Device for longitudinal splitting of bast fiber plants stalks, technological line containing the device, methods and applications using this device, and wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants produced thereby

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plantsenhancing adhesion, especially of annual plants, wherein said device comprises a set of rollers arranged in parallel manner, a supporting frame, drive means, wherein device it comprises at least a first set of rollers (1) mounted on the supporting frame with a helically grooved roller (2). The device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants splits the plant stalk completely in a manner that prevents its breaking, fragmentation, and loosening of the fibers present in the stalk, and also reduces significantly the crumbling and falling out of the shives from the split stalks. Preferably the device changes the structure of the split stalk, especially the shive structure, causing the natural intercellular pores present in the stalk to close. The invention also relates to a technological line containing a device, a method of splitting the stalks of the stalks of bast fiber plants with the device in order to obtain from those stalks strand containing naturally bound fibers and shives, a method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants furthermore relates to the use of the device according to the invention for the production of wood-like materials and wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants produced with the use of the device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants.

Description

[0001] Device for longitudinal splitting of bast fiber plants stalks, technological line containing the device, methods and applications using this device, and wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants produced thereby

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The subject of the invention is a device for the longitudinally splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants with simultaneous mechanical densification of the structure of the shives and reinforcing the adhesion between the shives and the fibers, especially annual bast fiber plants. The device according to the invention splits the plant stalk completely in a manner that prevents its breaking, fragmentation, and loosening of the fibers present in the stalk, and significantly reduces the crumbling and falling out of the shives from the split stalks. Preferably, the device changes the structure of the split stalk, especially the shive structure, causing the natural intercellular pores present in the stalk to close. The invention also relates to a technological line containing a device for splitting the stalks of bast fiber plants, a method of splitting the stalks of the stalks of bast fiber plants with the device in order to obtain from those stalks strands containing naturally bound fibers and shives, a method of sealing (closing, densification) of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants, furthermore the invention relates to the use of the device according to the invention for the production of wood-like materials and wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants with the use of the device for the splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] When harvested, the bast fiber plants are processed in known ways into industrial and retail products in processes, in which each of the raw materials obtainable from these plants can be extracted independently, or some parts of the plants can be processed without having to be separated into fractions. In the case of mechanical harvesting, the seeds are usually separated from the harvested plants at the time of harvesting. The remaining biological straw containing the stalks is either used directly or subjected to further processing, especially by grouping and optionally cutting of the plant stalks. In general, the processing of the stalks of bast fiber plants, such as hemp and flax stalks, involves breaking them, crushing the shives, and at least partially splitting the stalk, followed by decortication, which involves loosening and then separating the fibers from the stalks, which, along with the seeds, are the basic raw material obtained from these plants. In the process of processing stalks from the biological straw of bast fiber plants, the totalfiber yield ranges from 25% to 30%, with the remaining fractions consisting of shives and plant dust.

[0006] According to known approaches, bast fiber plants, in particular the stalks of annual plants, are also processed without decortication, using whole, broken, partially split, or completely split stalks to make wood substitutes by adhesively bonding of the plant material, especially with the use of binders in the form of various adhesives and resins, in combination with pressing. The advantage of raw material containing fibers is the increased mechanical strength of the wood substitute materials produced. Annual bast fiber plants, like deciduous trees, contain primary and secondary fibers. In the case of bast fiber plants, primary fibers are formed during longitudinal growth and are usually located directly under the epidermis, starting at the top of the plant, binding in bundles of several to several dozen fibers, and their total mass in the plant accounts for up to 15% of the dry mass. Secondary fibers, on the other hand, are the phloem tissues of bast fiber plants that form from the cambium when the internode stops elongating. Secondary fibers are responsible for the growth of the stalk circumference. Primary and secondary fibers of bast fiber plants differ in length. For example, in the case of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fiber, whose stalk can grow up to 5 m in height with a diameter of 0.5-5 cm, its secondary fibers are 2-10 cm long, while the primary fibers are 20-50 cm long. Flax stalks are smaller than hemp stalks. The length of the stalk of common flax (Linum usitatissimuni) grown for fiber reaches up to 150 cm in height, with a diameter of 0.2-0.8 cm. The secondary fibers of flax are 2-15 cm long, while the primary fibers are 20-100 cm long. The secondary fibers of bast fiber plants have lower tensile strength than primary fibers. In case of deciduous trees, higher concentration of primary fibers is found in the heartwood, while in bast fiber plants it is found directly under the epidermis.

[0007] The external appearance of the finished product made of wood-like material is also important. Thanks to the preservation of fibers and shives in the raw material, it has a pattern similar to that of wood, which gives it high aesthetic value and makes it suitable for use in the furniture industry. An advantageous feature of retaining a sufficient amount of shives not separated from fibers in the raw material is the possibility of producing wood substitutes with a variety of densities desired by the market.

[0008] The above features make the bast fiber plants stalks the most suitable raw material for the production of wood-like materialsfrom processed plant material of bast fiber plants, especially annual plants, provided that the stalks retain all their naturally occurring and undivided fibers and shives in an undivided and unseparated form.

[0009] According to known methods of producing wood-like materials using annual plant stalks as raw material, the binder is added by soaking the plant material in binder or by spraying it onto the surface of the raw material. In the case of raw material containing unsplit or partially split stalks, the binder does not penetrate the entire stalk interior, causing the finished wood substitute material to lack uniform density and mechanical strength across its entire surface, especially inthe case of large elements, which is a disadvantageous feature due to the intended use of woodlike materials for construction purposes or internal carpentry framework elements. Known methods of joining stalks of bast fiber plants require significant amounts of the binder, the consumption of which is further increased when the plant stalk is completely split. The reason for the high consumption of the binder for adhesion of the stalks split partially or completely is the facilitated penetration of the fibrous parts of stalks, which have a natural porous structure into which the binder is absorbed. Removing part of the shives to reduce the amount of the binder used results in excessive waste and breaks the natural bonds between the phloem and the shives. The aesthetic qualities of finished products made from wood-like materials that are substitutes for wood, deprived of the light-colored surfaces created by the shives, are also significantly impaired.

[0010] Wood substitutes are obtained by known methods from annual bast fiber plants, with sufficient density and mechanical strength when the raw material is adhesively bonded at a rate of at least about 12 % by weight, although usually well above 30 % by weight. High levels of adhesive bonding in wood-like materials produced by known methods are also caused by the need to combine significant amounts of chipped or partially broken parts of the shives.

[0011] European patent EP3532671 discloses a method for producing a wood substitute using raw material derived from hemp fiber. Hemp strands, substantially arranged longitudinally, formed from at least partially split hemp stalks, containing an added adhesive, especially glue, are subjected to pressing. This method indicates the use of adhesives in quantities resulting in a adhesion bonding level in the finished product of 5 % to 49 % by weight.

[0012] Chinese patent CN102218758B describes lightweight, high-strength hemp lumber and a method for its production. After industrial hemp stalks are shredded into chips, 0.5 % to 5 % glue is added, and then lightweight insulation materials are produced by hot pressing. Despite their low adhesion level and high strength, these products do not exhibit all the characteristics of a wood substitute. In particular, the physical and mechanical parameters of hemp lumber according to this approach, and furthermore its appearance, are typical of plywood.

[0013] Obtaining a wood-like material with uniform density and high mechanical strength requires the use of plant raw material in the form of completely split plant stalks, in order to produce such material, and when splitting the stalk, it should not break or split transversely, so that it retains in its structure both fibers that are not separated and unbroken in the process of splitting the stalk, as well as unbroken shives. In order to obtain raw material with such properties, it is not possible to use known devices for splitting plant stalks that are used in industry, such as beaters, scutching knifes, hecklers, small iron scrapers, Belgian scutching machines, hand and mechanical scutching machines, or devices equipped with mechanical engines and motors, including electric ones, such as scutching and threshing assemblies in the form of multi-roller scutching machines, turbine units and synchronized decorticators, whose basic function is to crush the shives and separate the fibers from the stalk, often preceded by its transverse breaking. The first transversebreaking of the stalks may already take place at the step of threshing the harvested plant by traditional methods using a flail or by rolling with a smooth roller, usually made of heavy wood or stone. To facilitate pulling and pushing, the roller has pins or axles, usually mounted on a wooden frame. Threshing can also be done using manually operated threshing machines, consisting of a table and several pairs of corrugated iron rollers mounted on a base. Some of the rollers are mounted in fixed bearings, usually the lower rollers, and some are mounted in movable bearings, which allows the machine to be adjusted to the thickness of the plant being processed. The rollers, set to the appropriate working position, are designed to crush the heads of the plants in order to extract the grain from the plants, wherein the stalks / straw is not damaged or split in this process. Despite the possibility of adjusting the spacing (gap) between the rollers, this device is not suitable for using in splitting plant stalks, mainly due to the characteristics of the grooves on the rollers, which are designed for processing plant heads, that crush the shives of the stalks.

