Gelatinous wood preservative

Abstract

The general purpose of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method of preserving the vulnerable area of a railroad cross tie near the interface of the tie and the tie plate. To attain this purpose the invention provides a thin preservative-bearing gelatinous material that is placed between the cross tie and the tie plate either at the time of the original laying of rail or during any subsequent relaying. No extra equipment is needed and only a negligible amount of labor is required to simply place the gelatinous material on the adzed surface of the cross tie prior to the mounting or remounting of the rail. The presence of the gelatinous material poses absolutely no resistance to the subsequent driving of the spikes into the tie and is thin enough so as not to pose any rail alignment problems. The use of the gelatinous material relies on the moisture found under the tie plate to leach the active ingredients out of the material and help diffuse them throughout the adjacent section of wood. In addition, the unloading and loading of the tie plate by the passing of a train forces moisture into and out of the gelatinous material to further promote the leaching action. The inert components of the gelatinous material are completely biodegradable and will not pose an environmental problem at the end of the material's service life.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.