Abstract: The device for continuous filtration and drying of a solid suspension comprises a belt filter (1) and downstream a belt drier (2). By use of a porous conveyor belt (3) the filter cake generated in the belt filter (1) is conveyed further into the belt drier (2) in which there are provided heating devices for heating and drying the filter cake (7) which is on the conveyor belt (3). After leaving the belt filter (1), the filter cake (7) is present on the conveyor belt (3) in the form of a gas-permeable bed of solids in layer form having a maximum layer thickness of 50 mm, preferably a maximum of 20 mm. The heating devices in the belt drier (2) comprise, on the one hand, a hot gas chamber (8) disposed above the conveyor belt (3) to generate a hot gas which flows through the bed of solids downwardly from above and, on the other hand, one or more contact heating elements (10, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22) disposed above and/or below the conveyor belt (3).

Abstract: A device for drying timber in the form of elongated wood pieces, such as boards or planks, comprises one or more drying rooms and means for introducing dry in-take air into the drying room and evacuate more moist exhaust air therefrom. Several sets of spacing elements are arranged in an individual drying room, said elements being spaced from each other and delimiting a plurality of separate compartments in the drying room. The spacing elements are movable, for instance rotatable, so as to be adjustable between a first position, in which the width of the individual compartment is larger than the thickness of the wood pieces to enable unobstructed in-feed thereof into the compartment, and a second position, in which the width of the compartment has been reduced so far that the spacing elements in two adjacent sets contact and clamp the wood pieces so as to counteract deformation thereof during drying.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat shrinking an envelope of heat shrinkable film into close conformity to a product enclosed within the film envelope includes a housing; a first assembly disposed within the housing for directed heated air to at least a first portion of the film envelope; a second assembly disposed with the housing and operable subsequent to the first assembly for directing heated water onto at least a second portion of the envelope, both causing the envelope to shrink into conformity with the product; an arrangement for drying the product after water has been applied thereto; and an arrangement for circulating the hot water into heat transfer relation with a moving stream of the hot air for enhanced water heating prior to its application to the product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus directed, in the first preferred embodiment, to insulating a selected portion of a heat shrinkable film prior to applying heat. The insulating material is a roller applied liquid such as water which acts as a partial thermal barrier and restricts shrinkage in the coated portions of film. Portions of the film to which no insulating material is applied are shrunk to a greater extent than portions to which insulating material is applied. According to a second embodiment, a moderate amount of heat is applied by a heating plate to a portion of the film bottom. Application of greater amounts of heat subsequently shrink other portions of the film to a greater extent, and the moderately shrunk selected portion retains a smooth and wrinkle-free surface. Both embodiments are adapted to improve the quality, appearance and readability of printed portions of the film wrap.

Abstract: A portable curing cell assembly is provided for storing tobacco for curing, the curing cell assembly may comprise a kit of component parts capable of being easily assembled and disassembled in the field. The curing cell assembly includes a frame structure which defines at least one storage bay through which an elevating trailer can be transported. Tobacco rod holding members are provided disposed longitudinally along the side of the storage bay so that tobacco laden tobacco rods can be suspended from the holding members across the storage bay. A roof is disposed across and above the storage bay, the roof being supported generally by the frame structure as a predetermined height above the tobacco rod holding members.

Abstract: Apparatus for production of long pasta products has a press, a movable bar hanging arrangement from which the products are suspended and a drier. The drier is constructed as a single level drier with a rapid heating zone and an intense drying zone. The rapid heating zone has several different climate zones of differing temperatures, and fresh and exhaust air ducts. The intense drying zone has a plurality of ventilated elements. The drier includes a climate controller for each climate zone. The rapid heating zone and intense drying zone are formed as a circulating system for fresh and exhaust air. Inside the drier, air flow is zonally controlled and directed, in each element, from top to bottom or bottom to top. A supplemental air system is provided for the plurality of ventilated elements. At least part of the circulating air is blown in as in a turbo system.

