Abstract: A retaining wall block includes a block body having a top side and a bottom side parallel to the top side, each of the top side and the bottom side being trapezoidal in shape and symmetrical with respect to a central vertical plane; a front side and a rear side parallel to the front side; and a right side and a left side opposite the right side.

Abstract: A retaining wall block kit includes a block and an adjustable setback bar having a break line extending along a widthwise centerline between the front surface and the rear surface. The block has alignment knuckles protruding downwardly from a bottom surface of a front section, and has a receiver channel extending laterally across a top surface of the front section for receiving the alignment knuckles of an adjacent upper block. The setback bar can be removably located within the receiver channel, and is configured to be split along the break line. Thus, the setback bar is adjustable by being modified or omitted altogether to change the distance between the alignment knuckles and a front surface of the receiver channel and thereby allow the setback of the retaining wall to be changed as desired.

Abstract: An embeddable seepage module capable of being embedded into an interface ring shear apparatus is disclosed, wherein: the seepage module includes an annular cylinder, a seepage pressure regulation system, a top plate and a bottom plate; the interface ring shear apparatus includes an upper shear box and a lower shear box; the annular cylinder, the top plate, the bottom plate, the upper shear box and the lower shear box form an internal pressure cavity and an external pressure cavity; the internal pressure cavity is able to realize the precise double control of the soil seepage pressure and water flow through the seepage pressure regulation system; the external pressure cavity is able to collect fine soil particles under pressure seepage. In the case of soil seepage-shear coupling, the seepage module is assembled firstly for seepage, and after completing the seepage, the external pressure cavity is removed for ring shear tests.

Abstract: A flood prevention device includes a gate device constituting a passage between a flood prevention area and an outside area, and a portable flood prevention material that separates the flood prevention area and the outside area with the gate device. The gate device has a side wall corresponding to one end of the portable flood prevention material.

Abstract: A bottom boom and method of use is disclosed for containing heavy or sinking oils which migrate on an underwater floor. The bottom boom is comprised of an upper wall, a lower wall that abuts an underwater floor, a support structure and a ballast section. The upper wall and lower wall when properly supported by support structure provides an upright barrier to guide or stop heavy non-floating oils on an underwater floor. The support structure is a series of chambers, longitudinally spaced between the upper and lower walls of the bottom boom, such that when each chamber is filled with water the chambers vertically support the upper wall at an angle above the lower wall and horizontally maintain the lower walls width thus forming said upright barrier. Additionally the chambers can be filled with air to expedite recovery of bottom boom from underwater floor.

Abstract: A self-bracing, two-way moment frame precast system for industrial support structure and method of erecting a precast industrial support structure without temporary or permanent bracing or shoring are disclosed. This is accomplished by utilizing a moment frame element in two directions to create free standing tower that requires no bracing during erection or in service. The system also utilizes a connection that allows the erection crane to achieve alignment during erection such that the entire system can be erected by a ground based personnel.

Abstract: A flood control system is provided that allows an unobstructed view of the surrounding area when not in use. The flood control system comprises a base and at least one foundation coupled to the base. The base is positioned below a grade to protect an area from the encroachment of fluid or semi-solids. An expandable barrier is removably coupled to a channel in the base. The expandable barrier is inflated with a source of pressurized fluid to form a barrier to prevent the encroachment of fluid or semi-solids to the protected area.

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 flood barrier (100) is disclosed, which comprises at least two supporting posts (104a, 104b) for positioning at an entrance (102) of a building; and at least one panel (108) removably arranged intermediate a pair of the supporting posts to form the flood barrier, wherein the panel includes a plurality of seals having corrugated surfaces to interface with the supporting posts to provide a water-tight arrangement against entry of flood waters into the building. A method of operating said flood barrier is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flood protection system including a tube plate assembly including a plurality of orifices arranged in a predetermined pattern and density. A tube attachment subsystem is associated with each of the plurality of orifices and is configured to secure an open ended independent barrier tube thereto. A plurality of spaced walls are configured to support the tube plate assembly above the ground such that each barrier tube extends vertically downward from the tube plate to the ground. Filling each barrier tube with the fluid provides outward hydrostatic pressure at each tube-to-tube interface such that friction loss of a flow of flood water along each barrier tube-to-tube interface pathway stops the ingress of the flood water from a flood area to a protected area.

