Flexible containers

Claim 2

A flexible container comprising a flexible, impermeable base member which includes an upstanding part having a continuous channel encircling an area of the base member, a load-bearing rigid member fitting within said upstanding part, a flexible impermeable cover with sealing means adapted to co-operate with the channel to provide a fluidtight seal therewith sealing the perimeter of the cover to the base member and valve means controlling an outlet for air from the interior of the container whereby suction can be applied to and maintained within the said interior.

Claim 3

A flexible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upstanding part having a continuous channel is formed of a rigid member.

Claim 4

A flexible container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said continuous channel is formed of a plurality of channel-shaped members which fit together to form a continuous channel for the reception of the periphery of the cover.

Claim 5

A flexible container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said continuous channel is arranged to receive the periphery of the cover and of the base member.

Claim 6

A flexible container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cover is formed at its perimeter as a tube which is insertable into the channel and inflatable into sealing engagement with the channel.

Claim 7

A flexible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises an inflatable tube in said channel.

Claim 8

A flexible container as claimed in claim 6 wherein the inflatable tube is integrally formed around the perimeter of said cover.

Claim 9

A flexible container as claimed in claim 6 wherein said inflatable tube is formed as a liner for said channel.

Claim 10

A flexible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said continuous channel is formed integrally with the flexible base member.

Claim 11

A flexible container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said load-bearing rigid member has an upper surface lying flush with the top of said upstanding part.

Claim 12

A flexible container as claimed in claim 10 and having a second rigid member adapted to underlie and surround the base member with at least a major part of the base member sandwiched between the two rigid members.

Claim 13

A flexible container comprising a base member formed of a flexible impermeable sheet having an integral raised upstanding portion extending continuously around the periphery of the sheet, said upstanding portion having a continuous uniform section channel therein, said channel having a mouth narrower in transverse dimension than the channel section into which the mouth opens, at least one rigid member on the upper side of said base fitting within said upstanding part to form a load-bearing member, a cover comprising a sheet of flexible impermeable material having an inflatable tube sealed to the cover sheet around the periphery thereof, the length of the cover sheet periphery being substantially equal to the length of the channel, the tube being dimensional so as to be able when uninflated to pass through said mouth but, when inflated to form a fluidtight seal in said channel, and a non-return valve in at least one of said cover sheet and said base sheet.

Claim 14

A flexible container comprising a base member formed of a flexible impermeable sheet having an integral raised upstanding portion extending continuously around the periphery of the sheet, said upstanding portion having a continuous uniform section channel therein, said channel having a mouth narrower in transverse dimension than the channel section into which the mouth opens, at least one rigid member on the upper side of said base fitting within said upstanding part to form a load-bearing member, a cover comprising a sheet of flexible impermeable material having an inflatable tube sealed to the cover sheet around the periphery thereof, the length of the cover sheet periphery being substantially equal to the length of the channel, the tube being dimensional so as to be able when uninflated to pass through said mouth but, when inflated to form a fluidtight seal in said channel, and a non-return valve in at least one of said cover sheet and said base sheet.

Claim 15

A flexible container comprising a flexible impermeable base sheet, a flexible impermeable cover sheet, non-return valve means in at least one of said sheets for the extraction of air, a rigid frame around the peripherY of the base and having a single continuous channel therein and a single inflatable tube sealing the peripheries of both the cover sheet and the base sheet in said channel.

Claim 16

A flexible container comprising a flexible impermeable base sheet, a flexible impermeable cover sheet, non-return valve means in at least one of said sheets for the extraction of air, a rigid frame around the peripherY of the base and having a single continuous channel therein and a single inflatable tube sealing the peripheries of both the cover sheet and the base sheet in said channel.

Claim 17

A flexible container as claimed in claim 13 wherein said inflatable tube is carried on the periphery of the cover sheet.