WO2006046038A2

WO2006046038A2 - Improved method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2006046038A2
Application number: PCT/GB2005/004141
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Nevil Heaton Johnson; John William Sweezy, Jr.
Original assignee: Quillico Innovations Limited
Priority date: 2004-10-26
Filing date: 2005-10-26
Publication date: 2006-05-04
Also published as: WO2006046038A3

Abstract

A liner system is disclosed for sealing off a transport container. The liner may be applied as a spray-on internal coating with the container being sealed by fitting an inner closure before closing outer doors. Alternatively the liner may comprise a bag of flexible sheet material which is substantially impervious to water and gases, the bag having an opening which can be closed sealingly and additionally having an inlet duct (132) and an outlet duct (134) through which air or other gas may be respectively introduced into and withdrawn from the interior of the bag once said opening has been closed sealingly, and which inlet and outlet duct are capable of being sealed, after said one opening has been closed sealingly, to leave the interior of the bag hermetically sealed. An emergency flotation system also disclosed for a structure, such as a shipping container, or a vessel or aircraft, and which comprises at least one inflatable bag (12) of a flexible sheet material impervious to gas and water, mounted or adapted to be mounted in or on such structure in a deflated, folded or collapsed condition, the system further comprising inflating means (13) for inflating the or each said bag with a gas, in an emergency situation, so that the structure, with said flotation system, will float in water.

Description

"Improved method and system"

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates, in some of its aspects, to transportable containers, such as the standardised rectangular shipping containers now commonly used for transporting goods of the most varied kind on ships anc^' designed to be transferred wϊϊh contents, onto lorries or railway wagons of comparable size, or transporfebi^« containers used in other contexts such as containers which may be used in air freight. The invention also relates to a liner for protecting the contents of transportable containers from deterioration. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of protecting the contents of a transportable container, such as a shipping container.

In some of its aspects the invention relates to liners for protecting the contents of containers from deterioration, to the combination of a transportable container with such a liner and to a method of protecting ths contents of a transportable container such as a shipping container.

It is an object of the invention, in another of its aspects, to provide an improved means for preventing water from reaching the contents of a transportable container, or for maintaining an atmosphere of predetermined composition or characteristics around such contents.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a liner for sealing off a transport container, such as an ISO shipping container the liner comprising a bag of flexible sheet material which is substantially impervious to water and gases, the bag having an opening which can be closed sealingly and additionally having an inlet duct and an outlet duct through which air or other gas may be respectively introduced into and withdrawn from the interior of the bag once said opening has been closed sealingly, and which inlet and outlet duct are capable of being sealed, after said one opening has been closed sealingly, to leave the interior of the bag hermetically sealed.

Preferably, the liner is provided with fastenings at at least the four corners of the top wall of the bag, for co-operation with corresponding fasteners provided in the container.

Alternatively the liner may be provided with an inner framework to support the liner in a deployed and extended position.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a liner for sealing off a transport container, such as an ISO shipping container, the liner comprising a bag of flexible sheet material which is substantially impervious to water and gases, the bag having an opening which can be closed sealingly and additionally having fastening elements provided at least at the four corners of a top wall of the bag for co-operation with corresponding fasteners provided on the container, or having an inner framework supporting the bag in a deployed and extended position.

Preferably, the liner additionally has an inlet duct and an outlet duct through which air or other gas may be respectively introduced into and withdrawn from the interior of the bag once the said opening has been closed sealingly.

The inlet duct and the outlet duct are preferably formed at least partially from a heat sealable material to enable each duct to be heat sealed.

Alternatively, or additionally, the inlet duct and the outlet duct may be provided with a closeable sealing mechanism to seal the inlet duct and the outlet duct. Said opening in the bag is preferably associated with a closure flap, the opening and the closure flap being provided with co-operating sealing arrangements in the form of a sliding clasp or press seal.

Alternatively, where said opening is provided with a closure flap, at least part of the periphery of the opening or the periphery of the closure flap may be formed from a heat sealable material to enable the flap to be sealed to the opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of protecting contents within a transport container, such as an ISO ,: shipping container, comprising providing within such container a liner in the M form of a bag of flexible sheet material which is substantially impervious to a water and gases, with an opening of the bag aligned with an opening of the ';• container, stowing the contents within the bag, within the container, closing t said opening in a sealing tight manner and thereby sealing off said contents -£^■ hermetically from the environment and thereafter closing the container.

The method may include the step of introducing a desiccant to the interior of the container.

The method may comprise the steps of purging the bag and sealing the bag.

In the latter case, the purging step may be effected with a substantially dry or dehumidified gas or air. For example, the purging step may be effected with an inert gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen. Accordingly, in the method, the bag may be provided with an inlet duct and an outlet duct opening into the liner interior at spaced apart locations, the method comprising the step of introducing gas or air through the inlet duct and exhausting gas or air through the outlet duct and, at the completion of the purging process, sealing the inlet duct and the outlet duct.

The inlet duct and the outlet duct may be formed at least partially of heat sealable material and said sealing step may be effected by heat sealing the inlet duct and heat sealing the outlet duct.

Alternatively, the inlet duct and the outlet duct may be provided with sealing mechanisms, and the sealing step may comprise the step of actuating the sealing mechanisms to seal the inlet duct and the outlet duct.

In carrying out the method, said opening may be closed by moving a $ flap that forms an integral part of the bag to a position extending over the opening and sealing the periphery of the flap to the bag. >

The sealing of the flap may then be effected using a heat sealing technique.

Alternatively, the flap may be provided with a peripheral fastener in the form of a sliding clasp or press seal fastener, and the sealing of the flap is effected with the said peripheral fastener.

The method may comprise the step of interconnecting fasteners provided at the corners of an upper edge of the bag with co-operating fasteners provided within the transportable container.

Alternatively the method may comprise the step of providing a framework within the bag to retain the bag in a deployed condition. According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination of a transport container such as an ISO shipping container, with a liner, the liner being a liner according to the first-noted aspect of the invention, the container having an access opening provided with a door or closure which in one position leaves said access opening open to allow access to the interior of the container and which in another position extends across said access opening to close off the interior of the container.

In such combination the shipping container and the liner preferably have co-operable, releasable fastenings, the fastenings being provided at the corners of the upper edge of the liner.

Alternatively, or additionally, the liner may contain a framework to retain the liner in a deployed condition.

In a combination according to the last-noted aspect of the invention, the liner may contain a desiccant.

