An Improved Process for Moulding Cartridges and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 15th May, 1889-Accepted, 29th June, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Moulding Cartridges and Apparatus
therefor.
I, CARL LAMM of 11 Biblisteksgatan Stockholm Swden Manager of the Bellite
explosive works do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
This process for moulding Cartridges consists essentially in filling tubes or cells
acting as moulds with prepared pulverized and partially fusible explosive materials the
said tubes or cells being constructed with loose bottoms and placed in a steam tight
chamber or case. These tubes or cells are filled with the material which is pressed
down firmly and covered with loose covers provided with projections of suitable form
which enter the materials and form the hole or holes for the cap or caps.
Steam or
hot air water or the like is then admitted to the chamber and allowed to circulate
about the tubes thereby causing the fusible part of the mass to melt and envelope the
infusible particles. The supply of steam is then cut off and cold water is admitted
to the tubes. This causes the material in the tubes to set or solidify so that the
contents of each tube forms a solid block which can be forced out by the action of
the loose bottom.
The apparatus employed consists of a case or frame through the bottom of which
are passed a suitable number of tubes open at both ends being made taper or
somewhat larger at the upper ends than at the lower. The case is provided
with suitable orifices for the admission and escape of steam hot air or water or
the like. The lower ends of the tubes are closed by moveable pistons or plungers
carried by a suitable. support and the upper ends are closed by loose covers
provided with a projection for forming the hole for the cap. If it is desired to make
a number of such holes a corresponding number of covers each provided with one
pin.is employed being placed one over the other the pins on the outer cover or covers
projecting through holes in the inner cover or covers. When the moulding of the
cartridge is finished the covers can be removed one by one without damaging the
cartridge notwithstanding that the covers require to be rotated as they are removed.
When the contents of the moulds have been partially melted and solidified as herein-
before, described the pistons or plungers are pushed into the mould' by removing the
support of the bottom and the cartridges pushed out of the moulds or tubes.
It is evident that the moulds may be made of circular, angular or any other suitable
form. in order to form cartridges of any desired shape or blocks to be afterwards put
together to, make large blocks for certain blasting operations.
Dated thig 15th day of AC 1000
0
J. H.. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,, London, W.C., Agents..
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Moulding Cartridges and Apparatus
therefor.
I, CARE LAMM of 11 Biblioteksgatan, Stockholm, Sweden,, Manager of the Bellite
explosive works 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 :-
My invention, relates to the manufacture of. explosive charges or cartridges.
In making an explosive, charge or cartridge according to my said invention, L,take
suitably prepared, pulverized explosive material one or more of: the ingredients. of
which are fusible, and I place the. said, material in suitable tubes,,cells, or moulds and

page_text: subject it therein to the action of heat, thus causing the fusible particles of the mass
contained in either of the said tubes, cells or moulds to melt and envelope the infusible
particles thereof. The explosive material contained in the said tubes, cells, or moulds
is then cooled thus forming solid blocks, charges or cartridges of explosive material,
which are then removed or ejected from the said tubes, cells or moulds.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figure 2 a vertical longitudinal section on the line x, x Figure 1 showing one
orm of my improved apparatus.
Figure 3 is a plan of another form or modification of the said invention.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line y, y Figure 3, the movable
bottom or plate of the box or case hereinafter described being removed.
Figure 5 is a front elevation partly in longitudinal section showing the said novable
bottom or plate and the pistons or plungers hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the box, case or frame of the apparatus which is provided with any suitable
number of tubes, cells or moulds B. The said tubes, cells or moulds B extend through
the bottom and top covers of the box or case A in which they are fitted so as to
form tight joints therein. They are open at both ends and are preferably formed
slightly taper that is to say slightly larger in diameter at the upper than at the lower
end. CD are pipes for the admission to and escape from the chamber or space A¹
around the tubes, cells or moulds B in the box or case A of steam, hot air, water or
the like for heating the apparatus. E E are pistons or plungers supported upon a plate or
frame E¹ and made to fit easily into and close the lower extremities of the tubes,
cells or moulds B. E², E' are distance pieces or supports for maintaining the plate or
frame E¹ in such a position relatively to the box or case A that the said pistons or
plungers E will be situated in the lower extremities of the tubes, cells or moulds B,
as shown, while the latter are being filled with explosive material and subjected to the
action of heat or cold as hereinafter specified. The upper extremities of the tubes,
cells or moulds B are closed by means of loose covers F provided with projections or
pins F1 for forming in the explosive material the holes for the caps or primers. Any
desired number of such holes can be formed in each block or charge of explosive
material by providing a corresponding number of the covers F each provided with one
projection or pin F'. When more than one hole is to be formed in each block, the
šaid covers are placed one above another and the projections or pins upon the outer
cover or covers project through holes provided in the inner cover or covers. By this
arrangement when the moulding of the explosive material forming the charge or
cartridge is finished, the cover or covers F can be removed from the said charge or
cartridge without damaging it notwithstanding that the said cover or covers require to
be rotated for this purpose. To perform this operation each of the covers F is rotated
upon or about the axis of its pin or projection F' as soon as it is raised in the manner
hereinafter described so as to be clear of the tube B, and the said pin or projection is
thereby loosened in the explosive material.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows, that is to say, the tubes, cells or
moulds Bare filled with the prepared pulverized and partially fusible explosive material
which is pressed down firmly therein, and the loose covers F are placed in position so
that the projections or pins F¹ will enter the said explosive material and form the
holes for the caps or primers. Steam, hot air, hot water or other heating medium is
then admitted through the pipe C to the chamber or space A³ in the box or case A
and allowed to circulate around the tubes, cells or moulds B, thereby heating the
latter and causing the fusible particles of the mass of explosive material to melt and
envelope the infusible particles of the same. The supply of steam, or other heating
medium is then cut off and cold water is admitted to the said space A¹. This causes
the explosive material in the said tubes, cells or moulds B to set or solidify so that the
contents of each tube, cell or mould forms a solid block, charge or cartridge which
can be forced out by the action of the plungers or pistons E. For this purpose the

page_text: supports E which normally retain the said pistons or plungers in the lower extremities
of the said moulds are removed and the pistons or plungers E are then pushed into
the said tubes, cells or moulds B, and the charges or cartridges are thus pushed out
of or ejected from the said tubes, cells or moulds.
When the loose cover F is raised above the tube, cell or mould B it is turned or
rotated as hereinbefore mentioned before removal in order to loosen or free the pin or
projection F in the explosive material. When two or more covers F are employed
each cover is rotated as soon as it is clear of the tube, cell or mould and the said
covers are thus removed one by one without damaging the charge or cartridge.
Figures 3 to 5 show a modification of my apparatus wherein the cells or moulds B
are formed of various shapes.
It is evident that the cells or moulds may be adapted for the manufacture of
charges or cartridges of any desired shape, or for the manufacture of blocks of
explosive material to be afterwards put together to form large charges for certain
blasting operations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
.
First The method of manufacturing explosive charges or cartridges consisting
in introducing into tubes cells or moulds explosive material one or more of the in-
gredients of which are fusible, subjecting the said material to the action of heat to
melt the fusible particles thereof, and then cooling the said material, substantially
as, and for the purpose, above set forth.
Second-The improved apparatus comprising the box or case provided with the
tubes, cells or moulds, the admission and discharge pipes, the plungers or pistons,
and the movable plate or frame supporting the same, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth."
Dated this 15th dow of Mov 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.