Patent Publication Number: US-2010119857-A1

Title: Manufactured wood product and methods for producing the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/354,706, filed Jan. 15, 2009, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/235,511, filed Sep. 22, 2008, currently pending, which claims the benefit and priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200810149352.8, filed Sep. 19, 2008, currently pending. The contents of all of the above-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates to manufactured wood products and methods for using wood material such as byproduct, scrap, processed, discarded wood pieces, and/or other wood material considered generally undesirable or unsuitable for construction and building use. 
     In recent years, widespread deforestation and unrestrained logging as well as increased demand for wood use has not only reduced the availability of natural wood but also adversely affected the environment. As the demands of construction, building, etc. grow, it is expected that the supply of natural wood will continue to decrease. 
     This scarcity of natural wood will be felt most keenly in those industries that produce wood products designed for outer surface use where the natural look and texture of a wood grain is the principal appeal of the wood product. For example, in the flooring industry specific species of hardwood are generally more popular and preferred over other species due to a particular wood&#39;s natural hardness, density, and, more importantly, distinctive attractive visual appeal. For flooring, preferred hardwoods include maple, red oak, and hickory. Unfortunately, the visual attractiveness of these species has the added effect of increasing demand and depleting the availability of natural raw timber sources sufficient to meet this growing demand. 
     In addition, a great deal of unused, undesirable, scrap, and/or waste wood material results from the processing of raw lumber into wood products. For example, in the flooring industry, a typical floor board preparation event involves harvesting a large block of raw lumber and slicing the block lengthwise to produce a few hundred pieces of veneer for processing into floor boards. As part of this preparation, it is not uncommon to generate significant amounts of byproduct wood pieces that are considered unusable as flooring material. 
     Common reasons for generating this byproduct wood material include removal of natural defects such as knots or piths from the lumber by cutting wood pieces from the lumber block; a need to create a smooth flat surface on the lumber block for cutting veneers; or removing a visually unappealing section on the lumber block. This material can be generated at multiple steps during the preparation process, for example, byproduct material is produced while sawmilling logs into rough sawn timbers and further cutting the rough sawn timbers into useable sizes for application. The end result of such wood preparation processes is the production of byproduct wood pieces from highly desirable wood species that are generally never used for any other wood product. Rather, this type of wood material is often discarded and/or burned because any further processing is expensive and economically infeasible. Accordingly, there is a need for a cost effective and efficient method of using natural byproduct wood material, scrap, and/or waste wood pieces to produce a high quality manufactured wood product that provides the visually appealing appearance of natural wood grain as well as natural wood properties. 
     In the past, the industry has attempted to address this problem by using byproduct wood material such as waste wood or scrap wood to form particle or pressed boards. Particle boards are made by pressing and extruding a mixture of wood chips, wood shavings, or saw dust and an adhesive resin or binder. Because this manufacturing process does not result in a product that looks like real wood, particle boards are typically covered with a wood veneer or painted to have the appearance of natural wood grain. Many methods have been explored, such as the one disclosed in United States Patent Application No. 2002/0179182, to artificially create the look of real wood grain. However, painting and applying an artificial wood grain veneer can become expensive and adds a disincentive for utilizing byproduct wood material in the wood processing industry where it is already too common to burn rather than recycle scrap or waste wood. Accordingly, there is a great need in the wood processing industry for a method of using byproduct wood material to manufacture a wood product that has the appearance of natural wood grain and further provides structural properties similar to that of natural wood. 
     In addition to using natural byproduct wood material, there is also a need for a method for producing a manufactured wood product using less desirable wood species. Due to the diminishing supplies of popular wood species, focus has now turned to fast regenerating and renewable species that have not been used for construction or building in the past. Such species include the Australian Eucalyptus blue gum, which can be harvested as early as every 10 years. However, blue gum tends to be difficult to work with due to the twisted orientation of its wood grain. Blue gum&#39;s wood grain makes it expensive to use the wood for any purpose other than as pulp wood, wood chips, or burning wood. Currently, almost all blue gum is used as pulpwood. In contrast, popular wood species such as the American Chestnut lends itself more easily to multipurpose use for poles, furniture, interior woodwork, and veneer panels. Thus, there is a need for a method for producing manufactured wood product from less desirable wood species where the manufactured wood product has a natural wood grain look and natural wood properties. 
     In addition to using natural raw wood material, there is also a need for a method for producing a manufactured wood product by using recycled wood material. As the natural supply of raw timber decreases, it will become necessary to recycle and reuse wood pieces that may have had one or more former lives serving as, for example, a board, beam, panel, floor board, etc. in a building. Recycled wood material can come from the demolition of a structure where the wood pieces were once used in the structure but are now left as rubble. In addition to the benefits of wood reuse and recycling, recycled wood pieces also provide a good resource for generating new wood products because this material generally has a longer length than wood material resulting from current wood preparation processes. This is in large part because the forests of previous decades and generations provided taller and wider trees and, therefore, longer raw lumber blocks than the trees available in forests today. Therefore, advantageously, recycled wood pieces may provide a greater starting length for use in producing a manufactured wood product. A greater starting length is particularly important for manufacturing panels where the current industry norm requires a minimum length of about 900 mm (3 feet) to about 1830 mm (6 feet). Recycled wood pieces generally will have this minimum desired length. 
     In addition, preference for longer boards also comes from an “aesthetic” view. For example, in the wood flooring industry, longer starting wood material results in longer floor boards where the longer boards create less joins in the floor. Fewer joins, in turn, minimize the interruptions in the flooring pattern and provides the aesthetically desirable appearance of a smoothly connected floor. 
     Furthermore, using starting material with a longer length also allows for quicker installation of wood board products. Generally, the longer the wood board product then the fewer wood board products needed for a target cover area. This, in turn, reduces the installation time and labor costs because there are fewer boards to install. 
     Furthermore, there is also a need for a method of producing a manufactured wood product from an assortment or mixture of wood species. For example, because lumber processing locations do not generally segregate byproduct wood materials by species, it is often the case that available supplies of wood materials are mixtures of two or more types of wood. As the natural characteristics of wood can vary greatly from species to species, there can be marked differences between each species&#39; strength, hardness, density, moisture absorptiveness, elasticity, etc. Therefore, there is also a need for a method for producing a visually appealing manufactured wood product that can incorporate a mixture of wood species, while still providing a wood product that exhibits natural wood properties. 
     Another subject of this disclosure is to provide a manufactured wood product that is manufactured according to the methods described. 
     SUMMARY 
     Overcoming many if not all the limitations of the prior art, the present embodiments provide for a method of making a manufactured wood product comprising partially separating a elongated strip generally along a wood grain into a plurality of elongate sections having alternating step sections where the sections are fibrously connected; applying an adhesive to said elongated strip having elongate sections to form an adhesive strip; and pressing a plurality of said adhesive strips disposed lengthwise in a mold wherein each strip is substantially the same length and this length is substantially equal to the length of the interior of the mold. 
     In some embodiments, the pressing step further comprises heating the mold after pressurization at a temperature sufficient to substantially cure the adhesive. In some embodiments, the heating is done at a temperature between about 75° C. to 175° C. In other embodiments, the pressing occurs at a pressure from about 10 MPa to 100 MPa. 
