Abstract: A mechanism for constraining a product package as it is conveyed through a microwave applicator. In one preferred embodiment, the conveyor is provided by a pair of parallel guide belts arranged to travel through a microwave applicator. The guide belts have a series of slots or other guide elements formed therein. The guide elements engage edges of the product packages. In one arrangement, the pair of belts are disposed on either side of a series of packages, and thus constrain the location of the packages in three dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing food products is provided. The product conditioning system includes an inlet assembly, a pressurizeable tunnel and an outlet assembly. The inlet assembly and outlet assembly include a pair of vertically extending pressure vessels having entry and exit openings which are both sealable by doors to provide liquid and gaseous tight seals. The inlet and outlet assembly pressure vessels further include a pair of vertically extending parallel screws for transporting food products from one end of the pressure vessel to the other. The pressurizeable tunnel includes a heating stage having microwave sources for irradiating food products so as to pasteurize or sterilize prepackaged food. The pressurizeable tunnel further includes a heat maintenance stage and product cooling stage. Both the heat maintenance stage and product cooling stage include vertically extending pressure vessels.

Abstract: A compact, high speed, miniaturized adaptive controller for a microwave power generator. A pair of directional couplers are arranged between a microwave source and a circulator to measure forward and reverse power. An electromagnet in the circulator may be controlled in response to a VSWR calculation. In some arrangements, the directional couplers may be loop-type directional couplers that are integrated into a waveguide magnetron launching assembly. The directional couplers may use a tapered coaxial line that presents an impedance that reduces along the length thereof. This enhances the directivity of the loop coupler and improves performance of the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing food products is provided. The product conditioning system includes an inlet assembly, a pressurizeable tunnel and an outlet assembly. The inlet assembly and outlet assembly include a pair of vertically extending pressure vessels having entry and exit openings which are both sealable by doors to provide liquid and gaseous tight seals. The inlet and outlet assembly pressure vessels further include a pair of vertically extending parallel screws for transporting food products from one end of the pressure vessel to the other. The pressurizeable tunnel includes a heating stage having microwave sources for irradiating food products so as to pasteurize or sterilize prepackaged food. The pressurizeable tunnel further includes a heat maintenance stage and product cooling stage. Both the heat maintenance stage and product cooling stage include vertically extending pressure vessels.

Abstract: A mechanism for constraining a product package as it is conveyed through a microwave applicator. In one preferred embodiment, the conveyor is provided by a pair of parallel guide belts arranged to travel through a microwave applicator. The guide belts have a series of slots or other guide elements formed therein. The guide elements engage edges of the product packages. In one arrangement, the pair of belts are disposed on either side of a series of packages, and thus constrain the location of the packages in three dimensions.

Abstract: A continuous feed microwave applicator having a choke formed along a longitudinal gap. A conveyor may be fit to run along the length of the applicator, within the gap.

Abstract: A door assembly for a microwave oven that includes a deformable thin stainless steel plate which is sandwiched between a compression frame and a choke structure. To open the door, the plate is moved upward and away from the compression plate and the choke. In the closed position, the compression plate is pressed back under tension against the choke by the compression frame to prevent leakage of microwave energy. Tension force may be applied, for example, by the use of angled flanges or pneumatic door clamps. The door assembly is readily adaptable to both batch type and continuous feed processing. Because of the single moving lightweight plate, the assembly achieves a low cycle time access opening, eliminates the need for heavy and cumbersome structures which in turn also reduces the potential for injury.

Abstract: A door assembly for a microwave oven that includes a deformable thin stainless steel plate which is sandwiched between a compression frame and a choke structure. To open the door, the plate is moved upward and away from the compression plate and the choke. In the closed position, the compression plate is pressed back under tension against the choke by the compression frame to prevent leakage of microwave energy. Tension force may be applied, for example, by the use of angled flanges or pneumatic door clamps. The door assembly is readily adaptable to both batch type and continuous feed processing. Because of the single moving lightweight plate, the assembly achieves a low cycle time access opening, eliminates the need for heavy and cumbersome structures which in turn also reduces the potential for injury.

