AU743714B2 - Package for dangerous goods - Google Patents

Abstract

A package for dangerous goods, for example containing gunpowder and gas cartridges, comprises the combination of an outer box (1) of solid cardboard, an inner packaging (2) of moulded mineral wool, and wire frames (3) around the inner packaging.

Description

WO 99/37972 PCT/SE99/00072 PACKAGE FOR DANGEROUS GOODS Technical Field The present invention relates to a package, primarily intended for dangerous goods, for example containing gunpowder and gas cartridges.

Background of the Invention Automotive air bags and seat belts, containing gunpowder and gas cartridges, have caused transportation problems as spare parts, because they are classified as pyrotechnic articles and as such as dangerous goods.

Accordingly, these spare parts have had to be stored in special localities and to be sent separately, sometimes not even by ordinary flights.

Conventionally, corrugated cardboard boxes with interiors of polystyrene or polyethylene foam have been used.

The costs and longer delivery times cause problems, and therefore there has been a great demand for a special package that would be accepted by the authorities for normal transport and storage of dangerous goods of the above mentioned kind and similar.

Among the requirements on such a package is that it shall be able to withstand an external open fire for at least 30 minutes and to give a defined protection for the contained goods against external blows and shocks, for example experienced if the package is dropped from a certain height.

The Invention A package fulfilling the above requirements and solving the problems with conventional packages is WO 99/37972 PCT/SE99/00072 according to the invention characterized by the combination of an outer box of flame-resistant solid cardboard, an inner packaging of moulded mineral wool, and wire frames or cages around the inner packaging.

The cardboard material of the outer box has a weight of typically 1150 g/m2 and the mineral wool fiber material of the inner packaging a volumetric weight of typically 115 kg/m3 for the package to meet the requirements.

The inner packaging comprises a bottom and a cover with interfitting edge rims and grooves, and its material thickness is typically 40 mm, except at sides with joints, where the thickness typically is 60 mm.

Three wire frames may ordinarily be used. These loops may be made of steel wire with a typical diameter of 3 mm.

The Drawing The invention will be described in further detail below under reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig 1 is a perspective illustration of the elements of the package according to the invention and Fig 2 is a corresponding illustration of these elements partly assembled into the package, one element being partly cut away in order to reveal the interior of the package.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Typical examples of goods for which the package according to the invention is intended are air bags and seat belts containing gunpowder and gas cartridges. Such goods is defined as dangerous goods and requires special packages.

The package according to the invention basically includes three elements: an outer box 1, an inner packaging 2, and wire frames 3.

WO 99/37972 PCT/SE99/00072 The outer box 1, which in Fig 1 is shown folded down and in Fig 2 folded up, is manufactured of flame-resistant impregnated solid cardboard, typically with a weight of 1150 g/m2. The box is preferably parallelepipedic. It is preferably of the sideglued type and is to be mounted or sealed by steel clamps or staples, which are not shown.

The inner packaging 2 with an outer shape corresponding to the inner shape of the box 1 is made of moulded mineral wool fibres or the like, in a specific example mainly consisting of such oxides as silicon, iron, aluminium and calcium oxides, a bonding agent of refined phenol formaldehyde and a dust retaining agent, so that the mineral wool can be moulded and retains its shape. The volumetric weight of this material may be in the order of 115 kg/m3.

The inner packaging 2 is normally built up of two portions: a bottom 2A and a cover 2B, which as shown preferably are provided with interfitting edge rims and grooves for stabilizing the packaging. The height of a rim may be in the order of 15 mm.

The space defined within the packaging 2 shall be dimensioned after the goods to be packed therein. The wall thickness of the inner packaging 2 shall normally be at least 40 mm but at sides with joints normally at least mm.

Before insertion into the box 1 the inner packaging 2 is provided with for example three wire frames 3. These frames 3, which hold the two portions of the inner packaging 2 together and reinforce it, may be made of machine-welded steel wire with a diameter of 3 mm.

As an alternative to wire frames, use may be made of wire cages, which are held together in an appropriate way.

In order to give an appreciation of the size of the package it may be mentioned that the external dimensions of the box 1 when intended for containing a passenger vehicle airbag may for example be about 300 x 250 x 500 mm.

The package according to the invention is primarily developed for the purpose stated above. However, it can also be used for other pyrotechnic goods with an explosive capacity of up to 300 g explosive force.

The following advantages are provided by a package according to the invention: The spare parts in question are easy to handle at the production plant and in the warehouse.

Transportation can be performed without restriction by air, rail, road and sea and together with other spare parts.

o' ~The freight expenses are considerably decreased.

15 The package can be re-used, especially thanks to the treated outer surface of the box.

The package is environmental-friendly, and recycling Sis possible.

The package is fireproof and permits normal, easy S 20 marking and labelling.

oo• Throughout this specification and the claims which •follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference numerals in the following claims do not in any way limit the scope of the respective claims.

Claims (7)

1. 2. A package according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that the cardboard material of the outer box has a weight of typically 1150 g/m2.
2. 3. A package according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that the outer box is mounted or sealed by steel clamps or staples.
3. 4. A package according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that the mineral wool fiber material of the inner packaging has a volumetric weight of typically 115 kg/m3. A package according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that the inner packaging comprises two portions: a bottom (2A) and a cover (2B) with interfitting edge rims and grooves.
4. 6. A package according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that the material thickness of the inner packaging typically is 40 mm, except at sides with joints, where the thickness typically is 60 mm.
5. 7. A package according to claim i, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that the wire frames or wire cages are made of steel wire with a typical diameter of 3 mm.
6. 8. A package according to claim i, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that three wire frames are used. Q:/OPER\GCPv244S7cdoc27/1 1/01 -6-
7. 9. A package, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. a a a a. a a. a. a 10 DATED this 27th day of November, 2001 BRODERNA LJUNGQUIST AB By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE a a a a a a a. a. a. a a a a. a a