Flexible smoke generator

• US 6,552,660 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2000
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3SI Security Systems, Inc. (3SI Holdco, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3SI Security Systems, Inc. (3SI Holdco, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lisowski, Rich
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/605,071
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.7, 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/693, 340/559, 340/572.1, 340/691, 116/2, 116/104, 116/211, 116/214, 116/217, 116/218, 116/219, 42/10.8, 42/11.3
• US Class Current: 340/568.7
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 3/00 Generation of smoke or mist (chemical part) compositions used as biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators A01N25/18
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 9/06 Apparatus for generating artificial fog or smoke screens for producing special effects on stages A63J5/00; smoke-pot projectors, e.g. arranged on vehicles, F42B5/155
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/48 smoke-producing , e.g. infrared clouds
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/02 with smoke, gas, or coloured or odorous powder or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/40 using smoke, fire or coloured gases

Abstract

A pyrotechnic smoke generator which is flexible and may be molded or extruded into a thin layer is provided by embedding smoke composition particles in an elastomer, preferably silicone. The smoke composition particles have a preferred particle size range which will pass through a number 18 sieve and not through a number 40 sieve. The smoke generator may be utilized with flexible circuitry in a currency alarm pack to provide a money pack with an alarm which provides the flexibility and feel of a money pack without an alarm pack. The smoke composition particles when used in a money pack would contain a red dye and may contain tear gas. The smoke generator may be provided with a film covering, such as polyurethane, or embedded reinforcing fibers for additional strength. A film coating may also provide additional sealing capability for sealing the smoke composition particles and tear gas within the elastomer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating smoke, the apparatus comprising:

an elastomer formed in a layer; and

smoke composition particles disbursed throughout said elastomer layer and adapted to generate smoke when ignited;

wherein the elastomer layer containing the smoke composition particles is flexible.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elastomer comprises silicone.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said smoke composition particles have a size small enough to pass through a number 18 sieve, but too large to pass through a number 40 sieve.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ratio by weight of smoke composition particles to the elastomer is in a range of about 2.4 to 4.0 grams of smoke composition particles to each gram of elastomer.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said elastomer layer comprises a resin and a catalyst that are mixed to produce a silicone which cures in the absence of moisture.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elastomer prior to curing has a viscosity that enables mixing the smoke particles into the elastomer and further enables molding or extrusion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said elastomer layer prior to curing comprises silicone having a viscosity in a range of about 4,000 centipoise.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer comprises a film on its outer surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said film comprises polyurethane.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said smoke composition particles comprise a dye.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said dye comprises a red dye.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said smoke composition particles comprise a plurality of components comprising by weight approximately:

49.25% red dye;

28.25% potassium chlorate;

21.75% confectioners'"'"' sugar; and

0.75% inert binder.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said inert binder comprises magnesium stearate.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said components have been dry blended, pressed into a shape and then granulated to a smaller particle size.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 futher comprising:

an electric ignition source in contact with said elastomer layer; and

a flexible electrical circuit adjacent said elastomer layer for activating said electric ignition source.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said flexible electrical circuit includes an antenna.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said smoke composition particles comprise a tear gas composition.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer comprises a space for receiving a tear gas pellet and means for sealing said tear gas pellet in said space.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer comprises embedded fibers.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said fibers comprise glass fibers.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said fibers comprise carbon fibers.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the smoke composition particles have a particle size which is adapted to generate smoke via a sublimation process when ignited.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastomer is stable above a temperature at which the smoke composition particles burn.

24. A security alarm pack for insertion in a pack of currency, the security alarm pack comprising a flexible elastomer layer comprising particles that are disbursed throughout said elastomer layer and that generate smoke when ignited.

25. The security alarm pack of claim 24, wherein the particles are adapted to generate the smoke via a sublimation process.

26. The security alarm pack of claim 24 further comprising a power source, an electric ignition source connected to the power source and in contact with the elastomer layer for igniting the particles to generate smoke, and a flexible electrical circuit connected to the power source and the electric ignition source for activating the ignition source.

27. The security alarm pack of claim 26 further comprising an antenna connected to the electrical circuit for receiving an activation signal.

28. The security alarm pack of claim 24, wherein the security alarm pack has a flexibility that provides for a first pack of currency comprising the security alarm pack to present a feel similar to that of a second pack of currency that does not comprise the security alarm pack.