Patent ID: 9739066
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: E04C,E04F,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method for manufacturing a panel, the method comprising the steps of: associating a vacuum device with a surface adapted to retain panel elements in association therewith in a selected orientation; applying force from the vacuum device through the surface to associate a plurality of finish elements with a first zone of the surface, wherein said plurality of finish elements obstructs the first zone of the surface to define a second zone thereof between individual finish elements of the plurality of finish elements; applying force from the vacuum device through the surface to associate particulate material with the second zone between the individual finish elements, thereby forming an assembly of panel components having the selected orientation; transferring the plurality of finish elements and the particulate material to a mold device in the selected orientation; and providing an uncured substrate material and a sheathing material into the mold apparatus, applying at least one backing material to the plurality of finish elements and the particulate material, and permitting the uncured substrate material to cure, thereby binding the finish elements and the particulate material to the sheathing material to form the panel usable for construction of the surface.