EP2867901A1 - Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive material - Google Patents

Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive material

Info

Publication number
EP2867901A1
EP2867901A1 EP13731810.1A EP13731810A EP2867901A1 EP 2867901 A1 EP2867901 A1 EP 2867901A1 EP 13731810 A EP13731810 A EP 13731810A EP 2867901 A1 EP2867901 A1 EP 2867901A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wedging
package
thickness
elements
shielding portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP13731810.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2867901B1 (en
Inventor
Gilda LELEU
Kévin Massif
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TN International SA
Original Assignee
TN International SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TN International SA filed Critical TN International SA
Publication of EP2867901A1 publication Critical patent/EP2867901A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2867901B1 publication Critical patent/EP2867901B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06—Details of, or accessories to, the containers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06—Details of, or accessories to, the containers
    • G21F5/08—Shock-absorbers, e.g. impact buffers for containers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F7/00—Shielded cells or rooms
    • G21F7/015—Room atmosphere, temperature or pressure control devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F1/00—Shielding characterised by the composition of the materials
    • G21F1/02—Selection of uniform shielding materials
    • G21F1/08—Metals; Alloys; Cermets, i.e. sintered mixtures of ceramics and metals
    • G21F1/085—Heavy metals or alloys

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive material such as a radioactive source emitting highly energetic ionizing radiation.
  • radioactive material such as a radioactive source emitting highly energetic ionizing radiation.
  • ionizing radiations such as gamma radiation, should be attenuated when the radioactive material is housed in the transport and / or storage packaging in order to reduce the exposure of individuals to ionizing radiation.
  • the invention relates to the transport and / or storage of radioactive sources, such as radium, the application of which is preferably an application in the medical field, for a therapeutic purpose.
  • the regulatory limit for the transport of radioactive material for DED at any point on the outer surface of the package is set at 2 mSv / h.
  • DED Another regulatory requirement that the package must meet is DED at a distance of 1 meter from the outer surface of the package, this DED must be less than 0.1 mSv / h. However this last criterion is significantly easier to check for point or near point radioactive sources. The criterion of maximum DED on the surface is thus predominant.
  • the packaging loaded with the radioactive source must meet regulatory mechanical tests including a free fall test of 1.2 meters in height. At the end of this test, the DED must not undergo an increase of more than 20%.
  • the packaging must be strong enough not to undergo significant deformation of its wall.
  • packaging for radioactive sources for medical applications essentially comprises a radiological protection structure designed to attenuate the DED by exploiting the shielding effect of the ionizing radiation emitted by the radioactive source.
  • This shielding effect is then obtained using high density materials such as lead, tungsten.
  • This radiological protection structure delimits a cavity intended to house the radioactive source.
  • the package is a source holder to be fixed in a teletherapy device.
  • the radiological protection structure comprises a shielding portion of radiological protection material, with a density greater than 10, helping to define the cavity and intended to house the radioactive source, enclosed in two concentric stainless steel boxes forming a double-walled assembly.
  • radioactive material packages are known from, for example, US 7,276,715, US 2,912,591, US 5,442,186.
  • D D 0 .e - ( with D 0 , the DED on one side of the radiological protection material, on the side where the radioactive source is housed, D, the DED on the other side of the radiological protection material, which corresponds to the external surface of the packaging, ⁇ , the attenuation coefficient whose value depends on the nature of the radiological protection material and the radiation energy of the radioactive source. It may be noted that when the radiation is of the gamma type, the attenuation coefficient of the radiological protection material is then all the higher as its density is important.
  • a third disadvantage of these packages is related to hygiene constraints inherent in the medical sector.
  • the purpose of the present invention is precisely to propose a packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive material that does not have the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the packaging according to the invention satisfies the mass and DED criteria and the free fall tests.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a transport packaging and / or storage of radioactive material that meets a DED criterion measured in contact with the outer surface of the package, more ambitious than that imposed by the regulations. .
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a package that can be cleaned and disinfected to meet the current hygiene constraints imposed in medicine.
  • the idea is, in addition to the use of the shielding part, to exploit the effect distance or removal with a part of the packaging having a much lower average density than that of the radiological protection material.
  • it is sought to reduce the thickness of the shielding portion.
  • the attenuation of the DED by this distance effect is reflected for a point or quasi-point radioactive source in the following manner: the dose rate at a point is inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating this point from the point or quasi-point radioactive source .
  • the present invention relates to a packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive material
  • a radiological protection structure comprising a shielding part vis-à-vis ionizing radiation emitted by the radioactive material, having a surface internal which delimits a cavity for housing the radioactive material.
  • the average density of the shielding portion is greater than 8 and the average density of the effecting portion is less than 0.5.
  • the cavity preferably has a larger dimension which is smaller than the thickness e of the radiological protection structure.
  • the average density of the remote effect portion is less than 0.3. It should be noted that the attenuation of the DED obtained by virtue of the shielding effect of the remote effect part is then negligible.
  • the shielding part is preferably made of lead, tungsten, depleted uranium or their alloys and its average density is greater than 10.
  • the armor part has two half-shells intended to be contiguous.
  • the shielding portion comprises a central portion and two end portions on either side of the central portion, the central portion being thickened relative to the end portions.
  • the remoteness portion has a volume fully filled by contiguous filler elements having a density of less than 0.5. In this first embodiment, the remote effect portion therefore has no empty space between the adjacent filler elements.
  • one or more of these filler elements are made of a material whose density is less than 0.5 such as wood, polyurethane foam, phenolic foam.
  • one or more of these filler elements have a cellular honeycomb type structure, corrugated cardboard type.
  • the filling elements always have a density lower than
  • the material of which they are made may have a density greater than 0.5, such as aluminum or cardboard.
  • the filling elements of the first alternative can be described as more massive than those of the second alternative.
  • the filling elements of these two alternatives may take the form of a hollow member for accommodating the shielding portion and a plugging plug for closing a portion of the hollow member.
  • the hollow element may be doubled externally with an outer sheath in the form of a pot, and the wedging plug may be doubled with a cover which locks on the outer sheath, this outer sheath and this cover forming part of the solid elements of the part with the effect of removal.
  • the remoteness portion includes structural elements and air. This has more than about 70% of the overall volume of the remote effect part.
  • the structural elements can be made from polyethylene and more particularly from high density polyethylene. These materials have the advantage of being easily cleaned and disinfected, in particular to meet the current hygiene constraints imposed in medicine.
  • the structural members may include a pair of wedging members of the shielding portion with an inner wedging element and an outer wedging element, mounted in one another and separated by air.
  • the outer wedging member may include a sidewall and a stopper protruding internally from the sidewall to wedge the central portion of the shield portion while providing a thickness of air between the side wall of the external wedging element and the shielding portion.
  • the inner wedging element bears on the shielding part when the latter is in abutment against the stop of the external wedging element.
  • the structural members may include an additional wedging member mounted around the wedge pair with a wall and an abutment projecting internally from the side wall to wedge the outer chock member of the pair of chocks.
  • the additional wedging member may further include a guide ring that projects internally from its sidewall to substantially maintain the pair of wedging members in the additional wedging member.
  • the structural members further include a stopper for wedging the wedging members of the pair relative to each other at one of their ends.
  • the stopper may extend to the additional shoe member to wedge it relative to the pair of wedging members.
  • the structural elements also comprise two additional elements materialized by an outer sheath-shaped pot and a lid that locks on the pot to accommodate all other structural elements.
  • FIG. 1A, 1B respectively show in longitudinal section and three-dimensional view cut away a first embodiment of a packaging according to the invention
  • 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 2C1, 2C2, 2D1, 2D2 show in longitudinal section and in cross section a plurality of packages of the prior art and according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 is a graph for selecting the thickness of the shield portion and the package to meet the mass and dose rate criteria;
  • Figure 4 shows in longitudinal section another embodiment of the package according to the invention.
  • the objective of the invention is to optimize the mass of the package while satisfying the dose rate criterion at any point on its external surface and at the tests. provided by current regulations for the transport of radioactive material.
  • the idea underlying the invention is to place the radioactive material in a cavity delimited by a radiological protection structure which comprises a shielding part, this shielding part being surrounded directly by an external part designed to attenuate the ionizing radiation. generated by the radioactive material by an effect of removal of the radioactive material vis-à-vis the outer surface of the packaging.
  • This outer part should be as light as possible to not significantly increase the weight of the package, while being strong enough not to undergo significant deformation at the end of regulatory freefall tests.
  • FIGS. 1A, 1B show a first exemplary embodiment of a packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive material according to the invention.
  • a radioactive source 1 housed in a cavity 2 of the packaging 3 that is the subject of the invention.
  • the radioactive source 1 has an elongated shape and may be formed of a charged tube of radioactive material such as radium 224. Other types of radioactive sources 1 could be employed. It is considered that the radioactive source 1 is point or quasi-point and that the cavity 2 can house only a point or quasi-point radioactive source.
  • quasi-point source is meant the configuration for which the ratio between the largest dimension of the source and the thickness of the radiological protection structure is strictly less than 1.
  • the packaging 3, object of the invention comprises a radiological protection structure 4 which contributes to define the cavity 2 and which protects the external environment of the package 3 vis-à-vis the ionizing radiation produced by the radioactive source 1.
  • the ionizing radiation is gamma radiation.
  • radiological protection structure Another function of the radiological protection structure is to ensure a setting and a mechanical protection of the radioactive source 1.
  • a package 3 loaded with the radioactive source 1 must not undergo excessive mechanical deformation in the event of a fall which could lead to an increase in the maximum DED of more than 20%.
  • the radiological protection structure 4 has a shielding portion 5 with respect to the ionizing radiation generated by the radioactive source 1.
  • the shielding portion 5 has an interior surface which delimits the cavity 2.
  • the cavity 2 has a shape and dimensions that are slightly greater than those of the radioactive source 1 so that the radioactive source 1 once installed in the cavity is immobilized. This cavity 2 can be likened to an impression of the radioactive source 1.
  • the shielding part 5 can be broken down into two substantially identical half-shells 5.1, 5.2 which, when contiguous as in FIGS. 1A, 1B, delimit the cavity 2 intended to house the radioactive source 1.
  • the radioactive source 1 is represented as a global volume of revolution built around an axis 6, said longitudinal axis.
  • the shielding part 5 also has a global shape of revolution of longitudinal axis 6 when the radioactive source 1 is housed in the cavity 2.
