Abstract:
A compressed wood product includes a wood whose shape is taken while a volume decreased by compression is previously added, wherein a direction intersecting a fiber direction of the wood is set to a compression direction, and the wood is formed by being subjected to compressive force.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of PCT/JP2005/001279 filed on Jan. 21, 2005, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2004-013237, 2004-013238, and 2004-013239 filed on Jan. 21, 2004 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1) Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a compressed wood product including a compressed wood and an electronic device exterior material including the compressed wood product. 
         [0004]    2) Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Examples of a portable electric device which can be operated on hand include a camera, a mobile communication device (mainly cellular phone), an IC recorder, a PDA, a portable television, a portable radio, and remote controls for various home appliances. Usually, synthetic resins (ABS, polycarbonate, acrylic, and the like), light metals (aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, magnesium, and the like) are used as the exterior material for a portable electronic device due to industrial mass production. Such synthetic resins and light metals constituting the exterior material are oriented to industrial products while appropriate strength is obtained, so that there is no individual difference in appearance. Further, in the synthetic resins and the light metals constituting the exterior material, a flaw and discoloration are generated in long-term use. However, the flaw and the discoloration only impair the worth of the electronic device. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it is thought that one may use wood which is of a natural raw material as the exterior material. Because the wood has various kinds of grain, the wood has the individual difference and individuality. Although the flaw and a change in color shade are generated in the long-term use in the wood, they become the unique feel and texture of the wood to cause users to feel an affinity. 
         [0007]    However, when the wood is three-dimensionally processed for the exterior material, there is a fear for strength of the wood. Specifically in the exterior material made of wood, when the same strength as that of the synthetic resins or the light metals is demanded, since the increase in thickness of the wood is required, the wood is not suitable for the exterior material of the portable electronic device. On the other hand, in the exterior material made of wood, when the same size as that of the exterior material formed of the synthetic resins or the light metals is demanded, the strength is decreased because the thickness is made smaller. Therefore, in the conventional art, there is a technology in which the strength is obtained by compressing the wood as described below. 
         [0008]    Conventionally a method is well known in which the wood softened by absorbing moisture is compressed and held to fix a shape, then is sliced in a compression direction to obtain a plate-shaped primary fixed product, the primary fixed product is formed in a formed product having a predetermined three-dimensional shape while heated and absorbed, and the shape of the formed product is fixed to obtain a secondary fixed product (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 3078452). 
         [0009]    A method, in which a woody material compressed in a state in which the softening treatment is performed is temporarily fixed and then is recovered in a form to perform forming, is conventionally well known as a method of three-dimensionally processing the woody material (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-77619). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problems in the conventional technology. 
         [0011]    A compressed wood product according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wood whose shape is taken while a volume decreased by compression is previously added, wherein a direction intersecting a fiber direction of the wood is set to a compression direction, and the wood is formed by being subjected to compressive force. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view that depicts an electronic device in which a compressed wood product according to a first embodiment is used as an exterior material; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view that depicts shape-taking of a compressed wood product according to the first embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a plan view that depicts shape taking of a compressed wood product according to the first embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A to 4C  are views that depict a compression process in the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  are views that depict a compression process in a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6A to 6C  are views that depict a compression process in a third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7A to 7B  are views that depict a compression process in a fourth embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8A to 8B  are views that depict a compression process in a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Exemplary embodiments of a compressed wood product and an electronic device exterior material relating to the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view that depicts an electronic device in which a compressed wood product according to the first embodiment is used as an exterior material. In  FIG. 1 , a digital camera is shown as an example of the electronic device. The digital camera has a reinforcing frame  11  and an inner mechanism  12  inside an exterior material  10  formed by the compressed wood product. The digital camera also has an imaging lens  13  and a liquid crystal monitor  14  while the imaging lens  13  and the liquid crystal monitor  14  are exposed to the outside of the exterior material  10 . The inner mechanism  12  includes an image pickup device  12   a  such as a CCD, a drive circuit  12   b  which drives the image pickup device  12   a , a drive circuit  12   c  which drives the liquid crystal monitor  14 , a recording device  12   d  for an image recording medium C, and a connection terminal  12   e  connected to an external personal computer. 
