Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling boreholes with dry mass such sand, gravel, concrete and dry mortars or other similar materials from a deposit or a truck in blasting operations. The apparatus includes a container for storage of mass, conveying device with a conveyor screw for conveying the mass from the container into a hose and a compressed air supply for directing flow of the mass in the hose towards a dispenser. The compressor air supply is adapted to forcibly urge the mass into boreholes. The dispenser is adapted for positioning over the boreholes for filling with mass before blasting operations.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device including a combustion chamber including a wall, the combustion chamber containing combustible powder; an ignition source adapted to ignite said combustible powder within said combustion chamber; wherein the wall of the combustion chamber is adapted to burst at a predetermined pressure caused by combustion of the combustible powder; wherein the combustion chamber is disposed within a launch structure beneath a projectile and wherein a preselected amount of free space volume is disposed between said combustion chamber and said projectile.

Abstract: Flares with consumable weights connected to a forward end of the grain of the flare are disclosed. Also disclosed are consumable weight components for flares. The consumable weight components include a metal material within a matrix. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating a flare and methods for using a flare. Use of the consumable weights in the flares may reduce the amount of debris falling to ground.

Abstract: An igniter includes a housing having a first end with an opening, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, and a top surface with a Weakened area. The igniter may further include a pyrotechnic material disposed within the housing, a header having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a bridge element provided on the first end of the header and having lead wires on the second end of the header. The first end of the header may be inserted into the opening of the housing in a first direction so as to force the header against the pyrotechnic material. Flow of current through the bridge element heats the bridge element and ignites the pyrotechnic material, which causes the weakened area to rupture.

Abstract: An initiator device, comprising an explosive foil initiator; an initiator shaped charge that is activated by the explosive foil initiator; the initiator shaped charge comprising an outer casing having an opening therein defining a volume, an explosive located inside the opening, the explosive defining a concave cavity therein; a metal liner lining the concave cavity; and a detonation cord that is activated by the initiator shaped charge.

Abstract: The invention provides shock initiation devices comprising multilayer structures with constituent layers that undergo an exothermic self-propagating reaction once initiated by shock. The multilayer structures may be used as components in shaped charges, EFP devices, warheads, munition casings, interceptors, missiles, bombs, and other systems. The reactive layer materials may be selected based on required structural properties, density and reaction temperature.

Abstract: A method for supplying a pyrotechnic material slurry to a container, includes, taking out a pyrotechnic material slurry, stored inside a storage container, from the bottom portion of the storage container or a vicinity thereof, sealing the exposed surface of the pyrotechnic material slurry with a sealing material, and maintaining the sealed state of the pyrotechnic material slurry in the process of supplying the pyrotechnic material slurry to the container.

Abstract: An integral shaped charge has a liner portion and a case portion, the liner portion forming a cavity extending from a face to an apex. An explosive is disposed in the chamber.

Abstract: A case activated drum powder measure includes a measure body, a powder drum, a drive assembly and an actuation assembly. The measure body includes a drum receiver, an actuation tube and a hopper. The powder drum includes a powder cavity and is retained in the drum receiver. One end of an expanding die is secured to the actuation tube and the other end is secured to a loading press. A connecting rod transmits linear motion from the actuation assembly to rotate the powder drum through the drive assembly. Gun powder fills the powder cavity through the hopper. A case is retained in a shell holder retained in a ram of the reloading press. A lever arm is pulled, which causes the ram to push the case into the expanding die. Upward movement of the case causes the gun powder in the powder cavity to fall into the case.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of charging at least one container, such as a tube, with an energetic material. The method comprises the step of reducing a pressure of a fluid in an interior portion of the or each container. The method also comprises the step of positioning the energetic material at a position that is exterior to the or each container and at which a pressure is higher than in the interior portion of the or each container in a manner such that a suction results which sucks the energetic material into the interior portion of the or each container and thereby charges the or each container with the energetic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pyrotechnic system, system-compatible pyrotechnic objects, and a firing method tailored to the system. The system comprises a starting device having multiple receptacles, having a connection channel between each of the receptacles. The receptacles are filled with the pyrotechnic objects, the first receptacle is provided with an additional ignition device, and the pyrotechnic object located therein is ignited. An igniter externally positioned on the pyrotechnic object conducts the ignition energy into the interior and simultaneously via the connection channel into the neighboring receptacle. A pyrotechnic object located therein is ignited. The igniter externally positioned on the pyrotechnic object partially causes a time delay. The delay time may be set by twisting the pyrotechnic object in relation to the connection channel.