     In further embodiments, the method further comprises drying the elongate sections before applying an adhesive to the elongate sections. In other embodiments, the elongate sections are air dried in ambient temperature in order to achieve a target moisture content in the strips. In some embodiments, the elongated sections may be air dried in ambient temperature for about 1-48 hours. In some embodiments the elongated sections are dried in an oven at a temperature from about 45° C. to about 65° C. for about 12-24 hours. In further embodiments, the elongated sections are dried to reduce the moisture content of the elongated strips to about 15% water by weight. In other embodiments, applying an adhesive further comprises dipping the elongated strip lengthwise into an adhesive solution comprising phenol, formaldehyde, water, and sodium hydroxide. 
     In addition, the discussion herein also provides for a manufactured wood product prepared by the process described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but are not intended to be limiting. The drawings contain the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a process chart illustrating a series of steps for one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts waste wood from a flooring preparation plant. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic of one embodiment of the present invention for cutting a wood piece into elongated strips and then partially separating the elongated strips into a plurality of elongate sections. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a perspective view of the wood piece of  FIGS. 2A-B  that has been cut into elongated strips and partially separated into a plurality of elongate sections. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a cross-sectional view of one end of an elongated strip having a plurality of elongate sections from  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  depicts a perspective view of the wood piece of  FIG. 3A  where three of the elongate sections are pulled apart to show the fibrous connectivity between the elongated sections. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary crushing machine capable of partially separating the elongated strips into a plurality of elongate sections. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates three pairs of rollers present on the crushing machine depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates the second pair of rollers on the crushing machine depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates the junction between the third and fourth rollers on the crushing machine of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6C  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 6D  depicts one embodiment of the present invention where partially separating the elongated strip into a plurality of elongate sections is done by the crushing machine of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a mold for the cold press step for one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the mold shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic of a mold with clamp for an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a manufactured wood block produced by one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a cross-sectional view of the wood block in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12A  depicts a top view of a section of a wood board cut from the manufactured wood block in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12B  depicts the side view of one end of the wood board in  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 13  is a drawing showing a top view of a manufactured wood floor board. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic showing a top surface of a manufactured wood product. 
         FIG. 15  depicts the junction between a pair of rollers capable of partially separating an elongate strip. 
         FIG. 16  depicts elongated sections with alternating step sections. 
         FIG. 17  depicts an exemplary pair of rollers capable of partially separating an elongate strip. 
         FIG. 18  depicts another exemplary pair of rollers capable of partially separating an elongate strip. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion describes in detail several embodiments of manufactured wood products and various aspects of these embodiments. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the present inventions to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments including those that can be made through various combinations of the aspects of the illustrated embodiments. 
     The term “manufactured wood product,” as used herein, is a broad term used in its ordinary sense, which may include any type of man-made or machine-made wood item, such as, for example, engineered wood boards, wood-containing composite boards, fiberboards, oriented strand boards, particle boards, or any other similar pieces that contains wood matter. 
     The term “byproduct” refers to any wood material resulting from processing raw timber. This includes, for example, wood pieces resulting from debarking, trimming, sawmilling, shaving, cutting, slicing, and/or otherwise preparing raw timber from trees into wood products. 
     Turning now to the drawings provided herein, a more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is provided below. 
       FIG. 1  shows a process chart illustrating a series of steps for one embodiment of a method for producing a manufactured wood product. In Step A  10 , wood material such as byproduct wood pieces, recycled wood, waste wood, and/or scrap wood is selected and/or gathered for producing a manufactured wood product. Preferably, the wood pieces have a minimum length from about 450 mm, a minimum width from about 3 cm, and a minimum thickness from about 1 mm. Preferably, the wood material comprises wood sheets having a thickness about 3 mm, a width between about 3 cm to about 5 cm, and a length of at least about 450 mm. 
     In further embodiments, the selection and/or gathering of wood pieces is done manually whereby the available wood pieces are chosen based on characteristics such as, for example, the size or shape of the wood pieces. In other embodiments, the wood material is selected by machine and may be done so through an automated process. 
     In addition, it is understood that the examples of wood pieces provided are not intended to be limiting and that any material containing natural wood may be used. For example, the wood material may come in various shapes, sizes, and forms including slabs, sheets, strands, veneers, and/or slats. Moreover, the wood material may be a byproduct of a wide range of processing procedures. In addition, the wood material may arise from a variegated array of species including highly desirable hardwood species as well as less desirable species. In some embodiments, the wood material may be a mixture of two or more wood species where the mixture is, for example, an assortment of both hardwoods and softwoods. 
     In further embodiments, the wood material is of type where using the particular wood material for wood chips or burning wood is the most cost effective use of the material. By way of example,  FIG. 2A  illustrates one embodiment where the wood material is from a flooring preparation plant and the wood material comes in an assortment of thin sheet-like pieces  6 . In the flooring industry, the flooring preparation process often generates a great deal of scrap wood when veneers are sliced and peeled from lumber blocks. Typically, the raw timber must be debarked and then sawn or cut into a flitch from which veneers are then sliced. As part of this process, it may be necessary to cut or shave some portion of the log or lumber block to create a suitable surface for veneer slicing. This pre-slicing process can generate long flat sheets of wood material which can, for example, have a length from about 800 mm to 2200 mm, a width about 800 mm, and a thickness about 3 mm. (See  FIG. 2A .) This wood material is generally not desirable for further processing into flooring and is considered byproduct, scrap, or waste wood by the flooring industry. Additionally, it is usually not cost effective for the flooring industry to attempt to process this byproduct material into any wood product other than wood chips or burning wood. However, in one embodiment, this wood material can be selected in Step A and utilized to produce a manufactured wood product such as a manufactured floor board. 
     Similarly, in another embodiment, the wood material is from a less desirable wood species for which the cost effective use of the wood material is for wood chips or burning wood. For example, in the case of Eucalyptus blue gum, this species has not been used widely because the wood grain makes the wood difficult to work with. It is common for the lumber industry to use blue gum primarily for wood chips that are destined for burning. However, wood material from species such as blue gum may be used to manufacture a wood product, such as flooring, where the species would not generally be used to create such a wood product. 
     In Step B  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2B , the selected wood materials and/or pieces are cut along a natural wood grain  29  of the wood piece  28  into a plurality of discrete elongated strips  30 . (See also  FIG. 2A ). In one embodiment, the wood pieces  28  are cut into discrete elongated strips  30  having a thickness between about 2 mm to about 5 mm, a length from at least about 450 mm, and a width between about 3 cm to about 5 cm. Preferably, the discrete elongated strips have a thickness of about 3 mm, a width of about 3 cm, and a length from at least about 450 mm.  FIG. 2B  illustrates one embodiment where a wood piece  28 , in sheet form, is cut into three discrete elongated strips  30 A-C where the discrete elongated strips are separated fully from each other. 
