Abstract: An audio reproduction apparatus randomizes or shuffles the playback order of tracks from a prerecorded media such as a compact disc within a multiple-disc changer. Shuffle sequences are generated using a linear congruential random number generator (LCRNG). The shuffle sequence does not have to be stored since a next track in the sequence can always be generated from the LCRNG using a particular set of parameters. The parameters are determined in response to the number of track (or discs) in a sequence and include elements obtained from a lookup table and elements that are randomly selected so that the same sequence is not always generated for a certain sequence length.

Abstract: An audio reproduction apparatus randomizes or shuffles the playback order of tracks from a prerecorded media such as a compact disc within a multiple-disc changer. Shuffle sequences are generated using a linear congruential random number generator (LCRNG). The shuffle sequence does not have to be stored since a next track in the sequence can always be generated from the LCRNG using a particular set of parameters. The parameters are determined in response to the number of track (or discs) in a sequence and include elements obtained from a lookup table and elements that are randomly selected so that the same sequence is not always generated for a certain sequence length.

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 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 the carrier, the members being 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: 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 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: Methods and apparatus for splitting substantially straight grained lignocellulosic material substantially along grain lines into slabs are provided. The apparatus may comprise: means for advancing material along a direction of travel, a plurality of splitter blades, said blades being spaced along the direction of travel, and being laterally spaced apart in a stepped row from a first splitter blade located to commence splitting at one side of the material, to a last splitter blade located to finalize splitting at the opposite side of the material, and support means to support the material when advancing the material in the direction of travel and past said splitter blades, said apparatus permitting the split slabs to separate away from the remainder of said material.

Abstract: A process for preparation of long wood strands is disclosed. Long wood strands are required for the production of structural lumber products. These strands must be split, and a method of splitting logs into longitudinal-grain wood strands comprises the steps of radially splitting a log substantially along the grain of the log into a plurality of sector shaped segments, parallel splitting each of the sector shaped segments along the grain of the segments into a plurality of substantially parallel slabs, and further splitting each of the parallel slabs substantially along the grain of the slabs into a plurality of longitudinal-grain wood strands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for splitting wood slabs substantially along the wood grain into longitudinal-grain wood strands are provided. The apparatus comprises a rotating disc splitter having a pair of parallel rotary shafts each having centered thereon and secured thereto a series of spaced apart circular discs, means for counter rotating the shafts to pull a slab of wood between the series of discs and to split the slab into strands, and a series of floating spacer rings on each shaft interspaced between the discs, the floating spacer rings being positioned on either side of the shafts adapted to permit the spacer rings to move away from the discs when a slab is being split therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for splitting a log substantially along the grain into a plurality of sector-shaped segments are described. The apparatus comprises at least one sector splitter ring having a plurality of blades, a support for locating the splitter ring in a log movement path, means for pushing the log axially along a log movement path, a rotating backplate for supporting one end of the log being pushed along, which backplate is adapted to tilt and allow the backplate-supported end of the log to rotate as the log is pushed through the splitter ring, and guide means adapted to retain the floating backplate in the log movement path. The process comprises forcing one end of a log axially against and through at least one splitting blade, the other end of said log being in contact with a backplate that can tilt, and permitting relative rotation between the log and the splitting blade so that a split occurring in the log from the splitting blade substantially tends to follow the grain in the log.