Abstract: Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.

Abstract: A process for heating articles includes sequentially passing loaded carriers in a continuous manner through a first processing section and sequentially passing said plurality of loaded carriers in an incremental manner through a second processing section using an incremental convey segment. The incremental convey segment includes sequential carrier-receiving slots, each carrier-receiving slot configured to receive one of the loaded carriers. The incremental convey segment is further configured to be move incrementally at multiples of discrete intervals corresponding to the carrier-receiving slots. The process further includes sequentially passing the loaded carriers in a continuous manner through a third processing section and heating articles supported by the carriers with microwave energy in at least one of the processing sections, the heating of the articles occurring while the articles are at least partially submerged in a liquid bath and at an pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.

Abstract: Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.

Abstract: Processes and systems that enhance the heating of packaged foodstuffs and other items in various microwave heating systems are described herein. It has been unexpectedly found that configuring the microwave heating zone of a microwave-assisted pasteurization or sterilization system so that the article carrier, the microwave launchers, and/or the packages have certain relative dimensions may significantly enhance the uniformity of heating of the articles. The result is pasteurized or sterilized articles that exhibit fewer hot and cold spots, a consistent microbial lethality rate, and desirable end properties, such as visual appearance, taste, and texture.

Abstract: Processes and systems for pasteurizing and sterilizing a plurality of articles in a microwave heating system are provided. In certain aspects, groups of articles may be passed by a microwave launcher in a first convey direction and a second, opposite convey direction, so that each group of articles passes the microwave launcher more than once. Processes and systems described herein are also configured to uniformly heat spaced apart groups of articles without disrupting the operation of the microwave generator or distribution system.

Abstract: Processes and systems that enhance the heating of packaged foodstuffs and other items in various microwave heating systems are described herein. The foodstuffs may be contained in a package including one or more energy control elements that interact with microwave energy in order to alter the effect that microwave energy has on the foodstuff. These energy control elements can enhance or inhibit microwave energy and a single package may include one or more energy control elements. In some cases, the energy control element may respond differently to different types of microwave energy. As a result, some packages described herein may exhibit different absorption or reflectance characteristics when exposed to microwave energy while being pasteurized or sterilized in a larger-scale microwave heating system than when the package is reheated in an at-home microwave oven prior to consumption or use.

Abstract: A method for controlling a microwave heating system is provided. The method may be used with a system having a liquid-filled microwave heating chamber and includes measuring the value of one or more microwave system parameters. Suitable parameters can include, for example, net microwave power discharged, the temperature of the liquid in the microwave chamber, the flow rate of liquid through the microwave chamber, and the speed of the conveyance system disposed within the microwave chamber. The measured value of the selected parameter is then compared to a target value for that parameter in order to determine a difference. Based on the difference, one or more actions can be taken in order to start, stop, or alter the operation of the microwave heating system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a microwave heating system is provided. The method may be used with a system having a liquid-filled microwave heating chamber and includes measuring the value of one or more microwave system parameters. Suitable parameters can include, for example, net microwave power discharged, the temperature of the liquid in the microwave chamber, the flow rate of liquid through the microwave chamber, and the speed of the conveyance system disposed within the microwave chamber. The measured value of the selected parameter is then compared to a target value for that parameter in order to determine a difference. Based on the difference, one or more actions can be taken in order to start, stop, or alter the operation of the microwave heating system.

Abstract: Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shape of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.

Abstract: Provided herein are a microwave retort system and a process for heating food products using a microwave retort system, such as to pasteurization and/or sterilization temperatures. Food product formulated for treatment in microwave retort processes are also provided. In one aspect, the microwave retort system includes a microwave zone having one or more microwave temperature sections in which a liquid medium is maintained at a temperature below sterilization temperatures during the microwaving process. The processes and systems described herein heat the products to pasteurization or sterilization temperatures while preventing the products, including outer surfaces, reaching a temperature greater than 135° F.

Abstract: A microwave heating system configured for heating a plurality of articles is provided. One or more of the microwave launchers can be offset slightly, such that the microwave energy introduced into the heating chamber is discharged at a launch tilt angle of at least 2°. Additionally, each launcher can include a microwave-transparent window disposed between the microwave chamber and the one or more launch openings and at least 50 percent of the chamber-side surface of the window can be oriented at an angle of at least 2° from the horizontal.

Abstract: A microwave heating system configured to heat a plurality of articles is provided. The microwave heating system includes a microwave splitter, a pair of microwave launchers, and at least one inductive iris disposed between the splitter and the launch opening of one of the launchers. A microwave launcher suitable for use in such a heating system is also provided. The launcher includes an inductive iris disposed within the interior of the launcher, spaced between its inlet and outlet and obstructing at least a portion of the microwave pathway.

Abstract: A microwave heating system configured for heating a plurality of articles is provided. One or more of the microwave launchers can be offset slightly, such that the microwave energy introduced into the heating chamber is discharged at a launch tilt angle of at least 2°. Additionally, each launcher can include a microwave-transparent window disposed between the microwave chamber and the one or more launch openings and at least 50 percent of the chamber-side surface of the window can be oriented at an angle of at least 2° from the horizontal.

Abstract: A microwave heating system configured to heat a plurality of articles is provided. The microwave heating system can include one or more microwave launchers that define at least one launch opening having a depth of not more than about 0.625?, wherein ? is the predominant wavelength of the microwave energy passing through the launcher. Additionally, in some embodiments, the launch opening may have a width or depth that is less than the corresponding inlet dimension, such that the microwave launcher has a generally tapered profile. When the microwave launcher includes a single inlet and two or more launch openings, the center points of adjacent outlets may be laterally spaced from one another relative to the direction in which the articles are passed through the heating chamber.

Abstract: Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shaper of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.

Abstract: Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shaper of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.

Abstract: A method for controlling a microwave heating system is provided. The method may be used with a system having a liquid-filled microwave heating chamber and includes measuring the value of one or more microwave system parameters. Suitable parameters can include, for example, net microwave power discharged, the temperature of the liquid in the microwave chamber, the flow rate of liquid through the microwave chamber, and the speed of the conveyance system disposed within the microwave chamber. The measured value of the selected parameter is then compared to a target value for that parameter in order to determine a difference. Based on the difference, one or more actions can be taken in order to start, stop, or alter the operation of the microwave heating system.

Abstract: A commercial scale system and process for chemically modifying wood and then heating the chemically-modified wood. The system/process separates the chemical modification step from the heating step by utilizing two different vessels for the modification and heating steps. The system and process can, in certain situations, include a containment room for preventing escape of vapors from a chemical wood modification reactor, a wood heater, and/or a chemically-modified bundle of wood as the bundle is transported from the wood modification reactor to the wood heater.

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.