EP3867593A1

EP3867593A1 - Shotgun cartridge obturator, method for preparing a cartridge equipped with said obturator and equipped cartridge

Info

Publication number: EP3867593A1
Application number: EP19797180.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal SALAT
Original assignee: Fpdi Sas D'exploitation Du Fonds De Monsieur G Salat
Current assignee: Fpdi Sas D'exploitation Du Fonds De Monsieur G Salat
Priority date: 2018-10-17
Filing date: 2019-10-16
Publication date: 2021-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-16
Also published as: PL3867593T3; EP3867593C0; EP3867593B1; WO2020079088A1; FR3087531A1; US20210348897A1; CA3116243A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shotgun cartridge comprising a case (12) of internal diameter d_INT and a base (14) with a primer (16), the powder (18), a wad (22) and the shot (24), as well as an obturator (20) arranged between the powder (18) and the wad (22), characterised in that the obturator (20) is made of biodegradable material with plastic deformation properties, and comprises a central disc (25) and ribs (26) together forming a one-piece element with the disc, the assembly having an outer diameter d_EXT, the ribs (26) comprising upper ribs (27) and lower ribs (28), these ribs (26) forming a non-zero angle with the plane of the disc (25), the obturator having a nominal outer diameter d_EXT, the ribs being able to take at least one other position in which said ribs (26) are in the plane of the disc (25), the outer diameter being D_EXT.The invention also concerns a method for producing a shotgun cartridge.

Description

SHUTTER FOR SHOOTING CARTRIDGE, PROCESS FOR PREPARING A CARTRIDGE PROVIDED WITH SAID SHUTTER AND CARTRIDGE EQUIPPED

The present invention relates to a shutter for a firing cartridge and to a method for preparing a cartridge equipped with said shutter. The invention also covers the cartridge equipped with said shutter.

In the field of hunting and sport shooting, a large number of cartridges is used. A cartridge generally consists of a primer, a powder charge, one or more fill-type accessories for transferring the power generated by the explosion of the charge to the projectiles and / or a basket intended to contain said projectiles during the transfer phase.

The architectures and the types of accessories are extremely numerous. Likewise, projectiles can be made of lead as a material or of steel with different problems to be solved, this in all cases.

All the elements are contained in an envelope comprising a generally metallic base and a generally cardboard body. These two materials are recyclable.

A common and essential problem for cartridges is to transfer the power generated by the explosion of the charge to the pellets while limiting as much as possible the power losses.

In addition, environmental awareness leads users and manufacturers to use cartridges without plastic materials of petroleum origin. There are biodegradable materials so it may seem obvious to use these materials. A first technical problem posed for using a biodegradable substitute material is the following: by definition biodegradable materials have a shorter lifespan than that of plastics of petroleum origin, their mechanical properties do not equal those of plastics and these same mechanical properties deteriorate more quickly than those of plastics. A second problem is related to the fact that often biodegradable materials, due to their lower mechanical properties and their evolution, break under stresses instead of remaining monolithic.

There are different assemblies and different layouts but we refer here to a typical layout of a sport shooting cartridge or hunting cartridge, we find the following elements, description from bottom to top for a cartridge placed vertically: a metal base containing the '' bait and powder on which is placed a shutter or a carton on powder,

a tube forming the case of the cartridge, secured to the base, receiving a flock placed above the powder and shot of different natures, of selected diameter, placed above said flock,

a crimping of the tube forming the cartridge case at its end, at the upper surface of the shot, to close and compress all of the elements it contains.

The powdered cardboard does not give good performance and is mainly replaced by a plastic shutter.

When the cartridge is pulled, the primer is struck, the powder ignited by the primer instantly burns, this combustion produces a large volume of gas. The confinement of these gases in the barrel of the weapon results in the explosion. It is under the thrust of the gases generated that the elements, projectiles and accessories introduced into the socket consisting of the base and its case, are expelled from the weapon by the barrel of the FC barrel.

