Microwave applicator with pressurizer for planar material heating

An apparatus for heating and compressing a material using microwaves, the apparatus comprising:

• a flexible waveguide configured to receive microwaves;
• a first microwave antenna connected to the flexible waveguide, having a plurality of slots, and configured to receive the microwaves and emit the microwaves through the plurality of slots to be received by a first side of the material and heat the material;
• and
• a presser coupled to the first microwave antenna and configured to provide a force onto the first microwave antenna toward the material to compress the material as the material is being heated by the microwaves, the flexible waveguide connected to the first microwave antenna being bent as the presser provides the force onto the first microwave antenna.

A method for heating and compressing a material using microwaves, the method comprising:

• placing the material between a top microwave antenna and a bottom microwave antenna;
• providing a flexible waveguide connected to the top microwave antenna with a first portion of the microwaves;
• providing a rigid waveguide connected to the bottom microwave antenna with a second portion of the microwaves;
• emitting by a first plurality of slots of the top microwave antenna, the first portion of the microwaves onto a top side of the material to heat the material;
• emitting by a second plurality of slots of the bottom microwave antenna, the second portion of the microwaves onto a bottom side of the material to heat the material;
• and
• providing a downward force by a presser coupled to the top microwave antenna onto the top microwave antenna toward the material to compress the material between the top microwave antenna and the bottom microwave antenna as the material is being heated by the microwaves, the flexible waveguide connected to the top microwave antenna being bent as the presser provides the downward force onto the top microwave antenna.