Improvements in Compressing Powder and other Compressible Explosives in Cartridge Cases and other Receptacles and in Appliances therefor.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Nov., 1886
Complete Left, 19th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 4th Oct., 1887.
Improvements in Compressing Powder and other Compressible
Explosives in Cartridge Cases and other Receptacles and in
Appliances therefor.
I, WILHELM LORENZ of Carlsruhe in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method of and appliances for compressing
gunpowder and other compressible explosives in cartridge cases or other tubular or
hollow receptacles, such method consisting mainly in providing the plunger or die
with which the compression is to be effected with a central conical, or tapering, or
needle or spindle shaped projection of small diameter, which in penetrating through
the charge of the cartridge case or other receptacle, compresses the same in a radial
direction from the centre towards the periphery, such action being in some cases
assisted by imparting a more or less tapering or conical or rounded form to the end of
the plunger joining on to the said projection. At the same time the charge may be
subjected to a greater or less axial compression, according to the form imparted to
the plunger.
This method of compression can be carried on in a variety of ways.
Thus the charge may receive a preliminary compression and have a central channel
formed in it in the first instance, for facilitating the entrance of the said projection, or
the plunger with its projection may be forced directly into the loose charge.
For forming the central channel in the case of preliminary compression, a thin
needle or spindle is introduced centrally either from the upper or the lower end of the
receptacle and the powder is then charged in and compressed to a certain extent by a
plunger having a central opening fitting over the needle, so that when the plunger
and needle are withdrawn, the charge will remain in a coherent condition with a
corresponding channel through it. The needle may also be combined with the
plunger in such a manner that on introducing them into the receptacle, the needle
will reach the closed end of the receptacle before the plunger begins to compress the

page_text: charge, the connection between the two being such that the plunger can then advance
upon the needle so as to effect the compression. For this purpose the upper end of
the needle may fit with a head or collar in a recess in the plunger where it has a
certain amount of play and in which is a spring that presses the needle outwards,
while when the plunger is being forced down over the needle, the collar of the latter
compresses the spring.
The preliminary compression of the charge also has for its object to prevent the
same, when subject to the subsequent radial compression, from spreading upwards
towards the opening of the receptacle to any great extent. The cartridge cases or
other receptacles are by preference supported on their outer surfaces during such
preliminary and subsequent compression by a suitable strong enclosure.
The preliminary compression having been effected, the compressing plunger with
its tapering or needle or spindle shaped projection is then introduced, whereby the
tapering projection in being forced down the central channel will exercise a gradually
increasing radial pressure on the charge, such radial compression being farther
increased by the action of the gradually curved or tapered junction of the projection
with the plunger.
The required degree of compression may be obtained by the action of a single
plunger and projection as described, or two or more such plungers with projections
may be used in succession, in which case each successive plunger is by preference
made of increased diameter so that the charge is at each operation compressed radially
to an extent corresponding to the differences of diameter of the plungers. The curved
or tapering junction of the projection is also by preference made shorter in each
successive plunger, in order that the plunger may advance to a correspondingly
increased extent into the receptacle. Or in place of such increased advance of the
successive plungers, these may be made always to advance to the same extent and the
tapering projections of the successive plungers may be made of gradually increasing
thickness, for effecting a corresponding increased compression.
The plunger and its projection may either be made of a single piece or they may be
in separate parts fixed together, or the projection may be made to slide through a
central hole in the plunger. In this case both parts may be advanced simultaneously
into the charge of the receptacle or the one part may be advanced before the other;
thus before, during, or after radial compression by the projection, the charge may
receive a further axial compression by the annular plunger.
When the before described preliminary compression and perforation of the charge
is dispensed with, the projection of the compressing plunger may be formed with a
thin needle-like extension that passes through a central hole in the bottom of the
receptacle, and serves as a guide for the plunger; or the projection may simply rest
upon the bottom, or have a stud with a shoulder, fitting in a hole therein, so as to
insure its central position.
