Payload delivery system with forward folding stabilizer for cartridges

Abstract

This disclosure provides for payload delivery systems and cartridges and methods that incorporate the payload delivery systems. The payload delivery system can comprise a stabilizer having a longitudinally cut side wall defining a series of vanes that are folded forward in the pre-launched configuration. Other aspects combine a payload cup nested within the forward folding stabilizer. Still other aspects integrate the payload portion and the stabilizer portion into a single piece that constitutes a stabilized payload cup. The disclosed cartridges can be used to deliver payloads such as solid projectiles, shot of all sizes, powders, gels, liquids, and other payloads to exploit their specific function.

1 - 67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . A payload delivery system comprising, in its pre-launched configuration:
 a) a payload cup having an open fore end, a closed aft end, and a cylindrical side wall defining a cavity; and   b) a stabilizer coaxially aligned with the payload cup, having an open fore end, a closed aft end, and a side wall comprising a plurality of forward folding vanes defined by a plurality of cuts in the side wall;   
       wherein the payload cup is nested within the stabilizer, and the payload cup aft end is adjacent and attached to the stabilizer aft end. 
     
     
         69 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the payload cup and the stabilizer are attached with a connector. 
     
     
         70 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , further comprising:
 c) an obturating component adjacent the aft end of the stabilizer, comprising a pre-formed gas seal or an obturating medium.   
     
     
         71 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , further comprising:
 c) a pre-formed gas seal adjacent the aft end of the stabilizer and coaxially aligned with the payload cup and the stabilizer;   
       wherein the payload cup and the stabilizer are attached with a connector. 
     
     
         72 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 71 , wherein the connector further attaches the gas seal with the payload cup and the stabilizer. 
     
     
         73 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the payload cup and the stabilizer are attached with a connector, the connector comprising an integral pre-formed gas seal. 
     
     
         74 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the plurality of cuts in the side wall are longitudinal or substantially longitudinal. 
     
     
         75 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the stabilizer comprises paper, polymer, polymer coated paper, composite, laminate, or textile. 
     
     
         76 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the stabilizer comprises at least 3 radial fins. 
     
     
         77 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the stabilizer inverts during flight. 
     
     
         78 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the stabilizer comprises an even number of radial fins, and wherein alternating radial fins are removed from the stabilizer. 
     
     
         79 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein at least a portion of the vanes extend greater than 85% the length of the cylindrical side wall of the payload cup. 
     
     
         80 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the aft end portion of the payload cup is recessed in an annular fashion from the fore end portion, wherein the aft end portion has a smaller diameter than the fore end portion, and the vanes extend the length of the recessed aft end portion of the payload cup. 
     
     
         81 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the closed aft end of the payload cup is crimped. 
     
     
         82 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the payload cup and the stabilizer are attached with a connector selected from a rivet, a screw, a staple, a pin, a bolt, a brad, an anchor, an adhesive, a tack, or a nail. 
     
     
         83 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 82 , wherein the connector is a rivet, a screw, a staple, a pin, a bolt, a brad, an anchor, a tack, or a nail and comprises an integral pre-formed gas seal. 
     
     
         84 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the payload cup comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, or poly(vinyl chloride). 
     
     
         85 . A cartridge comprising a payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , wherein the cartridge is an ammunition cartridge, a flare cartridge, a smoke flare cartridge, a signaling device cartridge, a chemical cartridge, a distraction device cartridge, a pyrotechnic launching device cartridge, a marking cartridge, a grenade launcher cartridge, an incendiary cartridge, an explosive cartridge, a tracer cartridge, an armor-piercing cartridge, or a non-lethal cartridge. 
     
     
         86 . A cartridge comprising a payload delivery system according to  claim 68 , further comprising at least one of a frangible projectile, a non-frangible projectile, a lead projectile, a non-lead metal projectile, a steel projectile, a rubber projectile, a bean bag projectile, a tear gas-containing projectile, an oleoresin capsicum-containing projectile, a liquid-containing projectile, a powder-containing projectile, a gel-containing projectile, a marking projectile, a tracer projectile, a penetrator projectile, a flechette projectile, an armor-piercing projectile, an explosive projectile, an incendiary projectile, a flare projectile, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         87 . A cartridge comprising a payload delivery system according to  claim 68  and at least one projectile selected from birdshot, buckshot, and slug projectiles. 
     
     
         88 . A cartridge comprising:
 a) a cartridge case having a fore end and an aft end, and comprising a primer situated at the aft end;   b) a propellant adjacent the primer;   c) an obturating component adjacent the propellant;   d) a payload delivery system according to  claim 68  adjacent the obturating component, and   e) a payload at least partially contained within the cavity of the payload cup.   
     
     
         89 . A cartridge according to  claim 88 , wherein obturating component comprises a pre-formed gas seal or an obturating medium. 
     
     
         90 . A payload delivery system comprising, in its pre-launched configuration:
 a) a stabilizer having an open fore end, a closed aft end, and a side wall defining a cavity, the side wall comprising a plurality of forward folding vanes defined by a plurality of longitudinal cuts in the side wall;   b) an obturating component adjacent the stabilizer aft end; and   c) at least one payload contained within the cavity of the stabilizer.   
     
     
         91 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 90 , wherein:
 the stabilizer comprises paper, polymer, polymer coated paper, composite, laminate, or textile; and   the obturating component comprises a pre-formed gas seal or an obturating medium.   
     
     
         92 . A cartridge comprising a payload delivery system according to  claim 90 . 
     
     
         93 . A cartridge comprising a payload delivery system according to  claim 90 , further comprising at least one additional wad. 
     
     
         94 . A cartridge comprising a payload delivery system according to  claim 90 , further comprising at least one of a frangible projectile, a non-frangible projectile, a lead projectile, a non-lead metal projectile, a steel projectile, a rubber projectile, a bean bag projectile, a tear gas-containing projectile, an oleoresin capsicum-containing projectile, a liquid-containing projectile, a powder-containing projectile, a gel-containing projectile, a marking projectile, a tracer projectile, a penetrator projectile, a flechette projectile, an armor-piercing projectile, an explosive projectile, an incendiary projectile, a flare projectile, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         95 . A payload delivery system comprising, in its pre-launched configuration:
 a stabilized payload cup comprising a tube with an open fore end, an open aft end, and a cylindrical side wall defining a cavity that terminates at a fore edge and an aft edge;   the open aft end comprising a plurality of longitudinal slits defining a plurality of vanes extending from the aft edge along a portion of the length of the cylindrical side wall, the vanes being forward folded along the cylindrical side wall, thereby defining a derivative aft end and a derivative aft edge.   
     
     
         96 . A payload delivery system according to  claim 95 , further comprising a pre-formed gas seal coaxially aligned with the stabilized payload cup and adjacent the derivative aft end. 
     
     
         97 . A unitary pre-formed gas seal comprising:
 a) a gas seal portion having a side wall that defines a gas-sealing skirt; and   b) a connector portion integral to the gas seal portion;   
       wherein the gas seal portion and the connector portion are coaxially aligned and oppositely directed.