Importance

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Abstract

A structural member is press-molded from a mass of elongated cellulosic particles and a binder. The mass is randomly filled, that is with the particles not extending parallel to one another, into a horizontally elongated compartment defined between a pair of horizontally confronting side walls having central portions, a top wall, and a bottom wall confronting the top wall and extending generally parallel to the top and side walls. The top and bottom walls are then displaced vertically toward each other into predetermined intermediate positions without substantial movement of the side walls so as to vertically pre-compress the mass in the compartment. Thus the particles engaging the top and bottom walls are generally parallelized therewith. At least the central portions of the side walls are then displaced horizontally toward each other between the top and bottom walls without substantial movement of the top and bottom walls from their intermediate positions so as to horizontally pre-compress the vertically compressed mass in the compartment. These steps may also be repeated in the same sequence. Finally the top and bottom walls are displaced vertically toward each other into terminal positions to further vertically compress the mass in the compartment to the final dimensions of the member without substantial movement of the side walls. The mass is then subjected to heat and cured and hardened between the walls without substantial movement of same.

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First Claim