WO2011074991A1

WO2011074991A1 - Improvements in treating timber and apparatus therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2011074991A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2010/000250
Authority: WO
Inventors: Grant John Butterworth; John Stephen Gifford
Original assignee: VERDA NEW ZEALAND Ltd
Current assignee: VERDA NEW ZEALAND Ltd
Priority date: 2009-12-16
Filing date: 2010-12-14
Publication date: 2011-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-16

Abstract

A method of treating timber by applying a treatment fluid, such as stain, paint or preservative fluids to a timber is described and claimed. The method includes steps of: i) placing the timber in a pre-treatment area, and ii) applying a pre-treatment fluid and heat to the timber, and iii) removing the timber from the pre-treatment area, with the method being characterised by the additional step of iv) placing the heated timber in a cooling treatment area and applying a treatment fluid. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also claimed.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING TIMBER AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the treatment of timber. The present invention has particular application to the staining and / or oiling of timber.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known in the timber industry to apply a surface coating such as a stain or oil to timber. In most cases, this is to improve the aesthetic appearance of the timber. However, there is added motivation for coating timbers in that the application of stains and oils can also potentially increase the longevity of the timber. The coatings used can reduce the impact water has on the timber, thus preserving the timber against the elements if used in an exterior setting.

Usually, the coating is applied to the timber using conventional methods, such as brushing, spraying or wiping the stain or oil onto the surface of the timber.

These conventional methods can utilise copious amounts of stain and / or oils to ensure adequate coverage of the timber. However, only a small portion of the stain or oil being applied is absorbed by the timber. The uptake of stain in the prior art methods is limited. Typically, coverage rates of stain is around 7 to 12 m² per litre of stain, which means that little stain penetrates into the timber. The stain simply acts as a surface coating.

Furthermore, depending on the method of application, the stain or oil can build up on the timber as a thick coat once dry. This can obscure the natural grain of some timbers, the grain of the timber being an important factor in contributing to the attractiveness of the wood.

Some timber processes also dip the timber into a reservoir of stain or oil such that the timber is coated with liquid. However, these processes do not always use much stain as penetration of the stain into the timber is limited. This may have ramifications for the coverage of the timber.

To overcome the problems of conventional methods, there are a number of more technologically advanced methods of applying stains or oils to timber that have been developed in recent years.

For example, it is common practice to apply coatings or colouring to timber in pressure or vacuum chambers. This is intended to improve the uptake of the stain or oil into the timber, but in many cases has a drawback of thermally modifying the wood. In some instances, this is quite deliberate but not only does this incur additional cost in processing the timber, but also may have consequences for the structural integrity of the wood being treated. Furthermore, the use of such apparatus can saturate the timbers in the coating fluid such that the core of the timber is suffused in the coating fluid. This is not always necessary, and thus wasteful of the coating fluid.

Pressure or vacuum chambers may also have space constraints. They are limited in how much timber can be placed into the chamber, as well as the size of the timber being treated. Usually, the timber has to be stacked or overlay other lengths of timber to a degree. This can have a subsequent impact on the coverage of stain or oils on the timber.

Furthermore, establishing a timber treatment plant which utilises pressure or vacuum chambers can be cost prohibitive for smaller timber treatment and processor operations. Such apparatus can be expensive to implement and install. All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents.

It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications may be referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers of steps. It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating timber by applying a treatment fluid to a timber, the method including the steps of: i) placing the timber in a pre-treatment area, ii) and applying a pre-treatment fluid and heat to the timber, and iii) removing the timber from the pre-treatment area the method characterised by the additional step of: iv) placing the heated timber in a cooling treatment area and applying a treatment fluid. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for treating timber by applying a treatment liquid to the timber, the apparatus including a pre-treatment area for application of a pre-treatment fluid, and a means for heating the timber, and a treatment area for applying a treatment fluid to the timber to be treated, characterised in that the apparatus includes a conveyer system configured to move timber from the pre- treatment area to the treatment area, and wherein the treatment area is a cooling treatment area. The present invention relates to treatment of timber. Treatment of timber can include any change in the physical properties of the timber, including, but not limited to, treating timber for purposes of bleaching, colouring, coating or preserving the timber. Treatment of timber may also include the elimination of micro-fauna or macro-fauna associated with the timber. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the timber treatment is the application of a treatment fluid to the timber for the purposes of colouring or coating the timber.

