INDUCTION HEATING SYSTEM FOR FOOD CONTAINERS AND METHOD

摘要

An induction heating system configured to sequentially heat a plurality of filled and sealed food containers is provided. The system includes an induction heating coil defining a lumen having a longitudinal axis. The lumen is configured to receive the containers during heating, and the induction coil is configured to generate an alternating magnetic field causing resistive heating of the container. The system includes a container moving device configured to move containers into the induction heating coil lumen prior to heating, to move containers while within the induction heating coil lumen and to move containers out of the induction heating coil lumen after heating.

主权项

1. A metallic food can heating system configured to heat a plurality of filled and sealed metallic food cans comprising:
an induction heating coil defining an internal lumen having a longitudinal axis, the internal lumen configured to receive the metallic food cans during heating, the induction coil configured to generate an alternating magnetic field causing resistive heating of the metallic material of the food can; a can moving device configured to move cans into the induction heating coil prior to induction heating, to move cans while within the induction heating coil and to move cans out of the induction heating coil after induction heating; and an electrical induction power supply configured to supply alternating current to the induction heating coil; wherein each can has a longitudinal axis, wherein each can is positioned within the lumen of the induction coil such that the longitudinal axis of each can is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the internal lumen of the induction heating coil.