WO2023089277A1 - Transport device with radial clamping - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for transporting at least one container containing radioactive products, having: an external casing (12) and a device (14) for supporting the container which is arranged inside the external casing (12), wherein the support device (14) has means for positioning it in the external casing (12) and means (18) for cooperating with the at least one container, characterized in that the support device (14) has at least three clamping members (20) which are movable simultaneously along a radial direction with respect to a main axis (A) of the support device (14).

Description

Description

Title: Radial clamping transport device

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a transport device for packaging radioactive materials which is suitable for receiving containers whose dimensions may vary.

PRIOR ART

The transport of class 7 radioactive materials and small quantities is essentially carried out for the transport of samples for analysis purposes or for the transport of radioactive materials for medical purposes (e.g. scintigraphy, etc.).

This transport of class 7 packages is subject to numerous rules, including the absence of a notable increase in the dose equivalent rate around the package of more than 20% compared to the initial measurement at the end of the tests representative of normal transport conditions. The increase in dose equivalent rate may be due either to a reduction in shielding or to movement of the source inside the package.

Several methods exist, with results often not conforming to what would be desired. Indeed, in general, the transported container is not sufficiently immobilized inside the package.

Among the existing methods, mention may be made of the use of foams which are cut to the size of the primary packaging so that each foam is only suitable for receiving a single type of container; wedging particles (also called wedging chips) which fill the volume between the container of radioactive material and the outer packaging (migration of the source remains possible with transport vibrations, several transport events have already been declared to the authorities ); bubble wrap which can burst during transport, especially by plane or absorbent sheets which are necessary in large quantities. These wedging means have a drawback in common that they are generally disposable. The object of the invention is to propose a device for transporting one or more containers containing radioactive material which makes it possible to ensure positioning and immobilization of the containers inside the packaging. This transport device is also suitable for packaging containers that may have multiple sizes and is reusable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for transporting at least one container capable of containing radioactive products comprising:

- outer packaging and

- a support device for said container which is arranged inside the outer packaging, in which the support device comprises means for its positioning in the outer packaging and means intended to cooperate with said at least one container, characterized in that the support device comprises at least three clamping members which are movable simultaneously in a radial direction with respect to a main axis of the support device.

Preferably, each clamping member comprises a bearing face which faces the main axis of the support device, which is inclined downwards and with respect to said main axis of the support device.

Preferably, the bearing face of each clamping member is covered by a layer of a material limiting slippage.

Preferably, the support device comprises a lower plate which cooperates with the packaging for positioning the support device in the packaging and which carries a system for guiding each clamping member in translation.

Preferably, the support device comprises a rotatable disc which is rotatable relative to the lower plate and which cooperates with the clamping members for the simultaneous driving of the clamping members. Preferably, the rotary disc comprises a helical rib which cooperates with each clamping member.

Preferably, the rotating disc has indentations formed on its peripheral edge.

Preferably, the transport device comprises several support devices arranged in the same outer packaging, each support device of which is associated with a container, and the support devices are connected to each other by their lower plates.

Preferably, the transport device comprises locking keys which cooperate with the lower plates of the support devices to fix them to each other.

Preferably, the transport device comprises vertical bars which extend vertically upwards and which are carried by the lower plates.

Preferably, the transport device comprises two grids connected to two vertical end bars and a vertical retaining net which is attached to the grids.

Preferably, each component of the support device is produced by printing in three dimensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[Fig. 1] is a schematic representation in perspective of a transport device intended to transport a plurality of vials containing radioactive products.

[Fig. 2] is a schematic representation of a chuck shown in Figure 1, which is associated with a bottle.

[Fig. 3] is an exploded schematic representation of the various components of the chuck shown in Figure 2.

[Fig. 4] is a bottom view of the transport device represented in FIG. 1, showing the connection between the adjacent support plates. [Fig. 5] is a view similar to that of Figure 4, showing in detail the housings receiving the locking keys.

[Fig. 6] is a view similar to that of Figure 1, showing the vertical bars and the stiffening rods.

[Fig. 7] is a view similar to that of Figure 6, additionally showing the grids and retaining nets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There is shown in Figure 1 a transport device 10 for packaging and transporting a plurality of containers containing radioactive products.

The transport device 10 comprises an outer packaging 12 and a support device 14 associated with each container to be transported, which is arranged in the outer packaging 12.

Here, the transport device 10 is suitable for transporting six containers, it thus comprises six support devices 14. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to this number of containers to be transported and that it may comprise a different number of support devices 14.