However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be readily adapted to methods of preserving timbers or treating timber against micro-fauna and / or macro-fauna such as fungi or termites or the like by application of a suitable treatment fluid.

The treatment fluid to be applied to the timber may be solvents, turpentines, paint, fungicides or pesticides.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treatment fluid is a stain or oil used to alter the colouring of the timber. Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the specification to the treatment fluid as being a stain.

The timber may be any wood material used for building structures. For example, the timber may be oak or rimu, but preferably is radiata pine.

Radiata pine is widely used in New Zealand as a substrate for building standing structures such as dwellings, commercial buildings or smaller structures such as outdoor furniture or deckings.

The timber may already. be pre-cut into specific shapes, configurations and/or product.

It is common to apply stain to radiata pine in order to make the timber visually appealing, and to blend the building structure (which may be, but not limited to, a fence, pergola or decking).

The pre-treatment area should be understood to mean an area in which timber can be pre-treated through the application of a pre-treatment fluid.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pre-treatment area is a bath containing the pre-treatment fluid, the timber being placed in the bath thus immersing the timber in the pre-treatment fluid. The pre-treatment area shall now be referred to as a pre-treatment bath throughout the remainder of this specification.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the pre-treatment area may be a booth or container. In these alternative embodiments, the pre-treatment fluid may be sprayed or otherwise applied to the timber.

The treatment area should be understood to mean an area in which timber can be treated through the application of a treatment fluid.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treatment area is a treatment bath containing treatment fluid, the timber being placed in the bath thus immersing the timber in the treatment fluid. The treatment area shall be referred to as a treatment bath throughout the remainder of this specification.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the treatment area may be a booth or container. In these alternative embodiments, the treatment fluid is sprayed or otherwise applied to the timber.

A bath should be understood to mean an open container containing fluid. The pre- treatment and treatment baths may be in a number of dimensions and sizes depending on the timber treatment facility in which the present invention is to be used. The size of the baths may also depend on the size of the timber to be treated.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the baths are elongate in at least one dimension. This is preferred to maximise the period of time the timber is immersed in the fluids contained by the baths, as well as the amount of timber which can be immersed in the baths at any one time. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the method involves the use of two baths to treat timber, a first bath containing the pre-treatment fluid, and a second bath containing the treatment fluid.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pre-treatment fluid is mixture of oil and / or organic solvent. This pre-treatment mixture helps to prepare the surface of the timber for the treatment fluid which will be applied to the timber.

A volatile solvent is preferred, as it evaporates quickly from the timber. Furthermore, the solvent also needs to be miscible with stains.

Preferably, the oil used should have quick drying properties, to encourage the drying of the timber once treated. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the first bath contains a solution of mineral and/or vegetable turpentine, and/or plant oil. In some situations, the plant oil is preferred as it is absorbed by the timber and may help provide the timber with extra protection from the elements when the timber is in situ.

However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that this example of an organic solvent mixture is not intended to be limiting, and other fluids may be readily used depending on the requirements of the user.

The timber is heated by heating the first bath such that the pre-treatment fluid contained in the bath is of a temperature higher than the ambient temperature in which the present invention is to be used. In this embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the pre-treatment fluid acts as a heat transfer medium, conducting heat from a heat source to the timber in the first bath. This heats the timber being treated.

In embodiments of the invention in which the pre-treatment area is a booth or the like, the timber may be heated through the use of hot air blowers, either before, during or after application of the pre-treatment fluid. In other embodiments of the present invention, the timber may be heated through the use of microwave radiation. Preferably, the first bath is heated to between 40°C to 120°C, depending on the product being treated and the pre-treatment fluid.

Even more preferably, the first bath is heated to between 40°C to 75°C. The applicants have noted that there may be undesirable loss of the solvent component of the pre-treatment fluid at temperatures above 75°C. In some embodiments of the present invention, temperatures towards 75°C are conducive to better uptake of the pre-treatment fluid by the timber.

However, it is preferable to avoid temperatures higher than 120° Celsius, as this is likely to result in thermal modification of the timber.

A temperature of at least 40°C is preferred as it is important for the present invention that there is a temperature difference between the bath and the ambient temperature. It is the applicant's experience that good results may be observed when there is at least a 10°C to 20°C or higher difference between the bath and the ambient temperature.

