Barrel containers for transporting and disposing of recalled airbag inflators

• US 10,072,917 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2016
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Captive Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Captive Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Keller, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cooper, John
• Application Number:
  US15/373,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20170328694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 86 50, 110346, 110237, 588249, 206521, 435800
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/00 Packaging other articles presenting special problems bundling B65B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 63/08 for heating or cooling articles or materials to facilitate packaging
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/16 Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/26 by closing hinged lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/164 and connected by interfitting hinge elements integrally with the container and the lid formed respectively
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/32 with means for venting
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/02 Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure B65D41/32 takes precedence; protective covers for bottles B65D23/08; protective cap-like outer covers for bottle or jar closures B65D41/62; pressure-applying means B65D45/00; closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal of closures B65D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 7/045 Casks, barrels, or drums in their entirety, e.g. beer barrels, i.e. presenting most of the following features like rolling beads, double walls, reinforcing and supporting beads for end walls thermally insulated barrels, B65D81/3802
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 7/06 of polygonal cross-section, e.g. tins, boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 7/44 Reinforcing or strengthening parts or members
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/325 due to explosion, e.g. inside the container safely destroying explosive ammunition or similar F42B39/14; in buildings E04B1/98
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/34 Venting means vehicle fuel tanks characterised by venting means B60K15/035
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/06 Dismantling fuzes, cartridges, projectiles, missiles, rockets or bombs F42B33/004 and F42B33/04 take precedence; elimination of undesirable components of explosives C06B21/0091
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 39/20 Packages or ammunition having valves for pressure-equalising; Packages or ammunition having plugs for pressure release, e.g. meltable ; Blow-out panels; Venting arrangements ventilating arrangements on packages formed from foldable or erectable blanks B65D5/4295; packages with pressure-relief valves incorporated in a container wall B65D77/225
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/04 Rendering explosive charges harmless, e.g. destroying ammunition F42B39/14 and F42B39/20 take precedence ; extracting primers, dismantling ammunition F42B33/04, F42B33/06 ; chemical deactivating of explosives C06B21/0091; Rendering detonation of explosive charges harmless

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include specialized barrel containers and methods for using the containers to safely transport and dispose of airbag inflators having ammonium-nitrate-based propellant. For example, a container is provided that can hold multiple airbag inflators and withstand up to 4 moles of matter being deployed from an inflator having ammonium-nitrate-based propellant. The container can contain the inflator and any shrapnel associated with the explosion while also venting gases expelled as a result of the explosion. Various container designs are provided, along with methods for using these containers.

Claims

1. A container for transporting airbag inflators having ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, comprising:

a metal barrel having a cylindrical sidewall and a solid cap coupled to a bottom end of the barrel; and

a vented metal cap removably coupled to a top end of the barrel for inserting and removing the airbag inflators,

wherein the vented cap comprises a plurality of apertures, each sized to prevent a sphere having a diameter of at least 0.9 inches from passing through the aperture upon deployment of an inflator having up to 4 moles of inflator output, and

wherein the vented metal cap is removably coupled to the barrel, and wherein a vent opening is oriented such that a straight line through the opening cannot intersect with the bottom of the container when the vented metal cap is coupled to the barrel.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the vented metal cap is removably coupled to the barrel such that the cap remains coupled to the barrel in the event of an airbag inflator deployment inside the metal barrel.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the vented metal cap comprises a baffle positioned to prevent shrapnel from exiting the steel drum along a path parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drum.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the metal barrel is a 55-gallon steel drum.

5. The container of claim 1, further including an environmental barrier beneath the vented cap that prevents moisture entry, the environmental barrier constructed to let gas escape upon ignition of an inflator within the container.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the apertures are each sized to prevent a sphere having a diameter of at least 0.4 inches from passing through the apertures.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the vented cap is reinforced with chain link fence.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a baffle coupled to an inner surface of the barrel, the baffle positioned to prevent passage of shrapnel from deployment of the inflator while allowing passage of gas through the baffle.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the baffle prevents shrapnel from exiting the barrel along a path parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drum.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein the baffle comprises two steel plates welded to the inner surface of the barrel.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the door is lockable and sealable such that gasses cannot escape through the door while the door is locked and sealed.

12. The container of claim 8, wherein the baffle comprises a steel mesh.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the mesh includes a lattice having a plurality of strands, wherein each strand has a thickness of between about 0.05 inches and 1 inch.

14. The container of claim 1, further comprising a door located on the sidewall of the barrel.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the vent comprises a steel mesh.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the mesh includes a lattice having a plurality of strands, wherein each strand has a thickness of between about 0.05 inches and 1 inch.

17. The container of claim 1, wherein the container can withstand a heat environment of at least 200 degrees Celsius while maintaining functionality.