Patent ID: 6437344
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: G21K

Abstract:
A product irradiation device for irradiating products comprisinga transportable enclosure defining an interior and having an entry opening through which products enter said enclosure and having an exit opening through which the products exit said enclosure; an irradiator shell disposed in said interior and comprising a wall enclosing an irradiation source and a transport channel, said transport channel having an inlet port, disposed along an exterior surface of said wall, communicating with said entry opening by which the products enter said transport channel and having an outlet port, disposed along an exterior surface of said wall, communicating with said exit opening by which the products are discharged from said transport channel, said transport channel defining a prescribed path for the products through said shell and past said irradiation source, said outlet port being spaced from said inlet port, said transport channel including a transport surface upon which the products are supported in contact with said transport surface and are moved in said prescribed path from said inlet port to said outlet port, said transport surface being formed by an interior surface of said wall, said interior surface being non-moving from said inlet port to said outlet port; and a plurality of linear actuators mounted to said shell for moving the products into, through and out of said transport channel whereby the products are moved in said prescribed path past said irradiation source and are thereby irradiated prior to being discharged through said outlet port.