AU2017100280A4 - Apparatus and method for staining timber - Google Patents

Description

2017100280 09 Mar 2017 2 “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STAINING TIMBER”

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to the treatment of timber, particularly pine lumber.

Background to the Invention [0002] Pine is a commonly used wood in Australian industry, including for furniture as well as for structural use. Pine has many advantages over other woods, particularly as it is a quick growing wood which can be produced in plantations.

[0003] Raw pine lumber is limited in its uses however, as it is highly subject to fungal infection and to insect attack. For this reason, it is almost universally necessary to treat pine with insecticides and fungicides before it can be used commercially.

[0004] Treating of pine lumber often results in discolouration, resulting in the timber having a greenish tinge. As a result, treated pine is often subject to oiling or painting before being sold.

[0005] This additional processing step adds significant cost and time to the production of timber ready for sale. The present invention seeks to provide a means of producing treated, aesthetically pleasing timber using an alternative approach which may be quicker and/or cheaper.

Summary of the Invention [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of staining pine, the method including the steps of providing a water-based stain into a timber oiling/painting machine; applying at least one coat of the stain to pine lumber by operation of the oiling/painting machine, and allowing the stain to be absorbed by the lumber. 2017100280 09 Mar 2017 3 [0007] The method may include the step of adding chemical treatment additives to the stain before providing the stain to the oiling/painting machine. The chemical additives may include a mouldicide, a fungicide and/or an insecticide.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0008] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings: [0009] Figure 1 is an oiling/painting machine for use in the method of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0010] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a Ceetec™ IPC250 painting machine, arranged to use a combination of paint spray guns and brushes to apply paint to lumber.

[0011] Such a machine may also be used to apply a decking oil to lumber.

[0012] The present innovation is to use this existing machine for a different purpose: the application of a water based stain to pine lumber, either after treatment or as part of treatment.

[0013] The application of a water based stain has the effect of impregnating the lumber with a colour (such as a red-brown colour) which is both deeper in penetration and longer lasting than other methods of colouring pine, such as the application of paint or of decking oil.

[0014] Experimentation has shown that the use of a water-based stain alone can greatly increase the propensity for the growth of mould on the timber. In order to alleviate this problem, it has been discovered that the introduction of 2017100280 09 Mar 2017 4 a mouldicide into the staining solution can substantially reduce the likelihood of mould.

[0015] It is anticipated that the other chemicals used in the treatment of raw pine (such as fungicides and insecticides) can similarly be added to the staining solution.

[0016] It will be appreciated that the water based staining solution employed is substantially less viscous than the paint and oils generally used within the painting/oiling machine. Nevertheless, it has been discovered that the machine can be used to apply a water-based stain effectively, through simultaneously spraying and brushing the stain onto timber.

[0017] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (3)

1. Claims

   1. A method of staining pine, the method including the steps of providing a water-based stain into a timber oiling/painting machine; applying at least one coat of the stain to pine lumber by operation of the oiling/painting machine, and allowing the stain to be absorbed by the lumber.
2. 2. A method of staining pine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further includes a step of adding chemical treatment additives to the stain before providing the stain to the oiling/painting machine.
3. 3. A method of staining pine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the chemical treatment additives include at least one of a mouldicide, a fungicide and an insecticide.