Abstract: A method and apparatus for tapered peeling of veneer to form a curved veneer and clipping the curved veneer into discreet sheets by adjusting the angular relationship of the clipping knife to the axis of rotation of the bolt being peeled thereby to clip the veneer along lines substantially radial to the curvature of the veneer adjacent to the point of clipping.In the preferred arrangement two clippers are used in series and their angular relationship adjusted relative to the axis of rotation of the bolt to produce a veneer sheet with substantially parallel sides and to remove a substantially triangular piece between adjacent clipped sheets.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the variation in the height of flute profile for corrugated material is obtained by passing the corrugated material in a predetermined space relationship across a beam of light projected toward the corrugated material in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flute tips and the bases of the valleys of the corrugated material and collecting the light reflected back directly from the material, i.e. in a direction substantially parallel to the light beam, determining the amount of light reflected back from each flute tip of the corrugated material to provide an indication of flute height.

Abstract: A system for clipping veneer, peeled with curved side edges one longer than the other, into discrete full and partial panels each defined by a longer and shorter curved side edge and a leading and trailing edge, wherein the angle of the clipping knife to the direction of travel of the veneer is adjusted during passage of the peeled veneer to clip the veneer into full panels having their leading and trailing edges substantially parallel and partial panels each having its trailing edge at an acute angle to its leading edge and flowing from its shorter curve side to its longer curve side to tend to equalize the accumulated lengths of the curved side edges of the peeled veneer.

Abstract: Substitute lumber pieces having strengths and densities substantially equivalent to lumber are cut from single layer panels of over about 1 and normally less than 4 inches thickness made from wood wafers. The wafers are oriented with their lengths having a mean deviation to the longitudinal length of the panel measured in the major plane of the panel in the range of 0 to 10 degrees and a mean deviation measured in a minimum longitudinal plane perpendicular to the major plane from 0 to about 5 degrees and have an average effective length of at least 8 inches (200 mm), and preferably an average thickness less than 0.15 inches (4 mm) and a width of at least 0.25 inches (6 mm). Lumber is made by cutting the panel longitudinally. Preferably the panels are formed to have a substantially uniform density profile throughout their thicknesses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for peeling a tapered block by setting the cutting edge of the peeling knife on an angle comensurate with the taper of the block. In one embodiment, the angle remains substantially constant throughout the peeling operation so that the resulting core is tapered. In another embodiment, the angle continuously changes and the veneer is cut thicker at one side than at the other whereby to produce a tapered veneer and result in a substantially right cylindrical core when the peeling operation is completed.

Abstract: A hollow journal extending from a dryer drum is provided with an internal tube defining an angular insulating space between the inner wall of the hollow journal and the tube. This space is sealed at the inner end adjacent to dryer drum and is vented at the opposite end so that the insulating space is vented to atmosphere thereby provide a simple mounting system for mounting the fluid transfer passages through the dryer drum head and journal structure that better insulates the journal from the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for testing a panel for strength and stiffness has the ability to handle panels of different thicknesses, and also has a temperature sensor so that panels can be tested hot and the cold end use strength and stiffness correlated. The apparatus moves the panel in an "S" shaped path through a series of rollers, and measures the load to deflect the panel a predetermined distance for different thicknesses of panels. An algorithm is used to correlate the cold end use strength and stiffness values from the temperature and loading figures.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming a product having elongated members at least about one foot long which are oriented, compressed and bonded is provided. The apparatus deposits elongated members on a moving carrier with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the carrier. The members are deposited on the carrier over a length of carrier that is at least as long as about one and one-half times the length of the elongated members and is at least as long as about 30 times the final thickness of the compressed, composite product.

Abstract: A composite wood product, such as waferboard, is treated during manufacture with preservative chemicals to improve resistance to decay and insect organisms. The process avoids having to treat a finished product and is not limited to only surface protection. Molten slack wax is first applied to wood particles having a moisture content not greater than about 10%, the wax coated wood particles are then sprayed with an ammoniacal copper arsenate solution having a concentration of at least about 11% followed by blending with adhesive resin and forming a composite wood product.

Abstract: Multi-layered corrugated containers having at least one flat side, have at least one foldable flap attached at the fold line to the flat side. In the past the fold line has been scored or crushed after the box is formed, and this represents an additional manufacturing step. The container includes a multi-layered sleeve with at least one flap on one end of the sleeve and a fold line separating the flap from the sleeve, the fold line having a strip with no corrugations therein permitting the flap to be bent about the fold line.

