PURPOSE: To improve operating efficiency by loading plural stages of trays on to a carrier, carrying the trays in a heating means with a tray lifting and lowering means in a carrying in part of a conveyor and carrying out the trays with the tray lifting and lowering means in a carrying out part of the conveyor.

CONSTITUTION: Trays having arranged Japanese-style confections are stacked and placed in plural stages on a carrier (E) and joined to a position of a tray lifting and lowering means (C) at a position in a carrying in part (2a) of a conveyor. A tray receiving member (G) is lifted by one stage with a motor to receive the trays from the carrier. The trays are then transferred to a conveyor 2 with a tray transferring means (D) to heat and sterilize the Japanese- style confections in the trays with a far infrared heating means (B). The trays are subsequently transferred to the tray receiving member (G) with the tray transferring means (D) and the lifting and lowering means (C) of a carrying out part (2b).