         [0022]    The exterior material  10  includes a front cover  10   a  and a rear cover  10   b . A lens hole  10   c  is made in a main plate portion of the front cover  10   a  so that the imaging lens  13  is projected outside of the front cover  10   a . The lens hole  10   c  is made corresponding to an outer shape of a holding portion which holds the imaging lens  13 . For example, when the holding portion has a cylindrical shape, the lens hole  10   c  is made in a circular shape so that the holding portion is projected outside of the front cover  10   a . An aperture  10   d  is provided in a side plate portion of the front cover  10   a  so that the image recording medium C is inserted into or extracted from the aperture  10   d . A rectangular window  10   e  is made in the main plate portion of the rear cover  10   b  so that the liquid crystal monitor  14  is exposed outside of the rear cover  10   b . An aperture  10   f  is provided in the side plate portion of the rear cover  10   b  so that a connection cable connected to the connection terminal  12   e  is inserted into or extracted from the aperture  10   f . In addition, although not shown in the drawings, button holes are provided on the front cover  10   a  and the rear cover  10   b  so that various operation buttons for operating the digital camera are exposed. A cover or the like may be provided in the button hole if needed. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view that depicts shape taking of the compressed wood product according to the first embodiment, and  FIG. 3  is a plan view that depicts shape taking of the compressed wood product according to the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the compressed wood product constituting the exterior material  10  is made by compressing a wood  1 . The shape of the wood  1  is taken from a raw material  100  before the wood  1  is compressed. Examples of the raw material  100  include Japanese cypress (hinoki, hiba), paulownia (kiri), teak, mahogany Japanese cedar, pine, and cherry. The wood  1  is a lump including a main plate portion  1   a  having a predetermined shape (substantially rectangular shape in the first embodiment) and a side plate portion  1   b  provided while vertically rising from a periphery of the main plate portion  1   a . The main plate portion  1   a  forms the main plate portion of the front cover  10   a  or the rear cover  10   b , and the side plate portion  1   b  forms the side plate portion of the front cover  10   a  or the rear cover  10   b . In the wood  1 , the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  are formed so as to be coupled to each other in a curved surface. In the wood  17  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the shape of the main plate portion  1   a  is taken along a fiber direction L of the raw material  100 , and particularly it is preferable that a lengthwise direction of the shape of the main plate portion  1   a  is taken along a fiber direction L. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , there are three modes in which the shape of the wood  1  is taken from the raw material  100 , i.e. a wood  1 - 1 , a wood  1 - 2 , and a wood  1 - 3 . In the wood  1 - 1 , the pieces of grain G exist in a lamellar shape within a plate thickness of the main plate portion  1   a , and the shape of the main plate portion  1   a  is taken while the surface emerging in the thickness direction has a flat-grain surface. In the wood  1 - 2 , the pieces of grain G exist in an obliquely lamellar shape within the plate thickness of the main plate portion  1   a , and the shape of the main plate portion  1   a  is taken while the surface emerging in the thickness direction has an edge-grain surface. In the wood  1 - 3 , the pieces of grain G exist in the lamellar shape in the direction perpendicular to the plate thickness of the main plate portion  1   a , and the shape of the main plate portion  1   a  is taken while the surface emerging in the thickness direction has a straight-grain surface. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a view that depicts a compression process in the first embodiment.  FIG. 4  shows the compression process of the wood  1 - 1  in which the main plate portion  1   a  has the flat-grain surface. The shape of the wood  1 - 1  is taken while a volume decreased by the compression is previously added. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the shape of the main plate portion  1   a  is taken with a thickness W 1  in which the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. The shape of the side plate portion  1   b  is taken with a thickness W 2  and a height T 1  in which the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. The shape of the wood  1 - 1  is taken with a total width H 1 . The thickness W 1  of the main plate portion  1   a  is formed larger than the thickness W 2  of the side plate portion  1   b . A middle portion between the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  is formed in the curve so that the thickness W 1  of the main plate portion  1   a  is gradually changed to the thickness W 2  of the side plate portion  1   b . The side plate portion  1   b  is formed so as to rise obliquely outward from the main plate portion  1   a . In the wood  1 - 1 ,  FIG. 4  shows the shape of either the front cover  10   a  or the rear cover  10   b  in the exterior material  10  formed of the compressed wood product. The drawing and the description of the shape of the other are neglected because the shapes of the front cover  10   a  and the rear cover  10   b  are similar to each other. 
