CA2307464A1 - Plastic lumber spacing or piling strip - Google Patents

Plastic lumber spacing or piling strip Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2307464A1
CA2307464A1 CA 2307464 CA2307464A CA2307464A1 CA 2307464 A1 CA2307464 A1 CA 2307464A1 CA 2307464 CA2307464 CA 2307464 CA 2307464 A CA2307464 A CA 2307464A CA 2307464 A1 CA2307464 A1 CA 2307464A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
strip
spacing
piling
extending
opposite edges
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2307464
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Timothy Byman
William Nelson Therrien
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CA002270643A external-priority patent/CA2270643A1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2307464 priority Critical patent/CA2307464A1/en
Publication of CA2307464A1 publication Critical patent/CA2307464A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26DRYING
    • F26BDRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B25/00Details of general application not covered by group F26B21/00 or F26B23/00
    • F26B25/06Chambers, containers, or receptacles
    • F26B25/14Chambers, containers, receptacles of simple construction
    • F26B25/18Chambers, containers, receptacles of simple construction mainly open, e.g. dish, tray, pan, rack
    • F26B25/185Spacers; Elements for supporting the goods to be dried, i.e. positioned in-between the goods to build a ventilated stack
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02Storage devices
    • B65G1/14Stack holders or separators
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G57/00Stacking of articles
    • B65G57/005Stacking of articles by using insertions or spacers between the stacked layers

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

A plastic strip for supporting and spacing wood products for kiln drying or air drying.
The plastic strip is rectangular and adapted to withstand high temperature, moisture and pressure under continuous re-use in the temperatures, pressures and moisture of the kiln drying process. The strip is ventilated to inhibit moist areas remaining on the wood products in the overlap between the strips and the wood products.

