Patent ID: 6648131
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: B32B,B65B

Abstract:
A flexible pressure vessel, comprising:at least one upper dome-shaped cell portion, said upper cell portion being formed from a first sheet of resilient material and having an inner surface, an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, a border of sheet material surrounding said outer perimeter, and at least one upper passageway portion, said upper passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter to said surrounding sheet material; at least one mating lower dome-shaped cell portion, said lower cell portion being formed from a second sheet of resilient material and having an inner surface, an outer surface, an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, a border of sheet material surrounding said outer perimeter, and at least one lower passageway portion, said lower passageway portion extending outwardly from said inner perimeter to said surrounding sheet material; said upper cell portion being joined to said mating lower cell portion such that a cell is formed, said cell having at least one passageway extending outwardly from said cell for connection to either of a passageway of another cell and a valve; a first ring, said first ring having a first inner circumference, an outer circumference and a first predetermined thickness; said first ring being sized and shaped to fit frictionally over the upper cell portion and surround its outer perimeter; a second ring, said second ring having a second inner circumference, an outer circumference and a second predetermined thickness; said second ring being sized and shaped to fit frictionally over the lower cell portion and surround its outer perimeter; a first flexible blanket, said first blanket having an upper surface, a lower surface and being sized and shaped to cover said upper cell portion and surrounding sheet material; said first blanket being fixedly attached at its lower surface to the outer surface of said upper cell portion and surrounding sheet material; a second flexible blanket, said second blanket having an upper surface, a lower surface and being sized and shaped to cover said lower cell portion and surrounding sheet material; said second blanket being fixedly attached at its upper surface to the outer surface of said lower cell portion and surrounding sheet material; and a valve, said valve being connected to said passageway and providing means for controlling a flow of either of gasses and liquids into and out of the cell.