Abstract: A bookbinding machine wherein stacks of signatures are transported by the holders of an endless conveyor which moves the stacks seriatim along a paster. The paster coats the backs of successive stacks with wet adhesive and the stacks are thereupon transported through a heating zone where the adhesive is heated in the space between two elongated electrodes of a high-frequency heater. A pipe which extends along the path of stacks in the region of one of the electrodes has orifices which discharge streamlets of preheated air across the path of holders to impinge against successive stacks and to thus prevent scorching of signatures by heat which is generated by the high-frequency heater. The rate of flow of air through the orifices of the pipe is adjustable, and such rate preferably increases in the direction of forward movement of the holders.

Abstract: An energy conserving process furnace has a recuperator to utilize heat derived from exhaust gases in order to reduce fossil fuel consumption of the furnace. Elongated, enhanced surface ceramic heat exchanger tubes are used in the recuperator to recover heat energy from the exhaust gas. A preferred sealing arrangement is used between the metal and ceramic tubes to contain the combustion air. Heat is added by the recuperator to combustion air used in a fluid fuel burner.A recirculating burner has a flame front outside of the burner in the combustion chamber. The recirculating burner means acts to reduce the combustion air requirements and to provide a combustion zone low in oxygen so as to prevent scale formation and oxidation of metals being treated in the furnace area.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying ceramic bodies in which a framework of horizontal pipes and spacer bars define vertical columns beneath which a platform is disposed. The drying medium is circulated through the chamber containing the rack and through the pipes of the rack which have outlets for the cooling medium therealong. The ceramic bodies are stacked on the platform and the stacks are held pneumatically when the platform is lowered to remove the bottom article from each stack, additional articles being fed to the stack from the top. Plates on opposite sides of the stack are shifted back and forth by a crank arrangement to impart a quasi-sinusoidal movement to the gases around the bodies in the stacks.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing moisture from textile products which are sufficiently porous to permit a substantial flow of heated fluid through the product. Two separate drying regions are provided through which a web of textile product is serially moved. The textile product divides each drying region into a pair of drying zones, and a differential pressure of heated air is maintained on opposite sides of the textile product in each of the heating regions to maintain a flow of heated air through the textile product. The wet textile product first passes through an initial heating region for flowthrough exposure to air heated to a temperature exceeding the temperature at which the dry textile product is damaged, for evaporation of unbound moisture without damaging the textile product. The textile product then passes through a subsequent heating region for flow-through exposure to recirculating air at a temperature which is nondamaging to the textile product.

Abstract: A furnace for flux-free soldering of aluminum-containing workpieces in a controlled atmosphere has a furnace chamber through which workpieces to be soldered are made to travel. The furnace chamber itself is a gas-tight metallic muffle which is thermally insulated from the outer part of the furnace and has an inlet for the workpieces and an outlet for them. A first lock chamber is interposed between the furnace chamber and the inlet, and a second lock chamber is interposed between the outlet and the furnace chamber. Arrangements are provided for admitting vacuum and protective gas into the lock chambers, and protective gas into the muffle and a heating arrangement is provided for heating the controlled atmosphere in the muffle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing moisture from textile products which are sufficiently porous to permit a substantial flow of heated fluid through the product. Two separate drying regions are provided through which a web of textile product is serially moved. The textile product divides each drying region into a pair of drying zones, and a differential pressure of heated air is maintained on opposite sides of the textile product in each of the heating regions to maintain a flow of heated air through the textile product. The wet textile product first passes through an initial heating region for flowthrough exposure to air heated to a temperature exceeding the temperature at which the dry textile product is damaged, for evaporation of unbound moisture without damaging the textile product. The textile product then passes through a subsequent heating region for flow-through exposure to recirculating air at a temperature which is nondamaging to the textile product.

Abstract: An oven for treatment of solid foods includes an elongated, double-walled housing divided into a cooking chamber and a heating chamber containing heating means. Fan means in the heating chamber create a draft into which water vapor is introduced and the draft is circulated through both chambers. The product is carried on a vapor pervious conveyor through the cooking chamber.The cooking process comprises the steps of providing a food treatment chamber equipped with a vapor pervious conveyor; preparing a moving stream of a process vapor at a temperature above 212.degree.F.; circulating the stream along the conveyor; injecting water vapor into the moving stream of process vapor and supplying heat to the moving stream; placing the food product in discrete pieces upon the conveyor; and moving the product continuously in its original position on the conveyor through the treatment chamber.

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.