CA1091871A - Apparatus and process for treating wood and fibrous materials - Google Patents
Apparatus and process for treating wood and fibrous materialsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1091871A CA1091871A CA276,290A CA276290A CA1091871A CA 1091871 A CA1091871 A CA 1091871A CA 276290 A CA276290 A CA 276290A CA 1091871 A CA1091871 A CA 1091871A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wood
- chamber
- applying
- vacuum
- atmospheric pressure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B5/00—Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat
- F26B5/04—Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B3/00—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat
- F26B3/02—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air
- F26B3/04—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour circulating over or surrounding the materials or objects to be dried
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B5/00—Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat
- F26B5/14—Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat by applying pressure, e.g. wringing; by brushing; by wiping
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B9/00—Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitation; Domestic airing cupboards
- F26B9/04—Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitation; Domestic airing cupboards in presses or clamping devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B2210/00—Drying processes and machines for solid objects characterised by the specific requirements of the drying good
- F26B2210/16—Wood, e.g. lumber, timber
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Apparatus and process for treating wood and other fibrous materials within a hermetically sealed, heat insulated chamber comprising means for applying a predetermined mechanical pressure to said fibrous materials, means for controlling the conditions within said chamber whereby steam is generated in the center of said fibrous materials, and means for subsequently removing said steam;
means are additionally provided for staining, finishing, fireproofing, laminating, forming, shaping, and increasing the density and tensile strength of said fibrous materials.
Apparatus and process for treating wood and other fibrous materials within a hermetically sealed, heat insulated chamber comprising means for applying a predetermined mechanical pressure to said fibrous materials, means for controlling the conditions within said chamber whereby steam is generated in the center of said fibrous materials, and means for subsequently removing said steam;
means are additionally provided for staining, finishing, fireproofing, laminating, forming, shaping, and increasing the density and tensile strength of said fibrous materials.
Description
., BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore it has been the general practice to dry woods and other fibrous materials in a kiln or oven whereby the moisture in the material undergoing treatment is first converted into steam and thereafter the steam is removed.
In those processes wherein the outer surfaces of the materials are dried first, any steam subsequently formed must pass through this dried outer zone with resultant cracking and splintering of the material. Additionally, in many woods, gums and resins - 10 are destroyed if the process is conducted at elevated temperatures ~ thereby degrading the product or decreasing the market value thereof.
... .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the primary object of ~e invention to provide apparatus and aprocess for drying fibrous materials under ,J controlled conditiong, further including ~taining, finishing, firepSoofing, laminating, forming, shaping and increasing the tensile strength thereof.
Another object is to provide apparatus and a process for drying fibrous materials including means to apply ; 20 mechanical pressure to the materials and also permit a source of heat, steam, atmospheric pressure, dry air, vacuum and other ., ` fluids to be applied to or removed from the ibrous material.
A final object is to provide a process for drying ... .
- woods wherein cracking and splintering is minimized and there i is no degradation of the gums and resins in the wood.
. . .
The present invention is defined as a process for .,, treating wood comprisinq the steps of introducing the wood `! into a closed chamber, applying a continuous mechanical force .
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to at least one surface of the wood, applying a temperature in the range of 70-200 Centigrade to the chamber, increasing the atmospheric pressure within the chamber to 2-45 atmospheres, reducing the atmospheric pressure within the chamber and removing the moisturized air from the chamber, applying a vacuum to the wood when the pressure in the chamber is at approximate room pressure, and cooling the wood, releasing the vacuum, releasing the mechanical force, and removing the wood from the chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken along the medial, longitudinal axis of a portable chamber of the subject invention.
` FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, top plan view of a plate utilized in the practice of the invention.
FIG. 3 iB a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, top plan view of another embodiment of plate.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, top plan view of still another embodiment of plate.
FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line ... .
5-5 of FIG. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, vertical sectional view through another embodiment of vertically adjustable, pressure plate of the subject invention.
FIG. 7 is an end view, partly broken away and partly in section, of another em~odiment of the subject invention.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, top plan ~ -~
view of another embodiment of plate utilized in the practice of the invention.
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FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, vertical-sectional view of still another embodiment of plate of the subject invention.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partly broken away and partly in section, of means utilized for shaping fibrous materials.
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing means for forming a design in a laminatea product.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, enlarged end view of a laminated product with a design impressed in at least one surface of the product.
, ,, FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, enlarged end view of a ~ laminated product of the subject invention.
`' FIG. 15 is an end view, partly broken away and partly in section, of a chamber utilized in shaping fibrous materials.
FIG. 16 is an end view, partly broken away and partly 5'' in section, of a chamber utilized in shaping and laminating ,:
~ 20 fibrous materials.
.
-~ DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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- - Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference ` characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings a portable, hermetically sealed, heat insulated chamber 20 , of desired compositio~ shape and sizei door 21 is secured in one end of said chamber in a fluid-tight seal and a second i, door 21a may in like manner be provided in the opposite end , tm/ -3-: ;.~. r ~ .
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, ' '' ~ ; ' ~ , , 1~)1871 thereof to aid in loading and unloading. Viewing ports 22 are desirably provided in the side walls, ends or doors of said chamber to allow the user to observe the contents therein;
insulation 23, such as is well known in the art, is normally apE~lied exteriorly of the remainder of said chamber. Wheels 25 and/or eyes 25 are provided on said chamber whereby after loading in a manner hereinafter to be described said chamber may be rolled or lifted into position beneath a hydraulic press P or other pressure applying means at a remote location.
Horizontally extending and vertically adjustable plate 26 is carried within said chamber, preferably in a tight fit with respect to the opposing side walls and/or ends thereof;
piston 27, secured downwardly to said plate, is journaled in - bushing 28 mounted in the upper portion of said chamber; the upper end 29 of said piston extends at l~ast partially above said chamber in all positions o~ plate 26. It is to be understood , that the invention is not to be restricted solely to the use of a single plate 26 but also includes a plurality of smaller plates of desired plan view and size, each of which may be activated by a separate piston, whereby only selected plates and the corresponding portions of said chamber may be utilized . . .
at any time. Furthermore, the undersurface of plate 26 or the corresponding surfaces of said smaller plates may be ~; essentially flat or may be of any predetermined configuration ,~ whereby wood products may also be shaped during the treating :.
process. Still further, vertically and transversely extending .,~ closure m~s (not shown) may be provided interiorly of said i~
; chamber to form a plurality of smaller chambers which accommodate ::, said smaller plates and preferably are to be used when only a , . ~
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limited number of pieces of wood are to be treated at one time.
Plate 30 of metallic composition includes a flat surface 31 adapted to be supported upon the bottom of said chamber.
As best seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the opposite surface of said plate includes a plurality of integrally formed, truncated pyramidal projections 32 each of which terminates upwardly in a flat 33 lying in the same horizontal plane.
It is understood that projections 32 may be provided in any regular or irregular pattern on said plate and the space between adjacent projections, indicated generally by reference numeral 34, permits free circulation of fluids to a piece of wood or the like supported thereon. One or more heating elements 35 such as electric coils, high frequency thermal elements, heated water conduits or the like are conventionally applied to each plate in such a manner as to provide a controlled, uniform distribution of heat.
Still referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a pre-cut ; piece of wood W of any desired shape and size is placed upon .: , flats 33 of plate 30. For purposes of convenience only, a single piece of wood is illustrated; it is understood that any desired number of pieces, or rows, may be placed on said plate in like ~ manner. An opposing plate 30a, similar in construction to plate -- 30, is inverted with downwardly depending projections 32a bearing against the upper surface of said wood. Plate 26 is then lowered and adjusted to bear firmly against the flat upper surface of plate 30a.
ij A plurality of apertures 36 in at least one side of said chamber slightly above the bottom thereof, or in the bottom, permit a source of hot air, steam, vacuum, or various chemical .,, tm, 5 ,:
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10~1~371 solutions to be introduced into or evacuated from the chamber thus formed.
There is shown in FIG. 3 another embodiment of plate 30b wherein a plurality of integrally formed, truncated conical projections 32b are diagonally aligned. Heating element 35 is conventionally secured to the upper surface of plate 30b intermediate projections 32b.
In the modification of FIGS. 4 and 5, plate 30c comprises sub-plates 37a-37b of similar construction, each of which includes a plurality of vertically aligned sockets 38a-38b adapted to receive a sphere 39 wherein each sphere at least partially extends outwardly of the surfaces of the opposing sub-plates. -One or more heating elements 35 are carried between '~ sub-plates 37a, 37b and said sub-plates secured together as by rivets 40 passing therethrough and expanded, or ~y other astening means. A piece of wood placed upon plate 30c is su~ported by the upper portions of said spheres and fluids may freely circulate therebelow.
It is understood that the lower:surface of plate 26a, substantially similar to plate 26 heretoore described, includes a plurality of parallel channels 41a which extend in one direction (see FIG. 6) and a plurality of interconnecting - parallel channels 41b which are at approximate right angles relative thereto with heating element 35 carried in said plate;
alternatively, said heating element may be carried on the upper surface thereof, in a conventional manner. In~addition, the upper surface of the bottom of said chamber may include a plurality of interconnecting channels (not shown), in any :;, ` regular or irregular pattern, with a heating element conventionally:
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carried therein whereby a source of heat or fluids may be applied to one or more pieces of wood supported thereon.
