Vacuum-packed survival equipment

Claim 2

A vacuum-packed assembly comprising: a compressible article of survival equipment; a first flexible, substantially gas-impermeable envelope of relatively thin material encasing said compressible article, said article being compressed to a significant degree, said first envelope having sufficient size to receive said article in its uncompressed state and being evacuated to form a skin-tight covering about said compressed article, there being a considerable amount of excess first envelope material drawn against said compressed article; and a second flexible, substantially gas-impermeable envelope of relatively thicker material than said first envelope, having a smaller volume than said first envelope and having greater resistance to punctures, said second envelope encasing said compressed article and said first envelope and being evacuated to form a skin-tight covering thereabout.

Claim 3

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said second envelope comprises bonded layers of Saranex, nylon, and polyurethane.

Claim 4

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said envelopes includes a main envelope portion and a neck portion extending therefrom, said neck portions extending at acute angles with respect to said respective main envelope portions, said neck portion of said first envelope being positioned within said neck portion of said second envelope.

Claim 5

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said main envelope portions and said neck portions includes a heat-sealed border, said heat-sealed borders of said neck portions intersecting said respective heat-sealed borders of said main envelope portions at acute angles.

Claim 6

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 4 including a score line extending between at least one of said neck portions and its corresponding respective main envelope portion.

Claim 7

A vacuum-packed assembly comprising: a parachute including a bridle having a loop therein for connecting it to a drogue parachute; a first flexible, substantially gas-impermeable envelope of relatively thin material encasing said parachute, said parachute being compressed to a significant degree, said first envelope being evacuated to form a skin-tight covering about said compressed parachute; a second flexible, substantially gas-impermeable envelope of relatively thicker material than said first envelope and having greater resistance to punctures, said second envelope encasing said compressed parachute and said first envelope and being evacuated to form a skin-tight covering thereabout; each of said envelopes including a main envelope portion and a neck portion extending therefrom, said neck portions extending at acute angles with respect to said respective main envelope portions, said neck portion of said first envelope being positioned within said neck portion of said second envelope, said loop being positioned within said neck portion of said first envelope.

Claim 8

A vacuum-packed assembly comprising: a parachute including a bridle having a loop therein for connecting it to a drogue parachute; a first flexible, substantially gas-impermeable envelope of relatively thin material encasing said parachute, said parachute being compressed to a significant degree, said first envelope being evacuated to form a skin-tight covering about said compressed parachute; a second flexible, substantially gas-impermeable envelope of relatively thicker material than said first envelope and having greater resistance to punctures, said second envelope encasing said compressed parachute and said first envelope and being evacuated to form a skin-tight covering thereabout; each of said envelopes including a main envelope portion and a neck portion extending therefrom, said neck portions extending at acute angles with respect to said respective main envelope portions, said neck portion of said first envelope being positioned within said neck portion of said second envelope, said loop being positioned within said neck portion of said first envelope.

Claim 9

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said parachute includes at least one transfer link having an opening therein for connecting it with a riser, said transfer link being positioned within said first envelope, a closed loop seal formed within said first envelope and extending through said transfer link opening; a second closed loop seal formed within said second envelope and extending through said transfer link opening, the envelope material within said respective closed loop seals being removed to provide a passage.

Claim 10

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said bridle loop and transfer link are spaced apart a substantial distance from each other with respect to said vacuum-packed assembly.

Claim 11

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 8 having a substantially wedge-shaped configuration.

Claim 12

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second envelopes are rupturable upon exertion of a force upon said respective neck portions commensurate with that which is normally exerted upon the opening of a drogue parachute connected to said bridle loop.

Claim 13

A vacuum-packed assembly as defined in claim 7 including a closed loop seal formed within said first envelope and extending through said bridle loop, a second closed loop seal formed within said second envelope and extending through said bridle loop, the envelope material within said closed loop seals through said bridle loop being removed to provide a passage there-through.

Claim 14

A vacuum-packed parachute assembly comprising: a parachute including a canopy, a drogue bridle connected to said canopy, said drogue bridle including a loop, and a transfer link having an opening extending therethrough; said parachute being compressed to a significant degree; an evacuated envelope of substantially gas-impermeable material encasing said parachute and forming a skin-tight covering thereabout, said envelope including a main body portion and a detachable neck portion extending therefrom, said neck portion forming at least one acute angle with said main body portion, said bridle loop being positioned within said neck portion; a first closed loop seal formed within said neck portion of said envelope and extending through said bridle loop, the envelope material within said first closed loop seal being removed to provide a passage through said bridle loop; a second closed loop seal formed within said envelope and extending through said transfer link opening, the envelope material within said second closed loop seal being removed to provide a passage through said transfer link; said envelope being rupturable upon the exertion of opposing forces thereon via said bridle loop and said transfer link due to the opening of a drogue parachute connected to said drogue bridle and the descent of an aircrewman connected to said transfer link.

Claim 15

A vacuum-packed parachute assembly comprising: a parachute including a canopy, a drogue bridle connected to said canopy, said drogue bridle including a loop, and a transfer link having an opening extending therethrough; said parachute being compressed to a significant degree; an evacuated envelope of substantially gas-impermeable material encasing said parachute and forming a skin-tight covering thereabout, said envelope including a main body portion and a detachable neck portion extending therefrom, said neck portion forming at least one acute angle with said main body portion, said bridle loop being positioned within said neck portion; a first closed loop seal formed within said neck portion of said envelope and extending through said bridle loop, the envelope material within said first closed loop seal being removed to provide a passage through said bridle loop; a second closed loop seal formed within said envelope and extending through said transfer link opening, the envelope material within said second closed loop seal being removed to provide a passage through said transfer link; said envelope being rupturable upon the exertion of opposing forces thereon via said bridle loop and said transfer link due to the opening of a drogue parachute connected to said drogue bridle and the descent of an aircrewman connected to said transfer link.

Claim 16

A vacuum-packed parachute as defined in claim 12 including a second evacuated envelope encasing said evacuated envelope which encases said parachute, said second evacuated envelope being of relatively thicker and more puncture-resistant material.

Claim 17

A vacuum-packed parachute as defined in claim 13 wherein said second evacuated envelope comprises bonded layers of Saranex, nylon, and polyurethane.

Claim 18

A vacuum-packed parachute as defined in claim 12 wherein said main body portion and said neck portion of said envelope each include a heat-sealed border, said heat-sealed border of said neck portion intersecting said heat-sealed border of said main body portion at an acute angle.

Claim 19

A vacuum-packed parachute as defined in claim 12 having a relatively thick end and a relatively thin end, said neck portion extending from said thick end.

Claim 20

A vacuum-packed parachute as claimed in claim 12 including a score line extending between said main body portion of said neck portion.