Patent US4469669A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3710121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shipping container for radioactive material using safety closure devices
Assignee: United States Department of Health and Human Services
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Filing: 1970-08-13
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A shipping container for radioactive materials which not only adequately shields the material from endangering a person handling it, but also protects the material during shipment. A series of interrelated, coacting, components must be operated in a step-wise manner before the container can be properly and safely closed.
Inventors
- 👤 P Bedrosian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:07
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F5/00; G21F5/06; G21F5/12; G21F5/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A shipping container for radioactive material comprising an outer container; closure means for said outer container; shield means located within said outer container; an inner container for holding radioactive material said inner container including a cylindrical receptacle, a collar extending around the topmost end of said receptacle, and a rigid projection extending out from said collar to serve as a limit stop to prevent twisting of said receptacle; means within said shield means for holding said inner container; cover means for the shield means; and a plurality of interrelated safety components associated with the shield means, cover means, and closure means which must be operated stepwise in predetErmined relation before the closure means can be shut and latched.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A shipping container for radioactive material comprising an outer container; closure means for said outer container; shield means located within said outer container; an inner container for holding radioactive material said inner container including a cylindrical receptacle, a collar extending around the topmost end of said receptacle, and a rigid projection extending out from said collar to serve as a limit stop to prevent twisting of said receptacle; means within said shield means for holding said inner container; cover means for the shield means; and a plurality of interrelated safety components associated with the shield means, cover means, and closure means which must be operated stepwise in predetErmined relation before the closure means can be shut and latched.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the closure means for the outer container includes a hinged lid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the shield means includes lead or other material for blocking radioactive emanations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the means within the shield for holding the inner container includes a cavity located in the center of the shield, said cavity being essentially an inverted cone and having its side walls in the form of a series of steps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the cover means for the shield includes a lead plug adapted to fit the cavity, and a carrying handle attached to the plug.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the plurality of safety components includes a plate extending below the lead plug to contact the screw cap of the inner container; a spring-urged rod attached at one end to the plate for urging the plate away from the plug and into contact with the screw cap; a C-shaped member attached to the other end of the rod; and spring urged latch means, extending out from the side of the cavity in the lead plug, for engaging the C-shaped member when the plate is in contact with the screw cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the safety components also include diametrically opposite fan shaped plates attached to the carrying handle assembly; self-locking latches positioned on the fan shaped plates and extending downward for engagement with the top of the outer container; and Z bar hold downs on the top of the outer container for receiving the fan shaped plates when the carrying handle is twisted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the safety components also include a lid rest extending downward from the underside of the hinged lid for abutting the carrying handle if the cover means has not been twisted to its fullest extent, and for passing alongside the carrying handle if the cover means has been twisted to its fullest extent; a vertically extending wedge positioned at the outer edge of one of the fan shaped plates; and latch means also positioned on the underside of the lid for movement along the wedge and final contact with the outer container, so that the lid may be closed only when the cover means has been fully and correctly twisted.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3256441A
Cited
US3549888A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |