WO1998050939B1 - Article irradiation system with an article transporting conveyor - Google Patents
Article irradiation system with an article transporting conveyorInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998050939B1 WO1998050939B1 PCT/US1998/008766 US9808766W WO9850939B1 WO 1998050939 B1 WO1998050939 B1 WO 1998050939B1 US 9808766 W US9808766 W US 9808766W WO 9850939 B1 WO9850939 B1 WO 9850939B1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- radiation
- path
- target region
- conveyor system
- source
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract 80
- 238000010894 electron beam technology Methods 0.000 claims abstract 9
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 16
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 8
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims 5
- 230000001678 irradiating Effects 0.000 claims 4
- 239000003566 sealing material Substances 0.000 claims 4
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 claims 3
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000004642 transportation engineering Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000002708 enhancing Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 claims 1
Abstract
An article irradiation system includes a radiation source (10) for scanning a target region (23) with radiation; a first conveyor system (12) for transporting articles from a loading area (22) through the target region to an unloading area (24); 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 area for shielding the loading and unloading areas from the radiation source. The first conveyor system (12) is disposed in a path having curved turns between the target region and loading and unloading areas that the shielding material precludes a direct line of sight between such. A second conveyor system is coupled to the first conveyor system for transporting the articles from a first position to a second position on the first conveyor system that is before the target region and reorientates the article transported by the first conveyor system by one-hundred-eighty degrees. A radiation shielding assembly (13) has a radiation shield which defines a corridor through which an electron beam is scanned.
Claims
1. An article irradiation system, comprising a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation; a conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area through the target region to an unloading area; 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; wherein the conveyor system is disposed in a path having turns closely encompassed by the radiation shielding material and of such degree between the target region and the loading and/or unloading areas that the radiation shielding material closely encompassing said turns precludes a direct line of sight between the target region and the loading area and/or a direct line of sight between the target region and the unloading area for thereby shielding the loading and/or unloading areas from radiation derived from the radiation source; wherein the closely encompassed turns are curved; wherein adjacent the outside portions of said curved turns that are within a direct line of sight from the target region, the radiation shielding material is not as close to the path of the conveyor system as the radiation shielding material adjacent the inside of said curved turns and the radiation shielding material is thicker than the radiation shielding material adjacent the inside of said curved turns; and wherein the thicker radiation shielding material adjacent the outside portions of said curved turns that are within a direct line of sight from the target region extends in a much thicker corner portion to a far point at a right angle from radiation shielding material that extends in a straight line to the target region, and from said far point the radiation shielding material extends at a right angle from the much thick corner portion toward the path of the conveyor system.
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2. - A system according to Claim 1, wherein_adjacent the inside portions of said curved turns the radiation shielding material has approximately the same degree of curvature as said curved turns in order to enhance dispersal of radiation reflected from the radiation shielding material adjacent the outside portions of said curved turns that are within a direct line of sight from the target region.
3. An article irradiation system, comprising a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation; a conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area through the target region to an unloading area; 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; wherein the conveyor system is disposed in a path having turns closely encompassed by the radiation shielding material and of such degree between the target region and the loading and/or unloading areas that the radiation shielding material closely encompassing said turns precludes a direct line of sight between the target region and the loading area and/or a direct line of sight between the target region and the unloading area for thereby shielding the loading and/or unloading areas from radiation derived from the radiation source; wherein the closely encompassed turns are curved; and wherein the turns are integer multiples of m degrees and the radiation shielding material is disposed within a plurality of curved modules that respectively encompass m-degree segments of said turns.
4. An article irradiation system, comprising a radiation source positioned for scanning g a target region with radiation; a conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area
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through the target-region to an unloading area; 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; wherein the conveyor system is disposed in a path having turns closely encompassed by the radiation shielding material and of such degree between the target region and the loading and/or unloading areas that the radiation shielding material closely encompassing said turns precludes a direct line of sight between the target region and the loading area and/or a direct line of sight between the target region and the unloading area for thereby shielding the loading and/or unloading areas from radiation derived from the radiation source; wherein the radiation source is an electron beam source, further comprising a radiation shielding assembly disposed adjacent the target region, comprising a beam stop of material for absorbing electrons and for converting the energy of the absorbed electrons into photons that are emitted from the beam stop, wherein the beam stop is disposed on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source; and a radiation shield for absorbing radiation while inhibiting emission of neutrons beyond the shielding assembly, wherein the radiation shield defines a corridor through which the electron beam is scanned for irradiating articles disposed in the target region and further defines a tunnel through which articles may be transported to and from the target region; wherein the beam stop is recessed within a portion of the radiation shield that defines a portion of the corridor on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source so that photons emitted from the beam stop toward the radiation source but obliquely thereto are inhibited from entering the tunnel by said portion the radiation shield.
