MXPA97006425A - Assembly of electric detonator and conduit connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A detonator assembly where the electrical conductors are attached to an electrical connector that keeps the ends of the conductors in a non-conductive, waterproof condition and that allows the conductors to seempalmen another pair of electrical conductors without any tool splice. The length of the electrical conductors is selected to allow the assembly to be inserted into an explosive charge, so that the electrical connector is completely contained within the borehole with exit in the explosive charge. A package for these detonator assemblies includes at least one tray formed integrally of material with fire retardant properties. The detonator assemblies fit comfortably into the elongated, parallel cavities in the upper part of the tray, so that when the tray is overturned or inverted, the detonators will remain in position. The detonator mounts are arranged in an alternating manner so that the detonator ends of the adjacent mounts are on opposite sides of the tray. In addition, the cavities in each tray are separated to keep the detonators separated by approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) and each tray is approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) thick, so that the detonators in the stacked, adjacent trays also they are separated by at least 2.54 cm (one inch

Description

ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRICAL DETONATOR AND CONDUCTOR CONNECTOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to detonation devices for explosives and in particular to electric detonation devices coupled with electrical conductor connectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a detonator assembly for use with an explosive charge. The assembly includes an electric detonator and two electric conductors of equal length. One end of each conductor is connected to the electric detonator, and the other end of each conductor is connected to an electrical connector. The connector is characterized in that it is able to keep the ends of the two electrical conductors in a non-conductive condition. The length of the conductors is selected so that when the detonator assembly and the explosive charge are mounted, the electrical connector will be completely REP: 25479 contained within the borehole with exit from the explosive charge. The present invention also includes a package for a plurality of detonator assemblies. The package includes at least one tray. The upper part of the tray defines a plurality of elongated, parallel cavities, and each of the cavities is formed to receive with gripping a single detonator assembly. The present invention further comprises a packing tray with a plurality of elongated, parallel cavities containing the detonator mounts in an alternating manner so that the detonator ends of the adjacent mounts are on opposite sides of the tray. Still further, the present invention includes a packing tray having a plurality of elongated, parallel cavities that contain the detonator mounts and that separate to keep the detonator portions of the detonator mounts separated by at least about 2.54 cm (1 inch). inch). The present invention also contemplates a package comprising a plurality of stacked trays. Each of the stacked trays has a plurality of elongated, parallel cavities, each of which contains a detonator assembly and each of which is of a thickness of approximately 2.54 cm (1 inch), so that the mounts Detonator in the adjacent trays are kept separated by at least about 2.54 cm (1 inch). Finally, the present invention includes a method for mounting an electronic detonator and an explosive charge. First, an explosive charge is selected that has a body with a first end and a second end, a hole with no exit at one end to receive an electronic detonator, and a perforation with a separate outlet at a distance from the borehole and which is extends from the first end to the. second extreme. A detonator assembly is also selected. The detonator assembly comprises an electronic detonator having a first end and a second end, an electrical detonator having a first end and a second end, and a pair of electrical conductors connecting the first detonator end and the first end. connector end, the conductors that have a length slightly greater than the distance between the piercing without exit and the perforation with exit in the explosive charge. A length of the detonator wire is selected. The detonator wire comprises a pair of electrical conductors and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the selected length of the detonator wire is passed through the bore with outlet in the body of the explosive charge, so that the first end of the selected length of the detonator wire extends at a distance from the perforation with exit from the first end of the body of the explosive charge. Then, the first end of the selected length of the detonator wire is connected to the second end of the electrical connector of the detonator assembly. Then, the detonator is inserted, the second end first, into the dead hole at the first end of the explosive charge, and the detonator wire pulls tightly through the exit bore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a detonator assembly with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation, side view illustrating the use of the detonator assembly in an explosive charge.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the packing for the detonator assemblies of the present invention comprising a plurality of stacked trays.