Alternatively, or additionally, the liner may contain dehumidified gas or air, for example an inert gas.

However, in accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment, the difficulties of fitting a pre-formed liner bag and maintaining such a liner in position are avoided by forming the liner in situ, by spraying .

Thus according to this preferred aspect, there is provided a method of sealing, in order to make it water and moisture-tight, a transport container, having an opening for access to the interior of the container, the container having a closable outer door or doors at said opening, the method comprising applying to all the interior surfaces of the container, in an initially fluid or quasi-fluid form, a sealing medium which is thereafter caused or allowed to solidify and dry to form a water and moisture impervious coating over said interior surfaces, the method including fitting at the opening of the container, an inner closure dimensioned to be fitted across said opening, at a location inward of the position occupied by the outer door or doors when the latter is or are closed, in such a way that the inner closure provides a seal across said opening.

There is also provided in accordance with the invention a closure for sealing an opening in a container, the opening having two pairs of opposing walls defining the edges of the opening, the closure comprising a rectangular structure comprising at least two relatively movable parts, with at least two orthogonal sides of said structure being provided by respective said parts, a water or moisture impermeable membrane or panel extending across said ^•;; structure, the closure having drive means operable to urge said parts away ^v/ from each other for engagement with respect to said walls, of the container ^<■* and to draw said parts towards each other for disengagement from such &^• container walls.

The invention also provides a shipping container having an opening for r access to the interior of the container, having a closable outer door or doors at said opening, the container having an internal moisture impervious coating and having an inner closure fitted at a location inward of the position occupied by the outer door or doors when the latter are closed, said inner closure being sealed with respect to said coating and thus sealing the container.

The container according to any of the above aspects may be provided with at least one flotation device in the form of an inflatable element.

The flotation device may be provided with an inflating arrangement to inflate the inflatable element, the inflating arrangement being responsive to the container being immersed in water. Alternatively, the container may be a container for transportation by an aircraft, or may form part of an articulated lorry.

The invention also relates to an emergency flotation system for structures which would otherwise be in danger of sinking in water, for example for shipping containers which go overboard at sea, or for vessels which have been holed, of for aircraft which have come down in the sea.

There is a large and growing problem in the maritime community involving ISO shipping containers lost overboard. As competition became keener and ship costs rose, cargo container vessels began to be built to accommodate stacks six high, close to the level of weight compression of the lower units. Current designs have vessels with up to three-quarters of their containers on deck. Ship stability is thus compromised in difficult sea conditions and container stacks are exposed to stormy weather and seas.

Standards have been introduced for fastening systems and container design. However, there is none relating to container buoyancy, although the ISO weatherproofness (but not watertightness) specifications suggest a propensity to float.

While the containers are lashed down when stacked more than two high, the ship's pitching, yawing and rolling lead to enormous inertia when the stack of containers is brought up short by the lashings. On many ships, only the outer tiers of containers are lashed, with the inner ones held captive by the outer ones. When, for example, a lashing gives, a stack of containers may fall overboard and the whole rank of containers may follow the initial stack. When a container is lost overboard, there is rarely a news release and the fact is seldom publicised by the shipping company. The loss is only revealed to those in a "need to know" situation (i.e. the ship owner, the exporter, the importer and the insurer). It is known that a significant number of lost containers are not reported. Estimates of the number of containers going overboard each year vary from less than 2000 to 40,000. From the shipping industry's perspective, these losses are acceptable, considering that 100 million containers a year safely reach their destinations. The cargo losses are reimbursed by insurance, and no legal responsibility is ever assessed for leaving the floating hazard behind.

Most dry cargo containers are steel boxes weighing between two and - four tonnes. A container will quickly sink if its cargo is heavy enough or if the '& box has been damaged sufficiently to take on water. If full, they float for a ^ while; air trapped in the cargo may hold a box on the surface until the cargo 1^; becomes waterlogged. Even a leaking container can float for months, given a « certain cargo and the right weight distribution. Many containers remain afloat, i often below the surface, long enough to be a real hazard to shipping.

Any collision with a container in the water is likely to do serious damage to a lightly built vessel (for example, smaller craft and modern fast passenger ferries). The potential to improve lashing and securing systems is limited. Some work has been done on the feasibility of tracking monitoring systems, but it is seen as uneconomic. Monitoring systems, such as the Global Marine Distress Safety System (GMDSS), can be used to send navigation warnings of floating-debris sightings. However, not all container losses are included in such systems (typically losses of fewer than five containers are excluded) and no attempt is made to track containers once they are adrift.

One step toward reducing this hazard would be to sink drifting containers quickly rather than try to monitor them. It has been suggested that several plugs that dissolve when the container is immersed in water for a set period of time could be installed. However, if the specific gravity of the container and cargo is less than that of water, then the container will still float.

A further problem is that the cargo in a container may deteriorate during transportation, especially if the cargo becomes damp, or is subjected to the ingress of water, or if the cargo is of a perishable nature.

It is an object of the present invention, in one of its aspects, to provide a method of flotation of containers, enabling nearby ships to locate containers and so avoid collision. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a . ,% method of. flotation to other objects to prevent sinking, for example other .; . water craft or aeroplanes after crashing into the sea. it-

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an ■$^' emergency flotation system for a structure, the flotation system comprising at Φϊ least one inflatable bag of a flexible sheet material impervious to gas and .y water, mounted or adapted to be mounted in or on such structure in a ;» deflated, folded or collapsed condition, the system further comprising inflating means for inflating the or each said bag with a gas, in an emergency &. situation, so that the structure, with said flotation system, will float in water.

The structure in question may be a shipping container, or may be, for example, a; water craft or vessel or an aircraft.

Preferably, the system includes detection means for automatic detection of such emergency situation and for inflating said bag or bags upon making such detection. For example, such detection means may include a sensor arranged to detect immersion in water or to detect impact forces and to cause inflation of said bag or bags on making such detection. Alternatively, or additionally, the bag inflation means may be arranged for manual activation, or may be activated by sensing means which also automatically activates some other device or system, such as a bilge pump of a vessel.

Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a schematic view in horizontal section through a shipping container fitted with a flotation system in accordance with the invention, ÷

Figure 2 is a similarly schematic view in vertical section on the line H-Il . of Figure 1 , the right hand side of the figure being partially exploded, _f

Figure 3 is a schematic view in horizontal section through the hull of a ?; water craft fitted with a flotation system in accordance with the invention; *- Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section on the line IV-IV in Figure 3; ;■*

Figure 5 illustrates , in perspective, an aircraft kept afloat in the sea by .« an emergency flotation system in accordance with the invention; ._j

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a shipping container fitted with a liner in accordance with the present invention, with one end of the -\;; container and the adjacent end of the liner being in an open condition;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the liner in a closed, sealed condition; and

Figure 8 is a schematic view in horizontal section of the shipping container of Figures 6 and 7 illustrating a duct arrangement. Figure 9 is a schematic elevation view from its outer side, of an inner closure which is used in carrying out a method according to the invention,

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate bracing mechanisms, and

Figures 12 and 13 are fragmentary sectional views showing part of a container fitted with an inner closure.

In one embodiment of the invention, a flotation system is applied to an ISO standard marine shipping container. When a conventional shipping container goes overboard, it is immersed in water and, depending on weight, naturally floats for a period of time, either on the surface or just below the surface. A shipping container fitted with a flotation system embodying the invention has fixed thereto one or more inflatable bags of a flexible sheet material impervious to gas and water, such bag or bags being normally packed in a collapsed or folded condition to occupy minimal volume when not required, the or each said bag having associated inflating means for inflating the bag in response to an associated detection device or sensor means detecting immersion of the container in water. Such a bag, in the embodiments of the invention, with the associated inflation means, is herein referred to, for convenience, as a "C-bag". It will be apparent that the detection device or sensor means should be such that it will not be triggered _:. by spray while in normal transit on the shipping vessel. When such a y container fitted with a flotation system in accordance with the invention goes :■ overboard and the associated sensor means detects that the container is ,>^• immersed in water, the inflation means is activated and the inflatable bag or _{ bags (the or each C-bag), is inflated. The inflatable bags are of such size that ^■> the container floats on the surface of the water.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor means is a sensor unit which comprises a small detonator cap that, when triggered, ignites a pyrotechnic gas generator which starts the inflation process. The gas generator inflates the inflatable bag, which remains inflated indefinitely. The inflation means may be similar to those used in so-called "air bags" used to protect occupants of motor vehicles in crash situations and may by arranged to produce a harmless gas, for example produced by detonation of nitrocellulose, that inflates the bag very quickly. However, as deployment may not generally need to be so swift as required for motor vehicle air bags, the inflation means may alternatively be similar to those employed for rubber dinghies or life jackets and may, for example, also comprise compressed gas cylinders and associated gas release means operable by the sensor means. Whilst the sensor means may, as indicated, be arranged to detect immersion in water, alternatively, or additionally, the sensor means may be arranged to detect a shock impact to the container, such that when the container falls overboard and impacts the surface of the water, the Inflatable bag or Inflatable bags is or are deployed.

Such flotation modules (C-bag modules) may be retrofitted to the containers or alternatively and preferably, may be in-built. In the instances where, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the container (indicated at 10) has a corrugated structure, the flotation modules (C-bag modules) 12 may be fitted between corrugations 14 so as not to increase the dimensions of the .„, container. Alternatively, the container may have recesses contrived in the ^ exterior thereof, to accommodate the folded C-bags, (and possibly the # inflating means and sensor). In Figures 1 to 4, references 13 indicate gas \< generators or compressed gas cylinders and references 15 denote sensor , :_; units.

In any embodiment of the invention, including any of those described ; .- below with reference to the drawings, the inflatable bags may have attention- . attracting means attached to them or associated with them, for example they may be brightly coloured or carry flashing lights or beacons. Other warning means, visual or otherwise, may be associated with or carried by the flotation bags. For example, when the flotation system is activated, the system may also dump a dye into the sea, to attract the attention of passing aircraft, and/or a radio beacon may be activated for automatic transmission of an emergency signal, and/or a radar reflector may be deployed, and/or a lighter- than-air balloon may be sent aloft connected by a line with the flotation bag or with the structure fitted with the emergency flotation system. Where such a balloon is used, the line may incorporate or carry an aerial for the radio beacon and/or may carry the radar reflector, to lift the latter well above the sea surface. Likewise, the line may carry a flashing light or beacon well above the sea surface, to improve visibility of such light or beacon.

It will be understood that similar flotation systems may be used in other situations where a structure impacts water unintentionally. For instance another embodiment of the invention comprises at least one flotation module (C-bag module) fitted to an aeroplane for use in emergency landings on water. It is known that when an aeroplane crashes into the sea, it is often the case that those surviving the impact do not have time to evacuate the aeroplane before the fuselage sinks. As illustrated in Figure 5, such inflation * modules (C-bag modules) 12 may be fitted to the fuselage of an aeroplane *- 30, with inflation controlled by at least one sensor unit that activates on v immersion of the fuselage. In such a case, a plurality of such inflatable bags ^• $ (C-bags), located at different parts of the aircraft, are preferably provided, to i; enable the aircraft to float in a stable and appropriate orientation, so allowing ^ passengers time to evacuate. Thus, for example, as shown in Figure 5, - ^ further inflatable bags 12 may be carried by the wings 32 of the aircraft. ] V&"*-

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in a further embodiment of the invention, *-τ at least one. flotation module (C-bag module) 12 is fitted to the hull 18 of a -\ ship or other water craft (for example a houseboat or a yacht). In such a case, in order that the flotation system can maintain the vessel in an upright or at least approximately normal orientation, a plurality of such flotation modules 12 is preferably provided, appropriately distributed around the hull of the vessel. In this embodiment, the inflation means for inflating the inflatable bags may be activatable manually, for example by a pull lever or a push button, preferably enclosed in glass for security, in the same way as fire alarm buttons are usually enclosed. However, the inflation means may alternatively, or additionally, be arranged to be activated automatically, for example by a sensor detecting impact of the vessel with something external to the vessel, or detecting an excessive rise of water level in the bilges of the vessel. In this embodiment, each inflatable bag or C-bag module 12 may be accommodated in a respective hollow or recess 20 formed in the exterior of the hull 18 proper of the vessel, without compromising either the strength or watertightness of the hull, and may be covered by a panel or shell 22 which normally forms a continuation of the outer surface of the hull so that such surface is unbroken either visually (if above the water line) or from a streamlining point of view (if below the water line), such panel being, however, secured in such a way as to be readily detached by the inflation of the inflatable bag behind it when the inflatable bag is deployed, or alternatively to be released from the hull by a catch arrangement operated by the inflating means or the activating means for the same. When the system is activated, the covering panels 22 come off and the inflatable bags inflate to keep the vessel afloat in a normal or near normal position in the water. Alternatively, a single inflatable bag may be ,*_, fitted around the entire hull.