     Although a wood sheet is shown in  FIG. 2B , it is understood that the wood material used may be of any size, shape, or form. Accordingly, Step B further includes any preliminary trimming, shaving, slicing, or preparation a wood piece may undergo in order to prepare the wood piece for cutting into discrete elongated strips. In another embodiment, Step B further includes trimming and/or cutting the discrete elongated strips such that each of the discrete elongated strips has substantially the same length. In some embodiments, each of the discrete elongated strips has a length of about 900 mm to about 4250 mm In another embodiment, each of the discrete elongated strips has substantially the same length, wherein the length is selected from a range from about 900 mm to about 4250 mm. 
     The cutting process of Step B can be accomplished in any number of ways as is well known in the art. For example, a wood piece  28  may be cut manually into elongated strips  30  by a human operator using a slicing tool such as a saw or clippers. In another embodiment, a wood piece  28  can be sliced into elongated strips  30  by a machine process such as by frame saw or multiple blade circular saw. 
     In Step C  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 2B-3C , the plurality of discrete elongated strips  30  is partially separated along a natural wood grain  29  into a plurality of elongate sections  32 , wherein each of the elongate sections  32  maintains a fibrous connection  33  with at least one other elongate section. In some embodiments, the fibrous connection  33  is formed by a cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic linkage between the elongate sections. For example, in  FIGS. 2B-3B  a discrete elongated strip  30  is partially separated into a plurality of elongate sections  32 A-G. The elongate sections exhibit connectivity with one another through fibrous connections  33 .  FIG. 3A  shows the partially separated elongate sections  32 A-G and  FIG. 3B  provides a cross-sectional view of the elongate sections  32 A-G taken along line  3 B. Between the elongate sections  32 A-G are fibrous connections  33  formed by a cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic attachment(s) that maintain connectivity between the elongate sections. “Cellulosic” and “lignocellulosic” are broad terms used in the ordinary sense to refer to the constituents of plants, which include cellulose, lignin, or hemicellulose. 
     In some embodiments, the fibrous connection  33  is formed by more than one point of attachment between at least two elongate sections. For example,  FIG. 3C  provides a perspective view of the elongated strip of  FIG. 3A  where elongate sections  32 E-G are pulled apart horizontally to show the fibrous connectivity  33  between the elongate sections. In this embodiment, an individual elongate section may maintain multiple fibrous connections  33  with at least one other elongate section. 
     Preferably, the discrete elongated strip  30  is partially separated into a plurality of elongate sections, wherein each of the elongate sections  32  maintains a fibrous connection  33  with at least one other elongate section such that the width of the elongated strip remains substantially the same before and after the partially separating step. For example, it is preferable for a discrete elongated strip having a width of about 3 cm before the partial separating step to have substantially the same width of about 3 cm afterwards. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that maintaining fibrous connectivity between the plurality of elongate sections preserves the integrity of the overall form and shape of the elongated strip such that the width of the elongated strip is substantially preserved before and after the partially separating step. In further embodiments, it is preferable that the width and length of the elongated strip remain substantially the same before and after the partially separating step. 
     Generally, in some embodiments, a large number of elongated strips and elongate sections will be cut and crushed for use in producing the manufactured wood product. For example, in a manufactured wood product such as a floor board with a length about 3 ft, width about 4 inches, and height about 0.5 inches, there are about 7 to about 12 elongate sections present for every square inch of the board. In other embodiments, there may be about 10 to about 200 elongate sections present for every square inch of the manufactured wood product. In further embodiments, depending on the width and size of the elongate sections, there can be greater than about 200 elongate sections or less than about 7 elongate sections per square inch of the manufactured wood product. 
     The partially separating step may be accomplished by crushing, slicing, cutting, or any other suitable means. In one embodiment, partial separation is accomplished by use of a crushing machine  38  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6D .  FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary crushing machine  38  having a first pair of rollers  42 ,  44  disposed at a first end  40  of the crushing machine  38  where the first pair of rollers  42 ,  44  has a first roller  42  and a second roller  44 . As shown, the first roller  42  is aligned vertically under the second roller  44  such that the first roller  42  and second roller  44  define a portion of a path  46 A located along the longitudinal axis between the first roller  42  and second roller  44 . In some embodiments, the first and/or the second roller further comprises a teethed outer surface. 
     The crushing machine of  FIG. 4  further includes a second pair of rollers  48 ,  50  disposed adjacent to said first pair of rollers  42 ,  44 . The second pair of rollers  48 ,  50  having a third roller  48  and a fourth roller  50  wherein the third roller  48  is axially aligned with the first roller  42  and the fourth roller  50  is axially aligned with the second roller  44 . The third roller  48  is aligned vertically under the fourth roller  50  such that the third roller  48  and fourth roller  50  define a portion of a path  46 B located along the longitudinal axis. In one variation, the first pair of rollers  42 ,  44  and second pair of rollers  48 ,  50  define distinct portions of the same path along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the third and/or the fourth roller further comprises a teethed outer surface. In further embodiments, the third and/or fourth roller comprises flanges  54  located parallel to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the flanges guide the elongated strip into the second pair of rollers  48 ,  50  as the strip exits the first pair of rollers  42 ,  44 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the crushing machine further comprises a third pair of rollers  56 ,  58 . The third pair of rollers  56 ,  58  having a fifth roller  56  and a sixth roller  58 , wherein the fifth roller  56  is axially aligned with the third roller  48  and the sixth roller  58  is axially aligned with the fourth roller  50 . The fifth roller  56  is aligned vertically under the sixth roller  58  such that the fifth roller  56  and sixth roller  58  define a portion of a path  46 C located along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the third pair of rollers, the first pair of rollers, and the second pair of rollers independently define distinct portions of the same path along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the fifth and/or the sixth roller further comprises a teethed outer surface. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A-D , the partially separating step of Step C may be carried out by feeding the elongated strip  30  lengthwise into the first end of the crushing machine  40  through a path  46 A along the longitudinal axis defined by the first  42  and second  44  rollers. In some embodiments, the first  42  and second  44  rollers comprise teeth  52  disposed on an outer surface of a roller to facilitate the movement of the elongated strip through the path  46 A. 
     In some embodiments, the height of the path  46 A between the first  42  and second  44  roller is less than the thickness of the elongated strip such that as the elongated strip is fed lengthwise through the path, the outer surface of the first and second roller comes into contact with the elongated strip and applies a pressing or crushing force against a top and bottom surface of the elongated strip. Preferably, the crushing machine may further comprise an alignment ledge  60  to spatially align the elongated strip to path  46 A as it is fed through the first pair of rollers  42 ,  44  and into path  46 A 
     Once fed through the first pair of rollers  42 ,  44 , the elongated strip contacts the second pair of rollers  48 ,  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-6C , the second pair of rollers  48 ,  50  comprises a teethed surface wherein a plurality of teeth  51 A-B is disposed radially along an outer surface of the third  48  and fourth  50  rollers. Preferably, a first set of teeth  51 A is located on the third roller  48  and is off-set from a second set of teeth  51 B located on the fourth roller  50  such that the first set  51 A does not completely interlock with the second set  51 B when fully engaged.  FIGS. 6B-C  illustrate the junction  90  between the two sets of teeth  51 A-B. As shown in  FIG. 6C , by way of example, the third roller  48  and a fourth roller  50  have teeth  55 A-E located on an outer surface of the roller. Teeth  55 B and E are disposed on fourth roller  50  and teeth  55 A, C, and D are disposed on third roller  48 . The darkened portions  63  illustrate the cross-section of an elongated strip as it is fed and crushed between the rollers  48  and  50 . 
