Abstract: Sterilizing apparatus preferably comprises an enclosure surrounding the top, bottom and sides of a central sterilizing enclosure space and adjacent inlet and outlet enclosure spaces opening horizontally to the exterior of the enclosure at the opposite ends thereof. A continuously moving conveyor carries open-topped containers to be sterilized horizontally through the inlet, sterilizing and outlet enclosure spaces of the enclosure. The sterilizing enclosure space is divided by partition walls into an upper compartment which opens at the bottom thereof into a lower compartment immediately above the path of travel of the open tops of the containers passing through the lower compartment of the sterilizing enclosure space.

Abstract: A sterilizer for use in sterilizing articles removably received therein, includes first thermal insulating means with a receiving cavity formed therein; cover means including a second thermal insulating means, the cover means being movable with respect to the first means for selectively covering said cavity; heating means received within the cavity and defining recess means for removably receiving therein an article to be sterilized, the heating means having a preselected volume for relatively slowly dissipating heat; and power control means for selectively applying electrical power to the heating means for heating the heating means, and for automatically cutting off the power to the heating means in response to a first predetermined temperature being reached by the heating means, the combination of the heating means and the first and second insulation means resulting in a relatively slow rate of heat loss from the heating means for enabling the temperature of the heating means not to fall below a second pred

Abstract: An anti-buckle ring is described for preventing buckling of beer-can tops during pasteurization of the beer. The anti-buckle ring is mated with each beer can such that the ring captures the double-seamed top of the can. The ring prevents radial displacement at key points of the top and, hence, buckling of the top end of the can, when the heat applied during pasteurization causes the internal pressure of the can to increase.

Abstract: In the pasteurizing of beverages in closed containers, the containers arrive generally in a chilled state and are progressively raised in temperature approaching the pasteurizing temperature and, after being pasteurized for an appropriate time, are progressively cooled down. Apparatus of this type is provided with a source of chilled water which is available for use when skips occur in the supply of the containers, the chilled water being accumulated from the incoming containers and from common outside sources. The accumulated water in its chilled state saves substantial amounts of energy by eliminating mechanical or other means to produce the chill effect, and such source of water is constantly available under control which senses the presence of a skip in the supply of containers.

Abstract: In the pasteurizing of beverages and comestibles in closed containers, the containers are progressively raised in temperature to the pasteurizing temperature and after an appropriate time progressively cooled down in apparatus which practices a method for storing heat in water and applying the heated water from storage so that skips in the supply of the containers will be accommodated to the end that a saving in steam can be realized. The method realizes saving of substantial amounts of energy, as well as avoiding dumping overly warm water into local sewers to disturb the ecological balance, and also avoids the use of refrigeration to reduce temperature of the discharge water.

Abstract: A method is described for preventing buckling of beer-can tops and bottoms during pasteurization of the beer. Prior to the pasteurization, an anti-buckle ring is mated with each beer can such that the ring captures the base portion of the can's bottom. The ring permits the bottom's panel to bulge outwardly while preventing radial displacement of the bottom's base area and, hence, buckling of the can bottom, when the heat applied during pasteurization causes the internal pressure of the can to increase. To prevent buckle of the beer can's top, another anti-buckle ring may be mated with the top of the can such that the latter ring captures the double-seam area on the top of the can to prevent radial displacement at key points of the top. After pasteurization, both rings are automatically removed from the can for use with another can.

Abstract: A system for selectively spraying a treating material such as an insecticide and/or odor suppressor into the interior of a commercial garbage or trash container. The system includes a suitable spray nozzle assembly carried on the cross bar of the lifting frame of a conventional front loading sanitation truck and a biased access door in the trash container or bin through which a spray nozzle may be inserted into the interior of the container. A container of the insecticide and/or odor suppressor is carried on the truck together with controls placed in the vehicle's cab and controlled by the operator to insert the spray nozzle into the container, spray the container's interior, and retract the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A method is described for preventing buckling of beer-can tops during pasteurization of the beer. Prior to the pasteurization, an anti-buckle ring is mated with each beer can such that the ring captures the double-seamed top of the can. The ring prevents radial displacement at key points of the top and, hence, buckling of the top end of the can, when the heat applied during pasteurization causes the internal pressure of the can to increase. After pasteurization, the ring is automatically removed from the can for further use with another can.

Abstract: A sterilization device for processing a pluraity of containers disposed on support devices therefor, includes a housing provided with a passage for receiving and discharging a succession of the support devices, a preheating arrangement for preheating the containers to a first predetermined temperature within the housing, a heating arrangement for heating the containers to a predetermined sterilization temperature within the housing upon the containers having been heated to the predetermined temperature, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the containers to a second predetermined temperature following sterilization of the containers by the heating arrangement.

Abstract: A sterilization apparatus includes a housing adapted for receiving a removable rack with open shelves supporting containers with the substance to be sterilized, a fan arranged at the top of the housing, and a cooling device for subsequent cooling of the sterilizing fluid introduced into the housing. To increase the uniformity of whirling of the fluid around the containers on different levels of the rack and thus to increase the heat transfer to, and the subsequent heat removal from the containers, a timing-and flow-controlling device is provided for cyclically changing the flow of the sterilizing fluid through the rack during the heating-up and cooling-down of the sterilization cycle, either by alternating the direction of the flow, or by distributing periodically partial streams through different shelves of the rack.