Abstract: A distribution platen, for use in a fiberboard press, having a molding cavity and including a steam injection conduit providing fluid communication into the molding cavity from a remote supply of steam. The distribution platen further includes steam venting conduit which provides fluid communication from the molding cavity to a remote location. The press platen allows for the continuous flow of steam into the molding cavity through the dedicated steam injection conduit, and the continuous flow of steam and moisture from the molding cavity through the dedicated venting conduits.

Abstract: In a method for making composite wood products having a market ready finished side, a mat is formed of wood fibers treated with a binder. The mat is loaded into a press cavity formed between two press platens. The first press platen is a conventional hot press platen free of ports. The conventional platen can be smooth or patterned to emboss one surface of the finished product. The other press platen is a steam injection platen which has steam injection ports. The press cavity is sealed and the mat is fully consolidated. A first quantity of steam is injected through the steam injection ports into the mat at a sufficient pressure and for a sufficient time to raise the temperature of at least a portion of a thickness of the mat to 100° C. The injected steam is allowed to vent from the mat through the steam injection ports, carrying with it trapped air and moisture.

Abstract: Wood composite boards are produced from a wood fiber treated with a slow curing, low alkalinity phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin. The resin treated wood fiber is consolidated and cured in a press using steam injection. The slow curing nature of the resin prevents pre-cure of the resin. The press using steam injection speeds curing so that boards can be produced in press cycles comparable to the curing of wood fiber treated with other resins in a press with no steam injection.

Abstract: In a method for making composite wood products having a market ready finished surface, a mat is formed of wood fibers treated with a binder. The mat is loaded into a press cavity formed between two press platens. The first press platen is a conventional hot press platen free of ports. The conventional platen can be smooth or patterned to emboss the finished surface on the product. The other press platen has steam injection ports. The press cavity is capable of being sealed. The mat is fully consolidated. Heat conducted from the first press platen to a first side of the mat vaporizes moisture in a portion of the thickness of the mat closest to the first side causing the moisture to greatly expand in volume. The expanded volume is vented through an opposite side of the mat to purge trapped air from the mat. The vapor expansion is vented from the mat through the steam injection ports, carrying with it trapped air and moisture.