Radioactive waste storage container

Abstract

A container for the storage of radioactive waste comprising a reversible lid having, on one hand, a first opening sealing portion provided with a first delimiting surface of an inner space wherefrom second gripping means project, said first portion being designed so as to be able to be force-fitted in an end part of a container body, and, on the other, a second sealing portion, provided with a second delimiting surface wherefrom first gripping means project, said second portion being designed so as to be able to be fitted in the end part.

1 . Container for the storage of radioactive waste comprising a container body having an end part forming an opening to an inner container space, said container also comprising a removable lid capable of sealing said opening, characterised in that said lid is a reversible lid having, on one hand, a first opening sealing portion provided with a first delimiting surface of said inner space wherefrom second gripping means project, said first portion being designed so as to be able to be force-fitted in said end part forming an opening, and, on the other, a second opening sealing portion, provided with a second delimiting surface of said inner space, opposite the first delimiting surface, wherefrom first gripping means project, said second portion being designed so as to be able to be fitted effortlessly in the end part forming an opening. 
     
     
         2 . Container according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said first opening sealing portion has a circumferential enlargement, in that said end part of the container body has a circumferential contraction zone, and in that said contraction zone and said enlargement cooperate together so as to create a snap-fastened mechanical connection between said reversible lid and said container body, when said first opening sealing portion is fitted in said end part of the container body. 
     
     
         3 . Container according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it is designed such that said circumferential enlargement can pass through the circumferential contraction zone of lesser diameter, following mere manual pressure along a longitudinal direction of said container, performed by an operator on the reversible lid positioned on the end part of the container body. 
     
     
         4 . Container according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said first gripping means comprise a handle. 
     
     
         5 . Container according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said second gripping means comprise a gripping pin. 
     
     
         6 . Container according to  claim 4  characterised in that said second gripping means comprises a gripping pin and said gripping pin projects longitudinally from said first delimiting surface of said inner space over a distance (d 2 ), and in that said handle projects longitudinally from said second delimiting surface of said inner space over a distance (d 1 ) greater than (d 2 ). 
     
     
         7 . Container according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said first and second gripping means are respectively centred on the second and first delimiting surfaces of said inner space. 
     
     
         8 . Container according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said container body is equipped with vent holes. 
     
     
         9 . Container according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said container body comprises a convex shaped base, curved towards the inside of the inner space. 
     
     
         10 . Container according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it is made of polyethylene.