Abstract: Wood surfaces are bonded together by heating and pressing using a preferably dry binder formulation constituting a thorough mixture of an isocyanate and a sugar or starch, the binder formulation also preferably containing a stabilizer and optionally a catalyst and a release agent. The binder formulation may be used with good results in an amount equal to the amount of straight isocyanate resin which would normally be used, i.e. the sugar or starch replaces a quantity of the isocyanate which would normally have been used, thereby reducing the total quantity of isocyanate, thus reducing cost without any disadvantage.

Abstract: Wood surfaces are bonded together by heating and pressing with a bonding composition containing, on a bonding agent solids basis, from 10-70% of one or more sugars and from 90-30% of an aminoplast, and the bonding composition being used in an amount equal to the amount of straight condensation resin which would normally be used, i.e. the sugar replaces a quantity of condensation resin normally used thereby reducing the total quantity of condensation resin, thereby reducing cost and formaldehyde emissions and without any disadvantages.

Abstract: A conventional conduction pressing apparatus for consolidating of composite products by pressure and heat is converted to a press in which heating is carried out by convection. This is accomplished by providing caul plates for use on the working surfaces on the press plattens, the caul plates having a central permeable area and a peripheral impermeable area, as well as appropriate sealing elements. Holes are drilled through the press plattens in order to provide a passageway for steam from an outside source to the central permeable areas of the caul plates.