Gamma irradiation plant

A gamma irradiation plant for irradiating goods, comprising:

• a. a carrier mounted for rotation about a central axially positioned source of radiation;
• b. a plurality of support means mounted on said carrier for rotation about separate satellite axes spaced from each other and spaced radially about said central axis, said satellite axes being substantially parallel to said central axis;
• c. at least two support shelves mounted on each of said support means for supporting said goods;
• d. a plurality of shielding means, each mounted on said carrier along a radius extending from said central axis through the space between said support shelves mounted on adjacent of said support means, said shielding means being adapted to attenuate the radiation from said source, the attenuating effect being greater with increasing distance from said radiation source;
• e. whereby as said carrier is rotated about said central axis the goods supported on said support shelves are rotated about said satellite axes while revolving about said radiation source and said shielding means serve to make the radiation dose more uniform across a given cross-sectional area of said goods;
• and
• f. a housing means for said carrier, said housing means including article storage means remote from said carrier and article handling means adapted to transfer goods between said storage means and said support shelves and between said support shelves to load and unload goods.