Roof Tile for Forming a Roof Covering, Method for Manufacturing a Roof Tile and Method for Installing Roof Tiles

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a roof tile, wherein the roof tile comprises a ceramic body, which is made of porcelain, and is provided with at least one hole, which is present in at least said ceramic body; wherein the method comprises at least the steps of providing a body composition; pressing the body composition; and firing the pressed body composition, and wherein, for forming said at least one hole, before said step of firing, a recess is formed in the body in the form of a blind hole or a through hole.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing a roof tile, wherein the roof tile comprises a ceramic body, which is made of porcelain, and is provided with at least one hole, which is present in at least said ceramic body; wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 providing a body composition;   pressing the body composition; and   firing the pressed body composition, and   wherein, for forming said at least one hole, before said step of firing, a recess is formed in the body in the form of a blind hole or a through hole.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein before said step of firing, said recess is formed in the form of said blind hole, and wherein after said step of firing, said through hole is made from said blind hole, wherein said through hole corresponds to said at least one hole. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said blind hole that is formed before said step of firing constitutes at least 50% of the length of said at least one hole. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said blind hole is formed in said step of pressing. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein, in said step of pressing, the body composition is pressed between an upper press element and a lower press element. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said blind hole is formed by at least one protrusion which is present on at least one of the press elements, and wherein the length of at least one of the press elements is smaller than the thickness of said ceramic body. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said step of pressing is performed with the upper surface of the ceramic body facing towards the upper press element. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein before said step of firing, said recess is formed in the form of a through hole. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein in a first stage, said blind hole is made, and wherein in a second stage, still prior to the step of firing, said through hole is made from said blind hole, wherein said through hole then corresponds to said at least one hole. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said through hole is stamped into the pressed body composition, before said step of firing. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of providing the roof tile with a layer situated below said ceramic body. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said layer is provided by lamination, press lamination, or glue. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said hole is an attachment hole, which has a minimal width or diameter that is smaller than the thickness of the roof tile. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said hole is situated closer to the upper edge of the roof tile than to the lower edge of the roof tile. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the roof tile is provided with a multiplicity of such holes. 
     
     
         16 . A method for manufacturing a roof tile, wherein the roof tile comprises a ceramic body, and is provided with at least one attachment hole, which is present in at least said ceramic body; wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 providing a body composition;   pressing the body composition; and   firing the pressed body composition, and   wherein, for forming said at least one attachment hole, before said step of firing, a recess is formed in the body in the form of a blind hole or a through hole.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one attachment hole has a minimal width or diameter that is smaller than the thickness of the roof tile. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one attachment hole is situated closer to the upper edge of the roof tile than to the lower edge of the roof tile. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one protrusion is present on the upper press element, and wherein the length of said upper press element is smaller than the thickness of said ceramic body. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said step of providing the roof tile occurs after said step of firing.