Abstract: A method for producing thermosetting phenolic resins includes the step of reacting a polycondensable phenolic compound with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) under conditions leading to the formation of polycondensation products. The HMF includes at least one HMF oligomer, and the reaction step is carried out at pH values greater than 7 for more than 60 minutes. Further, thermosetting phenolic resins may be used for producing a wood composite material.

Abstract: Carbon-linked 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oligomers contain at least one first HMF unit and one second HMF unit. The first and second HMF units are linked by a carbon-carbon bond with involvement of an aromatically bound carbon atom at position 3 or 4 of the furan ring of the first HMF unit. The HMF oligomers may be used as reactive carbonyl compounds in the manufacture of thermally curable resins on the basis of phenolic compounds and/or aminoplastic forming agents as well as in the manufacture of wood composite products.

Abstract: A method for producing thermosetting phenolic resins includes the step of reacting a polycondensable phenolic compound with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) under conditions leading to the formation of polycondensation products. The HMF includes at least one HMF oligomer, and the reaction step is carried out at pH values greater than 7 for more than 60 minutes. Further, thermosetting phenolic resins may be used for producing a wood composite material.

Abstract: Processes for the manufacture of thermally curable resins contain the step of the reaction of a polycondensation-capable phenolic compound and/or of an aminoplastic forming agent with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) under conditions leading to formation of polycondensation products. The HMF includes at least one HMF oligomer. Further, thermally curable resins produced by such processes may be used for the manufacture of a wood composite material.

Abstract: Carbon-linked 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oligomers contain at least one first HMF unit and one second HMF unit. The first and second HMF units are linked by a carbon-carbon bond with involvement of an aromatically bound carbon atom at position 3 or 4 of the furan ring of the first HMF unit. The HMF oligomers may be used as reactive carbonyl compounds in the manufacture of thermally curable resins on the basis of phenolic compounds and/or aminoplastic forming agents as well as in the manufacture of wood composite products.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of wood composite materials includes the steps of: preparation of a thermally curable resin by reacting a polycondensation-capable phenolic compound and/or an amino plastic forming agent with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) under conditions leading to the formation of polycondensation products, bringing the resin into contact with lignocellulose-containing material, and curing the resin with formation of the wood composite material. The 5-hydroxymethylfurfural includes at least one HMF oligomer. Further, wood composite materials are obtainable by the process.

Abstract: A convertible drawing article of furniture includes a support structure and a drawing board which can be mounted on the support structure in a prostrate position or in an upright position, so that the assembly can be used as a drawing desk or as an easel. The drawing board includes a mounting frame and a slate board which is supported on a circumferential recessed ledge of the frame and held thereon at its front corners by holding members. A compartmentalized tray is attached by compatible male and female connecting formations to the lateral section of the mounting frame in the prostrate position and to the front region of a support frame forming a part of the support structure in the upright position of the drawing board. The support structure further includes two front and two rear legs, of which the rear legs are telescopically extendable so that the drawing board can rest thereon in its upright position while its then lower section is engaged with rear projections of the tray.

Abstract: A novel paint-by-numbers kit containing a panel board with a non-porous paper mounted thereon. The paper contains thereon a plurality of different unpainted picture areas and a plurality of different water-insoluble portions together constituting an unpainted picture to be painted by a user. Also contained in the kit is a plurality of different water-based paints for coloring the unpainted picture areas. The paints form a layer of transparent color on the non-porous paper of the panel board. Each unpainted picture area is associated with a water-soluble indicia number for indicating to the user which of the different paints to apply to each unpainted picture area. Each different paint is separately identified by a selector number which corresponds to an appropriate indicia number. In using the paint-by-numbers kit, the user wets a paint brush which is supplied with the kit and rubs the wetted paint brush on the paints.

Abstract: An audio-visual, child-participating, educational entertainment center, which provides a child with an educational entertainment device in which the child can actively participate, at his own pace, in an audio-visual feature. The educational entertainment center comprises a screen upon which visual images are projected, an animated audio-visual feature, a kit containing different types of appliques, the appliques being capable of integration with the audio-visual animated feature, and a switch to stop and restart the audio-visual feature at will, thus permitting the child to apply the applique means at his own pace.