Michael E Hittmeier

US Patent:

6432254, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Nov 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/979759

Inventors:

Eric P. Black - Covington GA
Michael E. Hittmeier - Alpharetta GA
W. Hayes Ingram - Conyers GA
R. Scott Johnson - Snellville GA

Assignee:

Georgia-Pacific Resins Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

C09J 502

US Classification:

1563075, 156335, 156381, 528147

Abstract:

A method for making a consolidated wood product comprising coating wood components with a B-stageable, phenol-formaldehyde resole resin; heating the coated wood components to about 80 to 140Â C. for a time sufficient to advance the resin to a B-stage; forming a mat or stack of the wood components coated with the B-stage resin; exposing the mat or stack of coated wood components to a saturated or superheated steam atmosphere in a hot press; and compressing the layup to form the consolidated wood product. The phenol-formaldehyde resole resin used in the method has a number average molecular weight of between about 200 and 600, has a F:P mole ratio of about 1. 3:1 to 2. 0:1, and has been modified with 0 to about 5. 5 wt % of caustic based on resin solids.

US Patent:

53571126, Oct 18, 1994

Filed:

Jul 14, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/090932

Inventors:

Philip H. Steele - Starkville MS
Michael Hittmeier - Alpharetta GA

Assignee:

Mississippi State University: Forest Products Laboratory - Mississippi State MS

International Classification:

G01N 2101
G01N 2572

US Classification:

250340

Abstract:

A method for determining the presence of knots and/or voids in lumber surfaces by uniformly heating the wood and then submitting the wood to an infrared camera, providing a thermal image of the surface of the wood. Knots and voids heat differently from the remaining wood areas, the differential heating being observed by the inspection of the thermal image, or more preferably by conversion of the image to a digital signal which is communicated to a frame grabber and data processor, permitting frame-by-frame inspection of the heat distribution on the surface of the wood. Locations of differential heating corresponding to knots and voids are detected, and can be communicated to subsequent processing devices, to either exclude all or some of the defect areas, or control the use to which the defect-bearing wood is put.