PANEL CONTAINING BAMBOO
A multi-layered composite wood panel including a core layer, a first surface layer and a second surface layer. The core layer is formed from wood flakes and has a top surface and a bottom surface. The first surface layer is adhered to the top surface of the core layer and includes strands of woven bamboo. The second surface layer is adhered to the bottom surface of the core layer and includes strands of woven bamboo. The core layer, first surface layer and second surface layer are bound together to form a substantially rectangular plane having a thickness of between about 0.25 inches and about 2.0 inches.
1 . In a substantially 4 foot by 8 foot composite wood panel having a thickness of between about 0.25 inches and about 2 inches, being formed from flakes of compressed wood and having a top surface and a bottom surface, the improvement comprising:
an upper surface layer attached to the top surface of the composite wood panel, the upper surface layer being formed from one or more plies of bamboo strands and having a thickness of about 0.0625 inches to about 0.5 inches; and
a lower surface layer attached to the bottom surface of the composite wood panel, the bottom surface layer being formed from one or more plies of bamboo strands and having a thickness of about 0.0625 inches to about 0.5 inches.
2 . The improvement of claim 1 , wherein the strands of bamboo are taken from the outer culm of a bamboo plant.
3 . The improvement of claim 1 , wherein the strands of bamboo are taken from the inner culm of a bamboo plant.
4 . The improvement of claim 1 , wherein the composite wood panel includes between about 25% to about 75% bamboo strands and between about 75% and about 25% wood strands.
5 . The improvement of claim 4 , wherein the wood strands are selected from the group comprising cedar, pine, fir, aspen, oak, and/or maple.
6 - 8 . (canceled)
9 . A multi-layered composite panel comprising:
a first ply of bamboo flakes being substantially oriented in a first direction;
a second ply of wood flakes being substantially oriented in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the second ply of wood flakes resting on top of the first ply; and
a third ply of bamboo flakes being substantially oriented in the first direction, the third ply of bamboo flakes resting on top of the second ply;
wherein the first, second and third plies are coated in one or more polymeric resins to serve as a binder, the binder being in the range of about 2 wt % to about 15 wt %.
10 . The multi-layered composite panel of claim 9 , wherein the first ply of bamboo flakes and third ply of bamboo flakes are taken from the outer culm of one or more bamboo plants.
11 . The multi-layered composite panel of claim 9 , wherein the first ply of bamboo flakes and third ply of bamboo flakes are taken from the inner culm of one or more bamboo plants.
12 . The multi-layered composite panel of claim 9 , wherein the first ply of bamboo flakes and third ply of bamboo flakes are taken from both the inner and outer culm of one or more bamboo plants.
13 . The multi-layered composite panel of claim 9 , wherein the first and third plies further include wood flakes.
14 . The multi-layered composite panel of claim 13 , wherein the second ply further includes bamboo flakes.
15 . (canceled)
16 . A multi-layered composite wood panel comprising:
a core layer formed from aspen or pine wood flakes, the core layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;
a first surface layer adhered to the top surface of the core layer, the first surface layer including strands of woven bamboo; and
a second surface layer adhered to the bottom surface of the core layer, the second surface layer including strands of woven bamboo;
wherein the core layer, first surface layer, and second surface layer are bound together to form a substantially rectangular plane having a thickness of between about 0.25 inches and about 2.0 inches.