Vials emptying apparatus
AssigneeCiba-Geigy Corporation
InventorWalter Soltermann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Vials containing radioactive waste are emptied before destruction by passing them down a conveyor comprising pairs of spaced discs with aligned recesses in their edges for holding the receptacles, a severing disc extending between the discs to cut the vials in half. The severed parts are then turned to face radially outwardly, and placed on the ends of the arms of a rotating spider. The arms are hollow, and are connected to a source of inert gas, whereby any liquid remaining in the parts in scavenged. The liquid and the severed parts are collected in different containers.
Claims9
Apparatus for emptying disposable receptacles, comprising:
- a. severing means adapted to sever receptacles into two cup-like parts;
- b. conveying means for conveying receptacles past said severing means to be severed;
- c. a rotating spider which has tubular arms for supporting cup-like parts from the conveyor and which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, the arms being adapted to be connected to a pressure gas source at least during part of each rotation;
- d. means to turn the two parts of each receptacle in the conveying means so that the severed apertures of such parts face towards the spider;
- e. means for locating each of the receptacle parts thus turned on to a rising spider arm;
- f. means for collecting liquid poured out of the receptacles;
- and
- g. separate means for collecting cup-like parts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.