Patents Assigned to Weyerhaeuser
  • Method for reducing warp potential within lumber derived from a raw material
    Patent number: 8662121
    Abstract: Methods for reducing warp potential of lumber derived from a raw material, such as a log or stem are provided. 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 determine how the log is oriented relative to a cutting device. In another embodiment, these characteristics determine what cutting pattern is selected for creating the lumber. In the case of a stem, these characteristics determine how the stem will be bucked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Stanish
  • Methods of managing timberland
    Patent number: 8656639
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Fred H. Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H. Kumar, Robert H. Lowery
  • Method for making biodegradable superabsorbent particles
    Patent number: 8641869
    Abstract: A method for making particles containing carboxyalkyl cellulose, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch in water to provide an aqueous gel; treating the aqueous gel with a crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; drying the crosslinked gel to provide a solid; comminuting the solid to provide a plurality of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: S Ananda Weerawarna
  • Catalytic carboxylation of cellulose fibers in a continuous process with multiple additions of catalyst, secondary oxidant and base to a moving slurry of cellulose fibers
    Patent number: 8641863
    Abstract: Manufacturing carboxylated fiber by catalytically carboxylating cellulose fiber in at least two catalytic carboxylation stages in series in which a primary catalyst and secondary oxidizing agent and, if necessary, pH adjustment agent is added at the beginning of each stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: S. Ananda Weerawarna
  • Method of singulating embryos
    Patent number: 8621943
    Abstract: A method of singulating embryos is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of embryos (40) within a system (20) and sensing (34) at least one of the plurality of embryos in a fluid. The method also includes dispensing (26) at least one of the plurality of embryos on a surface (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Anthony P. Swanda
  • System and method for identifying individual trees in LiDAR data using local view
    Patent number: 8599365
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees and its canopy shape in LiDAR data determines if the view of each LiDAR data point is blocked by one or more neighboring LiDAR data points. LiDAR data points that do not have neighboring LiDAR data points that block the view are considered to be a central part of a tree canopy. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that are central part of a canopy are added to an output file that stores clusters of data points for each canopy detected. The central part of the canopy area can be analyzed to predict one or more characteristics of the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Zhenkui Ma
  • System and method for analyzing trees in LiDAR data using views
    Patent number: 8577611
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees in LiDAR data based on the view of a LiDAR data point. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that do not have neighboring LiDAR data points that block the local view at a defined angle are considered to be in a central part of a tree canopy. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that are in a central part of a tree canopy are added to an output file that stores clusters of data points for each tree canopy detected. The central part of the tree canopy area can be analyzed to predict one or more characteristics of the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Zhenkui Ma
  • Method and apparatus for analyzing tree canopies with LiDAR data
    Patent number: 8537337
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a canopy of a forest by analyzing the spatial uniformity of LiDAR data point heights in a number of areas surrounding a tree top, where the areas are smaller than the expected size of the crown of the tree. In one embodiment, the spatial uniformity is quantified as a canopy closure vector based on an analysis of the LiDAR data point heights in a frequency domain. In one particular embodiment, the standard deviation of the frequency components in the cells of a number of rings centered around the average value in an FFT output matrix is used to quantify the spatial uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Welty
  • System and method for analyzing trees in LiDAR data using views
    Patent number: 8538695
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Welty
  • Multipurpose transport system having a roof assembly and method for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals
    Patent number: 8523265
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Frank Corley
  • Utilization of kraft lignin in phenol/formaldehyde bonding resins for OSB
    Patent number: 8501841
    Abstract: A resin for OSB comprising an aqueous resole reaction product of phenol, formaldehyde, alkaline metal hydroxide or carbonate, urea and a degraded lignin polymer having 35-65% solids, a pH of 8-13 and a viscosity 50-1000 centipoises. The phenol and formaldehyde are present in a molar ratio of 1.5 to 3.4 moles formaldehyde to 1 mole phenol and are 40 to 85% of the total solids added to the mixture. In one embodiment they are 50 to 75% of the total solids added to the mixture. The alkaline metal hydroxide or carbonate are 5 to 20% of the total solids added to the mixture. Urea is 5 to 35% of the total solids added to the mixture. The degraded lignin is 5 to 20% of the total solids added to the mixture. A method for making the resin and a product using the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Jack G. Winterowd, Cheng Zhang, Amar N. Neogi
  • Methods for predicting warp at a given condition
    Patent number: 8496034
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: John E Jones, Mark A Stanish, Stanley L Floyd, Susan K Kaluzny, Thomas J Taylor
  • System and method for manufacturing composite wood products
    Patent number: 8480831