5. A radiation shielding assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the radiation shield includes a layer of lead for absorbing the emitted
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gamma-rays and a layer of cadmium-free iron disposed between the lead and the corridor for reducing the velocity of the emitted gamma-rays so that gamma-rays entering the lead from the iron are absorbed by the lead and do not cause neutrons to be emitted from the lead.
6. A radiation shielding assembly according to Claim 5, wherein the iron is recessed within the lead in the portion of the radiation shield that is on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source so that gamma-rays emitted from the iron toward the radiation source but obliquely thereto are inhibited from entering the tunnel by the lead in said portion of the radiation shield.
7. A radiation shield assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the radiation shield includes concrete for absorbing the emitted gamma-rays.
8. An article irradiation system, comprising a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation; a conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area through the target region to an unloading area; 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; wherein the conveyor system is disposed in a path having turns closely encompassed by the radiation shielding material and of such degree between the target region and the loading and/or unloading areas that the radiation shielding material closely encompassing said turns precludes a direct line of sight between the target region and the loading area and/or a direct line of sight between the target region and the unloading area for thereby shielding the loading and/or unloading areas from radiation derived from the radiation source; wherein the loading area and the unloading area are within a
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common unshielded area and the path of the conveyor system defines a closed loop past the loading area and the unloading area; wherein the radiation source is disposed outside the loop on the opposite side of the loop from the common unshielded area; wherein the radiation source is an electron beam source, the system further comprising a radiation shielding assembly disposed adjacent the target region, comprising a beam stop of material for absorbing electrons and for converting the energy of the absorbed electrons into photons that are emitted from the beam stop, wherein the beam stop is disposed on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source; and a radiation shield including concrete for absorbing the emitted photons while inhibiting emission of neutrons beyond the shielding assembly, wherein the radiation shield defines a corridor through which the electron beam is scanned for irradiating articles disposed in the target region and further defines a tunnel through which articles may be transported to and from the target region; wherein the beam stop is recessed within a portion of the radiation shield that defines a portion of the corridor on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source so that photons emitted from the beam stop toward the radiation source but obliquely thereto are inhibited from entering the tunnel by said portion the radiation shield.
9. An article irradiation system, comprising a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation; a conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area through 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; wherein the conveyor system is disposed in a path having turns
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closely encompassed by the radiation shielding material and of such degree between the target region and the loading and/or unloading areas that the radiation shielding material closely encompassing said turns precludes a direct line of sight between the target region and the loading area and/or a direct line of sight between the target region and the unloading area for thereby shielding the loading and/or unloading areas from radiation derived from the radiation source; and further comprising a second conveyor system coupled to the first- recited 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 conveyor system that is before the target region and at which the path of the first conveyor system has an alignment that is one-hundred-and-eighty degrees different than the given alignment to thereby re-orient the articles transported by the first conveyor system by one-hundred-and-eighty degrees with respect to the path of the first conveyor system for re-transportation through the target region.
10. A system according to Claim 9, wherein the path of the first conveyor system defines a closed loop having four turns and a straight segment between each pair of adjacent turns, with the target region being within a first said straight segment, the loading and unloading areas being adjacent a second said straight segment on the opposite side of the loop from the first straight segment. the first position on the first conveyor system being in a third straight segment that is between the two turns of the loop that are between the target region and the unloading area, the second position on the first conveyor system being in a fourth said straight segment that is between the two turns of the loop that are between the target region and the loading area, and the second conveyor system defining a straight path from the first position on the first conveyor system to the second position on the first conveyor system.
11. A system according to Claim 10, further comprising radiation shielding material defining tunnels closely encompassing at least those
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portions of the second conveyor system adjacent where the second conveyor system is coupled to the first conveyor system
12 An article irradiation system, comprising a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation, a conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area through the target region to an unloading area, and radiation shielding mateπal encompassing portions of the conveyor system extending awav from the target region toward the loading and unloading areas, wherein the conveyor system is included withm an assembly line in which the loading area is a packaging area of the assembly line and the unloading area is a boxing area of said assembly line
13 Ail article irradiation system, composing a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation, a conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area through the target region to an unloading area, and radiation shielding mateπal encompassing portions of the conveyor system extending away from the target region toward the loading and unloading areas, wherein the conveyor system is included m an assembly line in which the loading area is a boxing area of said assembly line
14 An article irradiation system, comprising a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation, a first conveyor system for transporting articles from a loading area through the target region to an unloading area, with the first conveyor system being
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disposed in a closed-loop path; and a second conveyor system 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 conveyor system that is before the target region and at which the path of the first conveyor system has an alignment that is one-hundred-and-eighty degrees different than the given alignment to thereby reorient the articles transported by the first conveyor system by one-hundred-and- eighty degrees with respect to the path of the first conveyor system for re- transportation through the target region.
