Abstract: A bowing press apparatus which includes a subassembly. The subassembly comprises a housing, a mandrel supported by the housing, a wiper plate connected to said housing and capable of pivoting with respect to said mandrel, and an actuator that exerts a force against the wiper plate, causing the wiper plate to pivot. An overbender capable of pivoting with respect to the mandrel and the wiper plate may be connected to the wiper plate. An actuating device that exerts a force against the overbender and causes it to pivot also may be included.

Abstract: Processes are provided for producing wood chips with a variety of cross sections such as those resembling botanical leaves and other decorative designs. The processes also produces wood chips that have coloration and shading. A rough form of wood having a elongated length is extruded lengthwise to make an extrusion having a decorative cross section. The extrusion is then cut at an angle to the direction of the elongated length of the extrusion into a plurality of wood chips having the desired cross-section. The step of cutting the extrusion involves positioning a lengthwise end of the extrusion adjacent at least one cutting blade oriented at an angle in the range of about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees relative to the elongated length of the extrusion, providing a relative rotational movement between the extrusion and the blade about the longitudinal center of gravity of the extrusion, and providing a relative linear movement between the extrusion and the blade in the elongated direction towards one another.

Abstract: A variable radius bowing press including a mandrel, a mandrel support and a subassembly. The subassembly comprises a housing, a wiper plate capable of pivoting with respect to the mandrel, and an actuator that exerts a force against the wiper plate, causing the wiper plate to pivot. An overbender capable of pivoting with respect to the mandrel may be connected to the wiper plate. An actuating device may be provided that exerts a force against the overbender and causes the over bender to pivot. The apparatus may include two substantially similar subassemblies capable of synchronized operation.

Abstract: High powered lasers are used to score the bark on logs before they are mechanically debarked. Typical of the lasers employed are multi-kilowatt CO.sub.2 industrial lasers. A high powered laser beam is brought to a focus just above the surface of the bark on the log. A jet of compressed air is blown coaxially with the beam and facilitates the beam's formation of a narrow slot in the surface of the bark. Logs are advanced and rotated by a plurality of parallel augers extending across the base of a trough. The lasers are positioned in a gap beneath and in between sets of augers. The beam's focus may be adjustable with respect to the bark's surface.

Abstract: A series of wood graining tools for producing wood grain patterns corresponding to plain sawn, quarter sawn and/or rotary cut woods, on an application surface. The plain sawn tool presents a graining pattern having a plurality of crown-shaped embossed ribs thereon. Each rib is formed by utilizing a series of rib arcs with lateral ribs extending therefrom at a preferred angle of 40.degree. to 50.degree. relative to the horizontal. The quarter sawn pattern presents a series of embossed ribs diagonally extending across the pattern and decreasing in density from one corner of the panel to the center thereof. A rotary cut pattern is presented by first and second arcuate ribs positioned so that one rib will channel the graining liquid to the other to produce a ring on the application surface during rolling movement of the tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a composite wood product from split and disrupted pieces of a raw material such as cedar, willow or bamboo. The composite may be employed as a thick plate of wood, pillar wood, beam wood and the like used for furniture, buildings, and structural objects. The composite is formed by roughly splitting and disrupting a fibrous raw material lengthwise. The roughly split and disrupted material is then finely split and disrupted, and then dried. A single layer is formed by laterally arranging and adhering the finely split and disrupted wood pieces. The single layers are then formed into a pile and heated and pressure tightened.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the hot water treatment of debarked logs to eliminate infestation and fungi in the logs is presented. The present invention utilizes a water tank and a heat generation source to raise the temperature of the center of the logs above a predetermined level for a sufficient time to accomplish this purpose.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timber element and a procedure for manufacturing such a timber element. The timber element (14b) is composed of at least two heavy wooden blanks (2) fitted one upon the other and glued to each other by their substantially horizontal faces. As taught by the invention, each wooden blank (2) is provided on at least on horizontal face with a guiding recess (6; 6a, 6b) longitudinal to the wooden blank and vertical, for guiding the crackling to occur vertically.

