Abstract: A system for pressing lignocellulosic and/or cellulosic materials to produce composite products such as medium density fiberboard subjects a mat of material to alternating or vibratory forces applied to a face surface of the mat. The frequency of the alternating forces may be between 0.2 Hz and 2 Hz. This vibratory pressing action causes heat to be transferred more quickly to the core of the mat from the surface, and reduces the pressing time required for thermosetting resins within the mat to cure. The system comprises a press for accepting the mat; a sensor for sensing a parameter indicative of heat in the core of the mat; and a control system for controlling the application of vibratory and non-vibratory forces to the mat.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting wood, the apparatus comprising a housing element defining a work surface and an interior, a means for delivering wood to the work surface, a plurality of incising elements arranged in the work surface to incise the wood in a direction substantially parallel to the fibre of the wood, a plurality of slicing blades arranged in the work surface to slice incised wood, and an opening in the work surface opening into the interior of the housing element.

Abstract: A general method is disclosed for using distance sensors to measure the surface profile and twist of objects, even in the presence of rigid-body motions in the measurement directions between the surface and the sensors. The method involves making multiple sequential measurements from a group of sensors while the object moves longitudinally relative to the sensors. The surface height features of the measured object appear in delayed sequence as the observed surface moves longitudinally relative to the sensor array. However, any rigid-body motions in the measurement directions appear simultaneously at all sensors. Mathematical procedures are used to separate the delayed and simultaneous components of the measurements, from which the surface height profile is determined. The invention can handle many different measurement types, including simultaneous measurement of the surfaces of two-sided objects, measurement of surface twist and two-dimensional surface scanning.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for sorting a plurality of green wood veneer sheets into a plurality of subsets of sheets, the subsets including a “driest” subset, a “wettest” subset, and one or more “intermediate” subsets. The system has a light source for transmitting light through a sheet of veneer as it passes along a conveyor system, and a light sensor for sensing the light passing through the sheet. The pattern of light is recorded by an image acquisition and processing subsystem as an image, which is fed to an image analysis subsystem programmed to analyse the light pattern and to produce a mathematical representation of the image. An integrated moisture content value (IMCV) is set for the particular veneer sheet. Based on this value, a controller sends signals to the conveyor system to convey the particular sheet to a location storing sheets having similar IMCV values for drying.

Abstract: An improved orienting disk is provided for better wood strand alignment in wood strand orienter machinery. The disk has a plurality of fin-like teeth projecting upwardly from the periphery of a generally circular plate. In a preferred embodiment each of the teeth has a straight leading edge facing the direction of rotation of the disk, and a curve trailing edge. Most preferably, the disk has six such teeth, each separated from another by 60° about the periphery of the disk.

Abstract: A system for improving wood strand orientation in a wood strand orienter having a plurality of orienter disks. The system includes a plurality of axially-spaced, parallel pre-orienting shafts positioned in a second plane above and substantially parallel to the orienter disks, each one of the pre-orienting shafts having a plurality of wheels mounted thereon. Each of the wheels has a hub and a plurality of outwardly-extending finger members. When the pre-orienting shafts are positioned over the disks, each one of the finger members passes, in turn, through a portion of the volume defined between the two adjacent orienter disks the wheel sits between. This permits bridged wood strands to be turned and straightened, reducing the “% overs”, the percentage of strands bridging the orienter disks and carried across the top of the orienter without falling through the orienter.

Abstract: A method and system for pressing lignocellulosic and/or cellulosic materials to produce composite products such as medium density fiberboard subjects a mat of material to a alternating or vibratory force normal to the top face of the mat. The frequency of the alternating forces may be between 0.2 Hz and 2 Hz. This vibratory pressing action serves to cause heat to be transferred more quickly to the core of the mat from the surface, and reduces the pressing time required for thermosetting resins within the mat to cure. The system has a press for accepting the mat; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the core of the mat; a control system for accepting a first signal from the temperature sensor and in response to that signal causing the press to apply vibratory forces to the mat normal to the surface of the mat when the core of the mat is below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative humidity of a volume V of air having a temperature of 100° C. or greater. The method comprises the steps of measuring the temperature TV of the volume of air and determining from that temperature the saturation vapor pressure psat(V) of the volume of air; collecting from the volume of air a sample volume S of air and cooling it to a temperature TS below 100° C., but above the dew point of the sample volume of air; determining from the temperature TS the saturation vapor pressure psat(S) of the cooled sample volume of air; determining the relative humidity RHS of the sample volume of air from TS and from the wet bulb temperature of the sample of air; and performing the calculation RHV=RHS×psat(S)/psat(V) to obtain a relative humidity RHV of the volume of air.

Abstract: Low density composite wood panels are manufactured from a feedstock comprising wood wool strands of high average slenderness ratio and high average aspect ratio, and low bulk density. The feedstock wool strands are blended with a resin binder typically in the range of 3 to 5 percent by weight and a hot wax in the range 1 to 2 percent by weight and formed into a mat. The mat is hot pressed with steam injection to effect curing of the resin. The low density panels may include on one or both of their major faces a wood veneer layer. The wood wool strands typically comprise wood of the aspen or jack pine species.

Abstract: A method for measuring bonding agent content and distribution in a composite product that includes bonding agent and cellulosic material. The method involves using a bonding agent that includes electronegative functional groups and an X-ray active cationic label bonded with the functional groups in the manufacture of the composite product. The cellulosic material is exposed to X-rays to generate a characteristic fluorescence signal from the label. The X-ray fluorescence of the label is measured to determine the amount and distribution of the label in the cellulosic material and thereby the amount and distribution of the bonding agent in the composite product. The present invention also provides a bonding agent composition useful for determining the distribution of the bonding agent in a composite product comprising a bonding agent containing electronegative functional groups and a label compound that includes positively charged ions to emit characteristic fluorescence when exposed to X-rays.