Abstract: Green concrete products, such as building products, are placed on pallets. Those pallets are transported to a kiln for curing and from the kiln after cure by an overhead crane. Pallets are lowered into and removed from open top kilns layer by layer being supported by movable support ledges, for example rotatable toggles, at each layer position which permit vertical entry and removal of the pallet layers. Three kiln compartments permit continuous production, one being filled, one being emptied and the third curing a load of pallet layers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to shrink a heat shrinkable film wrapped around a product so as to produce a neat, wrinkle free finished package. As the product is transported along a conveyor path, first a bottom portion of the shrinkable film is shrunk by hot air; second, both side portions of the shrinkable film are shrunk by hot air; and third, the top portion of the shrinkable film is shrunk by warm water. The warm water employed is maintained at a temperature which is lower than that of the hot air so as to avoid wrinkles or damage to the film while efficiently shrinking the film.

Abstract: A heated conveyor for disinfecting contaminated, size-reduced hospital refuse comprises a scraping conveyor with two endless link chains (1,2) to which drives (6) are fastened. The scraping conveyor is arranged in a housing with electricially heated floor and walls which is closed with the exception of an upper inlet opening (17), an outlet opening (19) and an air vent (18). In the disinfection process implemented by this conveyor compressed saturated steam is injected into the housing through steam nozzles.

Abstract: A board dryer comprises a double-sided conveyor for conveying flat boards through a dryer, the conveyor defining a flat board path and a conveyance direction in the path through the dryer. The dryer also comprises a pair of nozzle devices, which are elongate and arranged to extend laterally across the board path with respect to the conveyance direction, one above the board path and one below it, for directing respective laterally extensive air jets towards the board path from opposite sides thereof. The air jets have a backward component of direction with respect to a forward conveyance direction for facilitating board drying. The board dryer is especially useful for drying printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A sheet drying apparatus wherein the horizontal upper reach of an endless foraminous conveyer transports a series of sheets to be dried between a main suction chamber below and a plenum chamber above the upper reach. The drying station between the two chambers is flanked by two additional suction chambers which extend transversely of the direction of advancement of sheets and serve to attract the sheets to the upper side of the upper reach of the conveyor. A blower is provided to draw air from the main suction chamber and to admit the withdrawn air into channels for admission into the plenum chamber. The sheets are directly or indirectly heated by a stationary heating device between the main plenum chamber and the upper reach of the conveyor, by one or more heating elements in the plenum chamber, by heating elements in the main suction chamber and by heating elements in the channels.

Abstract: An elastic band activation apparatus for activating a heat-sensitive thermal film attached to an edge of a body of an article to form an elastic band along the edge of the article. The apparatus has at least one chamber with a heating zone having a shrinkage atmosphere at a first temperature sufficiently elevated to activate the heat-sensitive thermal film to shrink the film to form the elastic band. The chamber may also have a cooling zone with a quench atmosphere at a second temperature which is less than the first temperature to arrest the shrinkage of the heat-sensitive thermal film. An article transporter transports the article through the heating zone and then through the cooling zone. The apparatus may also include two lateral compression bars for spreading apart first and second adjacent edges of an article when transported through the chamber to expose the article interior region to activate first and second heat-sensitive thermal films, thereby forming first and second elastic bands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and unloading freeze-drying apparatus including at least one placement surface adapted to receive containers holding a product to be freeze-dried. The containers are placed on a table top of a transfer table, and the transfer table is brought into proximity with the placement surface in a chamber of a freeze-drying apparatus. A retractable frame assembly, movably secured to the transfer table, is used to transfer the containers from the transfer table top to the placement surfaces. The frame assembly is retracted from the chamber, and the freeze-drying process may then be implemented. Upon completion of freeze-drying, the frame assembly is introduced into the chamber, and is actuated to transfer the containers from the placement surfaces to the transfer table.