The heating of the timber via immersion in the first bath (or pre-treatment area) is important, as it causes an increase in the porosity of the timber. For example, the heating can cause the opening of the pore spaces of the timber. Not only does this encourage the egress of any residual water existing within the timber, but it also allows ingress of the pre-treatment fluid (solvent and / or oils) contained in the first bath (or otherwise being applied to the timber).

Furthermore, the heating of the fluid provides for a more efficient method of transferring heat to the timber. The timber is heated more quickly and more evenly than is possible using heating elements which may overlay or be embedded in the timber. Although hot air blowers may be used in some embodiments of the present invention to heat the timber, such methods of heating tend not to be as efficient as using fluid as a heat transfer mechanism.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the temperature to which the timber is being heated may vary according to the type of wood being treated. The pore spaces in timbers derived from differing species of tree may be responsive to differing temperatures.

An important consideration of the temperature of the first bath is to avoid thermal modification of the timber being treated. This can impact on the structural character of the timber, and excessive temperatures should be avoided for this reason. The first bath may be heated in a number of ways readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. For example, the bath may include embedded heating elements in its base or side walls to heat the fluid contained in the bath.

Alternatively, the bath may be provided with a reticulation system whereby fluid is removed from the bath, passed through a heat exchanger, and returned to the bath.

Other methods of heating the fluid contained in the first bath would be readily envisaged by a person skilled in the art. For example, electrical power or steam jackets may also be readily utilised to heat the bath.

In these examples, it will be appreciated that the timber is heated while the pre- treatment fluid is being applied. However, the timber may be treated prior to application of the pre-treatment fluid. The heating of the timber is intended to improve the uptake of fluid into the timber as the porosity of the timber increases. Provided sufficient heat is provided, the timber will still remain relatively porous even if there is a short interval of time following cessation of the heat before the pre-treatment fluid is applied. A second bath, which is the treatment bath (or treatment booth as the case may be), is provided for in the present invention, the second bath containing a treatment fluid to be applied to the timber.

Preferably, the treatment fluid is for the purpose of coating or otherwise altering the colouring of the timber.

Preferably, the treatment fluid contained in the second bath is stain or paint.

Preferably, the timber is held in the pre-treatment area or bath for at least 5 to 60 seconds, and for at least 5 to 60 seconds in the treatment area. However this is not meant to be limiting, and timber may be held in these areas for greater (or lesser) periods of time according to the requirements of the user and the timber being treated.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the longer the timber is held in the pre-treatment area, better porosity of the timber may be observed. Some timbers may also require greater periods of heating before porosity of the timber is increased. Furthermore, the longer the timber is held in the treatment area, the better the treatment fluid penetrates the timber.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the second bath may contain other fluids in addition, or instead of stain or paint. For example, the treatment fluid of the second bath may be a fungicide, pesticide, preservative or other solutions for improving the stability and dimensional performance of the timber.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the second bath may also contain an oil, which enhances the drying of the stain. Preferably, in these embodiments of the present invention, the oil is naturally derived rather than synthetic although this is not meant to be limiting. Preferably, the second bath is at the ambient temperature of the environment in which the present invention is to be used. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, the second bath may be mildly heated to a temperature between 20 to 40°C depending on the product being treated. Alternatively, the second bath may be mildly cooled, again depending on the product being treated, but also on the temperature to which the timber has been heated.

Because the timber undergoes a transition from hot to cool temperatures, this causes a vacuum effect in the pore spaces of the timber, allowing limited penetration of the fluid in which the timber is immersed into the interior of the timber. This effectively creates an envelope of stain on the timber, being treated, the envelope being to a depth ranging between 0.3 to 5 mm into the interior of the timber, depending on when the temperature of the timber reaches equilibrium with the ambient temperature.

This provides much better penetration of stain than with conventional spraying methods, but does not suffuse into the centre of the timber. More stain is utilised by the timber than with existing methods. The applicants are presently achieving 1 to 5 m² of coverage per litre of stain.

This is in contrast to conventional methods, which may achieve 7 to 12 m² of coverage per litre of stain. It will be appreciated that much more of the stain in conventional methods exists merely as a surface coat, as opposed to penetrating the timber as is the case with the present invention.

