Abstract: The veneer tenderizer includes upper and lower tenderizer rollers (12, 14) with the veneer sheet (10) being fed with the grain oriented parallel with the rollers (12, 14). Each roller (12, 14) comprises a plurality of successive, set-apart cutter blades (16) with each blade having a plurality of cutter teeth (18) evenly spaced around the periphery thereof. The cutter blades (16) on each roller are arranged such that the cutter teeth (18) on each successive cutter blade (16) are angularly offset relative to the cutter teeth or adjacent cutter blades. The rollers (12, 14) are positioned such that the cutter blades (16) mounted on the lower roller (14) are interleaved with the cutter blades (16) on the upper roller (12).

Abstract: A method of uniformly applying a foamed adhesive to a normally moving substrate which is subject to stops and starts at irregular intervals. A uniform spread weight of adhesive is applied during a deceleration period and startups can be accomplished without causing puddles or gaps. The method is especially useful in conjunction with an automated plywood lay-up line. Foamed adhesive is supplied under pressure to an extrusion head. When a line stoppage is sensed a first valve above the extrusion head closes. Adhesive within the head continues to expand and fall onto the substrate, but does so at a descreasing rate during the deceleration time. As the substrate comes to a complete stop a second valve prevents further adhesive from being applied. Before a startup, the adhesive in the system is reconditioned by passing it into a recycle line until foam quality andpressure drop across the extrusion head have again assumed normal operating parameters. Only then is the substrate movement started.

Abstract: A veneer lathe log peeling apparatus and method of producing wood veneer are disclosed employing a powered back-up roll for adding torque to and preventing deflection of log cores of small diameter. The powered roll and an idler roll are positioned in contact with the side of the log in spaced relationship so that the resultant force vector of the cutting forces produced by the lathe knife and the nose bar is directed between the idler roll and the powered roll. The angular and radial positions of the idler roll and the power roll relative to each other and with respect to the axis of rotation of the log are independently adjusted by an automatic control means, in response to decreases in the diameter of the log being peeled.

Abstract: An improved chuck assembly for use in a veneer peeling lathe has retractable chuck pairs comprised of inner and outer rotatable chucks. At least one of the smaller inner chucks has a plurality of relatively chisel-like teeth extending outwardly from the base in a star pattern. At least one of the larger outer chucks has a plurality of thin chisel-like teeth extending outwardly from the circumferential edge of a body member. An improved means for removably attaching the large chuck to its spindle is provided.

Abstract: A heated metal plate drying system for drying either green veneer or partially dried veneer can have a plurality of modular hot presses mounted on a frame. At a loading station, individual sheets of veneer to be dried or redried are fed into a hot press, and at an unloading station the dried veneer sheets are unloaded from the system. Within each individual modular hot press, a direct contact drying process occurs that functions to reduce the moisture content of a veneer sheet down to the desired uniform level such as within a range of from 1 to 10%. The drying process accepts veneer of different species, thickness, and beginning moisture contents and the controlled process variables include contact time, temperature and pressure.Each individual modular press can be multi-opening and has the ability to open and close on command. Specially designed heated metal plates are part of each press and each plate has substantially parallel grooves on at least one surface.

Abstract: A heated metal plate drying system for drying either green veneer or partially dried veneer can have a plurality of modular hot presses mounted on a frame. At a loading station, individual sheets of veneer to be dried or redried are fed into a hot press, and at an unloading station the dried veneer sheets are unloaded from the system. Within each individual modular hot press, a direct contact drying process occurs that functions to reduce the moisture content of a veneer sheet.Each individual modular press can be multi-opening and has the ability to open and close on command. Specially designed heated metal plates are part of each press and each plate has substantially parallel grooves on at least one surface. The modular presses are mounted on the frame such that they may be tilted at the unloading station to facilitate unloading of the dried veneer sheets. At the loading station, a loading apparatus functions to sequentially feed individual veneer sheets into the openings.

Abstract: A heated metal plate dryin system for drying either green veneer or partially dried veneer can have a plurality of modular hot presses mounted on a frame. At a loading station, individual sheets of veneer to be dried or redried are fed into a hot press, and at an unloading station the dried veneer sheets are unloaded from the system. Within each individual modular hot press, a direct contact drying process occurs that functions to reduce the moisture content of a veneer sheet down to the desired uniform level such as within a range of from 1 to 10%. The drying process accepts veneer of different species, thickness, and beginning moisture contents and the controlled process variables include contact time, temperature and pressure.Each individual modular press can be multi-opening and has the ability to open and close on command. Specially designed heated metal plates are part of each press and each plate has substantially parallel grooves on at least one surface.