Abstract: An oven (10) for the heat treatment of preforms and a method for operating an air-cooling device (42) fitted to such an oven includes controlling elements (58) to vary the cooling air flow rate onto the body (18) and bottom (20) of the preforms (12) along the heating path.

Abstract: An alkylation catalyst having a zeolite catalyst component and a binder component providing mechanical support for the zeolite catalyst component is disclosed. The binder component is an ion-modified binder that can include metal ions selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, K, Cs, Ga, B, P, Rb, Ag, Na, Cu, Mg, Fe, Mo, Ce, and combinations thereof. The metal ions reduce the number of acid sites on the zeolite catalyst component. The metal ions can range from 0.1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the ion-modified binder. Optionally, the ion-modified binder is present in amounts ranging from 1 to 80 wt % based on the total weight of the catalyst.

Abstract: Provided is an appliance for cooking and/or reheating food, which includes: a housing having a cooking vessel arranged such as to receive the food to be cooked and/or reheated, and a circuit for heating by ventilation including an air duct arranged such as to channel and direct a flow of hot air onto the food to be cooked and/or reheated, wherein the air duct has at least one cross-section in which a geometric size of the channeled air flow is limited such as to reduce a turbulence of the air flow flowing downstream from said at least one section of the air duct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a furnace, in particular a continuous furnace, for controlling a temperature of at least one substrate. A housing of the furnace comprises an intake opening and an outtake opening, wherein between the intake opening and the outtake opening a temperature-controlled section is formed. A carrier element for carrying the at least one substrate is movable along a transport direction through the intake opening into the temperature-controlled section and from the temperature-controlled section through the outtake opening. A temperature controlling element is thermally coupled to the temperature-controlled section for controlling the temperature of the temperature-controlled section. The temperature-controlled section comprises a gas inlet through which a gas is blowable for controlling the temperature of the temperature-controlled section.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor substrate manufacturing apparatus and a substrate treating method, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for performing a reflow treating process on a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus treating apparatus includes a load port on which a carrier accommodating a substrate is seated, a substrate treating module including one reflow treating unit or a plurality of reflow treating units for performing a reflow process on the substrate, and a substrate transfer module including a transfer robot transferring the substrate between the load port and the substrate treating module, the substrate transfer module being disposed between the load port and the substrate treating module. The reflow treating unit includes a process chamber having a treating space therein and an exhaust member exhausting a fluid within the process chamber.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor substrate manufacturing apparatus and a substrate treating method, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for performing a reflow treating process on a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus treating apparatus includes a load port on which a carrier accommodating a substrate is seated, a substrate treating module including one reflow treating unit or a plurality of reflow treating units for performing a reflow process on the substrate, and a substrate transfer module including a transfer robot transferring the substrate between the load port and the substrate treating module, the substrate transfer module being disposed between the load port and the substrate treating module. The reflow treating unit includes a process chamber having a treating space therein and an exhaust member exhausting a fluid within the process chamber.

Abstract: A facility for heat-shrinking sleeves made of heat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports, such as containers, includes an enclosure provided with a heat-diffusion means, a conveyor for carrying the supports through the enclosure between an intake of the enclosure and an output of the enclosure, the enclosure including a base and a hood which is mounted mobile between an open position allowing access to the conveyor and an operational position in which said hood is sealingly mounted on the base, the hood comprising two openings through which the conveyor extends when the hood is in operational position. The hood comprises an inner partition mounted mobile between a retracted position and a service position in which the partition defines with the side walls of the hood and the base a main chamber of the enclosure subjected to the action of the heat-diffusion means when the hood is in operational position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-shrinking facility for heat-shrinking sleeves made of heat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports comprising an enclosure, a heat-diffusion means arranged inside the enclosure, at least one conveyor for carrying the supports through the enclosure between an intake of the enclosure and an output of the enclosure. According to the invention, the heat-diffusion means form a single unit removably mounted on the base of the enclosure, with the heat-diffusion means including a means for quick connection to a heat-generation means leading into the enclosure.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor substrate manufacturing apparatus and a substrate treating method, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for performing a reflow treating process on a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus treating apparatus includes a load port on which a carrier accommodating a substrate is seated, a substrate treating module including one reflow treating unit or a plurality of reflow treating units for performing a reflow process on the substrate, and a substrate transfer module including a transfer robot transferring the substrate between the load port and the substrate treating module, the substrate transfer module being disposed between the load port and the substrate treating module. The reflow treating unit includes a process chamber having a treating space therein and an exhaust member exhausting a fluid within the process chamber.

