EP0774761B1 - Container for packaging and storing, especially suited for remotely handled hazardous waste material; filling method thereof and carrying of the method for the packaging and storing of compacted nuclear wastes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention firstly relates to containers for packaging and storage. Said containers are particularly suitable packaging and storage, with optimum filling, of waste dangerous, handled from a distance.

The present invention also relates to a filling process such containers and its use for the packaging and storage of compacted nuclear waste.

Said invention will more particularly be described in this context nuclear, insofar as it was notably developed therein but, at reading the description which follows, the person skilled in the art will readily understand that it is not limited to this context. The claimed containers are suitable for optimized packaging and storage of all types of materials and in particular of materials which are difficult to handle, such as explosive materials, toxic, radioactive ...; the optimization having focused so much on the volume of filling (we are looking for a minimum size) only on the stability of stored materials.

To date, the hulls and end pieces, resulting from the shearing of the assemblies nuclear fuels (said shearing has in particular been described in the application EP-A-347 312) are received in the same drum, specific to this type of high activity waste, at the outlet of their respective rinsers. They are then coated, as is, in a cement grout. Said grout is poured into the barrel, until filling to the brim of it. After welding of a cover safety, the drums thus filled are directly transferred to a workshop storage.

In order to significantly reduce the volume of this waste, it was decided to compact them. A proposed compacting process has in particular been described in the asks WO-A-94 16449. In fact, we wish to proceed as follows: fill, a cylindrical case of about 80 liters, with shells and tips; compact said case filled with a press and condition this new compacted waste in a container with the same geometry as the fission product containers vitrified, called high activity containers or CHA. Such containers (cylinders of revolution) have a useful height of approximately 1 m and a useful internal diameter about 40 cm. It is planned to stack 5 to 8 compacted waste, according to their height, in a CHA. Said compacted waste generally occurs under the shape of cylinders whose diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter useful interior of the CHA. Said waste may have a variable mass, especially of the order of 100 kg. In fact, two dimensions of the CHA are to be taken into account: on the one hand, its internal diameter which is dimensioning with respect to the diameter of the compacted waste and means for introducing said waste into said CHA and on the other hand its useful height, dimensioning with regard to the number said waste that can be packaged in said CHA.

In such a context, the problems of introduction and for blocking said compacted waste in the container CHA.

• de limiter voire empêcher tout endommagement de l'enveloppe intérieure (paroi(s), fond) du CHA pendant son remplissage ainsi que pendant les phases de manutention et de transport dudit CHA;
• d'assurer un positionnement géométrique stable des déchets compactés au sein du CHA, tout en perdant un minimum de volume dans ledit CHA.

The inventors had to design a system for filling CHA with said compacted waste and blocking said waste within said CHA; capable system:

• limit or even prevent any damage to the inner envelope (wall (s), bottom) of the CHA during filling as well as during the handling and transport phases of said CHA;
• to ensure a stable geometric positioning of the compacted waste within the CHA, while losing a minimum of volume in said CHA.

• permettre l'introduction, dans le CHA, des déchets compactés, l'un après l'autre, dans le sens de leur hauteur; lesdits déchets, vu leur nature, étant manipulés à distance, en cellule;
• empêcher leur chute gravitaire au sein dudit CHA;
• assurer leur empilement, dans le sens de leur hauteur;
• limiter leur mouvement, dans le CHA, une fois qu'ils y sont mis en place.

In fact, said filling and blocking system must:

• allow the introduction, into the CHA, of compacted waste, one after the other, in the direction of their height; said waste, given their nature, being handled remotely, in a cell;
• prevent their gravity fall within said CHA;
• ensure their stacking, in the direction of their height;
• limit their movement, in the CHA, once they are set up there.

With regard to the introduction of said waste into said CHA, the intervening means are limited. Indeed, the relatively high mass of a waste compacted and the small clearance between its diameter and the minimum internal diameter of the CHA make it not possible to directly deposit said waste on the bottom said CHA by conventional mechanical means such as pliers. In addition, the composition of the compacted waste, at material level (mass of material ferromagnetic insufficient compared to the total mass of the waste) and its state of surface do not allow its manipulation by electromagnet. Otherwise, the intervention of an electromagnet would in itself pose a safety problem for the process.

Faced with the specific technical problem set out above, the inventors have developed new packaging containers and storage and a method of filling said containers.

Such containers are of the CHA type in the context set out above. but as indicated above, the present invention is not limited to said context.

It relates, in general, to shaped containers cylindrical or prismatic, of height h, open or liable to open for filling at their upper axial end. Said containers, classic shape (in fact, their shape is adapted to that of the materials intended to be stored within them) have in principle, at their lower axial end, a bottom (capable of supporting the weight of stored materials) and are called to be filled, in a conventional manner, by their upper axial end. At the level of said upper axial end, they may have a cover (retractable).

Said containers are generally cylindrical in shape, advantageously of circular cross section (they therefore advantageously consist of cylinders of revolution type CHA) but they can completely, according to variants of the invention, be of prismatic form (they then consist advantageously in parallelepipeds), be of cylindrical shape whose section is a portion of a circle ... In fact, as will be easily understood from the consideration of the characteristics of the invention, specified below, the said characteristics can be incorporated into the structure of any type of container according to the prior art.

In an entirely original way, the containers according to the invention are fitted, in their internal volume, along their axial wall (s), on substantially their entire height, locking means capable of deforming radially resiliently, by direct contact with the products introduced in their breast; said blocking means not allowing introduction and movement of said products within said containers only by forced pressing on said products (only in force).

Said locking means, capable of deforming radially from elastic way that we could qualify more simply as elastic means constitute the key elements, the essential constituent means of this invention. They are located inside the container, along its wall (s) axial (s).

In the present text and the claims appended thereto, it is meant by axial wall (s) of the container, the side wall (s) of said container, parallel (s) to its axis.

Said locking means generally consist of parts reported. In this, the solution recommended by the invention to the technical problem packaging and storage of materials with optimum filling is particularly interesting. We do not offer containers, a structure complex ... but the simple addition of unsophisticated means to prior art containers; said addition not entailing any real loss of storage volume (the elastic means encroaching only in a minimal measurement on the internal volume of the container).

Said elastic means must exist and be able to exert their action over the entire filling height. By their deformation, they must allow a placement in force, without risk of gravity fall (of a significant magnitude, or of any size) of the products to be stored, whether or not they are accompanied to the bottom of the container by handling means (we have seen that in the case of compacted nuclear waste to be packaged in a CHA, the direct deposit of said waste on the bottom of the container is a priori excluded ...) and they must also ensure that these products are blocked. Said elastic means are called to deform, by direct contact with the products to store or stored, by friction with these. We observe a real friction during of the product being put into force (in the packaging phase) in the container (insofar as said product is set in motion relative to said container) and subsequently a contact (in the storage phase).

In any event, the blocking means which equip the containers of the invention must prohibit any movement of products introduced completely or partially in said containers, under the action of their own weight or during handling, during transport of said containers. However, they must allow, by their elasticity, such movements (a progression of said products within them) under the action of an adequate thrust exerted on said products, especially when filling said containers.

It will of course be understood that said blocking means do not can exercise their (blocking) function only insofar as the products have a cylindrical or prismatic shape coinciding with that of container and adequate dimensions (suitable section and height, to avoid any fall, especially "across").

Said locking means which typically equip the containers of the invention, moreover constitute means of protection of the inner envelope (wall (s), bottom) of said containers. They preserve said inner envelope by limiting or even preventing any shock between it and the products to be stored or stored, as well so when filling containers only during the handling and transport phases thereof. In a way particularly advantageous, as explained below, said means of blocking, by optimizing their number and distribution, can ensure perfect centering of stored products.

Advantageously, said blocking means or elastic means, distributed on the inner face of the axial wall (s) of the container, are on a regular basis. In particular, the aim is to preserve the envelope as much as possible interior of said container, in particular limiting jolts during packaging and centering the stored products, in particular so as to distribute uniformly efforts. This is why, in the case of a shaped container prismatic, do we advantageously find said elastic means on all axial walls of said container. In the same way, when said means are not not develop continuously over the entire height of the container, do we find advantageously several, regularly spaced on said height ...

Said elastic means can exist in different variants. They may in particular consist of springs or spring elements. They can also consist of stops made of an elastomeric material.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, they consist of corrugated flat blades or springs, the corrugations of which are develop along their length and which are kept in position substantially vertical along the axial wall (s) of the container.

