PURPOSE: To provide a batch type atmospheric heat treatment furnace having high production efficiency without any loss time accompanied with the shifting of a material to be heated even in the case of being the batch type and the driving method therefor.

CONSTITUTION: A two-stage lifting box 5 is arranged so as to be able to charge and eject the material to be heated (a) by horizontally shifting to each of an upper stage space 7 and a lower stage space 8 from the outer part and a heating chamber 12. A purge chamber 20 is formed at the lower side thereof and a cooling chamber 21 is formed at the upper side thereof, and the material to be heated (a) is charged to the lower stage space 8 of the lifting box 5 in the lifting condition. The material (a) at the lower stage space 8 is charged into the purge chamber 20 by lowering the lifting box 5, and at the same time, the material (a) at the upper stage space 7 is ejected from the cooling chamber 21 to the outer part. Thereafter, the material (a) is ejected from the heating chamber 12 to the upper stage space 7 and charged into the cooling chamber 21 by lifting the lifting box 5. At the same time, the material (a) at the lower stage space 8 is ejected from the purge chamber 20 and charged into the heating chamber 12 and the next material (a) to be heated is charged into the lower stage space 8 from the outer part.