The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 06, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 23, 1993
George Culp, New London, Stanley County, NC (US);
Other;
Abstract
The kiln system for drying lumber to a predetermined moisture content according to the present invention includes a kiln chamber for enclosing a charge of green lumber consisting of at least one rectangular solid stack of lumber, a fan for circulating air through the kiln chamber and through the lumber in the kiln chamber to dry the lumber and a relatively lightweight covering overlying and substantially blanketing an upper row of the rectangular solid stacks of lumber. The relatively lightweight covering limits direct contact of the circulating air with the upper row of lumber and prevents excessive drying, warping or cracking of the upper row of lumber. Further, the covering is relatively thin such that the volume of lumber enclosed in the kiln chamber is maximized. The covering is preferably comprised of a substantially rigid material, such as a wooden or a metal sheet. In addition, the covering is preferably spaced from the upper row of lumber, such as by a number of spaced apart stickers disposed between the covering and the upper row of lumber for allowing a limited amount of circulating air to pass of over the upper row of lumber.