Blast resistant and blast directing container and assemblies

Abstract

Blast resistant and blast directing container assemblies for receiving explosive articles and preventing or minimizing damage in the event of an explosion. The container assembly comprises a container of blast resistant material and a blast mitigating material located within the container. The container is collapsible for storage when empty. The container assemblies have utility in aircraft, where weight is an important consideration, as cargo holders or containment devices in the passenger cabin. They also are useful as transport devices for hazardous materials such as gunpowder and explosives, e.g., bombs and grenades.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser. No. 08 / 533,589, filed Sep. 25, 1995.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to container assemblies. More particularly, this invention relates to various blast resistant and blast directing container assemblies for receiving explosive articles and preventing or minimizing damage in the event of an explosion. These container assemblies have utility as containment and transport devices for hazardous materials such as gunpowder and explosives, e.g., bombs and grenades, particularly in aircraft where weight is an important consideration, and more particularly in the cargo holds and passenger cabins of the aircraft. They are also particularly useful to bomb squad personnel in combating terrorist and other threats.[0004]2. The Prior Art[0005]In response to the 1988 terrorist bombing of a Pan American flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, experts in explosiv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The three band box design of the preferred container assembly of this invention has several advantages over containers of the prior art. It eliminates the need for an entry door since access can be achieved through an open side or sides of the innermost band. This eliminates one of the weak points of the prior art containers: door and panel hinges with steel rods are no longer necessary and neither are door-channel interlock systems. Other modifications permit easy access to the container's interior for loading and unloading in spite of limited exterior space constraints. The box is not impervious to explosive's gas and allows controlled release of the gas through the corners which contributes to the design function. The box production is technology inexpensive and simple. The bands of the box can be made rigid or flexible as desired. If the bands of the box are made with flexible edges and rigid faces, then they can be collapsed for more efficient storage and transported as a set of three or more essentially flat parts (bands) for subsequent assembly and use with the blast mitigating material.

[0019]The use of aqueous foam with condensable gas as a foaming agent significantly lengthens the time of venting and reduces the hazard. As such, it is a preferred blast mitigating materials.

Problems solved by technology

Doors provide a significant weak point for the container during an explosion since a blast from within the container forces a typical door outward.

If the door is connected through a hinge and metal pin arrangement, the pins become dangerous projectiles.

If the door slides in grooves or channels, the grooves or channels may bend or distort to cause failure of the container.

The containers generally are heavy and have a bulky, fixed shape or construction.

The environment in which a container is to be used may have weight and space constraints, for example, the passenger cabin or cargo hold of an aircraft.

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