastic drywall trim. The cutter can contain a blade, a means to move the blade through the material or move the material over the blade, a source of power to create the movement, a means for the user to release the power initiating the movement to create the cut. The cutter can be powered by springs, a motor, hydraulics, or by any other means. The preferred embodiment is a spring-powered cutter where the spring is cocked with a lever and released with a trigger. The spring causes a mass to rotate that carries enough angular momentum to cause the blade to cut through the drywall trim material. If the spring is of sufficient power a mass may not be needed.

Abstract: A notched drywall trim piece that can take the form of a bead, hinged trim piece or bullnose piece that generally is constructed from a semi-rigid core that forms two flanges. At least one of the flanges is notched allowing the piece to follow the shape of an arch or arbitrarily curved corner. The piece can be installed using only wet mud or other mastic. The outer or room-facing surface can optionally be treated or prepared to bond with the mud or can be prepared to directly receive paint or texture. The preparation of the flange surface can take the form of a paper or other fibrous layer, scoring, frocking (bonding a powered fibrous material), roughing, protrusions, or a water-activated adhesive or pressure sensitive (or any other) adhesive may be used.

Abstract: A drywall trim application device that can hold a large role of drywall flex corner trim material and, as the material is being dispensed, pre-crease or form the material for use on an inside or outside corner, or any angle within the range of the trim material, apply a mastic material (drywall mud, adhesive or any other bonding medium) to the flex trim material, and cut the material at any desired length automatically. Measurements may be either input by hand or downloaded from an electronic measurement tool into this device. This invention can generally store multiple measurements such as length and angles, measure the length of flex trim material as it is dispensed from the device, crease the material, apply predetermined amount of mastic, and automatically cut the flex trim material to each length previously input.

Abstract: A drywall trim application device that can hold a large role of drywall flex corner trim material and, as the material is being dispensed, pre-crease or form the material for use on an inside or outside corner, or any angle within the range of the trim material, apply a mastic material (drywall mud, adhesive or any other bonding medium) to the flex trim material, and cut the material at any desired length automatically. Measurements may be either input by hand or downloaded from an electronic measurement tool into this device. This invention can generally store multiple measurements such as length and angles, measure the length of flex trim material as it is dispensed from the device, crease the material, apply predetermined amount of mastic, and automatically cut the flex trim material to each length previously input.

Abstract: A power cutter tool for applying drywall tape or plastic drywall trim product that contains a powered blade that can cut the tape or trim material by simply pressing a trigger. The cutter can be powered by a spring or springs, a motor, hydraulically or by any other means. The trigger can be a button, lever, valve or any other means for releasing a powered blade.

Abstract: A notched drywall trim piece that can take the form of a bead, hinged trim piece or bullnose piece that generally is constructed from a semi-rigid core that forms two flanges. At least one of the flanges is notched allowing the piece to follow the shape of an arch or arbitrarily curved corner. The piece can be installed using only wet mud or other mastic. The outer or room-facing surface can optionally be treated or prepared to bond with the mud or can be prepared to directly receive paint or texture. The preparation of the flange surface can take the form of a paper or other fibrous layer, scoring, frocking (bonding a powered fibrous material), roughing, protrusions, or a water-activated adhesive or pressure sensitive (or any other) adhesive may be used.

Abstract: A drywall trim application device that can hold a large role of drywall flex corner trim material and, as the material is being dispensed, pre-crease or form the material for use on an inside or outside corner, or any angle within the range of the trim material, apply a mastic material (drywall mud, adhesive or any other bonding medium) to the flex trim material, and cut the material at any desired length automatically. Measurements may be either input by hand or downloaded from an electronic measurement tool into this device. This invention can generally store multiple measurements such as length and angles, measure the length of flex trim material as it is dispensed from the device, crease the material, apply predetermined amount of mastic, and automatically cut the flex trim material to each length previously input.

Abstract: A drywall hopper assembly that contains a double blade that can apply drywall mud to both interior and exterior drywall corners with no blade change. A zigzag blade can contain two grooves, one for interior corners and one for exterior corners. With this blade arrangement, an operator can quickly move from one type of corner to another without using multiple tools, multiple blades or hand application methods to apply mud. The present invention can contain a pliable release port to present mud equally to an interior or an exterior corner. There can be such a port on both the top and bottom of the blade so that mud is smoothly applied as trim moves through the hopper or the hopper is moved along the trim.

Abstract: A drywall corner piece with flange surfaces forming a near right angle forming a cup for fitting over drywall corners where the web sections of the flanges have at least one strain relief channel allowing the piece to flex to different angles.

Abstract: A modification to the box packaging typically used to store and transport flex trim material rolls or tape that allows the installer to hold and control the package while dispensing the flex trim material or tape directly from the box and placing it directly onto the corner being finished. This is achieved by a combination of perforations and creases which, when pushed in, form a handle on at least one side of the box for grasping the package and a separate hole on the edge of the box through which the flex trim is pulled out of the box and hence dispensed.

Abstract: A drywall trim application device that can hold a large role of drywall flex corner trim material and, as the material is being dispensed, pre-crease or form the material for use on an inside or outside corner, or any angle within the range of the trim material, apply a mastic material (drywall mud, adhesive or any other bonding medium) to the flex trim material, and cut the material at any desired length automatically. Measurements may be either input by hand or down loaded from an electronic measurement tool into this device. This invention can generally store multiple measurements such as length and angles, measure the length of flex trim material as it is dispensed from the device, crease the material, apply predetermined amount of mastic, and automatically cut the flex trim material to each length previously input.

Abstract: A notched drywall trim piece that can take the form of a bead, hinged trim piece or bullnose piece that generally is constructed from a semi-rigid core that forms two flanges. At least one of the flanges is notched allowing the piece to follow the shape of an arch or arbitrarily curved corner. The product can generally be installed without any mechanical fasteners since the inner or wall-facing surface of the product is prepared or treated to bond directly with drywall mud or other mastic. In this manner, the piece can be installed using only wet mud or other mastic. The installation process can be aided by the used of a corner roller common in the industry to help set and align the material with the corner being trimmed. The outer or room-facing surface can optionally be treated or prepared to bond with the mud or can be prepared to directly receive paint or texture.

Abstract: A drywall tape or trim dispensing tool of the type similar to those sold under the name BAZOOKA with an elongated handle and a tape or trim dispensing head. The head can contain a blade coupled to a power mechanism such as a spring, hydraulic or electric energy source where the blade can be placed into a cocked position by a cocking mechanism and then triggered by a pull on a remote trigger located on the handle. After the device is cocked, the user can dispense tape or trim to a desired length and then cut it exactly by a simple trigger pull.

Abstract: A drywall or sheet rock edge clip device that can hold joints of drywall together at the apex of vaulted ceilings or at any other drywall seam at any angle. The device can include tabs and a head or cross member coupled by a stem that fits through the seam or joint and pulls and holds it together. A wire-tie version of the invention can have serrations along the stem and pull up and tighten like a wire-tie. The unused tail section can be broken off by bending it from side to side.