Abstract: A beam connecting system uses a threaded connector rod and a mating connector, for example a nut, for mounting the end of a wood beam against the upright supporting surface of a supporting body. The connector rod protrudes from the upright supporting surface of the supporting body to be received in a fastener bore extending longitudinally into the beam from the end face of the beam. A transverse access bore which intersects the fastener bore receives the mating connector to form a mechanical connection to fasten the end face of the beam against the upright supporting surface. A wood plug encloses the access bore such that the mechanical connection is fully embedded in the beam and supporting body so as to be surrounded by wood material, and thus be protected from elevated temperatures in fire condition.

Abstract: The root penetrating nozzle for herbicide applicator is designed to penetrate and inject herbicide into the stem or root of a plant. The root penetrating nozzle for herbicide applicator comprises a penetrating tip that pierces the outer surface to penetrate the plant, an undulating tip that is used to deliver the herbicide, and a cap, coupling, and herbicide channel to connect the root penetrating nozzle for herbicide applicator to a source of herbicide.

Abstract: A subfloor component includes a hardboard panel having first and second opposing faces and a plurality of intersecting grooves to define, in cross-section, a plurality of pedestals having walls that extend into the panel from the first face toward the second face. The subfloor component also includes a film of substantially moisture-impervious material attached to the first face of the panel and that conforms to the tops and walls of the pedestals and to the bottoms of the grooves.

Abstract: The intention provides a method of coating wooden pallets having a low moisture content with an elastomer coating, so as to provide pallets combining the advantageous qualities of wooden and plastic pallets. The pallets are light and inexpensive, tough and durable, water and damage resistant, fire retardant and non-slip. They can be produced by treating existing wooden pallets. The pallets may also have an RFID attached before coating for tracking the pallets and goods transported thereon.

Abstract: Methods of producing an ombré finish for materials may comprise applying a stain to the surface of a material in a first concentration toward a first part of said surface and in a second concentration toward a second part of said surface, blending said stain from said first part to said second part to create a gradual transition in concentration, and sealing said surface. Said methods may also comprise applying a stain substantially uniformly to the surface of a material, removing said stain from said surface so as to create a gradual transition in concentration of said stain, and sealing said surface. Said methods may further comprise the steps of comparing the color of said material to a target color and toning said material until said color of said material matches said target color.

Abstract: A shake fabricating process for producing roofing shakes from a lumber drop block having a natural grain and having an upper surface and an opposed lower surface is provided. In accordance with the process, the drop block is scanned for unacceptable grain structure. The drop block is cut across said natural grain into blanks having a length generally equivalent to the length of a roofing shake and including a first end section and a second end section. The blank is cut on a diagonal plane relative to the first and second end sections, the plane extending from the first end to said second end so as to divide the board into a pair of shakes, each shake having a first and second end portion and defining a decreasing thickness from the first end portion to the second end portion. The shakes are placed in a pressure treating chamber for treatment with a chemical preservative.

Abstract: Methods of darkening and preserving wood, including cut wood, are described herein. The methods comprise treating wood, including cut wood, with a solution containing a cell signaling agent to darken wood. Also described herein are methods for preserving the color of wood comprise treating wood, including cut wood, with a solution containing a cell signaling agent inhibitor. Wood, including cut wood, prepared by such methods are further described herein.

Abstract: A composite engineered wood material piece and its method of fabrication is described. The wood material piece comprises a top wood layer secured to a substrate layer by a binder. The substrate layer has a plurality of grooves formed therein from a bottom surface thereof to enhance the flexibility of the wood material piece. The grooves are spaced from one another by one or more predetermined spaced intervals and have one or more predetermined depth and width calculated to substantially eliminate the effects of telegraphy of the grooves on a top finished surface of the top wood layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to heterogenous pore polymer nanotube membranes useful in filtration, such as reverse osmosis desalination, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and gas separation.

