Abstract: A method of making a flavored beverage includes combining water and a plurality of flavor compounds in an amount sufficient to impart the flavor of a wine, a whiskey, a beer, a gin, a vermouth, a rum, or a tequila. A packaged beverage precursor for making a flavored beverage can include a plurality of flavor compounds and a container.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions exhibit low autoignition temperatures. In preferred forms, the gas generant compositions include azobisformamidine dinitrate (AZODN) and a eutectic mixture (comelt) of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate. The comelt of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate is most preferably present in the formulations of the invention in an amount to achieve a low autoignition temperature of between about 140° C. (284° F.) to about 160° C. (320° F.). The compositions of the invention may include a variety of auxiliary components typically employed in conventional gas generant compositions for their intended purpose. For example, especially preferred formulations of the present invention will include a powdered metal or metal oxide as a combustion catalyst to speed the decomposition reaction and also as a combustion aid to facilitate the ignition of the primary propellant or gas generant.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions exhibit low autoignition temperatures. In preferred forms, the gas generant compositions include azobisformamidine dinitrate (AZODN) and a eutectic mixture (comelt) of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate. The comelt of silver nitrate and potassium nitrate is most preferably present in the formulations of the invention in an amount to achieve a low autoignition temperature of between about 140° C. (284° F.) to about 160° C. (320° F.). The compositions of the invention may include a variety of auxiliary components typically employed in conventional gas generant compositions for their intended purpose. For example, especially preferred formulations of the present invention will include a powdered metal or metal oxide as a combustion catalyst to speed the decomposition reaction and also as a combustion aid to facilitate the ignition of the primary propellant or gas generant.

Abstract: An improved thermally stable, storage stable gas generating composition characterized by both an increased burning rate and a decreased pressure exponent for producing a clean, nontoxic, substantially ash- and solids-free gas for inflating inflatable structures such as vehicle airbags is provided. Optimum combustion efficiencies and operating pressures are achieved in the improved gas generating composition by adding an effective amount of a copper or copper compound catalyst to a gas generating composition that is preferably a eutectic mixture or solid solution of ammonium nitrate, at least one highly oxygenated fuel, potassium or cesium perchlorate or nitrate and an optional binder.

Abstract: Solid gas generant compositions produce low particulates (e.g., condensed ash) when ignited. The solid gas generant compositions most preferably include a nitramine, at least one oxidizer selected from nitrates of strontium or cerium, in admixture with or without potassium perchlorate, and a binder. Graphite may optionally be employed. The gas generant compositions are usefully employed in inflatable vehicle occupant passive restraint systems (e.g., air bag systems).

Abstract: A gas generating composition comprising ammonium nitrate and a non-toxic metal oxide which reduces the pressure exponent and enables the composition to sustain combustion at or near atmospheric pressure, thereby improving combustion efficiency. The composition is useful for various purposes, such as inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, i.e., an air bag for an automotive vehicle or aircraft, as well as aircraft escape chutes or the like.

Abstract: A gas generating composition comprising ammonium nitrate and a non-toxic metal oxide which reduces the pressure exponent and enables the composition to sustain combustion at or near atmospheric pressure, thereby improving combustion efficiency. The composition is useful for various purposes, such as inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, i.e., an air bag for an automotive vehicle or aircraft, as well as aircraft escape chutes or the like.

Abstract: An improved thermally stable, storage stable gas generating composition characterized by both an increased burning rate and a decreased pressure exponent for producing a clean, nontoxic, substantially ash- and solids-free gas for inflating inflatable structures such as vehicle airbags is provided. Optimum combustion efficiencies and operating pressures are achieved in the improved gas generating composition by adding an effective amount of a copper or copper compound catalyst to a gas generating composition that is preferably a eutectic mixture or solid solution of ammonium nitrate, at least one highly oxygenated fuel, potassium or cesium perchlorate or nitrate and an optional binder.

Abstract: A eutectic solution of ammonium nitrate and either aminoguanidiine nitrate (AGN) or guanidine nitrate (AN) in the form of a present pellet is used to generate a particulate-free, non-toxic, odorless and colorless gas that is useful wherever an immediate source of such gas is required, such as the inflation of an occupant restraint air bag. The use of the material in the form of a eutectic totally eliminates pellet cracking. Moreover, the addition of a minor amount of potassium nitrate to the eutectic solution eliminates the ammonium nitrate phase change due to temperature cycling without adversely affecting the pressed pellets' freedom from cracking due to said temperature cycling.

