Abstract: In combination with a lading tie-down strap a shield for protecting the strap where it passes cover a corner of lading stacked on the flatbed of a cargo vehicle, e.g. a bulkhead railway flatcar. At least one end of each lading tie-down strap will be wound on a winch mounted on a side of the flatbed. The shields are formed from pieces of fabric or the like which are foldable into sleeves embracing the tie-down straps. When embracing a tie-down strap a shield sleeve must be sufficiently flexible so as to be windable on a winch along with the strap. Strips of Velcro-tape on the shields serve to releasably retain the shields on the tie-down straps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved permissible explosive composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a permissible water-in-oil emulsion explosive that is shock-resistant and has a relatively low density. The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as the continuous phase and an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution as the discontinuous phase. These oxidizer and fuel phases react with one another upon initiation by a blasting cap or other initiator to produce an effective detonation.

Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions have improved detonation properties, stability and lower viscosity. Bis (alkanolamine or polyol) amide and/or ester derivatives of bis-carboxylated or anhydride derivatized addition polymers are used as the emulsifier. For example, alkanolamine reacted (2:1 ratio) with polyisobutenyl succinic anhydride is found superior to the corresponding 1:1 derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for forming an explosive and more particularly to a system that is portable, self-contained and is capable of mixing essentially non-explosive ingredients from separate containers or separate compartments within a container to form an explosive. The system is particularly adaptable for military or tactical applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means by which chemically or thermally gassed emulsion explosives can be packaged in symmetrical cartridges, such as cylindrical paper packages having crimped ends. After formation, the gassed emulsion explosive is formed into a continuous strip of generally constant width and height. The strip then is passed through a cooling bath to cool the emulsion explosive to a predetermined temperature. A desired length of emulsion then is cut from the cooled strip, and the cut length is wrapped with a paper packaging material to form a cartridge of emulsion explosive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved explosive composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsion explosive having improved stability and a lower viscosity. The term "water-in-oil" means a dispersion of droplets of an aqueous solution or water-miscible melt (the discontinuous phase) in an oil or water-immiscible organic substance (the continuous phase). The term "explosive" means both cap-sensitive explosives and noncap-sensitive explosives commonly referred to as blasting agents. The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as the continuous phase and an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution or melt as the discontinuous phase. (The terms "solution" or "melt" hereafter shall be used interchangeably.) These oxidizer and fuel phases react with one another upon initiation by a blasting cap and/or a booster to produce an effective detonation.

Abstract: An inflatable wand for positioning within an upward oriented, mining borehole and near a lower collar opening thereof wherein the wand provides a conduit for introducing and retaining liquid explosive materials within the borehole. The wand includes a flexible tube with longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers embedded in an elastic composition such as rubber. The tube is constructed to permit radial elongation in response to a force arising within the tube and directed radially outward, but to restrain against axial elongation during use. Such radial elongation arises because of back pressure developed by the flowing explosive as it is impeded at a valve outlet at the distal end of the wand. Enlargement of the wand seals the opening of the borehole without destruction of the elastic material on sharp points and edges of the borehole collar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to packaged explosives and methods of manufacture thereof and more particularly to packaged emulsion explosives. The term "emulsion" as hereafter used shall mean an oil-continuous emulsion having a continuous organic fuel phase and a discontinuous oxidizer solution phase dispersed as fine droplets throughout the fuel phase. The term "explosive" shall mean a detonable composition which can be either cap-sensitive or noncap-sensitive, as desired. The term "packaged" shall refer to cylindrical tubes or sticks of emulsion explosive of any desired length and having a diameter of generally four (4) inches or less, although larger diameter products also can be made by the methods described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsion explosive comprising a water-immiscible organic fuel as a continuous phase; an emulsified aqueous inorganic oxidizer salt solution as a discontinuous phase; and a phenolic derivative of polypropene or polybutene as an emulsifier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waterproof, free-running blasting agent and method of manufacturing the same and, more particularly, to a blasting agent in the form of microcapsules (small spherical-shaped particles comprising fluid or hardened droplets surrounded by a hardened shell material). The microcapsules are waterproof and free-running and are generally of a size ranging from about 10 to about 1000 microns or larger in diameter.

Abstract: A static electricity protection system for use in electric detonators having an electrically conductive housing, and an ignition system contained in the housing. The static electricity protection system includes a pair of electrical conductors for carrying electrical current to the ignition system, with the conductors being generally disposed apart from one another and from the housing walls. A portion of each conductor is positioned adjacent to but not in contact with the housing and adjacent to but not in contact with a portion of the other conductor. This enables the discharge of static charge accumulation on either conductor to the housing with the result that ionization of air takes place to allow further discharge from the other conductor to the housing. In this way, the ignition system is protected from static electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cast explosive composition and other energetic compositions such as propellants. (As used herein, the term "explosive" also shall include other energetic compositions such as propellants.) More particularly, the invention relates to a cast explosive composition which is initially formed as a stable, fluid, water-containing, water-in-oil emulsion explosive and which thereafter solidifies upon the addition of a desiccant and/or emulsion destabilizing agent. As used herein, the term "desiccant" means a water reacting, absorbing or adsorbing agent. One method of the present invention is the formulating of the cast explosive composition by adding the desiccant and/or destabilizing agent to a stable emulsion to cause the emulsion to solidify. Alternatively, a desiccant can be included in the aqueous phase of the stable emulsion which then is solidified by the addition of an emulsion destabilizing agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for refining, pumping and loading a borehole with a water-in-oil emulsion slurry blasting composition, wherein the emulsion slurry blasting composition is pumped or forced through a valve positioned at the end of a delivery hose in order to increase the viscosity of the composition prior to its expulsion from the hose.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition having a relatively high density and energy and a critical diameter no larger than about 150 mm at a temperature of 5.degree. C. The composition comprises inorganic oxidizer salt consisting primarily of ammonium nitrate, a water-immiscible organic liquid fuel, less than about 5% water, a sensitizer and an emulsifier which allows formation of a water-in-oil emulsion at an elevated formulation temperature but which also allows the emulsion to weaken and the inorganic oxidizer salt to crystallize at lower or ambient temperatures to produce a cast composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast explosive composition having a high density, energy and critical diameter and comprising inorganic oxidizer salt consisting primarily of ammonium nitrate, a water-immiscible organic liquid fuel, less than about 5% water, and an emulsifier which allows formation of a water-in-oil emulsion at an elevated formulation temperature but which also allows the emulsion to weaken and the inorganic oxidizer salt to crystallize at lower or ambient temperatures to produce a cast composition.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for formulating and delivering emulsion slurry blasting agents in a self-contained, "on-site," movable system, such as a heavy duty truck which houses the necessary apparatus for formulating the emulsion blasting agent. A key part of the apparatus is a blender in which the emulsion phase is formed.