# US 12,759,189 B2 · Touchless overlay paper hold down apparatus

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- Number: US 12,759,189 B2
- Document ID: US12759189B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/911,150
- Filed: 2024-10-09
- Published: 2025-04-10
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2023-10-09
- Assignees: Louisiana-Pacific Corp.
- Applicants: Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
- Inventors: Jordan Clement; Gord Richardson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759189B2

## CPC

- B27N 3/16: Transporting the material from mat moulding stations to presses (B27N3/22 takes precedence); Apparatus specially adapted for transporting the material or component parts therefor, e.g. cauls (transport devices in general B65G)
- B27N 3/12: from fibres
- B27N 3/18: Auxiliary operations, e.g. preheating, humidifying, cutting-off
- B27N: MANUFACTURE BY DRY PROCESSES OF ARTICLES, WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC BINDING AGENTS, MADE FROM PARTICLES OR FIBRES CONSISTING OF WOOD OR OTHER LIGNOCELLULOSIC OR LIKE ORGANIC MATERIAL (containing cementitious material B28B; shaping of substances in a plastic state B29C; fibreboards made from fibrous suspensions D21J; drying F26B17/00)

## Abstract

An apparatus and related methods for touchlessly holding down overlay paper on a lignocellulosic composite mat as the mat and overlay are loaded into a multi-level press from a matching multi-level loader cage. In several exemplary embodiments, each level of the loader cage has a pressured air plenum, pipe, or tube, with a uniform continuous opening (gap, slit) extending linearly from which pressurized air exits. Depending on the configuration, the pressured air exits in a focused, laminar flow pattern.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for loading a lignocellulosic composite mat with an overlay into a press, comprising:
placing a paper overlay on a top surface of a lignocellulosic composite mat on an infeed conveyor;
inserting the lignocellulosic composite mat and paper overlay into a holder in a loader cage;
moving the lignocellulosic composite mat and paper overlay from the loader cage through an exit opening into a corresponding opening in a press; and
applying pressurized air at an angle to the lignocellulosic composite mat and paper overlay as they move from the loader cage through the exit opening.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying pressurized air comprises the step of directly pressurized air from a linear opening in a pressured air plenum.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the pressured air plenum is attached to the loader cage above the exit opening.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pressurized air is applied onto the overlay at an applied pressure in a range of from 80 to 90 psi.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pressurized air is directed onto the overlay at an angle in a range of from 20 to 30 degrees with respect to the overlay.