# US 8,771,551 B2 · Method of treating wood > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,551 B2 - Document ID: US8771551B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/478,909 - Filed: 2009-06-05 - Published: 2009-12-10 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-06 - Assignees: Metsäliitto Osuuskunta - Applicants: Antti Korpela - Inventors: Antti Korpela - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771551B2 ## CPC - A01N 3/00: Preservation of plants or parts thereof, e.g. inhibiting evaporation, improvement of the appearance of leaves {or protection against physical influences such as UV radiation using chemical compositions} (preservation or chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables A23B7/00); Grafting wax - B05D 3/0254: {After-treatment} - B05D 5/08: to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface (rendering particulate materials free-flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic B01J2/30) - B05D 7/06: to wood - B27K 3/346: {Grafting onto wood fibres (B27K3/156 takes precedence; macromolecular compounds derived from lignocellulosic materials C08H)} - C09D 5/14: Paints containing biocides, e.g. fungicides, insecticides or pesticides (C09D5/16 takes precedence) - C09D 15/00: Woodstains - A01N 25/04: Dispersions, {emulsions, suspoemulsions, suspension concentrates} or gels (foams A01N25/16) - B05D 2401/20: Aqueous dispersion or solution - B27K 3/34: Organic impregnating agents {(polymers B27K3/15)} - B27K 3/38: Aromatic compounds {(B27K3/343 takes precedence)} - B27K 2200/10: Articles made of particles or fibres consisting of wood or other lignocellulosic material - B27K 2200/30: Multilayer articles comprising wood - B27K 2240/70: Hydrophobation treatment - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS - B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02) - B27K: PROCESSES, APPARATUS OR SELECTION OF SUBSTANCES FOR IMPREGNATING, STAINING, DYEING, BLEACHING OF WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS, OR TREATING OF WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS WITH PERMEANT LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05; coating wood or similar material B44D); CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL TREATMENT OF CORK, CANE, REED, STRAW OR SIMILAR MATERIALS - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) ## Abstract A method of protecting wood. According to the method, an aqueous dispersion of alkyl ketene dimer is applied onto the surface of the wood. By means of this treatment, the surface becomes hydrophobic and the contact angle of water in the form of drops on the treated wooden surface exceeds 100°. Such drop-shaped water does not penetrate into the treated surface, nor into for instance a crosscut end of sawn timber. Instead, the water disappears from the surfaces by evaporation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of protecting a sawn wood product, comprising the step of applying an aqueous dispersion consisting essentially of alkyl ketene dimer onto an untreated surface of the sawn wood product in order to improve water repellency thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein water in the aqueous dispersion is vaporized after application. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein vaporization is carried out at an elevated temperature of approximately 60-130° C. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein alkyl ketene dimer is applied onto the untreated surface of the sawn wood product in an amount of about 0.5 to 6.5 g/m2. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous dispersion of the alkyl ketene dimer is applied by brushing, spraying, dipping or roller spreading. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous dispersion has an alkyl ketene dimer concentration of about 0.1 to 10% by weight and the aqueous dispersion is applied on the surface of the sawn wood product in an amount of approximately 1 liter per 3-10 square meters of wooden surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous dispersion is applied without adjusting the pH value of the surface of the wood. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the sawn wood product is one of an unplaned sawn timber, planed sawn timber, beaded-surface wood, sized laminated timber, sized laminated board, pressure impregnated wood, plywood, chipboard, fibre board, veneer based product. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the method protects the sawn wood product against the harmful effects of micro organisms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous dispersion of alkyl ketene dimer is applied onto the untreated surface of the sawn wood product to protect the sawn wood product during a period of outdoor storage. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous dispersion of alkyl ketene dimer is applied on the untreated surface of the sawn wood product such that a non-integral layer of the alkyl ketene dimer is formed on the untreated surface of the sawn wood product. ### Claim 12 A sawn wood product, consisting essentially of a piece of sawn wood having an untreated surface which has not been treated against the harmful effects of microorganisms; an alkyl ketene dimer coating on the untreated surface; wherein alkyl ketene dimer is deposited on the untreated surface in an amount of 0.5-30 g/m2. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The wood product according to claim 12, wherein the sawn wood product is unplaned, planed sawn timber, beaded-surface wood, sized laminated timber, sized laminated board, pressure impregnated wood, plywood products, chipboard, fibre board, laminated veneer lumber or a product made of these materials. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The sawn wood product of claim 12, wherein alkyl ketene dimer is deposited on the untreated surface in an amount of 0.5 to 6.5 g/m2. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The sawn wood product of claim 12, wherein the sawn wood product is plywood or a veneer based product. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The sawn wood product of claim 12, wherein alkyl ketene dimer coating improves dimensional stability; retards wetting; or protects the sawn wood product against the growth of mold or fungi. ### Claim 17 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the aqueous dispersion has an alkyl ketene dimer concentration of about 0.5 to 4% by weight. ### Claim 18 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the aqueous dispersion has an alkyl ketene dimer concentration of about 1.5 to 3% by weight. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous dispersion of alkyl ketene dimer comprises an agent which improves the stability of alkyl ketene dimer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the agent that improves the stability of alkyl ketene dimer is starch.