Abstract: An apparatus for heat treatment of a product, in particular food product, and especially food product in a container such as a can, bottle or plastic pouch is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an unloading and loading section, a first treatment section having an inner wall defining a processing volume within which product is heated, a transfer section and a second treatment section having an inner wail defining a processing volume within which product is cooled, multiple carriers for retaining product during treatment designed to provide multi-stage pressure reductions that collectively reduce the maximum over-pressure within the apparatus to ambient pressure and thereby eliminate the need for sealable pressure doors or gate valves. The loading section incorporates means of linear movement of said product carriers in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treatment of a product, in particular food product, and especially food product in a container such as a can, bottle or plastic pouch is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an unloading and loading section, a first treatment section having an inner wall defining a processing volume within which product is heated, a transfer section and a second treatment section having an inner wail defining a processing volume within which product is cooled, multiple carriers for retaining product during treatment designed to provide multi-stage pressure reductions that collectively reduce the maximum over-pressure within the apparatus to ambient pressure and thereby eliminate the need for sealable pressure doors or gate valves. The loading section incorporates means of linear movement of said product carriers in a continuous fashion.