WO2011085554A1

WO2011085554A1 - Methods of preparing and making manufactured wood products

Info

Publication number: WO2011085554A1
Application number: PCT/CN2010/070214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory Andrew Wilson; Sean Yelverton James Mcdaniell
Original assignee: Style Limited
Priority date: 2010-01-15
Filing date: 2010-01-15
Publication date: 2011-07-21
Also published as: AU2010342749A1; AU2010342749B2

Abstract

Methods of preparing wood for use in a manufactured wood product are described herein. The methods advantageously include providing a wood piece and breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure. Methods of making manufactured wood products are also described herein. These methods advantageously include additionally heat-treating the wood pieces, applying an adhesive to the wood pieces, drying the wood pieces, and pressing the wood pieces in a mold.

Description

METHODS OF PREPARING AND MAKING MANUFACTURED WOOD

PRODUCTS

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] This application hereby incorporates by reference in their entireties the following international (PCT) applications filed on the same day by the same applicant: Manufactured Eucalyptus Wood Products; Methods of Preparing Eucalyptus Wood; Methods of Making Manufactured Eucalyptus Wood Products; and Systems for Producing Manufactured Wood Products.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] Disclosed herein are manufactured eucalyptus wood products and methods of making thereof. More particularly, the manufactured eucalyptus wood products described herein may include eucalyptus wood boards and others wherein the grain of the product is displayed, as in eucalyptus flooring.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the modern world, an increased demand for wood products coupled with unbridled deforestation has led to a scarce supply of wood trees. Many species of majestic rainforest trees are endangered or are approaching extinction. In addition to a reduced supply of trees, many trees traditionally coveted for their wood take many years to reach maturity. Thus, even if these trees are replanted, it will take many years to replenish the supply. This scarcity of natural wood may be particularly noticeable in those industries that rely on the particular aesthetic and structural qualities of the natural wood, such as the wood flooring industry.

[0004] Substitutes for natural wood can include, for example, plywood, particle board, and the like. However, many of these substitutes may not be able to adequately recreate the aesthetic and structural qualities of traditional natural wood species. Furthermore, they may not address the issue of finding and maintaining a sustainable wood supply for the future.

SUMMARY

[0005] A method and system has been developed that allows for the use of young Eucalyptus trees which can be grown as a replenishable crop to be used to make hardwood floors with the same or better hardness, stability, density, and appearance as old growth hardwood floors.

[0006] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of preparing eucalyptus wood for use in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing wood grain look that can include providing an elongate eucalyptus wood piece from a eucalyptus tree, said eucalyptus wood piece having a length and a width, generally rectangular in cross section, and having a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, the internal volume of the wood piece capable of absorbing fluid accessible from the outside of the wood piece, said eucalyptus wood piece having a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure extending generally along the length of the eucalyptus wood piece; and breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure parallel to the axis; wherein the breaking occurs to an extent that the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece, including the added surface within the volume of the wood piece that has been opened up due to breaking, is about 15% to about 40% greater than the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece prior to breaking at least a portion of the internal structure.

[0007] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of preparing eucalyptus wood for use in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing wood grain appearance that can include providing a eucalyptus wood piece from a eucalyptus tree, said eucalyptus wood piece being generally rectangular and having a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm and an internal surface area accessible from the outside of the wood piece, said eucalyptus wood piece having a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure extending along one axis of the eucalyptus wood piece; and breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure parallel to the axis; wherein the breaking step increases the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece such that the ability of the eucalyptus wood piece to absorb an adhesive solution increases by about 10% to about 40%.

[0008] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of preparing eucalyptus wood for use in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that can include providing a eucalyptus wood piece from a eucalyptus tree, said eucalyptus wood piece having a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, said eucalyptus wood piece having a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure extending along one axis of the eucalyptus wood piece; and breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure; wherein the breaking occurs to an extent that when the eucalyptus wood strip is dried to a first total water content of about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight, submersed in an adhesive solution including phenol, formaldehyde, water, and sodium hydroxide and having a density of about 1.07 g/mL for about 10 minutes, and dried to a second total water content of about 5% by weight to about 15%) by weight, the eucalyptus wood strip includes adhesive in the range of about 3% by weight to about 7% by weight.

[0009] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing wood grain look that can include providing a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips having a lignocellulosic structure, wherein the lignocellulosic structure has been partially opened such that the eucalyptus wood strips will absorb more fluid in a given amount of time than they otherwise would; heat-treating the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips; applying an adhesive solution to the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips; drying the adhesive-applied strips; placing the dried, adhesive-applied strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length greater than the length of an individual dried strip; and applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0010] Some embodiments herein are directed to methods of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing wood grain look and a desired density that can include providing a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips having a lignocellulosic structure, wherein the lignocellulosic structure has been partially opened to an extent that the eucalyptus wood strips will absorb more fluid in a given amount of time than they otherwise would, further wherein each eucalyptus wood strip has a starting density prior to partial opening of the lignocellulosic structure; heat-treating the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips; submersing the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips in an adhesive solution for an amount of time; drying the adhesive-applied strips; placing the dried, adhesive-applied strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately greater than or equal to the length of an individual dried strip; and applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product; wherein the extent to which the lignocellulosic structure is opened, the density of the adhesive solution, and the amount of time that the eucalyptus wood strips are submersed vary depending on the starting density of the eucalyptus wood strips and the desired density of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0011] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing wood grain appearance and a desired amount of adhesive that can include providing a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips having a lignocellulosic structure, wherein the lignocellulosic structure has been partially opened to an extent that the eucalyptus wood strips will absorb more fluid in a given amount of time than they otherwise would, further wherein each eucalyptus wood strip has a starting density prior to partial opening of the lignocellulosic structure; heat-treating the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips; submersing the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips in an adhesive solution for an amount of time sufficient such that the wood strips absorb a generally evenly distributed amount of the adhesive solution within the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips; drying the adhesive-applied strips; placing the dried, adhesive-applied strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately equal to the length of an individual dried strip; and applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product; wherein the extent to which the lignocellulosic structure is opened, the density of the adhesive solution, and the amount of time that the eucalyptus wood strips are submersed vary depending on the starting density of the eucalyptus wood strips and the desired amount of adhesive in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0012] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured wood product having an aesthetically pleasing wood grain look and a desired amount of adhesive that can include providing a plurality of wood strips from a tree that is about 10 years old or less and that has a density in the range of about 400 kg/cm3 to about 900 kg/cm3, said wood strips each having a lignocellulosic structure, wherein the lignocellulosic structure has been partially opened to an extent that the wood strips will absorb more fluid in a given amount of time than they otherwise would, further wherein each wood strip has a starting density prior to partial opening of the lignocellulosic structure; heat-treating the plurality of wood strips; submersing the plurality of wood strips in an adhesive solution for an amount of time; drying the adhesive-applied strips; placing the dried, adhesive-applied strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately equal to the length of an individual dried strip; and applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product; wherein the extent to which the lignocellulosic structure is opened, the density of the adhesive solution, and the amount of time that the wood strips are submersed vary depending on the starting density of the wood strips and the desired hardness of the manufactured wood product.

[0013] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing manufactured wood grain and a desired amount of adhesive that can include providing a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips having a lignocellulosic structure, wherein the lignocellulosic structure has been partially opened to an extent that the eucalyptus wood strips will absorb more fluid in a given amount of time than they otherwise would, further wherein each eucalyptus wood strip has a starting density prior to partial opening of the lignocellulosic structure; heat-treating the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips; submersing the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips in an adhesive solution for an amount of time; drying the adhesive-applied strips; placing the dried, adhesive-applied strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately equal to the length of an individual dried strip; and applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product; wherein the extent to which the lignocellulosic structure is opened varies depending on the starting density of the eucalyptus wood strips and the desired dimensional stability of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0014] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing manufactured wood grain that can include providing a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips having an internal structure, wherein the internal structure has been partially opened such that the eucalyptus wood strips will absorb more fluid in a given amount of time than they otherwise would, further wherein each eucalyptus wood strip has a density in the range of about 400 kg/cm3 to about 900 kg/cm3 prior to partial opening of the internal structure; heat-treating the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips; submersing the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips in an adhesive solution for an amount of time; drying the adhesive-applied strips; placing the dried, adhesive-applied strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately equal to the length of an individual dried strip; and applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0015] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing wood grain appearance that can include providing a de-barked eucalyptus tree section having a generally cylindrical shape, said eucalyptus tree section having a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure comprising lignocellulose extending along one axis of the eucalyptus tree section; cutting said eucalyptus tree section into a sheet having a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, said sheet at least partially maintaining the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure; cutting said sheet generally along the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure into a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips, each of said eucalyptus wood strips having a substantially uniform length, and each of said eucalyptus wood strips at least partially maintaining the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure; laterally breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure of each of the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips to create a plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips; heat-treating the plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips; applying an adhesive solution to the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips; drying the adhesive-applied strips, wherein the dried strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight; placing the dried, adhesive-applied strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately equal to the length of an individual dried strip; and applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0016] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing wood grain appearance that can include providing a de-barked eucalyptus tree section having a generally cylindrical shape, said eucalyptus tree section having a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure comprising lignocellulose extending along one axis of the eucalyptus tree section; cutting said eucalyptus tree section into a thin sheet having a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, said thin sheet at least partially maintaining the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure; laterally breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure of the thin sheet; cutting said thin sheet generally along the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure into a plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips, each of said partially broken eucalyptus wood strips having a substantially uniform length, and each of said partially broken eucalyptus wood strips at least partially maintaining the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure; heat-treating the plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips; applying an adhesive solution to the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips; drying the adhesive-applied strips, wherein the dried strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight; placing the adhesive-containing dried strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width significantly greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately greater than the length of an individual dried strip; and applying pressure to the adhesive-containing dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0017] Some embodiments herein are directed to a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that can include a plurality of adhesively bonded and pressed eucalyptus wood strips; wherein each of the eucalyptus wood strips is of generally the same length; each eucalyptus wood strip comprises a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure extending generally along one axis of the strip that has been at least partially laterally broken and at least partially permeated by an adhesive; the eucalyptus wood strips are oriented roughly parallel to one another along their length; the manufactured eucalyptus wood product comprises an amount of adhesive in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight; the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a generally uniform density in the range of about 900 kg/m3 to about 1300 kg/m3; and the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a wood grain appearance.

[0018] Some embodiments herein are directed to a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that can include a plurality of adhesively bonded partially broken eucalyptus wood strips; wherein each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips maintains its original structure from an appearance point of view; each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips is of generally the same length; each partially broken eucalyptus wood strip comprises a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure extending along the length of the strip that has been at least partially broken and at least partially permeated by the adhesive; the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips are oriented approximately parallel to one another along their length; the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a dimensional stability coefficient of change that is at least 50% less than the dimensional stability coefficient of change of natural eucalyptus wood; and the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a wood grain appearance.

[0019] Some embodiments herein are directed to a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that can include a plurality of adhesively bonded and pressed eucalyptus wood strips; wherein each of the eucalyptus wood strips is of generally the same length; each eucalyptus wood strip comprises a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure extending generally along one axis of the strip that has been at least partially laterally broken and at least partially permeated by an adhesive; the eucalyptus wood strips are oriented roughly parallel to one another along their length; further wherein the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a length and a generally rectangular shape defined in part by a base plane, a first side plane, and a second side plane, wherein the first and second side planes are spaced apart by a width; and about 0% to about 25% of the eucalyptus wood strips are on average across their width oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees with respect to the base plane, whereby significant portions of the wood grain of the remainder of the strips oriented on average across their widths at under about 30 degrees are visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0020] Some embodiments herein are directed to a system for production of a manufactured wood product that can include a spindleless lathe configured to slice very thin sheets from a generally cylindrically-shaped piece of timber rotating along its axis; a rolling machine comprising at least a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller, each of said rollers having a circumferential surface comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said first, second, and third rollers are spaced apart by an adjustable distance, and further wherein said space defines a path between said first, second, and third rollers that is non-planar; a strip cutting machine comprising a rotating elongated, generally cylindrical body having a core diameter in the range of about 100 mm to about 150 mm, said elongated, generally cylindrical body comprising at least six blades extending outwardly therefrom, wherein each blade has a length in the range of about 20 mm to about 60 mm; and a conveyor of a size and shape to transport wood pieces. [0021] Some embodiments herein are directed to a system for production of a manufactured wood product that can include a spindleless lathe configured to slice very thin sheets from a generally cylindrically-shaped piece of timber rotating along its axis; a rolling machine comprising at least a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller, and further wherein said space defines a path between said first, second, and third rollers that is non-planar; a strip cutting machine comprising an elongated, generally cylindrical body having a core diameter in the range of about 100 mm to about 150 mm, said elongated, generally cylindrical body comprising at least six blades extending outwardly therefrom, wherein each blade has a length in the range of about 20 mm to about 60 mm; a conveyor of a size and shape to transport wood pieces through the system; a heat-treating unit; a first dryer; an adhesive application unit; a second dryer; a pressing machine; and a third dryer.

[0022] These and other embodiments are described in further detail herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but are not intended to be limiting. The drawings include the following figures:

[0024] Figure 1 is a process flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a system described herein.

[0025] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system described herein.

[0026] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system described herein.

[0027] Figure 3 A is an exterior view of a spindleless lathe.

[0028] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional schematic view of one embodiment of the spindleless lathe of Fig. 3 A.

[0029] Figure 3C is a cross-sectional schematic view of one embodiment of the spindleless lathe of Fig. 3 A.

[0030] Figure 4 A is an exterior view of a cutting machine.

[0031] Figure 4B is an exterior view of a cutting machine with wood strips being outputted.

[0032] Figure 5 is an exterior schematic view of the rollers of a rolling machine.

[0033] Figure 6 A illustrates an exterior view of a crushing machine.

[0034] Figure 6B illustrates a close-up view of upper and lower rollers of a crushing machine. [0035] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the upper and lower rollers of the crushing machine while a wood piece is being crushed.

[0036] Figure 8 is an exterior view of one embodiment of a chemical bath.

[0037] Figure 9 is an exterior view of one embodiment of a steam oven.

[0038] Figure 10 is an exterior view of one embodiment of a conveyor.

[0039] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional schematic view of one embodiment of an adhesive bath.

[0040] Figure 12 is an exterior schematic view of one embodiment of a packed mold to which pressure is being applied.

[0041] Figure 13 A is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a computer-controlled system.

[0042] Figure 13B is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a computer-controlled system.

[0043] Figure 14 is a process flow chart illustrating a series of steps for one embodiment of a method described herein.

[0044] Figure 15 is a process flow chart illustrating a series of steps for one embodiment of a method described herein.

[0045] Figure 16 is a process flow chart illustrating a series of steps for one embodiment of a method described herein.

[0046] Figure 17 is a process flow chart illustrating a series of steps for one embodiment of a method described herein.

[0047] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tree section, a wood sheet, a plurality of wood strips, and a plurality of wood strips having a partially broken internal structure.

[0048] Figure 19A illustrates one embodiment of a wood strip having a naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure that is partially broken.

[0049] Figure 19B illustrates a cross section of the wood strip of Fig. 19 A.

[0050] Figure 19C illustrates another embodiment of a wood strip having a naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure that is partially broken.

[0051] Figure 20 is a photo of a manufactured non-eucalyptus wood product utilizing relatively thin wood strips.

[0052] Figure 21 A is a schematic top view of a manufactured eucalyptus wood board. [0053] Figure 21B is a schematic side view of the manufactured eucalyptus wood board of Fig. 21A.

[0054] Figure 22 is a photo of a manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0055] Figure 23 is a photo of a manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The following discussion describes in detail several embodiments of manufactured eucalyptus wood products and methods of making thereof, as well as various other aspects of these embodiments. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the present inventions to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments including those that can be made through various combinations of the aspects of the illustrated embodiments. Turning now to the drawings provided herein, a more detailed description of the embodiments described herein is provided below.

[0057] Wood traditionally has a myriad of uses and is often relied upon as a construction material. Different types of wood are used for building frames, wall panels, roofing, flooring, furniture, and the like. The characteristics of a piece of wood, such as color, hardness, and density, can vary based on a multitude of factors such as the species and age of the tree. For some uses, particularly wood flooring, it is important to select a type of wood that exhibits desirable aesthetic and structural qualities. Accordingly, the natural variation amongst wood has resulted in the reliance on particular wood species of for particular functions, such as redwood for furniture and oak, merbau, maple, and ash for flooring.

[0058] In addition to their structural qualities, many of these traditional species are chosen for their aesthetically pleasing natural wood grain. The term "natural wood grain" as used herein refers to the appearance of a natural piece of solid wood. A natural wood grain can include a plurality of lines spaced by various distances and that are generally parallel in some sections and generally curved in other sections. The lines can be subtle in appearance and may inherently include some disorder and irregularity. Additionally, a natural wood grain may appear as a pattern of colors, lines, swirls, and curves. For example, redwood is known for its distinct color. Other species are known for their distinctive swirls, burls, and the like.

