Patent ID: 6444964
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B41J,F26B,H05B

Abstract:
A microwave energy application system for heating and/or drying and/or fixing dye to sheet material, said microwave energy application system comprising:a source of microwave energy having as an output electromagnetic energy residing at approximately a selected center wavelength; a microwave applicator coupled to said source of microwave energy, wherein said microwave applicator comprises: a first cavity having a first opening therein, wherein said first cavity comprises a coupler through which electromagnetic energy from said source is received; a second cavity having a second opening therein; a substantially conductive barrier defining a boundary between said first and second cavities and said first and second openings, wherein said first and second openings are positioned substantially adjacent to one another on one side of said microwave applicator so as to be positionable adjacent to a sheet to be heated and/or dried; and a bottom plate that supports said first cavity and said second cavity, wherein said bottom plate comprises said first and second openings and is configured such that said first and second openings provide a path for electromagnetically coupling said first cavity and said second cavity.