Flood water containment bag

Abstract

A storm water or flood water containment bag constructed of lightweight, inexpensive material with a quantity of absorbent material therein, for use in constructing dykes or dams to stop encroachment of water, or other liquid, the bag having an at least partially porous or permeable cover containing a liquid absorbing filler material composed of recycled carpet in a mixture of about 15 to 40% polypropylene, about 20 to 45% polyester, about 40 to 60% nylon, and about 5% or less of wool, rubber and/or fiber pad. The bag can be easily and quickly transported to a point of use and arranged to form a water barrier or wall. Fastener means attached to the bag enable it to be interconnected to stabilize the formed barrier

Description

[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/290,272 entitled Flood Water Containment Bag, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 11, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to bags used to absorb water or other liquid, as well as to sand bags an other devices used to create dams or dykes, and more particularly to liquid absorbing bags which can be stacked to form a wall or dyke to hold back encroaching storm water or flood water.

[0004] 2. Background of the Prior Art

[0005] In many flood or storm situations, water will rapidly rise or flow into areas that are normally dry ground. The common approach to protecting property against the rising or encroaching floodwater is to erect temporary dams or dykes to trap or divert the water, and it is most common and well known to utilize sand bags to form such a barrier. Because of transport and storage considerations, empty bags (and loose sand if none is present on site) are typically brought to the location of need, where sand is individually loaded into bags with subsequent stacking of the heavy bags to create a dam or dyke. This is a very labor and time intensive undertaking, and the difficulties inherent in this operation may even preclude successful construction of such dam in time to stop the water flow.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,433 to Wagner, et al., Dec. 7, 1982, discloses a weighted water bag that is easy to fill through a valved opening. The bag is waterproof to prevent leakage into, or out of the bag. U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,368 to Bayer, Mar. 17, 1987, discloses a porous water containment bag with water absorbent material therein that increases in volume and weight when it absorbs water. The absorbent material disclosed, once saturated, retains its size and weight indefinitely.

[0007] A need exists for a water absorbing containment bag that is lightweight and reusable. There is a need for a new containment bag that is capable of being brought to an emergency flood site in a dry condition, enabled to absorb floodwater to form a protective dam or dyke, and subsequently dried after the emergency condition ceases for re-use.

[0008] The present invention fulfills these needs. It is a strong, lightweight containment bag constructed of material enabling inflow of water. In a dry condition, it can be easily transported to the site of use and placed in position so that when water penetrates the bag, material within the bag absorbs the water to form a heavy containment barrier. When the floodwater subsides, the bag can be dried, reducing the weight of the bag and providing for its use again in a future flood or storm emergency. These features increase the life and usefulness of the containment bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of this invention to provide a containment bag which can be stacked to create a water containment dyke or dam, where the bag is pre-loaded with a liquid absorbing filler material, such that the bag can be stored and transported in a dry and lightweight state.

[0010] It is a further object of this invention to provide such containment bag where a plurality of bags may be stacked on site to build a dam or dyke, with encroaching water filling the interior of such bags, such that the bag swells and become heavier to result in a water barrier.

[0011] It is a further object of this invention to provide such containment bag where the filler material is comprised of recycled carpet in particular proportions.

[0012] It is a further object of this invention to provide such containment bag where the filler material can be dried after use to enable storage and re-use of such bag.

[0013] The invention comprises, in general, a floodwater or storm water containment bag which can be utilized as a barrier against rising or encroaching water or other liquids, particularly when utilized in combination with other similarly enabled bags in the form of a dam or dyke. The bag comprises a porous cover that allows water to pass into the interior of the bag, and a filler material, which absorbs or entraps the water within the interior of the bag, causing it to swell and increase in weight. The porous cover may be completely permeable, or, in a preferred embodiment, the cover is porous on only one side with the other side of the cover being formed of a non-permeable or non-porous material.

