Patent ID: 6635218
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,E04F

Abstract:
A method of continuously producing a succession of elongated siding panels each having a series of longitudinally spaced and integrally connected separate shingle panels with a hook-shaped lower portion and an upper portion defining a mounting flange and a groove for receiving the lower portion of a vertically overlapping panel, the method comprising the steps of:extruding a continuous sheet of heated plastics material with a generally uniform thickness and having longitudinal upper and lower portions integrally connected by a longitudinal intermediate portion, directing the sheet of heated material onto a series of rigid mold plates carried by an upper run of an endless conveyor and defining shingle cavities and undercut cavities, progressively vacuum-forming the sheet into the shingle cavities and undercut cavities of the mold plates by creating a vacuum within the cavities while the mold plates are moving on the upper run of the endless conveyor, successively inserting a traveling forming plug into the undercut cavities as the sheet is moving and being vacuum-formed into the undercut cavities for progressively forming a series of integrally connected siding panels, and cutting the sheet at longitudinally spaced intervals to produce the succession of separate elongated siding panels.