[0059] Due to the overuse of specific species of trees for specific products, for example oak for furniture and flooring, many of these species have suffered extensively from deforestation and overharvesting. In addition to simply being on the brink of extinction, overharvesting these traditional wood trees poses many concerns. First, many traditional wood trees take many years, in some instances 40 years or more, to reach maturity. Accordingly, even if these trees are replanted, they cannot grow quickly enough to establish a sustainable wood supply. In addition, widespread deforestation has other negative effects on the environment, such as increased risk of soil erosion, flooding, and global warming.

[0060] To combat this growing depletion of traditional wood trees, some attention has been placed on non-traditional wood trees. In addition, man-made substitutes such as plywood, particle board, and the like have penetrated the marketplace. However, these substitutes can have many shortfalls. In some instances, the non-traditional wood trees lack the requisite hardness, stability, and/or density. In other instances, man-made substitutes may not be able to adequately preserve the aesthetically pleasing natural wood grain of the traditional wood trees.

[0061] To address these issues, the systems and methods described herein use trees that are not typically used for construction and that are generally known to lack the desired aesthetic and structural characteristics, but that grow quickly and that yield a product that is structurally adequate for use as a flooring, building, paneling, furniture, etc. material and that has an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0062] Some embodiments herein are directed to a manufactured eucalyptus wood product. As used herein, the term "manufactured eucalyptus wood product" is used in its ordinary sense and includes any type of man-made or machine-made eucalyptus wood item. A manufactured eucalyptus wood product can combine an adhesive solution with the natural properties of the eucalyptus wood to improve one or more characteristics of the wood, such as strength, density, and/or stability.

[0063] The term "eucalyptus" is used herein according to its ordinary meaning and refers to all trees of the genus Eucalyptus. Various species of eucalyptus can be used with the methods and systems described herein, including but not limited to E. grandis (Flooded gum, Rose gum), E. urophylla, E. grandis urophylla, E. marginata (Jarrah), and E. saligna (Sydney blue gum).

[0064] In some embodiments, the species of eucalyptus used is Eucalyptus grandis. E. grandis is generally known to grow relatively tall and straight in a short amount of time; in order to do so, E. grandis is also generally known to require a relatively large amount of water. Some species of eucalyptus take approximately 40 years to 100 years to reach maturity in terms of hardness, size, and stability as suitable for a manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Advantageously, E. grandis grows relatively quickly as compared to other species of eucalyptus. E. grandis is known in the industry to be harvested in cycles of about 16 years or less. Accordingly, the E. grandis that is used in some embodiments herein is in the range of about 2 years old to about 16 years old. In other embodiments, the E. grandis is in the range of about 2 years old to about 10 years old, 3 years old to about 8 years old, or about 5 years old to about 8 years old. Because this species of eucalyptus grows so quickly, it can be easily replenished and is an environmentally-friendly, renewable wood source.

[0065] In addition, because E. grandis grows relatively tall and straight, it is particularly suitable for use in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product, wherein a plurality of long, straight pieces may be desired. In contrast, some other species of eucalyptus have a relatively twisted interior that can negatively affect the aesthetic and structural qualities of the final product. E. grandis wood may also be of medium density. For example, in some embodiments, a eucalyptus wood piece from an E. grandis tree has a density in the range of about 400 kg/cm3 to about 900 kg/cm3. It is believed that the density of the E. grandis increases with age.

[0066] The eucalyptus wood can be taken from any portion of the eucalyptus tree. In some embodiments, almost all parts of a eucalyptus log can be used in accordance with the products, machines, and methods described herein. For example, all parts of a eucalyptus log can be used except for the pith and the bark. In some embodiments, about 70% by weight (excluding moisture content) or more of a eucalyptus log can be used to make a manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In other embodiments, about 80-90% by weight or more of a eucalyptus log can be used to make a manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In yet other embodiments, the otherwise unused eucalyptus waste material (e.g., pith, bark, the portion immediately beneath the bark, areas with discoloration, holes, and/or knots) can be incorporated into a manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein. For example, in some embodiments a manufactured eucalyptus wood product can include about 10-30% of waste material, based on the total amount of eucalyptus wood in the manufactured product. Such eucalyptus waste material is typically used for paper or fuel. Advantageously, a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes eucalyptus waste material may have a distinct aesthetic appearance that differs from the manufactured eucalyptus wood products described herein that do not utilize eucalyptus waste material. For example, a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes eucalyptus waste material may have relatively pronounced color variations and more pronounced grain lines. Furthermore, a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes eucalyptus waste material requires fewer new trees and produces less waste, and is thus particularly environmentally- friendly.

[0067] Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that E. grandis wood may vary in coloration depending on its relative location within the log. For example, the heartwood may have a pink color, and the sapwood may have a white color. Advantageously, all sections of the wood may be used. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood is sorted based on its coloration in order to adjust the color of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. [0068] Some embodiments herein are directed to a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes a plurality of adhesively bonded and pressed eucalyptus wood strips. Each of the eucalyptus wood strips includes an internal structure. In some embodiments, the internal structure is a naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure extending generally along one axis of the strip. The naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure can be present in any part of the eucalyptus tree section from which the strip is cut, such as the pith, bark, or wood. This naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure includes a variety of plant tissues such as the xylem, vascular cambium, and phloem, plant cells such as vessels, vessel elements, tracheids, collenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, and fiber cells, cell components such as the cell wall and water pockets, and chemical materials such as lignocellulose (i.e., a chemical and structural matrix that can include cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin). The xylem includes both sapwood and heartwood. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that at least some of these tissues and cells are generally elongate, and some have a plurality of hollow lumens. Some of these tissues and cells have the function of transporting water and/or nutrients through the eucalyptus tree. This naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure contributes to the natural wood grain of the eucalyptus tree section. As used herein, the term "lignocelluosic material" includes any plant matter that includes lignocellulose. The term "lignocellulosic structure" refers to parts of a plant that provide structural stability and that include lignocellulose, such as some cells.

[0069] Each eucalyptus wood strip includes a partially broken naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure. This structure extends along the length of the strip. In some embodiments, the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure is partially broken parallel to the axis along which it extends. As described herein, in doing so, the overall naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure is maintained, which contributes to the aesthetically pleasing manufactured wood grain (i.e., wood grain look or appearance) of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In addition, because the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure is only partially broken, rather than fully broken, the eucalyptus wood strip maintains approximately the same shape and structure that it had before at least a portion of the internal structure was broken. Accordingly, each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips maintains its original structure from an appearance point of view (i.e., the eucalyptus wood strip generally does not split into separate, discrete pieces). This also contributes to the aesthetically pleasing wood grain look or appearance of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, as described herein. The partial breaking of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure can be performed using a variety of systems and methods, including those described herein. As described herein, the extent of breaking can vary and can affect one or more aesthetic and/or structural characteristics of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0070] In some embodiments, the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure extending generally along one axis of the strip has been at least partially broken and at least partially permeated by an adhesive. The manufactured eucalyptus wood product can include an amount of adhesive in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight (excluding water). In one embodiment, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product includes an amount of adhesive in the range of about 3% by weight to about 7% by weight (excluding water). In another embodiment, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product includes an amount of adhesive in the range of about 4% by weight to about 5% by weight (excluding water). As described herein, the amount of adhesive in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product can affect one or more aesthetic and/or structural characteristics of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0071] Each of the eucalyptus wood strips can be of generally the same length. For example, in some embodiments each eucalyptus wood strip has length in the range of about 1700 mm to about 2100 mm. In some embodiments, the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips are oriented approximately parallel to one another along their length.

[0072] The eucalyptus wood strips can have a variety of thicknesses, although in some embodiments each eucalyptus wood strip is of generally the same thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of the eucalyptus wood strip is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. In other embodiments, the thickness of the eucalyptus wood strip is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. In yet other embodiments, the thickness of the eucalyptus wood strip is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. In still other embodiments, the thickness of the eucalyptus wood strip is in the range of about 2 mm to about 4 mm. It is believed that the thickness of the eucalyptus wood strip affects one or more properties of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, such as stability, hardness, and/or density. For example, a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes relatively thin eucalyptus wood pieces has greater stability, hardness, and density as compared to an otherwise similar manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes relatively thick eucalyptus wood pieces. As described further herein, cutting or slicing the eucalyptus wood piece will break and/or open at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood piece. Accordingly, it is believed that a relatively thin eucalyptus wood piece has a greater percentage of broken internal structure, as compared to an otherwise similar eucalyptus wood piece that is relatively thick. Furthermore, as described herein, the greater percentage of broken internal structure will allow for increased surface area and/or increased absorption of adhesive. The eucalyptus wood strips can also have a variety of widths. In some embodiments each eucalyptus wood strip is of generally the same width. In other embodiments, the width of each eucalyptus wood strip can vary between strips (i.e., not all strips may be of generally the same width). In some embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip has a width in the range of about 2 cm to about 10 cm. In other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip has a width in the range of about 3 cm to about 8 cm. In still other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip has a width in the range of about 5 cm to about 7 cm.

[0073] The width of the eucalyptus wood strip advantageously affects the aesthetic and structural qualities of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. For example, a eucalyptus wood strip with a smaller width may yield a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having a wood grain look or appearance that is not as natural-looking as one where wider strips are used. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that this is because less of the natural wood grain from the eucalyptus tree is preserved. An example of a manufactured wood product made using narrower strips is shown in FIG. 20. In addition, more strips are required when narrower strips are used. Accordingly, the wood grain look or appearance of the product includes more manufactured grain lines as compared to a product where wider strips are used. An example schematic of a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having grain lines 140 is shown in FIGS. 21A-B. In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein has about 10 to about 40 manufactured grain lines, over a width of about 13 cm. In other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein has about 20 to about 40 manufactured grain lines over a width of about 13 cm. In yet other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein has about 20 to about 30 manufactured grain lines over a width of about 13 cm. In still other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus product described herein has a number of grain lines 140, wherein about 85% to about 99% of the grain lines are natural and the remainder is manufactured. In yet other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus product described herein has a number of grain lines, wherein about 90% to about 99% of the grain lines are natural and the remainder is manufactured. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that a higher percentage of natural grain lines can result in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, as the natural appearance of the wood is preserved. Photos of manufactured eucalyptus wood products made according to the methods described herein are shown in FIGS. 22-23.

[0074] In some embodiments, each of the eucalyptus wood strips is of generally the same width and thickness. For example, in some embodiments each eucalyptus wood strip has a width in the range of about 2 cm to about 10 cm and/or a thickness in the range of about 1 mm to about 5 mm. [0075] In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips are oriented approximately parallel to one another along their lengths. Advantageously, this orientation can positively affect the aesthetic and/or structural qualities of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. For example, changing the orientation and placement of the wood strips in the eucalyptus wood product alters the arrangement, frequency, number, and the like of manufactured wood grain lines. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that the orientation of the wood strips may add the appearance of grain lines that are not present in the original natural grain of the starting wood material through, for example, utilizing the edges of the wood strips to create a line-like look that mimics the lines, curves, and patterns of natural wood grain.

[0076] In some embodiments, the widths of the eucalyptus wood strips are oriented generally parallel to each other. In other embodiments, the lengths of eucalyptus wood strips are also oriented generally parallel to each other. In general, the width of each eucalyptus strip may be oriented generally horizontally. Sometimes, the width of a eucalyptus strip may be oriented generally vertically. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that it can be advantageous to maximize the percentage of eucalyptus strips having a width that is oriented generally horizontally. Such an orientation will allow more of the natural wood grain to be displayed in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, as described further herein. Conversely, when more eucalyptus strips are oriented vertically along their width, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product may have an appearance that is less natural. In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood products described herein include about 0% to about 25% of eucalyptus wood strips having a width dimension that is oriented generally vertically. In other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood products described herein include about 0% to about 15% of eucalyptus wood strips having a width dimension that is oriented generally vertically.

[0077] In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a length and a generally rectangular shape defined in part by a base plane, a first side plane, and a second side plane. The base plane may be generally considered to be the bottom or base of the rectangle. The first and second side planes are spaced apart by a width. In these embodiments, about 0% to about 25%) of the eucalyptus wood strips are on average across their width oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees with respect to the base plane, whereby significant portions of the wood grain of the remainder of the strips oriented on average across their width at under about 30 degrees are visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In other embodiments, about 0% to about 15% of the eucalyptus wood strips are on average across their width oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees with respect to the base plane, whereby significant portions of the wood grain of the remainder of the strips are visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that as the angle of the wood strips across their width relative to the base plane decreases, the likelihood increases that more of the natural wood grain will be visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Consequently, the angle of the wood strips across their width relative to the base plane has an effect on the aesthetic appearance of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, wherein a relatively smaller angle results in more of the natural wood grain visible at the surface and a more natural look overall.

[0078] In some embodiments, about 75% to about 100% of the eucalyptus wood strips oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees are distributed generally adjacent one or more of the first and second side planes and within a distance from the one or more first and second side planes that is about 30% or less than the width. For example, in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having a width of about 12 cm, about 75% to about 100%) of the eucalyptus wood strips oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees may be within about 4 cm or less from the one or more first and second side planes. In other embodiments, about 85% to about 100% of the eucalyptus wood strips oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees are distributed generally adjacent one or more of the first and second side planes and within a distance from the one or more first and second side planes that is about 30% or less than the width. Conversely, significant portions of the wood grain of the remainder of the strips may be visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Advantageously, because the strips oriented at a relatively large angle are oriented near the outer edges of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, they are less likely to disrupt the wood grain of the remainder of the strips towards the center of the product. Accordingly, the wood grain look of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product may dominate over the appearance of the manufactured grain lines.

[0079] In other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product includes a eucalyptus wood sheet. The sheet includes a partially broken naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure as described herein with respect to the eucalyptus wood strip. The sheet can also be generally rectangular in shape with one dimension of the rectangle extending in generally the same direction as the elongate internal structure, said one dimension of the thickness of the sheet being similar to that described herein with respect to the eucalyptus wood strip. In these embodiments, the sheet can be rolled about an axis that is parallel to the partially broken naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure, and the rolled-up sheet is then adhesively bonded and pressed. [0080] Advantageously, the manufactured eucalyptus wood products described herein have many structural qualities that make the manufactured eucalyptus wood products comparable to other types of wood that are traditionally used for construction materials such as wood flooring. In many instances, the structural qualities of the manufactured eucalyptus wood products are vastly improved over the structural qualities of natural eucalyptus wood.

[0081] Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the stability of an article refers to the extent to which the size and shape of the article changes over a range of relative humidity. For example, an article that has a stability of 1% over a particular range of relative humidity is expected to grow or shrink by 1% over that particular range of relative humidity. Accordingly, a smaller stability value is indicative of an article having relatively high stability. For example, an article having a stability of 0.5% over a particular range of relative humidity is more stable than an article having a stability of 1% over the same range of relative humidity.

[0082] The manufactured eucalyptus wood products described herein advantageously has a stability in the range of about 0.5% to about 1.0% over a range of 20-90% relative humidity. In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a stability in the range of about 0.6%) to about 0.9% over a range of 20-90% relative humidity. In other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a stability in the range of about 0.6% to about 0.85% over a range of 20-90% relative humidity. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that 20-90%) relative humidity is a very wide range to test a wood product; many types of wood are tested over a narrower range of 30-80% relative humidity and are not expected to be feasibly stable over a range of 20-90% humidity. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that strand woven bamboo, which is generally known as a wood flooring substitute, has a stability of about 0.80% over a range of 20-90% relative humidity. Accordingly, the manufactured eucalyptus wood products described herein are generally as stable as strand woven bamboo and are thus particularly suitable for applications such as wood flooring.

[0083] The dimensional stability coefficient of change, also referred to as the dimensional change coefficient, provides one indication of the extent to which the size and shape of an article change over a range of relative humidity (e.g., 8-14% relative humidity). For example, an article having a lower dimensional stability coefficient of change is less prone to growing, shrinking, cupping, and/or warping than an article having a higher dimensional stability coefficient of change. To calculate the expected degree of growing, shrinking, cupping, and/or warping in a wood product, the dimensional change coefficient is multiplied by the width of the wood product and the change in moisture content. Thus, a relatively small dimensional change coefficient is indicative of a relatively small amount of expected growing, shrinking, cupping, and/or warping. In other words, a smaller dimensional change coefficient is indicative of a more stable wood product.

[0084] The manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein advantageously has a dimensional stability coefficient of change in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.004. In an embodiment, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a dimensional stability coefficient of change in the range of about 0.002 to about 0.003. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the dimensional stability coefficient of change of natural eucalyptus wood is in the range of about 0.004 to about 0.006. Thus, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein can have a dimensional stability coefficient of change that is significantly less than that of the natural eucalyptus wood. In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a dimensional stability coefficient of change that is at least 50% less than that of natural eucalyptus wood. In other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a dimensional stability coefficient of change that is less than that of other raw materials commonly used for lumber, such as oak.

