Abstract: A tool for installing siding, such as horizontally-disposed, overlapping siding is disclosed. In one embodiment, the tool comprises an elongate longitudinal portion having top and bottom end portions. A top siding-engaging portion extends from the top end portion and a bottom siding-engaging portion extends from the bottom end portion of the portion. A siding-support portion also extends from the longitudinal portion. In use, the tool may be pushed onto a first piece of siding to cause the top siding-engaging portion to frictionally engage a top transverse edge of the piece of siding and the bottom siding-engaging portion to frictionally engage a bottom transverse edge of the piece of siding. The first piece of siding can then be placed at an appropriate position against a structure above a previously-installed, second piece of siding, so that the siding-support portion rests on the second piece of siding.

Abstract: A method for forming a product from cellulosic material and thermoactive material is described. A mat is formed from a mixture having a predetermined amount of cellulosic material and a predetermined amount of thermoplastic material. The mat is then consolidated and pressed to a predetermined final product thickness. At least a portion of a surface of the mat or product is then surface modified. Consolidating the mixture may include forming a first face layer, forming a core layer on the first face layer, and forming a second face layer on the core layer. Forming the core layer may include depositing mixtures of wood flakes and plastic flakes according to mixture flake size in successive layers such that the core layer has larger flakes adjacent the first face layer and adjacent the second face layer, and smaller flakes in a middle portion of the core layer. The method also can include fusing a sheet of plastic material to at least one surface of the mat, and surface modifying the plastic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining out-of-plane defects in a paper sample are described. One embodiment of the method includes providing a paper sample, illuminating the sample with light, determining light scattering resulting from the light at a plurality of measuring regions, and determining an out-of-plane defect value by assigning the measuring regions to plural bands, calculating a standard deviation of light scattering for each of the bands, and averaging standard deviations of the bands. An alternative embodiment further includes assigning the measuring regions to plural columns of the sample, determining the out-of-plane defect value for each of the columns, and calculating the median of the out-of-plane defect values of the columns. The average out-of-plane defect value may also be calculated. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a housing for excluding ambient light and for holding a paper sample, a light source, and an image-capturing device.

Abstract: A method for forming a product from cellulosic material and thermoactive material is described. A mat is formed from a mixture having cellulosic material and thermoplastic material. The mat is consolidated and pressed to a final thickness. At least a portion of a surface of the mat or product may be surface modified. Consolidating the mixture may include forming a first face layer, forming a core layer on the first face layer, and forming a second face layer on the core layer. Forming the core layer may include depositing mixtures of wood flakes and plastic flakes according to mixture flake size in successive layers such that the core layer has larger flakes adjacent the first face layer and adjacent the second face layer, and smaller flakes in a middle portion of the core layer. Consolidation can occur as a mat or composite moves through a hot-gas consolidation zone.

Abstract: Composite products having mineral networks polymerized about cellulosic material and a method for making such products are described. One embodiment of the composite product comprises a paper product having a polymerized mineral network, such as a silica/silicate network around, throughout and/or about the cellulosic material instead of having isolated particles of filler material deposited onto, or purposefully bonded to, the cellulosic material. One embodiment of the method comprises providing a mixture comprising cellulosic material, a Group I metal silicate and a Group II metal base or salt. The mixture is then carbonated to produce a product comprising precipitated carbonate filler material and a polymerized mineral network about the cellulosic material. This product is then formed into paper products wherein the ash content can be substantially greater than conventional paper products while maintaining suitable strength properties.

Abstract: Composite products having mineral networks polymerized about cellulosic material and a method for making such products are described. One embodiment of the composite product comprises a paper product having a polymerized mineral network, such as a silica/silicate network around, throughout and/or about the cellulosic material instead of having isolated particles of filler material deposited onto, or purposefully bonded to, the cellulosic material. One embodiment of the method comprises providing a mixture comprising cellulosic material, a Group I metal silicate and a Group II metal base or salt. The mixture is then carbonated to produce a product comprising precipitated carbonate filler material and a polymerized mineral network about the cellulosic material. This product is then formed into paper products wherein the ash content can be substantially greater than conventional paper products while maintaining suitable strength properties.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously forming composites comprising filler materials and thermoactive materials, particularly waste cellulosic materials and waste thermoplastics, are described. One embodiment of the apparatus includes either a batchwise or continuous mixer, such as a cyclone, for forming mixtures comprising filler and thermoactive material. The mixtures are conveyed to a continuous consolidation apparatus. Alternatively, the mixtures may be densified in a densifying apparatus before entering the consolidation apparatus. The consolidation apparatus includes a hot-gas distribution system having plural paired gas cells, such as rollers or hoods, for applying hot air to the charge. A first cell of each pair applies gas to the mixture. The second cell of each pair operates at a pressure less than that of the first cell, thereby creating a pressure differential across the charge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously forming composites comprising filler materials and thermoactive materials, particularly waste cellulosic materials and waste thermoplastics, are described. One embodiment of the apparatus includes either a batchwise or continuous mixer, such as a cyclone, for forming mixtures comprising filler and thermoactive material. The mixtures are conveyed to a continuous consolidation apparatus. Alternatively, the mixtures may be densified in a densifying apparatus before entering the consolidation apparatus. The consolidation apparatus includes a hot-gas distribution system having plural paired gas cells, such as rollers or hoods, for applying hot air to the charge. A first cell of each pair applies gas to the mixture. The second cell of each pair operates at a pressure less than that of the first cell, thereby creating a pressure differential across the charge.