There is shown in FIGS. 7-10 of the drawings another embodiment of the invention wherein hermetically sealed chamber 42 of desired shape and size comprises base 43, laterally spaced side walls 44a, and top wall 44b with insulation 45 such as is well known in the art applied exteriorly of such members; the insulated chamber thus formed is then -inserted into or otherwise provided with an outer metallic ~i 10 casing 46 of conforming configuration. Door 47 is hingedly .
secured to selected portions of casing 46 in a fluid-tight seal.
Viewing ports 48 are normally provided in-at least door 47 and ` a television camera may be placed in a selected portion of said chamber whereby the materials undergoing treatment may be viewed.
, ' Horizontally extending and vertically adjustable plate 49 of metallic composition is carried in said chamber. Hydraulic s cylinder 50, se~ured to casing 46 or a supporting surface vertically ,~ , thereabove, includes a downwardly depending piston 51 which is : . 20 journaled in bushing 52 conventionally mounted in at least top wall 44b of said chamber; said piston is secured downwardly ~`; to plate 49.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, laterally spaced and longitudinally extending parallel channels 53 in base 43 , . -accommodate horizontally disposed, rectangular plates 54 co-extensive in length therewith. One or more hydraulic cylinders . ~ , `~ 55, carried in the lower portion of channels 53, are inter-connected by means of hydraulic lines 56; piston 57 of each ~ cylinder 55 connects to the lower surface of plates 54 whereby '.,~
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said plates are vertically adjustable.
A car 58 upon which pre-cut pieces of wood are to be loaded includes flat bed 5g of metallic composition with laterally spaced bracket means 60 secured in recesses 61 in the undersurface thereof; wheels 62, adapted to ride on plates 54 heretofore mentioned, are mounted on said brackets. When plates 54 are in elevated condition, car 58 may be rolled into the chamber; upon lowering said plates, the lower surface of bed 59 is uniformly supported on base 43.
As will hereinafter be more fully described, any desired number of rows of pre-cut wood W may be placed upon bed 59 with the pieces in each row in side-by-side relationship and slightly spaced while each row is placed at right angles relative to an adjacent row. Furthermore, one or moxe plates 63 of substantially similar construction and preferably smaller in length and width, respectively, than the corresponding ' dimensions of plate 49 and bed 59 are placed intermediate sel ,, .
selected rows of wood. More specifically, each plate 63 is of , "
metallic composition and the upper surface includes a plurality of parallel channels 64a ~see FIGS. 8-9) with a plurality of interconnected parallel channels 64b approximately at right ; angles thereto. Channels 64c-64d, respectively, are in like .:
manner provided in the lower surface of each plate. A heating coil 65 or high frequency thermal element is conventionally applied to each plate with conductor 66 or the like detachably ;, connected thereto externally of said plate.
~ In the modification of FIG. 10, the upper surface :~.. ,' of plate 63a includes a plurality of parallel channels 67a extending in one direction and interconnecting parallel channels ;.,' tm/ -8 .,,''~ .
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~91871 67b extending at approxLmate right angles thereto; the lower surface of said plate includes corresponding and vertically aligned channels 67c-67d; channels 67a-67d are substantially greater in width than channels 64a-64d heretofore described in connection with FIGS. 8-9 of the drawings. An essentially horizontally extending conduit 67e in plate 63a communicates with lateral conduits 67f which surface in selected channels 67a-67d. One end of flexible tube 68 or the like connects to the end of conduit 67e whereby a fluid may be applied to or removed from pieces of wood supported on or adjacent said plates 63a. A still further modified plate (not shown) includes a plurality of vertically extending borss of any -desired diameter and arranged in any regular or irregular pattern, said bores passing completely through said plate and communicating with a larger conduit throNghwh~,fiuids may pass.
Referring again to FIG. 7 of the drawings, conductors 66 heretofore mentioned connect remotely to each of said plates 63, said conductors may be passed through side walls 44a or inserted into a socket (not shown) with a power supply ~'-electrically connected thereto. Vacuum pump 69, at any remote location, connects to said chamber by means of pipe 70 with valve 71 fitted therein. Pipe 72, connecting remotely to a source of hot air, steam, chemicals or the like, carries valve 73 and connects to said chamber. Desirably a vacuum gauge 74 and gauge 75 of a probe thermometer or the like a,re placed at any desired location and communicate with said chamber;
probe 76 of said thermometer is adapted to be inserted into a bore in a,selected piece of wood.
Referr~ng now to FIG. 11 of the drawings, there is . . .
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, , . . : -... - . . ,.. ,.,.. . ~ -shown coacting metallic plates 77-78 of desired size which are used to form or shape fibrous material 79 therebetween in accordance with the princip]es of the subject invention. More specifically, inner surfaces 77a-78a of said plates may be of any regular or irregular configuration; base 77b-78b of each plate is flat and desirably includes a plurality of parallel channels 77c-78c extending in one direction and interconnecting parallel channels 77d-78d extending at approximate right angles thereto. A plurality of vertically extending bores 10 77e-78e, in any pattern or arrangement, terminate in surfaces 77a-78a, respectively, and communicate with at least one of said channels in the corresponding base.
Plates 77-78, with wood or other ibrous material 79 of desired dimensions therebetween, may be used in ch~mbers 20, 42 or the like for the process o the subject invention.
It is to be understood that although an elongated corrugated pxoduct is illustrated in FIG. 11, the invention is not to ~r be restricted solely to such configured product but also covers any other shaped fibrous product in accordance with the prinGiples of the invention.
There is shown in FIGS. 12-14 of the drawings coacting i~ plates 80-81 used to laminate sheets of wood or other fibrous material 82 therebetween, and more particularly, to laminate a plurality of sheets of fibrous material with a selected design or pa~tern in at least one outer surface thereof. Plate 80, . ~ .
of any desired si~e and of metallic composition, includes base 80a and a relatively flat upper surface 80b; a plurality of parallel channels 80c extending in a desired direction are provided in said base; a plurality of interconnecting parallel ,. ..
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-:: .. . : - : , channels 80d extend at approximate right angles thereto. A
plurality of bores 80e, in any pa~ern or arrangement, terminate upwardly in surface 80b and communicate downwardly with at least one of said channels 80c, 80d.
Plate 81 includes a relatively flat surface 81a with a plurality of depressions 8 1 b of any desired configuration and depth therein. The opposing surface 81c of said plate is normally flat. It is understood that for laminating fibrous materials in excess of approximately one centimeter in thickness surface 81c may be provided with a plurality of channels (not shown) extending in any desired direction with vertical bores terminating, respectively, in surface 81c and at least one of said channels.
As best seen in FIG. 13 of the drawings, fibrous material 82 comprises a plurality of sheets ~2a with adhesive 82b inter-mediate each sheet. Plate 81, with surface 81a extending down-wardly, is placed in a desired position on said fibrous material.
Ater completing the process of the subject invention, sheets 82a are laminated together with the selected design or pattern , formed in the outer surface; specificaily, flat surface 81a of plate 81 partially compresses the fibers in the outer sheet , ~
and forms corresponding recessed portions 82c while depressions ; 81b in plate 81 form raised areas 82d on said finished product.
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The laminated product 83 of FIG. 14 comprises a plurality of sheets 83a of wood or other fibrous material with a & esive 83b intermediate said sheets. A product of uniform - thickness and flat outer surfaces may be formed by using the flat ^ surfaces 80b of two plates 80 or the like.
There is shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings means to form .. , .; -;, tm/ -11-.., , . .
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or shape a heavy timber 84 or the like in accordance with the process of the subject invention. In general, chamber 85 of desired dimensions and adapted to be hermetically sealed and heat insulated includes base 85a with surface 85b spaced thereabove. Form 86, including flat base 86a and upper surface 86b of predetermined curvature, is positioned upon base 86a of said chamber. A plurality of parallel channels 86c extending in one direction are provided in base 86a; a ~lurality of - vertical bores 86d, in any pattern or arrangement, terminate upwardly in upper surface 86b and communicate downwardly with .: a selected channel 86c.
Coacting movable form 87, including lower surface 87a of predetermined curvature and relatively flat upper surface 87b, is prouided with a plurality of vertical bores 87c, in any pattern.or arrangement, which terminate downwardly in surface 87a and upwardly in surface 87b, respectively.
Hydraulic cylinders 88, conventionally secured to selected portions of surface 85b of said chamber, include p.ist~.ons 88a which connect downwardly to surface 87b of said movable form. A vacuum pump (not shown) connects to said chamber by means of pipe 89 with control valve 90 therein; a source of : hot air, steam, chemicals or the like may be introduced into chamber 85 by means of pipe 91 with valve 92 carried therein.
.~ Upon activating movable form 87, timber 84 is forced . ~
downwardly against form 86; a mechanical force in the range of .., ~ 5000 kilograms/square cPntimeter applied to said timber, i, .