     As an elongated strip is fed lengthwise through the third  48  and fourth  50  rollers, the teeth  55 A-E grip a top and bottom surface of the elongated strip while simultaneously applying a pressing and crushing force to both surfaces. However, because the teeth  55 A-E do not fully interlock, the teeth  55 A-E do not apply sufficient force to fully separate the elongate strip into discrete elongate sections. Rather, as shown in  FIG. 6C , the off-set arrangement of the teeth  55 A-E splits the elongated strip into elongate sections  66  which maintain a fibrous connectivity  68  between the elongate sections  66 . 
     In addition, a width  72  between each tooth on a roller may also be adjusted and varied according to the desired width of the elongate sections. For example, the tooth  55 A may be adjusted to enlarge or reduce the width  72  between teeth  55 A and  55 C thereby also varying the width of an elongate section formed from passing through teeth  55 A and  55 C. Preferably, the width of the elongate sections will range from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. More preferably, the width of the elongate sections will range from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. In some embodiments, the width of the elongate sections will be between about 1 mm and about 1 cm. 
     After passing through the second pair of rollers  48 ,  50 , the elongated strip is fed lengthwise through the third pair of rollers  56 ,  58  through a path along the longitudinal axis defined  46 C by the fifth  56  and sixth  58  rollers. The elongated strip then exits from a back end of the crushing machine  38 . The third pair of rollers  56 ,  58 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , may comprise teeth  52  disposed on an outer surface of a roller to facilitate the movement of the elongated strip through the path. In some embodiments, the height of the path between the fifth  56  and sixth roller  58  is less than the thickness of the elongated strip such that as the elongated strip is fed lengthwise through the path, the outer surface of the fifth  56  and sixth  58  roller comes into contact with the elongated strip and applies a pressing or crushing force against a top and bottom surface of the elongated strip. 
     Although the crushing machine is described herein as the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4-6D , it is understood that any suitable separating device, machine, or other separating means may be used to partially separate the elongated strips into elongate sections having a fibrous connection with at least one other elongate section. In terms of crushing machines, other embodiments could include, for example, those having variations in the number of rollers, arrangement of the rollers, or the location and character of teethed surfaces. 
     In other embodiments, the partially separating step may be accomplished by passing the elongated strip through one or more pairs of rollers as shown in  FIG. 15 . In  FIG. 15 , an elongated strip  301  is fed through a pair of rollers  300  with a first roller  302  and a second roller  304 . The first and second rollers  302 ,  304  may be of various diameters. In some embodiments, each of the first and second rollers  302 ,  304  may be from about 5 cm to about 15 cm in diameter. In other embodiments, each of the first and second rollers  302 ,  304  may be from about 10 cm to about 15 cm in diameter. Preferably, the first roller  302  and second roller  304  have a plurality of teeth disposed on the outer surface of each roller, e.g.  306 A-B and  308 A-B. More preferably, the width of the teeth on one roller is less than the width of the space between two teeth on the other roller. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 15 , teeth  306 A and  306 B on first roller  302  have a space with a width  310 . The second roller has a tooth  308 A with a tooth-width of  312 . The tooth-width  312  of tooth  308 A on the second roller is less than the width  310  of the space between the tooth  306 A and tooth  306 B on the first roller  302 . In some embodiments, the width  310  of the space on the first roller  302  may be from about 2 mm to about 4 mm. In some embodiments, the tooth-width  312  of the tooth  308 A on the second roller  304  may be from about 2 mm to about 4 mm. Where the space between teeth on one roller is greater than the width of a tooth on another roller, the difference in width will generally create a gap  311  between two opposing teeth. In some embodiments, the gap  311  may be approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 10 mm wide. In other embodiments, the gap  311  may be about 0.2 mm to about 0.8 mm wide. 
     To partially separate an elongate strip  301  with the pair of rollers  300 , an elongated strip is passed through the rollers such that the elongated strip contacts teeth disposed on the outer surface of the rollers. As the elongated strip passes through the rollers, the plurality of teeth apply a pressing force to partially separate the elongated strip into a plurality of elongate sections that are fibrously connected. In some embodiments, the elongate sections may form alternating step sections  320 A-C. As shown in  FIG. 16 , in some embodiments, the elongated strip is partially separated into a plurality of elongate sections having alternating step sections that are fibrously connected. In still other embodiments, the fibrous connectivity between the plurality of elongate sections preserves the integrity of the overall form and shape of the elongated strip such that the width of the elongated strip is substantially preserved before and after the partially separating step. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 15 , in some embodiments, the tip of the roller teeth are aligned. For example, the first roller  302  may have a tooth-tip  314  and the second roller  304  may have a tooth-tip  316  where the tooth-tip  314  and tooth-tip  316  are aligned along the same plane. For example, tooth-tip  314  and tooth-tip  316  may be arranged to be flush against the same horizontal plane between the two rollers. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the tooth-tip of the first roller  314  and the tooth-tip  316  of the second roller are vertically displaced. For example, tooth-tip  314  is not aligned along the same horizontal plane as tooth-tip  316 . In another embodiment, such as that shown in  FIG. 18 , there is a gap  380  between the roller tooth-tip  314  and roller tooth-tip  316  along the horizontal plane  382 . In some embodiments, the gap  380  may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In other embodiments, the gap  380  may be from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. Importantly, although various tooth arrangements on rolling crushers have been discussed, it is contemplated that partially separating an elongated strip into elongate sections may be done in any number of suitable ways known in the art and is not limited to the use of a particular roller or tooth arrangement. 
     In Step D  16 , the partially separated elongated strips are dried to reduce moisture content. Drying can occur by any number of well known methods in the art, including air drying and oven drying. Preferably, the elongated strips are dried to leave about 12% to about 18% of water by weight. More preferably, the elongated strips are dried to leave about 14% to about 15% water by weight. The moisture content may be determined by using methods well known in the art such as, for example, the use of a hand-held moisture meter or by weighing the difference in mass between the elongated strip before and after the drying step. Specific drying times and/or temperatures may vary according to a number of factors, including but not limited to starting moisture content of the elongated strips and climate conditions. In some embodiments the elongated sections are dried in an oven at a temperature from about 45° C. to about 65° C. for about 12-24 hours. Drying is an important step of this process because natural wood tends to shrink, swell, and change form depending on humidity and moisture content. Drying wood minimizes these changes. 
     In Step E  18 , an adhesive is applied to the dried elongated strips. Any suitable adhesive may be employed where the selected adhesive can provide a bond between wood materials. Examples of such adhesives include but are not limited to resorcinol-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde, and isocyanate. Preferably, the adhesive is water-resistant and has high water solubility. High water solubility is believed to aid the permeation of the adhesive through wood material. Preferably, the adhesive is phenol formaldehyde. More preferably, the adhesive is a formulation of phenol, formaldehyde, water, and sodium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be a non-formaldehyde glue. Other suitable adhesives also include those discussed in Forest Products Laboratory, 1999.  Wood Handbook—Wood as an Engineering Material,  Chapter Nine “Adhesive Bonding of Wood Materials, Vick, Charles, Gen. Tech. Rep. FPL-GTR-113. Madison, Wis. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (1999). Preferably, the adhesive is applied such that the ratio of natural wood material to adhesive is about 85%-95% natural wood material to about 5%-15% adhesive. 
     To apply the adhesive, any suitable method or means may be employed. For example, adhesives may be applied by hand, brush, spray, roller, by machine, and/or curtain coater. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied by dipping the elongated strips lengthwise in a bath of adhesive until the strips are substantially coated with an adhesive layer. In other embodiments, the elongated strips are submerged in an adhesive until the strips are substantially saturated with the adhesive. 
