Multi-line microwave heating system with optimized launcher configuration
First Claim
1. A microwave system for heating a plurality of articles, said microwave system comprising:
- a conveyance system for transporting articles in a convey direction along a first convey line and a second convey line, said first convey line and said second convey line being laterally spaced and substantially parallel;
a first group of spaced apart microwave launchers positioned on one side of said first convey line and configured to direct microwave energy toward said articles when said articles are in said first convey line; and
a second group of spaced apart microwave launchers positioned on a same side of said second convey line and configured to direct microwave energy toward said articles when said articles are in said second convey line,wherein each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers comprises a pair of sidewalls extending substantially parallel to said convey direction,wherein each sidewall of said pair of sidewalls of each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers are spaced from each sidewall of said pair of sidewalls of every other launcher of said first and second groups of launchers,wherein said first and second groups of launchers are staggered relative to one another in said convey direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microwave heating system configured to heat a plurality of articles and a process for using the same is provided. The heating system includes at least two laterally-spaced parallel convey lines and two or more groups of microwave launchers configured to heat articles transported along each convey line. The groups of microwave launchers can include pairs of oppositely disposed launchers that are spaced apart from one another along the axis of convey. When the system includes multiple convey lines, adjacent launcher groups are staggered relative to one another in the convey direction. Heating articles, such as foodstuffs or medical fluids or equipment in such a system, minimize undesirable interference between launchers of adjacent groups and provide a more uniform heating field.
127 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A microwave system for heating a plurality of articles, said microwave system comprising:
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a conveyance system for transporting articles in a convey direction along a first convey line and a second convey line, said first convey line and said second convey line being laterally spaced and substantially parallel; a first group of spaced apart microwave launchers positioned on one side of said first convey line and configured to direct microwave energy toward said articles when said articles are in said first convey line; and a second group of spaced apart microwave launchers positioned on a same side of said second convey line and configured to direct microwave energy toward said articles when said articles are in said second convey line, wherein each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers comprises a pair of sidewalls extending substantially parallel to said convey direction, wherein each sidewall of said pair of sidewalls of each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers are spaced from each sidewall of said pair of sidewalls of every other launcher of said first and second groups of launchers, wherein said first and second groups of launchers are staggered relative to one another in said convey direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A process for heating articles in a microwave heating system, said process comprising:
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(a) passing a first plurality of articles through a microwave heating chamber in a convey direction along a first convey line; (b) passing a second plurality of articles through said microwave heating chamber in said convey direction along a second convey line; (c) simultaneously with at least a portion of said passing of step (a), heating at least a portion of said first plurality of articles with microwave energy discharged from a first group of spaced apart microwave launchers positioned on one side of said first convey line; and (d) simultaneously with at least a portion of said passing of step (b), heating at least a portion of said second plurality of articles using microwave energy discharged from a second group of spaced apart microwave launchers positioned on a same side of said second convey line, wherein each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers comprises a pair of sidewalls extending substantially parallel to said convey direction, wherein each sidewall of said pair of sidewalls of each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers are spaced from each sidewall of said pair of sidewalls of every other launcher of said first and second groups of launchers, wherein said first and second groups of launchers are staggered relative to one another in said convey direction. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification