US1385609A - Apparatus - Google Patents

Description

C. H. DURKEE.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR PROCESSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, I920.

Patented July 26, 1921.

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AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR PROCESSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, I920- 1,385,609-. Patented July 26, 1921.

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AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR PROCESSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, 1920.

1,385,609. Patented July 26, 1921.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. 1920.

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CHAUNCEY H. DURKEE, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ANCHOR'CAP & CLOSURECORPORATION, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR PROCESSING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 26', 1921.

Application filed May 26, 1920. Serial No. 384,397.

No. 601 St. Marks avenue, in the borough of Brooklyn, county of liings, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Controls for Processing Apparatus, of which" the following is a specification. v V

This invention. relates generally to the art of packing perishable commodities, in which various substances, such as food proclucts, are put up in sealed receptacles, such as cans, bottles or jars, hermetically sealed to provide a commercial package, and processed or sterilized in the package by the ap plication of heat thereto of such degree. as to partially or fully cook the product, and destroy or inhibit the development or ten ments or other destructive organic agents which may be contained within the package.

The particular subject matter of the present invention resides in-theprovision of an improved mechanism which is effective automatically to regulate the conditions surrounding the packages during the progress 01 the heat treatment or processing, said automatic regulation'being derived from structural alterations or variations in a commercial package which is typical specimen of the lot being treated, and which is subjected to all of the influences of the'process concomitantly with the other packages ofthe lot which it represents. V

As is well known in the art, in the treatment of sealed packages with heat for the purposes above mentioned, it is necessary to apply to the exterior of the packages or sealed receptacles suitable pressure influences which will be effective to counterbalance or equalize pressures developed within the packages by the effect of heat upon the.

contents, in order to prevent the packages being distorted or their closures displaced by the internal pressures developed. Not only is it'necessary to provide a regulation which will insure the maintenance'of a suflicient degree of external-pressure, but'it is also necessary that the regulation operate automatically to establish a variable maxi mum limit to the external pressure so that it at no time will exceed the existing internal pressure to degree suiiiclentto distort the containers or displace their closures by inward pressure which the internal pressure is unable to support.

In present practice it is customary to inclose a lot of packages to be processed in a retort, wherein they are subjected to the heat and to the counterbalancing pressure induced by steam and compressed. air. Inasmuch as the internal pressure within the containers builds up gradually, it is necessary that the counterbalancing pressure be applied gradually, and be maintained continuously andat all times at the proper point to sustain the receptacles, for, if the internal pressure gains the necessary superiority for only a fraction of a second, the entire lot of packages would have their closures forced, their seals or seams rendered leaky, or their walls distorted. Likewise at the end of the period of heat treatment, it is necessary to subject the packages to cooling influences, usually accomplished by the introduction ofcooling water into the retort, and during such process of cooling it is very necessary that the proper counterbalancing external pressure be maintained upon them. At the outset of the cooling operation, when the cooling fluid is first introduced into the retort, it produces a sudden drop of pressure within the retort because of its cooling and contracting influence upon the heat carrying fluid about the packages. its the introduction of the ever, it has the eiiect of building up the pressure externally of the packages, while at the same time reduci the internal pressure in them by its cooling effect. It is obvious, therefore, that unless careiullv regu' lated, the external. pressure would soon so' greatly exceed the strength of the receptacles and the internal pressure, as to collapse the wall portions of the packages, forcing the seals and scams so as to render them leaky, or distorting the containers so as to prejudice the salability of the packages. Certain forms of apparatus heretofore have been devised for automatically regulating the processing pressures by means of a package representative of the lot being treated, and the obj ect of the present invention is to improve on such prior mechanisms by the provision of an apparatus which is more sensitive and responsive to the determining conditions, so that it will secure a more accurate regulation as to quantity and a more immediate regulation as to time.

Another object of my invention is the provision of improved means for retaining the regulating package, whereby to facilitate its rately effective for both maximum and mini-.

mum regulation.

A further object is the provision of a mechanism which is universally adaptable and applicable to various retorts now customarily in use.

' A further object of the invention is the provision of such mechanism, which permits of extreme nicety of adjustment with ease.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such mechanism, which is substantially fool proof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a mechanism, which is suitable for use in conjunction with any of the various forms of containers or receptacles now customarily employed in the packaging of products.

