This invention relates to a system and container unit for handling and storing radioactive waste.

An outstanding advantage of present units and systems is that they involve an abnormal number of remotely- controlled materials handling procedures for placing radioactive waste in unmanned storage or staging facil¬ ities, thereby making it unsafe from the standpoint of excessive radiation exposure.

Another disadvantage is that such procedures require very substantial space requirements.

An object of the invention is to overcome the above- named disadvantages by greatly minimizing the remotely- controlled materials handling procedures, by increasing personnel safety in terms of radiation exposure, and by optimizing storage space requirements.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from a study of the follo ing description taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a six-pack container system embodying the present invention

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line of 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1_ and Fig. 4 is a cross- section of socket 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the multiple container system of the present invention is a rectan ₀ ular storage container 1 provided with integral lifting and alignment devices that are sized to accommodate a plurality of individual drums 2.

As an example, a "6-ρack" container is illustrated, although it should be understood that the invention is applicable to other numbers, such as 4, 8, 12, etc.

The maximum exterior dimensions of the ^π 6-pack" con¬ tainer system, based on the drum sizes, are preferably as follows:

Length - about 6'10--- width - 4-5"; and height - about 4-1".

The nominal design load capacity of the container system may be about 6,000 lbs. and each container is capable of supporting up to nine loaded containers placed on top of it.

Sufficient ground clearance between the lowest support member and the supporting surface 3 of the container 1 is provided for fork-lift truck or other pallet mater¬ ials handling equipment access. The upper alignment devices are of any suitable construction, such as solidly mounted ball 4 located on the top of the four exterior upright support members. The alignment de¬ vices are designed in a manner so that they both pro¬ vide alignment and function as lifting points for container handling.

The lower alignment devices, such as spherical sockets

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5, are located at the base of the four exterior up¬ right support members, and are designed such that they provide both automatic, passive guidance and alignment (i.e. without visual contact with the con¬ tainer interface) with the upper alignment devices as well as support for the containers.

The container system can be constructed of any combi¬ nation of the following structural shapes (excluding alignment or guidance devices): The corner and lower supports are preferably of structural steel tubing, angles, beams, channels, cylinders or bars.

The intermediate supports are preferable of plate steel, steel wire or any of these used for corner supports. The sides and base are of plate steel, corrugated steel, steel wire fabric.

The materials used in construction are preferably car¬ bon steel or alloy steel of sufficient strength to support all anticipated loads.

The multiple container system is preferable of welded construction with overall dimension tolerance of 1/4 inch in any direction as measured with the container empty and fully loaded.

It is preferably provided with a factory applied finish suitable for exposure in an environment of 40 - 104° F., up to 1007. humidity.

The multiple container system can be sized up to accommodate drums or cylindrical containers having other dimensions (larger or smaller), or rectangular metal or

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wood boxes. Internal spacers are provided to prevent drum toppling or sliding when the system is partially filled. They are preferably hollow. The sides of the containers system can be modified to allow for hori¬ zontal loading by remote devices.

External guidance devices 7 together with guides 7a, 7b which slide on flanges 8 fixed to a wall, can be provided for the containers system to aid in remote stacking of units and to increase overall stack stability.

Thus it will be seen that the multiple containers system of the present invention comprises a container unit for radioactive waste that minimizes the remotely- controlled materials handling procedures for placing radioactive waste in unmanned storage or staging facilities, provides increased personnel safety in terms of radiation exposure, and optimizes the storage space requirements.

While I have illustrated and described a single embodiment of ray invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only and that various changes and modifications may be contemplated by my invention and within the scope of the following claims;

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