The purpose of each support device 14 is to achieve the positioning of the container that it is intended to receive and to achieve the maintenance in position of the container relative to the outer packaging 12.

For this, the support device 14 comprises a lower plate 16 through which the support device 14 is positioned in the outer packaging 12 and a radial clamping mandrel 18 which performs the positioning and maintenance of the container relative to the lower plate 16 and therefore relative to the outer packaging 12.

CLAMPING CHUCK

As can be seen in more detail in Figures 2 and 3, the radial chuck 18 has a main axis A which is here oriented vertically according to gravity earthly. The radial clamping mandrel 18 also comprises a plurality of clamping members 20, which will be referred to below as jaws, and which here are three in number.

The clamping jaws 20 are movable relative to the lower plate 16 in a radial direction relative to the main axis A.

The radial displacement of the clamping jaws 20 is obtained by their cooperation with a rotating disc 22 and a guide system 24 in radial displacement.

The rotating disc 22 is rotatable around the main axis A with respect to the lower plate 16.

To this end, with reference to Figure 3, the lower plate 16 has a cylindrical boss 26 coaxial with the main axis A and the rotary disc 22 has a circular central orifice 28 in which the cylindrical boss 26 is received, which is same diameter as the cylindrical boss 26.

Alternatively, the circular central orifice is formed in the lower plate 16 and the boss is carried by the rotating disc 22.

The rotary disc 22 has an upper face 30 on which the clamping jaws 20 are arranged. This upper face 30 comprises at least one helical rib 32 centered on the main axis A.

Each clamping jaw 20 has a lower base 34 which cooperates with the rotating disc 22. The base 34 has notches 36 which receive the helical rib 32.

The shape of each notch 36 consists of a helix arc complementary to the helical rib 32.

The clamping jaws 20 being angularly offset from each other around the main axis A, the arrangement of the notches 36 of the base 34 of each clamping jaw 20, taken radially with respect to the main axis A, is different from the arrangement of the notches 36 of the base of the other clamping jaws 20.

The arrangement of the notches 36 of the base 34 of each clamping jaw 20 is defined so that all the clamping jaws 20 are located substantially at the same radial distance relative to the main axis A when they are all placed on the disc rotary 22, with the helical rib 32 received in the various notches 36. The guide system 24, which is shown schematically in Figure 2, defines several radial grooves 38 which are oriented radially with respect to the main axis A. Each radial groove 38 is associated with and receives a clamping jaw 20.

The purpose of the guidance system 24 is to allow only one translation of each clamping jaw 20 in a radial direction with respect to the main axis A.

During the rotation of the rotary disc 22 relative to the lower plate 16, the cooperation of the clamping jaws 20 with the helical rib 32 and with the guide system 24 results in the simultaneous movement of the clamping jaws in the same direction, relative to the main axis A.

Depending on the direction of rotation of the rotary disc 22, the clamping jaws 20 approach or move away from the main axis A.

Thus, to set up a container in the mandrel 18, an operator rotates the rotary disc in a first direction to spread the clamping jaws sufficiently to clear a space large enough for the container to be placed between the clamping jaws 20 .

Then, the operator rotates the rotating disc 22 in a second direction to cause a radial approach of the clamping jaws 20, until gripping the container.

The radial and simultaneous movement of the clamping jaws 20 makes it possible to guarantee positioning of the container as centrally as possible with respect to the main axis A, all the more so when the container is in the shape of a revolution.

The shape of the helical rib 32 and in particular its pitch is defined so that loosening of the clamping jaws 20 is not possible, that is to say that the clamping jaws 20, once in the container clamping position , can not deviate from the main axis A without an action on the rotary disc 22 has been implemented.

As can be seen in more detail in Figure 3, each clamping jaw 20 includes a base 34 provided with notches 36, as described above.

The base 34 also comprises two lateral grooves 40 parallel to the radial direction of sliding of the clamping jaw 20, which are intended to cooperate with the guide system 24, to prevent any vertical or lateral movement of the clamping jaw 20.

A finger 42 extends vertically upwards from the base 34. It comprises a bearing face 44 oriented mainly perpendicular to the radial direction associated with the clamping jaw 20. This bearing face 44 is intended to come into contact with the container to be packaged.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support face 44 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. This inclination of the bearing surface 44 is defined and is intended to compensate for a buttressing of the clamping jaws 20, that is to say their pivoting around a horizontal direction, which takes place at the time of clamping. of the mandrel 18. Preferably, the support face 44 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and downwards.

