SINGLE BOUNDARY LAYER OPTIMIZED RECALLED AIRBAG INFLATOR CONTAINER

• US 20190323809A1
• Filed: 06/05/2019
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John David Keller
• Original Assignee: John David Keller
• Inventors: KELLER, JOHN DAVID
• Granted Patent: US 10,677,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 33/067 by combustion incineration apparatuses or processes for used articles F23G7/003
• 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 layered mesh containers and methods for using the containers to safely transport and dispose of airbag inflators having ammonium-nitrate-based propellant. For example, a container with at least two single-layer sidewalls 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 method for transporting airbag inflators that have ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, comprising:

placing the inflators into a perforated steel container including;

six sides, including two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls, the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls having openings with a maximum width between 1.3 millimeters and 75 millimeters and a thickness between 1.4 millimeters and 9 millimeters, wherein the six sides define a container volume of less than 50 cubic feet; and

an access door for opening one of the sides for adding or removing the airbag inflators; and

transporting the perforated steel container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least another two of the six sides are comprised of layered mesh having an inner layer and outer layer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the inflators into a perforated steel container includes sorting the inflators from a greater plurality of inflators, the inflators being sorted for placement in the perforated steel container based on being driver-side inflators.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the openings of the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls are staggered approximately 60 degrees from one another.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls have an open area range of 19% to 64%.

6. The method of claim 1, the perforated steel container further including four steel reinforcement members, the reinforcement members each attaching to at least one of the single-layer perforated steel sidewalls, wherein no two of the reinforcement members attach to the same two sides.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the access door is a hinged solid steel plate, the steel plate being at least 0.25 inches thick.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the access door is a hinged solid steel plate, the steel plate being at least 0.25 inches thick.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein at least another two of the six sides are comprised of layered mesh having an inner layer and outer layer.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the airbag inflators into the container includes sorting the airbag inflators from a greater plurality of inflators, the inflators being sorted for placement in the container based on being driver-side inflators.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the openings of the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls are staggered approximately 60 degrees from one another.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls have an open area range of 19% to 64%.

20. The method of claim 1, the container further including four steel reinforcement members, the reinforcement members each attaching to at least one of the single-layer perforated steel sidewalls, wherein no two of the reinforcement members attach to the same two sides.

8. A perforated steel container for transporting airbag inflators with ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, comprising:

six sides, including two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls, the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls having openings with a maximum width between 1.3 millimeters and 75 millimeters and a thickness between 1.4 millimeters and 9 millimeters, wherein the six sides define a container volume of less than 50 cubic feet,

wherein the six sides define a breathable containment space that holds the airbag inflators and can withstand an inflator detonation of at least 4 moles of material; and

a hinged door for adding and removing the airbag inflators to the breathable containment space.

9. The perforated steel container of claim 8, wherein at least another two of the six sides are comprised of layered mesh having an inner layer and outer layer.

10. The perforated steel container of claim 8, wherein placing the inflators into a perforated steel container includes sorting the inflators from a greater plurality of inflators, the inflators being sorted for placement in the perforated steel container based on being driver-side inflators.

11. The perforated steel container of claim 8, wherein the openings of the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls are staggered approximately 60 degrees from one another.

12. The perforated steel container of claim 8, wherein the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls have an open area range of 19% to 64%.

13. The perforated steel container of claim 8, further comprising four steel reinforcement members, the reinforcement members each attaching to at least one of the single-layer perforated steel sidewalls, wherein no two of the reinforcement members attach to the same two sides.

15. A method of transporting airbag inflators containing ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, including:

placing the airbag inflators in a container, the container including;

six sides, including two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls, the two single-layer perforated steel sidewalls having openings with a maximum width between 1.3 millimeters and 75 millimeters and a thickness between 1.4 millimeters and 9 millimeters, wherein the six sides define a container volume of less than 50 cubic feet,

wherein the six sides define a breathable containment space that holds the airbag inflators and can withstand an inflator detonation of at least 4 moles of material; and

a hinged door for adding and removing the airbag inflators to the breathable containment space; and

locking the hinged door from opening; and

transporting the container to a disposal facility.