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, a three-dimensional internal structure with a high cavity index, a granular filler material inside the containment structure, the granular filler material maintaining the thickness of the three-dimensional internal structure under load, and engagement means distributed over the external containment structure in order to engage predetermined portions of the external containment structure with each other. 
     
     
         2 . An element according to  claim 1 , wherein the external containment structure comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, the engagement means engaging the lower portion with the upper portion. 
     
     
         3 . An element according to  claim 2 , wherein the engagement means comprises mechanical engagement means. 
     
     
         4 . An element according to  claim 3 , wherein the mechanical engagement means comprises at least a pair of plates, at least one fixing bar, and at least a pair of blocks which can selectively be engaged with ends of the fixing bar. 
     
     
         5 . An element according to  claim 4 , wherein the external containment structure has ends which are fixed to each other so as to close the protection element and filter, and to retain the three-dimensional internal structure with a high cavity index and the filler material. 
     
     
         6 . An element according to  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional internal structure with a high cavity index comprises a non-woven geotextile and/or monofilaments of heat-sensitive material. 
     
     
         7 . An element according to  claim 2 , wherein the lower portion and the upper portion 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 , wherein the lower portion and the upper portion 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 , and further comprising a reinforcement element in order to increase, during use, the resistance to traction of the element. 
     
     
         10 . A lightweight protection element comprising:
 a containment structure comprising a bottom sheet and an upper portion disposed above the bottom sheet, the bottom sheet and upper portion being disposed to define a space therebetween;   a plurality of engagers each comprising members on the bottom sheet and upper portion and engaging predetermined portions of the containment structure with each other;   a three-dimensional internal structure with a high cavity index disposed in the space in the containment structure and comprising monofilaments of heat-sensitive material distributed throughout the space within the containment structure; and   granular filler material in the space within the containment structure.   
     
     
         11 . An element according to  claim 10 , wherein each engager comprises two opposing plates, a fixing bar attached to the plates and having a first end and a second end, and a first block attached to the first end of the fixing bar and a second block attached to the second end of the fixing bar.