AU621090B2

AU621090B2 - A container for fighting coal-dust and/or firedamp explosions in underground workings

Info

Publication number: AU621090B2
Application number: AU30950/89A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hansjorg Trautwein
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-03-12
Filing date: 1989-03-03
Publication date: 1992-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2009-03-03
Also published as: GB2218632A; GB8905492D0; AU3095089A; DE3808350A1; GB2218632B; DE3808350C2; FR2629862A1

Description

4j: 1i- COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patent Act 1952 62 10 SPECIFIC ION

(ORIGINAL)

COMPLETE

Class Int. Class 4. 4.

4 4..

4a .4.

4. 4 Application Number Lodged Complete Specification Lodged Accepted Published Priority: 12 March 1988 Related Art Name of Applicant HANSJORG TRAUTWEIN Address of Applicant Zeppelinallee 64, DE-4650 Gelsenkirchen Federal Republic of Germany Actual Inventor Hansjorg Trautwein Address for Service F.B. RICE CO., Patent Attorneys, 28A Montague Street, BALMAIN. 2041.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "A container for fighting coal-dust and/or firedamp explosions in underground workings" The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to Me:-

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c r i: i 1 f j i D eclarant's N am H a n s J o r g r a u tw e i n F. B. RICE CO PATENT ATTORNEYS This form is suitable for any type of Patent Application. No Iegalisation required.

la- The invention relates to a container for fighting coal-dust and/or firedamp explosions in underground workings and which serves to hold an extinguisher fluid, being adapted to be mounted on the timbering or the like, and consisting of a bottom, one or a plurality of walls and possibly a top cover.

It is known to produce the containers for explosion suppressors from readily destructible material so ensuring that they are as far as possible completely destroyed by the blast caused by the explosion, in order to achieve satisfactory dispersal of the extinguisher fluid which they contain. The design of the prior art containers, 0 with regard to their strength, proves to be difficult 0 o because on the one hand they must be able to hold for 15 comparatively long periods of time the extinguisher fluid which they contain and yet on the other they must be able oa to be destroyed by even a low strength of explosion in o o order to achieve the best possible distribution of the extinguisher fluid. The calculation of the strength of the prior art containers thus constitutes a compromise between the demands imposed by transporting the containers and holding the extinguisher fluid which they contain on the one hand, and the greatest possible response sensitivity on the other.

Since such a compromise excludes the possibility of achieving optimum qualities in either direction, this means that the prior art containers are either destroyed

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t by explosions of low blast pressure, if at all, and then often only partially, with the result that there is no or only an inadequate distribution of the extinguisher fluid or they are deformed, perhaps even damaged during transport, during storage, under the effect of heat or under a static loading etc.

i p~r 11 2- On a basis of this state of the art, the invention is based on the problem of avoiding the aforesaid disadvantages and of nevertheless providing a container of the type mentioned at the outset but which offers optimum properties with regard to high response sensitivity and a high resistance to stresses of all kinds.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that at least one component, or parts thereof, of the container is/are pivotably connected to at least one adjacent component, or parts thereof, of the container. As a result of this development, the component parts of the container which are pivotally connected to one another are 0 pivoted by the shock wave or blast caused by the on explosion, simultaneously releasing the extinguisher fluid O 04 15 container in the container which thus fills the entire 0 o cross-section of the drift in an ultra-fine distribution.

so° The components of the container, once it has been 0 oO triggered by the blast occasioned by the explosion form, when viewed from the direction of the explosion, a substantially linear cross-section so that virtually no resistance is any longer offered to the pressure wave of the blast, which can thus exert its pressure effect fully ,d on the extinguisher fluid.

Advantageously, the pivotable component(s) of the container is/are freely movable in respect of the timbering or the like, so that the latter cannot offer any resistance of any kind to the pivotable mobility of the components of the container, so ensuring perfect distribution of the extinguisher liquid.

The bottom and/or at least one wall of the container t ii~ 1. I :i -3is/are rigidly connected to the timbering or the like parallel with the presumed direction of the explosion, so that release of the extinguisher fluid present in the container takes place abruptly at its mounting site, so that there if no possibility of the container being removed while at least a part of the extinguisher fluid is retained in the container.

