IP Library Granted Patent US 12,100,527
Granted Patent B2
US 12,100,527 · App. 17/675,604 · Granted Sep 24, 2024

Closure lid design for containment vessel

Inventors: Paul S. Blanton (Aiken, SC); Zenghu Han (Woodridge, IL); Yung Y. Liu (Hinsdale, IL); Ronald B. Pope (Waynesboro, PA); James M. Shuler (Germantown, MD)
Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
G21F5/12G21F5/005G21F9/36
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,100,527
App. No.
17/675,604
Granted
Sep 24, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides a containment structure, the containment structure comprising a vessel with an upwardly facing opening defining a periphery; a lid in rotatable and slidable communication with the periphery; and a plurality of rods contained within the lid and in slidable communication with the periphery. Also provided is a method for sealing and unsealing a containment vessel defining a body with a longitudinal axis and a lid, the method comprising simultaneously moving the lid parallel to the longitudinal axis and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Claims (15)

1. A containment structure, the containment structure comprising:

a. a vessel defining a longitudinal axis and an upwardly facing opening defining a periphery, wherein regions of the periphery form apertures;

b. a lid in rotatable and slidable-communication with the periphery wherein the lid moves parallel to the longitudinal axis and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; and

c. a plurality of rods positioned within the lid and adapted to slidably communicate with the apertures,

wherein a double hinge is attached to both the periphery and the lid to allow simultaneous rotatable and slidable communication between the periphery and the lid, wherein the double hinge comprises:

d) a first substrate slidably communicating with a second substrate in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the two substrates, and

e) a first region of the first substrate opposing and contacting a second region of the second substrate, wherein both the first and second regions have a concave portion integrally molded with a convex portion.

2. The containment structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first annular groove formed in an underside of the lid and adapted to receive a non-metal gasket, and a second annular groove formed in the upwardly facing surface of the periphery and adapted to receive a metal gasket.

3. The containment structure as recited in claim 2 wherein the metal gasket is actuated and de-actuated when subjected to a third axial force of between 20,000 pounds and 60,000 pounds.

4. The containment structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising a center region of the lid, which when contacted with a first axially applied force, imparts radial force to the rods.

5. The containment structure as recited in claim 4 further comprising a center region of the lid, which when contacted with a second axially applied force, imparts medial force to the rods.

6. The containment structure as recited in claim 5 wherein the second axially applied force is manually applied.

7. The containment structure as recited in claim 4 wherein the first axially applied force is manually applied.

8. The containment structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the rods extend radially beyond exterior surfaces of the vessel to engage with adjacent structures.

9. The containment structure as recited in claim 1 wherein a distal end of each of the rods define an enlarged diameter, compared to the diameter of the remaining portion of the rods.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2024
From: SHULER, JAMES M.; HAN, ZENGHU; LIU, YUNG Y.; BLANTON, PAUL; POPE, RONALD
To: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
Reel/Frame 068295/0641 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded May 11, 2022
From: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 059890/0561 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230268094A1 · Aug 24, 2023