Abstract: A wax-extender emulsion is described herein. In one aspect, the wax-extender emulsion includes a wax component. The wax component may be a petroleum-based wax, a bio-based wax, a synthetic wax or mixtures thereof. The wax-extender emulsion includes a dewatered, kraft lignin associated with the wax component and a pH modifier. The pH modifier a monofunctional amine, a multi-functional amine, an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth metal salt, or combinations thereof. In one aspect, the emulsion comprises 20 wt % to 60 wt % wax component. During manufacturing, the dewatered, kraft lignin and the wax component may be emulsified and homogenized together to produce the wax-extender emulsion. The wax-extender emulsion can be co-applied as a mixture with adhesive resin during wood-based composite manufacturing.

Abstract: A wax-extender emulsion including a plurality of wax-extender complex particles suspended in water is described. A wax-extender complex includes a wax component, an organic extender component and a surfactant that stabilizes the wax component and the organic extender component collectively to form the wax-extender complex. The wax-extender emulsion comprises from 2 wt % to 30 wt % organic extender. During manufacturing, the organic extender and wax component are emulsified and homogenized together to produce the wax-extender emulsion. The wax-extender emulsion can be co-applied as a mixture with adhesive resin during wood-based composite manufacturing.

Abstract: An adhesive mixture comprising an organic slurry dispersion for use in the manufacture of wood-based composites is described herein. The adhesive mixture includes an adhesive resin; water; one or more fillers, and an organic slurry dispersion. The organic slurry dispersion includes water; a natural biopolymer insoluble in the water, the natural biopolymer comprising lignocelluloses, lignocellulosic agricultural residue, lignin materials, lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof; and a defoamer. During manufacturing, the components of the organic slurry dispersion are combined and mixed by imparting a high degree of shear and mixing. The adhesive mixture may be applied to wood material for use in manufacturing a wood-based composite product.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved product and method of applying a product to remedy any deficiencies of wood and wood products while maintaining the quality of current processing and increasing efficiency. In one aspect of the present invention, a method of repairing wood or wood products comprises analyzing a wood or wood product for a defect, the wood or wood product having a surface; identifying the defect in the wood or wood product; identifying a location of the defect in said wood or wood product; preparing for repair the surface of the wood or wood product in the location of said defect; applying a two-component urethane to the surface of said wood or wood product in the location of the defect, said two-component urethane comprising a polyol mixture and an isocyanate; and, curing the two-component urethane for a period of time.

Abstract: A multi-component, chemically-curing, non-cellular, polymeric composition includes a resin component having a resin density, a reactive component having a reactive component density, and an aggregate component having a spherical shape, a diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm and an aggregate density. The density of the aggregate component is within 2 lbs/gallon of the density of at least one of the resin component or the reactive component.

Abstract: The disclosed composite wood particulate products, adhesives contained in such wood particulate products, and methods of making the adhesive and the wood particulate products employ an aldehyde-free adhesive, and more specifically a formaldehyde-free adhesive. The aldehyde-free adhesive includes an inert additive that extends a resin, such as an isocyanate resin, and forms an evenly dispersed, less expensive polymeric adhesive admixture. The extender-filler of the resin is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry can then be mixed with a resin, like the isocyanate resin, to form the adhesive. Various rheology modifiers can be added, if desired, to the extender-filler or the slurry. The adhesive can be blended with wood particles to form a mat that is then pressed into a composite wood particulate product.

Abstract: A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench that includes a hopper. The hopper includes a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening being larger than the bottom opening. The device also includes a valve portion connected to the bottom opening of the hopper and a tube connected to the valve portion. The device also includes a dynamic plate portion including a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings. The top opening of the plate portion is connected to the tube, and the bottom opening includes a length and a width. The dynamic plate portion allows the device to maintain positive contact with the pavement even when the surface of the pavement is angled or uneven.

Abstract: A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench that includes a hopper. The hopper includes a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening being larger than the bottom opening. The device also includes a valve portion connected to the bottom opening of the hopper and a tube connected to the valve portion. The device also includes a dynamic plate portion including a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings. The top opening of the plate portion is connected to the tube, and the bottom opening includes a length and a width. The dynamic plate portion allows the device to maintain positive contact with the pavement even when the surface of the pavement is angled or uneven.

Abstract: A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench that includes a hopper. The hopper includes a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening being larger than the bottom opening. The device also includes a valve portion connected to the bottom opening of the hopper and a tube connected to the valve portion. The device also includes a dynamic plate portion including a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings. The top opening of the plate portion is connected to the tube, and the bottom opening includes a length and a width. The dynamic plate portion allows the device to maintain positive contact with the pavement even when the surface of the pavement is angled or uneven.

Abstract: The disclosed composite wood particulate products, adhesives contained in such wood particulate products, and methods of making the adhesive and the wood particulate products employ an aldehyde-free adhesive, and more specifically a formaldehyde-free adhesive. The aldehyde-free adhesive includes an inert additive that extends a resin, such as an isocyanate resin, and forms an evenly dispersed, less expensive polymeric adhesive admixture. The extender-filler of the resin is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry can then be mixed with a resin, like the isocyanate resin, to form the adhesive. Various rheology modifiers can be added, if desired, to the extender-filler or the slurry. The adhesive can be blended with wood particles to form a mat that is then pressed into a composite wood particulate product.

