Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An installation (1) for sterilizing objects (8) by means of a radiation source (50), with:a) an irradiation zone (5) in which the radiation source (50) is arranged;b) an entry zone (3), which is in front of the irradiation zone (5);c) a feed zone (2), which is in front of the entry zone (3);d) an exit zone (4), which adjoins the irradiation zone (5) and which is followed by a subsequent processing zone (9);e) a transportation line (6) which passes through the installation (1) and is used to convey the objects (8);f) a shield (7) which is assigned to the entry zone (3); andg) a shield (7) which is assigned to the exit zone (4), characterized in thath) the entry zone (3) has a first inlet opening (31) with a passage to the feed zone (2) and a second inlet opening (32) with a passage to the irradiation zone (5);i) the exit zone (4) has a first outlet opening (41) with a passage to the irradiation zone (5) and a second outlet opening (42) with a passage to the subsequent processing zone (9);j) the transportation line (6) extends flush through the first inlet opening (31), the second inlet opening (32), the first outlet opening (41) and the second outlet opening (42);k) the shields (7) are movable and in every situation with regard to position of the shields (7) in which one of the two inlet openings (31,32) or one of the two outlet openings (41,42) permits the passage of the objects (8) transported through the installation (1), the other inlet opening (32,31) and the other outlet opening (42, 41) are covered by the respectively assigned shield (7);l) one shield (7) is composed of two plate-shaped, displaceable or pivotable elements (71,72), a connection (73) extending between the two;m) the elements (71,72) have material regions (75); andn) the shield (7) is connected to a drive (74). 2. The installation (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thatthe radiation source (50) acts into a channel (103) through which the transportation line (6) for conveying the objects (8) passes and which firstly extends to the second inlet opening (32) of the entry zone (3) and secondly extends to the first outlet opening (41) of the exit zone (4). 3. The installation (1) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in thata) the housing of the sterilizing installation (1) is manufactured from sandwich elements (10) which adjoin one another and are sealed off against one another;b) a sandwich element (10) has a radiation absorbing inner layer (100), preferably composed of lead, between two outer layers (101), preferably composed of a stainless steel plate; andc) a seal (102) is provided between adjacently arranged sandwich elements (10). 4. The installation (1) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the treatment space acted upon by the radiation source (50) is filled with an inert gas.