  • the cavity 2 also has this overall shape of revolution of longitudinal axis 6. It ends with substantially half spherical ends.
  • the letter G represents its center of gravity.
  • the position of the center of gravity G depends solely on the geometry of the cavity 2.
  • the shielding part 5 is made of material whose density is greater than 8.
  • the shielding part 5 is formed of several of these materials and is, for example, multilayered. The density we are talking about is an average density. In this context, the average density of the shielding part is the ratio of the mass of the shielding part to its volume.
  • the shielding portion 5 preferably comprises, longitudinally, a succession of three portions, two end portions 5.10 enclosing a central portion 5.11.
  • the central portion 5.11 has a transverse thickness greater than that of the end portions 5.10.
  • the thickness is the gap that exists between the inner surface and the outer surface of each of the portions. These surfaces are substantially parallel to the level where the difference is measured.
  • the thickening of the central portion 5.11 has several advantages, it enhances the attenuation of the ionizing radiation produced by the radioactive material opposite the radioactive source 1, it facilitates the handling of the shielding portion 5 and facilitates its setting.
  • the radiological protection structure 4 further comprises a part 7 designed for an effect of moving the radioactive source 1 away from the outside of the package 3. This part is subsequently called part of 7. It directly surrounds the shielding part 5. This means that it is directly adjacent to the shielding part 5.
  • This remote effect part 7, unlike the shielding part 5, is realized from elements whose average density is less than 0.5.
  • This remote-effect part 7 may be formed, in a first embodiment, only contiguous filling elements as in Figures 1A, 1B. In a second embodiment, it may be formed of alternating structural elements with air so as to reduce the overall mass without weakening the mechanical strength of the package 3, as in FIG. 4.
  • one or more of these filler elements are made of a material whose density is less than 0.5 such as wood, polyurethane foam, phenolic foam. Balsa has a density of about 0.1.
  • one or more of these filler elements have a honeycomb-like honeycomb structure of corrugated cardboard type.
  • the elements always have a density less than 0.5, but the material of which they are made may have a density greater than 0.5, such as aluminum or cardboard.
  • first filling elements of the remote effect part 7 take the form of a hollow element 7.1 intended to house the shielding part 5 and a blocking plug 7.2 intended to to seal a part of the hollow element 7.1.
  • the hollow element instead of being monolithic, is subdivided into several sub-elements stacked on each other for example.
  • the hollow element 7.1 has a side wall 7.10 substantially shaped cylinder of revolution associated with a 7.11 bottom.
  • the side wall 7.10 and the bottom 7.11 delimit a housing 7.12 for the shielding portion 5.
  • the housing 7.12 has a shape and dimensions chosen to wedge laterally the shielding part 5 when it rests on the bottom 7.11.
  • the thickened central portion 5.11 of the shielding portion 5 contributes to this wedging because it thus rests on a step 7.15 shaped in the side wall 7.10.
  • the side wall 7.10 ends with an end 7.13 which delimits an opening 7.14 for inserting the shielding portion 5 into the hollow element 7.1.
  • the stopper 7.2 closes the housing 7.12 at the opening 7.14. It has an end intended to come against the armor part 5 and whose geometry is conjugated to that of the shielding part so as to wedge in translation the shielding portion 5 in the housing 7.12.
  • first filling elements 7.1, 7.2 previously described within the remote effect part 7, that it comprises second filling elements 7.3, 7.4 taking the form of an outer sheath 7.3 configured as a pot and lid 7.4 which locks on the outer sheath 7.3.
  • the first filling elements 7.1, 7.2 are housed in the outer sheath 7.3 before locking the cover 7.4.
  • This outer sheath 7.3 and its cover 7.4 may have a role of protecting the first filling elements 7.1, 7.2 vis-à-vis the external environment including moisture, friction, etc..
  • the outer sheath 7.3 and the lid 7.4 assembled to each other have an outer surface which defines the outer surface of the distancing portion. This outer surface also constitutes the outer surface of the package at which DED is measured.
  • the outer sheath 7.3 and the cover 7.4 will preferably be made of one of the plastic materials mentioned above, rather than in cardboard or aluminum.
  • the average density is the ratio of the total mass of the remote effect part to its total volume.
  • the total mass is the mass of all its filling elements and the total volume is defined by the space between the inner and outer surfaces of the remote effect part, as defined above.
  • the cavity 2 of the package according to the invention can accommodate only a radioactive source 1 point or quasi point.
  • the cavity 2 has a large dimension d which is smaller than the thickness e of the radiological protection structure 4.
  • the thickness e of the radiological protection structure 4 belongs to a line segment S connecting a point B of the outer surface of the package at the center of gravity G of the cavity 2. This thickness e satisfies the relation (1):
  • e el + e2 with the thickness of the shielding part 5 and e2 the thickness of the remote effect part 7.
  • These thicknesses e1 and e2 belong to the line segment S.
  • el corresponds to the part of the straight segment S extending in the shield portion 5
  • e2 corresponds to the portion of the line segment S which extends into the remote effect portion 7.
  • the condition on the thickness e of the radiological protection structure 4 and on the thicknesses e1, e2 of the two parts 5, 7 of the radiological protection structure 4 will now be defined.
  • the geometric dimensions of the radiological protection structures 4 are adjusted. two parts 5, 7 of the radiological protection structure 4 so that on the one hand the dose equivalent dose rate in contact with the packaging is met and that the mass is reduced compared to the prior art.
  • FIGS. 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 2C1, 2C2, 2D1, 2D2 show partial and transverse longitudinal sections of packages of the prior art or according to the invention.
  • the thicknesses e1 and e2 were determined so that the equivalent dose rate in contact with the packaging is identical and four times lower than that which is prescribed. Its value must therefore be less than or equal to 0.5 mSv / h. The proportions between the different elements are respected.
  • the radioactive source is not present in the cavity.
  • the estimate of the DED has been made by neglecting the attenuation by shielding effect of the remote effect part.
  • the average density of the distancing part is considered solely for the calculation of the mass of the package which is made considering that the packaging takes a general shape similar to that of Figure 1B.
  • the radiological protection structure 4 is limited only to the shielding part 5.
  • the cavity 2 for the radioactive source 1 delimited by the part of shielding 5 is shown in the center, extending around the longitudinal axis 6.
  • the shielding portion is made of tungsten (density 19.3). Its thickness el opposite the radioactive source 1 and therefore the cavity 2 is 50 mm.
  • the cavity 2 has a diameter of 10 mm.
  • the weight of the package is 45 kg, which does not meet the mass criterion that the package of the invention must meet.
  • the thickness el is measured on the line segment S which goes from the cross to the center of gravity G of the cavity.
  • the thickness e1 of the shielding portion 5 corresponds to the gap between the inner surface and the outer surface of the shielding portion because the straight line segment S is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 6.
  • the surfaces inner and outer portions of the shielding portion are substantially parallel.
  • the radiological protection structure further comprises a remote-effect part 7 which directly surrounds the shielding part 5.
  • the two parts are directly adjacent, they are in contact with each other .
  • the remoteness effect portion 7 has an average density of 0.2. This average density is used only for calculating the mass of the package. It could be the far-end part of the first embodiment or the second embodiment which will be described later in connection with FIG. 4.
  • the shielding portion has a thickness of 35 mm and the distance effect portion has a thickness e2 of 60 mm.
  • the radiological protection structure also comprises the remote-effect part 7 directly contiguous to the shielding part 5.
  • the remote-effect part 7 has an average density of 0.2.
  • the shielding portion 5 has a thickness el of 25 mm and the distance effect part has a thickness e2 of 125 mm.
  • the weight of the package is 21 kg and is in accordance with the mass criterion that has been set.
  • the largest dimension d of the cavity 2 is equal to 100 mm and is therefore smaller than the thickness e of the radiological protection structure.
  • the radiological protection structure also comprises the remote-effect part 7. As before, it has a mean density equal to 0.2.
  • the shielding portion 5 has a thickness el of 15 mm and the remote effect part 7 has a thickness e2 of 200 mm.
  • the weight of the packaging increases again to reach 29 kg, but it remains acceptable for the package to be handled by a single operator.
  • the mass of the remoteness part has increased considerably with the increase of its thickness e2, making the package heavier.
  • FIG. 3 shows, on the one hand, the variation of the mass of the vacuum packaging as a function of the thickness of the shielding part and, on the other hand, of the outside diameter of the packaging as a function of the thickness of the shielding part.
  • the diameter of the package is equal to the sum of the diameter of the cavity and twice the thickness of the radiological protection structure e of Figures 2A to 2D.
  • the graphics are obtained for a DED in contact with the constant packaging. These graphs make it easy to choose the thickness of the shielding part (between 15 and 25 mm) so that the weight of the packaging is less than 30 kg. It is also assumed here that the diameter of the cavity is 10 mm.
  • the shielding portion 5 is similar to that described in Figures 1A, 1B. It will not be described again.
  • the remoteness part is now referenced 70. It has structural elements and air.
  • the air preferably represents at least 70% of the overall volume of the far-end portion 70.
  • the overall volume of the far-end portion is understood as the total volume of the far-end portion, as previously defined.
  • the structural elements are made, for example, of polyethylene and more particularly HDPE high density polyethylene (density 0.94).
  • a pair of wedging elements 71, 72 mounted one inside the other and separated by the air 90.
  • the outer wedging element 71 is of tubular shape, the other referenced 72 and qualified interior may also be tubular or be full. In Figure 4, it is shown tubular and is filled with air 90.
  • the outer wedging element 71 is open at at least one of its ends. It comprises a side wall 71.1 and a stop 73 which protrudes internally from the side wall 71.1. In this embodiment, the stop 73 takes the form of a recessed tray. The stop 73 serves to wedge in translation the central portion 5.11 of the shielding portion 5.
  • One of the end portions 5.10 of the shielding portion 5 passes through the recess of the plate 73 when the shielding portion 5 is mounted in the external wedging element 71.
  • An air thickness 90 is present between the lateral wall 71.1 of the outer wedging element 71 and the shielding part 5 except at the stop 73.
  • Both ends of the outer wedging element 71 can be opened.
  • the inner wedging element 72 bears against the shielding part 5 at its other end portion 5.10. It is without contact with the outer wedging element 71 of the pair. It contributes to keeping the shielding portion 5 locked in translation abutting against the hollow plate 73 when assembling the different parts of the radiological protection structure.
  • a first stopper 74 is also provided for holding in position the two wedging elements 71, 12 of the pair, this first stopper 74 being placed opposite the shielding portion 5 with respect to the inner locking element 72.
  • the structural elements may also include an additional structural element which is an additional wedging element 76 of tubular shape, mounted coaxially around the pair of wedges 71,72 but remotely, so that air 90 separates them laterally at least locally.
  • This additional wedging element 76 has a side wall 76.1 which ends with at least one open end 76.2, the latter being on the side of an open end of the outer wedging element 71 of the pair.
  • This additional wedging element comprises a stop 77 which projects internally from the side wall 76.1 to wedge the external wedging element 71 of the pair of wedging elements. It is further provided to provide the additional wedging member 76 with a guide ring 78 which projects internally from its side wall 76.1 to maintain substantially centered the pair of wedging elements 71, 72 in the additional wedging element 76.
  • the first stopper 74 extends laterally to the open end 76.2 of the additional wedging element 76. It closes it.
  • the additional wedging element 76 has a second open end 76.3.
  • a second stopper 75 is provided which closes the second open end 76.2.
  • wedging elements 71, 72, 76 may be externally cylinders of revolution or prisms, but other forms are possible. In the example of FIG. 4, the wedging elements are longer and longer as they move from the inside of the package to the outside, which allows the radioactive source to be sufficiently far away from any point in the package. the outer surface of the package.