.~ in.co~ination.with the remaining steps of the-process, dries ~ said timber to such predetermined curvature.
. There is shown in FIG. 16 of the drawings means to form . .
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1(~91871 laminated beams or the like wherein each selected portion may be formed or shaped to a predetermined curvature. Chamber 93, of desired size and adapted to be heat insulated and hermeti-cally sealed, includes flat base 93a and surface 93b spaced there-above. A laminated beam 94 is to be formed between lower and upper flexible metallic plates 95-96. In general, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 97 are conventionally mounted in spaced relation on base 93a; piston 97a of each cylinder pivotally connects upwardly to a selected portion of lower plate 95. In like manner, hydraulic cylinders 98 are mounted on surface 93b, desirably intermediate cylinders 97 on said base, with pistons 98a pivotally connecting to selected portions of upper plate 96.
A plurality of vertically extending bores 95a-96a~ in any pattern or arrangement, pass completely through plates 95-96, respectively.
A vacuum pump ~not shown2 connects to chamber 93 by means of pipe 99 with valve 100 carried therein; a source of hot air, steam, chemicals or the like may be introduced into said chamber by means of pipe 101 with valve 102 fitted therein.
~. 20 Prior to use, any desired number of sheets or boards '~ of wood or other fibrous material, of any dimensions, are ~; placed between plates 95-96 with an epoxy or phenol resin inter-mediate all abutting sides and ends of each such sheet or board, - after which selected cylinders q7-q8 are activated to apply a , ; predetermined force in the range of l-SQ00 kilograms/square :.
centimeter to the corresponding portions of plates 95-96 and shpae the fibrous materials therebetween, in accordance with :,.
the principles of the invention.
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-, '': , : . -1~)91E~71 It is understood that beam 94 thus formed may be of uniform thickness or a beam 103 having a flat base 104 may be produced therefrom by cutting or trimming.
Selected portions of plates 77-78, 80-81, 86-87, and 95-96 may be provided with heating means similar to heating elements 35 heretofore described or a plurality of interconnected pipes or conduits (not shown) in any regular or irregular pattern, whereby a source of heat or fluids may be applied thereto or circulated therethrough. Still further, selected portions of chambers 20, 42, 85 and 93 may be provided with heating means such as electric coils, heated water conduits or high frequency thermal elements or the like whereby said chambers may be uni-formly heated to any desired temperature, either for preheating said chambers or for primary or auxiliary use at any time during the process. Additionally, rotatable plates (not shown) may be provided whereby trapped particles of water or the like are removed by centrifugal force. Each of the plates heretofore descri~ed may also he vertically disposed or coacting and ;-~
vertically disposed pressure plates (not shown) may be used in combination with such essentially horizontally extending plates to provide mechanical pressures to all four sides of a timber or the like.
~, r The wood treating process of the subject invention will now be discussed in detail; it is understood that hence-.....
forth throughout the specification and claims the word :; ,;
"treating", as applied to woods or other porous and fibrous materials, is used in a generic sense and includes not only drying but also staining, finishing, fireproofing, laminating, forming, shaping and increasing the density or tensile strength thereof. For purposes of convenience only, the wood treating , ~, .
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1~91871 process of the subject invention will be described in connec-tion with chamber 42 of FIG. 7; it is understood that similar steps are utilized in connection with chambers 20, 85 and 93.
To expedite said treating process, an initial pre-heat step of any desired duration may be utilized, either prior to or after loading chamber 42. More specifically, "contact heat", provided by heating means in plates 30-30c or plates 63-63a, may be applied to said wood. Either simultaneously therewith, or alternatively, "atmospheric heat", such as hot air, saturated hot air, steam or superheated steam, may be ~ applied to said wood, provided that no substantial air currents ; are created in the chamber which tend to dry out the external wood fibers and hinder the subsequent removal or moisture.
During such pre-heat stage, if no mechanical pressure is applied - to a selected piece of wood, the temperature within said wood ,''.~, must not exceed 60 Centigrade or warping and cracking will occur. If a pressure ranging from 1-5 kilograms/square centi-meter is applied to said piece, the temperature ~ithin said piece must not exceed 80 Centigrade.
After hermetically sealing chamber 42, valves 71,73 are closed. At this time, a vacuum in the order of .005-8~ mm, Hg may be applied to said chamber for 3-120 minutes to remove ,. ..
excess moisturé from said wood.
A predetermined mechanical pressure within the range of 1-150 kilograms/square centimeter is then applied to said pieces of wood W by means of hydraulic cylinder 50. Mechanical pressure in th~ range specified, in combination with the remaining steps of the process hereinafter to be described, prevents warping and minimizes the formation of cracks.
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~ '~ -' . ' , 1~)91871 Furthermore, after a predetermined pressure within the s~ecified range is applied to said wood, plate 49 may then be secured in such position whereby although the wood may initially shrink and pull away from said plate any subsequent expansion of the wood is limited by said plate and a finished product of desire and constant thickness is formed. Finally, the application of a predetenmined higher pressure within said range advap-tage~usly results in a substantial increase in the tensile strength of such piece. In general, if a selected piece of wood is not to be fo~med or shaped and no substantial increase in tensile strength is desired, a pressure of approximately 5 kilograms/square centimeter is normally applied to a piece of wood not exceeding 15 millimeters in thickness; a pressure of ap~rcximately 15 kilograms/square centimeter is required to fonm or shape pieces of wood ranging from 2-8 millimters in thickness~ When a pressure of 15 kllogram~/s~uare centimeter is applied to a flat piece of wood having an initial thickness of approximately 12 milli~eters, for example~ the tensile strength is increased 30-40 per cent. Still further, pressures from 120-150 kilograms/square centimeter are required for heavy timbers, es~ecially to upgrade the quality of the w~od by increasing the tensile strength thereof.
,, - 2Q When the wcod or other fibrous material is of subst~ntial ; thickness or the structure is of such a nature as to resist the flow of m3isture to the surface thereof, it is desirable to first convert the moisture in said fibrous material into stean, It will ke appreciated that if the outer surfaces of said material are permitted to dry first, said , ., ;~ cuter surfaces will shrink thereby entrapping moisiNre in the inner , ~.
'; portions of such material and the steam subsequently formed must pass through said dry outer s~rfaces wqth resultant cracking, splintering and other physical damage to the material.
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l~'g~871 In each of the embodiments of the process of the subject invention, the wood or other material i9 dried from the center outwardly; specifically, steam which is formed in the center of said material is subsequently driven outwardly under controlled conditions. To expedite the formation of steam within the center of a selected piece of wood, a temper-ature in the range of 70-200 Centigrade is applied to said wood in said chamber; more specifically, a desired temperature, in the range specified, is at least partially provided by "contact heat", heretofore defined. In addition, "atmospheric heat", heretofore defined, is admitted into chamber 42 by means of valve 73 either prior to the application of said "contact ' heat", simultaneously therewith, or thereafter. The source of "atmospheric heat" i& controlled and preferably regulated to match the temperature of said "contact heat" whereby a uniform temperatuxe is applied to all surfaces of said wood.
j Either simultaneously with such heating step or .:
shortly thereafter, and before steam is formed in said wood, the atmospheric pressure within the chamber is raised to 2-45 atmospheres; the "atmospheric pillow" thus formed, substantially greater in pressure than the steam pressure within said piece, ~": .
not only prevents the entrapped steam from escaping but also causes the pressure of the entrapped steam to equalize in each such piece. - Furthermore, said "atmospheric pillow" preserves the moisture in the outer surfaces of each piece whereby the moist, warm and expanded surface wood fibers provide a path through which the entrapped steam may pass~
Probe 76 or other instrumentation is utilized to indicate the temperature within the central portion of a , . .
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1~)91~71 .
selected piece of wood. In general, when thermometer 75 indicates a temperature in the range of 70-180 Centigrade, dependent primarily upon the variety of wood, a source of heat, swch as hot air, either dry or at least partially moisturized, or steam, at a temperature approximately equal to the tempera-ture of the wood in said chamber, is applied to said chamber and the atmospheric pressure within said chamber simultaneously reduced to facilitate the removal of expanded steam from the ~ center of each piece. Alternatively, a dehumidifier or the :.
like may be connected to chamber 42 whereby the moisturized air or steam withdrawn from the wood is removed from said chamber. The mechanical pressure applied to said wood may be increased at this stage, within the specified range, to increase the tensile strength; additionally, the temperature applied to - said wood may also be increased, within the range specified, to speed up the process provided that such increased temperature doQs not melt the resins, gums or "Farbkernstoff" or cause the same to erupt from and mar the surfaces of said wood.
.": , The atmospheric pressure within said chamber is gradually reduced, while maintaining said chamber at elevated , .
temperature, until room pressure is reached at ~hich time valve 71 is opened and a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm.Hg applied to said chamber. Alternatively, a centrifugal force may be applied to said fibrous material, during said vacuum step, to remove any remaining low pressure steam from said wood.
