Back to results
US 6,585,008 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for breaching and venting sealed inner containers within a drum
AssigneeUltraTech International, Inc.
InventorsMark D. Shaw, J. Tad Heyman, Laurence M. Bierce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for breaching and venting sealed inner containers disposed within a drum, where the drum is evacuated to created a pressure differential resulting in expansion and rupture of the inner containers. The temperature may also be reduced to below freezing in the drum to reduce the elasticity of the inner containers, and the drum may also be pressurized to implode and rupture the inner containers.
Claims15
A method for breaching and venting sealed inner containers disposed within a drum, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing drum interior access means which creates a fluid communication passageway into the interior of a drum containing sealed inner containers;
- providing evacuation means to reduce the pressure within said drum by evacuating gases, whereby said evacuation means is in fluid communication with said drum interior access means;
- providing filter means to prevent passage of radioactive particles through said drum interior access means;
- and
- evacuating said drum whereby expansion of said inner containers caused by the pressure differential results in rupture and venting of said inner containers.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.