Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing devices of the type having elongated flexible appendages (12, 14; 16, 18) at which test signals or responses must be applied or received. An elongated flexible carrier (40) is provided with a plurality of fixtures (44) for supporting such devices so that the free ends (14, 18) of their appendages are positioned conveniently for testing. The carrier is wound to and from large reels (124, 126) and passes through a multiple probe station (186) where each device is tested.

Abstract: The invention relates to an appliance for heating an electroconductive material, preferably one which hardens as a result of this heating process, this material being in the form of a continuous strand which is guided inside a channel (14). In this appliance, a high-frequency generator (23) is provided, two capacitor-plates (30) being arranged on two oppositely-located sides of the channel (14), which sides are formed by walls (10 to 13) composed of an electrically insulating material, these capacitor-plates (30) being staggered by at least their length and being connected to a non-earthed terminal of the high-frequency generator (23), while two further capacitor-plates (31, 32) are arranged on each of the two sides, adjacent to the two capacitor-plates (30), these further capacitor-plates (31, 32) being connected to the earthed terminal of the high-frequency generator (23) and extending along the channel (14) for a distance such that the strand outside the heating zone is no longer at a potential.

Abstract: A tunnel refrigeration device includes frame members mounted substantially adjacent to an endless conveyor belt which is utilized to pass products to be refrigerated through the tunnel. The frame members are provided with apertures therein and fan means are mounted in one or more of the apertures so as to pass the tunnel atmosphere into the space between the upper and lower runs of the conveyor belt. Apertures are juxtaposed with each frame mounted fan to enable the tunnel atmosphere passed into this space to be removed therefrom and recirculated upwardly in the tunnel by means of the top mounted fans. Refrigeration is provided to the underside of products on the conveyor belt and the effective capacity of the tunnel may be increased by increasing the capacity of the top mounted fans.

Abstract: A method of bonding a label having a thermosensitive adhesive provided on the under surface thereof which comprises providing a label from a supply roll, severing same therefrom and delivering such to a heat transferrable conveyor, providing heat to said conveyor, both during travel and interruptions thereof, for rendering said label tacky, peelingly removing said tackified label from said conveyor in timed relation to an article or object traveling thereby for disposition thereon. Apparatus for accomplishing the series of operations in the above-described method for rendering a thermosensitive adhesive equipped label tacky and automatically applying same to the object to be labeled.

Abstract: A dual cooling tunnel arrangement for cooling viscous heated fluid foodstuffs in flexible bags. The flexible bags containing the heated fluids are received on pivoted wire carriers which are driven by an endless chain through an upper cooling tunnel in a first direction and returned through a second cooling tunnel in the opposite direction. In each cooling tunnel, a cooling water spray is directed on the bags in the carriers as the carriers are slowly rocked, causing the fluid in each bag to flow to different areas of the bag, altering its shape, to produce enhanced heat transfer rates and a more uniform temperature distribution throughout the fluid during cooling.

Abstract: Cooling air is introduced into the vibrating chamber of a sand reclaiming apparatus. A plurality of hollow inverted V-shaped ribs, extending longitudinally along the floor of the chamber distribute the air from an external source over the bottom region of the chamber. A gap is included between the lower edges of the ribs and the chamber floor. The air traveling within the hollow of the ribs is expanded about the lower edges of the ribs and directed upwardly through the bonded sand particles to effect cooling.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the storage of biological materials at low temperature provides the biological material in containers (biotainers) which are displaced in a vessel subject to low temperature cooling along a closed path. The movement of the biotainers along this closed path has been found to reduce deterioration and increase the storage life thereof. The system is principally effective for the storage of blood.

Abstract: A dual cooling tunnel arrangement for cooling viscous heated fluid foodstuffs in flexible bags. The flexible bags containing the heated fluids are received on pivoted wire carriers which are driven by an endless chain through an upper cooling tunnel in a first direction and returned through a second cooling tunnel in the opposite direction. In each cooling tunnel, a cooling water spray is directed on the bags in the carriers as the carriers are slowly rocked, causing the fluid in each bag to flow to different areas of the bag, altering its shape, to produce enhanced heat transfer rates and a more uniform temperature distribution throughout the fluid during cooling.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying or cooling bulk material of the type which includes a vibratory conveyor through which the bulk material is transported includes the improvement wherein a plurality of partition members are provided in the conveyor so as to define between them a plurality of channels, the partition members preferably having fin-tube configurations whereby the same carry a thermal transfer fluid for facilitating the heat treatment of the bulk material. Apparatus for screening the fine portion of the bulk material is provided in the channels which preferably narrow in the direction in which the bulk material is transported so that the fine portion of the material receives less thermal treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing a uniform protective coating of ice on frozen food products. A conveyor has a belt with individual flights defining a path through a cold water bath with the food articles to be frozen positioned on individual flights. Apparatus is provided to separate food articles within each flight to prevent the articles from freezing together. Apparatus is also provided to prevent the articles from floating from flight to flight while passing through the bath.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 food freezer has an elongated enclosure through which material to be cooled is carried on an endless porous belt conveyor with an upper operating belt run vertically spaced from the lower return run to provide an intermediate region therebetween. Liquid CO.sub.2 injection means is located in an upper region to direct CO.sub.2 snow plus cold CO.sub.2 vapor downward onto material being conveyed. Blowers aimed at an angle of between about 5.degree. and about 35.degree. upward from the horizontal are located in the intermediate region, and fans in the upper region direct CO.sub.2 vapor downward onto material on the belt. The belt includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse rods and a plurality of wire sections that respectively interconnect adjacent rods in pairs. The wire sections are bent so that all segments of wire extending generally between said rods lie in substantially the same plane which constitutes the upper surface of the upper run. The rods effectively deflect cold CO.sub.

