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US 2019/0116839 A1Published application
High intensity radio frequency heating of packaged articles
OwnerHarold Dail Kimrey, JR.inventor
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims26
A process for sterilizing or pasteurizing articles using radio frequency (RF) energy, said process comprising:
- (a) discharging RF energy into an RF heating zone;
- (b) passing a plurality of said articles through said RF heating zone on at least one convey line;
- and
- (c) heating said articles on said convey line in said RF heating zone with at least a portion of the RF energy discharged into said RF heating zone, wherein said heating is sufficient to increase the average temperature at the geometric center of said articles by at least 20° C. to a temperature of at least 65° C.,
- wherein during said heating of step (c) said articles absorb RF energy at an average lengthwise energy absorption rate of at least 2×105 Joules per foot.
2 more elements
A process for sterilizing or pasteurizing articles using radio frequency (RF) energy, said process comprising:
- (a) discharging RF energy into an RF heating zone;
- (b) passing a plurality of said articles through said RF heating zone on at least one convey line;
- and
- (c) heating said articles on said convey line in said RF heating zone with at least a portion of the RF energy discharged into said RF heating zone to increase the average temperature at the geometric center of said articles by at least 20° C. to a temperature of at least 70° C.,
- wherein during said heating of step (c) the average lengthwise heating rate at the geometric center of said articles in said RF heating zone is at least 2° C. per foot.
2 more elements
A system for sterilizing or pasteurizing articles using radio frequency (RF) energy, said system comprising:
- an initial thermal regulation zone for promoting temperature uniformity of said articles;
- one or more RF energy generators capable of generating at least 25 kW of RF power;
- an RF heating zone for heating said articles with RF energy generated by said RF energy generators;
- a subsequent thermal regulation zone for cooling said articles;
- and
- at least one convey line for transporting said articles along an article travel path through said initial thermal regulation, RF heating, and subsequent thermal regulation zones,
- wherein said system is configured to provide said RF heating zone with an average volumetric RF power intensity of at least 1.5 kilowatts per cubic foot.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.