GB2549800A

GB2549800A - Life vest stowage device with detachable panel

Info

Publication number: GB2549800A
Application number: GB1607598.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory White Noel
Original assignee: SERVECORP Ltd
Current assignee: SERVECORP Ltd
Priority date: 2016-04-29
Filing date: 2016-04-29
Publication date: 2017-11-01
Also published as: GB201607598D0

Abstract

A life vest stowage device 1 comprises a receptacle 2 defining an interior volume in which a life vest is stowable. The receptacle 2 has a side wall 3 which includes a detachable panel 30 defined by frangible boundary 20. A handle 36 is attached to the detachable panel 30 at locations along the edge of the panel such that pulling the handle 36 causes the detachable panel 30 to detach from the side wall 3 initially at the locations. This creates an access through which the life vest can be retrieved from the interior volume. A portion of the side wall 3 incorporating the detachable panel is releasably attachable to the life vest stowage device 1 by a slide fastener 11 so that it may be replaced. The slide fastener 11 is only operable from inside the interior volume of the receptacle 2. The life vest stowage device comprises a lockable opening 26 via which the interior volume is accessible to operate the first slide fastener 11.

Description

LIFE VEST STOWAGE DEVICE WITH DETACHABLE PANEL Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to a life vest stowage device for stowing a life vest on a commercial passenger aircraft.

Background to the Disclosure

Aviation regulations require commercial passenger aircraft to carry a life vest (or “life jacket”) for each passenger. The life vest must be accessible to the passenger for use in the event of an emergency. In order to comply with these regulations, a life vest is usually stowed under each seat in a commercial passenger aircraft.

Life vest stowage devices are available for stowing life vests under aircraft seats. Regulations require that the life vest should remain stowed in its life vest stowage device in the event of the aircraft suffering an impact of up to 16G. In addition, new security requirements for life vest stowage devices have led to life vest stowage devices being sealed shut, and airlines are seeking ways to meet the security requirements with minimum time and expense. Therefore, a visual inspection of the life vest stowage device confirming that the life vest has not been accessed will circumvent the need to thoroughly search inside life vest stowage device.

On the other hand, the life vest stowage device must also allow for easy removal of the life vest in the event of an emergency. In most cases this means irreversible breakage of the seal or substantial destruction of the life vest stowage device, rendering it unusable for future use. W02012/019240 describes a bag with a transparent surface containing safety equipment, wherein the surface comprises converging lines of weakness, the breaching of which allows access to the inside of the bag. The solution described in W02012/019240 allows visual inspection and easy extraction of the life vest. The converging lines of weakness are broken by the life vest being pulling out, starting to tear off from the converging point, and as such creating flaps in the surface through which flaps the life vest can be removed from the bag. However, during the extraction, the life vest will chafe forcefully to the sharp edges of the flap created, and runs the risk of being pierced by these edges. In addition, once the life vest has been extracted, the life vest stowage device is deemed unsuitable by airline regulations for further use and must therefore be discarded.

The present disclosure addresses these problems.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a life vest stowage device comprising: a receptacle defining an interior volume in which a life vest is stowable, the receptacle having a side wall including a detachable panel that, when detached from the side wall, allows the life vest to be retrieved from the interior volume through the side wall; and a handle attached to the detachable panel, which handle is attached to the detachable panel at a first location along an edge of the detachable panel such that pulling the handle causes the detachable panel to detach from the side wall initially at the first location.

When the detachable panel is detached, it may leave an opening in the side wall large enough for the life vest to be removed from the receptacle. The opening may be unobstructed by any flaps parts of the side wall or detachable panel, making removal of the life vest from the receptacle easier and more reliable than the prior art. Also, the attachment of the handle at the first location along the edge of the detachable panel may optimise the ease and reliability with which the detachable panel may be detached from the side wall.

The detachable panel may be a part of the side wall, which part is defined by a frangible boundary. The side wall and the detachable panel may comprise a sheet of a first material and the frangible boundary defining the detachable panel may comprise a line of weakness in the sheet of the first material. In one example, the line of weakness may comprise perforations in the sheet of the first material.

