Abstract
A packaging unit or a container for transport and/or storage of items that require orientation control, comprising an outer housing element and an inner retaining element, the retaining element being held within the housing element and capable of moving independently of the housing element about at least one axis the retaining element being adapted to retain the item and comprising a means for biasing the orientation of the inner retaining element with respect to a fixed external orientation.
Claims
1. A transport packaging unit for transporting a radioactive source in a preferred orientation, the packaging unit comprising an inner retaining element and an outer housing element, the retaining element retained within the housing element and free to rotate about all axes of symmetry, and comprising a retaining means for retaining a radioactive source, the retaining means arranged such that the mass of the radioactive source, when held in the retaining means, biases the retaining element such that the radioactive source is maintained in the preferred orientation.
2. A transport packaging unit according to claim 1, in which the retaining element is constrained radially in all directions from its centre by the housing element.
3. A transport packaging unit according to claim 1 wherein the retaining means retains the radioactive source within the retaining element.
4. A transport packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the radioactive source is shielded and the mass of the radioactive source and the shielding, when placed in the retaining means, biases the retaining element.
5. A transport packaging unit according to claim 1 wherein the retaining element is spherical.
6. A transport packaging unit according to claim 1 characterized in that the retaining element is hollow.
7. A transport packaging unit according to claim 1 wherein the retaining means is a receptacle opening to the outside of the retaining element.
8. A transport packaging unit according to claim 1 wherein the retaining means is a receptacle opening to the inside of the retaining element.
9. A transport packaging unit according to claim 1 characterized in that the housing element comprises two or more sub elements, that act together to constrain the retaining element, whilst allowing it to rotate.
10. A retaining means for the transport packaging according to claim 1 comprising a means for retaining the radioactive source.
11. A retaining means according to claim 10 adapted for attachment to a retaining element.
Description
FIGURES
(1) FIG. 1. shows a packaging unit of the invention. FIG. 1(a) shows the unit at rest. FIG. 1(b) shows the unit turned on its side and illustrates the tendency of the inner retaining element to maintain its preferred orientation following rotational displacement of the outer housing.
(2) FIG. 2. illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the mass of the item to be transported is sufficient to bias the inner retaining element to the preferred orientation.
(3) FIG. 3. illustrates alternative embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3(a) illustrates and embodiment having multiple retaining means. FIG. 3(b) illustrates an embodiment in which the biasing mass counter balances the retaining means into a position at the top of the retaining element. FIG. 3(c) illustrates a further embodiment having multiple retaining means.
(4) FIGS. 4. (a) and (b) illustrate embodiments in which the retaining means are biased to the top of the retaining element. In FIG. 4(a) the retaining means is unconstrained, in FIG. 4(b) the retaining means is incompletely covered, but is constrained by the housing.
(5) FIG. 5(a) illustrates a retaining means formed from a network of supports retained within a hollow spherical housing element. FIGS. 5(b) and (c) illustrate alternative terminations for the support elements. FIG. 5(d) illustrates a retaining means formed from a network of adjustable supports retained within a spherical housing element
(6) FIG. 6. illustrates a bulk transport container embodying the invention.
(7) FIG. 7. illustrates a retaining element having a retaining means formed from a plurality of sheet elements. FIG. 7(a) shows a general view of the embodiment.
(8) FIG. 7(b) illustrates a retaining means suitable for retaining a plant for transport, without an additional biasing mass. FIG. 7(c) illustrates a similar embodiment with provision for adding a biasing mass. FIG. 7(d) illustrates a cross section of a clip holding the two laminae together. FIGS. 7(e) and 7(f) are side views of the retaining means of FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) respectively. FIG. 7(g) is a further embodiment of the plant retaining means and FIG. 7(h) illustrates an embodiment of a retaining element suitable for use with this retaining means.
(9) FIG. 8. is a cross section of a further embodiment of a spherical retaining element.
(10) FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the retaining element is ring shaped.
