Abstract: A data format of music sequence data represents a music piece and enables a compatible sound generating apparatus to reproduce the music piece at a first quality while allowing a non-compatible sound generating apparatus to reproduce the music piece at a second quality different from the first quality. The music sequence data is composed of event data and timing data. The event data represents various types of musical events occurring during the course of reproducing the music piece. The timing data specifies occurrence timing of each musical event.

Abstract: A performance control apparatus which can actually reproduce performance information without a long sounding blank time period being produced even if the performance information includes information indicative of a long sounding blank time period. Performance data md-A including at least key-on event data KON and time data TIME that defines sounding timing is read out and output. When the time data TIME in the readout performance data md-A is indicative of a longer sounding blank time period than a predetermined time period, the sounding blank time period is reduced or eliminated in outputting the performance data md-A.

Abstract: Within a mobile communication device (100), a method (300) of specifying two or more musical notes for substantially concurrent playback can include receiving (302) an input specifying a root note (FIG. 2) indicating a position on a neck of a stringed instrument and associating (308) at least one column of input keys such as numeric keys (115) of the mobile communication device with a string of the stringed instrument (130). Numeric keys next to one another and within a same column can specify notes which vary by approximately a half-step (130). The method also can include detecting (312) at least one activation of the numeric keys specifying at least one additional note to be played substantially concurrently or in a defined sequence with the root note (FIG. 5), thereby specifying a musical chord.

Abstract: In the present invention, a lighting controller is provided to provide illumination based upon the playing of musical instruments. The lighting controller is programmed with lighting profiles which control the lights on a device. When musical instrument is played, a note (event) is detected by a transducer and based upon which event has been detected, a signal is sent to the lighting controller to determine which lighting profile to send to the device. Upon determining the proper lighting profile. a signal is sent from the lighting controller to the device causing the device to illuminate.

Abstract: In a multiple projectile launcher system, cartridges are securely held within a cassette that can be loaded into a locking and priming mechanism in a base of a multiple projectile launcher. Once the cassette is loaded into the locking and priming mechanism, the cartridges in the cassette may be primed by moving the locking and priming mechanism (which is holding the cassette) such that electric igniter contacts in the launcher base are in contact with electric igniters at the priming end of each cartridge. Once the cassette is locked (thereby priming the plural cartridges held in the cassette), the cartridges may be fired singly, severally, and/or all at the same time, using an electrically initiated fire control system. The multiple projectile launcher is particularly effective in crowd and/or riot control, where the payload of the cartridges comprise non-lethal and/or less-lethal munitions, such as tear gas grenades, sting-ball grenades, flash-bang rounds, bean bags, etc.

Abstract: An explosive bolt includes: a bolt body forming a receiving space therein; a pressure transmitting means received in the receiving space of the bolt body; a pressure generating means connected to the pressure transmitting means and generating pressure; and a cut portion formed at the bolt body and cut upon receiving pressure generated from the pressure generating means through the pressure transmitting means. Accordingly, the amount of gunpowder used is minimized, and a position of a cut portion can be freely designed and fixed, thereby not only minimizing explosion impact and noise but also improving productivity and reliability.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coil gun system includes a launcher having a barrel with a longitudinal bore therethrough, and a plurality of longitudinally extending electrical excitation coils arranged circumferentially around the bore of the barrel so that a magnetic field produced by an electrical current in each electrical excitation coil penetrates into the bore. Each electrical excitation coil is independently activated by the electrical current passed therethrough. There is a projectile sized to be received within the bore of the barrel and having a circumferential armature at a tail end thereof, and a nose end.

Abstract: Once one has taken into account basic shooting/launching issues like breach, barrel, and projectile, work on electrostatic forces can begin. Firstly, safety is a must, the static generator is not lethal but the capacitors are very lethal. Secondly, select material for the rings (i.e. surgical steel), determine Voltmax (in air or vacuum), and design a system to deliver the energy to a ring as the rear of a projectile passes through. If properly constructed, Voltmax=r1+r2 . . . rx or as a unit use ½ mv2. Outcome is very high muzzle exit velocity with extremely small recoil (?10?23 joules).