The projectile, generally shot, is therefore expelled by transmission of the energy generated by the explosion. The transmission of energy due to the thrust of the gases is carried out in the first place by the intermediary of the shutter which avoids the losses of the power of the explosion which would come directly to be exerted on the flock. But for optimized ballistic performance, the shutter as indicated by its name, must be as leaktight as possible to confine said gases and to transfer the power of the gases to the wad and then to the projectile.

Sealing must be carried out between the inner wall of the case and the peripheral edge of the shutter. The energy of the explosion is then transmitted to the shot by the wadding so as to ensure an equal distribution of the energy while minimizing the losses. This shutter plays a key role in the quality of the shot and in the projection of the shot. Indeed, the shutter, by its intermediate positioning between the explosion and the shot, plays the role of a seal which captures the gases to channel them and transmits the energy of the explosion to the shot. It is important to control gas leaks in order to bring reproducibility to the manufacture of cartridges. This is all the more complex as the performances must be preserved over time or the materials evolve, especially the biodegradable materials.

A shutter of the prior art is described in US Pat. No. 3,022,734. This shutter is made of elastomeric thermoplastic material of petroleum origin polyethylene, styrene / butadiene copolymer, cellulose acetate in particular. The manufacturing method of this shutter consists in cutting a washer from a profile with an extruded circular section and then deforming the disc between the dies of a punch to produce a profile with a substantially H-shaped section.

The wings of the H, after deformation, come naturally, due to residual stresses, to form a cup, this due to the elastomeric material.

This shutter is placed above the powder. The problem with this shutter is that of being made of elastomeric material, therefore with a certain flexibility allowing its deformation so that it acts as a scraper seal and the edges are deformed randomly, under the thrust of gas so that a such shutter "crumples" as it is said in the art, that is to say it will deform in a random manner, but it requires not only a strong seal of the shutter but also requires a uniform thrust on the 'shutter.

A shutter also of known type has an architecture stiffened in the central part by ribs in the plane but is able to deform radially by means of vertical lips. These vertical lips are connected to the central part by shoulders. At the time of the explosion, the shutter lip is violently inflated to a pressure of 500 bars minimum, which can reach 1000 bars in certain loads. Today plastic shutters resist these important stretching constraints even when aging as much at very hot temperatures as negative. But the profile of these shutters is not satisfactory when they are made with biodegradable materials which resist these stretching constraints poorly and even less over time because these materials evolve. In addition, by becoming brittle during aging, it there may be ruptures at the shoulders causing leaks and loss of ballistic power at the time of the explosion.

The environmental aspect is also increasingly present, all the more in sports practiced outdoors. Cartridge producers also want to make consumables more virtuous and have interesting biodegradable characteristics.

Biodegradable materials are increasingly developed but are still subject to performance changes linked to the very biodegradable composition.

If this very light biodegradability is imperceptible and unimportant for certain elements, such as cutlery or other accessories, it can significantly affect the mechanical performance of a part such as a shutter whose mechanical characteristics are essential.

The present invention provides a shutter, which can be made of biodegradable material of plastic deformation type and whose geometry allows the compensation of a possible biodegradation of the shutter over time, further improving the seal during generation. of the push by the explosion of the powder.

The present invention is now described according to a main embodiment, without this being limiting, this with regard to the associated drawings in which the different figures represent:

Figure 1: an elevational view of a cartridge with shutter of the prior art, Figure 2: an elevational view of a cartridge with the shutter object of the present invention,

Figure 3: a top view of the shutter, object of the present invention,

FIG. 4: an elevation view of the shutter, object of the present invention,

Figure 5: an elevational view of the shutter deformed by the compression generated by the explosion of the cartridge powder with dimensional variations. Figure 6A and 6B: a top view of the shutter in the case with a broken line the shutter immediately after explosion of the charge.

Figure 7A to 7D: a view of a block diagram of the process for producing and using a cartridge with the shutter according to the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 describe a cartridge 10, comprising a case 12 and a base 14 provided with a primer 16. The interior of the cartridge 10 comprises powder 18, placed at the level of the base

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP 14 and on which is placed a shutter 0 and 20, the shutter O being a shutter of the prior art and the shutter 20 being the shutter object of the present invention. Each of the shutters O, 20 receives, above, a flock 22, above which is placed the shot 24, more generally the projectiles, this in a known manner. The flock possibly has a bucket shape to better receive the shot.

