The present invention comprises an apparatus and a method providing a much safer alternative employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor, whereas dynamite is a category 1.1 high explosive imbued with all the attendant safety and security concerns. The method of the present invention provides for an improved and safer method of blasting employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor instead of conventional explosives currently used.

An ignition device (1) for military or police used having a mechanical trigger (2), a shock tube (3) of variable length, blasting cap (4), whereby the blasting cap (4) with the trigger (2) and the shock tube (3) are accommodated in a protective pipe (8) sealed at both ends by means of sealing discs (13) or end plates (10). The shock tube (3) surrounds the trigger (2) and blasting cap (4) and so can be easily pulled out of the protective pipe (8) after the locking device (16, 52) is released. The protective pipe (8) is enclosed in a shrink sleeve (34), as is the shock tube (3), so that the system is suitable for underwater use as well.

An ignition device (1) for military or police used having a mechanical trigger (2), a shock tube (3) of variable length, blasting cap (4), whereby the blasting cap (4) with the trigger (2) and the shock tube (3) are accommodated in a protective pipe (8) sealed at both ends by means of sealing discs (13) or end plates (10). The shock tube (3) surrounds the trigger (2) and blasting cap (4) and so can be easily pulled out of the protective pipe (8) after the locking device (16, 52) is released. The protective pipe (8) is enclosed in a shrink sleeve (34), as is the shock tube (3), so that the system is suitable for underwater use as well.

Disclosed is a firing device for shock tube. Shock tube is a non-electric explosive initiator, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The firing device is configured to provide a redundant dual-ignition capability for connected shock tube. In this way, a second attempt to initiate the shock tube can be made immediately following a failed first attempt. To provide this functionality, the firing device includes a primer tray that can be preloaded with two primers. Using an operably connected selector, the primer tray can be rotated between use positions that individually locate each primer for detonation.

A shock tube package system and a method of deploying a shock tube package system is provided. The system includes a covering made from a flexible or elastic material, the covering defining an interior portion. A bundle of shock tubing is disposed within the interior portion, the covering applying a compression fit on the bundle of shock tubing. The bundle of shock tubing having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to couple with an initiator device, the second end being configured to couple with a detonator.

A thermoplastic container for explosive material comprising: a primary part defining a rigid compartment for holding explosive material, where the primary part comprises: a side wall having an inner periphery defining the side boundaries of the compartment and an outer periphery, a base arranged at a lower end of the side wall defining the lower boundary of the compartment, where an upper end of the side wall is arranged to provide access to the compartment allowing explosive material to be loaded into the compartment; a secondary part comprising: at least one reinforcement element defining an outer periphery of the container, wherein the reinforcement element is coupled to the primary part and is adapted to provide horizontal and/or vertical load support to the primary part and where the reinforcement element comprises at least one collapsible impact zone adapted to absorb an external impact to the secondary part and to transmit the excess forces of the impact into from the reinforcement element to the primary part.

A thermoplastic container for explosive material comprising: a primary part defining a rigid compartment for holding explosive material, where the primary part comprises: a side wall having an inner periphery defining the side boundaries of the compartment and an outer periphery, a base arranged at a lower end of the side wall defining the lower boundary of the compartment, where an upper end of the side wall is arranged to provide access to the compartment allowing explosive material to be loaded into the compartment; a secondary part comprising: at least one reinforcement element defining an outer periphery of the container, wherein the reinforcement element is coupled to the primary part and is adapted to provide horizontal and/or vertical load support to the primary part and where the reinforcement element comprises at least one collapsible impact zone adapted to absorb an external impact to the secondary part and to transmit the excess forces of the impact into from the reinforcement element to the primary part.

A packaging system includes a container (34) within which are disposed first detonator devices (10) having reactive coils (16), e.g., coils of shock tube leads, and second detonator devices (20) having inert coils (26), e.g., coils of insulated electric leg wires. The inert coils (26) are interposed between the reactive coils (16) and are approximately co-extensive with the reactive coils (16), so that the inert coils (26) form a barrier to propagation of an accidental initiation from one reactive coil (16) to another. Reactive coils (16) and inert coils (26) are fastened to each other to form mixed coil pairs (30) which are nested to interpose a pair of the inert coils (26) between at least some of the reactive coils (16). A method of packing the first and second detonator devices calls for placing them in a container (34) in the described arrangement.

A packaging system includes a container (34) within which are disposed first detonator devices (10) having reactive coils (16), e.g., coils of shock tube leads, and second detonator devices (20) having inert coils (26), e.g., coils of insulated electric leg wires. The inert coils (26) are interposed between the reactive coils (16) and are approximately co-extensive with the reactive coils (16), so that the inert coils (26) form a barrier to propagation of an accidental initiation from one reactive coil (16) to another. Reactive coils (16) and inert coils (26) are fastened to each other to form mixed coil pairs (30) which are nested to interpose a pair of the inert coils (26) between at least some of the reactive coils (16). A method of packing the first and second detonator devices calls for placing them in a container (34) in the described arrangement.

The present invention provides an explosive method that improves on methods currently employed. The present invention provides for a safer, less expensive, and more portable explosive device. The elements of the present invention replace dynamite or similar explosives currently used in avalanche control and bore hole blasting of rock or other solids. The present invention comprises an apparatus and a method providing a much safer alternative employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor, whereas dynamite is a category 1.1 high explosive imbued with all the attendant safety and security concerns. The method of the present invention provides for an improved and safer method of blasting employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor instead of conventional explosives currently used.