Published Technical Disclosure Archive

RF Sterilization for Specialized Environments

Publication ID: 24-11856976_0009_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “RF Sterilization for Specialized Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856976_0009_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856976_0009_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,976.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a process for sterilizing or pasteurizing packaged articles using radio frequency energy. However, this process was not tailored to address the unique challenges of specialized environments. The present invention addresses this limitation by providing systems and methods that can operate effectively in these niche settings, ensuring the safety and quality of packaged articles.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The invention's novelty lies in its ability to adapt the RF heating process to specific, narrow market or unique operational environments. The inventive step is the integration of the RF heating zone with the conveyance system and the liquid contact zone, tailored to address the challenges of each specialized environment.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include variations in the design of the conveyance system, the RF heating zone, and the liquid contact zone to accommodate different types of packaged articles or environmental conditions. For example, the system could be modified to accommodate larger or smaller packages, or to operate in environments with varying levels of humidity or temperature.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food processing, and disaster relief. The ability to provide sterilization or pasteurization in specialized environments addresses a critical need in these markets, ensuring the safety and quality of packaged articles.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A23 A23L3/01
A A23 A23L3/003
A A23 A23L3/065
B B65 B65G35/00
B B65 B65G37/00
H H05 H05B6/48
H H05 H05B6/54
H H05 H05B6/60
H H05 H05B6/62
H H05 H05B6/68
H H05 H05B6/782
H H05 H05B6/80
A A23 A23V2002/00
A A47 A47J37/045
H H05 H05B6/46
H H05 H05B2206/045

Field of Art

Radio frequency heating systems for processing packaged articles, encompassing food processing, sterilization, and industrial thermal treatment technologies with expertise in electromagnetic energy transfer, conveyance systems, and thermal regulation

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional engineer or technical specialist with advanced degrees in mechanical or chemical engineering, experienced in RF energy applications, thermal processing systems, and industrial automation, familiar with equipment design for diverse environmental conditions

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable adaptations of the source patent's core RF heating methodology by applying known engineering principles to specific operational contexts. The fundamental RF heating process remains consistent, with modifications primarily addressing environmental constraints or specialized application requirements. These variations demonstrate standard engineering problem-solving techniques of adapting core technological frameworks to unique operational scenarios.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Conveyance system for transporting articles through RF heating zone
PTD Variation
Modifying conveyance system for specific environments like high-altitude, disaster relief, or high-security facilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Adapting transport mechanisms to specific contexts represents a routine design modification within a PHOSITA's capabilities, involving predictable engineering adjustments to existing technological framework
Source Patent Element
RF energy heating process for sterilization
PTD Variation
Tailoring RF heating parameters for different article types like medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, or food products
Obviousness Reasoning
Adjusting thermal processing parameters based on specific material characteristics is a standard engineering practice involving known techniques for energy transfer and temperature regulation
Source Patent Element
Radio frequency energy transmission between 300 kHz to 300 MHz
PTD Variation
Compensating for environmental factors like altitude, humidity, or temperature that might affect RF energy transmission
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing signal compensation techniques represents a predictable solution using established electromagnetic engineering principles to maintain consistent energy delivery
Source Patent Element
Thermal regulation zones before and after RF heating
PTD Variation
Integrating self-sustaining power sources or portable system configurations for remote or challenging environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending thermal processing systems to operate in alternative power configurations represents a logical engineering extension using known power management and energy transfer techniques
Source Patent Element
Multi-stage conveyance system for processing packaged articles
PTD Variation
Configuring conveyance systems for specialized operational contexts like disaster relief or high-security facilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Reconfiguring transport mechanisms to suit specific operational requirements represents a standard design adaptation within a PHOSITA's problem-solving capabilities
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11856976's comprehensive disclosure of RF heating methodologies, the presented variations constitute obvious extensions of the fundamental technological framework, demonstrating that a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would readily conceive these adaptations through routine engineering problem-solving techniques applied to diverse operational contexts.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,976
TitleContact members for packaged articles heated with radio frequency energy