Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a composite lattice structure made of cellulosic, inorganic, and/or polymer materials are disclosed. The unique lattice is weather-resistant and low-maintenance and may be used for ornamental gardening trellises, overhead outdoor patio or deck coverings, window lattices, privacy fences, garden fences, ornamental skirting or façades such as around the bottom of an elevated deck or porch, and other suitable functions.

Abstract: A component such as a siding panel comprised of a PVC/wood flour composite. Another embodiment is a component such as a siding panel that is made from a PVC/CPE/wood flour composite. The cellulosic composite may be extruded through a die and then bent into the shape of the component. Optionally, a reinforcement backer (e.g., an expanded polystyrene foam panel) may be adhered to the cellulosic composite siding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for directing a fluid through a die. One embodiment of the present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by directing a cooling fluid toward a surface of the extrudate (e.g., an interior surface that defines a hollow portion of an extrudate). In another embodiment of the present invention, a fluid may be directed through a die for forming a layer or portion of a product. More particularly, a fluid may be directed through a die to form an external or core layer of a product from a foamed or unfoamed material including, but not limited to, a cellulosic-filled plastic composite. For example, the present invention includes a system and method for through the die foaming of extruded products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by releasing a cooling fluid in a hollow portion of the extrudate. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A fluid below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to cool the hollows found in many extrudates. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight and/or processing time. A fluid below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Additionally, the exterior of the molded material may be subjected to the cooling fluid so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Cooling may be further augmented by conventional methods such as a water bath. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by releasing a cooling fluid in a hollow portion of the extrudate. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A fluid below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and process for drying and extruding a cellulosic compound. The compound materials are provided to a mixer in a desired ratio. The compound materials are then mixed together. Thereafter, the compound materials can be stored in a non-controlled environment until needed. When it is time to extrude the compound materials, the compound materials are transferred to a dryer at a location remote from the mixer. The dryer has a surface area enabling the compound materials to be sufficiently spread out for drying. The compound materials are substantially uniformly dried to a desired level in the dryer. The compound materials are then transferred to an extruder to be formed into a final net shape.

Abstract: A "pop-up" toaster is controlled by a microcomputer to operate in a toast, bakery or pastry mode to toast a product to some preselected color. The microcomputer includes a memory for storing indications of the toast color selected for the present toaster cycle (TCOLOR), the toast color selected for the previous toasting cycle (TLAST), the mode selected for the present toasting cycle (MODE) and the previous toasting cycle (LMODE) as well as tables of toaster cycle times and tables of compensation values. The microcomputer counts the number of toaster cycles occurring within a predetermined time of the start of the present cycle (TCYCLE) and also develops an indication (TINT) representing the elapsed time between the end of the previous cycle and the beginning of the present cycle. A toast cycle time is selected from the tables depending upon TCYCLE, TINT and TCOLOR.