Solid particle aerosol belt and dissemination method

A particulate aerosol dissemination device comprising a shreddable belt is isclosed. The belt has a plurality of individual cells aligned along the belt length and which extend across the belt width. The cells are separated by partitions extending between the cells across the belt width. The cells are capable of holding a solid aerosol filler comprising any one of the following: obscurant or smoke generating materials; pesticides; insecticides; fungicides; riot control agents; fertilizer; and feed. A method for disseminating a solid particle aerosol using the belt and a process for manufacturing the aerosol belt segments is also disclosed.

GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
The invention described herein may be manufactured, licensed, and used by 
or for the U.S. Government. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a solid particle aerosol device and method 
for aerosol dispersal. More particularly, the device and method provide 
easy handling and dissemination of the solid particle aerosol material. 
Most particularly, the device and method permit the rapid and efficient 
dissemination of solid particle aerosol into the atmosphere for military 
and civilian purposes. 
2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
Aerosols are the suspension of solid particles in the atmosphere. Aerosols 
are used in the military to defensively position and protect combat 
forces. In civilian use, aerosol dispersal is used by police for riot 
control and by farmers for agricultural purposes. These solid particle 
payloads have included smokes, obscurants, riot control agents, 
insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizer, feed and other similar 
compounds. 
The military has used a multitude of devices ranging from pneumatic spray 
tanks to high explosive (HE) grenades to disperse a variety of solid 
particle payloads into the atmosphere. During military operations, a 
military force may be targeted by visual means, ultraviolet, infrared 
(IR), and millimeter (MM) radar sensors. In countering this targeting, 
various types of filler payloads are used for aerosol dissemination. These 
payloads include carbon fiber payloads to block energy in the MM region of 
the electromagnetic spectrum, smokes to obscure military forces from 
visual detection, and brass flakes or graphite flakes which interfere with 
IR tracking and target acquisition devices. 
Current military IR dispersion techniques require that military personnel 
load IR material from bulk bag containers. Personnel physically remove the 
filler material from large bags and place the filler into a separate 
hopper for dispersion. Generally, the filler is dirty to handle. The 
particles also may create hazardous toxic atmospheric dust during the 
loading phase, presenting a health risk to the personnel handling the 
filler. Typically, the materials include fillers such as pelletized 
graphite shipped in 30 pound bags, having a bulk density of 44 lb/ft.sup.3 
to 55 lb/ft.sup.3 (0.7 g/ml to 0.8 g/ml). 
In civilian use, aerosols are dispersed by police as a non-lethal means for 
crowd dispersal, riot control, personal protectants and/or incapacitating 
agents. Additionally, aerosols used for civilian commercial purposes 
include the dispersal of aerosols for agricultural uses, such as 
disseminating insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers or feed over a wide 
area. The dispersal of aerosol particles for both military and civilian 
use should have safe handling and activation characteristics. 
In view of the foregoing, improvements in the dispersal of aerosols have 
been desired. In addition to improved safe handling, effective 
dissemination of aerosol particles is desired. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a particulate aerosol dissemination device 
comprising a shreddable belt defined by a length and width; a plurality of 
individual cells on the belt, being aligned along the belt length and 
which extend across or substantially across the belt width, the cells 
being separated by partitions extending between the cells across the belt 
width, the cells further being capable of holding an aerosol filler 
therein; and, a solid, particulate aerosol filler inside the cells. The 
aerosol filler may be selected from any number of materials depending upon 
the particular application. For example, obscurant or smoke generating 
materials, riot control agents, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, 
fertilizer or feed may be used. 
The invention also provides a method for disseminating a solid particle 
aerosol comprising the steps of providing a particulate aerosol 
dissemination device comprising a shreddable belt defined by a length and 
width, a plurality of individual cells on the belt, being aligned along 
the belt length and which extend across the belt width, the cells being 
separated by partitions extending between the cells across the belt width, 
the cells further being capable of holding an aerosol filler therein, and, 
a solid, particulate aerosol filler inside the cells; feeding said device 
holding the solid particulate aerosol filler into a dissemination 
apparatus; shredding said device holding the solid particulate aerosol 
filler within the dissemination apparatus; and, disseminating the shredded 
device and solid particulate aerosol filler into the atmosphere. 
