Systems and methods for treating raw materials for wood product formation

Abstract

Systems and methods for treating raw materials for formation into a wood product are provided. The raw materials may be, for example, strands, flakes, particles, wafers, or the like. In an embodiment, a first dispensing device dispenses a first liquid component onto raw materials within a chamber. A second dispensing device dispenses a second liquid component onto the raw materials. When the raw materials are mixed together, the first and second liquid components interact to form a bonding agent.

1 . A system for treating raw materials for wood product formation, the system comprising: 
 a chamber which houses the raw materials;    a first dispensing device which dispenses a first liquid component onto the raw materials wherein the first liquid component comprises 10% or more of a compound with multiple isocyanate functional groups; and    a second dispensing device which dispenses a second liquid component onto the raw materials;    wherein contact between the first liquid component and the second liquid component causes formation of a bonding agent.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the raw materials are selected from a group consisting of strands, flakes, flour, particles, chips, wafers, fibers and veneers.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the compound is an aromatic polyisocyanate.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the compound is an aliphatic polyisocyanate.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second liquid component comprises approximately 10% or more of an aliphatic compound with multiple nucleophilic functional groups.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the aliphatic compound has a molecular weight of less than about 1500 g/mole.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first dispensing device comprises one or more applicators.  
     
     
         8 . A system for treating raw materials for wood product formation, the system comprising: 
 a chamber which houses the raw materials;    a first dispensing device which dispenses a first liquid component onto the raw materials wherein the first liquid component comprises 10% or more of an aliphatic compound with multiple nucleophilic functional groups; and    a second dispensing device which dispenses a second liquid component onto the raw materials;    wherein contact between the first liquid component and the second liquid component causes formation of a bonding agent.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the second liquid component comprises 10% or more of a compound with multiple isocyanate functional groups.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the aliphatic compound has a molecular weight less than 1500 g/mole.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the raw materials are selected from a group consisting of strands, flakes, particles, chips, wafers, fibers and veneers.  
     
     
         12 . A system for treating raw materials for wood product formation, the system comprising: 
 a chamber which houses the raw materials;    a first dispensing device which dispenses a first liquid component onto the raw materials wherein the first liquid component comprises 10% or more of a compound with multiple isocyanate functional groups; and    a second dispensing device which dispenses a second liquid component onto the raw materials wherein the second liquid component comprises 10% or more of an aliphatic compound with multiple nucleophilic functional groups;    wherein contact between the first liquid component and the second liquid component causes formation of a bonding agent.    
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the raw materials are selected from a group consisting of strands, flakes, flour, particles, chips, wafers, fibers and veneers.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the first liquid component comprises 10% or more of compound that is an aromatic polyisocyanate.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the first liquid component comprises 10% or more of compound that is an aliphatic polyisocyanate.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the aliphatic compound has a molecular weight of less than about 1500 g/mole.  
     
     
         17 . A method for treating raw materials for wood product formation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 dispensing a first liquid component onto the raw materials wherein the first liquid component comprises 10% or more of a compound with multiple isocyanate functional groups; and    dispensing a second liquid component onto the raw materials wherein the second liquid component comprises 10% or more of an aliphatic compound with multiple nucleophilic functional groups;    mixing the raw materials wherein the first liquid component and the second liquid component interact to form a bonding agent.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the wood product is an engineered wood product.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the first liquid component is dispensed by one or more applicators.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the second liquid component is dispensed by one or more applicators.