MXPA05012890A - Print methodology for applying polymer materials to roofing materials - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of making a composite roofing material and the resulting material by depositing nail tabs made of a thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomer material, in a liquid state, onto the base substrate of the composite roofing material or onto the saturated or coated roofing material, or onto a transfer surface to be pressed or laminated onto the roofing material. A preferred embodiment transfers the nail tabs onto an engraved transfer impression roll and uses a pressurized applicator to inject the viscous tab material into engraved patterns depressed in raised areas of the impression roll, then deposits the material onto the roofing material. A preferred embodiment also includes the thermoplastic or thermosetting material in a liquid or viscous state hardened or cured by either its exposure to the air or by the use of ultra-violet or visible light.

Description

PRINTING METHODOLOGY FOR THE APPLICATION OF POLYMERIC MIALS TO ROOF MIALS.

INVENTORS David A. Collins of Houston, Texas, George William Jackson of Houston, Texas, and Miguel E. Madero O'Brien of Mexico City, Mexico.

REFERENCE TO REL REQUESTS The present application is rel, and claims priority, with respect to the following pt applications: Provisional pt application number 60 / 474,194, entitled "Machine and Method for Application of Thermoplastics and Adhesives to Mials for Roofing with Strips for Recording", filed on May 29, 2003. Provisional pt application number 60 / 485,774, entitled "Machine and Method for Application of Thermoplastics and Adhesives to Mials for Roofing with Strips for Recording", filed July 9, 2003, and Pt Application no. provisional (normal utility) number (not yet assigned), titled "Printing Methodology for Applying Polymer Mials to Roofing Mials, to form Strips for Recording or Reinforcing Tapes", filed on May 27, 2004, in the name of David A Collins, George William Jackson and Miguel E. Madero O'Brien (Express Mail Label No. EV-317979770-US), all of which are incorpor into the present request by reference, as if they were exposed here in their entirety.

DECLARATION WITH RESPECT TO FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Does not apply BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention rel in general to roofing mials or other construction mials that are normally used as roofing mials on a wooden platform for roofing or on a wall or wall traverses, and more specifically, to roofing mials and methods. to incorporthem in a plurality of integrally formed recording strips, or on a continuous reinforcement tape.

TYPICAL ROOFING COMPOSITION A ceiling installation generally comprises at least two distinctive layers applied on a roof platform with each layer constituted by a roofing mial separy. The first layer is a substr usually a substrmial substantially satur with asphalt, which is attached directly to the roofing platform, often a wooden frame of wooden crossbars and sheets of pressed wood or cardboard. The second layer is made from shingle roofs, rolled roofing mial, wooden slats, and metal or roof slab roofing, themselves. The shingles and the roofing mial in rolls are made substantially of a fiberglass mial or other inorganic fibrous mial, co with a coating substantially of asphalt or asphalt mix, stone granules and other mials. The specific mials, layers of mials and actual methods of application, differ by manufacturer and by type of construction application. Normally, the substrhelps make the roof resistant to w intrusion.

THE TYPICAL UNDERLYING SUBJECT The substris usually a substrsatur in asphalt. The initial mial for the substr or the substrmial itself, is a composite base mial, usually referred to as "dry felt" or "organic felt," but the substrmial could also be a fiberglass mat. or a mat of another inorganic mial, or a hybrid of both. Examples of starting mial of the dry felt type are rag, paper, sawdust, and may include fiberglass or other inorganic mial, often in a fibrous st although other suitable mials may be used as starting mials. The basic starting mial, in a preferred embodiment, is a fibrous paper called dry felt, made from tre recyclable cardboard, mixed with recycled papers and sawdust, or a fibrous mat made of inorganic mials chemically or mechanically formed in a fibrous state; however, this invention is not limited to them. As used in the present application, the term "substrate" is used generically for all appropriate initial base material, including dry felt, glass fiber mats and polyester mats or any other base material on which a composite material is made for roof or for construction. Dry felt, when saturated with asphalt base material, produces a roofing substrate material, known as "tar paper" or "saturated felt," which is produced in various classifications, depending on thickness and weight. When covering fiberglass and polyester mats with an asphalt, asphalt rubber or asphalt mix, the base substrate is produced for tiles and other products for residential and commercial roofing in rolls.

