Form for containing settable filler material during setting

Abstract

A support column for supporting, for example a mine shaft, is formed by providing a tubular woven polyethylene fabric form for receiving and containing a heated settable filler material while it sets. The form includes a tubular wall defined by a helically wrapped strip and two circular end panels all stitched together with a filler opening in one end panel and in the tubular wall. The flexible woven fabric is laminated on its inside surface with a metal foil layer.

1 . A form for receiving and containing a settable filler material while the material sets comprising: 
 a tubular wall;    two circular end panels;    the wall and end panels each being formed from a flexible woven polymer fabric;    each of the end panels being stitched around its circular peripheral edge to an end edge of the tubular wall;    at least one filler opening into the form for receiving the filler material;    wherein the tubular wall is formed from a strip of the fabric which is arranged helically such that one side edge of the strip is stitched to an opposed side edge of a next turn of the strip to define a stitched seam which extends helically of the tubular wall from one end panel to the opposite end panel.    
   
   
       2 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the flexible woven fabric is laminated on its inside surface with a metal foil layer.  
   
   
       3 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the strip of fabric has a width relative to the diameter of the tubular wall such that the strip extends in at least one turn of helix.  
   
   
       4 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a filler opening in one end panel and a filler opening in the tubular wall.  
   
   
       5 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the strip of fabric has a width relative to the diameter of the tubular wall such that the strip at an angle of the order of 45 degrees relative to a line transverse to the longitudinal to the axis of the tubular member.  
   
   
       6 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein there are provided support straps adjacent one end panel.  
   
   
       7 . The form according to  claim 6  wherein the support straps are arranged at one end panel in which there is provided a filler opening.  
   
   
       8 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the tubular wall and the end panels each consist of single layer of the fabric.  
   
   
       9 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the tubular wall and the end panels are stitched together with stitched seams on an outside of the form.  
   
   
       10 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the tubular wall and the end panels are stitched together with simple overlapping seams.  
   
   
       11 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the flexible fabric is polypropylene woven fabric.  
   
   
       12 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the flexible woven fabric is substantially imperforate.  
   
   
       13 . The form according to  claim 1  wherein the flexible fabric is transportation bag grade.  
   
   
       14 . A form for receiving and containing a settable filler material while the material sets comprising: 
 a tubular wall;    two circular end panels;    the wall and end panels each being formed from a flexible woven polymer fabric;    each of the panels being stitched around its circular peripheral edge to an end edge of the tubular wall;    at least one filler opening into the form for receiving the filler material;    wherein the flexible woven fabric is laminated on its inside surface with a metal foil layer.    
   
   
       15 . The form according to  claim 14  wherein the strip of fabric has a width relative to the diameter of the tubular wall such that the strip extends in at least one turn of helix.  
   
   
       16 . The form according to  claim 14  wherein there is provided a filler opening in one end panel and a filler opening in the tubular wall.  
   
   
       17 . The form according to  claim 14  wherein there are provided support straps adjacent one end panel.  
   
   
       18 . The form according to  claim 14  wherein the tubular wall and the end panels each consist of single layer of the fabric.  
   
   
       19 . The form according to  claim 14  wherein the tubular wall and the end panels are stitched together with stitched seams on an outside of the form.  
   
   
       20 . A method for forming a support column comprising: 
 providing a form for receiving and containing a settable filler material, the form comprising: 
 a tubular wall;  
 two circular end panels;  
 the wall and end panels each being formed from a flexible woven polymer fabric;  
 each of the panels being stitched around its circular peripheral edge to an end edge of the tubular wall;  
 at least one filler opening into the form for receiving the filler material;  
   locating the form with one end panel uppermost at a surface to be supported and with the opposite end panel resting on a floor surface;    pouring into the form a heated settable filler material;    and causing the filler material to set while contained by the form;    wherein the flexible woven fabric is laminated on its inside surface with a metal foil layer.    
   
   
       21 . A method for forming a support column comprising: 
 providing a form for receiving and containing a settable filler material, the form comprising: 
 a tubular wall;  
 two circular end panels;  
 the wall and end panels each being formed from a flexible woven polymer fabric;  
 each of the panels being stitched around its circular peripheral edge to an end edge of the tubular wall;  
 at least one filler opening into the form for receiving the filler material;  
   locating the form with one end panel uppermost at a surface to be supported and with the opposite end panel resting on a floor surface;    pouring into the form a heated settable filler material;    and causing the filler material to set while contained by the form;    wherein the tubular wall is formed from a strip of the fabric which is arranged helically such that one side edge of the strip is stitched to an opposed side edge of a next turn of the strip to define a stitched seam which extends helically of the tubular wall from one end panel to the opposite end panel.