US4235600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for decontaminating radioactive garments
Assignee: Health Physics Systems Inc
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Filing: 1978-11-09
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Granted: 1980-11-25
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Expires: 1998-11-09
Abstract
Abstract Garments are deposited in a cleaning drum and the drum is agitated during a wash cycle. A dry cleaning solvent is continuously added to the drum during the wash cycle and continuously removed from the drum during the wash cycle to flush the radioactive particulate material separated from the garments into a sump. The solvent is pumped from the sump for addition to the drum during the wash cycle and the pumped solvent is filtered to remove substantially all of the radioactive particulate material suspended in the solvent. The apparatus for decontaminating the radioactive garments comprises a sump for supporting a dry cleaning solvent. A drum for supporting the radioactively contaminated garments during a wash cycle which separates the radioactive particulate material from the garments means are provided for continuously pumping the dry cleaning solvent from the sump to the drum and for continuously removing the solvent and separated particulate material from the drum into the sump. A filtering means is used to continuously remove substantially all of the particulate material suspended in the solvent that is carried to the drum.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Capella
- 👤 Dennis R. Morrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:06
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/001; D; D06; D06F; D06F43/00; D06F43/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of decontaminating radioactive garments, comprising the steps of: depositing contaminated garments in a cleaning drum; agitating the drum during a wash cycle to separate radioactive particulate material from the garments; continuously removing a dry cleaning solvent from the drum during the wash cycle for storage in a sump; continuously pumping solvent from the sump to the drum during the wash cycle for flushing the separated radioactive particulate material into the sump; and filtering the pumped solvent to remove the radioactive particulate material suspended in the solvent prior to addition to the drum.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of decontaminating radioactive garments, comprising the steps of: depositing contaminated garments in a cleaning drum; agitating the drum during a wash cycle to separate radioactive particulate material from the garments; continuously removing a dry cleaning solvent from the drum during the wash cycle for storage in a sump; continuously pumping solvent from the sump to the drum during the wash cycle for flushing the separated radioactive particulate material into the sump; and filtering the pumped solvent to remove the radioactive particulate material suspended in the solvent prior to addition to the drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, including drying the garments upon completion of the wash cycle; and continuously cleaning a portion of the solvent during both the wash and dry cycles to remove radioactive material dissolved in the solvent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2, including adding cleaned solvent to the drum at the beginning of the wash cycle to dilute any residual radioactive contamination supported by the solvent being pumped from the sump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 with the continuously cleaning including distilling the portion of solvent to remove oil and separating water from the portion of solvent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, including removing any radioactive particulate material which has settled out of the solvent in the sump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, including monitoring the amount of radioactivity in the sump and in the filtered solvent before and after filtration to ensure adequate filtering.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, including filtering the solvent removed from the drum for removing lint before it enters the sump.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of decontaminating radioactive garments, comprising the steps of: depositing contaminated garments in a cleaning drum; agitating the drum during a wash cycle to separate radioactive particulate material from the garments; continuously removing a dry cleaning solvent from the drum during the wash cycle for storage in a sump; continuously pumping solvent from the sump to the drum during the wash cycle for flushing the separated radioactive particulate material into the sump; filtering the pumped solvent to remove the radioactive particulate material suspended in the solvent prior to addition to the drum; and monitoring radioactive contamination in the cleaning solvent.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of decontaminating radioactive garments, comprising the steps of: depositing contaminated garments in a cleaning drum; agitating the drum during a wash cycle to separate radioactive particulate material from the garments; continuously removing a dry cleaning solvent from the drum during the wash cycle for storage in a sump; continuously pumping solvent from the sump to the drum during the wash cycle for flushing the separated radioactive particulate material into the sump; filtering the pumped solvent to remove the radioactive particulate material suspended in the solvent prior to addition to the drum; and monitoring radioactive contamination in the cleaning solvent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 8, including the step of drying the garments upon completion of the wash cycle; and continuously cleaning a portion of the solvent during both the wash and dry cycles to remove radioactive material dissolved in the solvent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9, including adding cleaned solvent to the drum at the beginning of the wash cycle to dilute any residual radioactive contamination supported by the solvent being pumped from the sump.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 with the continuous cleaning, including distilling the portion of solvent to remove oil and separating water from the portion of solvent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8, including removing any radioactive particulate material which has settled out of the solvent in the sump.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of monitoring the radioactivity in the sump and in the filtered solvent is accomplished before and after filtration to ensure adequate filtering.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8, including filtering the solvent removed from the drum for removing lint before it enters the sump.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-25 | 1984-05-26 | 1984-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-25 | 1988-05-26 | 1988-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-25 | 1992-05-26 | 1992-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |