Abstract: The present invention includes a blank and container formed of cellulose-based materials configured to form a reusable and collapsible container. The container in the partially assembled, knock-down position lies substantially flat and is capable of being stacked and shipped. Arrival at a job site or at a time requiring the use of the container, the partially assembled knock-down container may be easily converted into a fully erect container ready for use as intended. Once loaded with product, the first and second top panels may be folded down to enclose the container. The container positions the relief scores primarily in the side panels with only a single relief score in the bottom panel. This configuration allows the bottom panel to distend while the container is in the collapsed state while not adversely affecting overall container strength.

Abstract: The present invention includes a blank and container formed of cellulose-based materials configured to form a triangular shaped container. The container includes a triangular shaped bottom panel, side walls and a rear wall that define a first triangular volume. The top panel and second side panels generally form a second triangular volume that is slightly larger than the first triangular volume. The second triangular volume is configured to fold over the first triangular volume such that the top panel and second side panels fully enclose the bottom panel and the first side panels. The container is locked by a friction fit between juxtaposed tabs inserted into a slot located between the ends of the intersecting first side panels.

Abstract: A trim device for a lamination apparatus is provided. The lamination apparatus provides a cellulous based panel with at least one polymeric layer. The trim device includes a housing and a material removal apparatus at least partially disposed within the housing. The trim device also includes a pressure source in communication with the material removal apparatus. The pressure source is adapted to provide a pressure differential to the cellulous based panel having a waste section. The pressure differential positions the waste section into communication with the material removal apparatus so that the waste section is removed from the cellulous based panel during operation of the trim device.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a lumber product at a given condition, such as relative humidity, temperature, moisture content, or the like. Note that this methodology may apply to any of crook, bow, twist, cup, or combinations of these quantities. The method involves measuring an original warp of a first wood product at a known condition; changing the condition of the first wood product to a new condition; measuring a second warp of the first wood product at the new condition; developing a prediction model based on data from the original warp and condition and the second warp; measuring an original warp and condition of the given wood product; and inputting data from the original warp and condition of the given wood product to the prediction model to determine warp at a given condition.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a wood product given its differential characteristics, such as, for example, curvature. The methods may involve measuring at least one original warp profile for each of one or more first wood products; measuring one or more inputs on the one or more first wood products; converting the warp profile, for each of the one or more first wood products, into a differential characteristic profile; developing a prediction algorithm based on the one or more inputs and the differential characteristic profile; measuring one or more inputs of the given wood product; inputting the one or more inputs of the given wood product into the prediction algorithm; and determining a differential characteristic profile for the given wood product based on the prediction algorithm.

Abstract: A method of managing timberland generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in first and second rows, wherein the tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows. The method further includes planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop. The method further includes periodically harvesting the energy crop for a predetermined number of harvests.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a location of a pith along a length of a wood sample. The methods may comprise the steps of: determining pith direction; selecting two areas of the wood sample at which two or more chords of a ring can be defined; bisecting the chords to define a line perpendicular to the chords; and locating at least one intersection point for two or more of the bisecting perpendicular lines.

Abstract: A paperboard structure having a five layer product side construction with a gas barrier layer which is a blend of nylon and polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A paperboard structure having a four layer product side construction of a tie layer, a gas barrier layer comprising at least one of aliphatic nylon, aromatic nylon, a blend of nylons, a copolymer of nylons and a blend of nylon with polyethylene terephthalate, a tie layer and a polyolefin layer.

Abstract: System for conveying, mixing, leveling, and flaking dewatered pulp to produce pulp flakes suitable to be used in a dryer. The system produces a consistent flow rate of pulp and uniform pulp flakes in terms of pulp flake size and pulp flake moisture content. The system includes a rotating shaftless screw conveyor for mixing and conveying dewatered pulp. The system includes a belt conveyor. The pulp is deposited from the screw conveyor onto the moving belt conveyor through a chute. The system includes a rotary doctor. The pulp is leveled with the rotary doctor located above the belt conveyor to produce a substantially even rate of mass flow of pulp along a length of belt conveyor. Uniform and consistent quantities of pulp per unit time can then be fed from the belt conveyor to a pulp flaker that then translates into an even rate of pulp mass flow to the dryer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of storing conifer somatic embryo germinants germinated on a sterile germination medium for delayed transplanting into a growth medium. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) placing the germinants while still on sterile germination medium into a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months, said germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl and radicle; and (b) placing the germinants in water for a time greater than about 1 hour at a temperature below about 24° C. prior to transplantation into growth medium.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of storing conifer somatic embryo germinants germinated oil a sterile germination medium for delayed transplanting into a growth medium. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) placing the germinants while still on sterile germination medium into a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months, said germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl and radical; and (b) placing the germinants in water for a time greater than about 1 hour at a temperature below about 24° C. prior to transplantation into growth medium.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of storing conifer somatic embryo germinants germinated on a sterile germination medium for delayed transplanting into a growth medium. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) placing the germinants while still on sterile germination medium into a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months, said germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl and radicle; and (b) placing the germinants in water for a time greater than about 1 hour at a temperature below about 24° C. prior to transplantation into growth medium.