Abstract

The invention relates to packaging for transporting radioactive material (1), including a radiation protection structure (4) comprising a shielding portion (5) defining a cavity (2) for receiving the radioactive material and a portion (7) that has the effect of distancing the radioactive material from the outside of the packaging. The distancing-effect portion (7) directly encloses the shielding portion (5). The protection structure (4) has a thickness e associated with a segment (S) connecting a point (B) on the outer surface of the packaging to the center of gravity (G) of the cavity (2). Said thickness satisfies, for any point (B): e=e1+e2 and 0.05<e1/e<0.25, where e1 is the thickness of the shielding portion (5), e2 is the thickness of the distancing-effect portion (7), and e1 and e2 are associated with the segment (S). The shielding portion (5) has a mean density of more than 8, and the distancing-effect portion has a mean density of less than 0.5.

Description

EMBALLAGE DE TRANSPORT ET/OU D'ENTREPOSAGE DE MATIERE RADIOACTIVE  PACKAGING OF TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION
DOMAINE TECHNIQUE La présente invention est relative à un emballage de transport et/ou d'entreposage de matière radioactive telle une source radioactive émettant des rayonnements ionisants très énergétiques. I l faut que ces rayonnements ionisants, tels que des rayonnements gamma, soient atténués lorsque la matière radioactive est logée dans l'emballage de transport et/ou d'entreposage de manière à réduire l'exposition des personnes aux rayonnements ionisants. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive material such as a radioactive source emitting highly energetic ionizing radiation. These ionizing radiations, such as gamma radiation, should be attenuated when the radioactive material is housed in the transport and / or storage packaging in order to reduce the exposure of individuals to ionizing radiation.
Plus particulièrement mais non exclusivement, l'invention concerne le transport et/ou l'entreposage de sources radioactives, telles que le radium, dont l'application est préférentiellement une application dans le domaine médical, dans un but thérapeutique.  More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the transport and / or storage of radioactive sources, such as radium, the application of which is preferably an application in the medical field, for a therapeutic purpose.
ÉTAT DE LA TECHNIQUE ANTÉRIEURE STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
Dans ce type d'emballage pour source radioactive émettant un rayonnement gamma très énergétique, on cherche à allier des critères de masse et de débit d'équivalent de dose absorbée (DED) pour que l'emballage puisse être exploité durablement par un même opérateur. Le critère de masse est que l'emballage puisse être manipulé par un individu seul, sa masse devant être sensiblement inférieure ou égale à 30 kg. In this type of radioactive source packaging emitting a very energetic gamma radiation, we seek to combine mass and absorbed dose equivalent (DED) criteria so that the packaging can be operated sustainably by the same operator. The mass criterion is that the package can be handled by a single individual, its mass must be substantially less than or equal to 30 kg.
On rappelle que la limite réglementaire en matière de transport de matière radioactive pour le DED en tout point de la surface externe de l'emballage est fixée à 2 mSv/h.  It is recalled that the regulatory limit for the transport of radioactive material for DED at any point on the outer surface of the package is set at 2 mSv / h.
Un autre critère réglementaire auquel l'emballage doit satisfaire est le DED à une distance de 1 mètre de la surface externe de l'emballage, ce DED doit être inférieur à 0,1 mSv/h. Toutefois ce dernier critère est sensiblement plus facile à vérifier pour les sources radioactives ponctuelles ou quasi ponctuelles. Le critère de DED maximum en surface est ainsi prépondérant. Another regulatory requirement that the package must meet is DED at a distance of 1 meter from the outer surface of the package, this DED must be less than 0.1 mSv / h. However this last criterion is significantly easier to check for point or near point radioactive sources. The criterion of maximum DED on the surface is thus predominant.
En plus des critères de masse et de DED, l'emballage chargé avec la source radioactive doit satisfaire à des épreuves mécaniques réglementaires dont une épreuve de chute libre d'une hauteur de 1,2 mètre. A l'issue de cette épreuve, le DED ne doit pas subir d'augmentation de plus de 20%. L'emballage doit être suffisamment résistant pour ne pas subir de déformation importante de sa paroi.  In addition to the mass and DED criteria, the packaging loaded with the radioactive source must meet regulatory mechanical tests including a free fall test of 1.2 meters in height. At the end of this test, the DED must not undergo an increase of more than 20%. The packaging must be strong enough not to undergo significant deformation of its wall.
Actuellement, les emballages pour sources radioactives destinées à des applications médicales, comportent essentiellement une structure de protection radiologique conçue pour atténuer le DED en exploitant l'effet de blindage du rayonnement ionisant émis par la source radioactive.  At present, packaging for radioactive sources for medical applications essentially comprises a radiological protection structure designed to attenuate the DED by exploiting the shielding effect of the ionizing radiation emitted by the radioactive source.
Cet effet de blindage est alors obtenu en utilisant des matériaux à forte densité comme le plomb, le tungstène. Cette structure de protection radiologique délimite une cavité destinée à loger la source radioactive.  This shielding effect is then obtained using high density materials such as lead, tungsten. This radiological protection structure delimits a cavity intended to house the radioactive source.
Dans la demande de brevet FR 2 029 069, l'emballage est un porte- source à fixer dans un appareil de téléthérapie. La structure de protection radiologique comporte une partie de blindage en matériau de protection radiologique, de densité supérieure à 10, contribuant à délimiter la cavité et destiné à loger la source radioactive, enfermé dans deux boîtes concentriques en acier inoxydable formant un ensemble à double paroi.  In the patent application FR 2 029 069, the package is a source holder to be fixed in a teletherapy device. The radiological protection structure comprises a shielding portion of radiological protection material, with a density greater than 10, helping to define the cavity and intended to house the radioactive source, enclosed in two concentric stainless steel boxes forming a double-walled assembly.
D'autres emballages pour matière radioactive sont connus par exemple des documents suivants : US 7 276 715, US 2 912 591, US 5 442 186.  Other radioactive material packages are known from, for example, US 7,276,715, US 2,912,591, US 5,442,186.
L'inconvénient des ces emballages est que, pour répondre au critère de DED, ils sont deux à trois fois plus lourds que ce qui est préconisé pour pouvoir être manipulés et transportés par une seule personne. L'atténuation par l'épaisseur x du matériau de protection radiologique constituant la partie de blindage suit la relation suivante :  The disadvantage of these packages is that, to meet the DED criterion, they are two to three times heavier than what is recommended to be handled and transported by one person. The attenuation by the thickness x of the radiological protection material constituting the shielding part follows the following relation:
D=D0.e- ( avec D0, le DED d'un côté du matériau de protection radiologique, du côté où est logée la source radioactive, D, le DED de l'autre côté du matériau de protection radiologique, ce qui correspond à la surface externe de l'emballage, μ, le coefficient d'atténuation dont la valeur dépend de la nature du matériau de protection radiologique et de l'énergie du rayonnement de la source radioactive. On pourra noter que lorsque le rayonnement est du type gamma, le coefficient d'atténuation du matériau de protection radiologique est alors d'autant plus élevé que sa densité est importante. D = D 0 .e - ( with D 0 , the DED on one side of the radiological protection material, on the side where the radioactive source is housed, D, the DED on the other side of the radiological protection material, which corresponds to the external surface of the packaging, μ, the attenuation coefficient whose value depends on the nature of the radiological protection material and the radiation energy of the radioactive source. It may be noted that when the radiation is of the gamma type, the attenuation coefficient of the radiological protection material is then all the higher as its density is important.
Un autre inconvénient, des emballages décrits dans les documents les plus anciens est qu'ils ne sont plus conformes aux récentes exigences d'exploitation qui visent à réduire le plus possible le DED à l'extérieur de l'emballage.  Another disadvantage of the packages described in the older documents is that they no longer comply with recent operating requirements that aim to minimize the DED outside the package.
Une transposition de leur concept pour les rendre conformes à ces exigences d'exploitation, plus contraignantes que les exigences réglementaires, engendrerait un épaississement de la structure de protection radiologique et donc une augmentation inacceptable de la masse.  A transposition of their concept to make them comply with these operating requirements, more stringent than the regulatory requirements, would result in a thickening of the radiological protection structure and therefore an unacceptable increase in mass.
Un troisième inconvénient de ces emballages est lié aux contraintes d'hygiène inhérentes au secteur médical.  A third disadvantage of these packages is related to hygiene constraints inherent in the medical sector.
Le choix de certains matériaux de surface n'est pas possible du fait de leur oxydation, par des acides ou d'autres produits utilisés pour effectuer des opérations de nettoyage, décontamination ou désinfection. I l s'agit par exemple de l'acier inoxydable.  The choice of certain surface materials is not possible because of their oxidation, by acids or other products used to carry out cleaning, decontamination or disinfection operations. This is for example stainless steel.
EXPOSÉ DE L'INVENTION STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
La présente invention a justement comme but de proposer un emballage de transport et/ou d'entreposage de matière radioactive qui ne présente pas les inconvénients mentionnés ci dessus. The purpose of the present invention is precisely to propose a packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive material that does not have the drawbacks mentioned above.
Plus précisément, l'emballage selon l'invention satisfait aux critères de masse et de DED et aux épreuves de chute libre.  More specifically, the packaging according to the invention satisfies the mass and DED criteria and the free fall tests.
Un autre but de l'invention est de fournir un emballage de transport et/ou d'entreposage de matière radioactive qui satisfait à un critère de DED mesuré a u contact de la surface externe de l'emballage, plus ambitieux que celui imposé par la réglementation. Un autre but de l'invention est de proposer un emballage qui puisse être nettoyé et désinfecté pour répondre aux contraintes d'hygiène actuelles imposées en médecine. Another object of the invention is to provide a transport packaging and / or storage of radioactive material that meets a DED criterion measured in contact with the outer surface of the package, more ambitious than that imposed by the regulations. . Another object of the invention is to provide a package that can be cleaned and disinfected to meet the current hygiene constraints imposed in medicine.
Pour atteindre ces buts, au lieu d'augmenter l'épaisseur de la partie de blindage en matériau de protection radiologique, ce qui implique une augmentation substantielle de la masse de l'emballage, l'idée est, en complément de l'utilisation de la partie de blindage, d'exploiter l'effet distance ou d'éloignement avec une partie de l'emballage ayant une densité moyenne bien plus faible que celle du matériau de protection radiologique. Ainsi contrairement à l'art antérieur, on cherche à réduire l'épaisseur de la partie de blindage.  To achieve these goals, instead of increasing the thickness of the shielding portion of radiological protection material, which implies a substantial increase in the mass of the package, the idea is, in addition to the use of the shielding part, to exploit the effect distance or removal with a part of the packaging having a much lower average density than that of the radiological protection material. Thus, unlike the prior art, it is sought to reduce the thickness of the shielding portion.
L'atténuation du DED par cet effet distance se traduit pour une source radioactive ponctuelle ou quasi ponctuelle de la manière suivante : le débit de dose en un point est inversement proportionnel au carré de la distance séparant ce point de la source radioactive ponctuelle ou quasi ponctuelle.  The attenuation of the DED by this distance effect is reflected for a point or quasi-point radioactive source in the following manner: the dose rate at a point is inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating this point from the point or quasi-point radioactive source .
Plus précisément, la présente invention concerne un emballage de transport et/ou d'entreposage de matière radioactive comprenant une structure de protection radiologique comportant une partie de blindage vis-à-vis d'un rayonnement ionisant émis par la matière radioactive, ayant une surface interne qui délimite une cavité destinée à loger la matière radioactive. Selon l'invention, la structure de protection radiologique comporte, en outre, une partie à effet d'éloignement de la matière radioactive vis-à-vis de l'extérieur de l'emballage, la partie à effet d'éloignement entourant directement la partie de blindage et ayant une surface externe qui est la surface externe de l'emballage, la structure de protection radiologique possédant une épaisseur e appartenant à un segment de droite reliant un point (B) de la surface externe de l'emballage au centre de gravité (G) de la cavité, cette épaisseur e vérifiant pour tout point (B): e =el+e2 et  More specifically, the present invention relates to a packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive material comprising a radiological protection structure comprising a shielding part vis-à-vis ionizing radiation emitted by the radioactive material, having a surface internal which delimits a cavity for housing the radioactive material. According to the invention, the radiological protection structure further comprises a part having the effect of moving the radioactive material away from the outside of the package, the part with the effect of removal directly surrounding the shielding portion and having an outer surface which is the outer surface of the package, the radiological protection structure having a thickness e belonging to a line segment connecting a point (B) of the outer surface of the package to the center of the gravity (G) of the cavity, this thickness e satisfying for every point (B): e = el + e2 and
0,05 <el/e< 0,25 avec el épaisseur de la partie de blindage, e2 épaisseur de la partie à effet d'éloignement, les épaisseurs el et e2 appartenant au segment de droite. La densité moyenne de la partie de blindage est supérieure à 8 et la densité moyenne de la partie à effet d'éloignement est inférieure à 0,5. 0.05 <el / e <0.25 with the thickness of the shielding part, e2 the thickness of the distance effect part, the thicknesses e1 and e2 belonging to the line segment. The average density of the shielding portion is greater than 8 and the average density of the effecting portion is less than 0.5.
En outre, la cavité possède, de préférence, une plus grande dimension qui est inférieure à l'épaisseur e de la structure de protection radiologique.  In addition, the cavity preferably has a larger dimension which is smaller than the thickness e of the radiological protection structure.
De préférence, la densité moyenne de la partie à effet d'éloignement est inférieure à 0,3. Il est à noter que l'atténuation du DED, obtenue grâce à l'effet de blindage de la partie à effet d'éloignement est alors négligeable.  Preferably, the average density of the remote effect portion is less than 0.3. It should be noted that the attenuation of the DED obtained by virtue of the shielding effect of the remote effect part is then negligible.
