MULTI-LINE MICROWAVE HEATING SYSTEM WITH OPTIMIZED LAUNCHER CONFIGURATION

• US 20160309549A1
• Filed: 06/27/2016
• Published: 10/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 915 Labs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 915 Labs, LLC (Tata Sons Pvt Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kimrey, Harold Dail Jr., Wilson, Robert Brian
• Granted Patent: US 10,448,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/01 using microwaves or dielectric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/02 by heating materials in packages which are progressively transported, continuously or stepwise, through the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/04 Heat A61L2/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/12 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/21 Pharmaceuticals, e.g. medicaments, artificial body parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/26 Textiles, e.g. towels, beds, cloths
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/06 by heat
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/67201 characterized by the construction of the load-lock chamber
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/68 for monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/70 Feed lines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/78 Arrangements for continuous movement of material
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/782 wherein the material moved is food
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/80 Apparatus for specific applications stoves or ranges F24C7/02

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.

Claims

1. A microwave system for heating a plurality of articles, said system comprising:

a conveyance system for transporting articles in a convey direction along first and second laterally spaced, substantially parallel convey lines;

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 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 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 said sidewalls of each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers are spaced from said 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.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said launchers in said first group of launchers receives microwave energy from a first microwave generator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of said launchers in said second group of launchers receives microwave energy from a second microwave generator that is different from said first microwave generator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers comprises a pair of end walls extending substantially perpendicular to said convey direction, wherein said end walls of each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers are spaced from said end walls of every other launcher of said first and second groups of launchers.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein each launcher comprises two end walls and two sidewalls, wherein the end walls and sidewalls of each launcher are spaced from the end walls and sidewalls of every other launcher.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein each launcher of said first and second groups has a launch tilt angle in the range of 2°

to 15°

.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said one side of said first convey line is above said article in said first convey line and wherein said same side of said second convey line is above said articles in said second convey line.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising first and second lower groups of spaced apart microwave launchers, wherein each launcher of said first and second lower groups of microwave launchers comprises at least one launch opening for discharging microwave energy toward said first or said second convey line, wherein each launcher of said first lower group of microwave launchers is positioned below said first convey line and is configured to direct microwave energy upwardly toward said articles in said first convey line, wherein each launcher of said second lower group of microwave launchers is positioned below said second convey line and is configured to direct microwave energy upwardly toward said articles in said second convey line.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first microwave distribution system for directing microwave energy from a first common microwave generator to said first group of launchers, further comprising a second microwave distribution system for directing microwave energy from a second common microwave generator to said second group of launchers.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said conveyance system is disposed within a pressurized, liquid-filled microwave chamber.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said microwave heating system is configured for pasteurization or sterilization of said articles, wherein said articles are selected from the group consisting of foodstuffs, packaged medical fluids, and medical instruments.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said articles comprise packaged foodstuffs or packaged medical fluids, wherein said microwave chamber is configured to be liquid-filled and pressurized to at least 10 psig, wherein said microwave system is configured to sterilize said packaged foodstuffs or medical fluids at a rate of at least 20 packages per minute per convey line.

13. A process for heating a plurality of articles in a microwave heating system, said process comprising:

(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 said sidewalls of each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers are spaced from said sidewalls of every other launcher of said first and second groups of launchers,

wherein said first and second groups of microwave launchers are staggered relative to one another in said convey direction.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of said launchers in said first group of launchers receives microwave energy from a first microwave generator.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein each of said launchers in said second group of launchers receives microwave energy from a second microwave generator that is different from said first microwave generator.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers comprises a pair of end walls extending substantially perpendicular to said convey direction, wherein said end walls of each launcher of said first and second groups of launchers are spaced from said end walls of every other launcher of said first and second groups of launchers.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein each launcher comprises two end walls and two sidewalls, wherein the end walls and sidewalls of each launcher are spaced from the end walls and sidewalls of every other launcher.

18. The process of claim 13, wherein each launcher of said first and second groups has a launch tilt angle in the range of 2°

to 15°

.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein said one side of said first convey line is above said article in said first convey line and wherein said same side of said second convey line is above said articles in said second convey line.

20. The process of claim 13, wherein said microwave heating chamber is pressurized to at least 10 psig, wherein said microwave heating chamber is at least partially filled with a liquid medium, wherein said plurality of articles and said another plurality of articles comprise packaged foodstuffs, medical fluids, or medical devices, wherein said microwave heating system has a production rate of at least 20 packages per minute per convey line.