Abstract: A waferboard panel is made from long wafers to have the same strength properties as plywood. The panel comprises at least three layers of wood wafers having an initial aggregate specific gravity, less than about 0.6 oven dry weight with volume at 12% moisture content, the panel having face layers on outside surfaces and at least one core layer. The wafers in the face layers have a mean orientation not greater than about 10.degree., and lengths of at least about 6 inches, preferably 12 inches. Average widths of the wafers in the face layers are in the range of about 0.3 to 2.0 inches and the panel has an oven dry wood density in the range of about 28 to 45 lbs. per cu. ft. with an MOR to density ratio of at least about 120 and an MOE (M) to density ratio of at least about 40.

Abstract: A multi-layered flat walled bulk storage bin or container is disclosed. The container has crushed corners and at least two opposing bevelled corners which enable the container to be folded flat with no spring back in the folded position. The container comprises a multi-layered sleeve having at least four flat sides with corners between adjacent sides, the sleeve having compressible sheet layers, preferably corrugated board layers, with crushed corners and at least two opposing corners being bevelled corners to allow the sleeve to be collapsed so fully closed corners have adjacent sides substantially parallel without additional force applied.

Abstract: A process for continuously forming a product having elongated members at least about one foot long which are oriented, compressed and bonded is provided, the process comprising depositing elongated members on a moving carrier with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said carrier, said members being deposited on said carrier over a length of carrier that is at least as long as about one and one-half times the length of the elongated members and is at least as long as about 30 times the final thickness of the compressed, composite product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting elongate articles by length is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt, a holding mechanism located at the discharge end of the first conveyor belt and a grasping mechanism located at an inlet end of the second conveyor belt. The holding and grasping mechanisms are spaced from one another by a gap through which articles having a length less than a preselected length fall. The holding mechanism holds the articles which pass the discharge end of the first conveyor belt in alignment with a plane in which the top run of the first conveyor belt moves. The grasping mechanism grasps the front ends of desired elongate articles which have a length equal to or greater than the preselected length prior to the release of the rearward ends of the desired articles from the holding mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming an extended elongate product from a plurality of strands by subjecting the strands to heat and pressure. The improvement of the present invention comprises a method for compressing the strands in a manner to reduce internal stresses imparted to the product during its subjection to pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming an extended elongate pressed composite assembly from a plurality of strands by subjecting the strands to heat and pressure. The improvement of the present invention comprises methods for compressing a particularly arranged composite mat of strands so as to compensate for internal stresses imparted to the pressed composite assembly during its subjection to pressure because of a converging compressing zone and card decking.

Abstract: A two-stage chemical treatment process is disclosed for increasing the density, strength and brightness properties of mechanical wood pulp. The method comprises the steps of: applying an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite in the range of about 1%-10% sodium sulfite based on bone dry weight of wood to wood particles, the solution having a pH in the range of about 4.5-11; heating the sodium sulfite treated wood particles to a temperature in the range of about 100.degree.-160.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for laying a mat of wood strands, particularly long strands, in the process of producing a composite product such as waferboard is disclosed. In the past it has not been possible to lay long wafers in an oriented mat except by hand. The present invention provides a means for forming a pile of wood strands of substantially uniform depth, a plurality of spike rolls located at one side of the pile of wood strands to pull the wood strands out of the pile and form a uniform curtain of falling strands and a conveyor to force the pile of wood strands against the spike rolls. Beneath the spike rolls are a pair of counter-rotating spreader rolls spaced apart to receive the curtain of strands and having spikes to distribute the strands in an even mat beneath. A horizontal adjustment is provided to position the spreader rolls beneath the curtain and vary the distance between the rolls.

Abstract: A high wet strength waferboard panel is disclosed made from aspen species of wood flakes or equivalent with average specific gravity less than 0.6 and having wet strength equivalent to plywood. At least a portion of the wood wafers are oriented generally in a lengthwise direction such that the length to width strength ratio of the panel, measured as modulus of rupture, is in the range of about 1.3:1 to 2:1, the density of the waferboard panel being in the range of about 38 to 45 lb/ft.sup.3, the content of adhesive resin in the panel being in the range of about 4% to 10%, the content of wax in the panel being in the range of about 1% to 21/2% and the thickness of the panel being in the range of about 3/8 to 11/2 inches. The fully soaked panel having a moisture content of at least about 30% with an MOR lengthwise greater than about 2900 lb/in.sup.2 and an MOE lengthwise greater than about 0.9.times.10.sup.6 lb/in.sup.2.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for blending wood strands with a liquid resin. A process is also disclosed for continuously blending wood strands with a liquid resin. The apparatus overcomes some of the problems that exist with present day blenders because it avoids clogging spray nozzles and allows complete coating of the strands with a minimum amount of resin.