The invention further provides a process for manufacturing said aerosol 
belt device comprising the steps of providing a length of tubing having a 
zipper seal along or substantially near to an edge, heat sealing 
perpendicular to the length of tubing, wherein the perpendicular sealing 
forms cells along the length of the tubing; filling the formed cells with 
the a solid particulate aerosol filler; and, closing said zipper seal 
thereby forming cells, wherein the solid particulate aerosol filler is 
contained within the cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention is a solid particle aerosol device and a method for 
disseminating the solid particle aerosol from the device. The device and 
method of solid particle aerosol dispersal permit easy handling and 
dissemination of the solid particle aerosol in combat and non-combat 
operations. The device and method also provide rapid and efficient 
dispersal of solid particle aerosol into the atmosphere for military and 
civilian purposes. 
As seen in FIG. 1, the device 20 comprises a belt, or belt structure 1 
having multiple individual packing cells 2 along a belt length 4. The belt 
1 provides a means for the rapid supply of several cells 2 to be loaded 
into and dispersed from a dissemination apparatus 30. The width 3 and 
length 4 of the belt 1 are of such dimensions as to provide adjacent cells 
2 along the belt length 4, and to hold the cells 2 within the width 3. The 
cells 2 are spaced apart by partitions 5, which extend across the belt 
width 3 between the cells 2. A zipper seal 6, which may extend along the 
belt length 4, is fixed between the cells 2 and a belt edge 15 on at least 
one side 7 of the belt 1. The cells 2 contain an aerosol filler 8, which 
is sealed inside of the cells 2. The aerosol filler 8 comprises any solid 
particles which are capable of forming an aerosol. 
The dimensions of the belt 1 are limited by a cutter size in the 
dissemination apparatus 30. The cutter may be any mechanism which shreds 
the belt 1 holding the aerosol filler 8. This includes rotary chopping 
mechanisms. Generally, the belt length 4 may be any convenient continuous 
length. The belt width 3 permits the alignment of adjacent cells 2 along 
the belt length 4 in a single uniform row. The invention also contemplates 
attached parallel rows. Preferably the belt width 3 is from about 1 inch 
to about 4 inches, more preferably from about 3 inches to about 3.5 
inches, and most preferably from about 2 inches to about 2.5 inches. 
Larger belts 1 may be used to handle more material with larger cell 2 
sizes. Smaller belts 1 also may be used, if desired. The belt 1 is 
constructed of any material which allows the belt 1 to be shredded in the 
dissemination apparatus 30. Preferably, the belt 1 is a plastic or fabric 
construction, more preferably the belt 1 is plastic, and most preferably 
the belt 1 is polyethylene. 
The belt 1 may be placed in a container or on a spool. When the belt 1 is 
packaged in a container, the belt width 3 is limited by the container 
width. Preferably, the belt 1 is layered in the container which is a 
rectangular box, more preferably the belt 1 is layered in a cardboard 
rectangular box. The belt 1 is easily accessed from the box, with the box 
conveniently placed inside a storage magazine as part of the dissemination 
apparatus 30 which allows the belt 1 to be loaded into the dissemination 
apparatus 30. 
In comparison with the currently known filler loading, the present aerosol 
dissemination device may be contained in a box having rectangular 
dimensions of 10.50 inches in height, 21.00 inches in length, and 2.80 
inches in width which is approximately 500 in.sup.3 (8193.5 cm.sup.3) and 
weighs approximately 19 pounds (8626 grams) when filled with a belt 1 
having brass aerosol filler 8. With a weight of 8626 grams and a volume of 
8193 cm.sup.3, the bulk density of the box is 1.053 g/ml. This provides a 
20% to 30% increase in bulk density over the currently used methods. 