Abstract: A movable tsunami buffer dam has a unit configured such that a plurality of separate units, each of which having a shape in which a frame made of a light material is sandwiched by a pair of plates made of a light material, is stacked with said plates disposed in a pile; and a locking member for locking said unit to a ground surface such that said unit can rise up from said ground surface and collapse onto said ground surface. The separate units has a structure in which water from a tsunami can advance into a space formed between said plates by said frame. A required thickness is ensured due to said unit being configured such that said separate units are stacked, and the manufacturing cost is reduced to a greater extent than in the case of a dam configured from a single separate unit of said required thickness, because the big size lumber for obtaining the units is very expensive.

Abstract: A roller bracket having a base, a raising and lowering mechanism, a platform, and horizontal and vertical rollers. The base is attached to the vertical face of a starter wall at a level to provide a desired height for a concrete ceiling. With the platform in the raised position, the bottom edge of a tunnel form is lowered between the vertical roller and the starter wall onto the horizontal rollers. A wedge is driven between the vertical roller and the tunnel form to seal the tunnel form against the starter wall. After concrete has been poured, retained by the seal, and cured to form the concrete walls and ceiling, the mechanism can lower the platform to strip the tunnel form from the tunnel. The tunnel form can then be rolled away on the horizontal rollers while being retained on the horizontal rollers by the vertical roller and the starter wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved water control gates and related inflatable actuators, and associated sealing, manufacture and operation apparatus and methods. Advancements in technologies related to air fitting design, inflated bladder stress relief, inflatable bladder strength enhancement, water gate related slide friction mitigation, abutment and other impounded water seals, gate panel fabrication, traffic accommodating water impoundment structures, and water gate panel system operation efficiency, as well as nappe aeration, hinges, and bladder manufacture technology are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An adjustable self-leveling boat bumper system attaches to a nautical structure associated with a body of water, and includes a longitudinal main guide, a longitudinal adjustment guide connected to a float element, a receiver, a boat bumper connected to the receiver, and an adjustment lock. The main and adjustment guides are oriented perpendicularly to a water surface. The receiver includes a main guide aperture and an adjustment aperture. The main and adjustment guides are moveably engaged with the main guide and adjustment apertures, respectively. The lock determines whether the adjustment guide is moveable. The float element provides a buoyancy force that maintains the receiver and float at a particular position along the main guide relative to the tide level of a body of water.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a surface mount secondary containment system comprising prefabricated pieces that may be assembled to form a wall and adjoining corner with overlapping sections to capture leaks, spillage or the like from a primary liquid container member.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing any desired length of height linear cellular chain for use as a protective wall system, including a chain of fabric bulk bags, each having an open upper end, and interconnected along their sidewalls to define the cellular chain; and a fabric channel formed on the upper ends of each of the adjoining bags sidewalls for engaging a bag support and filling system, which includes a first metal frame member having a pair of arm members for threading through two adjacent fabric channels; the frame supported by a base member resting on the ground; a second metal frame member for receiving the distal ends of each of the arm members of the first metal frame member, at a level so that the bulk bag is supported by the arm members; bulk material to be poured into the supported bulk bag, to a level that the bag is substantially filled and no longer requires the support of the frame, so that the frame can be removed and positioned onto the next pair of fabric channels to fill the next emp