Abstract: A method for restoring a damaged rail seat located on a concrete rail tie. The method comprises applying a polymeric material comprising a poly(urethane-urea) material to the damaged rail seat located on the concrete rail tie; and restoring the damaged rail seat by curing the polymeric material under ambient temperature and pressure conditions. The polymeric material is substantially sag resistant and maintains its shape without substantial runoff from the concrete rail tie during the restoring of the damage rail seat.

Abstract: A method for producing a lignocellulosic board product is provided. The method comprises providing lignocellulosic material. Furthermore, an adhesive binder system is provided comprising (a) an adhesive binder resin and (b) an extender and/or filler material comprising particularized bran material. The extender and/or filler material does not have an undesirable effect on the chemical and/or the physical properties of the adhesive binder resin to which the extender and/or filler material is added. It also does not impede the performance of the adhesive binder system during subsequent use in producing the lignocellulosic board product. Substantially no flour balling is present in the extender and/or filler material and in the adhesive binder system, respectively. Then, the lignocellulosic material and the adhesive binder system are combined. Finally, the combined lignocellulosic material and adhesive binder system are formed into the lignocellulosic board product.

Abstract: A method for restoring a worn rail clip shoulder located on a concrete rail tie. The method comprises applying a polymeric material to the worn rail clip shoulder located on the concrete rail tie; and restoring the worn rail clip shoulder by curing the polymeric material. The polymeric material is substantially sag resistant and maintains its shape without substantial runoff from the concrete rail tie during the restoring of the worn rail clip shoulder.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for restoring at least one means defining a railroad spike hole located in a used railroad tie. In this way, the restored railroad tie can be reused in subsequent rail replacement operations. The restored railroad tie is capable of having a railroad spike penetrate and be retained within the confines of the restored railroad spike hole without substantial bending problems. The used railroad tie provided has at least one spike hole located therein. In each the means defining a railroad spike hole is formed a polymeric plug. The polymeric plug comprises a polymeric plug formed of a polymeric material including a plurality of flexible, readily deformable micro-inclusions which allow the formation of spike insertion pathways that track the insertion forces of the railroad spike as it is driven into a material thereby facilitating introduction of the railroad spike into said polymeric plug.

Abstract: A method for restoring a damaged rail seat located on a concrete rail tie. The method comprises applying a polymeric material comprising a poly(urethaneurea) material to the damaged rail seat located in the concrete rail tie; and restoring the damaged rail seat by cursing the polymeric material under ambient temperature and pressure conditions. The polymeric material is substantially sag resistant and maintains its shape without substantial runoff from the concrete rail tie during the restoring of the damage rail seat.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing lignocellulosic board panels. The process comprises providing lignocellulosic material and an adhesive system. The adhesive system comprises (a) a base adhesive resin and (b) an extender and/or filler material comprising sugar beet material. The adhesive system (i) retains substantial moisture in the lignocellulosic material, and/or (ii) creates a relatively higher initial viscosity, and/or (iii) maintains a substantially stable viscosity thereof over time. The lignocellulosic material is combined with adhesive system. The combined lignocellulosic material and adhesive is then formed into the lignocellulosic board panels.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a protective covering onto at least one substantially entire side portion of a stack of products. The system includes an apparatus for automatically, and preferably continuously, robotically moving, positioning and fastening a protective covering to at least one side portion of a stack of products. The side portions of the stack of products can vary in dimensions. The protective covering can also protect a top portion of the stack of products. The stack of products can include stacks of plywood, particleboard, OSB, lumber or other bundles of predetermined sizes.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a protective covering onto at least one substantially entire side portion of a stack of products. The system includes an apparatus for automatically, and preferably continuously, robotically moving, positioning and fastening a protective covering to at least one side portion of a stack of products. The side portions of the stack of products can vary in dimensions. The protective covering can also protect a top portion of the stack of products. The stack of products can include stacks of plywood, particleboard, OSB, lumber or other bundles of predetermined sizes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing filled polyurethane elastomers, and more particularly to a process for producing highly filled polyurethane elastomers in which resin solid separation is substantially reduced. The separation rate of the solid particulate fillers contained in a filled polyol resin is significantly reduced, and the subject process can be optimized to lower the viscosity of the uncured liquid reaction mixture prior to curing same to form a solid, thereby substantially non-cellular filled polyurethane elastomer. The above-described benefits can be accomplished by reacting together a three-component polyurethane system comprising (a) a filled polyether polyol resin having a particulate filler material dispersed therein, (b) a polyisocyanate, and (c) a catalyst solution for reacting (a) and (b) to form said filled polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for restoring at least one means defining a railroad spike hole located in a used railroad tie. In this way, the restored railroad tie can be reused in subsequent rail replacement operations. The restored railroad tie is capable of having a railroad spike penetrate and be retained within the confines of the restored railroad spike hole without substantial bending problems. The used railroad tie provided has at least one spike hole located therein. In each the means defining a railroad spike hole is formed a polymeric plug. The polymeric plug comprises a substantially non-foaming, non-cellular polymeric material. The polymeric material preferably comprises a polyurethane. The polymeric plug infiltrates and tightly bonds with the railroad spike hole to prevent moisture infiltration. Thus, substantial tie rot due to moisture is impeded, and the leaky railroad spike hole is effectively and efficiently dammed to enable complete filling thereof.