La partie de blindage est réalisée, de préférence, à base de plomb, de tungstène, d'uranium appauvri ou de leurs alliages et sa densité moyenne est supérieure à 10.  The shielding part is preferably made of lead, tungsten, depleted uranium or their alloys and its average density is greater than 10.
La partie de blindage comporte deux demi-coquilles destinées à être accolées.  The armor part has two half-shells intended to be contiguous.
De préférence, la partie de blindage comporte une portion centrale et deux portions extrêmes de part et d'autre de la portion centrale, la portion centrale étant épaissie par rapport aux portions extrêmes.  Preferably, the shielding portion comprises a central portion and two end portions on either side of the central portion, the central portion being thickened relative to the end portions.
Dans un premier mode de réalisation, la partie à effet d'éloignement a un volume entièrement comblé par des éléments de remplissage contigus dont la densité est inférieure à 0,5. Dans ce premier mode de réalisation, la partie à effet d'éloignement ne comporte donc aucun espace vide entre les éléments de remplissage contigus.  In a first embodiment, the remoteness portion has a volume fully filled by contiguous filler elements having a density of less than 0.5. In this first embodiment, the remote effect portion therefore has no empty space between the adjacent filler elements.
Dans une première alternative, un ou plusieurs de ces éléments de remplissage sont réalisés dans un matériau dont la densité est inférieure à 0,5 comme le bois, la mousse de polyuréthane, la mousse phénolique.  In a first alternative, one or more of these filler elements are made of a material whose density is less than 0.5 such as wood, polyurethane foam, phenolic foam.
Dans une seconde alternative, un ou plusieurs de ces éléments de remplissage ont une structure alvéolaire de type nid d'abeille, de type carton ondulé. In a second alternative, one or more of these filler elements have a cellular honeycomb type structure, corrugated cardboard type.
Dans ce dernier cas, les éléments de remplissage ont toujours une densité inférieure àIn the latter case, the filling elements always have a density lower than
0,5, mais le matériau dont ils sont faits peut avoir une densité supérieure à 0,5, comme l'aluminium ou le carton. Les éléments de remplissage de la première alternative peuvent être qualifiés de plus massifs que ceux de la seconde alternative. 0.5, but the material of which they are made may have a density greater than 0.5, such as aluminum or cardboard. The filling elements of the first alternative can be described as more massive than those of the second alternative.
Les éléments de remplissage de ces deux alternatives peuvent prendre la forme d'un élément creux destiné à loger la partie de blindage et d'un bouchon de calage destiné à obturer une partie de l'élément creux.  The filling elements of these two alternatives may take the form of a hollow member for accommodating the shielding portion and a plugging plug for closing a portion of the hollow member.
L'élément creux peut être doublé extérieurement d'une gaine externe en forme de pot, et le bouchon de calage peut être doublé d'un couvercle qui se verrouille sur la gaine externe, cette gaine externe et ce couvercle faisant partie des éléments massifs de la partie à effet d'éloignement.  The hollow element may be doubled externally with an outer sheath in the form of a pot, and the wedging plug may be doubled with a cover which locks on the outer sheath, this outer sheath and this cover forming part of the solid elements of the part with the effect of removal.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, la partie à effet d'éloignement comprend des éléments structurels et de l'air. Celui-ci présente plus d'environ 70% du volume global de la partie à effet d'éloignement. Les éléments structurels peuvent être réalisés à base de polyéthylène et plus particulièrement de polyéthylène haute densité. Ces matériaux présentent l'avantage d'être facilement nettoyés et désinfectés pour répondre notamment aux contraintes d'hygiène actuelle imposées en médecine.  In another embodiment, the remoteness portion includes structural elements and air. This has more than about 70% of the overall volume of the remote effect part. The structural elements can be made from polyethylene and more particularly from high density polyethylene. These materials have the advantage of being easily cleaned and disinfected, in particular to meet the current hygiene constraints imposed in medicine.
Les éléments structurels peuvent comporter une paire d'éléments de calage de la partie de blindage avec un élément de calage intérieur et un élément de calage extérieur, montés l'un dans l'autre et séparés par l'air.  The structural members may include a pair of wedging members of the shielding portion with an inner wedging element and an outer wedging element, mounted in one another and separated by air.
Lorsque la partie de blindage comporte une portion centrale épaissie, l'élément de calage extérieur peut comporter une paroi latérale et une butée qui fait saillie intérieurement depuis la paroi latérale pour caler la portion centrale de la partie de blindage tout en aménageant une épaisseur d'air entre la paroi latérale de l'élément de calage extérieur et la partie de blindage.  When the shielding portion has a thickened central portion, the outer wedging member may include a sidewall and a stopper protruding internally from the sidewall to wedge the central portion of the shield portion while providing a thickness of air between the side wall of the external wedging element and the shielding portion.
Dans cette configuration, l'élément de calage intérieur vient en appui sur la partie de blindage lorsque cette dernière est en butée contre la butée de l'élément de calage extérieur.  In this configuration, the inner wedging element bears on the shielding part when the latter is in abutment against the stop of the external wedging element.
De préférence, pour améliorer l'effet d'éloignement sans trop augmenter la masse de l'emballage, les éléments structurels peuvent inclure un élément de calage supplémentaire monté autour de la paire d'éléments de calage avec une paroi latérale et une butée qui fait saillie intérieurement de la paroi latérale pour caler l'élément de calage extérieur de la paire d'éléments de calage. Preferably, to enhance the pull-away effect without greatly increasing the weight of the package, the structural members may include an additional wedging member mounted around the wedge pair with a wall and an abutment projecting internally from the side wall to wedge the outer chock member of the pair of chocks.
L'élément de calage supplémentaire peut comporter, en outre, une bague de guidage qui fait saillie intérieurement de sa paroi latérale pour maintenir sensiblement centrée la paire d'éléments de calage dans l'élément de calage supplémentaire.  The additional wedging member may further include a guide ring that projects internally from its sidewall to substantially maintain the pair of wedging members in the additional wedging member.
On prévoit de plus, que les éléments structurels incluent en outre un bouchon de calage pour caler les éléments de calage de la paire l'un par rapport à l'autre au niveau de l'une de leurs extrémités.  It is further provided that the structural members further include a stopper for wedging the wedging members of the pair relative to each other at one of their ends.
Le bouchon de calage peut s'étendre jusqu'à l'élément de ca lage supplémentaire pour le caler par rapport à la paire d'éléments de calage.  The stopper may extend to the additional shoe member to wedge it relative to the pair of wedging members.
On peut prévoir dans un but de protection, par exemple, que les éléments structurels comprennent également deux éléments additionnels matérialisés par une gaine externe en forme de pot et par un couvercle qui se verrouille sur le pot pour loger tous les autres éléments structurels.  It can be provided for protective purposes, for example, that the structural elements also comprise two additional elements materialized by an outer sheath-shaped pot and a lid that locks on the pot to accommodate all other structural elements.
BRÈVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
La présente invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description d'exemples de réalisation donnés, à titre purement indicatif et nullement limitatif, en faisant référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :  The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of exemplary embodiments given, purely by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
les figures 1A, 1B montrent respectivement en coupe longitudinale et en vue trois dimensions écorchée un premier mode réalisation d'un emballage conforme à l'invention ;  1A, 1B respectively show in longitudinal section and three-dimensional view cut away a first embodiment of a packaging according to the invention;
les figures 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 2C1, 2C2, 2D1, 2D2 montrent en coupe longitudinale et en coupe transversale une pluralité d'emballages de l'art antérieur et selon l'invention ;  2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 2C1, 2C2, 2D1, 2D2 show in longitudinal section and in cross section a plurality of packages of the prior art and according to the invention;
la figure 3 est un graphique permettant de choisir l'épaisseur de la partie de blindage et de l'emballage pour répondre aux critères de masse et de débit de dose ; la figure 4 montre en coupe longitudinale un autre mode de réalisation de l'emballage selon l'invention. Fig. 3 is a graph for selecting the thickness of the shield portion and the package to meet the mass and dose rate criteria; Figure 4 shows in longitudinal section another embodiment of the package according to the invention.
EXPOSÉ DÉTAILLÉ DE MODES DE RÉALISATION PARTICULIERS Comme on vient de le voir, l'objectif de l'invention est d'optimiser la masse de l'emballage tout en satisfaisant au critère de débit de dose en tout point de sa surface externe et aux épreuves mécaniques prévus par la réglementation actuelle en matière de transport de matière radioactive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS As we have just seen, the objective of the invention is to optimize the mass of the package while satisfying the dose rate criterion at any point on its external surface and at the tests. provided by current regulations for the transport of radioactive material.
L'idée qui sous-tend l'invention est de placer la matière radioactive dans une cavité délimitée par une structure de protection radiologique qui comporte une partie de blindage, cette partie de blindage étant entourée directement par une partie externe conçue pour atténuer le rayonnement ionisant généré par la matière radioactive grâce à un effet d'éloignement de la matière radioactive vis-à-vis de la surface externe de l'emballage. Cette partie externe doit être la plus légère possible pour ne pas augmenter de manière significative la masse de l'emballage, tout en étant suffisamment résistante pour ne pas subir de déformation importante à l'issue des épreuves de chute libre réglementaires.  The idea underlying the invention is to place the radioactive material in a cavity delimited by a radiological protection structure which comprises a shielding part, this shielding part being surrounded directly by an external part designed to attenuate the ionizing radiation. generated by the radioactive material by an effect of removal of the radioactive material vis-à-vis the outer surface of the packaging. This outer part should be as light as possible to not significantly increase the weight of the package, while being strong enough not to undergo significant deformation at the end of regulatory freefall tests.
Les figures 1A, 1B montrent un premier exemple de réalisation d'un emballage de transport et/ou d'entreposage de matière radioactive selon l'invention.  FIGS. 1A, 1B show a first exemplary embodiment of a packaging for transporting and / or storing radioactive material according to the invention.
On aperçoit dans la partie centrale de ces figures 1A, 1B, une source radioactive 1 logée dans une cavité 2 de l'emballage 3 objet de l'invention. La source radioactive 1 a une forme allongée et peut être formée d'un tube chargé en matière radioactive telle que du radium 224. D'autres types de sources radioactives 1 pourraient être employés. On considère que la source radioactive 1 est ponctuelle ou quasi ponctuelle et que la cavité 2 ne peut loger qu'une source radioactive ponctuelle ou quasi ponctuelle. On entend par source quasi-ponctuelle, la configuration pour laquelle le rapport entre la plus grande dimension de la source et l'épaisseur de la structure de protection radiologique est strictement inférieur à 1. L'emballage 3, objet de l'invention, comporte une structure de protection radiologique 4 qui contribue à définir la cavité 2 et qui permet de protéger l'environnement extérieur de l'emballage 3 vis-à-vis du rayonnement ionisant produit par la source radioactive 1. Dans l'exemple décrit avec une source radioactive en radium, le rayonnement ionisant est un rayonnement gamma. In the central part of these FIGS. 1A, 1B is seen a radioactive source 1 housed in a cavity 2 of the packaging 3 that is the subject of the invention. The radioactive source 1 has an elongated shape and may be formed of a charged tube of radioactive material such as radium 224. Other types of radioactive sources 1 could be employed. It is considered that the radioactive source 1 is point or quasi-point and that the cavity 2 can house only a point or quasi-point radioactive source. By quasi-point source is meant the configuration for which the ratio between the largest dimension of the source and the thickness of the radiological protection structure is strictly less than 1. The packaging 3, object of the invention, comprises a radiological protection structure 4 which contributes to define the cavity 2 and which protects the external environment of the package 3 vis-à-vis the ionizing radiation produced by the radioactive source 1. In the example described with a radioactive source of radium, the ionizing radiation is gamma radiation.
Une autre fonction de la structure de protection radiologique est d'assurer un calage et une protection mécanique de la source radioactive 1. Un tel emballage 3 chargé de la source radioactive 1 ne doit pas subir de déformation mécanique trop importante en cas de chute qui pourrait conduire à une augmentation du DED maximum de plus de 20%.  Another function of the radiological protection structure is to ensure a setting and a mechanical protection of the radioactive source 1. Such a package 3 loaded with the radioactive source 1 must not undergo excessive mechanical deformation in the event of a fall which could lead to an increase in the maximum DED of more than 20%.
La structure de protection radiologique 4 comporte une partie de blindage 5 vis-à-vis du rayonnement ionisant généré par la source radioactive 1. La partie de blindage 5 possède une surface intérieure qui délimite la cavité 2. La cavité 2 a une forme et des dimensions qui sont légèrement supérieures à celles de la source radioactive 1 de manière à ce que la source radioactive 1 une fois installée dans la cavité soit immobilisée. Cette cavité 2 peut être assimilée à une empreinte de la source radioactive 1.  The radiological protection structure 4 has a shielding portion 5 with respect to the ionizing radiation generated by the radioactive source 1. The shielding portion 5 has an interior surface which delimits the cavity 2. The cavity 2 has a shape and dimensions that are slightly greater than those of the radioactive source 1 so that the radioactive source 1 once installed in the cavity is immobilized. This cavity 2 can be likened to an impression of the radioactive source 1.
La partie de blindage 5 peut se décomposer en deux demi-coquilles 5.1, 5.2 sensiblement identiques, qui lorsqu'elles sont accolées comme sur les figures 1A, 1B, délimitent la cavité 2 destinée à loger la source radioactive 1.  The shielding part 5 can be broken down into two substantially identical half-shells 5.1, 5.2 which, when contiguous as in FIGS. 1A, 1B, delimit the cavity 2 intended to house the radioactive source 1.
