# US 2019/0357322 A1 · Arrangement of articles in a carrier for microwave heating > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0357322 A1 - Document ID: US20190357322A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/528,261 - Filed: 2019-07-31 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-01 - Assignees: 915 Labs, LLC - Applicants: 915 Labs, LlC - Inventors: Harold Dail Kimrey, JR.; Matthew Raider; Lea Mohr; John Hirschey; Michele Reeve - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190357322A1 ## CPC - H05B 6/6408: {Supports or covers specially adapted for use in microwave heating apparatus} - A23B 2/08: using microwaves or dielectric heating - A23B 2/22: with packages on endless chain or band conveyors {(with packages moving on the spot while being transported A23B2/203)} - A23B 2/97: using irradiation or electric treatment, e.g. ultrasonic waves - A47J 36/027: {Cooking- or baking-vessels specially adapted for use in microwave ovens; Accessories therefor} - A47J 37/045: {with endless conveyors} - H05B 6/6494: {for cooking} - H05B 6/6497: {the susceptors being liquids} - H05B 6/782: {wherein the material moved is food} - H05B 2206/046: Microwave drying of wood, ink, food, ceramic, sintering of ceramic, clothes, hair - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A carrier and article system for transporting a plurality of articles on a convey line of a microwave heating system, said system comprising: a frame configured to engage said convey line; an upper support structure and a lower support structure coupled to said frame and defining a cargo volume therebetween; and a plurality of articles received in said cargo volume, wherein each of said articles includes a top and a bottom, with the top of each article being wider than the bottom, wherein at least two of said articles are arranged in said cargo volume in a nested configuration such that at least one article is positioned top up and an adjacent article is positioned top down and at least a portion of the adjacent articles overlap horizontally. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles are arranged in a fully nested configuration so that all of said articles are arranged in said nested configuration in both the transverse and longitudinal directions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles are arranged in spaced apart rows, and wherein all of said articles in each row are arranged in said nested configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles are arranged in at least three rows in said carrier. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said cargo volume is configured to hold at least 12 articles. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles have a generally trapezoidal shape and are longer and wider on the top than on the bottom. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said lower support structure is permanently fixed to said frame and said upper support structure is coupled to said frame in a removable or hinged manner. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said upper and lower support structures each comprise an upper and lower group of support members fixedly coupled to one another by respective first and second pairs of transverse cross members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles comprise packaged foodstuffs, medical liquids, or medical or dental instruments. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles comprise plastic containers filled with a food stuff. ### Claim 11 A carrier and article system for transporting a plurality of articles on a convey line of a microwave heating system, said system comprising: a frame comprising first and second spaced apart side members configured to engage said convey line and first and second spaced apart end members coupled to and extending between opposite ends of said first and second side members; upper and lower support structures coupled to and extending between said first and second end members, wherein said upper and lower support structures are vertically spaced from one another, wherein a cargo volume is defined between said upper and lower groups of support members, said first and second end members, and said first and second side members; and a plurality of articles received in said cargo volume such that at least 85 percent of the total volume of said cargo volume is occupied by said articles. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein not more than 10 percent of the total volume of said cargo volume is empty. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the maximum distance between consecutive edges of adjacent articles loaded in said carrier is not more than 0.25 inches. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein adjacent articles loaded in said carrier are in contact with one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein at least two of said articles loaded into said carrier are arranged in a nested configuration such that at least one article is positioned top up and an adjacent article is positioned top down. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein said articles are arranged in spaced apart rows, and wherein all of said articles in each row are arranged in said nested configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles are arranged in at least two rows in said carrier, and said cargo volume is configured to hold at least 10 articles. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles have a generally trapezoidal shape and are longer and wider on the top than on the bottom. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said lower support structure is permanently fixed to said frame and said upper support structure is coupled to said frame in a removable or hinged manner. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said articles comprise packaged foodstuffs, medical liquids, or medical or dental instruments. ### Claim 21 A process for heating a plurality of articles in a microwave heating system, said process comprising: (a) loading a plurality of articles in a carrier, wherein each of said articles includes a top and a bottom with the top of each article being wider than the bottom, wherein said loading comprises arranging at least two of said articles in a nested configuration so that at least one article is positioned top up and an adjacent article is positioned top down and at least a portion of the adjacent articles overlap horizontally; (b) transporting the loaded carrier into a microwave heating zone along a convey line; (c) directing microwave energy toward said articles in said carrier via at least one microwave launcher; and (d) heating said articles in said carrier with at least a portion of said microwave energy to provide heated articles. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21, wherein said loading of step (a) includes arranging said articles in a fully nested configuration so that all of said articles are arranged in said nested configuration in both a transverse and longitudinal direction. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21, wherein said loading of step (a) includes arranging said articles in spaced apart rows and wherein all of said articles in each row are arranged in said nested configuration. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21, further comprising loading a second plurality of articles in a second carrier, wherein each of the articles in said second plurality include a top and a bottom, with the top of each article being wider than the bottom, wherein said loading comprises arranging at least two of said second plurality of articles in said nested configuration so that at least one article is positioned top up and an adjacent article is positioned top down and at least a portion of the adjacent articles overlap horizontally; transporting the loaded second carrier to said microwave heating zone along said convey line; and directing microwave energy toward said second plurality of articles in said second carrier via at least one microwave launcher. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21, wherein said heating of step (d) is performed when said articles are submerged in a liquid medium. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21, wherein said articles comprise packaged foodstuffs, medical liquids, or medical or dental instruments.