Abstract: A heated soaking furnace, a chamber for preheating cold steel pieces in communication with said soaking furnace, means for transferring a portion of the heat from the furnace to the chamber, means for moving the steel pieces through the chamber to preheat the steel pieces and means for conveying the steel pieces from the outlet of the chamber to the inlet of the furnace.

Abstract: A furnace boat assembly for in furnace attachment of frames to ceramic integrated circuits and the like includes a pair of end rails spaced apart, with a plurality of spaced apart support rods extending between the rails and a plurality of guide and support members for guiding and supporting a plurality of lead frames formed in a generally U-shape, and for locating and supporting a plurality of ceramic base members with glass solder in position on the frames for movement through a furnace for heating the solder to a bonding or melting temperature, for allowing the bonding of the lead frames to the ceramic base member.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the heat treatment of a float glass ribbon in which a tunnel lehr is provided with arrays of parallel heat-exchange tubes above and below the path of the ribbon and for each of the longitudinally divided zones of these arrays, the tubes are grouped and provided with respective heaters at the upstream end of the zone while all of the tubes at the zone are connected to a flow at the downstream end for drawing the heated air through the tubes. The temperature of the glass ribbon is measured at the upstream end and the throughflow of the individual groups is controlled selectively to ensure a homogeneous temperature distribution in the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A sintered .beta.-alumina cylindrical tube of uniform shape is produced by placing the unsintered tube within a sagger, passing the sagger on friction-reducing balls through a horizontal firing tube and rotating the tube-containing sagger through the firing tube.

Abstract: A sintered .beta.-alumina cylindrical tube of uniform shape is produced by placing the unsintered tube within a sagger, passing the sagger on friction-reducing balls through a horizontal firing tube and continuously alternately rotating the tube-containing sagger through the firing tube so that all portions of the tube therewithin experience on the average the same gravitational effect.

Abstract: Objects are levitated in a sound system substantially free of reverberation and reflection by positioning a small reflector in the path of sound waves. Interference between the primary waves and reflected waves creates a localized zone of minimized energy closely adjacent to the reflector in which an object may be stably levitated. The energy well thus produced is not dependent upon distance from the sound source, and the levitated object may be moved in any direction by moving the reflector. A plurality of reflectors may be employed to manipulate and combine levitated materials, and improvements in the processing of levitated objects are also achieved.

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: Method and apparatus comprising a fine particle bed for encompassing an object, means for fluidizing the bed, while heat treating the bed if desired, and defluidizing of the bed so as to hold the object at a desirably aligned position with an exposed portion above the bed surface for a subsequent operation. Magnetic means may be used for manipulating the object to a desired orientation and vacuum means may be provided to draw unwanted products of the subsequent operation down into the bed.

Abstract: Process and device for ensuring the displacement, in a tunnel kiln in particular for high-temperature firing of ceramic products, of firing plates traversing the kiln of the type wherein the whole row of plates are pushed at one end of the kiln and roll on balls supported in rolling paths. Parallel grooves are formed on the lower face of the plates to receive the balls and more hollow portions and more protruded portions are provided on the lower face of the places in the said grooves so that when a ball passes under a said protrusion it locally supports a plate and simultaneously relieves of the load the balls of the same rolling path in proximity to the said protrusion what gives a better rolling of the plates and reduces the flow of the balls through the kiln.

Abstract: A continuous flow heating oven of the industrial type used for the heating of ingots, sheet material and the like, which may be of light metal or light metal alloy, includes a burner fired with a liquid or gaseous fuel disposed within a heating chamber. The material to be heated is placed within the oven with the convection air currents generated from the burners directed thereon, with the hot combustion gases produced by the flames. In addition, the exhaust gases are compressed and directed back onto the object to be heated interspersing with the convection air currents originally generated to increase the efficiency of heating the material.

Abstract: A heated soaking furnace, a chamber for preheating cold steel pieces in communication with said soaking furnace, means for transferring a portion of the heat from the furnace to the chamber, means for moving the steel pieces through the chamber to preheat the steel pieces and means for conveying the steel pieces from the outlet of the chamber to the inlet of the furnace.

Abstract: A method for making plastic containers comprises the steps of heating an axially subdivided area of a tubular parison to a temperature higher than that of the remaining axially subdivided portion prior to forming the container in a mold. Apparatus for accomplishing such heating includes a furnace provided with an endless conveyor and an auxiliary heater along a certain portion of the path of the conveyor.

Abstract: A walking beam shrink tunnel apparatus for sealing plastic film wrapped on an article, as the article is transported through a heat tunnel surrounding a portion of a walking beam type conveyor, a pair of heating elements located upwardly of the heat tunnel, and being adjustably set through temperature control means for regulating the radiant heat emanating from the elements, heat seals the film wrapped article; the walking beam type conveyor comprising alternately arranged stationary and walking beams, the latter being movably supported upon a base that operates to shift the walking beams in a substantially elliptical pattern for affecting movement of the film wrapped articles along the conveyor and through the arranged heat tunnel.

