초록 ▼

Methods and systems are disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed from the particles, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically al

Methods and systems are disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed from the particles, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically aligned in the cross-machine dimension and face layers of particles electrostatically aligned in the machine direction. The multilayered or composite mat of electrostatically aligned particles employs separate orientation cells (30,32) for aligning the particles in the machine and cross-machine directions. For aligning the particles in the cross-machine direction, a uniformly distributed array of particles is passed through a high-voltage electrostatic orienting field having electrical lines of force extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat being formed. The orienting field may be formed between at least two uniformly spaced, electrically charged plates (60). The particles are deposited as a mat on a transfer belt (36) of a transfer conveyor (40) for transfer to a mat-receiving surface. The spaced, charged plates (60) are generally parallel to one another and oriented generally in the cross-machine direction of the mat being formed. The spaced, charged plates are preferably configured to spread the effects of particle migration and the shadow effect over the area of the orientation to minimize basis weight variation.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of forming a continuous mat of directionally oriented lignocellulosic particles and depositing the mat on a mat-receiving surface in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat-receiving surface, comprising: providing a high-voltage orienting zone generating

A method of forming a continuous mat of directionally oriented lignocellulosic particles and depositing the mat on a mat-receiving surface in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat-receiving surface, comprising: providing a high-voltage orienting zone generating a directional electrical field substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat-receiving surface for alignment of particles generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, cascading a multitude of lignocellulosic particles through the orienting zone for electrostatic alignment thereof with their longer dimension generally parallel to the electrical lines of force within the orienting zone, moving a mat-receiving surface below the orienting zone to receive the cascading aligned particles thereon to form a continuous mat, and causing an electrical current to flow within the mat on the mat-receiving surface to produce a directional electrical field immediately above the mat substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat-receiving surface and parallel to the electrical field of the orienting zone.