SAFETY PACKAGING

Abstract: Packaging for volatile, heat-sensitive products, said packaging eliminating all dangerous effects of chance ignition during transport and storage by enabling control of the order in which the various packed components disintegrate when the packaging is exposed to external fire. A sample application for the packaging is the packing of airbag modules: the airbag can be rendered harmless by decomposing (under the influence of heat) before the gas generator ignites. The volatile, heat sensitive component (3) which is to be protected is placed in a thermally insulating material (5) while the insensitive component is left unprotected. Both the product (1) and the thermally insulating bed (5) are placed in a protective container (4). Gases are vented from the purpose-designed and dimensioned protective container (4) after they have escaped via the openings (7). This prevents randomly acting gases giving rise to unidirectional, reaction forces.

Description: SAFETY PACKAGING As it enables control of the order in which the carried components disintegrate and also reduces the reaction forces generated by escaping gases, the present invention is particularly suitable for transport packaging which protects against external fire and limits combustion of the carried articles or substances. The growing use of explosives and explosive devices for civil applications is accompanied by a concomitant increase in the transport of such substances and devices. At the same time, the demands for safer transport, (as well as more efficient methods for safely combating fires resulting from accidents), are becoming ever more severe and wide-ranging. Safety during transport can be considerably improved by using packaging which is so designed that the sequence of reactions which is to be expected in the event of accident can be controlled. An example of such design (the subject of the present patent application) is given in figure 1. Insulation (5) protects volatile, heat- sensitive components against too rapid external heating. The insulation is made from heat resistant material with low thermal conductivity, (e.g. rock wool). Depending on demands, thermal protection can be increased by adding complementary substances (6) to the insulation. Enclosed in special containers, or in various forms of micro- capsules, these substances could absorb heat by phase transformation, (e.g. melting). Through calculation and testing, the insulation can be dimensioned so that the time to the ignition of the heat sensitive component (3) is suited to the product's thermal characteristics, the external environment and the relevant safety requirements. Along with the insulation (5), the product to be transported (1) is placed in a suitable protective container (4), e.g. a pipe. Product and insulation are so arranged that the heat insensitive component (2) is not protected against heating. In the event of fire, the heat sensitive component (2) will ignite or be destroyed by heat generated decomposition before the heat sensitive component (3) which is protected by the insulating bed. The heat necessary for the decomposition of the heat insensitive component (2) is provided through the openings (7) and the air holes (8) in the protective container (4). As gases are vented from the purpose-designed and dimensioned protective container (4) after they have escaped via the openings (7), the heat insensitive component (2) cannot now explode randomly in a single direction and occasion unidirectional reaction forces. Figure 1 5. Bed of thermal insulation 1. The product being carried 6. Container (or microcapsules) with heat 2. Insensitive component absorbing substances 3. Heat sensitive component 7. Openings 4. Protective container 8. .Air holes

Claims: Patent details 1. Safety packaging for the packing and transport of volatile, heat sensitive products; said packaging is characterized by the use of a bed comprising a layer or several layers of thermally insulating material (5) to insulate the volatile, heat sensitive component (3) from rapid, exterior heating. By ensuring that hot gases or flames acting through the openings (7) first destroy the insensitive component (2) and only thereafter allow the sensitive component (3) to reach the activating temperature, the packaging makes it possible to control the sequence of reactions resulting from overheating. Control is further complemented by the generated gases being dispersed and evacuated in various directions through the openings (7). 2. The safety packaging, as per 1 above, characterized 'by a thermally insulating bed (5) complemented by a container for substances (6) which through, for example, melting or molecular change, serve as a heat absorbing medium. 3. The safety packaging, as per either of 1 or 2 above, characterized by the heat absorbing substances (6) being enclosed in microcapsules or other closed container. 4. The safety packaging, as per either of 1 to 3 above, characterized 'by the insensitive component (2) being deactivated through thermal reaction (pyrolysis) and decomposition generated by hot gases or flames entering through the openings (7); said deactivation occurring before the activation of the volatile, heat sensitive component (3). 5. The safety packaging, as per either of 1 to 4 above, characterized by the protective container (4) being provided with the appropriate number of air holes (8) to optimize heat transfer from external fire.

Inventors: BENGTSSON TOMMY, LARSSON ANDERS, SANDBERG THOMAS, BENGTSSON, TOMMY, LARSSON, ANDERS, SANDBERG, THOMAS
Applicants: BENGTSSON TOMMY, LARSSON ANDERS, SANDBERG THOMAS, TEAM SAFEPAC I KARLSKOGA AB, BENGTSSON, TOMMY, LARSSON, ANDERS, SANDBERG, THOMAS
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F42B39
IPC codes: B65D81, F42B39