Apparatus and process for heat treating a packaged food product

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus (for heat treating a packaged food product), comprising (a) a channel surrounding a channel interior, (b) a pressurizer, (c) a transport unit, (d) a first electrode, surrounding at least part of the channel interior over a first electrode length, (e) an electrode configuration comprising (i) a second electrode surrounding at least part of the channel interior over a remote part surrounding length (for shielding at least part of the channel), and (f) a radio frequency wave generator configured to generate RF-waves between the first and second electrode. With such apparatus efficiently energy may be coupled into the packaged food product, for instance for heating a meal and / or for pasteurizing a food product. A further advantage of the present apparatus and such process is that it may be configured to be used in a continuous process.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of International Application No. NL 2008879 filed May 25, 2012. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to an apparatus for heat treating a packaged (food) product, as well as to a process for heat treating a packaged (food) product with such apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Processes to heat treat food products are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,532, for instance, describes a method and apparatus for even and rapid heating, pasteurization or sterilization of products contained in a package, such as, for example, pharmaceutical products or food, which are conveyed through a microwave treatment chamber on a continuous conveyor belt. In order to heat components of the products having different heat absorption for the purpose of reaching the pasteurization temperature rapidly and evenly, the temperature of the c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Due to the configuration of the apparatus, a cavity is created, wherein efficiently energy may be provided to the product, without substantial loss of energy to the surroundings. Further, due to the transport through the channel, all (food) products may be subjected to the same conditions, even when there are local variations within the channel of the RF-field.

[0020]Especially, the food product is packaged. As a result of the package, the (packaged) food product can be transported with or through the liquid, as the channel is filled with liquid (during operation of the process) (see also below). Hence, during processing the packaged food product may substantially be surrounded by the (pressurized) liquid. Preferably, during processing the packaged food product, at least in the treatment zone (herein also indicated as “heat treatment zone”), is entirely surrounded by the liquid. Due to the presence of the liquid, the thermal energy generated within the channel may efficiently be provided to the food product.

[0032]A further element of the apparatus is the combination of first electrode and electrode configuration containing the second electrode. The electrodes are used to create the RF field, and the electrode configuration is especially be configured to substantially confine the RF field within a cavity. In this way, the energy may efficiently be applied to heat treat the products, especially the (packaged) food products, within the treatment zone.

[0045]Optionally, the electrodes are coupled to the associated RF generator via an adjustable impedance matching circuit. Such impedance matching circuit may be applied to further comprise in the process (the ability) of optimizing the electrical energy input and output. The one or more of the frequency, the voltage and the impedance may be adjusted with the impedance matching circuit to optimize energy input in the cavity, more especially the thermal treatment zone, even more especially the packaged food products, and to minimize energy loss out of the thermal treatment zone. In an embodiment, the impedance matching circuit may comprise a variable capacitor connected in series and a variable second capacitor connected in parallel to electrodes.

[0051]Hence, the invention provides an apparatus (for heat treating a packaged food product), comprising (a) a channel surrounding a channel interior, (b) a pressurizer, (c) a transport unit, (d) a first electrode, surrounding at least part of the channel interior over a first electrode length, (e) an electrode configuration comprising (i) a second electrode surrounding at least part of the channel interior over a remote part surrounding length (for shielding at least part of the channel), and (f) a radio frequency wave generator configured to generate RF-waves between the first and second electrode. With such apparatus efficiently energy may be coupled into the packaged food product, for instance for heating a meal and / or for pasteurizing a food product. A further advantage of the present apparatus and such process is that it may be configured to be used in a continuous process.

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of prior art prior art systems may be that they do not efficiently couple energy into the system.

Further, many prior art systems are not able to (efficiently) heat treat packaged food products, such as for instance (packaged) meals.

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