Method for manufacturing a laminated log and the laminated log

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a laminated log having a solid insulating material layer located between internal and external plank layers of natural wood, with a plurality of compression limiter members located into respective through hole extending through the solid insulating material layer and extending between the internal and external layers to control and preferably prevent excessive compression of the insulating member during the bonding under relatively high pressure of all layers at the same time. After the layers are bonded, the laminated log typically runs through a molder device which gives the exterior surface a rounded edge to make it look like a natural log. The log manufactured using the above method is also part of the present invention.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Benefit of priority of UK Patent Application Serial No. GB1307158.4, filed on Apr. 19, 2013, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to laminated logs, and more particularly to a laminated log and an improved method for manufacturing the laminated log used for building houses and the like.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There is a market for those who love the rustic look of a log cabin,[0004]Unfortunately, because of the cost of full tree trunks, many have opted for laminated log cabins. Often times, these laminated logs include an insulating material such as Styrofoam™ or polyurethane combined to the wood element, in order to provide a humidity barrier between the interior and exterior sides, with good insulation. Also, in order to prevent delamination of the laminated log under relatively high temperature and humidity level gradients across the log, the ma...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a better way to laminate wood to an insulating material, which allows for the manufacturing of laminated logs. The method involves using compression limiter members to control the compression of the insulating material during the setting of the bonding agent under pressure. The laminated logs consist of rough cut wood elements glued together with a solid insulating material. The method is relatively simple and low-cost. The laminated logs can be stacked on top of each other in a staggered manner to create a structural element of a building wall. The method includes the step of simultaneously applying pressure to all layers of the entire laminated log during the setting of the bonding agent.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, because of the cost of full tree trunks, many have opted for laminated log cabins.

Also, in order to prevent delamination of the laminated log under relatively high temperature and humidity level gradients across the log, the manufacturing of these laminated logs require extensive steps which lead to an expensive cost of the logs.

Typically, wooden planks are first laminated together at a relatively higher pressure than the pressure required to laminate the insulating material to the wooden planks since the insulating material cannot sustain high pressure without losing its insulating properties, such that the lamination process of a laminated log is performed in successive lamination steps, at different pressure levels for each step, and thus involving higher manufacturing costs.

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