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Electric and electronic detonators typically comprise a small charge of explosive contained in a metal cover. The detonators are equipped with lengths of electrical conductors in pairs referred to as "detonator wire". The detonators are commercially available with detonator wire of varying lengths, such as 4.86 meters (16 feet), 7.29 meters (24 feet), 15.20 meters (50 feet), and so on. The detonators are also manufactured with different delay periods, such as 24 milliseconds, 50 milliseconds, and so on. Given the specific length of the detonator wire and the delay periods of conventional detonator products, detailed planning and the purchase of the correct number of specific detonator products are required for maximum efficiency. To use a detonator having the desired delay period but having an inadequate length of the detonator wire, an additional length of the detonator wire may be attached by splicing it to the ends of the detonator wire in the detonator. The industry standards currently require that the ends of the detonator wires in the detonators be removed by removing the insulating liner by a few centimeters, bending together the bare portions of the conductive core, in the conductors and covering the bare portions of the wire with a protective sleeve, not conductive. This is done to reduce the probability that a lost electrical charge activates the detonator. To splice an additional detonator wire, the ends of the additional detonator wire are stripped and connected to the bare ends of the detonator wire from the detonator when twisting the wires together or using a crimping tool. While effective, this splicing procedure is time consuming and inconvenient at the explosion site. The present invention provides a detonator assembly comprising a conventional detonator with a relatively short length of detonator wire, attached. The free ends of the detonator wire are attached to an electrical connector that replaces the separation. This electrical connector keeps the ends in a waterproof, non-conductive condition, and allows the detonator wire to be connected to the additional detonator wire without the use of peeling or ripple tools. The detonator assembly of this invention is designed to be used with a conventional explosive charge. To this end, the detonator wire is relatively short, so that when the assembly is placed on the explosive charge, the electrical connector will be contained within the borehole with the output of the explosive charge. This protects the connector from damage while the explosive charge is being lowered into the blasthole. Also, it will be appreciated that the detonator assembly of this invention will, in most cases, reduce the cost of materials for blasting work. This is because the price of conventional detonators includes the price of the detonator wire at a substantially higher price with the cost of the detonator wire when purchased in bulk. Additionally, the detonator assembly of this invention allows the operator to purchase detonators simply for periods of delay, rather than for periods of delay and length of the detonator wire. This simplifies the planning and execution of an explosion work, since all detonators with equal delay periods are interchangeable. Due to the short lengths of the detonator wire, the detonator mounts can be packed in multiple series. By employing the packaging of this invention, multiple detonators can be shipped and stored safely. The package, which includes the multiple trays, keeps all detonators separated in a package by at least 2.54 cm. (1 inch) . Also, according to the present invention, the ends of the detonator of the mounts are arranged in an alternating manner, so that the detonators of the adjacent mounts are at opposite ends of the package. In this way, in the case of an accidental detonation, the explosion of the explosion detonator will be pointed away from the other detonators in the package. These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments. Returning now to the drawings in general and to Figure 1 in particular, there is shown a detonator assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention and designated in general with the reference numeral 10. The detonator assembly comprises an electronic detonator 12 . Conventional detonators are suitable for use in this invention. The detonator 12 has a first end 14 and a second end 16. The assembly 10 additionally comprises a pair of electrical conductors 18 are of approximately the same length and having first ends 20 and second ends 22. The first ends 20 are connected to the first end 14 of the detonator 12. The conductors 18 are preferably conventional electronic wires, comprising a conductive core and an insulating sheath. The assembly 10 further comprises an electrical connector 24 having a first end 26 and a second end 28. The first end 26 of the connector 24 is connected to the second ends 22 of the two electrical conductors 18. The electrical connector 24 is characterized in that it is able to keep the second ends 22 of the two electrical conductors 18 in a non-conductive condition and also preferably waterproof. The connector 24 also preferably allows a connection of the two electrical conductors 18, waterproof, with high tensile strength with the other pair of similar electrical conductors in the use of splicing tools. A preferred electrical connector for this purpose is marketed under the name ClipMate ™ by ClipMate Corporation (Oklahoma City, OK). This electrical connector is described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 4,952,167, issued August 28, 1990, the contents of this patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to Figure 2, the use of the detonator assembly 10 will now be described. A conventional explosive charge 30 is generally in a cylindrical form. A first perforation 32 with no outlet extends from the first end 34 to a distance in the explosive charge 30. "A second perforation 36 with outlet extends from the first end 34 through the length of the explosive charge 30 to the second end 38. or opposite end 38. