Window Trim Apparatus and Methods

Abstract

Window trim apparatus are provided that include scored grooves made by methods other than extrusion. Also provided are methods and apparatus for manufacturing and using same.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of producing a polymeric trim product having a dimension reducible by tearing, comprising:
 a) extruding a polymeric material through an extrusion die in the shape of the trim to be produced, said polymeric material extruded at a first temperature sufficient to make the polymeric material malleable;   b) cooling the extruded polymeric trim product, said trim product having a first surface and a second surface, to a second temperature thereby causing the polymeric trim product to measurably harden; and   c) cutting the polymeric trim product following said cooling step on said first surface with at least one blade to produce a longitudinally extending groove in the trim product; wherein, when said polymeric trim product is cooled to room temperature, at least one dimension of the resulting polymeric trim product is reducible by tearing the trim strip along said groove without using a blade to cut through or score said groove.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cutting step comprises producing a longitudinally extending groove which is substantially straight and substantially parallel to an edge of the trim product. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cutting step comprises using at least two blades to produce at least two longitudinally extending grooves. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said cutting step produces at least two longitudinally extending grooves which are substantially straight and substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said cutting step produces at least two longitudinally extending grooves having different depths. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said cutting step produces at least two longitudinally extending grooves that are substantially parallel to an edge of the polymeric trim strip. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said cutting step produces at least two longitudinally extending grooves having different depths, and wherein the groove having the deepest depth is closest to an edge of the polymeric trim strip. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said cutting step comprises using at least three blades to produce at least three longitudinally extending grooves. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cooling step comprises exposing said extruded polymeric trim product to water having a temperature lower than the initial temperature of the extruded polymeric trim product. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said cooling step comprises substantially submerging said extruded polymeric trim product in water. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the cutting step comprises supporting said extruded trim product on said second surface while said first surface is cut. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one blade used in said cutting step is contained in a cutting assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the cutting step further comprises supporting the second surface of the extruded trim product by a rotatable wheel, and passing the extruded trim product under said at least one blade mounted in the cutting assembly to produce said at least one longitudinally extending groove in the first surface of the trim product. 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing a polymeric trim product having a dimension reducible by tearing, comprising:
 a) extruding a polymeric material through an extrusion die in the shape of the trim to be produced;   b) submerging the extruded polymeric trim product in a aqueous medium to cool said trim product prior to cutting; and   c) passing the extruded polymeric trim product through a cutting assembly comprising a rotating member supporting a second surface of said extruded polymeric trim product, and at least one mounted blade positioned to cut a first surface of said extruded polymeric trim product to produce a longitudinally extending groove on said first surface while leaving the opposing second surface of the trim product uncut; wherein, when the extruded, cut polymeric trim product is cooled to room temperature, at least one dimension of the resulting polymeric trim product is reducible by tearing the trim strip along said groove without using a blade.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  comprising passing the extruded polymeric trim product through the cutting assembly using a rotating wheel to support the second surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said cutting step comprises using a cutting assembly comprising a plurality of blades mounted to cut a first surface of said extruded polymeric trim product to produce a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves on said first surface while leaving the opposing second surface of the trim product uncut. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said cutting step comprises using a cutting assembly comprising a plurality of blades mounted thereto, wherein at least two said blades extend from a planar surface of a housing in which said blades are mounted by different lengths to produce a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves on said first surface, at least two of which have different depths. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said cutting step comprises using a cutting assembly comprising a plurality of blades mounted thereto, wherein at least three said blades extend by different lengths from a planar surface of a housing in which said blades are mounted to produce a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves on said first surface, at least three of which have different depths. 
     
     
         19 . A method of producing a polymeric trim product having a dimension reducible by tearing, comprising:
 a) extruding a polymeric material through an extrusion die in the shape of the trim to be produced;   b) submerging the extruded polymeric trim product in a aqueous medium to cool said trim product to a temperature of about 200° F.; and   c) passing the extruded polymeric trim product through a cutting assembly comprising a rotating wheel supporting a second surface of said extruded polymeric trim product, and at least two mounted blade positioned to cut a first surface of said extruded polymeric trim product to produce at least two longitudinally extending grooves on said first surface while leaving the opposing second surface of the trim product uncut; wherein, when the cut polymeric trim product is cooled to room temperature, at least one dimension of the resulting polymeric trim product is reducible by tearing the trim strip along a groove without using a blade.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said cutting step comprises cutting the first surface of the extruded polymeric trim product with at least three mounted blades extending by different lengths from a planar surface of a housing in which said blades are mounted to produce at least three longitudinally extending grooves of different depths, wherein at least one dimension of the resulting polymeric trim product is reducible by tearing the trim strip along a groove without using a blade.