Abstract: An extrudable wood composite which includes cellulosic material and a powdered thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sacrificial limb for a deck plank provides a deck plank that is comprised of a wood replacement material. The deck plank has a tongue that is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent deck plank. A channel is cut in the tongue of the deck plank. The channel is adapted to induce the tongue to fracture when expansion of the wood replacement material causes sufficient pressure between the tongue and the groove of the adjacent deck plank. As a result, expansion and contraction of the deck plank material preferably does not cause the deck to buckle.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for forming laminate composite wall coverings that minimize or eliminate failure causing voids, and laminate composite wall coverings formed thereby. One side of an extrudate preferably has an application zone which is substantially coated with an adhesive. A second material, referred to as a backing layer, is also preferably coated substantially or completely on one side with an adhesive. The coated surfaces of each of the extrudate and backing layer are then brought together under pressure to form a laminate composite wall covering. Preferably, the adhesive selected provides substantially instantaneous adhesion between the extrudate and the backing layer so that the laminate composite wall covering may be handled virtually immediately after joining of the components. The surfaces may include a predetermined curvature.

Abstract: A multilayer synthetic wood component comprised of a layer of a first synthetic wood composition that is secured to a layer of a second synthetic wood composition. As a result, the present invention may provide a component that utilizes the beneficial characteristics of each of the compositions. For instance, the component can have an improved combination of appearance, strength, durability, weight, weatherability, and other characteristics. Moreover, the present invention enables the ingredients of each layer to be tailored to the particular application. Consequently, certain ingredients can be conserved, thereby reducing the cost and/or the weight of the component.

Abstract: An extruded wood simulative material is described which includes a high degree of cellulosic material content and begins with powdered thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The present invention is a cellulosic, inorganic-filled plastic composite. The composite includes about 30% to about 70% by weight of the composite of cellulosic material, about 1% to about 20% by weight of the composite of talc, and about 25% to about 40% by weight of the composite of polyethylene. An extruded article and a method of making the cellulosic, inorganic-filled plastic composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cellulosic composite comprising: (a) at least one cellulosic material present in an amount in the range of from about 50% to about 75% by weight of the composite, (b) at least one polyvinyl chloride material present in an amount in the range of from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the composite, and (c) at least one polar thermosetting material present in an amount in the range of from about 0% to about 4% by weight of the composite is disclosed. An extruded article made form the cellulose composite and a method of making the cellulose composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system of compression molding a synthetic wood formulation into a commercially useable synthetic wood component is described. Surprising results are achieved when the dry formulation is placed under heat and pressure. Many different components may be made using the present invention, such as by example, wood-like trim components for the housing construction industry.

Abstract: A cellulosic composite comprising: (a) at least one cellulosic material present in an amount in the range of from about 50% to about 75% by weight of the composite, (b) at least one polyvinyl chloride material present in an amount in the range of from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the composite, and (c) at least one polar thermosetting material present in an amount in the range of from about 0% to about 4% by weight of the composite is disclosed. An extruded article made form the cellulose composite and a method of making the cellulose composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A deck plank comprised of a wood replacement material. The deck plank includes a top surface, a first leg, and a second leg. The top surface has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first leg is attached to the first end portion, and the second leg is attached to the second end portion. The first leg extends downward from the top surface, and it has a tongue and an outer surface. The tongue has a first limb and a second limb which are joined together to define a recess. The outer surface defines a channel that extends along the tongue. The second leg also extends downward from the top surface, and it has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion define a groove, and the tongue is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent, substantially similar deck plank.

Abstract: A cellulosic composite comprising: (a) at least one cellulosic material present in an amount in the range of from about 50% to about 75% by weight of the composite, (b) at least one polyvinyl chloride material present in an amount in the range of from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the composite, and (c) at least one polar thermosetting material present in an amount in the range of from about 0% to about 4% by weight of the composite is disclosed. An extruded article made form the cellulose composite and a method of making the cellulose composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is descripted in which an article of manufacture may be produced which includes a renewable surface on a synthetic wood composite substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing an extruded composite comprising the general steps of: (a) extruding a longitudinally oriented composite precursor coextrusion comprising: (1) at least one thermoplastic polymeric material and (2) a core mixture of at least one thermosetting resin and at least one filler material; whereby the thermoplastic polymeric material(s) is extruded so as to substantially enclose a space, and whereby the core mixture is pumped into the space; and (b) maintaining the composite precursor under conditions whereby the at least one thermoplastic polymeric material becomes cooled and the at least one thermosetting resin becomes cured so as to form the extruded composite of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulative spacer member for use between glass members, such as between panes of glass in a multiple glazed window. The present invention also relates to a multiple glazed window having at least one pair of adjacent glass panes separated by an insulative spacer in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Mechanically stable styrene polymer foams having highly desirable physical properties are prepared employing as a blowing agent a mixture of lower alcohols with chlorofluoromethanes.

Abstract: Mechanically stable styrene polymer foams having highly desirable physical properties are prepared employing as a blowing agent a mixture of lower alcohols with chlorofluoromethanes.