WO2016120643A1

WO2016120643A1 - Life vest stowage device

Info

Publication number: WO2016120643A1
Application number: PCT/GB2016/050221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Noel WHITE
Original assignee: Servecorp Limited
Priority date: 2015-01-30
Filing date: 2016-02-01
Publication date: 2016-08-04
Also published as: GB201501624D0; GB2535322A; GB201601771D0

Abstract

A life vest stowage device (101) comprises a receptacle (102) for stowing a life vest (103). The receptacle (102) has an opening (104) through which the life vest (103) is inserted into and removed from the receptacle (102). The receptacle (102) is defined by a side wall (105) comprising a first layer (106) of non-woven fabric and a second layer (107) of a different fabric, the second layer (107) being located outwardly of the first layer (106) with respect to the inside of the receptacle (102). The receptacle (102) has a closure by which the opening (104) can be closed. A security seal (120) may be applied to the closure.

Description

LIFE VEST STOWAGE DEVICE

Field of the Disclosure This disclosure relates to a life vest stowage device. It is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to the stowage of life vests on commercial passenger aircraft.

Background to the Disclosure Aviation regulations require commercial passenger aircraft to carry a life vest (or

"life jacket") for each passenger. Typically, the life jackets are stored in a life vest stowage device.

Security demands for life vest stowage devices are becoming increasingly stringent. International security protocols demand that every aircraft arriving and departing from international airports must have every life vest stowage checked for unauthorised objects. This can be achieved by opening the life vest stowage, removing the life vest, and checking the inside of the stowage for unauthorised objects. This takes considerable time, for example up to seven man hours, in a large aircraft.

Previously, life vest stowage devices have been proposed in which the opening through which the life vest can be inserted into and removed from the life vest stowage device have been sealed with a tamper evident device. The seal enables visual verification that the life vest stowage device is secure. This visual security check of the life vest stowage devices typically takes around an hour for a large aircraft, resulting in a considerable saving in both time and money. In some cases, an RFID tamper evident seal is used, which reduces life vest stowage search time even further, typically to around three minutes.

In some cases, a knife or sharp object may be used in an attempt to damage the life vest stowage device and to deposit unauthorised items within the life vest stowage device. Such an attack may be carried out on the opening through which the life vest can be inserted into and removed from the life vest stowage device, but may be carried out at any part of the life vest stowage device. The use of tamper evident seals does not prevent the use of a knife, blade or other sharp object to gain access to the life vest stowage device other than through the opening nor does the use of tamper evident seals assist in detecting that such an attack has occurred, and in determining that the life vest stowage is therefore compromised. There is therefore a need to provide a life vest stowage device that will reduce or eliminate unauthorised access to the life vest stowage resulting from an attack with a knife or other blade or sharp object. In addition, there is a need to provide a life vest stowage device that enables a determination that the security of the life vest stowage is

compromised by visual inspection.

Some currently available life vest stowage devices have a hard cover, typically made of plastic, which is able to resist an attack with a knife or other blade or sharp object. However, these life vest stowage boxes are relatively heavy, which is a

disadvantage on board an aircraft.

The invention seeks to provide a novel life vest stowage device that reduces or eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

Summary of the Disclosure According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a life vest stowage device, comprising a receptacle defined by a side wall so as to have an interior volume arranged to receive a life vest, the side wall comprising a first layer of a first fabric covered towards the outside of the receptacle by a second layer of a second fabric, wherein the first fabric is non-woven.

The side wall is knife-resistant and reduces or eliminates unapproved access to the life vest stowage resulting from an attack with a knife, other blade or sharp object.

In addition the layered construction may allow an attack on the life vest stowage device to be detected by a visual inspection of the life vest stowage device.

The life vest stowage device is relatively light weight compared with life vest stowage devices having a hard covers, resulting in fuel saving benefits for aircraft operators.

The first fabric may be felt. Alternatively, the first fabric may comprise aramid fibres or Kevlar™.

The side wall may comprise a third layer of a third fabric, the third layer being located between the first layer and the second layer. The third fabric may be the same as the first fabric.

The third fabric may be a wire mesh or a wire net. Optionally, the third fabric may be stitched to the first fabric.

