Patents Assigned to Weyerhaeuser NR Company
  • Method to improve manufactured seed germination by exposure to a change in ambient pressure
    Patent number: 8181389
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving the germination of manufactured seeds. The methods comprise the step of subjecting a manufactured seed to at least one change in ambient pressure for a period of time sufficient to generate a conditioned manufactured seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: William Carlson, Craig N. Cootsona, Jessie Lynne Wetzbarger
  • METHODS OF PREVENTING FLOODING IN MANUFACTURED SEED
    Publication number: 20120073194
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of preventing flooding of a cavity within a shoot restraint of a manufactured seed by lowering the water potential of the nutritive media relative to the water potential of a plant embryo disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Hartle
  • REINFORCED WOOD PRODUCT AND REINFORCEMENT COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20120076977
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reinforced wood products and reinforcement components for use with wood products. In some embodiments, reinforced wood products according to the disclosure include a wood component and a reinforcement component. The reinforcement component may include one or more metal plates and one or more fixation mechanisms. The metal plates may be attached to at least one reinforced surface of the wood component so that the reinforcement component extends over less than about 35% of the length of the wood component. In some embodiments, reinforcement components according to the disclosure may also include one or more buckling resistance notches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas F. Schulner
  • Artificial fire log
    Patent number: 8142526
    Abstract: Artificial fire logs made from non-petrochemical based, renewable materials are described. These artificial fire logs perform substantially equivalent to existing commercial fire logs. The artificial fire logs are made from cellulosic materials, a lignin containing composition and a non-petroleum based wax where the lignin containing composition comprises lignin and 1,3-propanediol derived from a renewable resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: David W. Park, Amar N. Neogi, Ludwig Furtner, Jr.
  • MULTIPURPOSE TRANSPORT SYSTEM HAVING A ROOF ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING FOREST BIOMASS AND WOOD RESIDUALS
    Publication number: 20120070265
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multipurpose transport system, a roof assembly, and methods for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals. Roof assemblies according to the disclosure are mountable on a top portion of a transport system. In some embodiments, roof assemblies include two or more panels, one or more panel movements assemblies operably connected each of the two or more panels, and one or more actuation assemblies. The two or more panels extend from a first side of the roof assembly to and second side of the roof assembly in a louvered configuration. Each of the two or more panels are moveable between a first position and a second position. Further aspects of the disclosure are directed towards multipurpose transport systems and methods for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals using systems according to the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Frank Corley
  • Dried Highly Fibrillated Cellulose Fiber
    Publication number: 20120043038
    Abstract: A mixture of lyocell fiber and low DP or standard DP cellulose pulp fiber having a Canadian Standard Freeness of 250 mL CSF or less is dried and has a Canadian Standard Freeness of 250 mL CSF or less. The pulp is 10% to 75% of the total weight of fibers in the mixture. Both the dried product and the process of making it are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: Andrew J. Dodd
  • METHODS OF MANAGING TIMBERLAND
    Publication number: 20120031314
    Abstract: A method of managing timberland to optimize the combined revenue of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing in the range of about 15 to about 25 feet between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically harvesting the energy crop. Methods of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop, and to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: Fred H. Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H. Kumar, Robert F. Lowery
  • Biodegradable superabsorbent particles
    Patent number: 8101543
    Abstract: Particles comprising a combination of a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch, wherein the particles comprise a plurality of non-permanent metal crosslinks. The non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks include multi-valent metal ion crosslinks formed with one or more metal ions selected from aluminum, boron, bismuth, titanium, and zirconium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: S Ananda Weerawarna
  • REDUCTION OF FIBER KNOTS OF CELLULOSE CROSSLINKED FIBERS BY USING PLASMA PRE-TREATED PULPSHEETS
    Publication number: 20120000618
    Abstract: The process of making crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber comprising plasma treating a sheet of cellulose pulp fiber before the sheet is impregnated with a crosslinking formulation which comprises a crosslinking agent and a catalyst, then defiberizing the treated cellulose pulp sheet to form treated defiberized cellulose pulp, then heating and curing the treated defiberized cellulose pulp to form intrafiber crosslinked cellulose pulp fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: ANGEL STOYANOV, CHARLES E. MILLER
  • Pick-up and Delivery System and Associated Methods
    Publication number: 20120003074
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pick-up and delivery system including a pick-up assembly and a delivery assembly. The pick-up assembly includes a robotic arm, a pick-up device rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a first vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device. The delivery assembly includes an insertion device and a second vacuum pressure supply port. The insertion device may include an insertion member and a release assistance rod arranged inside the insertion member. The release assistance rod is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the release assistance rod is in the extended position, a proximal end extends beyond an end of the insertion member. Further aspects are directed towards methods for grasping and releasing an object with a pick-up and delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: Fredrick T. Rubatino, Michael W. Teodoro
