Abstract: A recirculation circuit for a processing vessel is configured to process a load with a process fluid. The recirculation circuit includes a first circuit portion configured to recirculate a first portion of the process fluid through the vessel. The first circuit portion includes a first pump having a first flow rate and a first output pressure and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first pump. A second circuit portion is configured to recirculate a second portion of the process fluid through the vessel. The second circuit portion includes a second pump having a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate and a second output pressure lower than the first output pressure.

Abstract: A recirculation circuit for a processing vessel is configured to process a load with a process fluid. The recirculation circuit includes a first circuit portion configured to recirculate a first portion of the process fluid through the vessel. The first circuit portion includes a first pump having a first flow rate and a first output pressure and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first pump. A second circuit portion is configured to recirculate a second portion of the process fluid through the vessel. The second circuit portion includes a second pump having a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate and a second output pressure lower than the first output pressure.

Abstract: A fluid suction system for a retort having a vessel with a vessel length, pooled fluid at a bottom of the vessel defining a fluid surface level, and an outlet placing the vessel in fluid communication with a pump includes an elongated manifold for placement along the bottom of the vessel in fluid communication with the outlet. The pooled fluid flows into and through the manifold when the pooled fluid is suctioned by the pump, and the fluid surface level of the pooled fluid remains substantially even along at least a portion of the vessel length as the pooled fluid is suctioned by the pump.

Abstract: A fluid suction system for a retort having a vessel with a vessel length, pooled fluid at a bottom of the vessel defining a fluid surface level, and an outlet placing the vessel in fluid communication with a pump includes an elongated manifold for placement along the bottom of the vessel in fluid communication with the outlet. The pooled fluid flows into and through the manifold when the pooled fluid is suctioned by the pump, and the fluid surface level of the pooled fluid remains substantially even along at least a portion of the vessel length as the pooled fluid is suctioned by the pump.

Abstract: A retort agitation system (100) for thermal processing of products includes product carriers 102a and 102b mounted on a low friction support system 104 for reciprocal movement of the carriers along the interior of a retort. The product carriers are driven in reciprocating motion by a drive actuator system 106 that can be positioned between the carriers 102a and 102b or endwise of the two carriers 102a and 102b. A drive actuator system 106 is linked to the carriers to cause the carriers to move along opposite reciprocating paths lengthwise of the retort. Reaction actuators 108 act on the carriers in opposition to the drive actuator system 106 to apply forces on the carriers for accelerating the carriers along the reciprocating paths of travel when such carriers reach the distal and proximal ends of the reciprocating travel paths.

Abstract: A retort agitation system (100) for thermal processing of products includes product carriers 102a and 102b mounted on a low friction support system 104 for reciprocal movement of the carriers along the interior of a retort. The product carriers are driven in reciprocating motion by a drive actuator system 106 that can be positioned between the carriers 102a and 102b or endwise of the two carriers 102a and 102b. A drive actuator system 106 is linked to the carriers to cause the carriers to move along non-sinusoidal paths lengthwise of the retort. Reaction actuators 108 act on the carriers in opposition or in supplement to the drive actuator system 106 to apply forces on the carriers for accelerating the carriers along their non-sinusoidal paths of travel.

Abstract: A retort agitation system (100) for thermal processing of products includes product carriers 102a and 102b mounted on a low friction support system 104 for reciprocal movement of the carriers along the interior of a retort. The product carriers are driven in reciprocating motion by a drive actuator system 106 that can be positioned between the carriers 102a and 102b or endwise of the two carriers 102a and 102b. A drive actuator system 106 is linked to the carriers to cause the carriers to move along opposite reciprocating paths lengthwise of the retort. Reaction actuators 108 act on the carriers in opposition to the drive actuator system 106 to apply forces on the carriers for accelerating the carriers along the reciprocating paths of travel when such carriers reach the distal and proximal ends of the reciprocating travel paths.

Abstract: An agitating retort (100) includes an outer shell (102) within which the drum structure (112) is disposed for rotation within the shell while supporting a number of baskets (114) for holding products to be processed within the retort. Processing fluid is applied to the interior of the shell (102) through a rotary coupling (115) disposed within the shell. The coupling routes processing fluid to a distribution system (116) to outlet holes or nozzles (118) positioned within the drum structure (112).

Abstract: Registration transfer unit (26) receives containers (C) in random intervals and then places such containers in a transfer conveyor (30) moving generally laterally to the registration transfer unit. The registration transfer unit is movable relative to and with the transfer conveyor to index the registration transfer unit with cells (262) of the transfer conveyor and maintaining such indexed relationship while the containers are transferred from the registration transfer unit to the transfer conveyor. The containers are then transferred from the transfer conveyor to an infeed conveyor (32) to carry the containers to a pick-up unit (34) that removes a selected number of containers at a time from the infeed conveyor.

Abstract: A vacuum pick-up device includes a vacuum supply valve mounted to a distribution manifold to which a plurality of suction cups is attached. The vacuum supply valve is operational to control the vacuum pressure supplied to the suction cups of the device. The vacuum pick-up device further includes a detection device that controls the vacuum supply valve by detecting the selective presence of an object.

Abstract: A vacuum pick-up device includes a vacuum supply valve mounted to a distribution manifold to which a plurality of suction cups is attached. The vacuum supply valve is operational to control the vacuum pressure supplied to the suction cups of the device. The vacuum pick-up device further includes a detection device that controls the vacuum supply valve by detecting the selective presence of an object.

Abstract: The invention uses a lost motion clamping system to provide variable height clamping from the top of one or more stacks. The variable height clamp is then locked in place. A second clamping means then provides additional clamping from the bottom of the stacks.

Abstract: The invention uses a lost motion clamping system to provide variable height clamping from the top of a one or more stacks. The variable height clamp is then locked in place. A second clamping means then provides additional clamping from the bottom of the stacks.

Abstract: The invention uses a lost motion clamping system to provide variable height clamping from the top of a one or more stacks. The variable height clamp is then locked in place. A second clamping means then provides additional clamping from the bottom of the stacks.

Abstract: The invention uses a lost motion clamping system to provide variable height clamping from the top of a one or more stacks. The variable height clamp is then locked in place. A second clamping means then provides additional clamping from the bottom of the stacks.