Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for manufacturing a composite wood product. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of forming a mat from a plurality of wood elements and an adhesive, the mat having a width W measured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mat and an initial thickness T1. The mat is then moved in a machine direction, the machine direction being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the temperature across the width W of the mat is adjusted. The mat is then compressed into a billet having a final thickness T2. In some embodiments, the system includes a continuous movement mechanism, a side preheat assembly, and a press assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for manufacturing a composite wood product. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of forming a mat from a plurality of wood elements and an adhesive, the mat having a width W measured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mat and an initial thickness T1. The mat is then moved in a machine direction, the machine direction being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the temperature across the width W of the mat is adjusted. The mat is then compressed into a billet having a final thickness T2. In some embodiments, the system includes a continuous movement mechanism, a side preheat assembly, and a press assembly.

Abstract: Systems for orienting strands and/or other types of particles are provided. The systems may have tabs which extend from orienting disks and/or collars and/or spacers which may be disposed on shafts. The tabs may prevent accumulation of strands between disks utilized within an orienting system. For example, the tabs may contact strands and/or other particles and guide or force the particles to be moved past the disks toward successive disks, or onto a screen or conveyor line.

Abstract: The present invention is a microwave preheat press. The microwave preheat press includes a first and a second press section which define a press passage therebetween. A compression belt movable along the press passage is contiguous with one of the press sections. The press passage is configured such that it has an initial press section leading into a final press section. A microwave generator is in communication with a microwave waveguide applicator structure assembly such that microwave energy is created and transmitted through the microwave waveguide assembly into the initial compression section.

Abstract: The present invention is a microwave preheat press. The microwave preheat press includes a first and a second press section which define a press passage therebetween. A compression belt movable along the press passage is contiguous with one of the press sections. The press passage is configured such that it has an initial press section leading into a final press section. A microwave generator is in communication with a microwave waveguide applicator structure assembly such that microwave energy is created and transmitted through the microwave waveguide assembly into the initial compression section.

Abstract: The present invention is a microwave preheat press. The microwave preheat press includes a first and a second press section which define a press passage therebetween. A compression belt movable along the press passage is contiguous with one of the press sections. The press passage is configured such that it has an initial press section leading into a final press section. A microwave generator is in communication with a microwave waveguide applicator structure assembly such that microwave energy is created and transmitted through the microwave waveguide assembly into the initial compression section.

Abstract: The present invention is a microwave preheat press. The microwave preheat press includes a first and a second press section which define a press passage therebetween. A compression belt movable along the press passage is contiguous with one of the press sections. The press passage is configured such that it has an initial press section leading into a final press section. A microwave generator is in communication with a microwave waveguide applicator structure assembly such that microwave energy is created and transmitted through the microwave waveguide assembly into the initial compression section.

Abstract: A system for the simultaneous application of pressure and microwaves to a thick mat of curable assemblies. As the curable assemblies are conveyed through a belt press, microwaves are applied to them through an adjacent, rapidly expanding applicator horn. A microwave-transparent ceramic dam or window across the outlet of the horn blocks the compressed assemblies from entering the horn. To minimize any heat cracking of the window it is formed of a number of pieces. These pieces are held in place at the horn outlet by one or more fins secured within the horn and extending into the window. The fins extend across the interior of the horn and divide it into a number of different microwave paths. The ceramic window pieces at the ends of the paths are carefully shaped, with a cylindrical rear surface, to act as lenses and to act on the microwave energy from each of the different paths so that the microwaves from all of the paths are in phase at the product interface.

Abstract: A process for continuously forming a product having elongated members at least about one foot long which are oriented, compressed and bonded is provided, the process comprising depositing elongated members on a moving carrier with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said carrier, said members being deposited on said carrier over a length of carrier that is at least as long as about one and one-half times the length of the elongated members and is at least as long as about 30 times the final thickness of the compressed, composite product.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing composite assemblies including a continuous belt press having a pair of endless belts facing one another. The distance between the belts varies to define therebetween a compression zone wherein lock-up of the composite assemblies occurs, a parallel bed press zone, and a transfer zone therebetween. The curvature radius of the compression zone, which can be positive, negative or zero, is longer than that of the transfer zone.