The shutter 20 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and shown deformed in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The shutter 20 comprises a central disc 25, of thickness E with diameter D and having a lower face 20-1 and an upper face 20-2, lower and upper being considered the cartridge placed vertically on his base.

The shutter 20 according to the present invention comprises, when manufactured with the central disc, at least two upper fins 26 and at least two lower fins, in this case eight upper fins 27 and eight lower fins 28, with which said central disc forms a monolithic element. The fins 26 may resemble the petals of a daisy.

On the shutter 20, the upper fins 27 and the lower fins 28 are respectively eight upper fins 27 and eight lower fins 28 and are developed outwards from the edge of the disc 25. Each of the upper fins 27 and lower 28 have two rectilinear radial edges 30 and a circular outer peripheral edge 32, the set of peripheral edges forming the periphery of the shutter 20 and thus an upper peripheral circular edge 34 and a lower peripheral circular edge 36. In the embodiment shown, each fin has a constant thickness e, and this thickness e is less than E. The thickness E of the disc is less than or equal to 2 times the thickness e.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fins 26 have relative to the plane of the central disc 25, a non-zero angle of inclination, considered from the peripheral edge of the disc to the peripheral edge of the fins. If we consider the disc 25 horizontally, the upper fins 27 have an angle of inclination greater than 0 ° relative to the plane of the central disc 25. Symmetrically, the lower fins 28 have an angle of inclination less than 0 °, also relative to the plane of the central disc 25. The angular inclination varies as a function of the caliber of the weapon, therefore of the diameter of the cartridge case, of the nature of the material, of the design of the cartridge and therefore as a function of the wad (s), nature of the biodegradable material. In general, the shutter gives all satisfaction from all angles but tests allow the skilled person to quickly determine the optimum, in routine work. The angle is more particularly between 20 and 40 °.

Thus, the shutter comprises a central disc 25 and fins 26 together forming a monolithic element, each fin 26 forming a non-zero angle relative to the plane of said disc 25.

The upper fins 27 and the lower fins 28 may or may not be linked by their rectilinear radial edges 30 and are, in the present description, linked by a connecting membrane 38. Said connecting membrane 38 can be compared to a line, due to its low width. Said connecting membrane 38 is placed between the fins 26 and provides a preferentially flexible connection between the upper fins 27 between them and the lower fins 28 between them, in particular to avoid deformation of the fins during handling. These connecting membranes 38 have only a very low mechanical resistance compared to the pressures and forces which will be discussed below during use. In the plane of the disc 25, the upper fins 27 are staggered relative to the lower fins 28 so that the radial straight edges of the lower fins are angularly offset from the radial straight edges of the upper fins. Thus, and since the upper 27 and lower 28 fins have the same geometry, the connecting membranes 38 are non-aligned along the longitudinal vertical axis. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the connecting membranes 38 of the upper fins 27 are advantageously positioned in the middle of the lower fins 28 and vice versa, in order to respect symmetry.

The material used for the shutter is a deformable material, without elastic property, identical for the entire object. The property "without elastic property" corresponds to a material which is deformable but which does not immediately return to its initial shape once deformed. It is a material which therefore has so-called "plastic" properties and not "elastic" properties. Thus, for the fins 26, if they were to be laid flat, under stress, said fins do not instantly return to the initial position when the stress ceases and although they may have shape memory.

From the geometry point of view, the outside diameter d _EXT of the shutter is less than the inside diameter diNT of the case into which it is to be introduced. The diameter DEXT is the theoretical diameter of the shutter in the working position with the fins in the plane of the disc 25. The present invention provides a shutter geometry allowing the use of a biodegradable material with plasticity properties.

The process for producing a cartridge fitted with the shutter according to the present invention consists of the following stages:

prepare a pellet with its case, said pellet comprising a primer and a charge of powder,

introduce a shutter according to the present invention into the case,

introduce at least one flock into the case,

introduce the projectile, in this case shot,

crimp the case.