Thus, the upper end of the bearing face 44 first of all comes into contact with the container during the closing of the radial chuck 18. Then, continuing the closing, each clamping jaw 20 pivots around the upper end of its bearing face 44, to provide a larger surface in contact with the container and to obtain a state of jamming of the clamping jaws 20, further ensuring the blocking of the container.

According to a variant embodiment (not shown), the bearing face 44 of each clamping jaw 20 is covered by a layer of a material limiting the sliding of the container relative to the clamping jaw 20. For example, the face of support 44 is covered with a rubber layer.

According to yet another variant embodiment not shown, the bearing surfaces 44 of the clamping jaws 20 all comprise bearings, that is to say they are all in the form of a staircase with portions radially offset from each other. compared to others.

Each portion of a bearing face 44 is located radially more distant than another portion of the bearing face 44 which is located vertically below said first mentioned portion. As mentioned above, the rotary disc 22 is intended to be operated manually. For this, the operator acts on the peripheral edge 46 of the rotating disc 22.

According to a preferred embodiment, the peripheral edge 46 of the rotary disk 22 comprises indentations 48 making it possible to facilitate the tightening or the loosening of the chuck 18. These indentations 48 are distributed over the entire peripheral edge 46 to allow access to the operator regardless of the angular position of the rotating disc 22.

The main shape of the radial chuck 18 is generally circular. The lower plate 16 is square in shape, the length of the sides of which is greater than the outer diameter of the radial chuck 18.

This allows several support devices 14 to be pushed together without them interfering with each other, as can be seen in FIG. 1, where six support devices 14 are shown, allowing the transport device 10 to accommodate six containers.

LINKING THE LOWER PLATES TOGETHER

As mentioned above, when the transport device 10 comprises several support devices 14, these are attached to each other by their lower plates 16.

In order to improve the holding and stability of the containers in the transport device 10, the support devices 14 are secured to each other.

As can be seen in more detail in Figure 4, the support devices 14 are secured to each other by their lower plates 16 which are joined to each other.

For this, locking keys 50 are used which are fixed to several adjacent lower plates 16, therefore fixing them together.

Preferably, the locking keys 50 are received in complementary housings 52 formed in the corners of each lower plate 16. For the sake of standardization, each lower plate 16 comprises four complementary housings 52 which are formed at its four corners 16a.

Also, each locking key 50 is designed to be associated either with a single complementary housing 52, when the locking key 50 is used with a corner 16a of a lower plate 16 which is not adjacent to any other corner, or with two complementary housings 52, when the locking key 50 is used with two adjacent corners 16a, as is particularly the case for the corners 16a located at the periphery of all the lower plates 16 assembled, or else a locking key can be associated with four complementary housings 52, when the locking key 50 is used with four adjacent corners 16a, as is particularly the case for the corners 16a located inside the set of lower plates 16 assembled.

Each lower plate 16 has four housings 52 which are formed in each corner 16a. Each housing 52 preferably has a dovetail shape which is defined by a first section 54 of constant width, with respect to a diagonal of the lower plate 16 and a second inner section 56 in the shape of a diamond whose large base is directed towards the center of the lower plate 16.

Each locking key 50 has one, two or four legs 58 depending on whether the locking key is used with one, two or four adjacent corners 16a, respectively.

The branches 58 are all identical and each branch 58 is complementary to a housing 52.

Each branch 58 further comprises an orifice 60 intended to be traversed by a screw for fixing the locking key 50 with the associated lower plate(s).

Thanks to the use of the locking keys 50, the lower plates 16 are immobilized relative to each other, guaranteeing stability of the containers in the transport device 10.

VERTICAL SUPPORT The connection of the lower plates 16 between them makes it possible, when the support devices 14 are arranged in the outer packaging, to limit the horizontal movements of the containers in the transport device 10.

The transport device 10 also comprises means making it possible to limit any vertical movement of the containers, in particular in the event of the transport device 10 overturning.

As can be seen in Figure 6, these means firstly comprise vertical wedging bars 64 which are mounted on the lower plates 16 and which extend vertically upwards.

The vertical length of each bar 64 is defined so that its upper end 64a bears against the upper wall of the outer packaging 12 when the latter is closed.

According to an alternative embodiment, rods 66 extending transversely and inclined connect the wedging bars 64 to form a trellis reinforcing the assembly.

