Flexible waterproof flood protection container

Abstract

A flexible waterproof flood protection container for protecting possessions from flood water, comprises a variable volume housing into which possessions can be placed and which can be water tightly sealed; means for stabilising the sealed housing when subjected to flood water, and two or more one-way valves for discharging air from the housing. The in use stabilising means defines two or more chambers in the housing as the interior volume of the housing varies. The chambers stabilise the housing when buoyant in flood water. The two or more one-way valves discharge air from the housing via the chambers, each one-way valve in use being in direct communication with one of the chambers defined by the stabilizing means. Due to the variable volume housing, when the housing is subjected to external pressure, the housing at least partially conforms to the possessions therein. Preferably, the housing has at least an expandable base by which the volume of the housing varies in use.

1 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container for protecting possessions from flood water, the flexible container comprising:
 a variable volume housing into which possessions can be placed and which can be water tightly sealed;   means for stabilising the sealed housing when subjected to flood water, the in use stabilising means defining two or more chambers in the housing as the interior volume of the housing varies, the chambers stabilising the housing when buoyant in flood water; and   two or more one-way valves for discharging air from the housing via the chambers so that, when the housing is subjected to external pressure, the housing at least partially conforms to the possessions therein,   each one-way valve in use being in direct communication with one of the chambers defined by the stabilizing means.   
   
   
       2 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each chamber is defined by an in use upper surface of the housing. 
   
   
       3 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or each chamber definable by the stabilizing means is dome-shaped, and the respective one-way valve is positioned at or adjacent to an apex of the dome. 
   
   
       4 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the variable volume housing comprises a base and a top opposite the base, at least a portion of the top being openable and closeable to enable insertion and extraction of possessions. 
   
   
       5 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the housing further comprises a water tight releasable fastener by which the said at least a portion of the top is water tightly closeable to water tightly seal the housing. 
   
   
       6 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is expandable to in use vary the volume of the housing. 
   
   
       7 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a base of the housing is expandable, so as to be at least partly conformable to possessions located within the cavity. 
   
   
       8 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a water permeable protective external layer on or adjacent to the housing to prevent or limit damage to the housing. 
   
   
       9 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing means includes means for compressing the housing, so that the said two or more chambers are formable. 
   
   
       10 . A flexible waterproof flood protection container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing means comprises an air permeable sheet positioned or positionable on the top of the housing, and means for biasing the sheet downwards relative to the housing so that the housing is compressible against the sheet to form the chambers and to expel air through the one-way valves.