Description

PLASTIC LUMBER SPACING OR PILING STRIP
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable device, and in particular a plastic strip, for supporting and spacing wood products during a kiln or other drying process.
Although used for a variety of purposes, such devices are commonly known as lumber spacing or piling strips.
Background of the Invention One common type of lumber spacing or piling strip is an all wood strip. An all wood strip has the disadvantage of becoming brittle and susceptible to breakage after only a few uses due to the temperatures and pressures of the kiln drying process, which may reach 230 degrees Fahrenheit at 60 pounds per square inch pressure. Strips made from wood are also susceptible to breakage during handling and reuse. Thus conventionally all wood strips have to be replaced on a continuous basis increasing the cost of wood product production.
Wood strips also have drawbacks caused by the moisture content of the wood product being dried. The moisture content may cause the wood strips to warp, check and split during the kiln drying process during moisture loss. Perhaps more importantly, wood strips suffer from a disadvantage that they do not allow for air venting between the strips and the wood product during the drying process and so may produce wet spots in the lumber which otherwise has been dried. Further, due to the smooth planar surfaces of wood strips, the lumber products sometimes creep relative to the strips and may become warped.
It is thus desirable in the industry to have, and an object of the present invention to provide, a durable, continually re-usable, vented plastic lumber spacing or piling strip that is able to withstand the temperatures, pressures and moisture, for example, of the kiln drying process.
Summary of the Invention In summary the spacing or piling strip used for spacing or piling lumber of the present invention includes a plastic substantially parallelepiped member having opposite first and second weight-bearing surfaces thereon. The first and second surfaces are contoured to provide air venting means. Thus when the strip has at least one wood product stacked on it so as to bear against the first or second weight-bearing surface, a contact surface of the wood product in contact with the strip is dried during a drying process applied to the wood product.
In embodiments not intended to be limiting, the air venting means is:
(a) at least one channel on the first and second surfaces, wherein the channel extends from opposite edges of the strip;
(b) a plurality of channels on the first and second surfaces, wherein the plurality of channels extend from opposite edges of the strip;
(c) at least one longitudinally extending channel on the first and second surfaces, wherein the longitudinally extending channel extends from opposite edges of the strip;
(d) a plurality of longitudinally extending channels on the first and second surfaces, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending channels extend from opposite edges of the strip;
(e) at least one groove on the first and second surfaces, wherein the groove extends from opposite edges of the strip;
(f) a plurality of grooves on the first and second surfaces, wherein the plurality of grooves extend from opposite edges of the strip;
(g) at least one longitudinally extending groove on the first and second surfaces, wherein the longitudinally extending groove extends from opposite edges of the strip;
(h) a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves on the first and second surfaces, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves extend from opposite edges of the strip;
(i) is at least one corrugation on the first and second surfaces, wherein the corrugation extends from opposite edges of the strip;
(j) a plurality of corrugations on the first and second surfaces, wherein the plurality of corrugations extend from opposite edges of the strip;
(k) at least one longitudinally extending corrugation on the first and second surfaces, wherein the longitudinally extending corrugation extends from opposite edges of the strip;
(1) a plurality of longitudinally extending corrugations on the first and second surfaces, wherein the plurality of longitudinally extend corrugations extending from opposite edges of the strip;
(m) a gridwork of bumps on the first and second surfaces, wherein the grid work extends from opposite edges of the strip; or, (n) a gridwork of striations on the first and second surfaces, wherein the grid work extends from opposite edges of the strip.
In one embodiment the strip is a rectangular parallelepiped. It may advantageously be elongate and thin (relative to the dimensions of its weight-bearing surfaces) between the first and second surfaces.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1a is, in top plan view, one embodiment of the plastic lumber spacing or piling strip of the present invention.
Figure 1 b is, in bottom plan view, the strip of Figure 1 a.
Figure lc is, in side elevation view, the strip of Figure la.
Figure 1 d is, in end elevation view, the strip of Figure 1 a.
Figure 2 is, in partially cut-away perspective view, a further alternative embodiment of the spacing or piling strip of the present invention.
Figure 3 is, in partially cut-away perspective view, a further alternative embodiment of the spacing or piling strip of the present invention.
Figure 4 is, in partially cut-away perspective view, a further alternative embodiment of the spacing or piling strip of the present invention.
Figure 5 is, in perspective view, a further alternative embodiment of the spacing or piling strip of the present invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments As seen in Figures 1-5, all of the embodiments of the plastic lumber spacing or piling strip of the present invention incorporate some means to allow venting between the strip and the wood products, such as lumber, being separated by the strips during the process of drying the wood products. As may be seen, and what is not intended to be limiting, such venting means may take the form of channels, grooves, bumps, striations or other surface variations allowing for the movement of air between the strips and the wood product to thereby reduce the likelihood of wet spots being left on the wood products following the drying process.
Thus as seen in Figures la-ld, strip 10 is generally rectangular in plan form and in three dimension may be described as parallelepiped, the specific illustrated embodiment being a rectangular parallelepiped having an upper surface 12, an opposite lower surface 14, a pair of opposite side surfaces 16, and a pair of opposite end surfaces 18.
Upper and lower surfaces 12 and 14 have a grid work of striations 20 formed thereon to facilitate venting between strip 10 and wood products (not shown) stacked on top and beneath strips 10.
Striations 20 also provide for increased frictional engagement between strips 10 and the wood products.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, strips 10 may, instead of striations 20, have channels 22 as seen in Figure 2 formed in upper and lower surfaces 12 and 14, or may have grooves 24 formed in upper and lower surfaces 12 and 14 as seen in Figure 3, or upper and lower surfaces 12 and 14 may be corrugated as seen in Figure 4.
It is understood I 5 that, although shown as longitudinally extending, channels 22, grooves 24 and corrugations 26 may also be laterally extending channels, grooves and corrugations. In the further alternative embodiment of Figure 5, strip 10 have conical or hemispherical bumps 28 on upper and lower surfaces 12 and 14 to facilitate venting.
Without intending to be limiting, embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured from polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, nylon, thermoplastics, polyester and polyurethanes. Further, such plastics may also be used as a matrix to hold fibers, strands or other fillers, which advantageously, are naturally occurring waste by-products such as wood fibers, bark, sawdust, or other wood waste. The advantage of reintroducing wood into strip 10 in this fashion is that, because the wood strand or filler material is totally encapsulated within the plastic of the strip, the wood is no longer affected by moisture and yet, at least in respect of the wood strands or fibers, strengthens the plastic, and reduces the cost to produce the strips.
In one embodiment, a polypropylene/wood filler mix ratio has been employed in the relative S

volumetric ranges of 50:50 - 60:40. Strips 10 may thus economically be provided as a reusable alternative to, for example, 1 x 4 inch wood strips.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims (18)

