Apparatus for producing a mat of directionally oriented lignocellulosic particles having cross-machine orientation

摘要

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.