US 12,324,083 B2
Microwave heating system with suppression tunnel and related features
Drew J. Frederixon, Rockland, WI (US); Jacob G. Hehir, Holmen, WI (US); Kenneth D. Jaeger, Cameron, WI (US); Michael R. Byrnes, Sarona, WI (US); Gerald H. Reinke, La Crosse, WI (US); and Vernon R. Hegg, Plymouth, MN (US)
Assigned to A.L.M. HOLDING COMPANY, Onalaska, WI (US)
Appl. No. 17/623,737
Filed by A.L.M HOLDING COMPANY, Onalaska, WI (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 1, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/040464
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 29, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/003250, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 7, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/869,305, filed on Jul. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0256662 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. H05B 6/76 (2006.01); A23B 2/00 (2025.01); A23B 2/97 (2025.01); E01C 19/08 (2006.01); E01C 19/10 (2006.01); E01C 19/20 (2006.01); H05B 6/64 (2006.01); H05B 6/70 (2006.01); H05B 6/78 (2006.01); H05K 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC H05B 6/76 (2013.01) [A23B 2/001 (2025.01); A23B 2/97 (2025.01); E01C 19/08 (2013.01); E01C 19/20 (2013.01); H05B 6/6426 (2013.01); H05B 6/784 (2013.01); H05K 9/0056 (2013.01); H05K 9/009 (2013.01); A23V 2002/00 (2013.01); E01C 19/1004 (2013.01); E01C 2019/208 (2013.01); H05B 6/707 (2013.01); H05B 2206/044 (2013.01); H05B 2206/046 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for processing material, comprising:
at least one microwave generator;
a first conveyor unit;
at least a first microwave guide operatively connecting the at least one microwave generator to the first conveyor unit;
the first conveyor unit provided in a first housing that comprises at least one opening configured to receive microwave energy via the first microwave guide; and
at least one microwave suppression tunnel comprising at least one flexible and/or movable microwave reflecting component within the tunnel, wherein the microwave reflecting component is a mesh flap configured to absorb, deflect, and/or block microwave energy,
wherein the first conveyor unit is configured to receive and process a quantity of material, the system being configured to apply microwave energy to the material within the first housing at a first processing step, and
wherein at least a portion of the at least one microwave reflecting component is configured to be deflected as the material passes through the tunnel and then to return to a resting, closed position when the material is no longer passing through the tunnel.