Likewise in the aircraft flotation system described with reference to -^

Figure 5, each inflatable bag or C-bag module 12 may be accommodated in a ^ respective hollow or recess 20 formed in the fuselage or wing without ^ compromising either the strength of the aircraft, and may be covered by a panel or shell 22 which normally forms a continuation of the outer surface of the aircraft so that such surface is unbroken from a streamlining point of view, such panel being, however, secured in such a way as to be readily detached by the inflation of the inflatable bag behind it when the inflatable bag is deployed, or alternatively to be released from the fuselage or wing by a catch arrangement operated by the inflating means or the activating means for the same.

Similarly, and in the container flotation system described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, each inflatable bag or C-bag module 12 accommodated in a respective hollow or recess formed between corrugations

14 may be covered by a panel or shell secured in such a way as to be readily detached by the inflation of the inflatable bag behind it when the inflatable bag is deployed, or alternatively to be released from the container by a catch arrangement operated by the inflating means or the activating means for the same.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, a generally conventional shipping container 110, of generally right parallelepipedal form has a top 112, an opposing bottom wall, and side walls 114. One end of the container, indicated at 116, may be permanently closed whilst the other end of the container is provided with a rectangular access opening bounded by the top, bottom and side walls. The container shown has, at said other end, a hinged door or doors 115, which in a closed position extend across the access opening to close off the interior of the container.

The container 110 is provided with a gas and liquid impermeable liner 117 which may, for example, be formed of an inexpensive sheet plastics material such as stout PVC or polyethylene sheeting. The liner is in the form of a rectangular parallepiped bag of a shape and dimensions corresponding to the interior dimensions of the container 110, so that the bag may be deployed or extended within the container in such a way that a top wall of the bag lies against the interior of the top wall 112 of the container; the bottom wall of the bag lies on the floor of the container, and side walls of the bag lie against the interior of the side walls 114 of the container with an end wall of the bag lying against the end wall 116 of the container. At least the four corners of the top wall of the bag are provided with fasteners to co-operate with corresponding fasteners provided on the container. The lengths of the top, bottom and side walls of the bag are preferably slightly greater than the length of the top, bottom and side walls of the container so that, at the front end of the container, the front edge portions 119 of the bottom and side walls of the bag extend beyond the container. The bag has an opening at the front end, and is provided with a closure for the opening which closure may take the form, as illustrated, of a rectangular flap 120, which is a continuation of the top wall of the bag and which flap 120 is sized and dimensioned to cover the open end of the bag when folded down as shown in Figure 7. The entire front end of the bag may constitute the opening. During loading of the container, the flap 120 may conveniently be folded back to lie over the top of the container as shown in Figure 6. The opening will then enable ready access to the interior of the container. The flap is designed to be sealed to the bag as described below.

It is contemplated that the liner bag may be supplied in a folded or rolled up condition and may be unfolded or unrolled within the container and the top, bottom, side and end walls of the bag placed against or in close juxtaposition with the corresponding inner surfaces of the respective walls of the container and located in such position, for example by suitable reusable fasteners or connecting parts provided on the container or on the bag or on both, such as adhesive patches 130, (see Figure 8), magnetic retaining elements, hook and eye fasteners or other arrangements which do not involve compromising the sealing integrity of the bag. Alternatively, the bag may be supported in a deployed and extended position within the container by an internal framework erected within the bag, for example a readily erected framework of plastics tubing or the like, so that top, bottom, side and end walls of the bag conform closely with the corresponding interior walls of the container.

In use, whilst the container and liner are in the open condition shown in Figure 6, the container is loaded with cargo in the usual way, the cargo being of course placed within the bag within the container. When the container is loaded fully, the closure flap 120 may be pulled down to cover the open end of the bag and the edge regions of the closure 120 then sealed to the corresponding edge regions 119 of the side and bottom walls of the bag. Such sealing may be effected by, for example, a re-usable sliding clasp or press seal, utilising continuous interlocking plastics ribs, of a type known per se. However, in the interests of economy of manufacture and of reliable sealing, the sealing is preferably effected by heat sealing or welding the co- operating edges regions of the flap 120 and the side and bottom walls of the bag.

Whilst the measures thus far described would serve to protect the cargo within the bag and container from the ingress of water or moisture from outside the container, in order to protect the cargo within the bag and container from damage or deterioration due to moisture already within the bag and container, for example in the cargo itself, before the flap 120 is closed, means is preferably provided for ensuring that atmosphere within the sealed bag is dry. Such means may simply comprise the provision of an adequate _{f ;} desiccant package, indicated at 131 in Figure 8, within the bag before the . latter is sealed. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, means may be .^ provided whereby the atmosphere which is present within the bag initially ^. when the flap 120 is closed can be replaced by a dry atmosphere, or possibly y. with an atmosphere of an inert gas other than air, such as carbon dioxide or. .-.. nitrogen, for example when the cargo comprises fruit or vegetables. Thus, in ^, preferred embodiments of the invention, a ducting system may be provided .fu whereby, once the closure flap 120 has been sealed, the atmosphere within - the bag may be changed. The ducting system may, as illustrated in Figure 8, .> comprise an inlet duct 132 and a corresponding outlet duct 134, which may. ,_, simply be in the form of respective tubes of plastic film, e.g. of polyethylene or . PVC film. These ducts 132, 134 are sealed with respect to the liner, where they pass through the liner. Whilst, for purposes of illustration, the ducts 132, 134 are shown in Figure 8 as extending through one side wall of the liner where the latter projects from the open access end of container, they may pass into the bag from any convenient location, for example, they may be provided in the cover or flap 120. Preferably, as illustrated, one duct, such as the inlet duct 132, extends to the rear of the container, whereas the other duct opens into the interior of the bag adjacent the front of the container, for efficient replacement of the atmosphere within the container. The atmosphere initially within the container may be replaced, for example, with dry air from a moisture extracting or air conditioning unit passed into the bag through the inlet duct 132, with the original atmosphere being drawn out through the duct 134. In this way, the interior of the bag is effectively purged. After the atmosphere within the bag has been satisfactorily replaced, the ducts 134 and 132 are also sealed, for example by heat sealing. The container door or doors are thereafter closed and the liner remains sealed until the time comes to unload the cargo from within the container, when the liner can simply be cut open after opening the container door and the cargo unloaded from within the liner. The remains of the liner can then simply be removed from the container for re-cycling, to be replaced by a fresh liner when the container is to be re-used. The replacement atmosphere need not, of course, be air but may be, for example, an inert gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, which may be preferable where the cargo within the bag is of a perishable nature.

