GB1234015A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,234,015. Transport flask. COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE. 10 Feb., 1970. [10 Feb., 1969], No. 6324/70. Heading B4Q. The loading end of a cylindrical flask 10 (having a horizontal axis as viewed in Fig. 2) includes a cylindrical housing 16 having a vertical axis for receiving a barrel 49 rotatable on a central ball bearing 50. A duct 14 extending along the axis of the flask 10 receives a container 34 for radio-active articles, the space 20 being filled with lead. The barrel 49 has a central passage 53, whereby when the barrel is rotated through 90 degrees from the position shown after a plug 24 is removed, the container 34 may be transferred between the duct 14 and the flask exterior. When the plug 24 is in position it engages a recess 54 in the barrel to prevent its rotation. The barrel 49 is retained in the housing 16 by a key 58 having flanges 70, 70<SP>1</SP> co-operating with slideways 72, 72<SP>1</SP> formed in the flask. The flat inner surface 60 of the key has a cylindrical extension 62 of a diameter equal to that of the barrel 49 and the depth of the flanges 70, 70<SP>1</SP>, as viewed in Fig. 2, is less than that of the slideways 72, 72<SP>1</SP> by an amount at least equal to the height of the cylindrical extension. Thus, the key 58 may be slid horizontally into position whereupon the extension 62 drops into the housing 16. Blocks 74 (only one shown) are then slid into the clearances and secured to the flask, whereby the key is locked in position. The key 58 includes a socket 64 receiving a shaft 67 engaging a square hole 66 in the barrel so that the latter may be rotated by a handle 52 coupled to the shaft. The construction avoids the use of screws or pins to retain the key 58 which are likely to break in the event of the flask being dropped.