Abstract: A grout pack [1] restraining envelope is provided which includes a plurality of restraining rings [7, 8] shaped to extend circumferentially around a grout bag [2] in a vertically spaced arrangement up at least a part of the height of the grout bag to provide support against lateral deformation of an installed grout pack as it occurs under axial load. At least some of the restraining rings are of differing tensile strengths or are configured to yield at differing tensions. The grout pack may have a collapsible polymer or wire mesh [3] positioned on the inside of the restraining rings to which at least some of the restraining rings are fastened. Restraining rings [7] of relatively higher tensile strength are provided at vertical positions at which relatively greater lateral deformation of the grout bag is expected, and rings [8] of relatively lower tensile strength are provided at vertical positions at which relatively less lateral deformation of the grout bag is expected.

Abstract: A grout bag assembly (1) is provided comprising an inflatable grout bag (2, 26, 34, 40) having a top (4, 42), bottom (6) and generally cylindrical sidewall (8) with an inlet (10) for fluent settable grout material. An inner bag (14, 28, 38) is attached to the grout bag such that upon filling of the grout bag the inner bag forms a generally axially extending separate compartment (18) within the grout bag. The inner bag preferably has a separate inlet (20) accessible from the exterior of the grout pack after the grout bag has been installed. The inner bag is generally attached to the inside of the grout bag such that a space of optionally varying radial size is formed between the inner surface of the grout bag and the outer surface of the inner bag.

Abstract: A cover is provided for a pipe coupling (1) wherein the cover has a first part (2) in the form of an impervious collection chamber adapted to cover approximately one circumferential half of a pipe coupling. The collection chamber is defined by a pair of spaced generally parallel flexible side walls (3, 41) and a peripheral wall (4) that preferably includes a transparent zone interconnecting corresponding radially outer edges of the side walls to form the collection chamber. Free edges of the walls that form an opening communicating with the collection chamber have deep generally semi circular recesses (5) for accommodating one half of the circumference of a pipe (6) adjacent a coupling in use. A co-operant second part (9) of the cover serves as a retainer for the first part, in use.

Abstract: A refrigerated freight container is provided comprising thermally insulated sidewalls [2], roof [3] and floor [4], a thermally insulated access opening at one end of the container and a refrigeration installation [10] at the other end of the container. The refrigeration installation is built into a removable end wall unit [8] that closes off the end of the container opposite the access opening in the installed position. The access opening preferably includes a surrounding frame [7] forming an access opening unit that is also removable from the container. The sidewalls of the container are preferably hinged [15] in a central region up the height thereof so that they can collapse inwardly in concertina fashion with the roof moving towards the floor of the container and the central regions of the sidewalls folding inwardly towards each other.

Abstract: A support assembly (1) is provided for the roof or hanging wall (36, 114) of an underground mine. The assembly comprises at least one support elongate (30) and a grout bag (2, 60, 80, 90, 102, 108, 120) used in association therewith and wherein the grout bag is inflated with settable granular material or grout (42). The support elongate is substantially surrounded, in plan view, by the grout bag and set granular material or grout contained therein. Preferably at least one cross-member (28) extends generally diametrically across the top of the support assembly and is anchored to the roof or hanging wall by the support elongate. The grout bag is preferably suspended from the end regions of the cross-member. Various grout bags for inclusion in such a support assembly are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a grout pack assembly having a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements.

Abstract: A grout pack is provided comprising a grout bag and a restraining envelope encircling the grout bag. The restraining envelope includes multiple elongate tension elements made of a multitude of fibres twisted, braided or woven to form confinement tension elements for operatively supporting the grout bag. The restraining envelope may include an inner mesh layer positioned on the inside of the elongate tension elements which may assume the form of containment rings encircling the grout bag at spaced positions up the height of the grout pack. Alternatively, or in addition, at least some elongate tension elements may extend in generally helical directions of opposite hand in the installed condition of the grout pack. The tension element may assume the form of a rope or a length of webbing. The ends of the rope or webbing may be joined in a manner providing for controlled slipping of overlapping ends thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a grout pack assembly having a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements.

