New Profit$ NEW PRODUCT$

NOW THEY'VE DONE IT!_ INFLATABLE, RUBBER DUNNAGE CUTS PLYWOOD, UNIT LUMBER SHIPPING COSTS

Shipping costs for plywood and unitized lumber can be cut sharply through the use of inflatable dunnage made by United States Rubber Co., recent tests indicate. The product, called Shor-Kwik dunnage, takes the place of wooden shoring in freight car loading. Not only does the inflatable dunnage lead to savings in time and materials for taking up voids in the load, but it also cuts down damage claims.

Among the first to adopt the new shipping method is United States Plywood Corp. of Eugene, Ore. According to the company's manager of development, the firm is saving an estimated $24 per carload. The amount breaks down this way: $18 on mill labor and materials added to $13 in freight-minus $7 in freight charges for return of the dur-rnage bags. There is also a saving in damage claims. These, according to U.S. Plywood, used to be heavy despite elaborate precautions with wooden bracing. But to date, there has been no daurage to shipments using dunnage bags.

The rubber-nylon bags are installed in a fraction of the time required to brace and shore carloacl shipmetrts. One-matr installation is not uncommon, permitting a more pro<luctive use of shipping crews. Generally there are four simple steps to readying a car for lumber shipments when using inflatable dunnage:

First, tlre void of the loaded boxcar is measured to determine how manv inflatable units are needed, bolting them to the frame completes the assembly. Converto-Benches can then be painted or otherwise finished. The completely assembled benches are available with long-lasting natural finish in 6 and 8-ft. lengths. Frame is constructed of onerpiece heavy metal tube with one-piece metal locks. Southern California distributor is M. J' Woods, rc34/2 S. Lake St., Los Angeles 6 (Dunkirk 7-8897).

Second, the cushions are partially inflated for greater ease of handling and quick insertion into position.

Third, the required number of Shor-Kwiks, inflated to semi-flexi,bility, are set into a snug-fitting position.

Last, the cushions are fully inflated to absorb impact, prevent shifting and protect the cargo from damage.

When deflated, they fold into compact 6x15x24-inch cubes for easy storage or return if not used for trans-shipping. Inflated cushions measure 4x4 or 4x5 feet and can be expanded from one to 10 pounds-persquare-inch. They have a bearing surface of 40x40 or 40x50-inches and weigh between 28 and 33 pounds.

Pressure within the cushions can be maintained for long periods and they can undergo altitude and temperature changes anywhere in the United States without ill effect.

All inquiries regarding NEW PRODUCTS' New Literature or booklets and other items mentioned in this section should bC AddrESSEd tO TIIE CALIFORNH LUMBER MERCHANT, Room 508, 108 West 6th St., Los Angeles 14. Your inquiries will be promptly forwarded by us to the manufacturer or distributor, who will then answer your inquiries direct.

PAR-TILE IN MAPLE. OAK

Maple and oak, two hardwoods noted for their beauty, are two new raw materials being used for- the manufacture of Par-TILE natural wood block flooring, announces the nranufacturer, Pacqua, Inc., of Dillard, Ore. Par-TILE previously had been made only of Douglas fir. The addition of maple and oak gives Par-TILE a full range of natural tone selection: from tl-re light textured beauty of oak to medium-toned Douglas fir antl clarker golden warm colors of rnaple. Mixe<l patterns are also now available, with maple and oak suggested for alternating patterns.

Par-TILE's manufacturing process calls for tremendous density (5-i pountls per cubic inch) that is 20 times harder than halclwoo<l. All three species have this density.

IT'S A BENCH!PRESTO! IT'S A TABLE

"Converto-Bench," called versatile, practical, corn,pact and attractive, and nothing like it since the folding chair, has a dual personality. Its tilting top locks in bench or table position and can be operated ,by one person. With a slight lift and bend of the bench back, it becomes a combination bench and table. A pair of the Converto-Benches placed with table-tops together make a picnic table seating eight. For the retail lumber dealer, the new product is a natural leader for sales of the required 2x6 boards of white fir, red fir, redwood, red cedar, etc., to the do-it-yourself trade. Metal frames are manufactured by Litteral Mfg. Co., Quincy, Ill. Hardware comes packaged and ready for assembly, or dealers may assemble the product before the sales display in stores. Frames are strong enough to support boards up to 13' long but 6', 8' or 10' lengths are recommended. Drilling holes in the boards and

The manufacturer says the trew woo<ls givt: Par-TILE even more salabilityadd the romance of real hardwoocts along with rnore selection in natural wood tones. Artd this array of tones will match any woodwork or- clecor. Although the new lvoo<ls llave been on the market only since Jan' 1, the material has already been installed in a nnmbel of major products. Production is already reaching substantial proportions.

Power Sweepers Clean Large Areas

The first two models of a uerv line of power sweepers designed to drastically reduce sweeping costs have been introduced by Clarke Floor Machine Co., Muskegon, Michigan. The manufacture of power sweepers was continued after purchasing the Modern Power Sweeper Company of Azusa, California, last year. A new plant in Muskegon is now producing these new models. Both new sweepers have been designed and built by Clarke to "do the work of up to 20 men and cut sweeping costs up to 80 percent," thb announcement stated. They sweep cleaner, faster and more dust-free than any other sweeping method, pick up all types of debris, operate easily in congested areas or large, open spaces, both inside or outdoors.