Abstract: A transport belt for a conveyor or bucket conveyor especially for transporting products whose temperature exceeds 200.degree. C. is provided wherein a flexible belt carries on its outer face a metal carrier means adapted to receive or pick up the hot products which are to be transported, said metal carrier means being secured to said belt and the metal carrier means being at least partially thermally insulated from the belt by one or more cushions of air formed by one or more pockets of heat insulating air space between the bottom of the metal carrier means intermediate its ends and the outer face of the belt, said pockets being defined by a shaped member which contacts said belt at one or more intervals with a line or point contact providing one or more zones of minimum contact between said metal carrier means and said belt whereby heat transfer between said metal carrier means and said belt is minimized.

Abstract: A continuously operating heat-treatment press in which a continuously advanced layer (7) of material under pressure, for example including glue-coated wood chips, is heated dielectrically. The press is of the kind which comprises at least one endless, continuously running press chain (8), for maintaining a vertically acting press force on the layer (7) of material, said press chain (8) being formed of mutually linked support elements. The press surface of the support elements in the press chain (8) comprises mutually electrically insulated metal rods (23) extending in the transverse direction of the chain. At least one stationary electrode plate (28) connected to a high frequency generator is arranged adjacent said metal rods (23).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reheating, storing and conveying metal bars or rounds cast by continuous casting processes whereby uniform bar temperature is achieved, lengthwise and cross sectionally, prior to rolling, cutting and other secondary operations, and discloses apparatus for practicing the novel process concepts. Cast metal bars having varying heat content throughout their length and cross section have their local heat content restored by heaters at a variable rate proportional to the energy required to produce a substantially uniform temperature throughout the bar length end cross section. The reheated bars are stored in a inventory control and soaking furnace for a duration at least sufficient to permit the energy absorbed by the bars during reheating to uniformly dissipate throughout the bars, and and bars of uniform temperature are released from the furnace at a controlled rate for subsequent processing.

Abstract: Articles of food to be frozen are delivered to an article conditioning conveyor and are maintained in a fluidized state by refrigerated air flowing upwardly therethrough. The conveyor is driven forwardly but is interrupted by at least one downward stepping movement, causing a thinning of the product bed and a rapid increase in air velocity to thus cool and separate the food articles preventing them from freezing to one another. The food articles are thereafter subjected to deep bed mass fluidization by flowing freezing air therethrough in a fluidized state.

Abstract: A chiller for edible food products including an insulated enclosure, an endless conveyor conveying the edible food products along a serpentine path through the enclosure along a plurality of vertically extending flights alternating between upward and downward movement and a horizontally extending flight above the vertical flights, means for evenly distributing a heat transfer liquid uniformly over the horizontally extending flight so that the heat transfer liquid falls over the food products moving along the horizontal flight, and deflection means below the horizontal flight between the vertical flights for deflecting the heat transfer liquid into registration with the vertically moving flights.

Abstract: A wafer sheet cooler has a frame in the form of an archway in which two driven conveyor chains are guided parallel to the frame. The frame is preferably adapted to be assembled in accordance with a unit construction system. The archway frame has two upwardly converging vertical parts which enclose between them an angle (.alpha.) of between 15.degree. and 60.degree., preferably 30.degree., and merge into one another by means of a circular arcuate frame part.

Abstract: A conveyor system with cooling means is provided and comprises an elongated frame defining a conveyor track. An elongated conveyor is mounted within the frame so that a portion of the conveyor extends longitudinally along the conveyor track while a suitable motor longitudinally drives the conveyor along the conveyor track in a first direction. A plurality of cooling stations are also secured at longitudinally spaced positions along the frame so that the cooling stations are longitudinally adjacent each other. Each cooling station further includes a fluid reservoir beneath the conveyor track and a spray head positioned to spray fluid down onto the conveyor track. A pump is also provided for each cooling station and has its inlet connected to the fluid reservoir for that station while its outlet is connected to the spray head at the cooling station.

