Annealing furnace

Abstract

The method and apparatus is directed toward an annealing furnace and a method of using the same where the annealing furnaces includes a layer forming apparatus suitable to create layers of metal product; an insulated housing having an interior cavity formed by a roof, a floor, opposing side walls extending the annealing furnace length, opposing side walls extending the annealing furnace width, said insulated housing also having an entrance for introducing metal product and exit for discharging metal product; a heating means in the interior cavity for heat treating metal product; transportation device suitable to convey the metal product in form of layers from the chamber entrance to its exit, whereas to guarantee a stay time inside said furnace suitable for obtaining a required heat treatment; and a discharging apparatus suitable to break up the product layers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.