INSTALLATION OF THE SUBSTRATE Regardless of the type of roofing material that has been used, the common practice in the installation industry has been to unwind a length of the substrate material and attach each length to the roof platform, or to sheets or planks lateral support in the building, in a plurality of locations, so that it remains in place before the installation of roofing tiles. The fastening or fastening devices for this material are usually staples and nails. Staples and nails are easily applied by electrical devices; however, both are remarkably susceptible to getting out of the sheets or boards when there is a lifting of the substrate, or, when the staples or nails remain in place, they can tear the roof material at the fastening sites. Even if tile placement is followed immediately, the substrate can still be exposed only to wind and other adverse conditions, such as when installers walk or crawl on the substrate. Moreover, it is desirable that the substrate be securely attached independently of shingles, wooden slats, metal slabs or other roofing, not only in the pre-roofing or pre-installation stage of the shingles, but also in the final installation. This is because roof tiles or other roofing are damaged, blown away by the wind or detached from the roof under adverse weather conditions, and a substrate installed independently in a safe manner will provide some protection in the interim between the action of the elements of time and roof repair. When the substrate is not securely held, then the substrate may be fired by the wind, or it may break off concurrently with the damage of the tiles.

CURRENT PRACTICE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SUBSTRATE USING WASHERS To safely install the substrate and avoid the tearing described above, it has been a very common practice to use a large tab or washer that rests under the head of the nail. This large tab or washer successfully resists tearing with a nail with a smaller or regular-sized head. The use of this washer or tongue has not been totally satisfactory, however, since this use is time consuming, it is somewhat expensive, and can be somewhat dangerous when the installation is on a steeply sloped roof and / or when the conditions They are inclement. This is because two hands are required to slide the washer over the nail or to hold a tongue down while the nail is driven through it. If the installer has to reach it while only holding himself on a base board, it can be uncomfortable and / or unstable until he is unable to use any hand to sustain himself additionally when necessary. Furthermore, nails with large, conventional heads are not recommended because they are expensive and because they can not be used in ordinary electrical equipment. Commonly, electrical equipment for driving nails can only be loaded with cartridges containing standard nails. It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a printing process by engraving or transfer printing for the application of strips for engraving polymeric or continuous tapes, to the support or other roofing material. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a lamination process for depositing polymeric material, in order to form strips for engraving or continuous tapes on the substrate or other roofing material. Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a substrate or other roofing material with a plurality of engraving strips or continuous tapes for reinforcement, applied by an engraving process or other printing process. Yet another additional advantage of the present invention is to provide a method for applying polymeric material by means of a pressurized supply system, in a process of engraving or other printing process. Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system for depositing a plurality of generally rounded strips on the substrate or other roofing material, using a chemically etched pattern, or an open pattern, without cell walls or other breakpoints within the Pattern. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system for depositing a line of polymeric material on the substrate, or any other roofing material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the method of printing, etching, rotogravure, or transfer printing similar to etching ("etching process"), or transfer printing, of an appropriately viscous and substantially polymeric material, on roofing material, or on a material for continuous transfer, and then to the transfer, which includes using a rolling process on the roofing material, in a continuous process. The engraving process employs a cylinder for printing, which has chemical engraving or carvings, depth, width and shape variable cells, and whose cells can be varied in order to apply different amounts of material to record, as a means to control the pattern and other attributes of the strip to record resulting. A composite roofing material includes a substrate in final condition, roofing material in rolls, or tile material, which has adhered thereto appropriate lines of strips for engraving or continuous reinforcement tapes, preferably made, either wholly or partially, of a polymeric material, including, but not limited to, a plastic or adhesive based material, including thermoplastic, thermosetting, hot melt adhesive, elastomeric, or ultraviolet light drying materials, and may include materials of contrasting color with respect to to the roofing material, or any other material that conforms to the polymer's primary properties of the material. The material used or applied in the printing methodologies described herein, to form continuous recording strips or reinforcement tapes on the roofing materials, is substantially polymeric material (the term "strip material" is used herein to describe these materials. polymeric materials specifically include, without limitation, thermoplastic, thermosetting materials, adhesives, including light curable adhesives, and elastomers, and include any additives that conform to the polymeric properties of the materials, Specifically, for example, the strips It can be reinforced with fibers, metal, flakes or other similar particles, or it can be diluted with fillers or simply with air.An etching or other process is used, to apply substantially polymeric material for strips or continuous tapes to an engraved cylinder , and then the strip material is cleaned from the surface of the indro with a squeegee, leaving the material in strips only in the image areas carved on the cylinder. Each image area chemically engraved on the cylinder, commonly referred to as an impression cylinder, creates a depression, the design of which controls the shape, width, and thickness of the formed recording strips. The process to elaborate the strips to engrave or the tape for continuous