[0014] The state of the art also includes a Silesian breaker, driven manually or by a treadmill, water or steam, with grooved iron shafts that rotate and knead the stalks of bast fiber plants between the grooves. The stalks of the bast fiber plants spread out on a table in front of the device are fed into the device manually, gripped by the rotating shafts and broken between them, and then collected on a table on the other side of the device.

[0015] In known devices used for processing biological straw from bast fiber plants, the grooves of the shafts / rollers are generally made longitudinally to the axis of the shaft to facilitate breaking the shives in the stalk, rolling the roller over the stalk, or moving the stalk under the rotating roller or between the rollers.

[0016] When the stalk is completely split using devices known in the prior art, the lignin breaks down and the bast is partially separated from the crushed shives, resulting in up to 50% waste in the form of shives. Another disadvantage of the raw material intended for the production of wood substitute split with known devices is breaking and transverse splitting of the stalk, which makes it difficult to produce long elements with high mechanical strength (especially uniform in the woodlike material produced) and makes it difficult to achieve the desired wood substitute patterns, especially in furniture making.

[0017] Due to the characteristics of the binding substances used for adhesive bonding, the raw material intended for the production of wood-like materials should have low moisture content, preferably below 10%, which is why forced drying is used. Natural forced drying of the raw material takes from several to several dozen hours. However, removing excess moisture is associated with the undesirable phenomenon of drying out the structures of the shives, whose pore system has characteristics similar to a sponge, as a result of which they shrink during forced drying, creating empty spaces.

[0018] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONIn light of the described state of the art, the objective of the present invention is to overcome the problems associated with the mechanical splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, related to stalk breakage and excessive crushing of the shives, wherein in the case of bast fiber plants, also problems related to loosening or cutting, or tearing of the fibers naturally occurring in the stalks of such plants. The problem of the formation of free spaces as a result of the shrinkage of pore structures during additional drying has also been overcome. The problems of significant waste in the form of shives have also been solved, thus increasing the proportion of shives in split stalks of bast fiber plants, and the mechanical closure of intercellular pores in the shives, among other things, allowed the production of a wood substitute using significantly smaller amounts of the binder, while at the same time obtaining a wood-like material from bast fiber plants with very good functional and aesthetic parameters.

[0019] The subject of the invention is a device for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, wherein said device comprises a set of rollers arranged in parallel manner, a supporting frame, a drive means, wherein said device comprises at least a first set of rollers mounted on the supporting frame, wherein the first roller of the first set of rollers is a helically grooved roller provided over entire or part of its outer surface with threaded fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G having a profile a and a pitch p, located substantially transversely to the axis of the roller, with sharpened edges of the projections with a predetermined thread flank angle y, cut on one side or both sides, wherein the threaded fluting is right-handed or left-handed; and a second roller of the first set of rollers provided over entire or part of its outer surface with fluting in the form of grooves G and projections P distributed substantially uniformly transverse to the roller axis with the edges of the projections selected from substantially flat, sharpened, rounded or mixed; wherein profile the second roller of the first set of rollers is selected from a transversely grooved roller with projections P and grooves G of the fluting arranged transversely, substantially perpendicular to the roller axis,

[0020] hybrid grooved roller, in which, on a part of its surface, fluting in the form of projections P and grooves G is arranged transversely, substantially perpendicular to the roller axis with the projections with flat, sharpened, rounded or mixed edges of the projections; and on part of the surface of the hybrid grooved roller there is arranged threaded fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G having a profile a and a pitch p, located substantially transversely to the axis of the roller, with sharpened edges of the projections with a predetermined thread flank angle y, cut on one side or both sides, wherein threaded fluting is right-handed or left-handed, wherein the first set of rollers is equipped with a spacing adjustment mechanism located on the side of the rollers of the first set of rollers, wherein said spacing adjustment mechanism regulates the distance between the first and second rollers in the first set of rollers; wherein drive means transmit rotary motion to the first set of rollers, wherein the first set of rollers rotating ensures cutting of the stalk while simultaneously rotating it around its own axis andmoving the split stalk strand in the spacing between the rollers in the first set of rollers while simultaneously compressing them mechanically densifying the shive structure (compacting) the shive structures and enhancing adhesion between the shives and the fibers.

[0021] In a preferred device, the threaded fluting of the helically grooved roller has a constant profile a and a pitch p or a variable profile a and a pitch p.

[0022] In a preferred device, when the second roller of the first set of rollers is selected from a transversely grooved roller the projections P and grooves G of the fluting are arranged evenly.

[0023] In a preferred device, the fluting of the transversely grooved roller has projections with flat, sharpened, rounded, or mixed edges.

[0024] In a preferred device, the drive means is selected from a hand crank, a mechanical drive, a pneumatic drive, an electric drive, a motor, an engine, a servomotor, an actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric motor, an orbital hydraulic drive motor, an internal combustion engine.

[0025] A preferred device comprises an additional set of rollers constructed of rollers arranged in parallel manner to each other with a spacing between the rollers adjusted by the spacing adjustment mechanism of the additional set of rollers.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the device, a spacing regulator is provided in each set of rollers, the spacing regulator may be arranged only on one side of a given set of rollers; however, preferably, the spacing regulator is arranged on both sides of the set of rollers, thereby enabling more precise adjustment of the spacing between the rollers. In a preferred embodiment, within a given set of rollers, the lower rollers are not displaced upwardly / downwardly by the spacing regulator, and the spacing between the rollers in the given set of rollers is adjusted by the spacing regulator through setting the distance of the upper roller relative to the lower roller. In a preferred embodiment, the spacing adjusting element of the spacing regulator is positioned above the respective set of rollers, thereby facilitating access thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the spacing regulator comprises a resilient element, for example a spring (e.g. a coil spring or disc spring), a pneumatic element (e.g. a pneumatic actuator or pneumatic bellows), or a hydraulic element (e.g. a hydraulic actuator or hydro-accumulator), and regulates the spacing between the rollers in a given set of rollers in a continuous mode, thereby enabling precise adjustment during operation of the rollers of an increase or decrease in the spacing between the rollers in the given set of rollers, adapting the spacing between the rollers in the given set of rollers to the thickness of the processed stalks of bast fiber plants and to the desired degree of mechanical compression for densifying the shive structure and strengthening the bonding of the shives with the fibers.

[0027] The device preferably comprises an additional set of rollers, preferably it has an additional drive means, preferably it has a drive means independent of the drive means of the first set of rollers.The device preferably is provided with a roller heating arrangement of the roller(s), preferably selected from an induction heating system, an electric heating system, steam heating, hot air heating, circulating thermal fluid heating (including glycol as well), infrared radiators, microwave heating.

[0028] Preferably, the device is provided with a control system configured to control the operation of the rollers and to adjust the spacing between the rollers in a given roller set..

[0029] The present invention also relates to a technological line for producing wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants, wherein the said technological line comprises a device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention.

[0030] Preferably, downstream of the device for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, the technological line includes the following stations: a station for receiving the split stalks, a raw material enrichment station, a raw material admixing station, a raw material portioning station, a shaping station, a pressing station, and a receiving station for receiving the wood-like material produced on the line.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, wherein in the method comprises the step of a) completely longitudinally splitting the stalks of bast fiber plants using a device for longitudinal splitting of the bast fiber plants stalks as defined in claims 1-12, and moving the strands of the split stalk between the rollers of the set of rollers, whereby mechanically densifying the shive structures and enhancing adhesion between the shives and the fibers.

[0032] In a preferred method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants a further step is carried out, namely b) by additional mechanical densification of the structure of the shives and enhancing adhesion between the shives and the fibers in split strands selected from b1) or b2), wherein: b1) in the case of a device with only a first set of rollers, after longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, a step is carried out, wherein direction of rotation of the rollers is changed in such a way as to cause the return movement of the strand formed from the split stalk, and additional compression of the entire strand formed from the split stalk is carried out by moving it between the rollers of the first set of rollers, wherein preferably additional mechanical densification is performed after reducing the spacing between the rollers with the spacing adjustment mechanism of the first set of rollers; b2) in the case of a device having an additional set(s) of rollers, after longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, a step is carried out, wherein the strand formed from the stalk split in the first set of rollers is guided to the spacing between the rollers of an additional set(s) of rollers, wherein rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers rotate substantially in a synchronized manner with the direction and speed of rotation of the first set of rollers and compress the strands of longitudinally split stalks of bast fiber plants moving between them, wherein the spacing between the rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers is smaller than the spacing between the rollers of the first set of rollers.In a preferred method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants a further step is carried out, wherein the split and / or longitudinally split strands of bast fiber plants are additionally dried, wherein in step a), or b1), or b2) at least one of the rollers is heated to a temperature in the range from 20°C to 220°C, preferably 80°C to 210°C, more preferably 100°C to 200°C.