[0085] In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a density that is greater than or equal to about 900 kg/m3. In other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a density that is greater than or equal to about 980 kg/m3 and is thus be suitable for high-traffic commercial flooring. In other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a density in the range of about 900 kg/m3 to about 1300 kg/m3. In still other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a density in the range of about 1100 kg/m3 to about 1200 kg/m3. Advantageously, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product can have a density that is significantly greater than that of other types of raw material, and can also be significantly greater than other types of raw materials processed according to the methods described herein. For example, natural bamboo has a density in the range of about 700 kg/m3 to about 800 kg/m3 and a manufactured bamboo product made according to the methods described herein has a density in the range of about 900 kg/m3 to about 1100 kg/m3.

[0086] In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a hardness in the range of about 2,500 psi to about 3,000 psi. For example, in some embodiments the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a hardness in the range of about 2,700 psi to about 2,900 psi. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the hardness of natural eucalyptus wood is in the range of about 1,500 psi to about 1,600 psi. Thus, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein is significantly harder than natural eucalyptus wood. Those of ordinary skill in the art may also appreciate that the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein can also be significantly harder than other types of raw materials, and can also be significantly harder than other types of raw materials processed according to the methods described herein. For example, natural bamboo has a hardness in the range of about 1, 100 psi to about 1,400 psi, and a manufactured bamboo product made according to the methods described herein has a hardness in the range of about 2,600 psi to about 2,700 psi.

[0087] The manufactured eucalyptus wood product can be any sort of wood product, such as flooring, a board, a floor board, a block, a plank, a beam, a panel, and a piece of furniture. In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is a construction material. In one embodiment, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is a floor board having a length in the range of about 180 cm to about 190 cm, a width in the range of about 10 cm to about 15 cm, and a thickness in the range of about 4 mm to about 17 mm. The manufactured eucalyptus wood product is particularly suitable for applications where aesthetic and structural qualities are desired. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that natural eucalyptus wood or timber has an average hardness that may be suitable for making products, such as flooring, that are best suited for low traffic areas. Advantageously, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein has a hardness and/or density that makes the product suitable for high traffic applications, such as commercial flooring.

[0088] The manufactured eucalyptus wood product also has an aesthetically pleasing manufactured wood grain or a wood grain look or appearance. As used herein, an article having a "manufactured wood grain" or a "wood grain look" is a man-made article having a look or appearance that is manufactured to generally suggest the natural wood grain of solid wood. A manufactured wood grain can include lines, curves, patterns, colors, and irregularities that approximate natural wood grain. A manufactured wood grain can incorporate the natural wood grain as part of the manufactured wood grain. However, this is not necessary. Accordingly, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product can demonstrate the desired structural qualities described herein while also generally maintaining the appearance of a solid wood floor.

[0089] The manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein can be made using a variety of systems and according to a variety of methods. Some embodiments herein are directed to a system 20 for production of a manufactured wood product. For example, the system 20 can be used to produce the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described further herein. For the sake of clarity, the system 20 is sometimes described in reference to the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described further herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate, however, that the description of the system 20 with respect to the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is merely for example only, and that the system 20 can be used to produce many other manufactured wood products utilizing other types of woods.

[0090] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that depicts the various components of the system 20. FIGS. 2A-B are schematic diagrams that depict two embodiments of the system 20. The system 20 advantageously includes a spindleless lathe 22, shown at FIG. 3 A-C. The spindleless lathe 22 can include a blade 76, shown in FIG. 3B-C. The spindleless lathe 22 is advantageously configured to slice a very thin sheet from a generally cylindrically-shaped piece of timber 74 rotating about its axis, as shown in FIG. 3B-C. In some embodiments, the spindleless lathe 22 can be configured to slice a sheet that has a thickness in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 10 mm. The spindleless lathe 22 can also include a movable guard (not shown) that holds the cylindrically-shaped piece of timber 74 in place as it rotates. In other embodiments, the spindleless lathe 22 includes a passive roller 78, as shown in FIG. 3B-C. The passive roller 78 advantageously holds the cylindrically shaped piece of timber 74 within the lathe 22 while also facilitating rotation of the cylindrically-shaped piece of timber 74. The spindleless lathe 22 advantageously has a length and diameter that is adapted to accommodate the cylindrically-shaped piece of timber 74. In some embodiments, the spindleless lathe 22 can have a length and diameter that is adapted to accommodate a cylindrically-shaped piece of timber 74 having a length in the range of about 1700 mm to about 2100 mm and a diameter in the range of about 100 mm to about 300 mm. The spindleless lathe 22 also includes an apparatus for turning, rotating, and/or spinning the cylindrically-shaped piece of timber 74 about its longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus can be, for example, roller bearings 80, 82, as shown in FIG. 3B. Roller bearing 82 can move vertically and horizontally. Both roller bearings 80, 82 can spin about their axes. In some embodiments, some portion of the interior of the spindleless lathe 22 can also include a textured surface. For example, roller bearings 84, 86 have a plurality of bumps, protrusions, and/or ridges, as shown in FIG. 3C. These bumps, protrusions, and/or ridges are advantageously adapted to contact the cylindrically-shaped piece of timber 74.

[0091] Nearly any species of timber can be inserted in the spindleless lathe 22. In some embodiments, the timber 74 is a cylindrically-shaped piece of eucalyptus. Any type of eucalyptus described herein is suitable. As described herein, the timber 74 has a naturally occurring, generally elongate internal structure.

[0092] In operation, the generally cylindrically shaped piece of timber 74 is inserted into the top opening of the chamber 124. Roller bearing 82 moves down and away from roller bearing 80 to allow the chamber 124 to accept the timber 74. Once the timber 74 is in the chamber 124, the roller bearing 82 moves towards roller bearing 80 to contact the timber 74. As shown in FIG. 3B-C, at this point the timber 74 is oriented under passive roller 78 and is thus prevented from popping out of the chamber 124. Roller bearing 82 can rotate in a clockwise direction, as indicated in FIG. 3B-C. This will allow timber 74 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to contact the blade 76. The rotational force will allow the blade 76 to shave off a very thin sheet 126 from the timber 74. The position of roller bearing 82 can be adjusted to ensure that the timber 74 always contacts the blade 76, even as the diameter of the timber 74 gets smaller. Roller bearing 80 and passive roller 78 help to keep the timber 74 rotating. Where the spindleless lathe 22 includes roller bearings 84 and 86, as shown in FIG. 3C, the bumps, protrusions, and/or ridges contact the timber 74 as it rotates, thus helping to break open the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the timber 74. As the sheet 126 separates from the timber 74 and exits the spindleless lathe 22, it is bent, particularly along the underside of the sheet 126, as shown in FIGS. 3B-C. Advantageously, this bending motion helps to break open the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the underside of the sheet 126.

[0093] Advantageously, the spindleless lathe 22 can be used to cut a continuous, or nearly continuous, wood sheet that is the result of continuously peeling, stripping, or shaving the outer surface of the timber 74. Such a sheet may be advantageous in that the thickness of the sheet can be adjusted and controlled as desired, and the thickness of the sheet will be generally uniform across the sheet. In addition, the spindleless lathe 22 is advantageous in that it uses almost all parts of the timber 74. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that manufacturers of timber flooring typically use large diameter trees with special sections dedicated to creating planks for floor boards. In contrast, in some embodiments herein, the spindleless lathe 22 allows for about 70% by weight or more of the starting timber 74 to end up in the manufactured wood product (e.g., all of the starting timber 74 except for the bark and pith). Hence, the spindleless lathe 22 reduces the volume of wood that is needed for a given amount of flooring. In addition, the spindleless lathe 22 does not require a tree having a particularly large diameter. Thus, younger trees can be used. Furthermore, using almost all parts of the timber 74 positively impacts one or more structural parameters of the manufactured wood product. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the structural properties of a piece of wood can vary depending on its relative location within the log. For example, a piece of heartwood may have an average density than differs from that of a piece of sapwood. Accordingly, using almost all parts of the timber 74 helps to ensure that the different sections of wood get mixed together, resulting in a manufactured wood product that has more uniform structural qualities than would otherwise be possible.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 20 further advantageously includes a strip cutting machine 24. The strip cutting machine 24 includes a rotating elongated, generally cylindrical body such as a rotating wheel 34, shown in FIGS. 4A-B. The rotating wheel 34 can have a core diameter in the range of about 100 mm to about 150 mm. The rotating wheel 34 also has a plurality of blades 36 extending radially therefrom. For example, the rotating wheel 34 can have a number of blades 36 in the range of about two to about ten. As shown in FIGS. 4A-B, the rotating wheel 34 can have six blades 36. In some embodiments, each blade 36 has a length in the range of about 20 mm to about 60 mm. As described further herein, the strip cutting machine 24 may be used to cut wood strips, such as a eucalyptus wood strip described further herein, from a crushed or uncrushed sheet. In some embodiments, each wood strip can have a width in the range of about 2 cm to about 10 cm. Accordingly, the rotating wheel 34 and blades 36 advantageously have dimensions that are adapted to cut wood strips having a width in this range.

[0095] In operation, a thin sheet of wood enters the strip cutting machine 24 on a conveyor 128. The conveyor is of a size and shape to transport wood. One or more conveyors can be used with the system 20 to transport wood. The thin sheet of wood has a naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure. As the thin sheet of wood passes under the rotating wheel 34, the rotating wheel 34 cuts the thin sheet of wood into a plurality of strips 130, as shown in FIG. 4B. The thin sheet of wood is advantageously oriented such that the rotating wheel 34 makes lengthwise cuts along an axis that is generally parallel to the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the wood. The wood strips 130 can exit the cutting machine 24 on the conveyor 128, as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0096] The system 20 further advantageously includes a rolling machine 88 or a crushing machine 26. In some embodiments, the system 20 includes a rolling machine 88, as shown in FIG. 5. The rolling machine 88 includes at least a first roller 90, a second roller 92, and a third roller 94. In some embodiments, the rolling machine 88 includes additional rollers, such as a fourth roller 96. Each of the rollers has a circumferential surface. In some embodiments, the circumferential surface includes a plurality of protrusions 98, such as teeth, bumps, ridges, and/or grooves. In other embodiments, the circumferential surface is roughened or textured. In yet other embodiments, the circumferential surface is generally smooth.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 5, a material to be rolled can be fed into the rolling machine 88 adjacent the first roller 90. In some embodiments, the first roller can have a guide that directs the material into the rolling machine. Each roller is generally cylindrically- shaped, with a diameter and a length. The rollers may be of various diameters. In some embodiments, the diameter is in the range of about 5 cm to about 15 cm. In other embodiments, the diameter is in the range of about 10 cm to about 15 cm. The rollers may also be of various lengths. In some embodiments, each roller has a length in the range of about 170 cm to about 210 cm. In other embodiments, each roller has a length in the range of about 170 cm to about 250 cm. In still other embodiments, each roller has a length that is greater than or equal to the length of the material to be rolled, such as a de-barked eucalyptus tree section 2 or a generally cylindrically- shaped piece of timber 74.

[0098] Each of the rollers are advantageously spaced apart by an adjustable distance. The distance can be adjusted by a lever, for example. Advantageously, the distance can be adjusted to accommodate materials of different thicknesses and properties. In addition, the space between the rollers defines a path 122 between the rollers that is non-planar, as shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, a material that is sent through the rolling machine 88 will bend as it travels along the path 122.

[0099] In operation, a material to be rolled, such a thin sheet of wood, is fed into the rolling machine 88 adjacent the first roller 90. The first roller 90 can be rotating in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 5. The second, third, and fourth rollers 92, 94, 96 rotate in alternating directions (e.g., counterclockwise, clockwise, and counterclockwise, respectively). Accordingly, the first, second, third, and fourth rollers 90, 92, 94, 96 pull the thin sheet of wood through the rolling machine 88. As the thin sheet of wood travels along non-planar path 122, it will bend, as shown in FIG. 5. Advantageously, the bending step will at least partially break the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the thin sheet of wood. As shown in FIG. 5, the bending will cause breaking in a direction that is mainly parallel to the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure 142. Advantageously, the extent to which the thin sheet of wood is bent can be varied by adjusting the diameter of the rollers and/or the distance between the rollers. For example, rollers of a smaller diameter will bend the thin sheet of wood more than rollers of a larger diameter, resulting in a thin sheet of wood with a relatively greater proportion of broken naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure and an increased ability to absorb an adhesive solution, as described herein. In addition, rollers that are spaced apart by a relatively small distance will bend the thin sheet of wood more than rollers that are spaced apart by a relatively large distance. Accordingly, rollers that are spaced apart by a relatively small distance will produce in a thin sheet of wood with a relatively greater proportion of broken naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure and an increased ability to absorb an adhesive solution. It is contemplated that the degree of bending may advantageously be adjusted by changing the positions of the rollers with respect to one another and/or changing the diameter of the rollers to accommodate different wood, different thicknesses, and the look of the desired end product. These adjustments may advantageously be made manually or remotely and may be controlled by the computing system 200. [0100] In other embodiments, the system 20 includes a crushing machine 26. As shown in FIG. 6A, a material to be crushed, such as a eucalyptus wood strip 8, can be fed from the input side 38 of the crushing machine 26, and through a first pair of upper and lower conveyor rollers 40, 42. In some embodiments, the crushing machine 26 has an alignment ledge 70, which assists in aligning and inputting the material to be crushed. The first pair of upper and lower conveyor rollers 40, 42 may be oriented directly one atop the other, as shown in FIG. 6A. The first pair of upper and lower conveyor rollers 40, 42 may have teeth or another increased-friction surface to grip the material to be crushed and convey it along the crushing machine 26 to a pair of upper and lower rollers 44, 46.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 6 A, the upper and lower rollers 44, 46 may be vertically aligned, i.e., oriented one atop the other. The upper and lower rollers 44, 46 may each have a guide 48A-B, as shown in FIG. 6A. The guides 48A-B are horizontally parallel to one another and help facilitate passage of the material to be crushed between the upper and lower rollers 44, 46. The upper and lower rollers 44, 46 may be of various diameters. In some embodiments, each of the upper and lower rollers 44, 46 is from about 5 cm to about 15 cm in diameter. In other embodiments, each of the upper and lower rollers 44, 46 is from about 10 cm to about 15 cm in diameter. The circumferential surfaces of upper and lower rollers 44, 46 are shown in FIGS. 6A-B. The upper and lower rollers 44, 46 have a plurality of protrusions, such as teeth, bumps, ridges, and/or grooves, on their circumferential surfaces. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A-B, each of upper and lower rollers 44, 46 have a series of ridges 50 and grooves 52 traversing the outer circumference. As shown in FIG. 6B, ridges 50 and grooves 52 may be alternatively arranged. In addition, the ridges 50 of the upper roller 44 and the grooves 52 on the lower roller 46 may be staggered, as shown in FIG. 6B. Any number of ridges 50 and grooves 52 may be used on the upper and lower rollers 44, 46. In some embodiments, each upper and lower ridged roller 44, 46 has about five to about ten ridges 50. The upper and lower rollers 44, 46 may each have different numbers of ridges 50 and/or grooves 52, as shown in FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, the width of each ridge 50 and/or groove 52 is from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In other embodiments, the width of each ridge 50 and/or groove 52 is from about 2 mm to about 4 mm. In some embodiments, the width of each ridge 50 and/or groove 52 may be adjusted as desired. As shown in FIG. 7, the width of the groove 52 is wider than the width of the ridge 50, resulting in a horizontal gap 54. In some embodiments, the horizontal gap 54 is approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 0.8 mm wide. In other embodiments, the horizontal gap 54 is approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 0.5 mm wide. In still other embodiments, the width of the ridge 50 is greater than the width of the groove 52 (not shown).

[0102] As shown in FIG. 7, there is a horizontal plane 56 between the upper and lower rollers 44, 46. In some embodiments, the length of each ridge stops short of the horizontal plane 56, resulting in a vertical gap 58. In some embodiments, the distance of the vertical gap 58 is from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In other embodiments, the distance of the vertical gap 58 is from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. In other embodiments, each ridge 50 has a length such that the ridge 50 lies flush against the horizontal plane (not shown). In still other embodiments, the length of each ridge 50 may be such that the ridge transcends the horizontal plane 56 (not shown). Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the distance between the upper and lower rollers 44, 46 may increase or decrease as desired. In addition, the crushing machine 26 can have an apparatus, such as a lever, for adjusting the distance of the vertical gap 58. For example, the upper and lower rollers 44, 46 of the crushing machine 26 may be adjustably spaced apart by an apparatus such as a lever, so that the distance of the vertical gap 58 can vary. Advantageously, the distance of the vertical gap 58 can vary to accommodate materials of different thicknesses. The crushing machine 26 advantageously includes a second pair of upper and lower conveyor rollers 62, 64, as shown in FIG. 6A. Similar to the first pair 40, 42 the second pair of upper and lower conveyor rollers 62, 64 may have teeth or another increased-friction surface 66 to facilitate discharging the crushed material out of the crushing machine 26 at the output side 68, as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0103] In operation, a material to be crushed, such as a wood strip, is fed into the crushing machine 26 adjacent the input side 38, in between the conveyor rollers 40, 42. The conveyor rollers 40, 42 convey the wood strip to the upper and lower rollers 44, 46. As the wood strip passes between the upper and lower rollers 44, 46, the upper and lower rollers 44, 46 compress the wood strip. In compressing the wood strip, the upper and lower rollers 44, 46 advantageously also at least partially break the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the wood strip. Generally, the breaking will occur along an axis that is parallel to the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure. In addition, some breaking will occur along an axis that is perpendicular to the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure. As described further herein, it is advantageous for the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the wood strip to be partially broken, rather than fully broken. In doing so, the natural wood grain of the natural eucalyptus material is preserved to create an aesthetically pleasing product, while still allowing for enhancement of the structural properties (e.g., stability, hardness, and density) of the natural eucalyptus material. After passing between the upper and lower rollers 44, 46, the crushed wood strip passes through the second pair of upper and lower conveyor rollers 62, 64, which convey the crushed wood strip out of the crushing machine.