Additionally, the aerosol filler 8 is enclosed which prevents the aerosol 
filler 8 from spreading into the handler's atmosphere, such as the inside 
of a combat vehicle or tank, thereby providing a cleaner and safer 
environment. 
The cells 2 along the belt length 4 may be attached to the belt 1 or may 
form chambers within the belt 1 which are filled with a desired amount of 
aerosol filler 8. Preferably, the cells 2 form chambers within the belt 1. 
The size of the cells 2 may be varied depending on the capacity of the 
dissemination apparatus 30. The cells 2 are aligned along the belt length 
4 and extend across or substantially across the belt width 3. Preferably, 
the cells 2 are from about 1 inch to about 5 inches in cell length 9 and 
from about 1 inch to about 5 inches in cell width 10, more preferably from 
about 1.75 inches to about 3.5 inches in cell length 9 and from about 1.75 
inches to about 3.5 inches in cell width 10. 
The cell length 9 and width 10 are such as to allow maximum cell thickness 
11 while allowing the cells 2 and belt 1 to properly move through the 
dissemination apparatus 30. The thickness 11 of the cells 2 is such as to 
effectively disperse the aerosol filler 8 into the solid particle aerosol. 
Preferably, the cell thickness 11 is from about 3/4.sup.th inch (0.75 
inches) or less in thickness, more preferably from about 1/2 inch (0.5 
inches) to about 1/16.sup.th inch (0.0625 inches) thickness, and most 
preferably from about 1/2 inch (0.5 inches) to about 1/8.sup.th inch 
(0.125 inches) thick. 
Additionally, the cells 2 are fixed adjacent to each other along the belt 
length 4 and separated by partitions 5 to provide for rapid and consistent 
loading into the dissemination apparatus 30. The partitions 5 extend 
across the belt width 3 perpendicular to the belt length 4. Preferably, 
the partitions 5 provide an equal spacing between each of the cells 2 
along the entire belt length 4. However, the partitions 5 also may be 
configured with means to allow for a starting and stopping of a continuous 
belt 1 after being cut within the dissemination apparatus 30 without loss 
of aerosol filler 8 from leakage from a cut belt 1. Preferably, the cells 
2 are spaced from about 1 inch or less from each other, more preferably 
from about 1/2 inch (0.5 inches) to about 3/16.sup.th inch (0.1875 inches) 
from each other, and most preferably the partitions 5 between the cells 2 
are from about 1/8.sup.th inch (0.25 inches) to about 1/4 inch, most 
preferably 3/16.sup.th inch (0.1875 inches) in width. 
The cells 2 of the device 20 are made of any material which permits the 
shredding and dispersal of the aerosol filler 8 into the atmosphere as an 
aerosol. Preferably, the cells 2 are made from the same materials as the 
belt 1, more preferably the cells 2 are a plastic material, and most 
preferably the cells 2 are polyethylene. This permits the aerosol filler 8 
in the cells 2 to be heat sealed, providing an efficient construction 
process for cell 2 placement along the belt length 4. The individual cells 
2 are separated from each other by partitions 5 of thin plastic walls 
which may be created by heat sealing along periodic segments across the 
belt width 3 perpendicular to the belt length 4. 
The filler material or aerosol filler 8 of the cells 2 is any compound 
which may be used as the solid particle aerosol. The aerosol fillers 8 may 
be an obscurant, riot control agent, agricultural agent and the like. 
Obscurants include aerosol fillers 8 such as titanium dioxide, brass 
flakes, carbon flakes, carbon fibers, graphite flakes, chaff and the like. 
Brass flakes have a greater density than other IR screening materials, 
providing better maximum volume efficiency when packed into small cell 
units. Riot control agents include CS, Ortho-chlorobenzalmalononitrile and 
OC, N-((4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl)-8-methyl-6-nonenamide, and 
similar compounds. Agricultural agents include pesticides, fertilizers, 
feed and the like. For military smoke generation applications, preferably 
the aerosol filler 8 comprises an obscurant, and more preferably the 
aerosol filler comprises an obscurant of brass flakes. 
The zipper seal 6 along the belt edge 15 is used to contain a rapid and 
consistent supply of cells 2 filled with aerosol filler 8. The zipper seal 
6 is fixed along at least one side 7 of the belt 1, between the cells 2 
and the belt edge 15. The zipper seal 6 extends a length to permit the 
loading of aerosol filler 8 into the cells 2 of the belt 1. Preferably, 
the zipper seal 6 extends approximately the entire length of the belt 1. 
The zipper seal 6 comprises any connection, such as a Zyploc.RTM. 
connection, which is compatible with use for loading and sealing the cells 
2. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the device 20 is inserted into the dissemination 
apparatus 30 for dispersing the aerosol filler 8 into a solid particle 
aerosol 31. The dissemination apparatus 30 may be any dissemination 
apparatus 30 known in the art which is effective to disperse aerosol 
filler 8 from the device 20. The dissemination apparatus 30 provides a 
means for the rapid removal of the aerosol filler 8 from the belt 1. The 
dissemination apparatus 30 preferably comprises a deagglomeration 
mechanism, or cutting blade section 34. The dissemination apparatus 30 may 
further comprise a cutting roller mechanism or anvil section which 
automatically feeds the device 20 into a position to chop the belt 1 along 
the cell 2 sections. The dissemination apparatus 30 may further include an 
air supply 33 to disseminate the aerosol filler 8 into a solid particle 
aerosol 31, said air supply may be supplied from the hot air exhaust of a 
vehicle. Once cut, the device 20 is disseminated in a solid particle 
aerosol 31 through a nozzle 36. Preferably, the dissemination apparatus 30 
includes such apparatus as the Millimeter Wave Obscurant Cutter, 
manufactured by Engineering Technology Inc. of Orlando, Fla. or a modified 
Model 80 Fiber Glass Roving Cartridge Cutter, manufactured by Finn & Fram, 
Inc. of Pacoima, Calif. which has been adapted to a pneumatic source. The 
dissemination apparatus 30 may be externally or internally attached to any 
military or civilian vehicle configured for mounting the dissemination 
apparatus 30. Preferably, for military applications, the dissemination 
apparatus 30 is configured for placement on the rear section of a tank 
such as the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. 
A process for manufacturing prototype aerosol belt segments was carried out 
by loading 3 inch wide and 4 millimeter thick zipper tubing, manufactured 
by U.S. Plastics or Long Branch, N.J., onto spools. After mounting the 
spools on the top bracket of a heat sealing machine, Pandyno, PD400, the 
tubing may be feed through a slotted bracket near the top of the machine. 
Tubing may be fed vertically parallel to the line inscribed on the machine 
and heat sealed on red heat/maximum cool setting advancing the tubing to 
the inscribed horizontal line on the machine and sealed again. The process 
may be continued until the spool is completed, while taking up the sealed 
belt on the spool located under the machine. The sealed tubing may then be 
placed on a left side bracket near the heat sealing machine and feed 
horizontally across the machine, with the bottom of the tubing secured 
with small c-clamp brackets. After adjusting the machine to white 
heat/maximum cool setting, the bottom of the tubing may be heat sealed. 
The tubing may be continued to be feed horizontally while carefully 
matched up with the bottom heat seal. The bottom portion of tubing may be 
torn off while a completed 1-5 inch, more preferably 2 inch wide tubing is 
taken up onto a spool located on the right side of the machine. This would 
result in the tubing being sealed and sized, without any aerosol filler 8. 
Aerosol filler 8 may be prepared by forming a brass slurry mixture. Loose 
raw brass flakes having a volume of 4000 ml may be placed into 1.5 gallon 
containers with 250 ml of methanol slowly added to the containers, and 
stirring with a rod to allow the brass flake to settle. A whisk may be 
used to thoroughly mix the contents until a caulk-like consistency 
appears. After any storage time, the contents most likely must, or may, 
have to be whisked again prior to use. The contents should be used within 
4 hours of mixing, as evaporation of the methanol would create a slurry 
too thick to be properly loaded. 