All sources of heat applied to said wood and/or chamber are then cut of and the chamber cooled, while maintaining mechanical pressure on said wood; desirabl~ water or a coolant such as is well known in the art is circulated through the walls .~
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1(~91~71 of said chamber and/or plates thereof for a period of 2-60 minutes to aid in cooling said chamber and the materials therein. The vacuum is then released, the wood further cooled while still under mechanical pressure, after which all mech-anical pressure applied to said wood is released and the wood removed from said chamber.
Test results indicate that green wood having a moisture content in excess of 80% can be reduced to less than 8% in periods ranging from 20-40 minutes in accordance with such teaching; furthermore, the moisture level can be reduced substantially below 8% if longer periods are employed.
It is understood that additional steps may also be included in such treating process whereby staining, finishing, preserving, fireproofing, laminating, forming or shaping, and t incréa~ing the tensile strength of fibrous materials may con-venièntly be accomplished An alcohol, oil or water base stain may be applied to a piece of wood or other fibrous material either prior to or after loading chamber 42. The moisture in an untreated ~ piece of wood aids the initial penetration of stain into said;~ 20 wood; after treating in the manner hereinafter described, such stain is evenly distributed throughout the entire piece. For example, a ~acuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg is applied to said chamber to remove gases and air from said wood, and a selected stain, in either li~uid or gaseous state, is introduced into said chamber. Alternatively, said wood may be immersed in ~ a selected stain, either in chamber 42 or in an auxiliary - chamber, and a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg applied to said chamber until all hubbling within said stain ceases, The :
~ atmospheric pressure within said chamber is then increased to '; "
-, jb/ - 19 -;
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Heretofore it has been the general practice to dry woods and other fibrous materials in a kiln or oven whereby the moisture in the material undergoing treatment is first converted into steam and thereafter the steam is removed.
In those processes wherein the outer surfaces of the materials are dried first, any steam subsequently formed must pass through this dried outer zone with resultant cracking and splintering of the material. Additionally, in many woods, gums and resins - 10 are destroyed if the process is conducted at elevated temperatures ~ thereby degrading the product or decreasing the market value thereof.
... .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the primary object of ~e invention to provide apparatus and aprocess for drying fibrous materials under ,J controlled conditiong, further including ~taining, finishing, firepSoofing, laminating, forming, shaping and increasing the tensile strength thereof.
Another object is to provide apparatus and a process for drying fibrous materials including means to apply ; 20 mechanical pressure to the materials and also permit a source of heat, steam, atmospheric pressure, dry air, vacuum and other ., ` fluids to be applied to or removed from the ibrous material.
A final object is to provide a process for drying ... .
- woods wherein cracking and splintering is minimized and there i is no degradation of the gums and resins in the wood.
. . .
The present invention is defined as a process for .,, treating wood comprisinq the steps of introducing the wood `! into a closed chamber, applying a continuous mechanical force .
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to at least one surface of the wood, applying a temperature in the range of 70-200 Centigrade to the chamber, increasing the atmospheric pressure within the chamber to 2-45 atmospheres, reducing the atmospheric pressure within the chamber and removing the moisturized air from the chamber, applying a vacuum to the wood when the pressure in the chamber is at approximate room pressure, and cooling the wood, releasing the vacuum, releasing the mechanical force, and removing the wood from the chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken along the medial, longitudinal axis of a portable chamber of the subject invention.
` FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, top plan view of a plate utilized in the practice of the invention.
FIG. 3 iB a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, top plan view of another embodiment of plate.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, top plan view of still another embodiment of plate.
FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line ... .
5-5 of FIG. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, vertical sectional view through another embodiment of vertically adjustable, pressure plate of the subject invention.
FIG. 7 is an end view, partly broken away and partly in section, of another em~odiment of the subject invention.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, top plan ~ -~
view of another embodiment of plate utilized in the practice of the invention.
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FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, greatly enlarged, vertical-sectional view of still another embodiment of plate of the subject invention.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partly broken away and partly in section, of means utilized for shaping fibrous materials.
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing means for forming a design in a laminatea product.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, enlarged end view of a laminated product with a design impressed in at least one surface of the product.
, ,, FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, enlarged end view of a ~ laminated product of the subject invention.
`' FIG. 15 is an end view, partly broken away and partly in section, of a chamber utilized in shaping fibrous materials.
FIG. 16 is an end view, partly broken away and partly 5'' in section, of a chamber utilized in shaping and laminating ,:
~ 20 fibrous materials.
.
-~ DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
, j,. .
- - Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference ` characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings a portable, hermetically sealed, heat insulated chamber 20 , of desired compositio~ shape and sizei door 21 is secured in one end of said chamber in a fluid-tight seal and a second i, door 21a may in like manner be provided in the opposite end , tm/ -3-: ;.~. r ~ .
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, ' '' ~ ; ' ~ , , 1~)1871 thereof to aid in loading and unloading. Viewing ports 22 are desirably provided in the side walls, ends or doors of said chamber to allow the user to observe the contents therein;
insulation 23, such as is well known in the art, is normally apE~lied exteriorly of the remainder of said chamber. Wheels 25 and/or eyes 25 are provided on said chamber whereby after loading in a manner hereinafter to be described said chamber may be rolled or lifted into position beneath a hydraulic press P or other pressure applying means at a remote location.
Horizontally extending and vertically adjustable plate 26 is carried within said chamber, preferably in a tight fit with respect to the opposing side walls and/or ends thereof;
piston 27, secured downwardly to said plate, is journaled in - bushing 28 mounted in the upper portion of said chamber; the upper end 29 of said piston extends at l~ast partially above said chamber in all positions o~ plate 26. It is to be understood , that the invention is not to be restricted solely to the use of a single plate 26 but also includes a plurality of smaller plates of desired plan view and size, each of which may be activated by a separate piston, whereby only selected plates and the corresponding portions of said chamber may be utilized . . .
at any time. Furthermore, the undersurface of plate 26 or the corresponding surfaces of said smaller plates may be ~; essentially flat or may be of any predetermined configuration ,~ whereby wood products may also be shaped during the treating :.
process. Still further, vertically and transversely extending .,~ closure m~s (not shown) may be provided interiorly of said i~
; chamber to form a plurality of smaller chambers which accommodate ::, said smaller plates and preferably are to be used when only a , . ~
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limited number of pieces of wood are to be treated at one time.
Plate 30 of metallic composition includes a flat surface 31 adapted to be supported upon the bottom of said chamber.
As best seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the opposite surface of said plate includes a plurality of integrally formed, truncated pyramidal projections 32 each of which terminates upwardly in a flat 33 lying in the same horizontal plane.
It is understood that projections 32 may be provided in any regular or irregular pattern on said plate and the space between adjacent projections, indicated generally by reference numeral 34, permits free circulation of fluids to a piece of wood or the like supported thereon. One or more heating elements 35 such as electric coils, high frequency thermal elements, heated water conduits or the like are conventionally applied to each plate in such a manner as to provide a controlled, uniform distribution of heat.
Still referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a pre-cut ; piece of wood W of any desired shape and size is placed upon .: , flats 33 of plate 30. For purposes of convenience only, a single piece of wood is illustrated; it is understood that any desired number of pieces, or rows, may be placed on said plate in like ~ manner. An opposing plate 30a, similar in construction to plate -- 30, is inverted with downwardly depending projections 32a bearing against the upper surface of said wood. Plate 26 is then lowered and adjusted to bear firmly against the flat upper surface of plate 30a.
ij A plurality of apertures 36 in at least one side of said chamber slightly above the bottom thereof, or in the bottom, permit a source of hot air, steam, vacuum, or various chemical .,, tm, 5 ,:
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10~1~371 solutions to be introduced into or evacuated from the chamber thus formed.
There is shown in FIG. 3 another embodiment of plate 30b wherein a plurality of integrally formed, truncated conical projections 32b are diagonally aligned. Heating element 35 is conventionally secured to the upper surface of plate 30b intermediate projections 32b.
In the modification of FIGS. 4 and 5, plate 30c comprises sub-plates 37a-37b of similar construction, each of which includes a plurality of vertically aligned sockets 38a-38b adapted to receive a sphere 39 wherein each sphere at least partially extends outwardly of the surfaces of the opposing sub-plates. -One or more heating elements 35 are carried between '~ sub-plates 37a, 37b and said sub-plates secured together as by rivets 40 passing therethrough and expanded, or ~y other astening means. A piece of wood placed upon plate 30c is su~ported by the upper portions of said spheres and fluids may freely circulate therebelow.
It is understood that the lower:surface of plate 26a, substantially similar to plate 26 heretoore described, includes a plurality of parallel channels 41a which extend in one direction (see FIG. 6) and a plurality of interconnecting - parallel channels 41b which are at approximate right angles relative thereto with heating element 35 carried in said plate;
alternatively, said heating element may be carried on the upper surface thereof, in a conventional manner. In~addition, the upper surface of the bottom of said chamber may include a plurality of interconnecting channels (not shown), in any :;, ` regular or irregular pattern, with a heating element conventionally:
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carried therein whereby a source of heat or fluids may be applied to one or more pieces of wood supported thereon.