Abstract: A multizone convection furnace is provided in which gas from a cooling chamber of the furnace is directed into one or more heat zones of the furnace for the purpose of providing a specified thermal profile. The gas introduced from the cooling chamber into the one or more heat zones is of the same type of gas present in the heat zones, and typically is nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, the convection furnaces comprises a heating chamber composed of a plurality of adjacent heat zones and a cooling chamber at the exit end of the heating chamber. A conveyer extends through the furnace for movement of a product through the heat zones and cooling chamber of the furnace. The cooling chamber is coupled to one or more of the heat zones such that cooled gas from the cooling chamber can be introduced into selected heat zones. In one version, a cooled gas path is provided to all of the heat zones and cooled gas is introduced into intended zones by opening associated valves.

Abstract: An air impingement conveyor oven incorporating a baking case having an interior space bordered by opposing longitudinal walls, opposing lateral walls, a ceiling, and a floor; an air plenum partitioning the baking case's interior space into an air impingement space and an air return space, the air plenum having at least a first intake port opening at the air return space, the air plenum further having a plurality of air impingement ducts extending into and opening at the air impingement space; a passive flow conduit opening the baking case, the passive flow conduit having an output end positioned at the return air space; a combustible fuel injector and igniter connected operatively to the passive flow conduit; and an air impelling fan mounted operatively within the baking case's interior space for recirculating impingement air from the air impingement space into the air return space, for drawing outside combustion air through the passive flow conduit, and for driving the air through the at least first intake p

Abstract: The suction ports of a hot air blowing heater are arranged in a zigzag shape crossing the direction of travel of a printed circuit board, and hot air discharge nozzles project from inside or alongside the suction ports. Accordingly, in the reflow furnace according to the present invention, hot air discharged from the hot air discharge nozzles does not collide with hot air sucked into the suction ports, and turbulence does not take place.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process for the continuous cycle decoration of profiled bars for shutters and frames, or other similar objects, with a carrier film of plastic material, printed with the desired decoration with sublimable inks. The process provides for a significant number of profiled bars or decorated steel sheets to be produced per unit of time.

Abstract: With regard to a heat treatment furnace (a solution furnace 1 and an ageing furnace 3), a furnace chamber 15 comprises a furnace body 12 opening downward and a floor body 14 closing the lower opening of the furnace body 12 and rotatably driven, and one or plural stages of mounting shelves 16 on which work pieces 8 are mounted are provided in the furnace chamber 15. Hot-air circulation equipments 20A and 20B circulating hot air in the furnace chamber 15 along the peripheral direction when viewed in plan are provided in the furnace body 12. The mounting shelves 16 are fixed to a prop 17 standingly provided on the floor body 14 and are rotated integrally with the floor body 14.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pre-shrink oven and a shrink oven are located at positions where a conveyer belt travels according to a labeling process of bottles. The pre-shrink oven has adjustable steam ejection ducts at two sides thereof. The shrink oven has steam nozzles at two sides. The steam generators are located at the periphery of the shrink oven to generate and deliver steam of different pressures through pipes to the adjustable steam ejection ducts of the pre-shrink oven and the steam nozzles of the shrink oven. When the steam is delivered to the pre-shrink oven heated air passes through apertures of the steam tube to partially preheat and shrink a shrink film without dropping before a final shrinking process is finished. Steam delivered through the steam nozzles can shrink the shrink film securely on bottle bodies of the bottles.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus includes a heating furnace including a tunnel-shaped heating space for heating an object to be heated, the heating space having an inlet port and an outlet port formed at both ends thereof; a transporting unit transporting the object to the outlet port when the object is brought into the heating space through the inlet port; a heating unit heating the object that is being transported; and a gas-flow generation unit forming a gas flow that flows in a transporting direction of the object in the heating space, wherein the heating space has a cross-section orthogonal to the transporting direction of the object, the cross-section is changed in area along the transporting direction of the object.