FIG. 1
(11) FIG. 1(a) illustrates a simple packaging unit of the invention (1) in cross section. A spherical shaped inner retaining element (2) is supported within a solid outer housing (3) made up of two parts (4) and (5) which co-operate to form a spherical surface (6) bounding a spherical space (7) within which the retaining element is free to rotate. The turning moment of a biasing mass (8) acts to orient the retaining element with the biasing mass at the bottom. A retaining means (9) in the form of a receptacle (10) with a cap (11) is situated inside the spherical retaining element towards the bottom of the sphere (21) and attached to it. The receptacle retains an item whose orientation is required to be controlled during transit (12). The spherical retaining element (2) comprises a removable cap portion (20) to provide access to the retaining means.
(12) If the orientation of the packaging unit (1) is disturbed during transit (FIG. 1(b)) then the turning moment of the mass (8) acts to maintain the item in its starting orientation by causing the inner retaining element (2) to rotate relative to the outer housing (3).
FIG. 2
(13) FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate form of the container/packaging unit. FIG. 2(a) shows a packaging unit (1) having a spherical shaped inner retaining element (2) supported within an outer housing (3) as per FIG. 1. The outer housing is made up of two parts (4) and (5) which co-operate to form a spherical surface (6) bounding a spherical space (7) within which the inner spherical retaining element (2) is free to rotate. A retaining means in the form of a clip (13) attached to the inner surface of the retaining element towards the bottom of the sphere (21) releasably holds a heavy container (14), which is closed with a lid (15). If the orientation of the packaging unit is disturbed during transit (FIG. 2(b)), the turning moment of the heavy container (17) is sufficient to bias the vial to its original orientation. Additional biasing mass is not required.
FIG. 3
(14) FIG. 3 illustrates several arrangements of biasing mass and retaining means. FIG. 3(a) illustrates a packaging unit of the invention (1). A spherical shaped inner retaining element (2) is supported within an outer housing (3) made up of two parts (4) and (5) which co-operate to form a spherical surface (6) bounding a spherical space (7) within which the retaining element is free to rotate. A biasing mass (8) acts to orient the retaining element with the biasing mass at the bottom. A plurality of retaining means (31. 32, 33) in the form of receptacles (34, 35, 36) with lids (37, 38, 39) are situated within the inner retaining element towards the bottom of the sphere (21) and attached to it, each of which retains an item (41, 42, 43) whose orientation is required to be controlled during transit. The inner spherical retaining element comprises a removable cap portion (20) to provide access to these retaining means.
(15) In FIG. 3(b) a packaging unit of the invention (1) comprises a spherical shaped inner retaining element (2) as per FIG. 1, supported within an outer housing (3) made up of two parts (4) and (5) which co-operate to form a spherical surface (6) bounding a spherical space (7) within which the retaining element is free to rotate. A biasing mass (8) acts to orient the retaining element with the biasing mass at the bottom. A retaining means (50) in the form of a receptacle (51) attached to the retaining element and having a lid (52) is situated within the retaining element towards the top of the sphere (22), diametrically opposite the biasing mass. The receptacle retains an item whose orientation is required to be controlled during transit (53). The interior of the sphere (54) is hollow to save weight. The biasing mass (8) is removably attached e.g. by a screw tread (55) so that the weight can be adapted to maintain the orientation of a variety of weights of item (53).
(16) In FIG. 3(c) a packaging unit of the invention (1) comprises a spherical shaped retaining element (2) which comprises a plurality of retaining means (58, 59, 60) in the form of a receptacles (61, 62, 63) with caps (64, 65, 66) situated within the retaining element towards the top of the sphere (23) each retains an item whose orientation is required to be controlled during transit (67, 68, 69).
FIG. 4
(17) FIG. 4 illustrates a container or packaging unit (1) of the invention. In FIG. 4(a) a spherical shaped inner retaining element (2) is supported within a solid outer housing (3) having a partially spherical surface (70) which supports the retaining element, but allows it to rotate. The retaining element (2) is partially exposed. and is not constrained in all directions. A biasing mass (71) acts to orient the retaining element with the biasing mass at the bottom and hence maintains the orientation of the retaining means (72) and the retained item (75). The retaining means is in the form of a receptacle (73) with a lid (74) and is situated within the retaining means towards the top of the sphere (23). The retaining element (2) comprises handling means (finger holes76) which allow for ease of handling of the retaining means. The retaining element is not constrained by the housing, but is supported by it.