  • CELLULOSE CROSSLINKED FIBERS WITH REDUCED FIBER KNOTS MANUFACTURED FROM PLASMA TREATED PULPSHEETS
    Publication number: 20120004406
    Abstract: An intrafiber crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber manufactured from plasma-treated pulp sheet. The crosslinked fiber can have lower sonic knots than an untreated pulp sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: ANGEL STOYANOV, CHARLES E. MILLER
  • Pick-up and Delivery System and Associated Methods
    Publication number: 20120000125
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pick-up and delivery system including a pick-up assembly and a delivery assembly. The pick-up assembly includes a robotic arm, a pick-up device rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a first vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device. The delivery assembly includes an insertion device. The insertion device may include an insertion member having a tip and a release assistance piston arranged inside the insertion member. The release piston is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the release assistance piston is in the extended position, a proximal end of is substantially flush with an end of the insertion member. Further aspects are directed towards methods for grasping and releasing an object with a pick-up and delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: Fredrick T. Rubatino, Michael W. Teodoro
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING TREES IN LIDAR DATA USING VIEWS
    Publication number: 20120004847
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees in LiDAR data based on the view of a LiDAR data point. In one embodiment, the number of trees represented by a LiDAR data point cluster is estimated based on a calculated value related to the exposure to the sky of a LiDAR data point in the LiDAR data point cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Welty
  • LIGNIN/POLYACRYLONITRILE-CONTAINING DOPES, FIBERS, AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20120003471
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising 10 to 45% of the total solids weight lignin, polyacrylonitrile or a polyacrylonitrile copolymer, and a solvent to form a lignin-based polyacrylonitrile-containing dope and the resulting products. The dope can be processed to produce fibers, including precursor, oxidized and carbonized fibers. The oxidized fibers are of value for their flame resistant properties and carbonized fibers are suitable for use in applications requiring high strength fibers, or to be used to form composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: PAUL J. BISSETT, CAROLE W. HERRIOTT
  • Barrier material
    Patent number: 8088478
    Abstract: The barrier properties of a water soluble gas barrier material are improved if the material is blended with a nanoparticle calcium carbonate having a size of from 10 to 250 nanometers. The barrier material is on a substrate to provide a substrate with gas barrier properties. A layer of heat sealable material may be applied to the exposed surface of the barrier material. A method for making the barrier coated substrate is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: David E. Fish, Michael J. Dougherty, Dwayne M. Shearer, Amar N. Neogi
  • METHOD FOR REDUCING OVERALL VARIABILITY OF MOISTURE CONTENT IN WOOD PRODUCTS
    Publication number: 20110314690
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for quantifying contribution to overall variability of moisture content in wood products and associated computer software. The method comprises the steps of obtaining moisture content data for the wood products and identifying one or more sources of variability in the moisture content data. A contribution to overall variability from each of the one or more sources of variability is then quantified. One or more opportunities to impact the overall variability are then quantified, each of the one or more opportunities being associated with one or more executable steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Stanish, John E. Jones, III, John N. Giovanini
  • Fibers having biodegradable superabsorbent particles attached thereto
    Patent number: 8084391
    Abstract: Cellulose fibers having particles attached thereto, the particles comprising a carboxyalkyl cellulose, a starch, and a plurality of non-permanent metal crosslinks. The non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks include multi-valent metal ion crosslinks formed with one or more metal ions selected from aluminum, boron, bismuth, titanium, and zirconium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: S Ananda Weerawarna
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING COMPOSITE WOOD PRODUCTS TO REDUCE BOWING
    Publication number: 20110308695
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for manufacturing a composite wood product. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of forming a mat from a plurality of wood elements and an adhesive, the mat having a width W measured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mat and an initial thickness T1. The mat is then moved in a machine direction, the machine direction being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the temperature across the width W of the mat is adjusted. The mat is then compressed into a billet having a final thickness T2. In some embodiments, the system includes a continuous movement mechanism, a side preheat assembly, and a press assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark T. Churchland, M. Tekamul Buber
  • Determining wood characteristics using annual ring images from lumber faces
    Patent number: 8073192
    Abstract: Methods are described for predicting the percentage of latewood and specific gravity of lumber independent of moisture content using image analysis of the lumber surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Chih-Lin Huang, Greg J Leaf
  • Method for optimizing stem merchandizing
    Patent number: 8069888
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for reducing warp potential of lumber derived from a raw material, such as a log or stem are provided. In some embodiments, the methods involve examining the log or stem for shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain. The location of the shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain may be used to determine how the log is oriented relative to a cutting device. In some embodiments, these characteristics may determine what cutting pattern is selected for creating the lumber or how a stem is bucked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Stanish