         [0026]    The wood  1 - 1  is compressed between a lower mold frame A and an upper mold frame B. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the lower mold frame A has a concave surface corresponding to a curved outside surface (lower surface in  FIG. 4 ) in which the side plate portion  1   b  rises from the main plate portion  1   a  of the wood  1 - 1 . The concave surface of the lower mold frame A has the shape to which the outside surface of the wood  1 - 1  is fitted. The radius of curvature of a curved surface RO at the outside surface of the wood  1 - 1  and the radius of curvature of a curved surface RA at the lower mold frame A which is opposite to the curved surface RO have a correlation of RO&gt;RA. On the other hand, the upper mold frame B has a convex surface corresponding to a curved inside surface (upper surface in  FIG. 4 ) in which the side plate portion  1   b  rises from the main plate portion  1   a  of the wood  1 - 1 . The convex surface of the upper mold frame B has the shape to which the inside surface of the wood  1 - 1  is fitted. The radius of curvature of a curved surface RI at the inside surface of the wood  1 - 1  and the radius of curvature of a curved surface RB at the upper mold frame B which is opposite to the curved surface RI have the correlation of RI&gt;RB. After the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B are combined, i.e. after the wood  1 - 1  is compressed, a space formed between the concave surface of the lower mold frame A and the convex surface of the upper mold frame B has the shape of post-compression of the wood  1 - 1  (see  FIG. 4B ). 
         [0027]    With reference to the wood  1 - 1  and the lower and upper mold frames A and B having the above-described configurations, first the wood  1 - 1  is placed in a water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure as shown in  FIG. 4A . When the wood  1 - 1  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time, the wood  1 - 1  is softened by excessively absorbing moisture. In the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure, the wood  1 - 1  is arranged between the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B and on the concave surface of the lower mold frame A. At this point, in the wood  1 - 1 , since the main plate portion  1   a  has the flat-grain surface, the direction M in which the pieces of grain G are laminated exists in the vertical direction of  FIG. 4 , and the fiber direction L is along a depth direction of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0028]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the wood  1 - 1  is compressed by bringing the upper mold frame B close to the lower mold frame A. Namely the convex surface of the upper mold frame B is fitted into the concave surface of the lower mold frame A. In the wood  1 - 1  sandwiched between the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B, compressive force is applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the thickness W 1  direction (grain-G laminated direction M), and the compressive force is also applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Further, in the wood  1 - 1 , the compressive force is applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the thickness W 2  direction (direction along the grain G) and in the height T 1  direction (grain-G laminated direction), and the compressive force is also applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Further, in the wood  1 - 1 , the compressive force is applied to a curved portion  1   c  which couples the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  in the grain-G laminated direction M and in the direction along the grain G, and the compressive force is also applied to the curved portion  1   c  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Specifically, the curved portion  1   c  is formed so that the side plate portion  1   b  rises obliquely outward, and the radii of curvature of the lower and upper mold frames A and B have the relationship described above. Therefore, the compressive force is applied upward to the outside surface of the curved portion  1   c , and the compressive force is applied downward to the inside surface. Then, the wood  1 - 1  is left for a predetermined time while the compressive force is applied to the wood  1 - 1 . 
         [0029]    Finally, after the wood  1 - 1  is left for the predetermined time, the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure is released, the upper mold frame B is separated from the lower mold frame A, and the compressed wood  1 - 1  is taken out as shown in  FIG. 4C . In the compressed wood  1 - 1  taken out from between the lower and upper mold frames A and B, the wood  1 - 1  is compressed to substantially even thicknesses W 1 ′ and W 2 ′ at the main plated portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , respectively. In the compressed wood  1 - 1 , the side plate portion  1   b  is compressed to a height T 1 ′. In the compressed wood  1 - 1 , the curved portion  1   c  which couples the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  is compressed so that the pieces of grain G are deformed in the oblique direction. The compressed wood  1 - 1  is slightly compressed to a width H 1 ′. 
         [0030]    Thus, in the wood  1 - 1  compressed in the first embodiment, since the compressive force is applied in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L, the fiber density is increased, which imparts high strength to the overall wood  1 - 1 . In the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , since the compressive force is applied in the grain-G laminated direction M, the density of the hard fibers of the grain G is increased which imparts the high strength to the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b . In the curved portion  1   c  which couples the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , since the compressive force is applied obliquely, the grain G is deformed in the oblique direction to increase the fiber density, which imparts the high strength to the curved portion  1   c . The lengthwise direction of the shape of the wood  1 - 1  is taken along the fiber direction L, which imparts the strength in the lengthwise direction in which the strength is lower. As a result, the strength of the compressed wood product (electronic device exterior material) can be improved by the three-dimensional compression. 
