Fungus strip

Abstract

A fungus strip that release ions when precipitation flows down on the strip that are deleterious to fungus and algae. The strip is positioned on a building material. The strip has a length, width and thickness. The ions are preferably of zinc or tin. The building material can be asphaltic roofing shingles, non-asphaltic roofing, or siding.

1 . A fungus strip comprising: 
 a strip having a length, width and thickness, positioned on a building material that releases ions when contacted by water deleterious to fungus and algae.    
     
     
         2 . The fungus strip of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the ions are of zinc or tin.    
     
     
         3 . The fungus strip of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the strip comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, lead, zinc, iron, cuprous oxide, cuprous bromide, nickel, bromate, and mixtures and compounds thereof.    
     
     
         4 . The fungus strip of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the building material is selected from the group consisting of asphaltic roofing shingles, non-asphaltic roofing, siding, shake shingles, and decking.    
     
     
         5 . The fungus strip of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the strip has a width of from about 1/16 th  to 12 inches, and a thickness of from about 1/64 th  inch to about 2 inches.    
     
     
         6 . A fungus strip comprising: 
 a strip that releases ions deleterious to biological growth fixed to a building.    
     
     
         7 . The fungus strip of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the strip comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, lead, zinc, iron, cuprous oxide, cuprous bromide, nickel, bromate, and mixtures and compounds thereof.    
     
     
         8 . The fungus strip of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the strip is positioned as a flashing on a building, or    the strip is positioned on a flashing on a building.    
     
     
         9 . The fungus strip of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the strip comprises tin, zinc, or tin and zinc.    
     
     
         10 . The fungus strip of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the strip has a width of from about 1/16th to 12 inches, and a thickness of from about 1/64th inch to about 2 inches.    
     
     
         11 . A roof covering comprising: 
 a ridge vent; and,    a fungus strip adjacent to the ridge vent for releasing ions deleterious to fungus and algae when precipitation falls on the ridge vent and flows down on the strip and on to a roof.    
     
     
         12 . A roof covering as in  claim 11  wherein: 
 the ridge vent comprises a unitary panel of plastic material having a length and a width and top and bottom faces and being flexible in a lateral direction so as to be adjustable to the slope of the roof;    support structures in the bottom face of the unitary panel to prevent collapse or warping over the roof;    ventilation means allowing the flow of air from the space below the panel to the exterior; and,    exterior baffles integral with the unitary panel.    
     
     
         13 . A roof covering as in  claim 11  wherein: 
 the strip comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, lead, zinc, iron, cuprous oxide, cuprous bromide, nickel, bromate, and mixtures and compounds thereof.    
     
     
         14 . The roof covering of  claim 11  wherein: 
 the ions are of zinc or tin.    
     
     
         15 . The roof covering of  claim 11  wherein: 
 the strip has a width of from about 1/16th to 12 inches, and a thickness of from about 1/64th inch to about 2 inches.    
     
     
         16 . The roof covering of  claim 11  wherein: 
 the fungus strip is positioned on a flashing that is positioned adjacent to the roof ridge vent.    
     
     
         17 . The roof covering of  claim 11  wherein: 
 the fungus strip is integral with the flashing, or    the fungus strip is integral to the ridge vent, or    the fungus strip is integral to the baffle.    
     
     
         18 . A method of preventing the build-up of algae and fungus on a building comprising: 
 providing a strip on a building material for releasing ions deleterious to fungus and algae when precipitation falls on the strip.    
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein: 
 the strip is positioned adjacent to a roof ridge vent for releasing ions when precipitation falls on the roof ridge vent and flows down on the strip and onto a roof.    
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein: 
 the strip comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, lead, zinc, iron, cuprous oxide, cuprous bromide, nickel, bromate, and mixtures and compounds thereof.    
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein: 
 the ions are of zinc or tin.    
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein: 
 the strip is positioned on a flashing, or    the strip is integral with the flashing.    
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein: 
 the strip has a width of from about 1/16th to 12 inches, and a thickness of from about 1/64th inch to about 2 inches.    
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein: 
 the building material is selected from the group consisting of asphaltic roofing shingles, non-asphaltic roofing, siding, shake shingles, and decking.