Container for containing explosive device and blast containing panel therefor

Abstract

A container for containing an explosive device, including an outer shell and blast containing panels disposed against inner surfaces of the outer shell to substantially define an enclosure. Each blast containing panel includes a fragment-retaining layer and at least one mitigating layer facing the enclosure. Each mitigating layer includes a cell structure having an outer wall connected to the fragment-retaining layer and a cell walls extending from the outer wall and forming cells having one end closed by the outer wall and an opposed end open, a blast effect mitigating material received within the cells, a fabric layer disposed against and sealing the open end of the cells, a mesh layer overlaying the fabric layer, and a frame forming a perimeter surrounding sides of the cell structure. The mitigating layer reduces a blast wave force and the fragment-retaining layer resists a remainder of the blast wave force and retains fragments.

1 . A container for containing an explosive device, the container comprising:
 an outer shell including a body and a cover relatively movable between an open position and a closed position;   a plurality of blast containing panels including at least a first group of blast containing panels disposed against inner surfaces of the outer shell such as to substantially define an enclosure when the body and the cover are in the closed position, each of the blast containing panels including a fragment-retaining layer and at least one mitigating layer facing the enclosure, each mitigating layer including:
 a cell structure having an outer wall connected to the fragment-retaining layer and a plurality of cell walls extending from the outer wall, the cell walls forming a plurality of cells having one end closed by the outer wall and an opposed end open, 
 a blast effect mitigating material received within the cells of the cell structure, 
 a fabric layer disposed against and sealing the open end of the plurality of cells, 
 a mesh layer overlaying the fabric layer such that the fabric layer extends between the cell structure and the mesh layer, and 
 a frame connected to the cell structure, the frame forming a perimeter surrounding sides of the cell structure; 
   wherein the mitigating layer is configured to reduce a force of a blast wave caused by an explosion of the explosive device, and the fragment-retaining layer is configured to resist a remainder of the force of the blast wave passing through the mitigating layer and to retain fragments propagated by the explosion.   
     
     
         2 . The container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the blast containing panels of the first group includes a single mitigating layer, the fragment-retaining layer thereof being disposed against a respective one of the inner surfaces of the body and the cover. 
     
     
         3 . The container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the cell structure is made of cardboard. 
     
     
         4 . The container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the blast effect mitigating material includes a combination of perlite beads and borax. 
     
     
         5 . The container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric layer is a nonwoven textile made with synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The container as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the fabric layer is made of polyester. 
     
     
         7 . The container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the mesh layer is made of fiberglass. 
     
     
         8 . The container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame has an L-shaped cross-section, including a bottom wall extending between the outer wall of the cell structure and the fragment-retaining layer, and a side wall surrounding the cell structure. 
     
     
         9 . The container as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the frame is made of polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         10 . The container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fragment-retaining layer includes at least one of ballistic armor and polycarbonate. 
     
     
         11 . The container as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blast containing panels further include at least one divider panel extending across the enclosure and defining compartments on either side thereof, the at least one mitigating layer of each divider panel including two mitigating layers, each divider panel having the fragment-retaining layer received between and connected to the two mitigating layers thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The container as defined in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the at least one divider panel is removably engaged in the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . A blast containing panel for containing an explosion of an explosive device, the blast containing panel comprising:
 a fragment-retaining layer;   at least one mitigating layer including:
 a cell structure having an outer wall connected to the fragment-retaining layer and a plurality of cell walls extending from the outer wall, the cell walls forming a plurality of cells having one end closed by the outer wall and an opposed end open, 
 a blast effect mitigating material received within the cells of the cell structure, 
 a fabric layer disposed against and sealing the open end of the plurality of cells, 
 a mesh layer overlaying the fabric layer such that the fabric layer extends between the cell structure and the mesh layer, and 
 a frame connected to the cell structure, the frame forming a perimeter surrounding sides of the cell structure; 
   wherein the mesh layer, cell structure and fabric layer permit transmission of a blast wave caused by an explosion of the explosive device into the blast effect mitigating material; and   wherein the mitigating layer is configured to reduce a force of the blast wave, and the fragment-retaining layer is configured to resist a remainder of the force of the blast wave passing through the mitigating layer and to retain fragments propagated by the explosion.   
     
     
         14 . The blast containing panel as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the blast effect mitigating material includes a combination of perlite beads and borax. 
     
     
         15 . The blast containing panel as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the fabric layer is a nonwoven textile made with synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The blast containing panel as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the frame has an L-shaped cross-section, including a bottom wall extending between the outer wall of the cell structure and the fragment-retaining layer, and a side wall surrounding the cell structure. 
     
     
         17 . The blast containing panel as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the frame is made of polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         18 . The blast containing panel as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the fabric layer is a nonwoven textile made with synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The blast containing panel as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the fragment-retaining layer includes at least one of ballistic armor and polycarbonate. 
     
     
         20 . The blast containing panel as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one mitigating layer includes two mitigating layers, the fragment-retaining layer received between and connected to the two mitigating layers.