According to a further feature of the invention, the non fluid-tight mutually adjacent marginal zones of component parts of the container is or are provided with one or more gaskets in order to secure the extinguisher fluid which is present in the container. The gasket or gaskets is/are so constructed and fitted that if the internal pressure exerted on the extinguisher present in 15 the container is slightly exceeded by the gasket or ogaskets being destroyed or stretched, the pivotable a° components of the container are released and therefore the a extinguisher fluid present in the container can be dispersed freely by the blast.

The gasket or gaskets can consist of a. fluid-tight film inlay which covers the entire interior surface of the container, at least as far as the upper desired fluid level. The film inlay rests on the inner surface of the container, with the exception of creases in the non-fluid-tight mutually adjacent marginal zones of components of the container. The film inlay is wholly or partially connected to the inner surface of the container.

It is ideal if at least the supporting components of the container are made from rigid and/or unbreakable material, for example sheet steel, so that the container is re-usable, since the release of its extinguisher fluid is not dependent upon the container being destroyed.

According to a further proposal within the invention, the pivotable component(s) of the container, when the latter is filled, is/are maintained in its/their intended I r

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x -4positions by means of one or a plurality of triggering devices responding automatically to the pressure of a blast occasioned by an explosion. When the preset pressure level is exceeded, triggering occurs and thus the release of the extinguisher fluid which is present in the container. The response level of the triggering device or devices is adjustable so that it is readily possible to adapt to any particular circumstances. The response level of the triggering device or devices is so adjusted that it is very slightly higher then the internal pressure exerted by the extingusher fluid present in the container on the component parts thereof, so that the components are 15-0 readily able to withstand the pressure from the extinguisher fluid but, if the preset value is exceeded, o a 15 the container is triggered and all the extinguisher fluid *00 C o a is released.

o'a According to a further feature of the invention, at C least one edge of at least one of the walls of the container or partial walls thereof extending substantially transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion is pivotally connected to an edge of an adjacent component of the container. Thus it is possible, if the container is o for example of rectaigular construction, for both component parts of adjacent walls to be pivotally S 25 connected to one another or for them or their components to be connected pivotally to the bottom.

Advantageously, the walls of the container or their O:°o partial walls which extend substantially transversely to the presumed direction of explosion are pivotally connected to the bottom of the container. As a result of this development, the walls or their partial walls which are pivotally connected to the bottom and which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion are folded over by the blast caused by the explosion, simultanteously releasing the extinguisher fluid held in i the container which thus fills the entire cross-section of the drift in an ultra-fine dispersion. The wall of the container or the partial walls thereof which face the blast will perform a pivoting movement in the direction of the blast, the wall or its partial walls resting on the bottom of the container. The wall of the container or its partial walls which is/are remote from the blast will perform a pivoting movement in the same direction.

Therefore, a substantially horizontal panel is formed which consists of the container bottom and the folded-over walls, which means that the extinguisher fluid can enjoy optimum dispersal by the blast. The container itself, by virtue of the fact that its end face is now reduced to 0400 oo virtually twice the thickness of the bottom, can only 0 00 15 offer quite negligible resistance to the blast.

oO 0 o) 4 In the case of walls which are rigidly attached to O: O: the bottom and which extend in the presumed direction of asthe explosion, the said walls are so fitted that the walls extending transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion can be freely forced against the bottom of the container by a pressure wave or blast.

o 0 The walls of the container or the partial walls thereof which extend substantially transversely to the opresumed direction of the explosion can also be pivotally So 25 connected to the walls of the container or its partial o walls which extend substantially in the presumed direction of the explosion.

o*0c0. Furthermore, it is possible for the walls of the o container or its partial walls which extend substantially 00.000 transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion and/or the walls of the container or its partial walls which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion to be pivotally connected to a frame of the container.