Abstract: Determining cook-off time for a weapon is disclosed. A method determines a first barrel temperature next to a first energetic, such as a propellant charge, of ammunition within a gun barrel, and determines a second barrel temperature next to a second energetic, such as an explosive charge, of the ammunition. If the ammunition did not properly fire, the method determines a first cook-off time of the first energetic based on the first temperature next to the first energetic and the first energetic's type, and a second cook-off time of the second energetic based on the second temperature next to the second energetic and the second energetic's type. The first and second times may be determined by using one or more finite-difference heat transfer models. If either or both of the first and second times are less than a threshold, a warning-related action is performed to users of the weapon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a powder actuated setting tool including a housing, a barrel in operable communication with the housing, a trigger mechanism at the housing and a rotary firing pin resetting mechanism in operable communication with the trigger mechanism. Further disclosed herein is a method for resetting a firing pin in a powder actuated setting tool including imparting a torsional spring force to a firing pin resetting mechanism, extending a barrel of the setting tool to remove an impediment to rotational movement of the firing pin, and rotating the firing pin in response to the torsional spring force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ballistic protection for use in personal equipment or in vehicles of various types such as cars, helicopters and boats or for use in permanent or temporary protection of various types in buildings or other fixed or mobile installations. The ballistic protection according to the present inventino can be employed as protection against various kinds of low or high-velocity projectiles in addition to which it will be capable of offering protection agains splinters and various kinds of fragments which could other wise injure people or damage vehicles or installations if they had the opportunity of penetrating right through an external protective layer. The ballistic protection according to the present invention can further be combined with a drinking water reservoir since an essential part of the protection is a liquid container. The drinking water supply, for example, for a soldier is thereby improed both with regard to available volume and position/carrying capacity.

Abstract: An armor system useful, for example, as a shroud, comprising a first pliable, cut resistant fibrous layer and a second pliable fibrous layer is disclosed. The first layer is arranged to receive an impact from a large projectile prior to the second layer and engages the projectile to slow its velocity. The second layer is substantially coextensive with the first and dissipates the incoming energy of the impact to resist complete penetration of the second layer by the projectile, preferably by deforming in response to the impact. Both layers comprise fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/d, and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g and a tenacity equal to or greater than about 10 g/d. In another embodiment, the layers are reversed relative to the impact face of the system so that the second layer becomes the first layer and is resistant to projectiles impacting the system, while the first layer becomes the second layer and resists deformation of the system by projectile impacts.

Abstract: A multi-hit transparent armor system is described and claimed herein for improving the resistance of transparent armor to incoming projectiles. Typically, the transparent armor is framed within a window opening of a security structure. An exemplary, contemplated structure is an armored combat vehicle. My system includes a sheet of tempered glass that is also positioned within said window, but is deployed outboard of said transparent armor and is also parallel planar thereto. Positioned below said sheet of tempered glass, and coaxial thereto, is an opaque armor panel that is more efficient and effective against multiple projectiles than either the tempered glass or transparent armor alone. The tempered glass sheet and the opaque armor are typically loaded under compression by a spring assembly. An incoming projectile, launched from a position outboard and also remote from said structure, will first strike the tempered glass before hitting my transparent armor.

Abstract: A firearm apparatus includes a gun housing which includes a barrel support channel between a front gun housing portion and an intermediate gun housing portion. A reciprocating barrel is housed inside the gun housing and includes a piston-sleeve-contained barrel portion slidingly received in a piston sleeve which is housed in the front gun housing portion and in front of the barrel support channel. Proximal portions of a barrel piston head, the piston-sleeve-contained barrel portion, and the piston sleeve form a pressure space into which a portion of high pressure combustion gasses from a fired cartridge enter. The high pressure gasses propel the barrel forward until the barrel piston head reaches the end of the piston sleeve. Then, a recoil spring returns the barrel to its original position. As the barrel moves back and forth, a fresh cartridge is automatically loaded from a magazine into a barrel chamber portion, the cartridge is fired, and the spent cartridge is automatically discharged.