Abstract: Apparatus for temperature-conditioning workpieces comprises a series of bar assemblies for supporting a number of elongated molded parts in side-by-side relationship, heat transfer assemblies including horizontally spaced panels extending along a chamber, means for conveying the parts supported in the bar assemblies through the chamber between the panels and rotating means operatively interconnected with the conveying means and bar assemblies for turning the parts. Infeed means sequentially release loaded bar assemblies at regular intervals to the chamber while metering means preferably driven through downstream equipment continuously release bar assemblies to the discharge end of the chamber. Reciprocable gate means allow temperature-conditioned parts to drop out of the bar assemblies to collection equipment.

Abstract: A process for heating at least two metal pipes wherein each pipe is individually preheated in response to sensors detecting its initial temperature and wall thickness. The pipe then passes through a continuous heater which applies an equal amount of energy to each portion of the pipe, after which each pipe emerges having a predetermined temperature independent of both its initial temperature and the wall thickness.

Abstract: A metal batch preheating method comprises positioning an elongate mass of metal scrap on a conveyor in a tunnel furnace for heating such furnace having longitudinally spaced transversely extending zones of greater and lesser heat, the conveyor being loaded with metal for the length of the tunnel furnace except for the last heat zones therein. The metal is thereafter moved through a plurality of "advance and heat" movements in the furnace during the batch heating cycle so that the metal is exposed to both greater intensity and lesser intensity heat zones as it is preheated after which the metal is discharged for use or further processing.

Abstract: A method for blow molding containers and the like articles from thermoplastic parisons. The parisons are heated in two stages, i.e., in a pre-heating oven to a uniform temperature less than the blow molding temperature and by infra red radiation to a final blow molding temperature which, preferably, is non-uniform along the length of the parison. The non-uniform heating is accomplished by moving the parison axially through an annular infra red radiator at varying rates of speed. Since the degree of heating is directly proportional to the time of exposure to the radiation, a variable temperature profile can be imparted to the parison by means of a simple speed program. Such a variable temperature profile results in controlled wall thickness distribution during blow molding, and the final container is of enhanced strength and of lower weight.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating and transferring parisons during a blow molding operation. Unheated parisons are heated during their travel through a heating oven, the parisons being freely suspended from an overhead conveyor which intermittently advances the heated parisons into alignment with an overhead discharge opening. A transfer arm rotatable about a horizontal axis above the oven is extended through the discharge opening to engage that heated parison aligned with the opening. Retraction of the arm vertically upwardly removes the parison for later transfer toward a blow molding station. Novel parison suspension means and a drive correlating the movement of the transfer arm and the intermittent parison advancement are disclosed.

Abstract: A scrap preheating system of the type employing a conveyor upon which the scrap is placed, an elongate burner hood surrounding the conveyor and burners within the hood which direct flames upon the scrap. The side walls of the burner hood include an elongate exhaust chamber and side wall ports between the exhaust chamber and the interior of the hood. An exhaust fan induces a negative pressure under the hood through the exhaust chambers which pulls the unburned hydrocarbons from under the hood through the side wall ports into the exhaust chamber. Additionally, air is drawn upwardly between the conveyor and side walls of the hood and through the side wall ports into the exhaust chambers wherein combustion is completed and pollution reduced. The length of hood and burner array exceeds the length of scrap material on the conveyor. The conveyor is periodically jogged during the preheating cycle to slightly advance and mix the scrap and only those burners positioned above the scrap are operated as it advances.

Abstract: A method are disclosed for heating thermoplastic parisons to a substantially uniform temperature across their wall thickness prior to a blow molding operation. In the method, the parisons are rotated about their longitudinal axes while being conveyed adjacent a thermal conditioning means, which includes vertically spaced radiant heating elements and a gaseous cooling source. The heating elements radiate infra-red rays having a wave length to penetrate and heat the full thickness of the parison wall; whereas the gaseous cooling source directs a stream of air onto the surface of the parison facing the heating elements to prevent the parison surface from being overheated. Additionally, each of the heating elements may be individually regulated so that the parisons can be differentially heated along their axes to control the wall thickness of the final blown articles.

Abstract: An oven for heating tubular parisons to a target or orientation temperature. A first plenum on one side of the oven and a second plenum on the opposite side of the oven, both exhaust to a common chamber disposed therebetween. The parisons are heated by a high velocity fluid above the target temperature in the zone defined by the first plenum and the chamber and the parisons are tempered by a lower velocity fluid at the target temperature in the zone defined by the second plenum and the chamber.

Abstract: A blow molding method for transferring and heating deformed and one-sided wall-thickness parisons in which each heated parison is expanded in conformity with the mold after being stretched or just after being heated, with the use of a conveying device provided with a number of upright pins inserted into the parisons and adapted for continuous travel within a furnace while being rotated, the inner section of each parison being irregular and/or having a varying circumferential wall-thickness the upright pins having a section, which fits an inner section of the parison, formed at the lower part thereof and including a planar portion placed into sliding contact with a guide rail provided at an outlet of the furnace in order to relatively position the parison.

