Patent · US Active

Blending apparatus for manufactured wood processing

US12263617B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
6References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 2023
Grant dateApr 1, 2025
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2043

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01F29/4031
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An improved blending apparatus for manufactured wood products with a rotating blending drum or cylinder with a pattern of alternating flights of different configurations extending from the interior of the drum. The flights lift the strands as the drum rotates to different heights before the strands free-fall back to the bottom of the drum. One flight is shorter, and may be trapezoidal in cross-section. The second flight is taller, and may have a “bull-nose” configuration with substantially vertical sides. During operation, the design of the bull-nose flight tends to hold more strands and to carry them closer to the top of the drum before the strands drop and fall. In contrast, the shorter height and angled sides of the trapezoidal flight tends to hold fewer strands and to not carry them as high along the side before strands drop and fall. The alternating pattern causes a more consistent and dispersed fall of strands as the drum rotates, resulting in a significantly larger and more consistent amount of the sprayed adhesives and waxes being applied to the strands, and not passing through gaps to build up on the drum wall.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.