Abstract: A method of managing timberland generally includes planting a first tree crop in first and second rows each having tree spacing between adjacent trees and a first row spacing between the first and second rows. The method further includes planting a first planting of a first energy crop in the first row spacing. The method further includes planting a second tree crop in a third row having tree spacing between adjacent trees and a second row spacing between the second and third rows, wherein the second row spacing is different from the first row spacing. The method further includes planting a first planting of a second energy crop in the second row spacing.

Abstract: A cellulose pulp particle having the shape of a general prismatoid having two parallel bases, the pulp particle comprising pulp fibers in a wet laid pulp sheet form, one of the bases having an area that is equal to or greater than the area of the other base, the area of the larger base being equal to or less than 35 mm2 and equal to or greater than 8 mm2, the distance between the bases being equal to or greater than 0.9 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm, the particle being treated with a material. In some embodiments the material can be a hydrophilic, hydrophobic or softening chemical or a film.

Abstract: A cellulose pulp particle having the shape of a general prismatoid having two parallel bases, the pulp particle comprising pulp fibers in a wet laid pulp sheet form, one of the bases having an area that is equal to or greater than the area of the other base, the area of the larger base being equal to or less than 30 mm2 and equal to or greater than 8 mm2, the height of the particle, the perpendicular distance between the bases, being equal to or greater than 0.9 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm.

Abstract: A hammermill for singulating cellulosic fibers from a wet pulp sheet includes a cylindrical housing, a feed slot with a breaker bar positioned therein and a rotor mounted for rotation in the housing. Feed rolls are provided to feed a sheet of pulp into the feed slot upstream of the breaker bar. A plurality of hammers are mounted on the rotor. Air is introduced into the hammermill housing tangentially downstream from the second feed slot. An air outlet is positioned tangentially on the housing downstream from the air inlet to allow air and singulated fibers to escape. A process for producing singulated fibers includes wetting a fiber sheet, milling the fibers in the hammermill, and drying the fibers. The singulated fibers have a low knot content.

Abstract: The present invention is useful with any variety of bulk container designs that incorporate an internal bag within the container. The present invention uses a simple structure formed in the side walls of the container that will not only hold the bag open within the container during filling, but will also keep the bag attached to the container when the container in emptied. The bag catch assembly includes various cut lines that define a bag catch tab. Additionally another cut line(s) forms a bag retainer slit.

Abstract: Methods for conveying, mixing, leveling, and flaking dewatered pulp to produce pulp flakes suitable to be used in a dryer. Methods for producing a consistent flow rate of pulp, and, for producing uniform pulp flakes in terms of pulp flake size and pulp flake moisture content. A method includes introducing a dewatered pulp to a rotating shaftless screw conveyor. The pulp is deposited from the screw conveyor onto a moving belt conveyor through a chute. The pulp is leveled with a rotary doctor located above the belt conveyor to produce a substantially even rate of mass flow of pulp along a length of belt conveyor. Uniform and consistent quantities of pulp per unit time can then be fed from the belt conveyor to a pulp flaker that then translates into an even rate of pulp mass flow to the dryer.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing sheets of wood veneered substrate stock into product blanks suitable for use in shipping goods, displaying goods, etc: is provided. The apparatus may include either a flat bed or platen die cutting machine or a rotary die cutting machine. In either case, the apparatus further includes a set of die cutting rules suitably configured for processing wood veneered substrate stock. The set of the die cutting rules includes at least one cutting rule and at least one slit scoring rule. The cutting rule includes a cutting blade having a cutting edge. Similarly, the slit scoring rule includes a cutting blade having a cutting edge. The cutting rule and the slit scoring rules are correspondingly dimensioned such that when mounted to the die board, the cutting edge of the cutting rule extends beyond the cutting edge of the slit scoring rule a distance D.