[0104] As described herein, the rolling machine 88 and/or the crushing machine 26 can be used to break and/or open at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the wood piece. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the wood piece is broken and/or opened to create a wood piece having an increased total surface area. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the wood piece is broken and/or opened to partially open the lignocellulosic structure of the wood piece. The system 20 further advantageously includes a conveyor of a size and shape to transport wood pieces through the system 20.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 20 further advantageously includes a heat treating unit 28. In some embodiments, the heat treating unit 28 includes a chemical bath 102, as shown in FIG. 8. The chemical bath 102 is of a size and shape to contain a plurality of wood strips, such as a plurality of wood strips having a partially broken naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure 132, and a chemical solution 104. For example, in embodiments where the wood strips 132 have a length in the range of about 1700 mm to about 2100 mm and a width in the range of about 30 mm to about 100 mm, the chemical bath 102 has a length and width greater than or equal to these dimensions. In some embodiments the chemical bath 102 includes a stirrer to ensure even circulation of the chemical solution 104. The chemical bath 102 can also include inflow and outflow ports for the injection of fresh chemical solution 104 or the removal of used or impure chemical solution. The chemical bath 102 can also have a filter to remove physical impurities such as insects, dust, mold, mildew, and the like. The chemical bath 102 can also have a heating element. In embodiments where the chemical bath 102 is used to hold a hot chemical solution, the heating element heats the chemical solution and maintains the solution at a desired temperature, such as greater than about 95 °C. In some embodiments, the chemical solution is maintained at a temperature in the range of about 95 °C to about 115 °C. For example, in some embodiments the chemical bath 102 is adapted to boil the chemical solution 104 and maintain it at a boiling temperature. In another example, the chemical bath 102 is adapted to boil a chemical solution 104 that includes hydrogen peroxide and water and is also adapted to maintain this solution at a boiling temperature. The chemical bath 102 can also have one or more sensors that are adapted to monitor one or more indicia of the chemical solution 104, such as the amount, temperature, pH, and/or concentration. The one or more sensors can be connected to a computing system 200. In some embodiments, the chemical bath 102 can also include a removable cage. In these embodiments, a plurality of wood strips is loaded into the removable cage, and the cage is dipped or submerged into the chemical solution 104.

[0106] In operation, a material to be heat-treated, such as a wood strip 132, is placed into the chemical bath 102, which contains chemical solution 104. In some embodiments, a bundle of wood strips is placed into the chemical bath 102. As the wood strip is boiled at a temperature of about 95 °C or greater, one or more naturally-occurring impurities, such as a sugar, can be removed from the wood strip. In addition, the boiling at a temperature of about 95 °C or greater can at least partially break the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the wood strip.

[0107] In other embodiments, the heat treating unit 28 includes a steam oven 106, shown at FIG. 9. The steam oven 106 includes one or more steam conduits 108 and/or heating elements 134. The steam conduits 108 are adapted to provide steam at a pressure in the range of about 0.1 MPa to about 0.5 MPa to a plurality of wood strips 132, such as eucalyptus wood strips 10. The steam oven 106 also includes a drain valve for allowing the drainage of condensed water. The steam oven 106 can also include one or more sensors that are adapted to control and/or monitor one or more indicia of the steam oven 106, such as temperature and pressure.

[0108] In operation, a material to be heat-treated, such as a wood strip 132, is placed in the steam oven 106 and steamed in a process that can be referred to as carbonization. In some embodiments, a bundle of wood strips is placed in the steam oven 106. The wood strips can be steamed at a pressure in the range of about 0.1 MPa to about 0.5 MPa, and for a period of time in the range of about 1 hour to about 5 hours. As the wood strip is steamed, the heat and water vapor decomposes the sugar molecules present in the wood strip, without removing the decomposed sugar molecules from the wood strip. The decomposed sugar molecules give the wood strip a color that is darker than a wood strip that has been boiled.

[0109] The system 20 further advantageously includes one or more dryers. Each dryer includes a conveyor 100, as shown in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, the conveyor 100 is vertically stacked or coiled to advantageously increase the length of the conveyor 100 without increasing its footprint. The dryer can also include one or more sensors for detecting the speed of the conveyor 100. The one or more sensors may be connected to a computing system 200. In some embodiments, a dryer includes a heat source such as an oven. The dryer can also include a housing that contains one or more elements of the dryer, such as the oven and fan. In other embodiments, the dryer can be a passive dryer, and can allow the article that is on the conveyor to dry at ambient temperature, such as that shown in FIG. 10. The dryer can also include an apparatus for maintaining air flow throughout the dryer, such as a fan. In some embodiments, the system 20 has one dryer. In other embodiments, the system 20 has multiple dryers. For example, in some embodiments the system 20 includes a first dryer 124, a second dryer 126, and a third dryer 128, as shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, at least one of the first, second, and third dryers 124, 126, 128 includes an oven. In one embodiment, the third dryer 128 includes an oven.

[0110] In operation, a material to be dried, such as a wood strip 132 that has been heat-treated, enters the dryer on the conveyor 100. The conveyor 100 advances the wood strip through the dryer and water evaporates from the wood strip. The speed of the conveyor 100 and/or the temperature of the dryer can be adjusted depending on one or more characteristics of the wood strip and on the amount of water in the wood strip that is desired.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 20 advantageously further includes an adhesive application unit 30. In some embodiments, the adhesive application unit 30 includes an adhesive bath 110, as shown at FIG. 11. The adhesive bath can be similar to the chemical bath 102. For example, the adhesive bath 110 is of a size and shape to contain a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10 and an adhesive solution 112. In some embodiments the adhesive bath 110 can include a stirrer (not shown) to ensure even circulation of the adhesive solution 112. The adhesive bath 110 can also include inflow and outflow ports for the injection of fresh adhesive solution 112 or the removal of used or impure adhesive solution 112. The adhesive bath 110 can also have a filter to remove physical impurities such as insects, dust, mold, mildew, and the like. The adhesive bath 110 can also have a heating element. In embodiments where the adhesive bath is used to hold a hot adhesive solution 112, the heating element can heat the adhesive solution 112 and maintain the solution at a desired temperature. The adhesive bath 110 can also have one or more sensors that are adapted to monitor one or more indicia of the adhesive solution, such as the amount, temperature, pH, density, and/or concentration. The one or more sensors can be connected to a computing system 200. In some embodiments, the adhesive bath 110 can also include a removable cage. In these embodiments, a plurality of wood strips is loaded into the removable cage, and the cage is dipped or submerged into the adhesive solution 112. The cage can also include an apparatus for dipping and removing the cage into and out of the adhesive bath 110, such as a pulley system. The cage can also include an apparatus for rotating the cage about an axis, such as an axle.

[0112] The adhesive application unit 30 advantageously includes a paddle 114, as shown in FIG. 11. The paddle is adapted to rotate the wood strips 132 so as to facilitate even application of the adhesive solution 112. In other embodiments, the adhesive application unit 30 can include a spray or flow coating apparatus (not shown) that is adapted to spray or pour adhesive solution 112 over the wood strips.

[0113] In operation, a material onto which adhesive is to be applied, such as a dried wood strip 132, enters the adhesive bath 110 on a first conveyor 136. The adhesive advantageously operates both physically and chemically to bond the eucalyptus wood strips 10. For example, the adhesive penetrates into and physically engages with the partially broken generally elongate internal structure. In addition, the adhesive will also interact with the partially broken generally elongate internal structure (e.g., the remaining cellulose and hemicellulose) on a molecular level, resulting in a chemical, electronic interaction (e.g., a covalent bond, an ionic bond, a hydrogen bond, a dipole, or a van der Waals interaction).

[0114] As may be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of different adhesives can be used in the methods described herein. A particular type of adhesive may be chosen for its particular properties, such as water resistance. These adhesives may include, for example, phenol-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, or a non-formaldehyde adhesive. The adhesive may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset. The adhesive may be adapted to reduce the amount of gas emission. In an embodiment, the adhesive is adapted to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. In one embodiment, the adhesive is soy-based. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied as a solution.

[0115] In some embodiments, a phenol-formaldehyde adhesive is used. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that phenolic resins are thermoset resins that crosslink upon heating. Accordingly, the adhesive will not form chemical bonds until it is subjected to heat, such as in a hot press or an oven described herein. In some embodiments, the adhesive needs to be subjected to a temperature of about 120 °C or greater before it is activated and solidified. In a phenol-formaldehyde adhesive, the formaldehyde is used to form crosslinks between the phenol molecules. As described further herein, one example of an adhesive solution includes phenol, formaldehyde, water, and sodium hydroxide.

[0116] When the wood strip reaches the paddle 114, the paddle 114 flips the wood strip over onto a second conveyor 138 to facilitate a generally uniform application of adhesive solution. The second conveyor 138 conveys the wood strip out of the adhesive bath 110. The speed of the first conveyor 136, paddle 114, and second conveyor 138 can be adjusted depending on one or more characteristics of the wood strip, the density of the adhesive solution, and/or the desired density of the final product. After the wood strip exits the adhesive application unit 30, it is conveyed to second dryer 126 and subsequently conveyed to a pressing unit 32.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 1 and 12, the system 20 further advantageously includes a pressing unit 32. The pressing unit 32 includes a scale, a hopper, a mold, and a press. The hopper (not shown) includes, for example, a conveyor and a guide. The base of the hopper has generally the same length and width as the mold 116. The height of the hopper can vary; in some embodiments, the hopper has a height in the range of about 1 m to about 2 m. The side walls of the hopper are oriented upright or can be angled at approximately 45 degrees relative to the ground. The hopper also has an arm located near the base of the hopper. Molds 116 of various shapes and dimensions can be used as desired for the final manufactured wood product. In some embodiments, the mold 116 is of a size and shape for the purpose of making wood flooring. In those embodiments, the mold 116 is approximately rectangular, with an interior length, interior width, and interior height, as shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 12, the mold 116 includes a bottom wall 144 and two opposing longitudinal side walls 146, but lacks a top wall and additional side walls. Each of the longitudinal side walls 146 has an upper row of holes and a lower row of holes along the top edge of the wall 146. Each wall is generally planar and has a thickness in the range of about 6 mm to about 12 mm. Accordingly, the mold 116 has a cross section that is generally shaped as an angular "U." Advantageously, the bottom wall of the mold 116 is at generally a 90 degree angle to each of the two side walls. This feature allows for a more even distribution of density in the final product, as compared to a mold with a partially curved "U" shape cross section. In some embodiments, the interior length of the mold 116 is at least as long as a wood strip 132. In other embodiments, the interior length of the mold 116 is greater than the length of an individual wood strip 132. In still other embodiments, the mold 116 has an interior width greater than that of a wood strip 132. When the interior width of the mold 116 is approximately equal to the width of the wood strips 132, the manufactured wood product may be more prone to warping (e.g., changes shape) and/or cupping (e.g., the upper surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product becomes concave) as compared to an otherwise similar manufactured wood product formed using a mold 116 having interior width that is greater than the width of the wood strips 132. In an embodiment, the interior length of the mold 116 is greater than the interior width of the mold 116. For example, a mold 116 that is adapted to make wood flooring can have an interior width in the range of about 10 cm to about 15 cm and an interior length in the range of about 170 cm to about 210 cm. The mold 116 can also have an interior height in the range of about 10 cm to about 15 cm. The mold 116 can be made from a variety of materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to metals such as iron, nickel, chromium, vanadium, and alloys thereof (e.g., steel).

[0118] The mold 116 also has a lid 118 and a plurality of pins 120 which are adapted to mate with the lower row of holes in the longitudinal side walls 146 of the mold 116 and hold the lid 118 in place. A plurality of bolts 152 are adapted to mate with the upper row of holes in the longitudinal side walls 146, and are adapted to be secured by nuts. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that various other mold shapes can be used, including but not limited to a square mold and a panel mold. These types of molds are relatively wider and shorter than the mold depicted in FIG. 12, and are adapted for use with a hot press. A variety of presses as known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used as the press herein. In some embodiments, the press is a hydraulic press. The press can include a plurality of cylinders 150 that apply pressure to the mold 116, as shown in FIG. 12. In some embodiments, the press includes a number of cylinders 150 in the range of about four to about twelve. In other embodiments, the press includes a number of cylinders 150 in the range of about five to about ten. The cylinders 150 expand as the pressure increases. The press is adapted to provide pressure to the mold 116 in the range of about 5 MPa to about 25 MPa. In another embodiment, the press is adapted to provide pressure to the mold 116 in the range of about 5MPa to about 25 MPa. The press can be a hot press and/or a cold press. When the press is a hot press, the pressing unit 32 also includes a heat source. The press also includes a male flat piece 148 beneath the cylinders 150. The male flat piece 148 is adapted to mate with the mold 116 and contact the lid 118 to thereby transfer pressure to the mold. The male flat piece 148 also includes a plurality of openings along its lower portion. These openings correspond to the pins 120, bolts 152, and the holes in the longitudinal side walls 146 of the mold 116.

[0119] In operation, a material to be pressed, such as a plurality of wood strips to which adhesive has been applied, is weighed on the scale to ensure that approximately the same volume of wood strips is loaded into each mold 116. The wood strips are then loaded into the top of the hopper while the hopper is at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees). The hopper is then tilted upright and the arm of the hopper pushes the wood strips into the mold 116. The mold 116 is located in a cavity within the press. The wood strips are oriented generally lengthwise parallel to the opposing longitudinal side walls 146. If any strips are sticking out of the open latitudinal side walls, they can be pushed in using a variety of tools and methods, such as by using hand tools. After the wood strips have been loaded into the mold 116, the lid 118 is placed over the mold and the cylinders 150 of the press apply pressure to the lid 118 through the male flat piece 148. The application of pressure advantageously puts the wood strips into close proximity with one another for more effective bonding, removes air, and creates a desired shape and density for the finished product. In embodiments where the pressing unit 32 includes a hot press, the mold is placed into a kiln while pressure is still being applied. In embodiments where the pressing unit 32 includes a cold press, once the desired pressure has been reached, pins 120 are placed in the lower row of holes in the longitudinal side walls 146 of the mold 116 and bolts 152 are placed in the upper row of holes and secured with nuts to maintain pressure once the press is released. The openings along the bottom of the male flat piece 148 allow for the pins 120 to be inserted while the pressure is being applied. The step of inserting the pins 120 and the bolts 152 can either be done manually or through the use of an automated system. Once the pins 120 and bolts 152 are inserted, the mold 116 is conveyed from the pressing unit 32 to third dryer 128. [0120] As described herein, in some embodiments the third dryer 128 is an oven. In some embodiments, a thermoset adhesive that forms chemical crosslinks upon heating (e.g., an adhesive solution that includes phenol and formaldehyde) is used with the system 20. Accordingly, as the mold 116 is heated, the adhesive forms a crosslinked network that secures the wood strips together.

[0121] After the mold 116 passes through the third dryer 128, it exits the system 20. After exiting the system 20, a block of manufactured wood product can be removed from the mold 116. The block can sit at rest for a period of time, in a process that can be referred to as "stabilization." After the block has stabilized, it can be subjected to post-production processing, illustrated at FIG. 17 and described herein.

[0122] In some embodiments, the system 20 is controlled by computing system 200. The computing system 200 includes a plurality of modules adapted to monitor and adjust the various components and units of the system 20 as described herein. For example, the computing system 200 can include a spindleless lathe module that monitors and controls the angle of the blade 76 and/or the orientation of roller bearing 82. The computing system 200 can also include a crushing machine module or a rolling machine module that adjusts the distance between rollers. The computing system 200 can also include a heat treatment module that monitors and adjusts the chemical bath or that monitors and adjusts the pressure and temperature of the steam oven. The computing system 200 can also include an adhesive application module that controls the paddle and/or monitors and adjusts the contents of the adhesive bath. The computing system 200 can also include a pressing module that monitors and controls the intensity of pressure and the amount of time for which it is applied. The computing system 200 can also include a conveyor module that monitors and controls the speed of the conveyor. The computing system 200 can also include a control station. The control station can include input/output devices such as a keyboard and a computer screen that receive information from and display information to a user, and can also control and monitor the modules of the computing system 200. Any of these modules can also include an output device, such as a computer screen, that displays information relating to that particular module. Computing hardware, input/output devices, network devices, software, and the like, as required for the computing system 200 may be known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Schematic diagrams depicting two systems 20 that include a computer system 200 and a control station are shown in FIGS. 13A-B.

