Patent · US Expired

Process and apparatus for forming a wood grain pattern on synthetic lumber

US5271699A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
12References
17Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 4, 1991
Grant dateDec 21, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 4, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/24438
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A process and apparatus for forming a wood grain simulation pattern on surfaces of synthetic articles such as synthetic lumber planks. The articles are fed along a predetermined path on a conveyor surface. A plurality of cutting blades are disposed about the periphery of a rotatable cylindrical element supported on a drive shaft. As the synthetic article is fed under the rotatable cylindrical element which is in rotation, the blades which are disposed across an outer surface of the article on which a grain simulation is desired, cut a plurality of short slits spaced laterally from one another in an offset pattern. These slits extend along the feed axis of the article and simulate a wood grain in the outer surface thereof.

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