       SECOND EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    In a second embodiment described below, the descriptions similar to the contents described in  FIGS. 1 to 3  in the first embodiment are neglected. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a view that depicts a compression process in the second embodiment.  FIG. 5  shows the compression process of the wood  1 - 2  in which the main plate portion  1   a  has the edge-grain surface. The shape of the wood  1 - 2  is taken while the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the shape of the main plate portion  1   a  is taken with a thickness W 3  in which the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. The shape of the side plate portion  1   b  is taken with a thickness W 4  and a height T 2  in which the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. The shape of the wood  1 - 2  is taken with a total width H 2 . The thickness W 3  of the main plate portion  1   a  is formed larger than the thickness W 4  of the side plate portion  1   b . The middle portion between the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  is formed in the curve so that the thickness W 3  of the main plate portion  1   a  is gradually changed to the thickness W 4  of the side plate portion  1   b . The side plate portion  1   b  is formed so as to rise obliquely outward from the main plate portion  1   a . In the wood  1 - 2 ,  FIG. 5  shows the shape of either the front cover  10   a  or the rear cover  10   b  in the exterior material  10  formed of the compressed wood product. The drawing and the description of the shape of the other are neglected because the shapes of the front cover  10   a  and the rear cover  10   b  are similar to each other. 
         [0033]    The wood  1 - 2  is compressed between the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B. As shown in  FIG. 5A , the lower mold frame A has the concave surface corresponding to the curved outside surface (lower surface in  FIG. 5 ) in which the side plate portion  1   b  rises from the main plate portion  1   a  of the wood  1 - 2 . The concave surface of the lower mold frame A has the shape to which the outside surface of the wood  1 - 2  is fitted. The radius of curvature of the curved surface RO at the outside surface of the wood  1 - 2  and the radius of curvature of the curved surface RA at the lower mold frame A which is opposite to the curved surface RO have the correlation of RO&gt;RA. On the other hand, the upper mold frame B has the convex surface corresponding to the curved inside surface (upper surface in  FIG. 5 ) in which the side plate portion  1   b  rises from the main plate portion  1   a  of the wood  1 - 2 . The convex surface of the upper mold frame B has the shape to which the inside surface of the wood  1 - 2  is fitted. The radius of curvature of the curved surface RI at the inside surface of the wood  1 - 2  and the radius of curvature of the curved surface RB at the upper mold frame B which is opposite to the curved surface RI have the correlation of RI&gt;RB. After the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B are combined, i.e. after the wood  1 - 2  is compressed, the space formed between the concave surface of the lower mold frame A and the convex surface of the upper mold frame B has the shape of post-compression of the wood  1 - 2  (see  FIG. 5B ). 
         [0034]    With reference to the wood  1 - 2  and the lower and upper mold frames A and B having the above-described configuration, first the wood  1 - 2  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure as shown in  FIG. 5A . When the wood  1 - 2  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time, the wood  1 - 2  is softened by excessively absorbing the moisture. In the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure, the wood  1 - 2  is arranged between the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B and on the concave surface of the lower mold frame A. At this point in the wood  1 - 2 , since the main plate portion  1   a  has the edge-grain surface, the grain-G laminated direction M exists in the oblique direction of  FIG. 5 , and the fiber direction L is along the depth direction of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0035]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 5B , the wood  1 - 2  is compressed by bringing the upper mold frame B close to the lower mold frame A. Namely, the convex surface of the upper mold frame B is fitted into the concave surface of the lower mold frame A. In the wood  1 - 2  sandwiched between the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B, the compressive force is applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the thickness W 3  direction (substantial grain-G laminated direction M), and the compressive force is also applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Further, in the wood  1 - 2 , the compressive force is applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the thickness W 4  direction (substantially grain-G laminated direction M) and in the height T 2  direction (direction substantially along the grain G), and the compressive force is also applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Further, in the wood  1 - 2 , the compressive force is applied to one curved portion  1   c  (left side in  FIG. 5 ) which couples the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  in the grain-G laminated direction M, and the compressive force is also applied to the other curved portion  1   c  (right side in  FIG. 5 ) in the direction along the grain G and in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Specifically the curved portion  1   c  is formed so that the side plate portion  1   b  rises obliquely outward, and the radii of curvature of the lower and upper mold frames A and B have the relationship described above. Therefore, the compressive force is applied upward to the outside surface of the curved portion  1   c , and the compressive force is applied downward to the inside surface. Then, the wood  1 - 2  is left for a predetermined time while the compressive force is applied to the wood  1 - 2 . 
         [0036]    Finally, after the wood  1 - 2  is left for the predetermined time, the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure is released, the upper mold frame B is separated from the lower mold frame A, and the compressed wood  1 - 2  is taken out as shown in  FIG. 5C . In the compressed wood  1 - 2  which is taken out, the wood  1 - 2  is compressed to substantially even thicknesses W 3 ′ and W 4 ′ at the main plated portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , respectively. In the compressed wood  1 - 2 , the side plate portion  1   b  is compressed to a height T 2 ′. In the curved portions  1   c  of the compressed wood  1 - 2 , which couple the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , one curved portion  1   c  (left side in  FIG. 5 ) is compressed so that the pieces of grain G are laminated, and the other curved portion  1   c  (right side in  FIG. 5 ) is compressed so that the pieces of grain G are curved and deformed. The compressed wood  1 - 2  is slightly compressed to a width H 2 ′. 
