Patents by Inventor David Minshall

David Minshall has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Container for nuclear fuel elements
    Patent number: 6577699
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a container for the storage and transport of nuclear fuel elements comprising a plurality of elongate compartments for receiving the nuclear fuel elements, the compartments being defined by a first set of plates intersecting with a second set of plates, the first set of plates extending perpendicularly with respect to the second set of plates to define compartments having a rectangular cross section, wherein the plates include an interlocking joint, the interlocking joint comprising at least one projection provided on one plate and a recess formed in the other plate, and wherein a retaining portion is provided in the recess for engagement by the projection so as to interlock the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels, plc
    Inventor: David Minshall
  • End closures for containers
    Patent number: 4764333
    Abstract: An end closure for a nuclear fuel flask in which the gate, which is movable between open and closed positions across an end of the flask, has first and second portions which are urged apart, conveniently by spring-loaded means. A door has upper and lower wedge-shaped members mounted on and releasably connected to the respective gate portions. In use, a displacement of the gate into or out of its fully closed position effects movement of one only of the gate portions and its associated door member. As the door members are wedge-shaped the other door member is urged into or out of sealing engagement with the end of the fuel flask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plc
    Inventors: David Minshall, Roy Randle
  • End closure member for a container
    Patent number: 4576779
    Abstract: A closure in the form of a wedge-shaped member (3) to close the end of a container, such as a transport flask. The wedge-shaped member (3) carries a seal plate (7) which is urged by spring means (9) to project beyond the smaller end of the wedge-shaped member when the latter is in a position to open the end of the container. On advancing the wedge-shaped member (3) to close the end of the container the projecting end of the plate (7) first abuts against a stop (18) and continued advance of the wedge-shaped member relative to the seal plate (7) causes displacement of the seal plate towards the interior of the container to effect a seal at the end of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels Limited
    Inventors: Donald S. McWilliam, David Minshall