US3939998A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vials emptying apparatus
Assignee: Novartis AG
•
Filing: 1974-12-03
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Granted: 1976-02-24
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Expires: 1994-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Vials containing radioactive waste are emptied before destruction by passing them down a conveyor comprising pairs of spaced discs with aligned recesses in their edges for holding the receptacles, a severing disc extending between the discs to cut the vials in half. The severed parts are then turned to face radially outwardly, and placed on the ends of the arms of a rotating spider. The arms are hollow, and are connected to a source of inert gas, whereby any liquid remaining in the parts in scavenged. The liquid and the severed parts are collected in different containers.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Soltermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:54
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L1/00; B01L1/50; B65; B65B; B65B69/00; B65B69/0033; G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for emptying disposable receptacles, comprising: a. severing means adapted to sever receptacles into two cup-like parts; b. conveying means for conveying receptacles past said severing means to be severed; c. a rotating spider which has tubular arms for supporting cup-like parts from the conveyor and which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, the arms being adapted to be connected to a pressure gas source at least during part of each rotation; d. means to turn the two parts of each receptacle in the conveying means so that the severed apertures of such parts face towards the spider; e. means for locating each of the receptacle parts thus turned on to a rising spider arm; f. means for collecting liquid poured out of the receptacles; and g. separate means for collecting cup-like parts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for emptying disposable receptacles, comprising: a. severing means adapted to sever receptacles into two cup-like parts; b. conveying means for conveying receptacles past said severing means to be severed; c. a rotating spider which has tubular arms for supporting cup-like parts from the conveyor and which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, the arms being adapted to be connected to a pressure gas source at least during part of each rotation; d. means to turn the two parts of each receptacle in the conveying means so that the severed apertures of such parts face towards the spider; e. means for locating each of the receptacle parts thus turned on to a rising spider arm; f. means for collecting liquid poured out of the receptacles; and g. separate means for collecting cup-like parts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveying means comprises a pair of conveying discs, a substantially horizontal shaft on which the discs are mounted; and a stationary guide member which extends over part of the conveying disc periphery and which serves to retain the receptacles or the severed parts thereof in the conveying means; wherein the discs define receptacle-receiving recesses in their periphery having axes that are parallel to the shaft, and wherein the severing means is a disc which extends into the gap between the two conveying members and through a gap formed in the guide member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including a feed shaft and a second pair of conveying discs preceding the first pair and similar thereto, wherein the feed shaft is adapted to supply receptacles to the recesses in the second pair of conveying discs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for turning the severed parts of the receptacles comprise two pairs of guiding surfaces, and wherein each pair is disposed on both sides of one disc of the first pair of conveying discs and extend along the arcuate movement path of the receptacle parts, and cooperate with one another to form one guide each for such parts, such guide extending sinuously in the direction of conveyance so as to turn gradually through an angle of from 45° to 90°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for turning the severed parts of the receptacles comprise two further pairs of guiding surfaces, one each of which is substantially at right angles to one of the previously mentioned guiding surfaces and extends sinuously through the same angle as the latter in the direction of conveying, so that a pair of said first-mentioned and said second-mentioned guiding surfaces form a guide which engages around a receptacle part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spider arms are disposed in pairs in two planes axially offset from one another by the distance between the two discs of the pair of discs of the conveying means; and wherein the guide member terminates after the lowest point of the discs, and wherein the spider is positioned for a rising pair of arms to engage a pair of receptacle parts at the end of the guide member during operation of the apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a casing enclosing at least the conveying means and the severing means, the casing being adapted to be connected to an inert gas source whereby it may be filled with an atmosphere of inert gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including control means coupled to the means for collecting the liquid, the control means being adapted to stop the conveyance of receptacles whenever the means for collecting the liquid has filled up to a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control means comprise a balance adapted to support a collecting vessel, and which operates a switch in response to the predetermined loading and thus stops the conveying means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3143231A
Cited
US3682341A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-23 | 1979-08-25 | 1980-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-23 | 1983-08-25 | 1984-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-23 | 1987-08-25 | 1988-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |