Rigid retaining bag

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a bag including at least one flexible sheet of material, a back substantially orthogonal to a bottom, a front opposite the back, and a side comprising an envelope configured to receive a support structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/512,412 filed on May 30, 2017.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support structure or partition for use inside a bag for retaining flood waters.

Related Art

Flooding is a major concern for cities, towns, businesses and property owners near bodies of water or in low lying areas. Rainfall and/or storm surge from storms, hurricanes and other meteorological events can cause major damage to property structures. Likewise, rising rivers downstream from these weather events as well as the breach or breaking of man-made structures, such as dams and levees, can result in significant and widespread flooding to nearby areas. Thus, retaining walls or structures may be erected to contain and divert the flood waters and protect the property structures that might otherwise be affected. Sandbags and other methods have been used to construct retaining walls or barriers. However, there is often little notice of an approaching or imminent flooding threat, and many of the existing methods for building retaining structures are labor intensive and slow.

There remains a need in the art for new and improved ways to quickly erect a retaining wall, bag or structure that is effective at retaining flood waters.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a bag including at least one flexible sheet of material, a back substantially orthogonal to a bottom, a front opposite the back, and a side comprising an envelope configured to receive a support structure.

Additional embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of erecting a retaining structure including providing a first bag including a side wall including an envelope configured to receive a support structure; placing the support structure inside the envelope; and positioning the first bag in a retention position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a support structure for use inside a bag that is filled with a filling material to build a retaining wall or structure for holding back water to thereby protect buildings, facilities, homes, etc., from floods. Such bag(s) that may be used with a support structure of the present invention may comprise a back wall, a front wall and a bottom wall and may further comprise a plurality of cells aligned from side to side. The bag may comprise a plurality of side walls with each set of adjacent cells of the bag separated by a respective side wall. The side walls may form the ends of the bag to contain the contents of the bag and/or divide adjacent cells of the bag. Such bag(s) may further include a top wall that may be formed as a flap to open and close a top opening of the bag. Together these walls may enclose an interior of the bag to contain a filling material inside the bag, the filling material being used to give weight to the bag so that it can withstand the forces of the floodwaters and remain in place. The filling material may include any suitable material, such as stones, crushed rock, concrete, cement, sand, etc., and/or liquids, such as water, or combinations thereof. The crushed rock may either have an average or nominal particle size of 1 inch or more or 1 inch or less.

Such a bag used with a support structure of the present invention may have a common and continuous top, bottom, back and/or front walls and/or may also comprise a plurality of cells divided by side walls and/or support structures. In general, the back wall of the bag may be approximately perpendicular to the top and/or bottom wall(s) of the bag when the bag is filled, and the top and bottom walls of the bag may be approximately parallel to one another when the top wall (if present) is closed and the bag is filled. For purposes of the present invention, the term “approximately” includes “nearly,” “about,” “almost” and “exactly.” However, the front wall may be slanted at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the top, bottom and/or back wall(s) of the bag. For additional description of a bag(s) that may be used with the support structure of the present invention, see, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/590,184, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,631, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,152, the entire contents and disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

“About,” as used herein, means within plus or minus one at the last reported digit. For example, about 1.00 means 1.00±0.01 unit.

“Around,” when used to describe a unit or percentage, means within plus or minus one unit or plus or minus one percentage point, respectively.

For the purposes of this disclosure, “and” and “or” shall be construed as conjunctive or disjunctive, whichever provides the broadest disclosure in each instance of use of “and” or “or.”

The support structure of the present invention may be inserted into the interior of the bag in an upright orientation to keep the bag “standing up” and extended in a vertical direction until enough filling material has been poured into the bag for the filling material itself to support the bag. Indeed, the walls of the bag may be made of any suitable flexible material in the form of a sheet that can collapse and fold when it is empty and/or conform to the shape of the filling material when the bag is filled. Although the walls of the bag are flexible and bendable, the material should also be rugged and resilient enough to contain the filling material and withstand the forces of the floodwaters. Thus, the walls of the bag may be made of any combination of woven and nonwoven materials, films, fabrics, plastic sheets, wire mesh, etc., or any combinations thereof. Thus, the support structure of the present invention may be inserted into, and/or form a functionally integral part of, the bag, which may help to keep the bag supported until and while a filling material is poured into the bag. This may be due at least in part to the walls of the bag being supported around an outer periphery of the support structure (i.e., around and on the outer surfaces of the sides of the support structure frame). Multiple support structures may be inserted into, and/or form part of, the bag and aligned substantially or approximately in parallel with each other such that the bag with the support structures may be collapsed in its lengthwise or longitudinal dimension. Prior to filling the bag with a filling material, a bag with a plurality of the support structures placed therein may be extended or pulled out like an accordion from a collapsed state to place the bag into a desired position. This extension and placement may be done quickly since the support structures help to maintain the bag in an upright position. Once filled with the filling material, the support structure(s) inside the bag may continue to function in providing additional strength and resiliency to the bag.