Abstract: A device for solidifying a layer of a liquid that solidifies upon cooling, such as agar, the liquid being contained in a row of petri-dishes or the like. The device utilizes a horizontally rotatable disc for receiving the dishes, a mechanism for supplying dishes to the disc, and a mechanism for removing the dishes, with solidified liquid, from the disc. A cooling mechanism is positioned below the disc to cool the disc and thereby cool the dishes. A mechanism is provided for slowly rotating the disc so that surfaces of materials in the dishes solidify in a non-rippled manner.

Abstract: Modular, conveyor-type heat exchange apparatus is provided which is especially adapted for handling large volumes of shale rock and preheating incoming raw shale using hot, spent shale from a commercial processing operation. The apparatus includes an elongated heat exchange zone having a plurality of separate, interconnected, insulated modules; two superposed, oppositely moving sections of an endless conveyor pass through the zone and respectively support hot and raw shale material for heat exchange therebetween. The conveyor includes spaced, interconnected, shale-supporting triangular elements which facilitate gas flow between the conveyor sections in the heat exchange zone. In preferred forms, the modules present restricted inlet and outlet throats, and are provided with slow moving fans for circulation of air currents between the conveyor sections without creation of chimney-like drafts along the length of the modules.

Abstract: A scraper blade is provided for a conveyor belt for removing material such as hot asphalt mix which would otherwise tend to stick to the conveyor belt surface. A scraper blade assembly is mounted to a swinging arm which is pivoted to the conveyor frame and positioned near the underside of the discharge end of the conveyor. A blade is mounted transversely to the conveyor belt for scraping material from its surface, and heating elements are provided for heating the blade to prevent material build-up on the scraper. A control system including sensors, a control valve and a control cylinder is provided for pivoting the blade away from the conveyor to allow passage of the conveyor splice without damaging it, or in response to a conveyor belt stoppage.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating oil shale by microwave energy for recovering heated volatile fractions thereof. The microwave oven includes a sloping feeder made of glass, pyrex, or ceramic material, which feeder is reciprocated back and forth along a declining plane so as to advance slowly but progressively oil shale deposited on the top end thereof to the discharge end of the vibrator. Means are provided to evacuate volatile fractions and to feed such gases through preheater tubes to a condenser unit. The preheater tubes are disposed in line with and through the flow of incoming materials so as to tend to regulate material descent as well as preheat the shale. An additional solids heat exchanger is employed underneath the discharge end of the vibratory feeder means so as to slow the descent of the spent shale onto its ultimate conveyor as well as taking heat therefrom and from magnetron tubes of the oven to conduct such heat upwardly to further increase the preheating effect upon incoming shale.

Abstract: A two-piece quick connect-disconnect coupling connecting a conveyor roll to a drive train. The coupling comprises a first section rigidly secured to the conveyor roll and a second section operatively connected to the drive train and a retaining screw detachably connecting the second coupling section to the roll and locking the gears of the first and second coupling sections together in an engaged, intermeshing relation.

Abstract: A self-compensating constant-tension drive system for a belt conveyor used in a cryogenic freezing tunnel or other elongated thermal processing apparatus, comprising a hydraulic motor driving the drive pulley of the conveyor, a hydraulic pump driven by the tensioning pulley, and a pressure relief valve connected to the outlet of the pump to inhibit flow from the pump and thus inhibit rotation of the pump and tensioning pulley until a predetermined tension is established in the upper run of the belt; the belt is longer than the inter-pulley spacing to allow for substantial thermal expansion and contraction, and the excess belt length is stored in a catenary sag adjacent the drive pulley.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for cooling and handling sand in which hot used sand is delivered to a mixer and mixed with cooler sand. The mixed sand is discharged from the mixer for circulation on conveyor means for further cooling and the cooled sand is separated into a first fraction for discharge to successive milling and moulding stages and a second fraction for return to the mixer to effect sand mixing with the hot used sand. Water may be added to the mixed sand in the mixer to adjust the moisture content and to increase cooling.

Abstract: A mobile plant for manufacturing corrugated drain pipe includes an extrusion apparatus, a pipe molding means and a coiling machine for coiling up the extruded pipe. The apparatus may conveniently be mounted in a trailer for transport.

Abstract: Equipment for surface treatment of articles, providing means for uniformly cleaning and completely burning off undesirable coatings formed on elements supporting the articles subjected to treatment. The equipment includes metallic elements for supporting the articles subjected to treatment, heating filaments placed inside each of the metallic elements, and a conveyor for moving the supporting elements through treatment and cleaning stations.The heating filaments, each of which is separated from each of the metallic supporting elements by an insulating layer, form parts of electrical circuits for heating the supporting elements, and burning off therefrom any coating material that adhered thereto at the treatment station.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a snack food whose raw material is fruitage or vegetables, comprising a vacuum tank into which a material of fruit or vegetable subjected to preprocessing such as cleaning, peeling, seasoning and drying is fed and within which the operation of frying the material and the operation of cooling and solidifying the fried material can be continuously carried out.