[0033] In a preferred method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants a further step is carried out, wherein the degree of closure of intercellular pores in the shives layer of the split stalk is regulated, wherein in step a), or b1), or b2) at least one of the rollers is heated to a temperature in the range from 80°C to 220°C, preferably from 80°C to 210°C, more preferably from 100°C to 200° C.

[0034] In a preferred method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants the bast fiber plants are annual plants.

[0035] In a preferred method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, Sorghum, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa.

[0036] The method for longitudinally splitting stalks of bast fiber plants ensures complete splitting thereof with simultaneous densification of the shive structure during the performance of the method according to the invention, in which the material of the split stalks of bast fiber plants is also kneaded / compressed so that the shives remain bonded to the fibers. This process also leads to the closing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants. This differs from previously known methods for longitudinally splitting stalks of bast fiber plants and devices used in such methods, the purpose of which was to crumble and remove the shives from the stalk. The purpose of the earlier solutions was to separate the shives and isolate the fibers.

[0037] The invention also relates to a method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants, wherein said method comprises a step, wherein the stalks of bast fiber plants are completely split longitudinally forming strands of split stalks with simultaneous (parallel) or subsequent sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the strands of split stalks using a device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention.

[0038] In a preferred method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants sealing of intercellular pores: a) is carried out by mechanical densification of the structure of the shives and reinforcing the adhesion between the shives and the fibers simultaneously with the step, in which the stalks of bast fiber plants are split longitudinally; b) is carried out in an additional step of mechanical densification of the structure of the shives and reinforcing the adhesion between the shives and the fibers in split strands selected from b1) or b2), wherein: b1) in the case of a device with only the first set of rollers, after longitudinal splittingof the stalks of bast fiber plants, an additional step is carried out, wherein the direction of rotation of the rollers is changed in such a way as to cause the return movement of the strand formed from the split stalk and additional compression of the entire strand formed from the split stalk is carried out, by moving it between the rollers of the first set of rollers, wherein preferably additional mechanical densification is performed after reducing the spacing between the rollers with the spacing adjustment mechanism of the first set of rollers; b2) in the case of a device having an additional set(s) of rollers, after longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, a step is carried out, wherein the strand formed from the stalk split in the first set is guided to the spacing between the rollers of an additional set(s) of rollers, wherein rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers rotate in a manner synchronized with the direction and speed of rotation of the rollers of the first set of rollers and compress the strands of longitudinally split stalks of bast fiber plants moving between them, wherein the spacing between the rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers is smaller than the spacing between the rollers of the first set of rollers.

[0039] In a preferred method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants sealing of intercellular pores is carried out by additional compression of the layer of split stalk shives by simultaneous pressing in step a), or b1), or b2) with a heated roller, wherein at least one of the rollers is heated to a temperature in the range from 80°C to 220°C, preferably from 80°C to 210°C, more preferably from 100°C to 200°C.

[0040] In a preferred method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants the bast fiber plants are annual plants.

[0041] In a preferred method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants, the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, Sorghum, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa.

[0042] In a preferred method for obtaining wood-like material from the bast fiber plants, in which, in order to produce wood-like material a step is carried out, in which the stalks of bast fiber plants are split longitudinally using a device according to the invention; and / or using the stalks of bast fiber plants split longitudinally by the method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention; and / or using strands of split stalks of bast fiber plants with sealed intercellular pores in the shives of the strands of split stalks of bast fiber plants produced with the method according to the invention; wherein bast fiber plants are at least 60% by weight of the final wood-like material, and wherein binder is up to 4.9% by weight of the final wood-like material; wherein wood-like material has a substantially uniform density in the range from 300 kg / m3to 1250 kg / m3; and wherein the wood-like material is suitable for use as a substitute for wood in terms of appearance and technical properties.The invention also relates to wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants, produced by the method for obtaining a wood-like material from the bast fiber plants according to the invention.

[0043] In preferred wood-like material, the bast fiber plants are annual plants.

[0044] In preferred wood-like material, the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, Sorghum, or mixtures thereof, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa.

[0045] The invention also relates to wood-like material containing: a plurality of binder-bonded strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants, the strands being completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants; wherein completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants have, by compressing the strands in the process of splitting the stalks using a device according to the invention, at least partially sealed intercellular pores of the shives and a densified structure of the shives and a reinforced adhesion between the shives and the fibers in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants; wherein in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants, the loss of disintegrated shive material during the splitting of the stalks is less than 5%, preferably less than 3%, and most preferably up to 0.5% by weight relative to the weight of the stalks of bast fiber plants before splitting; wherein completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants contain a naturally occurring, substantially longitudinal internal structure that extends along the entire length of the strand; wherein the wood-like material produced contains an amount of the binder in the range from 1.5 to 4.9% by weight, more preferably in the range of 2-4 % by weight, most preferably in the range of 2.5-4% by weight of wood-like material; and wherein amount of the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants is more than 60% by weight, more preferably more than 70% by weight, even more preferably more than 80% by weight, and still more preferably more than 90% by weight of wood-like material; wherein the wood-like material has a substantially uniform density in the range from 300 kg / m3to 1250 kg / m3; and wherein the wood-like material is suitable for use as a substitute for wood in terms of appearance and technical properties.

[0046] In the wood-like material, the binder is selected from an adhesive substance, resin, glue, polyvinyl glue, polyurethane, epoxy resin, melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin, polyacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polyethylene, polypropylene, natural rubber, silicone, more preferably proteinbased adhesive.

[0047] In preferred wood-like material in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants the amount of sealed intercellular pores in the shive layer is more than 50%, more preferably more than 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%.In preferred wood-like material completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants have at least partially sealed pores of the shives and a densified structure of the shives and a reinforced adhesion between the shives and the fibers in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants by compressing the strands in the process of splitting the stalks combined with simultaneous or subsequent heating to a temperature in the range from 80°C to 220°C, preferably from 80°C to 210°C, more preferably from 100°C to 200°C.

[0048] In preferred wood-like material bast fiber plants are annual plants.

[0049] In preferred wood-like material the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, Sorghum or mixtures thereof, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa.

[0050] The invention also relates to a method for obtaining a wood-like material, wherein said method comprises the following steps, wherein a) the stalks of bast fiber plants are split completely longitudinally while being compressed using a device according to the invention and resulting in strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants that are completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants; wherein completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants have by compressing the strands in the process of splitting the stalks at least partially sealed pores of the shives and a densified structure of the shives and adhesion between the shives and the fibers in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants; wherein in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants, the loss of disintegrated shive material during the splitting of the stalk is less than 5%, preferably less than 3%, and most preferably up to 0,5% by weight, relative to the weight of the stalks of bast fiber plants before splitting; wherein completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants contain a naturally occurring, substantially longitudinal internal structure that extends along the entire length of the strand; b) a binder is added in an amount corresponding to 1.5 to 4.9% by weight of the wood-like material finally obtained; c) the material produced in b) is formed manually or mechanically, preferably by piling the material up, to obtain a specific shape of the wood-like material, preferably in its finished form; d) the formed material is pressed, preferably with a force of 100 kN - 30,000 kN to produce a shape with a specified density in the range from 300 kg / m3to 1,250 kg / m3.

[0051] In a preferred method for obtaining wood-like material, the binder is selected from an adhesive substance, resin, glue, polyvinyl glue, polyurethane, epoxy resin, melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin, polyacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polyethylene, polypropylene, natural rubber, silicone, more preferably protein-based adhesive.

[0052] In a preferred method for obtaining wood-like material bast fiber plants are annual plants. In a preferred method for obtaining wood-like material the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn,miscanthus, Sorghum, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa, or mixtures thereof.

[0053] The invention relates to the use of the device for splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention and / or technological line as specified according to the invention for producing wood-like material from bast fiber plants.

[0054] In a preferred use for producing wood-like material from bast fiber plants, the plants are annuals.

[0055] In a preferred use for producing wood-like material from bast fiber plants, the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, Sorghum, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa, or mixtures thereof.