Abstract: A projectile sealing arrangement for a barrel assembly of a weapon wherein a plurality of projectile assemblies (10) are axially disposed in abutting relationship within a barrel (20), each projectile assembly (10) including a body (11) associated with a discrete propellant charge (15); said sealing arrangement comprising rearward opening (13) communicating with cavity (14) provided in said projectile assembly (10) for retaining the discrete propellant charge (15) and a forward portion (16) of an abutting projectile arranged for operative sealing engagement with a complementary portion (17) of the rearward opening (13). The sealing arrangement suitably includes surface portions of complementary shapes such that, during application of a compressive load (L) to abutting projectile assemblies (10), discrete propellant charge (15) is scaled within the cavity (14). There is also disclosed and claimed a chain of individual projectiles connected head to tail by complementary spigot and socket members.

Abstract: A perforating gun loading bay is described for protecting adjacent areas from an accidental explosion during gun loading. The bay can be an insert-type arrangement or a stand-alone structure. The bay includes metal plate walls, a floor and a roof.

Abstract: A firecracker packaging is provided which enables both carrying a single ignition detonation of a large number of firecrackers in an attractive package resembling a giant firecracker. At least one and preferably a plurality of spiral-wound strings of firecrackers having interconnected fuses are stacked together in a substantially cylindrical stack, covered by wrapping, and a handle extends from one end of the wrapping. The handle is preferably a length of line. Binding is positioned between the strings and the wrapping to retain the cylindrical configuration of the strings. Connecting fuses between adjacent strings permit ignition of the woven individual firecracker fuses in one string to lead to ignition of the woven individual firecracker fuses of the adjacent string.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping fireworks shells is provided and includes a base provided with preferably three support rollers configured to support a spherical firework shell thereon; stepper motors coupled to two of the rollers, a computer coupled to the stepper motors to control the movement of the stepper motors and thereby control the angular rotation of the shell on the rollers, and a dispenser assembly which dispenses continuous-feed tape for wrapping the shell and applies and presses the tape to the shell as the shell is rotated on the rollers. The computer instructs the stepper motors to systematically, at times, rotate the rollers at relatively different speeds, such that a shell on the rollers is subjected to angular rotation and-the tape is evenly applied to all portions of the shell such that the tape forms a very even casing of the firework shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping fireworks shells is provided and includes a base provided with preferably three support rollers configured to support a spherical firework shell thereon, stepper motors coupled to two of the rollers, a computer coupled to the stepper motors to control the movement of the stepper motors and thereby control the angular rotation of the shell on the rollers, and a dispenser assembly which dispenses continuous-feed tape for wrapping the shell and applies and presses the tape to the shell as the shell is rotated on the rollers. The computer instructs the stepper motors to systematically, at times, rotate the rollers at relatively different speeds, such that a shell on the rollers is subjected to angular rotation and the tape is evenly applied to all portions of the shell such that the tape forms a very even casing of the firework shell.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dual load charge in a single consolidation pressing operation. A first type explosive is placed in a cavity to form a booster charge. A pocket is formed in the booster charge. A second type explosive is disposed in the pocket of the booster charge to form an initiating charge therein. Finally, the booster charge and the initiating charge are preferably simultaneously consolidated to form a dual load charge with intimate contact between the booster charge and the initiating charge. Also disclosed is a press useful for implementing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A signal transmission fuse is made of a tube (36) which encases a support tape (14) having a reactive coating (18′) which is adhered to one side of the tape by a binder. A method of making the signal transmission fuse includes depositing on the support tape (14) a reactive paint (18) including a binder, which paint dries to form a reactive coating (18′). The coated support tape (14′) is then folded, i.e., formed into a channel configuration, to provide an inner concave side of the tape on which the reactive coating (18′) has been disposed. The coated support tape is then enclosed, e.g., within an extruded plastic tube (36). One side of the support tape may be made of a first material (14a) to which the reactive coating adheres, and a second side may be made of a second material (14b) which bonds or adheres to the inner surface (36a) of the plastic tube (36) enclosing the coated support tape (14′).