However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the depth of penetration of the stain may also be affected by the core temperature of the timber, as well as the length of time which the timber is immersed in the stain. For example, the timber may be heated to a higher temperature (or for longer) than the preferred embodiment, and thus takes longer to reach equilibrium with the ambient temperature of the cooling bath. This can mean the depth to which the stain penetrates the timber may exceed 3 mm.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the temperatures may vary according to the environment in which the invention is to be used. For example, in a particularly hot environment such as the tropics, the first bath may be held at an ambient temperature, while the second bath is slightly cooled. Moving the timber from the first bath to the second bath may still cause a temperature difference sufficient for uptake of stain to be observed. The present invention includes a conveyer system.

A conveyer system should be understood to mean a system by which a product, for example lengths of timber, can be moved from one location to another. For example, the conveyor may be a belt, or plurality of belts, arranged to carry timber.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the conveyor system includes a plurality of holding means configured to be attached to the timber such that the timber can be carried from the pre-treatment area to the treatment area.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the holding means is a plurality of hooks, and reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the present specification to the holding means being a hook. The hooks can be made from any suitably robust material such as stainless steel or another metal.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hooks face away from the direction of travel of the conveyor. This is preferred as it makes it easier to place the timber on the hooks. This arrangement may also make it easier to automate the treatment process. The hooks may also include a hinging or clamping mechanism to constrict the mouth of the hooks such that the timber being carried is securely held. The hinging mechanism can be easily manipulated to open and close the mouth of the hooks, either manually or automatically.

However, the use of hooks is not meant to be limiting, and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that instead of hooks, any number of holding means may be used to carry the timber. For example, the holding means could be clamps or specially configured carabineers or brackets.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the timber is physically prepared prior to being carried by the hooks. For example, some timber products may be pre-drilled to provide an aperture or recess through or into which the hook is secured.

This is preferred as it means that there may be less contact by the hook with the exterior surface of the timber, and thus the hook does not inhibit the application of liquid to the exterior surface of the timber. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the conveyor system includes a track to guide the holding means as it carries the timber from the pre-treatment area to the treatment area.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the track is an overhead endless track. This should be understood to mean that the track loops back onto itself. Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the present specification to the track being an overhead endless track.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and the track could be rails running along the substrate. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other ways of guiding the holding means are readily apparent. It will be understood that in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the track passes over both the first and second baths of the present invention, such that timber suspended from the holding means of the conveyor system is immersed in the fluids contained in the baths. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of hooks is arranged equidistance around the track. The hooks are linked via a chain or wire.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the track includes a stepped motor to drive the hooks. The motor is on a timer such that a particular hook will move a certain distance, before the motor is stopped for a certain period of time. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the motor is timed to halt for a period of time ranging from 5 to 60 seconds. However, this should not be seen as limiting, and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the halted period may be greater (or shorter) if desired.

The present invention is configured such that the halting of the holding means coincides with the position of the pre-treatment and treatment areas relative to the conveyor track. It will be appreciated that any timber suspended from the hooks halted over the baths is immersed in the fluid contained or otherwise applied in the pre-treatment and treatment areas.

The pre-treatment and treatment areas may be configured such that the timber has several "stops" in one or both areas. This is preferred to maximise the period of time during which the pre-treatment and treatment fluids is being applied to the timber.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the conveyor system includes an "in-feed" position. This should be understood to mean a position along the conveyor track at which an operator may stand and attach timber to the holding means of the conveyor system.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the conveyor system includes an "out-feed" position. This should be understood to mean a position along the conveyor track at which an operator may stand and remove timber from the holding means of the conveyor system.

In use, the hooks carry the lengths of timber to be treated. An operator, standing at an "in-feed" position along the conveyer track will attach the timber to the hooks. The hooks, which move along the track upon actuation by the stepped motor move the timber to the preferred pre-treatment area, a bath, where upon the timber is immersed in the heated solvent or fluid mixture for a period of time.

This heats the timber, causing the pores of the timber to open or otherwise increase the porosity of the timber. This allows egress of any water present in the timber, and ingress of the pre-treatment fluid, which may be a mixture of solvent, oil or other fluids. The solvent helps prepare the timber for the treatment area, preferably a treatment bath, by preparing the surface of the timber.