A support structure of the present invention may have a plurality of crossing members with spaces or openings between them to allow a filling material to flow through it and spread out between adjacent compartments or cells of the bag separated by and on either side of the support structure. These crossing members may have any of a variety of different cross-sectional shapes, such as rectangular, square, diamond, circular, oval, etc., and a variety of suitable sizes or thicknesses. According to other embodiments, however, one or more of the support structure(s) inside the bag may be solid without openings or spaces between the crossing members that may function as a partition or barrier to contain and separate the contents or filling material of the bag on either side, such as between adjacent cells. Alternatively, a support structure having crossing member(s) with spaces or openings between them may still form a solid barrier in conjunction with a side wall of the bag itself, such as between adjacent cells of the bag. Such a partitioning or barrier function may allow the support structure to be used as one or both of the two ends of the bag to contain the contents or filling material inside the bag. Such a partitioning or barrier function of a support structure of the present invention may also help to secure a retaining wall or bag when it is breached or damaged by maintaining separate compartments, especially when a liquid filling material, such as water, is used.

A support structure of the present invention may comprise an outer frame that surrounds an inner space with crossing members spanning across the inner space from one side to another side of the frame. The support structure may have a mostly two-dimensional or planar shape with varying thicknesses in a third dimension depending on its exact design and construction. However, these thickness dimension(s) may be much less than the two planar dimensions. The crossing members within the inner space may include a first set or subset of crossing members that intersect a second set or subset of crossing members at an approximately perpendicular or other angle. The crossing members may provide strength and rigidity to the support structure. In general, spaces or openings may be present between the crossing members, such that the filling material in a bag may flow through the support structure to contact and exchange with the contents or filling material on the other side. However, according to other embodiments, the network of crossing members of a support structure may instead form part of a barrier or partition that physically separates the contents of the bag present on either side, such as by supporting a thin sheet or web of the support structure that fills the area between the crossing members. Alternatively, the network of crossing members may help support a thin sheet of material, such as a fabric portion or side wall of the bag, to separate and form a barrier between the two sides, which may be two adjacent cells of a bag.

The support structure of the present invention may be made as a single integral unit and may be made of any suitably rigid material including plastic, wood and/or metal (including wire mesh) and any combinations thereof. The support structure may be made by any suitable process(es), such as by injection molding, etc. The support structure of the present invention may be a single piece that may be made by one process, or it may comprise two or more units or pieces that may be securely coupled together (e.g., snapped or welded together, etc.). According to these embodiments, a plurality of fasteners (e.g., corresponding snap locks, etc.) may be used to hold the two or more pieces together. For example, the support structure may comprise a first bisected portion and a second bisected portion, each bisected portion or half having generally planar dimensions that approximate the two-dimensional shape of the assembled article (i.e., when the two portions or halves are coupled or fastened together). The fabric or material of a side wall (such as a side wall dividing two adjacent cells) may be sandwiched between the two bisected portions when fastened together.

