Volume-flexible body

Abstract

A volume-flexible body that can be filled with fluid including sheets preferably welded along the circumferential edges made preferably of synthetic material whereby the sheets form additionally a hinged section along which the sheets are folded forming at least two sections of the inflatable body lying partially on top of one another, and whereby a conduit is formed extending at least through the hinged area between the two sections of the fillable body. At least one element ( 7, 9 ) is provided in the length of the conduit ( 4 ), which keeps the plastic sheets at a distance apart across at least a part of the width of the conduit ( 4 ) even in the deflated condition of the body (K) to decrease the flow resistance between the sections of the body as much as possible and to guarantee a simple and smooth fluid exchange even at a small pressure difference.

1 . A volume-flexible body that can be filled with fluid consisting of sheets preferably welded along the circumferential edges made preferably of synthetic material whereby said sheets form additionally a hinged section along which the sheets are folded forming at least two sections of the inflatable body lying partially on top of one another, and whereby a conduit is formed extending at least through the hinged area between the two sections of the fillable body, characterized in that there is provided at least one element ( 7 ,  9 ,  11 ) within the length of the conduit ( 4 ) which keeps the sheets apart across at least a part of the width of the conduit ( 4 ) in the deflated condition of the body (K).  
   
   
       2 . A body according to  claim 1 , wherein the conduit ( 4 ) is laterally defined by the welding beads ( 7 ) created during the joining of the sheets and whereby said welding beads ( 7 ) maintain a space between the sheets at least in the close vicinity ( 8 ) thereof.  
   
   
       3 . A body according to  claim 2 , wherein welding beads ( 7 ) are formed in a thicker manner than needed for a secure bond between the sheets lying on top of one another.  
   
   
       4 . A body according to  claim 3 , wherein additional welding beads, extending essentially in longitudinal direction of the conduit ( 4 ), are provided between the existing welding beads ( 7 ) laterally defining the conduit ( 4 ).  
   
   
       5 . A body according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one spacer element ( 9 ) is inserted into the conduit ( 4 ).  
   
   
       6 . A body according to  claim 5 , wherein said spacer element can be formed with an additional piece of sheeting ( 9 ) inserted between the sheet sections forming the conduit ( 4 ) and whereby said piece of sheeting has slots ( 10 ) or grooves extending in longitudinal direction of said conduit.  
   
   
       7 . A body according to  claim 5 , wherein a spacer element is formed by a narrow body extending essentially in longitudinal direction of the conduit ( 4 ).  
   
   
       8 . A body according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one spacer element made of permeable material is inserted into the conduit ( 4 ).  
   
   
       9 . A body according to  claim 1 , wherein one sheet defining the body (K), preferably the sheet lying at the outer side after the folding of the body (K), is wider at least in the area of the conduit ( 4 ) than the opposed sheet which forms one or a plurality of arches ( 11 ) for the formation of one or all conduits ( 4 ,  4   a ).  
   
   
       10 . A body according to  claim 9 , wherein additional welding beads ( 7   a ) are provided between each pair of the multiple arches ( 11 ).