Abstract: A shrink tunnel apparatus and method for the processing of packages wrapped in heat shrinkable film directs heated air streams sequentially to the package, first from below, then from both sides simultaneously and finally from above. Simultaneous with the directed heated air streams, the balance of the film is exposed to warm air effecting a differential shrink. The packages are transported through the shrink tunnel by a conveyor utilizing spaced apart rotating rollers.

Abstract: A drier racking system for use in drying produce in a barn which includes an endless conveyor to which are attached a plurality of containment devices. The conveyor extends from a door of the barn to an inner region of the barn. The containment devices open, or are openaable, when positioned near the door and produce can be loaded, into or be removed from, the devices.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided for carrying granular coal or ore from a mine or a crushing station, together with a belt heater in the form of a fuel burner which turns on to melt ice which as formed on the belt at temperatures below freezing. The belt heater heats the conveyor belt surface to a temperature sufficient to melt the ice film to form water and thereby prevent the granular coal or ore from sliding to impair the conveying operation of the conveyor belt or to cause spillage from the conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt stops, the fuel burner stops and thus prevents damage to the conveyor belt. A preferred fuel burner is an oil heater. An infrared heater can also be used but a fuel burner is preferred in flame contact with the belt. The flame of the fuel burner when used in direct contact with the conveyor belt can be immediately shut off when the conveyor belt stops and thereby prevents damage to the conveyor belt. The flame temperature or air temperature reaches a value of at least about 400.degree.

Abstract: A pellet cooler (10) includes an endless traveling grate conveyor (30), drive apparatus (34,36,40) operatively associated with the conveyor (30) for moving the conveyor in continuous travel about a continuous path, and a plurality of non-perforated material support trays (32) mounted to the conveyor in juxtaposed overlapping relationship to form a substantially continuous surface about the continuous path defined by the conveyor. Each of the material support trays comprises an elongated, laterally extending bi-lobed plate (50) having a first laterally extending outwardly projecting arcuate larger radius lobe (60) along one lateral extend thereof, a second laterally extending outwardly projecting arcuate smaller radius lobe (70) along the other lateral extent thereof, and a substantially flat laterally extending mid-portion (56) interconnecting the first lobe and the second lobe.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning objects such as eggs and fruit. The apparatus comprises a housing, a roller conveyor having an upper run extending through the housing, one or more rotary brushes disposed over the upper run, one or more sprayers directed towards the conveyor, and a liquid rceptacle underneath the upper run. To prevent, or at least substantially mitigate the production of vapor in the place where the apparatus is disposed, means are provided for exhausting vapor at the positions where the conveyors enters and leaves the housing. Preferably the housing is double-walled at least where the conveyor enters and leaves the housing, and the cavities between the walls are kept continuously under a subatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for puffing, drying or moisturizing tobacco has a conveyor defining an elongated channel with an inlet and an outlet for particles of tobacco. The conveyor is vibrated so that the particles advance toward the outlet, and the bottom wall of the conveyor has orifices which serve to discharge jets of hot air or steam into the channel in such orientation that the jets of admitted fluid medium are inclined to each other, to the direction of advancement of tobacco particles and/or to the vertical. The orifices receive fluid from a chamber which is provided beneath the bottom wall and is connected to a source of steam or hot air.