According to a further feature of the invention, the walls of the container which extend substantially in the I

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6 presumed direction of the explosion are divided in their middle portions, their partial walls being rigidly connected to their associated walls which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion, while the latter are not connected to the bottom. When a pressure wave or blast occurs, therefore, the partial walls with the walls connected rigidly to them and extending transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion perform a joint pivoting movement, one of the partial walls passing by outside the bottom and so ensuring a completely free fold-over of the walls which extend transversely to the direction of the explosion.

coo The pivotable connections between the walls of the container which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion, and the bottom of the container may consist of hinges of conventional type so that according to the direction of the blast, so pivoting Sof the walls is possible in both one direction and the other. In particular, if the container is produced from synthetic plastics material, the pivotable connections between the walls of the container which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion, and the bottom of the container, are also formed by edges of the container which are of smaller thickness than the walls. Also in this case, by virtue of the diminished thickness in the corner regions, and easy hinge-like fold-over is assured and thus a response to relatively low pressure levels.

According to a further suggestion of the invention, also the walls of the container or the partial walls thereof which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion are pivotally connected to the bottom of the container, the pivotable connections between the walls or the partial walls thereof and the bottom of the container being so constructed that the walls can only perform a fj 7 pivoting movement outwardly and away from the bottom. It is known that if a blast occurs as the result of an explosion, on the wall of a container which is towards the blast and which extends transversely thereto, an over-pressure is exerted while all the other three walls of the container are exposed to a negative pressure. By virtue of the additional pivotable construction of the walls which extend in the direction of the explosion, therefore, it is possible to achieve a release of extinguisher fluid which is unhampered in any direction.

The angle between the walls or the partial walls which extend in the presumed direction of explosion and the bottom of the container is greater than 90 degrees, so that an uninhibited pivoting movement is possible.

15 The fluid-tight film inlay is attached to the walls g of the container which extend transversely to the presumed o° direction of the explosion as well as to the bottom of the o o container, preferably by adhesion, except for the creases in the film inlay which are present in the corners of the container, so that by reason of the existing slits between the walls or partial walls and these and the bottom, no extinguisher fluid can emerge outwardly which means that the extinguisher fluid present in the container can be Qa kept for a comparatively long period of time. If all the o 25 walls of the container are pivotally connected to the bottom of the container, then if the walls are flat and if the container is emptied, the film inlay will advantageously cover the bottom and the walls including the free angle zones between the edges of adjacent walls.

With this embodiment, and when the container is filled, the film inlay has the same creases in the corner zones so that a free pivoting capacity of the walls is feasible.

According to a further feature of the invention, the walls or their partial walls which exterd transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion and/or the walls iiS 8 or the partial walls of the container which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion, when the container is filled, are held in their intended position by means of at least one trigger device. This trigger device ensures that after filling with the extinguisher fluid, the pivotably disposed walls of the container cannot fly away under the influence of the filling. Instead, the extinguisher fluid present in the container is reliably held.

The triggering device has at least one desired breaking point and/or at least one pressure-sensitive switch. The construction and/or design of the triggering device therefore makes it possible on the one hand to 1 guarantee the necessary stability to hold the extinguisher o. 15 fluid and on the other to adjust the desired high response sensitivity so that the container responds at even low °6°a 4strengths of explosion.

The triggering device can be so mounted and ao a constructed that it withstands the pressure exerted by the extinguisher fluid but opens automatically when above-atmospheric pressure acts on the wall which is towards the direction of the explosion and/or negative ft pressure acts on the wall remote from the direction of the explosion and on the walls extending in the direction of the explosion wave. Thus, the above-atmospheric and also negative pressure which form when an explosion occurs are utilised for pivoting the walls of the container so ensuring optimum release of extinguisher fluid.

According to a further proposal of the invention, the triggering device is constructed in that the walls which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion and/or in the presumed direction of the explosion and which are pivotally connected to the bottom of the container are extended beyond the bottom of the container and in that pressure-sensitive switches are -ui 9 associated with the edges of these extensions and are so constructed and mounted that their pressure elements bear on the inner edges of the extensions of the walls. The pressure elements can for example be spring-loaded balls projecting from cylinders and which bear on the inner edges of the extensions of the walls so that when they are in their intended vertical position, they are supported against the pressure exerted on them by the extinguisher fluid. As soon as the walls are exposed to an above-atmospheric or a negative pressure, they perform a pivoting movement towards or away from the bottom of the container, so releasing the extinguisher fluid.