Abstract: Methods of producing an ombré finish for materials may comprise applying a stain to the surface of a material in a first concentration toward a first part of said surface and in a second concentration toward a second part of said surface, blending said stain from said first part to said second part to create a gradual transition in concentration, and sealing said surface. Said methods may also comprise applying a stain substantially uniformly to the surface of a material, removing said stain from said surface so as to create a gradual transition in concentration of said stain, and sealing said surface. Said methods may further comprise the steps of comparing the color of said material to a target color and toning said material until said color of said material matches said target color.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for manufacturing lightweight building boards (1) starting from a workpiece (2) which comprises two thin-walled cover layers (4, 6) and at least one core layer (8) which is disposed between the cover layers (4, 6) and is made of a light filling material, the at least one core layer (8) possessing cavities and having a lower average density than the cover layers. The method comprises the following steps: forming in the workpiece (2) at least one groove (10) which extends through at least one first cover layer (4) and at least partly through the at least one core layer (8) and circumscribes at least a portion of a contour of the lightweight building board (1) to be manufactured; introducing a hardenable mass (12) into the at least one groove (10); at least partly hardening the hardenable mass (12); and making a separating cut along the at least one groove (10), so the at least partly hardened mass (12) is separated in the longitudinal direction of the groove.

Abstract: Nanoporous membranes comprising single walled, double walled, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix material were fabricated for fluid mechanics and mass transfer studies on the nanometer scale and commercial applications. Average pore size can be 2 nm to 20 nm, or seven nm or less, or two nanometers or less. The membrane can be free of large voids spanning the membrane such that transport of material such as gas or liquid occurs exclusively through the tubes. Fast fluid, vapor, and liquid transport are observed. Versatile micromachining methods can be used for membrane fabrication. A single chip can comprise multiple membranes. These membranes are a robust platform for the study of confined molecular transport, with applications in liquid and gas separations and chemical sensing including desalination, dialysis, and fabric formation.

Abstract: Process for treating wood consisting in injecting in cavities of the wood a solution of at least one fungicide and/or bactericide and/or insecticide and at least one monomer that can progressively form a polymer matrix in the cavities of the wood and then a gel in the cavities of the wood. The treated woods thus obtained exhibit an improved lifetime.

Abstract: A method for coating a fire-resistant substance onto a carrier veil and products containing fire-resistant substances are provided. The method includes delivering a pliable carrier veil in a traveling web, drawing the carrier veil web through a reservoir defined by a nip of two rollers and containing the fire-resistant substance, where the carrier veil is coated with the fire-resistant substance. The method also includes controlling the amount of fire-resistant substance on the carrier veil web by setting a nip dimension between the two rollers, passing the carrier veil through the nip of the two rollers and providing the fire-resistant substance as a slurry suitable to coat the veil exiting the nip with a layer effective to provide a selected fire resistance.

Abstract: Spherical silica-titania-based fine particles surface-treated with silane are provided. The fine particles have a titanium atom content of 0.001 to 5% by weight, a frictional electrification with iron powder of ?100 to ?300 ?C/g, a bulk density of 0.2 to 0.4 g/ml, and a particle diameter of 0.01 to 5 ?m. The particles are useful as a material for an external additive for an electrostatically charged image developing toner. The toner is unlikely to cause degeneration or scratching of organic photoreceptors, displays excellent dispersibility and favorable flowability and consequently does not cause adhesion to the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing multi-laminar wood sheets by slicing from a flitch of natural and/or laminated wood sheets glued and pre-printed with a basic pattern. A basic pattern is printed on one or both faces of wood sheets obtained by rotary cutting or slicing a natural log or a multi-layered flitch; the printed sheets are subsequently used to form a final flitch from which multi-laminar wood sheets are then sliced having a pattern designed to simulate different types of natural or fancy woods. The basic pattern is printed while maintaining process conditions designed to control the penetration into the thickness of the wood sheet and surface diffusion of the colouring agent during printing step. The penetration and diffusion of the colouring agent is controlled by maintaining process parameters and conditions at an established value.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preserving wood. The method involves applying to a wood substrate a precipitated copper salt. The precipitated copper salt is formed from a solution containing a copper-alkanolamine complex. The precipitated copper salt can be formed in situ, i.e., after the solution containing a copper-alkanolamine complex is applied to the wood, or prior to being applied to the wood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an interior fitment for motor vehicles, the interior fitment having on its facing side a wood molding which is provided with a coating. In order to impart a substantially natural impression to the interior fitment, the invention proposes applying to the wood molding a coating material based on vegetable-oil-modified resins and natural vegetable oils, with the addition to the coating material of ceramic microparticles. Likewise proposed is an interior fitment produced preferably by this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fire retardant wooden components and a method of manufacturing a fire retardant-treated wooden component, such as a slat. The method includes the step of pressure treating a piece of lumber with a fire retardant solution; drying the pressure treated piece of lumber to a moisture content of 15-23%; cutting the piece of lumber into wooden components of the desired dimensions; applying a coat of lacquer thinner base to the wooden components; drying the base thinner coat; applying a UV cured sealant coating on the dried base coat; drying the sealant coat; applying a UV cured polyurethane top coat on the sealant coated wooden components; and curing the polymer coating.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distressing a wooden plank give the plank an antique, aged appearance. The preferred method includes four independent steps. The plank is run through an inventive machine operative to impart a random saw blade distressing on the plank. This step is preferably carried out as a single stream in a machine having a plurality of saw arbors, each driven by its own rotating cam. To impart the most random pattern, each cam preferably has a different shape and rotates at a different speed. The plank is preferably fed into a roller having raised portions operative to produce random dents and impressions into the plank. This step is preferably carried out in multiple streams using a machine having a large roller or drum with protrusions affixed thereto. The plank is then fed into a profile sander having one or more wire wheels operative to apply a surface texture to the plank, then sanding and smoothing the plank with abrasive wheels.