Abstract: A high pressure conditioning system apparatus and control network. A direct fired steam generator supplies a mixture of super-heated steam and oxygen-deficient non-condensable gases to a pressurized conditioner constructed for heating, mositurizing, and conditioning matter including cereals, grains, beans, full fat soybean, barley, and seeds for a selected period of time. The high pressure conditioner is adapted for homogeneous interaction of the direct fired steam, non-condensable gases and the matter to be conditioned. A pressurized resting chamber is used statically steam the conditioned matter. A myriad of chemical changes are advantageously induced by the utilization of high pressures, controlled time, temperature, direct fired steam, moisture content, and the homogeneous interaction thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying of articles traveling upon a conveyor which utilizes a housing defining a plenum chamber and a drying chamber therein for use in cooperation with a conveyor which enters the drying chamber at a conveyor inlet position and exits the drying chamber at a conveyor exit position. The plenum chamber is separated from the drying chamber by a particularly constructed airflow device which achieves various specific desired airflow patterns depending upon the type of article being carried upon the conveyor traveling through the drying chamber. A blower is included supplying pressurized air for drying to the plenum chamber where the pressure is equalized and applied in this manner to a plurality of slots defined in the airflow control.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for temperature conditioning of matter of the type wherein matter to be conditioned is exposed to a vapor within a vessel for select heating and/or moisture absorption or desiccation. The system includes selectively providing a mixture of condensible and noncondensible gases while controlling the enthalpy, partial pressure and dew point thereof. The gas mixture is delivered to a vessel and interacted with matter disposed therein. The temperature of the matter is brought to the approximate dew point of the condensible and noncondensible gas mixture. In this manner, both the ultimate temperature and moisture content of the matter to be conditioned may be controlled by selectively controlling the aforesaid parameters of enthalpy, partial pressure and dew point. Control of the aforesaid parameters may likewise be affected by controlling the vessel pressure and the rate at which energy is supplied to the condensible and noncondensible gas mixture.

Abstract: A drier for moving and drying textile materials, wherein the material web passes through several sequentially arrayed identical drying zones during the drying treatment which is implemented by fresh air, circulating air and exhaust air. The improvement includes a central exhaust duct which evacuates exhaust air from all drying zones. Preferably, the drier additionally controls the evacuation of the exhaust air from the drier as a function of the moisture in the exhaust air flow. The exhaust duct may also evacuate exhaust air from the first, central or last drying zone through which the web material passes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing water from a package loaded open top basket having a bottom wall, end and side walls with numerous ribs, crevices and openings conducive to collecting water are based on using spaced apart pressurized air and vacuum sources operated so as to sequentially accumulate and move the water downwardly and to a location near a suction source on one side of the basket, then to a location near a suction source on the opposite side of the basket and finally by applying suction to the bottom of the basket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dewatering and drying sludge. A pair of upper and lower members form a closed chamber into which sludge is poured. Sidewalls of the upper member are pressed against the lower member to seal the chamber. Compressed air supplied at a pressure P.sub.1 to a continuous groove in the lower edge of the sidewalls flows across the sloped inside surfaces of the sidewalls and supplements air supplied to the chamber at a somewhat lower pressure level P.sub.2, the combined pressures P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 in said chamber forcing liquid from said sludge through porous media in the bottom of the chamber. Air from the continuous groove aids in releasing the dried sludge from the chamber when the upper and lower members are separated.

Abstract: A vertical progressive lumber dryer has a plurality of vertically spaced functional zones through which lumber formed into units pass. Each unit rests atop a base and each layer of boards in the stack is separated by sticker means. Predetermined appropriate operating conditions are selected for the drying medium as well as other parts of the process. After a car has completed the last step within the dryer, it is removed and the dryed lumber sent for further processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating selected portions of an article include transport means for moving the article into a heating compartment. Shroud means, which are disposed within the heating compartment and located adjacent to limited portion of the article, direct a stream of heated gas toward a marginal portion of this article. Supply means deliver a volume rate flow of heated gas to the shroud means, and discharge means remove a volume rate of exhaust gas flow from the heating compartment. The discharge means is constructed and arranged to provide a volume rate of exhaust gas flow from the heating compartment which is greater than the volume rate of heated gas flow supplied into the shroud means.

Abstract: A valve for the pneumatic distribution of fluidizable material comprising a main compartment with a fluidization grid and with an overflow pipe supplied with fluidizable material via a pipeline. The main compartment is put into communication by means of a passage with several auxiliary compartments with a fluidization grid and with an overflow pipe, the fluidized material leaving via any one of the overflow pipes, as desired.