Dans l'exemple décrit, la source radioactive 1 est représentée comme un volume globalement de révolution construit autour d'un axe 6, dit axe longitudinal. La partie de blindage 5 a également une forme globale de révolution d'axe longitudinal 6 lorsque la source radioactive 1 est logée dans la cavité 2. La cavité 2 possède également cette forme globale de révolution d'axe longitudinal 6. Elle se termine par des extrémités sensiblement demies sphériques.  In the example described, the radioactive source 1 is represented as a global volume of revolution built around an axis 6, said longitudinal axis. The shielding part 5 also has a global shape of revolution of longitudinal axis 6 when the radioactive source 1 is housed in the cavity 2. The cavity 2 also has this overall shape of revolution of longitudinal axis 6. It ends with substantially half spherical ends.
On a représenté par la lettre G son centre de gravité. La position du centre de gravité G dépend uniquement de la géométrie de la cavité 2.  The letter G represents its center of gravity. The position of the center of gravity G depends solely on the geometry of the cavity 2.
D'autres formes sont bien sûr possibles, par exemple, prismatiques pour la source radioactive 1. La partie de blindage 5 est réalisée à base de matériau dont la densité est supérieure à 8. Other forms are of course possible, for example, prismatic for the radioactive source 1. The shielding part 5 is made of material whose density is greater than 8.
Il peut s'agir de plomb (densité 11,3), de tungstène (densité 19,3), encore de l'uranium appauvri (densité 19,05) ou d'un de leurs alliages. De préférence alors, la densité moyenne est supérieure à 10. On peut envisager que la partie de blindage 5 soit formée de plusieurs de ces matériaux et soit par exemple multicouche. La densité dont on parle est une densité moyenne. Dans ce contexte, on entend par densité moyenne de la partie de blindage le rapport de la masse de la partie de blindage sur son volume.  It may be lead (density 11.3), tungsten (density 19.3), depleted uranium (density 19.05) or one of their alloys. Preferably then, the average density is greater than 10. It can be envisaged that the shielding part 5 is formed of several of these materials and is, for example, multilayered. The density we are talking about is an average density. In this context, the average density of the shielding part is the ratio of the mass of the shielding part to its volume.
La partie de blindage 5 comporte, de préférence, longitudinalement une succession de trois portions, deux portions extrêmes 5.10 encadrant une portion centrale 5.11. Dans cette succession, la portion centrale 5.11 a une épaisseur transversale supérieure à celle des portions extrêmes 5.10. Dans ce contexte, l'épaisseur est l'écart qui existe entre la surface intérieure et la surface externe de chacune des portions. Ces surfaces sont sensiblement parallèles au niveau où l'écart est mesuré.  The shielding portion 5 preferably comprises, longitudinally, a succession of three portions, two end portions 5.10 enclosing a central portion 5.11. In this succession, the central portion 5.11 has a transverse thickness greater than that of the end portions 5.10. In this context, the thickness is the gap that exists between the inner surface and the outer surface of each of the portions. These surfaces are substantially parallel to the level where the difference is measured.
L'épaississement de la portion centrale 5.11 a plusieurs avantages, il renforce l'atténuation des rayonnements ionisants produits par la matière radioactive en regard de la source radioactive 1, il facilite la manipulation de la partie de blindage 5 et il facilite son calage.  The thickening of the central portion 5.11 has several advantages, it enhances the attenuation of the ionizing radiation produced by the radioactive material opposite the radioactive source 1, it facilitates the handling of the shielding portion 5 and facilitates its setting.
La structure de protection radiologique 4 comporte de plus une partie 7 conçue pour un effet d'éloignement de la source radioactive 1 vis-à-vis de l'extérieur de l'emballage 3. Cette partie est appelée, par la suite, partie à effet d'éloignement 7. Elle entoure directement la partie de blindage 5. Cela signifie qu'elle est directement adjacente à la partie de blindage 5. Cette partie à effet d'éloignement 7, au contraire de la partie de blindage 5, est réalisée à partir d'éléments dont la densité moyenne est inférieure à 0,5.  The radiological protection structure 4 further comprises a part 7 designed for an effect of moving the radioactive source 1 away from the outside of the package 3. This part is subsequently called part of 7. It directly surrounds the shielding part 5. This means that it is directly adjacent to the shielding part 5. This remote effect part 7, unlike the shielding part 5, is realized from elements whose average density is less than 0.5.
Cette partie à effet d'éloignement 7 peut n'être formée, dans un premier mode de réalisation, que d'éléments de remplissage contigus comme sur les figures 1A, 1B. Dans un second mode de réalisation, elle peut être formée d'éléments structurels alternant avec de l'air de manière à réduire la masse globale sans affaiblir la résistance mécanique de l'emballage 3, comme sur la figure 4. This remote-effect part 7 may be formed, in a first embodiment, only contiguous filling elements as in Figures 1A, 1B. In a second embodiment, it may be formed of alternating structural elements with air so as to reduce the overall mass without weakening the mechanical strength of the package 3, as in FIG. 4.
Dans une première alternative du premier mode de réalisation, un ou plusieurs de ces éléments de remplissage sont réalisés dans un matériau dont la densité est inférieure à 0,5 comme le bois, la mousse de polyuréthane, la mousse phénolique. Le balsa a une densité de l'ordre de 0,1.  In a first alternative of the first embodiment, one or more of these filler elements are made of a material whose density is less than 0.5 such as wood, polyurethane foam, phenolic foam. Balsa has a density of about 0.1.
Dans une seconde alternative du premier mode de réalisation, un ou plusieurs de ces éléments de remplissage ont une structure alvéolaire de type nid d'abeille, de type carton ondulé. Dans ce dernier cas, les éléments ont toujours une densité inférieure à 0,5, mais le matériau dont ils sont faits peut avoir une densité supérieure à 0,5, comme l'aluminium ou le carton.  In a second alternative of the first embodiment, one or more of these filler elements have a honeycomb-like honeycomb structure of corrugated cardboard type. In the latter case, the elements always have a density less than 0.5, but the material of which they are made may have a density greater than 0.5, such as aluminum or cardboard.
Sur l'exemple des figures 1A, 1B, des premiers éléments de remplissage de la partie à effet d'éloignement 7 prennent la forme d'un élément creux 7.1 destiné à loger la partie de blindage 5 et d'un bouchon de calage 7.2 destiné à obturer une partie de l'élément creux 7.1. On pourrait envisager que l'élément creux au lieu d'être monolithique, soit subdivisé en plusieurs sous éléments empilés les uns sur les autres par exemple.  In the example of FIGS. 1A, 1B, first filling elements of the remote effect part 7 take the form of a hollow element 7.1 intended to house the shielding part 5 and a blocking plug 7.2 intended to to seal a part of the hollow element 7.1. We could consider that the hollow element instead of being monolithic, is subdivided into several sub-elements stacked on each other for example.
Dans l'exemple décrit, l'élément creux 7.1 possède une paroi latérale 7.10 sensiblement en forme de cylindre de révolution associée à un fond 7.11. La paroi latérale 7.10 et le fond 7.11 délimitent un logement 7.12 pour la partie de blindage 5. Le logement 7.12 a une forme et des dimensions choisies pour caler latéralement la partie de blindage 5 lorsqu'elle repose sur le fond 7.11. La portion centrale 5.11 épaissie de la partie de blindage 5 contribue à ce calage, car elle repose ainsi sur un gradin 7.15 façonné dans la paroi latérale 7.10. A l'opposé du fond 7.11, la paroi latérale 7.10 se termine par une extrémité 7.13 qui délimite une ouverture 7.14 permettant d'insérer la partie de blindage 5 dans l'élément creux 7.1.  In the example described, the hollow element 7.1 has a side wall 7.10 substantially shaped cylinder of revolution associated with a 7.11 bottom. The side wall 7.10 and the bottom 7.11 delimit a housing 7.12 for the shielding portion 5. The housing 7.12 has a shape and dimensions chosen to wedge laterally the shielding part 5 when it rests on the bottom 7.11. The thickened central portion 5.11 of the shielding portion 5 contributes to this wedging because it thus rests on a step 7.15 shaped in the side wall 7.10. In contrast to the bottom 7.11, the side wall 7.10 ends with an end 7.13 which delimits an opening 7.14 for inserting the shielding portion 5 into the hollow element 7.1.
Le bouchon de calage 7.2 vient obturer le logement 7.12 au niveau de l'ouverture 7.14. Il possède une extrémité destinée à venir contre la partie de blindage 5 et dont la géométrie est conjuguée à celle de la partie de blindage de manière à caler en translation la partie de blindage 5 dans le logement 7.12. The stopper 7.2 closes the housing 7.12 at the opening 7.14. It has an end intended to come against the armor part 5 and whose geometry is conjugated to that of the shielding part so as to wedge in translation the shielding portion 5 in the housing 7.12.
Il est préférable pour confiner les premiers éléments de remplissage 7.1, 7.2 décrits précédemment au sein de la partie à effet d'éloignement 7, que celle-ci comporte des seconds éléments de remplissage 7.3, 7.4 prenant la forme d'une gaine externe 7.3 configurée comme un pot et un couvercle 7.4 qui se verrouille sur la gaine externe 7.3. Les premiers éléments de remplissage 7.1, 7.2 sont logés dans la gaine externe 7.3 avant de verrouiller le couvercle 7.4. Cette gaine externe 7.3 et son couvercle 7.4 peuvent avoir un rôle de protection des premiers éléments de remplissage 7.1, 7.2 vis-à-vis de l'environnement extérieur notamment de l'humidité, des frottements, etc.  It is preferable to confine the first filling elements 7.1, 7.2 previously described within the remote effect part 7, that it comprises second filling elements 7.3, 7.4 taking the form of an outer sheath 7.3 configured as a pot and lid 7.4 which locks on the outer sheath 7.3. The first filling elements 7.1, 7.2 are housed in the outer sheath 7.3 before locking the cover 7.4. This outer sheath 7.3 and its cover 7.4 may have a role of protecting the first filling elements 7.1, 7.2 vis-à-vis the external environment including moisture, friction, etc..
La gaine externe 7.3 et le couvercle 7.4 assemblés l'un à l'autre ont une surface externe qui définit la surface externe de la partie à effet d'éloignement. Cette surface externe constitue également la surface externe de l'emballage au niveau de laquelle se fait la mesure de DED.  The outer sheath 7.3 and the lid 7.4 assembled to each other have an outer surface which defines the outer surface of the distancing portion. This outer surface also constitutes the outer surface of the package at which DED is measured.
La gaine externe 7.3 et le couvercle 7.4 seront réalisés de préférence dans un des matériaux plastiques cités plus haut, plutôt qu'en carton ou en aluminium.  The outer sheath 7.3 and the cover 7.4 will preferably be made of one of the plastic materials mentioned above, rather than in cardboard or aluminum.
Bien sûr, cette gaine externe 7.3 et son couvercle 7.4 sont pris en en compte dans le calcul de la densité moyenne de la partie à effet d'éloignement 7.  Of course, this outer sheath 7.3 and its cover 7.4 are taken into account in the calculation of the average density of the remote effect part 7.
Ici également, la densité moyenne est le rapport de la masse totale de la partie à effet d'éloignement sur son volume total. La masse totale est la masse de tous ses éléments de remplissage et le volume total est défini par l'espace compris entre les surfaces interne et externe de la partie à effet d'éloignement, telles que définies précédemment.  Here again, the average density is the ratio of the total mass of the remote effect part to its total volume. The total mass is the mass of all its filling elements and the total volume is defined by the space between the inner and outer surfaces of the remote effect part, as defined above.
On considère que la cavité 2 de l'emballage selon l'invention ne peut accueillir qu'une source radioactive 1 ponctuelle ou quasi ponctuelle. Pour cela, la cavité 2 a une grande dimension d qui est inférieure à l'épaisseur e de la structure de protection radiologique 4.  It is considered that the cavity 2 of the package according to the invention can accommodate only a radioactive source 1 point or quasi point. For this, the cavity 2 has a large dimension d which is smaller than the thickness e of the radiological protection structure 4.
Dans le contexte de la présente invention, l'épaisseur e de la structure de protection radiologique 4 appartient à un segment de droite S reliant un point B de la surface externe de l'emballage au centre de gravité G de la cavité 2. Cette épaisseur e vérifie la relation (1) : In the context of the present invention, the thickness e of the radiological protection structure 4 belongs to a line segment S connecting a point B of the outer surface of the package at the center of gravity G of the cavity 2. This thickness e satisfies the relation (1):
e = el+e2 avec el épaisseur de la partie de blindage 5 et e2 épaisseur de la partie à effet d'éloignement 7. Ces épaisseurs el et e2 appartiennent au segment de droite S. En fait el correspond à la partie du segment de droite S qui s'étend dans la partie de blindage 5 et e2 correspond à la partie du segment de droite S qui s'étend dans la partie à effet d'éloignement 7.  e = el + e2 with the thickness of the shielding part 5 and e2 the thickness of the remote effect part 7. These thicknesses e1 and e2 belong to the line segment S. In fact, el corresponds to the part of the straight segment S extending in the shield portion 5 and e2 corresponds to the portion of the line segment S which extends into the remote effect portion 7.
Selon l'invention, on va maintenant définir la condition sur l'épaisseur e de la structure de protection radiologique 4 et sur les épaisseurs el, e2 des deux parties 5, 7 de la structure de protection radiologique 4. On ajuste les dimensions géométriques des deux parties 5, 7 de la structure de protection radiologique 4 pour que d'une part le critère de débit d'équivalent de dose au contact de l'emballage soit respecté et pour que la masse soit réduite par rapport à l'art antérieur.  According to the invention, the condition on the thickness e of the radiological protection structure 4 and on the thicknesses e1, e2 of the two parts 5, 7 of the radiological protection structure 4 will now be defined. The geometric dimensions of the radiological protection structures 4 are adjusted. two parts 5, 7 of the radiological protection structure 4 so that on the one hand the dose equivalent dose rate in contact with the packaging is met and that the mass is reduced compared to the prior art.
Cet ajustement conduit à la relation (2) :  This adjustment leads to relation (2):
0,05 <el/e < 0,25 en plus de la relation (1).  0.05 <el / e <0.25 in addition to relation (1).
Les figures 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 2C1, 2C2, 2D1, 2D2 montrent des coupes longitudinale partielles et transversale d'emballages de l'art antérieur ou conforme à l'invention. Dans ces exemples, on a déterminé les épaisseurs el et e2 de sorte que le débit d'équivalent de dose au contact de l'emballage soit identique et quatre fois inférieur à celui qui est réglementaire. Sa valeur doit donc être inférieure ou égale à 0,5 mSv/h. Les proportions entre les différents éléments sont respectées. Sur les figures 2A2, 2B2, 2C2, 2D2 la source radioactive n'est pas présente dans la cavité.  FIGS. 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 2C1, 2C2, 2D1, 2D2 show partial and transverse longitudinal sections of packages of the prior art or according to the invention. In these examples, the thicknesses e1 and e2 were determined so that the equivalent dose rate in contact with the packaging is identical and four times lower than that which is prescribed. Its value must therefore be less than or equal to 0.5 mSv / h. The proportions between the different elements are respected. In Figures 2A2, 2B2, 2C2, 2D2 the radioactive source is not present in the cavity.