Abstract: A furnace of controlled heating and treatment of material using infrared radiation. The furnace is capable of continuous infrared treating of material with consistent radiation being applied to the material, ease of access to the furnace for maintenance cleaning and repair, excellent control of radiant cooling of the material to be treated, and ease of maintenance of a volatile component condenser.

Abstract: A tunnel oven for heating transported carbonaceous materials includes an enclosure having a passage and a transport device for moving solid carbonaceous materials through and along a length of the passage. A direct convection heater is operably connected to the enclosure to heat the solid carbonaceous material as the material is moved along the length of the passage. A temperature controller is operably coupled to the heater to provide one or more selected temperatures along the length of the passage. An atmosphere controller controls the heating atmosphere along the length of the passage so that the surface of the solid carbonaceous material is protected against oxidation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding finely divided solids, containing at least sulphidic metal concentrate, and oxygenous oxidizing gas into a suspension smelting furnace, said apparatus comprising elements for conducting solids and oxidizing gas into the suspension smelting furnace. According to the invention, in the feed orifice (7) of the suspension smelting furnace through which solids (2) and oxidizing gas (3) are fed into the reaction chamber (1) of the suspension smelting furnace, there is installed a suspension creation chamber (5,11) for a suspension containing solids (2) and oxidizing gas (3), in which chamber the solids (2) and at least part of the oxidizing gas (3) can be mixed to form a suspension before they flow into the reaction chamber (1) of the suspension smelting furnace.

Abstract: A furnace (12) and a method for heating coated glass sheets by radiant heating also provides convective heating by hot air jets that entrain hot air within the furnace so the combined flow of hot air heats an upwardly facing coated glass surface in addition to the radiant heating, and a control (89) increases this convective heating during the conveyance to balance the heating and the resultant temperature of the upwardly facing coated surface and a downwardly facing uncoated surface of each conveyed glass sheet. A hot air distributing system (86) includes an array (90) of hot air distributors (92) constructed to effectively supply the convective heating. The hot air distributors (92) have heat exchangers (96) that heat pressurized air that provides the hot air jets. The furnace (12) conveys the glass sheets either in an oscillating manner or a continuous one direction manner during the heating.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding finely divided solids, containing at least sulphidic metal concentrate, and oxygenous oxidizing gas into a suspension smelting furnace, said apparatus comprising elements for conducting solids and oxidizing gas into the suspension smelting furnace. According to the invention, in the feed orifice (7) of the suspension smelting furnace through which solids (2) and oxidizing gas (3) are fed into the reaction chamber (1) of the suspension smelting furnace, there is installed a suspension creation chamber (5,11) for a suspension containing solids (2) and oxidizing gas (3), in which chamber the solids (2) and at least part of the oxidizing gas (3) can be mixed to form a suspension before they flow into the reaction chamber (1) of the suspension smelting furnace.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for distributing air to different regions of a conveyor oven. The apparatus has comprising one or more blowers to distribute the air. A lower plenum is connected to a blower. The lower plenum directs air to the lower side of a conveyor within the oven. An upper plenum is connected to a blower. The upper plenum directs air to the upper side of the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oven for sealing a panel to a funnel, thus forming an envelope suitable for use in a display tube, comprising a tunnel structure 9 and at least one mount for conveying an assembly of a panel and a funnel through the tunnel structure 9. The tunnel structure 9 is provided with a longitudinal slot 16A and the components of the mount for guiding the mount along and through the tunnel structure 9 are placed outside the tunnel structure. It is preferred that the components comprise a means, such as a pump or compressor 24, for flushing the interior of the assembly 22 with a fluid obtained from a source which is substantially separated from the gas(es) circulating in the oven 1, e.g. from the surroundings of the oven 1.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for loading, preheating and refining steel. The charging apparatus has a skirted charging section for introducing charge materials, a dynamic gas seal adjacent the charging section and a preheater, the preheater for preheating the charged materials, a connector adjacent the preheater and removably insertable into an electric arc furnace for feeding charged materials into a furnace bath for melting and refining metallic charge therein, and a vibrating conveyor which extends throughout the charging apparatus. The charging apparatus is positioned on rails to be movable by a drive engine between a charging position wherein the connector is fully inserted into the furnace, a retracted position where the connector is partially inserted into the furnace and a disconnected position where the connector is fully removed from the furnace.