15. A system according to Claim 14, wherein the path of the first conveyor system defines a closed loop having four turns and a straight segment between each pair of adjacent turns, with the target region being within a first said straight segment, the loading and unloading areas being adjacent a second said straight segment on the opposite side of the loop from the first straight segment, the first position on the first conveyor system being in a third said straight segment that is between the two turns of the loop that are between the target region and the unloading area, the second position on the first conveyor system being in a fourth said straight segment that is between the two turns of the loop that are between the target region and the loading area, and the second conveyor system defining a straight path from the first position on the first conveyor system to the second position on the first conveyor system.
16. A set of shielding modules for use in an article irradiation system that includes a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation and a conveyor system for transporting articles through the target region, wherein individual modules comprise radiation shielding material defining a tunnel for closely encompassing a portion of the conveyor system; wherein at least some of the modules are curved for respectively
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encompassing segments of the conveyor system having an arc of curvature that is an integer divisor of ninety degrees.
17. A set of modules according to Claim 16, wherein some of the modules are straight for respectively encompassing straight segments of the conveyor system.
18. A set of shielding modules for use in an article irradiation system that includes a radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation and a conveyor system for transporting articles through the target region, wherein individual modules comprise radiation shielding material defining a tunnel for closely encompassing a portion of the conveyor system; wherein individual modules include a section that is movable for enabling access to the portion of the conveyor system encompassed by the module.
19. A radiation shielding assembly for use in an irradiation system that includes an electron beam radiation source positioned for scanning articles disposed in a target region with an electron beam, comprising a beam stop of material for absorbing electrons and for converting the energy of the absorbed electrons into gamma-rays that are emitted from the beam stop, wherein the beam stop is disposed on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source; and a radiation shield for absorbing radiation while inhibiting emission of neutrons beyond the shielding assembly, wherein the radiation shield defines a corridor through which the electron beam is scanned for irradiating articles disposed in the target region and further defines a tunnel through which articles may be transported to and from the target region and wherein the beam stop is disposed within a recess in a portion of the radiation shield that defines a portion of the corridor on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source so that gamma-rays emitted from the beam
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stop toward the radiation source but obliquely thereto are inhibited from entering the tunnel by said portion of the radiation shield.
20. A radiation shielding assembly according to Claim 19, wherein the radiation shield includes a layer of lead for absorbing the emitted gamma-rays and a layer of cadmium-free iron disposed between the lead and the corridor for reducing the velocity of the emitted gamma-rays so that gamma-rays entering the lead from the iron are absorbed by the lead and do not cause neutrons to be emitted from the lead.
21. A radiation shielding assembly according to Claim 20, wherein the iron is recessed within the lead in the portion of the radiation shield that is on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source so that gamma-rays emitted from the iron toward the radiation source but obliquely thereto are inhibited from enteπng the tunnel by the lead in said portion of the radiation shield.
22. A radiation shielding assembly according to Claim 19, wherein the radiation shield includes concrete for absorbing the emitted gamma- rays.
23. An article irradiation system, including a target region; a radiation source positioned for scanning the target region with radiation; a loading area; an unloading area; a conveyor system for transporting articles from the loading area through the target region to the unloading area; and radiation shielding material defining a tunnel which encompasses portions of the conveyor system that extend from the target region toward the
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loading and unloading areas, the tunnel defined by the radiation shielding material at positions displaced from the target region in directions toward the loading area, and toward the unloading area, being curved to preclude a direct line of sight between the target region and each of the loading and unloading areas and thereby shield the loading and unloading areas from radiation derived from the radiation source.
24. An article irradiation system as set forth in Claim 23 wherein the radiation shielding material defines a straight path in at least a portion of the tunnel between the target region and the curved positions in the direction toward the loading area, and between the target region and the curved portion toward the unloading area, to cooperate with the curved positions in precluding the direct line of sight between the target region and each of the loading and unloading areas, thereby to shield the loading and unloading areas from the radiation derived from the radiation source.
25. An article irradiation system as set forth in Claim 23 wherein the conveyor system and the radiation shielding material are disposed in a common horizontal plane.
