Abstract: An inexpensive, readily handled receptacle for use in the bulk impregnation of timber by vacuum impregnation is made of flexible fluid-impermeable material and, over parts of its walls, is of double thickness to form closed pockets that can be inflated to form a container of rectangular shape hinged along one of its side faces to provide a sealable opening for loading and unloading. The pockets have a valve for inflating them with air; the receptacle has inlet and outlet ports for evacuating the receptacle and introducing impregnant. Preferably, the receptacle is supported in a two-part rectangular frame hinged along one side face.

Abstract: A wooden part of a structure or structural member, e.g. a telegraph pole, that is exposed to the atmosphere is impregnated with wood preservative by a vacuum impregnation process. The exposed wooden part of the pole is surrounded by a closely fitting, fluid-impermeable covering, e.g. a polythene shroud, and boundary edges of the covering are sealed to form a substantially fluid-tight enclosure. Air and any other fluid is evacuated from voids in the said wooden part of the pole and from within the fluid-tight enclosure and wood preservative in a flowable state is allowed to enter the enclosure and the voids in said wooden part of the pole until said wooden part is fully impregnated with wood preservative.

Abstract: A body, or stack of bodies, made of timber or of other organic fluid-permeable material is impregnated with an impregnant by introducing the body or stack into a receptacle of fluid-impermeable material through an opening therein, the flexible receptacle being supported by and secured (e.g. by springs) to a substantially rigid structure in such a way that the receptacle is held open for the introduction through said opening of the body or stack. The opening in the receptacle is sealed to form a fluid-tight enclosure and air is evacuated from within the enclosure and from voids in the or each body housed therein to cause the flexible receptacle to collapse around the body or stack. Impregnant is allowed to enter the evacuated enclosure and to flow through and impregnate the or each body.

Abstract: A body, or stack of bodies, made of timber or of other organic fluid-permeable material is impregnated with an impregnant by introducing the body or stack into a receptacle of fluid-impermeable material through an opening therein, the flexible receptacle being supported by and secured (e.g. by springs) to a substantially rigid structure in such a way that the receptacle is held open for the introduction through said opening of the body or stack. The opening in the receptacle is sealed to form a fluid-tight enclosure and air is evacuated from within the enclosure and from voids in the or each body housed therein to cause the flexible receptacle to collapse around the body or stack. Impregnant is allowed to enter the evacuated enclosure and to flow through and impregnate the or each body.