[0056] The essence of the operation of the device according to the invention is the longitudinal splitting of the entire stalk of a bast fiber plant, introduced with either end of the stalk transversely to the axis of rotation of the rollers into the spacing between the parallel and counter-rotating rollers of the set of rollers having a drive means, in which at least one roller is a helically grooved roller (screw roller) having, over entire or part of its outer surface, fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G, with a profile a and a pitch p, located substantially transversely (perpendicularly) to the axis of the roller, with sharpened edges of the projections (apexes of the profile) cut on one side, preferably on both sides, with a predetermined thread flank angle y, cutting the stalk while simultaneously moving the split stalk strand towards the roller or part of the roller or rollers with notches substantially evenly spaced transversely to the axis of the threading roller with substantially flat or sharp or rounded or mixed edges of the projections. Depending on their design, the helical projections and grooves on the helically grooved roller may be located in the right-hand or left-hand direction of rotation. Due to the possibility of adjusting the rotational speed of the set of rollers and the appropriate profile, pitch, and bevel angles of threading projection edges, the stalk rotates in a controlled manner around its own axis between the rollers in the set of rollers. In the case of a device with one set of rollers (the first set of rollers), after changing the direction of rotation of the rollers and preferably reducing the spacing between the rollers of the first set of rollers, the device causes a return movement of the entire strand formed from the split stalk and leads to its additional clamping, causing mechanical densification of the shives and reinforcing the adhesion between the shives and the fibers.

[0057] It is possible to manufacture a device containing a second set of rollers in addition to the first set of rollers, but a device for splitting the stalks of bast fiber plants with a larger number of additional sets of rollers, e.g., with two, three, four, or five additional sets of rollers, is also considered. In the case of a device having an additional set(s) of rollers, the strand formed from the stalk split in the first set of rollers is moved towards the spacing between the rollers of the next set of rollers. The rollers of each additional set of rollers rotate in a manner synchronized with thedirection and speed of rotation of the rollers of the first set of rollers, resulting in the smooth movement of the split stalk strand between the rotating rollers of the device and the compression of its shive part in the additional set(s) of rollers, resulting in even better mechanical densification of the shives and reinforcing the adhesion between the shives and the fibers.

[0058] The transversely grooved roller has, on its outer surface, spaced substantially evenly, transversely to the axis of the roller, fluting in the form of projections P and grooves G with the edges of the projections selected from: substantially flat, rounded, sharpened, or mixed, i.e., fluting on the transversely grooved roller may have projections with edges of one type or mixed different types of edges.

[0059] It is also possible to manufacture a hybrid grooved roller partially with threaded fluting with variable directions, right-handed or left-handed, and partially with a fluting section in the form of projections P and grooves G arranged transversely to the roller axis, or with a smooth surface without fluting.

[0060] In the sharpened edges of the projections their bevels, made on one or both sides at an angle between 5° and 60°, form a thread flank angle y between 10° and 120°, preferably between 40° and 100°, preferably 60°. In the sharpened edges of the projections of transversely grooved and hybrid grooved rollers, the bevels are made on one or both sides at an angle between 5° and 60°.

[0061] It has been found that splitting the stalk of a bast fiber plant while clamping its shive layer causes the mechanical sealing of the intercellular pores present in the shives, favorably affecting the features of the raw material intended for the production of a wood substitute by blocking the possibility of the binder penetrating into the pores. As a result, the raw material split by the device according to the invention shows a significant reduction in the amount of the binder needed to produce the wood substitute. The method for obtaining wood-like material using the stalks of a bast fiber plant split by the device according to the invention is more economical and more environmentally friendly, and the wood-like materials produced are characterized by higher aesthetics and durability due to the substantially uniform mechanical strength of the wood-like material produced in this way.

[0062] For the purpose of optional final drying of the stalk and / or adjustment of the degree of closure of intercellular pores in the shive layer of the split stalk, directly during the splitting of the stalk or immediately after its splitting, the device has the ability to heat at least one of the rollers to a temperature in the operating temperature range of 20°C - 220°C, preferably in the range of 100°C to 200°C. Unexpectedly, it was found out that the number of sealed intercellular pores in the layer of the split stalk significantly increases, preferably reaching over 60%, more preferably over 70%, more preferably to over 80%, most preferably to over 90%, when splitting the plant stalk with the hot mode of the device activated, when the strand shives side of the split plant stalk is pressed by the shaft of the device heated to a temperature between 80°C and 210°C, preferablybetween 100°C and 200°C. However, drying can be carried out within the entire range of the indicated operating temperature of 20°C - 220°C.

[0063] Due to the use of notches on the rollers, arranged substantially transversely to their axis of rotation in a manner adapted to the characteristics of the plant stalk, after setting the appropriate width of the spacing between the rollers in a given set of rollers, together with the longitudinal cutting of the stalk by the sharpened edges of the projections in the roller fluting, the stalk is then split and simultaneously spread into a strand, substantially exposing the shives of the stalk on one side. In the stalks split in this way, subjected to reverse movement on the same set of rollers, or possibly to a further process on the next set(s) of rollers of the device, their shive part is crushed. As a result of splitting the stalk with the device according to the invention, there is substantially no separation or cutting of the fibers, and the entire strand formed from the split stalk retains its cohesion and fibrous connections adjacent to the shives. The rollers used in the device according to the presented technical solution are designed to press and split the stalks without crushing the shives or substantially without breaking them apart. The use of adjustments allows the spacing between the rollers of a given set of rollers, between which the stalks are inserted, to be adjusted depending on the type of stalk, the diameter of the stalk, or the species of plant whose stalks are being split. The device allows one or more stalks to be split at the same time. By replacing the rollers or set of rollers, adjusting the spacing of the sets of rollers in the case of a device with an additional set(s) of rollers, adjusting the rotational speed of the rollers, the operating cycles, and the direction of rotation of the rollers, it is possible to adapt the operation of the device to the type and characteristics of the plant stalk structure, whether in terms of biological species or a specific batch of a given species. The device therefore allows its operation to be fully adapted to ensure effective longitudinal splitting of stalks of various bast fiber plants.

[0064] It has been found that the method of longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention makes it possible to split whole stalks without breaking or shortening them and to obtain strands of completely split stalks of bast fiber plants without significant loss of disintegrated shive material, while preserving all the naturally occurring fibers in the split strand of the stalk. Due to the possibility of using additional sets of rollers in the device and the possibility of adjusting the spacing between the rollers in a given set of rollers, it is possible to simultaneously split fiber plant stalks of different diameters with the device, without the need to adjust the height of the spacing. Preferably, the device also allows the split stalks to be finally dried during the splitting or clamping process, which prevents the shrinkage of the pith pore structure and the creation of additional spaces, which occurs in the case of natural drying or drying by methods known in the prior art.

[0065] The invention relates also to a technological line for the production of wood-like materials from stalks of bast fiber plants, which includes a device designed for longitudinal splitting of the entire stalk of bast fiber plants, introduced with either end of the stalk substantially transverselyto the axis of rotation, into the spacing between the parallel and counter-rotating rollers of a set of rollers having a drive means, in which at least one roller is a helically grooved roller (screw roller) having, over entire or part of its outer surface, fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G located in a right-handed or left-handed direction, with a profile a and a pitch p, arranged substantially transversely (perpendicularly) to the axis of the roller, with sharpened edges of the projections (apexes of the profile) cut on one side, preferably on both sides, with a predetermined thread flank angle y, cutting the stalk while simultaneously moving the split stalk strand towards the roller or part of the roller or rollers, with the notches in the form of projections P and grooves G, substantially evenly spaced, arranged transversely to the roller axis, with substantially flat or sharp or rounded or mixed edges of the projections P.

[0066] Preferably, the technological line according to the invention comprises a device for splitting stalks of bast fiber plants provided with an additional set(s) of rollers.

[0067] In preferred embodiment of the technological line according to the invention, the line comprises a device for splitting stalks of bast fiber plants provided with a roller heating arrangement.

[0068] An example of a technological line using the device according to the invention in the process of converting raw material in the form of annual plant stalks into wood-like material is shown in Fig.7.

[0069] A technological line for the production of wood-like materials from stalks of bast fiber plants is characterized in that it comprises a device for splitting stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention, ensuring complete longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, even those up to several meters long. Due to no need to cut the stalks it is possible to use the technological line to produce wood-like materials with a length of 0.1 m to 10 m, preferably up to 5 m. Moreover, due to the use of a device for splitting stalks according to the invention, provided with a roller heating arrangement, the raw material is finally dried during the splitting of the stalk or immediately after its splitting, together with the pressing of the shives by the device in the strand formed from the split stalk. A technological line according to the invention therefore allows the process of producing wood-like material to be shortened by up to several dozen hours, which allows for significant savings in the materials used and standardization of the quality and strength of the material obtained, as well as automation of the entire process due to the fact that all processes take place in a single technological line.

[0070] It has been found that wood-like materials produced from stalks of bast fiber plants split by the device according to the invention exhibit improved properties compared to wood-like materials known on the market produced from stalks of bast fiber plants. These materials have a more uniform density, feature high mechanical strength, are cheaper to produce due to significantly lower consumption of the binder for the production of wood substitute, and have anattractive appearance reflecting the appearance of real wood structure, which makes the finished products made from them attractive to consumers.

