Self-closing propellant charge package

An improved, self-closing propellant charge package adapted for use with a gravity-operated loading device for a powder-actuated tool, comprises a tubular body having one end at least partially closed, the other end being open, and having a portion, adjacent to the open end, which is integrally formed with a plurality of deformable, charge-retaining nodes which are adapted for reformation between a first, undeformed condition, wherein passage of charges is prevented, and a second, deformed, condition admitting of ready passage of charges. The package is adapted for telescoping emplacement on a projecting tubular loading port insert on the loading device, whereby the nodes are displaced, allowing the charges to pass into the insert and, thence, into the loading device.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a self-closing propellant charge package 
adapted for use with a gravity-operated loading device for a 
powder-actuated tool. 
In order to assume the double function of packaging and loading, such a 
device must retain the charges when it is not mounted on the tool, and let 
them come out when it is mounted. 
Packages assuming these functions are already known. Some of them have an 
end deformed, as by an elastic band, to retain propellant charges therein, 
the deformation being cancelled to provide for passage of the charges. 
Such packages are seen to suffer, however, in that it is necessary to 
provide slits or cut-outs in the package wall to facilitate the end 
deformation and also to provide and emplace the elastic band. These 
manufacturing steps unacceptably increase the cost of what is generally 
treated as a consumable or disposable item. 
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a 
propellant charge package, of the type described, which may be produced at 
minimal cost. This is accomplished, in general, by a tubular propellant 
charge package having one end at least partially closed, the other end 
being open, and having a portion, adjacent to the open end, which is 
integrally formed with a plurality of deformable, charge-retaining nodes, 
the nodes being adapted for reformation between a first, undeformed 
condition, wherein passage of charges is prevented, and a second, 
deformed, condition admitting of ready passage of charges. More 
specifically, the package is adapted for telescoping emplacement on a 
projecting tubular loading port insert on a loading device, whereby the 
nodes are displaced to assume the second condition, allowing charges to 
pass into the loading port insert and, thence, into the loading device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIGS. 1-3 show a package including a substantially tubular body 1, adapted 
to receive a plurality of propellant charges 9 in serial alignment, having 
a closed end 2 and an open end 4, through which the charges 9 are inserted 
and dispensed. The body 1 is formed of a resilient material, such as low 
density polyethylene. 
In the vicinity of the open end 4, tube 1 is formed with three integral, 
deformable, charge-retaining nodes 5, symmetrically disposed about the 
periphery of the body 1 and equidistant from the open end 4. The nodes 5 
are each defined by a pair of intersecting planes 6 and 7 respectively, 
inclined approximately 15.degree. and 4.degree. relative to the 
longitudinal axis of the body 1, and are adapted for reformation between a 
first, undeformed, condition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein passage 
of charges 9 through the body 1 is prevented, and a second, deformed 
condition, as shown in FIG. 3, admitting of ready passage of charges 9. As 
will be more fully explained later, the nodes 5 may be deformed, as seen 
in FIG. 3, by telescopic emplacement of the package on an open-ended, 
tubular loading port insert 17 carried by a loading device 10. 
The insert 17 includes a nose portion 17a, adapted to be inserted into the 
body 1, the terminus of the nose portion 17a being defined by a shoulder 
17b adapted to limit the extent of such insertion. The length of the nose 
portion 17a is slightly less than the distance between the open end 4 of 
the body 1 and the lines of intersection 5a of the pairs of planes 6 and 
7. The distal end of the nose portion 17a may be provided with outside and 
inside bevels 23 and 24 respectively for facilitating the introduction of 
the insert 17 into the body 1 and that of the charges 9 into the insert 
17. 
The insert 17 is further provided with a screw thread 17c for attachment to 
the loading device 10. 
The loading device 10 comprises a support 11, formed with two arms 12 and 
13, the arm 12 being continued in its upper part by a sleeve 16, and a 
member 14 for transferring the charges into the tool combustion chamber. 
Member 14 is preferably pivotally mounted about a pin which is integral 
with support 11, for movement in a plane perpendicular to the barrel of 
the tool. A closure plate 15, for member 14, is pivotally mounted between 
member 14 and arm 13 of support 11. Sleeve 16 comprises the insert 17, the 
nose portion 17a of which projects towards the outside of sleeve 16 and 
bores 18, 19 and 20, each having a diameter substantially equal to the 
outside diameter of the charges 9, formed respectively in insert 17, 
sleeve 16 and transfer member 14, in such manner that the charges 9 may 
descend by gravity from the body 1 into the transfer member 14. 
When the nose portion 17a of the insert 17 is being introduced into the 
open end 4 of the body 1, against the action of the resilient nodes 5, the 
later are deformed, being urged radially outwardly to positions 
approximating the cylindrical bulk of the body 1, whereby ready passage of 
the charges 9 is permitted. 
The body 1, which is in abutment against the forward face of shoulder 17b, 
is maintained upon insert 17 by the constriction provided by the deformed 
nodes 5. The charges 9 may then be put in position in the transfer member 
14 of the device 10, from the package, by gravity. 
The package is thus seen to provide a holding function for the charges when 
it is not mounted on the loading device 10, and a release function when it 
is mounted on the device. 
Moreover, when the package is disengaged from the device 10, the nodes 5, 
which are no longer held by the nose portion 17a of the insert 17, 
resiliently resume their initial position as seen in FIG. 1, holding the 
charges 9 within the body 1. 
It will be noted that it is after an operation similar to that of mounting 
the package on the insert 17, that the package is initially filled with 
charges 9. 
It is to be understood that the present invention is capable of many 
modifications in structure and design, within the scope of the appended 
claims.