Abstract: A process for upgrading low-quality wood including a softening stage, wherein one or more sections of low-quality wood are heated, in the presence of an aqueous medium and at a pressure which is at least the equilibrium pressure of the medium at the operating temperature, to a temperature in the range of from about 120.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C. and maintaining the temperature until the temperature difference between the center and the outer parts of the sections is less than about 20.degree. C., a dewatering stage and a curing stage.

Abstract: A wood-cutting method is disclosed using a tool having a cutting part heated by electric current wherein the temperature of the cutting part of the tool, in proximity of the wood, is maintained at a predetermined level. Also disclosed is a wood-cutting tool that has a carrying part and a cutting part in which the cutting part is heated by electric current. The cutting part is blunt and projects beyond the side surfaces of the carrying part. In order that the temperature of the cutting part be maintained at a predetermined level, the tool is provided with a temperature regulator with at least one temperature-sensitive element arranged in thermal communication with the cutting part. The blunt cutting part is formed as a bulbous rigid member selectively coated with an electrically insulative coating that supports a film electric resistance heating element which in turn is covered by an outer protective covering.

Abstract: A method of producing a veneer having a given thickness requires cutting of a stock material by a mechanism including a rotary lathe blade and a nose bar. The nose bar is arranged at the outer periphery of the stock material in the vicinity of the tip of the rotary lathe blade, such that the spacing between the tip of the nose bar and the tip of the rotary lathe blade in a horizontal direction is 20 to 30% smaller than the thickness of the desired veneer to be cut. The stock material is cut by rotating the stock material by a spindle which chucks the end faces of the stock material at opposite ends thereof. A backup roller rotated by the rotation of the stock material constantly biases the stock material toward the nose bar and is positioned on the outer periphery of the stock material in a position diametrically opposite to the rotary lathe blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiming a tree to be felled including a tool for precisely marking a face notch to be cut into a tree trunk, said tool comprising a main body, an aiming rod on the main body, and two pivoting tree-engaging marking arms mounted pivotably together on the main body for partially encircling the tree trunk and identifying the upper and lower cuts of a generally horizontal portion of a hinging notch when the aiming rod is aimed in the direction of fall. The tool includes angular adjustments to allow marking an aiming notch which compensates for the lean of a tree and/or for trees with trunks of irregular cross section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arresting structural termite infestation while eliminating the risk of poison exposure to occupants of the structure includes a power tool for drilling holes in wood members of a structure, implanting pellets of termite poison within the drilled holes, and sealing the holes. The tool includes a tubular body portion joined to a storage portion that stores a plurality of packages of pellets of termite poison. A platen assembly is secured to the storage portion and adapted to impinge on a wood member of a structure. The tubular body encloses a reversible drive motor connected through a gear train to rotate and translate the drill assembly reciprocally in a guideway. Cellulose balls impregnated with poison or insecticide or flagellacidal agents are grouped in loads, each load packaged and disposed in the tool parallel to the guideway, with a plug cork is disposed at the proximal end of each load.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the ammonia saturation of wood to impart flexibility thereto which includes the step of sealing the surfaces of ammonia-saturated wood with a polymeric film which has limited or no permeability to either or both ammonia and water vapor. Preferably, the polymeric film is flexible so the working of the wood product by bending, twisting, embossing, molding, etc. will not destroy the film. The polymeric film should also be soluble in a selected solvent, thereby permitting its removal after the wood has been formed in a final, desired shape to permit water vapor to re-establish crosslinking of the cellulose chains and restore its natural, rigid condition.

Abstract: A wood treating method and apparatus whereby a wood which is thin or bent, such as a soft wood or wood removed during growth or a wood from thinning, is strengthened, straightened and molded in any desired shape, wherein after the wood is heated and softened in a high temperature high pressure atmosphere, mechanical compressive forces are applied to the wood to minimize the voids in the wood; thus, the wood is hardened, strengthened and the bent wood is corrected, making it possible to form the wood in any desired shape without lumbering the same.

