Apparatus and method for inspecting container by x-ray radiation

2:

• The apparatus according to claim 1,
• wherein
• the carrier elements are constructed in the form of webs or strips and preferably have a rectangular or parallelogram-like cross-section.

3:

• The apparatus according to claim 1,
• wherein
• the carrier elements have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the guide elements are arranged at these end portions.

4:

• The apparatus according to claim 1,
• wherein
• the carrier elements are made of a plastic material which does not absorb X-ray radiation or absorbs it only to a small extent, wherein the plastic material is preferably selected from a group of plastic materials which includes PEEK, Teflon, and PET.

5:

• The apparatus according to claim 1,
• wherein
• the transport device is a circulating transport device and in particular a conveyor belt or a transport chain.

6:

• The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
• wherein
• the guide device is a belt and in particular a toothed belt.

7:

• The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
• wherein
• the carrier elements have a thickness that is greater than 2 mm and preferably than 3 mm, and/or the carrier elements have a thickness that is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 8 mm, and particularly preferably less than 6 mm.

8:

• The apparatus according to claim 1,
• wherein
• the apparatus has at least one second radiation device and/or at least one second sensor device.

9:

• The apparatus according to claim 1,
• wherein
• at least one X-ray radiation device and the sensor device, which receives the radiation radiated onto the containers by the X-ray radiation device, are arranged such that a beam path of the X-ray radiation runs obliquely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the containers to be inspected.

10:

• The apparatus according to claim 1,
• wherein
• the apparatus has a discharge device which is configured to discharge the inspected containers from the transport device, wherein preferably a transfer device is provided which which is configured to transfer the containers from the transport device to the discharge device.

11:

• The apparatus according to claim 10,
• wherein
• this transfer device is configured to transport the containers obliquely to the transport direction.

12:

• The apparatus according to claim 1,
• wherein
• the apparatus has a feed device which is configured to convey the containers to the transport device, wherein this feed device preferably has a transport wheel which is configured to convey the containers or a transport wheel conveying the containers or a transport screw conveying the containers.

13:

• A method for inspecting containers, wherein the containers are transported along a predefined transport direction using a transport device, and at least one first radiation device which emits high-energy radiation and in particular X-ray radiation onto the containers to be inspected, and a first sensor device detects radiation emitted onto the containers by the radiation device, wherein the transport device forms a support surface which is movable in the transport direction and which supports the containers at their container bases,
• wherein
• the support surface has a plurality of carrier elements made of a plastic material and moreover at least one guide device for guiding these carrier elements, wherein this guide device has a metal.

14:

• The method according to claim 13,
• wherein
• the containers are filled and preferably also labeled and/or printed containers.

15:

• The method according to claim 13,
• wherein
• the containers are transported in a straight line during their inspection and/or are transported at least perpendicular to the transport direction after their inspection.

16:

• The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide device is formed at least in part of a material which absorbs X-ray radiation.

17:

• The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the material which absorbs X-ray radiation comprises a metal or a metal-reinforced plastic selected from the group consisting of iron, steel and aluminum.

18:

• The method according to claim 13, wherein the guide device is formed at least in part of a material which absorbs X-ray radiation.

19:

• The method according to claim 18, wherein the material which absorbs X-ray radiation comprises a metal or a metal-reinforced plastic selected from the group consisting of iron, steel and aluminum.