Such blades must exert their action over the entire height of filling. We can find, fixed at different levels of the internal volume of the container, a plurality of such blades, of a length less than said height filling. According to a preferred variant, each of said blades is long enough to cover the entire filling height.

It is therefore advantageously found in the containers of the invention, at minus two, preferably at least three springs of this type whose length corresponds to the filling height. Said two springs are made advantageously face. Said two springs, in a cylindrical container with circular section, are thus advantageously diametrically opposite. Of a generally, in such a cylindrical container with circular section, there is advantageously n springs of this type, distributed every 2π / n (n ≥ 2, and of preference n ≥ 3). In a prismatic container (with polygonal section), we find advantageously at least one spring of this type on each wall (we therefore have n ≥ 3) and said springs are, even more advantageously, distributed symmetrically. Those skilled in the art will not fail to grasp the interest there is in distribute said springs symmetrically. We thus aim to optimize centering and the stability of the stored products as well as the protection of the inner envelope of containers of the invention.

Within the structure of the containers of the invention, said springs are maintained in a substantially vertical position along the axial wall (s). They can thus exert their action over the entire filling height. They are generally kept in this substantially vertical position as far where they are secured in the upper part to the container.

It is by no means imperative that this position is perfectly vertical. In fact, there is an almost obligatory vertical positioning of said flat springs, fixed in the upper part, when placing the products within the container (strength positioning of said products). Said springs are then pressed against the wall (s) of said container.

In the context of this preferred embodiment of the invention, there are therefore within the containers of the wavy flat springs, fixed in the upper part, the length corresponds to the filling height. Said flat springs can completely remain completely free at their opposite end, in the vicinity of the container bottom. According to other embodiments, they can also partly low, be linked together, for example, by a free torus. The intervention of such means facilitates the fixing of said springs inside the container and maintains said springs applied against the wall (s) of said container. In any condition cause, said springs have in the lower part of a space allowing their elongation during their elastic deformation.

In the context of this preferred embodiment of the invention, there are of the parameter: dimensioning of the waves of the intervening flat springs, for adapt the blocking effort to the products to be introduced and stored within containers.

We have also seen that, according to other embodiments of the present invention, the blocking means capable of deforming radially so elastic may consist of elements ("small pieces") of springs. he can in particular they are elements of flat springs secured to the container by a single from their ends or by their two ends. Said spring elements are arranged so that they exert their action by radial deformation.

Whatever the variant of the blocking means capable deform radially elastically, these generally consist into inserts which have been fixed inside the container. We have the most often dealing with metal parts - blocking means and containers - and we joins them together by welding.

According to the first object of the present invention, it is therefore proposed to new containers whose interest will not have escaped the attention of the skilled person. The specific interior arrangement of said containers allows them to be filled with dangerous products (explosives, toxic, radioactive ...), even when handled remotely.

The filling of said containers constitutes the second object of the present invention. It is quite obvious that, in general, the use of said containers is included in the context of the present invention but that the interest of said containers is best manifested in a context of manipulation to distance, thanks to means of handling the products or objects to be packaged and store within said containers.

Said products have a cylindrical or prismatic shape, coinciding with that of the container in which they are going to be stored, and a height h ′, less than or equal to the height h of said container. We obviously aim to store at least one product in a container. We generally aim to store on top of each other, n products of height h '(h ≥ nh'). We will also have h '>h' _minimum to avoid any gravity fall of the product, across, into the container. A person skilled in the art knowing the dimensions of the respective sections of the product and of the container will be able to calculate h ' _minimum .

The coincidence of forms - products, packaging container and storage of said products - ensures minimization of storage volume and blocking of said products within said container, by action of the means of blocking. However, it must allow the introduction of said products into said container ...

• la manipulation desdits produits grâce à des moyens de manutention;
• leur introduction et positionnement par appui forcé (en force), au sein dudit conteneur, grâce auxdits moyens de manutention, coopérant si nécessaire avec des moyens complémentaires; la force développée étant suffisante pour vaincre les forces de frottement exercées par les moyens de blocage.

The method of filling a container of the invention with such products or objects comprises:

• handling of said products using handling means;
• their introduction and positioning by forced support (in force) within said container, thanks to said handling means, cooperating if necessary with complementary means; the force developed being sufficient to overcome the friction forces exerted by the locking means.

