Holder for and x-ray protection element
An X-ray inspection apparatus includes a holder for arranging a protective element in the X-ray inspection apparatus. The holder includes a plurality of receiving structures arranged one behind the other in a conveying direction, in order to be able to easily insert or remove the protective element at different positions along the conveying direction.
1 . An X-ray inspection apparatus comprising:
(a) an X-ray inspection space through which a conveying path leads in a longitudinal direction; and
(b) a holder adapted for holding a protective element in any one of multiple operating positions in which the protective element at least partially delimits the X-ray inspection space and is operable to prevent at least some X-rays from escaping from the X-ray inspection space, the holder including,
(i) at least two holding sections spaced apart in a transverse direction extending transverse to the longitudinal direction, and
(ii) a plurality of receiving structures formed along at least one of the holding sections and being spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, wherein each receiving structure is adapted to receive a connecting section of the protective element to detachably connect the protective element to the holder in a respective one of the operating positions.
2 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the holding sections comprises a material section extending in the longitudinal direction with the plurality of receiving structures formed therein as holes or other recesses.
3 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving structures are each adapted to be connected to or disconnected from the connecting section of the protective element without tools.
4 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a coding feature associated with a respective one of the receiving structures so as to distinguish that respective receiving structure.
5 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 4 wherein the coding feature includes a mechanical engagement profile of the respective receiving structure adapted to be exclusively connectable to a protective element connecting section having a matching mechanical engagement profile.
6 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 4 wherein the coding feature includes a magnetic engagement profile of the respective receiving structure adapted to be exclusively connectable to a protective element connecting section having an attracting magnetic engagement profile.
7 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 4 wherein the coding feature includes an optically detectable feature proximate to the respective receiving structure, the optically detectable feature comprising a color, letter, number, or symbol.
8 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 4 wherein the coding feature includes an illumination element proximate to the respective receiving structure.
9 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a detector arrangement adapted to detect a characteristic of the protective element inserted the holder, the characteristic comprising a protective element type or longitudinal position of the protective element.
10 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a detector arrangement adapted to read a coding feature the protective element inserted into the holder.
11 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 wherein each holding section has an L-shape in plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
12 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the holder has a downwardly open, U-shape defining two legs that at least partially form two of the at least two holding sections and defining an apex connecting the two legs, the apex delimiting an upper side of the X-ray inspection space.
13 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the holder is adapted to be telescopically or modularly extended in the longitudinal direction in order to increase or change the number or position of receiving structures.
14 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
(a) the protective element comprises an at least partially flexible radiation absorptive curtain or a substantially rigid radiation absorptive plate;
(b) products for inspection are conveyed in the longitudinal direction along the conveying path; and
(c) the at least two holding sections extend in the longitudinal direction and are arranged above the conveying path so that the protective element held in one of the multiple operating positions extends over the conveying path in the transverse direction and extends down from the holder in an elevation direction.
15 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
(a) a display device; and
(b) a control unit adapted to control the display device to display (i) identification features of the protective element, or (ii) an intended or actual position of the protective element on the holder.
16 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control unit adapted to output signals representing (i) identification features of the protective element, or (ii) an intended or actual position of the protective element on the holder.
17 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 15 further comprising detectors for detecting one or more of (i) a position of the protective element inserted in the holder, and (ii) identifying features of the protective element inserted in the holder.
18 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the protective element, and wherein the protective element is formed at least partially of radiation-absorbing material and includes at least one connecting section adapted for connecting with one of the receiving structures to attach the protective element to the holder.
19 . A method for removing or inserting a protective element in the X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 , the method comprising:
with an indicator of the X-ray inspection apparatus, indicating at least one of: an intended operating position for a protective element on a holder, a currently occupied operating position for a protective element on the holder, at least one identification feature of a protective element to be removed from the holder, and at least one identification feature of a protective element to be inserted into the holder.
20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:
identifying incorrect removal or insertion of the protective element from the holder by detecting at least one of: an identification feature of the protective element removed from the holder, the identification feature of the protective element inserted in the holder, an operating position of the protective element removed from the holder, and an operating position of the protective element inserted in the holder; and
in response, with the indicator of the X-ray inspection apparatus, providing at least one of: an indication that the insertion or removal was incorrect, an indication of a correct operating position intended for insertion or removal.