Other and further objects of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter, or indicated in the claims, or will be obvious from the illustrative disclosure herein.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown one manner in which it may be employed. 'This is merely for the purpose of illustration, however, and not for the purpose of defining the scope of the invention, as it will be obvious that it may be embodied in a great variety of forms and employed in a number of uses differing in various particulars from the arrangements illustrated, without departing from the intended cope of the appended claims.

In the said drawings Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic illustration of the embodiment of the invention shown in front elevation and illustrating its application to a form of retort. which is shown in vertical section; the various portions of the representation being unproportional:

. tional view. partially in section, of a package-sustaining portion of the device;

Fig. 7 is a. side elevation of another form of package-sustaining device showing a package therein in section; and

Fig; 8 is a detail in the nature of a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7, the package portions being omitted.

Referring to these illustrations in: detail by means of the reference numerals applied, let it be understood that numeral 1 desig nates generally a retort, of any suitable form, arranged to sustain internal pressures when closed by a suitable'closure 2. It is arranged for the reception of the intended packages, which are designated by the letter C, and which may be charged into the retort and supported therein by means of cage designated by the numeral t. The retort is arranged to be supplied with heat from a suitable source, the supply mcans being liagrammatically illustrated in the present in stance by the steam line 5. In its appurtenances is included also a means for subjecting it to cooling influences, here diagrammatically illustrated by the water line 6, and

means for inducing pressure within the retort, illustrated by the pressure line 7. These are shown associated with a mixing device, designated by the numeral 8, having communication with the retort by means of an inlet pipe, designated by the numeral 9. The retort is also equipped with an exhaust conduit, designated by the numeral 10. The various appurtenances are controlled by suitable means here diagrammatically illustrated as the valves 11 and 12 for controlling the steamand water lines respectively, and the valves 14 and 15 for controlling the pressure and exhaust conduits respectively. As a feature of the illustrative embodiment herein disclosed, the valves 14 and 15 may be equipped as motor valves of a familiar type wherein the s rings S are effective to open the valve under the control of a pres sure responsive diaphragm. The foregoing are more or less familiar features of processing apparatus;

A mechanism embodying the invention includes a' package-sustainingportion and a package-operated portion. The first mentioned may comprise any suitable means for maintaining a package in operative association with the latter, andmay constitute a portion of the retort or its appurtenances, and is disposed within the retort where it is subjected to all of the influences therein. The package-operated mechanism is operatively associated with the package-sustaining means, and may be disposed within or exterior of the retort. Preferably it is disposed outside where it'is not subjected to the heat and pressure conditions in the retort.

In Fig. 1 I have designated the packagesustaining means by the reference character B and the package-operated mechanism by the reference character U. The construction of the latter will be best understood by ref erence to Figs. 2 and 3. In this it will be seen that the apparatus includes a frame which is preferably cast of non-rusting metal and tapped to provide ports and passages as about to be described. In the embodiment disclosed the frame includes a longitudinally extending support 16,with which are inte-- grally formed the valve supports 1'? and 18. These are substantially in alinement longitudinally of the device, and carry valve housings 19 and 20. Mounted on and extending rearwardly from the valve support 17 is a guide bracket 21, and in similar association with the valve'support 18 is the supporting bracket 22. A longitudinally extending guide frame, 24 extends between the. brackets 21 and 22. Thesupporting bracket 22 is equipped with attaching means 25 whereby the devicemay be mounted on the wall of a retort so that the attaching means 25 penetrates to the interior of the same. The attaching means 25 and supporting bracket 22 are formed with a longitudinal bore 22 'in alinement with a similar bore 21 in the guide bracket 21, in which bores is guided and slidablelongitudinally a detecting member 26 in the nature of a stiff rod. As best seen by reference to Fig. 5,-there is secured to this rod a forwardly extending transmis- "sion arm 27,the connection being by means of a clamp 28 controlled by a thumb screw 29ypermitting the location of the arm se' lectively longitudinally of the rod. The forward extremityof this arm 27 carries a stop seat 30, in which are adjustably mounted oppositely effective stop members 31 and 32. These may be screw seated in the stop seat; their adjustability controlled by a clamp 34; operated by the thumb screw 85. The transmission arm 27 is provided with a guide bearing 36 disposed intermediate the clamp 28 and thestop seat 30, which guide bearing is disposed to operate in the guideway 37 of the guide frame 24', in which it is retained bydemountable guide plate 38. Aclamp 39 is adjustably mounted on the detecting mem-' ber 26 so as to be susceptible of longitudinal adjustment thereon, and adapted to hold a spring 4L0,mou-nted on the detecting member 26, under compression against the guide bracket 21.. The length of the detecting member 26 is such asmay be necessary to permit its extending into proper association with the packagefsustaining means in the retort, and byvirtue of its adjustability in clamps f 39 and 28 it may be accurately accommodated to a great variety of different installations. I

Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the support 16 is provided with a longitudinal inlet channel 43 into which pressure fluid may be conducted through a line ll from any suitable source, suitable strainer 4-2being interposed ahead of the device.

From-the inlet channel 43 valve ducts 44 and 45 providecommunication with the inlet ports T and T of the respectivevalvehousings 19 and 20. The valve housing supports are similarly provided with the outlet ducts 46. and l? respectively, which afi'ord comlar fashion, by means of the preferably flexon the seat V, the inlet port T i cation between the pressure source auu munication between the outlet ports L and L of the respective valve housings, and con: duits 48 and as) associated therewith respectively. The conduit 49 leads to the spring and pressure operated valveile which con trols the pressure inlet line 7, the connection preferably being made by means of flexible tubing 19 which will permit movement of the apparatus. The conduit 48 leads in simiible connection 48 to the spring and pressure operated valve 15, which controls the exhaust conduit 10. Suitable indicating devices 50and 51 are connected in the conduits l8 and 49 in proper fashion to show the pressure therein. 7 The functioning; of the controller valve housings 19 and 20 will be understood upon reference to the structure uiagranimatically shown in Fig. l, in which it will be observed that the housing contains a valve chamber E with which the inlet port T and outlet port L communicate. vent channel l3. likewise communicates with the val e chamber and provides a passage for the valve rod Il. lhe valve Y is operably associated with the inner extremity of the rod'N, and adapted to control theinletport by its cooperation with the valve .3 and the venting clmnnel by its cooperation with the valve s at Ii. When the valve'is seated on the seat- IQ; C(Jfllllltlfilw cation is open betweei the inlet port I and the outlet port L so that pressure ma] be built up in the conduit associated with the outlet port L; while; when the valve is seated 190 venting ecmmiuiication established la the ventingchannel R and the conduit as sociated \vitlrthe outlet-port L. .;Lcc dingly, in the case of the v lvc contained 7 non."

its COlJLl i. rod N to X, pressure from the tainod on the pressure opcrat sai l valve, will be held closed. U 'eation of inward p: rssure to re rod however, so that valve Y is mo -Jed into operation with valve seat ii", the wnimuixi- 1 the 1 valve will be cut ofhand the p the operating oiaphragin of the i vented through the cl anuel I the val to open under the lill J, o m i: spring is; ihis, or u sure fluid to the retc-it or line '7. The opera on of t 111g 20 which I will call ti :O long mlve, corresponds. the valve is seated on the seat X pressure will be maintained on the valve 15 ep it closed. hen the valve rod'N is operated to move the valve intocoopezation with the sen lV'Q however, this pressure will be cutoiii and vented "from the operating mechanism .of

valve 15 through the vent channel It, permitting valve 15 to open under the influence of its spring and permit th' exhaust of pressure from within the reto t through the exhaust conduit 16.

