Abstract: A method for producing a processed substantially continuous veneer ribbon is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of debarked wood logs. A substantially continuous veneer ribbon is separated from each of said plurality of debarked wood logs. The substantially continuous veneer ribbons is conveyed to a plurality of storage locations. A system is provided for processing the substantially continuous veneer ribbons introducing a plurality of the substantially continuous veneer ribbons from the storage location to the continuous veneer ribbon process system. A processed continuous veneer ribbon is formed from the plurality of the substantially continuous veneer ribbons in the continuous veneer ribbon process system.

Abstract: A system for drying wood particles and a method of operation wherein the wood particles are introduced into a dryer and contacted directly with a combustion system exhaust stream. VOC's emitted from the wood particles during drying are recycled to the combustion system for destruction. In one method according to the invention, a portion of the VOC-laden dryer exhaust stream is recycled to the dryer.

Abstract: According to the teachings of the present invention, a sprayable adhesive system is produced by a method which subsequently sprays the system onto and adheres together lignocellulosic particles in the formation of a lignocellulosic particulate composite structures. The sprayable adhesive system is formed prior to spraying same onto lignocellulosic particles by precombining the adhesive system components prior to applying same to the lignocellulosic particles. The adhesive system typically comprises an adhesive composition comprising an aldehyde resin and a polymeric isocyanate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a product which exhibits (a) a low level of emissivity and (b) a high level of moisture vapor permeability, and which enables trapped excess moisture to be transported from the product to the surrounding atmosphere while maintaining its effective radiant barrier properties. The product is an underlying substrate, having a pair of outer major surfaces and a radiant barrier material adhered to at least one of the pair of outer major surfaces of the underlying substrate with an adhesive material to form a radiant barrier material covered substrate. A plurality of apertures are formed in the radiant barrier material covered substrate. These apertures extend substantially completely through both the radiant barrier material and the adhesive material thereby forming substantially completely open moisture vapor flow channels which create a high level of moisture vapor permeability through the radiant barrier material and the adhesive material.

Abstract: A process for making a thin, sealant-coated, fire and indentation resistant gypsum panel. A layer of a mixture of cellulosic fibers moistened with water and an additive to restrict the adhesion of cellulosic fibers to one another, is deposited on at least two separate conveyors to form a fibrous matt on each conveyor. A layer of dry calcined gypsum containing set accelerator is deposited on the fibrous matt on each conveyor which contains, by weight on a dry weight basis, about 70-90% gypsum, about 10%-19% cellulosic fiber and about 1%-9% of combined additive and set accelerator. Each layer on each conveyor is directed to a mixing station to form a homogeneous layer, and the formed homogeneous layers on separate conveyors are placed atop one another on a single conveyor to form a combined homogeneous layer. Water is added to the layer or layers to rehydrate calcined gypsum. The combined homogeneous layer is subjected to pressure to form a pressed, homogeneous fiber-reinforced gypsum panel, and dried.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for removing particles from an air stream by filtration, particularly wood particles which have been treated with a resinous material, and which therefore are somewhat sticky. The apparatus is a filter system in which an air stream carrying the resinated particulates is directed upwardly through a set of filter elements which are arranged in a generally sawtooth pattern. The filter elements include a relatively large mesh screen to which the sticky particulates adhere and form of a filtering layer on the mesh in situ. As the filtering layer grows, its porosity is continually reduced, until it reaches a minimum acceptable level, at which time the filter elements are vibrated to cause a portion of the filtering layer to fall away, leaving a portion of the layer adhering to the filter element. In this way, continuous, high-efficiency filtering of a sticky particulate from an air stream is achieved.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tongue and groove product which comprises a first and second major surface and a first and second longitudinal edge. The first longitudinally edge includes a longitudinally-extending groove. The second longitudinal edge includes a longitudinally-extending protruding tongue for interlockingly engaging a complimentary grooved longitudinal edge of an adjacent tongue and groove board. The protruding tongue has an upper and a lower longitudinally-extending surface. The major design feature of this invention is that the protruding tongue has at least one substantially vertically-extending opening formed therein. Each of the openings extends through the protruding tongue from said longitudinally-extending upper surface to said longitudinally-extending lower surface for providing at least one drain path for water to drain by gravity from said first major surface downwardly through each said vertically-extending opening.

Abstract: A dry mix-type, drywall panel joint compound is produced which comprises (a) a fine plaster which is applied to a joint formed between adjacent drywall panels in the plastic state to form a hardened material, (b) a material which imparts internal strength and workability to the joint compound, (c) a material for retaining water and inhibits shrinkage of the joint compound within the joint formed between adjacent drywall panels, and (d) a set time control agent. The more preferred joint compound formulation of this invention includes (a) stucco, (b) methyl cellulose, and (c) perlite. A longer set time version of the subject dry mix-type, drywall panel joint compound can also be provided which comprises, in addition to (a)-(d), (e) at least one water absorption agent, (f) at least one shrinkage and cracking inhibitor, (g) at least one adhesive strengthening agent, and (h) an alkaline material for raising the pH of material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tongue and groove product which comprises a first and second major surface and a first and second longitudinal edge. The first longitudinally edge including means defines a longitudinally-extending groove. The second longitudinal edge includes a longitudinally-extending protruding tongue for interlockingly engaging a complimentary grooved longitudinal edge of an adjacent tongue and groove board. The protruding tongue has an upper and a lower longitudinally-extending surface. The major design feature of this invention is that the protruding tongue has at least one substantially vertically-extending opening formed therein. Each of the openings extends through the protruding tongue from said longitudinally-extending upper surface to said longitudinally-extending lower surface for providing at least one drain path for water to drain by gravity from said first major surface downwardly through each said vertically-extending opening.

Abstract: A machine for blowing loose thermal insulation into cavities in the walls, ceilings, and floors of buildings is contained within a smooth box-like housing that is easily moved about within a house on its own wheels and is easily transported to and from a job site. The housing encloses an equipment cavity and has a hopper located above the equipment cavity, but the hopper, into which the loose insulation is placed, is octagonal so that corner channels exist within the housing between the sides of the hopper and the corners of the housing. The equipment cavity at the bottom of the housing contains a motor which rotates an agitating wheel in the hopper, and that wheel has flexible tips that sweep the loose insulation over the floor of the hopper and into a feed hole in that floor. A grate extends through the hopper above the wheel to prevent access to the wheel in the bottom of the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing gaseous hydrocarbon fraction from a heated gas comprises a cooled air inlet to condense the hydrocarbon to viscous liquid particles. An electrostatic field established between a points array and a plate propels the particles to a moving non-conductive collector belt, from which the liquid condensate is removed by a doctor blade and deposited into a heated receiver trough. The liquid condensate is discharged from the receiver trough into a container. A method comprises passing a heated gaseous, liquid droplet-containing stream through an electrostatic field which propels the droplets to a liquid collector, and removing the liquid from the collector, and discharging the liquid into a container for disposal.