Preferably, the first material is transparent and rigid but also prone to tensile and tear failure along a controlled path such as the one defined by the frangible boundary. In one example, the first material is a polycarbonate film.

In another embodiment, the handle may be attached to the detachable panel also at a second location along the edge of the detachable panel and extends between the first and second locations. Preferably, the handle is attached to the detachable panel at a first, second, third and fourth locations along the edge of the detachable panel and extend between the first, second third and fourth locations.

The handle may comprise a tab via which the handle is graspable. When the handle is attached to a first and second locations, the tab may be located intermediate the first and the second locations. Alternatively, when the handle is attached to a first, second, third and fourth locations, the tab may be located intermediate the first, second, third and fourth locations.

The edge of the detachable panel may have a corner, and the first location at which the handle is attached to the detachable panel may be at the corner. Alternatively, when the handle is attached at first and second locations, the first and second locations may be at the corners, and when the handle is attached at first, second, third and fourth locations, the first, second, third and fourth locations may be at the corners.

The handle may comprise a flexible element, which flexible element may extend between the first and second locations, when the handle is attached to first and second locations. Alternatively, the flexible element may extend between the first, second, third and fourth locations, when the handle is attached to the first, second, third and fourth locations. In both examples, the flexible element is parallel and adjacent to the detachable panel such that pulling the handle away from the detachable panel intermediate the first and second locations, or alternatively intermediate the first, second, third and fourth locations, at least initially exerts a force on the detachable panel in a plane of the detachable panel.

Preferably, a portion of the side wall of the life vest stowage device incorporating the detachable panel may be releasably attachable to the life vest stowage device so that it may be replaced.

The portion of the side wall may be releasably attachable to the life vest stowage device by a first slide fastener. A seal may be provided, arranged to secure the first slide fastener to prevent release of the portion of the side wall from the life vest stowage device unless the seal is broken.

The first slide fastener may be operable from inside the interior volume of the receptacle, and the life vest stowage device may comprise: an opening via which the interior volume may be accessible to operate the first slide fastener; and a lockable closure operable to lockably close the opening.

Preferably, the lockable closure comprises a second slide fastener. In one example, the lockable closure further comprises a tamper-evident lock.

Specific embodiments are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is an illustration of a life vest stowage device according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2 is an illustration of the life vest stowage device in an open configuration.

Figure 3 is an illustration of the life vest stowage device, showing a lockable closure.

Figure 4 is an illustration of the life vest stowage device with a handle being pulled by a user.

Figure 5 is an illustration of a detachable panel of the life vest stowage device removed from the life vest stowage device.

Figure 6 is an illustration of a portion of the life vest stowage device with the detachable panel removed.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, a life vest stowage device 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure comprises a receptacle 2 with a side wall 3. In this embodiment, the life vest stowage device 1 is suitable for use on a commercial passenger aircraft. As such, the receptacle 2 defines an interior volume which is suitable for stowing a life vest (not shown). The life vest stowage device 1 is securable under an aircraft seat, and straps or other mountings (not shown) are provided on the life vest stowage device 1 for this purpose, but are omitted from the accompanying drawings for clarity.

Conventionally, three different sizes of life vest are specified for use on commercial passenger aircraft. When folded for stowing, a small life vest is approximately 24cm long, 13cm wide and 6cm deep; a medium life vest is approximately 22cm long, 16cm wide and 6cm deep and a large life vest is approximately 22cm long, 20cm wide and 7cm deep. Typically, the receptacle 2 is large enough to be able to house a large life vest snugly.

In this embodiment, the receptacle 2 is a cuboidal shaped bag with rounded corners. Referring to the orientation of the receptacle 2 as shown in Figure 1, the side wall 3 of the receptacle 2 comprises a front wall 4, a back wall 5, a top wall 6, a right wall 7, a bottom wall 8 and a left wall 9. The front wall 4 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. In this embodiment, the front wall 4 is approximately 22cm wide and approximately 20cm high. The back wall 5 has shape and dimensions similar to that of the front wall 4, and is parallel to the front wall 4.