[0014] The absorbent filler material is composed of recycled carpet pieces of particular composition, the carpet being ground into particle with size of about 0.25 square inches to about 1.0 square inches or less. The filler material comprises about 15 to 40% polypropylene, about 20 to 45% polyester, about 40 to 65% nylon and about 5% or less of wool, rubber and/or fiber pad.

[0015] The various features of novelty that characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a containment bag according to the present invention, partially cut-away to illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This detailed description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to build and use an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a floodwater or storm water containment bag 10 having an absorbent filler material 15 retained within a cover 11. Cover 11 is composed of a selected material that is permeable to water or other liquids. In an alternate embodiment, cover 11 may be provided with apertures 14 created, for example during the manufacturing process of the cover material, such as an interwoven mesh, or created subsequently by puncturing the material. For example, cover 11 may be produced from liquid impermeable polyethylene or polypropylene, with a large number of apertures 14, sized about one quarter inch in diameter, created in cover 11 to allow passage of liquid inside bag 10. In an alternate embodiment, cover 11 is provided with a porous portion, illustrated as side 12 and a non-porous portion, illustrated as side 13, such that the porous side 12 can be disposed facing encroaching water with the non-porous side 13 entrapping water absorbed within bag 10 and preventing flow through the bag 10.

[0020] In use, a plurality of bags 10 will typically be stacked in alternating rows such that the porous side 12 of each bag 10 faces the encroaching water and the non-porous side 13 of each bag 10 faces the dry side. Bag 10 may be provided with grommets 16 or other means for joining or securing bag 10 to similarly provided bags or to a fixed device, such as an existing wall or fence.

[0021] Filler material 15 is composed of recycled carpet taken from homes, offices or the like, which is ground up or shredded into particles of about 0.25 square inches to about 1.0 square inches or less in size. The composition of the filler material 15 should be maintained within certain ranges to enable efficient absorption to occur. In a preferred embodiment filler material 15 is about 15 to 40% polypropylene, about 20 to 45% polyester, about 40 to 60% nylon (20 to 30% nylon 6 and 20 to 35% nylon 66), and about 5% or less of wool, rubber and/or fiber pad. A most preferred composition for filler material 15 is about 21% polypropylene, about 25% polyester, about 50% nylon (20% nylon 6 and 30% nylon 66), about 1% wool, about 2% rubber and about 1% fiber pad. Before placing filler material 15 inside bag 10, such filler material should be treated with a surfactant to sanitize such material and to make it more absorbent.

[0022] Containment bag 10 constructed to be about 30 inches in length, 18 inches in width and 9 inches in height, which is a suitable size for stacking into a dam or dyke, weighs approximately 10 to 15 pounds when dry. When fully saturated, bag 10 will weigh approximately 55 to 65 pounds. Bag 10 will fully absorb liquid in about 5 minutes. Total saturation usually occurs in about 30 minutes. Bag 10 will swell as it absorbs liquid, such that dam or dyke construction will become more rigid and stable as the liquid is absorbed. Construction of a dyke or dam can be accomplished in about 10% of the time required to construct an equivalent dyke or dam from sand bags.

[0023] Bag 10 can be dried after use for subsequent transport and storage in a lightweight and compact state, to be used again when required. Bag 10 may also be utilized in other circumstances where absorption of liquids is desired, such as with oil or chemical spills, or the like. Bag 10 can be placed so as to absorb the desired liquid and then removed in the saturated state for subsequent treatment or disposition.

[0024] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0025] While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from basic concepts and operating principles of the invention taught herein. Therefore, for purposes of determining the scope of patent protection, reference shall be made to the appended claims in combination with the above detailed description.

Claims

1. A liquid containment bag, comprising:

a peripheral wall means for containing a quantity of absorbent material in the bag, such absorbent material comprising ground, shredded carpet material.

2. The liquid containment bag of claim 1, wherein

such peripheral wall means is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of:

(A) woven material;

(B) non-woven material;

(C) knit material;

(D) paper;

(E) plastic;

(F) polyethylene, and

(G) polypropylene.

3. The liquid containment bag of claim 1, in which

such peripheral wall means is constructed of a non-porous material and made porous by puncturing such non-porous material enabling ingress of liquid into the interior of the bag.