The second fabric may be waterproof. The side wall may comprise a fourth layer of a fourth fabric located towards the inside of the receptacle in relation to the first layer. Optionally, the fourth fabric is the same as the second fabric.

Some or all of the layers may be secured to one other. The layer may be stitched to one another, for example with stainless steel thread.

In one example, the receptacle further comprises a transparent sheet secured within an opening in the side wall to provide a window. The transparent sheet may be a polycarbonate film.

The life vest stowage device may further comprise:

an opening in the receptacle through which the life vest is removable from the receptacle;

a tongue on a first side of the opening, which tongue is foldable between an unfolded configuration in which the opening is unobstructed and a folded configuration in which the tongue obstructs the opening;

a pocket on a second side of the opening, into which pocket the tongue is insertable in the folded configuration,

wherein, with the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, the first side of the opening, the second side of the opening, the tongue and the pocket are alignable so as to overlap one another and to be together substantially flat.

With the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, the tongue may be able to completely obstruct the opening.

The tongue may be foldable around an edge of the second side of the opening in the receptacle, which edge coincides with the perimeter of an opening in the pocket, through which opening the tongue is insertable in the pocket.

The life vest stowage device may have a hook and loop fastener by which the tongue is releaseably securable in the pocket.

A tab may be provided that, with the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, is extendable out of the pocket and cooperable with the tongue such that pulling the tab out of the pocket causes the tongue to be pulled out of the pocket and into the unfolded configuration.

With the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, the tab may be extendable out of the pocket from inside the receptacle between the tongue and the pocket.

The tab may extend from inside of the receptacle from a side wall of the receptacle, which side wall is on the second side of the opening. The tab may extend across the inside of the receptacle to the first side of the opening.

The tab may be slideably attached to the receptacle so as to be slideable relative to the receptacle in the direction it extends from inside the receptacle.

The tab may be attached to the tongue.

The pocket may comprise a sheet of a first material mounted on the second side of the opening in the receptacle. The opening in the receptacle may also be reinforced with a sheet of the first material mounted on the first side of the opening in the receptacle. The sheets of the first material may be mounted on the outside of the receptacle. Optionally, the first material is a polycarbonate film.

A security seal may be provided comprising an adhesive label mountable, with the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, in a position in which it extends from the outside of the pocket to the outside of the first side of the opening.

The security seal may have a hole through which the tab is extendable when the security seal is mounted in position.

The security seal may be perforated along a line that is alignable with the opening of the pocket when the security seal is mounted in position.

The disclosure extends to the life vest stowage device described above and a life vest stowed inside the receptacle.

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

Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a life vest stowage device according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a top view of the life vest stowage device according to the first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the life vest stowage device according to the first embodiment, with the life vest stowed in the device, wherein the section is along the line A-A in Figure 2 and wherein the Figure includes a magnified view of a closure of the device and a magnified view of the side wall;;

Figure 4 is a top view a security seal for the life vest stowage device;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the life vest stowage device according to the first embodiment, with the life vest stowed in the device and dislodged through use, wherein the section is along the line A-A in Figure 2 and wherein the Figure includes a magnified view of the closure and a magnified view of the side wall;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the life vest stowage device according to the first embodiment, with the closure having been opened, wherein the section is along the line A-A in Figure 2 and wherein the Figure includes a magnified view of the closure and a magnified view of the side wall;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the life vest stowage device according to the first embodiment, with the life vest partially removed from the device and wherein the section is along the line A-A in Figure 2 and a magnified view of the side wall;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a life vest stowage device according to a second embodiment with a closure in a closed position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the life vest stowage device according to the second embodiment with the closure in an open position;

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the life vest stowage device according to the second embodiment, with the life vest stowed in the device, wherein the section is along the line A-A in Figure 9

Figure 1 1 is a sectional view of a portion of the side wall of the life vest stowage device according to another embodiment;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of a portion of the side wall of the life vest stowage device according to another embodiment;

Figure 13 is a top view of a portion of the side wall of the life vest stowage device according to the another embodiment;

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a life vest stowage device 101 according to a first illustrated embodiment comprises a receptacle 102 for stowing a life vest 103. The life vest stowage device 101 is suitable for use on a commercial passenger aircraft. As such, it is arranged to be securable under an aircraft seat. Straps or other mountings (not shown) are provided on the life vest stowage device 101 for this purpose, but are omitted from the accompanying drawings for clarity.