Abstract: A hog fuel board is made by placing a hog fuel matrix with flexible non-sticking layers on outside surfaces between screens in a preheated platen press and pressing the matrix to preset stops and for a predetermined time and pressure to cause adhesives naturally present in the hog fuel to disperse throughout the board. The process requires heating platens higher than used for particle board but avoids using a vacuum press. There is also supplied a hog fuel veneer board with a hog fuel matrix sandwiched between veneer sheets and a lumber product with a hog fuel coating thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling sapstain and mold in wood using a biocontrol agent having a high pH tolerance and an alkaline solution. Biocontrol agents that do not discolor wood may be introduced onto wood or wood products to prevent sapstain and mold. The biocontrol agent grows on the wood surface and protects the wood against attack by stain or decay fungi. The application of an alkaline solution containing a biocontrol agent having a high pH tolerance to the wood product is very effective in controlling stain or decay fungi. The alkaline solution raises the pH of the wood to a level which impedes growth of other wood-inhabiting fungi but does not inhibit colonisation of the wood by the biocontrol agent.

Abstract: To facilitate separation of lumber pieces that are of different species, an indicator liquid is sprayed on to a fresh cut end of each lumber piece to produce a characteristic reaction, e.g. based upon pH. After a suitable interval the coated ends of the lumber pieces are optically scanned, the scanned image being analyzed spectrographically to identify the species of the lumber piece, e.g. as between spruce and fir. The lumber pieces are separated accordingly so that further processing thereof, e.g. kiln drying can be done under optimal conditions for that species.

Abstract: Smooth surfaced panels e.g. of oriented strand board are prepared by producing a thin uniform mat of high density made from bonded wood particles, fibers or strands. The mat is produced by passing it between a pair of rollers one of which is heated to produce a smooth cured surface on the corresponding side of the mat, and the other of which is unheated, the corresponding side of the mat containing uncured adhesive. The mat is subsequently bonded to a panel, e.g. an oriented strand board core under conditions of heat and pressure to produce a composite panel having a smooth surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspection of a cutting tool by an examination device is provided. The examination tool is preferably a camera. The apparatus includes a base and a cutting tool mounting member on the base for attachment of a cutting tool to be inspected. The mounting member is adapted to position the cutting tool at a viewing location for the camera. There is a movable arm having a mounting location for receiving the camera. The movable arm is mounted to the base for rotation such that the camera moves in a first plane that includes the viewing location. The movable arm is also pivotable away from first plane to a second plane. An aperture through the base permits observation of the viewing location by the camera when the arm is pivoted to the second plane. The apparatus of the present invention permits fast, accurate and consistent measurement of the cutting surface geometry of a cutting tool.

Abstract: A wood wall structure has standard components arranged in such a way that strength and ductile capacity exceeds those in current standard wall arrangements. The structure has a top plate and a bottom plate that are substantially the same, each plate having a groove along the center face, a central sheath is positioned between the top and bottom plates fitting into each groove. Pairs of vertical framing elements extend between the top and bottom plates with the central sheath sandwiched therebetween and attachments between the pairs of framing elements retain the central sheath in position.

Abstract: A hog fuel board is made by placing a hog fuel matrix with flexible non-sticking layers on outside surfaces between screens in a preheated platen press and pressing the matrix to preset stops and for a predetermined time and pressure to cause adhesives naturally present in the hog fuel to disperse throughout the board. The process requires heating platens higher than used for particle board but avoids using a vacuum press. There is also supplied a hog fuel veneer board with a hog fuel matrix sandwiched between veneer sheets and a lumber product with a hog fuel coating thereon.

Abstract: The service life of wooden poles such as utility poles is increased by forming the butt end portion thereof with slots that penetrate deeply into the wood, these slots being formed prior to pressure treatment of the wood with preservatives and thus improving the penetration of the preservatives into the wood. After drying, the butt end of the pole is encased in a shell, suitably of polymers, that is bonded to the butt of the pole and presents a barrier to the penetration of fungus or insects, and likewise prevents the passage of liquids which might leach preservative from the pole into the surrounding ground.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful wooden structural member comprising a pair of elongated flanges each having a surface and a longitudinally extending groove in the surface, the groove having a bottom, and wherein at least one side of the groove is at an angle to the surface such that the groove is tapered from the surface to the bottom; an upwardly projecting compression ridge extending longitudinally along the bottom of the groove; and a web disposed between the flanges and having first and second longitudinal edges, at least one side of the edges being tapered, the edges secured within respective ones of the grooves, and each edge having a longitudinally extending central kerf therein, the depth of the kerfs being greater than the depth of the grooves; and wherein (a) prior to the insertion of the edges into the grooves, (i) the thickness of each edge at its extremity is not greater than the width of the bottom of the groove, and (ii) the thickness of each edge at a distance from its extremity equal to th

Abstract: A novel method of producing a wood composite treated with a soluble boron compound is disclosed. Either a phenol-formaldehyde resole or novolac type resin can be used as the binder for a wood furnish. The wood furnish is surface treated with either the resole type resin or novolac resin together with a water soluble boron compound whereafter the surface treated wood furnish is formed into a mat and then consolidated in a press. When novolac is used as the resin, the consolidation takes place under sufficient pressure, heat and time in order to cure the novolac type resin and to form the wood composite. Optionally, the curing of the novolac resin can be promoted by injecting the compressed mat with steam, rather than by means of heated press platens. However, if a resole type resin is employed as the binder, while in its consolidated condition, pressurized steam is injected into the consolidated mat for a time sufficient to cure the binder and form the composite.