Abstract: To produce a reformed medium density fiber (MDF) product, a reforming process is performed on a pre-finished MDF board having at least one pre-finished surface which, in turn, carries at least one coating. The process comprises the steps of: placing the pre-finished medium density fiber board in a heated press mold; closing the heated press mold while the pre-finished medium density fiber board is located therein; applying pressure and heat to the pre-finished medium density fiber board using the heated press mold so that the pre-finished surface(s) is (are) reformed without cracking, bubbling, or removal of the coating(s); opening the heated press mold; and removing the pre-finished medium density fiber board from the heated press mold. The application of pressure and heat preferably is such that the board becomes reformed, preferably no greater than 0.045 inch into the board.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a door skin includes the steps of providing a wood composite flat blank. The blank is placed between the platens of a heated press, the platens being heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the resins in the blank and to thereby soften the blank. Sufficient pressure is applied to close the platens and thereafter the pressure is cyclically applied to increased pressure levels for thereby causing the blank to be deformed into a molded shape determined by the configuration of the platens. The molded blank is then removed from between the platens.

Abstract: A door panel is disclosed that includes first and second doorskins each formed from two metal stile elements including a longitudinal flange and two rail elements including a pair of U-shaped projections defining narrow grooves, wherein the rail elements are connected to the stile elements by placing the stile element flanges into the rail element grooves and, piercing the U-shaped projections to form a permanent mechanical bond between the stile and rail elements. A method of forming such a door panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: To produce a reformed medium density fiber (MDF) product, a reforming process is performed on a pre-finished MDF board having at least one pre-finished surface which, in turn, carries at least one coating. The process comprises the steps of: placing the pre-finished medium density fiber board in a heated press mold; closing the heated press mold while the pre-finished medium density fiber board is located therein; applying pressure and heat to the pre-finished medium density fiber board using the heated press mold so that the pre-finished surface(s) is (are) reformed without cracking, bubbling, or removal of the coating(s); opening the heated press mold; and removing the pre-finished medium density fiber board from the heated press mold. The application of pressure and heat preferably is such that the board becomes reformed, preferably no greater than 0.045 inch into the board.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow core door is disclosed, as well as a corresponding hollow core door. The method includes the steps of providing a solid flat door skin, moisturizing the flat skin, applying a conditioning resin thereto, pre-heating the flat door skin, and thereafter pressing the flat door skin between a pair of heated platens in a press in order to reform the flat skin into a molded skin including a plurality of panels defined therein. The press continously closes in order to reform the flat skin into the molded skin, with the rate of press closure being a function of the determined hardness of the flat skin to be reformed. The resulting door skins have an improved bond strength, and are efficiently manufactured.

Abstract: A method of making a flat-skinned door which simulates a three-dimensional molded skin door, and corresponding product, are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a basecoat(s) to the door skin, applying a woodgrain puff-ink to the skin over the basecoat in order to simulate woodgrain patterning, utilizing a printing roll(s) to print a photographic image on the door which simulates a three-dimension molded door skin, and forming a hardened non-stainable polymerized coating over the image applied by the printing roll(s). In such a manner, a flat skinned door may be made which simulates a three dimensional molded skin door.

Abstract: A door frame clip is provided for interconnecting first and second door frame members when a longitudinal end of the first door frame member bears against a surface of the second door frame member at a portion of the surface which is adjacent to a longitudinal end of the second door frame member. The door frame clip comprises an apex, a first arm extending from the apex, and a second arm extending from the apex in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first arm. The second arm is significantly longer than the first arm to enable the second arm to reach the first door frame member when the apex engages an outside edge of the longitudinal end of the second door frame member. Also provided is a door frame system. The door frame system comprises a first leg member, a second leg member, a header, a first door frame clip, and a second door frame clip. The second leg member is substantially parallel to the first leg member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a door skin includes the steps of providing a wood composite flat blank. The blank is placed between the platens of a heated press, the platens being heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the resins in the blank and to thereby soften the blank. Sufficient pressure is applied to close the platens and thereafter the pressure is cyclically applied to increased pressure levels for thereby causing the blank to be deformed into a molded shape determined by the configuration of the platens. The molded blank is then removed from between the platens.

Abstract: A method of making a flat-skinned door which simulates a three-dimensional molded skin door, and corresponding product, are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a basecoat(s) to the door skin, applying a woodgrain puff-ink to the skin over the basecoat in order to simulate woodgrain patterning, utilizing a printing roll(s) to print a photographic image on the door which simulates a three-dimension molded door skin, and forming a hardened non-stainable polymerized coating over the image applied by the printing roll(s). In such a manner, a flat skinned door may be made which simulates a three dimensional molded skin door.