Abstract: A tunnel oven 20 has a baking chamber divided by partitions 21 into a plurality of longitudinally extending zones 22. The oven heating system comprises upper and lower heater ducts 6a, 6b through which hot gases are passed, using a blower 24 for each zone 22. The intake of each blower 24 is within the associated zone 22 and is disposed adjacent the outlet end of an inlet duct 11 which leads into the lower part of the zone. An outlet 8 leads out of the upper part of each zone 22. The entry end 27 of the inlet duct 11 is open to atmosphere whereby fresh air is introduced into the duct. The exit end of the outlet duct 8 is connected to an exhaust fan 7 whereby gases are extracted from the zone 22 by way of the outlet duct 8 to an exhaust flue 18. Dampers 12 and 10 comprise first and second regulating means for controlling flow through the inlet and outlet ducts 11 and 8.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for heat-drying of webs, especially printed or inked webs, the web is first subjected to a contactless heat shock treatment, for example by hot air at about 300.degree. C. It is then heated by a contact process at a lower temperature, for example by heated rollers at about 230.degree. C., after which it is cooled by a contact process in a third step. Each of the heated rollers may have associated therewith a roller for applying a film of a buffer agent and also a cleaning roller. Energy expended in the processes is recovered by the use of heat exchangers. The apparatus may comprise a closed housing divided into separate chambers within which the sequence of steps is carried out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chamber which defines a constant gas flow environment for passing objects therethrough carried by a conveyor. The chamber comprises an elongate housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the longitudinal direction and a moving conveyor which runs the length of said housing for transporting object from said inlet opening through said housing and thereout through said outlet opening, the space below said conveyor being enclosed and connected to a source of exhaust for exhausting gaseous substances therein. The space above the conveyor comprises an inlet zone, a central gas zone, and an outlet zone. The inlet zone and the outlet zone both are of a bi-cameral containment arrangement comprising an outer adjustable gate for determining the inlet opening, a central adjustable baffle gate, and an inner deflector wall. The space between the outer gate and the baffle gate is connected to a source of exhaust.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chamber which defines a constant gas flow environment for passing objects therethrough carried by a conveyor. The chamber comprises an elongate housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the longitudinal direction and a moving conveyor which runs the length of said housing for transporting object from said inlet opening through said housing and thereout through said outlet opening, the space below said conveyor being enclosed and connected to a source of exhaust for exhausting gaseous substances therein. The space above the conveyor comprises an inlet zone, a central gas zone, and an outlet zone. The inlet zone and the outlet zone both are of a bi-cameral containment arrangement comprising an outer adjustable gate for determining the inlet opening, a central adjustable baffle gate, and an inner deflector wall. The space between the outer gate and the baffle gate is connected to a source of exhaust.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for treating particulate material comprising a foraminous support such as a perforate plate, a screen, or the like, gas supply means to supply a fluidizing gas beneath said support and a plurality of movable flights above said support adapted to sweep fluidized material along the support. The apparatus is useful for obtaining controlled residence time of materials being treated within an enclosed treating chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement for drying plate-shaped wood products, such as veneers and plywood plies, includes a roller conveyor which advances the products in the leading portion of their drying path, and a belt conveyor which advances the products in the trailing portion of such path. The two conveyors are accommodated in separate housings. The roller conveyor includes a plurality of pairs of rollers which confine the wood products therebetween and thus smoothen the same, while the belt conveyor includes at least two conveyor belts which confine the wood products between themselves but do not interfere with the shrinking of the material of the products as the same are being dried. A transition or transfer device, such as a roller table, is arranged between and aligned with the roller and belt conveyors to let the material of the plate-shaped wood product get rid of the stresses which have built up therein during its passage through the roller conveyor section.

