Method for feeding and orienting fibrous furnish

Abstract

Methods are presented for continuous-line manufacture of composition board from furnish which is moved in a continuous-flow manner through a processing line and distributed for deposition at a uniform rate over a preselected area to continuously form a mat for compaction. Commercially economical production flow rates are achieved with a lightweight refined wood furnish to form fiberboard having directional properties without relying on pneumatic impulsion while uniformly distributed furnish is delivered substantially free of air turbulence effects enabling fiber orientation by means of an electrical field. Control of movement and accurate metering of furnish are facilitated by continuously over-feeding furnish into the processing line and returning excess furnish as part of an initial distribution of furnish over one dimension of the mat to be formed. The initially distributed furnish is confined in the remaining dimension while being continuously moved in the direction of the mat; the confined profile feed is metered, accelerated by mechanical contact, and then distributed over the full area of deposition. Lightweight fibrous furnish is delivered for screening to separate fiber clusters followed by electrical field orientation of individualized fibers and deposition. The furnish distributed over the forming area is moved along a flow path which is substantially normal to the surface of deposition.