Patent ID: 8259893

Claim:
A method for packaging of radioactive materials using a pool, a transportation and/or storage device having a safe containment area, a cleaning device having a cavity and a portion movable between an open position and a closed position, the cavity containing an activating agent therein, the method comprising: creating a vacuum in the cavity of a cleaning device to cause the portion of the cleaning device to be maintained in a closed position; mounting the cleaning device inside the safe containment area of the transportation and/or storage device; filling the safe containment area with water; placing the transportation and/or storage device in the pool; loading a radioactive material into the safe containment area; closing the transportation and/or storage device using at least one cover; extracting the transportation and/or storage device from the pool; draining the water inside the safe containment area; creating a pressure differential in the safe containment area to dry the safe containment area, wherein the pressure differential causes the cleaning device to automatically actuate from the closed position to the open position under the force of gravity; and exposing the activating agent to the safe containment area.