There is shown in FIGS. 7-10 of the drawings another embodiment of the invention wherein hermetically sealed chamber 42 of desired shape and size comprises base 43, laterally spaced side walls 44a, and top wall 44b with insulation 45 such as is well known in the art applied exteriorly of such members; the insulated chamber thus formed is then -inserted into or otherwise provided with an outer metallic ~i 10 casing 46 of conforming configuration. Door 47 is hingedly .
secured to selected portions of casing 46 in a fluid-tight seal.
Viewing ports 48 are normally provided in-at least door 47 and ` a television camera may be placed in a selected portion of said chamber whereby the materials undergoing treatment may be viewed.
, ' Horizontally extending and vertically adjustable plate 49 of metallic composition is carried in said chamber. Hydraulic s cylinder 50, se~ured to casing 46 or a supporting surface vertically ,~ , thereabove, includes a downwardly depending piston 51 which is : . 20 journaled in bushing 52 conventionally mounted in at least top wall 44b of said chamber; said piston is secured downwardly ~`; to plate 49.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, laterally spaced and longitudinally extending parallel channels 53 in base 43 , . -accommodate horizontally disposed, rectangular plates 54 co-extensive in length therewith. One or more hydraulic cylinders . ~ , `~ 55, carried in the lower portion of channels 53, are inter-connected by means of hydraulic lines 56; piston 57 of each ~ cylinder 55 connects to the lower surface of plates 54 whereby '.,~
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said plates are vertically adjustable.
A car 58 upon which pre-cut pieces of wood are to be loaded includes flat bed 5g of metallic composition with laterally spaced bracket means 60 secured in recesses 61 in the undersurface thereof; wheels 62, adapted to ride on plates 54 heretofore mentioned, are mounted on said brackets. When plates 54 are in elevated condition, car 58 may be rolled into the chamber; upon lowering said plates, the lower surface of bed 59 is uniformly supported on base 43.
As will hereinafter be more fully described, any desired number of rows of pre-cut wood W may be placed upon bed 59 with the pieces in each row in side-by-side relationship and slightly spaced while each row is placed at right angles relative to an adjacent row. Furthermore, one or moxe plates 63 of substantially similar construction and preferably smaller in length and width, respectively, than the corresponding ' dimensions of plate 49 and bed 59 are placed intermediate sel ,, .
selected rows of wood. More specifically, each plate 63 is of , "
metallic composition and the upper surface includes a plurality of parallel channels 64a ~see FIGS. 8-9) with a plurality of interconnected parallel channels 64b approximately at right ; angles thereto. Channels 64c-64d, respectively, are in like .:
manner provided in the lower surface of each plate. A heating coil 65 or high frequency thermal element is conventionally applied to each plate with conductor 66 or the like detachably ;, connected thereto externally of said plate.
~ In the modification of FIG. 10, the upper surface :~.. ,' of plate 63a includes a plurality of parallel channels 67a extending in one direction and interconnecting parallel channels ;.,' tm/ -8 .,,''~ .
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~91871 67b extending at approxLmate right angles thereto; the lower surface of said plate includes corresponding and vertically aligned channels 67c-67d; channels 67a-67d are substantially greater in width than channels 64a-64d heretofore described in connection with FIGS. 8-9 of the drawings. An essentially horizontally extending conduit 67e in plate 63a communicates with lateral conduits 67f which surface in selected channels 67a-67d. One end of flexible tube 68 or the like connects to the end of conduit 67e whereby a fluid may be applied to or removed from pieces of wood supported on or adjacent said plates 63a. A still further modified plate (not shown) includes a plurality of vertically extending borss of any -desired diameter and arranged in any regular or irregular pattern, said bores passing completely through said plate and communicating with a larger conduit throNghwh~,fiuids may pass.
Referring again to FIG. 7 of the drawings, conductors 66 heretofore mentioned connect remotely to each of said plates 63, said conductors may be passed through side walls 44a or inserted into a socket (not shown) with a power supply ~'-electrically connected thereto. Vacuum pump 69, at any remote location, connects to said chamber by means of pipe 70 with valve 71 fitted therein. Pipe 72, connecting remotely to a source of hot air, steam, chemicals or the like, carries valve 73 and connects to said chamber. Desirably a vacuum gauge 74 and gauge 75 of a probe thermometer or the like a,re placed at any desired location and communicate with said chamber;
probe 76 of said thermometer is adapted to be inserted into a bore in a,selected piece of wood.
Referr~ng now to FIG. 11 of the drawings, there is . . .
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, , . . : -... - . . ,.. ,.,.. . ~ -shown coacting metallic plates 77-78 of desired size which are used to form or shape fibrous material 79 therebetween in accordance with the princip]es of the subject invention. More specifically, inner surfaces 77a-78a of said plates may be of any regular or irregular configuration; base 77b-78b of each plate is flat and desirably includes a plurality of parallel channels 77c-78c extending in one direction and interconnecting parallel channels 77d-78d extending at approximate right angles thereto. A plurality of vertically extending bores 10 77e-78e, in any pattern or arrangement, terminate in surfaces 77a-78a, respectively, and communicate with at least one of said channels in the corresponding base.
Plates 77-78, with wood or other ibrous material 79 of desired dimensions therebetween, may be used in ch~mbers 20, 42 or the like for the process o the subject invention.
It is to be understood that although an elongated corrugated pxoduct is illustrated in FIG. 11, the invention is not to ~r be restricted solely to such configured product but also covers any other shaped fibrous product in accordance with the prinGiples of the invention.
There is shown in FIGS. 12-14 of the drawings coacting i~ plates 80-81 used to laminate sheets of wood or other fibrous material 82 therebetween, and more particularly, to laminate a plurality of sheets of fibrous material with a selected design or pa~tern in at least one outer surface thereof. Plate 80, . ~ .
of any desired si~e and of metallic composition, includes base 80a and a relatively flat upper surface 80b; a plurality of parallel channels 80c extending in a desired direction are provided in said base; a plurality of interconnecting parallel ,. ..
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-:: .. . : - : , channels 80d extend at approximate right angles thereto. A
plurality of bores 80e, in any pa~ern or arrangement, terminate upwardly in surface 80b and communicate downwardly with at least one of said channels 80c, 80d.
Plate 81 includes a relatively flat surface 81a with a plurality of depressions 8 1 b of any desired configuration and depth therein. The opposing surface 81c of said plate is normally flat. It is understood that for laminating fibrous materials in excess of approximately one centimeter in thickness surface 81c may be provided with a plurality of channels (not shown) extending in any desired direction with vertical bores terminating, respectively, in surface 81c and at least one of said channels.
As best seen in FIG. 13 of the drawings, fibrous material 82 comprises a plurality of sheets ~2a with adhesive 82b inter-mediate each sheet. Plate 81, with surface 81a extending down-wardly, is placed in a desired position on said fibrous material.
Ater completing the process of the subject invention, sheets 82a are laminated together with the selected design or pattern , formed in the outer surface; specificaily, flat surface 81a of plate 81 partially compresses the fibers in the outer sheet , ~
and forms corresponding recessed portions 82c while depressions ; 81b in plate 81 form raised areas 82d on said finished product.
~,:
The laminated product 83 of FIG. 14 comprises a plurality of sheets 83a of wood or other fibrous material with a & esive 83b intermediate said sheets. A product of uniform - thickness and flat outer surfaces may be formed by using the flat ^ surfaces 80b of two plates 80 or the like.
There is shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings means to form .. , .; -;, tm/ -11-.., , . .
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or shape a heavy timber 84 or the like in accordance with the process of the subject invention. In general, chamber 85 of desired dimensions and adapted to be hermetically sealed and heat insulated includes base 85a with surface 85b spaced thereabove. Form 86, including flat base 86a and upper surface 86b of predetermined curvature, is positioned upon base 86a of said chamber. A plurality of parallel channels 86c extending in one direction are provided in base 86a; a ~lurality of - vertical bores 86d, in any pattern or arrangement, terminate upwardly in upper surface 86b and communicate downwardly with .: a selected channel 86c.
Coacting movable form 87, including lower surface 87a of predetermined curvature and relatively flat upper surface 87b, is prouided with a plurality of vertical bores 87c, in any pattern.or arrangement, which terminate downwardly in surface 87a and upwardly in surface 87b, respectively.
Hydraulic cylinders 88, conventionally secured to selected portions of surface 85b of said chamber, include p.ist~.ons 88a which connect downwardly to surface 87b of said movable form. A vacuum pump (not shown) connects to said chamber by means of pipe 89 with control valve 90 therein; a source of : hot air, steam, chemicals or the like may be introduced into chamber 85 by means of pipe 91 with valve 92 carried therein.
.~ Upon activating movable form 87, timber 84 is forced . ~
downwardly against form 86; a mechanical force in the range of .., ~ 5000 kilograms/square cPntimeter applied to said timber, i, .
.~ in.co~ination.with the remaining steps of the-process, dries ~ said timber to such predetermined curvature.
. There is shown in FIG. 16 of the drawings means to form . .
