Method and apparatus for providing heat exchange with continuous stream of containers

摘要

Containers, such as those for food, can be heated or cooled efficiently and in a small space as they are continuously conveyed from a filling station to a packaging station. A cabinet encloses a carriage that holds the container for heating or cooling. Containers are fed into and held in flights by a plurality of dividers spaced around the periphery of the carriage. Intermittent rotation of the carriage permits discharge of a flight of processed containers and feed of containers in need of processing. Heat transfer fluid is circulated through the cabinet and contacted with the containers for the complete time it takes for the carriage to complete a full revolution. The apparatus operates in a semi-continuous manner, but with the use of suitable collection areas in front of and behind the apparatus, the process becomes essentially continuous.