Said filling process can be implemented according to different variants. It is easy to implement if the products to be stored can be positioned directly in their "final" storage position with the means of handling said products. It is a more complex implementation if said objects can only be positioned, in several stages in their "final" storage position; if it is necessary to involve, for this purpose, complementary means. It all depends on the characteristics (weight, nature ...) of the products to be handled.

One can, in absolute terms, appeal, in the implementation of the process of the invention, to all suitable handling means of the mechanical means type (clamps, for example), suction cups, electromagnets ... We recall here incidentally that electromagnets would not be suitable for handling waste compacted nuclear ... Said handling means suitable for said handling of the products, it is then advisable to advise that they can or not be introduced into the container. Pliers cannot ... handling means, as well as any additional means which intervene must be able to push the products inside the containers, to transmit the force necessary to sink said products into said containers.

In the context of the present invention, we have mainly developed two variants of the filling process. These two variants are not comprehensive.

According to the first, the products to be stored are handled using handling means such as suction cups or electromagnets - means which can be introduced into the container and therefore allow positioning direct of said products within said container. The first of these products is introduced into the container and positioned directly at the bottom of it with said handling means; the next possible one (s) is (are) then introduced (s) and positioned (s) thereon (successively, one on top of the other) of the same way. It is obviously planned to be able to exercise on said products, through such handling means sufficient force to overcome the friction forces exerted by the locking means. We can thus directly position each product in its storage position definitive. We can also provide for successive positioning approximate and the application of an adequate force, for a global positioning definitive, when positioning the last product or after it ...

According to the second variant of the filling process presently claimed, the products to be stored are handled by means of suitable handling such as suction cups, electromagnets or clamps - means which may or may not be introduced into the container but which in any condition according to this variant of the process, are not introduced therein - and positioned, in several stages, in the container.

Initially, thanks to said handling means, the products to be stored are partially introduced into said container. They are there done deposited, stably, in the upper part. Stability is acquired thanks to blocking means. They are then separated from their handling resources and kept in stable equilibrium thanks always to the locking means with which the container is fitted. They are finally completely introduced into said container under the action of other means such as a pusher cylinder. The means of handling being retracted, other complementary means are involved. Said other means or complementary means push each of said products to their final storage position in a single operation or grow each product, on a short run, for the sole purpose of clearing the entry of the container for the introduction of the following product. In the latter case, the stack of products which builds up as a whole, in spurts, to its position final storage.

According to this variant of the process of the invention, each product is put in place in several stages (at least 2). This variant of the process of the invention is advantageously implemented with mechanical handling means of the pliers type. It is ideal for filling a container of the type CHA with compacted nuclear waste.

In general, the method of the invention as described above is advantageously used for the packaging and storage of compacted nuclear waste. It is described in more detail in this context nuclear, with reference to Figures 3a to 3f attached.

It is recalled here that the method according to the invention for filling containers, which have the original characteristics specified above, can be implemented in other contexts ... with the means described above which cooperate with other means in more or less complex systems ...

The invention will now be described with reference to the appended figures.

Figures 1 and 2 show a container of the invention. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section along I-I of Figure 2; said figure 2 is a section according to II - II of said figure 1. Said container is shown "filled".

FIGS. 3a to 3f illustrate an implementation of the method of filling of a container of the invention (block diagram).

In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown in 1 a container of the invention. he it is a cylindrical container with circular section. In a way characteristic, it is equipped in its interior volume with five flat springs corrugated 2. Said springs 2 are joined at 3, by welding, to said container 1. They are connected together, at the bottom of said container 1, by a torus 4, left free. They develop their undulations, along their length, along the axial wall 1 ' of said container 1. The products stored within said container are shown diagrammatically at 5 container 1.

We now describe with reference to Figures 3a to 3f the filling of a container 1 of the invention, typically equipped with five flat springs corrugated 2. Said container 1 is intended to be filled with compacted waste radioactive 5 or pancakes 5. Said container 1 is of the type shown in the Figures 1 and 2.

Said waste 5, coming from the press, is placed beforehand on a cylindrical turntable 21 having a notch (passage).

Container 1 of type CHA is placed below said plate 21. It rests on the jack of a lift transfer cart (not shown) (Fig. 3a).