The top wall 6, right wall 7, bottom wall 8 and left wall 9 comprise a strip of material, the ends of which strip are secured together to form a loop. In this embodiment. the strip has a width of approximately 4cm. The loop has a front edge and a rear edge, which front edge and rear edge are secured to the front wall 4 and the back wall 5, respectively, to form the cuboidal shape of the receptacle 2.

The side wall 3 of the receptacle 2 has a detachable panel 30. When the detachable panel 30 is detached from the side wall 3, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the interior volume of the life vest stowage device 1 is accessible through the side wall 3. This allows the life vest stowed in the interior volume of the life vest stowage device 1 to be retrievable through the side wall 3.

In this embodiment, the detachable panel 30 is a part of the side wall 3, which part is defined by a frangible boundary 20 in the side wall 3. The side wall 3 and the detachable panel 30 comprise a sheet of a first material. Specifically, in this embodiment, the front wall 4 of the receptacle 2 is a sheet of the first material and the frangible boundary 20 is located in the front wall 4. The frangible boundary 20 comprises a line of weakness in the sheet of the first material. The first material is transparent. It is sufficiently rigid to hold its shape as a sheet and support the shape of the receptacle, but is flexible enough when subjected to a bending force to allow manipulation of the receptacle 2 by a user, for example during opening and closing the receptacle 2. The first material is also prone to tensile and tear failure along the frangible boundary 20.

In this embodiment, the first material is polyvinylchloride (PVC). In other embodiments, the first material is a polycarbonate film, such as Lexan®. The rest of the receptacle 2 is of a second material, which is a cloth. The cloth is typically fire resistant, and in this embodiment is a polyamide substrate with polyurethane coating and a fluorocarbon finish.

The frangible boundary 20 comprises first, second, third and fourth parts 16, 17, 18, 19, which are located close to the top, right, bottom and left borders of the front wall 4, respectively. The first, second, third and fourth parts 16, 17, 18, 19 are sequentially contiguous with one another. The end of the fourth part 19 is at the starting point of the first part 16. This means that the first, second, third and fourth parts 16, 17, 18, 19 together comprise a loop. In this embodiment, the second and fourth parts 17, 19 are parallel and adjacent to the right and left borders of the front wall 4, respectively. The first and third parts 16, 18 are adjacent to the top and bottom borders of the front wall 4, respectively, but curve away from the respective borders at their centre.

In this embodiment, the frangible boundary 20 comprises perforations in the side wall 3. More specifically, the frangible boundary 20 comprises perforations in the sheet of the first material of the front wall 4. In other embodiments, the frangible boundary 20 is thinner than the rest of the side wall 3. More specifically, in this embodiment, the frangible boundary 20 is thinner than the sheet of the first material of the front wall 4. In other embodiments, the detachable panel 30 is not a part of the side wall 3, but instead is a sheet of material secured to the side wall 3 by frangible means, such as tape or adhesive. A handle 36 is attached to the detachable panel 30 at an edge of the detachable panel 30, close to the frangible boundary 20. In this embodiment, the handle 36 is attached to the detachable panel 30 at a first, second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35 at the edge of the detachable panel 30 and extends between the first second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35. However, it is not essential that the handle 36 is attached to the detachable panel 30 at all of the first, second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35. In another embodiment, the handle 36 is attached at just the first location 32.

In another embodiment, the handle 36 is attached at the first and second locations 32, 33 at the edge of the detachable panel 30 and extends between the first and second locations 32, 33.

In the illustrated embodiment, the edge of the detachable panel 30 has four corners. Each corner is located at one of the four meeting points of the first, second, third and fourth parts 16, 17, 18, 19 of the frangible boundary 20. The first, second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35 are at the corners of the detachable panel 30.