The container described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 may be one provided with a flotation device such as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 herein. In Figures 6 to 8, flotation bags of such a device are indicated at 154. The flotation device is in the form of an inflatable element, such as an . inflatable fender or airbag, secured to the container, and provided with an inflating arrangement to inflate the inflatable fender in the event that the container is immersed in water. The flotation device operates to ensure that, should the container go overboard at sea, the container will float until it can be retrieved. The liner of the present invention, in such an event, ensures that the cargo within the container is not damaged by sea water leaking into the container.

Whilst the description above with respect to Figures 6 to 8 has been directed to the application of the invention to a shipping container of the kind used in containerised cargo transport by sea, the invention is also applicable to containerised transport in other contexts and using, for example, containers of smaller size and/or different configurations. For example, containers for air freight may be provided with replaceable sealed liner bags of the kind described, sized and dimensioned to conform to the interior of such containers. In such a case, of course, the container closure may take the form of a lid for closing an access opening at the top of a container body. Such containers thus equipped with sealable liners may used, for example, for air transport of high value fruit or vegetable products, or flowers, for example. In such cases, also, the liners may be purged or filled with a preservative or inert gas, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, or with an atmosphere of selected humidity rather than a dehumidified atmosphere. Also containers such as the containers that form the rear part of an articulated lorry may be provided with liners as described.

Figure 9 is an elevation view, from the outside, of an inner closure 200 used in a preferred embodiment of the invention for sealing off the interior of a standard ISO marine shipping container, prior to closure of conventional outer doors of the container.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the container is sealed to protect the contents from moisture, from the ambient air, by the method described below.

In the following, it is assumed that the container is of the conventional generally box-like form such as shown in Figures 6 to 8, having a rear wall, opposing side walls, a top wall or roof and a bottom wall or floor, with a pair of doors hingedly fitted to the side walls at the front end of the container for closing off the opening at said front end. In a first step of the method, the rear wall, top and bottom walls and the opposing side walls are sprayed with a fluid sealing medium which subsequently dries or hardens to form a water and moisture impervious coating over these walls. When this coating has dried or hardened, the container may be loaded with goods to be stored therein in the usual way. Next an inner closure is fitted, within the container, at the open front end thereof, i.e. close to the front end of the container but still located between the side walls and the top and bottom walls and is expanded horizontally and vertically into sealing engagement with the side, top and bottom walls of the container.

Depending upon the nature of the goods to be stored in the container, the air within the container may then be replaced by an inert atmosphere or by a moisture free atmosphere, as described below, before the outer doors are closed and secured in the normal way.

In a variant, the surfaces of the container which are to be engaged by the expansible closure are sprayed with the fluid sealing medium, or are sprayed with further such medium, after the container has been loaded with goods and the closure is fitted and expanded into contact with the still fluid or . v: tacky sealing medium on these surfaces, before the latter has dried or set, to provide a more reliable seal of the closure with respect to the container.

Figure 9 shows one form of inner closure which may be used. The closure of figure 9 comprises a generally rectangular peripheral frame comprising four rigid beams 220, 222 for example of metal such as aluminium alloy, the beams forming the four sides of the rectangle. Extended across this frame is a sheet 224 of an impermeable material such as vinyl or HYPALON, (RTM) material. The sheet 224 is extensible to at least a limited extent either by stretching or simply by being flexible enough to buckle or fold slightly when the opposing beams 220, 222 are retracted towards one another. The sheet 224 is, at its edges, wrapped around and sealed with respect to the beams 220, 222. The sheet is preferably impermeable to water, moisture and gas. As shown a drive arrangement extends across the frame on the side of the sheet 224 which faces away from the interior of the container when the closure is fitted. As shown the drive arrangement comprises a set of struts 226 extending from each beam 220, 222 towards the middle of the frame, the struts of each set uniting in a respective rod 230,232 , the rods 230 which are united with the struts extending from the upper and lower beams 220 being aligned with each other and the rods 232 which are united with the struts extending from the side beams 222 being aligned with each other.

A mechanism is provided whereby the upper and lower beams 220 may be moved away from or towards each other to a limited extent and whereby the side beams 222 may be moved away from or towards each other to a limited extent, so that the frame may be expanded or contracted somewhat vertically and horizontally. A rubber seal is fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of the beams 220, 222 i.e. the surfaces which face away ■ ; from the middle of the frame. In its contracted condition the frame is slightly . less wide than the space between the side walls of the container and slightly , •..■ less tall then the height of the space between the top and bottom walls of the ;ρ container so that in its contracted condition, the frame can be fitted just within ** the container adjacent the front end thereof and can then be expanded /^ vertically and horizontally to force the beams 220, 222, more particularly the _v«, rubber seal on these beams, sealingly against the freshly coated side wall, ^ bottom wall and top wall surfaces of the container. The sealant will engage the inner periphery of the inner closure to provide a good seal. .

The mechanism referred to allows the frame to be maintained in this condition, sealing off the interior of the container, until access to the interior of the container is required, at which time the mechanism allows the frame to be contracted again and removed from the container.

The mechanism provided for expanding and contracting the frame, in the arrangement of Figure 9, may operate simply by urging the aligned rods 230,232 apart from each other to expand the frame and towards each other to contract the frame.

Thus, in one arrangement, as illustrated in Figure 10, the opposing rods 230, may have end portions provided with oppositely handed screw threads received in correspondingly threaded bores in a bottle screw or turnbuckle 233 of known kind, with the opposing rods 232 being similarly connected by a respective similar bottle screw or turnbuckle. In this arrangement the frame is expanded and contracted simply by rotating the respective bottle screws or turnbuckles in the appropriate senses.

Alternatively, opposing rods 230, 232 may be connected by an appropriate over-dead-centre lever arrangement or may have respective rack portions engaging a pinion, as illustrated in Figure 11. The mechanism concerned may be contained in a suitable casing 235 and operable manually by means of a lever 237. Preferably the mechanism is such that both pairs of beams 202,204 can be moved simultaneously. ^

The man in the art will recognise that any of many different kinds of ^ mechanism, e.g. using gearing, lever or cam arrangements or hydraulic or \ pneumatic arrangements may serve for expanding and contracting the frame, provided that the frame can be maintained against the forces arising from $ compression of the rubber seals on the beams, in its expanded condition, until the time comes to release the frame.

