Patents Assigned to Forest Concepts LLC
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Publication number: 20130327857Abstract: A process of comminution of wood chips (C) having a grain direction to produce a mixture of wood particles (P), wherein the wood chips are characterized by an average length dimension (LC) as measured substantially parallel to the grain, an average width dimension (WC) as measured normal to LC and aligned cross grain, and an average height dimension (HC) as measured normal to WC and LC, wherein WC>LC, and wherein the comminution process comprises the step of feeding the wood chips in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (TD), and wherein at least one of LC, WC, and HC is less than TD.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning
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Patent number: 8507093Abstract: A process of comminution of wood chips (C) having a grain direction to produce a mixture of wood particles (P), wherein the wood chips are characterized by an average length dimension (LC) as measured substantially parallel to the grain, an average width dimension (WC) as measured normal to LC and aligned cross grain, and an average height dimension (HC) as measured normal to WC and LC, and wherein the comminution process comprises the step of feeding the wood chips in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (TD), and wherein at least one of LC, WC, and HC is greater than TD.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning
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Publication number: 20130200181Abstract: A beneficiation process and apparatus for the continuous treatment of comminuted woody biomass, particularly hog fuel, to substantially remove mineral impurities and bark and to recover white wood therefrom for use as industrial feedstocks.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: FOREST CONCEPTS, LLCInventors: David N. Lanning, Christopher J. Lanning, James H. Dooley
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Patent number: 8497019Abstract: Plant biomass particles coated with a bioactive agent such as a fertilizer or pesticide, characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to a grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning
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Patent number: 8496033Abstract: Comminution process of wood veneer to produce wood particles, by feeding wood veneer in a direction of travel substantially normal to grain through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of veneer travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (Td), to produce wood particles characterized by a length dimension (L) substantially equal to the Td and aligned substantially parallel to grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) substantially equal to the veneer thickness (Tv) and aligned normal to W and L, wherein the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces with end checking between crosscut fibers.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning
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Patent number: 8497020Abstract: Wood particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein: the wood particles are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L; the L×H dimensions define two side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers; the W×H dimensions define two cross-grain end surfaces characterized individually as aligned either normal to the grain or oblique to the grain; the L×W dimensions define two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces; and, a majority of the W×H surfaces in the mixture of wood particles have end checking.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning
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Publication number: 20130186288Abstract: Process of baling a switchgrass biomass material at between about 22 and about 32 psi into a rectangular switchgrass bale having a bale density of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3. A 3×4×8 ft switchgrass bale so produced weighs between 1,402 and 1,968 pounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventor: Forest Concepts, LLC
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Publication number: 20130189452Abstract: Rectangular switchgrass bales optimized for highway transport on semi-trailer trucks, produced by a process of compacting a switchgrass biomass material at between about 22 and about 32 psi into a rectangular switchgrass bale having a bale density of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventor: Forest Concepts, LLC
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Publication number: 20130189453Abstract: Rectangular switchgrass bales having bale densities of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventor: Forest Concepts, LLC
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Patent number: 8481160Abstract: An industrial feedstock of plant biomass particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein the particles are individually characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L, wherein the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the particles in the feedstock are collectively characterized by having a bimodal or multimodal size distribution.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning
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Publication number: 20130112789Abstract: A process of comminution of wood chips (C) having a grain direction to produce a mixture of wood particles (P), wherein the wood chips are characterized by an average length dimension (LC) as measured substantially parallel to the grain, an average width dimension (WC) as measured normal to LC and aligned cross grain, and an average height dimension (HC) as measured normal to WC and LC, and wherein the comminution process comprises the step of feeding the wood chips in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (TD), and wherein at least one of LC, WC, and HC is greater than TD.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventor: Forest Concepts, LLC
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Publication number: 20130115459Abstract: Wood particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein: the wood particles are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L; the L×H dimensions define two side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers; the W×H dimensions define two cross-grain end surfaces characterized individually as aligned either normal to the grain or oblique to the grain; the L×W dimensions define two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces; and, a majority of the W×H surfaces in the mixture of wood particles have end checking.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventor: Forest Concepts, LLC
