Abstract: A process for the manufacture of flat sheets or webs from a natural fiber material such as cellulose fibers in which the fibers to be processed are first placed on a substrate in the form of a dry heap after which an amount of water not exceeding the amount of moisture which can be absorbed by the fiber is added, whereupon the wetted fibers are subjected to pressure and temperature causing them to bond together forming a sheet or web. When sheets or webs of greater thickness are being made according to the present invention a further step of cooling before relieving pressure is carried out to avoid steam pockets formed within the web from breaking through upon release of pressure.

Abstract: A method for forming packing rings from substantially any type of loose or ribbon fiber packing material are disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a plurality of concentric cylindrical members to produce the different sized packing rings, with the number of cylindrical members in use remaining constant regardless of the size of the packing ring produced. The method allows for the use of either ribbon or loose fiber packing material to be compressed into a packing ring of any desired size within the capability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A novel method for the continuous production of compressed higher density black powder comprising feeding from a feed container means mealy black powder of low density enclosed between upper and lower endless belts into a precompression zone, to produce precompressed black powder, and to expell air contained in said black powder, passing the precompressed black powder through a primary compressing zone containing a primary compression means to achieve a new orientation and displacement of the said black powder, then passing the black powder through a final compressing zone containing a final compression means, while supplying the final pressure to obtain breaking or flow of the crystals as well as crystal lattice displacements of said black powder, and recovering the compressed higher density black powder, each of said primary compression means and said final compression means being capable of building-up compaction pressure as well as being capable of idling, the black powder being moved through said precomp

Abstract: A mass of fibrous material admixed with binder is accommodated in a space of a mold which is at least in part bounded by a surface having profiling in form of depressions and projections. The mass is compressed against the surface, and in particular it is compressed to a greater extent opposite the depressions in the surface than it is opposite the projections thereof.

Abstract: A solid, slate-like product, a composition and method of producing the same comprising a substantially uniform mixture of at least five parts by weight of a finely divided taconite iron ore material containing at least about 1 percent magnetite therein and an amine-formaldehyde resin such as urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde. The mixture, heated under pressure, forms a dense slate-like material.

Abstract: A brick press is disclosed having a turntable carrying a plurality of molds angularly spaced from each other and having equipment associated therewith establishing a plurality of series of operating stations, each series including at least a precompression station, a compression station and an ejection station. The molds carried by the turntable are provided with replaceable liners. A material handling and feed system is also disclosed, providing for preparation of particulate or granular materials to be charged into the molds.

Abstract: The temperature distribution through the thickness of a layer of particulate matter formed by air screening and by compressing in a press for forming a particle board therefrom is made more nearly uniform by heating the air stream or air streams used for the air screening of the particulate matter.

Abstract: A method of forming a paper-like sheet from a dry formed web by pre-bonding the web thereby strengthening it sufficiently that it may traverse a conventional size press but without unduly inhibiting the ability of the web to be penetrated by a binder in a liquid carrier, applying said binder to the pre-bonded web, distributing said binder in said web in a size press at a pressure of 20-150 lbs/linear inch, a temperature of 15.degree. - 80.degree. C and a web speed of at least 50 ft/minute and drying the web to provide a bonded sheet.

Abstract: A consolidated man-made board, such as hardboard, is wetted on one surface and thereafter embossed with a contoured embossing plate at a pressure of at least about 1000 p.s.i., at a temperature in the range of about 400.degree.-550.degree. F. and for a period of time sufficient to permanently re-shape the surface of the consolidated board.

Abstract: Method of using an opposed ram hydraulic press for compressing powder in a die to form a compact. The press including hydraulic and electrical control circuits for decompressing the compact progressively and smoothly to a relatively low punch hold down force and maintaining this hold down force relatively constant until the compact is substantially completely ejected from the die.

Abstract: A mixture of fibrous material and a thermosetting binder is pressed in unheated state at a working station to convert it into a semi-finished body having approximately the shape and size of the desired shaped article, and thereupon the semi-finished body is pressed at the same working station but under application of heat, in order to convert it into the desired shaped article while setting the thermosetting binder.

Abstract: Process for continuous bonding of a fibrous non-woven web of polyethylene terephthalate matrix and copolyester binder filaments which comprises depositing the matrix and binder filaments as a nonwoven web on a moving belt, steam treating the nonwoven web under restraint thereby consolidating the web, removing the restraint, transferring the consolidated web from the moving belt to a bonder, and finally bonding the web with a flow of hot air through the web.

Abstract: An improved process of forming sintered magnesia bodies from a magnesium hydroxide aqueous slurry wherein the slurry is dried to a moisture content where the solids can be compacted to self-supporting bodies, preferably about 5 to 8% moisture, by heating at a temperature below the dissociation temperature of the magnesium hydroxide, compacting the dried magnesium hydroxide into briquettes, heating the briquettes at a temperature above the dissociation temperature of magnesium hydroxide to form magnesia, re-compacting to form new briquettes of greater density, and heating to sintering temperature to sinter the briquettes.

Abstract: A method of making a stable block from paper comprising providing a plurality of moist paper fragments, roughening the outer surface of a group of the moist paper fragments, and compressing the group of paper fragments to form the group of paper fragments into a stable block without the addition of an adhesive.

Abstract: Method for the dry forming of fibrous pads employ a pad forming member closing the lower end of a pad forming area. The pad forming member preferably is in the form of a condenser roll having three-dimensional pockets, or cavities about the periphery thereof. Each cavity includes an opening into it, and the cavities are brought into communication with the pad forming area as the condenser roll is continuously driven during operation of the apparatus. Each cavity is defined by foraminous bottom and side surfaces, the surface area of which is greater than the surface area of the opening into it. An air suspension of fibers is formed in the pad forming area, and a vacuum is applied through the foraminous surfaces of each cavity when it is disposed in the pad forming area to pull the air of the suspension through the foraminous surfaces, and deposit the fibers carried in the air suspension onto the foraminous surfaces in the form of a fibrous layer.

Abstract: A method of moulding articles from a paste like material is disclosed in which a moulding tunnel having a composite piston movable therein is closed at one end by means of a separable mould insert. The moulding material is supplied into the tunnel between the composite piston and the mould insert by a suitable hopper and a plurality of transversely operable pistons are movable into the tunnel from the sides and bottom thereof. Upon a two-stage movement of the composite piston and the transversely movable pistons the mouldable material is forced into the mould insert to form an article. The mould insert and the article are then ejected from the mould tunnel and conveyed through a curing tunnel in contiguous relationship to a plurality of other mould inserts having moulded articles therein. At the end of the curing tunnel, the mould inserts are separated and the moulded article ejected. The mould inserts are then conveyed back to the tunnel for a new moulding operation.

Abstract: A method is provided by which end frames for upholstered furniture are pressure molded in one piece from a mixture of wood flakes and thermosetting resin. They have no grain, are equally strong in all directions, are denser than the wood from which the flakes are derived and permit tacking or stapling the upholstery in place. Simplified processes of forming right and left end frame assemblies are disclosed.