Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A container for the storage and transport of nuclear fuel elements comprising a plurality of elongate compartments for receiving the nuclear fuel elements, the compartments being defined by a first set of plates having a common plane intersecting with a second set of plates, the first set of plates extending perpendicularly with respect to the second set of plates to define compartments having a rectangular cross section, wherein the plates include an interlocking joint, the interlocking joint comprising at least one projection provided on one plate of one set and a recess formed in the other plate of the same set, and wherein a retaining portion is provided in the recess for engagement by the projection so as to interlock the plates to prevent separation of the plates by relative movement in their common plane. 2. A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the plates in the first set are interconnected by an interlocking joint comprising a plurality of projections spaced along a longitudinal edge of one of the plates and a plurality of recesses spaced along a longitudinal edge of the other plate. claim 1 3. A container according to  claim 2 , wherein the projection comprises a first portion extending forwardly from the longitudinal edge of the said one of the plates and an arm portion extending laterally from an end of the first portion, and wherein the arm portion engages with the retaining portion in the recess. claim 2 4. A container according to  claim 3 , wherein an arm portion extends from each side of the first portion, the recess having two retaining portions, each of which is engaged by an arm portion. claim 3 5. A container according to  claim 4 , wherein the first portion and each arm portion may define a substantially T-shaped projection and wherein the recess is correspondingly substantially T-shaped. claim 4 6. A container according to  claim 5 , wherein each arm portion may be formed by a deflectable tab extending rearwardly and outwardly from an end of the first portion, the tabs being deflected inwardly as the projection is pushed into the recess, the tabs tending to resume their undeflected positions when the projection is located in the recess. claim 5 7. A container according to  claim 6 , wherein the recess has a first passage region extending into an enlarged region, the junction of the first passage region and the enlarged region defining the retaining portion. claim 6 8. A container according to  claim 6 , wherein at an intersection of the first and second set of plates the recess is in a plate of the second set. claim 6 9. A container according to  claim 1 , wherein at an intersection of the first and second set of plates at least one tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons extending into a slot provided in the plate of the first set. claim 1 10. A container according to  claim 9 , wherein a tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons being received by the same slot. claim 9 11. A container according to  claim 9 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 9 12. A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the recess has a first passage region extending into an enlarged region, and wherein a junction of the first passage region and the enlarged region defines the retaining portion. claim 1 13. A container according to  claim 12 , wherein at an intersection of the first and second set of plates the recess is in a plate of the second set. claim 12 14. A container according to  claim 2 , wherein at an intersection of the first and second set of plates at least one tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons extending into a slot provided in the plate of the first set. claim 2 15. A container according to  claim 14 , wherein a tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons being received by the same slot. claim 14 16. A container according to  claim 14 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 14 17. A container according to  claim 15 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 15 18. A container according to  claim 3 , wherein at an intersection of the first and second set of plates at least one tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons extending into a slot provided in the plate of the first set. claim 3 19. A container according to  claim 18 , wherein a tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons being received by the same slot. claim 18 20. A container according to  claim 18 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 18 21. A container according to  claim 19 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 19 22. A container according to  claim 4 , wherein at an intersection of the first and second set of plates at least one tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons extending into a slot provided in the plate of the first set. claim 4 23. A container according to  claim 22 , wherein a tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons being received by the same slot. claim 22 24. A container according to  claim 22 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 22 25. A container according to  claim 23 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 23 26. A container according to  claim 5 , wherein at an intersection of the first and second set of plates at least one tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons extending into a slot provided in the plate of the first set. claim 5 27. A container according to  claim 26 , wherein a tenon projects from each of the mutually facing longitudinal edges of the plates of the second set, the tenons being received by the same slot. claim 26 28. A container according to  claim 26 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 26 29. A container according to  claim 27 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 27 30. A container according to  claim 10 , wherein the tenons on each of the longitudinal edges are provided with interengaging latch portions. claim 10