David J Henckel

US Patent:

50173120, May 21, 1991

Filed:

Apr 27, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/043093

Inventors:

Thomas E. Peters - Boise ID
James D. Logan - Pullman WA
Eugene R. Bennett - Boise ID
Clarence L. Dieter - Boise ID
David J. Henckel - Boise ID

Assignee:

The Coe Manufacturing Company - Painesville OH

International Classification:

D04H 174
D04H 164

US Classification:

264 24

Abstract:

Apparatus for the manufacture of oriented chopped glass fiber mats from non-conductive fiber feed stock is disclosed. Apparatus includes means for increasing the conductance of the feed stock, electrically insulative transfer surface; means for establishing and maintaining a directional electric field to orient the chopped fibers, and a mat receiving surface to receive the oriented mat. The non-woven mat comprises a plurality of cut or chopped fibers having their longitudinal axes predominately disposed approximately parallel to a predetermined orientation axis lying in the plane of the mat. A preferred embodiment includes the incorporation of a glass fiber mat into a composite by applying a matrix resin to the mat in sufficient quantity to ensure the integrity of the composite. The process for manufacturing said non-woven oriented mats is also disclosed.

US Patent:

44153244, Nov 15, 1983

Filed:

Feb 10, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/347375

Inventors:

David J. Henckel - Boise ID
Thomas E. Peters - Boise ID

Assignee:

Morrison-Knudsen Forest Products, Inc. - Boise ID

International Classification:

B29B 502

US Classification:

425 831

Abstract:

An apparatus is disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically aligned in the cross-machine direction and face layers of particles electrostatically aligned in the machine direction. The multilayered mat of electrostatically aligned particles employs separate orientation cells for aligning the particles in the machine and cross-machine directions. For aligning the particles in the cross-machine direction, a uniformly distributed array of particles is passed through spaced charged plates of a high-voltage electrostatic field having electrical lines of force extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat being formed. The spaced, charged plates are preferably configured to spread the effects of particle migration and the shadow effect over the area of the orientation to minimize basis weight variation. A nosepiece for the transfer conveyor has a plurality of conductive elements embedded in it extending parallel to the direction of movement of the transfer belt.

US Patent:

43472028, Aug 31, 1982

Filed:

Feb 2, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/230691

Inventors:

David J. Henckel - Boise ID
Thomas E. Peters - Boise ID

Assignee:

Morrison-Knudsen Forest Products Co., Inc. - Boise ID

International Classification:

B06B 102

US Classification:

264 24

Abstract:

Methods and systems are disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed from the particles, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically aligned in the cross-machine dimension and face layers of particles electrostatically aligned in the machine direction. The multilayered or composite mat of electrostatically aligned particles employs separate orientation cells (30,32) for aligning the particles in the machine and cross-machine directions. For aligning the particles in the cross-machine direction, a uniformly distributed array of particles is passed through a high-voltage electrostatic orienting field having electrical lines of force extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat being formed. The orienting field may be formed between at least two uniformly spaced, electrically charged plates (60). The particles are deposited as a mat on a transfer belt (36) of a transfer conveyor (40) for transfer to a mat-receiving surface.