Dans les exemples des figures 2, l'estimation du DED a été effectuée en négligeant l'atténuation par effet de blindage de la partie à effet d'éloignement. La densité moyenne de la partie à effet d'éloignement est considérée uniquement pour le calcul de la masse de l'emballage qui est réalisé en considérant que l'emballage prend une forme générale semblable à celle de la figure 1B.  In the examples of FIG. 2, the estimate of the DED has been made by neglecting the attenuation by shielding effect of the remote effect part. The average density of the distancing part is considered solely for the calculation of the mass of the package which is made considering that the packaging takes a general shape similar to that of Figure 1B.
On suppose que lors des calculs, la partie à effet d'éloignement, lorsqu'elle existe, est homogénéisée, c'est pour cela que l'on ne peut pas distinguer les premiers éléments de remplissage et les seconds éléments de remplissage. On a représenté par une croix, un point quelconque de la surface externe de l'emballage qui borne le segment de droite permettant de déterminer l'épaisseur e de la structure de protection radiologique. It is assumed that during calculations, the far-away part, when it exists, is homogenized, that is why the first filler elements and the second filler elements can not be distinguished. There is shown by a cross, any point on the outer surface of the package which bounds the line segment to determine the thickness e of the radiological protection structure.
Sur les figures 2A1, 2A2, il s'agit d'un emballage de l'art antérieur, la structure de protection radiologique 4 se limite uniquement à la partie de blindage 5. La cavité 2 pour la source radioactive 1 délimitée par la partie de blindage 5 est représentée au centre, s'étendant autour de l'axe longitudinal 6. La partie de blindage est réalisée en tungstène (densité 19,3). Son épaisseur el en regard de la source radioactive 1 et donc de la cavité 2 est de 50 mm. La cavité 2 a un diamètre de 10 mm.  In FIGS. 2A1, 2A2, it is a packaging of the prior art, the radiological protection structure 4 is limited only to the shielding part 5. The cavity 2 for the radioactive source 1 delimited by the part of shielding 5 is shown in the center, extending around the longitudinal axis 6. The shielding portion is made of tungsten (density 19.3). Its thickness el opposite the radioactive source 1 and therefore the cavity 2 is 50 mm. The cavity 2 has a diameter of 10 mm.
La masse de l'emballage vaut 45 kg, ce qui ne répond pas au critère de masse que l'emballage de l'invention doit respecter. L'épaisseur el est mesurée sur le segment de droite S qui va de la croix au centre de gravité G de la cavité. Dans cet exemple, l'épaisseur el de la partie de blindage 5 correspond à l'écart entre la surface intérieure et la surface extérieure de la partie de blindage car le segment de droite S est sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe longitudinal 6. Les surfaces intérieure et extérieure de la partie de blindage sont sensiblement parallèles.  The weight of the package is 45 kg, which does not meet the mass criterion that the package of the invention must meet. The thickness el is measured on the line segment S which goes from the cross to the center of gravity G of the cavity. In this example, the thickness e1 of the shielding portion 5 corresponds to the gap between the inner surface and the outer surface of the shielding portion because the straight line segment S is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 6. The surfaces inner and outer portions of the shielding portion are substantially parallel.
Sur les figures 2B1, 2B2, la structure de protection radiologique comporte de plus une partie à effet d'éloignement 7 qui entoure directement la partie de blindage 5. Les deux parties sont directement adjacentes, elles sont en contact l'une avec l'autre. La partie à effet d'éloignement 7 a une densité moyenne de 0,2. Cette densité moyenne n'est utilisée que pour le calcul de la masse de l'emballage. Il pourrait s'agir de la partie à effet d'éloignement du premier mode de réalisation ou du second mode de réalisation qui sera décrit ultérieurement en relation avec la figure 4.  In FIGS. 2B1, 2B2, the radiological protection structure further comprises a remote-effect part 7 which directly surrounds the shielding part 5. The two parts are directly adjacent, they are in contact with each other . The remoteness effect portion 7 has an average density of 0.2. This average density is used only for calculating the mass of the package. It could be the far-end part of the first embodiment or the second embodiment which will be described later in connection with FIG. 4.
Dans ce second exemple, la partie de blindage a une épaisseur el de 35 mm et la partie à effet d'éloignement une épaisseur e2 de 60 mm.  In this second example, the shielding portion has a thickness of 35 mm and the distance effect portion has a thickness e2 of 60 mm.
Les deux parties ne vérifient pas la relation (2) :  Both parties do not check relationship (2):
e = el + e2 = 95 mm et  e = el + e2 = 95 mm and
0,05<el/e < 0,25  0.05 <el / e <0.25
car el/e = 0,37 La masse de l'emballage vaut 32 kg et est encore trop importante pour que l'emballage puisse être manipulé par un seul opérateur. Il s'agit encore d'un emballage n'appartenant pas à l'invention. because el / e = 0.37 The weight of the package is 32 kg and is still too large for the package to be handled by a single operator. It is still a packaging not belonging to the invention.
Sur les figures 2C1, 2C2, la structure de protection radiologique comporte également la partie à effet d'éloignement 7 directement contigue à la partie de blindage 5. La partie à effet d'éloignement 7 a une densité moyenne de 0,2. Dans ce troisième exemple, la partie de blindage 5 a une épaisseur el de 25 mm et la partie à effet d'éloignement une épaisseur e2 de 125 mm.  In FIGS. 2C1, 2C2, the radiological protection structure also comprises the remote-effect part 7 directly contiguous to the shielding part 5. The remote-effect part 7 has an average density of 0.2. In this third example, the shielding portion 5 has a thickness el of 25 mm and the distance effect part has a thickness e2 of 125 mm.
Les deux parties vérifient les relations (1) et (2) :  Both parties check relationships (1) and (2):
e = el + e2 = 150 mm et  e = el + e2 = 150 mm and
0,05<el/e < 0,25  0.05 <el / e <0.25
car el/e= 0,17  because el / e = 0.17
La masse de l'emballage vaut 21 kg et est conforme au critère de masse qui a été fixé. De plus, la plus grande dimension d de la cavité 2 est égale à 100 mm et est donc inférieure à l'épaisseur e de la structure de protection radiologique.  The weight of the package is 21 kg and is in accordance with the mass criterion that has been set. In addition, the largest dimension d of the cavity 2 is equal to 100 mm and is therefore smaller than the thickness e of the radiological protection structure.
Sur les figures 2D1, 2D2, la structure de protection radiologique comporte également la partie à effet d'éloignement 7. Comme précédemment, elle a une densité moyenne égale à 0,2. Dans ce quatrième exemple, la partie de blindage 5 a une épaisseur el de 15 mm et la partie à effet d'éloignement 7 une épaisseur e2 de 200 mm.  In FIGS. 2D1, 2D2, the radiological protection structure also comprises the remote-effect part 7. As before, it has a mean density equal to 0.2. In this fourth example, the shielding portion 5 has a thickness el of 15 mm and the remote effect part 7 has a thickness e2 of 200 mm.
Les deux parties 5, 7 vérifient la relation (2):  The two parts 5, 7 satisfy the relation (2):
e = el + e2 = 215 mm et  e = el + e2 = 215 mm and
0,05<el/e < 0,25  0.05 <el / e <0.25
car el/e= 0,07  because el / e = 0.07
Néanmoins, on notera que la masse de l'emballage augmente à nouveau pour atteindre 29 kg, elle reste toutefois acceptable pour que l'emballage puisse être manipulé par un seul opérateur. La masse de la partie à effet d'éloignement a considérablement augmenté avec l'augmentation de son épaisseur e2, rendant l'emballage plus lourd.  Nevertheless, it should be noted that the weight of the packaging increases again to reach 29 kg, but it remains acceptable for the package to be handled by a single operator. The mass of the remoteness part has increased considerably with the increase of its thickness e2, making the package heavier.
On peut déduire de ces exemples, qu'il existe des valeurs optimales à combiner pour l'épaisseur de la partie de blindage et la partie à effet d'éloignement. Il ne suffit pas de réduire l'épaisseur de la partie de blindage et d'augmenter fortement l'épaisseur de la partie à effet d'éloignement pour parvenir à un emballage selon l'invention. From these examples, it can be deduced that there are optimal values to be combined for the thickness of the shield portion and the pull-away portion. He ... not It is not sufficient to reduce the thickness of the shielding portion and to greatly increase the thickness of the distancing portion to achieve a package according to the invention.
On a représenté sur la figure 3, d'une part la variation de la masse de l'emballage à vide en fonction de l'épaisseur de la partie de blindage et d'autre part du diamètre extérieur de l'emballage en fonction de l'épaisseur de la partie de blindage. Le diamètre de l'emballage est égal à la somme du diamètre de la cavité et du double de l'épaisseur de la structure de protection radiologique e des figures 2A à 2D. Les graphiques sont obtenus pour un DED au contact de l'emballage constant. Ces graphiques permettent de choisir aisément l'épaisseur de la partie de blindage (entre 15 et 25 mm) pour que la masse de l'emballage soit inférieure à 30 kg. On suppose ici aussi que le diamètre de la cavité est de 10 mm.  FIG. 3 shows, on the one hand, the variation of the mass of the vacuum packaging as a function of the thickness of the shielding part and, on the other hand, of the outside diameter of the packaging as a function of the thickness of the shielding part. The diameter of the package is equal to the sum of the diameter of the cavity and twice the thickness of the radiological protection structure e of Figures 2A to 2D. The graphics are obtained for a DED in contact with the constant packaging. These graphs make it easy to choose the thickness of the shielding part (between 15 and 25 mm) so that the weight of the packaging is less than 30 kg. It is also assumed here that the diameter of the cavity is 10 mm.
On va maintenant s'intéresser au second mode de réalisation de l'emballage selon l'invention en se référant à la figure 4. Sur cette figure 4, la partie de blindage 5 est similaire à celle décrite aux figures 1A, 1B. Elle ne sera pas décrite de nouveau. La partie à effet d'éloignement est maintenant référencée 70. Elle comporte des éléments structurels et de l'air. L'air représente de préférence au moins 70% du volume global de la partie à effet d'éloignement 70. Le volume global de la partie à effet d'éloignement s'entend comme le volume total de la partie à effet d'éloignement, comme définit précédemment.  We will now be interested in the second embodiment of the package according to the invention with reference to Figure 4. In this Figure 4, the shielding portion 5 is similar to that described in Figures 1A, 1B. It will not be described again. The remoteness part is now referenced 70. It has structural elements and air. The air preferably represents at least 70% of the overall volume of the far-end portion 70. The overall volume of the far-end portion is understood as the total volume of the far-end portion, as previously defined.
Les éléments structurels sont réalisés, par exemple, en polyéthylène et plus particulièrement en polyéthylène haute densité PEHD (densité 0,94).  The structural elements are made, for example, of polyethylene and more particularly HDPE high density polyethylene (density 0.94).
Parmi les éléments structurels, on peut prévoir une paire d'éléments de calage 71, 72 montés l'un dans l'autre et séparés par l'air 90.  Among the structural elements, there can be provided a pair of wedging elements 71, 72 mounted one inside the other and separated by the air 90.
Ces deux éléments de calage 71, 72 de la paire sont construits autour d'un axe longitudinal 6 et sont montés de manière coaxiale. Au moins l'élément de calage extérieur 71 est de forme tubulaire, l'autre référencé 72 et qualifié d'intérieur peut être également de forme tubulaire ou être plein. Sur la figure 4, il est représenté de forme tubulaire et est empli d'air 90. L'élément de calage extérieur 71 est ouvert à l'une de ses extrémités au moins. Il comporte une paroi latérale 71.1 et une butée 73 qui fait saillie intérieurement depuis la paroi latérale 71.1. Dans ce mode de réalisation, la butée 73 prend la forme d'un plateau évidé. La butée 73 sert à caler en translation la portion centrale 5.11 de la partie de blindage 5. L'une des portions extrêmes 5.10 de la partie de blindage 5 passe à travers l'évidement du plateau 73 lorsque la partie de blindage 5 est montée dans l'élément de calage extérieur 71. Une épaisseur d'air 90 est présente entre la paroi latérale 71.1 de l'élément de calage extérieur 71 et la partie de blindage 5 sauf au niveau de la butée 73. These two wedging elements 71, 72 of the pair are built around a longitudinal axis 6 and are mounted coaxially. At least the outer wedging element 71 is of tubular shape, the other referenced 72 and qualified interior may also be tubular or be full. In Figure 4, it is shown tubular and is filled with air 90. The outer wedging element 71 is open at at least one of its ends. It comprises a side wall 71.1 and a stop 73 which protrudes internally from the side wall 71.1. In this embodiment, the stop 73 takes the form of a recessed tray. The stop 73 serves to wedge in translation the central portion 5.11 of the shielding portion 5. One of the end portions 5.10 of the shielding portion 5 passes through the recess of the plate 73 when the shielding portion 5 is mounted in the external wedging element 71. An air thickness 90 is present between the lateral wall 71.1 of the outer wedging element 71 and the shielding part 5 except at the stop 73.
Les deux extrémités de l'élément de calage extérieur 71 peuvent être ouvertes. L'élément de calage intérieur 72 vient en appui contre la partie de blindage 5 au niveau de son autre portion extrême 5.10. Il est sans contact avec l'élément de calage extérieur 71 de la paire. Il contribue à maintenir la partie de blindage 5 bloquée en translation en butée contre le plateau évidé 73 lorsque l'on assemble les différentes parties de la structure de protection radiologique.  Both ends of the outer wedging element 71 can be opened. The inner wedging element 72 bears against the shielding part 5 at its other end portion 5.10. It is without contact with the outer wedging element 71 of the pair. It contributes to keeping the shielding portion 5 locked in translation abutting against the hollow plate 73 when assembling the different parts of the radiological protection structure.
On prévoit également parmi les éléments structurels, un premier bouchon de calage 74 pour maintenir en position les deux éléments de calage 71, 12 de la paire, ce premier bouchon de calage 74 étant placé à l'opposé de la partie de blindage 5 vis-à-vis de l'élément de calage intérieur 72.  Among the structural elements, a first stopper 74 is also provided for holding in position the two wedging elements 71, 12 of the pair, this first stopper 74 being placed opposite the shielding portion 5 with respect to the inner locking element 72.
Pour améliorer l'effet d'éloignement et la résistance mécanique de l'emballage objet de l'invention, les éléments structurels peuvent également inclure un élément structurel supplémentaire qui est un élément de calage supplémentaire 76 de forme tubulaire, monté de manière coaxiale autour de la paire d'éléments de calage 71,72 mais à distance, de manière que de l'air 90 les sépare latéralement au moins localement. Cet élément de calage supplémentaire 76 comporte une paroi latérale 76.1 qui se termine par au moins une extrémité ouverte 76.2, cette dernière se trouvant du côté d'une extrémité ouverte de l'élément de calage extérieur 71 de la paire. Cet élément de calage supplémentaire comporte une butée 77 qui fait saillie intérieurement de la paroi latérale 76.1 pour caler l'élément de calage extérieur 71 de la paire d'éléments de calage. On prévoit de plus de munir l'élément de calage supplémentaire 76 d'une bague de guidage 78 qui fait saillie intérieurement de sa paroi latérale 76.1 pour maintenir sensiblement centrée la paire d'éléments de calage 71, 72 dans l'élément de calage supplémentaire 76. To improve the removal effect and the mechanical strength of the packaging object of the invention, the structural elements may also include an additional structural element which is an additional wedging element 76 of tubular shape, mounted coaxially around the pair of wedges 71,72 but remotely, so that air 90 separates them laterally at least locally. This additional wedging element 76 has a side wall 76.1 which ends with at least one open end 76.2, the latter being on the side of an open end of the outer wedging element 71 of the pair. This additional wedging element comprises a stop 77 which projects internally from the side wall 76.1 to wedge the external wedging element 71 of the pair of wedging elements. It is further provided to provide the additional wedging member 76 with a guide ring 78 which projects internally from its side wall 76.1 to maintain substantially centered the pair of wedging elements 71, 72 in the additional wedging element 76.
