Apparatus for making laminated lignocellulose fiber mats

• US 4,580,960 A
• Filed: 10/04/1983
• Issued: 04/08/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fiber Serch Partnership, Pacific Wood Fibers, Washington State
• Original Assignee: Feber Search Partnership
• Inventors: Dahlin, Earl C., Apman, Bertram A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOAG, WILLARD
• Application Number:
  US06/539,041
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 47/9, 47/56, 425/80.1, 425/81.1, 425/82.1, 425/83.1, 156/62.2, 156/62.4, 156/555, 19/144, 19/148, 19/296, 19/302-305
• US Class Current: 425/81.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 1/044 Sheets, multiple sheets or mats
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 20/20 Cultivation on mats
• CPC Class Codes: B27N 3/12 from fibres
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 17/52 Mulches
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 1/00 Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 1/72 the fibres being randomly arranged
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/28 specially adapted for farming

Abstract

Apparatus for making a low density fibrous mat for use as a self-contained support system to enhance the growth and probability of survival of an established seedling or a viable seed which has at least two adjoining layers of lignocellulose fibers bonded together by an adhesive of the type weakened by exposure to an outdoor environment. The apparatus is characterized by a pneumatic fiber conveying and depositing means in which the pneumatic conveyor is charged by rotatable tined shafts above a screw-conveyor and a following belt conveyor from which the fibers are drawn into the pneumatic conveying system for eventual deposition on a continuous vacuum screen.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a low-density mat of lignocellulose fibers from lignocellulose fibers in the form of compacted, loose fibers in bulk form comprising:

(a) means for controllably dispersing fibers into an air stream, such dispersing means comprising a hopper for receiving lignocellulose fibers in a compacted, bulk form, mounted in a lower portion of said hopper at least one rotatable tined shaft and a screw conveyor said shaft being mounted above said screw conveyor such as to feed said fibers to said screw conveyor, a porous conveyor for use in dispersing the fibers and for receiving the fibers from the screw conveyor, a tined shaft rotatably mounted above the porous conveyor for dispersing the fibers on the porous conveyor when the tines travel counter to the fibers onto the porous conveyor;

said screw conveyor means proximate to the tined shaft for drawing the fibers onto the porous conveyor, and a plenum, through which the dispersed fibers on the porous conveyor may enter the air stream at a controlled and uniform rate, such plenum having walls defining an opening extending across the porous conveyor;

(b) an air conveyor for transporting the dispersed fibers from the plenum;

(c) a traveling, forming wire on which the mat can be formed; and

(d) means for dispersing at least one layer of dispersed fibers from the air stream onto the forming wire to form a continuous fiber mat of uniform, low density.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for controlled dispersing of the fibers includes two oppositely rotating, parallel tined shafts positioned within the hopper to break up clumps of fibers.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for controllably dispensing the fibers includes a variable-speed auger screw conveyor disposed within the hopper to control the rate of discharge of fibers from the hopper.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for drawing the fibers downward onto the porous conveyor includes a pneumatic system for drawing air downward through the conveyor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plenum through which the fibers enter the air stream comprises a duct extending transversely to the conveyor, and having a lower surface defining a slot which extends transversely across the conveyor.

6. An apparatus for manufacturing a low-density mat of lignocellulose fibers from lignocellulose fibers in the form of compacted loose fibers in bulk comprising:

(a) means for controllably, dispensing the fibers into an air stream, such dispensing means comprising a hopper for receiving lignocellulose fibers in a compacted, bulk form, a pair of oppositely rotating, parallel tined shafts mounted within the hopper near its bottom interior to break up clumps of fibers;

a variable-speed auger disposed within the bottom of the hopper to feed fluffed, fiber from the hopper at a controlled rate, a conveyor having a porous surface for receiving the fibers from the hopper and dispersing the fibers, a tined shaft rotatably mounted above the conveyor for dispersing fibers on the conveyor when the tines are rotated counter to the flow of the fibers from the hopper on the conveyor, means proximate to the tined shaft for drawing the fibers onto the conveyor, and a plenum, through which the dispersed fibers on the conveyor may enter the air stream at a controlled and uniform rate, such plenum having walls defining a slot extending transversely above the conveyor and downstream from the tined shaft;

(b) an air conveyor for transporting the dispersed fibers from the plenum;

(c) a traveling, forming wire on which the mat can be formed; and

(d) means, receiving the dispersed fibers from the air conveyor, for dispensing at least one layer of dispersed fibers onto the forming wire to form a continuous mat of uniform low density.