Abstract: An economical and effective explosive composition is manufactured by combining appropriate proportions of activated ammonium nitrate, a fuel and preferably a sensitizer. The preferred fuel is a liquid hydrocarbon derivative or a liquid or solid hydrocarbon derivative which is soluble in the sensitizer and which has a fuel value greater than that of the sensitizer. The preferred sensitizers are nitroalkane, or dinitroaromatic compounds most preferably nitromethane. The explosive composition is made more effective through an activation procedure upon the ammonium nitrate. The ammonium nitrate utilized with the present invention is in the form of prills, porous spherical pellets. These prills can be activated by adding a small amount of water to the prills, thoroughly mixing the water so that it is all absorbed, heating the prills to an elevated temperature, evaporating the water from the prills, and then preferably cooling the prills.

Abstract: The specification discloses a hand-held detonator or blasting device which includes a rigid housing dimensioned to be held in the hand of an operator. A pair of binding posts extend from the housing for attachment to an explosive charge. First and second switches are mounted on the housing and a battery and capacitor are disposed within the housing. An oscillator is provided for being connected to the battery in response to operation of the first switch to generate an A.C. signal. A transformer is connected to the output of the oscillator to apply the A.C. signal to full-wave rectifying circuitry which produces a D.C. signal in order to charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage level. Circuitry is responsive to operation of the second switch to disconnect the capacitor from the battery and to connect the capacitor across the binding posts in order to discharge the voltage stored thereon to detonate the explosive charge.

Abstract: A container capable of withstanding pressures having a longitudinal cord-receiving groove and a detonator-receiving groove formed as integral parts of the container. Radially projecting, substantially deformable, grooves are formed on the container at its upper and lower portions to retain a substantially non-deformable tubular sleeve positioned on the container, thereby covering the cord-receiving groove and the detonator-receiving groove. The threaded cap for the container has a projecting member which forms with the interior side walls of the cap, an annular slot for maintaining a resilient, deformable gasket. Upon threadedly engaging the cap with the threaded neck of the container the projecting member protrudes into and is adjacent the interior surface of the neck and the gasket cooperates with the edge portion of the neck to form the improved seal for the container.