reinforcement, is to transfer the material of the substrate and / or the saturated substrate, the material for roofing in rolls or the material for tiles, through a continuous process, and to put it in contact with a chemically recorded cylinder, and with sufficient pressure so that the roofing material absorbs the stripped material left over the depressions of the cylinder, while the strip material is in a liquid state, and form strips of appropriate size and with the appropriate patterns through the surface of the roofing material. In an alternative, a material for continuous transfer is in contact with the chemically etched cylinder and with the roofing material, with sufficient pressure so that the material for continuous transfer absorbs the stripped material left over the depressions of the printing cylinder, and transfer the material in strips over the roofing material, while the strip material is in a liquid or semi-liquid state, and form continuous strips or ribbons for reinforcement, of appropriate size and with the appropriate stamping both through the material for continuous transfer, as of the material of the substrate, of the roofing material in rolls or of the material for tiles.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for making a roofing material is described, which comprises treating an extended length of roofing material, or composite roofing material, through the steps of depositing material into the roofing material. Strips, substantially in a liquid state on the surface of the roofing material, in a plurality of locations, solidify the material into strips and adhere it to the surface of the roofing material, where the stripped material is deposited on the roofing material. half of a print roller with engraved pattern. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for making a roofing material is described, comprising the steps of depositing material in strips substantially made of a polymeric material, in a liquid state, in a plurality of locations on the surface of transfer, the transfer surface receives the material in strips to deposit it on the roofing material. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a roofing material, comprising a roofing substrate material, or composite roofing material, and a strip material substantially made of a polymeric material, in a state l. When deposited on the surface of the roofing material in a plurality of locations, the strip material solidifies and adheres to the surface of the base material of the substrate or of the saturated or coated material, where the strip material is deposited on the substrate. roofing material, by means of a printing roller having an engraved pattern for retaining the material in strips. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a roofing material is described, which includes a substrate base material or a saturated or coated material, and a plurality of thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomeric strips deposited on the surface of the substrate base, or of the saturated or coated material, in a plurality of locations, wherein the strips are deposited on the saturated or coated material by a printing roller having an etched pattern to retain the thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomeric material in strips . Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, embodiments of the present invention are described. The drawings constitute a part of this specification, and include example embodiments for the invention, which may be carried out in various forms. It will be understood that in some cases various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or extended, to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a doctor blade and a printing cylinder according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 1A shows a plan view of two alternative chemical etch patterns for a printing roller according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 1B shows a cross section of a portion of roofing material and strip material according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus for printing by engraving according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a side view of an apparatus for printing by engraving according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a transfer process with printing by engraving according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 4A shows a schematic diagram of a transfer process with engraving printing with a drum, roller or wheel. Figure 5 shows a side view of an engraving process with a curing process by ultraviolet light or another light.

Figure 6 shows a side view of strip material being printed on a transfer surface, or being laminated directly on the roofing material. Figure 7A shows a side view of an engraving printing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 7B shows a perspective view of the printing cylinder with protruding strips, in which the pattern is etched, and a delivery system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 8A shows the cross section of a side view of a mechanism for supply of strip material according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 8B shows a top view in the plane of a strip material supply mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 shows the cross section of a side view of an alternative printing mechanism and roller for supplying strip material, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In order that the characteristics, advantages and objects of the invention can be obtained in the manner in which they were explained above, as well as others that will be evident, and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention can be obtained. invention that is briefly summarized in the foregoing, by reference to the modality thereof that is illustrated in the attached drawings, which form part of this specification. It should be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only a preferred or alternative embodiment of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting their scope, since the invention may admit other equally effective modalities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALI DADES PREFERI DAS Here detailed descriptions of the preferred modalities are provided. It should be understood, however, that the present invention can be carried out in various ways. Various aspects of the invention may be reversed, or changed with reference to a specific part form and detail, part location, or part composition. Therefore, the specific details described herein should not be construed as limiting, but instead as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching, to a person skilled in the art, to appropriately employ the present invention in