The introduction of the shutter is very easy since the outside diameter d _EXT of the shutter is less than the inside diameter d _ï of the case, see FIG. 7A. Then the other constituent elements of the cartridge, namely fill, projectile are introduced in a perfectly known manner before crimping see FIG. 7B. It can be seen that the crimping which consists in rolling the edges of the case on a cover or by folding the cardboard into a star, this being also perfectly known, there is a reduction in the height of the case, which leads to exerting a first press on all of the elements introduced into the cartridge and therefore on the shutter, see FIG. 7C.

This pressure is limited but comes into contact with the fins 26 of the shutter with the inner wall of the case 12.

The operation of the shutter 20, object of the present invention, is now described. When the powder 18 is put into rapid combustion and the explosion occurs, at the base 14, the shutter 20 and the flock 22 have the role of transferring the energy generated by the explosion to the shot 24, for allow its projection. The mechanical behavior of the shutter is therefore essential for the quality of the shot.

It is therefore important that the junction between the periphery of the circle constituted by the upper circular edge 34 and the lower circular edge 36 is as tight as possible with respect to the interior wall of the case. The overpressure generated on the face of the shutter being on the side of the lower fins 28 and on the lower face 20-1 of the disc 25, the shutter undergoes compression under the effect of the thrust generated by the explosion acting on this underside of the disc 25 and on the lower fins 28. The lower fins 28 are therefore brought back into the plane of the disc. Simultaneously, the upper fins 27 are brought back into the plane of the disc by the displacement of the shutter 20, coming to bear on the flock 22 surmounted by the shot 24, elements which do not yet undergo any action linked to the explosion in this phase, see Figure 7D. The lower fins 28 are compressed and are in turn supported on the upper fins 27 immobilized against the flock. There is then planar continuity of the fins 26 and of the disc 25. It is noted with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B that during the flattening, the theoretical DEXT diameter, shown in broken lines, being greater than the inside diameter of the case, di _NT , the case constrained by the flattened shutter deforms and comes to press against the barrel and deforms it radially, the deformation being less than the theoretical deformation, until the outer wall of the case comes against the inner wall of the FC barrel. The inner wall of the FC barrel radially confines the outer wall of the case and therefore the shutter, there is a very high radial pressure of the edge of the shutter.

The radial seal is simultaneously extremely strong and the leaks are negligible so that the ballistic parameters are excellent.

In the central part, due to the staggered positioning of the rectilinear radial edges of the fins with their connecting membranes 38, the sealing is reinforced and this even if one or more of the connecting membranes 38 tear because the baffle effect is completely preponderant. In fact, during manufacture and post-production handling, the connecting membrane 38 can be partially or completely torn and therefore inoperative, which does not degrade the sealing performance and therefore the ballistic values because the fins 26 are plated with very great pressure. Consequently, the thrust of the gases is almost entirely transmitted to the shutter 20 which can then come to bear on the flock 22 which distributes this thrust on the shot 24 and again transmits almost all of the thrust.

Said lower 28 and upper fins 27 are therefore brought closer by the compression undergone by the shutter 20. The upper circular edges 34 and the lower peripheral edges 36 are also seen radially spaced from the disc 25 and are therefore pressed and pressed against the inner wall. of the case 12. It is noted with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B that during the flattening, the theoretical DEXT diameter, represented in broken lines, being greater than the inside diameter of the case, d _ï , the case in the barrel of the FC cannon confining said case radially, there is a very high radial pressure of the edge of the shutter linked to the diameter differential. This radial expansion compresses the edges circular 34 and 36 on the inner wall of the case 12 which, itself, is pressed against the inner wall of the barrel of the barrel. The peripheral seal is therefore reinforced and ensured. The radial seal is extremely strong and the leaks are negligible so that the ballistic parameters are excellent.

From an environmental point of view, the material used for the manufacture of the shutter 20 can be biodegradable. Indeed, at the time of the explosion, the disc 25 and the upper fins 27 are compressed on the flock 22, the lower fins 28 are compressed on the upper fins 27, the edges 34 and 36 are then compressed against the inner wall of the case 12, the assembly, except the membranes 38, is compressed but at no time stretched. The mechanical characteristics of biodegradable materials satisfy these compression constraints which are exerted on the shutter 20.