0 The level of the response pressure for automatic oo ~opening of the triggering device is advantageously 0 001 15 adjustable so that it is possible to adapt to whatever are o the prevailing conditions.

The triggering device may be a bar which is angled or Mo o) the like at its two ends, which are U-shaped, the walls 3 and/or the walls of the container which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion being housed between the arms of the U-shaped member, which fit over the top ooo edges of the aforesaid walls. Thus, either two or four of O the pivotable walls are fixed, when the container is disposed as intended, so that the container can be filled 25 with extinguisher fluid. In order as easily as possible to achieve a high response sensitivity, the arms of the angled portions or the like of the bar should comprise 0oo intended breaking points or the like which respond to even minimal pressures and so ensure the release of the extinguisher fluid present in the container.

It is also possible for the walls of the container which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion to serve as a triggering device in which case they then consist of a flexible tearable film or the like.

According to a further proposal of the invention, the f ri ii 10 triggering device can also be operatively connected to at least one pressure-sensitive switch of which the response level is adjustable and which is disposed on a wall of the container which extends transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion. The pressure-sensitive switch responds both to above-atmospheric and also to negative pressure so that regardless of the direction of the blast occasioned by the explosion, optimum release of the extinguisher fluid is guaranteed in any case.

In order to reduce evaporation of the extinguisher fluid, the container is also in per se known manner provided with a top cover which according to the teachings Sof the invention is constructed as a triggering device or devices for the separable connection of the walls of the container which extend transversely to and/or in the So presumed direction of the explosion. Thus, it replaces o 0 one or a plurality of special triggering means, its 0 supporting members being constructed similarly to those of the supporting bar.

An example of embodiment of the invention is explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to °°the accompanying drawings, in which: 0 0Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a first embodiment of a container in its filled state, S 25 Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the container in Fig.

1, in its empty state, Fig. 3 is a side view of the container of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of a container in its emptied state.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of a container in its filled state, Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the containter in Fig. 5 immediately after it has responded to an explosion.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the container in Fig.

in its emptied condition and Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a corner of the container with a triggering device.

eI 2V ri:"' -i 1 :E~ :4: 11 Reference numeral 1 denotes the container of which the walls 2, 3 which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion are pivotally connected to the bottom 4. In the example of embodiment shown, the pivotable connections are conventional hinges 5. The walls 6, 7 of the container 1 which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion are in the embodiment in Figs.

1 to 3 divided in their middle portions so that between their end edges there is a slot 8. The resultant partial walls 9, 10 are rigidly connected to their associated walls 2, 3 which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion being for example constructed 0 in one piece with them, while the said walls 9, 10 are not connected to the bottom 4 of the container 1, so that as oY 15 slots 11 are provided between their bottom edges and the 0000 0 0 bottom 4.

o000 The container 1 is provided with a fluid-tight film 0000 .o .o inlay which is not shown, for the sake of greater 0 0 0 clarity. The film inlay is secured by adhesion to the walls 2, 3 of the container 1 which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion, and to the bottom 4 and is open at the top so that the extinguisher fluid in 0 the container 1 is securely held.

a 0 C oo As Figs. 1 and 3 in particular show, the walls 2, 3 o00 25 of the container 1 which extend transversely to the nmon *oo presumed direction of explosion are separably connected to each other by a triggering device. Serving as the triggering device is a rod 12 provided at both ends with angled portions 13 which are of U-shaped construction.

S 30 Between the arms 14, 15 thereof extend the top edges of the walls 2, 3 which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion so that they are held in their vertical position by the rod 12.

The arms 15 of the angled portions 13 comprise intended breaking points the dimensions of which are such

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t !i llathat the pressure exerted on the walls 2, 3 by the extinguisher fluid present in the container 1 can be absorbed by the walls and so that the intended vertical positon of the walls 2, 3 is assured.

