The instant system relates generally to systems, apparatuses and methods of manufacture in the construction arts and more specifically to creation of novel multi-use construction material which mimics the look of certain materials, but provides enhanced strength, maintenance and usage capabilities.
Natural wood has been used in the construction of various products for both indoor and outdoor applications. Furniture, indoor cabinetry, flooring materials are typically made from wood. Because wood is a versatile product, it has versatile uses in society.
Natural wood is a highly desirable material, however wet conditions, expense, and environmental issues sometimes cause wood to be less desirable material to use especially for products that may be easily damaged because of the surrounding settings.
Therefore, faux wood has been developed using various synthetic polymers to mimic wood but be a more durable alternative. However, most faux wood products show a synthetic plastic look and are therefore less attractive compared to natural wood materials. Further, faux wood tends to lose the richness and desirable aesthetic features of natural wood.
The instant apparatus and system, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. A versatile system, method and series of apparatuses for creating and utilizing a very high quality specific range of quasi-wood planking and associated materials, manufactured from a proprietary lightweight plastic formulation to replicate reclaimed wood and other like systems is disclosed.
It is an objective of the instant system to introduce a quasi-wood, or wood-like material, which eradicates the corrosion breakdown issues involved with the use of actual wood or reclaimed wood for use in the construction arts.
It is also an object of the instant invention wherein the system is disposed to detect when a vehicle enters an unhealthy food venue and alert the operator of numerous healthier choices within a designated radius.
The methods described herein do not rely on fixed geometry forms as the engineered mixture, once brought to the desired thickness and proper rigidity, may be cut to adjustable shapes and dimensions, thereby allowing separation, and later curing in a racking system. In addition, the ambient conditions surrounding the now separated curing panel(s), cured when stationed within the racking system, may be controlled so as to enhance production rates, and quality assurance.
Moreover, the high-performance environmentally friendly building panel manufacturing steps including the cutting, thickness fine adjustment system, and final curing processes by positioning the resulting high-performance building panel into an environmentally controlled racking system, in accordance with an example embodiment.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the versatile construction materials and methods of creation embodiments in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The Figures, Detailed Description and Examples which follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
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The Nextura™ Line can be used for interior and exterior wall claddings, ceilings, beam wraps, column wraps, back splashes, shower walls and much more.
The composite or polymer wood planking may be offered in a set line of textures, colors and dimensions, with the ability to offer the product in a virtually unlimited range of textures, sizes and quantities should the need arise for specific projects.
The instant system additionally possesses numerous Performance Advantages as the product can be milled, fastened and used in much the same fashion as natural reclaimed wood with the added benefit of seamless joints when required.
Moreover, the Nextura™ Line has been designed with customers and installation crews alike in mind as the system and materials comprise a construction that is simple to work. The product can be face screwed, glued, epoxy adhered, installed with hidden fastening systems or even pneumatically nailed.
Addressing the surface finishing aspects, all products under the Nextura™ Line come with a high end finish and the coloring process utilized involves the use of UV stable pigments for integral color throughout the board. In addition a hand applied topcoat provides an authentic look that is indistinguishable from natural wood. Our unique finishing techniques developed by our designers allow for the natural beauty of wood to show through by providing subtle differences from board to board. The result is the most realistic and durable look available on the market in the state of the art. Additionally, surface sealer may be applied by the end user should a high gloss finish be desirable.
The instant system further comprises a heavily filled low-density urethane casting resin and the cured plastic is lightweight and has a much lower density than other casting resin. The instant system features convenient 1A:1B volume mix ration and mixes easily (pre-mixing of parts A & B is necessary). Cured plastic is strong and can be carved, machined, drilled, sanded, etc. The instant system can be pigmented with SO-Strong® color tints prior to casting and finishing castings can be painted. And, because this product is low-density, it yields more plastic per pound/kg than other casting resins—thus the cost per casting is appreciably low.
The instant system can additionally be employed for a variety of art or industrial design related applications including reproducing sculpture, making fishing lures, prototype model making, casting doll heads and figures, etc.
Addressing processing recommendations, the below parameters may be utilized in order to ensure maximum material production and capabilities as follows:
Preparation—Store and use at room temperature (73°/23° C.). These products have a limited shelf life and should be used as soon as possible. Environmental humidity should be as low as possible. Good room size ventilation is essential. Wear safety glasses, long sleeves and rubber gloves to minimize contamination risk.
Applying a Release Agent—A release agent is necessary to facilitate de-molding when spraying into or over most surfaces. Use a release agent made specifically for mold making (Universal Mold Release available from Smooth-On or your Smooth-On Distributor). A liberal coat of release agent should be applied onto all surfaces that will contact plastic. Most silicone rubber molds usually do not require a release agent. Using a release agent, however, will prolong the life of the mold.
One note of high import, the user should apply release agent to all surfaces that will contact rubber. To ensue thorough coverage, lightly brush the release agent with a soft brush over all surfaces of the model. Follow with a light mist coating and let the release agent dry for 15 minutes.
