Patent ID: 9622298
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: A23L,A23V,A61B,A61L,B65B,H01L,H05B

Claim:
1. A microwave system for heating a plurality of articles, said microwave system comprising: a microwave generator for generating microwave energy having a predominant wavelength (λ); a pressurized microwave chamber including a chamber sidewall that defines an internal volume, wherein at least a portion of said internal volume of said microwave chamber is configured to receive said articles when said internal volume of said microwave chamber is at a pressure of at least 5 psig; a conveyance system for conveying said articles through said internal volume of said microwave chamber along a convey axis; a first microwave launcher for launching at least a portion of said microwave energy into said microwave chamber and toward said articles along a first central launch axis; and a microwave-transparent window disposed between said first microwave launcher and said internal volume of said microwave chamber for substantially preventing fluid flow between said internal volume of said microwave chamber and said first microwave launcher while permitting at least a portion of said microwave energy to pass therethrough, wherein said window defines a chamber-side surface, and wherein said chamber-side surface of said window defines at least a portion of said sidewall of said microwave chamber, wherein a first launch tilt angle in the range 0° to 15° is defined between said first central launch axis and a plane normal to said convey axis, wherein said first microwave launcher comprises at least one dividing septum disposed within the interior region said microwave launcher, wherein said first microwave launcher defines at least one launch opening having a width (W wherein W wherein D wherein said launch opening is elongated in the direction of extension of said convey axis.