26. An article irradiation system as set forth in Claim 23 wherein the conveyor system has an inside and an outside and wherein the curved portions of the radiation shielding material are closer to the path of the conveyor system at the inside of the conveyor system than at the outside of the conveyor system.
27. An article irradiation system as set forth in Claim 23 wherein the conveyor system has an inside and an outside and wherein the curved portions of the radiation shielding material are thicker at the outside of the path of the conveyor system than at the inside of the path of the conveyor system.
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28. An article irradiation system as set forth in Claim 23 wherein the radiation source is an electron beam source.
29. A radiation system for radiating articles, including: a radiation source constructed to provide radiation; a loading area displaced from the radiation source; an unloading area displaced from the radiation source and the loading area; a conveyor system movable in a path, curved at particular positions along the path, from the loading area past the radiation source to the unloading area and constructed to carry the articles in the path past the source for the reception of the radiation from the source by the articles; and radiation shielding material disposed at positions along the path of movement of the articles, including the curves at the particular positions along the path, between the radiation source and a position approaching the unloading area to prevent radiation from the source from reaching the unloading area.
30. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 29 wherein the unloading source is free of radiation shielding material and the path includes straight portions at positions between the curves at the particular positions along the path to cooperate with the curves in preventing radiation from the source from reaching the unloading area.
31. A radiation system for radiating articles as set forth in Claim 29 wherein the radiation shielding material conforms in configuration substantially to the path of movement of the conveyor system from the source of radiation to the position approaching the unloading area.
32. A radiation system for radiating articles, including: a radiation source constructed to provide radiation; a loading area displaced from the radiation source;
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an -unloading area displaced from the radiation source and the loading area; a conveyor system movable in a path, curved at particular positions along the path, from the loading area past the radiation source to the unloading area and constructed to carry the articles in the path past the source for the reception of the radiation from the source by the articles; and radiation shielding material disposed at positions along the path of movement of the articles, including the curves at the particular positions along the path, between the radiation source and a position approaching the loading area to prevent radiation from the source from reaching the loading area.
33. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 32 wherein the loading area is free of radiation material and the path includes straight portions at positions between the curves at the particular positions along the path to cooperate with the curves in preventing radiation from the source from reaching the loading area.
34. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 32 wherein the radiation shielding material conforms in configuration substantially to the path of movement of the conveyor system from the source of radiation to the position approaching the unloading area.
35. A radiation system for radiating articles, including: a radiation source constructed to provide radiation; a loading area displaced from the radiation source; an unloading area displaced from the radiation source and the loading area; a conveyor system movable in a path from the loading area past the radiation source to the unloading area and constructed to carry the articles past the source for the reception of the radiation from the source by the articles, the path having a configuration curved at positions displaced from one another; and
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radiation shielding material enveloping, and following the configuration of, the conveyor system during the movement of the conveyor system between the radiation source and a position approaching the unloading area to prevent radiation from the source from reaching the unloading area.
36. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 35 wherein the configuration of the path of movement of the conveyor system defines straight portions between the curved positions to cooperate with the curved positions in preventing radiation from the source from reaching the unloading area.
37. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 36 wherein the path of movement of the conveyor system between the radiation source and the unloading area is at a constant elevation and the path of the radiation shielding material between the radiation source and the unloading area is at the constant elevation.
38. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 36 wherein straight portions of the radiation shielding material extend in transverse directions between the radiation source and the curved configurations of the radiation shielding material to cooperate with the curved configurations of the radiation shielding material in preventing radiation from the source from reaching the unloading area.
39. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 36 wherein the curved configuration of the radiation shielding material has an inside and an outside and wherein the radiation shielding material is thicker at the outside of the curved configuration than at the inside of the curved configuration and the unloading area is free of radiation shielding material.
40. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 36 wherein
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the curved configuration of the radiation shielding mateπal has an inside and an outside and wherein the curved configuration of the radiation shielding mateπal is closer to the conveyor system at the inside of the curved configuration than at the outside of the curved configuration.
41 A radiating system for radiating articles, including: a radiation source constructed to provide radiation, a loading area displaced from the radiation source, an unloading area, a convevor system movable m a path from the loading area past the radiation source to the unloading area and constructed to carry the articles past the radiation source for the reception of radiation from the source by the articles, the path having a configuration curved at positions displaced from one another, and radiation shielding mateπal enveloping, and following the configuration of, the conveyor system, including the curved configurations at the positions displaced from one another, between the radiation source and a position approaching the loading area to prevent radiation from the source from reaching the loading area
42 A. radiation system as set forth m Claim 41 wherein the configuration of the path of movement of the conveyor system defines straight positions between the curved positions to cooperate with the curved positions in preventing radiation from the source from reaching the loading area.
