Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to microwaveable food containers and food products for high-temperature cooking applications and related methods. In an embodiment, a disposable microwaveable food container for high-temperature cooking applications is included. The container can include an inner cup including a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the bottom wall, the side wall comprising a top, and a top seal layer in contact with the top of the side wall. The bottom wall and side wall together can define a reservoir to hold a food material. An outer cover shell can include a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the bottom wall, a top wall connected the side wall, and a support structure for supporting the inner cup. The support structure can contact the inner cup and hold it in a position with a bottom gap, a side gap, and a top gap. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to articles and methods for detecting heating patterns within model food compositions containing irreversible thermochromic ink, and for creating multi-dimensional temperature distribution profiles within a packaged model food composition. In an embodiment, a packaged model food composition for thermal testing is included. The packaged model food composition can include a package and a model food composition disposed in the package. The model food composition can include a model food material that shares processing characteristics with a target food material and 0.05 wt. % to 20 wt. % of one or more irreversible thermochromic inks. The irreversible thermochromic inks can exhibit a variable change in at least one color parameter in response to temperature change across a selected temperature range. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a system for joining components. The system can include a rotating base platform, a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform, and a rotating sonotrode platform. A plurality of sonotrodes are mounted to the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode can correspond to a receptacle. Each sonotrode can move in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle. The compressing position occurs at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include processing systems for food products and related methods. In an embodiment, a food processing system is included with a continuous processing channel divided into a come-up chamber, a main electromagnetic wave (such as microwave) heating chamber, and a cool-down chamber. The continuous processing channel can define at least two separate portions oriented for vertical product movement. In various embodiments, the come-up chamber, the main electromagnetic wave heating chamber, and the cool-down chamber are at least partially filled with liquid. The system can further include a product conveyor mechanism to convey food products to be processed continuously along a conveyance path passing from the come-up chamber through the main electromagnetic wave heating chamber and to the cool-down chamber. The system can further include an electromagnetic wave energy emitting apparatus configured to emit electromagnetic wave energy into the main heating chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a system for joining components. The system can include a rotating base platform, a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform, and a rotating sonotrode platform. A plurality of sonotrodes are mounted to the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode can correspond to a receptacle. Each sonotrode can move in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle. The compressing position occurs at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a system for joining components. The system can include a rotating base platform, a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform, and a rotating sonotrode platform. A plurality of sonotrodes are mounted to the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode can correspond to a receptacle. Each sonotrode can move in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle. The compressing position occurs at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to multilayer recyclable films for food packaging. In an embodiment, a multilayer packaging film is included with a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a third polymeric layer. The first layer and the third layer can directly contact opposite sides of the second layer. The first layer and the third layer can be directly bonded to the second layer via a welding process. The first polymeric layer, the second polymeric layer, and the third polymeric layer can each contain the same thermoplastic polymer. The second polymeric layer can include an amount of a functional additive that is different than the first and third polymeric layers. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for thermally processing packaged food products with highly-uniform electromagnetic energy fields. In an embodiment, a method of thermally processing a packaged food product is included herein. The method can include placing the packaged food product in a heating chamber, the packaged food product comprising a hermetically sealed package and a food material disposed within the package. The method can further include applying electromagnetic energy to the packaged food product from a first electromagnetic energy source from a first direction. The electromagnetic energy can be sufficient to raise the temperature of the food material by at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit with a spatial temperature variation of less than 25 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 120 seconds. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to microwaveable food containers and food products for high-temperature cooking applications and related methods. In an embodiment, a disposable microwaveable food container for high-temperature cooking applications is included. The container can include an inner cup including a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the bottom wall, the side wall comprising a top, and a top seal layer in contact with the top of the side wall. The bottom wall and side wall together can define a reservoir to hold a food material. An outer cover shell can include a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the bottom wall, a top wall connected the side wall, and a support structure for supporting the inner cup. The support structure can contact the inner cup and hold it in a position with a bottom gap, a side gap, and a top gap. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The present application relates to food product carriers for microwave or radiofrequency sterilization or pasteurization of food products. In an embodiment, a method of processing a hermetically sealed packaged food product with microwave or radiofrequency energy to achieve sterilization or pasteurization is included. The method can include loading one or more hermetically sealed packaged food products into a carrier, the hermetically sealed packaged food products having a non-uniform thickness. The carrier can include a first press plate and a second press plate. The method can further include reducing a gap distance between the first press plate and the second press plate sufficiently to compress a portion of the hermetically sealed packaged food product and applying at least one of microwave or radiofrequency energy to the food product to result in sterilization or pasteurization. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to articles and methods for detecting heating patterns within model food compositions containing irreversible thermochromic ink, and for creating multi-dimensional temperature distribution profiles within a packaged model food composition. In an embodiment, a packaged model food composition for thermal testing is included. The packaged model food composition can include a package and a model food composition disposed in the package. The model food composition can include a model food material that shares processing characteristics with a target food material and 0.05 wt. % to 20 wt. % of one or more irreversible thermochromic inks. The irreversible thermochromic inks can exhibit a variable change in at least one color parameter in response to temperature change across a selected temperature range. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to food products and food product carriers for electromagnetic wave food processing systems and methods. In an embodiment, a carrier for holding food products during a sterilization or pasteurization process is included. The carrier can include a lower housing portion defining a central peak and an upper housing portion configured to fit over the lower housing portion. The upper housing portion can define a central peak. The carrier can be configured to receive a flexible food package between the lower central peak and the upper central peak. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include processing systems for food products and related methods. In an embodiment, the processing system includes a housing and a product conveyor. The housing defines a processing channel that includes an electromagnetic wave heating chamber. The electromagnetic wave heating chamber is at least partially filled with a fluid, such as a fluid. The conveyor mechanism can convey food products continuously along a conveyance path including a serpentine pathway that includes a plurality of hairpin corners where a direction of the conveyance path is reversed and a depth of the conveyance path is increased. The electromagnetic wave emitting apparatus emits electromagnetic energy into the pathway. The average pressure in the electromagnetic wave heating chamber changes along the conveyor mechanism. The orientation of products along the conveyance path varies minimally along at least portions of the conveyance path. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include food products and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a food product. The food product can include a container and a food composition. The container can include a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall can include a microwave reflector. The side wall can include a material that is substantially transparent to microwaves. The microwave reflector can cover at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the bottom wall. In an embodiment, the invention includes a microwaveable food container. The microwaveable food container can include a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall can include a microwave reflector. The side wall can include a material that is substantially transparent to microwaves. The microwave reflector can cover at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the bottom wall. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to an ultrasonically weldable polymeric lid for a microwaveable polymeric container. In an embodiment, a lid for microwaveable containers can include a polymeric ring. The polymeric ring can define a central aperture having an inner diameter. The polymeric ring can also include a recessed shelf contacting the inner diameter of the central aperture and an ultrasonic bonding surface disposed to the outside of the recessed shelf. The lid can include a peelable film disposed on the recessed shelf and occluding the central aperture. The peelable film can be removably bonded to the recessed shelf, and can include a tab attached to an edge of the peelable film. In some cases the lid can contain substantially no metal content. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a system for joining components. The system can include a rotating base platform, a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform, and a rotating sonotrode platform. A plurality of sonotrodes are mounted to the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode can correspond to a receptacle. Each sonotrode can move in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle. The compressing position occurs at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include surface sterilization systems and methods for sterilizing packaged food items. In an embodiment, a surface sterilization system is included. The system can have a conveying mechanism configured to move discrete food packages, the food packages having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed right and left surfaces, and opposed front and back surfaces. The system can further include a plurality of dielectric discharge electrodes configured to come into sliding contact with the discrete food packages as they are moved by the conveying mechanism. The system can further include an electrical current source in electrical communication with the plurality of dielectric discharge electrodes, the electrical current source delivering a current to the plurality of electrodes sufficient to generate a plasma inside of the discrete food packages. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include processing systems for food products and related methods. In an embodiment, a food processing system is included with a continuous processing channel divided into a come-up chamber, a main electromagnetic wave (such as microwave) heating chamber, and a cool-down chamber. The continuous processing channel can define at least two separate portions oriented for vertical product movement. In various embodiments, the come-up chamber, the main electromagnetic wave heating chamber, and the cool-down chamber are at least partially filled with liquid. The system can further include a product conveyor mechanism to convey food products to be processed continuously along a conveyance path passing from the come-up chamber through the main electromagnetic wave heating chamber and to the cool-down chamber. The system can further include an electromagnetic wave energy emitting apparatus configured to emit electromagnetic wave energy into the main heating chamber.