[0071] The surface structure, including the color of the strand formed from the stalk split by the device according to the invention, changes preferably when the device operates with a heated roller, and it is possible to control the changes, especially the color of the entire strand formed from the stalk, by means of the temperature of the roller and the speed at which the split stalk passes through the set of rollers with a heated roller or several such sets of rollers, which also allows to control the color and appearance of the final wood-like material produced by a method including the step of splitting the stalks using the device for the splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention. An additional advantage of the device for splitting stalks of bast fiber plants working with a heated roller(s) is the final drying of the stalk already during its splitting, primarily by removing part of the moisture remaining in the pores of the shives, which improves the effectiveness of the adhesive bonding of the strands formed from the cut stalks.

[0072] The use of the device for the splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the amount of the binder necessary for the adhesive bonding of plant strands in the production of wood-like materials from these strands. As a result, a level of the adhesive bonding significantly below 5% by weight was achieved in the finished wood-like materials, while at the same time obtaining their uniform density and, therefore, also mechanical strength.

[0073] The method according to the invention was used to produce wood-like materials containing various stalks of bast fiber plants split using a device for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention originating from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, Sorghum, or mixtures thereof. Particularly good results in terms of the final aesthetic appearance of the wood-like materials were obtained for flax, hemp and wood-like materials containing mixtures thereof in various amounts. These wood-like materials were tested for, inter alia, their strength, bending elasticity, and ultimate breaking strength, with a binder content of well below 5% by weight, wherein said results confirmed suitability of these wood-like materials for use as fully-fledged wood-like materials in industry.

[0074] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0075] The publications cited in the description and the references therein are hereby incorporated in their entirety as references. The following examples illustrate the invention without limiting it in any way.

[0076] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0077] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are presented in the drawing figures, in which:Fig. 1 shows a device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention in an embodiment with two sets of rollers, in a general projection.

[0078] Fig. 2 shows a device for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention in an embodiment with one set of rollers, in a general projection.

[0079] Fig. 3 shows a fragment of the device according to the invention being a set of rollers in an embodiment having a upper helically grooved roller and lower hybrid grooved roller and a roller spacing adjustment mechanism.

[0080] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a hybrid grooved roller.

[0081] Fig. 5 shows the embodiments of a transversely grooved roller, with evenly spaced, arranged transversely to the roller axis, fluting A- with flat edges of the projections P with a height of PH and a width of PW, grooves G with a height of GH and a width of grooves GW, B- with rounded edges of the projections P with a height of PH and a width of PW and grooves G with a height of GH and a width of GW

[0082] Fig. 6 shows a fragment of the device according to the invention, embodiment of the helically grooved roller with fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a constant thread profile a and a pitch p arranged transversely to the roller axis, in a left-hand direction, with edges of the projections sharpened on both sides at an angle (in the example shown, at the same angle of 45°), forming a thread flank angle y (in the example shown y = 90°).

[0083] Fig. 7 shows an example diagram of a technological line containing a device for splitting the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention.

[0084] Fig. 8 shows the appearance of the stalk A- of hemp (Cannabis sativa) before splitting and B- of hemp (Cannabis sativa) after splitting, C- of common flax before splitting and D- of common flax after splitting, for the photos of the samples after splitting, it shows the stalks split with the device for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention.

[0085] Fig. 9 shows changes in the structure of hemp stalks split A- by a method known in the prior art, B- split by a device for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention, imaged with an optical microscope at 45x magnification.

[0086] Fig. 10 shows an example of a wood-like material made from longitudinally split stalks of bast fiber plants, in the form of a beam from split stalks A- of hemp (Cannabis sativa), B- of flax produced using a device for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention.METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0087] The following examples are provided solely for the purpose of illustrating the invention and explaining its various aspects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and should not be considered as representing its entire scope, which is defined in the attached claims. EXAMPLES

[0088]

[0089] The device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants 1.1. The device with two sets of rollers

[0090] The device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants in the described embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. The device consists of a support frame 5 on which two sets 1, 10 of rollers, each of which is equipped with two rollers arranged parallel to each other, wherein in the first set 1 of rollers located at the front of the device on the side of insertion between the rollers of the stalks of bast fiber plants to be split, the upper roller is a helically grooved roller 2, which has, over its entire outer surface, fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a right-hand direction, with a constant profile a = 5mm and a pitch p = 5mm, arranged transversely to the roller axis, with the edges of the projections sharpened on one side at an angle of 60°, forming a thread flank angle y = 60°, and the lower roller is a hybrid grooved roller 4 having, on the part constituting 40% of its outer surface, located on the left side, threaded fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a constant profile a = 4mm and a pitch = 3mm, arranged transversely to the roller axis, with a right-hand direction, with edges of the projections sharpened on both sides at an angle of 45° forming a thread flank angle y = 90°, to the right of which there is a part constituting 20% of the outer surface of the roller with evenly spaced, arranged transversely to the roller axis, fluting with flat edges of the projections P with a height of 4mm and a width of 4 mm and grooves G with a width of 4 mm and a height of 4mm, to the right of which there is a part constituting 40% of the outer surface of the roller having threaded fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a constant profile a = 6mm and a pitch = 3mm, arranged transversely to the roller axis, in a left-hand direction, with edges of the projections sharpened on both sides at an angle of 45° forming a thread flank angle y = 90°. In the second roller set 10, the upper and lower rollers are transversely grooved rollers 3, which on their outer surface contain evenly spaced, transversely to the roller axis, fluting with flat edges of the projections P with a height of 2mm and a width of 6 mm and grooves G with a width of 3 mm. Both roller sets 1, 10 have the spacing adjustment mechanisms 7 located on both sides of the rollers in a given set of rollers, respectively. The spacing adjustment mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the distance (spacing / gap, i.e., clearance or slit) between two parallel rollers of the device according to the invention. By setting the distance between the rollers in a pair, the spacing adjustment mechanism allows for precise adjustment of the thickness of the processed stalks of bast fiber plants by increasing or decreasing the spacing between the rollers. The spacing adjustment mechanisms allow the distance between the upper and lower rollers in a given set ofrollers to be set, thus allowing the device to be adjusted for the longitudinal splitting of stalks of different diameters or from different plant species. The device is provided with a power supply with a control system 9, here made as a box with a power supply (battery power supply is possible) with a control system controlling the operation of the rollers and spacing adjustment mechanisms 7 between the rollers in a given roller sets 1, 10, to set the appropriate height of the spacing between the rollers in a given roller sets 1, 10. The drive means 6 of the device consists of two motors with gear units that transfer rotary motion to the roller sets 1, 10 and synchronize the operation of the upper and lower rollers in a given set of rollers and both roller sets, respectively. The rotational speed of the upper and lower rollers in each of the roller sets 1, 10 is adjustable in the range from 0.1 rpm to 720 rpm. The device according to the embodiment of the invention is equipped with a roller heating arrangement 8 for the roller(s), here made as an induction heating system 8. It is also possible to heat the rollers with a heater mounted inside the roller or in any other way, e.g., by flowing technical steam or hot fluid, e.g., oil or air, through the roller. The device has additional, but not essential, elements in the form of a gear cover 11 to prevent contamination of the raw material, especially by lubricants, and a working area cover 12 to ensure the safe operation of the device.

[0091] 1.2. Device with a single set of rollers

[0092] In another embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the device consists of a support frame 5, on which the first roller set 1 is placed, consisting of two rollers arranged in parallel manner to each other, wherein the upper roller being a helically grooved roller 2, which has fluting over the entire outer surface in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a right-hand direction, with a constant profile a = 5mm and a pitch p = 5mm, arranged transversely to the roller axis, with edges beveled on one side of the projections at an angle of 60° forming a thread flank angle y = 60°. The lower roller of the device is a transversely grooved roller 3, which has evenly distributed fluting on its outer surface, transverse to the roller axis, with rounded edges of projections P with a height of 3 mm and a width of 3 mm, and rounded grooves G with a width of 3 mm. The roller set 1 has a spacing adjustment mechanism between the rollers 7. The drive means 6 of the device in the embodiment is a manually operated crank, mounted perpendicular to the gear shaft, which transfers the rotary motion to the first roller set 1 and synchronizes the operation of the rollers.

