Patent Number: 
Section: abstract

Disclosed is an installation (1) for sterilizing objects (8) by means of a radiation source (50). The installation (1) comprises an irradiation zone (5) in which the radiation source (50) is arranged. An entry zone (3), which is preceded by a feed zone (2), is mounted in front of the irradiation zone (5) while an exit zone (4), which is followed by a subsequent processing zone (9), is mounted behind the irradiation zone (5). A transportation line (6) that is used for conveying the objects (8) extends through the installation (1). One respective shield (7) is associated with the entry zone (3) and the exit zone (4). The entry zone (3) encompasses a first inlet opening (31) that has a passage to the feed zone (2) as well as a second inlet opening (32) which has a passage to the irradiation zone (5). The exit zone (4) has a first outlet (41) that has a passage to the irradiation zone (5) as well as a second outlet opening (42) which has a passage to the subsequent processing zone (9). The transportation line (6) extends in alignment through all inlet openings and outlet openings (31,32;41,42). The shields (7) are movable. In each position of the shields (7) in which the objects (8) that are conveyed through the installation (1) can penetrate one of the two inlet openings (31,32) or one of the two outlet openings (41,42), the other inlet opening (32,31) and the other outlet opening (42,41) are covered by the associated shield (7).