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a length of the conventional wire of the connector 40 is selected The wire 40 of the connector comprises a pair of electrical conductors and has a first end 42 and a second end 44. The Wire 40 of the connector is passed through the perforation 36 with outlet so that the first end 42 of the wire 40 of the connector extends at a distance between the bore 36 with outlet at the first end 34 of the explosive load. , the first end 42 of the wire 40 of the connector is connected to the second end 26 of the connector 24 of the assembly 10 in the manner taught in US Patent No. 4,952,167. 12 of the assembly 10 is then inserted into the perforation 32 without an outlet, and the wire 40 of the detonator is pulled taut through the perforation 36 with outlet, so that the connector 24 projects into the exit perforation. Mounted in this manner, the explosive charge 30 can be lowered into the blast hole (not shown) or placed in a known manner, to detonate the main charge. Now it will be appreciated that the electrical connector 24 must be designed in a manner to be easily adjusted within the bore 36 with outlet in the explosive load 30. Additionally, it will now be understood that the length of the conductors 18 in pair in the assembly 10 between the The connector 24 and the detonator 12 must be long enough to comfortably traverse the distance between the perforations 32 and 36 at the first end 34 of the explosive charge 30. However, it is also preferable that the length or length of the conductors 18 be shorter than the sum of the distance between the perforations 32 and 36 and the length of the perforation 36 with exit. In this way, when the assembly 10 is passed through the explosive charge 30, the connector 24 will be placed well within the explosive charge. This will protect the connector 24 from damage when the explosive load 30 is lowered into the blast hole. For this purpose, the conductors 18 are preferably approximately 1.27 cm. (0.5 inches) to about 30.48 cm (12 inches) long, more preferably from about 2.54 cm (1 inch) to about 7.62 cm (3 inches) long, and most preferably about 5.08 cm (2 inches) inches) long. It is also desirable to provide a notch 46 in the first end 34 of the explosive charge 30 that extends from the mouth of the piercing hole 32 to the mouth of the pierce 36 with outlet. When the detonator wire 40 pulls tightly through the perforation 36 with outlet to place the detonator inside the outlet bore, the middle portion of the electrical conductors 18, in pair, will engage in the notch 46. This stabilizes the load explosive 30 mounted and protects drivers 18 from damage when the explosive charge is lowered in an explosion auger or other location. Attention is now directed to Figure 3 for a description of a preferred package for the detonator assemblies according to the present invention. The package, designated generally by the reference number 50, comprises at least one tray 52, and more preferably a plurality of these trays. The tray 52 can be integrally formed of some lightweight, fire-proof material such as a foam spiro. The tray 52 is preferably rectangular and has an upper part 54 in which a plurality of elongated cavities are formed., parallel. One of the cavities is designated by the reference number 56. The length of the cavity 56 is approximately the same as the length of a detonator assembly 10. The depth of the cavity 56 is approximately the same as the width of the connector 24 of the assembly, so that the assembly will not protrude above the top 54 of the tray 52. The width of the cavity 56 is designed in a manner to Grasping the sides of the connector 24 with the detonator assembly 10. In this way, if the tray 52 is overturned, the detonator mounts 10 will not fall off the tray 52. The cavities 56 are separated approximately by 1.27 cm. (half an inch) and the detonator mounts are placed in it in an alternating manner. In this manner, the detonator 12 of the adjacent mounts 10 will be on opposite sides of the tray 52 and the detonator of the alternate mounts 10 will be separated by at least 2.54 cm. (one inch) . As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the package 50 includes a plurality of trays 52 stacked one on top of the other. Each tray 52 has a thickness of at least about 2.54 cm (one inch). Accordingly, when the trays 52 are stacked together, the detonator mounts and the adjacent trays will be separated by at least 2.54 cm "(one inch) As can be seen in Figure 4, the trays 52 are loaded so that the detonator mounts 10 at the ends of the adjacent trays are arranged in an alternating manner, so that the ends of the detonator are on opposite sides of the trays In the preferred practice of the present invention, each tray 52 has approximately 25 cavities To simplify the illustration, however, the tray 52 is shown in the drawings as having only ten cavities, similarly, although in the preferred commercial practice of the invention, approximately 10 trays will be combined in an individual package, represented in the drawings a stack of only 4 four trays The package 50 is preferably enclosed in a transparent cover commonly known as "shrink wrap" "Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of the various parts, elements, steps and procedures described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (35)

