Patent · US Expired

Shipping container for low level radioactive or toxic materials

US4972087A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
12References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 5, 1988
Grant dateNov 20, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 5, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG21F5/12
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A shipping container for transporting hazardous materials, for example toxic chemicals or low level radioactive waste materials, such as contaminated clothing worn by workers at nuclear power plants, is provided. The shipping container is a double-walled containment vessel which includes an inner container securably nesting within an outer container. Both the inner container and outer containers have thin metal walls which absorb energy from impacts by deforming. The shipping container has a port for sampling the atmosphere between the inner and outer containers in order to test for leakage of hazardous materials from the inner container. A heat shield at least partially surrounds the outer container. Wooden impact absorbers are also provided around both ends of the shipping container. The shipping container is light weight because of the relatively thin metallic walls and provides a leak-tight enclosure in which hazardous materials may be safely stored during transit to permanent disposal site.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.