When dispensing with the preliminary compression, the plunger is made of such a
diameter as to fit the mouth of the receptacle, so as, in closing this, to prevent the
charge from being forced out of the receptacle while being subject to lateral
compression.
If the compression of the charge is effected solely by the projection, this is made of
a length corresponding to that of the compressed charge; several such plungers with
their projections can be used successively to effect successive compressions, as in the
previous case.
The junction of the projection with the plunger may either be made with a
curvature or taper as described, or the plunger may terminate with a flat face, from
the centre of which the projection springs.
In using several successive plungers and projections, these may either all have
similarly curved or tapered junctions, or the junctions may be differently formed in
each case.
The charge having been compressed as described, a fresh quantity of the explosive
may be introduced and compressed in like manner, and this may be repeated several
times, thus producing a charge consisting of several concentric annular layers

page_text: compressed either to the same or different degrees of density. The several successive
fillings may also consist of different kinds of explosives, and each or any layer may
receive a coating of some material that will increase or retard the combustion, before
the next layer is pressed in, or such coating may be of a neutral nature.
In filling cartridge cases by the above described method, the cases may be
completely formed with their open ends reduced in diameter or "necked," the
plungers being made to fit such reduced openings.
Dated this 20th day of November 1886
ABEL & IMRAY,
28, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Compressing Powder and other Compressible
Explosives in Cartridge Cases and other Receptacles and in
Appliances therefor.
I, WILHELM LORENZ of Carlsruhe in the Grand Duchy of Baden; Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to an improved method of and appliances for compressing
gunpowder and other compressible explosives in cartridge cases or other tubular or
hollow receptacles such method consisting mainly in providing the plunger or die
with which the compression is to be effected with a central conical, or tapering, or
needle or spindle shaped projection of small diameter, which in penetrating through
the charge of the cartridge case or other receptacle, compresses the same in a radial
direction from the centre towards the periphery, such action being in some cases
assisted by imparting a more or less tapering or conical or rounded form to the end
of the plunger joining. on to the said projection. At the same time the charge may
be subjected to a greater or less axial compression, according to the form imparted to
the plunger.
This method of compression can be carried on in a variety of ways.
Thus the charge may receive a preliminary compression and have a central channel
formed in it in the first instance for facilitating the entrance of the said projection, or
the plunger with its projection may be forced directly into the loose charge.
For forming the central channel in the case of preliminary compression, a thin
needle or spindle is introduced centrally either from the upper or the lower end of the
receptacle and the powder is then charged in and compressed to a certain extent by a
plunger having a central opening fitting over the needle, so that when the plunger and
needle are withdrawn, the charge will remain in a coherent condition with a

page_text: corresponding channel through it. The needle may also be combined with the plunger
in such a manner that on introducing them into the receptacle, the needle will reach
the closed end of the receptacle before the plunger begins to compress the charge, the
connection between the two being such that the plunger can then advance upon the
needle so as to effect the compression for this purpose the upper end of the needle may fit
with a head or collar in a recess in the plunger where it has a certain amount of play and
in which is a spring that presses the needle outwards, while when the plunger is being
forced down over the needle, the collar of the latter compresses the spring.
The preliminary compression of the charge also has for its object to prevent the
same, when subject to the subsequent radial compression from spreading upwards
towards the opening of the receptacle to any great extent. The cartridge cases or
other receptacles are by preference supported on their outer surfaces during such pre-
liminary and subsequent compression by a suitable strong enclosure.
The preliminary compression having been effected the compressing plunger with its
tapering or needle or spindle shaped projection is then introduced, whereby the
tapering projection in being forced down the central channel will exercise a gradually
increasing radial pressure on the charge, such radial compression being further
increased by the action of the gradually curved or tapered junction of the projection
with the plunger.
