Inflatable wand for loading a mining borehole

Abstract

An inflatable wand for positioning within an upward oriented, mining borehole and near a lower collar opening thereof wherein the wand provides a conduit for introducing and retaining liquid explosive materials within the borehole. The wand includes a flexible tube with longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers embedded in an elastic composition such as rubber. The tube is constructed to permit radial elongation in response to a force arising within the tube and directed radially outward, but to restrain against axial elongation during use. Such radial elongation arises because of back pressure developed by the flowing explosive as it is impeded at a valve outlet at the distal end of the wand. Enlargement of the wand seals the opening of the borehole without destruction of the elastic material on sharp points and edges of the borehole collar.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.