Abstract: A shipping and display container for shipping and displaying goods is made from a unitary blank to have a bottom, a top, and a plurality of side panels, one of which has a display opening. The container also has a cover attached to a side edge of one of the side panels for covering the display opening during shipping. The cover can be removed for displaying the contents of the container. The top of the container allows another container to be stacked thereon, even while displaying its contents.

Abstract: An improved two-tier, single-felted dryer section has an upper tier of spaced apart dryer drums and a lower tier of spaced apart dryer drums. The section includes at least one dryer drum group consisting of a first and second adjacent drum in one tier, a third drum in the other tier located between the adjacent first and second drums, and two reversing rolls positioned one on each of the opposite sides of the third drum. A felt-supported paper web follows a serpentine path about the dryer drums and reversing rolls. As a result, the felt-supported web passes through the dryer drum group with the web in direct contact with each of the three dryer drums in the dryer drum group.

Abstract: A food container consisting of a top and a bottom having obliquely angled side elements is disclosed. The container may be cut from a single blank of container material and formed into a hingedly connected top and bottom. When the top and bottom are open and substantially coplanar the obliquely angled sides permit multiple boxes or containers to be nested within one another for efficient stacking. A preferred embodiment includes tops and bottoms with eight side elements comprising one piece side elements and side elements having overlapping panels. When closed, the top side elements overlap the bottom side elements. The container also includes a locking tongue and opening which receives the tongue. A tab may be provided to assist in moving the tongue to disengage it from the opening.

Abstract: A container for storage and transportation of foods which can accommodate various sizes of foods depending upon the orientation of the container is disclosed. The container includes flat surfaces separated by obliquely angled side walls thus presenting an appearance similar to an eight-sided frustrum of a cone. With the large flat portion oriented downward the container may be opened and a large food item may be stored and transported in the container. Conversely, with the smaller flat portion oriented downward a somewhat smaller food item may be stored and transported in the container. Additionally, the container is configured so that multiple containers can be nestingly stacked together for efficient shipping. Thus, the container may be configured at a manufacturing facility and shipped in a fully assembled condition thus simplifying the use of the container at a retail service facility.

Abstract: A container for the temporary storage of foods is disclosed. The container includes a corrugated medium having a single backer paper thus creating an exposed corrugated surface on a side opposite the backer. The food container is formed such that the exposed corrugation is located towards an interior surface of the container. The corrugation is provided in a meandering, nonlinear pattern to provide strength along both longitudinal and transverse directions relative to the orientation of the corrugation. By using a corrugated medium having a single layer of backer paper, it is possible to construct the container using approximately one-third less materials without sacrificing strength.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container for the temporary storage of foods is disclosed. The container includes a corrugated medium having a single backer paper thus creating an exposed corrugated surface on a side opposite the backer. The food container is formed such that the exposed corrugation is located towards an interior surface of the container. The method of manufacture involves fabrication of a single-face sheet of corrugated material to which is affixed a tape liner along opposed side edges of the sheet. A wider tape is affixed to the sheet intermediate the lateral edge tapes. The sheet is then cut along a longitudinal midline of the intermediate tape and also across the sheet to form discrete blanks. The blanks are substantially single-face corrugated material but have double-face corrugated material along the lateral edges where the tape was applied. Thereafter, the blank may be further cut, scored and folded to form containers having a single-face,bottom panel and double-face side walls.

Abstract: A sootblower frame and drive assembly has a pair of parallel spaced-apart longitudinal beams interconnected by plurality of rigid transverse frame members. Racks gears are mounted to the inside of the beams for carrying a drive carriage that drives a lance tube. The frame is rigid and resistant to torsional flex and has open opposite sides to increase air circulation around the sootblower.

Abstract: A blade mounting frame is attached to a support structure having an endless forming wire rotatably mounted thereon. At least one turn shoe is mounted to the support structure for guiding the rotating path of the forming wire. A blade assembly attached to the blade mounting frame includes a blade in contact with the wire for removing debris from the forming wire before the debris is caught at a nip between the rotating wire and the turn shoes.