The required degree of compression may be obtained by the action of a single
plunger and projection as described, or two or more such plungers with projections
may be used in succession, in which case each successive plunger is by preference
made of increased diameter so that the charge is at each operation compressed radially to
an extent corresponding to the differences of diameter of the plungers. The curved
or tapering junction of the projection is also by preference made shorter in each
successive plunger, in order that the plunger may advance to a correspondingly increased
extent into the receptacle. Or in place of such increased advance of the successive
plungers these may be made always to advance to the same extent and the tapering
projections of the successive plungers may be made of gradually increasing thickness,
for effecting a corresponding increased compression.
The plunger and its projection may either be made of a single piece or they may be
in separate parts fixed together, or the projection may be made to slide through a
central hole in the plunger. In this case both parts may be advanced simultaneously
into the charge of the receptacle or the one part may be advanced before the other,
thus before during, or after radial compression by the projection, the charge may
receive a further axial compression by the annular plunger.
When the before described preliminary compressson and perforation of the charge
is dispensed with, the projection of the compressing plunger may be formed with a
thin needle-like extension that passes through a central hole in the bottom of the
receptacle, and serves as a guide for the plunger; or the projection may simply rest
upon the bottom, or have a stud with a shoulder, fitting in a hole therein, so as to
insure its central position.
When dispensing with the preliminary compression, the plunger is made of such a
diameter as to fit the mouth of the receptacle, so as, in closing this, to prevent the
charge from being forced out of the receptacle while being subject to lateral
compression.
If the compression of the charge is effected solely by the projection, this is made
of a length corresponding to that of the compressed charge; several such plungers
with their projections can be used successively to effect successive compressions, as in
the previous case.
The junction of the projection with the plunger may either be made with a curvature
or taper as described, or the plunger may terminate with a flat face, from the centre
of which the projection springs.
In using several successive plungers and projections, these may either all have
similarly curved or tapered junctions or the junctions may be differently formed in
each case.
The charge having been compressed as described, a fresh quantity of the explosive

page_text: may be introduced and compressed in like manner, and this may be repeated several
times thus producing a charge consisting of several concentric annular layers compressed
either to the same or different degrees of density. The several successive fillings may
also consist of different kinds of explosives, and each or any layer may receive a
coating of some material that will increase or retard the combustion, before the next
layer is pressed in, or such coating may be of a neutral nature.
In filling cartridge cases by the above described method the cases may be com-
pletely formed with their open ends reduced in diameter or "necked," the plungers
being made to fit such reduced opening.
The accompanying drawing shews various constructions of tools or implements for
carrying out my above described invention, applied, by way of example to the com-
pressing of gunpowder in cartridge cases.
Fig. 1 shews a cartridge case a with cap chamber a¹ enclosed in a mould b. A
needle c is inserted through the hole of the cap chamber so as to project up centrally
through the cartridge case, a collar c¹ on the needle being made to butt against the
underside of the cartridge case.
Fig. 2 shews a needle c introduced through the upper open end of the cartridge
case with a die or plunger e sliding over the same, the lower end of the needle being
made to enter the hole in the cap chamber a², or the needle is made of larger diameter
and may have a projecting stud of smaller diameter at its end entering the hole of the
cap chamber as shewn at c³ Fig. 2 or the lower end of the needle may be made
sufficiently thin to pass through the hole as at Fig. 2. The needle having been
inserted, the cartridge case is filled with the explosive d to be compressed therein, and
this is then subjected to the compressing action of a die or plunger. Fig. 2 shews a
plunger e with a curved lower end, sliding over the needle; at Fig. 3 the plunger is
shewn with a flat lower end. Fig. 3ª shews a plunger with an enlarged recess
through which the needle et passes and within which it is provided with a collar c
above which is a spring S confined by a screw cap e², so that although the needle c* is
in this case combined with the plunger yet on fitting the end of the needle in the hole
of the cap chamber, it can remain stationary while the plunger is forced forward
without subjecting the needle to pressure beyond that due to the spring.
On the completion of the compression the plunger and needle are withdrawn leaving
the compressed charge with a central perforation as shewn in dotted lines at Fig. 4.
