Method for drying wood strands
OwnerWilliam B. Tealinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for drying wood strands and the like is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, the strands are fed onto a conveyor which then moves the strands as a bed through a dryer housing. The housing may be partitioned into various zones and levels, depending on the desired configuration. A volume of drying air is heated and then passed through the bed of strands to reduce the moisture content of the strands. In a preferred embodiment, the strands are agitated to promote the even exposure of the strands to the drying heat. The strands are then conveyed through a conditioning zone before being discharged from the dryer housing.
Claims21
A method for drying wood strands for the manufacture of oriented strand board comprising the steps of:
- feeding wood strands onto a belt conveyor to form a bed of strands;
- conveying the wood strands on the belt conveyor through a dryer housing in a substantially continuous manner;
- heating a quantity of drying air to a desired temperature;
- passing the drying air through the bed of strands in the dryer housing;
- and
- after passing the drying air through the bed of strands, discharging the wood strands from the dryer housing.
A method for drying wood strands for the manufacture of oriented strand board comprising the steps of:
- feeding a quantity of wood strands onto a belt conveyor provided with means for allowing air to pass through it, to form a bed of strands;
- conveying the wood strands on the belt conveyor through a dryer housing in a substantially continuous manner;
- passing a volume of heated drying air through the bed of strands;
- and
- discharging the wood strands from the dryer housing.
A method for drying wood strands for the manufacture of oriented strand board comprising the steps of:
- feeding wood strands onto a belt conveyor to form a bed of strands;
- conveying the wood strands on the belt conveyor through a dryer housing in a substantially continuous manner;
- heating a quantity of drying air to a desired temperature;
- passing the drying air through the bed of strands in the dryer housing;
- conveying the wood strands through a conditioning zone;
- and
- discharging the wood strands from the dryer housing.
A method for drying wood strands for the manufacture of oriented strand board comprising the steps of:
- conveying a quantity of wood strands through a dryer housing on a belt conveyor in a substantially continuous manner;
- partitioning the dryer housing to create a plurality of zones;
- circulating a volume of heated drying air around the wood strands;
- and
- discharging the wood strands from the dryer housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.