It will be understood, of course, that the frame portion of the closure could be constructed in many different ways. For example, the frame could be configured as two chevron-shaped rigid elements each providing one side of the rectangular frame and either the bottom wall or the top wall of the frame, with a flexible or stretchable impervious sheet extended between the two frames and with a mechanism, such as described above, for urging the two chevron-shaped elements apart along the diagonal of the frame which passes through the vertices of the chevrons. As another possibility, the frame may comprise a first part providing one side of the frame and the bottom or top of the frame and second and third parts providing respectively the other side of the frame and the top or bottom of the frame, and displaceable with respect to the first part by an appropriate mechanism or mechanisms for vertical and lateral expansion and contraction of the frame.

In a manner similar to the arrangement described with reference to Figures 6 to 8, the closure 200 is provided with an inlet duct 132 and an outlet duct 134 so that, once the closure has been fitted in the open end of the container and expanded therein, a predetermined atmosphere, such as dried air or an inert gas, can be introduced into the container through the inlet duct and the air previously within the container can be flushed out through the outlet duct. Likewise either the inlet duct or the outlet duct may terminate close to the impervious sheet or membrane 224 on the interior side of the _r=, enclosure, whilst the other duct may extend for a substantial distance beyond _? the impervious membrane or sheet, so that the end of such an adapter can ,. be placed near to the rear end of the container, for efficient flushing. As with ^ the embodiment of Figures 6 to 8, a desiccant package may be located within ^ the container before the closure is fitted. The inlet and outlet duct may, for example, be formed of flexible plastics material and will, of course, be sealed by any suitable means after the container has been flushed and before the outer doors are closed.

Referring to Figure 12, this is a plan view, partly in horizontal section showing the closure 200 fitted in one manner in the open end of an ISO marine shipping container. In this arrangement, the interior wall surfaces on which the seal 241 of the enclosure bears are simply continuations of the respective major interior surfaces of the side, top and bottom walls of the container.

Figure 13 is a view corresponding to Figure 12 but showing the closure

200 fitted at the open end of an ISO marine shipping container of a type having a rebate all around the opening at the front end of the container, with the closure 200 being fitted in this rebate so that the seal 241 bears against the side walls of this rebate whilst the rear face or inner edge of the closure 200, at the edges of the closure, bear against the forwardly presented shoulder surface of the rebate extending between the side walls of the main side, top and bottom wall interior surfaces of the container.

In the case of Figure 13, the sealing medium, e.g. SPEEDLINER, may be applied to the shoulder surface of the rebate and to the wall surfaces of the rebate extending from the shoulder surfaces, or may simply be applied to the adjacent parts of the major interior surfaces of the container, whereby, when the closure is fitted whilst that medium is still fluid, the fluid will contact at least the rear surface of the closure around the periphery of the latter, to ensure a good seal.

The sealing medium with which the interior surfaces of the container are sprayed is preferably a tough and somewhat flexible plastics-based material, such as a polyurethane based material. One suitable material which may be used as the spray-on coating material is that sold under the name

"SPEEDLINER" by Industrial Polymers Corporation of Houston, Texas, which a urethane based material in a solvent and which incorporates, as the suspension of fine particles an aramid material such as that supplied under the name KEVLAR (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide).

The coating material used preferably comprises:-

5 to 30% by weight of MDI (4-4 diphenylmethane diisocyanate); 5 to 20% by weight of higher oligomers of MDI;

1 to 10% ethyl acetate, 15 to 30% toluene

10 to 50% fine particles of poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide in suspension, the remainder being toluene as a solvent. The preferred "SPEEDLINER" material is understood to have the following constituents, in its fluid condition:-

4-4 diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) 9.66% by weight

Higher oligomers of MDI 9.00% by weight diphenylmethane diisocyanate 9.66% by weight toluene 25.00% by weight ethyl acetate 5.00% by weight remainder = KEVLAR (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide) in the form of '_% fine particles in suspension in the other, liquid, constituents.

An alternative spray-on liner material which may be used is that sold . . under the name "RHINOLINER" by Rhino Linings USA Inc. \

The coating material preferred is preferably applied by air spraying to . v the inner surfaces of the shipping container by air spray, ensuring that the coating extends as far as the front edges of the container walls, floor and ,, ceiling, around the open end of the container.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

Claims

1. A method of sealing, in order to make it water and moisture- tight, a transport container, having an opening for access to the interior of the container, the container having a closable outer door or doors at said opening, the method comprising applying to all the interior surfaces of the container, in an initially fluid or quasi-fluid form, a sealing medium which is thereafter caused or allowed to solidify and dry to form a water and moisture impervious coating over said interior surfaces, the method including fitting at the opening of the container, an inner closure dimensioned to be fitted across said opening, at a location inward of the position occupied by the outer door or doors when the latter is or are closed, in such a way that the inner closured provides a seal across said opening.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein part of the sealing medium forms a seal within a peripheral part of the inner closure.

3. A method according to Claim 2 comprising applying said sealing medium to surfaces of said container at said location, which surfaces will be engaged or abutted by said closure when fitted, and fitting the closure in said location before the sealing medium applied at said location has dried or solidified, so that the sealing medium will dry or solidify in contact with the closure, thereby affecting a good seal.

4. A method according to Claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein said inner closure is fitted in said open end of the container in a contracted state and is expanded thereafter to engage sealingly the peripheral surfaces of the container in the location in which the closure is fitted.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing medium is applied to a major part of the interior surfaces of the container, loading the container and then applying the sealing medium to the surfaces at said location before fitting the inner closure.

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein said sealing medium is applied to said internal surfaces by spraying.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein said sealing medium comprises a urethane or polyurethane material and, in the fluid-state in which it is applied, a solvent, and wherein the step of allowing or causing said medium^' to solidify or dry includes allowing said solvent to evaporate form the applied medium.

8. A method according to Claim 7 wherein said medium, in its fluid -^ condition, comprises:- a solution of 4-4 diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), in a _# solvent and finely divided aramid plastics in suspension in the solution.

