摘要 |
Disclosed herein is a cellulosic composite article and steam injection press methods of making the same by combining a resin binder with cellulosic material to form a mixture and, thereafter, forming a mat from the cellulosi c material/resin binder mixture and consolidating the mat in a pressing apparatus under heat, steam, and pressure to form the consolidated cellulosi c product. A steam injection platen includes elongated openings for injection of steam to the mat through an adjacent steam distribution plate. The steam distribution plate includes slots in fluid communication with the steam injection platen openings and is disposed over the openings in the steam injection platen to achieve homogeneous and complete steam distribution throughout the mat during consolidation. The steam is injected and removed through the same steam injection platen so that an opposed press platen can be textured or deeply contured to provide a variety of embossed designs in a major surface of the consolidated cellulosic product.
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