[0123] In operation, a user advantageously inputs, via an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch screen, one or more parameters relating to the timber 74 and/or the desired manufactured wood product into the control station. Examples of such parameters include but are not limited to the species of the timber, the age of the timber, the location where the timber was grown, and the end use of the manufactured wood product. The control station relays this information to one or more of the other modules. The one or more modules can then make adjustments based on information stored in the computing system 200 and relating to the parameters that have been inputted. Advantageously, the computing system 200 can be centrally and/or remotely controlled. In embodiments where one or more modules include an output device, information about a particular module is displayed on the output device. For example, in embodiments where the adhesive application module is connected to an output device, the output device can display information such as the temperature and concentration of the adhesive bath. Advantageously, this allows information to be displayed at each unit, instead of only at the control station. In some embodiments, the system 20 is fully automated.

[0124] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of preparing eucalyptus wood for use in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing manufactured wood grain.

[0125] As shown in Step A of FIG. 15, the method of preparing eucalyptus wood for use in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product includes providing a eucalyptus wood piece from a eucalyptus tree. A eucalyptus wood piece can have any shape or form that is suitable for the methods described herein. Any type of eucalyptus described herein can be used with these methods.

[0126] The eucalyptus wood piece is from a eucalyptus tree section 2. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus tree section 2 is a de-barked eucalyptus tree section having a generally cylindrical shape. When the eucalyptus tree section 2 has a generally cylindrical shape, it has a circumferential surface having a generally circular cross section that is bound by two generally flat circular parallel end surfaces. The generally cylindrical eucalyptus tree section 2 has one axis that generally extends from the center of one generally circular surface to the center of the other generally circular surface. The eucalyptus tree section 2 has a pith along the axis, bark at the circumferential surface, and wood in between the pith and the bark. The eucalyptus tree section 2 also has a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure extending generally along the axis of the eucalyptus tree section 2. As described herein, the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure can be present in any part of the eucalyptus tree section 2, such as the pith, bark, or wood.

[0127] The eucalyptus tree section 2 advantageously has a diameter in the range of about 100 mm to about 300 mm. The eucalyptus tree section 2 also advantageously has a length in the range of about 1700 mm to about 2100 mm. In some embodiments, the density of the eucalyptus tree section 2 is in the range of about 400 kg/cm3 to about 900 kg/cm3. It is believed that the density of a eucalyptus tree section 2 increases depending on the age of the eucalyptus tree section 2 (at the time of harvesting). Furthermore, in some circumstances a eucalyptus tree section 2 having a density significantly less than about 400 kg/cm3 or significantly greater than about 900 kg/cm3 can result in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that has poorer density, hardness, and/or stability as compared to an otherwise similar manufactured eucalyptus wood product that is made from a eucalyptus tree section 2 having a density in the range of about 400 kg/cm3 to about 900 kg/cm3.

[0128] In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood piece is advantageously generally rectangular. However, the eucalyptus wood piece may be in any shape or form such as a strip, sheet, block, etc. that is suitable. In some embodiments, the length of the eucalyptus wood piece is in the range of about 1700 mm to about 2100 mm. In other embodiments, the length of the eucalyptus wood piece is in the range of about 1800 mm to about 2000 mm. The eucalyptus wood piece also has a thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of the eucalyptus wood piece is in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 10 mm. In other embodiments, the thickness of the eucalyptus wood piece is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. In still other embodiments, the thickness of the eucalyptus wood piece is in the range of about 3 mm to about 4 mm. It is believed that the thickness of the eucalyptus wood piece can affect one or more properties of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, such as stability, hardness, and/or density. For example, a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes relatively thin eucalyptus wood pieces has greater stability, hardness, and density as compared to an otherwise similar manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes relatively thick eucalyptus wood pieces. As described further herein, cutting or slicing the eucalyptus wood piece will break and/or open at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood piece. Accordingly, it is believed that a relatively thin eucalyptus wood piece has a greater percentage of broken internal structure, as compared to an otherwise similar eucalyptus wood piece that is relatively thick. Furthermore, as described herein, the greater percentage of broken internal structure will allow for increased surface area and/or increased absorption of adhesive. The eucalyptus wood piece also has an internal surface area that is accessible from the outside of the wood piece.

[0129] At least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood piece is broken and/or opened, as shown at Step B of FIG. 15. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood piece is broken and/or opened to create a eucalyptus wood piece having an increased total surface area. In other embodiments, the step of at least partially breaking and/or opening the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure includes partially opening the lignocellulosic structure. In Step B, the eucalyptus wood piece is bent, crushed, rolled, squeezed, compressed, folded, ripped, torn, smashed, split and/or pulled apart. In some embodiments, because the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure is only partially broken, rather than fully broken, the eucalyptus wood piece maintains approximately the same shape and structure that it had before at least a portion of the internal structure was broken. That the partially broken eucalyptus wood piece maintains approximately the same size and shape of the eucalyptus wood piece and helps to ensure that a similar, uniform structure is maintained throughout the entire eucalyptus wood piece. This uniformity enhances the structural integrity and aesthetic value of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. For example, the uniformity contributes to the creation of the manufactured wood grain; in contrast, a non-uniform structure can lead to a final product having an unnaturally disorderly appearance. Furthermore, maintaining approximately the same size and shape facilitates subsequent steps such as applying glue, loading, and pressing.

[0130] In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood piece is bent, crushed, rolled, squeezed, compressed, folded, ripped, torn, smashed, split and/or pulled apart along an axis that is generally parallel to, and not generally perpendicular to, the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure. In other embodiments, the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure is broken laterally, i.e., generally parallel to the axis along which the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure extends. In any of these embodiments, the overall naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure is maintained, which contributes to the aesthetically pleasing manufactured wood grain of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0131] In some embodiments, the breaking occurs to an extent that the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece, including the surface area within the volume of the eucalyptus wood piece that has been opened up due to breaking, is greater than the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece prior to breaking at least a portion of the internal structure. For example, in some embodiments the breaking occurs to such an extent that the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece is about 15% to about 40% greater than the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece prior to breaking at least a portion of the internal structure. In one embodiment, the breaking occurs to such an extent that the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece is about 15% to about 30% greater than the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece prior to breaking at least a portion of the internal structure. In embodiments where the eucalyptus wood piece is compressed, compressing to a greater depth can increase the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece. Reducing the moisture content of the eucalyptus wood piece can also increase the surface area upon compression.

[0132] In other embodiments, the increase in surface area increases the ability of the eucalyptus wood piece to absorb a liquid, such as an adhesive solution. In other words, in some embodiments the eucalyptus wood piece can absorb more liquid than a eucalyptus wood piece prior to increasing the surface area. For example, in some embodiments, a eucalyptus wood piece can absorb about 10% more to about 40% more adhesive solution as compared to an otherwise similar eucalyptus wood piece prior to breaking at least a portion of the internal structure. In another embodiment, the breaking occurs to an extent that the eucalyptus wood piece, after being submersed for about 10 minutes in an adhesive solution that includes phenol, formaldehyde, water, and sodium hydroxide and that has a density of about 1.07 g/mL, absorbs about 10%) more to about 40% more adhesive solution as compared to an otherwise similar eucalyptus wood piece prior to breaking at least a portion of the internal structure. In some embodiments, the lignocellulosic structure is at least partially opened such that the eucalyptus wood piece will absorb more fluid in a given amount of time than it would otherwise. For example, the eucalyptus wood piece can absorb about 10%> more to about 40% more adhesive solution as compared to a eucalyptus wood piece prior to at least partially opening the lignocellulosic structure.

[0133] In still other embodiments, the breaking of at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure occurs to an extent that it affects the amount of adhesive in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. For example, in some embodiments, the breaking occurs to an extent that when the eucalyptus wood piece is dried to a first total water content of about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight, submersed in an adhesive solution comprising phenol, formaldehyde, water, and sodium hydroxide and having a density of about 1.07 g/mL for about 10 minutes, and air dried at ambient temperature for 3 hours, the resulting dried eucalyptus wood piece includes an amount of adhesive solution (i.e., phenol, formaldehyde, water, and sodium hydroxide) in the range of about 20% by weight to about 30% by weight. In other embodiments, the dried eucalyptus wood piece includes an amount of adhesive solution in the range of about 22% by weight to about 30% by weight. In still other embodiments, the dried eucalyptus wood piece includes an amount of adhesive solution in the range of about 22% by weight to about 26% by weight. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the amount of adhesive (excluding water) in the dried eucalyptus wood piece can be calculated by subtracting out the first total water content.

[0134] In some embodiments, the step of breaking and/or opening at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure includes breaking and/or opening plant tissue such as vascular tissue, structures such as the xylem, vascular cambium, and phloem. In another example, one or more plant cells, such as vessels, vessel elements, tracheids, collenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, and fiber cells, are broken and/or opened. Specifically, in some embodiments the cell wall of a plant cell is broken and/or opened to expose the interior of the plant cell. Although not to be bound by theory, it is believed that breaking at least a portion of the internal structure of each eucalyptus wood piece results in increased interaction between the natural eucalyptus wood material and the adhesive solution, and can increase one or more of the strength, density, and stability of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In addition, it is believed that breaking open a plant cell, while leaving the overall structure of the eucalyptus wood piece in tact, increases the interaction between the natural eucalyptus wood material and the adhesive solution while also maintaining the structural strength of the natural eucalyptus wood material.

[0135] Although not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the size (e.g., diameter) of the individual cells and/or thickness of the cell walls can vary based on one or more factors, including but not limited to climate, amount of rainfall, soil content, and the like, of the environment where the eucalyptus tree was grown. The size of the individual cells may also vary depending on their age and their original location within the eucalyptus tree, such as the distance from the center of the trunk. In some embodiments, the extent of breakage of the eucalyptus wood piece varies depending on one or more environmental factors as discussed herein. In other embodiments, the extent of breakage of the eucalyptus wood piece varies depending on the size of the individual cells and/or thickness of the individual cell walls. For example, when the individual cells are relatively large, less force may be required to break them. In contrast, when the individual cells are relatively small, more force may be required to break them.

[0136] The step of breaking at least a portion of the internal structure of each eucalyptus wood piece can be done by any method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. To accomplish this step, the eucalyptus wood pieces may be bent, crushed, rolled, squeezed, compressed, folded, ripped, torn, smashed, split, cut, sliced, and/or pulled apart. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various apparatuses may be used to partially break the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood piece according to the method described herein. One example of an apparatus that may be used is a crushing machine, such as crushing machine 26 within a system 20, described further herein. Another example of an apparatus that may be used is a rolling machine, such as rolling machine 88 within the system 20, described herein. Yet another example of an apparatus that may be used is a spindleless lathe, such as the spindleless lathe 22 within system 20 described herein. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the internal structure is broken when a eucalyptus wood piece is cut or sliced. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the internal structure is broken manually. In some embodiments, one or more of these methods and apparatuses is used alone or in combination to break at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure.

[0137] In some embodiments, the step of breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure includes bending, crushing, rolling, squeezing, compressing, folding, ripping, tearing, smashing, splitting, and/or pulling apart the eucalyptus wood piece along the naturally occurring, generally elongate internal structure into a plurality of elongate sections 12A-G that are continuously connected, as shown in FIGS. 19A-B. During this process, each eucalyptus wood piece is separated along its length into a plurality of lengthwise segments that remain attached. The term "continuously connected" as used herein refers to a connection wherein each elongate section 12A-G may be connected at least in part within each elongate section, as well as to an immediately adjacent elongate section. As shown in FIG. 19 A, the resulting eucalyptus wood piece includes a plurality of elongate sections 12A-G that are continuously connected by adjacent fibrous threads 14. The term "fibrous thread" as used herein refers to thin, fibrous pieces of eucalyptus wood. The fibrous characteristic of wood may be due to the fiber cells and/or lignocellulose of the eucalyptus wood. In some embodiments, the fibrous thread 14 can include more than one point of attachment between two elongate sections 12. In other words, an individual elongate section 12A-G may be attached to an immediately adjacent elongate section 12A-G at multiple points. When a crushing machine 26 is used to partially separate the eucalyptus wood piece, the horizontal gap 58 as shown in FIG. 7 generates an incomplete shear, producing a eucalyptus wood piece with continuously-connected elongate sections 12A-G, as opposed to completely cutting the eucalyptus wood piece into separate, discrete pieces. Similarly, when a rolling machine 88 is used to bend a eucalyptus wood piece, the non-planar path 122 may be designed to prevent the eucalyptus wood piece from breaking into separate, discrete pieces.

[0138] In embodiments where the crushing machine 24 is used, the incomplete shear generated by the horizontal gap 58 also helps to ensure that the eucalyptus wood piece maintains approximately the shape before and after crushing. The continuously-connected nature of the crushed eucalyptus wood piece additionally helps to ensure that a similar, uniform structure is maintained throughout the entire eucalyptus wood piece. This uniformity enhances the structural integrity and aesthetic value of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Furthermore, the continuously-connected nature of the crushed eucalyptus wood piece facilitates subsequent steps such as applying glue, loading, and pressing. [0139] In some embodiments, the step of partially breaking the eucalyptus wood piece includes crushing at least a portion of the eucalyptus wood piece. In some embodiments, the crushing step is sufficient to open one or more cells within the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood piece. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the eucalyptus wood piece is compressed. The compressions can form a pattern, such as channels, grooves, and/or dimples. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood piece is compressed by a pair of rollers 44, 46 having a plurality of ridges 50 and grooves 52, as shown in FIG. 7. The eucalyptus wood piece can be compressed to a depth d, as shown in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the depth d is in the range of about one fourth to about one half of the thickness t of the eucalyptus wood piece. For example, in some embodiments the depth d is about one third of the thickness t of the eucalyptus wood piece. In some embodiments the depth d is about one third of the thickness t of the eucalyptus wood piece, the crushing can increase the surface area of the eucalyptus wood piece , including the surface area opened within the volume of the wood piece, by about 16%. In general, the thickness t of the eucalyptus wood piece is advantageously generally the same before and after the breaking step.

[0140] As described above, it is believed that the size of the individual cells within a eucalyptus wood piece varies. In some embodiments, the depth d of each compression varies based on the average size of the individual cells. For example, in an embodiment where the individual cells are relatively large, a eucalyptus wood piece of a set size will have a relatively small number of individual cells. Thus, the depth d of each compression may be relatively shallow. In some embodiments, the depth d of the compression varies depending on an environmental factor based on where the eucalyptus tree was grown. For example, the depth d of the compression can vary based on one or more factors including but not limited to climate, amount of rainfall, soil content, and the like. As described herein, the eucalyptus wood piece comes from a eucalyptus tree log having a pith and a bark. In some embodiments, the depth of the compression may vary depending on where the eucalyptus wood piece is taken from relative to the pith and the bark. For example, a eucalyptus wood piece that is harvested closer to the pith may have smaller cells on average and may accordingly require a compression having a depth d that is relatively deep. In contrast, a eucalyptus wood piece that is harvested closer to the bark may have larger cells on average and may accordingly require a compression having a depth d that is relatively shallow. In still other embodiments, the depth d of each compression varies depending on the age of the eucalyptus tree from which the eucalyptus wood piece is harvested.

[0141] In other embodiments, the step of partially breaking the eucalyptus wood piece includes bending at least a portion of the eucalyptus wood piece. The eucalyptus wood piece can be bent around an axis approximately parallel to the generally elongate internal structure. In an embodiment, the eucalyptus wood piece is bent in a plurality of planes approximately parallel to the generally elongate internal structure. Any method of bending at least a portion of the eucalyptus wood piece can be used. For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the eucalyptus wood piece is bent by hand. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the eucalyptus wood piece is bent using the rolling machine 88 of the system 20.

[0142] In some embodiments, cutting a eucalyptus wood piece to a particular thickness will cut open at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure. Accordingly, a relatively thin eucalyptus wood piece can have a higher percentage of broken internal structure as compared to a relatively thick eucalyptus wood piece.