43 A radiation system as set forth in Claim 41 wherein the path of movement of the conveyor system is at a constant elevation and the path of the radiation shielding mateπal between the loading area and the radiation source is at the constant elevation
4 1
44. A radiation system as set forth in Claim .41 wherein straight portions of the radiation shielding material extend in transverse directions between the radiation source and the curved configurations of the radiation shielding material to co-operate with the curved configurations of the radiation shielding material in preventing radiation from the source from reaching the loading area.
45. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 41 wherein the curved configuration of the radiation shielding material has an inside and an outside and wherein the curved configuration of the radiation shielding material is thicker at the outside of the curved configuration than at the inside of the curved configuration and the loading area is free of radiation shielding material.
46. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 41 wherein the curved configuration of the radiation shielding material has an inside and an outside and wherein the curved configuration of the radiation shielding material is closer to the conveyor system at the inside of the curved configuration than at the outside of the curved configuration.
47. A radiation system for radiating articles having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, including a radiation source constructed to provide radiation; a first conveyor system movable in a loop past the radiation source and constructed to carry the articles past the source for the reception of the radiation from the source by the first side of the articles; the loop having opposite sides and having opposite ends between the opposite sides; and a second conveyor system having a path disposed between the opposite sides of the loop at positions between the opposite ends of the loop and
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having an alignment relative to the first conveyor system for providing for a movement of the articles by the first conveyor system past the radiation source for the reception of radiation from the source by the other side of the articles.
48. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 47 wherein the loop includes curved portions and straight portions between the curved portions and wherein the path of the second conveyor system is disposed between straight portions at the opposite sides of the loop.
49. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 47 wherein the loop includes curved portions and radiation sealing material is disposed in the curved portions of the loop and wherein radiation sealing material is disposed in the path in the second conveyor system between the opposite sides of the loop.
50. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 47 wherein the path of the second conveyor system is straight and includes modules at the opposite ends of the path and wherein the modules include radiation shielding material disposed to define a tunnel for the movement of the articles through the tunnel by the second conveyor system.
51. A radiation system for radiating articles having first and second opposite sides, including: a radiation source constructed to provide radiation; a first conveyor system movable in a loop past the radiation source and constructed to carry the articles past the source for the passage of the radiation from the source to the first side of the articles; and a second conveyor system having a path disposed within the loop and communicating with the loop and having an alignment relative to the first conveyor system for providing for the movement of the articles by the first
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conveyor system -past the radiation source for the passage of the radiation from the source to the second side of the articles.
52. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 51 wherein the loop has curved portions and straight portions between the curved portions and wherein radiation sealing material is disposed in curved portions and straight portions of the loop and wherein radiation sealing material is disposed in the path of the second conveyor system.
53. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 52 wherein the path of the second conveyor system is straight and includes modules at the opposite ends of the path and wherein the modules include shielding material disposed to define a tunnel for the movement of the articles by the second conveyor system.
54. A method of radiating articles to sterilize the articles, including the steps of: providing a loading area; providing an unloading area displaced from the loading area; providing a movement of the articles from the loading area to the unloading area through a path having curved configurations at displaced positions in the path; disposing a radiation source at a position relative to the path to provide a radiation through the articles during the movement of the articles through the path from the loading area to the unloading area; and disposing radiation shielding material at positions displaced from the radiation source and the loading area and the unloading area but in the path of movement of the articles from the loading area to the unloading area, including the curved configurations at the displaced positions in the path, to prevent radiation
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from the radiation source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area.
55. A method as set forth in Claim 54 wherein at least portions of the path of movement of the articles from the loading area to the unloading area are straight and wherein straight portions of the path are disposed between curved portions of the path and wherein the radiation shielding material is also disposed in the straight portions of the path of movement of the articles.
56. A method as set forth in Claim 54 wherein the radiation shielding material conforms in configuration substantially to the path of movement of the articles from the loading area to the unloading area but not including the radiation source or the loading area or the unloading area.
57. A method as set forth in Claim 55 wherein the radiation shielding material conforms in configuration substantially to, and encompasses, the path of movement of the articles from the loading area to the unloading area but not including the radiation source or the loading area or the unloading area.
58. A method as set forth in Claim 54 wherein the loading area and the unloading area are free of radiation shielding and wherein the path and the radiation shielding material have a constant elevation.