virtually any system, structure or manner of engraving. In accordance with specific embodiments of the invention, we describe various methods and materials for roofing, new and useful, using these methods: (a) an improved method in which the strips can be fixed or adhered permanently and reliably, either to dry felt saturated felt, fiberglass, polyester or other inorganic substrate of roofing material, coated or uncoated with asphalt or asphalt mix, or a roll material for roofing or shingles, you can automatically use a properly viscous strip material that is solidify quickly and adhere or stick to the surface of the roofing material; (b) that appropriately viscous material, in its entirety or in parts, is substantially polymeric material, specifically including, without limitation, thermoplastic, thermosetting, hot melt adhesive, elastomeric, and ultraviolet light drying materials, and it is at least of a contrasting color with the roofing material, and is supplied mechanically and / or fed by gravity to the automated process, although the strips may be composed of other materials that use this process; (c) the automated process is a printing process by engraving, rotogravure, gravure, or transfer printing similar to engraving ("engraving process"), or a transfer printing process, which employs a printing cylinder that prints directly a pattern engraved on the roofing material, or on a continuous transfer material, and then press or lame that pattern on the roofing material, in a continuous process that uses pressure, despite which, the shape of the actual pattern survives the use of pressure, and the result may be strip material, or web material, which is more evenly distributed over the roofing material: (d) the impression cylinder is a plate or cylinder of metal that has been chemically etched, or has engraved patterns of the same depth, width or shape, or variables, and whose pattern characteristics control the shape, width and thickness of the resulting engraved strip formed; (e) the engraved pattern preferably has a depth less than or equal to 1.27 mm (0.05 inches), has a circular or other continuous ribbon shape, approximately 2.54 to 5.08 cm (1 to 2 inches) in diameter, and consists solely of an outer wall of the cell, or in one or more cells chemically etched with different cell walls. Patterns as deep as 0.025 mm to 5.08 cm in diameter or more may be appropriate for certain applications, depending on the substrate material to be roofed, and the strip material to be deposited. The inventive method of the present invention is capable of depositing these materials in strips and with engraved patterns at depths such as these; (f) the roofing material, or the material for transfer, preferably is in continuous contact with a chemically etched cylinder, and with sufficient pressure so that the roofing material or the transfer material absorbs the stripped material remaining in the walls. depressions in the cylinder, while the strip material is in a liquid state, and forms continuous strips or tapes of appropriate size and pattern through the surface of the roofing material; (g) the continuous transfer material, more preferably, is a continuous belt or a drum, rod, wheel or other cylindrical or geometric shape, coated or covered, which includes a flat level or an inclined surface, having the appropriate chemical characteristics on the surface, such that this surface has the ability to accept the appropriate amount of material in strips, including, but not limited to, a substantially polymeric material, such as thermoplastic, thermosetting, melt adhesive hot, elastomeric or with ultraviolet light drying of the main pattern, under an appropriate amount of pressure, and then releasing it on the substrate or composite roofing material, or tile material; (h) during the manufacture of the roofing material with continuous strips or reinforcement strips, the continuous transfer material will remain in substantial contact both with the printing cylinder and with the roofing material at different points, in such a way that the point or points of transfer or lamination of the strip material on the roofing material will have an appropriate amount of pressure, and the strip material will be either liquid, semi-solid, or in an uncured state completely, and will have the appropriate size and the appropriate pattern through the material for continuous transfer; (i) the invention described above can be used directly on the roofing material, at any point during the manufacture of rolls that can be sold commercially, of saturated felt or of tar paper, or other roofing material, including immediately before or then, the bath of the substrate material for roofing in the asphalt or asphalt mix tank, or after the manufacture of any product in roofing or shingles; and (j) the applicator or closed source that retains the substantially polymeric material is mechanically protected from contamination of the asphalt oils and other impurities that appear from printing on a heated surface covered with asphalt and other materials. Returning now to Figure 1, a schematic side view of the basic etching method is shown, for placing strips of substantially polymeric material on the roofing material. A printing cylinder 100 receives a viscous strips material, in chemically etched patterns on the face of the printing cylinder 100 from the printing reservoir 1 02, and prints a pattern on the roofing material 104, whose pattern approximates or equals to the chemically etched pattern on the printing cylinder 100. Each image area chemically engraved on the printing cylinder 100, creates a depression, whose design controls the shape, width and thickness of the engraving strips or formed reinforcing tapes. The printing cylinder 100 deposits the viscous material in strips on the roofing material 104, when said printing cylinder 100 and the printing cylinder 106 make contact with said roofing material. In a preferred embodiment, the roofing material 104 may be constituted by a composite of materials, including the base substrate of the roofing material (roofing material before saturation or coating with an asphalt material or asphalt mix), or the roofing material. substrate, roll for roofing or tile material in its final condition. In a process as described herein, the roofing material 104 may be glued with the appropriate lines of engraving strips or continuous reinforcing strips, preferably of substantially polymeric materials, including specifically, without limitation, thermoplastic, or thermosetting material, hot melt adhesive material, elastomeric material or materials that are dried with ultraviolet light, and may include at least one contrasting color with the roofing material 104, and one or more additives that conform to the polymeric material. As is well