Patent Number: 054105765
Section: description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved containers for disposing of low level radioactive waste and its detection embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. Specifically, the container for disposing low level radio active waste, in its preferred embodiment is simply constructed of three major components, such components are the container 12, the lid 14 and the liner 16. These components function together for their intended purposes. More specifically, the first component of the container system is the container 12. The container has a cylindrical side wall 20 of an enlarged diameter and an enlarged height. The container also has a bottom wall 22. Its exterior periphery is circular and coupled to the lower edge of the side wall 20. Also formed as part of the container is a recess 24. The recess is located in the center of the bottom wall 22. It has an upwardly extending cylindrical support 26 with a closed top. Such cylindrical support is of a reduced diameter and shortened height so as to extend upwardly from the aperture of the bottom wall to an elevation neneath the upper edge of the side wall. The second component of the container system is the lid 14. The lid is simply a circular plate 30. It has downwardly extending flanges 32 around its periphery. The flanges are sized to be positioned over the exterior periphery of the container 12 around its upper edge and to have located therebetween the ridge of a liner secured to the container as will be described. The container 12 and liner 14 are preferably each molded of a one piece construction, suitable molding material include any rigid or semi-rigid elastomer such as polyurethane, polyethalene, polypropalene or silicone rubber. The last component of the system is the liner 16. The liner 16 is fabricated from a sheet of flexible material. It is preferably of a one piece construction. The liner is configured to fit interiorly of the side wall 20 of the container 12 with its upper edges extending over the over edge of the container. Note FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The liner also is formed with a lower face 42. The lower face is adapted to be positioned on the interior or upper face of the bottom wall. The liner is also formed to have in its central extend an upwardly extending cylindrical extension 46 with a closed top. Such extension is adapted to be positioned over the upwardly extending interior cylinder of the container. The liner when positioned within the container as shown in FIG. 2 and when covered by the lid 14 thus provides a chamber for the receipt of material which may or may not have a low level of radio active waste therein. The interior of the upwardly extending cylindrical support 16 is adapted to receive a probe 50 of a dosemeter 52 as of a conventional type. With the probe located centrally of the container and waste, it is readily adapted to detect any radio active waste contained therein, even of a low level. Note FIG. 5. An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6. In such embodiment, a holder 56 is secured to the exterior surface of the container at its lower extent. The holder has a lower support face 58, side faces 60 and a front face 62 with a U-shaped cut-out 64. The size and shape of the holder 56 is such as to hold the dosemeter 52 in proper position with respect to the container during operation and use. The cut-out 64 allows viewing the dial of the dosemeter when supported in holder 56. One of the biggest problems with disposing of low level radioactive waste is that the self-shielding quality of the solid waste makes it difficult to detect the low levels of radio active contamination that may be present. The style of the bags currently used to store this type of waste also contribute to this difficulty. The present invention is a new style storage container designed to eliminate this problem. The present invention consists of a rigid plastic container and a plastic liner. The present invention holds about 20 to 25 gallons of waste, is 5 to 7 millimeters thick and has a plastic tube molded into the bottom of the container that is large enough to allow a low level radiation detector to be inserted into it. The bag is made with a long cylindrical inset shaped to fit over the tube in the container. This design ensures that there will be a shaft in the center of the bag even after it is filled and removed from the container. After the bag is filled, it can be checked for low level radioactive contamination by inserting a radioactive detector, protected by this design, into the shaft. If the waste is found to be contaminated, the entire bag can then be disposed of properly. As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.