59. A method of radiating articles to sterilize the articles, including the steps of providing a loading area; providing an unloading area displaced from the loading area; providing a movement of the articles through a particular path from
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the loading area to the unloading area; providing radiation from a radiation source to the articles at a particular position in the path from the loading area to the unloading area; portions of the path displaced from the particular position being curved; and disposing radiation shielding material in the particular path, including the curved portions of the path, in a configuration to prevent radiation from the source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area.
60. A method as set forth in Claim 59 wherein the radiation shielding material is configured corresponding substantially to the configuration of the path, including the curved portions of the path, to prevent the radiation from the source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area.
61. A method as set forth in Claim 59 wherein the radiation shielding material is disposed in contiguous and encompassing relationship to the curved portions of the path.
62. A method as set forth in Claim 59 wherein the radiation shielding material is disposed in closely encompassing relationship to the curved portions of the particular path and wherein the particular path of movement of the articles is in a loop including the curved portions of the path and wherein the radiation shielding material closely encompassing the curved portions of the path is at an inner end of the curved path.
63. A method as set forth in Claim 59 wherein other portions of the particular path are straight and are disposed between curved portions of the particular path and wherein the radiation shielding material is disposed in the particular
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path, including the straight portions of the particular path.
64. A method as set forth in Claim 63 wherein the radiation shielding material is configured substantially corresponding to the configuration of the particular path, including the curved and straight portions of the particular path, to prevent the radiation from the source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area and wherein the radiation shielding material is disposed in contiguous and encompassing relationship to the curved and straight portions of the path.
65. A radiation system for irradiating articles movable between a loading area and an unloading area, including means defining a target region for receiving radiation; a radiation source disposed on one side of the target region for emitting charged particles into the target region; a radiation shield disposed on the other side of the target region from the radiation source for absorbing radiation from the target source, the radiation shield having a corridor for passing the radiation from the source into the target region and having a tunnel which communicates with the target region and through which the articles may be transported into and out of the target region; and a beam stop supported by the radiation shield for receiving charged particles passing through the corridor from the source and for converting the energy of the charged particles into another form of energy.
66. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 65 wherein the radiation shield is recessed and the beam stop is supported by the radiation shield in the recess in the radiation shield.
67. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 65 wherein the tunnel is included in a path extending from the loading area through the tunnel to the unloading area, and
wherein a conveyor system is provided for transporting the articles in the path from the loading area and through the tunnel to the unloading area; and wherein radiation shielding material is provided in the path to prevent radiation from the source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area.
68. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 67 wherein the path for the movement of the articles includes curved portions and straight portions disposed between the curved portions; and wherein the curved portions and the straight portions of the path are disposed relative to one another to prevent radiation from the source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area.
69. A radiation system as set forth in Claim 68 wherein the radiation shielding material is disposed in the path of movement of the articles and that the radiation shielding material is disposed at curved portions and straight portions of the path to absorb the radiation from the source and prevent the radiation from reaching the loading area and the unloading area.
70. A method of radiating articles to sterilize the articles, including the steps of providing a radiation source; providing a loading area; providing an unloading area; providing a target region for receiving radiation from the source; providing a particular path for the movement of the articles from the loading area in the particular path through the target region to the unloading area, the particular path having configurations at particular positions in the particular path to inhibit radiation from the source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area; providing radiation shielding material at the particular positions in
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the particular path to prevent radiation from the source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area; and providing for a movement of the articles through the particular path to obtain a radiation of the articles by the source in the target region.
71. A method as set forth in Claim 70 wherein the loading area and the unloading area are unshielded and wherein the particular path has curved and straight configurations at the particular positions in the particular path to inhibit radiation from the source from reaching the loading area and the unloading area.
72. A method as set forth in Claim 70 wherein a radiation shield is disposed in the target region and is provided with a corridor for passing the radiation from the source into the target region and is provided with a tunnel which communicates with the target region and through which the articles pass into and out of the target region and wherein a beam stop is supported by the radiation shield for receiving charged particles passing through the corridor from the source and for converting the energy of the charged particles into another form of energy.
