FR2646832A1 - Improvement to containers for storing and transporting waste - Google Patents

Abstract

This container consists of an enclosure 1 provided with a closure cover 6 shutting off an upper opening 5. This closure cover 6 can be manoeuvred using a foot control device such as a pedal 14. According to the invention, the container includes means providing, by control from the pedal 14, firstly a vertical translation of the closure cover 6 and then its lateral retraction to free the upper opening 5. It also includes means which, when the pedal 14 is released, first allow the closure cover to be recentred above the opening 5 and then allow its vertical translation, downwards, to shut off the said opening 5. These means consist of a control rod 19 associated with a set of cams 23, 24 and of limit stops 25, 26. This container, made of lead, is particularly suitable for the storage of radioactive waste.

Description

 The present invention relates to the field of storage and transport of waste of all types and in particular of radioactive waste; it relates more particularly to a container intended for the confinement of this type of waste, the container container is provided with a cover operable by a pedal control device.

 There are trash cans or containers comprising a cover or cover, the opening of which is controlled by foot by means of a pedal release of said pedal ensuring the closing of the cover.

 In known systems, the cover is articulated around a horizontal axis and the actuation of the pedal controls its pivoting around this axis.

 The present invention relates to a container provided with an original system for opening the lid or cover.

 This container, intended for the storage and transport of waste, is of the type constituted by an enclosure provided with a cover obstructing an upper opening; this cover is operable by a control device such as a plain pedal.

According to the invention, this container comprises means ensuring, by the control of said pedal, first of all a vertical translation of said cover and then its lateral retraction to release the upper opening of the enclosure.

 I1 also comprises means which allow, when the control pedal is released, first of all to re-center the cover above the upper opening and then its vertical translation downward, to close said opening.

 An opening and closing system of this type allows the cover to be released easily and completely.

 Still according to the invention, the means ensuring the movement of the cover consist of an axis or control rod, movable vertically along the enclosure under the action of the pedal. This movable axis is provided, at its upper extremist, with a substantially horizontal arm integral with said cover; it also includes means which ensure its guiding in translation and then its pivoting to release the upper opening when the said pedal is actuated, and vice versa when it is released.

 According to a particular arrangement, the pivoting of the vertical axis is obtained by a translation combined with a rotation, imparting a helical movement to said axis.

 Still according to the invention, the means which provide translational guidance and pivoting of the vertical axis consist of a cam system cooperating with one or more stops.

 According to a particular embodiment, these means consist of two fixed cams in the form of cylinders, ensuring the vertical guiding of the movable axis and arranged substantially at the upper and lower ends of the enclosure. These two fixed cams cooperate respectively with two movable stops integral with said axis and which move between said cams.

 According to another arrangement of the invention, the lower fixed cam is in the form of a truncated cylinder provided with a cut-out at right angles so as to present a movable stop with which it cooperates, a horizontal surface, a vertical guide surface and an inclined plane of recentering.

The movable stopper qci cooperates with the lower fixed cam advantageously has a shape complementary to the latter.

 According to another arrangement of the invention, the upper fixed cam is in the form of a truncated cylinder whose inclined plane is used for pivoting and is angularly offset relative to the movable stop with which it cooperates. This angular offset is produced according to the pivoting of the vertical axis and of the cover that it is desired to obtain.

 According to a particular embodiment, the movable stop which cooperates with the upper fixed cam is in the form of a truncated cylinder whose inclined plane is offset by 45 relative to the inclined plane of said fixed cam.

 According to another arrangement of the invention, the control pedal is associated with a lever articulated under the enclosure of the container, around a horizontal axis. Advantageously, this lever actuates the vertical axis by means of an adjustable strap.

 According to another arrangement of the invention, the enclosure, in the form of a cylindrical barrel, is made in.

lead. This was made up of a cover itself fitted with a cover, also made of lead; it contains an internal tank intended for the storage of waste. This embodiment is particularly suitable for the storage of radioactive waste. The opening system according to the invention makes it possible to easily lift the heavy lead seal and this without great mechanical constraints and physical efforts. It also makes it possible to completely release the cover and to preserve complete manual freedom for the delicate handling of this type of product.