(18) If the orientation is disturbed, such as during transit then the turning moment of the mass (71) acts to maintain the item in its starting orientation, but if the orientation is radically altered the retaining element will be released, malorienting the packaged item. Arrangements in which the retaining element are not retained are therefore less suitable for transit packaging but useful for containers during storage and use, to prevent tipping of the item and loss of contents.
(19) FIG. 4(b) illustrates an further form of the container or packaging unit (1) of the invention. A spherical shaped retaining element (2) is supported within an outer housing (3) which comprises 2 sub-assemblies (81 and 81) which cooperate to provide a partially spherical surface (70) which supports the retaining element and constrains it in all directions, whilst allowing it to rotate. A biasing mass (71) acts to orient the retaining element with the biasing mass at the bottom and hence maintains the orientation of the retaining means (72) and the retained item (75). The retaining means is in the form of a receptacle (73) with a lid (74), attached to the retaining element and situated within the retaining element towards the top of the sphere (23). The retaining element (2) comprises handling means (finger holes (76)) which allow for ease of handling of the retaining element. This arrangement still allows easy access to the retaining element and the contained item, saves weight and maintains the orientation of the item regardless of the rotation of the packaging unit. The arrangement is also suitable for holding items during storage or use and may be used to hold hazardous materials during manipulation.
FIG. 5
(20) FIG. 5(a) shows a packaging unit (100) comprising a spherical outer housing element (101) having a spherical inner surface (102). The housing is made up of two sub-assemblies, (104 and 105) which co-operate to form the spherical inner surface and allow the sphere to be split at (103) for access to the hollow interior space (106). A retaining element (107) comprising a network of supports (108), supporting a biasing mass (109) and a retaining means (110) in the form of a receptacle (111) retaining an item (112) whose orientation is to be maintained during transit. The terminal portion of the supports (119) comprise a load spreading portion (120) which reduces friction and helps the retaining element to rotate freely.
(21) FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c) show alternative arrangements for embodiments in which the retaining element comprises a network of supports. In FIG. 5(b) the ends of the supports (119), have a captive bearing (121) that runs against the inner spherical surface (102); whilst in FIG. 5(c) the support ends have a mushroom shaped end (122). Both variants shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c) are particularly suitable for use with embodiments such as that illustrated in FIG. 5(d), in which the supports are adjustable for length to take account of various sizes of outer support.
(22) In FIG. 5(d) the packaging unit (100) of FIG. 5(a) comprises an inner retaining element (107) comprising a network of supports (108), supporting a biasing mass (109) and a retaining means (110) in the form of a receptacle (111) retaining an item (112) whose orientation is to be maintained during transit. The supports (108) are adjustable for length, so as to take account of various possible sizes of outer support, and to hold the supports firmly against the inner surface. The terminal portion of the supports (119) comprise a load spreading portion (120) which reduces friction and helps the inner retaining to rotate freely, but these may be substituted with the support ends illustrated in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c).
(23) The network of supports includes a quick release mechanism (130) which allows different retaining means (110) to be used as appropriate for each item (112).
FIG. 6
(24) FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. A transport unit, such as a bulk transport container (200) comprises an outer housing (201), with an access lid (207) and within the outer housing, an inner retaining element (202) which is free to rotate about the axis X, on a spindle (205). The retaining element comprises containers (203) with seals (206) and contents (204) and a biasing mass (202), whose turning moment is sufficient to bias the retaining element, including the containers and their contents in the upward orientation. The containers are attached to the retaining element, such that their orientation is biased by the biasing mass. Thus if the packaging unit is displaced about the axis X, such as when a bulk container is dislodged from a lorry or train, the contents of the containers are maintained upright as the container rolls.
(25) FIG. 6(a) is a general view of the transport unit. FIG. 6(b) is a longitudinal cross section and FIG. 6(c) is a cross section at Y.
FIG. 7
(26) FIG. 7 illustrates particular embodiments of a retaining means. These retaining means are suitable for retaining inter alia, delicate items such as plants. FIG. 7 (a) shows a spherical retaining element, suitable for use with the invention (300). The retaining element comprises a hollow sphere (301) comprising two parts (302 and 303), which enable the sphere to be split for access to the inside space (304).