Once a specified period of time has elapsed, the timber is moved via the conveyer out of the first bath and into the second bath, which contains the stain to be applied to the timber.

The applicants have found that the transition from the first, heated bath to the second, cooler, bath causes a suction or vacuum effect in the pores of the timber as the timber cools.

This suction or vacuum effect encourages uptake and limited penetration of the stain into the interior of the timber being treated. Furthermore, the present invention forms an envelope of stain which penetrates into the initial depths of the timber, to a depth of approximately 0.3 to 5 mm. Some components of the treatment fluid, for example the solvent, may penetrate even further into the timber. More stain penetrates the initial surfaces of the timber rather than simply existing as a coat. Therefore it should be appreciated that the present invention offers greater efficacy than prior art processes.

After a certain period of time, the timber is removed from the second bath and conducted via the conveyor track to an "out feed end" of the conveyor system. Here, the operator is able to remove the timber from the hooks.

The conveyor system may be configured such that period of time the timber is suspended from the hooks after its immersion in the second bath prior to reaching the "out-feed" position of the conveyor track maximises the drying time of the timber. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the conveyer system carries a number of hooks which in turn carries lengths of timber to be treated.

This means that greater amounts of timber can be processed more efficiently with the present invention than with systems utilising pressure or vacuum chambers which have limited space in which to contain the timber to be treated. This means that the present invention is able to process timber in more or less continuously, rather than the approach of prior art systems, which processes timber in distinct batches.

It will be appreciated that the present invention offers a number of advantages over the prior art: an improved and greater uptake of stain into the initial 0.3 to 5 mm depth of the timber, thus forming an envelope of stain around the timber;

• allows for improved processing of individual lengths of timber such that contact with other timbers is avoided, ensuring a better finished product;

• may allow for continual processing of timber; · it may be easier to install in timber treatment facilities due to being not as expensive as systems requiring vacuum or pressure chambers;

• improving stability of the timber, both in colour and dimensions, such that the timber may be better preserved and retain its dimensions relative to timber treated with prior art systems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic of the present invention; and Figures 2a, 2b is a side view of the holding means of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention (generally indicated by arrow 1 ) is illustrated in Figure 1 , and is used to apply liquid to timber (not shown).

The invention includes a conveyer belt or track (2), with hooks (3) at regular points along the track (2). Lengths of timber (not shown) are suspended from these hooks (3).

The conveyer track is driven by a stepped motor (4), which causes each hook (3) to move (in the direction indicated by arrow 5) along the track (2) for a specified distance, before halting for a specified period of time.

The conveyer track (2) includes an in-feed point (6) for an operator (not shown) to fix pieces of timber (not shown) to be treated to the hooks (3). The conveyer track (2) is configured to halt at the in-feed point (6).

Additionally, the conveyer track (2) will halt at an out-feed point (7). This is to allow the operator (not shown) to remove the timber pieces (not shown) from the hooks (3) following treatment.

The invention also includes a pre-treatment area in the form of a heating bath (8), which contains a heated mixture of a solution of mineral turpentine, vegetable turpentine and plant oils (9).

The bath (8) is of a size such that the conveyer track (2) halts several times, allowing the timber (not shown) being carried by hooks (3) to be immersed in the solution (9) for a period of time. This prepares the timber for staining. The heated bath (8) also causes the opening of pore spaces within the timber (not shown) allowing egress of any residual water in the timber (not shown).

The conveyer track (2) removes the timber (not shown) from the heating bath (8) and immerses it in a treatment area, namely a cooling bath (10) which also contains the stain (1 1 ) to be applied to the timber. The rapid cooling of the timber (not shown) creates a small suction or vacuum effect in the interior of the timber (not shown).

This allows a portion of the stain or oil mixture (1 1 ) present in the cooling bath (10) to be absorbed by the timber (not shown). The suction or vacuum effect within the timber (not shown) caused by the immersion in the liquid (1 1 ) cooler than the heating bath (8) improves the uptake of the stain or oil mixture (1 1 ) into the wood (not shown).

Turning now to Figures 2a and 2b, the hook (3) of the present invention is illustrated. The upper portion (12) of the hook (3) is configured to be fitted to the conveyor track (not shown).