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Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP98920062A EP1008165A1 (en) | 1997-05-09 | 1998-04-30 | Article irradiation system with an article transporting conveyor |
| JP10548218A JP2000513103A (en) | 1997-05-09 | 1998-04-30 | Article irradiation device having an article transport conveyor |
| CA002287207A CA2287207C (en) | 1997-05-09 | 1998-04-30 | Article irradiation system with an article transporting conveyor |
| AU72712/98A AU7271298A (en) | 1997-05-09 | 1998-04-30 | Article irradiation system with an article transporting conveyor |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/854,202 US5994706A (en) | 1997-05-09 | 1997-05-09 | Article irradiation system in which article-transporting conveyor is closely encompassed by shielding material |
| US08/854,202 | 1997-05-09 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1998050939A1 WO1998050939A1 (en) | 1998-11-12 |
| WO1998050939B1 true WO1998050939B1 (en) | 1999-02-18 |
Family
ID=25318018
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1998/008766 WO1998050939A1 (en) | 1997-05-09 | 1998-04-30 | Article irradiation system with an article transporting conveyor |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5994706A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1008165A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2000513103A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7271298A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2287207C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998050939A1 (en) |
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| US6866832B2 (en) | 1997-03-13 | 2005-03-15 | Safefresh Technologies, Llc | Method and apparatus for sanitizing perishable goods in enclosed conduits |
| US7205016B2 (en) | 1997-03-13 | 2007-04-17 | Safefresh Technologies, Llc | Packages and methods for processing food products |
| US7575770B2 (en) | 1997-03-13 | 2009-08-18 | Safefresh Technologies, Llc | Continuous production and packaging of perishable goods in low oxygen environments |
| US20030170359A1 (en) | 1997-03-13 | 2003-09-11 | Garwood Anthony J. M. | Method for controlling water content with decontamination in meats |
| US7415428B2 (en) | 1997-03-13 | 2008-08-19 | Safefresh Technologies, Llc | Processing meat products responsive to customer orders |
| US7093734B2 (en) | 1997-03-13 | 2006-08-22 | Safefresh Technologies, Llc | Tray with side recesses and channels for gas transfer |
| US20030091708A1 (en) * | 1997-03-13 | 2003-05-15 | Garwood Anthony J.M. | Irradiation in low oxygen environment |
| US6285030B1 (en) * | 1997-05-09 | 2001-09-04 | The Titan Corporation | Article irradiation system in which article transporting conveyor is closely encompassed by shielding material |
| US6191424B1 (en) * | 1998-12-03 | 2001-02-20 | I-Ax Technologies | Irradiation apparatus for production line use |
| US6528800B1 (en) | 1999-03-03 | 2003-03-04 | Steris, Inc. | Particulate curing system |
| US6492645B1 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2002-12-10 | Surebeam Corporation | System for, and method of, irradiating articles to sterilize the articles |
| US6713773B1 (en) | 1999-10-07 | 2004-03-30 | Mitec, Inc. | Irradiation system and method |
| US6429608B1 (en) | 2000-02-18 | 2002-08-06 | Mitec Incorporated | Direct injection accelerator method and system |
| AU2001245338A1 (en) * | 2000-02-24 | 2001-09-03 | Brian T. Dalziel | Bulk material irradiation system and method |
| US6459089B1 (en) | 2000-03-03 | 2002-10-01 | Steris Inc. | Single accelerator/two-treatment vault system |
| US6707049B1 (en) | 2000-03-21 | 2004-03-16 | Mitec Incorporated | Irradiation system with compact shield |
| US6504898B1 (en) | 2000-04-17 | 2003-01-07 | Mds (Canada) Inc. | Product irradiator for optimizing dose uniformity in products |
| US20040176668A1 (en) * | 2000-08-15 | 2004-09-09 | Goldstein James A. | Support and sensing apparatus |
| US6448571B1 (en) | 2000-08-15 | 2002-09-10 | James A. Goldstein | Radiation protection system |
| US6628750B1 (en) * | 2000-11-09 | 2003-09-30 | Steris Inc. | System for electron and x-ray irradiation of product |
| US6463123B1 (en) * | 2000-11-09 | 2002-10-08 | Steris Inc. | Target for production of x-rays |
| CA2443150A1 (en) * | 2001-04-02 | 2002-10-10 | Mitec Incorporated | Irradiation system and method |
| US7154103B2 (en) * | 2001-04-02 | 2006-12-26 | Mitec Incorporated | Method of providing extended shelf life fresh meat products |
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| US6763085B2 (en) | 2001-10-22 | 2004-07-13 | Cleaner Food, Inc. | Irradiation apparatus and method |
