Patent Number: 6787590
Docket Number: 21797
Serial Number: 9828634
Date Patented: 09/07/2004

Technology Description: This invention is a means to produce composite products such as particle board, fiber board, and other building materials that are resistant to both microbes and termites. By utilizing the termite and microbe-inhibiting extract of the Parthenium plant, along with the addition of plastics in the composite form, a material with increased resistance to microbes and termites is formed. This composite has several advantages over current materials, some of which include microbe and termite resistance without other chemicals and reduced percentage of raw wood needed for production. Additionally, the composite can utilize recycled plastic, as well as Parthenium extracts which are currently discarded in other industries. Reference: Please refer to USPN 6,787,590 (Docket #0217.97), which issued September 7, 2004. Inventors: Francis Nakayama USDA-ARS Environmental and Plant   Dynamics Research Unit U. S. Water Conservation Laboratory Phoenix, AZ 85040 (602) 379-4356, Ext. 255 John A. Youngquist (Retired) Poo Chow (Non-Forest Service)