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1(~91871 laminated beams or the like wherein each selected portion may be formed or shaped to a predetermined curvature. Chamber 93, of desired size and adapted to be heat insulated and hermeti-cally sealed, includes flat base 93a and surface 93b spaced there-above. A laminated beam 94 is to be formed between lower and upper flexible metallic plates 95-96. In general, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 97 are conventionally mounted in spaced relation on base 93a; piston 97a of each cylinder pivotally connects upwardly to a selected portion of lower plate 95. In like manner, hydraulic cylinders 98 are mounted on surface 93b, desirably intermediate cylinders 97 on said base, with pistons 98a pivotally connecting to selected portions of upper plate 96.
A plurality of vertically extending bores 95a-96a~ in any pattern or arrangement, pass completely through plates 95-96, respectively.
A vacuum pump ~not shown2 connects to chamber 93 by means of pipe 99 with valve 100 carried therein; a source of hot air, steam, chemicals or the like may be introduced into said chamber by means of pipe 101 with valve 102 fitted therein.
~. 20 Prior to use, any desired number of sheets or boards '~ of wood or other fibrous material, of any dimensions, are ~; placed between plates 95-96 with an epoxy or phenol resin inter-mediate all abutting sides and ends of each such sheet or board, - after which selected cylinders q7-q8 are activated to apply a , ; predetermined force in the range of l-SQ00 kilograms/square :.
centimeter to the corresponding portions of plates 95-96 and shpae the fibrous materials therebetween, in accordance with :,.
the principles of the invention.
.,'' jb/ - 13 -. . .
-, '': , : . -1~)91E~71 It is understood that beam 94 thus formed may be of uniform thickness or a beam 103 having a flat base 104 may be produced therefrom by cutting or trimming.
Selected portions of plates 77-78, 80-81, 86-87, and 95-96 may be provided with heating means similar to heating elements 35 heretofore described or a plurality of interconnected pipes or conduits (not shown) in any regular or irregular pattern, whereby a source of heat or fluids may be applied thereto or circulated therethrough. Still further, selected portions of chambers 20, 42, 85 and 93 may be provided with heating means such as electric coils, heated water conduits or high frequency thermal elements or the like whereby said chambers may be uni-formly heated to any desired temperature, either for preheating said chambers or for primary or auxiliary use at any time during the process. Additionally, rotatable plates (not shown) may be provided whereby trapped particles of water or the like are removed by centrifugal force. Each of the plates heretofore descri~ed may also he vertically disposed or coacting and ;-~
vertically disposed pressure plates (not shown) may be used in combination with such essentially horizontally extending plates to provide mechanical pressures to all four sides of a timber or the like.
~, r The wood treating process of the subject invention will now be discussed in detail; it is understood that hence-.....
forth throughout the specification and claims the word :; ,;
"treating", as applied to woods or other porous and fibrous materials, is used in a generic sense and includes not only drying but also staining, finishing, fireproofing, laminating, forming, shaping and increasing the density or tensile strength thereof. For purposes of convenience only, the wood treating , ~, .
~` jb/ - 14 -.
1~91871 process of the subject invention will be described in connec-tion with chamber 42 of FIG. 7; it is understood that similar steps are utilized in connection with chambers 20, 85 and 93.
To expedite said treating process, an initial pre-heat step of any desired duration may be utilized, either prior to or after loading chamber 42. More specifically, "contact heat", provided by heating means in plates 30-30c or plates 63-63a, may be applied to said wood. Either simultaneously therewith, or alternatively, "atmospheric heat", such as hot air, saturated hot air, steam or superheated steam, may be ~ applied to said wood, provided that no substantial air currents ; are created in the chamber which tend to dry out the external wood fibers and hinder the subsequent removal or moisture.
During such pre-heat stage, if no mechanical pressure is applied - to a selected piece of wood, the temperature within said wood ,''.~, must not exceed 60 Centigrade or warping and cracking will occur. If a pressure ranging from 1-5 kilograms/square centi-meter is applied to said piece, the temperature ~ithin said piece must not exceed 80 Centigrade.
After hermetically sealing chamber 42, valves 71,73 are closed. At this time, a vacuum in the order of .005-8~ mm, Hg may be applied to said chamber for 3-120 minutes to remove ,. ..
excess moisturé from said wood.
A predetermined mechanical pressure within the range of 1-150 kilograms/square centimeter is then applied to said pieces of wood W by means of hydraulic cylinder 50. Mechanical pressure in th~ range specified, in combination with the remaining steps of the process hereinafter to be described, prevents warping and minimizes the formation of cracks.
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~ '~ -' . ' , 1~)91871 Furthermore, after a predetermined pressure within the s~ecified range is applied to said wood, plate 49 may then be secured in such position whereby although the wood may initially shrink and pull away from said plate any subsequent expansion of the wood is limited by said plate and a finished product of desire and constant thickness is formed. Finally, the application of a predetenmined higher pressure within said range advap-tage~usly results in a substantial increase in the tensile strength of such piece. In general, if a selected piece of wood is not to be fo~med or shaped and no substantial increase in tensile strength is desired, a pressure of approximately 5 kilograms/square centimeter is normally applied to a piece of wood not exceeding 15 millimeters in thickness; a pressure of ap~rcximately 15 kilograms/square centimeter is required to fonm or shape pieces of wood ranging from 2-8 millimters in thickness~ When a pressure of 15 kllogram~/s~uare centimeter is applied to a flat piece of wood having an initial thickness of approximately 12 milli~eters, for example~ the tensile strength is increased 30-40 per cent. Still further, pressures from 120-150 kilograms/square centimeter are required for heavy timbers, es~ecially to upgrade the quality of the w~od by increasing the tensile strength thereof.
,, - 2Q When the wcod or other fibrous material is of subst~ntial ; thickness or the structure is of such a nature as to resist the flow of m3isture to the surface thereof, it is desirable to first convert the moisture in said fibrous material into stean, It will ke appreciated that if the outer surfaces of said material are permitted to dry first, said , ., ;~ cuter surfaces will shrink thereby entrapping moisiNre in the inner , ~.
'; portions of such material and the steam subsequently formed must pass through said dry outer s~rfaces wqth resultant cracking, splintering and other physical damage to the material.
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l~'g~871 In each of the embodiments of the process of the subject invention, the wood or other material i9 dried from the center outwardly; specifically, steam which is formed in the center of said material is subsequently driven outwardly under controlled conditions. To expedite the formation of steam within the center of a selected piece of wood, a temper-ature in the range of 70-200 Centigrade is applied to said wood in said chamber; more specifically, a desired temperature, in the range specified, is at least partially provided by "contact heat", heretofore defined. In addition, "atmospheric heat", heretofore defined, is admitted into chamber 42 by means of valve 73 either prior to the application of said "contact ' heat", simultaneously therewith, or thereafter. The source of "atmospheric heat" i& controlled and preferably regulated to match the temperature of said "contact heat" whereby a uniform temperatuxe is applied to all surfaces of said wood.
j Either simultaneously with such heating step or .:
shortly thereafter, and before steam is formed in said wood, the atmospheric pressure within the chamber is raised to 2-45 atmospheres; the "atmospheric pillow" thus formed, substantially greater in pressure than the steam pressure within said piece, ~": .
not only prevents the entrapped steam from escaping but also causes the pressure of the entrapped steam to equalize in each such piece. - Furthermore, said "atmospheric pillow" preserves the moisture in the outer surfaces of each piece whereby the moist, warm and expanded surface wood fibers provide a path through which the entrapped steam may pass~
Probe 76 or other instrumentation is utilized to indicate the temperature within the central portion of a , . .
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1~)91~71 .
selected piece of wood. In general, when thermometer 75 indicates a temperature in the range of 70-180 Centigrade, dependent primarily upon the variety of wood, a source of heat, swch as hot air, either dry or at least partially moisturized, or steam, at a temperature approximately equal to the tempera-ture of the wood in said chamber, is applied to said chamber and the atmospheric pressure within said chamber simultaneously reduced to facilitate the removal of expanded steam from the ~ center of each piece. Alternatively, a dehumidifier or the :.
like may be connected to chamber 42 whereby the moisturized air or steam withdrawn from the wood is removed from said chamber. The mechanical pressure applied to said wood may be increased at this stage, within the specified range, to increase the tensile strength; additionally, the temperature applied to - said wood may also be increased, within the range specified, to speed up the process provided that such increased temperature doQs not melt the resins, gums or "Farbkernstoff" or cause the same to erupt from and mar the surfaces of said wood.
.": , The atmospheric pressure within said chamber is gradually reduced, while maintaining said chamber at elevated , .
temperature, until room pressure is reached at ~hich time valve 71 is opened and a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm.Hg applied to said chamber. Alternatively, a centrifugal force may be applied to said fibrous material, during said vacuum step, to remove any remaining low pressure steam from said wood.
All sources of heat applied to said wood and/or chamber are then cut of and the chamber cooled, while maintaining mechanical pressure on said wood; desirabl~ water or a coolant such as is well known in the art is circulated through the walls .~
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.
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1(~91~71 of said chamber and/or plates thereof for a period of 2-60 minutes to aid in cooling said chamber and the materials therein. The vacuum is then released, the wood further cooled while still under mechanical pressure, after which all mech-anical pressure applied to said wood is released and the wood removed from said chamber.
