Flexible wood article and method of its preparation
US5453327A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/662
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
There is disclosed a method for the ammonia saturation of wood to impart flexibility thereto which includes the step of sealing the surfaces of ammonia-saturated wood with a polymeric film which has limited or no permeability to either or both ammonia and water vapor. Preferably, the polymeric film is flexible so the working of the wood product by bending, twisting, embossing, molding, etc. will not destroy the film. The polymeric film should also be soluble in a selected solvent, thereby permitting its removal after the wood has been formed in a final, desired shape to permit water vapor to re-establish crosslinking of the cellulose chains and restore its natural, rigid condition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.