Abstract: Directed jets of temperature controlled gaseous fluids are applied to irregularly shaped products, such as food portions, to subject discrete areas of the surface to a very high heat transfer rate and to cause these areas to be passed over surfaces of the product at a proper rate to obtain over-all surface effects such as crisping, browning, searing or freezing.The cooking apparatus comprises a generator adapted to supply microwave energy for heating the interior of a food product in combination with apparatus to direct spaced discrete high velocity jets of heated air to impinge against exterior surfaces of the food product. A conveyor is employed to provide relative motion between each of the sources of heat and the product for averaging cooking through the product by reducing effect of RF standing waves and simultaneously sweeping the jets of air over the product at proper rate to heat all exposed surfaces.

Abstract: A continuously operating multistage drying installation is provided for drying a workpiece. The drying installation includes a conveyor belt for transporting along a predetermined path a workpiece having two opposite longitudinally extending surfaces and containing excess moisture. A first stage drier is located at an upstream portion of the path. This drier includes guide rollers for turning the workpiece over at least once so as to expose both of its surfaces to heat within the drier to thereby preliminarily dry the workpiece. A second stage drier is provided at the path downstream of the first stage drier for finishing the drying of the workpiece to a desired moisture level while maintaining the workpiece free from being turned over to thereby avoid cracking the surfaces of the workpiece due to pressure applied to the demoisturized and consequently relatively brittle surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A lateral exhaust manifold system for the preheat section of a tunnel kiln comprises a longitudinal duct and input tube. The duct is triangular in shape and has a plurality of spaced apart apertures and a corresponding plurality of cones, the large diameter end of each cone circumposing a respective one of said apertures. The input tube is disposed adjacent the opposite side of the tunnel kiln and has a plurality of spaced apart jets each disposed opposite a respective aperture in the longitudinal duct, and a plurality of spaced apart apertures each located intermediate the jets, the spaced apart apertures and for venting air laterally across the kiln and upwardly along the adjacent wall. A blower vents an exhaust stack connected to an end of the duct. Air curtains control the entrance and exit of the preheat section of the kiln.

Abstract: A roller tunnel kiln for firing a drying refractory material advanced along the refractory rotatable rollers includes an upper section comprising a prefiring zone, a firing zone, a first forced cooling zone, a natural cooling zone and a second forced cooling zone. Parallel to the upper section along the length thereof a drying zone is arranged provided with refractory rotatable rollers for advancing movement of the material to be dried. A distributional tunnel is mounted parallel to the drying zone and is connected with the prekiln zone or with the forced cooling zone so that hot gases mixed with cool ambient air are directed into the distributing tunnel provided with openings communicating the latter with the drying zone. The hot gases at drying temperatures are further directed into drying tunnel in the direction opposite to that of the material to be dried.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying timber stacked in a vertical kiln in spaced apart layers. The timber being continuously moved from the top to the bottom of the stack to be passed through various stages of treatment including a drying in which the timber is subjected to reverse process of heated air. The bottom layer is periodically removed from the stack and a new green layer added to the top.

Abstract: A grain drier comprising a plurality of horizontal conveyor belts arranged one above another in staggered relationship so that grain delivered to one end of the upper conveyor belt will drop onto the lower conveyor belt when it gets to the other end of the upper conveyor belt and will then travel along the lower conveyor belt in opposite direction before being discharged. Hot air is supplied by a hot air generator through conduits to a position below and along each of the conveyor belts, passes upwardly through the conveyor belts which are formed of wire mesh and through the grain thereon and is extracted through discharge conduits from above the conveyor belts. The flow rate and temperature of the hot air may be varied. Heat from the extracted air may be recovered and recycled into the hot air generator. Also heat from the dried grain may be recovered and reconducted by means of a blower fan through a conduit onto the incoming fresh grain.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for processing products aligned on a tape. In the present embodiment, the products are shown to be heat recoverable sleeves which are conveyed to a control station for insertion of a terminal. The work is then released from the control station and allowed to pass across a heater which recovers the sleeve about the terminal. To accomplish the above, a drive having a friction coupling and a positive coupling are employed to convey the work through the apparatus. A conditioned atmosphere process apparatus is employed for the heating of the sleeves and a controlled product feed apparatus controls the feeding of the work to the control station.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of textile material comprises a plurality of nozzle boxes extending across the operating width at least on one side of the length of material. The nozzle boxes are fed from a front face and have openings discharging in a direction towards the length of material and a fan is disposed at the feed end of these nozzle boxes. The fan is a radial flow fan. It is arranged with its axis of rotation at right angles to the plane of the length of material on the long side of the apparatus.

