Patents by Inventor Alan Preston

Alan Preston has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080003395
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is an engineered wood board. The wood board has a major face, and is made up of strips of wood which are oriented with the grain vertical relative to that major face. Additionally, the wood board contains an additive, which is present to improve the exterior durability of the wood. Another aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing an engineered wood board that has a major face. The method includes the step of obtaining strips of wood that have a flat grain surface and a vertical grain surface. Those strips are assembled side by side, and are oriented with the vertical grain surfaces defining the major face of the board. Once the strips of wood are assembled, they are bonded together. At any stage in the method, a treatment is added to the wood to improve its water repellency and exterior durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Futong Cui, Alan Preston, Lehong Jin, Paul Walcheski, Andrew R. Zahora
  • Publication number: 20060251915
    Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a long-chain quaternary ammonium compound and a wood preservative active agent or a mixture thereof. The long-chain quaternary ammonium compound includes at least one alkyl moiety having from 16 to 50 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or substituted with one or more N, O, S, or halogen atoms. A method of treating wood is disclosed, comprising impregnating wood with the above composition in an amount effective to reduce the preservative active ingredient loss in the treated wood or to increase the resistance of the wood to decay. Treated wood and wood products are disclosed comprising wood impregnated with the above composition, including a treatment level of the long-chain quaternary ammonium compound effective to reduce the preservative active ingredient loss in the treated wood or to increase the resistance of the wood to decay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Lehong Jin, Alan Preston, Kevin Archer, Futong Cui, Andrew Zahora, Paul Walcheski
  • Publication number: 20060057300
    Abstract: There are provided compositions for the preservation of wood and related cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials. The wood preservative compositions of the present invention contain an organic preservative agent and an organic acid, and can be solubilized in an organic phase essentially free of volatile organic compounds (VOC). The organic acids may serve various purposes in the compositions of the present invention: (1) increased preservative solubility in the organic phase, (2) improved distribution gradient of the active preservative in treated wood, or (3) reduction of preservative leaching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Futong Cui, Alan Preston
  • Publication number: 20050132926
    Abstract: Water-based wax emulsions, optionally for use in conjunction with alkaline copper and/or quaternary ammonium based preservatives systems, are described. These emulsions are comprised of natural or synthetic wax, nonionic surfactants having HL B values greater than 11, anionic surfactants, and water. Certain emulsion compositions as described in this specification posses the unique property of maintaining emulsion stability in wood preservatives during extended use in typical wood treatment processes. Water-repellant wood treated with the wax emulsions are described. A method of treating wood, comprising providing wood and treating the wood with the wax emulsion under conditions effective to increase its water repellency is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Futong Cui, Alan Preston, Kevin Archer, Paul Walcheski