Abstract: A process for continuously forming a product having elongated members at least about one foot long which are oriented, compressed and bonded is provided, the process comprising depositing elongated members on a moving carrier with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the carrier, the members being deposited on the carrier over a length of carrier that is at least as long as about one and one-half times the length of the elongated members and is at least as long as about 30 times the final thickness of the compressed, composite product.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming a product having elongated members at least about one foot long which are oriented, compressed and bonded is provided. The apparatus deposits elongated members on a moving carrier with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the carrier. The members are deposited on the carrier over a length of carrier that is at least as long as about one and one-half times the length of the elongated members and is at least as long as about 30 times the final thickness of the compressed, composite product.

Abstract: A process for continuously forming a product having elongated members at least about one foot long which are oriented, compressed and bonded is provided, the process comprising depositing elongated members on a moving carrier with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said carrier, said members being deposited on said carrier over a length of carrier that is at least as long as about one and one-half times the length of the elongated members and is at least as long as about 30 times the final thickness of the compressed, composite product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting elongate articles by length is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt, a holding mechanism located at the discharge end of the first conveyor belt and a grasping mechanism located at an inlet end of the second conveyor belt. The holding and grasping mechanisms are spaced from one another by a gap through which articles having a length less than a preselected length fall. The holding mechanism holds the articles which pass the discharge end of the first conveyor belt in alignment with a plane in which the top run of the first conveyor belt moves. The grasping mechanism grasps the front ends of desired elongate articles which have a length equal to or greater than the preselected length prior to the release of the rearward ends of the desired articles from the holding mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming an extended elongate product from a plurality of strands by subjecting the strands to heat and pressure. The improvement of the present invention comprises a method for compressing the strands in a manner to reduce internal stresses imparted to the product during its subjection to pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming an extended elongate pressed composite assembly from a plurality of strands by subjecting the strands to heat and pressure. The improvement of the present invention comprises methods for compressing a particularly arranged composite mat of strands so as to compensate for internal stresses imparted to the pressed composite assembly during its subjection to pressure because of a converging compressing zone and card decking.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the simultaneous application of pressure and microwaves to a curable assembly, comprising (1) a continuous press including two endless press belts forming a nip region, the press belts being disposed to apply pressure to curable assemblies inserted therebetween, and including an inlet and an outlet for the passage of curable assemblies, (2) a press chamber defined by the two substantially parallel belt surfaces in the nip region and by two side walls, (3) means to apply microwaves to the curable assemblies from at least one microwave generator through a waveguide forming an interface with the press chamber located in an opening in a side wall, and (4) dam means at the interface between the waveguide and the press chamber to withstand the lateral pressure exerted thereon by curable assemblies being pressed, and which effectively permits propagation of microwaves into the press chamber.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making long wood strands. Long wood strands are required in structural lumber products and in order to obtain maximum strength should be split along the grain. A method of splitting a log into longitudinal-grain wood strands is disclosed comprising the steps of radially splitting the log substantially along the grain of the log into a plurality of sector shaped segments, said radial splitting including pushing the log axially through at least one sector splitter ring, and further splitting the sector shaped segments substantially along the grain of the segments, said further splitting including feeding each of the sector shaped segments through two rows of intermeshing counter rotating discs, pulling each of the segments between the rows of discs and simultaneously splitting each of the segments into a plurality of longitudinal-grain wood strands.

Abstract: A process for preparation of long wood strands is disclosed. Long wood strands are required for the production of structural lumber products. These strands must be split, and a method of splitting logs into longitudinal-grain wood strands comprises the steps of radially splitting a log substantially along the grain of the log into a plurality of sector shaped segments, parallel splitting each of the sector shaped segments along the grain of the segments into a plurality of substantially parallel slabs, and further splitting each of the parallel slabs substantially along the grain of the slabs into a plurality of longitudinal-grain wood strands.

Abstract: A microwave power applicator comprises a central tube through which the work piece is adapted to pass and two, hollow waveguide sections located on opposite sides thereof and communicating with the central tube to introduce microwaves into it. A microwave power source or sources is or are connected to the waveguide sections. The frequency of the microwaves, the width of the central tube measured between the waveguide sections and the angles of inclination of the latter with respect to the central tube are selected so as to create interleaved reflection standing wave patterns so as to uniformly distribute hot spots across the central tube.