• un châssis principal comportant des galets de guidage permettant une première translation verticale appelée "translation N^•1" (figures 3b à 3e);
• un dispositif de serrage à trois mors élastiques 23, des déchets compactés 5, à déplacement concentrique par came;
• un vérin pousseur 24 permettant une poussée verticale sur les déchets compactés 5 introduits partiellement dans le conteneur 1 et intégrant un limiteur d'effort élastique avec capteur. Ladite poussée verticale ou seconde translation verticale est appelée "translation N^•2" (figure 3f);
• un ensemble de palpeurs de déchets compactés 5 (ou galettes) avec capteur.

The introduction of the compacted waste 5 into the container 1 is carried out from a gripping jib. Said bracket is composed inter alia of a gripping head 22 which measures the height h ′ of the compacted waste 5, the gripping of said waste 5 and the thrust for introducing it into the container 1. This head comprises :

• a main chassis comprising guide rollers allowing a first vertical translation called "N ^• 1 translation" (Figures 3b to 3e);
• a clamping device with three elastic jaws 23, compacted waste 5, with concentric movement by cam;
• a pusher cylinder 24 allowing a vertical thrust on the compacted waste 5 partially introduced into the container 1 and integrating an elastic force limiter with sensor. Said vertical thrust or second vertical translation is called "N ^• 2 translation" (Figure 3f);
• a set of compacted waste probes 5 (or pancakes) with sensor.

At the start of a cycle for introducing compacted waste 5 into the container 1, the gripping head 22 is in the high position and the turntable 21 positions said compacted waste 5 by rotation, placing it in the axis of said gripping head 22 (Figure 3a).

Said gripping head 22 then descends by the "N ^• 1 translation" system until contact with its probe assembly with the compacted waste 5, which identifies the presence of said waste 5. The association of the sensor with a synchro-resolver allows to measure the height h ′ of the waste 5. The three elastic jaws of the clamping device 23 then ensure that the waste 5 is gripped over a certain height (FIG. 3b).

The gripping head 22 rises by the "N ^• 1 translation" system. The turntable 21 rotates to present its passage notch under said head 22, thus leaving free access to the container 1 which is located below said turntable 21 and in the axis of the head 22 (FIG. 3c) .

The gripping head 22 provided with the compacted waste 5 then descends by the "translation N ^• 1" system to a predefined height and partially introduces said compacted waste 5 into the container 1, along its longitudinal axis (Figure 3d).

The three clamping jaws of the clamping device 23 then release the compacted waste 5 and the pusher cylinder 24 ensures the end of introduction at constant level of said waste 5 into the container 1, by lowering the "N ^• 2" translation system (Figures 3rd and 3f). (The said waste is sufficiently pushed in to clear the entrance to the container 1, to allow the partial introduction of the following waste by the same process; its height h 'and its diameter d are obviously sufficient to avoid its fall by gravity within said container 1).

The "N ^• 1 translation" and "N ^• 2 translation" systems then go back to the high position, ready for a new introduction cycle (introduction of the next waste).

At the end of filling of container 1, the gripping bracket measures the space still available in said container 1 using the probe assembly and of the push cylinder 24, within the limit of the latter's travel.

a) tout d'abord, introduits partiellement dans le conteneur 1 grâce à des moyens de manutention 23;

b) puis positionnés en plusieurs temps à l'intérieur du conteneur 1. Ils descendent (en pile) progressivement jusqu'à leur position finale de stockage sous les poussées successives du vérin 24.

A variant of the process of the invention is illustrated in said FIGS. 3a to 3f, according to which the waste 5 is:

a) firstly, partially introduced into the container 1 using handling means 23;

b) then positioned in several stages inside the container 1. They descend (in a stack) gradually to their final storage position under the successive thrusts of the jack 24.

The invention is further illustrated by the example below.

A CHA container has a ferrule at the top (the diameter inside of the ferrule flange is 400 mm) and a useful height of about 1 m. It is used to store compacted nuclear waste (wafers resulting from compacting of shells and tips in a case). Said container is equipped with locking means according to the invention. The said means have the function of blocking waste compacted during the filling phase, when no thrust is exerted on the last waste introduced, as well as during the phases of handling and transport of CHA. Said means also protect, during these two phases of use of the container, its inner envelope.

Said locking means consist of five wavy flat springs maintained in a vertical position along the inner wall of the CHA. They are evenly distributed along the shell, every 72 ° (the waste stored are thus perfectly centered). Each of said springs is fixed in the upper part of the CHA by welding on the ferrule. The five springs are connected by a free torus in lower part of the CHA.