     In Step F  20 , the adhesive laden or covered elongated strips or “adhesive strips” are dried a second time to reduce moisture content. The second drying can occur by any number of well known methods in the art, including air drying and oven drying. In some embodiments, these adhesive strips are drip-dried to remove excess adhesive. In other embodiments, where the adhesive is in liquid form, the second drying may solidify the adhesive by reducing the moisture content present. Preferably, these covered strips are dried to leave about 8% to about 12% of water by weight. More preferably, these elongated strips are dried to leave about 6% to about 12% water by weight. The moisture content may be determined by using methods well known in the art such as, for example, the use of a hand-held moisture meter. 
     In Step G  22 , the adhesive strips are cold pressed to form a manufactured wood product. In Step G, the adhesive strips are randomly loaded lengthwise into a mold.  FIGS. 7-8  depict an exemplary mold  80  that is suitable for the cold press step. As shown, the cold press mold  80  is rectangular in shape with a length greater than its width. Although the mold presented in  FIGS. 7-8  is rectangular, it is understood that any suitable mold known in the art, such as a square mold or a panel mold, may be used for this process. In some embodiments, the cold press mold is selected to have a length in a range from about 900 mm to 1850 mm. In other embodiments, the mold length may be between about 900 mm and 4250 mm. 
     To load the mold  80 , adhesive strips are placed lengthwise in the mold  80 . The height of the loaded strips may be less than, greater than, or substantially the same as the height of the mold  80 . Preferably, the mold  80  is loaded until the height of the loaded strips is significantly higher than the height of the mold  80 . This ensures the use of the mold&#39;s maximum capacity as well as a tighter packing and stacking of the strips in the mold  80 . In some embodiments, the height of the loaded strips exceeds the height of the mold to a factor of 2:1. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that the ratio of the loaded adhesive strips to the compressed material should preferably be no less than 2:1. More preferably, the ratio of loaded adhesive strips to compressed material should be about 2:1 to about 3:1. In further embodiments, the ratio will depend on characteristics such as the density of the natural wood material used. Generally, the pressing step will compact and compress the loaded strips together so that the resulting material will have a lower height than the unpressed stacked loaded strips. 
     Preferably, the adhesive strips are pressed into the mold such that any height difference does not affect the shaping and molding of the manufactured wood board. For example, in some embodiments, the height of the loaded strips may exceed the mold height up to about 100 cm, but when the loaded strips are pressed, the strips are pressed fully into the mold cavity such that the resulting manufactured wood product will have a height that will not exceed the height of the mold  80 . In other embodiments, a channeling chute may extend from the mold  80  to a desired height above the mold where the channeling chute maintains the arrangement, stacking, and/or orientation of the adhesive strips that are positioned above the height of the mold. Such channeling chute may be parallel with the top edges of the mold or otherwise align with the mold so that the channeling chute maintains the orientation and arrangement adhesive strips above the mold before and during pressing. 
     In other embodiments, the height of loaded strips may be determined by the desired thickness of the pressed manufactured wood product. For example, if the desired thickness of a manufactured wood product is 15 cm but the mold used has a height of 40 cm, the mold may be filled up to less than its full height in order to achieve the desired thickness of the pressed product. However, in other embodiments, the height of loaded strips may exceed the height of mold  80  prior to pressing, however, once pressed; the manufactured wood product may have a desired height less than the full height of the mold. 
     Preferably, the strips are selected to have a minimum length that is substantially the same length as the mold  80 . More preferably, the strips are selected to have a minimum length such that the lengths of the strips substantially span the entire length of the mold. For example, if the mold  80  has a length of 1.9 m, then the strips loaded into the mold should be selected to have a length approximately the same as 1.9 m. This is desirable to promote content uniformity throughout the full length of mold  80 . For example, having a portion in mold  80  where there are shorter strips could cause structural weaknesses in a resulting manufactured wood board. 
     In another embodiment, the adhesive strips are selected to have a length that is not equal to the length of the mold. For example, the length of the mold may be 200 cm long but the minimum length of the adhesive strips is 191 cm. In this embodiment, high pressurization from the cold process step causes the adhesive strips to expand in the mold. In this example, the 9 cm length difference provides space for the adhesive strips to expand into once the loaded mold is cold pressed. In this embodiment, it is preferable to have the adhesive strips substantially span the length of the mold such that the length of the strips is shorter than the length of the mold and thus allows the strips some space to expand into when cold pressed in the mold. The exact length difference differs from mold to mold and upon factors such as the amount of strips and adhesive present in the loaded mold. 
     Once the adhesive covered strips are loaded into the mold  80 , the strips are evened and leveled so that the ends of the strips are fully placed in the mold. For example, a user may manually move the strips in the load so that all the strip ends are in the mold. Additionally, the user may use a leveling tool such as a flat piece of metal with a handle to a push all the strips down into the mold and to make sure that all the ends are at an even length within the mold. 
     Once the mold is loaded and the strips are leveled, a non-heated press is applied to the loaded mold. Any suitable pressing apparatus, device, and/or means may be employed to apply pressure without heat to the elongated strips loaded in mold  80 . Pressurization serves many purposes including forcing trapped air out of the loaded mold, creating additional molecular contact between wood surfaces, and forcing the adhesive to penetrate into the wood structure for more effective mechanical bonding. Generally, in the cold press operation, a loaded mold is placed in a hydraulic press and subjected to pressure of approximately 10-100 MPa. Varying suitable pressures may be used according to the size and shape of the mold, the properties of the wood material, and the selected adhesive. 
     Once pressurized, the loaded mold is removed from the pressurizing source, and suitable clamps are applied to the mold to maintain pressure until the elongated strips are substantially bonded.  FIG. 9  depicts exemplary clamps suitable for maintaining the pressure over the mold  80  and the elongated strips. In  FIG. 9 , a metal sleeve  110  having substantially the same width and length as the loaded mold  80  is placed over a top surface of the elongated strips. In this embodiment, a plurality of cylindrical pins  112  is placed through a plurality of openings  114  to secure the metal sleeve  110  to the top surface of the elongated strips. Preferably, a loaded mold is subjected to pressure from about 10 MPa to about 100 MPa until a desired pressure is obtained. 
     In some embodiments, the cold press step includes heating the loaded mold  80  after pressurization. This may be desirable when using a thermosetting adhesive where a heating step following cold pressurization will cure the adhesive and bond the wood material and adhesive together. Preferably, the elongated strips are pressurized at about 10 MPa to about 100 MPa until a desired pressure is obtained and then subjected to heat at about 100-150° C. for about 4-8 hours. More preferably, the elongated strips are kept in the mold  80  throughout the cold pressing step to ensure uniform mechanical bonding and shaping of the manufactured wood product. If heating occurs as part of the cold press step, it is preferable for the mold to be made from a heat conducting material such as a metallic alloy. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that the conductivity of the mold transfers heat through the mold to the loaded elongated strips. It is further believed that this conductive transfer facilitates the effective curing of the adhesive laden elongated strips. 