Test results indicate that green wood having a moisture content in excess of 80% can be reduced to less than 8% in periods ranging from 20-40 minutes in accordance with such teaching; furthermore, the moisture level can be reduced substantially below 8% if longer periods are employed.
It is understood that additional steps may also be included in such treating process whereby staining, finishing, preserving, fireproofing, laminating, forming or shaping, and t incréa~ing the tensile strength of fibrous materials may con-venièntly be accomplished An alcohol, oil or water base stain may be applied to a piece of wood or other fibrous material either prior to or after loading chamber 42. The moisture in an untreated ~ piece of wood aids the initial penetration of stain into said;~ 20 wood; after treating in the manner hereinafter described, such stain is evenly distributed throughout the entire piece. For example, a ~acuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg is applied to said chamber to remove gases and air from said wood, and a selected stain, in either li~uid or gaseous state, is introduced into said chamber. Alternatively, said wood may be immersed in ~ a selected stain, either in chamber 42 or in an auxiliary - chamber, and a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg applied to said chamber until all hubbling within said stain ceases, The :
~ atmospheric pressure within said chamber is then increased to '; "
-, jb/ - 19 -;
;~
': ' ~ :: : ' ' -
2-45 atmospheres, said atmospheric pressure subsequently reduced to room pressure, and the wood treated in accordance with the remaining steps of the process Still further, said staining step may take place a~ter said wood is at least partially dried and after the atmospheric pressure in said chamber is at approximate room pressure. At such time a selected stain is applied to said wood in chamber 42, either by flooding said chamber or inject-ing said stain under pressure into said chamber, The atmos-` lO pheric pressure is then increased to 2-45 atmospheres after which any excess stain is removed from said chamber and a vacuum in the order of .005-~0 mm. Hg applied to said chamber.
The stained wood is subsequently dried and removed from said chamber.
In like manner, other chemical compositions in either a solid, liquid or gaseous state, may be applied to a selected fibrous material a$ter a vacuum step More particularly, a ., i polyurethane, phenol, polyester, polyethylene, or epoxy, as well as copper chrome arsenate and ammonium chloride may be utilized. A$ter all air and trapped gases are removed by a i vacuum step in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg, the selected `; chemical composition is introduced into said chamber, or said chamber may at least partially be flooded therewith and then i drained after a prescribed period o$ time. The pressure ,...
~.
within said chamber is then increased to 2-45 atmospheres whereby said composition is evenly dispersed throughout the '~ porous material; heat, at the curing temperature o$ said ? chemical composition, is then applied to said chamber.
.:
,., s jb/ - 20 -~ .",........
: ' .
.- , - .
: :: : : .
The staining step and one or more additional treating steps heretofore described may take place simultaneously. For example, a selected water base stain ranging from 1%-30~ by weight, dependent upon the shade of color desired, with a phenol resin ranging from 10%-50% by weight, may be added to water.
Chamber 42 may be flooded with said solution or said solution may be injected therein, followed by the remaining steps of the process heretofore described in detail.
Certain woods, although structurally sound, contain acids or salts which depreciate the market value thereof. The process of the su~ject invention permits washing of the wood fibers of such woods to remove said acids or salts. More speci- -~ fically, said woods are placed in sealed chamber 42 after which ,~ a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg is applied to said ~;:
't chamber. Water or a liquid adapted to neutralize said acids ; or salts is then introduced into said chamber and the atmos-pheric pressure in said chamber increased to 2-45 atmospheres;
the atmospheric pressure is then reduced to room pressure and the water containing said acids or salts in solution, or said other liquid, is removed from said chamber. These steps are repeated for 1-60 minutes, dependent upon the fiber structure and the chemical concentration, until all acids or salts are removed or reduced to an acceptable level; said wood may then '~ ~e dried or other~ise treated in accordance with the principles of the subject invention.
As is well known in the art, the melting point of ..!
certain gums and resins, especially those found in exotic woods, is in the order of 80-90 Centigrade. In treating these woods . .~, a mechanical pressure in the range heretofore specified is `~ jb/ - 21 -. . , . ~ .
. . ' ~ . " " ':
10~1~71 first applied to said wood in said chamber, followed by a vacuum step ranging from .005-80 mm. Hg, dependent upon the species of wood, the thickness and moisture content thereof, for 3-150 minutes. A source of heat substantially below the melting point of said gums and resins is then applied to said wood by means of plates 30-30c or plates 63-63a whereby the moisture in said wood is converted into steam at reduced temperature with no degradation of the material.
During forming or shaping operations, after placing the wood or other fibrous-material between the configured plates, said chamber may be flooded with a chemical composition such as ammonia or the like which advantageously softens the wood fibers and makes the piece more flexible and adaptable for forming and shaping. It is further understood that if the moisture content within a selected piece of wood excees 3Q%-35%, said piece cannot effectively be formed or shaped and the moisture content ~, must first be reduced to such upper limit, desirably by means of a vacuum step in the ordsr of .005-80 mm. Hg. The applica- .~
tion of a mechanical forc~ in the order of 1-5000 kilogramc/
square centimeter in combination with decreasing the moisture ' content in accordance with the principles of the invention not .... .
only forms said wood into the desired shape but also~ when . dried, said product maintains such desired shape. Staining ' and impregnating steps, heretofore described in detail, may .
, simultaneously be conducted during such forming or shaping : ., steps.
Laminated product 83 of FIG. 14 is formed using a "~
`~i,, plurality of moistened sheets 83a with adhesive 83b, applied :~, . .
~. ;. - . : - . : .
: :' , ;.- ~' - ' .
., ~ , . .
~: : ' ~V91871 as by spraying or brushing, intermediate said sheets; typical adhesives include epoxy and phenol resins and commerci~lly available concentrated resins such as LEIMHARZ-LMB-1107. In one typical example of such laminated product 83, 125 grams of a phenol resin per square meter is conventionally applied to at least one surface of adjacent sheets. A mechanical pressure of 18 kilograms/square centimeter is applied to two plates similar to plate 80, with said unfinished product therebetween.
An atmospheric pressure of 3 atmospheres and a temperature of 138 Centigrade is applied to chamber 42 for 50 minutes, thereby drying and simultaneously laminating sheets 83a together.
In preparing laminated beam 94 of FIG. 16, the moisture content of each sheet or board desirably should not exceed 30%-35%; below such limit the moistened wood fibers are flexible and readily formed to a predetermined curvature.
~ter drying, in accordance with the principles of the invention, beam 94 maintains such predetermined curYature It should ~e understood, of course, that the fore-. ,~
going disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the apparatus and process herein chosen for r; the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.
:
. :
~, . .
. -~, . .
~.~
r jb/ - 23 -~.,-.
..
.. ..
.
' '.
' ~ , " ' ' . ' "
~' , . .' . , ' ~'.
.' '' " , ~ ~ '
The stained wood is subsequently dried and removed from said chamber.
In like manner, other chemical compositions in either a solid, liquid or gaseous state, may be applied to a selected fibrous material a$ter a vacuum step More particularly, a ., i polyurethane, phenol, polyester, polyethylene, or epoxy, as well as copper chrome arsenate and ammonium chloride may be utilized. A$ter all air and trapped gases are removed by a i vacuum step in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg, the selected `; chemical composition is introduced into said chamber, or said chamber may at least partially be flooded therewith and then i drained after a prescribed period o$ time. The pressure ,...
~.
within said chamber is then increased to 2-45 atmospheres whereby said composition is evenly dispersed throughout the '~ porous material; heat, at the curing temperature o$ said ? chemical composition, is then applied to said chamber.
.:
,., s jb/ - 20 -~ .",........
: ' .
.- , - .
: :: : : .
The staining step and one or more additional treating steps heretofore described may take place simultaneously. For example, a selected water base stain ranging from 1%-30~ by weight, dependent upon the shade of color desired, with a phenol resin ranging from 10%-50% by weight, may be added to water.
Chamber 42 may be flooded with said solution or said solution may be injected therein, followed by the remaining steps of the process heretofore described in detail.
Certain woods, although structurally sound, contain acids or salts which depreciate the market value thereof. The process of the su~ject invention permits washing of the wood fibers of such woods to remove said acids or salts. More speci- -~ fically, said woods are placed in sealed chamber 42 after which ,~ a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg is applied to said ~;:
't chamber. Water or a liquid adapted to neutralize said acids ; or salts is then introduced into said chamber and the atmos-pheric pressure in said chamber increased to 2-45 atmospheres;
the atmospheric pressure is then reduced to room pressure and the water containing said acids or salts in solution, or said other liquid, is removed from said chamber. These steps are repeated for 1-60 minutes, dependent upon the fiber structure and the chemical concentration, until all acids or salts are removed or reduced to an acceptable level; said wood may then '~ ~e dried or other~ise treated in accordance with the principles of the subject invention.
As is well known in the art, the melting point of ..!
certain gums and resins, especially those found in exotic woods, is in the order of 80-90 Centigrade. In treating these woods . .~, a mechanical pressure in the range heretofore specified is `~ jb/ - 21 -. . , . ~ .