FIGS. 1 and 2provide two views of an embodiment of a support structure100of the present invention. The support structure comprises a frame having a top side103, a bottom side105, a back side107, a slanted front side109and a straight front side111. The back side107of the frame may be approximately perpendicular to both the bottom side105and the top side103of the frame, and the top and bottom sides103,105may be approximately parallel to each other. The straight front side111may also be approximately parallel to the back side107. Each of the sides may have a narrower middle area or portion between two wider flanges or edges. The wider flanges or edges may function to provide additional strength (much like an I-beam) and also to possibly provide a corresponding structure for fastening a wall of the bag to the support structure. The top side103of the frame may thus include an outer flange103aand an inner flange103b, the bottom side105may include an outer flange105aand an inner flange105b, the back side107may include an outer flange107aand an inner flange107b, the slanted front side109may include an outer flange109aand an inner flange109b, and/or the straight front side111may include an outer flange111aand an inner flange111b. Each of the outer flanges has a respective outer surface121,123,125,127,129, and each of the inner flanges has a respective inner surface131,133,135,137,139. Each pair of adjacent outer flanges may be separated by a respective open corner113,115,117,119such that the adjacent flanges are not continuous. Such openings may be used to facilitate or enable fastening of the fabric or material of the bag to the retaining structure with an additional fastener as further explained below. For purposes of the present invention, the terms “outer surface” and “inner surface” refer to the outer and inner surfaces of the frame regardless of whether flanges are present.

The sizes and dimensions of the support structure may vary and may correspond to (i.e., be about the same as) the inner dimensions of the bag that it would be used to support. Accordingly, the back side of the frame of the support structure may for example be in a range from about 1¼ feet to about 12 feet long, such as from about 2 feet to about 6 feet, or about 2, 4 or 6 feet long, and/or the bottom side of the frame of the support structure may be in a range from about 1½ feet to about 14 feet long, such as from about 2 feet to about 8 feet, or about 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 or 8 feet long. The thickness of the support structure may vary between ⅛ inch and a few inches, such as from about ¼ to about ¾ inch. For example, the flanges of a respective side may be about ¾ to about 2 inches thick, whereas the portions between the flanges may be about ¼ to about 1 inch thick. The top side103of the frame of the support structure may vary depending on the length, position and angle of the slanted front side109, but the top side103of the frame may for example be about 1 foot to about 12 feet, such as about 3 or 4 feet. The angle between the slanted front side109and the straight front side111may vary from about 110° to about 170° (i.e., the slanted front side may be angled from about 10° to about 70° off of a vertical line), or the angle between the slanted front side109and the straight front side111may vary from about 120° to about 160°, or it may be about 135 (i.e., slanted front side may be angled about 45° off of a vertical line). The length of the straight front side111may vary and may for example be between about 6 inches and about 3 feet, such as about one foot. The length of the slanted front side109will depend accordingly. Other dimensions are also possible.

Adjacent crossing members of each of a first set and a second set of crossing members may be spaced apart by a constant distance along their length (if parallel) or by a changing distance (if non-parallel). Such a spaced apart distance between adjacent crossing members of each set may vary for example between about 2 inches and about 24 inches, or from about 6 to about 18 inches, such as about 12 inches. If both an inner and outer flange are present on a side of the frame, the spacing between the inner and outer flanges of each side of the frame may be the same or different among the different sides of the frame and such spacing may vary for example from about ½ inch to about 5 inches, such as about 2 inches.

The bottom side and/or the slanted front side of the support structure frame may be longer than the back side of the support structure frame. According to some embodiments as shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the front of the support structure frame may include both a slanted front side109and a straight front side111such that the slanted front side109and bottom side105do not extend to a point where the two sides might otherwise meet. Instead of meeting at a point, the straight front side111, which may be nearly, approximately or exactly parallel to the back side107of the frame, joins and connects the bottom and slanted front sides105,109. Accordingly, the bottom side and slanted front side would be shorter with these embodiments than if they extended and met at a point. It is believed that by providing a straight front side, the support structure may be stronger and less susceptible to breaking or cracking. Straight front side111of support structure100is shown in a close-up view inFIG. 3to show additional optional flanges141,143extending from inner flange109bof slanted front side109and inner flange105bof bottom side105, respectively, to outer flange111aof straight front side111. However, these optional flanges141,143may be absent. As another alternative, the bottom and slanted front sides could extend and meet at a point without a straight front side.