[0143] Although not bound by theory, it is believed that more thorough and comprehensive destruction of the eucalyptus wood piece and its naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure increases the interaction of the eucalyptus wood with the adhesive solution, thus resulting in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that has increased stability, hardness, and/or density. However, it is also believed that more thorough and comprehensive destruction affects the aesthetic qualities of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product and prevent it from looking like natural lumber. Accordingly, it is believed that partial breaking, separating, opening, and/or crushing is advantageous in that it can provide a balance between the desired structural and aesthetic qualities of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0144] In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood piece is a sheet 6, shown in FIG. 18. The sheet 6 is cut from the eucalyptus tree section 2. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus tree section 2 is cut into a sheet 6. Both the eucalyptus tree section 2 and the sheet 6 have a natural wood grain 4. In some embodiments, the thickness of the sheet 6 is in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 10 mm. In other embodiments, the thickness of the sheet 6 is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. In still other embodiments, the thickness of the sheet 6 is in the range of about 3 mm to about 4 mm. The sheet 6 at least partially maintains the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus tree section 2. The sheet 6 can be cut according to any method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the sheet 6 has a width in the range of about 0.5 m to about 2 m. In one embodiment, the sheet 6 has a width of about 1 m. In some embodiments, the sheet 6 is a continuous, or nearly continuous, wood sheet that is the result of continuously peeling, stripping, or shaving the outer surface of the eucalyptus tree section 2. For example, the sheet 6 can be cut using a spindleless lathe 22 of the system 20, described in further detail herein. The method of cutting the sheet 6 as a continuous, or nearly continuous, wood sheet that is the result of continuously peeling, stripping, or shaving the outer surface of the eucalyptus tree section 2 is thus advantageous in that the thickness of the sheet 6 can be adjusted and controlled as desired, and the thickness of the sheet 6 will be generally uniform across the sheet. Accordingly, eucalyptus provides an advantage over other manufactured wood starting materials, such as scrap wood or bamboo, where thickness of the starting material cannot be controlled as easily.

[0145] In addition, the method of cutting the sheet 6 is advantageous in that it uses almost all parts of the eucalyptus tree section 2. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that manufacturers of timber flooring typically use large diameter trees with special sections dedicated to creating planks for floor boards. In contrast, in some embodiments herein, almost all parts of the eucalyptus tree section 2 except for the pith and the bark are used. Accordingly, about 70% by weight (excluding moisture content) or more of the starting eucalyptus tree section 2 ends up in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In some embodiments, about 80-90% by weight or more of the starting eucalyptus tree section 2 ends up in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Hence, this method is very efficient, reducing the volume of wood that needs to be harvested for a given amount of flooring. In addition, the method of cutting a sheet 6 does not require a tree having a particularly large diameter. Thus, younger trees can be used. Furthermore, using almost all parts of the eucalyptus tree section 2 positively impacts one or more structural parameters of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the structural properties of a piece of wood can vary depending on its relative location within the log. For example, a piece of heartwood may have an average density that differs from that of a piece of sapwood. Accordingly, using almost all parts of the eucalyptus tree section 2 helps to ensure that the different sections of wood get mixed together, resulting in a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that has more uniform structural qualities than would otherwise be possible.

[0146] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the sheet 6 is broken and/or opened. In some embodiments, the sheet 6 can be partially broken using the spindleless lathe 22. For example, the stationary blade on the spindleless lathe 22 can be used to cut into the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the sheet 6. In addition, in embodiments where the spindleless lathe 22 has a textured internal surface, the force of the textured surface against the eucalyptus tree section 2 breaks at least a portion of the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus tree section 2.

[0147] In some embodiments, the sheet 6 is rolled about an axis generally parallel to the partially broken naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure to achieve a generally cylindrical shape. Then, the sheet 6 is heat treated, dried, applied with adhesive, dried, pressed in a mold, removed from the mold, and stabilized in accordance with Steps D-J as described herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that although Steps D-J may be described with respect to a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips, Steps D-J may also be applied to a rolled sheet 6. In some embodiments, the sheet 6 may be a sheet of eucalyptus waste material. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that as waste, the eucalyptus waste material may be in relatively poor quality (e.g., broken and/or brittle) and therefore it may not always be feasible to cut the sheet 6 into strips as described herein.

[0148] As described herein, the color of the eucalyptus wood may vary. In some embodiments, the sheets 6 are sorted by color at some point prior to being cut into strips or being pressed into a mold. Advantageously, this affects the color of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0149] In other embodiments where the eucalyptus wood piece is in the shape of a sheet 6, the eucalyptus wood piece having a partially broken and/or opened naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure can be cut or sliced into eucalyptus wood strips 10 after the breaking step, as shown in Step C of FIG. 15. The cuts can be made generally parallel to or along the natural occurring, generally elongate internal structure of the sheet 6. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 at least partially maintains the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure 4, as shown in FIG. 19C. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can have a variety of widths, although in some embodiments each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is substantially the same width. In some embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width in the range of about 2 cm to about 10 cm. In other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width in the range of about 3 cm to about 8 cm. In still other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width in the range of about 5 cm to about 7 cm.

[0150] The width of the eucalyptus wood strip 10 may have an effect on the aesthetic and structural qualities of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. For example, a eucalyptus wood strip 10 with a smaller width may yield a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having a wood grain appearance that is not as natural-looking as one where wider strips are used. This is because less of the natural wood grain from the eucalyptus tree section 2 is preserved. In addition, more strips 10 are required when narrower strips 10 are used. Accordingly, the wood grain of the product includes more manufactured grain lines as compared to a product where wider strips 10 are used. In some embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein has about 3 to about 8 manufactured grain lines over a width of about 13 cm. In other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product described herein has about 3 to about 5 manufactured grain lines over a width of about 13 cm. In still other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus product described herein has a number of grain lines, wherein about 85% to about 99% of the grain lines originate from the natural grain lines in the original eucalyptus wood material and the remainder results from the described process wherein factors such as the width, placement, and orientation of the eucalyptus wood strips effect the appearance of grain lines in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In yet other embodiments, the manufactured eucalyptus product described herein has a number of grain lines, wherein about 90% to about 99%) of the grain lines originate from the natural grain lines and the remainder results from the described process wherein factors such as the width, placement, and orientation of the eucalyptus wood strips effect the appearance of grain lines in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that a higher percentage of natural grain lines can result in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, as the natural appearance of the wood is preserved. Similarly, those of ordinary skill in the art may also appreciate that creation of artificial, manufactured grain lines through the described process can also result in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance where such grain lines are desirable.

[0151] In some embodiments where the strip 10 is pressed into a mold, the width of the eucalyptus wood strip 10 may vary depending on the width of the mold. For example, in some embodiments the eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width that is less than the interior width of the mold. If the eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width that is greater than or equal to the interior width of the mold, the resulting manufactured eucalyptus wood product may be prone to one or more structural defects such as cupping or warping. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 have generally the same length. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 advantageously have generally the same thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness is in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 10 mm. The sheet 6 can be cut into a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10 using any methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, a cutting machine 24 as described further herein is used.

[0152] In other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood piece is in the form of a strip 8, shown in FIG. 17. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus tree section 2 is sliced, cut, or the like to achieve the strip shape of the harvested eucalyptus wood piece. It should be appreciated that the cutting or slicing of strips from the eucalyptus tree section may be accomplished by any device, method, etc. known the art. For example, in some embodiments, the strips are cut or sliced from a sheet (e.g., the sheet 6 described herein), block, or plank. In some embodiments, a cutting machine 24 as described further herein is used.

[0153] The cuts can be made along an axis that is generally parallel to or along the naturally occurring, generally elongate internal structure of the starting wood material, such as a wood block. The resulting eucalyptus wood strips 8 at least partially maintain the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure. The eucalyptus wood strips 8 can have a variety of widths, although in some embodiments each eucalyptus wood strip 8 is substantially the same width. In some embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 8 has a width in the range of about 2 cm to about 10 cm. In other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 8 has a width in the range of about 3 cm to about 8 cm. In still other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 8 has a width in the range of about 5 cm to about 7 cm. The width of the eucalyptus wood strip 8 may have an effect on the aesthetic and structural qualities of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. For example, a eucalyptus wood strip 8 with a smaller width may yield a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having a manufactured wood grain that is not as natural-looking as one where wider strips are used. This is because less of the natural wood grain from the eucalyptus tree section 2 is preserved.

[0154] In some embodiments where the strip 8 is pressed into a mold, the width of the eucalyptus wood strip 8 varies depending on the width of the mold. For example, the eucalyptus wood strip 8 can have a width that is less than the interior width of the mold. If the eucalyptus wood strip 8 has a width that is greater than or equal to the interior width of the mold, the resulting manufactured eucalyptus wood product may be prone to one or more structural defects such as cupping or warping. Each eucalyptus wood strip 8 has substantially the same length. Each eucalyptus wood strip 8 has substantially the same thickness. The thickness can be in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 10 mm.

[0155] In other embodiments where the eucalyptus wood piece is a eucalyptus wood strip 8, the eucalyptus wood strip 8 can be cut from the sheet 6 and then subjected to the breaking step, as shown at Step B in FIG. 15. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of a eucalyptus wood strip 8 is broken and/or opened. Methods of breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood strip 8 include those methods described herein with respect to breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood piece. In some embodiments, the width of the eucalyptus wood strip 8 is generally equal to the width of the eucalyptus wood strip 10.

[0156] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing manufactured wood grain. These embodiments include providing a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10, as shown in FIG. 16. Each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is advantageously of generally the same length, generally the same width, and/or generally the same thickness. In some embodiments, the length of each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is in the range of about 1700 mm to about 2100 mm. In other embodiments, the length of each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is in the range of about 1800 mm to about 2000 mm. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can have a variety of widths. In some embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width in the range of about 2 cm to about 10 cm. In other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width in the range of about 3 cm to about 8 cm. In still other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width in the range of about 5 cm to about 7 cm. In some embodiments, the thickness of each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 10 mm. In other embodiments, the thickness of each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. In still other embodiments, the thickness of each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is in the range of about 3 mm to about 4 mm.

[0157] Each eucalyptus wood strip 10 includes a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure throughout the eucalyptus wood strip 10, at least a portion of which is broken. The eucalyptus wood strip 10 can be made according to the methods described herein, for example, those described with respect to Steps A-C of FIG. 15. In particular, at least a portion of the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure can be broken according to the methods described herein with respect to Step B of FIG. 15.

[0158] As shown at Step D in FIG. 16, the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10 is advantageously heat-treated. In some embodiments, the step of heat treating includes boiling the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10. In these embodiments, one or more naturally-occurring impurities are at least partially removed from the eucalyptus wood strip 10 prior to drying, shown at Step E of FIG. 16. The impurity can be any undesirable content in the eucalyptus wood strip 10, including a chemical or physical element. In some embodiments, at least some amount of one or more sugars is removed from the eucalyptus wood strip 10. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the sugar content in eucalyptus wood leads to insect infestation or premature degradation of the finished manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Although not to be bound by theory, it is believed that sugar is also responsible for causing expansion and/or contraction in a final product. Accordingly, a manufactured eucalyptus wood product that includes eucalyptus wood strips 10 that have been boiled is advantageously more stable than a similar product including eucalyptus wood strips 10 that have not been boiled. In addition to removing sugars, these and other processes may be used to remove insects, mold, mildew or other impurities. In any of these methods, additional chemicals such as antiseptics or acids, such as boric acid and hydrogen peroxide, may also be utilized to facility removal of insects, mold, and mildew, for example. In some embodiments, a chemical solution including water and hydrogen peroxide is used in conjunction with these methods. The chemical solution includes an amount of hydrogen peroxide in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 5% by weight. In an embodiment, the chemical solution includes an amount of hydrogen peroxide in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 1% by weight. The temperature of the chemical solution can be greater than about 95 °C. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strip 10 is boiled for an amount of time in the range of about 10 minutes to about 5 hours. In other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strip 10 is boiled for an amount of time in the range of about 15 minutes to about 4 hours. Although not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the boiling step provides the manufactured eucalyptus wood product with a smoother finish as compared to an otherwise similar manufactured eucalyptus wood product that has not been subjected to a boiling step.

[0159] In other embodiments, the step of heat treating includes carbonizing the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10. During carbonization, the dried eucalyptus wood strips 10 are subject to steaming or pressure steaming in an oven, for the purpose of changing the color of the dried eucalyptus wood strips 10 to ultimately affect the color of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Although this application is not bound by theory, it is believed that in the eucalyptus wood strips 10, the heat causes the sugar to degrade (e.g., via dehydration). This reaction gives the manufactured eucalyptus wood product a darker brown finish. In addition, reducing the sugar content of the eucalyptus wood strips 10 may increase the stability of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, as described herein. In some embodiments, the dried eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be carbonized in the heat-treating unit 28 of the system 20. In these embodiments, the carbonization solution includes water, and it can be applied to the dried eucalyptus wood strips 10 as a liquid or as a gas. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be steamed at a pressure in the range of about 0.1 MPa to about 0.5MPa. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can also be pressure steamed for an amount of time in the range of about 1 hour to about 5 hours. In some embodiments, the amount of time for which the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are pressure steamed will vary based on the desired color of the final product, wherein a longer duration of pressure steaming results in a darker manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0160] In some embodiments, the step of heat-treating takes place in a heat-treating unit 28, shown in FIGS. 8-9. As described herein, in some embodiments the heat-treating unit 28 includes a chemical bath 102. In these embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are loaded into the chemical bath 102, which contains water and/or a chemical solution, and boiled. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are first loaded into a cage, and the cage is then dipped or submersed into the chemical bath 102. In other embodiments, the heat-treating unit includes a pressure steaming oven. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that various other methods may be used to heat-treat the eucalyptus wood strips 10 described herein.

[0161] In some embodiments, the step of heat-treating additionally includes drying the eucalyptus wood strips 10. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be dried at a range of temperatures. For example, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be dried at room temperature, or under heat. When the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are heat dried, the source of heat can be, for example, an oven or sunlight. In one embodiment, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are air-dried at room temperature. In still other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried using sunlight. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the temperature and duration of drying may vary according to factors including but not limited to ambient humidity, ambient temperature, and natural variation in the raw eucalyptus wood. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried using a dryer as described further herein. In one embodiment that uses the system 20 described further herein, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are air dried at ambient temperature on a conveyor while being transported from the heat treating unit 28 to the adhesive application unit 30.

[0162] The drying step advantageously reduces the total water content of the eucalyptus wood strips 10. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried to a moisture content in the range of about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight. In other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried to a moisture content in the range of about 6% by weight to about 14% by weight. In still other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried to a moisture content in the range of about 12% by weight to about 18% by weight. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the desired moisture content can vary depending on a number of factors including but not limited to geographic location and ambient humidity where the methods are taking place.

[0163] As shown at Step F of FIG. 16, an adhesive is advantageously applied to the dried eucalyptus wood strips 10. The adhesive advantageously operates both physically and chemically to bond the eucalyptus wood strips 10. For example, the adhesive penetrates into and physically engages with the partially broken generally elongate internal structure. In addition, the adhesive will also interact with the partially broken generally elongate internal structure (e.g., the remaining cellulose and hemicellulose) on a molecular level, resulting in a chemical, electronic interaction (e.g., a covalent bond, an ionic bond, a hydrogen bond, a dipole, or a van der Waals interaction). The chemical interaction may occur with or without the presence of additional heat, electromagnetic radiation, and/or a catalyst.

[0164] As may be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of different adhesives can be used in the methods described herein. A particular type of adhesive may be chosen for its particular properties, such as water resistance. These adhesives may include, for example, phenol-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, or a non-formaldehyde adhesive. The adhesive may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset. The adhesive may be adapted to reduce the amount of gas emission. In an embodiment, the adhesive is adapted to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. In one embodiment, the adhesive is soy-based. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied as a solution.

[0165] In some embodiments, a phenol-formaldehyde adhesive is used. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that phenolic resins are thermoset resins that crosslink upon heating. Accordingly, the adhesive will not form chemical bonds until it is subjected to heat, such as in a hot press or an oven described herein. In some embodiments, the adhesive needs to be subjected to a temperature of about 120 °C or greater before it is activated and solidified. In a phenol-formaldehyde adhesive, the formaldehyde is used to form crosslinks between the phenol molecules. One example of an adhesive solution includes phenol, formaldehyde, water, and sodium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the adhesive solution includes an amount of phenol in the range of about 20% by weight to about 40% by weight, an amount of formaldehyde in the range of about 30% by weight to about 50% by weight, an amount of water in the range of about 10%) by weight to about 30% by weight, and an amount of sodium hydroxide in the range of about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight. In some embodiments, the adhesive solution also includes urea. The amount of urea present in the adhesive solution can be in the range of about 1%) by weight to about 5% by weight. In some embodiments, the pH of the adhesive solution is in the range of about 8 to about 10.

[0166] The density and viscosity of the adhesive solution can vary by adding water. The desired density and/or viscosity can vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to local environmental factors such as ambient temperature, ambient humidity, age of the tree, location where the tree was grown, and climate history of the location where the tree was grown as well as characteristics of the particular eucalyptus species being used. In some embodiments, equilibrium is sought between the density of the eucalyptus wood strips 10 and the adhesive solution. In other words, the adhesive solution may be diluted with an amount of water that is needed for the glue to have a density approximately equal to the density of the eucalyptus wood strips 10. In some embodiments, the adhesive solution has a density in the range of about 1.0 g/mL to about 1.5 g/mL when mixed. In other embodiments, the adhesive solution has a density in the range of about 1.070 g/mL to about 1.075 g/mL when applied. In still other embodiments, the adhesive solution has a density in the range of about 1.071 g/mL to about 1.072 g/mL when applied. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that as the density of the adhesive solution increases, the viscosity of the adhesive solution also increases. In some embodiments, the adhesive solution is diluted with water in a 1 : 1 ratio. In some embodiments, the adhesive is stored as a concentrate having a higher density than that which is used during the adhesive application process. For example, in one embodiment the adhesive is stored as a concentrate having a density of about 1.2 g/mL. Advantageously, the concentrate takes up less space and can thus be stored and transported easily. The concentrate can be diluted with water prior to use.