Abstract: A heat treating apparatus particularly useful for the drying/heat-setting and cooling of synthetic tow comprises first and second elongated housings with separate conveyors longitudinally positioned in said housings, the housings being at different temperatures. Means are provided to deposit a continuous length of tow on the conveyor of the first housing in an undulating pattern to define a substantially straight bed of tow having substantially uniform maximum thickness and width dimensions. A transfer device is provided between the first and second housings including a flat plate adapted to pick up the tow from the conveyor of the first housing, and integral therewith, an enclosed chute adapted to deposit the tow on the conveyor of the second housing, the chute having height and width dimensions substantially the same as the maximum thickness and width dimensions of the bed of tow. The transfer chute is adapted to air seal the first housing from the second housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling creme filled cookies during a period in which the filling is hardening. The cookies are formed of a pair of baked base cakes separated by a layer of creme filling material which is applied in a heated fluid state and hardens as it cools. The apparatus includes a cooling tunnel and a conveyor extending through the tunnel. The conveyor is segmented, each segment having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls which form an elongated trough to carry a continuous column of cookies through the cooling tunnel. The side walls of the segments are inclined outwardly to tangentially engage the edge of the base cakes and support the cookies in a vertical position.

Abstract: A method of drying a roller conveyor which, loaded with articles, such as eggs, is passed through a washing apparatus, which drying comprises blowing air over and through the loaded conveyor, and wherein in at least one position in the transport range, part of the transporting section of the conveyor is temporarily withdrawn from the transport function, and is dried separately.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention substantially reduce the incidence of cracking, flaking, bulging and other mold defects which originate during the drying step of the investment mold formation process. Drying is conducted under conditions which enhance uniformity of drying and which preclude harmful increases in pattern temperature resulting from changes in the moisture removal kinetics of the slurry layer. In particular, during the drying process, drying air of different quality is provided during the different stages of moisture removal from the slurry layer.

Abstract: A container arrangement for treating lumpy and grained materials in a packed bed with gaseous media has at least one container with an opening and a device for closing the opening. In the at least one container at least two chambers are formed whose bottom portions communicate with each other. A supply conduit is connected to the top portion of one of the at least two chambers and a drain conduit is connected to the top portion of the respective other one of the at least two chambers so as to form a forced guidance for the gaseous media through the packed bed.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention substantially reduce the incidence of cracking, flaking, bulging and other mold defects which originate during the drying step of the investment mold formation process. Drying is conducted under conditions which enhance uniformity of drying and which preclude harmful increases in pattern temperature resulting from changes in the moisture removal kinetics of the slurry layer. In particular, during the drying process, drying air of different quality is provided during the different stages of moisture removal from the slurry layer.

Abstract: A dryer is described, including elongated drying and steaming chambers through which wood to be dried travels. The wood is impinged with air and then steamed to a predetermined moisture content. Drying defects are minimized by humidity control, restraining devices to reduce warpage, and post-steaming of the wood for stress relief to reduce casehardening, checking, and collapse. The dryer is capable of adjusting to accept widely varying thicknesses of wood as well as long holdup times by the use of reversing switches on the drive to convey the wood through the dryer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for subjecting commodities to treatment through contact with fluid media including a plurality of movable conveyances having walls and being arranged so as to form a conveyance train which forms a part of a single endless fluid conveying duct.