     Once the cold press step is complete, the manufactured wood product  82  is removed from the mold. As shown in  FIG. 10 , once the loaded elongated strips have bonded, a resulting manufactured wood product  82  is removed from the mold  80 . The manufactured wood product  82  can be further processed into various cuts of wood, including boards  86 , planks, and/or flooring.  FIG. 10  shows three boards  86  cut from the manufactured wood product  82 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the manufactured wood product  82  has the visual appearance of grain lines  83  and  84 . In some embodiments, the grain lines are generally parallel but may curve, intersect, or cross-over one another at some point in the manufactured wood product. These grain lines are created by two processes. First, as discussed, the material used in this process is natural wood such as waste wood, demolition wood, or less desirable wood species. All wood has its own natural grain which creates the look of grain lines when wood products are made from natural wood material. When the wood material such as that shown in  FIG. 2A  is used in one embodiment of the process, the natural grain lines  29  are incorporated into any manufactured wood product made from the starting material. The wood grain line  29  is preserved by cutting the wood material into elongated strips along the grain  29 . Then the cut elongated strips are further processed according to the steps in  FIG. 1  where the elongated strips are eventually arranged lengthwise in a mold and pressed into a manufactured wood product. 
     In addition to the pre-existing wood grain from the starting material, some embodiments also manufacture a wood grain look by use of the elongate sections in the elongated strips. As discussed above, once the elongated strips are cut from the wood material, the elongated strips are partially separated into elongate sections that are in fibrous connectivity with at least one other elongate section. Once pressed, the contacts between the elongate sections are not seamlessly pressed together. For example,  FIG. 11  provides a cross-sectional view of the manufactured wood product along line  81 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the top layer  85  of wood material in the manufactured wood product  82  has many pressed elongated strips having elongate sections. However, because the elongate sections were partially separated, the pressing creates the look of grain lines  84 ,  121 , and  123  where each elongate section abuts another elongate section. 
       FIGS. 12A-B  depict a top view and a side view of a two inch wide slice of a portion  89  of the wood board  86 . As shown in  FIG. 12A , the board section  89  has grain lines  91  created from the original starting material and grain lines  93  created from the contact between the pressed elongate sections in the manufactured wood board  86 . Similarly, in  FIG. 12B , the side view of the board section  89  shows grain lines  91  from the original starting material and grain lines  93  formed from the contact between the pressed elongate sections in the wood board  86 .  FIG. 13  provides a drawing showing a manufactured wood flooring board cut from a manufactured wood product made by the process described. As shown, the top view of the flooring board shows a natural wood grain appearance where the wood grain is created by the original wood grain and the contact between pressed elongate sections in the wood board. 
     The result of the natural grain lines from the starting wood material and the created grain lines from the elongate sections is a visually interesting wood pattern that mimics the look of natural wood grain. In particular,  FIG. 11  illustrates the uneven orientation of the elongated strips and elongate sections in the manufactured wood product. As shown, the elongate sections and elongated strips are not lined up or stacked evenly with other elongated strips or sections. Rather, the strips and sections are bonded in place with random orientation. This random orientation results in uneven grain lines such as  83  and  84 , which in turn provide the manufactured wood product a natural wood grain look. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic showing the top surface of an exemplary manufactured wood product  123  having uneven grain lines  125 ,  127 , and  131  created by the bonded elongated strips and elongate sections. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the uneven grain lines  125 ,  127 , and  131  in the manufactured wood product can be parallel, intersecting, and/or cross-over at various portions along the length of the grain lines. In addition, the grain lines are disposed generally straight lengthwise through the wood product where the grain lines span the length of the wood product. Although each grain line is generally disposed straight lengthwise through the wood product, the grain line may curve, bend, and deviate at various sections of the grain line. For example, grain line  127  has a first point  126  and a second point  128  where the second point  128  is displaced horizontally along the width  129  of the wood product relative to the first point  126 . Similarly, grain line  131  has a first point  132  and a second point  133  where the second point  133  is displaced along the width  129  of the wood product. Although shown as displacement along the width of the wood product, various sections of the grain lines may be displaced along any axis or any direction of the wood product. For example, a second point on a grain line may be vertically displaced relative to the first point. Additionally, the angle and distance of directional displacement along a grain line can be of a wide range. In some embodiments, the directional deviation may be at least four times the width of a strip or an elongate section in any axis or direction. 
     In some embodiments, the directional displacement of the various sections on a grain line is limited by the dimensions of the mold that the elongated strips are placed in. For example, in  FIG. 14  the grain line  131  has a first point  132  and a second point  133  where the displacement between the two points is the mold width  129 . Because the elongated strips and sections, which create the grain line  131 , extend through the length of the mold from one end of the mold to the other, the displacement points along the grain lines will generally be limited by the dimensions of the mold. This is because the elongated strips and sections are arranged and confined to the mold space for pressing. Thus, any directional displacement would be limited to the space available in the mold. 
     In other embodiments, the directional displacement of the various sections or points on a grain line is limited by the width of the elongated strip that creates the grain line look. For example, for a grain line created by an elongated strip having a width of 3 cm, the maximum directional displacement of any point on the grain line will be about 3 cm. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that the fibrous connections between the elongate sections of an elongated strip maintain the width and connectivity between the elongate sections such that when the elongated strips and sections are pressed and bonded, the resulting grain lines exhibit a directional displacement that is limited by the width of the elongated strip. This may be because the fibrous connectivity between the elongate sections limits the movement that is possible for each elongate section within the elongated strip. Thus, the displacement and degree of deviation of the resulting grain line is also limited by the width of the elongated strip, which is maintained by the fibrous connections between the elongate sections. Preferably, in some embodiments, the degree of deviation or directional displacement is between about 1 mm to about 3 cm. In some embodiments, the directional displacement is gradual down the length of some portion of the elongate section or strip. For example, the overall horizontal directional displacement of a strip may be about 1 cm from one end of the strip to the other end, however, the displacement of various points along the length of the strip between the end points may not be 1 cm. Rather, in this example, points along the strip may displace horizontally at 1 mm or 2 mm or 3 mm or 5 mm, between the endpoints. Moreover, there may also be points along the length of the strip were the deviation is wavelike such that portions and points of the strip undulate or curve and bend between the endpoints of the strip. 
     Instead of cold press, the elongated strips may undergo a hot press step  24 . In hot press, the elongated strips are randomly loaded lengthwise in a mold and then simultaneously heated and pressurized. As with the cold press step, any suitable mold and pressure and temperature range may be used depending on factors such as the type of adhesive selected and the dimensions of the elongated strips. In addition, the temperature, duration, pressure, the amount of adhesive strips, and other ranges of the cold press step described may also be applied to the hot press step depending on the mold, adhesive, etc. selected for the hot press process. In some embodiments, the height of the loaded adhesive strips will never extend about 100 cm above the mold for the hot press step. In further embodiments, the ratio of loaded adhesive strips to compressed material will be at a minimum of about 2:1 for hot pressing. In addition, the hot press step may also be accomplished by any methods well known in the art. 
     In some embodiments, the manufactured wood product may undergo a further moisture reducing step where the wood product is dried to a moisture content desirable for the function that the wood product will be used for. In the context of the flooring industry, it is preferable for wood flooring to have a moisture content of about 5% to about 10% water by weight. Thus, for a manufactured wood product that will be used to make floor boards, it may be necessary to further dry the wood product to reach the desired moisture range. Similarly for other uses, the wood product may be dried to a desired moisture range appropriate for the particular use. 
     In some embodiments, the manufactured wood product produced by the described methods will exhibit properties as shown below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Property 
                 From about 
                 To about 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Hardness 
                 16067.7N 
                 19638.3N 
               
