PROCESSES FOR MANUFACTURING A STRUCTURAL MEMBER

摘要

A fabrication machine is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the fabrication machine includes a brake adapted to mechanically cooperate with a wrapper to impart a longitudinal tension to the wrapper by controlling the force required to advance the wrapper, the wrapper comprised of a cellulose-based material. The brake is adjustable to allow selection of longitudinal tension in the wrapper, in various aspects. Various aspects may include a wrapper roll in mechanical cooperation with the brake, the wrapper being drawn from the wrapper roll as the wrapper is advanced. The fabrication machine secures the wrapper at the selected tension about the core to form a structural member, in various aspects. Methods of use of the fabrication machine are disclosed herein. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof

主权项

1. A structural member for a pallet manufactured by a process comprising the steps of:
advancing a wrapper with a core emplaced thereupon through a fabrication machine in a direction of material flow, the wrapper being formed of a flexible sheet of cellulose based material, the core being formed of laminated fiberboard sheets; engaging the wrapper and the core with the fabrication machine as the core and the wrapper advance in the direction of material flow between side rollers, the side rollers engaging the wrapper and imparting a peripheral tension to the wrapper around the core, the peripheral tensioning of the wrapper about the core is in directions orthogonal to the direction of material flow; and securing the wrapper in tension to the core with adhesive interposed between the core and the wrapper.