Patent attributes
A self-supporting air tube for blasting and method of blasting rock using the air tube. The air tube includes an air bladder, a pair of support wings and an inlet. The air bladder has a diameter smaller than that of a blasting hole and extends longitudinally. The support wings extend from the outside of the air bladder to the wall of the blasting hole symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the air bladder so as to surround the air bladder and have certain widths. The inlet is attached to the upper fusion-welded portion of the air bladder to inject air into the air bladder. The total diameter of the air tube is smaller than the diameter of the blasting hole, and the air tube is inserted into the blasting hole and self-supported on a wall of the blasting hole.