 Advantageously, the container barrel consists of a lead ferrule whose vertical slot, corresponding to the ends of said sheet, is located in front of the control rod and is masked by this rod.

 kill the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of example and represented in the accompanying drawings in which = - Figure 1 is a perspective view of container according to the invention, with its retractable cover - Figure 2 is a sectional view of the container, closed cover, showing the pedal and the control mechanism of the cover.

 The container shown in Figures 1 and 2 is intended for the containment of radioactive waste, for example from nuclear medicine laboratories, in order to protect the environment before removal.

 In order to protect operators from the radiation emitted by the waste in the container, the latter is made up of an enclosure 1 in the form of an armored cylindrical barrel, made of lead. This was 1 consists of a bottom 2 and a cylindrical wall 3; its upper part is closed off by a cover 4 which can be manipulated by hand for emptying the container; this cover has a central orifice 5 closed by a circular cover 6.

As described below, the cover 6 is intended to be operated by a control device operable at the foot, by hand or at the knee; this device
control comprises means ensuring a vertical translation of the cover and then its lateral retraction to release the upper opening of the barrel. These means allow
also refocusing of the cover above the opening
upper and then its vertical translation down,
to close said opening.

The cover 4 and the cover 6 are also
made of lead; they can have a thickness of 10 mm,
like the walls 2 and 3 of the barrel 1. The circular border of
the cover 6 is biased to correspond to the belt
circular of the upper hole 5 and allow its maintenance
in place on the cover 4.

These two elements 4 and 6 for closing the barrel 1 can be coated with a thin layer of polyester coating 7
ensuring a certain seal between the cover 4 and
cover 6 and making it possible to provide a peripheral border 8
on the periphery of the cover 4, which border 8 improves the positioning and the centering of the cover on the barrel.

The polyester coating 7 also improves the visual appearance of the assembly, in combination with a possible peripheral skirt 9 shown in thin mixed sections, FIGS. 1 and
2, and intended to completely cover the barrel 1 and the
opening and closing control device
cover 6.

The cover 4 is simply placed on the border
top of barrel 1; a seal 10 ensures the seal between
the two elements.

The inside of barrel 1 is provided with a bag or, as
shows in the figures, a cylindrical tank 11 in
polyester resin. This tank is used for receiving waste
introduced through the upper opening 5.

The barrel 1, thus equipped, is mounted on a plate
c steel 12 fitted with rollers 13 ensuring its mobility.

 The barrel is loaded by swaging the orifice 5 by retracting the cover 6. The change of the bag or the internal tank 11 is obtained by removing the main cover 4. For this purpose, the cover 6 can be completely erased laterally by an additional manual operation so as to clear the entire top of the container. The removal of the cover 4 allows access to the interior of the barrel 1 and the evacuation of the content.

 To facilitate the retraction of the cover 6, the latter is operable by a pedal control device 14. The pedal 14 is mounted on a lever 15 articulated under the barrel 1, around a horizontal axis 16. A yoke 17, mounted on the bottom 2 by means of a nut 18 ensures this articulation.

 The end of the lever 15 opposite the pedal 14 actuates a vertical axis 19 constituted by a cylindrical stainless steel rod, by means of a clamp 20. Advantageously, the clamp 20 is adjustable in height by a non-screw system. represented.

 The axis 19, guided vertically, along the barrel 1 by means of the clamp 20 controlled by the pedal 14 is provided, at its upper end, with a substantially horizontal arm 21, integral with the cover 6 by means of a set of screws 22. The arm 21 is secured to the axis 19 for example by welding.

 The vertical guidance of the axis 19 is achieved by means of two fixed guides, one below. 23, the other upper 24 in the form of cylindrical stainless steel sockets, integral with a vertical extension of the lower steel plate 12.

 These fixed cylindrical guides 23 and 24 are shaped to serve as cams and allow, in association with movable stops 25 and 26 integral with the axis 19, a vertical translation of the cover 6 then its lateral pivoting so as to release the upper-opening 5 when the pedal 14 is actuated, and vice versa, when it is released.