[0093] 1.3 A set of rollers of the device according to the invention containing a hybrid grooved roller

[0094] In the embodiment of the part of the device according to the invention, relating to the first roller set 1 equipped with a spacing adjustment mechanism between the rollers 7, shown in Fig.3, the upper roller is a helically grooved roller 2, which has fluting over the entire outer surface, in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a right-hand direction, with a constant profile a = 5mm and a pitch = 5mm, arranged transversely to the roller axis, with edges beveled on one side of the projections at an angle of 60° forming a thread flank angle y = 60° and lower hybridgrooved roller 4 having, on a part constituting 40% of its outer surface, located on the left side, threaded fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a constant profile a = 4mm and a pitch p = 3mm, arranged transversely to the roller axis, with a right-hand direction, with edges of the projections sharpened on both sides at an angle of 45° forming a thread flank angle 90°, to the right of which there is a part constituting 20% of the outer surface of the roller with evenly spaced, arranged transversely to the roller axis, fluting with flat edges of the projections P with a height of 4mm and a width of 4 mm and grooves G with a width of 4 mm, to the right of which there is a part constituting 40% of the outer surface of the roller having threaded fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a constant profile a = 3mm and a pitch = 3mm, arranged transversely to the roller axis, in a left-hand direction, with edges of the projections sharpened on both sides at an angle of 45° forming a thread flank angle y = 90°.

[0095] Example 3 - Method of splitting stalks of bast fiber plants with the device according to the invention

[0096] To split the stalks of bast fiber plants using the method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention, the device according to the invention made as in Example 1.1 was used. The raw material used was a stalk of Cannabis sativa var. sativa with a length of 120 cm and a diameter of 20 mm to 21 mm. The moisture content of the raw material measured using a Tanel WPS-2 moisture meter was 16%. A spacing of 18 mm was set between the rollers of the first roller set 1, and a spacing of 6 mm was set between the rollers of the second roller set 10. The rollers of the second roller set 10 of a device were heated to a temperature of 185°C. In both roller sets, 1 and 10, the roller speed was set to 90 rpm. Then, a hemp stalk was manually inserted between the rollers of the first set of rollers, which were rotating in opposite directions, towards the spacing, positioning said stalk at the inlet substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rollers. As a result of the rotational movement of the upper roller of the first set of rollers, i.e. , the helically grooved roller 2, the stalk was set in a left-handed rotational movement around its own axis, and with the simultaneous rotational movement of the lower transversely grooved roller 3 pressing the stalk, the stalk was moved between the rollers of the first roller set 1 and cut by the sharpened edges of the projections of the upper helically grooved roller 2, causing the stalk to split completely, substantially lengthwise. The strand formed from the split stalk, coming out from the other side of the first roller set 1, entered between the rollers of the second roller set 10, rotating in opposite directions, where it was compressed in the hot spaces between the projections P and grooves G of the roller fluting of the second roller set 10 and, through their rotational movement, smoothly ejected from the other side, along with complete ejection from the device.

[0097] The obtained strand derived from the stalk split in the above method was characterized by a changed external appearance of the structure of the shives and bast, including a darker color of some parts on the shives side, in particular a changed appearance of the cellular structure of theshives, which was also illustrated by microscopic analysis (see Fig. 9), and the desired cohesion of the fibers and crushed shives, which adhered permanently to the bast. Only individual primary fibers of the stalk were partially loosened. None of the stalk fibers visible in the strand were broken or detached from the strand. As found, the loss of disintegrated shive material during the splitting of the stalks was less than 0.5% by weight on the basis of the initial weight of the material. The moisture content of the split stalk strand, as measured with a moisture meter, was 9%, on the basis of which it was concluded that during the process of splitting the stalk by the method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention, part of the structurally bound moisture was effectively evaporated.

[0098] A comparative analysis of the microstructure of hemp strands (Cannabis sativa van sativa) was carried out, in particular the structures of the intercellular pores of hemp shives before and after various processes of stalk splitting. The appearance of the Cannabis sativa van Sativa stalk before and after splitting by the method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention is shown in Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, respectively.

[0099] In particular, the structures of strands formed from a traditionally split hemp stalk according to a known mechanical splitting method using a flax scutcher were compared with the pore structure of strands split by the method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention. For this purpose, microscopic photographs of split stalks of Cannabis sativa va sativa were taken with an optical microscope (the study was performed at the Independent Laboratory of Spectroscopy and Chemical Imaging of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Medical University of Lublin, Poland, using a microLAB Microscope) at 45x magnification and, additionally, at 20x and 100x magnification. Photographs of fragments of the hemp stalk shives of Cannabis sativa van sativa after splitting by a known method are shown in Fig. 9A, while photographs showing fragments of hemp stalk shives of Cannabis sativa van sativa split by the method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention as in Example 3 are shown in Fig. 9B.

[0100] It has been found that the prior art process of mechanically tearing hemp stalks leads to the formation of large and irregular spaces in the structure. In some places, the fibers were partially preserved in long fragments, but in others they were completely torn into smaller pieces, which is considered typical for mechanical splitting, the purpose of which is to break the shives and loosen the naturally occurring bonds in the structure of the material, and thus facilitating the extraction of fibers from it. The tearing of the fibers also resulted in larger pore spaces in the structure. It was revealed that the size of the spaces between the fibers is not uniform, which can lead to difficulties in evenly filling the pores of the material with binding substances. Indeed, larger spaces are more split, while smaller ones may remain unfilled. It was found that the organic material residues remaining on the hemp strands and inaccuracies in the splitting may affect their further processing, especially in the adhesive bonding process due to the presence and irregular distribution of loosefragments of shives. Furthermore, the hemp strands retained their natural structure in terms of appearance (Fig. 9A).

[0101] It was found that hemp strands of Cannabis sativa from stalks split by the method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to the invention as shown in this example do not retain their natural structure in terms of appearance. In particular, the structure of the intercellular pores of the shives in the split strand was clearly changed compared to the structure of the shives of the stalk split mechanically by a method known in the prior art. Approximately 70% of the intercellular pores were closed, and the remaining ones became more aligned, which is the result of mechanical deformation. The structure of the shives and fibers was clearly densified (Fig.

[0102] 9B).

[0103] In addition, it was found that temperature affected the structure of the hemp shives, causing dark discoloration indicating thermal effects such as material degradation and a further reduction in porosity in the intercellular pore structure by up to 90%, compared to other parts of the sample where no discoloration was found. It was noted that these discolorations may affect the subsequent processing of the shives, including the ability to fill the pores with substances, especially adhesives, as they may reduce the availability of internal spaces.

[0104] Example 4 Wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants and method of its production 6.6 kg of raw material in the form of hemp strands of Cannabis sativa var. sativa with a moisture content of 9%, in the form of completely longitudinally split strands obtained as in Example 2, using the device according to the invention made as in Example 1.1, after adding 0.4% by weight of loose ground shives and a binder in the form of a protein-based adhesive (protein glue), was loosely poured into a steel cuboid mold with dimensions of 800 mm x 110 mm x 100 mm, and then pressed with a single-column hydraulic press with a force applied in 7 cycles in the range of 100 kN - 30,000 kN, until a beam with a uniform predefined density was produced. Any addition of loose ground shives is not necessary, but allows the waste shives produced during the longitudinal splitting to be utilized and may amount to up to 5% by weight of the final wood-like material. A photograph of a beam made of wood-like material according to the invention, for example made of hemp, is shown in Fig. 10 A.

[0105] Similarly, a wood-like material was produced from common flax using protein-based adhesive as a binder. A photograph of a beam made of wood-like material according to the invention, for example made of flax, is shown in Fig. 10 B.

[0106] Tests of the physical and mechanical properties and the level of the adhesive bonding of the wood-like material thus produced were carried out at the Technical - Technological Laboratory of the Research and Development Center for the Wood-Based Panel Industry in Czarna Woda in cooperation with the Environmental Research Laboratory belonging to the Lukasiewicz Research Network - Poznan Institute of Technology, Poland.The final beam obtained made of hemp as well as of flax were analyzed for total nitrogen content in order to determine the level of the adhesive bonding using the method specified in standard PN / EN ISO 16948: 2015-07, based on the difference between the nitrogen (N) content in the dry state in a given sample and the nitrogen content in the unprocessed raw material before the addition of the binder.

[0107] The result, expressed in g N, was related to the dry mass of adhesive in 1 kg of sample. The test results showed an adhesive bonding level of 2.59% by weight for hemp and 4.55% by weight for flax in the final wood-like material produced. The values obtained generally corresponded to the specified binder amounts. A detailed presentation of the test results is provided in Table 1 below.