Abstract: A cellulosic fibrous aggregate formed from sections of cellulosic fibrous material by a process which comprises:a softening stage comprising softening a plurality of sections of cellulosic fibrous material by the action of an aqueous softening agent at elevated temperature, thereby at least partially breaking down the cellulosic cross-linking in the cellulosic fibrous material;a compression stage comprising pressing together the softened sections of cellulosic fibrous material to form a compressed matrix; anda consolidation stage comprising dewatering and consolidating the compressed matrix to form a consolidated matrix, and a process for its preparation comprising the aforementioned softening, compression and consolidation stages.

Abstract: A decorative trim panel having a frame built up of individual frame members joined together in an end-to-end relationship to provide a frame or frame assembly. The frame is provided with a channel in the inside lower edges which accepts a second panel.

Abstract: A wood treating method and apparatus in which a wood which is thin or bent, such as a soft wood or wood removed during growth or a wood from thinning, is strengthened, straightened and molded in any desired shape, wherein after the wood is heated and softened in a high temperature high pressure atmosphere, mechanical compressive forces are applied to the wood to minimize the voids in the wood; thus, the wood is hardened, strengthened and the bent wood is corrected, making it possible to form the wood in any desired shape without lumbering the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for fabricating a gluing plank and in particular to one including steps of severing timber into boards in which those without defects are used as surface board and bottom board while those with defects are used as intermediate board in transverse and longitudinal directions alternately, applying adhesive agent on the boards, gluing the surface board, the bottom board and the intermediate board together to form a plank, and cold pressing and hot pressing the plank.

Abstract: A novel arcuate wooden cummerbund with or without associated accessories. Two methods for making the wooden cummerbund are disclosed. When accessories are included, they may comprise coordinating wooden ties, matching cuff links. A storing and carrying case is disclosed for the wooden cummerbund and accessories, if any.

Abstract: A steam distributing valve in contact with the log feed end of a rotatable debarking drum is supported in such a manner that it is capable of moving slightly parallel to the drum axis in response to axial displacement of the drum. Full contact between the valve header and the drum end is maintained for sequentially providing pressurized steam to hollow longitudinal staves on the inner circumferential surface of the drum for thawing frozen logs for debarking.

Abstract: A heated wood sample (46) having a water content exceeding 20 percent is compressed axially in the direction of the grain or fibres of the sample in a compression mould (10). Oppositely directed compressive forces are applied not only to the end surfaces of the sample, for example by means of a hydraulic cylinder (18), but also to side surface parts of the sample as frictional forces. The sample may be arranged within a compression chamber which is at least partly defined by longitudinally overlapping side wall parts (30, 37, 47, 48), which are mutually displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the chamber, and these side wall parts may be pressed into frictional engagement with the sample (46) for example by means of an inflatable bag or an inflatable hose section (32, 34), and means may be provided for mutually displacing the side wall parts so as to apply frictional compressive forces to the wood sample.

Abstract: A method of making a drum shell or other such circumferential component from a single piece of wood which serves as a starting blank. This method comprises the steps of steam heating the blank a first time to a predetermined temperature and, thereafter, while the steam heated blank is still at approximately that temperature, forming it into a circumferential shape approximating the ultimate shape of the drum shell or other such component such that its opposite ends remain unconnected with one another. The blank is then allowed to cool, whereby to provide a circumferentially shaped blank having unconnected opposite ends. This circumferentially shaped blank is placed into a mold which more accurately defines the ultimate shape of the drum shell or other such component so that the opposite ends of the blank engage one another. It is again steam heated to a predetermined temperature while remaining in the mold and is thereafter dried and its opposite ends are glued together.

Abstract: A method for the debarking of logs is disclosed, which comprises treating the logs with enzymes to weaken the bonds between the bark and wood. An apparatus is also disclosed for the debarking of logs, comprising a conveyor for conveying the logs to a debarker, a piping system with nozzles for spraying the logs with an enzyme solution, a device for separating the enzyme solution from the logs and conducting it back into the piping system, and a feed device for supplying enzyme solution into the circulation system.

Abstract: A method for the production of finished wood sheets from rough cut wood includes the steps of conditioning the rough cut wood, as necessary, to obtain a predetermined mositure content equivalent to a humidity of at least 50%. The conditioned rough cut wood is cut into predetermined dimensions using a sawdust-free process and then immediately dried to obtain a low moisture content. The dried wood is further machined to eliminate rough edges of the finished sheet.