[0167] The adhesive solution can be applied using a variety of methods available to those of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to, by hand, brush, spray, flow, roller, machine, and/or curtain coater. In an embodiment, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is dip-coated in an adhesive solution. The amount of time may be sufficient such that the wood strips absorb a generally evenly distributed amount of the adhesive solution within the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips. Each eucalyptus wood strip 10 can be submersed in the adhesive solution for an amount of time in the range of about 2 minutes to about 30 minutes. For example, in some embodiments each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is submersed in the adhesive solution for an amount of time in the range of about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes. In another example, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is submersed in the adhesive solution for an amount of time in the range of about 8 minutes to about 20 minutes.

[0168] The amount of time that the eucalyptus wood strip 10 is submersed in the adhesive solution can vary depending on a number of factors such as product requirements, moisture content of the eucalyptus wood strip 10, environmental conditions, and glue density. Although not to be bound by theory, it is believed that increasing the residence time in the adhesive solution increases the amount of adhesive that is absorbed by the eucalyptus wood strips 10 and consequently increases the stability, density, and/or hardness of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Advantageously, the adhesive is fairly evenly distributed within the volume of the strip due to the partial breaking of the generally elongate internal structure.

[0169] In some embodiments, the adhesive solution is applied to the eucalyptus wood strips 10 using the adhesive application unit 30 of the system 20. In one embodiment, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are loaded into the cage of the adhesive application unit 30, and the cage can be dipped into and subsequently removed from the adhesive bath of the adhesive application unit. In some embodiments, after being coated with adhesive, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are allowed to rest for some period of time, at least partially rotated, and then allowed to rest for a second period of time. For example, after being removed from the adhesive bath, the cage can be allowed to rest for a period of time, and then rotated approximately 180 degrees. Advantageously, it is believed that a resting period followed by an approximately 180 degree rotation, followed by a second resting period allows for a more uniform distribution of the adhesive solution through the eucalyptus wood strips 10.

[0170] In another embodiment, the adhesive application unit 30 includes a nozzle that dispenses a stream of adhesive solution. In these embodiments, adhesive is applied to the eucalyptus wood strips 10 by passing the eucalyptus wood strips 10 under the stream of adhesive. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be passed under the stream of adhesive using a conveyor, such as a conveyor belt. In some embodiments, after being coated with adhesive, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are allowed to rest for some period of time, then at least partially rotated, and then allowed to rest for a second period of time.

[0171] In some embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is substantially completely coated with adhesive. In other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is partially coated with adhesive. Each eucalyptus wood strip 10 may be coated with adhesive substantially on its exterior surface. In other embodiments, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 is at least partially impregnated with adhesive, wherein the adhesive may be absorbed beneath the exterior of the eucalyptus wood strip 10.

[0172] In some embodiments, the adhesive solution permeates the broken naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood strip 10. In some embodiments, the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure includes a plurality of cells and the crushing step can be sufficient to break open one or more of the cells. In these embodiments, the adhesive solution can permeate the one or more broken cells. Although not bound by theory, it is believed that breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of each eucalyptus wood strip 8 results in increased chemical and physical interaction between the natural eucalyptus wood material and the adhesive solution, and increases one or more of the strength, density, and stability of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0173] As shown at Step G in FIG. 16, after the adhesive has been applied, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried. The dried strips can have a total adhesive content in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight (excluding water). In some embodiments, the dried strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight (same basis). In other embodiments, the dried strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 3% by weight to about 8% by weight (same basis). In yet other embodiments, the dried strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 2% by weight to about 7% by weight (same basis). As described herein, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 may be broken to an extent that the surface area of a eucalyptus wood strip 10 is greater than the surface area of an otherwise similar eucalyptus wood strip 8. Advantageously, the increased surface area allow the eucalyptus wood strip 10 to absorb more adhesive as compared to an otherwise similar eucalyptus wood strip 8 that has not been partially broken.

[0174] The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be dried at a range of temperatures. For example, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be dried at room temperature, or under heat. When the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are heat dried, the source of heat can be, for example, an oven or sunlight. In one embodiment, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are air-dried at room temperature. In still other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried using sunlight. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the temperature and duration of drying may vary according to factors including but not limited to ambient humidity, ambient temperature, and natural variation in the raw eucalyptus wood. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried using a dryer as described further herein. In one embodiment that uses the system 20 described further herein, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are air dried at ambient temperature on a conveyor belt while being transported from the adhesive application unit 30 to the pressing unit 32. In an embodiment, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are drip-dried to remove excess adhesive solution. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are dried until the adhesive solution is not wet to the touch.

[0175] After the adhesive has dried, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are placed into a mold and pressed, as shown in Step H of FIG. 16. The mold, such as mold 116, has an interior width and an interior length. The interior width of the mold can be greater than the width of a eucalyptus wood strip 10. In some embodiments, the width of each eucalyptus wood strip 10 varies based on the interior width of the mold. For example, in one embodiment each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width that is in the range of about 15% to about 46% of the interior width of the mold. In another embodiment, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width that is in the range of about 40%) to about 46%) of the interior width of the mold. In another embodiment, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width that is in the range of about 55% to about 80%> of the interior width of the mold. In still another embodiment, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width that is in the range of about 55% to about 65% of the interior width of the mold. In yet another embodiment, each eucalyptus wood strip 10 has a width that is in the range of about 70% to about 80% of the interior width of the mold. In some embodiments, the mold has a width in the range of about 90 mm to about 150 mm.

[0176] Although this application is not bound by theory, it is believed that a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10 each having a width that is significantly greater than about half of the interior width of the mold into which they will be placed (e.g., greater than 80%) may not distribute uniformly within the mold. Accordingly, the resulting manufactured eucalyptus wood product may have a non-uniform density distribution. A similar result may be expected for eucalyptus wood strips 10 each having a width that is approximately equal to about half of the interior width of the mold. Additionally, it is believed that when narrower strips are used (e.g., less than 15% of the interior width of the mold), there is an increased likelihood that the width dimension of the strips will be arranged perpendicular to the bottom surface of the mold, such that less of the natural wood grain is visible on the top surface of the manufactured eucalyptus product. In contrast, when wider strips are used (e.g., 15% of the interior width of the mold or greater), there is an increased likelihood that the width dimension of the strips will be arranged parallel to the bottom surface of the mold, such that more of the natural wood grain of each wood strip is likely to be visible on the top surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips have a width relative to the mold such that about 0% to about 25% of the width dimension of the strips are oriented generally vertically in the mold along their width (i.e., parallel to the side walls of the mold, with the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure generally parallel to the length of the mold). In other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips have a width relative to the mold such that about 0% to about 15% of the width dimension of the strips are oriented generally vertically in the mold.

[0177] In some embodiments, the mold has a generally rectangular shape and includes a bottom wall, a first longitudinal side wall, and a second longitudinal side wall. The first and second longitudinal side walls may be spaced apart by the interior width of the mold. In these embodiments, about 0% to about 25% of the eucalyptus wood strips are on average across their width oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees with respect to the base plane, whereby significant portions of the wood grain of the remainder of the strips oriented on average across their width at under about 30 degrees are visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In other embodiments, about 0% to about 15% of the eucalyptus wood strips are on average across their width oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees with respect to the base plane, whereby significant portions of the wood grain of the remainder of the strips are visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. As described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that as the angle of the wood strips across their width relative to the base plane decreases, the likelihood increases that more of the natural wood grain will be visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Consequently, the angle of the wood strips across their width relative to the base plane has an effect on the aesthetic appearance of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, wherein a relatively smaller angle results in more of the natural wood grain visible at the surface and a more natural look overall. [0178] In some embodiments, about 75% to about 100% of the eucalyptus wood strips oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees are distributed generally adjacent one or more of the first and second longitudinal side walls and within a distance from the one or more first and second longitudinal side walls that is about 30% or less than the interior width of the mold. For example, in a mold having an interior width of about 12 cm, about 75% to about 100%) of the eucalyptus wood strips oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees may be within about 4 cm or less from the one or more first and second longitudinal side walls. In other embodiments, about 85% to about 100% of the eucalyptus wood strips oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees are distributed generally adjacent one or more of the first and second longitudinal side walls and within a distance from the one or more first and second longitudinal side walls that is about 30% or less than the width. Conversely, significant portions of the wood grain of the remainder of the strips may be visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Advantageously, because the strips oriented at a relatively large angle are oriented near the side walls of the mold (i.e., the outer edges of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product), they are less likely to disrupt the wood grain of the remainder of the strips towards the center of the product. Accordingly, the wood grain look of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product may dominate over the appearance of the manufactured grain lines.

[0179] As described herein, in some embodiments a sheet that is rolled along an axis generally parallel to the naturally occurring generally elongate internal structure may be pressed. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that in these embodiments, the sheet has a width that is greater than the width of the mold. In some embodiments, the sheet may be eucalyptus waste material. The width and/or length of the sheet may vary due to the unpredictable nature of waste material. In some embodiments, the rolled sheet is placed into a mold along with eucalyptus wood strips as described herein.

[0180] In some embodiments, the length of the mold is in the range of about 1000 mm to about 2100 mm. Non-limiting examples of some mold lengths that are used in the wood flooring industry include 1000 mm, 1300 mm, 1500 mm, and 1900 mm. The length of the mold can be approximately equal to the length of each eucalyptus wood strip 10. For example, in some embodiments the length of the mold is in the range of about 1700 mm to about 2100 mm. Although not to be bound by theory, it is believed that eucalyptus wood strips 10 that have a length approximately equal to the interior length of the mold may distribute more uniformly within the mold as compared to otherwise similar eucalyptus wood strips 10 that are of different lengths. Advantageously, a manufactured eucalyptus wood product made from a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10 each having a length approximately equal to the interior length of the mold may exhibit a relatively uniform density distribution.

[0181] The eucalyptus wood strips 10 are advantageously weighed before being loaded into the mold. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are weighed using the scale in the pressing unit 32. In some embodiments, each mold of substantially the same size is loaded with an approximately equal weight of eucalyptus wood strips 10. For example, each mold may be loaded with about 30 kg to about 40 kg of eucalyptus wood strips 10. The feeding machine of the pressing unit 32 can be used to load the eucalyptus wood strips 10 into the mold. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be loaded approximately parallel lengthwise to each other, but in an otherwise random orientation. In other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are loaded in an organized, stacked configuration. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 are loaded to a height below the top of the mold. In other embodiments, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are loaded to a height above, or approximately equal to, the top of the mold.

[0182] After the dried strips 10 are placed into a mold, pressure is applied to the dried strips 10 to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In some embodiments, the pressing unit 32 of the system 20 is used to apply pressure. Either a cold press method or a hot press method can be used. In some embodiments, a cold press method is used. Using a cold press method, the mold is kept at approximately room temperature as pressure is applied. In some embodiments, the press of the pressing unit 32 is used to perform this step. In some embodiments, about 10 MPa to about 25 MPa of pressure is applied to the eucalyptus wood strips 10 in the mold. In other embodiments, about 10 MPa to about 20 MPa of pressure is applied to the eucalyptus wood strips 10 in the mold. In other embodiments, a hot press method is used. Using a hot press method, heat is added to the mold as pressure is applied. Accordingly, the adhesive solidifies as the heat and pressure are applied and thus a separate heating step is generally not required. In some embodiments, heat is applied for an amount of time in the range of about 2 minutes to about 30 minutes. Generally, a much greater amount of pressure is used in a hot press method. Hot presses are commercially available and may be known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In still other embodiments, the amount of pressure applied can vary depending on one or more factors such as the density of the eucalyptus tree section 2, the content and/or density of the adhesive solution, moisture content of the dried strips 10, and desired density of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. For example, in some embodiments, an amount of pressure is used that is suitable to compress the eucalyptus wood strips 10 in the mold to a desired density.

[0183] While under pressure, one or more pins and/or clamps are applied to the mold, such that pressure in the mold is maintained after the press is removed. The eucalyptus wood strips 10 can be kept under pressure for a period of time, such as approximately 6 hours to approximately 24 hours. In one embodiment, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are kept under pressure for approximately 8 hours. During this time, the eucalyptus wood strips 10 are compressed, compacted, and/or solidified to form a block of eucalyptus material. A variety of temperatures and/or lengths of time can be used depending on factors including but not limited to mold size, ambient temperature, and ambient humidity. In some embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material is heated to a temperature in the range of about 75 °C to about 175 °C. In other embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material is heated to a temperature in the range of about 100 °C to about 150 °C. In yet other embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material is heated to a temperature in the range of about 120 °C to about 125 °C. It is believed that the heat promotes intermolecular interaction between the adhesive and the eucalyptus, and also facilitates transformation of the adhesive from a liquid state to a solid state. In embodiments where a thermoset adhesive is used, the heat promotes the crosslinking of the adhesive. In some embodiments, a block of eucalyptus material is heated for a period of time in the range of approximately 6 hours to approximately 72 hours. In other embodiments, a block of eucalyptus material is heated for a period of time in the range of about 6 hours to about 12 hours. In some embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material is cooled after it is heated. For example, the block of eucalyptus material can be cooled to a temperature in the range of about 20 °C to about 40 °C.

[0184] As shown at Step I of FIG. 16, the block of eucalyptus material is then be removed from the mold and trimmed and/or skinned. During the trimming step, at least a portion of the outermost layer of the block of eucalyptus material is removed. In some embodiments, the entire outermost layer is removed to reveal a completely new surface. In other embodiments, the outermost layer is removed only to the extent needed to create a substantially planar, uniform face. In some embodiments, the outermost layer of the block is removed to the extent that is needed to fit the block into a cutting machine. In other embodiments, the outermost layer of the block of eucalyptus material may be a different color as compared to the interior of the block. In these embodiments, the outermost layer of the block is removed to the extent needed to result in a block of substantially uniform color. The outermost layer can be removed using a variety of methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as by hand or by machine. In some embodiments, the trimming is done by hand using a tool with a sharp blade, such as a knife or a machete. In other embodiments, the trimming is done using a trimming machine. The trimming machine can include a blade, and can be either separate from or integrated with the system 20.

[0185] As shown at Step J of FIG. 16, the block of eucalyptus material is then stabilized. During the stabilization period, the block of eucalyptus material sits at a particular temperature for a particular amount of time. In some embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material sits on the conveyor of the system 20. In other embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material sits indoors. In still other embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material sits outdoors, under direct sunlight, under indirect sunlight, or in the shade. In one embodiment, the block of eucalyptus material sits at approximately room temperature. The amount of time can vary according to factors including but not limited to mold size and environmental factors such as ambient temperature, ambient humidity, and season. For example, the stabilization period can be shorter during the summer and longer during the winter. In some embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material is stabilized for a period of time in the range of about 1 day to about 30 days. In other embodiments, the block of eucalyptus material is stabilized for a period of time in the range of about 1 week to about 3 weeks. Although not to be bound by any theory, it is believed that this step allows for the dissipation of residual heat and/or kinetic energy generated from the pressing step. Keeping the eucalyptus material at a higher energy state can reduce the stability of the final product.

[0186] Once the stabilization step is complete, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is formed. Additional optional steps may follow, as illustrated in FIG. 17. As shown at Step K, a block of manufactured eucalyptus wood product is selected. Selection can be made by a customer, and can be made on the basis of aesthetics, size, and the like. As shown at Step L, the selected block is sawn into boards or planks to be used for flooring, for example. In one embodiment, one block of manufactured eucalyptus wood product is sawn into a number of planks in the range of about 2 planks to about 30 planks. In another embodiment, one block of manufactured eucalyptus wood product is sawn into a number of planks in the range of about 5 planks to about 7 planks. In some embodiments, the planks have a thickness in the range of about 4 mm to about 17 mm. As shown at Step M, the manufactured eucalyptus product may also undergo an additional drying step. During this step, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is dried at a temperature and for a length of time as needed. In some embodiments the temperature is in the range of about 40 °C to about 70 °C, or about 50 °C to about 60 °C. The amount of time can be in the range of about 1 day to about 10 days, or about 4 days to about 6 days. In some embodiments, the water content of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product after this drying step is in the range of about 3% by weight to about 15% by weight. In another embodiment, the water content of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product after this drying step is in the range of about 3% by weight to about 10% by weight. After drying, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is advantageously subjected to another stabilization step, as shown at Step N of FIG. 17. This stabilization step can be conducted similar to the stabilization at Step J as discussed herein. Both the drying step at Step M and the stabilization step at Step N increase the stability of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0187] The manufactured eucalyptus wood product is also advantageously subject to a finishing process, as shown at Step O of FIG. 17. For example, the planks may be sanded, and the edges of the planks may be milled. The manufactured eucalyptus wood product may also be subject to further treatments to increase its durability and aesthetic value. Such treatments include, but are not limited to, addition of water repellants, preservatives, UV stabilizers, laminates, colorants, and stains. At Step P, the final manufactured eucalyptus wood product is advantageously packaged and shipped to customers.