               
                 Dimensional Stability 
                 0.072% 
                 0.088% 
               
               
                 Along the grain 
                 Average change in 
                 Average change in 
               
               
                   
                 shape along the grain 
                 shape along the grain 
               
               
                 Dimensional Stability 
                 0.063% 
                 0.077% 
               
               
                 Perpendicular to grain 
                 Average change in shape 
                 Average change in 
               
               
                 direction 
                 perpendicular to the grain 
                 shape perpendicular to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the grain 
               
               
                 Water Absorption 
                 27% 
                 33% 
               
               
                 Moisture Content 
                 5.85% 
                 7.15% 
               
               
                 Compressive Strength 
                 18.45 MPa 
                 22.55 MPa 
               
               
                 Along the Grain 
               
               
                 Compressive Strength 
                 4.5 mins 
                 5.5 mins 
               
               
                 Failure Time 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In other embodiments, the manufactured wood product formed by the described methods will have an average density of about 1.102 g/cm 3 . 
     Once the manufactured wood product is formed by the described process herein, the wood product may be treated to improve the exterior durability of the wood. For example, useful treatment may include additives such as, for example, water repellants, a wood preservative, insecticide, colorant, anti-oxidant, UV-stabilizer, or any combination thereof. The additive may be applied to the wood by using any technique known in the art. 
     Example 1  
     A Manufactured Wood Floor Board Produced with Scrap Wood Taken from a Flooring Preparation Plant 
     In this example, a manufactured wood flood board was made by using scrap wood pieces from a flooring preparation plant. The scrap wood pieces gathered were of varied dimensions with lengths ranging from about 800 mm-2200 mm, width of about 800 mm, and thickness of about 3 mm. The scrap wood pieces were also generated mainly from the species of Hickory, Red Oak, and Maple. As received, the wood pieces were not segregated by size or dimensions. Approximately four pallets (four cubic meters) of scrap wood was received and processed. 
     Upon receiving the wood pieces, these were sorted and selected for a minimum thickness of 2 mm, minimum length of 800 mm, and a minimum width of 3 cm. After selecting suitable wood pieces having minimum dimensions, the scrap pieces were then cut into elongated strips with a thickness of 3 mm, width between 3 cm to 5 cm, and a length of at least 800 mm. To the extent possible, the elongated strips were cut to an optimal width of 3 cm and thickness of 3 mm. 
     Once cut into elongated strips, the wood material was sent through the crushing machine  38  as shown in  FIGS. 4-6D . The elongated strips were partially separated into elongate sections where each elongate section maintained fibrous connectivity with at least one other elongate section. The partially separated elongated strips were then set out in stacks to dry in outdoor ambient temperature. The drying process took place for approximately 8 hours at 30° C. and 65%-75% humidity. The moisture content of the elongated strips was measured at 2 hour intervals by measuring a minimum of three locations on the stacks. After drying for 8 hours in 30° C., the tested portions of the elongated strips measured between 12% to 18% water by weight. 
     The elongated strips were then bundled with string, placed into a large metal cage, and submerged in a 43% phenol formaldehyde solution. The solution also contained water and sodium hydroxide. The solution was kept at room temperature, about 30° C., while the elongated strips were submerged for approximately 8-10 minutes. Then, the adhesive impregnated strips were removed and set aside to drip-dry for 10-12 minutes at room temperature (about 30° C.). After drip-drying for 10-20 minutes the strips were loaded onto a conveyor belt which passed through an oven at a temperature of about 45-65° C. for about half an hour or until the desired water content was reached. In this example, the desired moisture content ranged between about 8% to 12% water by weight. 
     Once dried, the elongated strips were placed in a rectangular mold. The elongated strips were randomly loaded lengthwise into the mold until the strips filled the mold to higher than the full height of mold. The ratio of the loaded strips was approximately 2.5:1. A metal sleeve was placed over the top of the loaded mold. Then the loaded mold was cold pressed by using a hydraulic press to apply 10 MPa to 100 MPa of pressure until 20 MPa was achieved at room temperature, about 30° C. Once a pressure of 20 MPa was achieved, cylindrical clamps were applied to the pressurized loaded mold to keep the metal sleeve in place while the hydraulic press was removed. The metal sheet with the cylindrical clamps maintained the pressure over the loaded mold after the hydraulic press was removed. Then heat was applied by placing the loaded mold on a conveyor belt and passing the loaded mold through an oven for approximately 6 hours at a temperature between 120° C. to 150° C. in order to solidify and cure the adhesive. The metal sleeve and cylindrical pins maintained the pressure of the loaded mold throughout the heating and subsequent cooling of the loaded mold. 
     The cured elongated strips were then removed from the molds once the molds were cooled to room temperature (about 30° C.). The resulting manufactured wood blocks were dark brown with striations across the lengths in varying shades of brown and black. The blocks were approximately 100 mm wide, 1 m long, and 140 mm thick. 
     The manufactured wood blocks were then sliced to create a rectangular floor board. The cut floor boards were then dried until the moisture content was between about 5% to about 10% by weight. Finally, these boards were sanded and further polished into finished floor board products. The measured density for the floor boards was about 1.102 g/cm 3 . 
     The finished floor boards were then subjected to several standard performance tests that are well-known in the industry. The tests and results are summarized below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Test Description - 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Clause 
                 Industry Standards 
                 Procedures 
                 Result 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Hardness 
                 ASTM D1037-06a, Clause 
                 Procedures according to ASTM 
                 Maximum load: 17853N used to 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 D1037-06a, Clause 17 
                 crack the board. 
               