Abstract: System for containing liquid introduced onto a reusable load-supporting surface includes a plurality of interconnectable berm members configured to releasably sealingly engage the load-supporting surface to prevent leakage of liquid from the load-supporting surface around its perimeter.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a water containment barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end, and a second end. An external support system may be connected to the front wall of the hollow body. The external support system may include an upper cross member, a lower cross member, a first side member generally extending between the upper and lower cross members, and a second side member generally opposite the first side member. The external support system may be configured to at least partially reinforce the front wall against internal forces and/or external forces exerted on the front wall. The barrier may also include an elongated foot member attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A civil engineering work (1) comprising a front face (9), a facing (3) having a back surface (32) and a front surface (31) that is substantially the same as said front face (9) of the work, a fluid-tight covering (4) on the back surface, a fill (2) arranged behind said fluid-tight covering (4), and an anchoring device (6) ensuring a mechanical linkage between the facing (3) and the fill (2), with said facing (3) comprising a cavity (5) inside of which a portion of the fluid-tight covering (4) is arranged to form a recessed space into which is inserted an anchoring element (16) that is a part of said anchoring device (6), and a method for implementing such a work.

Abstract: A drive-over berm for use with a protective liner. The berm is constructed of an elongate border sheet strip of a liquid-impermeable material having a berm sleeve along an outside elongate edge and an apron along an elongate inside edge for sealed securement to an underlying liquid-impermeable protective liner. A series of unconnected elongate resilient berm log segments are slidably received in the sleeve and exposed outer surfaces of the sleeve are provided with a high visibility color.

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 flood barrier includes glass panels (5) held within a metal frame that includes hollow vertical posts (1) having caps (3) designed for removal so that spigots (20) can be fitted in the posts (1) to allow upward extensions (19) to be connected to the metal frame.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a water management barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end, and a second end. The front wall may include a plurality of raised portions spaced from each other and extending substantially between the top portion and the bottom portion. The raised portions may at least partially define a plurality of channels extending substantially between said top portion and said bottom portion. The raised portions and/or the channels may be configured to help the front wall resist deformation due to one or more forces being exerted on the front wall. The barrier may also include an elongated connection member connection to the first end and a connection recess formed in the second end. The barrier may also include an elongated foot member attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A liquid containment barrier is formed by corrugated panels connected end to end and supported by upstanding brackets at spaced positions around the peripheral wall and a liner attached to the wall. Each panel has the top edge as a raw edge with a plurality of elongate extruded plastics spring channel members engaged over the top edge. A plurality of additional clamp collars are arranged to surround a part cylindrical portion of the channel members to bridge between panels and to form a local clamping force on the channel member. Each bracket has an inner vertical edge engaging the panels and a rod member hooked to the brace at the lower end and engaging over the channel members at the upper end. The bracket also includes an upwardly extending flange parallel to the inner edge to form a channel for the bottom edge of the panel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flood barrier and method of flood protection. According to the invention there is provided a flood barrier comprising a plurality of pillars adapted to be secured adjacent to a doorway of a building. Each pillar has a first sealing member for its bottom surface, and a second sealing member for its longitudinal surface. The pillars can be separable, or they can be interconnected to form a unitary structure by a flexible and resilient securing beam.

Abstract: Reinforcement system for concrete panel wall, such as I-type flood wall, includes high tensile strength textile attached to wall by adhesive and reinforced by mechanical fasteners. Most preferred embodiment comprises a strip of fiber reinforced plastic spanning multiple panels, with the grain of the textile material extending horizontally. Alternative embodiment includes vertical FRP with bias-grain textile. Fasteners are preferably ductile fiber anchors.

Abstract: A flood protection bag system includes a troughlike structure having longitudinally-extending sidewalls and a bottom wall connected therebetween, along with one or more internal walls, the internal walls serving to divide the troughlike structure into a plurality of bag chambers. The longitudinally-extending sidewalls are continuous and seamless between the ends of the troughlike structure, and the bag system can be made of a plastic such as polypropylene. In one embodiment, the bag system may be implemented in conjunction with other such bag system(s). Also, in one embodiment, a frame structure is employed to support the bag chamber(s) during filling thereof with sand or other filling material, in a manner whereby tension is applied to each of the corners of the given bag chamber being filled. Further, in one embodiment, the bag chambers are covered by way of a bag top that is openable or removable relative to the bag system.

