Abstract: A metered cooling slot disposed in a wall comprising an outer surface that is exposed to a hot gas stream and an inner surface that defines an internal coolant chamber through which a coolant passes, the metered cooling slot comprising: a slot formed within the outer surface elongated in a first direction, the slot comprising a pair of spaced apart, opposing, slot surfaces and a base, the slot surfaces intersecting the outer surface to form a slot outlet opposite the base; and two or more metering apertures formed within the wall, each metering aperture intersecting the inner surface of the wall to form a metering aperture inlet and intersecting one of the pair of slot surfaces to form a metering aperture outlet; wherein: D represents the approximate diameter of at least two of the metering apertures; P represents the approximate distance between the center lines of at least two neighboring metering apertures; and P/D comprises a value within the range of about 4 to 6.

Abstract: A metered cooling slot disposed in a wall comprising an outer surface that is exposed to a hot gas stream and an inner surface that defines an internal coolant chamber through which a coolant passes, the metered cooling slot comprising: a slot formed within the outer surface elongated in a first direction, the slot comprising a pair of spaced apart, opposing, slot surfaces and a base, the slot surfaces intersecting the outer surface to form a slot outlet opposite the base; and two or more metering apertures formed within the wall, each metering aperture intersecting the inner surface of the wall to form a metering aperture inlet and intersecting one of the pair of slot surfaces to form a metering aperture outlet; wherein: D represents the approximate diameter of at least two of the metering apertures; P represents the approximate distance between the center lines of at least two neighboring metering apertures; and P/D comprises a value within the range of about 4 to 6.

Abstract: A rotary adjustment mechanism is provided. The rotary adjustment mechanism has a first member, a second member, a first gear, a second gear, a locking gear, a spring, and a release. The first gear is rotationally attached to the first member. The second member is pivotally attached to the first member. The second gear is rotationally attached to the second member. The locking gear is moveable from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear. The spring biases the locking gear towards the first position. The release is coupled to the locking gear and selectively moves the locking gear to the second position.

Abstract: A rotary adjustment mechanism is provided. The rotary adjustment mechanism has a first member, a second member, a first gear, a second gear, a locking gear, a spring, and a release. The first gear is rotationally attached to the first member. The second member is pivotally attached to the first member. The second gear is rotationally attached to the second member. The locking gear is moveable from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear. The spring biases the locking gear towards the first position. The release is coupled to the locking gear and selectively moves the locking gear to the second position.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining an acceptable configuration of a thermally processed container packed with food. Improvement in container configuration is attained by proper container design, by maintaining proper headspace of gases in the container during thermal processing, proper pressure outside the container during the cooking cycle and cooling cycle of the process and/or by controlled reforming of the bottom wall of the container. Further improvements are attained by controlling the thermal history of the empty container, such as by pre-shrinking the container before it is filled with food and sealed.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining an acceptable configuration of a thermally processed container packed with food. Improvement in container configuration is attained by proper container design, by maintaining proper headspace of gases in the container during thermal processing, proper pressure outside the container during the cooking cycle and cooling cycle of the process and/or by controlled reforming of the bottom wall of the container. Further improvements are attained by controlling the thermal history of the empty container, such as by pre-shrinking the container before it is filled with food and sealed.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining an acceptable configuration of a thermally processed plastic container packed with food. Improvement in container configuration is attained by proper container design and by maintaining proper headspace of gases in the container during thermal processing and/or by controlled reforming of the bottom wall of the container. Further improvements are attained by controlling the thermal history of the empty container, such as by pre-shrinking the container before it is filled with food and sealed.