Abstract: A method for avoiding irregularities in the surface of heavy steel sheet when heating or heat-treating such sheet by exposing both flat sides thereof to heat in a furnace. The sheet is transported endwise in the furnace in a substantially horizontal direction in a plane inclined with respect to the vertical and transverse to the furnace by a sheet supporting device comprising a roller path engaging one flat side of the sheet to sustain only part of the weight of the sheet and a further supporting means engaging the lower edge of the sheet. The angle of inclination of the steel sheet is selected so that the pressure exerted by the sheet perpendicularly against the rollers of the roller path is at most equal to the pressure that would be exerted by a 12 to 15 mm thick steel sheet via one flat side thereof against a similar, although horizontally arranged roller path, thereby avoiding the agglomeration of scale on said one flat side of the inclined sheet and the rollers of the roller path.

Abstract: Apparatus for incrementally moving a planar frame, such as a die support frame used in the manufacture of semiconductor components. The apparatus includes means for mounting a frame for movement in a vertical plane past a heater element, whereby portions of the frame can be successively heated by the heater element to permit bonding of die to leads terminating at the upper margin of the frame. The frame is incrementally moved by one or more horizontally reciprocal pawls, each pawl being receivable within an opening in the frame during a feed stroke of the pawl and being cammed out of such opening during a return stroke thereof. A first clamp releasably clamps the frame to the heater element during a die bonding operation and moves away from the heater element at the end of the return stroke and during the feed stroke.

Abstract: A blow moulding method. Cold parisons are conveyed through an oven for heating and then stretched and blown in a mould. A transfer assembly, engages the upper end of each heated parison, removes it from the oven, and swings it into a mould and then rises to stretch the parison as a threading die holds the lower end thereof. The mould then closes and air is injected to form the bottle, after which the mould opens and the finished bottle is removed.

Abstract: In a rocking-beam type furnace which comprises fixed support beams which extend lengthwise of the furnace and conveyor beams which are parallel to the fixed beams and which can be raised and lowered and moved back and forth, the upper edges of the fixed beams and of the conveyor beams are provided with transverse billet locating notches having inclined billet supporting surfaces so that billets are intermittently and progressively rotated about their longitudinal axes during their passage through the furnace until they have performed at least one full rotation.

Abstract: The process comprises heating a hollow thermoplastic parison to orientation temperature ranges by selectively applying radiant heat to at least three portions of the parison. The thus irradiated parison is passed to a molding zone, and therein subjected to a pressure differential sufficient to expand the parison into conformity with a molding zone cavity.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for transferring articles, such as silicon and like wafers used in making electronic devices from one station to another at variable rates of movement utilizing a fluid bearing. The apparatus and method also provide for heat treating the wafers in a furnace through which the fluid bearing extends.The fluid bearing track structure utilized is produced from a refractory, heat-resistant material, such as quartz or silicon carbide, and comprises an enclosed tube having fluid bearing passages through the base wall thereof in communication with fluid supply means. The track structure is operatively divided into at least two track sections positioned as linear continuations of each other.Article receiving means for automatically feeding articles in sequence from a supply thereof and for accepting articles in sequence following completion of treatment thereof are provided at the stations between which the wafers are transferred.

Abstract: A method of controlling the heating gases in a kiln having a firing zone and at least one adjacent zone which, for example, may be a preheating zone and/or an after-heating zone, comprises directing combustion products into the firing zone to generate high temperature gases therein and withdrawing a portion of the gases generated after giving up some of the heat in the firing zone upwardly through an exhaust gas flue and sensing the temperature in at least one select location in said kiln and regulating the quantity of gases withdrawn in accordance with the temperature which is sensed. The kiln advantageously includes a preheating zone before the firing zone and an afterheating zone thereafter arranged in a straight line. Burners are arranged to fire downwardly in the firing zone and all of the zones are connected to discharge through a flue.

Abstract: Small articles such as springs are heat treated as they flow downward by gravity through a straight cylindrical tube. The tube need not be cylindrical or straight and means to assist gravity may be provided. The articles are heated by hot air or other gas introduced to said tube through apertures in its walls and which flows through portions of the tube at high velocity. Hot air thus introduced is withdrawn through other apertures in the walls of the tube in a manner to prevent heat loss by exhaust of the hot air at either end of the tube or by introduction into the tube of ambient cool air at either end of the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for temperature-conditioning workpieces comprises a series of bar assemblies for supporting a number of elongated molded parts in side-by-side relationship, heat transfer assemblies including horizontally spaced panels extending along a chamber, means for conveying the parts supported in the bar assemblies through the chamber between the panels and rotating means operatively interconnected with the conveying means and bar assemblies for turning the parts. Infeed means sequentially release loaded bar assemblies at regular intervals to the chamber while metering means preferably driven through downstream equipment continuously release bar assemblies to the discharge end of the chamber. Reciprocable gate means allow temperature-conditioned parts to drop out of the bar assemblies to collection equipment. Process improvements include a.) varying parts conditioning time by varying the number of bar assemblies in the fixed chamber; b.