# US 4,399,849 A · Quality control process

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- Number: US 4,399,849 A
- Document ID: US4399849A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/281,604
- Filed: 1981-07-09
- Granted: 1983-08-23
- Earliest claimed: 1981-07-09
- Inventors: Karol L. Nowakowski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4399849A

## CPC

- B27G 1/00: Machines or devices for removing knots or other irregularities or for filling-up holes {(filling up cracks or holes in a veneer cutting block B27L5/00; caulking decks B63B5/065)}
- B27M 1/08: by multi-step processes
- G07C 3/14: Quality control systems
- Y10T 83/175: With condition sensor
- Y10T 83/505: Operation controlled by means responsive to product
- B27G: ACCESSORY MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR WORKING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS; TOOLS FOR WORKING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS (tools for grinding B24D; sawing tools B27B33/00; tools for slotting or mortising machines B27F5/02; tools for the manufacture of wood shavings, chips, powder or the like B27L11/00); SAFETY DEVICES FOR WOOD WORKING MACHINES OR TOOLS
- B27M: WORKING OF WOOD NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES B27B - B27L; MANUFACTURE OF SPECIFIC WOODEN ARTICLES
- G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The invention provides a quality control process for lumber-cutting operations. It normally includes the following steps: (1) treating, with a normally invisible indicator, a portion of the lumber to be cut; (2) recording the physical properties of the portion of lumber; (3) commingling the treated, recorded portion with the remainder of the lumber; (4) performing cutting operations on the lumber; (5) imposing conditions on the lumber that will render the indicator visible on the treated portion; and (6) comparing the cut pieces of the treated, recorded portion with the precut record to determine the efficiency of the cutting operations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A quality control process for lumber-cutting operations comprising:
treating lumber to be cut with a normally invisible indicator;
recording the physical properties of the lumber to be cut;
cutting the lumber;
rendering the indicator visible on the treated, recorded lumber; and
comparing the cut, treated lumber with the recorded physical properties to determine the efficiency of the cutting operations.

### Claim 2

A quality control process for lumber-cutting operations, wherein the process comprises:
treating, with a normally invisible indicator, a portion of the lumber to be cut;
recording the physical properties of the portion of lumber;
commingling the treated, recorded portion with the remainder of the lumber;
performing cutting operations on the lumber;
rendering the indicator visible on the treated, recorded portion;
comparing the cut pieces of the treated, recorded portion with the recorded physical properties to determine the efficiency of the cutting operations.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein said treating step comprises applying a first aqueous solution, the first solution being normally invisible, and wherein said step of rendering the indicator visible comprises applying a second aqueous solution to the treated, recorded lumber, the second solution being one which renders the first solution visible.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The process of claim 3 wherein the first solution is a phthalein solution and the second solution is an alkali solution.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The process of claim 3 wherein the first solution is a lead nitrate solution and the second solution is a potassium iodide solution.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 2)

The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein said treating step comprises applying a normally invisible ultraviolet-sensitive substance, and wherein said step of rendering the indicator visible comprises subjecting the lumber to ultraviolet light to render the ultraviolet-sensitive substance visible.