Abstract: A hot plate unit includes a cover. The cover includes an inner wall and an outlet. There is provided immediately under the outlet a plate having a ventilation hole. The distance between the plate and a main surface is identical to the distance between the main surface and the internal wall face. The hot plate unit has an displacement control valve for restricting displacement at a level in the range from at least 0.1 L/min to at most 1 L/min.

Abstract: An oven includes a housing provided with a device for supplying steam into the interior of the housing, in connection with the setting of a cooking condition, such as the temperature and/or relative humidity, and also a conveyor belt which passes through the housing and on which food products to be heated can be accommodated. The conveyor belt passes through at least one path with one or more windings disposed above one another. The device for supplying steam has at least one steam outlet for delivering steam at the level of the radially innermost part of a winding.

Abstract: A heat transfer method in a glass bending furnace, which has a top array of of successive heating sections (2) and under it a bottom array of successive cooling sections (3), and in which method glass sheets are conveyed on bending molds in mold carrying wagons on the top conveyor track from one heating section (2) to the next and on the bottom conveyor track from one section (3) to the next and the air heated by the bent hot glasses is sucked from cooling section (3) and blasted to the non-bent colder glasses in the heating sections (2). In order to intensify heat transfer, air sucked from the cooling section (3) is blasted as such, against the travel direction of the mold carrying wagons through the heating sections (2) to non-bent colder glass sheets in one of the heating sections (2) preceding the heating section (2) directly above the cooling section (3) from which the heated air is drawn as viewed in a direction of travel of the mold carrying wagons through the heating sections (2).

Abstract: A semi-convective forced air system for heating glass sheets during a heating cycle. The system has a heating chamber, and a longitudinal conveyor extending lengthwise through the heating chamber. A plurality of longitidinally-extending air manifolds are located within the chamber and are in fluid connection with a compressed air source. The manifolds are arranged in at least one widthwise-extending column. Each of the manifolds are oriented parallel to the length of the conveyor and are constructed and arranged to create a downward flow of heated air toward the conveyor to convectively heat the entire length of selected widthwise portions of a sheet of glass on the conveyor. A controller supplies or restricts the flow of compressed air to selected manifolds within a column at predetermined times during the heating cycle.

Abstract: A reverse air flow oven for symmetrically heating product inserted within a heating chamber in the oven. The oven includes duct work configured symmetrically about the heating chamber, and a fan provides continuous circulation through the duct work and the heating chamber. The duct work also includes a pair of doors having complimentary configurations so that in one configuration, the air flow is in a first direction, and in the complimentary configuration, the doors cause air flow in the opposite direction. Further, a perforated plate regulates and equalizes air flow across the heating chamber and includes valve plates for controlling a build up of static pressure within the heating chamber.