 Indeed, as can be seen in Figure 2, a vertical translational movement of the axis 19 achieves the lifting of the cover 6; a subsequent rotation of the axis 19 on lul-meme realizes the retraction and the release of said cover.

 The lower fixed cam 23 is in the form of a truncated cylinder provided with a square cutout. It thus has, as a result, a horizontal surface 27, a vertical surface 28 and an inclined plane 29. The movable stop 25, intended to cooperate with the fixed cam 23 is in the form of a cylinder fitted on the axis 19 and secured to the latter by means of a pin 30. The stop 25 has a shape complementary to the lower cam 23 and therefore comprises, as a result, a horizontal surface 31, a vertical surface 32 and an inclined plane 33. In the rest position , closed seal, the different surfaces 27, 28, 29 and 31, 32, 33 are respectively practiouement in correspondence with each other, substantially in the same plane.

 The upper fixed cam 24 is in the form of a truncated cylinder whose inclined plane 34 is arranged opposite the inclined plane 35 of the movable stop 26 with which it cooperates. This stop 26 is also in the form of a truncated cylinder, it is secured to the axis 19 by means of a pin 36.

 The planes 34 and 35 are inclined at an angle close to 45 relative to the horizontal; in the rest position, with the lid closed, they are angularly offset relative to each other by an angle also close to 45 ". In this rest position, the distance separating the two inclined planes 34 and 35 is greater than the height a vertical surfaces 28 and 32, which height a is slightly greater than the thickness b for embedding the cover 6 in the cover 4.

 In operation, when the pedal 14 is actuated downwards, the clamp 20 pushes the axis 19 upwards. The vertical surface 32 of the movable stop 25 gives, by contact with the vertical surface 28, a simple translational movement to said axis 19. This simple translational movement is transmitted to the cover 6 which lifts vertically in line with the opening 5. This simple vertical translational movement takes place at least over the height a, which is greater than the embedding b of the cover 6 in the cover 4. This translational movement allows the undercut of said cover 6 and the passage from its lower level above the upper level of the cover 4.

 Once this embedding has been carried out, the inclined plane 35 of the movable stop 26 comes into contact with the inclined plane 34 of the fixed cam 24. The simple translation movement of the vertical axis 19 is then combined with a movement of. rotation linked to the angular offset between the two inclined planes 34 and 35. This translation combined with the rotation confers a helical movement on the axis 19, which causes the cover 6 on the side of the upper opening 5 so as to achieve its lateral retraction. This retraction 'stops when the two inclined planes 34 and 35 come into correspondence. The stop 26 then prevents the continuation of the upward movement of the axis 19. In this open position, the arm 21 supporting the cover 6 has moved 45 "relative to its rest position, cover 6 closed This pivoting corresponds to the angular offset of the inclined planes 34 and 35 in the rest position.

 In this position where the pedal 14 is pressed down, the upper opening 5 is completely cleared and the waste can be introduced into the barrel 1 and more particularly the tank li.

 When the pedal 14 is released, the weight of the entire mechanism ensures the descent of the vertical axis 19. The latter undergoes a simple translational movement downwards until the stop formed by the horizontal surfaces 32 and vertical 33 of the movable stop 25, comes into contact with the inclined plane 29 of the lower fixed cam 23.

Given the retraction of the cover 6, this edge is angularly offset by about 45 relative to the plane of the inclined surface 29 and the continuation of the downward movement of the axis 19 will generate a rotation of said axis to center the operculum above the opening 5 by a helicoidal movement. When this refocusing is carried out, the two vertical surfaces 28 and 33 are located in the same plane, one above the other and the rod 19 can continue its descent by a simple translational movement to embed the cover 6 in the. upper cover 4 and close the barrel.

 Given the nature of the drums, cover and lid, made of lead, this container is particularly suitable for the containment of radioactive products.

