Dual path kiln
First Claim
1. A method of heat treating lumber using an elongated kiln chamber having at least two zones including a heating zone and a heat transfer zone with said zones being adjacent and each including two paths 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.
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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.
104 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A method of heat treating lumber using an elongated kiln chamber having at least two zones including a heating zone and a heat transfer zone with said zones being adjacent and each including two paths 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.
- 5. An apparatus for treating lumber comprising an elongated chamber 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 charges of lumber along said paths in opposite directions so that a charge of lumber entering one of ends 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.
Specification