Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting the potential of a wood sample, such as a board, to stay on grade, i.e., resist warp, after it is put into service and/or its moisture has re-equilibrated with the surrounding environment. The systems and methods include various sensor technologies and subjection of obtained data to various models, algorithms, and/or other mathematical formulas.

Abstract: A chemical wood pulping process having reduced volatile organic compound emissions includes extracting wood particulates with solvent at a pressure less than 50 psi to reduce naturally-occurring particulate pitch and volatile organic compound content without significant dissolution of lignin and wood cellulosic components. The solvent used is methanol, ethanol, or acetone. This is followed by comingling the extracted wood particulates with a liquor having chemical reactants, not including the solvent used to extract the wood particulates, for solubilizing lignin. Then, allowing the chemical reactants of the liquor to react with lignin contained in the extracted wood particulates under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure for a sufficient time to solubilize and remove lignin. This is followed by producing a wood pulp having individual cellulosic fibers while releasing a reduced amount of VOCs in the wood pulping process.

Abstract: An aromatic thermal wrap comprises aromatic compounds such as camphor, menthol, essential oils and similar compounds, mixed with an absorbent material such as a silica powder and then combined with a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) to form a dry, aromatic mixture (200), and packaged in a flexible, water-permeable sachet (100). When suitably mixed with a silica powder, the aromatic compounds do not cause agglomeration or clumping of the superabsorbent polymer. Hydration of the sachet will cause the SAP to absorb water, forming a gel 210. The sachet may be produced with multiple pockets (110) that can be separated into single packets or into sets of packets to accommodate the specific application. The end user hydrates the sachet, and optionally heats or freezes the hydrated package, to produce an aromatic, thermal wrap.

Abstract: A method of attaching an end seal (20) to a manufactured seed (22). The method including the steps of positioning a first manufactured seed on a surface (42). The first manufactured seed including a seed coat (24) having an opening (12) and an embryo (30) disposed within the opening. The opening having a location relative to the surface. The method further including prestressing an area (38) of a sheet (50) and positioning the sheet on the first manufactured seed to substantially center the area over the opening, such that the embryo is located below the area. The method also including the step of attaching the sheet to the first manufactured seed to seal the opening.

Abstract: A method for packaging, cooling, and storing fresh produce is disclosed. The produce is placed in a plastic bag having apertures that control ventilation so as to admit a fumigant gas but prevent significant moisture loss. Multiple units of the bagged produce are, in turn, placed in a corrugated shipping container. Using the bag design shown it has been found that humidity of the cold storage environment may be safely reduced to about 65-75% without significant deterioration of the contained produce. This is in contrast with the usual 90% RH environment needed to prevent moisture loss. The reduced humidity environment effects a very significant improvement in shipping container compression strength. Storage at 70% RH, in contrast to storage at 90% RH, results in an almost 50% improvement in compression strength. The result is less damage to the containers and their contents. Somewhat lighter weight shipping containers are also suitable, resulting in reduced costs.

Abstract: A container is described having inner and outer members. The inner member includes opposed side walls, a rear portion, and a front portion. At least one of the front and rear portions includes a pair of side flanges, each including a notch. The outer member has a bottom panel, side walls, a rear portion and a front portion. At least one of the front and rear portions includes a pair of upright wrapping panels and a bottom flange. As assembled, the inner member is positioned within the outer member so that the inner member side walls and the outer member side walls are adjacent one another. The inner member notches mate with the outer member bottom flange to form a coplanar combination. The upright wrapping panels are positioned exterior to the combination and overlap at least portions of both the side flanges and the bottom flange.

Abstract: A bliss-style container is provided having a single outer member (10) and first and second separate inner members (12). The outer member (10) includes a bottom panel (14), two primary end panels (16), and two upright reinforcing flaps. Each primary end panel (16) includes two upright reinforcing side flaps (20). The first and second inner members (12) each include an upright side panel (22) and first and second secondary end panels (24) hingedly connected to opposed side panel side edges. Each secondary end panel (24) has an outer edge (26). As assembled, both sets of secondary end panels (24) are positioned so that their outer edges are within a distance of less than about 0.25 inches of one another.

Abstract: The invention is a method of overlaying a plastic film material on a shipping container blank whereby all surfaces and edges are sealed. A container subsequently made from the blank is rendered highly water resistant. The film material is applied to both sides of the blank and severed from the supply source. The covered blank is then heated above the softening point of the film. The film becomes bonded to the surfaces of the blank and sags around the edges and into any openings so that the film on the two sides of the blank come into contact and are sealed to each other. The edges and any slits and cutouts are then trimmed, as by a die cutter, while preserving the seals along the edges. Containers made by the process can generally be recycled, in contrast to wax or resin impregnated corrugated board.

Abstract: The invention is lyocell fiber characterized by a pebbled surface as seen at high magnification and having a variable cross section and diameter along and between fibers. The fiber is produced by centrifugal spinning, meltblowing or its spunbonding variation. The fibers can be made in the microdenier range with average weights as low as one denier or less. The fibers have inherently low gloss and can be formed into tight yarns for making fabrics of very soft hand. Alternatively, the fibers can be formed into self bonded nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention provides manufactured seeds comprising a unit of a totipotent plant tissue and methods related to their production and use. The totipotent plant tissue is preferably disposed relative to a hydrated gel, preferably an oxygenated hydrated gel, so that liquids can be transfered from the gel to the embryo. It is also preferable that the shoot of the germinating embryo is enclosed in a shoot restraint that is resistant to penetration by the growing shoot and that the totipotent plant tissue, together with the gel and/or restraint, be at least partially surrounded by a protective seed coat. The manufactured seed can be stored for long periods of time after dehydration and/or freezing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the densification of crosslinked fibers having a crosslinking agent loading level of from about 2.5 molar to about 5 molar %. The crosslinked fibers are compressed from an initial density of from about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.04 g/cc to a second density of from about 0.20 g/cc to about 1.00 g/cc by either the simultaneous or sequential application of heat and pressure. The surface temperature of the press is typically between about 60.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. The compression force for the air laid or wet laid webs is in the range of about 800 psi to about 115,000 psi. Densifying the crosslinked fiber in this manner produces a compressed web having enhanced absorbent capacities of from about 21 g/g to about 15 g/g.