Apparatus for the thermal treatment of commodities packed in containers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for operating a continuous process apparatus in which commodities packed in containers receive thermal sterilizing treatment, wherein the containers are introduced by means of an endless conveyor and through a pressure resistant opening, into a treatment space and are traversed through a loop-shaped path in this space and thereupon are discharged therefrom through a pressure resistant outlet, including injecting saturated steam at the desired treatment temperature through a number of nozzles into the treatment space directed towards the passing containers for the transfer of heat, concurrently introducing air for maintaining the level of the desired overpressure in order to avoid a deformation of the containers. Furthermore, at the upper side of the treatment space water is supplied at the desired treatment temperature, part of the down-flowing water being collected in gutters positioned between the loops of the conveyor and being warmed up under the influence of the steam issuing from the nozzles under these gutters over at least a part of the width of the treatment space, so as to produce an optimum mixture of the atmosphere.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.