Abstract: High quality agglomerated structural boards, lumber and other structural members such as I, U, T, L beams or corrugated plates or moldings are produced from engineered long, thin narrow green wood strands. Process, in which the parallel alignment of the strands to each other and their original starting orientation are maintained through their transportation, drying, blending, forming and pressing, preventing their intermingling, twisting, warping and breaking. The application of fungicides, pesticides, fire retarding and other chemicals during the blending process, impregnates or colors the agglomerated structural products throughout their cross section, making the products resistant against rot, insects, fire or aesthetically attractive for architectural applications.

Abstract: Violin bellies, backs, and sides are immersed in a varnish bath under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure for periods of time ranging from 1 to 14 days. The varnish bath contains a drying oil in a volatile solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the varnish bath contains 30-35% tung oil in a volatile solvent, such as turpentine or pertoleum ether. The temperature is preferably maintained between 70.degree. and 95.degree. F., and the pressure is preferably maintained between 1 and 10 psi above atmospheric pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the bellies are made of spruce and are immersed in the varnish bath for periods of time ranging from 1 to 14 days, while the backs and sides are made from maple and are immersed in the varnish bath for periods of time ranging from 1 to 3 days.

Abstract: A method for the production of finished wood sheets from rough cut wood includes the steps of conditioning the rough cut wood, as necessary, to obtain a predetermined moisture content equivalent to a humidity of 50%. The conditioned rough cut wood is cut into predetermined dimensions using a sawdust-free process and then immediately dried to obtain a low moisture content. The dried wood is further treated using a grinding process to eliminate rough edges of the finished sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping flat rectangular shingle blanks into curved shingles includes a heating chamber and shingle shaping device. The shingle shaping device is comprised of an elongate upwardly convex fixed shaping member and a plurality of hingedly mounted, downwardly concave movable shaping members. A plurality of shingle blanks are first steamed and then place on edge in side-by-side relation between the fixed shaping member and the movable shaping members. The movable shaping members are then moved into closed clamping relation with the fixed shaping member to clamp the shingle blanks into curved configuration for use with roofs having a thatched cottage appearance.

Abstract: A shake fabricating process for producing roofing shakes from wood is provided. In accordance with the process a log is stripped of its bark and cut into bolts having a preselected length corresponding to the desired length of the shakes to be produced. The bolts are then cut in half, or in quarters, longitudinally to produce bolt sections which are, in turn, cut into boards having a preselected thickness. A plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves are then cut into the upper and lower surfaces of the boards to give the surfaces the appearance of being hand split, and the boards are cut diagonally from end to end to produce a pair of shakes which decrease in thickness from their first end portions to their second end portions. In order to achieve the desired wood colorization the shakes are then placed in a pressure treating chamber and a first vacuum is generated in the chamber for a preselected time period in order to draw a liquid pigment into the chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing branches from treetrunks comprises a frame, which is adapted to be suspended from a lifting tackle and is provided with grippers for engaging the treetrunk from below, with a longitudinal feeding device for moving the treetrunk in its longitudinal direction, with branch-removing tools, which are spaced around the treetrunk, and preferably with a crosscutting tool, which is movable transversely to the direction of the longitudinal feed movement. In order to facilitate the longitudinal feed movement and to permit an undisturbed removal of branches at a high rate, the frame and/or the grippers or the tool carriers are provided with spray nozzles for spraying liquid, such as water or soapy water, onto the treetrunks and lines for supplying said liquid to said spray nozzles are connected to the latter.

Abstract: In production of a decorative article from piece board of a decorative plywood, a decorative sheet for the decorative plywood is formed by heat pressing a powdery sheet on a material sheet in order to simplify coating process.

