GB919643A - Improvements in and relating to containers for radio active isotopes - Google Patents

Abstract

919,643. Containers for radio-active material. PONTET, H. C. July 25, 1960 [July 28, 1959], No. 25878/59. Class 98 (1). A container for radio-active material comprises two interengageable lead-lined casings, one being rotatable and adapted to contain the said material, the other being slidable, such that when in interengagement, the two form a completely surrounding shield for the material, and lever and cam means for sliding away the one casing and rotating the other so as to expose the material for use. In the form shown, the two casings are hollow containers 6, 9, having respective lead linings 7, 10. The radioactive material is placed in a container 22 mounted at the end of a plug 21 which can be inserted into the upper casing 9 through a bore 20. The upper casing can pivot on trunnions 13, and is conveniently swung thereon by a handle 15. The lower casing 6 is mounted on a plate 3 which is supported on telescoping tubes 4, 5 housing coil springs, so that casing 6 can move up and down. The mating surfaces of the upper and lower casings are generally convex and concave respectively, and are formed with a series of concentric steps 11, 12. When the casings are in the closed position, as shown, these two series of steps are urged into close contact by the spring action of the telescopic tubes 4, 5 on casing 6, the lead linings forming a substantial shield completely enclosing the radio-active material. When a pull is applied to handle 15, a cam and roller arrangement (Fig. 2, not shown) first causes casing 6 to be pushed downwards until it is clear of the upper casing, and then casing 9 is swung through 90 degrees, thus bringing the container 22 into an outward-facing operative position. After use, these operations are reversed by pulling the handle the other way. A cross-bar 26 on the handle 15 prevents the radio-active material from being removable when the container is in the closed position. It may be locked in this position by a latch bolt, operated from a key-lock 28, which prevents lower casing 6 from moving downwards.