Biodegradable materials have a tendency to evolve over time and for example lose plasticity or have dimensional variations. It is noted that, if for example, the material becomes more brittle, one or more fins break, the architecture makes it possible to flatten the upper and lower fins constituting a continuous surface and to compensate for this breakage. Likewise, if a variation in diameter d _E xi occurs, the fins compensate in diameter and the reduction in radial pressure will be minute and amply sufficient to ensure a suitable seal.

This is a very important element because biodegradable materials are evolutionary materials due to the presence of organic fillers, fibers or powders of plant origins, natural, polymers of plant origins or microbiological production. Thus, degradation necessarily takes place over time since it is the primary vocation of these materials and that which is sought after these shutters are used and distributed in nature.

The hunting season in particular is limited in duration and cartridge type ammunition is purchased for one year but may be kept for 1 or more additional years before being used. There are indeed different types of shot depending on the game, different caliber of weapons so that all the ammunition bought in a year is not used up, not to mention the normal reserves remaining at the end of the season. It is therefore imperative that the cartridges using a shutter according to the present invention maintain ballistic performance from one year to the next at least or even durably for several years. The parameter for a user is ballistic performance and if the user is willing to pay a higher price for cartridges for products with ecological properties, said user will not tolerate a loss of ballistic performance. The shutter according to the present invention is biodegradable, allows a radial expansion of compensation and allows a progression of the thrust transmission in a homogeneous and constant manner over time.

It is understood that the internal architecture can vary in terms of flocks, of arrangement of the shutter, for example between two flocks but the shutter remains identical and the operation also remains identical. Likewise, the nature of the wads may vary according to the applications, the projectiles, but this is not part of the present invention.

Claims

1. Shooting cartridge comprising a case (12) of internal diameter d _ï and a base (14) with a primer (16), powder (18), a wad (22) and shot (24), thus a shutter (20) disposed between said powder (18) and said flock (22), characterized in that said shutter (20) is made of biodegradable material with plastic deformation properties, and comprises a central disc (25) and fins (26) together forming a monolithic element with said disc, the assembly having an outside diameter of _EXT , the fins (26) comprising upper (27) and lower (28) fins, these fins (26) forming a non-angle zero with respect to the plane of said disc (25), said shutter having a nominal outside diameter of _EXT , said fins being able to assume at least one other position in which said fins (26) are in the plane of disc (25), the outside diameter being DEXT.

2. Shooting cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the diameter DEXT of the shutter (20) with the fins in the plane of the disc (25) is greater than the inside diameter di _NT of the case.

3. Shooting cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nominal outside diameter dsx _ï of the shutter (20) is less than the inside diameter di _NT of the case (12).

4. Shooting cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the shutter comprises a connecting membrane (38) between the fins (26).

5. Shooting cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shutter (20) comprises eight upper fins (27) and eight lower fins (28).

6. Firing cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper fins (27) and the lower fins (28) have two rectilinear radial edges (30) and a circular edge (32) forming the periphery of the shutter (20) with an upper circular edge (34) and a lower circular edge (36).

7. Firing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that the rectilinear radial edges (30) of the upper fins (27) are staggered relative to the lower fins (28).

8. Shooting cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper fins (27) have an angle of inclination greater than 0 ° and in that the lower fins (28) have an angle of inclination less than 0 °, with respect to the plane of the central disc (25).

9. Shooting cartridge according to claim 8, characterized in that the upper fins (27) have an angle of inclination of about 30 ° and in that the lower fins (28) have an angle of inclination of about -30 °, relative to the plane of the central disc (25).

10. Method for manufacturing a shooting cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

preparing a base (14) with its case (12), said base comprising a primer (16) and a powder charge (18),

insert a shutter (20) in the case (12),

introduce at least one flock (22) into said case (12),

introduce the projectile (24) into said case (12),

crimp the case (12).