Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A system for irradiating objects, comprising:a conveyor for conveying objects along a predetermined path;an e-beam scanning device disposed a predetermined distance from said path, said e-beam scanning device being operable to scan an e-beam across said path at a specific location along said path;a chamber disposed between said scanning device and said specific location along said path, said chamber dimensioned to maintain said scanning e-beam within the confines of said chamber and to occupy a majority of the distance between said e-beam scanning device and an object at said specific location; andmeans for creating vacuum conditions in said chamber suitable for the creation of a plasma within said chamber when said e-beam is scanned through said chamber. 2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said e-beam enters and exits said chamber through metallic panels. 3. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said chamber is adjustable in size. 4. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein said chamber is defined by a structure having a stationary, first end member disposed adjacent to said scanning device, a movable, second end member that is spaced from said first end member, and an expandable and collapsible, tubular wall member that is connected to said first and second end members. 5. A system as defined in claim 4, wherein said tubular wall member has an accordion-like structure. 6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said wall member is comprised of a flexible metal cloth that is coated with a polymer material. 7. A system as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second end members are flat plates having openings therein, said metallic panel being disposed within said openings. 8. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein the ends of said tubular wall member are attached to said first and second end members. 9. A system as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for creating vacuum conditions in said chamber is a pump. 10. A method of irradiating an object, comprising the steps of:providing a chamber between a source of an electron beam (e-beam) and an object to be irradiated by said electron beam, said chamber dimensioned to occupy a majority of the space between said source and said object; andmaintaining a vacuum within said chamber while directing an e-beam through said chamber into said object, said vacuum in said chamber being at a level to create conditions within said chamber suitable for forming a plasma within said chamber. 11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein said e-beam is scanned across said object. 12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein said object is moving relative to said e-beam source. 13. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein said chamber includes a window for input of electron beam and a window for output electron beam, said metallic or plastic foil aligned along the path of said e-beam, wherein said e-beam enters said chamber through said window for input of electron beam and exits said chamber through said window for output electron beams. 14. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein said e-beam has a known number concentration of electrons in the e-beam and said vacuum in said chamber is at a level, wherein a number concentration of plasma ions is formed in a region surrounding the e-beam, and said vacuum is such that a ratio of the number concentration of plasma ions to the number concentration of electrons in the e-beam for a region surrounding the e-beam is less than or equal to 1. 15. An e-beam transport device, comprised of:a housing defining a chamber, said housing dimensioned to withstand a vacuum of less than 2 Torr within said chamber;window for input of electron beam and window for output electron beam forming a part of said housing, said foil oriented in said housing to be aligned with the path of an e-beam through said housing, wherein said e-beam enters said chamber through said window for input of electron beam and exits said chamber through said window for output electron beam; anda vacuum-generating device connected to said chamber, said vacuum-generating device capable of creating a vacuum between 2 Torr and 0.1 Torr within said chamber. 16. An e-beam transport device as defined in claim 15, wherein said housing can expand or contract to vary the size of said chamber. 17. An e-beam transport device as defined in claim 16, wherein said housing includes an accordion-like wall member. 18. An e-beam transport device as defined in claim 17, wherein said accordion-like wall member is comprised of polymer-coated wire cloth. 19. An e-beam transport device as defined in claim 18, wherein said housing includes a first end member and a second end member, said wall member being attached to said end members. 20. An e-beam transport device as defined in claim 19, wherein said first and second end members are flat plates having said metallic panels mounted therein. 21. An e-beam transport device as defined in claim 20, wherein said metallic panels are comprised of metal foil. 22. An e-beam transport device as defined in claim 15, wherein said vacuum-generating device is a vacuum pump. 23. An e-beam transport device as defined in claim 22, wherein said vacuum-generating device is capable of creating a vacuum between 0.10 Torr and 0.01 Torr with said chamber. 24. A method of irradiating an object, comprising the steps of:positioning a chamber between a source of an electron beam (e-beam) and an object to be irradiated;creating a vacuum within said chamber, said vacuum being at a level of 0.2 Torr or less; andscanning an e-beam through said chamber toward said object. 25. A method as defined in claim 24, wherein said e-beam has a known number concentration of electrons in the e-beam and said vacuum in said chamber is at a level, wherein a number concentration of plasma ions is formed in a region surrounding the e-beam, and said vacuum is such that a ratio of the number concentration of plasma ions to the number concentration of electrons in the e-beam for a region surrounding the e-beam is less than or equal to 1.