         [0037]    Thus, in the wood  1 - 2  compressed in the second embodiment, since the compressive force is applied in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L, the fiber density is increased, which imparts the high strength to the overall wood  1 - 2 . In the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , since the compressive force is applied in the grain-G laminated direction M, the density of the hard fibers of the grain G is increased, which imparts the high strength to the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b . In the curved portions  1   c  which couple the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , since the compressive force is applied to one curved portion  1   c  (left side in  FIG. 5 ) in the grain-C laminated direction M, the fiber density is increased, which imparts the high strength. Further, since the other curved portion  1   c  (right side in  FIG. 5 ) is compressed so that the pieces of the grain G are curved and deformed, the fiber density is increased, which imparts the high strength. The lengthwise direction of the shape of the wood  1 - 2  is taken along the fiber direction L, which imparts the strength in the lengthwise direction in which the strength is lower. As a result, the strengths of the compressed wood product and the electronic device exterior material can be improved by the three-dimensional compression. 
         [0038]    In the second embodiment, the woods  1 - 2  is applied, the shape of which is taken while main plate portion  1   a  thereof has the edge-grain surface. Therefore, since the grain G (fiber) emerges in higher density in the main plate portion  1   a  when compared with the first embodiment, the perspiration absorption characteristics are improved when the wood  1 - 2  comes into contact with a human hand to cause portability to be improved, and the grain G becomes a slip resistance. Further, the appearance of the wood is further improved because the grain G emerges in higher density in the main plate portion  1   a  when compared with the first embodiment. 
       THIRD EMBODIMENT 
       [0039]    In a third embodiment described below, the descriptions similar to the contents described in  FIGS. 1 to 3  in the first embodiment are neglected. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a view that depicts a compression process in the third embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows the compression process of the wood  1 - 3  in which the main plate portion  1   a  has the straight-grain surface. The shape of the wood  1 - 3  is taken while the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the shape of the main plate portion  1   a  is taken with a thickness W 5  in which the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. The shape of the side plate portion  1   b  is taken with a thickness W 6  and a height T 3  in which the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. The shape of the wood  1 - 3  is taken with a total width H 3 . The thickness W 5  of the main plate portion  1   a  is formed larger than the thickness W 6  of the side plate portion  1   b . The middle portion between the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  is formed in the curve so that the thickness W 5  of the main plate portion  1   a  is gradually changed to the thickness W 6  of the side plate portion  1   b . The side plate portion  1   b  is formed so as to rise obliquely outward from the main plate portion  1   a . In the wood  1 - 3 ,  FIG. 6  shows the shape of either the front cover  1   a  or the rear cover  10   b  in the exterior material  10  formed of the compressed wood product. The drawing and the description of the shape of the other are neglected because the shapes of the front cover  10   a  and the rear cover  10   b  are similar to each other. 
         [0041]    The wood  1 - 3  is compressed between the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the lower mold frame A has the concave surface corresponding to the curved outside surface (lower surface in  FIG. 6 ) in which the side plate portion  1   b  rises from the main plate portion  1   a  of the wood  1 - 3 . The concave surface of the lower mold frame A has the shape to which the outside surface of the wood  1 - 3  is fitted. The radius of curvature of the curved surface RO at the outside surface of the wood  1 - 3  and the radius of curvature of the curved surface RA at the lower mold frame A which is opposite to the curved surface RO have the correlation of RO&gt;RA. On the other hand, the upper mold frame B has the convex surface corresponding to the curved inside surface (upper surface in  FIG. 6 ) in which the side plate portion  1   b  rises from the main plate portion  1   a  of the wood  1 - 3 . The convex surface of the upper mold frame B has the shape to which the inside surface of the wood  1 - 3  is fitted. The radius of curvature of the curved surface RI at the inside surface of the wood  1 - 3  and the radius of curvature of the curved surface RB at the upper mold frame B which is opposite to the curved surface RI have the correlation of RI&gt;RB. After the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B are combined, i.e. after the wood  1 - 3  is compressed, the space formed between the concave surface of the lower mold frame A and the convex surface of the upper mold frame B has the shape of post-compression of the wood  1 - 3  (see  FIG. 6B ). 