[0108] Table 1 - test results for contents % by weight (adhesive bonding) corresponding to the final amount of the binder / adhesive in the sample of the wood-like material produced _

[0109] Bast fiber plant Cannabis sativa var. Linum usitatissimum - sativa- (hemp) (common flax) Sample designation Strumber 750 Strumber Flax 750 Sample density 750 kg / m3750 kg / m3N [% by weight] 0.39 0.89

[0110] Total g N / kg of the material 3.90 8.90

[0111] g N of hemp raw material / 1 kg 3.25 7.75

[0112] g N of adhesive / 1 kg

[0113] 0.65 1.15 (difference)

[0114] Amount of dry mass of adhesive

[0115] corresponding to the amount 25.91 45.53 difference of N [g]

[0116]

[0117] Adhesive bonding [%] 2.59 4.55

[0118] Physical and mechanical tests of samples obtained from a wood-like beam manufactured according to the invention were performed in accordance with the requirements of standards PN-EN 310:1994 / Ap1:2002: “Wood-based panels” for determining the bending strength modulus and bending strength [1] and PN-EN 323: 1999 / Ap 1:2002: “Wood-based panels” for determining density [2], The values presented in the test results include the determination of mechanical properties in the form of destructive force expressed in N, static bending strength expressed in MPa, and bending modulus of elasticity expressed in MPa. A detailed presentation of the test results for wood-like material made of hemp is shown in Table 2. Similar results in terms of mechanical properties were observed for wood-like materials made of flax.

[0119] Table 2 - test results for the mechanical properties of samples with adhesive bonding of approximately 2.6% by weight (adhesive bonding). A lower support spacing of L=250 mm was used.

[0120] Sample Sample Sample Destructi Static bending Static bending number width thickness ve force strength elasticity module E [mm] [mm] Fr [N] Rg [MPa] [MPa] 1 50.01 20.21 1523 28.0 8816

[0121] 2 50.12 20.27 1455 26.5 8875

[0122]

[0123] mean 50.07 20.24 1489 27.3 8846The results of the tests carried out confirmed explicitly that it is possible to produce wood-like materials from stalks of bast fiber plants using the wood-like material production technology developed by the inventors, in which the binder (binder) content is reduced to approximately 1.5-4.9% by weight, preferably to 2.5-4.5% by weight of the wood-like material produced, which allows for savings in its production while maintaining the physical and mechanical properties and measurable parameters compared to the typical values obtained for wood products. The time needed to produce wood-like material in the form of beams has been significantly reduced due to the drying of the raw material already during the splitting of the stalks, before gluing.

[0124] REFERENCES:

[0125] [1.] Standard PN-EN 310:1994 / Ap1:2002: „Ptyty Drewnopochodne” dla oznaczania modulu wytrzymalosci przy zginaniu i wytrzymalosci na zginanie.

[0126] [2.] Standard PN-EN 323:1999 / Ap1:2002: „Plyty drewnopochodne” dla oznaczania g^stosci.

[0127] LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0128] 1 - first set of rollers

[0129] 2 - helically grooved roller - with the helical fluting ridges with sharpened edges

[0130] 3 - transversely grooved roller - with fluting ridges transverse to the roller axis

[0131] 4 - hybrid grooved roller - with mixed helical fluting ridges with sharpened edges and fluting ridges transverse to the roller axis

[0132] 5 - support frame

[0133] 6 - drive means

[0134] 7 - roller spacing / gap adjustment mechanism

[0135] 8 - roller heating arrangement

[0136] 9 - a control system

[0137] 10 - second / an additional set of rollers

[0138] 11 - gear cover

[0139] 12 - working area cover

[0140] P - projections

[0141] G - grooves

[0142] W - width

[0143] H - height

[0144] PW - projection width

[0145] GW - groove width

[0146] a - thread profile

[0147] P - thread pitch

[0148] y - thread flank angle

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS1. A device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, comprising a set of rollers arranged in parallel manner, a supporting frame, a drive means, characterized in that said device comprises:at least a first set of rollers (1) mounted on the support frame, whereina first roller of the first set of rollers (1) is a helically grooved roller (2), which over entire or part of its outer surface has threaded fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a profile a and a pitch p, located substantially transversely to the axis of the roller, with sharpened edges of the projections with a predetermined thread flank angle y, cut on one side or both sides, wherein threaded fluting is right-handed or lefthanded, anda second roller of the first set of rollers has, over all or part of its outer surface fluting, wherein said fluting is in the form of grooves G and projections P distributed substantially uniformly transverse to the roller axis, with the edges of the projections selected from substantially flat, sharpened, rounded, or mixed types,wherein the second roller of the first set of rollers (1) is selected from:a transversely grooved roller (3), with projections P and grooves G of the fluting arranged transversely, substantially perpendicular to the roller axis,a hybrid grooved roller (4), wherein a part of its surface has fluting in form of projections P and grooves G arranged transversely, substantially perpendicular to the roller axis with the projections with flat, sharpened, rounded, or mixed edges of the projections; andon part of the surface of the hybrid grooved roller (4) there is arranged threaded fluting in the form of helical projections P and grooves G with a profile a and a pitch P, located substantially transversely to the axis of the roller, with sharpened edges of the projections with a predetermined thread flank angle y, cut on one side, or both sides, wherein threaded fluting is right-handed or left-handed, wherein the first set of rollers (1) is equipped with a spacing adjustment mechanism (7) located on the side of the rollers of the first set of rollers (1), wherein said spacing adjustment mechanism (7) regulates the distance between the first and second rollers in the first set of rollers (1),wherein the drive means (6) transmit rotary motion to the first set of rollers (1), wherein the first set of rollers (1) rotating ensures cutting of the stalk while simultaneously rotating it around its own axis and moving the split stalk strand in the spacing between the rollersin the first set of rollers (1) while simultaneously compressing them mechanically densifying the shive structure the shive structures and enhancing adhesion between the shives and the fibers.

2. The device according to claims 1, characterized in that the threaded fluting of the threaded roller (2) has a constant profile a and pitch p or a variable profile a and pitch p.

3. The device according to claims 1-2, characterized in that when the second roller of the first set of rollers (1) is a perpendicular roller (3), the protrusions P and grooves G of the fluting are evenly distributed.

4. The device according to claims 3, characterized in that the fluting of the perpendicular roller (3) has substantially flat, sharpened, rounded, or mixed edges of the projections.

5. The device according to claims 1-4, characterized in that drive means (6) is selected from a hand crank, a mechanical drive, a pneumatic drive, an electric drive, a motor, an engine, a servomotor, an actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric motor, an orbital hydraulic drive motor, an internal combustion engine.

6. The device according to claims 1-5, characterized in that said device comprises an additional set of rollers (10), constructed of rollers arranged in parallel manner to each other with the spacing between the rollers adjusted by the spacing adjustment mechanism (7) of the additional set of rollers (10).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the rollers in the additional set of rollers (10) are selected from the helically grooved roller (2), the transversely grooved roller (3), the hybrid grooved roller (4).

8. The device according to claims 1 -7, characterized in that said device comprises at least two additional sets of rollers (10), preferably several additional sets of rollers (10).

9. The device according to claims 6-8, characterized in that an additional set of rollers (10) has a drive means (6) independent of the drive means (6) of the first set of rollers (1).

10. The device according to claims 1-9, characterized in that said device is equipped with roller heating arrangement (8) of the roller(s).

11. The device according to claims 1-10, characterized in that said roller heating arrangement (8) of the roller(s) is selected from an induction heating system, an electric heating system, steam heating, hotair heating, circulating thermal fluid heating, infrared radiators, microwave heating.

12. The device according to claims 1-11, characterized in that said device is equipped with a control system (9) controlling the operation of the rollers and the height of the spacing between the rollers in a given set of rollers (1 , 10).

13. A technological line for producing wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants, characterized in that said technological line comprises a device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants as defined in claims 1-12.

14. A technological line according to claim 13, characterized in that said downstream of the device for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants said technological line comprises the following stations: a station for receiving the split stalks, a raw material enrichment station, a raw material admixing station, a raw material portioning station, a shaping station, a pressing station, a receiving station for receiving the wood-like material produced on the line.

15. A method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, characterized in that said method comprises a step whereina) using a device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants as defined in claims 1-12, the stalks of bast fiber plants are split completely longitudinally and the split stalk strands are moved between the rollers of the set of rollers.

16. The method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claim 15, characterized in that a further step b) is carried out of additional mechanical densification of the structure of the shives and enhancing adhesion between the shives and the fibers in split strands, selected from b1) or b2), wherein:b1) in the case of a device with only the first set of rollers (1), after longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, a step is carried out, wherein direction of rotation of the rollers is changed in such a way as to cause the return movement of the strand formed from the split stalk, and additional compression of the entire strand formed from the split stalk is carried out by moving it between the rollers of the first set of rollers (1), wherein preferably additional mechanical densification is carried out after reducing the spacing between the rollers with the spacing adjustment mechanism (7) of the first set of rollers (1);b2) in the case of a device having the additional set(s) of rollers (10), after longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, a step is carried out, wherein the strand formed from the stalk split in the first set of rollers (1) is guided to the spacing between the rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers (10), wherein rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers (10) rotate in a manner synchronized with the direction and speed of rotation of the rollers of the first set of rollers (1) and compress the strands of longitudinally split stalks of bast fiber plants movingbetween them, wherein the spacing between the rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers (10) is smaller than the spacing between the rollers of the first set of rollers (1).