9. A method according to Claim 7 or 8 wherein said solvent is , toluene.

10. A method according to Claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein said sealing medium comprises, in its fluid condition:-

4-4 diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) 5-20% by weight Higher oligomers of MDI 5-20% by weight diphenylmethane diisocyanate 5-20% by weight toluene 15- 30% by weight ethyl acetate 2-10% by weight aramid particles in suspension in the liquid constituents -10-60% by weight.

11. A method according to Claim 10 wherein said sealing medium comprises, in its fluid condition:-

4-4 diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) 9.66% by weight

Higher oligomers of MDI 9.00% by weight diphenylmethane diisocyanate 9.66% by weight toluene 25.00% by weight ethyl acetate 5.00% by weight

12. A method according to any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein said coating is also impervious to gas.

13. A closure for sealing an opening in a container, the opening having two pairs of opposing walls defining the edges of the opening, the closure ^' comprising a rectangular structure comprising at least two relatively movable parts, with at least two orthogonal sides of said structure being provided by respective said parts, a water or moisture impermeable membrane or panel extending across said structure, the closure having drive means operable to urge said parts away from each other for engagement with respect to said walls, of the container and to draw said parts towards each other for disengagement from such container walls.

14. A closure according to claim 13, comprising first and second pairs of beams defining respective sides of a rectangular frame, a said extensible membrane or sheet extending across said frame between said beams and said drive means being operable to urge the beams of each pair apart from each other for engagement with respective said container walls.

15. A closure according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein said drive means comprises a respective drive means for each said pair of beams.

16. A closure according to Claim 15 wherein each said drive means comprises a respective turn buckle or bottle screw mechanism, or a respective rack and pinion mechanism, or a respective over-dead centre mechanism.

17. A shipping container having an opening for access to the interior of the container, having a closable outer door or doors at said opening, the container having an internal moisture impervious coating and having an inner closure fitted at a location inward of the position occupied by the outer door or doors when the latter are closed, said inner closure being sealed with respect to said coating and thus sealing the container.

18. A container according to Claim 17 wherein the container has a rebate around said opening, provided at said location, the rebate providing a lateral wall and a forwardly directed shoulder and wherein said closure is fitted in said rebate so that the closure engages both said lateral wall and said shoulder.

19. A container according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein said coating is also impervious to gas.

20. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 13 wherein said coating is impervious to gas.

21. An emergency flotation system for a structure, the flotation system comprising at least one inflatable bag of a flexible sheet material impervious to gas and water, mounted or adapted to be mounted in or on such structure in a deflated, folded or collapsed condition, the system further comprising inflating means for inflating the or each said bag with a gas, in an emergency situation, so that the structure, with said flotation system, will float in water.

22. A system according to Claim 21 including detection means for automatic detection of such emergency situation and for causing said inflating means to inflate said bag or bags upon making such detection.

23. A system according to Claim 22 wherein said detection means includes a sensor arranged to detect immersion in water and to cause said inflating means to inflate said bag or bags upon making such detection.

24. A system according to Claim 23 wherein said detection means includes a sensor arranged to detect impact forces and to cause said inflating means to inflate said bag or bags upon making such detection.

25. A shipping container in combination with a flotation system according to claim 21 , and having, at a location or at each of a plurality of locations at the exterior of the container, a respective said bag in a deflated, folded or collapsed condition, secured to the container, the container carrying such inflating means for inflating the or each said bag with a gas, and carrying detection means for automatic detection of immersion in water or of impact forces, and for causing said inflating means to inflate said bag or bags upon making such detection.

26. The combination of claim 25 wherein the or each said bag is accommodated within a respective recess on the exterior of the container body.

27. The combination of claim 25 or claim 26 wherein the or each said bag is accommodated within a respective compartment defined between the container body and a panel or shell detachably secured to the container body and arranged to be detached from the container body by inflation of the bag within said compartment, or by said inflating means concommitantly with inflation of said bag.

28. An aircraft in combination with a flotation system according to claim 21 , and having, having, at a location or at each of a plurality of locations at the exterior of the aircraft, a respective said bag in a deflated, folded or collapsed, condition, secured to the aircraft, the aircraft carrying such inflating means for inflating the or each said bag with a gas, the location or locations of said bag or bags .being such as to enable the aircraft, when said bags are inflated, to float in a stable and appropriate orientation on water.

29. The combination of claim 28 wherein the aircraft carries detection ._*§; means for automatic detection of immersion in water or of impact forces, a'$d . for causing said inflating means to inflate said bag or bags upon making such detection.

30. The combination of claim 28 or claim 29 wherein the or each said bag is accommodated within a respective compartment defined between the body of the aircraft and a panel or shell detachably secured to the body of the <?•:- aircraft and arranged to be detached from the body of the aircraft by inflation of the bag within said-recess, or by said inflating means concommitantly wj|h inflation of said bag.

31. The combination of claim 30 wherein the or each said bag is accommodated within a respective recess on the exterior of the aircraft and , said panel or shell is configured so as to form a smooth streamlined continuation of the outer surface of the aircraft in the normal condition in which the or each said bag is in its deflated, folded or collapsed condition behind the respective panel or shell.

32. A water craft or vessel, such as a yacht, in combination with a flotation system according to claim 21 , and having, having, at a location or at each of a plurality of locations, at the exterior of the hull of the vessel, a respective said bag in a deflated, folded or collapsed condition, secured to the hull of the vessel, the vessel carrying such inflating means for inflating the or each said bag with a gas, the location of said bag or bags being such as to enable the vessel, when said bags are inflated, to float in a stable and appropriate orientation on water, even when the watertightness of the hull is compromised.

33. The combination of claim 32 wherein the vessel carries detection means, at a level above the normal waterline, for automatic detection of ^ immersion in water of said detection means, and/or carries detection means for automatic detection of impact forces, said detection means in either case being arranged to cause said inflating means to inflate said bag or bags upon making such detection.

34. The combination of claim 32 or claim 33 wherein the or each said bag is accommodated within a respective compartment defined between the hull of the vessel and a panel or shell detachably secured to the hull of the vessel and arranged to be detached from the hull of the vessel by inflation of the bag within said recess, or by said inflating means concommitantly with inflation of said bag.

35. The combination of claim 34 wherein the or each said bag is accommodated within a respective recess on the exterior of the hull of the vessel and said panel or shell is configured so as to form a smooth streamlined continuation of the outer surface of the hull of the vessel in the normal condition in which the or each said bag is in its deflated, folded or collapsed condition behind the respective panel or shell.

