| Algae resistant shingle -> Monitor Keywords |
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Algae resistant shingleRelated Patent Categories: Stock Material Or Miscellaneous Articles, Structurally Defined Web Or Sheet (e.g., Overall Dimension, Etc.), Continuous And Nonuniform Or Irregular Surface On Layer Or Component (e.g., Roofing, Etc.), Particulate MatterAlgae resistant shingle description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060194023, Algae resistant shingle. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to roofing materials. More particularly, the invention pertains to asphalt roofing shingles having an application of metallic particles applied to the asphalt base material to provide algae resistance to the roofing shingle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Asphalt-based roofing materials, such as roofing shingles, are installed on the roofs of buildings to provide protection from the elements. Typically, the roofing material is constructed of a substrate, an asphalt coating on the substrate, and a surface layer of granules embedded in the asphalt coating. [0003] In certain climates, particularly warm climates with high humidity, algae, fungus, and other types of microorganisms often grow on the exposed surfaces of the roofing material. This algae and fungus growth is particularly prevalent in the southeastern Gulf Coast area of the United States, and has recently become increasingly prevalent in the northern and midwest regions of the United States. This algae and/or fungal growth leads to a discoloring of the exposed roofing material surfaces. The discoloration begins as dark spots of algae/fungus that develop into dark streaks and eventually cover a majority of the roof. The discoloration generally occurs over a period of years. For example, in southeastern regions of the United States, the discoloration generally becomes visible during the second or third year after the roofing shingles have been applied. This discoloring is particularly noticeable and unsightly on white or light-colored roofing materials, which are often used in warm and humid climates because of their aesthetic and sun reflectivity properties. [0004] To combat algae and/or fungus growth, it is generally known to include metallic granules on the surface of the roofing material. The metallic granules are generally either composed primarily of or coated with a coating containing copper and/or other metals such as zinc. When wetted by rain or otherwise, the copper and zinc compounds leach out from the roofing material and act as algaecides and/or fungicides to inhibit the growth of the algae and/or fungus. [0005] The metallic materials and compounds used to provide the algae and/or fungal resistance are generally very expensive and can often undesirably increase the cost of the roofing material. Additionally, the metallic granules on the roofing material are often not aesthetically pleasing because they are highly reflective and appear shiny on the surface of the roofing material. Hence, there is a need for an improved, less expensive algae resistant roofing material. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumerated are achieved by asphalt roofing shingles having an application of metallic particles applied to the asphalt base material to provide algae resistance to the roofing shingle. The algae resistant asphalt-based roofing material includes at least a portion that is normally exposed when the roofing material is installed on a roof. The exposed portion of the roofing material is comprised of a substrate coated with an asphalt coating. The asphalt coating includes an upper surface that is positioned above the substrate when the roofing material is installed on the roof. A surface layer of granules is adhered to the asphalt coating. An application of metallic particles having a component that inhibits the growth of algae is applied to the upper surface of the asphalt coating. The metallic particles are applied such that greater than fifty percent of the metallic particles are covered by the asphalt coating or by the granules, or by both the asphalt coating and the granules. The metallic particles are preferably applied to the roofing material at a rate that provides the algae inhibiting component of the metallic particles in an amount within the range of from about 0.05 pounds per square to about 0.29 pounds per square of roofing material. In a preferred embodiment, the algae inhibiting component of the metallic particles is copper or a copper alloy. Preferably, greater than ninety percent of the metallic particles applied to the asphalt coating have a particle geometry having an aspect ratio of less than or equal to 1.5. [0007] In another embodiment of the invention, elongated copper-containing particles are applied to the upper surface of the asphalt coating. The copper-containing particles preferably have an aspect ratio within the range of from about 1.5 to about 200. A surface layer of granules is also adhered to the asphalt coating. [0008] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the roofing shingle of the present invention. [0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shingle portion of the roofing shingle taken along Line 2-2 in FIG. 1. [0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the roofing shingle cross-section shown in FIG. 