1. A detonator assembly for use with an explosive charge having a first end and a second end, a bore without exit at the first end, and a bore with exit at a distance from the borehole and extending from the first end towards the second end, the detonator assembly is characterized in that it comprises: an electrical detonator that can be received in the piercing without exit; two electric conductors of equal length, each of the electric conductors having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the two electrical conductors that is connected to the electric detonator; and an electrical connector connected to the second ends of the two electrical conductors and characterized in that it is capable of maintaining the second ends of the two electrical conductors in a non-conductive condition with respect to each other; wherein the length of the two electric conductors is greater than the distance between the piercing without exit and the perforation with exit from the first end of the explosive charge and where the length of the conductors is less than the sum of the distance between the perforation without exit and perforation with exit and the length of the perforation with exit, so that when the explosive charge and the detonator are assembled, the electric connector is contained completely inside the perforation with exit of the explosive charge.

2. A package of detonator assemblies, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of detonator assemblies, each assembly comprising: an electric detonator comprising in general a first end of the assembly; two electric conductors of equal length, each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each conductor that is connected to the electric detonator; and an electrical connector connected to the second ends of the two electrical conductors and which is capable of holding the second ends of the two electrical conductors in a non-conductive condition, and wherein the electrical connector generally comprises the second end of the assembly; at least one tray having a top; and wherein the upper part of the tray defines a plurality of elongated, parallel cavities.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length of the two electrical conductors is 1) between approximately 1.27 cm (one-half inch) to approximately 30.48 cm (12 inches); 2) between about 2.54 (1 inch ai) to about 7.62 cm (three inches); or 3) 5.08 cm (two inches).

4. The detonator assembly package or the detonator assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connector is further characterized by maintaining the ends of the electric conductors in a waterproof condition.

5. The package of detonator assemblies or the detonator assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric connector is further characterized by providing a junction with high tensile strength of the two electrical conductors of the assembly and another pair of the Similar electrical conductors in the use of splicing tools.

6. The detonator assembly package or the detonator assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of detonator assemblies are arranged in an alternating manner, so that the first end of any detonator assembly is not adjacent to the detonator assembly. first end of any other detonator assembly.

7. The package according to claim 2, characterized in that the cavities of the tray are separated by approximately 1.27 cm (one half inch), so that the first ends of the alternate detonator assemblies are separated by approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) ).

8. The package according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of trays, wherein the trays are stacked, wherein each of the trays is approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) thick so that the detonator assemblies in the adjacent trays are separated by at least about 2.54 cm (one inch).

9. The package according to any of claims 2, 7 or 8, characterized in that the tray or trays are formed integrally of material with fire retardant properties.

10. The package of detonator assemblies according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that each of the elongated, parallel cavities is formed to receive with gripping a single detonator assembly; and a detonator assembly that is contained within each cavity, and the cavities that separate to maintain the first ends of the detonator mounts separated by at least about 2.54 cm (one inch).

11. The package of detonator assemblies according to claim 9, characterized in that the adjacent detonator assemblies are on opposite sides of the tray.