. . ' ~ . " " ':
10~1~71 first applied to said wood in said chamber, followed by a vacuum step ranging from .005-80 mm. Hg, dependent upon the species of wood, the thickness and moisture content thereof, for 3-150 minutes. A source of heat substantially below the melting point of said gums and resins is then applied to said wood by means of plates 30-30c or plates 63-63a whereby the moisture in said wood is converted into steam at reduced temperature with no degradation of the material.
During forming or shaping operations, after placing the wood or other fibrous-material between the configured plates, said chamber may be flooded with a chemical composition such as ammonia or the like which advantageously softens the wood fibers and makes the piece more flexible and adaptable for forming and shaping. It is further understood that if the moisture content within a selected piece of wood excees 3Q%-35%, said piece cannot effectively be formed or shaped and the moisture content ~, must first be reduced to such upper limit, desirably by means of a vacuum step in the ordsr of .005-80 mm. Hg. The applica- .~
tion of a mechanical forc~ in the order of 1-5000 kilogramc/
square centimeter in combination with decreasing the moisture ' content in accordance with the principles of the invention not .... .
only forms said wood into the desired shape but also~ when . dried, said product maintains such desired shape. Staining ' and impregnating steps, heretofore described in detail, may .
, simultaneously be conducted during such forming or shaping : ., steps.
Laminated product 83 of FIG. 14 is formed using a "~
`~i,, plurality of moistened sheets 83a with adhesive 83b, applied :~, . .
~. ;. - . : - . : .
: :' , ;.- ~' - ' .
., ~ , . .
~: : ' ~V91871 as by spraying or brushing, intermediate said sheets; typical adhesives include epoxy and phenol resins and commerci~lly available concentrated resins such as LEIMHARZ-LMB-1107. In one typical example of such laminated product 83, 125 grams of a phenol resin per square meter is conventionally applied to at least one surface of adjacent sheets. A mechanical pressure of 18 kilograms/square centimeter is applied to two plates similar to plate 80, with said unfinished product therebetween.
An atmospheric pressure of 3 atmospheres and a temperature of 138 Centigrade is applied to chamber 42 for 50 minutes, thereby drying and simultaneously laminating sheets 83a together.
In preparing laminated beam 94 of FIG. 16, the moisture content of each sheet or board desirably should not exceed 30%-35%; below such limit the moistened wood fibers are flexible and readily formed to a predetermined curvature.
~ter drying, in accordance with the principles of the invention, beam 94 maintains such predetermined curYature It should ~e understood, of course, that the fore-. ,~
going disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the apparatus and process herein chosen for r; the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.
:
. :
~, . .
. -~, . .
~.~
r jb/ - 23 -~.,-.
..
.. ..
.
' '.
' ~ , " ' ' . ' "
~' , . .' . , ' ~'.
.' '' " , ~ ~ '
Claims (23)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A process for treating wood comprising the steps of introducing the wood into a closed chamber, applying a continuous mechanical force in the range of 1-150 kilograms/square centimeter to at least one surface of said wood, applying a temperature in the range of 70°-200° Centi-grade to said wood, increasing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber to 2-45 atmospheres before steam is formed in said wood, reducing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber and removing the moisturized air from said chamber, applying a vacuum to said wood when the pressure in said chamber is at approximately room pressure, and cooling the wood, releasing the vacuum, releasing the mechanical pressure, and removing the wood from the chamber.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of removing the moisturized air from said chamber comprises applying a source of dry hot air at approximately the temperature of said wood to said chamber.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein said step of applying a temperature in the range of 70°-200° Centigrade to said wood and the step of increasing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber to 2-45 atmospheres before steam is formed in said wood are simultaneous.
4. The process of claim 1 further including preheating said wood.
5. The process of claim 4 wherein said wood is pre-heated to a temperature not exceeding 60° Centigrade when no mechanical force is applied to said wood and to a temper-ature not exceeding 80° Centigrade when a mechanical force in the range of 1-5 kilograms/square centimere is applied to said wood.
6. The process of claim 1 further including the steps after said step of introducing the wood into a closed chamber of applying a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg to said chamber, and releasing said vacuum.
7. The process of claim 1 further including applying a stain to the wood before treating said wood.
8. The process of claim 1 further including applying a stain selected from the group consisting of alcohol base, oil base and water base stains to said wood before treating said wood.
9. The process of claim 1 further including the step after said vacuum step of applying a stain to the wood in said chamber.
10. The process of claim 1 further including applying a chemical composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, phenol, polyester, polyethylene, epoxy, copper chrome arsenate and ammonium chloride to the wood before treating said wood.
11. The process of claim 1 further including the step after said vacuum step of applying a chemical composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, phenol, polyester, polyethylene, epoxy, copper chrome arsenate and ammonium chloride to the wood in said chamber.
12. The process of claim 1 further including the step of increasing the mechanical force applied to said wood beginning with the step of reducing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber.
13. A process for treating wood comprising the steps of introducing the wood into a closed chamber, applying a continuous mechanical force to at least one surface of said wood, applying a temperature in the range of 70°-200° Centi-grade to said chamber, increasing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber to 2-45 atmospheres, reducing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber and removing the moisturized air from said chamber, applying a vacuum to said wood when the pressure in said chamber is at approximate room pressure, and cooling the wood, releasing the vacuum, releasing the mechanical force, and removing the wood from the chamber.
14. The process of claim 13 wherein said mechanical force is in the range of 1-5000 kilograms/square centimeter.
15. The process of claim 13 wherein said vacuum is in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg.
16. The process of claim 13 further including the step after said step of introducing the wood into a closed chamber of applying a chemical composition to soften the fibers of said wood.
17. The process of claim 16 wherein said chemical compo-sition at least partially comprises ammonia.
18. A process for treating wood comprising the steps of introducing the wood into a closed chamber, applying a continuous mechanical force in the range of 1-150 kilograms/square centimeter to at least one surface of said wood, increasing the temperature within said chamber to 70°-200° Centigrade, increasing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber to Z-45 atmospheres before steam is formed in said wood, reducing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber and introducing a source of dry hot air into said chamber when the temperature within said wood is in the range of 70°-18° Centigrade, applying a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg. to the wood in said chamber, and cooling the wood, releasing the vacuum, releasing the mechanical force, and removing the wood from the chamber.
19. The process of claim 18 further including the steps after said release of vacuum step of introducing a chemical composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, phenol, polyester, epoxy, copper chrome arsenate and ammonium chloride into said chamber, increasing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber to 2-45 atmospheres, introducing a source of dry heat into said chamber, and applying a vacuum in the order of .005 80 mm. Hg to the interior of said chamber after releasing said vacuum.
20. The process of claim 18 wherein a stain selected from the group consisting of alcohol base, oil base and water base stains is applied before treating the wood.
21. A process for treating wood comprising the steps of introducing the wood into a closed chamber, applying a continuous mechanical pressure in the range of 1-150 kilograms/square centimeter to at least one surface of said wood, applying a first source of heat in the range of 70°-200° Centigrade to said wood, introducing a second source of heat into said chamber, regulating the temperature of said second source of heat to approximately equal said first source of heat, increasing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber to 2-45 atmospheres, reducing the atmospheric pressure and introducing hot dry air into said chamber when the temperature within said wood is in the range of 70°-180° Centigrade, applying a vacuum to the wood whereby low pressure steam is removed from said wood, cooling the wood, releasing the vacuum, releasing the mechanical pressure, and removing the wood from the chamber.
22. The process of claim 21 further including the step of increasing the mechanical pressure applied to said wood during such time that the atmospheric pressure is being reduced and hot dry air is being introduced into said chamber.
23. The process of claim 21 further including the steps after said release of vacuum step of injecting a chemical composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, phenol, polyester, polyethylene, epoxy, copper chrome arsenate and ammonium chloride into said wood, increasing the atmospheric pressure within said chamber to 2-45 atmospheres, introducing a source of hot dry air into said chamber, applying a vacuum in the order of .005-80 mm. Hg to the wood in said chamber, and releasing said vacuum.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA276,290A CA1091871A (en) | 1977-04-15 | 1977-04-15 | Apparatus and process for treating wood and fibrous materials |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA276,290A CA1091871A (en) | 1977-04-15 | 1977-04-15 | Apparatus and process for treating wood and fibrous materials |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1091871A true CA1091871A (en) | 1980-12-23 |
Family
ID=4108400
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA276,290A Expired CA1091871A (en) | 1977-04-15 | 1977-04-15 | Apparatus and process for treating wood and fibrous materials |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1091871A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006034581A1 (en) * | 2004-09-27 | 2006-04-06 | 9103-7366 Quebec Inc. | Process for treating lignocellulosic material, and apparatus for carrying out the same |
-
1977
- 1977-04-15 CA CA276,290A patent/CA1091871A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006034581A1 (en) * | 2004-09-27 | 2006-04-06 | 9103-7366 Quebec Inc. | Process for treating lignocellulosic material, and apparatus for carrying out the same |
| US7993709B2 (en) | 2004-09-27 | 2011-08-09 | 9103-7366 Québec Inc. | Process for treating lignocellulosic material, and apparatus for carrying out the same |
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