Abstract: An apparatus for impeding beach erosion is light, inexpensive to install, and easy to remove. The apparatus includes a sea-facing barrier wall penetrated by large holes that allow water mixed with sand to enter the apparatus. After the entrained sand has settled, the water drains out through smaller holes provided in a rear wall. The top of the barrier wall can be curved to direct water back toward the sea. The barrier wall can extend above the rear wall, and a backstop wall can be provided that forms an additional sand-collecting chamber behind the rear wall. The walls can be made from plywood, metal, or plastic between one quarter and two inches thick. Embodiments can be disassembled and/or folded for transport and storage. Internal reinforcing partition walls can extend between the barrier and rear walls. The apparatus can be anchored by a base and/or anchoring stakes.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulate a section of a sandbag dike or wall. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of modules. The barrier system further includes at least one anchoring support base having an underlying portion that extends under at least one of the modules. A vertical portion of the support base extends upward behind and abuts at least one of the modules, and an anchoring portion includes openings that enable attachment of the anchoring support base to the underlying ground by stakes and/or spikes. A flexible sheet can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier to further inhibit horizontal displacement of the modules.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall. The modules include a first plurality having a rectangular base shape and at least one wedge module having a triangular or trapezoidal shape. In embodiments, the wedge modules can be installed in a front-forward or front rear-ward orientation according to a desired bending direction of the barrier. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of cells. A flexible sheet or a plurality of interlocking sheets can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier so as to protect the barrier from damage and inhibit leakage of water under or between the cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall. The modules include a first plurality having a rectangular base shape and at least one wedge module having a triangular or trapezoidal shape. In embodiments, the wedge modules can be installed in a front-forward or front rear-ward orientation according to a desired bending direction of the barrier. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of cells. A flexible sheet or a plurality of interlocking sheets can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier so as to protect the barrier from damage and inhibit leakage of water under or between the cells.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall. Adjacent modules are interconnected by fastening mechanisms, such as loops attached to fronts or sides of the modules and connected by straps or clamps. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. In embodiments, the barrier can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of cells. A flexible sheet can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier so as to inhibit leakage of water under or between the cells.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall. Adjacent modules are interconnected by fastening mechanisms, such as loops attached to fronts or sides of the modules and connected by straps or clamps. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. In embodiments, the barrier can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of cells. A flexible sheet can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier so as to inhibit leakage of water under or between the cells.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a barrier internally divided into cells that emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. In embodiments the barrier can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. The system further includes a base with water inflatable front and back panels. The side panels and bottom panel of the base can be water inflatable or flat. The base can be used to increase friction with the ground, protect against stones, and/or to support a leveling wedge or leveling material such as sand or spray foam when located on a sloped surface. A plurality of adjacent bases and barriers can provide an extended barrier system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; and covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover. Most or all of the apparatus can be biodegradable or removable, and the sand or soil can be similar to indigenous sand or soil. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting erosion at a coastal location includes inducing coastal vegetation to take root in a site-compatible mat including a biodegradable mat combined at most with fertilizer, sand, and/or soil. After the coastal vegetation has taken root in the site-compatible mat, the mat is placed on the coastal location, and the coastal vegetation is allowed to take root as the biodegradable mat decomposes. In embodiments, the coastal location can be a flat area of sand, or a constructed or naturally occurring sand dune. The site-compatible mat can include fertilizer and/or coir, which can be brown coir. The mat can include and/or be covered by sand or soil having a composition that is substantially equivalent to sand or soil that is indigenous to the coastal location. Bird roosting stakes can be planted through the mat.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a barrier internally divided into cells that emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. In embodiments the barrier can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. The system further includes a base with water inflatable front and back panels. The side panels and bottom panel of the base can be water inflatable or flat. The base can be used to increase friction with the ground, protect against stones, and/or to support a leveling wedge or leveling material such as sand or spray foam when located on a sloped surface. A plurality of adjacent bases and barriers can provide an extended barrier system.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled module suitable for use as a barrier or inclusion in a barrier is internally divided into cells and emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall without requiring sand or intensive labor to install. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. Cells can project below the base into a stabilizing trench. Some embodiments can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. Side structures of the module can enable interlocking with adjacent modules. In embodiments, rigid steps span the module to provide structural support and enable traversing of the module. The steps can be attachable to the module. The light, flexible walls of the module can include nanofiber.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled module suitable for use as a barrier or inclusion in a barrier is internally divided into cells and emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall without requiring sand or intensive labor to install. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. Cells can project below the base into a stabilizing trench. Some embodiments can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. Side structures of the module can enable interlocking with adjacent modules. In embodiments, a rigid ladder spans the module to provide structural support and enable traversing of the module. The ladder can be attachable to the module. The light, flexible walls of the module can include nanofiber.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier is internally divided into cells and emulates a sandbag dike or wall without requiring sand or intensive labor to install. Rigid steps spans the barrier to provide structural support and enable traversing of the barrier. The steps can be attachable to the barrier. The light, flexible barrier material can include nanofiber. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. Cells can project below the base into a stabilizing trench. Cells can include internal or external rods or plates that support the barrier structure. Some embodiments can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. Other embodiments are filled from above, and inflate and deflate without allowing air into the barrier. Barrier end structures can enable interlocking of adjacent units.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier is internally divided into cells and emulates a sandbag dike or wall without requiring sand or intensive labor to install. A rigid ladder spans the barrier to provide structural support and enable traversing of the barrier. The ladder can be attachable to the barrier. The light, flexible barrier material can include nanofiber. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. Cells can project below the base into a stabilizing trench. Cells can include internal or external rods or plates that support the barrier structure. Some embodiments can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. Other embodiments are filled from above, and inflate and deflate without allowing air into the barrier. Barrier end structures can enable interlocking of adjacent units.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier emulates a sandbag dike or wall without requiring sand or intensive labor to install. The barrier is made of a light, flexible material that can include nanofiber. Some embodiments are formed from a plurality of interlocked water-filled cells, with a forward-facing water barrier sheet. Other embodiments are unitary shells that are internally divided into cells, with internal openings that permit water to flow between cells. Automatic valves can seal the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A row or rows of cells can project below the base into a stabilizing trench. Cells can include internal or external rods or plates that support the horizontal structure. Embodiments can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. Barrier end structures can enable interlocking of adjacent units.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inhibiting shoreline erosion by introducing pre-established, self-sustaining, shoreline-tolerant vegetation. The vegetation, which can be sea grass, is allowed under controlled conditions to sprout and take root, or otherwise become fixed, to a biodegradable mat, which can be constructed from brown coir or from some other coir variety. When the vegetation is sufficiently matured to be self-sustaining, the mat is transferred to the shoreline, where in some embodiments it is draped over a naturally occurring or a man-made sand dune. Fertilizer and/or soil can be included with the mat. Bird roosting stakes can be planted with the mat to encourage birds to roost and provide natural fertilization. As the vegetation takes root in the underlying sand, the biodegradable mat slowly degrades and is absorbed non-destructively into the environment, leaving behind firmly established vegetation that provides self-sustaining erosion control without human maintenance.

