Article irradiation system in which article-transporting conveyor is closely encompassed by shielding material
US5994706A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG21K5/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An article irradiation system includes a radiation source for scanning a target region with radiation; a first conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area though the target region to an unloading area; and radiation shielding material defining a tunnel closely encompassing portions of the conveyor system extending away from the target region toward the loading and unloading areas for shielding the loading and unloading areas from radiation derived from the radiation source. The first conveyor system is disposed in a path having curved turns of such degree between the target region and the loading and unloading areas that the closely encompassing radiation shielding material precludes a direct line of sight between the target region and the loading and unloading areas and thereby facilitates a compact embodiment in which the first conveyor system may be included in an assembly line. A second conveyor system is coupled to the first conveyor system for transporting the articles from a first position on the first conveyor system that is past the target region and at which the path of the first conveyor system has a given alignment to a second position on the first con…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.