Abstract: A test bonding apparatus comprising a rectangular wave-guide having a first pair of spaced opposing side walls attached to an orthogonal pair of spaced opposing side walls which are relatively wider. The waveguide includes an input portion, an intermediate bonding chamber portion and a terminating end portion which disposed in communication with one another. Coupled to the input portion is a microwave source and a coolant source for propagating consistently through the bonding chamber portion microwave energy having a predominant frequency associated with a predetermined wavelength, and a flow of coolant fluid. The relatively wider side walls in the bonding chamber portion of the waveguide have disposed along their longitudinal centerlines respective aligned slots. Each of the slots has opposing longitudinal edges disposed adjacent open ends of respective quarter wavelength chokes which are supported externally of the waveguide.

Abstract: A method and appaatus for curing a gasket material on a cap, the apparatus having a microwave transmitter, associated wavegide and a device for moving multiple caps through the waveguide. A plastic material is applied to the cap so as to form a gasket. The cap is then moved through the waveguide where microwave energy is absorbed by plastic material. The plastic material then heats from room temperature to a predetermined curing temperature in the waveguide. The cap is then removed and allowed to cool back to room temperature so that the gasket material will harden.

Abstract: A constant temperature fryer assembly having a conveyor for cooking food in oil at a predetermined constant temperature. The fryer is constructed having an external heat exchanger for heating the oil. Oil is removed from the fryer, pumped through the heat exchanger and then pumped back into the fryer through a series of aperatures. The aperatures are positioned in the fryer to provide predetermined temperature at various positions along the conveyor, thereby maintaining a controlled cooking environment.

Abstract: A microwave oven product support tray having a rigid rectangular frame over which is attached sheets of a flexible thin material such as Teflon coated fiberglas. The attachment means may be easily removed so that damaged sheets may be replaced. The tray may be supported in the oven cavity by support rails which permit the tray to be partially pulled out of the cavity for easy loading and unloading of product.

Abstract: A conveyorized microwave oven having two leakage suppression tunnels in series wherein the first tunnel includes a microwave choke and a second tunnel has a ferromagnetic layer covered with a smooth microwave transparent sheet. The choke tunnel presents a high impedance to microwave energy at the operating or fundamental frequency and the second tunnel attenuates spurious out-of-band radiation which propagates through the first tunnel and is typically concentrated at the harmonics. The ferromagnetic layer absorbs the broad-banded microwave energy and the smooth microwave transparent layer such as Lexan provides a surface that is easily cleanable and acceptable for use in cooking food. The sides of the second tunnel can be pivoted to an opened position by hinges to provide easy access to the inside for cleaning.

Abstract: A conveyorized microwave oven having multiple independently controlled lanes. Specifically, a plurality of conveyor belts are directed into, through, and out of the microwave cavity. The belts can be operated at different speeds so that foods requiring different microwave exposure times can be cooked simultaneously. Suppression tunnels surrounding the conveyor belts at the openings into and out of the cavity prevent the escape of microwave energy from the cavity.

Abstract: An appliance for heating seeds, nuts, grains and the like such as popcorn kernels, for example, by means of microwave radiation, comprising a bowl which is transparent to microwave energy and which has in its lower region an area of restricted size for holding unheated seeds in a clump, the area of the bowl above the restricted area being larger to allow heated seeds to expand, and means for directing the microwave energy upon the clump of seeds.

Abstract: A microwave suppression apparatus having two lengthwise tunnels and a plurality of septums that sequentially move through both tunnels in a continuous loop. The septums form microwave seals with inner wall portions of the tunnels to prevent the leakage of microwave energy through an access opening in an energized enclosure. A conveyor which carries a product through the access opening to the energized enclosure also passes through one of the two tunnels of the suppression apparatus.

Abstract: A microwave heating enclosure having apertures for providing continuous access to the processing region with means for substantially preventing microwave energy leakage from said apertures. Said means for substantially preventing leakage comprises an elongated hollow structure at each aperture which forms a seal in combination with moving pallet cars. Said pallet cars are part of a transporting system used to move product through the processing region. Also disclosed is a seal for substantially preventing microwave energy leakage into the region where the pallet car wheels rotate on their axles.

Abstract: An appliance for heating seeds, nuts, grains and the like such as popcorn kernels, for example, by means of microwave radiation, comprising a bowl which is transparent to microwave energy and which has in its lower region an area of restricted size for holding unheated seeds in a clump, the area of the bowl above the restricted area being larger to allow heated seeds to expand, and means for directing the microwave energy upon the clump of seeds.