In the operation of the device the control of the rods N and N and hro them the valves Y and Y, is exe ci ugh the instrun'ientality of the iletccting member .26 and its appurtenances comprising the transmission arm 2? and adjustable stop i'iembers 3i and 32, the latter of which are a spied to engage the ends of the valve controller rods N and N so as to move them and determine the positionsof the valves 1 l Lonand .L gitudinal movement of the detecting member 26, therefore, will be effective to operate one or the other or both of the valves Y and Y and bring about the opening or closing of the valves 14 and b The adjustment of the members 31 and 32 determines at what point in the movement of the detectingmember' 26 in. either direction it will become effective upon thevalve stems N and N. Obviously either of said stop members 31 and may be so positioned as to allow for any desired clearance or amount of play between the starting position of? the detecting member and the point where it becomes effective to operate either of the valves. Themembers 31 and -32 are locked in the proper adjustment by the screw 35 so that the device may be accommodated to various forms of retorts, etc, and when once set up and properly adjusted, should require no further adjustments. The same applies to the adjustment of the mem er 2? on the detecting member 26 by means of the clamp 28 and the adjustment of the clamp 29 on the detecting member 26,.so that the proper degree of compression always may be main.- tained in the spring 4,6.

The controlling operation of the detecting member 26 is determined by the condition of the controlling package C which is maintained in association with the packageoperated mechanism by the package-sustaining means B. The essential features of the.

packagesustaining means are that it be effective to maintain the controlling package in such. association with the package-operated mechanism that variations in the structural form of package, induced by the relative condition of internal and external pressures to which it is subjected. will be rendered effective to move the detecting member or to determine its position immediately and effectively. In the case of the familiar receptacles commonly called tin cans the develop ment of an internal pressure in a package in excess of the summation of the external pressure on it and the factor of rigidity of the metal will become effective to flex outwardly the ends of the can. Food products are ordinarily sealed in the cans under a reduced pressure, with the result that the ends of the cans are flexed inwardly somewhat and rendered concave externally by atmospheric pressure. The extent of concavity depends, of course, upon the rigidity of the metal, the diameter of the cover, and the degree of internal pressure, but it provides a certain zone in which the metal of closure may move or flex before subjecting the scams or seal to separating stresses. The same condition is true in the case of rigid vessels such as glass jars, when sealed with flexible closures such as caps. There exists thisdif ference, however, that in the case of the rigid vessel the entire effect of the" internal pressure is exerted against the single flexible cap, whereas in the metal cans the opposite ends or heads are ordinarily subjected to the same pressure and ordinarily will respond thereto by outward flexion in the same degree.

In order to utilize the entire effectiveness of movement in a metal can, therefore, I have devised the arrangement of package'- re't'aining means illustrated in Fig. 6. It will be observed thatthis device includes a boss 60 which may be of any desiredlength, and

member 61 relative to the lower end of the detecting member 26, which extremity of the detaching member is adapted to operate through a suitable aperture in the clamping member 61. Adjustably mounted on the clamp member 61 by means of the rods 62 is a cooperating clamping member 64 which may be moved toward and'from the'member 61 by operation of manually operated means 65. Carried on the member 6 1, at about its middle is a compression member 66 protruding toward the'clamp member 61. This compression member is preferably circular and formed with a convex upper surface and of proper diameter to fit withinthe upstanding peripheral bead of a tin can, the'effective height of the member 66. being adjustable by virtue of a screw 67 so that its surface may engage the surface of the can cover of the upper head or cover of the can is in contact with the lower end of the detecting member 26. This adjustment may be accurately obtained byscrewing the clamp, with the can in place, onto the boss or nippleunti'l the can end becomes efifective upon the detecting member 26 so that pressure is shown on the gage 50, and then carefully backing off the clamp on the screw of the boss or nipple until the indicator 50 shows that the valve is closed; This places the can in position to operate the inlet control valve immediately any outward movement of the cover is initiated. In the use of a package retaining means having a compression member such as illustrated at 66, the entire effectiveness of movement of the two ends of the can is utilized in securing theoperation of gulating device, as the compression ibcr retains the lower end against distivenes-i it the internal pressure is exerted a; must the upper end of the can.

Ina number of forms of commercial packages which are extensively used, a frangible vessel is sealed by means'oi a ductile cap, the hermetic seal being formed by a gasket conipressel and retained against the peripheral wall of the vessel in a head of the cap. As a port through which the detectingmember 26 crates. Slidably mounted on the member Si is a pair of adjustable clips 68 having the forwardly pro ecting ledges 68 spaced apart from the lower suri'ace of the clamp member 61. and with their inner mar gins oi arcuate formr These clip members have the guide lugs 68 which'are slidably l in the slots 61*, while each clip is sup- .7 l by means of a bolt screw (39 passing thron i the slot 61* and carryingtie wing nut 70. This arrangement permits adjust ment of the clip members toward and from the middle of the member 61 so as to accommodate vessels of" different diameters, and also the adjustment of the ledges 6S towlrd and from the member '61 so as to permit the insertion of the beaded portion of? a piu-kagc between them am. the clamp in nber, and its clamping therein upon a tightenir of the screw. This securely clips th paclra e to the package-sustaining device in maintains the flexible portion in proper operative association with the detecting member, f

The detail operation 01 the device has enient outwardly, sothat the entire eiiec been explained in the foregoing. I will now describe its general operation. 1 The retort having been filled with. packages of a certain. type containing acertain product, a specimen package, which is typical of the lot, is mounted in the package retaining device and the latter properly positioned With reference to the package operated device. The retort then being closed, the heat is applied to it by the operation of the heat con trolling means 11. At theinception of the operation both of the controlling Valves Y are in open position under the influence of the fluid pressure which is maintained on them through the supply line 41, and this pressure being effective also on the devices It and 15 whichoperate the valves 14- and to, said valves will be maintained closed against the influence of their springs S. When the heat within the retort rises to the point where it generates pressu'r in the packages to the extent that they'con'imence to expand, such expansion inthe controlling container'will be effective upon the detecting device 26 to start the closing of the inlet control valve Y, which will permit the parj tial or complete'venting'of the device 14 with the result that valvefldwill be opened to admit the counterbalancing fluid pressure to the retort. This HClIIIlSSlQHOfflUlCl pressure continues to the point where outwardly displaced portions ofthe packages are restored to their normal position, whereat the valve Y will be relieved of the pressure of the member snwithrhe result that it will open and permit theoperating fluid pressure to close valve 14. Thus it will be obvious that the operation otvalve'14 follows immediately upon any expansionof the packages, and that said opening of the valve will be either c'omplete or graduaha'ccording as the outward displacement of the package wall is sudden or gradual. In this' fashion actly the proper minimum counterb alancing pressure will be maintained inthe' retort independently ofthe absolute jamountot presire within the'containers. Automatic regulation for maximum pressure is also main tained. This functionism'ost important during the cooling operation; After the packages have been subjected to 'the sterilizing treat for the proper period, it is necessary to cool them under pressure'so that their internal pressures are reducedwhil'e' still under the equalizing effect of the external pressure. T he admission of the cooling medium to the retort causes a very sudden contraction of the steam or heated air within the retort, which would cause a sudden drop in pressure except for the immediate operation of the inlet controlling valve and the compensating admission of pressure fluid through the valve 14L As the admission of the cooling medium continues, however, the pressure within the retort will increase, due

to the compression ofthe air within the retort by the increasing volume of the cooling medium, which is ordinarily water. This pressure, it not regulated, would increase to the point where the strength of the material in the containers, and the rapidly decreasing internal pressure in them, would be of the blow-ofl controlling valve Y, causing said valve to seat and permit the venting of the operating pressure from the device 15 which controls the exhaust conduit 10. This permits the partial or complete opening of the exhaust valve 15 with the result that pressure within the retort would be permittedto discharge. Upon the pressure in the retort being reduced to the proper degree to permit the package wall to resume its normal position, the detecting member would release the blow-off control valve Y and effect a closing of the exhaust valve 15. Thepressure indicators 50 and 51 are effective at all times to show the condition of the packages,whether normal, expanded, orcontracted. When said devices register pressure it indicatesthat the packages arenormal, while when the indicator 51 moves toward zero it indicates that the packages are expanding, and when the device 50 moves toward zero it indicates that the packages are contracted below normal. In the foregoing manner it will be observed, a proper counterbalancing pressure is maintained at every instant, said counterbalanc ing pressure being controlled both as to maximum and minimum limits with extreme nicety, and the necessary change in pressure being effected exactly in accordance with the requirements of the packages, that is, either gradually or suddenly, continuously or intermittently. Moreover, the condition of: the packages is indicated at all times. In theme of this controlling apparatus it is unnecessary to take cognizance of the absolute amount of pressure which is generated in the packages, or the strength of the packages or the firmness of their seals or seams, as'in'every instance the condition of the packages themselves brings about the desired result.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for treating packages,-

the combination of a movable detecting member, supporting means for supporting a package with a wall portion inoperative association with said member, pressure means for subjecting the package to external fluid pressure, .a controlling device for controllin the pressure means by operation' of the detecting member, and variable interconnections between the detecting member and the controlling device whereby the may be varied selectively.

2. in an apparatus for treating packages, the combination of a movable detecting member, supporting means for supporting a package with a wall portion in operative association with 7 said member, pressure means for subjecting the package to external fluid pressure, a controlling device for obtaining increase and decrease of such pressure upon the package, and variable interconnections between the detecting member and the controlling device whereby the effectiveness of the former upon the latter may be varied selectively.

In an apparatus for treating packages the combination of a movable detecting member, supporting means for supporting a package with a wall portion in operative association therewith, pressure means for subjecting the packa e to external fluid pressure, a controlling device for obtaining increase and decrease 01 such pressure upon the package, said controlling devi-r'e includvariably operable members etfective'to determine the degree of variation of the pressure, and means actuated by the detect ing member for operating the controlling device.

1. In an apparatus for treating packages, the combination of a movable det'e ting member, supporting means for supporting a package with a wall portion in operative 'en with the d ecting member, presassocii sure means for SUbjGTtlHQ the packa to external fluid pressure,acontrolling devi eoperable by the dete iting member "for obtaining increase and decrease of fluid pressure upon the package, said controlling devire including variably operable members eitective to determine the degree of variation of the pressure, and adjustable intercoimections between the detecting member and controlling device whereby tbeefi'ectiveness ot the "former upon the latter may be varied selectively;

5. In an apparatus for treating pa kages, the combination of a movable dete ting member, supporting means for supporting a package with a wall portion in operative association with said member, pres ure means "for subjecting the package to external fluid pressure, a controlling device including members operable respectively to effe t increase and decrease 01 such pressure upon the package, and variable interconner-tions between the detecting member and said last mentioned members whereby the effectiveness of the former upon the respective members may be variedselectively.

6. In an apparatus for treatingpackages, the combination of a movable detecting effectiveness of the former upon the latter 3 member, supporting means for supportingmeans for subjecting the package to external fluid pressure, and a controlling device oper able by the detecting member indifferent degrees for obtaining variation of the fluid pressure to different degrees, and means for varying the extent of effectiveness of the detecting member upon said controlling device. v

8. In an apparatus for treating package, the combination of a retort for containing packages under pressure, said retort being provided with inlet and outlet ports, adetecting member operable by package within the retort, controlling means operable by said detecting member to control the inlet and outlet ports, and means for varying selectively the effectiveness of the detecting member upon the controlling means.

9. In a processing apparatus, the combi nation of a frame, a detecting member guided thereon, controlling membersinounted on'the frame and operable by the detecting member upon movement thereof in different directions, means for supporting the frame in association with a retort, means for supporting an article within such re tort in operative association with the detecting member, and means for selectively varying the position of the detecting meniber on the frame and relative. to the control-- ling members to accommodate'it to the retort.

10. Ina processing apparatus, a combination comprising aframe, a detecting member guided thereom controlling valves mounted on the frame and operable by the detecting member upon the movement there of in different directions, means for sup-' plying operating fluid to the valves, means for supporting the frame in association with a retort, means for supporting an article within the retort in operative association with thedetecting member, and means for adjusting the detecting member on the frame and relative to the controlling valves to accommodate it to the retort.

1.1. A controlling apparatus comprising the combination of a frame, a detecting mem ber movably mounted thereon, valves on the frame operable by movement of the detecting member in different directions. means operable to vary the effectiveness of the detecting member on different valves, means controlled by the valves for conducting fluid, motive devices operable by fluid under control of the valves, and means for sustaining the frame with the detecting member in association with an object responsive to pressure.

12A controlling apparatus comprising the combination of a frame including a spacing support providing a conduit for pressure fluid, valve housings supported thereon and arran ed for fluid supply therefrom, valves operating in said housings to control "movement of fluid therethrough, means operable exteriorly of the housings for controlling the positioning of the valves, a detecting member mounted for movement on the frame and operably associated with the valve controlling means, means for sustaining the frame with the detecting mem-.

ber in cooperation with an object effective to determine its position, and motive devices operable by fluid under control of the valves.

13. In processing apparatus, the combinationof a retort adapted to sustain internal pressure and provided with inlet and outlet ports, valves for controlling the said ports, controlling means differentially effective to control the operation of said valves to different degrees, and a detecting member operable by an article within the retort and differentially effective upon the con trolling means.

1a. In processing apparatus, the combination'of a retort arranged to retain packages under fluid pressure, a detecting member operable by a wall portion of a package within the retort, and indicators operable by the detecting member toindicate displacement of the wall portion of the package inwardly and outwardly from the predetermined position.

ii-i'al'packages, a package supporting device for sustaining a package in effective association with package controlled mechanism, said device including relatively adjustable clamping members adapted for cooperation with opposite extremities of a package to maintain the package between them, one of said members including a compression member. effective to engage a wall portion of the supported package to retain'it against out 7 wardv displacement.

16. In an apparatus for treating commercial packages, a package supporting device for sustaining a package in effective association with package operated mechanism, said device including relatively adjustable members adapted for clamping engagement against opposite extremities of a sealed can, one of said members includinga compression member arranged to engage "one of the heads of the supported canto hold it against outward flexion.

In an'apparatus for treating commer V 17. In an apparatus for treating commercial packages, a package supporting device rcluiling relative adjustable end members adapted to en ige opposite extremities of a can to sustain it between them, one of said members including a compression member.

supporting member adapted to engage one end or a commercial package, clips carried thereby and adjustable thereon toward and from each other for engagement with lateral portions of a supported package, and means for mounting the supporting member in association with a detecting rod, said suppori' ing member being constructed to accommodate such rod to contact with the end portion of the supported package.

19. In an apparatus for treating commercial packages, a package supporting device comprising a rigid member, clips adjustably supported thereon for relative movement, said clips including oppositely directed portions arranged to cooperate with the rigid member to engage a peripherally protruding portion of a package, said rigid member being apertured to permit the movement of a detecting member by a portion of a commercial package supported on said rigid member and clips. V

20. In an apparatus for treating commercial packages, the combination with a retort, of an externally disposed package operated mechanism, a detecting member effective upon the same and operable by a package within the retort. and a package supporting member operable to hold a package,

and comprising means for mounting and demounting it into and out of association with the detecting member while holding a package.

' 21. A processing apparatus comprising in combination, a retort for inclosing packages for treatment, a valve operable by fluid pressure for controlling supply of fluid to the retort, a controlling device for governing operation of said valve, a detecting member operable by a package inthe retort and effective to actuate the controlling device to vent the pressure operated valve, and means for maintaining a package in the. retort in operative association with the detecting member.

22. A processing apparatus comprising in combination, a retort ii'or inclosing packages for treatment, a valve operable by fluid pressure for controlling discharge of fluid from the retort, a controlling device for governretort, a controllin device for governing operation of said valve, a detecting member operable by a wall portion of a packagein the retort and effective to actuate the controlling device to cut off the operating pressure upon said valve and vent the pressure from said valve, and means for maintaining a package in the retort in operative association with a detecting member. s

24. A processing apparatus comprising in combination, a retort tor inclosing packages for treatment, a valve operable by fluid pressure for controlling discharge of fluid erable by fluid pressure for operating the valve, and a detecting member operable by a package in the retort to vent pressure fluid from said motor devlce. A

26. A processing apparatus comprising in combination, a retort for inclosing packages for treatment, a valve for controlling supply of fluid to theretort, a motor device operable by fluid pressure for operating the valve, detecting member operable by a package in the retort to vent pressure fluid from said motor device, and means to adjust the eifective range of operations of the detecting member. 7 I

27. A processing apparatusv comprising in combination, a retort for inclosing packages for treatment, a valve for controlling supply of fluid to the retort, a motor device operable by fluid pressure for operating the valve, and a detecting member operable by expansive movement of a package in the retort to vent pressure fluid from said motor device and to cut oil' the pressure fluid to said device.

oniAUNoEY H. DURKEE.

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