A process is disclosed for controlling a plurality of magnetrons of a thermal processing tunnel in accordance with a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme. In some implementations, the process can include the steps of: receiving an identifier indicating a predefined packaged food product configuration; based on the identifier, obtaining a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme that is preconfigured based on at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration, wherein the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme is preconfigured to cause at least one of the plurality of magnetrons to have a different execution characteristic than at least one other magnetron of the plurality of magnetrons; and transmitting at least one instruction in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme to a signal controller that drives the plurality of magnetrons, thereby causing the plurality of magnetrons to execute in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme.

The invention relates to a system (1) and a method for pasteurizing foods packed in closed containers (2). The containers (2) are supplied with a processing liquid (11) in at least one heating zone (5,6), at least one pasteurization zone (7, 8), and at least one cooling zone (9, 10). In order to cool and heat the processing liquid (11) as needed, a coolant (23) is cooled by means of a heat pump (22) in a cooling circuit (20), and a heating medium (33) is heated by means of the heat pump (22) in a heating circuit via a respective heat exchanger (19, 30) in each case. In order to provide cooling energy, the cooled coolant (23) is introduced into a lower end region of a cold buffer store (24), and in order to provide heating energy the heated heating medium (33) is introduced into an upper end region of a heat buffer store (35).

The invention relates to a system (1) and a method for pasteurizing foods packed in closed containers (2). The containers (2) are supplied with a processing liquid (11) in at least one heating zone (5,6), at least one pasteurization zone (7, 8), and at least one cooling zone (9, 10). In order to cool and heat the processing liquid (11) as needed, a coolant (23) is cooled by means of a heat pump (22) in a cooling circuit (20), and a heating medium (33) is heated by means of the heat pump (22) in a heating circuit via a respective heat exchanger (19, 30) in each case. In order to provide cooling energy, the cooled coolant (23) is introduced into a lower end region of a cold buffer store (24), and in order to provide heating energy the heated heating medium (33) is introduced into an upper end region of a heat buffer store (35).

An improved transport carrier for use in a fluid filled microwave sterilization or pasteurization system includes patterned electrically conductive layers or carriers which extend over or under items to be sterilized or pasteurized and occlude 1 to 30% of the area in the direct path of microwave emissions to the items. When the patterned electrically conductive layers or cages are present, heating of the items to be sterilized or pasteurized is substantially more uniform compared to when there is nothing occluding or otherwise interrupting the direct pathway from the microwave emitters to the items. Enhanced automation is achieved for sterilization or pasteurization systems by configuring the preheating and cooling sections as loading and unloading sections. Furthermore, superior fluid temperature control between the loading, heating, and unloading sections is achieved using double gates or dividers between sections.

An improved transport carrier for use in a fluid filled microwave sterilization or pasteurization system includes patterned electrically conductive layers or carriers which extend over or under items to be sterilized or pasteurized and occlude 1 to 30% of the area in the direct path of microwave emissions to the items. When the patterned electrically conductive layers or cages are present, heating of the items to be sterilized or pasteurized is substantially more uniform compared to when there is nothing occluding or otherwise interrupting the direct pathway from the microwave emitters to the items. Enhanced automation is achieved for sterilization or pasteurization systems by configuring the preheating and cooling sections as loading and unloading sections. Furthermore, superior fluid temperature control between the loading, heating, and unloading sections is achieved using double gates or dividers between sections.

The invention relates to a continuous sterilizing system comprising a sterilizing body into which a thermal fluid is introduced for sterilizing products, the products to be sterilized being arranged in containers that circulate inside the sterilizing body, said sterilizing body being divided into different sterilization zones by means of dividing walls, and each of said dividing walls having a through-opening that is substantially the same shape as a container, such that the containers close the through-openings of the dividing walls, rendering the sterilization zones thermally isolated from one another.

The invention relates to a continuous sterilizing system comprising a sterilizing body into which a thermal fluid is introduced for sterilizing products, the products to be sterilized being arranged in containers that circulate inside the sterilizing body, said sterilizing body being divided into different sterilization zones by means of dividing walls, and each of said dividing walls having a through-opening that is substantially the same shape as a container, such that the containers close the through-openings of the dividing walls, rendering the sterilization zones thermally isolated from one another.

A method for heat treating a packaged product includes providing a channel with a liquid disposed therein, the channel having a electrodes disposed in and spaced apart along a treatment portion of the channel, pressurizing the liquid in the treatment portion of the channel, transporting the packaged product, including a product disposed within a package, along the channel including transporting the packaged product through the treatment portion of the channel, heating the packaged product in the treatment portion of the channel including causing emission of radio frequency waves between the plurality of electrodes and into the treatment portion of the channel including forming an electrical field in the treatment portion of the channel, and shielding the electrical field in the treatment portion of the channel using a shield which forms a cavity around the treatment portion of the channel, the cavity being configured to substantially confine the electrical field.

The present disclosure provides a combined refrigeration and heating device for food industry and a use method thereof. The combined device comprises a refrigeration device and a heating device connected through a waste heat recovery and utilization system. The heating device includes a heating cavity and a heating plate. A first conveyor belt is disposed in the heating cavity. A left end and a right end of the heating cavity are provided with a slanting cavity, respectively. The slanting cavity disposed at the right end of the heating device is provided with a second conveyor belt. A left end of the refrigeration device is provided with a slanting cavity. More than two blocking devices are disposed in the slanting cavity disposed at the left end and the right end of the heating device and the slanting cavity disposed at the left end of the refrigeration device.

The present disclosure provides a combined refrigeration and heating device for food industry and a use method thereof. The combined device comprises a refrigeration device and a heating device connected through a waste heat recovery and utilization system. The heating device includes a heating cavity and a heating plate. A first conveyor belt is disposed in the heating cavity. A left end and a right end of the heating cavity are provided with a slanting cavity, respectively. The slanting cavity disposed at the right end of the heating device is provided with a second conveyor belt. A left end of the refrigeration device is provided with a slanting cavity. More than two blocking devices are disposed in the slanting cavity disposed at the left end and the right end of the heating device and the slanting cavity disposed at the left end of the refrigeration device.