36. The flotation system of any of claims 21 to 24, or the combination of any of claims 25 to 35, wherein the inflatable bag or bags have attention- attracting means attached to them or associated with them.

37. The flotation system or combination of claim 36 in which the or at least one said inflatable bag is brightly coloured or carries a flashing light or beacon.

38. The flotation system or combination of claim 36 or claim 37 wherein, when the flotation system is activated, the system dumps a dye into the sea, to attract the attention of passing aircraft, and/or activates a radio beacon for automatic transmission of an emergency signal, and/or deploys a radar ^, reflector.

39. The flotation system or combination of any of claims 36 to 38 wherein, when the flotation system is activated, it sends aloft a lighter-than-air balloon connected by a line with the flotation bag or with the structure fitted with the emergency flotation system.

40. The flotation system or combination of claim 39 wherein said line incorporates or carries an aerial for the radio beacon and/or carries a radar reflector, or carries a flashing light.

41. A liner for sealing off a transportable container, the liner comprising a bag of flexible sheet material which is substantially impervious to water and gases, the bag having an opening which can be closed sealingly and additionally having an inlet duct and an outlet duct through which air or other gas may be respectively introduced into and withdrawn from the interior of the bag once said opening has been closed sealingly, and which inlet and outlet duct are capable of being sealed, after said one opening has been closed sealingly, to leave the interior of the bag hermetically sealed.

42. A liner according to Claim 41 where the liner is provided with fastenings at at least the four corners of the top wall of the bag, for co¬ operation with corresponding fasteners provided in the container.

43. A liner according to Claim 41 provided with an inner framework to support the liner in a deployed and extended position.

44. A liner for sealing off a transportable container, the liner comprising a bag of flexible sheet material which is substantially impervious to water and gases, the bag having an opening which can be closed sealingly and additionally having fastening elements provided at least the four corners of a top wall of the bag for co-operation with corresponding fasteners provided on the container, or having an inner framework supporting the bag in a deployed and extended position.

45. A liner according to Claim 44 wherein the liner additionally has an inlet duct and an outlet duct through which air or other gas may be respectively introduced into and withdrawn from the interior of the bag once the said opening has been closed sealingly.

46. A liner according to any one of Claims 41 to 43 or Claim 45 wherein the inlet duct and the outlet duct are formed at least partially from a heat sealable material to enable each duct to be heat sealed.

47. A liner according to any one of Claims 41 to 43 or Claim 45 wherein the inlet duct and the outlet duct are provided with a closeable sealing mechanism to seal the inlet duct and the outlet duct.

48. A liner according to any of the Claims 41 to 47 wherein the opening is associated with a closure flap, the opening and the closure flap being provided with co-operating sealing arrangements in the form of a sliding clasp or press seal.

49. A liner according to any one of Claims 41 to 47 wherein the opening is provided with a closure flap, at least part of the periphery of the opening or the periphery of the closure flap being formed from a heat sealable material to enable the flap to be sealed to the opening.

50. A method of protecting contents within a transportable container, comprising providing within such container a liner in the form of a bag of flexible sheet material which is substantially impervious to water and gases, with an opening of the bag aligned with an opening of the container, stowing the contents within the bag, within the container, closing said opening in a. sealing tight manner and thereby sealing off said contents hermetically from the environment and thereafter closing the container.

51. A method according to Claim 50 comprising the steps of introducing a desiccant to the interior of the container.

52. A method according to Claim 50 or 51 comprising the steps of purging the bag and sealing the bag.

53. A method according to Claim 52 wherein the purging step is effected with a substantially dry or dehumidified gas or air.

54. A method according to Claim 52 or 53 wherein the purging step is effected with an inert gas.

55. A method according to Claim 54 wherein the purging gas is carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

56. A method according to any one of Claims 48 to 55 wherein the bag is provided with an inlet duct and an outlet duct opening into the liner interior at spaced apart locations, the method comprising the step of introducing gas or air through the inlet duct and exhausting gas or air through the outlet duct and, at the completion of the purging process, sealing the inlet duct and the outlet duct.

57. A method according to Claim 56 wherein the inlet duct and the outlet duct are formed at least partially of heat sealable material and said sealing step is effected by heat sealing the inlet duct and heat sealing the outlet duct.

58. A method according to Claim 57 wherein the inlet duct and the outlet duct are provided with sealing mechanisms, and the sealing step comprises the step of actuating the sealing mechanisms to seal the inlet duct and the outlet duct.

59. A method according to any one of Claims 47 to 57 wherein the said opening is closed by moving a flap that forms an integral part of the bag to a position extending over the opening and sealing the periphery of the flap to the bag.

60. A method according to Claim 59 wherein the sealing of the flap is effected using a heat sealing technique.

61. A method according to Claim 59 wherein the flap is provided with a peripheral fastener in the form of a sliding clasp or press seal fastener, and the sealing of the flap is effected with the said peripheral fastener.

62. A method according to any one Claims 50 to 61 comprising the step of interconnecting fasteners provided at the corners of an upper edge of the bag with co-operating fasteners provided within the transportable container.

63. A method according to any one of Claims 50 to 61 comprising the step of providing a framework within the bag to retain the bag in a deployed condition.

64 A combination of a transportable container with a liner, the liner being a liner according to any one of Claims 41 to 49, the container having an access opening provided with a door or closure which in one position leaves said access opening open to allow access to the interior of the container and which in another position extends across said access opening to close off the interior of the container.

65. A combination according to Claim 64 wherein the shipping container and the liner have co-operable, releasable fastenings, the fastenings being provided at the corners of the upper edge of the liner.

66. A combination according to Claim 64 wherein the liner contains a framework to retain the liner in a deployed condition.

67. A combination according to any one of Claims 64 to 66 wherein the liner contains a desiccant.

68. A combination according to any one of Claims 64 to 66 wherein the liner contains dehumidified gas or air.

69. A combination according to any one of Claims 64 to 66 wherein the liner contains inert gas.

70. A combination according to any one of Claims 64 to 69 wherein the container is a sea-going container, the container being provided with at least one flotation device in the form of an inflatable element.

71. A combination according to Claim 70 wherein the flotation device is provided with an inflating arrangement to inflate the inflatable element, the inflating arrangement being responsive to the container being immersed in water.

72. A combination according to any one of Claims 64 to 69 wherein the container is a container for transportation by an aircraft.

73. A combination according to any one of Claims 64 to 69 wherein the container forms part of an articulated lorry.