| US6777689B2 (en) * | 2001-11-16 | 2004-08-17 | Ion Beam Application, S.A. | Article irradiation system shielding |
| AU2002360853A1 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2003-07-24 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | System and method of detecting, neutralizing, and containing suspected contaminated articles |
| US6931095B1 (en) | 2002-03-19 | 2005-08-16 | Mitec Incorporated | System and method for irradiating large articles |
| DE10250988A1 (en) * | 2002-10-28 | 2004-05-13 | Gamma-Service Produktbestrahlung Gmbh | Electron irradiation facility |
| CA2542108A1 (en) * | 2003-10-07 | 2005-04-21 | John T. Lindsay | Method and apparatus for irradiating foodstuffs using low energy x-rays |
| US7057194B2 (en) * | 2004-04-07 | 2006-06-06 | Eco Cath-Lab Systems, Inc. | Radiation barrier |
| FR2871896B1 (en) * | 2004-06-21 | 2006-12-29 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROBE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL BY PHOTOFISSION |
| US7356116B2 (en) * | 2004-12-03 | 2008-04-08 | Eg&G Middle East | Container inspection system |
| US20070237866A1 (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2007-10-11 | Mitec Incorporated | Process for the extension of microbial life and color life of fresh meat products |
| US7829873B2 (en) * | 2006-07-28 | 2010-11-09 | Eco Cath-Lab Systems, Inc. | Lower shield for radiation protection system |
| CN103917862A (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2014-07-09 | 拉皮斯坎系统股份有限公司 | X-ray inspection system that integrates manifest data with imaging/detection processing |
| KR101691457B1 (en) * | 2012-09-26 | 2016-12-30 | 미쓰비시덴키 가부시키가이샤 | Semiconductor device manufacturing method and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus |
| MX360035B (en) | 2012-10-10 | 2018-10-19 | Xyleco Inc | Processing biomass. |
| US9659748B2 (en) | 2012-10-10 | 2017-05-23 | Xyleco, Inc. | Treating biomass |
| NZ706072A (en) | 2013-03-08 | 2018-12-21 | Xyleco Inc | Equipment protecting enclosures |
| KR101589917B1 (en) * | 2015-11-16 | 2016-01-29 | 그린피아기술주식회사 | Gamma irradiation method using third stage carrier |
| GB2564038B (en) | 2016-02-22 | 2021-11-10 | Rapiscan Systems Inc | Systems and methods for detecting threats and contraband in cargo |
| RU2655806C1 (en) * | 2017-06-27 | 2018-05-29 | Николай Владиславович Аржанов | Radiation processing unit for facilities (options) |
| CN113470861A (en) * | 2021-07-12 | 2021-10-01 | 中国原子能科学研究院 | Irradiation system |
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| CH413136A (en) * | 1964-04-14 | 1966-05-15 | Sulzer Ag | Irradiation facility |
| US3560745A (en) * | 1966-04-26 | 1971-02-02 | Russell E Petersen | Method and apparatus for marking cased containers by radiation of sensitive emulsions |
| CH476375A (en) * | 1967-05-03 | 1969-07-31 | Sulzer Ag | Irradiation facility |
| US3676673A (en) * | 1969-08-18 | 1972-07-11 | Ppg Industries Inc | Apparatus for irradiation in a controlled atmosphere |
| DE2449265A1 (en) * | 1974-10-16 | 1976-04-22 | Steigerwald Strahltech | DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FINELY PERFORATED FILM CUTTINGS BY USING ELECTRON BEAMS, IN PARTICULAR SHOE UPPER PARTS |
| JPS6166200A (en) * | 1984-09-07 | 1986-04-04 | 東芝プラント建設株式会社 | Radiation irradiator |
| US5096553A (en) * | 1986-09-11 | 1992-03-17 | Ionizing Energy Company Of Canada Limited | Treatment of raw animal hides and skins |
| JPH04124500U (en) * | 1991-04-26 | 1992-11-12 | 日新ハイボルテージ株式会社 | Electron beam irradiation device |
| US5400382A (en) * | 1992-04-19 | 1995-03-21 | Alpha Omega Technologies, Inc. | Automated irradiator for the processing of products and a method of operation |
| US5396074A (en) * | 1993-03-19 | 1995-03-07 | The Titan Corporation | Irradiation system utilizing conveyor-transported article carriers |
| US5396071A (en) * | 1993-07-09 | 1995-03-07 | Gamma-Metrics | Modularized assembly for bulk material analyzer |
| JPH0949883A (en) * | 1995-08-07 | 1997-02-18 | Toshiba Corp | Foreign matter inspection device |
-
1997
- 1997-05-09 US US08/854,202 patent/US5994706A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-04-30 AU AU72712/98A patent/AU7271298A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-04-30 EP EP98920062A patent/EP1008165A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-04-30 CA CA002287207A patent/CA2287207C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-04-30 WO PCT/US1998/008766 patent/WO1998050939A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-04-30 JP JP10548218A patent/JP2000513103A/en active Pending
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