Explosive Cartridge And A Method Of Arranging An Explosive Cartridge In A Blast Hole

Abstract

An explosive cartridge for generating an explosion in a blast hole, the explosive cartridge comprising a flexible casing for containing an explosive and a mechanism for expanding the casing in a first direction and for simultaneously contracting the casing in a second direction which differs from the first direction.

1 . An explosive cartridge for generating an explosion in a blast hole, the explosive cartridge comprising:
 an at least partially flexible casing for containing an explosive;   a mechanism for expanding the casing in a first direction and for simultaneously contracting the casing in a second direction which differs from the first direction; and   an injection cartridge member and an expansion cartridge member, the mechanism being activatable by inserting the injection cartridge member into the expansion cartridge member.   
   
   
       2 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible casing comprises at least one of the group consisting of a plastic, polyethylene, and a rubber-type material. 
   
   
       3 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible casing comprises a flexible portion and a rigid portion, the flexible portion being arranged adjacent to a bottom of the casing to be positioned in a deepest part of the blast hole. 
   
   
       4 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 3 , wherein the flexible portion of the flexible casing has a smaller thickness than the rigid portion of the flexible casing. 
   
   
       5 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 3 , wherein the flexible portion of the flexible casing is made of a first material being more flexible than a second material of which the rigid portion is made, the first material being different from the second material. 
   
   
       6 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is adapted in such a manner that the first direction is essentially perpendicular to the second direction. 
   
   
       7 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises at least one of the group consisting of a mechanical pull mechanism, a mechanical push mechanism, a spring mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism, a chemically activatable mechanism, a magnetic mechanism, and an electric mechanism. 
   
   
       8 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is activatable remotely. 
   
   
       9 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is activatable by at least one of the group consisting of an ignition wire, a string, a time switch, a delayed chemical reaction, and a delayed spring mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , comprising a lowering unit adapted for lowering the explosive cartridge into the blast hole. 
   
   
       11 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , comprising the explosive material contained in the casing, particularly comprising non-loose explosive material contained in the casing in a sealed manner. 
   
   
       12 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , having an average density of more than 1 g/cm 3 , particularly of at least 1.4 g/cm 3 . 
   
   
       13 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein a bottom portion of the explosive cartridge comprises a hole in which a detonator is inserted. 
   
   
       14 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is at least partially integrated in the casing. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . The explosive cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least partially flexible casing defines a sealed space accommodating a fixed amount of the explosive. 
   
   
       17 . A method of installing an explosive cartridge for generating an explosion in a blast hole, the method comprising:
 inserting the explosive cartridge in the blast hole;   expanding a casing of the explosive cartridge in a first direction and simultaneously contracting the casing in a second direction which differs from the first direction; and   providing an injection cartridge member and an expansion cartridge member, the mechanism being activatable by inserting the injection cartridge member into the expansion cartridge member.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , comprising performing the expanding and the contracting before generating an explosion in the blast hole. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , comprising expanding the casing in a direction perpendicular to an extension of the blast hole and simultaneously contracting the casing in a direction parallel to the extension of the blast hole. 
   
   
       20 . A method of using an explosive cartridge according to  claim 1  in the field of material fragmentation.