Product guidance system for continuous conveyor microwave oven
A constraint mechanism for holding products as they are processed through a microwave applicator, used specifically for constraining products as they travel on one or more continuous conveyors.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a microwave energy applicator;
a conveyor, arranged to move products through the microwave application; and
a constraint for holding products in position adjacent the conveyor while such products travel through a the applicator.
2 . An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the constraint further comprises strings held under tension.
3 . An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein a detector determines an amount of tension on the strings.
4 . An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the conveyor comprises both an upper conveyor and a lower conveyor.
5 . An apparatus as in claims 4 where the constraint holds products against both the upper and lower conveyor.
6 . An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the constraint further encompasses a folded leaf spring arranged to hold one or more retaining strings.