Abstract: A process of treating solid material flammable waste is provided in which dry fire retardant admixtures are used to intermix with the material waste so as to lower the burn rate and flammability characteristics of the material waste. The process, in turn, allows the waste to be accepted by an approved waste handling facility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a pattern on a synthetic wood board to form, on a surface of the synthetic wood board, a pattern such as wooden grain and the like which is close to natural wood, to enhance the reality of woody like appearance. The synthetic wood board is formed by mixing 35-80 wt % of thermoplastic resin material and 20-65 wt %. By a first grinding process, the synthetic wood board is formed at its entire surface of at least one side thereof with a large number of wound stripes in one direction. By a colorant coating process, a colorant is coated on the surface on which said wound stripes are formed, the colorant impregnates in wood meal on the surface to generate blur. And some colorant remain in recess portion of the wound stripes to form recess pigment layer.

Abstract: A method of applying a smooth thin waterproof coating on engineered particleboards including oriented strand boards, thereby permitting the use of such boards for applications wherein the boards are exposed to moisture, including, for example, foundation forms, roof sheathing, basement walls, etc. The method of this invention includes applying a thin liquid cementitious coating on a surface of an engineered particleboard having a moisture content preferably less than three percent, wherein the cementitious coating fills the interstices between the particles and coats the surface. The cementitious coating is then dried and the surface is abraded to receive a thin liquid curable polyurethane coating over the cementitious coating. Finally, the exposed surface of the polyurethane coating is heated to remove surface imperfections and cure the polyurethane coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a pattern on a synthetic wood board to form, on a surface of the synthetic wood board, a pattern such as wooden grain and the like which is close to natural wood, to enhance the reality of woody like appearance. The synthetic wood board is formed by mixing 35-80 wt % of thermoplastic resin material and 20-65 wt %. By a first grinding process, the synthetic wood board is formed at its entire surface of at least one side thereof with a large number of wound stripes in one direction. By a colorant coating process, a colorant is coated on the surface on which said wound stripes are formed, the colorant impregnates in wood meal on the surface to generate blur. And some colorant remain in recess portion of the wound stripes to form recess pigment layer.

Abstract: Polyurea/polyurethane coatings can be applied in situ to the edges of substrates without the need for adding any additives to increase flowability or moldability. The in situ application utilizes the extremely fast cure time of polyurea/polyurethanes to provide a method for efficiently creating an article with a protected edge coat by spray applying polyurea/polyurethane to wood substrates. The polyurea/polyurethane will adhere solidly to the substrate, and is applied with sufficient thickness to provide resistance to chemical, environmental, or physical stresses perpendicularly and angularly directed at the edge. The method utilizes a spray gun at high temperature and pressure, combining isocyanate and amine components of the polyurea/polyurethane coating at the nozzle and impinging the combined components onto the edge to be treated. The product of this process gives off no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is odor free, peel resistant, and sterilized.

Abstract: A quantity of at least one odorous substance that is physiologically impossible to perceive by the human sense of smell, but which is sufficient to be perceived at a distance by an animal known to be capable of finding the origin of the odor emitted by said odorous substance or substances and/or that causes the animal to exhibit a given behavior in its presence, is affixed to the object to be marked in a manner not identifiable by the human eye. Detection by animals such as canines and insects (cockroaches, bees and butterflies) can be used; the odorous substances will in particular comprise substances known to be capable of being detected specifically and spontaneously by an animal at extremely low thresholds (.alpha.-ionone for the canine), or pheromonal (sexual or warning) substances that, in the animal located at a distance, bring about a modification of its behavior.