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Patent number: 8430025Abstract: A biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive tall grass biomass material, a compression system adapted to compact the material into a rectangular bale in the chamber, and an ejection system adapted to move the bale from the chamber, wherein the baling chamber has a front wall consisting of a reciprocating compression platen corresponding in dimensions to the width W and height H of the bale, opposing upper and lower walls corresponding in dimensions to the length L and either of the W and H of the bale, and opposing sidewalls corresponding in dimensions to the L and the other of the W and H of the bale, wherein each chamber wall selected from among the upper wall, the lower wall, and the sidewalls can withstand a minimum distributed force perpendicular to the selected wall of at least (0.22×Pp×Aw) pounds, wherein Pp is the maximum pressure that the compression platen can apply to the material and Aw is the area of the selected wall expressed in square inches.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: David N. Lanning, James H. Dooley, Christopher J. Lanning, James L. Fridley
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Publication number: 20130101850Abstract: Wood particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein: the wood particles are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L; the L×H dimensions define two side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers; the W×H dimensions define two cross-grain end surfaces characterized individually as aligned either normal to the grain or oblique to the grain; the L×W dimensions define two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces; and, a majority of the W×H surfaces in the mixture of wood particles have end checkingType: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventor: Forest Concepts, LLC
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Publication number: 20130074991Abstract: Comminution process of wood veneer to produce wood particles, by feeding wood veneer in a direction of travel substantially normal to grain through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of veneer travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (Td), to produce wood particles characterized by a length dimension (L) substantially equal to the Td and aligned substantially parallel to grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) substantially equal to the veneer thickness (Tv) and aligned normal to W and L, wherein the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces with end checking between crosscut fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventor: Forest Concepts, LLC
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Publication number: 20130026264Abstract: Comminution process of wood veneer to produce wood particles, by feeding wood veneer in a direction of travel substantially normal to grain through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of veneer travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (Td), to produce wood particles characterized by a length dimension (L) substantially equal to the Td and aligned substantially parallel to grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) substantially equal to the veneer thickness (Tv) and aligned normal to W and L, wherein the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces with end checking between crosscut fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning
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Patent number: 8359974Abstract: A biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive tall grass biomass material and a compression system adapted to compact the tall grass biomass material into a parallelepiped bale in the chamber, wherein the baling chamber has a front wall consisting essentially of a reciprocating compression platen corresponding in dimensions to the width W and height H of the bale, opposing upper and lower walls corresponding in dimensions to the length L and either of the W and H of the bale, and opposing sidewalls corresponding in dimensions to the L and the other of the W and H of the bale, and wherein the compression system is adjustable by conventional controls to apply at least one operator-selectable compression platen pressure of between 22 psi and 30 psi to the tall grass biomass material in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Forest Concepts, LLCInventors: David N. Lanning, James H. Dooley, Christopher J. Lanning, James L. Fridley
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Publication number: 20120326417Abstract: A transport system including a fleet of semi-trailer trucks, wherein a plurality of the semi-trailer trucks are loaded with rectangular bales of tall grass biomass, wherein the total weight of the bales is greater than 90% of the sum of the maximum transport weight capacities of the loaded semi-trailer trucks, wherein the total volume of the bales is greater than 80% of the sum of the maximum transport volumes of the loaded semi-trailer trucks.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: FOREST CONCEPTS, LLC.Inventors: David N. Lanning, James H. Dooley, Christopher J. Lanning, James L. Fridley
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Publication number: 20120308767Abstract: An industrial feedstock of plant biomass particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein the particles are individually characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L, wherein the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the particles in the feedstock are collectively characterized by having a bimodal or multimodal size distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: FOREST CONCEPTS, LLC.Inventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning
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Publication number: 20120301722Abstract: Plant biomass particles coated with a bioactive agent such as a fertilizer or pesticide, characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to a grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: FOREST CONCEPTS, LLC.Inventors: James H. Dooley, David N. Lanning