         [0042]    With reference to the wood  1 - 3  and the lower and upper mold frames A and B having the above-described configuration, first the wood  1 - 3  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure as shown in  FIG. 6A . When the wood  1 - 3  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time, the wood  1 - 3  is softened by excessively absorbing the moisture. In the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure, the wood  1 - 3  is arranged between the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B and on the concave surface of the lower mold frame A. At this point, in the wood  1 - 3 , since the main plate portion  1   a  has the straight-grain surface, the grain-G laminated direction M exists in the horizontal direction of  FIG. 6 , and the fiber direction L is along the depth direction of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0043]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 6B , the wood  1 - 3  is compressed by bringing the upper mold frame B close to the lower mold frame A. Namely the convex surface of the upper mold frame B is fitted into the concave surface of the lower mold frame A. In the wood  1 - 3  sandwiched between the lower mold frame A and the upper mold frame B, the compressive force is applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the thickness W 5  direction (direction along the grain G), and the compressive force is also applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Further, in the wood  1 - 3 , the compressive force is applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the thickness W 6  direction (grain-G laminated direction M) and the height T 3  direction (direction along the grain G), and the compressive force is also applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Further, in the wood  1 - 3 , the compressive force is applied to the curved portion  1   c  which couples the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  in the grain-G laminated direction M and the direction along the grain G, and the compressive force is also applied to the curved portion  1   c  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Specifically the curved portion  1   c  is formed so that the side plate portion  1   b  rises obliquely outward, and the radii of curvature of the lower and upper mold frames A and B have the relationship described above. Therefore, the compressive force is applied upward to the outside surface of the curved portion  1   c , and the compressive force is applied downward to the inside surface. Then, the wood  1 - 3  is left for a predetermined time while the compressive force is applied to the wood  1 - 3 . 
         [0044]    Finally, after the wood  1 - 3  is left for the predetermined time, the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure is released, the upper mold frame B is separated from the lower mold frame A, and the compressed wood  1 - 3  is taken out as shown in  FIG. 6C . In the compressed wood  1 - 3  taken out, the wood  1 - 3  is compressed to substantially even thicknesses W 5 ′ and W 6 ′ at the main plated portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , respectively. In the compressed wood  1 - 3 , the side plate portion  1   b  is compressed to a height T 3 ′. In the compressed wood  1 - 3 , the curved portion  1   c  which couples the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  is compressed so that the pieces of grain G are laminated. The compressed wood  1 - 3  is slightly compressed to a width H 3 ′. 
         [0045]    Thus, in the wood  1 - 3  compressed in the third embodiment, since the compressive force is applied in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L, the fiber density is increased, which imparts the high strength to the overall wood  1 - 3 . Since the main plate portion  1   a  is compressed while the pieces of grain are curved and deformed, the pieces of fiber are bundled to increase the fiber density, which imparts the high strength to the main plate portion  1   a . In the side plate portion  1   b , since the compressive force is applied in the grain-G laminated direction M, the density of the hard fibers of the grain G is increased, which imparts the high strength to the side plate portion  1   b . In the curved portion  1   c  which couples the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , since the compressive force is applied in the grain-G laminated direction M, the fiber density is increased, which imparts the high strength. The lengthwise direction of the shape of the wood  1 - 3  is taken along the fiber direction L, which imparts the strength in the lengthwise direction in which the strength is lower. As a result, the strength of the compressed wood product and the electronic device exterior material can be improved by the three-dimensional compression. 
         [0046]    In the third embodiment, the woods  1 - 3  is applied, the shape of which is taken while the main plate portion  1   a  thereof has the straight-grain surface. Therefore, since the grain G (fiber) emerges in higher density in the main plate portion  1   a  when compared with the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the perspiration absorption characteristics are improved when the wood  1 - 3  comes into contact with the human hand to cause portability to be improved, and the grain G becomes the slip resistance. Further, the appearance of the wood is further improved because the grain G emerges in higher density in the main plate portion  1   a  when compared with the first embodiment or the second embodiment. 
       FOURTH EMBODIMENT 
       [0047]    In a fourth embodiment described below, the descriptions similar to the contents described in  FIGS. 1 to 3  in the first embodiment are neglected. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  is a view that depicts a compression process in the fourth embodiment.  FIG. 7  shows the compression process of the wood  1 - 3  in which the main plate portion  1   a  has the straight-grain surface. The shape of the wood  1 - 3  is taken while the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the shape of the side plate portion  1   b  is taken with a thickness W 8  in which the volume decreased by the compression is previously added, and the side plate portion  1   b  has a height T 4  substantially equal to that of the post-compression. The main plate portion  1   a  has a thickness W 7  substantially equal to the post-compression, and the shape of the wood  1 - 3  is taken with a width H 4  in which the volume totally decreased by the compression is previously added. The thickness W 8  of the side plate portion  1   b  is formed larger than the thickness W 7  of the main plate portion  1   a . The middle portion between the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  is formed in the curve so that the thickness W 8  of the side plate portion  1   b  is gradually changed to the thickness W 7  of the main plate portion  1   a . In the wood  1 - 3 ,  FIG. 7  shows the shape of either the front cover  10   a  or the rear cover  10   b  in the exterior material  10  formed of the compressed wood product. The drawing and the description of the shape of the other are neglected because the shapes of the front cover  10   a  and the rear cover  10   b  are similar to each other. 