Abstract: A method for preservation treatment of wood comprises the steps of radiating a laser beam on a part of the surface of the wood at the least to form small holes therein, impregnating the wood with a preservative, and then applying high frequency waves to the wood to dry it by dielectric heating.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of pulped cellulose material, preferably wood fibers, in particular up to a fiber length of 20 mm, with a high proportion of thermocurable resin, the process being suitable, in particular, for the production of fiber-containing moldings. In this process, the thermocurable resin, in aqueous, preferably alkaline solution, is added to a mixture of fiber particles and steam, and the steam is removed from the resin-coated fiber particles in a drier. The steam is removed from the mixture of steam and fiber particles after addition of the resin, and the fiber particles are subsequently dried in a drying stage to a moisture content of less than 12% by weight, in particular 3 to 10% by weight.

Abstract: A method of making a decorative panel includes cutting an opening through a wooden panel and filling the hole with a colored hardenable resin. After the resin is hardened, it is sanded smooth with the wood surface and a finish coat is applied over the sanded surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of working bodies of low density in vibratory abrasive finishing machines for the smoothing of articles of wood, particularly articles of furniture, between the undercoating and varnishing thereof. The working bodies have either the shape of angular resin-free wooden pins of a size of 4.times.4.times.30 mm and an average Shore A hardness of about 95.degree. to 100.degree. or a flat base opposite which there is a head surface corresponding to the shape of a spherical segment.

Abstract: A method of diffusion impregnation of wooden structures, which include long wooden objects, with a wood preservative, depots with the wood preservative being placed, in a way known per se, within the wood. The characteristic feature of the method is that in sections of the wooden object in which the moisture ratio of the wood is less than substantially 25 % depots with wood preservative dissolved in a hygroscopic liquid are placed and that in sections of the wooden object in which the moisture ratio of the wood is greater than substantially 25 % depots with wood preservative in solid phase are placed. The depots are placed at intermittent distances from each other along the wooden structure so that each long object is impregnated along the whole of its length and right through it.

Abstract: A piece of wood is prepared for impregnation by causing it in steps to be perforated by a plurality of needles which are moved back and forth with the workpiece, and either rotate individually or are subject to additional oscillatory or impact-producing axial movement.

Abstract: An absorbent floor cleaning and waxing composition is disclosed comprising shreds of a hydrophilic, open-celled, solids-loaded polyurethane foam having an aqueous wax emulsion releasably incorporated therein. The composition is effective to replace soiled coatings of floor wax with fresh floor wax.

Abstract: An arrangement for processing ligno-cellulose containing particles for the manufacture of wood-product plates. These have layers of oriented chips, and a chipper comminutes raw material. The fine material and dust are separated by a sifting device, and the sifted chips are provided with binder material by a gluing device. The chipper produces more chips of as great a length as possible than are required for forming of at least one cover layer of a mat. Behind the chipper, there are provided a wet-chip bunker and a dryer. The sifter separates the chips, obtained after removal of the fine material and the dust, into two fractions. The chip composition of one of these fractions, during the processing time, constantly contains chips which are as long as possible and which are more than that required for forming the mat layer. The other fraction has shorter chips obtained during chipping, and both fractions are present each in at least one bunker.

Abstract: A method of preserving timber from decay liable to arise in the presence of moisture, e.g. in railway sleepers, comprises forming cavities in the timber at appropriate points and inserting in each cavity a plug which has been fused into a monolithic element consisting of a water-soluble wood preservative such as boric oxide; the wood preservative diffuses into the timber from the plug, to establish a zone protected from decay, more slowly from a fused than from a compacted plug.

Abstract: Adhesive bonds between materials, such as woods having porous surfaces, formed by polymerizing in situ alphacyanoacrylate monomers, are accelerated in curing and strengthened by precoating the surfaces to be joined with a solid mixture of alkaline or basic accelerator, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide or sodium borosilicate spheres of micro-size, combined in a chalkable calcareous binder to form a light but adhesive permeable coating, before the monomeric adhesive is applied. The latter permeates in part through the light precoating to bond into the wood and is accelerated in its polymerization so that it is not excessively absorbed into the porous substrate, resulting in a bond of superior strength.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in the process for improving the impregnability of wood which is pierced on its surface prior to an impregnation procedure by means of solid, circular needles which are guided essentially perpendicularly to said wood surface, without thereby causing chipping or splintering, the improvement comprising using sharp, circular needles with smooth surfaces, rotating about their central axes, and at an essentially constant ratio of the peripheral speed (u) of these needles to their speed of advance (v) with which they drive into the wood.

