A method of drying sticks, a related apparatus, resultant product and its uses where the method involves presenting a plurality of sticks in parallel as a single layer, pressing each stick with a bank of pressing members on and/or into at least one face of the sticks, each with plurality of protuberances, thereby to constrain the sticks against crook, and drying the sticks when so constrained. Preferably each bank of pressing members is an underside of a frame or lattice of a stack of such frames or lattices able to receive such a single layer of sticks between adjacent overlying/underlying frames or lattices, the protuberances preferably being only downwardly directed.

The present invention relates to a heating element for a timber drying device and a timber drying device using same, the heating element comprising: a concave and convex metal plate sandwiched between vertically laminated timbers and having ridges and valleys alternately formed thereon; heating cables generating heat as power is applied thereto; and a plurality of heat transfer pipes which are tightly coupled to the concave and convex metal plate between the ridges and valleys of the concave and convex metal plate to reinforce the strength of the concave and convex metal plate and into which the heating cables are sequentially inserted to transfer heat generated from the heating cables to the concave and convex metal plate. According to the present invention, with a very simple structure, heat can be transferred evenly throughout the timbers, the heat conduction efficiency from the heating cables to the concave and convex metal plate can be greatly improved, the lifespan of the heating element can be significantly extended, and the convenience of a timber laminating work for timber drying can be greatly improved.

A method for processing demineralized bone fibers, comprising a centrifuging step, and following the centrifuging step hydrated in sterile water to create a slurry; providing a tray to receive said fiber slurry; freezing the tray and fiber slurry; and lyophilizing the fiber slurry to create dried fibers.

A sticker for spacing wood is extruded from an aluminum alloy. The sticker can have different configurations. In a first configuration, the sticker has a width about the same as its height, with longitudinal ridges on all sides that grip wood when wood is stacked on the sticker. In a second configuration, the sticker has a width significantly greater than its height, with longitudinal ridges on the top and bottom surfaces, and with smooth side surfaces. The longitudinal ridges have a height within a specified range and are spaced at a distance peak-to-peak within a specified range. The ridges provide good grip of lumber stacked on the sticker yet do not easily plug with wood fibers through repeated use. The extruded aluminum sticker is very rugged and can be used for hundreds or even thousands of drying cycles.

A sticker for spacing wood is extruded from an aluminum alloy. The sticker can have different configurations. In a first configuration, the sticker has a width about the same as its height, with longitudinal ridges on all sides that grip wood when wood is stacked on the sticker. In a second configuration, the sticker has a width significantly greater than its height, with longitudinal ridges on the top and bottom surfaces, and with smooth side surfaces. The longitudinal ridges have a height within a specified range and are spaced at a distance peak-to-peak within a specified range. The ridges provide good grip of lumber stacked on the sticker yet do not easily plug with wood fibers through repeated use. The extruded aluminum sticker is very rugged and can be used for hundreds or even thousands of drying cycles.

A kiln sticker has an elongated body with the top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of side surfaces extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface has a first cut-out formed therein which extends for the entire length of the elongated body. The bottom surface has a second cut-out formed therein which extends for the entire length of the elongated body. The first cut-out opens at the top surface. The second cut-out opens at the bottom surface. Each of the pair of side surfaces has a generally V-shaped configuration.

The present invention relates to an electrode mounting unit comprising: a mounting member comprising a horizontal plate, a vertical plate disposed on a top surface of the horizontal plate, and a shaft which is fixed to the vertical plate and into which an electrode roll is fitted to be mounted; and an unwinding prevention member disposed between the electrode wound around the electrode roll and the horizontal plate to support the electrode wound around the electrode roll so as to prevent the electrode wound around the electrode roll from being unwound.

A method for producing a honeycomb structure including producing an unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body; placing the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body on a receiving table such that the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body stands thereon; conveying the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body placed on the receiving table; drying the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body after the conveying step, or drying the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body during the conveying to obtain a honeycomb dried body; and firing the honeycomb dried body to obtain a honeycomb structure. The receiving table includes at least one protrusion. In the honeycomb formed body conveying step, the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body is conveyed while supporting it by inserting the at least one protrusion of the receiving table into a bottom surface of the unfired pillar shaped honeycomb body placed on the receiving table.

The present invention relates to a system for one pot solids recovery from solutions, slurries, emulsions, dispersions, gels, semisolids, and their like. Further the system can be used for controlled concentration of solutions, slurries, emulsions, dispersions, gels, semisolids, and their like to enable easy to operate cost effective energy efficient processes. The system is so constructed to enhance the contact between the liquid medium and the gaseous medium used in the process for effective heat transfer. The system can be used for controlled concentration and/or recovery of substantially dry solids in applications related to foods, nutraceuticals, natural products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, etc.

A carrier for supporting containers such as syringes or cartridges in a lyophilization chamber during lyophilization of substances contained therein, comprises a base assembly with an array of holes for receiving the containers. Each hole includes a heat-conductive metal portion for engagement with lower parts of the container held therein and a relatively non-conductive polymeric portion surrounding a portion of the container above the lower portion for enhancing the vertical growth of relatively large ice crystals. An upper part of the carrier supported above the base assembly includes a plunger-holding plate for frictionally holding elastomeric plungers and a pusher plate movable toward the plunger-holding plate and having protrusions for pushing the plungers out of the plunger-holding plate and into the containers before the containers are removed from the chamber.