Abstract: A fluid circuit is provided to independently control the flow of fluid into and out of each end of an actuator. This is accomplished by having two different independently controlled valves controlling the flow of fluid into and out of one end of the actuator and by having two other independently controlled valves controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the other end of the actuator. Regeneration of the fluid flow from one end of the actuator to the other end of the actuator is provided by blocking the exhaust flow of fluid to the reservoir by one of the independently controlled valves and redirecting the flow across the other of the independently controlled valves to join with the flow of the pump that is being directed to the other end of the actuator. This arrangement permits a portion or all of the fluid from one end of the actuator to be regenerated to the other end of the actuator.

Abstract: An air spring assembly is mounted to a shock absorber to form a strut assembly. The shock absorber includes an outer cylinder with a shock piston and piston rod mounted within the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder includes a shock mount that is attached to a vehicle wheel. The air spring assembly includes an upper mount, which is attached to a vehicle body member, and a lower mount that is attached to the outer cylinder. An air spring piston is mounted to the upper mount via a bearing assembly to permit relative rotation between the air spring piston and the vehicle body member. A flexible member extends from the lower mount to a lower end of the air spring piston. The piston rod is mounted at one end to the shock piston and at an opposite end to the air spring piston. An isolator is mounted between the piston rod and the air spring piston to minimize shock loads.

Abstract: In the case of an industrial truck having a piston/cylinder arrangement (20), comprising a cylinder (26) and a piston (22), which can be extended out of and withdrawn into said cylinder (26), as a drive and/or as guidance for a first component (12) for the purpose of moving it in relation to a second component (14), in particular as a drive for components (12, 14) of a lifting system (10), the piston (22) is coupled for force transfer purposes to a component (14) associated with it (first or second component), and the cylinder (26) is mounted on a cylinder bearing (34) of the respective other component (12) associated with the cylinder (26) and is coupled to said component (12) for force transfer purposes. According to the invention, the cylinder (26) is in bearing engagement with the cylinder bearing (34) such that it can be moved in relation to the cylinder bearing (34).

Abstract: A piston includes a piston body having a longitudinal central axis. A piston head is formed with a plurality of ring grooves and a pair of pin bosses depend from the head and are formed with a pair of pin bores that are centered on a common pin bore axis that intersects the longitudinal axis of the piston. Skirt Portions have outer surfaces with a longitudinal profile that is convexly shaped. A major diameter of the profile lies within ±2 mm of the pin bore axis in both a cold and hot condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston device for a vehicle brake system, in particular for a pedal simulation apparatus of a vehicle brake system, having a piston shank extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis and having a radially extending piston disk formed on said piston shank, wherein the piston disk has a radially outer region, in which an outwardly open radial groove is formed, and wherein sealing means are or may be accommodated in the radial groove. In the invention it is further provided that the sealing means comprise a flexible sealing ring, which is or may be accommodated with axial and radial clearance in the radial groove, that the outside diameter of the sealing ring exceeds the outside diameter of the piston disk and that the piston disk is provided with at least one vent hole opening into the radial groove.

Abstract: A composite piston for an electromagnetic induction type reciprocating pump includes a metal attraction block and a metal tube. The attraction block includes a central through-hole and a pressure relief port communicated with the central through-hole. The attraction block further includes an end to which the metal tube is securely engaged. The end of the attraction block includes an engaging hole having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the metal tube. The metal tube has an end received in the engaging hole of the attraction block and bonded with the attraction block by welding.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in embodiments, provides a compound of the formula where R1, R2, R3, n, and m are as defined in the specification. The disclosure also provides an article including: a fused silica capillary column treated with a compound of the formula (I), and optionally coated with a stationary phase. The disclosure also provides a separation method, including chromatographing a mixture of compounds on the article.

Abstract: A second-generation rotating biofilter employing microorganisms in a microbiological film (biofilm) “mineralizes” contaminants, such as VOCs and odoriferous contaminants. Contaminated fluid, such as air from manufacturing processes, is directed radially outward from a perforated pipe through porous foam attached to the pipe. The pipe serves as the axis upon which layers of foam suitable for supporting formation of biofilms are placed. In one embodiment, an octagonal-shaped drum incorporates eight baskets. In each basket, foam is layered outwardly from the pipe in trapezoidal-shaped layers each of approximately 3.8 cm thickness, each layer separated by air gaps of approximately 1.3 cm to prevent clogging. Seven layers in each of eight baskets comprise the octagonal drum. When the drum is sprayed on one side, water soaks the media and it is heavier on that side, thus facilitating rotation of the drum. Further, the biofilms are supplied with moisture and supplemental nutrients as needed.

