摘要 |
The present invention involves a system for irradiating articles with ultraviolet radiation that are transported through an irradiation tunnel along a longitudinal article treatment path from a tunnel entrance to a tunnel exit employing a conveyor system. Ultraviolet irradiation sources are located within the tunnel, both above and below the article treatment path. The conveyor system includes at least two different sequential segments that contact different laterally separated locations on the articles to be treated from beneath. The points of contact between the different segments of the conveyor system are offset in a lateral or transverse direction so that all locations on the articles are left unobscured from beneath at some location on the treatment path. As a consequence, all downwardly facing surfaces of the articles carried on the conveyor system are exposed to radiation from beneath. The ultraviolet irradiation sources may be configured as elongated, transverse tubes, at least some of which are located within elliptical reflectors so that some of the ultraviolet radiation is reflected onto the passing articles at angles that vary as the articles progress along the treatment path. The ends of the ultraviolet tubes are mounted within unique end supports that allow the tubes to be rotated one hundred eighty degrees by a single person manipulating just one end of each lamp tube.
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