Andersen Corporation

Shankar Godavarti

Rodney Kieth Williams

Michael J Deaner

Scott R Koenig

A member comprising a complex profile made of a composite comprising a polypropylene polymer, and a wood fiber. The composite is useful in construction applications. The profile can be used in residential and commercial structures. The member is used in fenestration components such as windows and doors. The members possess strength, thermal stability and weatherability. The member comprises a complex cross-section with at least one structural web or one fastener web. The exterior can contain a cap-stock and is shaped for use in a fenestration unit such as a window, sash or movable door unit. The members can be assembled in thermal welding processes.

Polyolefin wood fiber composite

A complex profile made of a composite comprising a polyolefin polymer and a wood fiber. The composite is useful in conventional structural applications. The profile can be used in residential and commercial structures. The profile is used in the manufacture of the fenestration components such as windows and doors. The profile is designed with a cross-sectional shape to form structural elements in the fenestration units that possess sufficient strength, thermal stability and weatherability. The member comprises a hollow cross-section with at least one structural web or one fastener web. The profile can have a visible capstock layer and can be assembled using thermal welding processes.

The invention relates to polymer/wood fiber composite structural members that can be manufactured in an extrusion process engineered to produce the highest quality materials. The composite can be in a linear extrudate or pellet and can have a cross-section of any arbitrary shape, or can be a regular-geometric or of arbitrary-amorphous shape. The extruded material comprises a consistent proportion of polymer, wood fiber and water. During the extrusion, water is removed intentionally to dry the material to a maximum water content of less than about 10 wt-% based on the pellet weight. To make a structural unit, the pellet is introduced into an extruder apparatus wherein, under conditions of controlled mass throughput, shear, mechanical energy input, controlled temperature and pressure, the composite material is produced.

Process for making thermoplastic-biofiber composite materials and articles including a poly(vinylchloride) component

An improved composite structural member comprising a complex profile structural member, made of a composite comprising a polypropylene polymer and a wood fiber. The material is useful in conventional construction applications. The complex profile, in the form of an extruded thermoplastic composite member can be used in residential and commercial structures as described. Preferably, the structural member is used in the manufacture of the fenestration components such as windows and doors. Such linear members are designed with specifically configured cross-sectional shapes to form structural elements in the fenestration units. Structural elements must possess sufficient strength, thermal stability and weatherability to permit the manufacture of a structurally sound window unit that can be easily installed into a rough opening but can maintain its attractive appearance and structural integrity over the life of the window unit often twenty years or more. The structural member comprises a hollow complex cross-section with at least one structural web or one fastener web formed within the component. The exterior of the extruded component has a visible capstock layer and is shaped and adapted for installation in rough openings. The exterior also contains shape and components capable of supporting the elements of the fenestration unit such as a window, sash or movable door unit. The improved polypropylene structural members have unique advantages and can be assembled in thermoplastic weld processes.

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Maplewood, MN, United States of America

Shankar Godavarti