Formable corner finishing and trim strip

Abstract

A formable trim strip for use in connection with drywall applications includes two or more layers, including a trim strip body and a backing paper. The trim strip body extends along a body axis and has a top surface and a bottom surface. The trim strip body comprises a polymer material. The backing paper includes a portion secured to the bottom surface of the trim strip body without an intervening layer of adhesive material. The trim strip body is coated onto the portion of the backing paper when a temperature of the trim strip body is within the melting point range such that the bottom surface of the trim strip body contacts the portion of the backing paper. As the trim strip body cools to a temperature below the melting point range, the portion of the backing paper bonds to the bottom surface of the trim strip body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A formable trim strip for use in connection with drywall applications, the formable trim strip comprising:
 a trim strip body extending along a body axis and having a top surface and a bottom surface, the trim strip body comprising a polymer material; and   a backing paper, wherein a portion of the backing paper is secured to the bottom surface of the trim strip body without an intervening layer of adhesive material,   and wherein the trim strip body is coated onto the portion of the backing paper when a temperature of the trim strip body is within the melting point range such that the bottom surface of the trim strip body contacts the portion of the backing paper, and as the trim strip body cools to a temperature below the melting point range, the portion of the backing paper bonds to the bottom surface of the trim strip body.   
     
     
         2 . The formable trim strip of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer has a melting point range between about 250° F. and about 400° F. 
     
     
         3 . The formable trim strip of  claim 1 , wherein at least one forming feature extends along the trim strip body, the at least one forming feature extending along a forming feature axis, the at least one forming feature being configured to allow the trim strip body to be deformed about the forming feature axis. 
     
     
         4 . The formable trim strip of  claim 1 , wherein the forming feature axis is parallel to the body axis. 
     
     
         5 . The formable trim strip of  claim 1 , wherein the forming feature comprises a void in the trim strip body. 
     
     
         6 . The formable trim strip of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one forming feature comprises a channel. 
     
     
         7 . The formable trim strip of  claim 6 , wherein the channel has a generally rectangular cross-section, a generally 90-degree cross-section or a generally U-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The formable trim strip of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of the flexible trim strip is uniform from a first end of the flexible trim strip to a second end of the flexible trim strip. 
     
     
         9 . The formable trim strip of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one forming feature comprises a plurality of forming features. 
     
     
         10 . The formable trim strip of  claim 9 , wherein each one of the plurality of forming features extends parallel to the body axis. 
     
     
         11 . The formable trim strip of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the formable trim strip is symmetrical about the body axis. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a formable trim strip for use in connection with drywall applications, the method comprising:
 heating a polymer material to a temperature within its melting point range;   advancing a backing paper positioned proximal to the polymer material;   depositing the polymer material directly onto at least a portion of the backing paper to form a trim strip body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface being in direct contact with the backing paper;   allowing the trim strip body to cool to a temperature below the melting point range such that the portion of the backing paper bonds to the bottom surface of the trim strip body.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising forming at least one forming feature along the top surface of the trim strip body, the at least one forming feature extending along a forming feature axis and being configured to allow the trim strip body to be deformed about the forming feature axis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein forming the at least one forming feature occurs before the trim strip body is allowed to cool completely. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising depositing an adhesive to the top surface of the trim strip body opposite the backing paper. 
     
     
         16 . An assembly for forming a formable trim strip for use in connection with drywall applications, the assembly comprising:
 a formable trim strip comprising a trim strip body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the trim strip body extending along a body axis and having a first cross-sectional shape normal to the body axis;   a die comprising a first aperture having a second cross-sectional shape that is different than the first cross-sectional shape of the trim strip, the first aperture adapted to receive the formable trim strip such that the trim strip body is changed from having the first cross-sectional shape to a cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the second cross-sectional shape as the formable trim strip is displaced through the first aperture.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second cross-sectional shape comprises one of:
 (a) a generally 90-degree cross-section; and   (b) a generally bull-nosed cross-section.   
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a backing paper is affixed to the bottom surface of the trim strip body by depositing the trim strip directly thereon, without an intervening layer of adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the trim strip body comprises a polymer material having a melting point range between about 250° F. and about 400° F., and wherein the bottom surface of the trim strip body contacts a portion of the backing paper when a temperature of the trim strip body is within the melting point range, and as the trim strip body cools to a temperature below the melting point range, the portion of the backing paper bonds to the bottom surface of the trim strip body. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a heating element thermally coupled to the die.