Abstract: A multiple cavity (30a, 30b) mold die (10) and method for molding binder coated wood flakes (12) into multiple three dimensionally curved wood strand parts. Vertical walls (28, 32) shear a felted mat (11) of binder coated wood flakes as the mold is closed.

Abstract: Mold apparatus for molded wood strand three-dimensionally carved articles of manufacture using at least one hole punch comprised of a base and a funnel shaped hole-defining portion having a funnel angle of 20 degrees or greater to vertical for producing molded holes at angles of 20 degrees or greater to vertical, to facilitate insertion of items such as a T nut within the molded hole in an assembly-line like fashion.

Abstract: Wood strand molded parts (14) having three-dimensionally curved of bent channels (15) in a curved or bent part (15), curved or bent to form an inside angle of about 150° or less, and a method for making such parts.

Abstract: Mold apparatus for molded wood strand three-dimensionally carved articles of manufacture using at least one hole punch comprised of a base and a funnel shaped hole-defining portion having a funnel angle of 20 degrees or greater to vertical for producing molded holes at angles of 20 degrees or greater to vertical, to facilitate insertion of items such as a T nut within the molded hole in an assembly-line like fashion.

Abstract: A to be molded wood flake (12) or strand part is shown, having sharp definition in a bend in the part. The method of making such part includes using fines (13) to sharply define the bends of the part.

Abstract: A mold for forming wood flakes into a molded wood flake part including a top mold die and a bottom mold die. The top mold die includes a punch for forming a hole in the part, and the bottom mold die includes a punch receiving aperture. The punch includes a tapered upper portion and a cylindrical lower portion for forming the hole in molded parts of varying thicknesses. The punch includes a tapered upper section defining an upper opening of a first radius in a top surface of the molded part and a cylindrical lower section defining an opening of a second radius in a bottom surface of the molded part. The cylindrical lower portion is sufficiently long that the bottom opening in the hole in each part formed will have the same second radius.

Abstract: A molded wood flake or strand part (14) is shown, having a densified and/or thinner perimeter surrounding a hole (15) in the part. The method of making such part includes narrowing the mold cavity surrounding the hole, and/or providing a hole punch (17) with a shoulder which projects beyond the surface of the mold, to further compress the wood flakes or strands near the hole.

Abstract: A to be molded wood flake (12) or strand part is shown, having sharp definition in a bend in the part. The method of making such part includes using fines (13) to sharply define the bends of the part.

Abstract: Mold apparatus and method of production and ejection of molded wood strand three-dimensionally curved articles of manufacture, molded from a loosely felted flake mat, using an ejector pin assembly within said mold apparatus having ejector pins with pin head diameters of at least about 0.750 inches or greater, that exert a loaded ejector pin pressure of from approximately about 100 psi to about 1000 psi, to eject the molded wood strand article from the mold apparatus without causing excessive indentation and densification within the mat during mold processing.

Abstract: A method of producing molded wood flake or strand three-dimensionally curved products using draft angles of 10 degrees or larger with little or no blistering or wood flake springback from over densification. A loosely felted mat of wood flakes is placed between top and bottom molds which slidably engage one another at pinch points to pinch and sometimes remove excess flashing/pinch trim.

Abstract: Wood strand molded parts (14) having three-dimensionally curved of bent channels (15) in a curved or bent part (15), curved or bent to form an inside angle of about 150° or less, and a method for making such parts.

Abstract: A molded wood flake or strand part (14) is shown, having a densified and/or thinner perimeter surrounding a hole (15) in the part. The method of making such part includes narrowing the mold cavity surrounding the hole, and/or providing a hole punch (17) with a shoulder which projects beyond the surface of the mold, to further compress the wood flakes or strands near the hole.

Abstract: Method of production of molded wood strand products having relatively narrow projections, such as channels, by inserting binder coated implants into projection forming voids in the mold cavity used to form the product.

Abstract: Molded wood strand products having relatively narrow projections, such as channels made by inserting binder coated implants into projection forming voids in the mold cavity used to form the product.

Abstract: Method of production of molded wood strand three-dimensionally curved articles of manufacture using at least one hole punch comprised of a base and a funnel shaped hole-defining portion having a funnel angle of 20 degrees or greater to vertical for producing molded holes at angles of 20 degrees or greater to vertical, to facilitate insertion of items such as a T nut within the molded hole in an assembly-line like fashion.

Abstract: Mold apparatus for molded wood strand three-dimensionally carved articles of manufacture using at least one hole punch comprised of a base and a funnel shaped hole-defining portion having a funnel angle of 20 degrees or greater to vertical for producing molded holes at angles of 20 degrees or greater to vertical, to facilitate insertion of items such as a T nut within the molded hole in an assembly-line like fashion.

Abstract: Mold apparatus and method of production of molded wood strand products having relatively narrow projections, such as channels, by inserting binder coated implants into projection forming voids in the mold cavity used to form the product.

Abstract: Mold apparatus and method of production of molded wood strand three-dimensionally carved articles of manufacture using at least one hole punch comprised of a base and a funnel shaped hole-defining portion having a funnel angle of 20 degrees or greater to vertical for producing molded holes at angles of 20 degrees or greater to vertical, to facilitate insertion of items such as a T nut within the molded hole in an assembly-line like fashion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding articles such as pallets from flake-like wood particles mixed with binder, the pallets housing a deck and integral molding legs. A loosly fitted mat of wood flakes is formed by depositing a first plurality of layers of wood flakes onto a supporting surface with a flake aligners provided for causing alignment of those flakes which will form legs of the pallet. A second plurality of layers are formed with a flake aligner provided for causing alignment of flakes which will form the legs of the pallet and in a direction transverse to the direction of alignment of the flakes of the first layers.

Abstract: Flakeboard or particle board panels and other composite articles made from wood flakes or other particulate lignocellulosic materials having a relatively high internal bond and improved resistance to moisture are made from flakes or particles which have a moisture content of at least 15%. A catalyst capable of accelerating the reaction between the flakes or particles, the binder and water is applied to the flakes or particles prior to the addition of a moisture-tolerant particle board binder, such as an organic polyisocyanate. A mat of the resulting furnish is compression shaped under pressure and at a temperature less than 250.degree. F. for a time period sufficient to form a composite article of the desired shape and/or dimensions.