The handle 36 comprises a flexible element 31, which flexible element 31 extends between the first, second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35 at which the handle 36 is attached to the detachable panel 30. In other embodiments, the flexible element 31 extends only between the first and second locations 32, 33 at which the handle 36 is attached to the detachable panel 30, or is omitted.

In this embodiment, the flexible element 31 is parallel and adjacent to the detachable panel 30. It is shaped approximately as a diagonal cross with the ends of the flexible element 31 corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35 at which the handle 36 is attached to the detachable panel 30. In this embodiment, the flexible element 31 comprises a material that is the same as the first material but with added reinforcement, such as a polyvinylchloride sheet and nylon fibre mesh laminate. This provides the flexible element 31 with similar properties but better tensile and tear durability than the first material.

The handle 36 further comprises a tab 37, via which tab 37 the handle 36 is graspable. In this embodiment, the tab 37 is located intermediate the first, second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35. More specifically, one end of the tab 37 is wrapped around the flexible element 31 and secured to itself and to the flexible element 31, e.g. by stitching. The other end of the tab 37 forms a loop 38 by which a user can grasp the tab 37. In the embodiment in which the handle 36 is only attached to the detachable panel 31 at the first and second locations 32, 33, the tab 37 of the handle 36 is just located intermediate the first and second locations 32, 33. A portion of the side wall 3 incorporating the detachable panel 30 is releasably attachable to the life vest stowage device 1. This portion is shown in Figure 6, without the detachable panel 30. In this embodiment, the releasably attachable portion of the side wall 3 corresponds to the front wall 4. The portion is releasably attachable to the life vest stowage device 1 by a first slide fastener 11, such as a zipper. The first slide fastener 11 comprises a first strip 12, a second strip 13 and a first slider 15. The first strip 12 and the second strip 13 each have a first guide rail 14. The first guide rails 14 are arranged to interlock with one another, e.g. by having interlocking clasps. Each of the first guide rails 14 has a first end and a second end. The first strip 12 is secured to the edges of the front wall 4, such that the second end of the first guide rail 14 of the first strip 12 is overlapped but not secured by the first end of the first guide rail 14 of the first strip 12. The second strip 13 is secured to the front edges of the bottom wall 8, left wall 9, top wall 6 and the right wall 7, such that the second end of the first guide rail 14 of the second strip 13 is overlapped but not secured by the first end of the first guide rail 14 of the second strip 13. In this embodiment the location of the first and second ends of the first guide rail 14 of the first strip 12 is at the middle of the bottom edge of the front wall 4, and the location of the first and second ends of the first guide rail 14 of the second strip 13 is at the middle of the front edge of the bottom wall 8, so that these two locations are aligned.

The first slider 15 fastens the first strip 12 and the second strip 13 to one another by interlocking the first guide rails 14. The first slider 15, visible in Figure 2, is operable from inside the interior volume of the receptacle 2. When the first slider 15 is positioned such that the first and second strips 12, 13 are fastened to one another, the first slider 15 is at the second ends of the first guide rails 14 and is covered by the overlap of the first ends of the first guide rails 14. As such, the first slider 15 is hidden and not accessible from the outside of the life vest stowage device 1. A tongue 40 is attached to the inside of the bottom wall 8 adjacent to the second ends of the first guide rails 14. In this embodiment, this is approximately at the middle of length of the bottom wall 8 from the right wall 7 to the left wall 9. The tongue 40 has a sealing hole 41. The first slider 15 is secured to the sealing hole 41 of the tongue 40 by a seal 42. In this embodiment, the seal is a pull tight seal or a tie wrap.

The first guide rail 14 of the second strip 13 is obstructed at the first and second ends so as to prevent the first slider 15 from sliding off the first guide rail 14. The first guide rail 14 of the first strip 12 is obstructed at the second end but not at the first end. As such, when the first slide fastener 11 is unfastened, the first strip 12 is free to slide out of the first slider 15 from the unobstructed first end and detach the portion of the side wall 3 from the life vest stowage device 1. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments it is the second strip 13 that is free to slide out of the first slider 15.

The life vest stowage device 1 has an opening 26 in the side wall 3. In this embodiment, the opening 26 extends across the left wall 9, top wall 6 and right wall 8, as shown in Figure 2. The opening 26 has a lockable closure. In this embodiment, the lockable closure comprises a second slide fastener 21 and a tamper-evident lock 27. The second slide fastener 21 comprises a third strip 22, a fourth strip 23 and a second slider 25. The third strip 22 is attached to one side of the opening 26, and the fourth strip 23 is attached to the other side of the opening 26. The third strip 22 and the fourth strip 23 each have a second guide rail 24. The second guide rails 24 are arranged to interlock with one another, e.g. by having interlocking clasps. The second slider 25 fastens the third strip 22 and the fourth strip 23 to one another by interlocking the second guide rails 24.

The life vest stowage device 1 has a closed configuration, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and an open configuration, as shown in Figure 2. In the open configuration, the inside of the receptacle 2 is accessible. In the closed configuration, the inside of the receptacle 2 is not accessible. The second slider 25 is also clamped to the tamper-evident lock 27 to provide additional security. In one example, the tamper-evident lock 27 is as described in International patent publication number W02008/025052. In another embodiment, the second slide fastener 21 has two second sliders 25 facing each other, such that the two second sliders 25 fully fasten the second slide fastener 21 when they are abutting and fully unfasten the second slide fastener 21 when they are away from each other at opposite ends of the second guide rails 24 of the second slide fastener 21.

In the closed configuration the two second sliders 25 are secured together by a seal. The seal is a pull tight seal or a tie wrap for example.

In use, the life vest is inserted into the receptacle 2 through the opening 26, with the life vest stowage device 1 in the open configuration. The lockable closure closes the opening 26 with the life vest inside the receptacle 2. This moves the life vest stowage device 1 to the closed configuration. The life vest stowage device 1 is then mounted under an aircraft seat, and is ready for use.

Before a flight or when otherwise required, aircraft personnel perform a visual inspection of each of the life vest stowage devices 1 in the aircraft. The cross shape of the flexible element 31 allows for a larger area of the side wall 3 behind the handle 36 to be visible, making it easier to visually inspect the life vest stowed inside the life vest stowage device 1. The visual inspection saves time and circumvents the need to thoroughly search inside life vest stowage device 1.

Should a passenger need to retrieve the life vest from the life vest stowage device 1, the passenger grasps the tab 37 of the handle 36 and pulls it away from the detachable panel 30. Pulling the handle 36 away from the detachable panel 30 intermediate the first, second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35 at least initially exerts a force on the detachable panel 30 in a plane of the detachable panel 30. In other embodiments, the handle 36 is pulled away from the detachable panel 30 only from the first location 32 or intermediate the first and second locations 32, 33. The pulling of the tab 37 deforms the flexible element 31 from where it is attached to the tab 37, and urges the flexible element 31 to move with and in the direction of the tab 37 away from the detachable panel 30.

The first, second, third and fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35, where the handle 36 is attached to the detachable panel 30, are subjected to a force F with first and second vector components Fx, Fy. First vector component Fx is in the plane of the detachable panel 30 with direction toward the location at which the tab 37 is attached to the flexible element 31. The second vector component Fy is in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the detachable panel 30, e.g. the direction in which the tab 37 is being pulled. The first vector component Fx causes the frangible boundary 20 to come under tensile stress and subsequently tear when the force Fx is greater than the breaking point of the frangible boundary 20. This occurs initially at the corners of the detachable panel 30, where the flexible element 31 is attached to the detachable panel 30. Specifically, the detachable panel 30 detaches from the side wall 3 first at one of the first, second, third or fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35 at which the flexible element 31 is attached to the detachable panel 30. For simplicity, we consider the one of the first, second, third or fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35 to be the first location 32, although in principle it could be another of the first, second, third or fourth locations 32, 33, 34, 35 locations. In the embodiment in which the handle 36 is only attached at the first and second locations 32, 33 it can be appreciated for similar reasons that the detachable panel 30 detaches from the side wall 3 first at the first location 32. In the embodiment in which the handle 36 is only attached at the first location 32, all the force is exerted at the first location 32 and the detachable panel 30 again detaches from the side wall 3 first at this first location 32.