Dans cet exemple, le premier bouchon de calage 74 s'étend latéralement jusqu'à l'extrémité ouverte 76.2 de l'élément de calage supplémentaire 76. II vient l'obturer.  In this example, the first stopper 74 extends laterally to the open end 76.2 of the additional wedging element 76. It closes it.
Dans l'exemple décrit, l'élément de calage supplémentaire 76 comporte une seconde extrémité ouverte 76.3. On prévoit, en outre, parmi les éléments structurels, un second bouchon de calage 75 qui vient fermer la seconde extrémité ouverte 76.2.  In the example described, the additional wedging element 76 has a second open end 76.3. In addition, among the structural elements, a second stopper 75 is provided which closes the second open end 76.2.
Ces éléments de calage 71, 72, 76 peuvent être extérieurement des cylindres de révolution ou des prismes, mais d'autres formes sont possibles. Dans l'exemple de la figure 4, les éléments de calage sont de plus en plus longs en se déplaçant depuis l'intérieur de l'emballage vers l'extérieur, ce qui permet que la source radioactive soit suffisamment éloignée de tout point quelconque de la surface externe de l'emballage.  These wedging elements 71, 72, 76 may be externally cylinders of revolution or prisms, but other forms are possible. In the example of FIG. 4, the wedging elements are longer and longer as they move from the inside of the package to the outside, which allows the radioactive source to be sufficiently far away from any point in the package. the outer surface of the package.
On peut prévoir, en outre, pour confiner les éléments structurels précédemment décrits 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, encore d'autres éléments structurels additionnels tels une gaine externe 80 configurée comme un pot et un couvercle 81 qui se verrouille sur la gaine externe 80. Les éléments structurels 71, 72, 74, 75, 76 sont logés dans la gaine externe 80 avant de verrouiller le couvercle 81. Cette gaine externe 81 et son couvercle 82 peuvent avoir un rôle de protection des éléments structurels qu'elle loge vis-à-vis de l'environnement extérieur notamment de l'humidité, des frottements, etc.  It is also possible to provide, for confining the structural elements previously described 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, still other additional structural elements such as an outer sheath 80 configured as a pot and a cover 81 which locks on the sheath. external 80. The structural elements 71, 72, 74, 75, 76 are housed in the outer sheath 80 before locking the cover 81. This outer sheath 81 and its cover 82 may have a role of protection of the structural elements that it houses. vis-à-vis the external environment including moisture, friction, etc.
Entre deux éléments de calage consécutifs, il y a une épaisseur d'air 90 qui contribue à l'effet d'éloignement et dont la densité est prise en compte, lors de la détermination de la valeur de la densité moyenne de la partie à effet d'éloignement. Ainsi sur la figure 4, on a représenté par une croix à la surface externe de la structure de protection radiologique, un point quelconque B de mesure du débit d'équivalent de dose. Cette croix est en regard de la cavité 2, au niveau de la portion centrale 5.2 de la partie de blindage 5. Les épaisseurs e, el, e2, définies précédemment, sont matérialisées sur le segment de droite S qui relie la croix au centre de gravité G de la cavité 2. Bien que plusieurs modes de réalisation de la présente invention aient été représentés et décrits de façon détaillée, on comprendra que différents changements et modifications pourront être apportés notamment aux éléments de remplissage contigus et aux éléments structurels sans sortir du cadre de l'invention. Between two consecutive wedging elements, there is an air thickness 90 which contributes to the effect of distance and whose density is taken into account, when determining the value of the average density of the effect part. removal. Thus in Figure 4, there is shown by a cross on the outer surface of the radiological protection structure, any point B measuring the equivalent dose rate. This cross is opposite the cavity 2, at the central portion 5.2 of the shielding portion 5. The thicknesses e, el, e2, defined above, are materialized on the line segment S which connects the cross to the center of gravity G of the cavity 2. Although several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made including contiguous filler elements and structural elements without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Emballage de transport et/ou d'entreposage de matière radioactive (1) comprenant une structure de protection radiologique (4) comportant une partie de blindage (5) vis-à-vis d'un rayonnement émis par la matière radioactive, ayant une surface interne qui délimite une cavité (2) destinée à loger la matière radioactive, caractérisé en ce que la structure de protection radiologique (4) comporte, en outre, une partie à effet d'éloignement (7, 70) de la matière radioactive vis-à-vis de l'extérieur de l'emballage, la partie à effet d'éloignement (7, 70) entourant directement la partie de blindage (5), et ayant une surface externe qui est la surface externe de l'emballage, la structure de protection radiologique (4) possédant une épaisseur e appartenant à un segment de droite (S) reliant un point (B) de la surface externe de l'emballage au centre de gravité (G) de la cavité (2), cette épaisseur e vérifiant, pour tout point (B): e =el+e2 et 0,05 <el/e< 0,25 avec el épaisseur de la partie de blindage (5), e2 épaisseur de la partie à effet d'éloignement (7), les épaisseurs el, e2 appartenant au segment de droite (S), la partie de blindage (5) ayant une densité moyenne supérieure à 8 et la partie à effet d'éloignement ayant une densité moyenne inférieure à 0,5. 1. A transport and / or storage package for radioactive material (1) comprising a radiological protection structure (4) having a shielding portion (5) with respect to radiation emitted by the radioactive material, having an inner surface which delimits a cavity (2) for accommodating the radioactive material, characterized in that the radiological protection structure (4) further comprises an expansive part (7, 70) of the radioactive material with respect to the outside of the package, the expelling portion (7, 70) directly surrounding the shielding portion (5), and having an outer surface which is the outer surface of the package the radiological protection structure (4) having a thickness e belonging to a line segment (S) connecting a point (B) of the outer surface of the package to the center of gravity (G) of the cavity (2), this thickness e satisfying, for every point (B): e = el + e2 and 0.05 <el / e <0.25 with el the thickness of the shielding portion (5), e2 the thickness of the distancing portion (7), the thicknesses e1, e2 belonging to the line segment (S), the shielding portion (5) having a higher average density to 8 and the remote effect portion having an average density of less than 0.5.
2. Emballage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la cavité (4) possède une plus grande dimension (d) qui est inférieure à l'épaisseur e de la structure de protection radiologique (4).  2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein the cavity (4) has a larger dimension (d) which is smaller than the thickness e of the radiological protection structure (4).
3. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, dans lequel la partie de blindage (5) est réalisée à base de plomb, de tungstène ou d'uranium appauvri ou de leurs alliages, sa densité moyenne étant supérieure à 10. 3. Packaging according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the shielding portion (5) is made from lead, tungsten or depleted uranium or their alloys, its average density being greater than 10.
4. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel la densité moyenne de la partie à effet d'éloignement est inférieure à 0,3. 4. Package according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the average density of the part with the effect of removal is less than 0.3.
5. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel la partie de blindage (5) comporte deux demi-coquilles (5.1, 5.2) destinées à être accolées. 5. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shielding portion (5) comprises two half-shells (5.1, 5.2) to be contiguous.
6. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la partie à effet d'éloignement (7) est réalisée à partir d'éléments de remplissage contigus dont la densité est inférieure à 0,5. 6. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the remote effect part (7) is made from contiguous filling elements whose density is less than 0.5.
7. Emballage selon la revendication 6, dans lequel un ou plusieurs de ces éléments de remplissage sont réalisés dans un matériau dont la densité est inférieure à 0,5 comme le bois, la mousse de polyuréthane, la mousse phénolique ou bien un ou plusieurs de ces éléments de remplissage sont réalisés dans un matériau dont la densité est susceptible d'être supérieure à 0,5, comme l'aluminium ou le carton, ces éléments de remplissage ayant une structure alvéolaire de type nid d'abeille ou de type carton ondulé. A package according to claim 6, wherein one or more of these filler elements are made of a material whose density is less than 0.5 such as wood, polyurethane foam, phenolic foam or one or more of these filling elements are made of a material whose density is likely to be greater than 0.5, such as aluminum or cardboard, these filling elements having a honeycomb or corrugated cardboard type honeycomb structure .
8. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 6 ou 7, dans lequel les éléments de remplissage comportent un élément creux (7.1) destiné à loger la partie de blindage (5) et un bouchon de calage (7.2) destiné à obturer une partie de l'élément creux (7.1). 8. Package according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the filling elements comprise a hollow member (7.1) for accommodating the shielding portion (5) and a plug (7.2) for closing a portion of the hollow element (7.1).
9. Emballage selon la revendication 8, dans lequel l'élément creux (7.1) est doublé extérieurement d'une gaine externe (7.3) et le bouchon de calage (7.2) est doublé extérieurement d'un couvercle (7.4) qui se verrouille sur la gaine externe, cette gaine externe et ce couvercle faisant partie des éléments de la partie à effet d'éloignement. 9. Package according to claim 8, wherein the hollow element (7.1) is doubled externally of an outer sheath (7.3) and the stopper (7.2) is lined externally with a cover (7.4) which locks on the outer sheath, this outer sheath and this cover forming part of the elements of the part with the effect of removal.
10. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la partie à effet d'éloignement comprend des éléments structurels (71, 72, 74, 75) et de l'air (90). 10. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the remote effect part comprises structural elements (71, 72, 74, 75) and air (90).
11. Emballage selon la revendication 10, dans lequel l'air (90) représente au moins 70% du volume global de la partie à effet d'éloignement. The package of claim 10, wherein the air (90) is at least 70% of the overall volume of the distancing effect portion.
12. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 10 ou 11, dans lequel les éléments structurels sont réalisés à base de polyéthylène, en particulier de polyéthylène haute densité. 12. Packaging according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the structural elements are made of polyethylene, especially high density polyethylene.
13. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 10 à 12, dans lequel les éléments structurels comportent une paire d'éléments de calage (71, 72) de la partie de blindage (5) avec un élément de calage intérieur (72) et un élément de calage extérieur (71) montés l'un dans l'autre et séparés par de l'air (90). Packaging according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the structural elements comprise a pair of wedging elements (71, 72) of the shielding part (5) with an internal locking element (72) and a external wedging element (71) mounted in one another and separated by air (90).
14. Emballage selon la revendication 13 lorsqu'elle dépend de la revendication 5, dans lequel l'élément de calage extérieur (71) comporte une paroi latérale (71.1) et une butée (73) qui fait saillie intérieurement depuis la paroi latérale (71.1) pour caler la portion centrale (5.11) de la partie de blindage (5) tout en aménageant une épaisseur d'air (90) entre la paroi latérale (71.1) de l'élément de calage extérieur (71) et la partie de blindage (5). A package according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the outer wedging element (71) has a side wall (71.1) and a stop (73) projecting internally from the side wall (71.1). ) for wedging the central portion (5.11) of the shield portion (5) while providing an air thickness (90) between the side wall (71.1) of the outer wedging member (71) and the shielding portion (5).
15. Emballage selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'élément de calage intérieur (72) vient en appui sur la partie de blindage (5) lorsque cette dernière est en butée contre la butée (73) de l'élément de calage extérieur (71). 15. Packaging according to claim 14, wherein the inner wedging element (72) abuts on the shielding part (5) when the latter is in abutment with the stop (73) of the external wedging element ( 71).
16. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 10 à 15, dans lequel les éléments structurels incluent, en outre, un élément de calage supplémentaire (76) monté autour de la paire d'éléments de calage (71, 72) avec une paroi latérale (76.1) et une butée (77) qui fait saillie intérieurement de la paroi latérale (76.1) pour caler l'élément de calage extérieur (71) de la paire d'éléments de calage (71, 72). The package according to one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the structural members further include an additional wedging member (76) mounted around the pair of wedging members (71, 72) with a side wall. (76.1) and a stop (77) projecting internally from the side wall (76.1) to wedge the outer wedging element (71) of the pair of wedging members (71, 72).
17. Emballage selon la revendication 16, dans lequel l'élément de calage supplémentaire (76) comporte en outre une bague de guidage (78) qui fait saillie intérieurement de sa paroi latérale (76.1) pour maintenir sensiblement centrée la paire d'éléments de calage (71, 72) dans l'élément de calage supplémentaire (76). The package of claim 16, wherein the additional wedging member (76) further includes a protruding guide ring (78). internally of its sidewall (76.1) to maintain substantially centered the pair of wedging members (71, 72) in the additional wedging member (76).
18. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 10 à 17, dans lequel les éléments structurels comportent, en outre, un bouchon de calage (74) pour caler les éléments de calage (71, 72) de la paire l'un par rapport à l'autre au niveau de l'une de leurs extrémités. 18. Packaging according to one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the structural elements further comprise a wedging plug (74) for wedging the wedging elements (71, 72) of the pair relative to each other. the other at one of their extremities.
19. Emballage selon la revendication 18, dans lequel le bouchon de calage (74) s'étend jusqu'à l'élément de calage supplémentaire (76) pour le caler par rapport à la paire d'éléments de calage (71, 72). The package of claim 18, wherein the wedge plug (74) extends to the additional wedge member (76) to wedge it to the pair of wedging members (71, 72). .
EP13731810.1A 2012-06-28 2013-06-27 Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive material Active EP2867901B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1256189A FR2992767B1 (en) 2012-06-28 2012-06-28 PACKAGING OF TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
PCT/EP2013/063492 WO2014001443A1 (en) 2012-06-28 2013-06-27 Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive material