         [0049]    With reference to the wood  1 - 3  having the above-described configuration, first the wood  1 - 3  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure as shown in  FIG. 7A . When the wood  1 - 3  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time, the wood  1 - 3  is softened by excessively absorbing the moisture. At this point, in the wood  1 - 3 , since the main plate portion  1   a  has the straight-grain surface, the grain-G laminated direction M exists in the horizontal direction of  FIG. 7 , and the fiber direction L is along the depth direction of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0050]    Then, the wood  1 - 3  is compressed. At this point, the compression direction is an arrow P direction shown in  FIG. 7B . Therefore, in the wood  1 - 3 , the compressive force is applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the width H 4  direction (grain-G laminated direction M), and the compressive force is also applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Further, in the wood  1 - 3 , the compressive force is applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the thickness W 8  direction (grain-G laminated direction M), and the compressive force is also applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Then, the wood  1 - 3  is left for a predetermined time while the compressive force is applied to the wood  1 - 3 . 
         [0051]    Finally, after the wood  1 - 3  is left for the predetermined time, the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure is released, and the compressed wood  1 - 3  is taken out. In the compressed wood  1 - 3  taken out, the wood  1 - 3  is compressed to substantially even thicknesses W 7 ′ and W 8 ′ at the main plated portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , respectively. In the compressed wood  1 - 3 , the side plate portion  1   b  is compressed to a height T 4 ′ substantially equal to the height T 4  in the pre-compression. The compressed wood  1 - 3  is compressed to a width H 4 ′. 
         [0052]    Thus, in the wood  1 - 3  compressed in the fourth embodiment, since the compressive force is applied in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L, the fiber density is increased, which imparts the high strength to the overall wood  1 - 3 . Since the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  are compressed in the grain-G laminated direction M, the density of the hard fibers of the grain G is increased, which imparts the high strength to the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b . The lengthwise direction of the shape of the wood  1 - 3  is taken along the fiber direction L, which imparts the strength in the lengthwise direction in which the strength is lower. As a result, the strength of the compressed wood product and the electronic device exterior material can be improved by the three-dimensional compression. 
         [0053]    In the fourth embodiment, the wood  1 - 3  is applied, the shape of which is taken while the main plate portion  1   a  thereof has the straight-grain surface. Therefore, since the grain G (fiber) emerges in higher density in the main plate portion  1   a  when compared with the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the perspiration absorption characteristics are improved when the wood  1 - 3  comes into contact with the human hand to cause portability to be improved, and the grain G becomes the slip resistance. Further, the appearance of the wood is further improved because the grain G emerges in higher density in the main plate portion  1   a  when compared with the first embodiment or the second embodiment. 
       FIFTH EMBODIMENT 
       [0054]    In a fifth embodiment described below, the descriptions similar to the contents described in  FIGS. 1 to 3  in the first embodiment are neglected. 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  is a view that depicts a compression process in the fifth embodiment.  FIG. 8  shows the compression process of the wood  1 - 2  in which the main plate portion  1   a  has the edge-grain surface. The shape of the wood  1 - 2  is taken while the volume decreased by the compression is previously added. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 8A , the shape of the side plate portion  1   b  is taken with a thickness W 10  in which the volume decreased by the compression is previously added, and the side plate portion  1   b  has a height T 5  substantially equal to that of the post-compression. The main plate portion  1   a  has a thickness W 9  substantially equal to the post-compression, and the shape of the wood  1 - 2  is taken with a width H 5  in which the volume totally decreased by the compression is previously added. The thickness W 10  of the side plate portion  1   b  is formed larger than the thickness W 9  of the main plate portion  1   a . The middle portion between the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  is formed in the curve so that the thickness W 10  of the side plate portion  1   b  is gradually changed to the thickness W 9  of the main plate portion  1   a . In the wood  1 - 2 ,  FIG. 8  shows the shape of either the front cover  10   a  or the rear cover  10   b  in the exterior material  10  formed of the compressed wood product. The drawing and the description of the shape of the other are neglected because the shapes of the front cover  10   a  and the rear cover  10   b  are similar to each other. 