The receptacle 102 has an opening 104 through which the life vest 103 is inserted into and removed from the receptacle 102. For the purposes of this description, the opening 104 can be considered to be a path along which the life vest 103 can be inserted into and removed from the receptacle 102 and, more specifically, the part of that path at which the life vest 103 passes between inside and outside of the receptacle 102. Conventionally, three different sizes of life vests 103 are specified for use on commercial passenger aircraft. When folded for stowing, a small life vest 103 is approximately 24cm long, 13cm wide and 6cm deep; a medium life vest 103 is

approximately 22cm long, 16cm wide and 6cm deep and a large life vest 103 is approximately 22cm long, 20cm wide and 7cm deep. Typically, the receptacle 102 of the life vest stowage device 101 is large enough to be able to contain a large life vest 103 snugly.

In this embodiment, the receptacle 102 is a bag. The bag comprises a side wall 105. In this embodiment, the side wall 105 is a rectangular sheet folded in half and joined along its edges, except at an edge opposite to the fold, to provide the bag. The side wall 105 need not be exactly rectangular, and in other embodiments the side wall 105 has a different shape, such as a six sided shape in the form of a trapezoid reflected along one of its parallel sides. It is also possible for the side wall 105 to be two separate pieces joined at their perimeter except at a location that forms the opening 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the edges are joined by stitching. In other embodiments, the edges can be joined by glue or heat treatment.

The side wall 105 comprises a first layer 106 of a first fabric covered towards the outside of the receptacle 102 by a second layer 107 of a second fabric. The first and second layers 106, 107 and are shown in Figure 3 in a magnified view of the side wall 105, but the side wall 105 is shown elsewhere in the drawings a single layer for clarity.

The first fabric is a non-woven fabric. This fabric knife-resistant, in that it provides protection against knife attack for the life vest 103 within the interior volume of the receptacle 102.

The non-woven fabric is typically made from fibres that are assembled without weaving or knitting the individual fibres together to form the material. The non-woven fabric may have been formed by entangling the fibres together mechanically, for example using needle punching or needle felting technologies, in which needles are used to mechanically entangle fibres together to form a non-woven fabric. Other technologies for forming the non-woven fabric include thermal bonding, hydro entanglement, ultrasonic bonding or chemical bonding, as will be understood by a skilled person.

The first fabric is engineered to resist a knife-attack. The fibres are oriented randomly in the first fabric leading to an increased resistance to penetration by a knife than a fabric with aligned fibres. In particular, weaknesses or vulnerabilities arising from the warp and weft of a woven fabric are not present in the first fabric. Typically, a knife may cause the first fabric to fluff or fray, but since the knife is not able to penetrate the first fabric, because of its non-woven structure, the interior volume of the receptacle 102 is kept secure.

The first fabric typically has a high sheer strength and high sheer modulus, to provide resilience and abrasion resistance. The energy imparted to the first fabric during an attack is dispersed, absorbed and contained by the first fabric.

The first fabric may be made using needling technologies. In one embodiment, the first fabric is a felt material formed by felting fibres together. Preferably, the first fabric is relatively thin, while retaining the knife-resistant properties, so as to reduce the overall bulk of the life vest stowage device 101 . For example, the thickness of the first fabric may be of the order 1 -3mm.

In some embodiments, the first fabric includes aramid fibres. Aramid fibres are a known class of strong synthetic fibres, which are used in body armour. In some embodiments, the first fabric may be Kevlar™.

The second fabric of the second layer 107 is different to the first fabric. In this embodiment, it is a woven fabric. The second fabric is typically fire resistant or fire retardant, and may be waterproof. In this embodiment the second fabric is a polyamide substrate with polyurethane coating and a fluorocarbon finish.

In order to accommodate a large life vest 103 snugly, the bag has a length L of approximately 29cm, including a closure described below, and a width W of approximately 24cm. The bag is flat when empty, and accommodates the life vest 103 by deforming to a required height, in a direction normal to the plane defined by its length L and width W. In other embodiments, the bag is of a different construction or has different dimensions. It is also possible for the receptacle 102 to be a container that is substantially non-deformable instead of a bag.