known in the art, the roofing material 104 may be constituted by a substrate material for roofing, or a composite roofing material, made starting with a roofing substrate material, including a mat of roll material of dry felt, fiberglass, polyester or a combination thereof, in a preferred method of producing the roofing material according to this invention, the substrate, the mat of dry felt material or glass fiber and polyester, is introduced at the beginning of a continuous and automated process having a system of driven rollers to transport the roofing material 104 through the entire process. The material of the dry felt or fiberglass mat is subjected to conventional treatment to impregnate, saturate or otherwise surround or cover the fibers of the fiberglass and polyester mat with asphalt to produce a felt. , mat or substrate material saturated with asphalt. There are four basic components for the engraving or transfer printing unit: an engraved print cylinder, the source of material in strips, including the hot bar assembly and the heated knife assembly, the doctor blade and the printing roller. Additionally, the design of the engraved pattern and the composition of the strip material are also important. In the second modality, two additional components are basic: the surface and the composition of the continuous transfer material and the rollers for printing or the lamination equipment. The engraving process is a process of gravure type, in which a real image is chemically recorded on the surface of a metal plate or cylinder. When the cylinder is rotated on or adjacent to a source of viscous strip material, the strip material enters the chemically etched image on the cylinder, and the excess strip material in the non-image area of the plate or cylinder, It is eliminated by a scraping blade, commonly called a scraper. The size, depth and shape of each pattern etched chemically as an image on the plate or cylinder determines how much strip material will eventually be deposited on the roofing material, as well as the final shape of the deposited strip material. When the roofing material or the continuous transfer material is passed between the plate or cylinder with the engraved pattern, commonly referred to as the "printing cylinder", and another cylinder, commonly referred to as the "printing roller", the roofing material or the Transfer material acts as a blotting paper and absorbs the appropriate amount of strip material from each engraved pattern. In the preferred embodiment, the printing roller is covered with a material that allows depressions on its surface, often a rubber or rubber-like cover is used. This cover allows the roofing material, which may pass between the printing cylinders, or the transfer surface itself, to be pressed on the chemically engraved image on the printing cylinder. The hardness of this cover can, in part, determine how much strip material is transferred to the roofing material. At the point of contact, the strip material is detached from the etched pattern, and over the roofing material or the transfer material, by capillary action. The roofing material or the transfer material is brought into contact with the printing cylinder, with the help of the printing roller, and an appropriate amount of mechanically created pressure between the two rollers. Figure 1A shows a top view in the plane of two chemically etched patterns 1 1 0 and 1 1 1, which can be used to supply the desired amount of strip material directly to the roofing material, or to the transfer material. The patterned patterns that are 1 10 and 1 1 1 may be of a variety of shapes or sizes, and may have internal depressions, protuberances, and the like. For example, the chemically etched pattern may have a depressed cylindrical shape, without internal figures, any number of divisions in cell walls, or may have a pattern as the base of the cylindrical shape, such as tetrahedral, pyramidal or barbed protuberances. , which will act to hold the polymeric material in strips in the chemically etched or depressed pattern, until the strip material is supplied to the roofing material or the transfer material. In a preferred embodiment shown, the patterns are primarily clean, or consist of a plurality of small open areas 1 12, which allows a precise amount of viscous strips material to be applied to the roofing material, and to adhere to said roofing material , hardening in the desired shape and thickness. These small open areas can be continuous or self-contained. Fig. 1 B is a side view of strip material 120, such as lying on top of roofing material 122, after being deposited by a clean or open circular pattern. The strip material 120 may be substantially comprised of polymeric material, including, but not limited to, thermoplastic, thermosetting material, hot melt adhesive, elastomeric, or dyeable by ultraviolet light, and may include materials of contrasting color with the roofing material or any other materials that conform to the polymeric properties of the primary material. The strip material 120 used or applied in the printing methodologies described herein, to form recording strips or strips for continuous reinforcement or other regions on the roofing materials, can be substantially constituted by polymeric materials. The materials in strips 120 are fixed to the roofing material by any of the printing processes described herein. Figure 2 shows a side view of the printing module of the engraving process 202, and of the roller pressing module 204, directly printing the strip material on the roofing material 200. The strip material can be printed in discrete strips, intermittent or continuous belts, which results in a reinforcement of the roofing material 200. The roofing material 200 is then assembled on the rollers 206 (or can continue directly to the final crimper of the machine, etc., which is not sample), as shown in the press roll module 204. However, in the preferred embodiment, these modules are inserted in an existing asphalt roofing machine, which complies with the actual rolling of the finished roll or with the Stacking of the tiles. Figure 3 is a schematic view of a printing module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Although the configuration, mesh path, roller placement, etc., may vary, this is a preferred embodiment wherein the printing cylinder 300 is pressed against the printing cylinder 304. The printing cylinder 300 receives an appropriately viscous strip material from the printing container 302, and prints an etched pattern on the roofing material 306. The printing cylinder 300 deposits the viscous material in strips on the roofing material 306, when said printing cylinder 300 and the printing cylinder 304 makes contact with the roofing material 306. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the alternative embodiment of the printing methodology using a transfer printing process or a transfer belt 400, to fix the material in strips 404 on the roofing material 402. The mechanism of the transfer belt 400 is shown attached, wound around the rodil The printing of the printing module, with the printing roller pressed against the belt to supply the material in strips, with the other end of the transfer belt wound around one of the rollers in the pressing module, with the roller press pressed against the belt, to supply the material in strips, with the other end of the transfer belt wrapped around one of the rollers in the pressing module. As previously described, the continuous transfer material preferably is a belt for continuous transfer 400 or a drum, roller, wheel or other cylindrical or geometrical shape covered or covered, which includes a flat level or an inclined surface, which has the appropriate chemical characteristics on the surface, such that its surface has the ability to accept the appropriate amount of material in strips 404, of the printing pattern, under an appropriate amount of pressure, and then release it onto the roofing material. It is understood that the roofing material 402 includes, without limitation, substrate material for roofing or roofing compound, or shingle material. Figure 4A is a side view of the alternative embodiment using the transfer material as a coating or cover on a transfer surface 410 in the cylindrical shape, such as a single drum, roll or rolls, or wheels. The transfer surface 410 receives an appropriately viscous strip material 418 from the printing mechanism, the tank 412, and prints a pattern etched onto the roofing material 414 during contact with the transfer surface 410 and the printing cylinder 416. In this embodiment, more than one printing cylinder may be used. While this figure shows the transfer surface 410 in cylindrical form, any other surfaces retaining the roofing material 414 can be used against the strip material 418 while the strip material 418 is in contact with the transfer surface 410. In In this embodiment, the continuous transfer material preferably is a seamless belt, or a coated cylinder, or other flat or geometrical shape covered or coated. The surface of the belt, coated cylinder, or other form of covered surface has the appropriate chemical characteristics on the surface, to accept or release the material in strips quickly, typically before a complete revolution of the material or before the material is removed. Get out of the transfer surface. A typical revolution is the cycle between the acceptance of a deposit of the strip material on the transfer surface, and the subsequent release of the material in strips. The transfer surface of the material must attract the appropriate amount of material in strips of the engraved pattern upon contact with the impression cylinder. The transfer surface of the material also has to release primarily the entire desired quantity of strip material which it attracts from the printing cylinder onto the roofing material. During the contact of the materials in strips, both with the transfer material and with the roofing material, the strip material is retained by means of pressing or a rolling process. The roofing material is kept in contact with the strip material, while the strip material is in contact with the transfer material with one or more cylinders or other appropriate flat or geometric shape, and an appropriate amount of pressure. The pressing or rolling process occurs before the strip material is completely dry, and while the strip material is in a liquid or semi-liquid state. At the appropriate time, either before or after the polymeric material in strips is dried, the path of the roofing material is separated from the surface of the transfer material. All the components, basic or not, in the engraving process or in the alternative modalities of the engraving process, the transfer printing process similar to engraving or the transfer printing process, are coordinated with the operations of the equipment in the existing saturation line. Additionally, additional coatings or materials may be applied after depositing the material in strips in such a way that insignias or logos based on inks are printed on top of the material in strips at the desired locations. The strip material may include only one, or a combination of the following: polymeric materials, including, but not limited to, thermoplastic, thermosetting materials, hot melt adhesives, elastomers, ultraviolet or other light-drying materials, a material colored or any other materials with additives that conform to the polymeric materials. The strip material may be reinforced with fibers, metal, flakes, or other similar particles, may be diluted with fillers or air, and this strip material may also include a dye of contrasting color with that of the saturated substrate or the coated material for roofing, which is usually black. The term "material in strips" will include the one described here. Even without added dye, however, the resulting recording strips can make contrast in color and have an easily visible appearance. By the time the strip roofing material reaches a "finished and / or free crimp" or finished roll stage, in the typical process of saturation or manufacture of roofing material, or reaches the stage of tile cutting or packing in a typical tile manufacturing line, the material in strips and / or other component materials of the strip or of the continuous reinforcement tapes, it has cooled sufficiently, and it has hardened so that it does not adversely affect the operational conditions of the equipment in the manufacturing line. That is, it is hard, but flexible, and if it is sticky, it is only slightly sticky. Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the drying process with ultraviolet light or other light. The viscous polymeric material in strips 500 specifically includes, without limitation, thermoplastic, thermosetting and elastomeric materials, any of which can be dried to a hardened state by drying processes with ultraviolet or other light, and any additives that are adjust to the properties of substantially polymeric materials. Polymeric materials such as adhesive materials include liquid adhesive, hot fix adhesive, and light-dried material, they can also be used as strip material 500. Strip material is printed on roofing material 502, as described previously, then cured or dried are drying processes with ultraviolet or other light, such as are well known in the art. A light 504 or a series of lights, supplies the ultraviolet light or light for curing the roofing material 502, hardening the sheet material 500. Figure 6 is a side view of the sheet material being printed on a surface of transfer 600. The