         [0056]    With reference to the wood  1 - 2  having the above-described configuration, first the wood  1 - 2  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure as shown in  FIG. 8A . When the wood  1 - 2  is placed in the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time, the wood  1 - 2  is softened by excessively absorbing the moisture. At this point, in the wood  1 - 2 , since the main plate portion  1   a  has the edge-grain surface, the grain-G laminated direction M exists in the oblique direction of  FIG. 8 , and the fiber direction L is along the depth direction of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0057]    Then, the wood  1 - 2  is compressed. At this point, the compression direction is the arrow P direction shown in  FIG. 8B . Therefore, in the wood  1 - 2 , the compressive force is applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the width H 5  direction (substantial grain-G laminated direction), and the compressive force is also applied to the main plate portion  1   a  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Further, in the wood  1 - 2 , the compressive force is applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the thickness W 10  direction (substantial grain-G laminated direction M), and the compressive force is also applied to the side plate portion  1   b  in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L. Then, the wood  1 - 2  is left for a predetermined time while the compressive force is applied to the wood  1 - 2 . 
         [0058]    Finally, after the wood  1 - 2  is left for the predetermined time, the water vapor atmosphere at high temperature and high pressure is released, and the compressed wood  1 - 2  is taken out. In the compressed wood  1 - 2  taken out, the wood  1 - 2  is compressed to substantially even thicknesses W 9 ′ and W 10 ′ at the main plated portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b , respectively. In the compressed wood  1 - 2 , the side plate portion  1   b  is compressed to a height T 5 ′ substantially equal to the height T 5  in the pre-compression. The compressed wood  1 - 2  is compressed to a width H 5 ′. 
         [0059]    Thus, in the wood  1 - 2  compressed in the fifth embodiment, since the compressive force is applied in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L, the fiber density is increased, which imparts the high strength to the overall wood  1 - 2 . Since the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b  are compressed in the grain-G laminated direction M, the density of the hard fibers of the grain G is increased, which imparts the high strength to the main plate portion  1   a  and the side plate portion  1   b . The lengthwise direction of the shape of the wood  1 - 2  is taken along the fiber direction L, which imparts the strength in the lengthwise direction in which the strength is lower. As a result, the strength of the compressed wood product and the electronic device exterior material can be improved by the three-dimensional compression. 
         [0060]    In the fifth embodiment, the wood  1 - 2  is applied, the shape of which is taken while the main plate portion  1   a  has the edge grain surface. Therefore, since the grain G (fiber) emerges in higher density in the main plate portion when compared with the first embodiment, the perspiration absorption characteristics are improved when the wood  1 - 2  comes into contact with the human hand to cause portability to be improved, and the grain G becomes the slip resistance. Further, the appearance of the wood is further improved because the grain G emerges in higher density in the main plate portion  1   a  when compared with the first embodiment. 
         [0061]    It is possible to burn the surface of the wood  1  (compressed wood product) obtained by the compression in the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment. Depressions and projections are generated in the grain G portion by burning the surface of the wood  1 , which results in effects of the perspiration absorption characteristics and the slip resistance from the beginning of use. Further, a carbonized layer obtained by burning the surface of the wood  1  becomes a conductive material, and the carbonized layer becomes an electromagnetic shielding material which is far lighter than metal, so that the wood  1  obtained by the compression in the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment can be used effectively as the electronic device exterior material. 
         [0062]    In the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment, the compressed wood product having the structure in which the side plate portion  1   b  rises from the main plate portion  1   a  is described as an example. However, the invention is not limited to the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment. As described above, the invention can be applied to any shape of goods, e.g. tableware, as long as the strength is obtained by applying the compressive force in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the fiber direction L of the wood  1 . For the electronic device exterior material, the invention is not limited to the digital camera, but the invention can be applied to the portable electronic device such as a camera, a mobile communication device (mainly cellular phone), an IC recorder, a PDA, a portable television, a portable radio, and a remote control for various home appliances. 
         [0063]    It is known that the strength of the wood is varied depending on the compression direction with respect to the wood. Namely, sometimes there is a fear that the wood is broken by the compression. Particularly, when the wood is three-dimensionally processed, it is necessary to take the compression direction with respect to the wood into consideration. In the conventional arts described above, the wood is first compressed in a certain compression direction, and then the wood is compressed (pressed) in the direction different from the previous compression direction, so that there is a possibility that the wood is broken. 
         [0064]    However, in the embodiments explained above, the compressed wood product and the electronic device exterior material according to the present invention are suitable for the improvement of the strength of the wood by previously considering the compression direction with respect to the wood to take the shape of the wood and performing the compression forming. 
         [0065]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.