The aerosol filler 8 of brass filler may be loaded into the empty tubing. 
Heat sealed tubing may be cut into 9 foot sections, with the cut occurring 
through a cell 2 for ease in splicing the section together in a later 
step. The zipper seal 6 may be gently opened over the entire length of the 
tubing, so as not to tear any seals. After centering the tubing sections 
in wooden racks, the belt may be clamped open at each clip location. A 
funnel may be used to load the slurry into a bulk load caulk gun, until 
full. Of course, other solid aerosol particle material such as pesticides 
or riot control agents may be loaded directly into the individual cells 
for other product applications. 
The caulk gun having a 90 degree hose may be used to insert into the bottom 
of the cells 2 and pumped until the cells 2 are full. The caulk gun may be 
preset to fill each cell 2 with a pump. The process may be continued from 
cell to cell until the caulk gun is empty. The tubing may be sealed 
forming the device 20 by sealing the entire length of the zipper of the 
dried slurry loaded belt, being careful not to allow the slurry to 
contaminate the zipper seal 6, which should be continued until all 
sections are sealed. Obviously, this process may be automated for large 
scale production of the belt devices. 
After loading, sealing, and drying, the brass loaded belt sections may be 
placed into a vacuum chamber having a vacuum of 20 in Hg. The belt 
sections should be left in the vacuum overnight. When the belt sections 
are removed from the chamber, tape may be used to quickly seal each end to 
prevent air from reentering the cells 2. Each cell was sealed by making a 
mechanical connection of the zipper seal. Additional sealing was done by 
heat sealing the plastic directly above the zipper seal, thereby having a 
zipper and heat sealed configuration, which ran along the entire belt 
length. 
The belt sections may be joined together by splicing. Belt sections may be 
aligned with the zipper seals 6 in the same orientation and removing the 
tape. A notch may be cut below the zipper seal 6 and above the bottom seal 
on one end in order to insert into another end. Packing tape 1 inch wide 
and 5 inches long may be placed over the overlap section to cover the tabs 
and gaps. This may be continued on other sections of belt, until the 
desired length is formed. The completed belt 1 may then be placed into a 
box. 
In operation, the aerosol filler 8 is dispersed into a solid particle 
aerosol 31 by feeding the device 20 holding the aerosol filler 8 into the 
dissemination apparatus 30. The device 20 holding the aerosol filler 8 is 
shredded within the dissemination apparatus 30, which releases the aerosol 
filler 8 from the device 20. The shredded device 20 and aerosol filler 8 
are disseminated into the atmosphere through nozzle 36. When used in 
combat, the aerosol filler 8 comprises an IR screening agent which hinders 
the acquisition radiation from IR weapons and sites. Additionally, when 
used in agriculture, the aerosol filler 8 comprises an agricultural agent. 
When used in police actions, the aerosol filler 8 comprises a riot control 
agent. 
EXAMPLE 1 
In operation, a belt having individual cells containing an aerosol filler 
was fed into a dissemination apparatus. The aerosol filler comprised a 
payload of brass flakes for obscuring IR spectrum radiation. The brass 
flakes were made in accordance with military specifications EA-B-1341. The 
belt was fed into the dissemination apparatus, which disseminated the 
aerosol filler by using rotary cutting equipment and an air supply. The 
solid particle aerosol device of the present invention creates a minimum 
IR smoke screen area of 7 meters in height and 50 meters in length from 
the military vehicle. 
EXAMPLE 2 
Example 1 was repeated with the exception that the aerosol filler comprised 
a payload of graphite flakes for obscuring IR spectrum radiation. 
It should be understood that the foregoing summary, detailed description, 
examples and drawings of the invention are not intended to be limiting, 
but are only exemplary of the inventive features which are defined in the 
claims.