4. The liquid containment bag of claim 1, in which

such peripheral wall means is constructed to present, at least partly a porous portion, enabling ingress of liquid into the interior of the bag and a substantially non-porous portion.

5. The liquid containment bag of claim 1, in which

such absorbent material is treated with surfactant before filling such bag.

6. The liquid containment bag of claim 1, in which

such absorbent material comprises, in combination:

(A) about 15 to 40% polypropylene;

(B) about 20 to 45% polyester;

(C) about 40 to 65% nylon, and

(D) about 5% or less of wool, rubber and fiber pad.

7. The liquid containment bag of claim 6, in which

such nylon material comprises:

(A) about 20 to 30% nylon 6, and

(B) about 20 to 35% nylon 66.

8. The liquid containment bag of claim 6, in which

such absorbent material comprises, in combination:

(A) about 21% polypropylene;

(B) about 25% polyester;

(C) about 50% nylon;

(D) about 1% wool;

(E) about 2% rubber, and

(F) about 1% fiber pad.

9. The liquid containment bag of claim 8, in which

such nylon material comprises:

(A) about 20% nylon 6, and

(B) about 30% nylon 66.

10. The liquid containment bag of claim 1, wherein

such absorbent material can be dried and re-used as absorbent.

11. The liquid containment bag of claim 1, further comprising

fastener means for interconnecting similarly provided bags.

12. A method of constructing a barrier to liquid comprising the steps of:

(A) constructing a bag of flexible material;

(B) placing a quantity of liquid absorbing material in the bag when dry, wherein such absorbent material comprises ground, shredded carpet material, comprising, in combination:

(i) about 15 to 40% polypropylene;

(ii) about 20 to 45% polyester;

(iii) about 40 to 65% nylon, and

(iv) about 5% or less of wool, rubber and fiber pad;

(C) closing and sealing the bag to prevent egress of the absorbent material from the bag;

(D) transporting a plurality of bags while in a dry lightweight condition to a selected site for forming such barrier;

(E) if such bag is constructed of non-porous material, puncturing at least a portion of such bag to enable ingress of liquid into the bag;

(F) positioning such plurality of bags to form a barrier, and

(G) contacting the bags with liquid for passage through the material into the interior of the bags for contact with the absorbent material to increase the total weight of the bag and form a stable barrier against such liquid.

13. The method of constructing a barrier of claim 12, wherein such nylon material comprises:

(i) about 20 to 30% nylon 6, and

(ii) about 20 to 35% nylon 66.

14. The method of constructing a barrier of claim 12, wherein such absorbent material comprises, in combination:

(i) about 21% polypropylene;

(ii) about 25% polyester;

(iii) about 50% nylon;

(iv) about 1% wool;

(v) about 2% rubber, and

(vi) about 1% fiber pad.

15. The method of constructing a barrier of claim 14, wherein such nylon material comprises:

(i) about 20% nylon 6, and

(ii) about 30% nylon 66.

16. The method of constructing a barrier of claim 12, wherein such bag further comprises:

fastener means for interconnecting similarly provided bags.

17. The method of constructing a barrier of claim 12, wherein the step of constructing a bag of flexible material further comprises:

constructing such bag to present, at least partly a porous portion, enabling ingress of liquid into the interior of the bag and a substantially non-porous portion.

18. The method of constructing a barrier of claim 17, wherein the step of positioning such plurality of bags to form a barrier further comprises:

positioning such bag to present such porous portion toward such liquid for enabling ingress of liquid into the interior of the bag, and

positioning such bag to present such substantially non-porous portion away from such liquid to maintain such area dry.

19. The method of constructing a barrier of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

(H) treating such quantity of liquid absorbing material with a surfactant before placing and sealing such quantity of material in such bag.

20. The method of constructing a barrier of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

(I) when the liquid barrier is no longer required, drying such bags and absorbent material, and

(J) storing such dried bags and absorbent material for re-use.