Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave heating sterilizer provided with a mechanism for turning over a retainer made from a material being permeable to microwave and which contains a "material to be sterilized" in a cavity irradiated with microwave therein supporting shafts extend from positions determined at point symmetry with respect to the center of the retainer on the opposite ends thereof, and turning-over parts each having a higher slide surface than the other part thereof on the midway of a guide which conveys the retainer and a turning-over groove on the midpoint thereof are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article transfer apparatus which comprises four driving sprockets, four free sprockets, and endless chains each having hooks arranged at regular intervals, and which carries an article held between front-end hooks and rear-end hooks. Driving sprockets for the rear-end hooks are rotated by a main motor, and driving sprockets for the front-end hooks are connected to the driving sprockets for the rear-end hooks by means of clutches. The distance between the hooks holding the article can be changed by disengaging the clutches and rotating free sprockets for the front-end hooks by means of a servomotor.

Abstract: A method of returning a movable top guide to the original point as defined by a frame of a machine body. The method comprises the steps of first moving in one direction the top guide to the frame at a high speed, moving the opposite direction the top guide away from the frame at an intermediate speed for a prescribed length of time after an overrun switch set at a point a little beyond the original point is rendered non-conductive, moving in one direction the top guide to the frame at a low speed and stopping the movement of the top guide when the original point switch provided at the original point is rendered nonconductive.