Abstract: A method for detecting identity theft and other fraudulent information in a tax return or other document requesting a refund or payment includes extracting key information from the document, comparing the key information with data obtained from a database, and flagging the document for further consideration if the document does not meet a minimum threshold of credibility. The key information can include a name, social security number, address, place of employment, wage data, and/or fraction of income withheld for taxes. The database can contain suspicious fact patterns of known fraudulent documents. A document can be flagged due to a single fact pattern comparison or due to a combination thereof, or due to a data contradiction. Databases can include IRS databases, other non-public governmental databases, public governmental databases, and non-governmental databases. Fraud can also be detected by tracking use of the refund or payment after it is issued.

Abstract: A portable, water-filled barrier emulates a sandbag dike or wall without requiring sand or intensive labor to install. The barrier is made of a light, flexible material that can include nanofiber. Some embodiments are formed from a plurality of interlocked water-filled cells, with a forward-facing water barrier sheet. Other embodiments are unitary shells that are internally divided into cells, with internal openings that permit water to flow between cells. Automatic valves can seal the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A row or rows of cells can project below the base into a stabilizing trench. Cells can include internal or external rods or plates that support the horizontal structure. Embodiments can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. Barrier end structures can enable interlocking of adjacent units.

Abstract: A method for reserving funds to pay an estimated tax or other financial obligation includes receiving by a service provider of financial information from a customer and transferring funds from a customer monetary source to a set-aside account, where the monetary source and/or the set-aside account is a stored value account. In embodiments, the customer can access the set-aside money if needed before it is used to pay the obligation. The set-aside account can be a stored value card provided to the customer and usable in lieu of a bank card. Stored value cards can be visibly distinct according to which of a plurality of obligations they apply. Or the set-aside account can be a stored value account maintained by the service provider as information in a database. Set-aside funds can be transferred automatically and/or electronically, or provided by the customer as cash or cash equivalents.