               
                   
                 The modified Janka-ball test 
                 Test conducted by combining two 
               
               
                   
                 method used a “ball” 0.444 
                 single pieces of the manufactured 
               
               
                   
                 inches (11.3 mm) in 
                 wood boards together where a single 
               
               
                   
                 diameter. The load was 
                 board had a thickness 12 mm; 
               
               
                   
                 recorded when the “ball” 
                 The ball was placed on top surface 
               
               
                   
                 penetrated one-half its 
                 of the board and loaded into the 
               
               
                   
                 diameter into the panel. 
                 board until half of the ball&#39;s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 diameter penetrated the board. 
               
               
                 Dimensional 
                 EN 434: 1994 
                 Procedures according to EN 434: 
                 Along grain direction: 
               
               
                 stability 
                 For dimensional stability, 
                 1994 Standard 
                 0.08% (average) change in shape 
               
               
                   
                 the relative variation of the 
                   
                 Perpendicular to grain direction: 
               
               
                   
                 distance between marks 
                   
                 0.07%(average) change in shape 
               
               
                   
                 previously made on the test 
               
               
                   
                 piece after heat treatment 
               
               
                   
                 under specified conditions 
               
               
                   
                 is determined. 
               
               
                 Water absorption 
                 EN 12087: 1997 
                 Procedure according to EN 12087: 
                 Moisture content of the specimen 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1997 
                 increased 30.0% by weight. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Used the method 2A (drainage) to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 determined the long term water 
               
               
                   
                   
                 absorption by total immersion. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 A testing specimen was used having 
               
               
                   
                   
                 size: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 198 mm × 96 mm × 12 mm. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The testing specimen was 
               
               
                   
                   
                 submerged in water for 14 days. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 After removal, the moisture content 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of the specimen increased 30.0% by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 weight 
               
               
                 Moisture content 
                 EN 322: 1993 
                 Procedure according to EN 322: 
                 Average Moisture content: 6.5% 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1993 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The tested mass was weighed prior 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to testing. Then the mass was dried 
               
               
                   
                   
                 at 103 ± 2° C. until it reached a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 constant mass. The mass was then 
               
               
                   
                   
                 cooled to room temperature and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 weighed again. 
               
               
                 Compressive 
                 ASTM D3501-05a 
                 Procedure according to ASTM 
                 Class: E1 
               
               
                 strength 
                 Compressive Strength - The 
                 D3501-05a 
                 Compressive strength along grain 
               
               
                   
                 first test utilized a 
                 Used method A - compression test 
                 direction - average compressive 
               
               
                   
                 compression machine, 
                 for small specimens. 
                 strength: 20.5 Mpa; 
               
               
                   
                 which compressed the 
                 A testing specimen was used having 
                 Elapsed time to failure: 5.0 mins 
               
               
                   
                 material along the grain of 
                 size: 
               
               
                   
                 the wood. The machine is 
                 36 mm(L) × 100 mm(W) × 6 mm 
               
               
                   
                 used to measure the strength 
               
               
                   
                 of the wood along the grain 
               
               
                   
                 direction. 
               
               
                   
                 Failure Point - A second 
               
               
                   
                 test was used to determine 
               
               
                   
                 the amount of pressure the 
               
               
                   
                 wood is able to handle until 
               
               
                   
                 it cracks or breaks. 
               
               
                 Class of reaction 
                 EN 13501-1: 2007 
                 Procedure according to EN 13501-1: 
                 Class: C n -s1 
               
               
                 to fire 
                 This test is done to 
                 2007 
                 Critical heat flux = 6.7 kW/m 2   
               
               
                 performance 
                 determine the flammability 
                 The claimed class: C n -s1. 
                 Smoke ≦ 55% min 
               
               
                   
                 and smoke emitted by the 
                 Product was tested to determine 
                 Exposure = 15 s, F s  &lt; 150 mm within 20 s 
               
               
                   
                 building product in the case 
                 whether it satisfies the following 
               
               
                   
                 of a fire. 
                 criteria: 
               
               
                   
                 This test examines: 
                 a) EN ISO 9239-1 
               
               
                   
                 (1) the effect a flame 
                 Critical heat flux ≧ 4.5 kW/m 2   
               
               
                   
                 (regulated fire) has on the 
                 Smoke ≦ 750% min; and 
               
               
                   
                 material being tested; and 
                 b) EN ISO 11925-2 
               
               
                   
                 (2) the average smoke 
                 Exposure = 15 s, F s  ≦ 150 mm within 
               
               
                   
                 obscuration. 
                 20 s