Patent ID: 7328653
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: A23C,A23L,H05B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for applying radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to semiconductive dielectric materials, said apparatus comprising an applicator device including a plurality of electrodes which are connected, in use, to an electrical generator for generating between said electrodes a radio-frequency electromagnetic field comprising electrical and magnetic components arranged in a preferential direction, material transportation means for housing and transporting a semiconductive dielectric material, said plurality of electrodes comprising a first pair of electrodes connected electrically to the earth potential in use, and a second pair of equipotential electrodes electrically connected to the generator in use, and connecting elements connected to said second pair of electrodes so as to keep both of the electrodes of said second pair of electrodes at the same potential, said second pair of electrodes being arranged substantially in alignment in the preferential direction and between the respective electrodes of said first pair of electrodes, the transportation means transporting the material, within the applicator device, in a direction substantially parallel to the preferential direction, wherein each electrode comprises an electrically-conductive plate in which at least one opening is formed, the transportation means being inserted in the opening in order to extend through the plates in the preferential direction, and application means engaged with at least one of said pairs of electrodes and disposed in the vicinity of the transportation means.