Method of packaging an extrudable explosive composition

Claim 1

A method of packaging an extrudable explosive composition having a processing temperature which generally should not be exceeded, to produce an elongated body having a desired length, two spaced ends and a desired cross-sectional size, said method comprising the steps of: (a) extruding said explosive composition in an elongated extrusion having said desired cross-sectional size and an exposed outer peripheral surface formed from said explosive composition; (b) providing a heat shrinkable plastic sheet around said extrusion and in direct contact with said outer peripheral surface; (c) closing said plastic sheet at positions along said extrusion corresponding to said desired length; (d) severing said plastic sheets at said positions to produce separate bodies of wrapped, extruded explosive compositions; and, (e) passing said bodies through a heating zone at a selected temperature above said processing temperature and at a rate to heat said plastic sheet to a shrink temperature substantially higher than said processing temperature while said bodies of explosive composition are heated to a temperature below said processing temperature whereby said plastic sheet shrinks into tight contact with said outer peripheral surfaces of said bodies while said cross-sectional size is retained.

Claim 2

A method of packaging an extrudable explosive composition having a processing temperature which generally should not be exceeded, to produce an elongated body having a desired length, two spaced ends and a desired cross-sectional size, said method comprising the steps of: (a) extruding said explosive composition in an elongated extrusion having said desired cross-sectional size and an exposed outer peripheral surface formed from said explosive composition; (b) providing a heat shrinkable plastic sheet around said extrusion and in direct contact with said outer peripheral surface; (c) closing said plastic sheet at positions along said extrusion corresponding to said desired length; (d) severing said plastic sheets at said positions to produce separate bodies of wrapped, extruded explosive compositions; and, (e) passing said bodies through a heating zone at a selected temperature above said processing temperature and at a rate to heat said plastic sheet to a shrink temperature substantially higher than said processing temperature while said bodies of explosive composition are heated to a temperature below said processing temperature whereby said plastic sheet shrinks into tight contact with said outer peripheral surfaces of said bodies while said cross-sectional size is retained.

Claim 5

A method of packaging an extrudable explosive composition having a processing temperature which generally should not be exceeded, to produce an elongated body having a desired length, two spaced ends and a desired cross-sectional size, said method comprising the steps of: (a) extruding said explosive composition in an elongated extrusion having said desired cross-sectional size and an exposed outer peripheral surface formed from said explosive composition; (b) providing a heat shrinkable plastic sheet around said extrusion and in direct contact with said outer peripheral surface; (c) closing said plastic sheet at positions along said extrusion corresponding to said desired length to form said extrusion into separate bodies; and, (d) then passing said bodies through a heating zone at a selected temperature above said processing temperature and at a rate to heat said plastic sheet to a shrink temperature substantially higher than said processing temperature while said bodies of explosive composition are heated to a temperature below said processing temperature whereby said plastic sheet shrinks into tight contact with said outer peripheral surface of said bodies while said cross-sectional size is retained.

Claim 6

A method of packaging an extrudable explosive composition having a processing temperature which generally should not be exceeded, to produce an elongated body having a desired length, two spaced ends and a desired cross-sectional size, said method comprising the steps of: (a) extruding said explosive composition in an elongated extrusion having said desired cross-sectional size and an exposed outer peripheral surface formed from said explosive composition; (b) providing a heat shrinkable plastic sheet around said extrusion and in direct contact with said outer peripheral surface; (c) closing said plastic sheet at positions along said extrusion corresponding to said desired length to form said extrusion into separate bodies; and, (d) then passing said bodies through a heating zone at a selected temperature above said processing temperature and at a rate to heat said plastic sheet to a shrink temperature substantially higher than said processing temperature while said bodies of explosive composition are heated to a temperature below said processing temperature whereby said plastic sheet shrinks into tight contact with said outer peripheral surface of said bodies while said cross-sectional size is retained.