• Géométrie :
  • Longueur à vide = légèrement inférieure à la hauteur utile du conteneur;
  • Largeur = 20 mm;
  • Epaisseur = 2 mm;
• Matériau
  • Acier inoxydable (en raison de la nature des déchets): Z 12 CN 18-10;
  • Ce paramètre est dimensionnant vis à vis des caractéristiques mécaniques des ressorts;
• Ondulations :
  • Les ondulations sont disposées dans la longueur du ressort;
  • Nombre d'ondes = 13;
  • Pas d'une onde à vide = 78,5 mm
  • Amplitude d'une onde à vide = 21 mm;
  • Effort normal par onde pour une amplitude de 15,5 mm = 80 daN;

Each of said springs has the following characteristics:

• Geometry:
  • Unladen length = slightly less than the useful height of the container;
  • Width = 20 mm;
  • Thickness = 2 mm;
• Material
  • Stainless steel (due to the nature of the waste): Z 12 CN 18-10;
  • This parameter is dimensioning with respect to the mechanical characteristics of the springs;
• Ripples:
  • The corrugations are arranged in the length of the spring;
  • Number of waves = 13;
  • No vacuum wave = 78.5 mm
  • Amplitude of a vacuum wave = 21 mm;
  • Normal force per wave for an amplitude of 15.5 mm = 80 daN;

This container can in particular be filled according to the second variant of the method of the invention, specified above and explained with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3f. In order to avoid a gravitational fall of the first compacted waste in the CHA, it is necessary that said waste has a height h 'greater than h' _minimum (in the present case - cylindrical container and waste with circular section - we have: h ' _minimum = D 2 -d 2 ; D representing the internal diameter of the CHA and d the diameter of the waste).

Claims (10)

1. A packaging and storage container (1) of cylindrical or prismatic shape and of height h, which is open or capable of being opened in order to be filled at its upper axial end, and which is particularly suitable for the confined packaging and storage of remote-handled hazardous waste, said container (1) being equipped inside, along its axial wall(s) (1'), over substantially the whole of its height h, with locking means (2) capable of undergoing elastic radial deformation on direct contact with the products (5) introduced therein, said locking means (2) allowing the introduction and movement of said products (5) inside said container (1) only when force is applied to said products (5).
2. The container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said locking means (2) are uniformly distributed over the inner face of its axial wall(s) (1').
3. The container (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said locking means (2) consist of spring elements or corrugated flat springs whose corrugations extend over their length and which are held in a substantially vertical position along the axial wall(s) (1') of said container (1).
4. The container (1) according to claim 3, wherein said locking means (2) consist of at least two and advantageously at least three corrugated flat springs whose length corresponds to the filling height of said container (1).
5. The container (1) according to claim 4, wherein said corrugated flat springs are fixed at the top of said container (1).
6. The container (1) according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein said corrugated flat springs are joined together by a free torus (4) at the bottom of said container (1).
7. A process for filling a container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 with products (5) which have a cylindrical or prismatic shape corresponding to that of the container (1), and a height h' which is less than or equal to the height h of said container (1), said process comprising:

   handling said products (5) with handling means (23); and

   introducing them into said container (1) and positioning them therein by the application of force using said handling means (23), if necessary in cooperation with complementary means (24), the force developed being sufficient to overcome the frictional forces exerted by the locking means (2).
8. The process according to claim 7, wherein said products (5) are handled with handling means such as suckers or electromagnets, which can be introduced into the container (1), the first of said products (5) being positioned directly at the bottom of said container (1) and any further product(s) then being positioned successively in the same manner.
9. The process according to claim 7, wherein said products (5) are handled with handling means (23) such as suckers, electromagnets or clamps, and positioned in several stages, each of them first being introduced partially into the container (1) with said handling means (23), and then separated from said means (23) and subjected to the action of a ram (24) in order to be introduced completely into said container (1), said ram (24) pushing each of said products (5) into its final position in said container (1) or pushing each of said products (5), and, where appropriate, the one (those) introduced before it, only a short distance which is sufficient to free the mouth of said container (1).
10. Implementation of the process according to any one of claims 7 to 9 for packaging and storing compacted nuclear waste.

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