Self-closing sheet for encapsulating and dumping a bulk of material

Abstract

The invention relates to a sheet ( 1 ) to be placed in relation to a split barge ( 100 ) for encapsulating a bulk of material ( 101 ) to be dumped when the bulk of material is released, the sheet comprising a material containing portion ( 4 ) and at least one material free portion ( 3 ) extending from at least two opposed sides of the material containing portion, wherein that the immersed sheet encapsulating the bulk of material comprises an encapsulated body ( 20 ) encapsulated by the material containing (4) portion and a self-closing portion ( 22 ) being at least a part of the material free portion ( 3 ) both extending from an assembly point ( 21 ), wherein a closing length of the self-closing portion ( 22 ) correspond to at least 5% of the circumventing length of the encapsulated body ( 20 ), the circumventing length extending from the assembly point ( 21 ) to the assembly point ( 21 ). The invention further relates to a method of encapsulating a bulk of material by means of a sheet.

1 . A sheet being placeable in relation to a split barge and configured for encapsulating a bulk of material to be dumped when the bulk of material is released, the sheet comprising a material containing portion and at least one material free portion extending from at least two opposed sides of the material containing portion, wherein the sheet encapsulates the bulk of material and comprises an encapsulated body encapsulated by the material containing portion and a self-closing portion being at least a part of the material free portion both extending from an assembly point, wherein a closing length of the self-closing portion correspond to at least 5% of the circumventing length of the encapsulated body, the circumventing length extending from the assembly point to the assembly point. 
     
     
         2 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet further comprises at least one mechanical seal and/or at least one chemical seal. 
     
     
         20 . The sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mechanical seal comprises a hook and loop fastener or a mushroom fastener. 
     
     
         21 . The sheet according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one chemical seal comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         22 . The sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet further comprises at least one mounting element for attaching the sheet to the split barge, wherein the mounting element is configured for disengaging upon the weight of the sinking sheet encapsulating the bulk of material. 
     
     
         23 . The sheet according to  claim 22 , wherein the mounting element comprises a strap and a snap-off element. 
     
     
         24 . The sheet according to  claim 23 , wherein the snap-off element comprises a weak link along the strap configured for being broken. 
     
     
         25 . The sheet according to  claim 23 , wherein the snap-off element comprises a snap-off button. 
     
     
         26 . The sheet according to  claim 19 , wherein the mounting element and/or the mechanical seal comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         27 . The sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is made of a degradable material. 
     
     
         28 . The sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is made of a permanent material. 
     
     
         29 . The sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the self-closing portion of the sheet is made from a different material than the remaining sheet. 
     
     
         30 . The sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet comprises an outer sheet configured for being attached to the split barge such that the sheet constitutes an inner sheet configured for being in contact with the bulk of material. 
     
     
         31 . A method of encapsulating a bulk of material by a sheet comprising;
 arranging the sheet in or under a split barge,   filling the sheet or the split barge with the bulk of material,   opening the split barge so that the weight of the bulk of material starts sinking the sheet towards a seabed,   wherein the method further comprises encapsulating the bulk of material followed by leading the sheet into an assembly point by a water pressure induced around the sinking sheet and engaging the self-closing of the self-closing portion.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the sheet comprises a mechanical and/or chemical seal, wherein the method further comprises engaging the mechanical and/or chemical seal concurrently with engaging the self-closing of the self-closing portion. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the sheet comprises the outer sheet such that the sheet constitutes an inner sheet, wherein the method further comprises retrieving the outer sheet to the split barge. 
     
     
         34 . A method of encapsulating a bulk of material by a sheet comprising;
 arranging the sheet in a split barge,   filling the sheet with the bulk of material,   encapsulating the bulk of material,   engaging a mechanical and/or chemical seal, and   opening the split barge releasing the encapsulated bulk of material, which sinks towards a seabed.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34  wherein the sheet comprises the outer sheet such that the sheet constitutes an inner sheet, wherein the method further comprises retracting the outer sheet on board the split barge.