Abstract: A portable, modular, and dynamically sized and shaped, above-ground, industrial-liquid-containment system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a plurality of elongated curbs, each of which has a substantially inverted-V-shaped cross-section. In variations, each curb can have a flat top surface, from which two walls extend downwardly at a predetermined angle. At the bottom of each of the curb walls, is a foot surface extending substantially parallel to the ground and to the flat top surface. The plurality of curbs are detachably coupled together to define a perimeter for a liquid-containment area. The height of the curbed boundary can be increased by installing curb-height extender members onto the first-layer of curb members. The defined containment-area floor and the plurality of curbs is continuously covered by liquid-impermeable sheeting in order to prevent leakage into the outer-ground environment.

Abstract: A flood wall system and method of constructing same, including providing a first main panel section; attaching sleeves to each side of a main panel prior to configuring the final chamber; providing two sleeves of fabric at the upper opening of each chamber for supporting the chambers while the chambers are being filled with materials such as sane; providing a series of chambers sewn together to define a continuous cellular wall; the final chamber having a horizontal height two feet longer (0.61 meters) than the vertical height further having a front toe portion one foot (0.30 meters) min height; filling each chamber with a quantity of material, such as sand; on each end of a completed chain of chambers, further comprising a set of loops or ties so that a chain of chambers is capable of being tied to other chains of chambers to define the continuous flood wall system.

Abstract: A flood barrier comprises hollow self-filling units (10, 12, 14, 16) placed end-to-end and connected at their ends by downwardly tapered bilobal (46) keys inserted into sockets (26, 28) at the ends of the units, wherein the keys incorporate concrete or other ballast for negative buoyancy.

Abstract: A hazardous spill ground containment system having a plurality portable metal frame sections. The frame sections are used to create an angular shaped containment frame received over various types of ground surfaces. The frame sections can be made to different lengths and heights and are used for holding in place a heavy duty liner on top of the ground surface. The liner is adapted for receiving various types of equipment, tanks and containers holding toxic chemicals and the like hazardous materials. The metal frame sections include an elongated, metal, A-shaped lower frame member and an elongated, metal, Z-shaped upper frame member for receiving and holding a side of the liner securely in place.

Abstract: A water-retaining element (2) for forming a temporary water-retaining structure (1) includes a bottom (6), a plurality of side walls (8, 10), and connections (20). The plurality of side walls are immovably connected to the bottom and extend upwards from the bottom to form a water-fillable container (12). The connections connect the water-retaining element in a water-retaining manner to least one adjacent water-retaining element. The water-fillable container (12) is open at the top to receive a second water-retaining element (2) during transport and/or storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved water control gates and related inflatable actuators, and associated sealing, manufacture and operation apparatus and methods. Advancements in technologies related to air fitting design, inflated bladder stress relief, inflatable bladder strength enhancement, water gate related slide friction mitigation, abutment and other impounded water seals, gate panel fabrication, traffic accommodating water impoundment structures, and water gate panel system operation efficiency, as well as nappe aeration, hinges, and bladder manufacture technology are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Reinforcement system for concrete panel wall, such as I-type flood wall, includes high tensile strength textile attached to wall by adhesive and reinforced by mechanical fasteners. Most preferred embodiment comprises a strip of fiber reinforced plastic spanning multiple panels, with the grain of the textile material extending horizontally. Alternative embodiment includes vertical FRP with bias-grain textile. Fasteners are preferably ductile fiber anchors.

