US 5,211,688 AGranted

Apparatus and method for making wood curls

AssigneeUniversity of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.

InventorJames T. Rice, Sr.

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Abstract

A mechanized disc flaker for producing curled wood flakes having a rotatable disc plate, and one or more cutting knives mounted to the disc plate so as to provide for a slight "rake angle" defined in accordance with the invention as the angle made between the tool face and a plane perpendicular to the direction of tool travel. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes rotatable and removable knife holders which permit the rake angle and the "cutting angle", defined in accordance with the invention as being the angle the cutting edge of the knife makes with the grain of the wood, to be modified to yield curled wood shavings having different geometries and characteristics. The preferred method of practicing the apparatus involves using a work piece having a certain moisture content which is directed against the work surface of the disc flaker using appropriate pressure all to provide for wood curls of desirable characteristics.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus for making wood curls, comprising:

(a) a rotatable disc having a work surface on the face of said disc and one or more elongated and narrow slots through said disc, and having a hollow center suitable for mounting said disc on a shaft;
(b) one or more cutting blades extending through said slots;
(c) a means for mounting said cutting blades on the edge of said slots of said disc whereby a rake angle in the range of zero to thirty degrees (0.degree.-30.degree.) is made between the face of said cutting blades and a plane perpendicular to said work surface of said disc;
(d) a shaft upon which to securely mount said disc;
(e) a feed box for the placement of work pieces to be presented to the work surface of said disc wherein the base of said feed box is tilted vertically so as to provide for an angle between the tool motion vector of said cutting blades and the grain of the work piece in a range of zero to ten degrees (0.degree.-10.degree.) and wherein the distance between said disc work surface and the edge of said feed box is in the range of 0.001 inches to 0.010 inches;
(f) a means for directing work pieces placed in said feed box against said work surface of said disc as it rotates about said shaft causing said cutting blades to travel and contact said work pieces;
and
(g) sufficiently powerful means for causing said shaft to rotate with sufficient speed and force to permit said cutting blades to cut said work pieces to produce curled wood flakes.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/856,136Filed 23 Mar 1992 · continuation in part
Priority: 21 Dec 1990
Granted: 18 May 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B27L 11/002
Manufacture of wood shavings, chips, powder, or the like ; Tools therefor: transporting devices for wood or chips
B27G 13/10
In the shape of disc-like members; Wood-milling cutters: securing the cutters, e.g. by clamping collars
B27L 11/005
Manufacture of wood shavings, chips, powder, or the like ; Tools therefor: tools therefor
B27L 11/02
Manufacture of wood shavings, chips, powder, or the like ; Tools therefor: of wood shavings or the like