Abstract: The oven of the present invention is a low profile, dual conveyer oven including an oven cabinet, two closely spaced conveyers and an air heating and circulation system. The conveyers and the oven cabinet are adapted so that the conveyers can be easily removed from the from the front or side of the oven cabinet. The oven cabinet houses the conveyers, ducts and manifolds which all can be easily removed for cleaning or other maintenance. Each of the conveyers include separately controlled drive motors capable of driving the each of conveyers at different speeds and in different directions. The air heating and circulation system features a transverse mounted burner tube, side mounted return air ducts, a central return air opening, common shaft mounted side fed dual centrifugal fans and hot air manifolds.

Abstract: An oven for electronics manufacturing including a heated chamber having openings at each end to the ambient environment wherein heated air is circulated by a centrally located fan to pass over workpieces in a substantially upward (or downward) flow. Equal temperatures at the entrance and exit ends of the heated chamber are promoted by a crossover air return arrangement in which a portion of the air from each end of the heated chamber is mixed with the air from the other end of the chamber as the circulating air is drawn into the fan for recirculation. In addition, a moveable shutter mechanism is provided at the entrance end and exit end of the heated chamber to adjust the air flow at the ends of the heated chamber. The shutter mechanism operates to selectively close off an adjustable portion of the heated air flow at the ends of the heated chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) efficiently producing brick (53). More specifically, the invention relates to an automated, ultra low profile, continuously moving dryer, kiln and brick handling system which provides efficient, effective heating of the brick, and wherein the kiln uses only top burners (34). The invention thus eliminates the need for burners placed both on top and below the kiln or in other positions throughout the kiln, to provide effective heating.

Abstract: A convection furnace is provided for brazing workpieces in a heated recirculating atmosphere, in which the workpieces are positioned within a heating chamber of the furnace and are alternately heated from different sides in a controlled manner such that a substantially uniform temperature is maintained throughout the workpieces while their temperatures are increased by the heated atmosphere, preferably an inert gas. The braze furnace is adapted to intermittently divert the heated atmosphere to one side of the heating chamber, through one or more stacked workpieces, to an opposite side of the heating chamber. As such, a pulsed multi-directional convective atmosphere flow is achieved through the workpieces that promotes a more rapid and uniform heat transfer to the workpieces. As a result, each structure as a unit reaches a suitable braze temperature more effectively and efficiently than previously possible.

Abstract: This invention discloses a furnace in which hot gases are discharged from heaters to provide uniform heating to printed circuit boards commonly used in the electronic industry. Outside air is prevented from flowing into the furnace, so as to reduce and to stabilize the concentration of oxygen. The furnace 1 is designed with an air tunnel 2 to separate it into upper and lower sections which are fitted with hot air blow type heaters 5a, 5b. The hot air discharged from the heaters in the upper and lower sections flow in opposite directions to create a counter-flow of gases. Each individual heater can produce its own hot air circuit. They are designed with the blowing outlet and suction inlet in the same structure with the blowing outlet fitted with a redirectional flow plate 18 which directs the hot air to the suction inlet.

Abstract: A ventilated conveyor oven is provided. The oven uses a makeup air fan to admit air to the plenum extending across the front of the unit and across the top of the unit. Exhaust channels are provided on the sides spaced above and below the conveyor oven entrance and exit and extending across the top to an exhaust fan outlet. The exhaust channels on the top are superimposed over the air makeup plenum. Vertical exhaust plenums are provided at each of three corners, with the fourth corner mounting a control panel and an air makeup external channel thereover.