Abstract: The proposed advanced multi-level protective system comprises two types of barriers, harmoniously complementing to each other: a portable barrier for the protection of individual houses at the height of the floods up to 0.8-0.9 meters, and more powerful protective quick-installable barriers, suitable for mechanized installation and resistant to higher water flows up to 1.2-2 meters. The proposed advanced protective system comprises a number of additional means capable of weakening against dangerous natural processes that give rise strong water flows, and these means can weaken these flows and increase the efficiency of proposed protective barriers.

Abstract: A modular dike or barrier assembly includes straight and curved members that may be interconnected to form a barrier or dike wall surrounding a primary container. The members are hollow and include opposed side walls having integrally formed reinforcing ribs. The side walls extend at an acute angle relative to the base of the barrier to contain and redirect a surge flow directed toward the dike or barrier assembly. The interior surfaces of the side walls are closely spaced at locations spaced from the ribs and tend to abut for added wall reinforcement upon application of wall deflecting loads.

Abstract: The bulkhead anchoring system includes a plurality of concrete slabs which are sufficiently heavy to remain in place on a bottom surface of a waterway, due to high suction produced by the bottom of the waterway on the slabs. The slabs are positioned close to or adjacent the bulkhead. Risers extend vertically upwardly from the concrete slabs, at the rear corners thereof, positioned such that the risers are in contact with the bulkhead. The risers are concrete if the waterway is saltwater or can be galvanized steel if the waterway is fresh water.

Abstract: Reinforcement system for concrete panel wall, such as I-type flood wall, includes high tensile strength textile attached to wall by adhesive and reinforced by mechanical fasteners. Most preferred embodiment comprises a strip of fiber reinforced plastic spanning multiple panels, with the grain of the textile material extending horizontally. Alternative embodiment includes vertical FRP with bias-grain textile. Fasteners are preferably ductile fiber anchors.

Abstract: A shape-retention hoisting including a rectangular parallelepiped bag. Base bands are provided along diagonal lines of the rectangular parallelepiped bag. A quadrangular-prism-shaped lift band is secured to a point of intersection of the base bands. One end of a truss band is secured by a fixing band surrounding the quadrangular-prism-shaped lift band, and the other end thereof is secured to the base band at a point spaced apart by a given distance from the center of the lift band. In this way, a plurality of truss bands can be disposed on the lift band in the vertical direction, thereby resolving a weight applied to a single truss band and maintaining the shape of the shape-retention hoisting bag.

Abstract: Berms for use with protective liners are disclosed. The berms may be configured to allow vehicular traffic to pass over the berms without causing damage. Such drive-over berms may be rigid and shaped to allow vehicle tires to pass over them, or may be resilient and collapsible such that they collapse when subjected to the weight of a vehicle tire, and then spring back to shape after the vehicle passes. Also disclosed are berms that may be stacked for storage and transportation purposes, and berms that include connectors for connecting multiple sections of the berms end-to-end.

Abstract: A protective module for use as a water shielding part of a barrier, said barrier being adapted to be positioned between a body of water and an area of land to be protected. The protective module has a main plane and a first, second, third and fourth side, which sides define a main surface of the protective module, in the main plane of the protective module, the first and second sides being arranged opposite each other. A method of manufacturing a protective module according to the invention, concerning a barrier made up of interconnected protective modules and a barrier system including two or more protective modules, the protective modules being adapted to be joined together in such a manner as to form a barrier.

