Abstract: The disclosure relates to a supply vessel for transporting a plurality of payload carrying containers having powered self-burying mechanism to enable the containers to bury themselves in the seabed when released from the vessel. Each container is connected to the vessel by an umbilical including a power supply from the vessel to the container for powering the self-burying mechanism.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vessel having means at the bow of the vessel to direct a water flow ahead of the vessel downwardly towards the sea bed in front of and to either side of the path of the vessel to displace material from the sea bed including any weapon system or obstacles on or buried in the sea bed away from the path of the vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vessel having means at the bow of the vessel to direct a water flow ahead of the vessel downwardly towards the sea bed in front of and to either side of the path of the vessel to displace material from the sea bed including any weapon system or obstacles on or buried in the sea bed away from the path of the vessel.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a supply vessel for transporting a plurality of payload carrying containers having powered self-burying mechanism to enable the containers to bury themselves in the seabed when released from the vessel. Each container is connected to the vessel by an umbilical including a power supply from the vessel to the container for powering the self-burying mechanism.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an enclosure for installation in the seabed comprising an elongate container for holding a payload. The container has a plurality of passages extending lengthwise of the container and an impeller at the lower end of the container for drawing water through at least one or said passages to form a slurry with the material of the seabed and for discharging the slurry at the upper end of the container into the surrounding water. The enclosure has inner and outer concentric passageways extending lengthwise thereof and said impeller has a blade or blades extending across the inner and outer passageways. The blade of the impeller has a first portion pitched to draw water down one of the passageways to the lower end of the container and a second portion pitched to discharge slurry up the other of the passageways to the top of the container.

Abstract: In a container of the kind having an impermeable cover which is sealed to a base, air then being evacuated from the region between the cover and the base, an improved seal is provided for use with a rigid cover. The periphery of the cover fits into an endless groove or channel on the base, a temporary seal is then effected by inflating an endless tube or tubes in the groove and air is then evacuated from within the container so that the cover is drawn down onto an elastomeric strip in the base of the groove to effect a further seal which may hold even if pressure falls in the inflated tube or tubes.

Abstract: A container or carrier for goods of the kind in which the goods are enclosed in a flexible or partly flexible sealed envelope or skin, the container being partially evacuated so that the flexible skin is forced down by atmospheric pressure to embrace and hold goods on a rigid support has suction means which operate continuously and an adjustable bleed orifice open to the atmosphere to admit air into said container so limiting the vacuum to an adjustable predetermined value.

Abstract: In a container of the kind having an impermeable base and a flexible cover which is sealed into a groove or slot in the base to form an airtight package, the cover has, around its periphery, an endless male member for engaging in the slot or groove, e.g. an endless inflatable tube, which is resiliently gripped in the slot or groove.

Abstract: A container for goods in a vehicle comprises a lower rigid part of impermeable material and a flexible impermeable cover, the cover being sealable within a channel on the lower part by means of an inflatable tube so as to form an airtight structure which can be partially evacuated so that the cover is held tightly down onto goods in the container. The channel is formed in the upper edge of a rigid wall which extends around at least the front end of the container to provide restraint against forward movement of goods in the container.

Abstract: A load-carrying vehicle has either an air-impermeable load platform or an air-impermeable sheet over the platform and has a further air-impermeable sheet put over the goods on the platform. Continuous extraction of air from within the sheet, despite possible leakage of air into the sheet around its periphery, causes a significant reduction in pressure so that the sheet holds the goods onto the platform.

Abstract: A flexible seal is formed between the peripheral portions of two flexible sheets by providing an inflatable tube, the peripheral portions being rolled up with the tube, secured in the rolled position and the tube inflated to form a tight seal. Preferably each sheet is provided with a flap integral with or secured to the sheet, these flaps facilitating tight securing of the roll.

Abstract: A clamped assembly comprising one or more clamps securing tubes or tubular members together has the clamp or each clamp formed of two parts securable together, the clamping parts having a regular array of surface singularities, e.g. protruberances, which engage with a complementary array of singularities, e.g. dimples, on the tube or tubes so that, in the assembly each tube is positively located and firmly held without relaying on a frictional grip. The arrangement is particularly applicable to the jointing of tubes to form a pipe line, two tubes being joined end-to-end with a seal between or around the joint.