2. [0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention using chopped copper wire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0013] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an algae resistant roofing shingle according to the present invention. The illustrated roofing shingle, indicated generally at 10, is in large measure conventional in the art and is intended merely to illustrate one environment in which this invention may be used. Thus, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited for use with the specific structure for the roofing shingle 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 or with roofing shingles in general. On the contrary, as will become apparent below, this invention may be used in any desired environment for the purposes described below. For example, it will be appreciated that any other roofing material, such as roll roofing and commercial roofing, may also be formed according to the present invention. [0014] The roofing shingle 10 includes a headlap region 12 and a prime region 14. The headlap region 12 of the shingle 10 is the portion of the shingle 10 that is covered by adjacent shingles when the shingle 10 is installed upon a roof. The prime region 14 of the shingle 10 is the portion of the shingle 10 that remains exposed when the shingle 10 is installed upon a roof. The prime region 14 is the portion of the shingle 10 where growth of fungus, algae, or other such microorganisms may occur. The shingle 10 may have any suitable dimensions. The shingle 10 may also be divided between the headlap region 12 and the prime region 14 in any suitable proportion. For example, a typical residential roofing shingle 10 is approximately three feet wide by one foot high, with the height dimension being equally divided between the headlap region 12 (six inches) and the prime region 14 (six inches). [0015] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the composition of the shingle 10 of the present invention. Generally, the shingle 10 consists of a substrate material 20 that is coated with a coating material, indicated generally at 22. An application of metallic particles 30 is applied to the coating material 22. A surface layer of granules 32 is preferably applied over the metallic particles 30 and the coating material 22. [0016] The substrate 20 can be any suitable material for receiving the asphalt coating 22, such as fiberglass mat or organic felt material. The substrate material 20 is preferably coated with an asphalt coating, indicated generally at 22. It will be appreciated that any suitable coating material other than asphalt may be used as well. The asphalt coating 22 includes an upper region 24 and a lower region 26. The upper region 24 includes an upper surface 28. The upper region 24 and upper surface 28 are positioned above the substrate 20 when the roofing material is installed on a roof. The lower region 26 is positioned below the substrate 20 when the roofing material is installed on a roof. [0017] An application of metallic particles 30 is applied to the upper surface 28 of the asphalt coating 22. The metallic particles 30 are applied to provide the algae and/or fungal resistance to the shingle 10. The metallic particles 30 may be formed from any suitable metal or metal alloy that provides an algae/fungus inhibiting component. The algae/fungus inhibiting component of the metallic particles 30 provides the appropriate algaecidal and/or fungicidal properties desired for the algae resistant shingle 10. Preferably, the algae inhibiting component of the metallic particles 30 consists essentially of copper or a copper alloy. The metallic particles 30 can be applied by any suitable mechanism, such as a vibratory feeder. [0018] A surface layer of granules 32 is applied to the top surface 28 of the asphalt coating 22. The granules 32 can be any suitable material typically used in roofing material construction, such as limestone, ceramic coated limestone, or other stone or ceramic coated stone material. The granules 32 can be applied in any suitable manner to the top surface 28 of the asphalt coating 22. For example, the granules 32 may be applied in a single application. The granules may also be applied in a series of applications, such as blend drops and background granules, as is common practice when multiple colors of granules 32 are applied to the roofing shingle 10. [0019] The metallic particles 30 are preferably pre-applied to the upper surface 28 of the asphalt coating 22. The term "pre-applied", as used herein, refers to the application of the metallic particles 30 to the asphalt coating 22 prior to the final application of the surface layer of granules 32. It is preferable that the metallic particles 30 be applied directly to the upper surface 28 of the asphalt coating 22 prior to the application of any granules 32. It will be appreciated, however, that it is also possible to apply the metallic particles 30 in conjunction with one or more of a series of granule 32 applications, provided that the metallic particles 30 are applied prior to the final application of the surface granules 32. Continue reading about Algae resistant shingle... Full patent description for Algae resistant shingle Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Algae resistant shingle patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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