Abstract: A device and method for generating micro bubbles in a liquid. The method comprises the steps of: providing a flow-through channel containing at least two local constrictions of flow therein; passing the liquid at a velocity of at least at least 12 m/sec through a first local constriction of flow to create a first hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream from the first local constriction of flow; introducing a gas into the liquid in the first local constriction of flow, thereby creating gas-filled cavitation bubbles; collapsing the gas-filled cavitation bubbles formed in the first hydrodynamic cavitation field to dissolve the gas into the liquid, thereby forming a gas-saturated liquid; passing the gas-saturated liquid through a second local constriction of flow to create a second hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream from the second local constriction of flow; and extracting the dissolved gas from the gas-saturated liquid, thereby generating micro bubbles in the liquid.

Abstract: A metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane that is permeable only to protons and hydrogen is disclosed. The metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane has a surface microsturcture that prevents cracking of the metal coating during hydration. The metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane can be used in liquid-type fuel cells to prevent crossover of fuel, gas and impurities.

Abstract: An improved coffee brewer and brewing method are provided for producing brewed coffee with improved flavor. The coffee brewer includes a brew basket having jet ports connected to a source of heated water and positioned to deliver hot water streams into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of coffee grounds contained therein. These hot water streams turbulently agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce a substantially fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds for improved flavor extraction and enhanced aroma. This fluidized bed is directed against one or more mesh filter elements forming a wall portion of the brew basket for outward passage of the thus-brewed coffee which is then directed into an underlying carafe or the like. In one preferred form, a portion of the brew basket may incorporate a window to permit visual observation of the fluidized bed therein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for the heating of a liquid in a beverage machine comprising at least one set of at least two resistors, wherein said resistors are electrically linked together so as to use one resistor of each set individually or in serial with one or more of the resistors of the same set, at least one individual resistor and at least one set of two resistors, wherein said resistors are electrically linked together so as to use the first resistor of a set individually or in serial with one or more of the following resistors of the same set, said resistors transferring the maximum of energy to the flow of liquid and allowing a finer control of the liquid temperature.

Abstract: A flexible baking apparatus is disclosed having a strip of malleable material configured to be hand-manipulated into a desired shape. The malleable strip material is a thermoplastic, metal, alloy or other material capable of withstanding high temperatures. After forming the desired shape, the ends of the strip are joined together to form a baking vessel.

Abstract: A rack structure of an oven is provided. In the rack structure, a fixed shelf is disposed in a cavity of an oven and it includes an opening with a predetermined size and a vertical bar arranged on each side of the opening, a slide bar includes an end slidable along the vertical bar, and a movable shelf includes at least one portion supported by the slide bar and it is capable of opening and closing the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding multiple pizzas includes a pan and an insert adapted to fit within the pan. The insert includes a plurality of sidewalls extending between a base of the insert and an upper portion of the insert, and the sidewalls generally surround a plurality of openings defined by the insert in the base. The insert is adapted to fit within the pan such that each of the multiple pizzas contacts a bottom of the pan and the sidewalls of the insert. A method of making multiple pizzas includes placing a support into a cooking vessel, placing dough across the support to form multiple dough portions, placing ingredients on the multiple dough portions to form multiple pizzas, and placing the support and the cooking vessel into a heating environment to bake the multiple pizzas.

Abstract: A cutter blade of a fruit and vegetable juice extractor is disclosed. The cutter blade has a blade center region being provided with a plurality of center teeth blades, and the center teeth blades are formed from a blade and the body of the blade and the height of the blades are greater than a separate teeth blade, thereby the crushing of the center region of the food stuff by the blade cutter is improved.