Mixing—Material is heavily filled and the filler will separate from the liquid during storage. When the user first opens containers, the user will see powder on top that must be thoroughly pre-mixed with liquid on the bottom. The user must stir both Part A & Part B well before using—Pre-mix both parts in their original containers before dispensing. After dispensing equal amounts of Parts A & B into mixing container and mix thoroughly.
Furthermore, the user should stir slowly and deliberately, ensuring to scrape the material from the sides and bottom of the mixing container several times to ensure proper formation, while being careful not to splash any low viscosity material out of container. The user should also be mindful that the material sets up quickly and thus no room exists for delay between mixing and pouring.
Next in line is the pouring process, wherein fumes may be visible as this product starts to “gel” and cure, will dissipate with adequate ventilation. Only use this product with room size ventilation and do not inhale/breath fumes. Casting will be extremely hot immediately following cure and may burn the skin. Let cool to room temperature before handling. For best results, pour your own mixture in a single sport at the lowest point of the containment field and let the mixture seek its level. This will help minimize air entrapment.
One important feature Shelf life of a product is reduced after opening. Remaining product should be used as soon as possible. Immediately replacing the lids on both containers after dispensing product will help prolong the shelf life of unused product. Dry Glass Blanket or some other functional equivalent will significantly prolong the shelf life of unused liquid urethane products.
The Curing Process comes next, and once again, fumes, which may be visible as this product starts to “gel” and cure will dissipate with adequate ventilation. Castings will be extremely hot immediately following cure and may burn the skin. Let cool to room temperature before handling. The material is readily for de-mold in about two hours depending on mass and mold configuration.
Following the Curing Process is naturally the post Curing Process. In Post curing a casting is not necessary but will increase physical properties and performance. The material should be allowed to cure for recommended cure time at room temperature followed by 4-6 hour at 150° F./65° C. Casting should be allowed to come to room temperature before handling.
Performance—Cured castings of the instant system are lightweight, rigid, and durable. They resist moisture, moderate heat, solvents, dilute acids, and can be machined, primed/painted or bonded to other surfaces (any release agent must be removed). If machining the cured material, wear dust mask or other apparatus to prevent inhalation of residual particles.
In numerous embodiments, the system may utilize constructions and materials such as a laminate with hemp board, cork board and Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) which is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is generally denser than plywood. It is made up of separated fibres, but can be used as a building material similar in application to plywood. It is stronger and much denser than particle board.
Furthermore, to provide a brief description of manufacturing process, the method steps may comprise the following:
Moreover in one embodiment, creation of a Nextura™ Manufacturing Process Break Down. The creation of a Nextura™ synthetic wood board starts with the mold prep. Molds of different species and textures of wood are coated with a universal mold releasing agent. After the release agent is applied, artisans will color each mold individually using a mixture of mineral spirits and UV resistant urethane pigments. At this time parts A and B of our urethane plastic will be weighted out specific to the intended mold.
Once the color is brushed onto the molding surface, the user may mix urethane pigment color into our parts A and B of our urethane plastic. Once desired color is achieved, the user may mix parts A and B together for approximately one minute and pour the product into the mold, letting it flow against a pour plate to prevent any of the colors brushed in the mold from being washed of the mold surface due to a heavy pour.
Next, the user may fill the mold to the desired thickness (different for each mold texture) and then insert our backing while product is still wet to allow for a proper bond of the two products. Then the backer is clamped into place to make sure all air has been forced out and any excess urethane is squeezed out so the final product is at the desired thickness.
After 15 minutes, the user should unclamp and scrape any excess material from the mold frame and back of the backer while product is still not fully cured. After another 10 to 15 minutes the finished product is ready to be demolded to revile the final texture and coloring. Then the board gets a few passes through the saw to clean up the edges and bring board to final production size. After a final inspection the boards are packaged and reading for shipment.
Below is a list of Possible Backing Materials, including but not limited to the following:
Homasote
Hemp Board
MDF
PVC
Cork
Plywood
Cement Board
Sheetrock
Gypsum
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In one embodiment, each individual rack comprises a series of dividers 24a, a retaining rod 25 that is capable of sliding into each of a set of dividers 24a, through the use of divider end plates 24b. Quick clamps 23 may clamp down the retaining rod 25 to both sides of the shelf. In one embodiment, the retaining rod 25 is pivotally in communication with the individual shelf by a socket mechanism 26. In certain embodiments, the series of dividers 24a may be secured to the shelving system to prevent movement by a series of divider pin mechanisms 28.
In an additional embodiment of the JB 1000 Racking System 40, addressing
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Furthermore, a single 3″ I-beam 54 may be disposed to run in the lengthwise or long direction at the center of each shelf 50 and a set of 2×2×⅛″ square support tubing 55 may span the width of the shelf 7 places to support the shelf floor. The shelf floor 62 (not shown herein for clarity purposes), may comprise ⅛″ thick aluminum plate. The framing connections may be welded construction. The approximate unloaded weight of each shelf may be 1100 to 1300 lbs.
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This application claims the benefit of and takes priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/256,394 filed on Nov. 17, 2015, and U.S. Provisional No. 62/409,154 filed on Oct. 17, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.