The timber (not shown) is carried by the mouth (13) of the hook (3). A clamping mechanism (14) is arranged to constrict the mouth (13), as depicted in Figure 2b and better secure the timber (not shown). The clamping mechanism (14) can be readily manipulated to open the mouth (13) of the hook (3), as depicted in Figure 2a, in order to remove the timber (not shown) being carried.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A method of treating timber by applying a treatment fluid to a timber, the method including the steps of: i) placing the timber in a pre-treatment area, and ii) applying a pre-treatment fluid and heat to the timber, and iii) removing the timber from the pre-treatment area the method characterised by the additional step of: iv) placing the heated timber in a cooling treatment area and applying a treatment fluid.

2. A method of treating timber as claimed in claim 1 wherein the timber is heated prior to application of the pre-treatment fluid.

3. A method of treating timber as claimed in claim 1 wherein the timber is heated during application of the pre-treatment fluid.

4. A method of treating timber as claimed in claim 1 wherein the timber is heated after application of the pre-treatment fluid.

5. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the pre-treatment fluid is a mixture of oil and / or organic solvent.

6. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the pre-treatment fluid is a solution of mineral and/or vegetable turpentine, and/or plant oil.

7. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the timber is heated to between approximately 40°C to 120°C.

8. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the timber is heated to between approximately 40°C to 75°C.

9. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the treatment fluid is a stain or paint.

10. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the treatment fluid is a fungicide or a pesticide.

1 1. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the pre-treatment fluid is miscible with the treatment fluid.

12. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the cooling treatment area is at the ambient temperature.

13. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the pre-treatment area is a bath.

14. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the treatment area is a bath.

15. A method of treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the timber is radiata pine.

16. An apparatus for treating timber by applying a treatment liquid to the timber, the apparatus including a pre-treatment area for application of a pre-treatment fluid to the timber, and a means for heating the timber, and a treatment area containing a treatment fluid to be applied to the timber to be treated, characterised in that the apparatus includes a conveyer system configured to move timber from the pre-treatment area to the treatment area, and wherein the treatment area is a cooling treatment area.

17. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 16 wherein the conveyor system includes a plurality of holding means configured to carry the timber to be treated.

18. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 17 wherein the holding means is a plurality of hooks.

19. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 18 wherein each of the hooks is configured with a mouth.

20. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 19 wherein the hooks include a hinging or clamping mechanism to temporarily constrict the mouth of the hooks.

21. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in any of claims 16 to 20 wherein the conveyor system is a chain or cable linking the holding means.

22. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 21 wherein the holding means are arranged equidistance along the chain or cable.

23. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in either claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the holding means face away from the direction of travel of the conveyor.

24. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 23 wherein the conveyor includes a stepped motor to drive the holding means.

25. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 24 wherein the motor includes a timer to temporarily pause the holding means.

26. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 25 wherein the motor is timed to pause the holding means for a period of time ranging from 5 to 60 seconds.

27. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in either claim 25 or claim 26 wherein the pausing of the holding means coincides with the position of the pre-treatment area and the treatment area relative to the conveyor system.

28. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 27 wherein the conveyor includes a track to guide the holding means.

29. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 28 wherein the track is an overhead endless track.

30. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in either claim 28 or claim 29 wherein the track passes over the pre-treatment area and the treatment area.

31. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 30 wherein the conveyor system includes an "in-feed" position.

32. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 31 wherein the conveyor system includes an "out-feed" position.

33. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 32 wherein the pre-treatment area is a bath.

34. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 33 wherein the heating means for the pre-treatment bath is heating elements embedded in the bath.

35. An apparatus for treating timber as claimed in claim 33 wherein the pre- treatment bath is provided with a reticulation system to heat fluid contained in the bath.

36. An apparatus for treating time as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 35 wherein the pre-treatment fluid is a mixture of oil and / or organic solvent.

37. An apparatus for treating time as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 36 wherein the treatment area is a bath.

38. An apparatus for treating time as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 37 wherein the treatment fluid is stain or paint.

39. An apparatus for treating time as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 37 wherein the treatment fluid is a fungicide or a pesticide.

40. An apparatus for treating time as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 39 wherein the timber is radiata pine.

41. A method of treating timber by applying a treatment fluid to a timber substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying figures. An apparatus for treating timber by applying a treatment fluid to the timber substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying figures.