Patent ID: 6187234
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B27N,B29K

Abstract:
A method for making a composite wood product, comprising the steps of:forming a mat comprising wood particles treated with an uncured slow-curing phenol formaldehyde binder, the binder having an alkalinity less than 2.5% and a pH less than 10;placing said mat in a press cavity defined between first and second press platens;closing the press cavity;consolidating the mat fully by moving at least one of the first and second press platens toward the other of the first and second press platens to a final compression position;supplying a first quantity of steam to the mat through at least one steam port in the first press platen, said first quantity of steam supplied at a pressure in the range of 25 to 75 psi and for a period of time in the range of 30 to 120 seconds;venting said first quantity of steam from the mat through said at least one steam port in said first press platen such that excess air is purged from the mat;supplying a second quantity of steam to the mat through the at least one steam port in the first press platen, the second quantity of steam supplied at a pressure in the range of 100 to 250 psi and at a temperature sufficient to cure the binder;venting excess pressure from the mat before opening the press cavity; andopening the press cavity.