 In order to facilitate the shaping of the barrel 1, it is made by forming a lead sheet. As can be seen in Figure 2, the ferrule thus produced has a vertical slot 37 which corresponds to the two ends of the lead sheet rolled into a ferrule, the slot 37 is arranged in the axis of the control rod 19 and it is hidden by this rod to provide protection against radiation. This embodiment of the barrel saves time during assembly and in particular makes it possible to avoid assembling the ends of the lead sheet by a more costly welding or riveting operation.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiment which has only been described by way of example, but it also covers the embodiments which would differ from it only in details, in variant embodiments. or by the use of equivalent means.

 Thus, for example, other embodiments are possible for fixed cams 23 and 24 and movable stops 25 and 26, in order to obtain on the one hand the translation and on the other hand the retraction of the sealing cap of the barrel.

 The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims are for the sole purpose of facilitating the understanding of the latter and in no way limit their scope

Claims (15)

- CLAIMS  1.- Container for storage and transport of waste, consisting of an enclosure (1) provided with a cover (6) obstructing an upper opening (5), which cover (6) is operable by a device for controlling the pedal type (14), characterized in that it comprises means ensuring, by controlling said pedal (14), first of all a vertical translation of said cover (6) and then its lateral retraction in order to engage said upper opening (5).  2.- container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means ensuring, during the release of the control pedal (14), first of all the refocusing of the cover (6) above the 'upper opening (5) of the enclosure (1), and then its vertical translation downward, so as to close said upper opening (5).  3.- container according to claim 2, characterized in that the means ensuring the movement of the cover (6) consist of an axis (19) movable vertically along the enclosure (1), under the action of the control pedal (14), and provided at its upper extremist with a substantially horizontal arm (21) integral with said cover (6), which axis (19) comprises means ensuring its guiding in translation then its pivoting to release the cover (6) of the upper opening (5) when the said pedal (14) is actuated and vice versa when it is released.  4.- container according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivoting of the vertical axis (19) is obtained by a translation combined with a rotational movement, imparting a helical movement to said axis (19).  5. Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the means ensuring the guiding in translation and the pivoting of the vertical axis (19) consist of a cam system cooperating with one or more stops.  6.- container according to claim 5, characterized in that the means ensuring the guiding in translation and the pivoting of the vertical axis (19) consist of two fixed cams (23, 24) in the form of cylinders, ensuring the vertical guiding of the axis (19), which cams are arranged substantially at the upper and lower ends of the enclosure (1) and cooperate respectively with two movable stops (25, 26) integral with said axis (19) and which move between said cams fixed.  7. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower fixed cam (23) is in the form of a truncated cylinder provided with a square cutout to cooperate with a movable stop (25) and present a horizontal surface to the latter. (27), a vertical guide surface (28) and an inclined recentering plane (29).  8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that the movable stop (25) cooperating with the lower fixed cam (23) has a shape complementary to the latter.  9. Container according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the upper fixed cam (24) is in the form of a truncated cylinder whose inclined plane (34) is used for pivoting and is angularly offset relative to a mobile stop (26) with which it cooperates, according to the pivoting of the vertical axis and of the cover (6) to be obtained.  10.- Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the movable stop (26) cooperating with the upper fixed cam (24) is in the form of a truncated cylinder whose inclined plane (35) is offset by 45 "relative to the plane inclines (34) of said fixed cam (24).  11. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cover (6) closes an upper opening (5) made in the cover (4) of the enclosure (1).  12.- container according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the control pedal (14) is associated with a lever (15) articulated under the enclosure (1) of the container around a horizontal axis. (16), which lever (15) actuates the vertical axis (19) by means of an adjustable strap (20).  13. Container for storage and transport of waste and in particular of radioactive waste, according to any one of claims 1- to 12, characterized in that it consists of an enclosure in the form of a barrel (1) of lead provided a cover (4) and a cover (6) also made of lead and comprising an internal tank (11) for the storage of waste.  14.- container according to claim 13, characterized in that the barrel (;) consists of a lead ferrule whose vertical slot corresponding to the ends of the sheet, is located in front of the operating rod (19) and is hidden by this rod.  15.- container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a peripheral covering in the form of a skirt (9).