Abstract: Furnace with refractory longitudinal members and with central charging for heating and storing hot products, whereby the central charge arrives from a continuous casting plant or from previous hot processes, the furnace (10) comprising a first furnace portion (10a) for the introduction of a cold charge (12) and for storage and also a second furnace portion (10b) for discharge of the heated charge (15), the first (10a) and second (10b) furnace portions comprising stationary longitudinal members (23) and movable longitudinal members (24), the central charging taking place between the first (10a) and second (10b) furnace portions, a central intake and guide channel (22) being defined as a furnace bed by the plurality of stationary longitudinal members (23) cooperating with the respective plurality of movable longitudinal members (24a-24b) of the first (10a) and second (10b) furnace portions, the movable longitudinal members (24a-24b) in their raised position substantially facing each other, the width of the cent

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for drying/curing a dry material such as a mat of fibrous or powder material as may be used for building purpose as well as a non-dry material such as a thermosetting resin are disclosed. The disclosure relates to the sealing function during the drying/curing step. The apparatus comprises a heating and blowing mechanism for drying/curing a mat as it is being conveyed by a conveyor mechanism including pair of upper and lower conveyors, and shield mechanism for shielding between the conveyor mechanism and the heating and blowing mechanism. The shield mechanism includes wire brushes on blowing boxes of the heating and blowing mechanism for abutment against caterpillar plates of forward runs of respective conveyors to seal between the caterpillar plates of the forward runs and the blowing boxes.

Abstract: The roller-hearth continuous furnace of the present invention comprises a tunnel-shaped furnace housing provided with a larger number of rollers shielded from outside, the inside of the furnace being divided into a heating section, a soaking section and a cooling section in this order with the heating section located close to the inlet of the furnace housing. The cooling section has a means for feeding of atmosphere-controlling gas and a means for detection of furnace inside pressure. The heating section has a means for forced gas exhaustion, capable of sucking a furnace inside gas correspondingly to the furnace inside pressure detected by said means for detection of the pressure. The present roller-hearth continuous furnace having the above constitution ensures cooling in a stable atmosphere and can provide household or industrial ceramic wares of stable quality.

Abstract: A cooling system is disclosed which is incorporated in a heat treating apparatus for use in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device etc. The heat treating apparatus includes a reaction tube for receiving products to be heat treated in its uniformly heated zone, and a heater which surrounds the reaction tube. Inlet means for blowing a cooling fluid and exhaust means for collecting that cooling fluid which is heated after the cooling function thereof has been achieved are provided. The fluid is blown from the inlet means around the reaction tube, substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reduction tube, and as a result, a flow of cooling fluid from the inlet means toward the exhaust means is established beyond the length of the uniformly heated zone, thus the entire reaction zone within the reaction tube is uniformly cooled.

Abstract: In a tunnel kiln or other through-type kiln having aligned successive preheating, firing and cooling zones, counter-current air flows are provided in the preheating and cooling zones while essentially isolating the firing zone from air exchange by circulating air between the preheating and cooling zones through external conduits bypassing the firing zone, thereby substantially reducing energy consumption and providing environmentally safe exhaust from the kiln without substantial expense for air filtration.

Abstract: A system for under-cart cooling of furnace carts in tunnel furnaces comprises a plurality of closed cooling air channels which fill the under-cart channel to the largest possible extent and are only slightly spaced from the undersides of the tent and are only slightly spaced from the undersides of the furnace carts. The cooling air channels which are streamed through by cooling air provide for sufficient cooling of the furnace carts, while simultaneously an exchange of cooling air from the under-cart channel and of hot air from the burning channel can be avoided in a simple manner so that there is no need for additional sealing arrangements.

Abstract: An ingot pusher furnace of the vertical air flow type includes adjustable side baffles hingedly connected to lower ends of respective vertical side baffles to prevent the "short circuiting" of heated gases around the ends of an ingot to be heated. The adjustable side baffles are movable from a vertical position to an angled position so that its upper ends are in closely spaced proximity with the outer faces on the end portions of the shorter length ingot so as to produce a more uniform and faster heat transfer along the entire length thereof.