12. A method for mounting an electronic detonator and an explosive charge, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: selecting an explosive charge having a body with a first end and a second end, a hole with no exit at one end for receiving an electronic detonator, and a perforation with separate outlet at a distance from the piercing without exit and extending from the first end and a second end; selecting a detonator assembly comprising an electronic detonator having a first end and a second end, an electrical connector having a first end and a second end, and a pair of electrical conductors connecting the first end of the detonator and the first end of the connector, the conductors that have a length slightly greater than the distance between the perforation without exit and the perforation with exit in the explosive charge; selecting a length of the detonator wire comprising a pair of electrical conductors and having a first end and a second end; insert the selected length of the detonator wire through the perforation with outlet in the body of the explosive charge, so that the first end of the selected length of the detonator wire extends out of the perforation with exit at the first end of the body of the explosive charge; connecting the second end of the electrical connector of the detonator assembly to the first end of the selected length of the detonator wire; insert the detonator, first the second end, into the piercing without exit at the first end of the explosive charge; and pull the detonator wire tightly through the perforation with outlet.

13. A method for mounting an electronic detonator and an explosive charge, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: selecting an explosive charge having a body with a first end and a second end, a perforation without exit at the first end, and a perforation with exit separated at a distance from the piercing without exit and extending from the first end to the second end; selecting a detonator assembly comprising an electronic detonator having a first end and a second end designed in a form to be received in the borehole without leaving the first end of the body of the explosive charge, an electrical connector having a first end and a second end, and a pair of electrical conductors connecting the first end of the detonator and the first end of the connector, the conductors having a length slightly greater than the distance between the dead hole and the perforation with exit of the explosive charge; selecting a length or length of the detonator wire comprising a pair of electrical conductors and having a first end and a second end; passing the selected length of the detonator wire through the bore with outlet in the body of the explosive charge, so that the first end of the selected length of the detonator wire extends from the borehole to the first end of the bore. body of the explosive charge; connecting the second end of the electrical connector of the detonator assembly to the first end of the selected length of the detonator wire; insert the detonator, first the second end, into the piercing without exit at the first end of the explosive charge; and pull the detonator wire tightly through the exit bore.

14. A package of detonator assemblies, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of detonator assembly, each of the plurality of detonator assemblies having a first end and a second end, and comprising: an electric detonator comprising in general the first end of the detonator assembly; two electric conductors of equal length, each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each conductor that is connected to the electric detonator; and an electrical connector connected to the second ends of the two electrical conductors and characterized in that it is capable of maintaining the second ends of the two electrical conductors in a condition not conducive to electric charges; at least one tray having a top tray; wherein the upper part of the tray defines a plurality of elongated, parallel cavities, each of the elongated, parallel cavities that is formed to receive with gripping an individual assembly of the plurality of detonator assemblies.

15. The detonator assembly package according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connector is characterized in that additionally because it maintains the ends of the electric conductors in a waterproof condition.

16. The detonator assembly package according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connector is further characterized by providing a junction with a high tensile strength of the two electrical conductors of the assembly and the other pair of similar electrical conductors without the use of splicing tools.

17. The package, according to claim 14, characterized in that the plurality of detonator assemblies are arranged in an alternating manner, so that the first end of any detonator assembly is not adjacent to the first end of any other detonator assembly.

18. The package, according to claim 17, characterized in that the cavities in the tray are separated by approximately 1.27 cm (one-half inch), so that the first ends of the detonator, alternate assemblies are separated by approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) ).

19. The package according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of trays, wherein the trays are stacked, wherein each of the trays is approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) thick so that the detonator assemblies in the adjacent trays are separated by at least about 2.54 cm (one inch).

20. The package according to claim 18, characterized in that the trays are formed integrally of material with fire retardant properties.

21. The package according to claim 14, characterized in that the tray is formed integrally of the material with fire retardant properties.

22. A packet of detonator mounts, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of detonator mounts, each of the plurality of detonator mounts having a first end and a second end, and comprising: an electrical detonator comprising generally the first end of the assembly; two electric conductors of equal length, each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each conductor that is connected to the electric detonator; and an electrical connector connected to the second ends of the two electrical conductors and characterized in that it is capable of maintaining the second ends of the two electrical conductors in a non-conductive condition to the electrical charges, and wherein the electrical connector generally comprises the second end of the assembly; at least one tray having an upper part; wherein the upper part of the tray defines a plurality of elongated, parallel cavities; and wherein each of the plurality of elongated, parallel cavities contains one of the detonator assemblies comprising the plurality of detonator assemblies and wherein the plurality of elongated, parallel cavities are separated to maintain the first ends of the detonator assemblies. separated by at least 2.54 cm (one inch).

23. The detonator mounting package according to claim 22, characterized in that the electrical connector is further characterized in that it keeps the ends of the electrical conductors in a waterproof condition.

24. The package of detonator assemblies according to claim 22, characterized in that the electric connector is further characterized by providing a junction with high tensile strength of the two electrical mounting conductors, and the other pair of similar electric conductors without the use of splicing tools.

25. The package according to claim 22, characterized in that the cavities are separated by approximately 1.27 cm (half an inch) and the detonator mounts are arranged in an alternating manner, so that the first ends of the adjacent detonator mounts are on opposite sides of the tray and so that the first ends of the alternate mounts are separated by less about 2.54 cm (one inch).

26. The package according to claim 25, characterized in that the package includes a plurality of trays, each of which is approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) thick so that the detonator mounts in the adjacent trays are separated by less about 2.54 cm (one inch).

27. The package according to claim 26, characterized in that the trays are formed integrally of material with fire retardant properties.

28. The package according to claim 22, characterized in that the trays are formed integrally of material with fire retardant properties.

29. The package according to claim 22, characterized in that each of the plurality of elongated, parallel cavities are formed to grasp the first end of the detonator assembly contained therein.

30. A package of detonator assemblies, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of detonator assemblies, each of the plurality of detonator assemblies having a first end and a second end, and comprising: an electric detonator comprising in general the first end of the assembly; two electric conductors of equal length, each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each conductor that is connected to the electric detonator; and an electrical connector connected to the second ends of the two electrical conductors and characterized in that it is capable of maintaining the second ends of the two electrical conductors in a non-conductive condition to the electrical charges, and wherein the electrical connector generally comprises the second end of the assembly; at least one tray having a top; wherein the upper part of the tray defines a plurality of elongated, parallel cavities; and wherein each of the plurality of elongated, parallel cavities contains one of the detonator mounts comprising the plurality of detonator mounts and wherein the plurality of detonator mounts are arranged in an alternating manner, so that the first ends of the adjacent detonator mounts are on opposite sides of the tray.

31. The detonator mounting package according to claim 30, characterized in that the electrical connector is further characterized by maintaining the ends of the electrical conductors in a waterproof condition.

32. The detonator mounting package according to claim 30, characterized in that the electrical connector is further characterized by providing a splice with high tensile strength of the two electrical conductors of the assembly and the other pair of similar electrical conductors without the use of splicing tools.

33. The package according to claim 17, characterized in that the package comprises a plurality of trays, each of the trays being approximately 2.54 (one inch) thick, so that the plurality of detonator assemblies in the adjacent trays are Keep separated by at least 2.54 cm (one inch).

34. The package according to claim 33, characterized in that the trays are formed of material with fire retardant properties.

35. The package according to claim 30, characterized in that the tray is formed of material with fire retardant properties. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A detonator assembly where the electrical conductors are attached to an electrical connector that keeps the ends of the conductors in a non-conductive, waterproof condition and that allows the conductors to be connected to another pair of electrical conductors without any tool of splicing. The length of the electrical conductors is selected to allow the assembly to be inserted into an explosive charge, so that the electrical connector is contained completely within the borehole with outlet in the explosive charge. A package for these detonator assemblies includes at least one tray formed integrally of material with fire retardant properties. The detonator assemblies fit comfortably into the elongated, parallel cavities in the upper part of the tray, so that when the tray is overturned or inverted, the detonators will remain in position. The detonator mounts are arranged in an alternating manner so that the detonator ends of the adjacent mounts are on opposite sides of the tray. In addition, the cavities in each tray are separated to keep the detonators separated by approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) and each tray is approximately 2.54 cm (one inch) thick, so that the detonators in the stacked, adjacent trays also they are separated by at least 2.54 cm (one inch).