The opening 104 extends across the entire width of the receptacle 102. A closure is provided, by which the opening 104 can be opened and closed. The closure comprises a tongue 108 on a first side of the opening 104. In this embodiment, the tongue 108 is a part of the first fabric of the bag that extends from the opening 104. In other

embodiments, for example where the receptacle 102 is a non-deformable container, the tongue 108 is a separate piece of material.

The tongue 108 is arranged such that it can be folded across the opening 104 to obstruct the opening 104. The tongue 108 can be arranged to obstruct the opening 104 just partially. However, in this embodiment, the tongue 108 is arranged to be able to obstruct the opening 104 completely. In order to achieve this, the tongue 108 extends across the entire width of the receptacle 102, like the opening 104. The complete obstruction of the opening 104 has the advantage of allowing the tongue 108 to help prevent access to the inside of the receptacle 102 when it has been folded to obstruct the opening 104.

On a second side of the opening 104, opposite to the first side of the opening 104, there is provided a pocket 109. The pocket 109 is arranged so that the tongue 108 can be inserted into the pocket 109 when the tongue 108 is folded to obstruct the opening 104. That is, the pocket 109 has internal dimensions similar to the external dimensions of the tongue 108, and the tongue 108 is foldable into the pocket 109.

In this embodiment, the pocket 109 comprises a first strip 1 10 of a first material fixed to the outside of the receptacle 102. The first strip 1 10 extends across the whole width of the receptacle 102. The periphery of the first strip 1 10 is fixed to the receptacle 102, except at one side of the first strip 1 10. The unfixed side provides an opening 1 1 1 in the pocket 109, between the first strip 1 10 and the receptacle 102. The opening 1 1 1 in the pocket 109 is adjacent the opening 104 in the receptacle 102. More specifically, the perimeter of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 and the perimeter of the opening 1 1 1 in the pocket 109 coincide at an edge 1 12 of the receptacle 102 on the second side of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102. The tongue 108 can be folded around this edge 1 12 to obstruct the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 and to be inserted in the pocket 109.

In this embodiment, the unfixed side of the periphery of the first strip 1 10 and the edge 1 12 of the receptacle 102 around which the tongue 108 can be folded are in line with one another. This means that it is easy for a user to manipulate the tongue 108 into the opening 1 1 1 in the pocket 109. However, this feature is not essential and, in other embodiments, the unfixed side of the periphery of the first strip 1 10 can extend further than the edge 1 12 of the receptacle 102 in a direction outward from the inside of the receptacle 102. This can allow the tongue 108 to be recessed under the first strip 1 10 when it is folded and inserted into the pocket 109.

A fastener is provided between the tongue 108 and the pocket 109. In this embodiment, the fastener is a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro^®. A first part 1 13 of the fastener is fixed to the inside of the pocket 109. In this embodiment, the first part 1 13 of the fastener is fixed to the outside of the receptacle 102, under the location where the first strip 1 10 is fixed to the receptacle 102 to provide the pocket 109. A second part 1 13a of the fastener is fixed to the tongue 108 so as to overlap the first part 1 13 of the fastener when the tongue 108 is inserted in the pocket 109.

A tab 1 14 is provided to facilitate pulling the tongue 108 out of the pocket 109 and unfolding the tongue 108 so that the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 is unobstructed by the tongue 108. The tab 1 14 is extendable from inside the receptacle 102 from an attachment point 1 15 on the side wall 105 of the receptacle 102, on the same side of the receptacle 102 as the second side of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102. A first end 1 16 of the tab 1 14 is fixed to the receptacle 102 at the attachment point 1 15.

From the attachment point 1 15, the tab 1 14 extends to the tongue 108, where it is slidably attached to the tongue 108 so as to be slideable relative to the tongue 108 in the direction that the tab 1 14 extends from inside the receptacle 102. More specifically, the tab 1 14 passes between the tongue 108 and the second part 1 13a of the fastener, and the second part 1 13a of the fastener is fixed to the tongue 108 so as to provide a guide (not shown) for the tab 1 14. It is the guide that slideably attaches the tab 1 14 to the tongue 108.

