Patent ID: 9642385
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: A23L,A23V,H05B

Claim:
1. An apparatus for sterilization or pasteurization comprising: a heating section having a channel extending between a first end and second and between a first side and a second side, the heating section having at least one window at either or both the first and second sides, the at least one window being transmissive to microwave energy, wherein the heating section includes an inlet and an outlet configured to allow water to circulate in the channel; a transport unit which transports a plurality of items having water content through the heating section; at least one a microwave assembly coupled to the at least one window of the heating section; a water supply for circulating water through the channel of the heating section and immersing the plurality of items in water while in the heating section and being subjected to microwave energy from the at least one microwave assembly; and one or both of a) at least one section in fluid communication with said heating section which is configured to contain water at an elevation above the heating section so as to apply a hydrostatic pressure to water in the heating section that is sufficient to prevent the water content of the items from causing steam explosion in the items while the microwave energy from the at least one microwave assembly is applied; and b) a plurality of transport carriers transportable by the transport unit through the heating section with one or more of the plurality of items positioned in each of the plurality of transport carriers, wherein each of the transport carriers includes side members which are configured or constructed from a material to reduce the microwave energy from the one or more microwave assemblies which escapes or spills over from the transport carrier when the microwave energy is applied to the one or more of the plurality of items in the transport carrier.