1. A spacing or piling strip used for spacing or piling lumber comprising a plastic substantially parallelepiped member having opposite first and second weight-bearing surfaces thereon, said first and second surfaces contoured to provide air venting means, whereby when said strip has at least one wood product stacked on it so as to bear against said first or second weight-bearing surface, a contact surface of said wood product in contact with said strip is dried during a drying process applied to said wood product.
2. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is at least one channel on said first and second surfaces, said at least one channel extending from opposite edges of said strip.
3. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is a plurality of channels on said first and second surfaces, said plurality of channels extending from opposite edges of said strip.
4. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is at least one longitudinally extending channel on said first and second surfaces, said at least one longitudinally extending channel extending from opposite edges of said strip.
5. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is a plurality of longitudinally extending channels on said first and second surfaces, said plurality of longitudinally extending channels extending from opposite edges of said strip.
6. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is at least one groove on said first and second surfaces, said at least one groove extending from opposite edges of said strip.
7 7. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is a plurality of grooves on said first and second surfaces, said plurality of grooves extending from opposite edges of said strip.
8. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is at least one longitudinally extending groove on said first and second surfaces, said at least one longitudinally extending groove extending from opposite edges of said strip.
9. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves on said first and second surfaces, said plurality of longitudinally extending grooves extending from opposite edges of said strip.
10. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is at least one corrugation on said first and second surfaces, said at least one corrugation extending from opposite edges of said strip.
11. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is a plurality of corrugations on said first and second surfaces, said plurality of corrugations extending from opposite edges of said strip.
12. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is at least one longitudinally extending corrugation on said first and second surfaces, said at least one longitudinally extending corrugation extending from opposite edges of said strip.
13. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is a plurality of longitudinally extending corrugations on said first and second surfaces, said plurality of longitudinally extending corrugations extending from opposite edges of said strip.
14. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is a grillwork of bumps on said first and second surfaces, said grid work extending from opposite edges of said strip.
15. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said air venting means is a grillwork of striations on said first and second surfaces, said grid work extending from opposite edges of said strip.
16. The spacing or piling strip of claim 1 wherein said strip is a rectangular parallelepiped.
17. The spacing or piling strip of claim 16 wherein said strip is elongate and thin between said first and second surfaces.
18. A spacing or piling strip used for spacing or piling lumber comprising a plastic substantially parallelepiped member having opposite first and second weight-bearing surfaces thereon, said first and second surfaces contoured to provide aeration vents, wherein when said strip has at least one wood product stacked on said strip so as to bear said at least one wood product against said first or second weight-bearing surface, a contact surface of said wood product in contact with said strip is dried during a drying process applied to said wood product.
CA 2307464 1999-04-29 2000-05-01 Plastic lumber spacing or piling strip Abandoned CA2307464A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2307464 CA2307464A1 (en) 1999-04-29 2000-05-01 Plastic lumber spacing or piling strip

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002270643A CA2270643A1 (en) 1999-04-29 1999-04-29 Plastic lumber spacing or piling strip
CA2,270,643 1999-04-29
CA 2307464 CA2307464A1 (en) 1999-04-29 2000-05-01 Plastic lumber spacing or piling strip

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2307464A1 true CA2307464A1 (en) 2000-10-29

Family

ID=25680920

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2307464 Abandoned CA2307464A1 (en) 1999-04-29 2000-05-01 Plastic lumber spacing or piling strip

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CA (1) CA2307464A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1275923A3 (en) * 2001-07-11 2003-05-21 Theodor Vanicek Stacking device
WO2003071212A1 (en) * 2002-02-19 2003-08-28 Aaron James F Lumber sticker
WO2005054765A1 (en) * 2003-12-05 2005-06-16 Anlew & George Pty Ltd Timber drying method and apparatus
US11465850B2 (en) * 2020-11-10 2022-10-11 Michael Maloney Drum set stacker

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1275923A3 (en) * 2001-07-11 2003-05-21 Theodor Vanicek Stacking device
WO2003071212A1 (en) * 2002-02-19 2003-08-28 Aaron James F Lumber sticker
US7003898B2 (en) 2002-02-19 2006-02-28 Aaron James F Lumber sticker
WO2005054765A1 (en) * 2003-12-05 2005-06-16 Anlew & George Pty Ltd Timber drying method and apparatus
US11465850B2 (en) * 2020-11-10 2022-10-11 Michael Maloney Drum set stacker

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