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally towards systems and methods for manufacturing composite wood products. In some embodiments, the method includes performing an initial manufacturing step and performing a subsequent manufacturing step before residual heat from the initial manufacturing step completely dissipates. The initial manufacturing step includes combining veneers with an adhesive and heating and consolidating the veneers to form a core laminate. The one or more subsequent manufacturing steps each include applying one or more layers to the core laminate. The one or more layers each include a veneer component and an adhesive component. The core laminate and the one or more layers are sequentially heated and pressed to form a composite wood product. The disclosure also relates to systems for manufacturing composite wood products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Fyie, Kristin L. Brandt, Brian C. Scott
  • Nutritive media and manufactured seeds comprising same
    Patent number: 8466086
    Abstract: Manufactured seeds are disclosed that comprise a unit of totipotent plant tissue and a nutritive medium. The nutritive medium can contain a number of different components selected from the following: a gel solute, charcoal, a carbon source, urea, KNO3, NH4NO3, CuCl2, CuSO4, KI, KH2PO4, CaCl2, MgSO4, Na2EDTA, FeSO4, ferric citrate, MnSO4, MnCl2, H3BO3, ZnSO4, CoCl2, Na2MoO4, (NH4)2MoO4, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, HCl, Ca-pantothenate, nicotinic acid, biotin, folic acid, and myo-inositol. The nutritive medium can also include any of various protein amino acids, any of various polyamines, any of various oxygen-absorbing compounds, any of various non-protein amino acids, and/or a smoke suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: William C. Carlson, Jeffrey E. Hartle, James A. Grob, Katherine M. Salatas, Mollie K. Heilesen
  • Fiber for fiber cement and resulting product
    Patent number: 8461233
    Abstract: A fiber-cement product which includes a treated cellulose wood pulp fiber. The fiber is treated with fibrillated carboxymethyl cellulose or a carboxyethyl cellulose and poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium)chloride. The fiber can be bleached or partially bleached, refined or unrefined or a mixture of refined and unrefined fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: S. Ananda Weerawarna, Harshadkumar M. Shah
  • Fire resistant wood products
    Patent number: 8458971
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally towards fire-resistant wood products and formulations for fire-resistant coatings. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a fire-resistant coating comprising an aromatic isocyanate (present in a quantity ranging from about 15% to about 39%), castor oil (present in a quantity ranging from about 37% to about 65%), and intumescent particles (present in a quantity ranging from about 1% to about 40%). Further aspects are directed towards materials such as wood products coated with fire-resistant coatings according to embodiments of the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Jack G. Winterowd, Glen Robak
  • Utilization of kraft lignin in phenol/formaldehyde bonding resins for OSB
    Patent number: 8445563
    Abstract: A resin for OSB comprising an aqueous resole reaction product of phenol, formaldehyde, alkaline metal hydroxide or carbonate, urea and a degraded lignin polymer having 35-65% solids, a pH of 8-13 and a viscosity 50-1000 centipoises. The phenol and formaldehyde are present in a molar ratio of 1.5 to 3.4 moles formaldehyde to 1 mole phenol and are 40 to 85% of the total solids added to the mixture. In one embodiment they are 50 to 75% of the total solids added to the mixture. The alkaline metal hydroxide or carbonate are 5 to 20% of the total solids added to the mixture. Urea is 5 to 35% of the total solids added to the mixture. The degraded lignin is 5 to 20% of the total solids added to the mixture. A method for making the resin and a product using the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Jack G. Winterowd, Cheng Zhang, Amar N. Neogi
  • Fractionation of lignocellulosic material using ionic liquids
    Patent number: 8435355
    Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass materials are fractionated by dissolving at least a portion of the lignocellulosic material in an ionic liquid and separating the resulting mixture into a cellulose-enriched fraction and/or a lignin-enriched fraction. The cellulose-enriched fraction contains about 10 percentage points more glucose than the weight percent glucose contained in the original lignocellulosic biomass material. In certain embodiments, the lignin-enriched fraction includes a lignin content that is 5 percentage points greater than the weight percent lignin present in the original lignocellulosic material. The techniques used to isolate the cellulose-enriched fractions and/or the lignin-enriched fractions from the ionic liquid mixture do not employ environmentally unfriendly solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Angela P. Gifford, David E Severeid
  • Internally curing cement based materials
    Patent number: 8435345
    Abstract: A method of curing cementitious material comprising added a carboxylated bleached wood pulp fiber to the material during mixing. The fiber has a carboxyl content of from 10 to 70 meq/100 g cellulose fiber. The fibers are 0.1 to 5% by weight of the dry weight of the cementitious material. The structure produced by the method. The autogenous shrinkage of the cementitious material is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: John A. Westland, David J. O'Callaghan
  • Method for constructing a truss from selected components
    Patent number: 8434232
    Abstract: A method for constructing a truss includes selecting three or more chord elements (two or more upper chord elements and one or more lower chord elements) and one or more web elements. The selecting of the components includes estimating a first change in length for each of the two or more upper chord elements and estimating a second change in length of each of the one or more lower chord elements, the first change in length and the second change in length in response to changes in conditions to which the truss is exposed. The one or more web elements are selected from the plurality of wood members to compensate for the deformation caused by the first change in length and the second change in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: John E. Jones, III, Benjamin C. Donner