Should a pressure wave or blast occur as the result of an explosion, then at least the intended breaking point of the arm 15 of the angled portion 13 which is toward the blast, is destroyed by the force exerted on the walls 2, 3 by the pressure wave from an explosion, so that the rod 12 becomes detached from the walls 2, 3, the walls 2, 3 performing a pivoting movement in the direction of the blast, completely releasing the extinguisher fluid in the o container 1, the walls 2, 3 substantially assuming the pivoted position shown in Fig. 2. The container 1 then 0 0o 15 forms a substantially horizontal panel of minimal thickness, so that the extinguisher fluid can be atomised in an ultra-fine dispersion by the pressure wave. The walls 2, 3 can also be pivoted downwardly beyond a horizontal disposition.

To ensure that an unhampered opening movement of the walls 2, 3 with the associated partial walls 9, 10 is possible, these latter project outwardly slightly beyond 00 the bottom 4 so tha t c at they can at the sides move past the edges of the bottom 4.

4 -11I~I~ 12 In Fig. 2, the arrow 16 shows the direction of a pressure wave or blast caused by an explosion.

In the case of the example of embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the walls 6, 7 which extend in the direction of the presumed direction of the explosion are separate from the walls 2, 3 which extend'transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion, these walls 6, 7 being either rigidly attached to the bottom 4, or pivotally connected thereto, for example by means of hinges 5, as are the walls 2, 3.

If the walls 6, 7 are rigidly mounted on the bottom 4, these, like the partial walls 9, '10 in the embodiment shown in d Figs. 1 to 3, are angled over slightly outwardly to offer an easy *u stacking capacity for storage and transport.

If the walls are pivotally mounted on the bottom 4, 0. optimum stackability is achieved since the entire container, in the unfolded condition, assumes the form of a plate or panel.

In the case of this latter embodiment, the film which is inserted in order to achieve sealing tightness is preferably glued to the bottom and the inside faces of the walls 2, 3, 6, 7, r the film also covering the free corner zones 17 between the edges of adjacent walls 2, 3, 6, 7. Upwards pivoting of the walls 2, 3, 6, 7 results in creases forming in the film in the corner zones of the container 1 so ensuring unhampered pivoting of the the alls when the explosion suppressor responds.

In Fig. 4, the double-headed arrows 18 indicate the pivoting capacity of the two walls 2, 3.

In the event of the walls 6, 7 being likewise pivotally connected to the bottom 4, it is ensured that they can only perform an outwardly pivoting movement, in other words a movement away from the bottom 4, this pivoting movement possibly being feasible beyond the 90 degree position.

i i °p t 3,6, reultsin reaes ormig i th fim inthecorer t 13 In the case of the embodiment according to Figs. 5 to 7, the walls 2, 3 of the container 1 which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion are of divided construction, the said partial walls being designated 28 and 29. The partial walls 28, 29 are pivotally connected, for example by means of hinges, to the walls 5, 6 adjacent to them and extending in the pressumed direction of the explosion.

As Fig. 6 shows, the partial walls 28, 29 of the walls 2, 3 which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion perform a pivoting movement when a blast occurs, so that the extinguisher fluid is o ao °0 released. In order further to enhance the releasing o f effect, it is possible, as shown in Fig. 4, for the walls o 15 6, 7 of the container which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion to be pivotally connected to ai ~the bottom 4, so that when the container responds to the pressure wave from an explosion, the position shown in Fig. 7 is assumed.

It is also possible for the walls 2, 3 of the 6 rcontainer which extend transversely to the presumed Sdirection of the explosion to be pivotally connected to the adjacent walls 5, 6 which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion, by means of bearing journals S 25 or the like, so that when a pressure wave occurs, these walls are pivoted through 90 degrees and into their horizontal position.

Fig. 8 shows a further possible embodiment of triggering device.

In the case of this triggering device, the walls 2, 3 or 6, 7 which extend transversely to and/or in the presumed direction of the explosion are extended beyond the bottom 4 of the container i. The extensions are designated 19. The walls 2, 3 or 6, 7 are, 4=

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14 as already explained above, pivotally connected to the bottom 4 of the container 1 by means of hinges Associated with the end edges 20 of the extensions 19 are pressure-sensitive switches 21 which are fixed to the bottom 4 for instance by means of an angled member 22.