Abstract: A modular dike or barrier assembly includes straight and curved members that may be interconnected to form a barrier or dike wall surrounding a primary container. The members are hollow and include opposed side walls having integrally formed reinforcing ribs. The side walls extend at an acute angle relative to the base of the barrier to contain and redirect a surge flow directed toward the dike or barrier assembly. The interior surfaces of the side walls are closely spaced at locations spaced from the ribs and tend to abut for added wall reinforcement upon application of wall deflecting loads.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reconfigurable obstacle system for a river channel in a river park. Each obstacle assembly includes a plurality of obstacles. Obstacles may include a hollow structural box, a strut channel frame and a plurality of connectors that cooperate to divert water when installed in a river channel. A plurality of connectors pass through the hollow structural box when holding the obstacle in position. The obstacle assemblies can be reconfigured as desired, e.g. increase amplitude of a wave, speed up water flow, change depth, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing any desired length of height linear cellular chain for use as a protective wall system, including a chain of fabric bulk bags, each having an open upper end, and interconnected along their sidewalls to define the cellular chain; and a fabric channel formed on the upper ends of each of the adjoining bags sidewalls for engaging a bag support and filling system, which includes a first metal frame member having a pair of arm members for threading through two adjacent fabric channels; the frame supported by a base member resting on the ground; a second metal frame member for receiving the distal ends of each of the arm members of the first metal frame member, at a level so that the bulk bag is supported by the arm members; bulk material to be poured into the supported bulk bag, to a level that the bag is substantially filled and no longer requires the support of the frame, so that the frame can be removed and positioned onto the next pair of fabric channels to fill the next emp

Abstract: Dams are a useful source of energy. An embodiment of a dam according to the present invention includes precast segments configured to be coupled together to form a dam optionally used to generate energy. An embodiment includes a spillway extender to prevent upstream or downstream erosion of a riverbed at the dam. An underpinning system may be employed to assist in maintaining position of the dam or segmental components. Solar panel energy generation systems and battery storage may be associated with the segmental dam to store energy and, optionally, produce auxiliary power for subsystems associated with the dam, such as for supporting automated spillway control gate level control or automated gearing system control to control a gear ratio associated with rotating or other moving parts used to convert kinetic energy of water into electrical energy.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a water containment barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end, and a second end. An external support system may be connected to the front wall of the hollow body. The external support system may include an upper cross member, a lower cross member, a first side member generally extending between the upper and lower cross members, and a second side member generally opposite the first side member. The external support system may be configured to at least partially reinforce the front wall against internal forces and/or external forces exerted on the front wall. The barrier may also include an elongated foot member attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A liquid containment barrier is formed by corrugated panels connected end to end and supported by upstanding brackets at spaced positions around the peripheral wall and a liner attached to the wall. Each panel has the top edge as a raw edge with a plurality of elongate extruded plastics spring channel members engaged over the top edge. A plurality of additional clamp collars are arranged to surround a part cylindrical portion of the channel members to bridge between panels and to form a local clamping force on the channel member. Each bracket has an inner vertical edge engaging the panels and a rod member hooked to the brace at the lower end and engaging over the channel members at the upper end. The bracket also includes an upwardly extending flange parallel to the inner edge to form a channel for the bottom edge of the panel.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a water management barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end, and a second end. The front wall may include a plurality of raised portions spaced from each other and extending substantially between the top portion and the bottom portion. The raised portions may at least partially define a plurality of channels extending substantially between said top portion and said bottom portion. The raised portions and/or the channels may be configured to help the front wall resist deformation due to one or more forces being exerted on the front wall. The barrier may also include an elongated connection member connection to the first end and a connection recess formed in the second end. The barrier may also include an elongated foot member attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to barriers for managing and/or controlling water. In an embodiment, a barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion and a bottom portion. An elongated connection member may be connected to the first end. The connection member may have a tapered free end portion substantially adjacent said top portion and a lower free end portion substantially adjacent said bottom portion of said hollow body such that the connection member virtually extends the entire length of the first end. A connection recess may be formed in the second end. The connection recess may be sized and configured to generally correspond to at least a portion of the connection member. The barrier may further include a foot member attached to the bottom portion, and a fill port and a drain port in fluid communication with the hollow body.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a barrage unit comprising providing a chamber having an outer wall having at least one aperture therein; providing a liner layer proximate to the aperture; blowing the fibres of a fibrous material into the chamber whilst providing an absorbent crystalline material to said chamber such that the two mix and exit the aperture onto the liner forming a pad; and, providing a further liner layer on the pad.