Abstract: A fire suppressant composition is provided which exhibits a low pressure and low flame temperature. The composition comprises ammonium nitrate and a guanidine salt or derivative which produces greater than 3 moles of inert gas per 100 grams of composition and alkali metal or alkaline earth salts for flame suppression. The composition may also include iron or iron oxide.

Abstract: The combination of guanidine nitrate (GN), aminoguanidine nitrate (AGN) and potassium perchlorate (KP) in defined proportions serves as an effective gas generative composition that displays enhanced burning rate performance at 2000 and 4000 psi. Through the addition thereto of small amounts of potassium nitrate (KN) the burning rate and pressure component of the composition is further improved and through the addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) both greater dimensional strength and superior stability are provided.

Abstract: A gas generating composition, particularly for inflating devices such as air bag inflators, includes an effective amount of an exploded aluminum powder to both increase the burning rate and lower the composition's pressure exponent.

Abstract: This invention relates to gas-generative compositions consisting essentially of ammonium perchlorate with a chlorine scavenger, such as strontium nitrate, barium nitrate, potassium nitrate, or lithium carbonate, the combination being present in an amount of about 30 to about 95% by weight, up to about 5% by weight of a binder, up to about 5% by weight of a burning rate catalyst, together with an organic fuel, such as guanidine nitrate. The fuel is in an amount complementary to the combined weight of ammonium perchlorate, burning rate catalyst, chlorine scavenger, and binder, at an oxidation ratio of 0.90 to 0.98. The invention also includes the method of inflating an inflatable device by generating gas employing the noted composition and a gas generator in which the gas-generative composition is that of the present invention.

Abstract: A composition for generating a non-toxic, non-flammable, odorless gas is disclosed wherein the propellant of said composition is a mixture of about 30% by weight to about 45% by weight KClO.sub.4 with about 55% by weight to 706 by weight of guanidine nitrate or a gas-generative effective derivative thereof with about 1% by weight to 3% by weight cellulose acetate butyrate, the oxidation ratio of oxidizer to fuel being about 0.92 to about 0.98. The method of using said composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A eutectic solution of ammonium nitrate and either aminoguanidine nitrate (AGN) or guanidine nitrate (AN) in the form of a pressed pellet is used to generate a low particulate non-toxic, odorless and colorless gas that is useful wherever an immediate source of such gas is required, such as the inflation of an occupant restraint air bag. The use of the material in the form of a eutectic totally eliminates pellet cracking. Moreover, the addition of a minor amount of potassium perchlorate to the eutectic solution improves stability at 107.degree. for 400 hours, lowers the pressure exponent and increases the burn rate at 2000 psi.

Abstract: An autoignition propellant (AIP) is disclosed for use in conjunction with gas generative compositions for air bags to reduce the autoignition temperature of said propellant without adversely affecting the AIP's storage thermal stability. Said AIP consists essentially of A) a mixture of a) about 60 to 80% by weight KClO.sub.3, b) about 15 to about 30% by weight lactose and c) about 1 to about 10% by weight of an aliphatic polycarbonate and B) an autoignition lowering effective amount of superfine iron in an amount up to 10% by weight based upon the combined weight of A) and B). A method of using the AIP to lower autoignition temperatures and an air bag inflator containing the AIP are also disclosed.

Abstract: An essentially particulate-free, non-toxic, odorless and colorless gas is generated in a pyrotechnic inflator device by using a eutectic solution of ammonium nitrate, guanidine nitrate and/or aminoguanidine nitrate, and minor amounts of polyvinyl alcohol and either potassium nitrate or potassium perchlorate. Ballistic modifiers such as triaminoguanidine nitrate (TAGN) or nitroguanidine (NQ) may be used as needed.

Abstract: A gas-generating composition for inflating inflation devices such as air bags, life rafts, slide chutes, and the like which comprises an oxidizer component, cellulose acetate and plasticizer. The cellulose acetate and plasticizer provides a binder system which does not produce hazardous compounds upon combustion. Molded articles can be formed by injection molding or extruding the composition.

Abstract: A eutectic solution of ammonium nitrate and either aminoguanidine nitrate (AGN) or guanidine nitrate (AN) in the form of a present pellet is used to generate a particulate-free, non-toxic, odorless and colorless gas that is useful wherever an immediate source of such gas is required, such as the inflation of an occupant restraint air bag. The use of the material in the form of a eutectic totally eliminates pellet cracking. Moreover, the addition of a minor amount of potassium nitrate to the eutectic solution eliminates the ammonium nitrate phase change due to temperature cycling without adversely affecting the pressed pellets' freedom from cracking due to said temperature cycling.