Patent ID: 7759661

Claim:
An electron beam emitter for sterilizing containers comprising: a vacuum chamber having a width; an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons; and an elongate nozzle extending from the vacuum chamber along a longitudinal axis and having an exit window at a distal end of the nozzle, the nozzle having a width that is less than the width of the vacuum chamber, the electron generator being shaped and dimensioned, and positioned within the vacuum chamber to form and direct a narrow electron beam that enters and travels through the nozzle, and exits out the exit window, the electron generator including a housing, the electron beam exiting the housing of the electron beam generator in a narrowing manner, whereby an initial focusing lens is positioned within the housing for providing initial focusing of the electrons within the housing, and the housing having an axial end with an opening shaped for forming a second lens for providing further progressive focusing of the electrons as the electron beam exits the housing of the electron generator.