Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method for scanning an object in an X-ray security inspection system, wherein the X-ray security inspection system comprises an ingoing tunnel equipped with radiation-shielding curtains, an X-ray section and an outgoing tunnel equipped with radiation-shielding curtains, the method comprising:passing the object through the ingoing tunnel at a first rate of speed and with a first extent of separation between successive objects;passing the object through the X-ray section at a second rate of speed and with a second extent of separation between successive objects; andpassing the object through the outgoing tunnel at a third rate of speed and with a third extent of separation between successive objects;wherein the second rate of speed is less than the first rate of speed and the third rate of speed, and wherein the second extent of separation between successive objects is less than the first extent of separation between successive objects and the third extent of separation between successive objects. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the X-ray security inspection system comprises a CT security inspection system. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the second rate of speed is 15 cm per second or less. 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and third rates of speed are the maximum speed which permits at least one radiation-shielding curtain to fall back to its “fully down” position between successive objects. 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and third rates of speed are 22-27 cm per second. 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and third rates of speed are the same. 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and third rates of speed are different from one another. 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the radiation-shielding curtains comprise lead-containing curtains. 9. Apparatus for scanning an object, the apparatus comprising:an X-ray security inspection system, wherein the X-ray security inspection system comprises an ingoing tunnel equipped with radiation-shielding curtains, an X-ray section and an outgoing tunnel equipped with radiation-shielding curtains;apparatus for passing the object through the ingoing tunnel at a first rate of speed and with a first extent of separation between successive objects;apparatus for passing the object through the X-ray section at a second rate of speed and with a second extent of separation between successive objects; andapparatus for passing the object through the outgoing tunnel at a third rate of speed and with a third extent of separation between successive objects;wherein the second rate of speed is less than the first rate of speed and the third rate of speed, and wherein the second extent of separation between successive objects is less than the first extent of separation between successive objects and the third extent of separation between successive objects. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the X-ray security inspection system comprises a CT security inspection system. 11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second rate of speed is 15 cm per second or less. 12. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the first and third rates of speed are the maximum speed which permits at least one radiation-shielding curtain to fall back to its “fully down” position between successive objects. 13. A method according to claim 9 wherein the first and third rates of speed are 22-27 cm per second. 14. A method according to claim 9 wherein the first and third rates of speed are the same. 15. A method according to claim 9 wherein the first and third rates of speed are different from one another. 16. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus for passing the object through the ingoing tunnel comprises a first conveyor belt. 17. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus for passing the object through the X-ray section comprises a second conveyor belt. 18. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus for passing the object through the outgoing tunnel comprises a third conveyor belt. 19. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus for passing the object through the ingoing tunnel comprises a series of powered rollers. 20. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus for passing the object through the X-ray section comprises a series of powered rollers. 21. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus for passing the object through the outgoing tunnel comprises a series of powered rollers. 22. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the radiation-shielding curtains comprise lead-containing curtains.