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2867901A1 true EP2867901A1 (en) 2015-05-06
EP2867901B1 EP2867901B1 (en) 2016-08-24

Family

ID=47022790

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13731810.1A Active EP2867901B1 (en) 2012-06-28 2013-06-27 Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive material

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US9281090B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2867901B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6195919B2 (en)
AU (1) AU2013283297B2 (en)
CA (2) CA2877663C (en)
FR (1) FR2992767B1 (en)
PL (1) PL2867901T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2014001443A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201409235B (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2992767B1 (en) * 2012-06-28 2014-08-08 Tn Int PACKAGING OF TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
EP3062313B2 (en) * 2015-02-26 2024-03-06 GNS Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service mbH Container for storing radioactive inventory and method for producing the container
DE102016120375B3 (en) * 2016-10-25 2017-12-28 Vega Grieshaber Kg Radiation protection container for shielding a radiation source
JP6710384B2 (en) * 2017-05-18 2020-06-17 株式会社アトックス Radiation source container
WO2019100807A1 (en) * 2017-11-21 2019-05-31 西安大医集团有限公司 A source guide device and system
FR3109241B1 (en) * 2020-04-09 2022-03-18 Tn Int Modular device for the axial wedging of a radioactive content

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR508043A (en) * 1919-12-09 1920-09-29 Thomas Nogier Protective case device for transporting radium tubes
US2912591A (en) 1955-08-31 1959-11-10 Radium Emanation Corp Radiation protection device
GB1135496A (en) * 1966-11-29 1968-12-04 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Improvements in or relating to transport containers for radioactive material
US3549888A (en) * 1968-04-12 1970-12-22 Us Health Education & Welfare Interlocked radium shipping container
US3588031A (en) 1969-01-24 1971-06-28 Gen Electric Internally shielded teletherapy source
US3754141A (en) * 1972-07-12 1973-08-21 Atomic Energy Commission Shipping and storage container for high power density radioactive materials
US4190160A (en) * 1979-03-06 1980-02-26 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Accident resistant transport container
US4935943A (en) * 1984-08-30 1990-06-19 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Corrosion resistant storage container for radioactive material
US5442186A (en) 1993-12-07 1995-08-15 Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc. Radioactive source re-encapsulation including scored outer jacket
JP3540497B2 (en) * 1995-04-20 2004-07-07 日本メジフィジックス株式会社 Method of manufacturing shielding member for radioactive material
US7276715B2 (en) 2004-04-05 2007-10-02 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Method and apparatus for safely handling radioactive sources
JP4463611B2 (en) * 2004-04-26 2010-05-19 富士フイルムＲｉファーマ株式会社 Chemical container
EP2544187A3 (en) * 2005-07-27 2013-09-04 Mallinckrodt LLC Radiation-shielding assemblies and methods of using the same
JP2008076270A (en) * 2006-09-22 2008-04-03 Kobe Steel Ltd Transport-cum-storage cask for radioactive material
FR2906638B1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-12-19 Lemer Prot Anti X Par Abrevati NEW ARMORED CONTAINER STRUCTURE FOR TRANSPORTING AND STORING A RADIOACTIVE SOURCE FOR MEDICAL USE
JP3132209U (en) * 2006-11-01 2007-06-07 株式会社チュートク Transport and storage container for radiation source
US8550283B2 (en) * 2010-08-06 2013-10-08 Uchicago Argonne, Llc Lid actuation system for shielded cask
FR2992767B1 (en) * 2012-06-28 2014-08-08 Tn Int PACKAGING OF TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2014001443A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2867901B1 (en) 2016-08-24
JP6195919B2 (en) 2017-09-13
ZA201409235B (en) 2015-12-23
WO2014001443A1 (en) 2014-01-03
FR2992767B1 (en) 2014-08-08
CA2877663C (en) 2019-09-24
US20150170774A1 (en) 2015-06-18
PL2867901T3 (en) 2017-02-28
AU2013283297B2 (en) 2017-07-06
FR2992767A1 (en) 2014-01-03
CA2916434A1 (en) 2014-12-31
CA2916434C (en) 2019-06-25
CA2877663A1 (en) 2014-01-03
JP2015528107A (en) 2015-09-24
AU2013283297A1 (en) 2015-01-22
US9281090B2 (en) 2016-03-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2867901B1 (en) Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive material
CA2664897C (en) Novel shielded container structure for the transport and storage of a radioactive source for medical use
EP2699481B1 (en) Isothermal packaging device for heat-sensitive products
FR2890052A1 (en) REMOVABLE RACK BRACKET
FR2914104A1 (en) PACKAGING FOR THE TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS COMPRISING A COLD LEAD RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION ON A METALLIC FRAME
FR2909216A1 (en) STORAGE DEVICE FOR STORING AND / OR TRANSPORTING NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLIES
EP2673028B1 (en) Radiation protection device for a syringe
EP1257482B1 (en) High energy shock absorbing wall structure and container using same
EP1576621B1 (en) Container for the storage/transport of unirradiated radioactive materials such as nuclear fuel assemblies
FR3134222A1 (en) PACKAGE INCLUDING PACKAGING FOR THE TRANSPORT AND/OR STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE CONTENT, AND INCLUDING AN INTERNAL DAMPING SYSTEM WITH REDUCED SIZE
FR2959986A1 (en) PALLET FOR SUPPORTING FUTS OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
FR2963171A1 (en) DEVICE FOR AMPLIFYING A LASER BEAM FOR REMOVING TRANSVERSE LASTING
FR3121265A1 (en) UNIT FOR THE TRANSPORT OF URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE
EP3954621B1 (en) Packaging and collision protection device and method for manufacturing same
EP1637830A1 (en) Device for the confinement of a plurality of explosive objects
FR3121264A1 (en) SET FOR THE TRANSPORT OF URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE, INCLUDING SHOCK ABSORBING COVERS
WO2023247297A1 (en) Container having a reinforced structure
FR2763922A1 (en) TRUNK, CONTAINER AND TRANSPORT CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE AND / OR VALUABLE OBJECTS
FR3096253A1 (en) Storage device for guidewire
EP3743928A1 (en) Storage basket for radioactive materials, having an optimised space requirement and housings with more accurate geometry
FR3074954A1 (en) STORAGE BASKET FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORTATION OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
FR2785257A1 (en) SEMICONDUCTOR WAFER BOX
EP3816065A1 (en) Packaging for a watch
WO2020070431A1 (en) Thermally-insulating transport box system that can be delivered as a kit
FR3076058A1 (en) ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PACKAGING FOR TRANSPORTING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS AND MEANS FOR SAFEGUARDING THE PACKAGING IN RELATION TO A BASIC PLATFORM

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20141229

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20160307

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 823706

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20160915

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602013010645

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20160824

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 823706

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20160824

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NO

Ref legal event code: T2

Effective date: 20160824

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161125

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161226

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602013010645

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161124

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 5

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20170526

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602013010645

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170630

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170627

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170630

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180103

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170627

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20170630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20130627

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160824

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20161224

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Payment date: 20230629

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230628

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Payment date: 20230523

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20230627

Year of fee payment: 11