Lightweight protection element and filter of the mattress type

Abstract

A lightweight protection element and filter of the mattress type comprises an external containment structure ( 10, 20 ), a three-dimensional internal structure ( 30 ) with a high cavity index and a granular filler material which is inserted inside the containment structure. Engagement means ( 50, 52 ) of the mechanical type are distributed over the external containment structure in order to engage predetermined portions of those structure with each other.

1 . A lightweight protection element and filter of the mattress type comprising an external containment structure ( 10 ,  20 ), a three-dimensional internal structure ( 30 ) with a high cavity index, a granular filler material which is inserted inside the containment structure and engagement means ( 50 ,  52 ,  56 ) which are distributed over the external containment structure in order to engage predetermined portions of that external structure with each other. 
     
     
         2 . An element according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the external containment structure comprises a lower portion ( 10 ) and an upper portion ( 20 ), the engagement means ( 50 ,  52 ,  56 ) engaging the lower portion ( 10 ) with the upper portion ( 20 ). 
     
     
         3 . An element according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the engagement means comprise mechanical engagement means ( 50 ,  52 ,  56 ). 
     
     
         4 . An element according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the mechanical engagement means comprise at least a pair of plates ( 50 ), at least a fixing bar ( 52 ) and at least a pair of blocks ( 56 ) which can selectively be engaged with the ends ( 54 ) of those fixing bars ( 52 ). 
     
     
         5 . An element according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the ends of the external containment structure are fixed to each other so as to close the protection element and filter and to retain inside it the three-dimensional structure with a high cavity index and the filler material. 
     
     
         6 . An element according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the three-dimensional internal structure ( 30 ) with a high cavity index comprises a non-woven geotextile and/or monofilaments of heat-sensitive material. 
     
     
         7 . An element according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the lower portion ( 10 ) and the upper portion ( 20 ) of the external containment structure are constructed from at least one of the following synthetic materials: woven geotextiles, woven geogrilles, geomembranes, geonets. 
     
     
         8 . An element according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the lower portion ( 10 ) and the upper portion ( 20 ) of the external containment structure are constructed from at least one of the following natural materials: reed matting, biodegradable bionet, straw, coconut fibre, wood shavings. 
     
     
         9 . An element according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it further comprises a reinforcement element ( 48 ) in order to increase, during use, the resistance to traction of the whole element.