Abstract: A furnace for preparing test specimens, such as specimens of ceramic materials, is provided, such furnace including a furnace chamber having a heating zone; heating means for heating the heating zone; first specimen support means disposed in the heating zone supporting at least two test specimens to be subjected to heat treatment; heat sensing means disposed in the heating zone for sensing the degree of heat treatment of at least one of said test specimens; specimen outlet conveyor means for removing from the heating zone at least one test specimen subjected to a predetermined heat treatment; and specimen inlet conveyor means for feeding control or blank specimens into the heating zone to maintain constant the total number (total mass) of specimens subjected to heat treatment in the heating zone.

Abstract: A furnace for treating glass sheet material and the like in a glass tempering system. The furnace includes an upper glass treating zone and a lower gas treating and distributing zone for homogenizing gases of different temperatures to minimize exposure of the sheet being treated in the treating zone to uneven temperatures. Diametrically opposed inlets and outlets are provided in the side walls controlled by doors, and a slot in the top wall extends between the inlets and outlets to permit movement of a material carrier through the furnace. A pressure chamber communicates with the slot to cool conveyor elements at the top of the furnace, and also to provide a pressure barrier resisting the escape of gases from the furnace through the slots. Air curtains impinge on the tops of the doors in their closed positions to reduce leakage at the top of the doors.

Abstract: A at discharge oven for heating a large number of production parts which pass through the oven on a conveyor belt and are pushed by a pushing mechanism mounted att the oven, evidence whereby the conveyor belt is attached to a swingable beam and a vibrator is mounted for exerting a force on the belts and parts thereon which has a component in a direction perpendicular to the direction of part movement through the oven.