Radiant energy – Supported for nonsignalling objects of irradiation – With source support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-05
2001-09-25
Berman, Jack (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Supported for nonsignalling objects of irradiation
With source support
C250S453110, C378S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294791
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to irradiation systems which utilize a conveyor system for transporting articles in a chamber through a target region scanned by radiation from a radiation source. The invention is particularly related (1) to a system for synchronizing the movements of queues providing for the movements of the articles into the chamber, past the radiation source for irradiation of the articles and then from the chamber after the irradiation of the articles and (2) to the disposition of a shield in the chamber for inhibiting radiation from reaching the queues and the walls of the invention.
Co-pending application Ser. No. 09/102,942 by John Thomas Allen et al. on Jun. 23, 1998, and assigned of record to the assignee of record of this application discloses and claims an article irradiation system which includes (1) a radiation source for scanning a target region with radiation, (2) a conveyor system including a process conveyor positioned for transporting articles in a given direction through the target region and (3) radiation shielding material defining the walls of a chamber containing the radiation source, the target region and a portion of the conveyor system. The radiation source is disposed inside a loop defined by a portion of the conveyor system and is adapted to scan the articles in the chamber in a plane transverse to the given direction of transport by the process conveyor. A shield (e.g., an intermediate wall) of radiation shielding materials positioned within the loop supports a radiation shielding ceiling of the chamber, inhibits photons emitted from a beam stop in one of the chamber walls from impinging on other walls of the chamber and restricts flow in the chamber of ozone derived in the target region from the radiation source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the invention, an article irradiation system includes (1) a radiation source for scanning a target region with radiation, (2) a conveyor system including a process conveyor positioned for transporting articles in a given direction through the target region, and (3) radiation shielding material defining the walls of a chamber containing the radiation source, the target region and a position of the conveyor system. The radiation source is disposed inside a loop defined by a portion of the conveyor system and is adapted to scan the articles in the chamber in a plane transverse to the given direction of the transport by the process conveyor. A shield (e.g., an intermediate wall) of radiation shielding material positioned within the loop supports a radiation shielding ceiling of the chamber, inhibits photons emitted from a beam stop in one of the chamber walls from impinging on the outer walls of the chamber and restricts flow in the chamber of ozone derived in the target region from the radiation source.
A first queue is disposed outside of the chamber for transferring into the chamber articles from a loading area; a second queue is disposed in the chamber for moving the articles past the radiation source for irradiation by the source; and a third queue is disposed in the chamber for transferring articles from the chamber, after irradiation, for movement to an unloading area. The operations of the first, second and third queues are synchronized. The shield inhibits radiation from the source from reaching the queues.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4852138 (1989-07-01), Bergeret et al.
patent: 5396074 (1995-03-01), Peck et al.
patent: 6127687 (2000-10-01), Williams et al.
Allen John Thomas
Sullivan, Jr. George Michael
Williams Colin Brian
Berman Jack
Fulwider Patton et al.
Roston Ellsworth R.
The Titan Corporation
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