In addition to the frame, there may also be a plurality of crossing members within the space between the sides of the frame spanning from one side of the frame to another (i.e., from one inner surface of the frame to another) to provide structural support to the frame and the article or support structure as a whole. According to some embodiments, such a plurality of crossing members may comprise multiple sets or subsets of crossing members, such as a first set or subset of crossing members and a second set or subset of crossing members. The first set of crossing members may not intersect each other but may intersect the second set of crossing members. Likewise, the second set of crossing members may not intersect each other but may intersect the first set of crossing members. The first and second set of crossing members may intersect at a perpendicular or other angle. The crossing members may also be oriented at non-perpendicular angle(s) relative to the frame, and the crossing members of each of the first set or the second set of crossing members may not be parallel to each other.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3provide an embodiment of the present invention showing a first set of crossing members151a,151b,151c,151d,151eoriented vertically (and parallel to the back side of frame) and a second set of crossing members153a,153b,153coriented horizontally (and parallel to the top and bottom sides of frame). Accordingly, each of the first set of vertical crossing members is perpendicular to each of the second set of horizontal crossing members. The embodiment in these figures shows open spaces between the crossing members of the support structure, but as mentioned above, a thin web or sheet of material may span and fill the space between the crossing members to create a barrier to prevent or reduce the flow of filling material through the support structure. This may be useful when a liquid or fine filling material is used to fill the bag to provide resiliency against puncture or breach of the bag.

Once the support structure of the present invention is inserted into a desired position within the bag, it may be connected, attached or secured to the bag in any of a variety of suitable ways. As a few examples, the outer surface(s) of the support structure may be adhered or glued to the bag, the frame of the support structure may be welded to the bag, the bag may be clamped to the frame of the support structure, a fastener may penetrate the bag and engage the support structure, the support structure may be trapped in the bag, such as by mounding an initial amount of filling material around the base or bottom of the support structure or by placing the support structure against a side wall of the bag, etc., before filling up the bag with the filing material.

FIG. 4provides a few example embodiments for attaching, fastening, etc., the bag to the support structure, showing attachment of the fabric of the bag, for example, to the bottom side of the support structure in cross section at a position indicated by line A-A inFIG. 2. A similar form of attachment of the bag fabric to other side(s) of the frame may be used. Indeed, the bag fabric may be attached to one or more of the top side103, back side107, bottom side105, slanted front side109, and/or straight front side111of the support structure. However, the bag fabric may not be attached to the bottom side105of the frame.

FIG. 4Ashows an embodiment in which an elongated clamp175with two wrapping portions175a,175bthat envelop outer flange105ato hold fabric200of bag to the support structure. Clamp175may be snapped onto frame or may be slid over fabric and frame from a corner. Open corners113,115117,119allow a sliding clamp to engage the frame by one end of the elongated clamp175entering one of the open corners and then sliding down the length of a side of the frame adjacent to the open corner and wrapping around the corresponding outer flange. As an alternative, smaller individual clamps may instead be used.FIG. 4Bprovides another embodiment for attaching or fastening the fabric200of the bag to the side105of the frame of the support structure. One or more fastener(s)185may be used that penetrate the fabric200and engage a portion of the outer flange105aof the side105of the frame. Such a fastener(s) may have a shaft portion and two wider portions185a,185bthat hold the bag to the frame by engaging an inner surface of the outer flange105aand the outer surface of the bag, respectively. This will hold the bag200against the outer surface123of the frame. A wide variety of known fastener(s) may be used to fulfill this purpose including any suitable rivet, screw, bolt, snap-lock, staples, etc.FIG. 4Cprovides yet another example for attaching the bag to the frame. An adhesive or glue195may be used to secure the bag to the frame between the inner surface of the bag200and the outer surface123of the frame. However, these examples inFIG. 4are merely illustrative, and any other suitable form of attachment, etc., may also be used.

However, these attachment examples are not exhaustive, and any suitable attachment method may be used. As an additional example, various ties, such as ties, wires or straps made of plastic, metal, string, yarn, etc., may be used to secure the bag to the support structure, such as by wrapping around the frame of the support structure. As another example, open rings, such as hog rings, may be clamped to secure the bag to the support structure, such as through a hole in the frame of the support structure. Such open rings may be useful if the bag itself is made of a wire or wire mesh. As yet another example, a plastic or metal banding may be used that extends around the top, back, bottom and front walls of the bag to make a vertical loop at a position where the support structure is located underneath the bag. Such banding material may be tightened and/or attached to the support structure by any suitable method. To accommodate the flap or top wall, a hole that may be reinforced, such as with a grommet, may be used to allow the banding to poke through and not interfere with the flap or top opening.