The detachable panel 30, still attached to the handle 36, fully detaches from the side wall 3, initially at the corners and then along the first, second, third and fourth parts 16,17,18,19 of the frangible boundary 20. This creates an aperture 28 in the side wall 3. The passenger can retrieve the life vest from the interior volume of the life vest stowage device 1 through the aperture 28 in the side wall 3. Once the detachable panel 30 is detached, the passenger is expected to throw it away and proceed to use the life vest.

The rest of the life vest stowage device 1 remains under the seat.

The detachable panel 30 detaches from the side wall 3 along the frangible boundary 20 with minimal effort, while at the same time the frangible boundary 20 is strong enough to keep the life vest behind the side wall 3 even when the life vest stowage device 1 is subjected to forces of up to 16G. The minimal effort required is due to the life vest stowage device 1 having a flexible element 31 in the shape of a cross with four ends attached to the corners of the detachable panel 30, which cross ends transfer the pulling force directly to the corners. When subjected to a pulling force with vector forces Fx and Fy the corners are weaker than the other locations along the edge of the boundary 20.

To refurbish the life vest stowage device 1, authorised aircraft personnel remove it from its mountings under the seat and prepare it for a new life vest to be placed inside. The first step is the removal of the tamper-evident lock 27 or any other types of security seals, if present. The removal of the tamper-evident lock 27 allows access to the second slider 25 of the second slide fastener 21. Fully unfastening the second slide fastener 21 allows access to the opening 26 and therefore to the interior volume of the receptacle 2.

The interior of the receptacle 2 is empty and, as such, there is unobstructed access to the first slider 15. The first slider 15 is secured to the sealing hole 41 of the tongue 40 via the pull tight seal 42. Breaking the pull tight seal 42 frees the first slider 15 to unfasten the first slide fastener 11. When the first slide fastener 11 is fully unfastened, the first slider 15 is at the first ends of the first guide rails 14 of the first strip 12 and of the second strip 13. The first guide rail 14 of the first strip 12, which first strip 12 is attached to the front wall 4, slides out of the first slider 15 due to not being obstructed at the first end. The first slider 15 remains in the first guide rail 14 of the second strip 13, due to the first guide rail 14 of the second strip 13 being obstructed at the first end. This results in the portion of the side wall 3 being released from the life vest stowage device 1. The portion of the side wall 3 incorporates the aperture 28 formed by the detaching of the detachable panel 30. A new portion of the side wall 3 incorporating an intact detachable panel 30 is then attached to the life vest stowage device 1 via the first slide fastener 11. More specifically, the unobstructed first end of the first guide rail 14 of the first strip 12 of the new portion is inserted into the first slider 15, when the first slider 15 is at the first end of the first guide rail 14 of the second strip 13. The first slider 15 fastens the first strip 12 to the second strip 13 as it travels along the first guide rails 14 joining the interlocking clasps of the first guide rails 14. When the first slider 15 reaches the second ends of the first guide rails 14, it is stopped by the obstructed second ends of the first guide rails 14. The second ends of the first guide rails 14 are overlapped by the first ends of the first guide rails 14, and as such, the first slider 15 is hidden and not accessible from the outside of the life vest stowage device 1. A new pull tight seal 42 secures the first slider 15 to the sealing hole 41 of the tongue 40. This prevents any tampering of the first slider 15 from the outside of the life vest stowage device 1 or from sliding accidentally and unfastening the first slide fastener 11.