transfer surface 600 is disposable, such as in a pure use of rolling on the line, or used in a continuous loop, such as on a belt or cylinder cover. The transfer surface receives the stripped material from the printing cylinder 602. In the embodiment shown, a heating mechanism 604 is used to keep the material in liquid or soft strips, i.e., to delay drying until pressed or laminated . The roofing material 606 is laminated or pressed with the transfer surface to move the stripped material on the roofing material 606. Figure 7A shows a side view of the printing cylinder 710 in contact with the applicator 712 of strip material, with the printing cylinder 710 and the applicator 712 formed in such a way that viscous material is deposited in strips only within the depressions in the printing cylinder, formed by the chemically etched patterns. The applicator 712 of strip material is pressed against the printing cylinder, and has a continuous flow of strip material available and applied against a raised portion of said cylinder, which bears the chemically etched patterns. Figure 7B shows a perspective view of the printing cylinder and the strip material supply mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The printing cylinder 704 has a plurality of raised sections 700, which are located above and above the base circumference of the printing cylinder. The raised parts have chemically printed patterns 702 (previously described in Figure 1A and shown in their preferred embodiments), which are placed in the middle of the raised parts and are in contact with the mechanism for supplying strip material or material applicators in strips 706. The applicators or source heads are placed in close conformance with the impression cylinder, to minimize contamination of the strip material with asphalt oils and other contaminants that are associated with the roofing material. The applicators may or may not overlap the raised portions of the impression cylinder. In the preferred embodiment, the applicators overlap the raised portions of the impression cylinder to help prevent the liquid material in strips from overflowing outward. Nevertheless, this seems to be a function of the machining accuracy of the two parts: the impression cylinder and the applicators. The chemically etched patterns 702 receive an appropriately viscous strip material from the applicators 706 under pressure. The applicators are configured to conform to the curvature of the impression cylinder, and therefore only apply material in strips in the chemically etched pattern when the pattern is directly in line with the applicator. The applicator then supplies adhesive to the pattern, which in turn rotates in contact with the mesh of roofing material, as shown in Figure 7A. As the roofing material comes into contact with the chemically etched pattern, the substantially polymeric strip material is removed from the pattern depression, and deposited on the roofing material recurrently, creating a series of strips or ribbons continuous on the roofing material. The applicators 706 and their associated mechanical supports can be heated by any available means, such as electric cartridge heaters, heat exchange with hot oil, or the like. The substantially polymeric material can be carried anywhere in the applicator or source head, to supply strip material to the chemically etched patterns. Said applicators can be of any form, with or without integral scrapers. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an applicator constituted by a concave surface that coincides with the curvature of the raised sections of the printing cylinder, as described in Figure 7. A supply channel 800 supplies the viscous material in strips from the applicator that is in fluid communication with the channel. The strip material is under constant and firm pressure from the back of the applicator, and the material is applied through the channel, and in the chemically etched patterns. The applicator or "fountain head" for supplying the material in substantially polymeric strips, closely matches the printing cylinder for the purpose of transferring said stripped material to a mesh of roofing material. The retention volume of the source head can be minimized to help supply substantially unpolluted strip material to the print roller or print cylinder. The "retention volume" refers to the effective volume that can become contaminated by convective or diffusive mixing with contaminants and oils involved in the process in the roofing material. Figure 8A is a top view in the plane of the strip material applicator according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The center portion of the concave surface of the applicator is mounted on the raised section of the printing cylinder, as shown in Figure 7B. The applicator or source head is closed on all sides that coincide with the impression cylinder, so that it forms a moving seal or a rotating seal for the impression cylinder. The leading edge of the source head (edge that opposes the direction of movement of the printing cylinder) spills asphaltic oils and other contaminants that may emanate from the roofing material and / or the transfer from the impression cylinder. The source head or the strip material supply system almost completely encloses the raised part of the rotary printing cylinder, so that the supplied strip material is further protected against contamination. The central inner diameter of the supply channel 810 allows the viscous material in strips to flow, and be deposited in chemically etched patterns on the raised sections of the impression cylinder only when the applicator is in direct contact with the chemically etched pattern. Even though a small portion of the strip material may escape from the sides of the applicator as it is pressed against the impression cylinder, the vast majority of the strip material is deposited in the chemically etched patterns on the printing cylinder, and is subsequently deposited on the roofing material. Additionally, with a close conformity of the applicator with respect to the lifted part of the printing cylinder, contamination of the strip material by asphalt oils and other undesirable contaminants of the roofing material is minimized. Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment, wherein a source head or strip material supply system completely wraps the rotating printing cylinder, so that the strip material that is finally supplied to the roofing material is further protected from pollution. The source head block 910 is configured to conform to the outer circumference of the print cylinder 900. The block of the source head 910 can run the length of the print cylinder 900, or in a preferred embodiment, individual blocks will be placed for each line of strips or of continuous tapes. For example, if there are three lines of strips that are being applied by the printing cylinder to the roofing material, there will be three source head blocks each supplying material in strips to the pattern etched chemically on the cylinder. The applicator 912 is positioned against the printing cylinder, to supply strips of material to the chemically etched patterns of the printing cylinder. It can be a reservoir or the type of pressurized supply system described previously. The exposed side of the printing cylinder 900 is pressed against the roofing material, whereby the chemically etched pattern in the printing cylinder deposits material in strips, as described above. By enclosing the impression cylinder in this way, contamination of the strip material is reduced. The printing cylinder can be actively driven by a motor, or passively actuated by the sheet (mesh) of roofing material, which is in motion. In an alternative embodiment, the strip material can be supplied by injection from within the printing cylinder itself. The strip material would be injected into the center of the printing cylinder, and then supplied through individual ports corresponding to the locations in which it is desired to deposit the continuous strips or tapes. The strip material would be under pressure, and preferably heated tubes and nozzles would be applied to the roofing material through the locations on the printing cylinder, corresponding to the locations of the strip or tape. As mentioned, the resulting roofing products with continuous recording tapes or reinforcement tapes, which have just been described, are manufactured using a machine that includes one or more basic printing processes by engraving, or printing processes by transfer similar to engraving, or components of transfer printing processes. The material in liquid or semi-liquid strips, or the equivalent material, is normally supplied to the roofing material or the transfer material in a single printing process and / or in a single rolling process; however, multiple passes can be employed with the same or different materials in strips, pressures, chemically etched patterns, or other materials including the resulting formed strip, in the etching process or in the transfer printing process. The equipment for the engraving process or for the transfer printing process can also be coupled or uncoupled by the operator without materially affecting the continuous process of the equipment in the asphalt roofing manufacturing line. Although the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form described, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover those alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A method for making a roofing material, which comprises treating an extended length of substrate material for roofing, or composite roofing material, comprising the steps of: depositing material in strips substantially in a liquid state on the surface of said roofing material. roofing material in a plurality of locations, said strip material is solidified and adhered to the surface of said roofing material, characterized in that said strip material is deposited on said roofing material by means of a printing roll with an engraved pattern.

2. A method for making a roofing material according to claim 1, further characterized in that said strip material is substantially a polymeric material.

3. A method for making a roofing material according to claim 1, further characterized in that said strip material is hardened or cured by ultra violet light or visible light.

4. A method for making a roofing material according to claim 1, further characterized in that said strip material is applied to said etched pattern from a deposit placed in contact with said printing roll. A method for making a roofing material according to claim 1, further characterized in that said strip material is injected into said engraved pattern by a pressurized applicator placed in contact with said pattern. 6. A method for making a roofing material, comprising the steps of depositing material into strips in a plurality of locations, made substantially of a polymeric material in a liquid state on a transfer surface, said transfer surface receiving said material in strips to be deposited on said roofing material. A method for making a roofing material according to claim 6, further characterized in that said transfer surface is pressed onto said roofing material, in order to deposit said material in strips. A method for making a roofing material according to claim 7, further characterized in that said strip material in a liquid or viscous state is hardened or dried by means of ultraviolet light or visible light. 9. A roofing material, comprising a substrate material for roofing, or composite material for roofing, and strip material, made substantially of a polymeric material in a liquid state, deposited on the surface of said roofing material in a plurality of locations, said strip material is solidified and adhered to the surface of said base substrate material or saturated or coated material, further characterized in that said strip material is deposited on said roofing material by means of a printing roller having a etched pattern to retain said material in strips. 10. A roofing material according to claim 9, further characterized in that said strip material contains polymers that are dried with ultraviolet light or with visible light. A roofing material, comprising a base substrate material or a saturated or coated material, and a plurality of thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomeric strips deposited on the surface of the base substrate, saturated or coated material in a plurality of locations , further characterized in that said strips are deposited on said saturated or coated material by means of a printing roller having an etched pattern for retaining said material in thermoplastic, adhesive or elastomeric strips. 12. A roofing material according to claim 11, further characterized in that said thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomeric material is introduced into said etched pattern through a pressurized applicator. 13. A roofing material according to claim 11, further characterized in that said printing roller has a raised circumferential part on which said engraved pattern is located. 14. A roofing material according to claim 13, further characterized in that said applicator is positioned against said raised portion to supply said embossed pattern with thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomeric material. 1

5. A roofing material according to claim 1, further comprising an applicator for releasing a thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomeric material which maintains a narrow seal against said printing roller.