The tab 1 14 is slidably fixed to the tongue 108 intermediate the width of the receptacle 102. In this embodiment, the tab 1 14 is slidably fixed to the tongue 108 in the middle of the width of the receptacle 102, which is also the middle of the length of the tongue 108 in a direction across the first side of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102. This means that, with the tongue 108 folded to obstruct the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 and inserted in the pocket 109, the tab 1 14 extends around an edge of the tongue 108 to a second surface of the tongue 108, opposite to the first surface. From the second surface, the tab 1 14 extends out of the pocket 109. At a second end 1 17 of the tab 1 14, opposite to the first end 1 16, the tab 1 14 is folded over and fixed to itself to provide a loop 1 18. This loop 1 15 can be pulled by a user.

It is not essential that the tab 1 14 is slideably attached to tongue 108. This feature may be omitted altogether, with it being down to the user to position the tab 1 14 appropriately when inserting the life vest 103 in the receptacle 102. In another embodiment, the tab 1 14 is slideably attached to the receptacle 102 on an inside surface of the receptacle 102 on the first side of the opening 104, elsewhere than to the tongue 108.

On the first side of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102, a second strip 1 19 of the first material is provided on the outside of the receptacle 102. However, it is not essential that the material of the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 is the same, and in other embodiments that the second strip 1 19 may be of a second material. The first (and second) material is stiffer than the side wall 105 of the bag. In this embodiment, the first material is a polycarbonate film, such as Lexan^®. An edge of the second strip 1 19 of the first material is aligned with an edge of the first strip 1 10 of the first material at the unfixed side of the first strip 1 10, and the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material overlap one another. Indeed, in this embodiment, the first and the second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material have identical dimensions and are arranged exactly on top of one another on the first and second sides of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102. A security seal 120 is provided for affixing to the outside of the closure. The security seal 120 has dimensions similar to the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material. In particular the security seal 120 has a length L' that is approximately equal to the width of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102.

Referring in particular to Figure 4, the security seal 120 has a line of weakness along line B-B in the drawing. In this embodiment, the line of weakness is a line of perforations 121 in the security seal 120. In other embodiments, the line of weakness is a fold or thinner part of the security seal 120.

The security seal 120 has a hole 122 through which the tab 1 14 can pass. In this embodiment, the hole 122 is at the middle of the line of weakness. Moreover, the line of weakness bisects the security seal 120, such that the hole 122 is at the centre of the security seal 120.

One surface of the security seal 120 is covered with glue (not shown). The glue is usually covered by a protective cover (not shown), which is removable to expose the glue when it is desired to affix the security seal 120 to the receptacle 102. The security seal 120 is provided with a membrane (not shown) that disintegrates to reveal a visual indicator of the security seal 120 being removed from the receptacle 102 after it has been affixed to it. Such membranes are known in the field of the disclosure.

Referring to Figures 5 to 7, in use, the life vest 103 is inserted into the receptacle 102 through the opening 104 in the receptacle 102. As the life vest 103 is inserted into the receptacle 102, it meets the tab 1 14 where it extends from the attachment point 120 across the receptacle 102 to the tongue 108. Pushing the life vest 103 into the receptacle urges the tab 1 14 further into the receptacle 102, with the tab 1 14 extending around an end 123 of the life vest 103 deepest within the receptacle 102.

With the life vest 103 inside the receptacle 102, the tongue 108 is folded across the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 to obstruct the opening 104. More specifically, the tongue 108 is folded around the edge 1 12 of the receptacle 102 on the second side of the opening 2 and inserted into the pocket 109. As the tongue 108 is inserted into the pocket 109, the first and second parts 1 13, 1 13a of the fastener come into contact with one another and secure the tongue 108 inside the pocket 109. The tab 1 14 folds around the tongue 108 and extends out of the receptacle 102. More specifically, the tongue 108 extends from the first surface of the tongue 108, to the second surface of the tongue 108 and out of the pocket 109.