(27) Held within the sphere and attached to it such that it rotates with the sphere is a retaining means (305) comprising a portion (306) for retaining the item (in this case a plant), and a portion adapted to retain a biasing mass (307). The retaining means is in two, generally circular laminar parts (308, 309), which cooperate to retain the item and the biasing mass. The edges of the two circular parts (312) form a pair of lips (313) which are adpressed to the inner surface of the sphere (310) once assembled and hold the retaining means firmly in the retaining element.
(28) FIGS. 7(b) and (c) illustrate the retaining means in open form (lips 313 not shown for clarity). FIG. 7(c) illustrates the retaining means of FIG. 7(a). The retaining means comprises two circular laminae (321) which cooperate to retain the item and the biasing mass. The portion for retaining the item (306) comprises an indentation (320) in a circular lamina (321) adapted to hold the item when co-operating with its opposite part (330). A further indentation (332) is adapted to hold a biasing mass (333) in co-operation with its opposite part (335). The two circular laminae may be joined along the axis X and folded together to retain both the item and the biasing mass, or they may be separate. Clips (360) formed as protrusions (340), which clip into indentations (341) formed in the circular laminae hold the two halves of the retaining means together. In this embodiment, intended to retain a plant in a pot, the pot, containing the soil is retained in the portion (322), whilst the stem is held in (323) and the bloom in (324). The mass of the pot and soil may be sufficient to bias the plant into the upright position when placed in the packaging unit; in which case the embodiment of FIG. 7(b) may be appropriate, having the same features, but lacking the means to hold the biasing mass. FIG. 7(d) illustrates a cross section of one of the clips (360) formed from the two laminae (321) as a protrusion (340) which clips into an indentation (341) in the opposite lamina
(29) FIG. 7(e) shows a side view of the retaining means of 7(b) and FIG. 7(f) shows a side view of the retaining means of FIG. 7(c). Clips are omitted for clarity. FIG. 7(h) shows a spherical retaining element similar to that of FIG. 7(a), but which comprises a biasing mass (500). The retaining means of FIG. 7(g) is suitable for use with this arrangement.
FIG. 8
(30) FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a hollow spherical retaining element (400), which comprises a hollow sphere (401) and a retaining means (402) formed as a receptacle (403) with an opening (404) to the outside of the sphere. The housing element is not shown. The walls of the receptacle are continuous with the walls of the sphere. The receptacle (403) holds an item (405) and is sealed with a cap (406). The cap has a hollow (407) to receive the base of the item (408) and a screw thread (409) that engages a thread in the receptacle (410) so that the cap (406) can be screwed into the receptacle to close it. When closed, the outer face of the cap (413) is contiguous with the surface of the sphere, allowing easier movement of the sphere within the housing. The cap (406) is fabricated from a heavy material such as lead and provides the biasing mass, which biases the item into the upright position, when free to rotate within the outer housing. The upper portion of the sphere is provided with finger holds (411), in the form of perforations of the sphere which allow the sphere to be simply manipulated by hand.
FIG. 9
(31) FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the invention having a ring shaped retaining element suitable for use in a packaging unit or container of the invention. FIG. 9(a) shows a general view of a packaging unit or container (500) comprising a hollow spherical housing element (501) having a spherical inner surface (504). The housing is made up of two sub-assemblies, (502 and 503) which co-operate to form the spherical inner surface and allow the sphere to be split at (506) for access to the hollow interior space (507). A retaining element (508) is retained within the housing element and has a retaining means in the form of a receptacle (510) with a lid (511) held in place by a screw thread (512). The receptacle is adapted to hold an item such as a lead shielded radioactive source (513) and is fixed to the retaining element (508). The shielded source is held upright and fixed in place within the receptacle by a liner (514). The outer face of the retaining element comprises a curved surface (515) having a curvature matching that of the inner surface of the housing element (504), such that the retaining element is constrained radially and laterally by the surface (504), but still able to rotate within the housing. The edges of the ring (515) are raised away from the surface (516) in order to reduce the risk of them catching on the inner surface during rotation. Access to the receptacle (510) is achieved by separating the two parts of the housing (502 and 503). An item such as a shielded source can then be easily placed within the receptacle, by removing the lid.
(32) If the outer housing is rotationally displaced the turning moment of the mass of the shielded source acts to rotate the retaining element relative to the housing.