Abstract: In a method of reinforcing a guitar neck in which the neck of the guitar is preliminarily bent into an arcuate shape, a long straight aperture is formed within the neck over substantially all of its length by a laser beam or a long drill and an adjusting rod is inserted into the long aperture to reinforce the neck after releasing the bend of the neck, the method comprises the steps of providing a spot facing for a nut for the adjusting rod at the top side of the long aperture as well as another spot facing for the head of the adjusting rod at the root side of the long aperture, the neck provided with the long aperture, the neck provided with the long aperture and the spot facings is submerged within the resin in a vacuum pan or an autoclave to promote resin impregnation into the interior of the neck portion, the neck then being polymerized with a heat energy polymerizing apparatus, an adjusting rod subsequently being inserted from a root side of the resin impregnated and polymerized neck into the long apertur

Abstract: A hockey stick bender for bending the blade of a hockey stick. The hockey stick bender includes a paddle member with a handle, and two opposing, curved forming members with a slot therebetween. The blade of the hockey stick is placed into the slot and manipulated between the two curved forming members to form a hockey stick blade.

Abstract: Parts for a wooden casing, in particular in the form of a telephone apparatus case, are manufactured as follows. A piece of timber is dried inside an oven to a moisture content of about 4-5% with sufficient moisture content being left to avoid cell collapse in the timber. At the end of the drying period the temperature is raised causing the resin in the timber to flow out and seal the pitch fibers of the wood preventing the wood from reabsorbing moisture. A blank is taken from the dried timber and worked into the final shape of a casing. Any weak points in the casing are reinforced with a reinforcing material in the form of wood or some other material. The pores of the wood are then sealed with varnish.

Abstract: Square or rectangular clean cut flakes, wafers or strands of a uniform thickness, width and length, with edges extending at right, acute or obtuse angles to the surfaces are produced by an apparatus in four distinct operations, comprising the veneer slicing, cutting of the veneer sheets into veneer strips, chemical or laser beam treatment and flake cutting. The chemical or laser beam treatment is applied to the edges of the veneer strips which run transversally to the direction of wood fiber and the application takes place before the veneer strips are cut into flakes.

Abstract: A system is described for processing an entire tree into wood fiber material for molding the constituent wood elements into custom molded wood products. A delimber removes limbs and leaves from the trunk, a debarker removes bark from the trunk of the delimbed tree, and a splitter separating sequence is constructed and arranged for separating the debarked trunk into elongate pieces of substantially equal cross-sectional area. A graduated roller mill having a sequence of pairs of compressor rollers with the rollers of each pair spaced successively closer together receives the elongate pieces of wood and extrudes and delivers thin sheets of wood at the output end. Liquid squeezed from the wood sheets is collected and separated into resins and water. A shredder shreds and fragments the wood sheet wood fibers into a loosely bonded mat of substantially separate striated wood fibers. The mat is cut or chopped into wood fibers of substantially uniform length.

Abstract: Low quality, low density woods are densified to form wood products having the characteristics of high quality natural hardwoods. A green solid wood member having a high moisture content is impregnated with anhydrous ammonia to plasticize the wood into a sponge-like form saturated with water and ammonia. This plasticized wood member is placed between press plates of a cyclic press and, while maintaining the temperature of the wood below 100.degree. C., it is subjected to a plurality of low pressure compression cycles each of about 1/2 to 1 minute duration with the wood being compressed to a predetermined thickness of up to 50% less than its original thickness. It is held at the reduced thickness for a short time and released during each cycle, whereby water and ammonia are squeezed out of the wood down to a moisture content of less than about 30%. The damp wood member of reduced thickness thus obtained is then dried to obtain a kiln dried, densified solid wood product.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to an improved method of assembling rattan furniture. More particularly, a method is disclosed for fabricating a composite rattan piece having an effective diameter sufficient to form a rigid structure. In accordance with the subject invention, a plurality of relatively smaller diameter rattan segments are steam heated until deformable. These segments are then helically wound to define a larger diameter piece. The piece is cooled and shaped into the desired configuration to define a rigid support member which can be used to assemble furniture.