Abstract: A method of cutting a food product in a pan having a base and upstanding sidewalls includes providing a cutting guide which is substantially rigid and placing the same in overlying relationship with the pan with a cutting guide flange engaging a sidewall of the pan. A plurality of first markings are provided adjacent the guide to establish references for cutting in a first direction. The cutting guide is then positioned in an orientation generally perpendicular to the first orientation with a series of cutting reference marks being established in the food product. The cutting guide is then employed to effect cutting along the reference marks in the first direction and subsequently in a second direction thereby facilitating removal of the cut food product portions from the pan. The cutting guide preferably has a plurality of reference marks to facilitate precise determination of the position at which cuts will be made. The method may be employed directly with a food product not in pan.

Abstract: A two-piece die for simultaneously embossing a pattern into a web of material and cutting out that pattern from the web includes a flexible die member having male embossing patterns surrounded by a male die cutting edge. A base die member has female patterns into which the male patterns on the base die fit, but no corresponding groove for the male die cutting edge. The two members of the die set are held in a register by upper and lower outwardly projecting register tabs on the base die that are received into corresponding register slots in the flexible die and a register bar raised above the surface of the flexible die along side the register slots are on. An edge of the base die lying between the register tabs butts against the register bar. The die members, with a paper between them, are run through a flat bed press to produce embossed cut out patterns.

Abstract: An image forming portion carries out image formation processing where an image is formed an a recording medium on the basis of image information and is provided with a drive motor portion for driving predetermined mechanisms employed in the image formation processing and a control sensor portion for controlling the predetermined mechanisms, and a power source portion for supplying electric power to the image forming portion. A start instruction detecting portion detects start instruction to start the image formation processing, and a power source control portion inhibits the power source portion from supplying the electric power to the drive motor portion and/or the control sensor portion before the start instruction detecting portion detects the start instruction when the image formation processing is not being performed.

Abstract: A press contains an oscillating doctor and a motor for driving the oscillating doctor axially. The press further has at least one oscillating roller (ink distributor roller and/or damping solution distributor roller) and an oscillating mechanism, via which the oscillating roller is connected to the motor such that the oscillating roller and the oscillating doctor can be driven axially together by the motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a color chamber doctor blade 1, which has following characteristic features: two doctor blade knives 2 that can be set up in a roof-like fashion against a roller 6 from which two doctor blade knives 2 can be fixed on the doctor blade chamber body 5 by means of a clamping plate 3 whereby the clamping plate 3 is in active connection with long-stretch fasteners 4 in the axial direction (z) of the roller 6, which are arranged essentially parallel to the clamping plate 3 and from which the force required for fixing at least one doctor blade knife 2 is applied. Inventive is that the resultant of the force exercised by the fasteners 4 points to the doctor blade chamber body 5.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The thermal development method includes heating the photosensitive element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of a composition layer in the element to liquefy, soften, or melt; supporting a development medium with a non-rotating surface to provide contact of the development medium with the heated photosensitive element; and providing relative movement between the development medium and the non-rotating surface.

Abstract: In the plate supplying apparatus of the present invention, various vibrations are provided to a plate secured via suction during a separating operation by causing pad rods 403 to repeat a slight ascent and a pause, and thereafter causing the pad rods 403 to make an abrupt descent, thereby reliably peeling off a slip sheet adhering to the back face of the plate. Further, vibration in the rod-up/down direction is provided to the plate during the separating operation, and the plate is not pushed hard. Thus, it is possible to prevent the plate from being damaged. A raising and lowering motor 52 is driven to lower the cassette 9. A separating operation for peeling off a slip sheet S adhering to the back face of the plate P is performed, and thereafter the plate P secured via suction is turned over and transferred.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a printing press, in particular an offset printing press, so as to control accumulation of printing material on at least one rubber blanket of a transfer cylinder. Damping solution onto a forme cylinder, which interacts with the transfer cylinder, is controlled so as to minimize the positive build-up and/or negative build-up of the printing material on the transfer cylinder.

Abstract: A method and its product are disclosed for engraving and printing that would allow one engraving to be used on both 54 inches and 126 inches paper and still be matchable on both 54 inches and 126 inches paper and fabric. The design is engraved starting in the middle of the design and is then engraved in a standard 54 inches repeat. After the paper is printed, half the rolls of paper must be re rolled. Once this is done instead of the paper being matched on the right side, it is matched on the left side with one roll of standard paper and a second roll of re-rolled paper. This allows both rolls of paper to be matched in the center of the design. Now when the paper is joined it will give a roll of 126 inches wide paper. If it is not joined, it will give a roll of 63 inches paper that is in a 54 inches repeat. In this way, both 126 inches and 54 inches fabrics can be printed using the same set of rollers and still be in repeat.

