Inflatable element for internal use in the container of a transport or storage device; method for inflating the element

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable element ( 4 ) (also indicated as airbag) for use interiorly in a holder ( 2 ), the holder being suitable for storing or transporting a liquid load, whereby the inflatable element is provided with a accordion partition or otherwise stretchable or elastically foldable wall or walls ( 7, 11, 20 ) which fold in or out or stretch and shrink respectively by supplying or discharging inflating gas into or from the inflatable element ( 4 ).

1 . Inflatable element for use internally in a holder, the holder being suitable for storing or transporting a liquid load, wherein the inflatable element is provided with an accordion partition or otherwise stretchable or elastically foldable wall or walls, which fold in or out or stretch and shrink respectively by supplying or discharging inflating gas into or from the inflatable element, in such a way that in an use position the inflatable element is provided with such a size that the volume of the liquid load plus the volume of the inflatable element is essentially equal to the internal volume of the holder, whereby the absolute pressure in the inflatable element is not substantially higher than ambient pressure plus the static pressure exerted by the static liquid height win a completely filled holder, so that as a result said pressure remains below the design pressure of the holder and/or below a set pressure of a safety valve of the holder. 
   
   
       2 . Inflatable element according to  claim 1 , wherein the accordion partitions comprise of a super elastic material, whereby the volume of the space surrounded by the material is increased at least by a factor three when the internal pressure in the element is increased with a pressure equivalent to the static liquid height of a completely filled holder. 
   
   
       3 . Inflatable element according to  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable element in inflated position has a shape corresponding to the internal shape of the free space in the holder filled with liquid load, in such a way that the walls are close-fittingly contacting the interior wall of the holder and the top surface of the liquid load. 
   
   
       4 . Inflatable element according to  claim 1 , wherein the exterior walls in a use position are in tension. 
   
   
       5 . Inflatable element according to  claim 1 , wherein, the inflatable element comprises at least two compartments. 
   
   
       6 . Inflatable element according to  claim 5 , wherein the first compartment is positioned upon the upper side of the second compartment such that in use in the holder the first compartment is substantially contacting the interior wall of the holder and the second compartment is substantially contacting the upper surface of the liquid load. 
   
   
       7 . Inflatable element according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and the second compartment each are adapted to receive or discharge inflating gas to or from the inflatable element. 
   
   
       8 . Inflatable element according to  claim 5 , wherein the first compartment is connected with an external inflating means and the second compartment is connected with the first compartment by means of an internal inflating means in such a way that by supplying inflating gas into the first compartment firstly the foldable or stretchable wall will fold open, and secondly by means of the internal inflating means the inflating air is supplied into the second compartment. 
   
   
       9 . Inflatable element according to  claim 5 , wherein the second compartment is configured by a wall provided between the outer ends of the first compartment and by the interior accordion wall of the first compartment. 
   
   
       10 . Inflatable element according to  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable element comprises at least two element sections which are provided closely adjacently in the interior of the holder. 
   
   
       11 . Inflatable element according to  claim 10 , wherein, two or more first compartments of adjacent elements sections are mutually connected and form a continuous compartment, while the adjacent second compartments, provided under the first compartments, are configured as element sections. 
   
   
       12 . Inflatable element according to  claim 10 , wherein, internal inflating means are provided between the compartments of adjacent element sections. 
   
   
       13 . Inflatable element according to  claim 12 , wherein, internal inflating means are provided between the second compartments of adjacent elements sections. 
   
   
       14 . Holder for transporting a liquid load being provided with an inflatable element according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . Method for inflating an inflatable element according to  claim 8  in a holder of a transport or storage devices, comprising the following steps:
 inflating the inflatable element by supplying inflating gas to the first compartment by means of the external inflating means;   inflating the second compartment of the element by supplying inflating gas from the first compartment to the second compartment by means of the internal inflating means.   
   
   
       17 . Method for inflating an inflatable element according to  claim 12 , comprising:
 inflating the second compartment of an adjacent element section by supplying inflating gas from the second compartment of the first element section to the second compartment of the second element section by means of an inflating means provided between the elements sections.