Abstract: A two-stage gas distribution nozzle for a muffle furnace includes an inner pipe with spaced apertures for feeding gas at spaced intervals to an outer pipe enclosing the inner pipe. The outer pipe includes spaced apertures facing in a direction such that the jets of gas from the inner pipe impinge on a wall of the outer pipe opposite the outer pipe apertures. The gas in the outer pipe is at lower pressure than the gas in the inner pipe and is more uniformly distributed along the length of the outer pipe to provide more uniform flow to the ambient atmosphere in the muffle.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing honeycomb panel comprising a heating chamber isolated by a wall from outer air and a plurality of drawout trays capable of being individually inserted into and withdrawn from the heating chamber through a plurality of openings formed in the wall. Each of these drawout trays has a work accommodating chamber connected to a vacuum source, a top opening of which can be hermetically closed by a flexible sheet that can be opened and closed. Also each of the drawout trays has block plates at the front and rear ends for closing the opening in the wall at every terminal positions when inserted and withdrawn.

Abstract: A cooling system for a processing furnace provides improved cooling efficiency in a more compact arrangement than known furnace cooling systems. In the system a blower is situated within the cooling gas plenum but has its intake exterior thereto. The plenum wall and the furnace outer wall define a recirculation channel which is relatively large and free of obstructions. Heat exchanger coils are disposed within the recirculation channel adjacent the blower intake thereby providing a less restricted flow path for the cooling gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a continuous furnace for the thermal treatment of substantially flat bodies of a ceramic material. Disposed in a continuous furnace having a roller table 5, between a heating zone 1 and a cooling zone 2, is a firing zone 3 which can be divided off by partitions 6, 7 from the heating zone 1 and the cooling zone 2, and in which the bodies to be fired are very rapidly heated to firing temperature, being horizontally reciprocated to prevent deformations. During firing, the conveying of the bodies in the cooling zone 2 continues, while conveying in the heating zone 1 is interrupted, the movement of the bodies being completely stopped or the bodies being horizontally reciprocated. During the dividing-off of the firing zone 3 the gases heated in the cooling zone 2 are conducted via a bypass 12 to the heating zone 1, to participate in the heating of the bodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to means for heat treating green bodies comprising two mutually parallel kiln channels operated in opposite directions each having at least one heating section, firing section, and cooling section, where an offtake means leads from one kiln channel to a combustion chamber, from which a supply means runs into the one or other kiln channel.

Abstract: A process is provided for cooling fired products such as tiles in a kiln by repeating a cooling step to cool down said products, the cooling step comprising blowing a cooling gaseous fluid, e.g., cooling air, to the fired products in the kiln, alternately with a non-cooling step to moderate a sharp temperature gradient between the surfaces and the interior regions of the products, the non-cooling step comprising stopping or suppressing the blowing of cooling gaseous fluid between cooling steps. The process of the invention can achieve rapid cooling without giving rise to dunting due to thermal stresses and thus can increase the productivity of kilns. When the invention is applied to a tunnel kiln, the kiln can be considerably shortened.

Abstract: A flexible screen mounted to pneumatically seal the sides of an opposing belt conveyor system in a porous pack curing oven. Fixed to the upper belt structure and drapingly sealed to the lower belt structure, the screen impedes curing gases directed through the foraminous belts and porous pack therebetween from exiting through the edges of the pack. The draping screen provides a seal over a range of belt-to-belt spacing.

Abstract: The oven of the present invention is a low profile, dual .[.conveyer.]. .Iadd.conveyor .Iaddend.oven including an oven cabinet, two closely spaced .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.and an air heating and circulation system. The .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.and the oven cabinet are adapted so that the .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.can be easily removed .[.from the.]. from the front or side of the oven cabinet. The oven cabinet houses the .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors.Iaddend., ducts and manifolds which all can be easily removed for cleaning or other maintenance. Each of the .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.include separately controlled drive motors capable of driving .[.the.]. each of .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.at different speeds and in different directions.