The pressure-sensitive switch 21 consists of a cylindrical housing 23 which is inserted into an aperture in the angled member 22. Fitment inside the angled member 22 is effected by means of two threaded nuts 24 which are screwed onto the external screw thread of the cylindrical housing. Screwed into the cylindrical housing is a knurled screw 25, on which is supported one end of a thrust spring 26, the other end of which bears on the Spressure element 27, which takes the form of a ball. The 15 arrangement is such that the pressure element 27 rests on 0o the end edge 20. The force of the spring 26 is adjustable 0 0 by means of the knurled screw 25. This is so dimensioned vertical position, in fact against the pressure exerted on the walls by the extinguisher fluid in the container.

Thus, the entire system is in equilibrium. As soon as an oa above-atmospheric or negative pressure is exerted on the 0 walls 2, 3 or 6, 7, these latter perform a pivoting movement in one or other direction of the arrows 18, so releasing the extinguisher fluid present in the container.

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Claims

1. A container for fighting coal-dust and/or firedamp explosions in underground workings and which serves to hold an extinguisher fluid, being adapted to be mounted on timbering, support frame or the like, and consisting of a bottom, one or a plurality of walls and possibly a top cover, characterised in that at least one component, or parts thereof, of the container is/are pivotably connected to at least one adjacent component, or parts thereof, of the container.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the at least one component of the container is/are adapted to be triggered by an explosion and form a greatly reduced and substantially linear cross-section, viewed from the direction of the explosion. e 3. A container according to claim 1, or 2, characterised in that the pivotable component(s) of the container is/are 0O freely movable in relation to the timbering, support frame .or the like. s~or 20 4. A container according to any one of the preceding S0claims, characterised in that the bottom and/or at least 0one wall of the container is/are rigidly connected to the timbering, support frame or the like parallel with the 0 presumed direction of the explosion. 25 5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the non-fluid-tight mutually adjacent marginal portions of components of the container are provided with one or a plurality of gaskets.

6. A container according to claim 5, characterised in that the gasket(s) is/are so constructed and fitted that if they are destroyed or expanded by the internal pressure exerted on them by the extinguisher fluid disposed in the container being slightly exceeded, then the pivotable components of the container will be released. '16 in that the gasket(s) consist(s) of a fluid-tight film inlay which covers the entire interior surface of the container at least as far as theupper desired fluid level.

8. A container according to claim 7, characterised in that the film inlay bears on the inner surface of the container, withtt the eception of c s in t non-fluid-tight mutually adjacent marginal zones of components of the container.

9. A container according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the film inlay is wholly or partly connected to the aaaa interior surface of the container. o AA

10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the supporting components oao of the container are produced from rigid and/or unbreakable 0 00 material. a

11. A container according to any one of the preceding 0 claims, characterised in that the pivotable component(s) of the a container, in the filled condition thereof, is/are maintained in its/their intended positions by means of one or a plurality of "04 0" triggering means responding automatically to the pressure of a 0 0 blast occasioned by an explosion. 4 12. A container according to claim 11, characterised in Sthat the response level of the triggering device(s) is adjustable.

13. A container according to claims 11 or 12, characterised in that the response level of the triggering device is so adjusted that it is very slightly higher than the internal pressure exerted on the components of the container by the extinguishing fluid which it holds.

14. A container according to any one of the preceding I t 1' *i 17 claims, characterised in that at least one front edge of at least one of the walls of the container extending substantially transversely to the presumed direction of explosion, or partial walls thereof, is pivotally connected to an edge of one of these adjacent components of the container. A container according to any one of che preceding claims, characterised in that the walls of the container or the partial walls thereof which extend substantially transversely to the presumed direction of explosion are pivotally connected to the bottom of the container. I I

16. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the walls of the container or the onepartial walls thereof which extend substantially transversely to the presumed direction of explosion, are pivotally connected to the walls of the containethereof, is pivotally its partial walls which extend adjsubstantially in the presumed direction of the explosion.conainer.

17. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the walls of the container or its partial walls which extend substantially transversely to the the presumed direction of explosion and/or the walls of the container 0 oor its partial walls extending substantially in the presumed direction of explosion are connected to a frame of the container. .4 4. '18. A container according to any one of the preceding a claims, characterised in that the walls of the container which extend substantially in the presumed direction of the explosion are so constructed that they are divided in their middle zones, their partial walls being rigidly connected to the associated walls which extend transversely to the presumed direction of Sthexplosumed dirn while not being connected to the bottom.

19. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pivotable connections consist of hinges. i i, ._1 t8 A container according to any one of claims I to 18, characterised in that the pivotable connections are formed by edges of diminished thickness.

21. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that also the walls of the container which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion, or partial walls thereof, are pivotally connected to the bottom, the pivotable connections between said walls or the partial walls thereof and the bottom being so constructed that said walls or their partial walls can only perform a pivoting movement a"v"0 outwardly and away from the bottom.

22. A container according to any one of the preceding

23. A container according to any one of claims 7 to 9, claims, characterised in that the fluid-tight film inlay is fixed to the alls of the container which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the Sdirection of explosion and the bottom preferably by adhesion, except for the creases in the film inlay which exist in the corners of the container.

24. A container according to any one of23, characterised in that with a pivotable connection of all l the walls of the Scontainer to t he bottom when the walls are in their intended position and when the container is empty, t he film inlay covers the bottom as well creas said walls including the free angle regionswhich exist in the Sbetween the of adjacent walls.

25. A container according to any one of claims to characterised in that the w alls or their partial walls thich extend transversely to th e presumed direction of explosion and/or position and when the container is empty, the film inlay covers A container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, 1 the walls or the partial walls of the container which extend in the presumed direction of the explosion, are, when the container ,v '19 II 9 is filled, maintained in their intended positions by means of at least one triggering device which responds automatically to the pressure of a blast caused by an explosion.

26. A container according to claim 25, characterised in that the triggering device is provided with at least one intended braking point and/or at least one pressure-sensitive switch.

27. A container according to claims 25 or 26.. characterised in that the triggering device is so mounted and constructed that it withstands the pressure exerted by the extinguisher fluid but opens then automatically when an over- #fit pressure acts on the wall which is towards the direction of the explosion and/or negative pressure acts on the wall which is 1 2 remote from the direction of the explosion and on the walls which extend in the direction of the blast from the explosion. "Ca4 28. A container according to any one of claims 25 to 27, o characterised in that the triggering device is constructed in that the walls which are pivotally connected to the bottom of the container and which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion and/or in the direction of the anticipated 4 explosion, are extended beyond the bottom, the end edges of these extensions having associated with them pressure-sensitive oo ~a switches which are so mounted and constructed that their pressure elements bear on the inner end edges of the extensions of said walls.

29. A container according to any one of claims 25 to 28, characterised in that the level of the response pressure for automatically opening the triggering device is adjustable. A container according to any one of claims 25 to 29, characterised in that serving as a triggering device is a rod provided at both ends with angled portions which are of U-shaped construction and between the arms of which extend the top edges of the walls which extend transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion and/or of the walls of the container which i. i .1 extend in the presumed direction of the explosion.

31. A container according to claim 30, characterised in that the arms of the angled portions or the like of the bar comprise desired breaking points or the like.

32. A container according to any one of claims 25 to 29, characterised in that serving as a triggering device are the walls of the container which extend in the presumed direction of the exalosion and which consist of a flexible tearable foil or film or the like.

33. A container according to claim 25, characterised in one pressure-sensitive switch of which the response level is adjustable and which is disposed on a wall of the container which O extends transversely to the presumed direction of the explosion.

34. A container according to any one of claims 1 to characterised in that the container is provided with a top cover Sa' which is constructed as a triggering device or devices for the o O0 container which extend transversely to and/or in the presumed o0400 direction of the explosion. o o A container for fighting coal-dust and/or firedamp explosions in underground workings, substantially as hereinbefore Sdescribed with reference to or as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 4, Figs. 5 to 7 or Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 3rd day of March 1989 HANSJORG TRAUTWEIN Patent Attorneys for the Applicant F.B. RICE CO.