US 12,441,023 B2
Densified wood including process for preparation
Travis E. Bjorkman, Lancaster, PA (US); Brian Beakler, York, PA (US); and Luke P. Marra, Victoria, MN (US)
Assigned to AHF, LLC, Mountville, PA (US)
Filed by AHF, LLC, Mountville, PA (US)
Filed on Mar. 18, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/607,729.
Application 18/607,729 is a continuation of application No. 17/965,879, filed on Oct. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,931,917, issued on Mar. 19, 2024.
Application 17/965,879 is a continuation of application No. 17/315,480, filed on May 10, 2021, granted, now 11,498,240, issued on Nov. 15, 2022.
Application 17/315,480 is a continuation of application No. 16/959,122, abandoned, previously published as PCT/US2018/067849, filed on Dec. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/611,953, filed on Dec. 29, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0217135 A1, Jul. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. B27K 5/06 (2006.01); B27K 5/00 (2006.01); B27N 3/08 (2006.01); B32B 21/04 (2006.01); B32B 21/13 (2006.01); B32B 21/14 (2006.01)
CPC B27K 5/007 (2013.01) [B27K 5/001 (2013.01); B27K 5/06 (2013.01); B27N 3/08 (2013.01); B32B 21/042 (2013.01); B32B 21/13 (2013.01); B32B 21/14 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A veneer and core assembly for a flooring component, the veneer and core assembly formed by:
(a) preheating a starter wood member, of a hardwood, by introducing the starter wood member to a temperature in a range of about 250° F. to about 500° F., wherein the preheating is for a time sufficient to reduce moisture content of the starter wood member to between 0 to about 2% and to obtain a core temperature of the starter wood member of about 250° F. to about 500° F.;
(b) after reducing the moisture content of the starter wood member to between 0 to about 2% and obtaining the core temperature of the starter wood member of about 250° F. to about 500° F., applying pressure to the starter wood member for a single press cycle for a press time of about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes to provide a pressed wood member, wherein heat is applied during the applying of pressure to maintain the core temperature during the applying of pressure in a range of about 250° F. to about 500° F.;
(c) providing a post-treatment conditioning of the pressed wood member to provide a treated wood member; and
(d) applying the treated wood member, as a veneer, to a core material to form the veneer and core assembly,
wherein the treated wood member has a density of about 60 pounds per cubic foot to about 85 pounds per cubic foot,
wherein the treated wood member has a top surface with a surface color difference (AE) of less than 20 as compared with a color of a top surface of the starter wood member.