Patent GB-711532-A (GB)
Abstract: 711,532. Containers for radio-active material. GILKS, E. N., and GAMMA RAYS, Ltd. July 11, 1950 [July 11, 1949], No. 18265/49. Class 98(1) [Also in Group XXXII] The container comprises a hollow body containing a block of material which is substantially impervious to radiations from radio-active material, an opening through the block, and openings in the opposite ends of the body in line therewith, one end of the opening through the block being closable by a stem inserted in the opening and having at its forward end means for housing the radio-active material, the stem being substantially impervious to radiation directed along its length, and the other end of the opening being opened or closed by a plug of material substantially impervious to radiations from radio-active material, this plug being carried by a supporting element forming part of a plug-operating assembly including a handle member proper movably mounted on the exterior of the body in such a manner that the handle member proper is out of the path of radiation permitted by the opening of the plug in all positions to which the handle member proper can be moved. As shown, Fig. 3, the container has an egg-shaped body 10 with an internal spherical cavity into which lead is poured to form a block 13. A cylindrical opening 14 in the sphere opens out to a conical opening 15, which is preferably stepped at 16 and is closed by a lead plug 39. A carrier stem 20 fits in a tube 17 fitting in the opening 14 and in an aligned opening 18 in the body 10. A cap 22 screws on the rear end of the body to close it. The stem 20 may be locked in position by a set screw 19, and has a projecting head 26 with an internal thread. At the other end it carries a removable screwed cap 30 in which the radio-active material is carried. A bracket 33 for a handle 36 is mounted to slide between ribs 32 on the body 10, and has an arm 37 carrying the block 39. Bracket 33 has slots 43, 44 sliding on pins 45, 46 so that it may slide forward until block 39 is clear of the opening 15, and be swung upwardly about pin 45 (pin 46 passing through an opening in slot 44) and held in vertical position by a tooth 50 engaging a notch 51. Radiation can then pass through the opening 15 in the block. The bracket is held in closed position by a screw passing through ribs 32 and bracket 33. When the container is open, stem 20 can be moved forward to increase the angle of the cone of emergent rays, as described in Specification 711,559. The body 10 may be trunnioned in a cradle 16, Fig. 2, each trunnion being surrounded by a scale-bearing plate 82 pinned to the cradle by a screw 74. The trunnion caps 80 have pointed ends 81 which indicate the angle of inclination of the body 10 on the scales on plates 82. Spring washers retain the body at any inclination required. If the body is to be placed with stem 20 upward and capable of being protruded from the body, the cradle 10 may stand on an open frame. For transport, the apparatus may be placed on a low two-wheeled trolley with a long handle. According to the Provisional Specification, a pneumatic tube may be used to move the stem 20, and the body 10 may be of rectangular shape.