Patent ID: 6127687
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: G21K

Abstract:
An article irradiation system, comprisinga radiation source positioned for scanning a target region with radiation,a conveyor system including a process conveyor positioned for transporting articles in a given direction through the target region,radiation shielding material defining a chamber containing the radiation source, the target region and a portion of the conveyor system,wherein the radiation source is disposed along an approximately horizontal axis inside a loop defined by a portion of the conveyor system and is adapted for scanning the articles being transported through the target region with radiation scanned in a plane transverse to the given direction of transport by the process conveyor, andan intermediate wall of radiation shielding material positioned within the loop and transverse to said approximately horizontal axis,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,wherein the beam stop is recessed within a portion of the chamber-defining radiation shielding material that is disposed on the opposite side of the target region from the radiation source so that some of the photons emitted from the beam stop toward the radiation source but obliquely thereto are inhibited from entering the chamber by said portion of the shielding material.