Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for continuously blending wood strands with a liquid resin comprising: means for forming a substantially constant flow of wood strands into a first falling curtain of separated wood strands, the first curtain having a predetermined substantially constant width; first liquid spraying means including at least one spray nozzle located on each side of the first falling curtain of separated wood strands away from the first falling curtain, adapted to spray liquid resin droplets for the width of the first curtain, but not substantially beyond; collector means for collecting the first sprayed wood strands and means for forming the first sprayed wood strands into a second falling curtain of separated wood strands, the second curtain having a predetermined width; and second liquid spraying means including at least one spray nozzle located on each side of the second falling curtain of separated wood strands away from the second falling curtain, adapted to spray liquid resin droplets for the width of the second curtain but not substantially beyond.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for continuously blending wood strands with a liquid resin comprising: means for forming a substantially constant flow of wood strands into a first falling curtain of separated wood strands, the first curtain having a predetermined substantially constant width; first liquid spraying means including at least one spray nozzle located on each side of the first falling curtain of separated wood strands away from the first falling curtain, adapted to spray liquid resin droplets for the width of the first curtain, but not substantially beyond; collector means for collecting the first sprayed wood strands and means for forming the first sprayed wood strands into a second falling curtain of separated wood strands, the second curtain having a predetermined width; and second liquid spraying means including at least one spray nozzle located on each side of the second falling curtain of separated wood strands away from the second falling curtain, adapted to spray liquid resin droplets for the width of the second curtain but not substantially beyond.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 including at least one additional means for forming the wood strands into a further falling curtain of separated wood strands after the second liquid spraying means, and a further liquid spraying means for spraying liquid resin droplets for the width of the further curtain but not substantially beyond.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one spray nozzle of the liquid spraying means on one side of the falling curtain is located at a higher elevation than at least one spray nozzle on the other side of the falling curtain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 including a deflector located after the first liquid spraying means to mix the first sprayed wood strands before being formed into a second falling curtain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
A process for continuously blending wood strands with a liquid resin, comprising the steps of: advancing a substantially constant flow of wood strands to form a first falling curtain of separated wood strands, the first curtain having a predetermined substantially constant width; spraying liquid resin droplets on each side of the first curtain, the spraying extending from both sides of the width of the first curtain, but not substantially beyond; collecting the first sprayed wood strands and advancing the first sprayed wood strands to form a second falling curtain of separated wood strands, the second curtain having a predetermined substantially constant width; and spraying liquid resin droplets on each side of the second curtain, the spraying extending from both sides of the width of the second curtain, but not substantially beyond.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
A process for continuously blending wood strands with a liquid resin, comprising the steps of: advancing a substantially constant flow of wood strands to form a first falling curtain of separated wood strands, the first curtain having a predetermined substantially constant width; spraying liquid resin droplets on each side of the first curtain, the spraying extending from both sides of the width of the first curtain, but not substantially beyond; collecting the first sprayed wood strands and advancing the first sprayed wood strands to form a second falling curtain of separated wood strands, the second curtain having a predetermined substantially constant width; and spraying liquid resin droplets on each side of the second curtain, the spraying extending from both sides of the width of the second curtain, but not substantially beyond.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process according to claim 5 including forming at least one further falling curtain of separated wood strands and spraying liquid resin droplets from both sides of the further curtain for the width of the further curtain, but not substantially beyond.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 5 including spraying liquid resin droplets at different elevations on both sides of the falling curtain.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 5 including mixing the wood strands between the spraying steps.