[0188] Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that one or more of the steps described above can be varied in order to affect one or more aesthetic and/or structural properties of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In some embodiments, the extent to which the lignocellulosic structure is opened, the density of the adhesive solution, and/or the amount of time that the eucalyptus wood strips are submersed vary depending on the starting density of the eucalyptus wood strips and the desired amount of adhesive in the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. In other embodiments, the extent to which the lignocellulosic structure is opened, the density of the adhesive solution, and/or the amount of time that the eucalyptus wood strips are submersed vary depending on the desired hardness, density, and/or stability of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

[0189] Some embodiments herein are directed to a method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product. The manufactured eucalyptus wood product has an aesthetically pleasing wood grain. In some embodiments, the eucalyptus wood product is suitable for use in applications where the eucalyptus wood product is displayed. In some embodiments, the aesthetically pleasing wood grain is created and/or maintained by the methods described herein. FIG. 14 is a process chart illustrating a series of steps for one embodiment of a method for making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that not all steps may be used in some embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art may also appreciate that in some embodiments, the steps may be performed in an order different from that shown in FIG. 1.

[0190] As shown at Step A of FIG. 14, some embodiments include providing a eucalyptus wood piece harvested from a eucalyptus tree. In these embodiments, the step of providing a eucalyptus wood piece is similar to Step A of FIG. 15, described herein. The eucalyptus wood piece has a substantially uniform length, a thickness in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 10 mm, and a surface area. The eucalyptus wood piece also has a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure throughout the eucalyptus wood piece. As described with respect to Step A of FIG. 15, in some embodiments the eucalyptus wood piece is in the shape of a sheet 6, and in other embodiments the eucalyptus wood piece is in the shape of a eucalyptus wood strip 8. The eucalyptus wood piece advantageously has a density in the range of about 400 kg/cm3 to about 900 kg/cm3.

[0191] As shown at Step B of FIG. 14, some embodiments include breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of the eucalyptus wood piece. In these embodiments, the breaking step is similar to Step B of FIG. 15, described herein. For example, the breaking can occur to an extent that the eucalyptus wood piece absorbs about 10% more to about 40% more adhesive solution as compared to an otherwise similar eucalyptus wood piece prior to breaking at least a portion of the internal structure.

[0192] As shown at Step C of FIG. 14, some embodiments include cutting and/or slicing. In embodiments where the eucalyptus wood piece is a sheet 6, Step C can occur after Step B, such that the eucalyptus wood piece is cut and/or sliced into a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10. In embodiments where the eucalyptus wood piece is a eucalyptus wood strip 8, Step C can occur before step B, such that the sheet 6 is cut and/or sliced into a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 8, which are subsequently partially broken, thus yielding a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10. The cutting and/or slicing step is similar to Step C of FIG. 15, described herein.

[0193] As shown at Step D of FIG. 14, some embodiments include heat-treating the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips 10. As shown at Step E of FIG. 14, some embodiments include drying the heat-treated eucalyptus wood strips. As shown at Step F of FIG. 14, some embodiments include applying an adhesive solution to the eucalyptus wood strips 10. As shown at Step G of FIG. 14, some embodiments include drying the adhesive-applied strips. The dried strips may have a total adhesive content in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 15%) by weight. As shown at Step H of FIG. 14, some embodiments include placing the dried strips into a mold and applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold, to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product. The mold has an interior width and an interior length. The interior width can be greater than the width of an individual dried strip and the interior length can be approximately equal to the length of an individual dried strip. As shown at Step I of FIG. 14, some embodiments include removing the manufactured eucalyptus wood product from the mold. As shown at Step J of FIG. 14, some embodiments include stabilizing the manufactured eucalyptus wood product. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that Steps A-C of FIG. 14 are substantially similar to Steps A-C of FIG. 15, described herein. In addition, Steps D-J of these embodiments are substantially similar to Steps D-J of FIG. 16, described herein. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art can refer to the discussion of Steps A-J of FIGS. 15-16 for guidance on how to perform the methods of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0194] The manufactured eucalyptus wood products made according to the methods described herein have many advantages. As described herein, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has an aesthetically pleasing manufactured wood grain. In addition, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has many structural qualities as described herein that make it suitable for use as wood flooring and that are significantly improved over natural eucalyptus wood. In some embodiments, the methods described herein can be used to make a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having a density in the range of about 900 kg/m3 to about 1300 kg/m3. In other embodiments, the methods described herein can be used to make a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an amount of adhesive in the range of about 3% by weight to about 7% by weight. In still other embodiments, the methods described herein can be used to make a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having a hardness in the range of about 2500 psi to about 3000 psi. In yet other embodiments, the methods described herein can be used to make a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having a dimensional stability in the range of about 0.50% to about 1.00%.

[0195] Some embodiments herein are directed to manufactured wood products and methods of making the same that include wood from trees other than eucalyptus. In these embodiments, other types of wood that otherwise have the same or similar characteristics of eucalyptus (e.g., density, age, log diameter) can be used in the products and methods described herein. For example, some embodiments herein are directed to methods of making a manufactured wood product that includes providing a plurality of wood strips from a tree that is about 10 years old or less and that has a density in the range of about 400 kg/cm3 to about 900 kg/cm3. In some embodiments, a mixture of wood from trees of different genera and/or species is used. These manufactured wood products and methods can be made and performed according to the guidance provided herein with respect to the manufactured eucalyptus wood products and methods of making thereof.

EXAMPLES

[0196] The following tests listed in Table 1 were performed on a manufactured eucalyptus wood product prepared according to the methods described herein. In some tests, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product was compared against one or more natural materials (e.g., bamboo, eucalyptus) and/or manufactured wood products made in accordance with the methods described herein (e.g., manufactured bamboo, manufactured combination of hickory and oak). The test results regarding natural eucalyptus were obtained from figures published in the industry. For the eucalyptus tests, we believe that the trees were likely in the range of about 14 years old to about 16 years old, older than the trees contemplated for use in connection with many of the disclosed embodiments. The test standards listed below may be well-known and/or readily available to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Table 1

EXAMPLE 1

HARDNESS

[0197] A manufactured eucalyptus wood product as described herein was subjected to a hardness test pursuant to EN ISO 2039-1 :2001. For comparison, the same test was performed on bamboo, a manufactured bamboo product, eucalyptus, and a manufactured hickory/oak wood product. The results are shown in Table 1, and demonstrate that the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is harder than natural eucalyptus, bamboo, and manufactured bamboo.

EXAMPLE 2

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY

[0198] A manufactured eucalyptus wood product as described herein was subjected to a dimensional stability test pursuant to ASTM 1037 AR/20/90. For comparison, the same test was performed on a manufactured bamboo product. The results are shown in Table 1, and demonstrate that the manufactured eucalyptus wood product has a stability that is comparable to that of a manufactured bamboo product.

EXAMPLE 3

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY CHANGE COEFFICIENT

[0199] A manufactured eucalyptus wood product as described herein was subjected to a dimensional stability change coefficient test. For comparison, the same test was performed on natural eucalyptus, bamboo, and a manufactured bamboo product. The results are shown in Table 1, and demonstrate that the dimensional stability change coefficient of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is about 50% less than that of natural eucalyptus wood. In contrast, the dimensional stability change coefficient of the manufactured bamboo product is only about 15%) less than that of bamboo.

EXAMPLE 4

DENSITY

[0200] A manufactured eucalyptus wood product as described herein was subjected to a density test pursuant to EN 323 : 1993. For comparison, the same test was performed on bamboo, a manufactured bamboo product, eucalyptus, and a manufactured hickory/oak wood product. The results are shown in Table 1, and demonstrate that the density of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is greater than that of eucalyptus, bamboo, and manufactured bamboo.

EXAMPLE 5

WATER ABSORPTION

[0201] A manufactured eucalyptus wood product as described herein was subjected to a water absorption test pursuant to EN 12087: 1997. For comparison, the same test was performed on a manufactured bamboo product and a manufactured hickory/oak wood product. The results are shown in Table 1, and demonstrate that upon total immersion in water for 7 days, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product absorbed 12.5% water by volume, which is less than the manufactured bamboo product absorbed over the same length of time. Thus, the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is more resistant to water absorption and, accordingly, is expected to be more stable than the manufactured bamboo product.

EXAMPLE 6

ADHESIVE ABSORPTION

[0202] The naturally-occurring generally elongate internal structure of two eucalyptus wood strips as described herein were partially broken and/or opened. The first strip was crushed by hand to simulate the rolling machine described herein. The second strip was crushed using a crushing machine as described herein. A third eucalyptus wood strip acted as a control and was not subject to the rolling simulation or the crushing machine. All three eucalyptus wood strips were subjected to some incidental crushing from the spindleless lathe, as described herein. The three eucalyptus wood strips were then dried to a moisture content of about 9-10% by weight and weighed. The three eucalyptus wood strips were subsequently immersed in an adhesive solution that included phenol at 30% by weight, formaldehyde at 40% by weight, sodium hydroxide at 12% by weight, and water at 18% by weight, and that had a density of 1.07 g/mL for 10 minutes. The three eucalyptus wood strips were then air dried at ambient temperature for 3 hours and weighed again. The results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2

[0203] The increase in the weight of the strips after glue application was attributed to adhesive absorption. These results show that a eucalyptus wood strip having a generally elongate internal structure that has been partially broken absorbs more adhesive than an otherwise similar eucalyptus wood strip having a generally elongate internal structure that has not been partially broken. In particular, the eucalyptus wood strip having a generally elongate internal structure that was partially broken using the rolling simulation absorbed 11.5% more adhesive as compared to the control. Furthermore, the eucalyptus wood strip having a generally elongate internal structure that was partially broken using the crushing machine absorbed 38.4% more adhesive as compared to the control.

[0204] The various methods described above provide a number of ways to carry out some embodiments of the invention. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all objectives or advantages described may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the compositions may be made and the methods may be performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0205] Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. Similarly, the various components, features and steps discussed above, as well as other known equivalents for each such component, feature or step, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to make compounds and perform methods in accordance with principles described herein.

[0206] Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of some embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention extends beyond these specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of embodiments herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing natural wood grain appearance, comprising:

providing a de-barked eucalyptus tree section having a generally cylindrical shape, said eucalyptus tree section having a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure comprising lignocellulose extending along one axis of the eucalyptus tree section;

cutting said eucalyptus tree section into a sheet having a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, said sheet at least partially maintaining the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure;

cutting said sheet generally along the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure into a plurality of eucalyptus wood strips, each of said eucalyptus wood strips having a substantially uniform length, and each of said eucalyptus wood strips at least partially maintaining the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure;

laterally breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure of each of the plurality of eucalyptus wood strips to create a plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips;

heat-treating the plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips;

applying an adhesive solution to the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips;

drying the adhesive-applied strips, wherein the dried strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight;

placing the dried, adhesive-applied strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately equal to the length of an individual dried strip; and

applying pressure to the dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

2. A method of making a manufactured eucalyptus wood product having an aesthetically pleasing natural wood grain appearance, comprising:

providing a de-barked eucalyptus tree section having a generally cylindrical shape, said eucalyptus tree section having a naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure comprising lignocellulose extending along one axis of the eucalyptus tree section; cutting said eucalyptus tree section into a thin sheet having a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, said thin sheet at least partially maintaining the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure;

laterally breaking at least a portion of the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure of the thin sheet;

cutting said thin sheet generally along the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure into a plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips, each of said partially broken eucalyptus wood strips having a substantially uniform length, and each of said partially broken eucalyptus wood strips at least partially maintaining the naturally-occurring, generally elongate internal structure;

heat-treating the plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips;

applying an adhesive solution to the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips;

placing the adhesive-containing dried strips into a mold, said mold having an interior width significantly greater than the width of an individual dried strip and an interior length approximately greater than the length of an individual dried strip; and

applying pressure to the adhesive-containing dried strips in the mold to thereby form a manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

3. The method of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the eucalyptus tree section has a density in the range of about 400 kg/cm³ to about 900 kg/cm³.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the mold has a generally rectangular shape and comprises a bottom wall, a first longitudinal side wall, and a second longitudinal side wall; the first and second longitudinal side walls are spaced apart by the interior width of the mold; about 0% to about 25% of the eucalyptus wood strips are on average across their width oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees with respect to the bottom wall; whereby significant portions of the wood grain of the remainder of the strips oriented on average across their width at under about 30 degrees are visible at the surface of the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein about 75% to about 100% of the eucalyptus wood strips oriented at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees with respect to the bottom wall are distributed generally adjacent one or more of the first and second longitudinal side walls and within a distance from the one or more first and second longitudinal side walls that is about 30% or less than the width.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the eucalyptus wood piece is from eucalyptus waste material.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the eucalyptus tree section is from a Eucalyptus grandis tree.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the eucalyptus tree section is from a Eucalyptus grandis tree having an age in the range of about 2 years old to about 10 years old.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the eucalyptus tree section is from a Eucalyptus grandis tree having an age in the range of about 3 years old to about 8 years old.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the eucalyptus tree section is from a Eucalyptus grandis tree having an age in the range of about 5 years old to about 8 years old.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein each partially broken eucalyptus wood strip is of generally the same length and generally the same thickness, wherein the thickness is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the step of heat-treating comprises heating the plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips in a solution having a temperature of greater than about 95 °C.

13. The method of Claim 12, wherein the heating step comprises at least partially removing one or more naturally-occurring impurities from the plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips prior to the first drying step.

14. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the step of heat-treating comprises carbonizing the plurality of partially broken eucalyptus wood strips.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the step of heat-treating further comprises drying the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips to reduce the total water content.

16. The method of Claim 15, wherein the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips are dried to a total water content in the range of about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight.

17. The method of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the adhesive solution comprises phenol, formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, and water.

18. The method of any one of claims 1-17, wherein the adhesive solution has a density that is intentionally adjusted based on one or more environmental factors of the location where the method is taking place.

19. The method of Claim 18 wherein the one or more environmental factors are selected from the group consisting of ambient temperature, ambient humidity, age of the tree, location where the tree was grown, and climate history of the location where the tree was grown.

20. The method of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the adhesive solution has a density in the range of about 1.070 g/mL to about 1.075 g/mL.

21. The method of Claim 20, wherein the adhesive solution has a density in the range of about 1.071 g/mL to about 1.072 mL.

22. The method of any one of claims 1-21, wherein the dried, adhesive-applied strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight.

23. The method of any one of claims 1-22, wherein the dried, adhesive-applied strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight.

24. The method of any one of claims 1-23, wherein the dried, adhesive-applied strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 3% by weight to about 8% by weight.

25. The method of any one of claims 1-24, wherein the dried, adhesive applied strips have a total adhesive content in the range of about 3% by weight to about 6% by weight.

26. The method of any one of claims 1-25, wherein the width of each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips is in the range of about 2 cm to about 10 cm.

27. The method of any one of claims 1-26, wherein the width of each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips is in the range of about 15% to about 46% of the width of the mold.

28. The method of Claim 27, wherein the width of each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips is in the range of about 40% to about 46% of the width of the mold.

29. The method of any one of claims 1-28, wherein the width of each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips is in the range of about 55% to about 80% of the width of the mold.

30. The method of Claim 29, wherein the width of each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips is in the range of about 55% to about 65% of the width of the mold.

31. The method of Claim 29, wherein the width of each of the partially broken eucalyptus wood strips is in the range of about 70% to about 80% of the width of the mold.

32. The method of any one of claims 1-31, wherein the width of each partially broken eucalyptus wood strip is generally the same.

33. The method of any one of claims 1-32, wherein the step of applying pressure comprises a cold press method.

34. The method of any one of claims 1-33, wherein the pressure applied is in the range of about 5 MPa to about 25 MPa.

35. The method of any one of claims 1-34, wherein the step of applying pressure comprises a hot press method.

36. The method of any one of claims 1-35, further comprising heating the manufactured eucalyptus wood product.

37. The method of Claim 36, wherein the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is heated to a temperature in the range of about 75 °C to about 175 °C.

38. The method of Claim 37, wherein the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is heated to a temperature in the range of about 100 °C to about 150 °C.

39. The method of Claim 38, wherein the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is heated to a temperature in the range of about 120 °C to about 125 °C.

40. The method of any one of claims 36-39, wherein the manufactured eucalyptus wood product is heated for a period of time in the range of about 6 hours to about 24 hours.

41. The method of any one of claims 1-40, further comprising stabilizing the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, wherein the step of stabilizing comprises intentionally allowing the manufactured eucalyptus wood product to sit at rest for a period of time that varies based on one or more environmental factors.

42. The method of any one of claims 1-41, further comprising stabilizing the manufactured eucalyptus wood product, wherein the step of stabilizing comprises intentionally allowing the manufactured eucalyptus wood product to sit at rest for a period of time in the range of about 1 day to about 30 days.