Abstract: Printed wood paneling having a reduced flame spread rating is provided by embossing the wood surface to be finished to depress in a relatively uniform pattern of depressed portions at least about 20% up to about 70% of the surface area of the wood to a depth of at least about 0.01 inch, and these depressed portions are then filled with an intumescent fire retardant filler and the excess filler is substantially removed from the undepressed portions of the wood surface. The embossed panel with the depressed portions thereof filled with intumescent fire retardant filler is then finished in conventional fashion by applying a filler, sanding, base coating, printing, and usually embossing. A clear topcoat is then applied to protect the finish.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bamboo rod reinforcement member for concrete comprises roughening a surface of the rod to expose the cortex, dipping the rod in a bath of molten sulfur, and drying the hot-dipped rod to form a substantially continuous coating of crystallized sulfur to prevent moisture absorption and swelling of the rod.

Abstract: A method of color marking logs wherein the logs are cut to predetermined lengths in a processing machine and are colored coded with one or a combination of different colors after the cutting has taken place. The colors correspond to predetermined information related to the log such as its length and are applied to an end portion of the log during a free fall after cut-off by means of automatically controlled paint sprayers. A sprayer for color marking the log is preset prior to its actuation by a signal corresponding to the predetermined log length.

Abstract: A reinforcement member for concrete bodies includes a bamboo rod having a roughened surface consisting of the bamboo cortex, and a substantially continuous coating of crystallized sulfur adhering to the roughened surface to prevent moisture absorption and swelling of the bamboo rod. The rod may have a helical wrapping of wire to further prevent swelling. The manufacture of the member includes roughening the rod by removing the bamboo article to expose the cortex, and dipping the rod in a bath of molten sulfur coating.

Abstract: Holes in railway ties are drilled and impregnated with creosote or other preservative using a hollow drill with consecutive drilling and creosote injection cycles, either at the time of rail mounting or in a prior processing stage so as to produce a tie with improved resistance to deterioration, for example due to ingress of water in the tie hole. The invention enables the preservation of pretreated ties, which are subsequently drilled to receive spikes for rail tie plates, by continuing the skin of creosote or other preservative from the outer surface of the tie to the walls of the drilled hole. A sealing collar assembly is mounted on the drill to prevent egress of preservative from the hole during the injection process.

Abstract: A translucent panel is made up of one or more pieces of translucent wood. Each piece of wood is cut to less than one-half inch in thickness in the direction of the grain of the wood and is then impregnated with an initially liquid polymerizable material curable to a translucent solid. The influx of this material into the cells of the wood is induced by a sequence of intermiscible liquids, and/or by vacuum, with provision being made for the clearing of air bubble accumulation as the liquid displaces the entrained air in the wood. The absorbed material is cured so that the tubular cell structure of the wood is filled with a translucent solid, thereby causing the wood to become translucent. The completed panel is installed in proximity to a light source to form a light fixture.

Abstract: A composite structure having a coating of thermoplastic material on a substantially inflexible substrate is disclosed. The composite structure comprises (a) a substantially inflexible substrate having a plurality of orifices in the surfaces thereof that is coated, the orifices being of a shape such that, at least in part, the cross-sectional area of the orifices increases as the distance from the surface of the substrate increases, and (b) a coating of solid thermoplastic material on the surface of the substrate. The thermoplastic material extends into the orifices at least as far as into the portion of the orifice of increasing cross-sectional area. Preferably the cross-sectional area of the orifices is greater than 0.005 square inches and the thickness of the coating is at least 10 mils. The substrate is preferably a cellulosic material, e.g., wood, hardboard plywood and the like, or metal. The thermoplastic material may be asphalt, bitumen, tar or a thermoplastic polymer, especially polyethylene.

Abstract: Particles of metallic sodium or potassium are placed on a wood substrate which has been pre-heated. When the wood substrate is introduced subsequently into a steam zone the sodium or potassium, as the case may be, reacts exothermally with the water vapor, melts and burns, charring the wood in localized regions. The particles of sodium or potassium are confined by grains of sand which are subsequently brushed away with any loose charcoal to produce a distressed surface to the wood.