Patent ID: 9709328
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: F26B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method of heat treating lumber an elongated enclosure comprising a first chamber, a second chamber adjoining the first chamber, a charge entry with one or more change entry portals at a proximal end of the elongated enclosure, a charge exit with one or more charge exit portals at an opposite distal end of the elongated enclosure, and a longitudinal axis that extends through said ends and defines generally opposite first and second sides of the second chamber, the method comprising: using a transport system to advance a first plurality of lumber charges in a first direction of travel along a first flow path that extends through the first side and to advance a second plurality of lumber charges in said first direction of travel along a second flow path that extends through the second side, such that at least some of the lumber charges are positioned within the first chamber while others of the lumber charges are positioned within the second chamber; using a heat source operatively coupled to the second chamber to heat the interior of the second chamber; and using one or more fans to circulate heated air received from the second chamber across at least the first flow path within the first chamber.