Abstract: A method of removing putty from windows by heating the putty until it softens, by means of infrared radiation (4) which is focused onto the putty, and the putty thus heated by infrared radiation is scraped away. Use may be made of an infrared heating apparatus (1) having an elongate heating wire (2) and an elliptical reflector (3) for focusing the infrared radiation (4) thus produced in a focal line (5), the apparatus also having a spacer member (8) extending up to the focal line and having an elongate opening (9) essentially in the plane of the focal line for conducting the infrared radiation to the putty.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method of obtaining a pore-sealed surface having a desired finished structure on a lacquered sheet or web material, preferably a lacquered slab or board of a material containing wood fibres (lignocellulose) such as board or particle board material. According to the invention the slab or board is coated with a wet or powdery, clear or pigmented lacquer material. The slab or board so coated is dried and/or cured and the slab or board thereafter subjected to a compression operation under high mechanical pressure during a short time so that flowing of the lacquer material and/or sheet material takes place and a surface structure have good evenness and tightness is obtained. The invention also comprises a slab or board of finished structure manufactured according to the invention.

Abstract: In veneer slicing, the surface portion of the log or block to be sliced is heated but to a relatively shallow depth. Heating preferably is effected by infrared radiation, whereby the large hot water vats at present in use can be dispensed with, and a veneer of very high quality is obtained at lower cost and with a minimum of waste.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping wood materials into a predetermined configuration wherein the wood material is substantially saturated with water, heated, shaped and dried, and wherein microwave energy is used for at least the heating stage of the method.

Abstract: A breakdown hoist is located in a timber processing operation between a direct-fired ash-producing combustor for generating the heated gas stream for kilning a pile of lumber and the feed for a downstream operation such as sorting, grading, trimming and/or packaging, with or without planing. At the hoist, the kilned lumber is progressively destacked in a tilting, sliding and tumbling operation which results in the shunting-aside of spacer sticks, and conversion of the pile into a single layer of lumber progressing along on a feeding deck toward the downstream operation. A fog cloud of water droplets is sprayed obliquely downwards towards downstream from about 3 to about 9 feet above where the breakdown hoist adjoins the upstream end of the feeding deck, at approximately parallel to the top course on the pile. The fog cloud spreads out to envelope the feeding deck.

Abstract: A method of drying a veneer sheet is provided. The method comprises the steps of tenderizing, compressing, and drying a veneer sheet. The compressing and drying steps are performed at the same time. The tenderizing step is preferably be performed before the above two steps but may be done thereafter or at the same time. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises tenderizing means, deceleration transfer means, and heating means. The deceleration and the heating means are combined into one section. A plurality of rollers are used as deceleration transfer means.

Abstract: In a semi-batch practice of the process, the logs are plasticized using hot, pressurized alkaline liquid in a closed chamber having a preceding charging chamber and a succeeding unloading chamber. The chambers are selectively flooded and emptied to facilitate operations. A ram is used at the charging end to advance the logs. Spacers are placed in opposed pairs between successive charges. The unloading trough is equipped with a sling to facilitate advancement of the conditioned logs to the lathe. Process may be program-controlled, with monitoring of processing temperature, pressure, time, pH, processing solution constituency, and heat input. Additional variables may be input to the automatic controller, such as species, ambient log temperature, length of time since log harvest, veneer end-product (e.g. thickness and whether decorative quality is needed), log weight and log diameter. The process may also be more simply conducted in batchwise fashion.

Abstract: A novel process for slicing veneer comprises the steps of (1) submerging a piece of lumber in a water bath maintained at an elevated temperature for a period of time sufficient to eliminate excessive curling upon slicing, (2) slicing a single slice of veneer from the lumber, and (3) returning the lumber to the bath for an additional soak period before running the wood through the veneer slicer. Soaking between each slice produces greater uniformity in the slices, which are dried more easily with consumption of less energy.

Abstract: A high yield technique to convert normally-unusable round logs of balsa or other species of wood whose diameter is less than about 4 inches into large rectangular panels that are contourable.The raw logs are first peeled to expose the wood and are then cut into round pieces of a desired length. The pieces, after being kiln-dried, are stacked to form a dry assembly in which the pieces are separated from each other to define a matrix of intersticial spaces. The pieces in the assembly are then interlaminated in a mold by filling the matrix with an elastomeric plastic solution which, when cured, functions as an adhesive to provide an integrated stock block. The stock block is then divided into panels of the desired thickness, each panel being constituted by an array of round wood tiles joined together by elastomeric hinges, whereby the resultant panel is contourable and may be conformed to a curved surface.