Dual path kiln
First Claim
1. A method of heat treating lumber using an elongated kiln chamber comprising a first end and a second end and having at least two zones including a heating zone and a heat transfer zone with said zones being adjacent and each including a first path of travel and a second path of travel for separate lumber charges, comprising the steps of feeding one charge of lumber through the heating zone at a selected speed while feeding another charge of lumber through the heat transfer zone, selecting the speed of movement of each charge so that, in the heat transfer zone, at least a portion of the heat carried by said one charge of lumber will be transferred to said another charge before said another charge enters the heating zone wherein said first oath includes a first inlet being located at said first end and a first outlet being located at said second end and said second path includes a second inlet being located at said second end and a second outlet being located at said first end and wherein said first inlet is disposed adjacent said second outlet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An dual path kiln is provided that includes a kiln having one or more chambers and at least two lumber charge paths adapted to convey lumber through the kiln in opposite directions.
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Citations
23 Claims
- 1. A method of heat treating lumber using an elongated kiln chamber comprising a first end and a second end and having at least two zones including a heating zone and a heat transfer zone with said zones being adjacent and each including a first path of travel and a second path of travel for separate lumber charges, comprising the steps of feeding one charge of lumber through the heating zone at a selected speed while feeding another charge of lumber through the heat transfer zone, selecting the speed of movement of each charge so that, in the heat transfer zone, at least a portion of the heat carried by said one charge of lumber will be transferred to said another charge before said another charge enters the heating zone wherein said first oath includes a first inlet being located at said first end and a first outlet being located at said second end and said second path includes a second inlet being located at said second end and a second outlet being located at said first end and wherein said first inlet is disposed adjacent said second outlet.
- 3. An apparatus for treating lumber comprising an elongated chamber comprising a first end and second end and having an upper wall and side walls depending from said upper wall and surrounding a heating zone having opposite ends and a first and second heat transfer zone with said heat transfer zones being located at a said end of said heating zone, each of said zones having first and second paths for moving separate charges of lumber along said paths in opposite directions so that a charge of lumber entering said first end of said chamber will pass through said first heat transfer zone and then through said heating zone and then through said second heat transfer zone to transfer heat to a charge of lumber entering said second heat transfer zone wherein said first path includes a first inlet being located at said first end and a first outlet being located at said second end and said second oath includes a second inlet being located at said second end and a second outlet being located at said first end and wherein said first inlet is disposed adjacent said second outlet.
Specification