With the tongue 108 folded to obstruct the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 and inserted in the pocket 109, the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material on each side of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 are aligned with one another. Moreover, the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material can be squeezed together so that the closure of the life vest stowage device 101 is substantially flat, as shown in Figure 3. This ensures that the tongue 108 is well secured in the pocket 109 by the fastener. Also, the security seal 120 can easily be applied to the closure by first sliding tab 1 14 through the hole 122 in the security seal 120 until the security seal 120 abuts the receptacle 102, secondly affixing a first portion of the security seal 120 on one side of the line of weakness to one of the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material, and thirdly affixing a second portion of the security seal 120 on the other side of the line of weakness to the other of the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material. As the closure is substantially flat, affixing the security seal 120 firmly to the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material is easy and reliable.

The life vest stowage device 101 can then be positioned appropriately under an aircraft seat. In the event of the life vest 103 becoming dislodged within the receptacle 102, for example if the aircraft suffers an impact, the life vest 103 is held within the receptacle 102 by the closure. More specifically, the life vest 103 will have a tendency to press against the first and second sides of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 from within the receptacle 102, as shown in Figure 5. This has the effect of gently urging the tongue 108 to move out of the pocket 109. However, this force is easily overcome by the fastener. Moreover, as the life vest 103 presses against the second side of the opening 104 in the receptacle 102, this presses the first and second parts 1 13, 1 13a of the fastener together, thereby increasingly securing the tongue 108 in the pocket 109. In this way, the life vest stowage device 101 can easily meet the requirement of airline regulations that the life vest 103 should remain within the life vest stowage device 101 in the event of the aircraft suffering an impact of up to 16G.

Should a passenger need to retrieve the life vest 103 from the life vest stowage device 101 , the passenger pulls the tab 1 14 away from the receptacle 102. This urges the tongue 108 out of the pocket 109 and unfolds the tongue 108 to leave the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 unobstructed, as shown in Figure 6. The passenger can then reach into the receptacle 102 through the opening 104 and pull the life vest 103 out of the life vest stowage device 101 , as shown in Figure 7. As the tab 1 14 extends around an edge of the tongue 108 deepest in the pocket 109, pulling the tab 1 14 imparts a force on the tongue 108 that urges the first and second parts 1 13, 1 13a of the hook and loop fastener apart and the tongue 108 out of the pocket 109 to expose the opening 104. Once the tongue 108 has been removed from the pocket 109 and the tongue 108 is unfolded such that the opening 104 in the receptacle 102 is unobstructed, further pulling of the tab 1 14 urges the life vest 103 out of the receptacle 102. This has the advantage of making it easier for the passenger to retrieve the life vest 103 from within the life vest stowage device 101 .

Referring to Figures 8 to 10, a life vest stowage device 101 according to a second illustrated embodiment is similar to the life vest stowage device 101 of the first illustrated embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used to reference similar

components. However, the tab 1 14 of the life vest stowage device 101 of the second illustrated embodiment is arranged differently, and the receptacle 102 has a window 125.

In the second illustrated embodiment, the tab 1 14 is fixed to the tongue 108.

Moreover, the pocket 109 is omitted. In more detail, the first and second strips 1 10, 1 19 of the first material at the opening 104 are omitted, with the result that there is no pocket 109. Instead, when the tongue 108 is folded across the opening 104, the tongue 108 remains is exposed on the outside of the receptacle 102. The seal 120 (not shown in the Figures 8 to 10) is applied directly to the outside of the tongue 108 and the receptacle 102.

The first end 1 16 of the tab 1 14 is fixed to the tongue 108 intermediate the width of the receptacle 102. In this embodiment, the first end 1 16 of the tab 1 14 is fixed to the tongue 108 in the middle of the width of the receptacle 102. The first end 1 16 of the tab 1 14 is fixed to a first surface of the tongue 108 that faces the inside of the receptacle 102. This means that, with the tongue 108 folded to obstruct the opening 104 in the receptacle 102, the tab 1 14 extends around an edge of the tongue 108.

In the second illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 102 is formed by first and second side walls 127, 128 joined together at their edges so as to define the interior volume able to receive the life vest 103. The first side wall 127 includes the window 125, and the second side wall 128 is extended to form the tongue 108.

