Abstract: The stack of lumber is first enclosed in a flexible covering of pervious sheet material and then enclosed in a flexible covering of impervious sheet material and electrode plates are positioned above and below the stack of lumber. A subatmospheric pressure is applied on the stack of lumber and the electrodes are charged by high-frequency electric current to dielectrically heat the lumber and volatized water vapors are extracted from the stack of lumber and condensed and withdrawn to reduce the moisture content of the stack of lumber to the desired degree, 15 percent or less by weight. Accurate drying of the lumber is provided and the drying operation requires a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a resilient, readily stretchable tubular member for receiving and packaging articles therein, the apparatus including means for uniting two contiguous layers of flexible foam sheet material by fusibly uniting adjacent side edges of the two layers to form the same into a tubular member. Slitting means is provided for slitting the foam material in a pattern of spaced apart rows of spaced incisions, the rows being so arranged that the tube may be stretched radially to receive therein an article of greater cross sectional area than the initial internal cross sectional area of the tube.