Abstract: Articles move on a conveyor mechanism in a first direction past a radiation source for an irradiation of the articles (by e.g., an electron beam, x-rays or gamma rays) by radiation moving in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the fires direction. The distance between the radiation source and the articles on the conveyor mechanism may be adjusted to provide for the irradiation of each position in the articles and to minimize the amount of the radiation which does not pass into the articles.

Abstract: A continuously provided ground food product (e.g. meat) is leveled to a particular thickness and then irradiated. The leveler may be formed from two (2) spaced members (e.g., closed loop belts) spaced from each other by a distance progressively decreasing to a distance corresponding to the particular thickness. This distance may be adjustable to define any desired thickness for the food product. The leveler and the radiation source are disposed in a chamber providing shielding against radiation. The belt carrying the food product past the radiation source deposits the irradiated food product in a receptacle. A transport mechanism (e.g. auger) transports the irradiated food product, without exposing the food product to harmful bacteria, from the receptacle to a former which provides the food product in individual configurations (e.g. hamburgers, chubs and case ready) without exposing the product to harmful bacteria. The formed product is thereafter stored in an environment which excludes harmful bacteria.

Abstract: A first support structure disposes articles relative to a radiation beam, preferably x-rays, to obtain an irradiation of the articles. A second support structure disposes articles relative to the beam and to the articles on the first structure to obtain an irradiation of the articles by radiation passing from the accelerator through the articles on the first structure. A mechanism transfers the particles on the first structure to the second structure, after the irradiation of the articles on the first structure, to obtain the irradiation of the articles on the second structure. Each of the first and second structures may provide for an irradiation of articles initially through first sides of the articles and subsequently through second sides of the articles opposite to first sides. The irradiation of the first sides of the articles on the first and second support structures are preferably synchronous from a time standpoint as are the irradiation of the second sides of the articles on the structures.

Abstract: Articles having irregular characteristics such as an irregular geometrical configuration or an irregular density are disposed in a container which is moved in a first direction past a radiation source. Radiation from the source is directed toward the articles in the container in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The radiation energy passing from the source to the articles at different positions in the articles is absorbed in accordance with the irregularities in the characteristics of the articles at the different positions to maintain the radiant energy at the different positions in the articles within particular limits.

Abstract: A first robotic assembly transfers articles from carriers on a transport mechanism at a loading area to a first load conveyor. The conveyor transfers the articles to a process conveyor which moves the articles through a target region at a substantially constant speed. The process conveyor then transfers the articles to a second load conveyor. A second robotic assembly then transfers the articles to article carriers on the transport mechanism at an unloading area.

Abstract: Articles move on a conveyor mechanism in a first direction past a radiation source for an irradiation of the articles (by e.g., an electron beam, x-rays or gamma rays) by radiation moving in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the fires direction. The distance between the radiation source and the articles on the conveyor mechanism may be adjusted to provide for the irradiation of each position in the articles and to minimize the amount of the radiation which does not pass into the articles.

Abstract: A first robotic assembly transfers articles from carriers on a transport mechanism at a loading area to a first load conveyor. The conveyor transfers the articles to a process conveyor which moves the articles through a target region at a substantially constant speed. The process conveyor then transfers the articles to a second load conveyor. A second robotic assembly then transfers the articles to article carriers on the transport mechanism at an unloading area. The load and process conveyors may be divided into two tracks. First and second radiation sources respectively disposed at first and second gaps in the process conveyor in the target region respectively irradiate the articles in both tracks in opposite directions from positions above and below the articles. Articles on the tracks may be (a) diverged on the first load conveyor to separate the articles from the dividers, (b) converged on the process conveyor to minimize the width of the radiation sources and (c) diverged on the second load conveyor.

Abstract: A continuously provided ground food product (e.g. meat) is leveled to a particular thickness and then irradiated. The leveler may be formed from two (2) spaced members (e.g., closed loop belts) spaced from each other by a distance progressively decreasing to a distance corresponding to the particular thickness. This distance may be adjustable to define any desired thickness for the food product. The leveler and the radiation source are disposed in a chamber providing shielding against radiation. The belt carrying the food product past the radiation source deposits the irradiated food product in a receptacle. A transport mechanism (e.g. auger) transports the irradiated food product, without exposing the food product to harmful bacteria, from the receptacle to a former which provides the food product in individual configurations (e.g. hamburgers, chubs and case ready) without exposing the product to harmful bacteria. The formed product is thereafter stored in an environment which excludes harmful bacteria.

Abstract: An article irradiation system includes (1) a radiation source for scanning a target region with radiation, (2) a conveyor system including a process conveyor positioned for transporting articles in a given direction through the target region, and (3) radiation shielding material defining the walls of a chamber containing the radiation source, the target region and a position of the conveyor system. The radiation source is disposed inside a loop defined by a portion of the conveyor system and is adapted to scan the articles in the chamber in a plane transverse to the given direction of the transport by the process conveyor. A shield (e.g., an intermediate wall) of radiation shielding material positioned within the loop supports a radiation shielding ceiling of the chamber, inhibits photons emitted from a beam stop in one of the chamber walls from impinging on the outer walls of the chamber and restricts flow in the chamber of ozone derived in the target region from the radiation source.

Abstract: Articles are transported by a conveyor system in a loop from a loading area past a target region to an unloading area adjacent the loading area. A first side of the article is irradiated by a radiation source in the target region during the article movement through the target region. The radiation source may be substantially parallel or perpendicular to the conveyor system. The loop has curved portions and straight portions between the curved portions. Radiation shielding material substantially fills the space within the loop. The conveyor system and the radiation source are disposed within a chamber made from a radiation shielding material (e.g. concrete). The shielding material inside and outside the loop defines a radiation-free loop portion having straight portions with a relatively close spacing. A bridge having no radiation shielding and a relatively short length is disposed in this radiation-free area as are the loading and unloading areas.

Abstract: An article irradiation system includes a radiation source for scanning a target region with radiation; a conveyor system including a process conveyor positioned for transporting articles in a given direction through the target region; radiation shielding material defining a chamber containing the radiation source, the target region and a portion of the conveyor system; wherein the radiation source is disposed along an approximately horizontal axis inside a loop defined by a portion of the conveyor system and is adapted for scanning the articles being transported through the target region with radiation scanned in a plane transverse to the given direction of transport by the process conveyor; and an intermediate wall of radiation shielding material positioned within the loop and transverse to the approximately horizontal axis.

Abstract: An article irradiation system includes a radiation source for scanning a target region with radiation; a conveyor system including a process conveyor positioned for transporting articles in a given direction through the target region; radiation shielding material defining a chamber containing the radiation source, the target region and a portion of the conveyor system; wherein the radiation source is disposed along an approximately horizontal axis inside a loop defined by a portion of the conveyor system and is adapted for scanning the articles being transported through the target region with radiation scanned in a plane transverse to the given direction of transport by the process conveyor; and an intermediate wall of radiation shielding material positioned within the loop and transverse to the approximately horizontal axis.