Absorbent Bags for Barriers

Abstract

A bag for creating temporary barriers. The bag may include an outer casing, a filling port integrated into the casing, and liquid absorbing powder within the casing. To use the bag to create a temporary barrier, the bag may be filled with water and the liquid absorbing powder may absorb the liquid. The bag may then expand and may be stacked with other bags to create the barrier.

Claims

1. A temporary barrier bag comprising an outer casing, a liquid absorbing powder within the outer casing, and a filling port in the casing.

2. The temporary barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the liquid absorbing powder is a cross-linked sodium polyacrylate and potassium polyacrylamide polymer.

3. The temporary barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises a non-expanded state and an expanded state:

4. The temporary barrier bag of claim 3, wherein the expanded state compromises a mixture of the liquid absorbing powder and a liquid contained within the outer casing.

5. The temporary barrier bag of claim 4, wherein the liquid is water.

6. A method of creating a temporary barrier comprising, bags, each of which comprises an outer casing, a liquid absorbing powder within each casing, filling each casing with liquid, (wherein the liquid absorbing powder quickly absorbs the liquid, less than 5 minutes and thereby expands the bags), stacking the bags to create a barrier, and, repeating the process until the temporary barrier is complete.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the typical use as a water containment barrier of the present invention shown in use.

[0008] FIG. 2 is plan view of the present invention showing in a non-expanded state.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a section view of the present invention along section line 1-1 of FIG. 2 also in the non-expanded state.

[0010] FIG. 4 is plan view of the present invention showing it in an expanded state.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a section view of the present invention along section line 2-2 of FIG. 4 also shown in the expanded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0013] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bag system for creating temporary barriers. The bag may include an outer casing and a liquid absorbing powder within the casing, and a method for filling the casing with water. To use the bag, water is added to the bag and the liquid absorbing powder will absorb the water. The water will be absorbed by the powder within 5 minutes. The bags will then expand and may be placed or stacked to create a barrier.

[0014] The present invention may include a casing made of woven fabric or plastic film that will retain the water inside the bag when filled. Some minor leakage of water may occur during filling but is incidental to the functioning of the casing. The casing may be made of woven natural fibers or man-made fibers that may have been treated to increase the retention of water by the casing. The casing may alternatively be made of man-made plastic material, either woven or film, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, or other suitable material which may also have been treated to increase the retention of water.

[0015] The present invention may weigh less that than 16 ounces until the water is added. Once the present invention has added water, the bag may weigh between 30 and 80 pounds. The weight will depend on the size of the bag that is used.

[0016] The present invention utilizes a liquid absorbing powder made of cross-linked sodium polyacrylate and potassium polyacrylamide polymer. This powder is a super absorbent material that will absorb over fifty (50) times its weight of water. This material allows the bag to expand after water is added. The resultant gel-like mixture of water and absorbent powder is contained within the casing and creates a bag of sufficient weight to be used for a temporary barrier. Only the addition of water is required to deploy the present invention.

[0017] Water is added to the bag via the filling port that is an integral part of the outer casing. Water may be added using a common garden hose or any other small diameter hose connected to a water supply. The filling channel is largely self-sealing after the filling hose is withdrawn, but complete closing is not required. After the liquid is absorbed by the powder, little if any of the liquid-powder mixture will leak out. Water is not added in any significant amount by soaking through the outer casing.