Abstract: A printing process for obtaining patterns of nanometer and micrometer dimensions on a substrate, comprising i) the application of a solution or suspension of an imprinting material to the substrate, ii) the positioning, without applying pressure, of a stamp provided with relief patterns at a distance of 0 nm to 500 ?m from the substrate, and iii) the evaporation of the solution or suspension.

Abstract: Sublimable pad-printing ink and a method of marking an object with the ink, wherein the ink includes a hardening transparent pad-printing ink base and at least one sublimable colored pigment. The hardening transparent pad-printing ink base resists a sublimation temperature of the at least one sublimable colored pigment. The method includes pad-printing the object with a marking that includes a monochrome or polychrome marking composition having at least one monocolor pigmented component including fine particles of at least one sublimable monocolor colored pigment and heating at least one of the object and the pad-printed marking composition.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Abstract: An assembly including a support housing and an actuator device. The actuator device includes an extendable initiator cup including at least one non-random fold and at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products. The extendable initiator cup is folded to form a pocket that contains a portion of a moveable element. The extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends from a first length to a second, greater length upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The extendable initiator cup and the moveable element are at least partially disposed within a longitudinally extending bore of the support housing. The extending initiator cup moves the moveable element within the bore. The support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a blasting operation using blast control equipment to initiate a plurality of detonators at a blast site. According to the method, the full use of the blast control equipment is inhibited, a validation process on information is conducted, and, if the information is validated, at least partial use of the blast control equipment is enabled. The blasting system includes at least one installation of blast control equipment and a plurality of detonators that are configured to be initiated by the blast control equipment, a control facility, and a transmitter for transmitting an enabling signal to at least one selected installation which allows the blast control equipment at the selected installation to initiate the plurality of detonators.

Abstract: A tool for dropping one or more balls and then one or more darts features a closable ball drop opening that works automatically after the ball release to minimize damage to the subsequently released dart. A retainer keeps the darts from coming back up above the dart launcher in the event of a pressure surge in the well. The dart launcher features a dedicated movable barrel for each dart that can be locked in a fully misaligned and fully aligned position with the casing or tubular. A handle is retained to the dart housing and can be manipulated to defeat the lock and rotate a given barrel. The darts may be inspected in their respective barrels before launch and the launch order is variable.

Abstract: Apparatus for breaking rock which includes a first cartridge (30) with a base (32) and a side wall (34) which form an enclosure, and a propellant (42) inside the enclosure, and wherein a discontinuous relatively weaker region (60) of the container is formed at a junction between the wall and the base.

Abstract: A non-lethal round of ammunition including an interior non-lethal projectile within an outer casing and a cylindrical foam liner, such as a Styrofoam® liner, surrounding non-lethal projectile. The foam liner is advantageous in that it guides and contains the round and dissipates some of the projectile energy so as not to severely injure the targeted person.

Abstract: A closure wad is placed at the mouth of the launching end of a shotgun cartridge before the mouth is crimped down to seal the launching end of the cartridge. Both the walls of the closure cap and the walls at the mouth of the plastic envelope are crimped down together, thereby forming a substantially impermeable seal at the launching end of the cartridge. In addition, the inventive closure cap substantially reduces the detritus which is sometimes expelled when a launcher cartridge is fired.

Abstract: A deconfinement device for the casing of a piece of ammunition enclosing an explosive load able to be ignited by a priming fuse, device comprising at least one unblockable vent enabling the explosive load to communicate with the free air, device wherein the vent opens into a chamber located between the fuse and the explosive load.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in place of a round of percussion primed ammunition in a weapon includes a power supply and a switch. The switch is responsive to the mechanism in the weapon that fires the ammunition. Operation of the switch may enable the power supply to supply power to a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge may propel probes for delivering an incapacitating electrical charge from the power supply to the target. Another cartridge may include contacts to be applied without propellant to the target to stun the target. The apparatus may be inserted in the barrel of a weapon, for example, into the muzzle of a grenade launcher.