The window 125 is provided in one side of the receptacle 102. In this

embodiment, a sheet 126 of transparent material is secured within an opening in the first side wall 1 17 of the receptacle 102 to provide the window 125. The sheet 126 of transparent material may be a polycarbonate film, such as Lexan^®, or any other suitable material.

In this embodiment, the first side wall 127 and the second side wall 128 are stitched together at a seam 129 at the opposite end of the receptacle 102 from the opening 104, and at seams 130 and 131 extending along the sides of the receptacle 102. In other embodiments, instead of stitching the side walls 127, 128 together, the first and second side walls 127, 128 can be joined by heat treatment or in another appropriate manner, as understood by a skilled person. The first and second side walls 127, 128 may be stitched together with a thread having a high cut resistance, such as Coatspro Protos thread, glass fibre thread, Kevlar™ thread or stainless steel thread.

As shown most clearly in Figure 10, the first and second side walls 127, 128 of the receptacle 102 of the second illustrated embodiment each comprise the first layer 106 of the first fabric and the second layer 107 of the second fabric. In other words they have identical construction to the side wall 105 of the first illustrated embodiment. The second fabric is a woven fabric, as described in relation to the first illustrated embodiment, and the first fabric is a non-woven fabric, also as described in relation to the first illustrated embodiment.

In either the first or the second illustrated embodiment, after an attack has occurred, a visual inspection of the life vest stowage device 101 will make evident that an attack has been carried out. However, in one variation to these embodiments, the first fabric is a different colour from the colour of the second fabric, further assisting the visual identification of a knife attack.

Referring to Figures 1 1 to 13, some alternative side walls 105 are described.

These may be used in place of the side wall 105 of the first illustrated embodiment or one or both of the first and second side walls 127, 128 of the second illustrated embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1 1 , in one variation, the side wall 105 comprises a third layer 135 in addition to the first and second layers 106, 107. The third layer 135 is provided between the first and second layers 106, 107. The third layer 135 may be a third fabric, different to the first and second fabrics. However, in one particular embodiment, the third layer 135 is identical to the first layer 106. In other words, the third layer 135 comprises the first fabric, which is the non-woven fabric described above.

In embodiments having the first layer 106 and the third layer 135 of the first fabric, increased knife-resistance is obtained. When a sharp blade is applied to the two layers of the non-woven fabric, the outer layer in contact with the blade grips or catches the point and edge of the blade and then makes the outer layer slide over the inner layer preventing a cutting action of the blade. It seems that the sliding nature of the two layers of non- woven fabric prevents a sharp blade from cutting through the outer layer. The non-woven fabric is also stab resistant which further improves the security of the life vest stowage device.

Referring to Figure 12, in another variation, the side wall 105 may comprises a fourth layer 136 in addition to the first, second and third layers 106, 107, 135 shown in Figure 1 1 . The fourth layer 136 is provided adjacent the interior volume of the receptacle 102. The fourth layer 136 and the second layer 107 sandwich the first and third layers 106, 135. The fourth layer 136 may be a fourth fabric, but in one particular embodiment, the fourth layer 136 is a woven fabric, such as the second fabric described above. This allows the fourth layer 136 to protect the first layer 106 from wear by the life vest 103, and reduces the possibility that the life vest 103 catches on the life vest storage device 101 during insertion of the life vest 103 into, and removal of the life vest 103 from, the interior volume of the receptacle 102.

Referring to Figure 13, in another particular embodiment, the third layer 135 is a woven steel mesh. In some embodiments, the third layer 135 is a woven steel wire cloth. These fabrics are difficult or impossible to penetrate with a knife, and provide additional cut-resistant properties to the side wall 105. The woven steel mesh or woven steel wire cloth may be woven using a square weave or a twill weave. Any or all of the layers 106, 107, 135, 136 can be sewn together. However, in the embodiment shown in Figure 13, the third layer 135 is sown to the first layer by stitches 137. The stitches 137 extend across the entire side wall 105. Reinforcement may be provided at the edges of the side wall 105 to prevent the ends of the wires from forcing their way through the other layers during use and creating a hazard.