Abstract: A grout bag assembly (1) is provided comprising an inflatable grout bag (2, 26, 34, 40) having a top (4, 42), bottom (6) and generally cylindrical sidewall (8) with an inlet (10) for fluent settable grout material. An inner bag (14, 28, 38) is attached to the grout bag such that upon filling of the grout bag the inner bag forms a generally axially extending separate compartment (18) within the grout bag. The inner bag preferably has a separate inlet (20) accessible from the exterior of the grout pack after the grout bag has been installed. The inner bag is generally attached to the inside of the grout bag such that a space of optionally varying radial size is formed between the inner surface of the grout bag and the outer surface of the inner bag.

Abstract: The invention provides a grout pack restraining system, comprising a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements. In one embodiment the rings of different diameter are secured about the grout pack. In a further embodiment the rings are configured to be circumferentially expandable are secured about the grout pack.

Abstract: A grout bag (1) is provided having flexible side walls (2) a top (3) and a bottom (4) defining a cavity for receiving settable granular material or grout (5) and an inlet (6) for slurry to be introduced into the interior of the grout bag wherein the flexible side walls are adapted to retain solids within the grout bag. The grout bag has an axis in the general direction in which a filled and set grout bag is adapted to collapse and the grout bag has, in an open but unfilled condition, at least two different cross-sectional sizes to the cavity with respect to the axis of the bag. Typically the different cross-sectional sizes are formed by a truncated conical shaped sidewall section or by a conical insert, or both. A grout pack including such a grout bag and surrounding mesh and/or restraining rings is also provided.

Abstract: A mine ventilation curtain (1, 20) is provided comprising, in the operative condition, a generally upright curtain or barrier extending from a foot wall (4) in an underground mine to an overhanging hanging wall (5, 25). The curtain has a foot wall compartment (3, 22) of a flexible sheet material with the footwall compartment being operatively filled with a suitable optionally settable fluent material (13, 27) such that the lower edge of the curtain or barrier substantially adopts an undulating shape of the adjacent foot wall. The fluent material is selected from a suitably heavy liquid and an optionally settable slurry of grout or backfill material. The mine ventilation curtain may be a flexible ventilation curtain (2) extending upwards from the foot wall compartment (3) and having its uppermost edge held in close association with the hanging wall.

Abstract: A support assembly (1) is provided for the roof or hanging wall (36, 114) of an underground mine. The assembly comprises at least one support elongate (30) and a grout bag (2, 60, 80, 90, 102, 108, 120) used in association therewith and wherein the grout bag is inflated with settable granular material or grout (42). The support elongate is substantially surrounded, in plan view, by the grout bag and set granular material or grout contained therein. Preferably at least one cross-member (28) extends generally diametrically across the top of the support assembly and is anchored to the roof or hanging wall by the support elongate. The grout bag is preferably suspended from the end regions of the cross-member. Various grout bags for inclusion in such a support assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A grout bag assembly (1) is provided comprising an inflatable grout bag (2) (hereinafter termed a primary inflatable grout bag) having a top (4), bottom (6) and at least one side (8) and having in an expanded condition an axis extending between the top and bottom thereof. A secondary, independently inflatable, grout bag (14) expandable in the same direction as the primary inflatable bag is attached to one end of the primary inflatable grout bag. The secondary grout bag is employed, in use, subsequent to be installation of the primary grout bag to compensate for shrinkage in the height of the primary grout bag and to thereby supplement the overall axial dimension of the grout bag assembly, in use.

Abstract: The invention provides a grout pack restraining system, comprising a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements. In one embodiment the rings of different diameter are secured about the grout pack. In a further embodiment the rings are configured to be circumferentially expandable are secured about the grout pack.

Abstract: The invention provides a grout pack restraining system, comprising a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements. In one embodiment the rings of different diameter are secured about the grout pack. In a further embodiment the rings are configured to be circumferentially expandable are secured about the grout pack.