There is shown in Figure 7 a variant of the transport device 10 comprising additional means for vertical wedging of the containers, which consist of two vertical grids 68 which are mounted at the ends of the transport device 10 and a retaining net 70 which is hooked at gates 68.

Preferably, each grid 68 is attached to the vertical bars 64 located at one end of the transport device 10. The grid 68 extends vertically between the associated bars 64.

The retaining net 70 has hooks 72 which are caught in the meshes of the grids 68.

The cooperation of the retaining net 70 with the grids 68 makes it possible to vary the height of the retaining net 70 according to the dimensions of the various containers, so that the retaining net 70 presses continuously on the containers.

A crossbar 74 can also be arranged above each grid 68 to form a handle for gripping the assembly. These bars transverse allow manipulation of the assembly comprising the support devices 14 secured to each other, to introduce or remove them from the outer packaging 12.

Finally, a block of damping foam 76 is arranged between the lower plates 16 of the support devices 14 and the bottom of the outer packaging 12 to absorb any shocks that the transport device might suffer.

Thanks to the support devices 14 which have just been described, the maintenance of the containers in the transport device 10 does not require the use of additional wedging means, which should be installed between the walls of the outer packaging and the containers. to be transported and which should be discarded after use, without a recycling solution having been considered.

A free space is thus present and can be advantageously used to add, for example, cooling means (not shown) inside the outer packaging, without harming the quality of keeping the containers in place.

Apart from the outer packaging 12 and the block of damping foam 76, the other components of the transport device 10 can be made of plastic material and more particularly can be manufactured by three-dimensional printing or by additive manufacturing.

It is thus possible for a shipper to easily obtain the plans for these components, which may be modified in terms of dimensions in order to adapt to the container to be transported and/or to produce them on site for direct shipment, without having to order these components, nor having to store them for a more or less long period of time.

NOMENCLATURE

10: transport device

12: outer packaging

14: supporting device

16: lower plate

18: radial chuck 18: means

20: clamping jaws

22: rotating disc

24: guidance system

26: cylindrical boss

28: circular central hole

30: upper face

32: helical rib

34: base

36: various notches

38: radial groove

40: side grooves

42: finger

44: support face

46: peripheral edge

48: indents

50: lock key

52: additional accommodation

16a: corner

54: first section

56: second inner section

58: branch

60: hole

64: vertical bars

64a: upper end

66: rods

68: grid

70: retaining net

72: brackets

74: crossbar 76: shock-absorbing foam block

Claims

Claims 1. Transport device (10) of at least one container capable of containing radioactive products comprising: - an outer packaging (12) and - a support device (14) of said container which is arranged inside the outer packaging (12), in which the support device (14) comprises means for its positioning in the outer packaging (12) and means (18) intended to cooperate with said at least one container, characterized in that the support device (14) comprises at least three clamping members (20) which are movable simultaneously in a radial direction with respect to a main axis (A) of the support device (14) and which are able to grip the container radially. 2. Transport device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each clamping member (20) has a bearing face (44) which faces the main axis (A) of the support device (14 ), which is inclined with respect to said main axis (A) of the support device (14) so as to form an angle to compensate for a buttressing of the clamping member when it is in contact with the container. 3. Transport device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bearing face (44) of each clamping member (20) is covered by a layer of a material limiting slippage. 4. Transport device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support device (14) comprises a lower plate (16) which is received in the packaging for positioning the device for support (14) in the packaging and which carries a guide system (24) in translation of each clamping member (20). 5. Transport device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support device (14) comprises a rotary disc (22) rotatable relative to the lower plate (16) and which cooperates with the organs of clamping (20) for the simultaneous drive of the clamping members (20). 6. Transport device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rotary disc (22) comprises a helical rib (32) which cooperates with each clamping member (20). 7. Transport device (10) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the rotary disc (22) has indentations (48) formed on its peripheral edge (46). 8. Transport device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, which comprises several support devices (14) arranged in the same outer packaging (12), each support device (14) of which is associated with a container, characterized in that the support devices (14) are connected to each other by their lower plates (16). 9. Transport device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises locking keys (50) which cooperate with the lower plates of the support devices (14) to fix them to each other. 10. Transport device (10) according to claim 4 to 9, characterized in that it comprises vertical bars (64) which extend vertically upwards and which are carried by the lower plates (16). 11. Transport device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two grids (68) connected to two vertical end bars (64) and a vertical retaining net which is attached to the grids (68) . 12. Transport device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each component of the support device (14) is produced by three-dimensional printing.