A second die or mandril is then forced into this perforation thereby compressing the
charge to a corresponding extent in a radial direction the mandril being provided
with a needle shaped extension that passes through the hole of the cap chamber.
Figs. 4" and 4 shew similar mandrils g¹ and g² of increased diameter and shorter
junction connecting them with the needles h² ². Fig. 4b also shews in com-
bination with the mandril g² an annular plunger e for effecting the axial compression
of the charge, and which may also be employed in connection with the mandrils g
and y. Fig. 5 shews a mandril with extension introduced into the loose
charge, and with the cylindrical part or plunger 1 advanced into the neck of
the case.
Fig. 5 shews a second and third such mandril to be used in succession after that at
Fig. 5, and the dotted lines indicate intermediate ones to be used if necessary,
whereby the gradual compression of the charge in a lateral or radial direction may be
effected.
Fig. 6 shews mandrils m with extensions m² of gradually increasing thickness as
indicated by the dotted lines m³ m³ the upper parts m being all made to penetrate to
the same depth.
The transition curves are in this case as also at Figs. 5, 5, and Figs. 2, 4, 4*, 4b,
formed concavo convex but they may also be formed entirely concave, as shewn at
Figs. 2, 4 and 5 in dotted lines.
Fig. 6 shews a similar construction of mandrils to those at Fig. 6 but with
concave transition curves from the part m to the compressing extensions m¹ m² m² of
gradually increasing diameters. Fig. 6b shews the part m with a flat abutment for
the parts m' m² m³.

page_text: Fig. 7 shews a mandril o with the extension n screwed into it,-Figs. 7" and 7b
shew mandrils formed of a part o¹ 03 sliding upon the part or they may be fixed
thereon.
All these mandrils may either only rest with their lower ends upon the cap
chamber, or be made to pass through the hole thereof as indicated in dotted lines at
and m¹ Figs. 5, 6ª,
6b.
Fig. 8 shews a cartridge the charge of which consists of three concentric annular
layers d' d' d³ formed by successive compressions and a central igniting passage fl.
Any one or more of the said layers may be separated from the contiguous ones by a
varnish or coating of material that may either be of a neutral nature or may retard or
accelerate the combustion. The arrows indicate the directions in which the dies or
mandrils operate with compressing action upon the charges.
By means of the above described method of compression a much greater quantity
of explosive material can be compressed into the cartridge case or other receptacle as
compared with the existing methods in which axial compression alone is employed, or
the same quantity of explosive can be forced into cases or receptacles of smaller
dimensions, and thus considerable advantages in manufacture and transport are
attained.
By means of the above described process also, the inner surface of the igniting
channel can be compressed more or less uniformly according to the nature of the
explosive and thus a more or less uniform combustion thereof can be effected.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The herein described method of compressing gunpowder and other compressible
explosives in cartridge cases and other receptacles, whereby conical tapering or other
shaped mandrils, are forced into a longitudinal channel of smaller size than the said
mandrils previously formed in the explosive material so as to compress the same in a
radial, lateral or inclined direction.
2. In compressing explosives as set forth in the preceding claim subjecting the
explosive to axial or end pressure at the same time that it is subjected to radial
pressure, substantially as herein described.
3. In compressing explosive materials as set forth in the preceding claims forming
the longitudinal passage through the charge in the first instance by introducing into
the loose charge a needle or rod and then subjecting the charge to longitudinal
pressure by means of a die or plunger sliding over the said needle or rod, substantially
as herein described.
4. In compressing explosive materials as set forth in the first claim, the method of
compressing successive annular layers of explosives of the same or different kinds, one
or more layers being separated from the contiguous layers by a coating which may
either be neutral or may retard or accelerate the combustion, substantially as herein
described.
5. The use for compressing explosive materials in cartridge cases and other
receptacles in the manner referred to in the preceding claims, of needles, mandrils or
plungers arranged and operating as herein described and shown in the drawings.
This 10th day of August 1887
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.