Patent ID: 8513623

Claim:
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 ); and g) a shield ( 7 ) which is assigned to the exit zone ( 4 ), characterized in that h) 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 ); and n) the shield ( 7 ) is connected to a drive ( 74 ).