Containers for transporting and disposing of recalled airbag inflators

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include layered mesh containers and methods for using the containers to safely transport and dispose of airbag inflators having ammonium-nitrate-based propellant. For example, a container is provided that can hold multiple airbag inflators and withstand up to 4 moles of matter being deployed from an inflator having ammonium-nitrate-based propellant. The container can contain the inflator and any shrapnel associated with the explosion while also venting gases expelled as a result of the explosion. Various container designs are provided, along with methods for using these containers.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for transporting airbag inflators that have ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, comprising:
 placing the inflators into a container including:
 at least one metal grate comprising a plurality of connected slats, wherein the slats are positioned to prevent a sphere having a diameter greater than  1  inch from passing through the grate, and wherein the at least one metal grate forms a side of the container and at least partially defines a breathable containment space; and 
 a hinged door for adding and removing the airbag inflators; and 
 transporting the container. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the container further comprises a solid steel plate that at least partially defines the breathable containment space. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the container further comprises a plurality of metal grates. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one metal grate is selected from one of a traffic grate, drive grate, and metal-bar grate. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of slats has a height of 1 to 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the slats of the plurality of slats have about 1 inch between them. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of slats has a width of about 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         28 . A container for transporting airbag inflators with ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, comprising:
 at least one metal grate comprising a plurality of connected slats, wherein the slats are positioned to prevent a sphere having a diameter greater than 1 inch from passing through the grate, and wherein the at least one metal grate forms a side of the container and at least partially defines a breathable containment space; and   a hinged door for adding and removing the airbag inflators.   
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 28 , further comprising a solid steel plate that at least partially defines the breathable containment space. 
     
     
         30 . The container of  claim 28 , further comprising a plurality of metal grates. 
     
     
         31 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one metal grate is selected from one of a traffic grate, drive grate, and metal-bar grate. 
     
     
         32 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein each of the plurality of slats has a height of 1 to 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         33 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein the slats of the plurality of slats have about 1 inch between them. 
     
     
         34 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein each of the plurality of slats has a width of about 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         35 . A container for transporting airbag inflators with ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, comprising:
 a plurality of metal grates, each metal grate comprising a plurality of connected slats positioned to prevent a sphere having a diameter greater than 1 inch from passing through the grate, and wherein the plurality of metal grates form a respective plurality of sides of the container and at least partially define a breathable containment space; and   a removable door for adding and removing the airbag inflators.   
     
     
         36 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein the removable door is a hinged metal grate. 
     
     
         37 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein the removable door is configured to be mechanically fastened to at least one of the metal grates. 
     
     
         38 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein the removable door is a solid steel plate. 
     
     
         39 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein each of the plurality of metal grates is selected from one of a traffic grate, drive grate, and metal-bar grate. 
     
     
         40 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein the slats of the plurality of slats have about 1 inch between them.