17. A method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claims 15 -16, characterized in that a further step is carried out, wherein the split and / or longitudinally split strands of bast fiber plants are additionally dried, wherein in step a), or b1), or b2) at least one of the rollers is heated to a temperature in the range from 20°C to 220°C, preferably from 80°C to 210°C, more preferably from 100°C to 200°C.

18. A method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claims 15 -17, characterized in thata further step is carried out, wherein the degree of closure of intercellular pores in the shive layer of the split stalk is regulated, wherein in step a), or b1), or b2) at least one of the rollers is heated to a temperature in the range from 80°C to 220°C, preferably from 80°C to 210°C, more preferably from 100°C to 200°C.

19. A method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claims 15 -18, characterized in that the bast fiber plants are annual plants.

20. A method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claims 15 -18, characterized in that the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, more preferably flax, hemp, most preferably Cannabis sativa, or mixtures thereof.

21. A method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants, characterized in that said method comprises a step, wherein the stalks of bast fiber plants are completely split longitudinally forming strands of split stalks with simultaneous! or subsequent sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the strands of split stalks using a device for the longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants as defined in claims 1-12.

22. The method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claim 21, characterized in thatthe sealing of intercellular poresa) is carried out by mechanical densification of the structure of the shives and enhancing adhesion between the shives and the fibers simultaneously with the step, in which the stalks of bast fiber plants are split longitudinally;b) is carried out in an additional step of mechanical densification of the structure of the shives and enhancing adhesion between the shives and the fibers in split strands, selected from b1) or b2), wherein:b1) in the case of a device with only the first set of rollers (1), after longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, a step is carried out, wherein the direction of rotation of the rollers is changed in such a way as to cause the return movement of the strand formed from the split stalk and additional compression of the entire strand formed from the split stalk is carried out, by moving it between the rollers of the first set of rollers (1), wherein preferably additional mechanical densification is carried out after reducing the spacing between the rollers with the spacing adjustment mechanism (7) of the first set of rollers (1);b2) in the case of a device having the additional set(s) of rollers (10), after longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants, a step is carried out, wherein the strand formed from the stalk split in the first set of rollers (1) is guided to the spacing between the rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers (10), wherein rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers (10) rotate in a manner synchronized with the direction and speed of rotation of the rollers of the first set of rollers (1) and compress the strands of longitudinally split stalks of bast fiber plants moving between them, wherein the spacing between the rollers of the additional set(s) of rollers (10) is smaller than the spacing between the rollers of the first set of rollers (1).

23. The method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claim 22, characterized in thatpreferably sealing of intercellular pores is carried out by additional compression of the layer of split stalk shives by simultaneous pressing in step a), or b1), or b2) with a heated roller, wherein at least one of the rollers is heated to a temperature in the range from 80°C to 220°C, preferably from 80°C to 210°C, more preferably from 100°C to 200°C.

24. The method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claim 21-23, characterized in that bast fiber plants are annual plants.

25. The method of sealing of intercellular pores in the shives of the stalks of bast fiber plants according to claim 22, characterized in that bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa, or mixtures thereof.

26. A method for obtaining wood-like material from bast fiber plants, in which, in order to produce wood-like material a step is carried out, whereinthe stalks of bast fiber plants are split longitudinally using a device as defined in claims 1-12, and / orusing the stalks of bast fiber plants split longitudinally by the method for longitudinal splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants as defined in claims 15-20, and / or; using strands of split stalks of bast fiber plants with sealed intercellular pores in the shives of the strands of split stalks of bast fiber plants produced with the method as defined in claim 21-25,wherein bast fiber plants are at least 60% by weight of the final wood-like material, and wherein binder is up to 4.9% by weight of the final wood-like material;wherein the wood-like material has a substantially uniform density in the range from 300 kg / m3to 1250 kg / m3; andwherein wood-like material is suitable for use as a substitute for wood in terms of appearance and technical properties.

27. The wood-like material from stalks of bast fiber plants, characterized in that is produced by the method as defined in claim 26.

28. The wood-like material according to claim 27, characterized in that, the bast fiber plants are annual plants.

29. The wood-like material according to claim 27, characterized in that, the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa or mixtures thereof.

30. The wood-like material wherein said material comprises:a plurality of binder-bonded strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants, the strands being completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants,wherein completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants have, by compressing the strands in the process of splitting the stalks using a device as defined in claims 1-12, at least partially sealed pores of the shives and a densified structure of the shives and enhanced adhesion between the shives and the fibers in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants,wherein in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants, the loss of disintegrated shive material during the splitting of the stalks is less than 5%, preferably less than 3%, and most preferably up to 0.5% by weight, relative to the weight of the stalks of bast fiber plants before splitting,wherein the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants contain a naturally occurring, substantially longitudinal internal structure that extends along the entire length of the strand;wherein the wood-like material produced contains an amount of the binder in the range from 1.5 to 4.9% by weight, more preferably in the range of 2-4% by weight, most preferably in the range of 2.5-4% by weight of the wood-like material; and wherein the amount of the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants is more than 60% by weight, more preferably more than 70% by weight, more preferably more than 80% by weight, most preferably more than 90% by weight of the wood-like material;wherein wood-like material has a substantially uniform density in the range from 300 kg / m3to 1250 kg / m3; andwherein the wood-like material is suitable for use as a substitute for wood in terms of appearance and technical properties.

31. The wood-like material according to claim 30, characterized in that binder is selected from an adhesive substance, resin, glue, polyvinyl glue, polyurethane, epoxy resin, melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin, polyacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polyethylene, polypropylene, natural rubber, silicone, more preferably protein-based adhesive.

32. The wood-like material according to claim 30-31, characterized in that in completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants the amount of sealed intercellular pores in the shive layer is more than 50%, more preferably more than 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%.

33. The wood-like material according to claim 30-32, characterized in that completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants have at least partially sealed pores of the shives and a densified structure of the shives and enhanced adhesion between the shives and the fibers in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants by compressing the strands in the process of splitting the stalks combined with simultaneous or subsequent heating to a temperature in the range between 80°C and 220°C, preferably 80°C to 210°C, more preferably 100°C to 200°C.

34. The wood-like material according to claim 30, characterized in that the bast fiber plants are annual plants.

35. The wood-like material according to claim 30, characterized in that bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa, or mixtures thereof.

36. A method for obtaining wood-like material, characterized in that said method comprises steps, whereina) the stalks of bast fiber plants are split completely longitudinally while being compressed using a device as defined in claims 1-12, resulting in strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants that are completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants,wherein completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants have by compressing the strands in the process of splitting the stalks at least partially sealed pores of the shives and a densified structure of the shives and enhanced adhesion between the shives and the fibers in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants,wherein in the completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants, the loss of disintegrated shive material during the splitting of the stalks is less than 5%, preferably less than 3%, and most preferably to 0,5% by weight, relative to the weight of the stalks of bast fiber plants before splitting,wherein completely longitudinally split strands of the stalks of bast fiber plants contain a naturally occurring, substantially longitudinal internal structure that extends along the entire length of the strand;b) a binder is added in an amount corresponding to 1.5 to 4.9% by weight of the woodlike material finally obtained;c) the material produced in b) is formed manually or mechanically, preferably by piling the material up, to obtain a specific shape of the wood-like material, preferably in its finished form;d) the formed material is pressed, preferably with a force of 100 kN - 30,000 kN to produce a shape with a specified density in the range from 300 kg / m3to 1250 kg / m3.

37. The method for obtaining wood-like material according to claim 36, characterized in that the binder is selected from an adhesive substance, resin, glue, polyvinyl glue, polyurethane, epoxy resin, melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin, polyacrylate, cyanoacrylate, polyethylene, polypropylene, natural rubber, silicone, more preferably protein-based adhesive.

38. The method for obtaining wood-like material according to claim 36-37, characterized in that the bast fiber plants are annual plants.

39. The method for obtaining wood-like material according to claim 36-38, characterized in that the bast fiber plants re selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf,white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa, or mixtures thereof.

40. A use of the device for the splitting of the stalks of bast fiber plants as defined in claims 1-12, and / or the technological line as defined in claims 12-14 for producing wood-like material from bast fiber plants.

41. The use according to claim 40, characterized in that the bast fiber plants are annual plants.

42. The use according to claim 40, characterized in that the bast fiber plants are selected from flax, hemp, rice, bamboo, ramie, kenaf, white jute, Jerusalem artichoke, rapeseed, corn, miscanthus, preferably flax, hemp, more preferably Cannabis sativa, or mixtures thereof.

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