In some other embodiments, the layers in the side wall of the receptacle 2 are not secured to each other, for example by stitching, other than at seams 129, 130, or 131 . This enables the layers of material within the wall to move relative to each other in response to a knife attack. The ability of the layers to move relative to each other may improve the knife resistance of the wall. In other embodiments, the layers may be secured together.

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 defined by a side wall so as to have an interior volume arranged to receive a life vest, the side wall comprising a first layer of a first fabric covered towards the outside of the receptacle by a second layer of a second fabric, wherein the first fabric is non-woven.

2. The life vest stowage device of claim 1 , wherein the first fabric is felt.

3. The life vest stowage device of claim 1 , wherein the first fabric comprises aramid fibres.

4. The life vest stowage device of claim 1 , wherein the first fabric comprises

Kevlar™.

5. The life vest stowage device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall comprises a third layer of a third fabric, and the third layer is located between the first layer and the second layer.

6. The life vest stowage device of claim 5, wherein the third fabric is the same as the first fabric.

7. The life vest stowage device of claim 5, wherein the third fabric is a wire mesh or a wire net.

8. The life vest stowage device of claim 7, wherein the third fabric is stitched to the first fabric.

9. The life vest stowage device of any one of the preceding claims, in which the second fabric is waterproof.

10. The life vest stowage device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall comprises a fourth layer of a fourth fabric located towards the inside of the receptacle in relation to the first layer.

1 1 . The life vest stowage device of claim 10, wherein the fourth fabric is the same as the second fabric.

12. The life vest stowage device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein all the layers are secured to one other.

13. The life vest stowage device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein all of the layers are stitched to one another.

14. The life vest stowage device of claim 12, in which the layers are stitched to one another with stainless steel thread.

15. The life vest stowage device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle further comprises a transparent sheet secured within an opening in the side wall to provide a window.

16. The life vest stowage device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the transparent sheet is a polycarbonate film.

17. The life vest stowage device of any preceding claim, further comprising

18. The life vest stowage device of claim 17, wherein, with the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, the tongue is able to completely obstruct the opening.

19. The life vest stowage device of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the tongue is foldable around an edge of the second side of the opening in the receptacle, which edge coincides with the perimeter of an opening in the pocket, through which opening the tongue is insertable in the pocket.

20. The life vest stowage device of any one of claims 17 to19, comprising a hook and loop fastener by which the tongue is releaseably securable in the pocket.

21 . The life vest stowage device of any one of claims 17 to 20, comprising a tab that, with the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, is extendable out of the pocket and cooperable with the tongue such that pulling the tab out of the pocket causes the tongue to be pulled out of the pocket and into the unfolded configuration.

22. The life vest stowage device of claim 21 , wherein, with the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, the tab is extendable out of the pocket from inside the receptacle between the tongue and the pocket.

23. The life vest stowage device of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the tab extends from inside of the receptacle from a side wall of the receptacle, which side wall is on the second side of the opening.

24. The life vest stowage device of claim 23, wherein the tab extends across the inside of the receptacle to the first side of the opening.

25. The life vest stowage device of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the tab is slideably attached to the receptacle so as to be slideable relative to the receptacle in the direction it extends from inside the receptacle.

26. The life vest stowage device of claim 21 , wherein the tab is attached to the tongue.

27. The life vest stowage device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pocket comprises a sheet of a first material mounted on the second side of the opening in the receptacle.

28. The life vest stowage device of any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein the opening in the receptacle is reinforced with a sheet of a/the first material mounted on the first side of the opening in the receptacle.

29. The life vest stowage device of claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the sheet(s) of the first material is/are mounted on the outside of the receptacle.

30. The life vest stowage device of any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the first material is a polycarbonate film.

31 . A life vest stowage device of any one of claims 17 to 30, and a security seal comprising an adhesive label mountable, with the tongue in the folded configuration and inserted in the pocket, in a position in which it extends from the outside of the pocket to the outside of the first side of the opening.

32. The life vest stowage device of claim 31 , wherein the security seal has a hole through which the tab is extendable when the security seal is mounted in position.

33. The life vest stowage device of claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the security seal is perforated along a line that is alignable with a/the opening of the pocket when the security seal is mounted in position.

33. A life vest stowage device according to any preceding claim and a life vest stowed inside the receptacle.