The life vest stowage device 1 is now ready to stow a new life vest. A new life vest is folded accordingly and is placed inside the interior volume of the receptacle 2 through the opening 26. The second slide fastener 21 is then fully fastened and, as such, secures the life vest inside the life vest stowage device 1. A new tamper-evident lock 27 clamps the second slider 25, securing the lockable closure further. The life vest stowage device 1, which is now compliant with airline regulations, is then placed under the aircraft seat, and is ready for future use.

In this embodiment, the front wall 4, back wall 5, top wall 6, right wall 7, bottom wall 8 and left wall 9 are secured to one another and to the first and second slide fasteners 11,21 by stitching. However, other securing methods can be used, and in other embodiments these methods can be with adhesive or by heat treatment. In other embodiments, the receptacle 2 is of a different construction or has different dimensions, such as a rigid container of angular or rotund shape, and comprises fasteners suitable for rigid containers instead of first and second slide fasteners 11,21. In further embodiments, the receptacle 2 has a deformable shape adapting to the life vest inside and is a pouch or a sack.

In other embodiments, the frangible boundary 20 can be manufactured to be thinner than the rest of the side wall 3, or the thickness can be reduced by etching, for example, using a laser or sharp tool. In further embodiments, the side wall 3 and the detachable panel 30 defined by the frangible boundary 20 can be manufactured separately and secured together by frangible means.

Other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features described herein. Features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, features which are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

It should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements, the term “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality, a single feature may fulfil the functions of several features recited in the claims and reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. It should also be noted that the Figures are not necessarily to scale; emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A life vest stowage device comprising: a receptacle defining an interior volume in which a life vest is stowable, the receptacle having a side wall including a detachable panel that, when detached from the side wall, allows the life vest to be retrieved from the interior volume through the side wall; and a handle attached to the detachable panel, which handle is attached to the detachable panel at a first location along an edge of the detachable panel such that pulling the handle causes the detachable panel to detach from the side wall initially at the first location.

2. The life vest stowage device according to claim 1, wherein the detachable panel is a part of the side wall, which part is defined by a frangible boundary.

3. The life vest stowage device according to claim 2, wherein the side wall and the detachable panel comprise a sheet of a first material and the frangible boundary defining the detachable panel comprises a line of weakness in the sheet of the first material.

4. The life vest stowage device according to claim 3, wherein the line of weakness comprises perforations in the sheet of the first material.

5. The life vest stowage device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the first material is a polycarbonate film.

6. The life vest stowage device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle is attached to the detachable panel at a second location along the edge of the detachable panel and extends between the first and second locations.

7. The life vest stowage device according to claim 6, wherein the handle is attached to the detachable panel at third and fourth locations along the edge of the detachable panel and extends between the first, second, third and fourth locations.

8. The life vest stowage device according to claim 6, wherein the handle comprises a tab via which the handle is graspable, the tab being located intermediate the first and second locations.

9. The life vest stowage device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the handle comprises a flexible element extending between the first and second locations, which flexible element is parallel and adjacent to the detachable panel such that pulling the handle away from the detachable panel intermediate the first and second locations at least initially exerts a force on the detachable panel in a plane of the detachable panel.

10. The life vest stowage device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge of the detachable panel has a corner, and the first location at which the handle is attached to the detachable panel is at the corner.

11. The life vest stowage device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the side wall incorporating the detachable panel is releasably attachable to the life vest stowage device so that the portion is replaceable.

12. The life vest stowage device according to claim 11, wherein the portion of the side wall is releasably attachable to the life vest stowage device by a first slide fastener.

13. The life vest stowage device according to claim 12, comprising a seal arranged to secure the first slide fastener to prevent release of the portion of the side wall from the life vest stowage device unless the seal is broken.

14. The life vest stowage device according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first slide fastener is operable from inside the interior volume of the receptacle, and the life vest stowage device comprises: an opening via which the interior volume is accessible to operate the first slide fastener; and a lockable closure operable to lockably close the opening.

15. The life vest stowage device according to claim 14, wherein the lockable closure comprises a second slide fastener.

16. The life vest stowage device according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the lockable closure comprises a tamper-evident lock.

17. A life vest stowage device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.