In contrast to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the outer frame of the support structure may have a variety of cross sections, such as rectangular, square, etc. In addition, one or both of the inner and/or outer flanges may be absent on one or more sides of the frame especially if not needed for the fastening. Indeed, one or more sides of the frame may have a “T-beam” shape with one of the inner or outer flanges absent on a respective side(s) of the frame. However, the I-beam shape may be preferred as a way to increase strength and rigidity while minimizing the amount of material used. Moreover, even if the “I-beam” design is used for the frame of the support structure, one or more of the open corners may be absent (i.e., the respective outer flanges may be continuous without a gap or opening).

According to other embodiments, a bag comprising one or more support structures disposed therein are also provided. Such a bag of the present invention may comprise a fabric that is wrapped around an outer periphery (i.e., the outer surfaces of the sides of the frame) of the one or more support structures, such that the fabric forms a slanted front wall, a straight front wall, a bottom wall, and a back wall corresponding to the sides of the support structure. Each of these “walls” of the bag may be formed by a continuous piece of fabric. In addition, one or more side walls and/or a top wall of a fabric may also form part of the bag. A bag comprising one or more side walls may have a plurality of cells defined by the side walls (i.e., each of the side walls may separate adjacent cells of the bag). The top wall may be disposed as a flap to move from an open to a closed position, the open position allowing a filling material to be put into the bag. The one or more side walls may be attached to the slanted and straight front, back and/or bottom walls by any suitably method including stitching, sewing, gluing, bonding, fastening, welding, etc. According to some embodiments, the attachment between the side wall(s) and the slanted and straight front, back and/or bottom walls may be continuous, such as to form a seal, or it may have gaps or openings in one or more places.

According to these embodiments, one or more planar support structures as described herein may be inserted, placed, disposed, etc., inside the bag in an arrangement that is nearly, approximately or exactly perpendicular to the slanted front, straight front, bottom and back walls of the bag that correspond to the respective sides of the support structure. If two or more support structures are inserted, placed, disposed, etc., inside the bag, then they may be arranged nearly, approximately or exactly parallel in relation to each other. According to some embodiments, a single sheet of fabric may be folded and wrapped around the one or more support structures to form the bag with the shape of the support structures determining the shape of the bag including the walls of the bag as discussed herein. For example, the single sheet of fabric of the bag may begin at or near the junction of the top side and the slanted front side of the support structure and extend around the front sides, bottom side and back side of the support structure(s) and held in place by attachment, etc., to the frame of the support structure(s) by any suitable method as described herein. The single sheet of fabric may also extend beyond the top corner of the back side of the support structure to form a foldable or movable flap that may be closed to form a top wall of the bag (i.e., by folding the distal edge of the flap down to meet the bag near the corner where the top side and slanted front side of the support structure meet). In other words, the flap may be folded down to form the top wall of the bag and close the top opening of the bag. Alternatively, the flap may be absent or kept open (i.e., folded back) during use of the bag. Alternatively, the bag may comprise more than one sheet or piece of fabric that may be connected, attached, etc., together, especially for any side wall(s).

The bag of the present invention has an elongated shape with a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal or lengthwise dimension being approximately parallel to the front, bottom and back walls of the bag. A plurality of support structures may be placed inside the bag at spaced-apart distances with the plane of each of the support structures being approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bag. The spaced-apart distances between adjacent support structures along the length of the bag may be the constant or variable and may be in a range from about 0.30 meters (1 foot) to about 2.4 meters (8 feet), such as about 0.6, 0.9, or 1.2 meters (2, 3 or 4 feet). To contain a filling material that may be deposited into the bag, the two ends of the bag (in the longitudinal axis) may be enclosed by either a fabric of forming the end of the bag (e.g., by folding the fabric material of the bag or by attaching a separate end piece of fabric to the bag), or by use of a support structure partition that forms a solid barrier without openings or spaces to contain the contents or filling material of the bag.

FIG. 5shows a bag500according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bag may comprise a single sheet of fabric wrapped around the perimeter of a plurality of support structures501,503,505. The bag is shown truncated at the far end for purposes of presentation in the figure but may actually be much longer with additional spaced-apart support structures. Due to the shape of the support structures underneath, the sheet of fabric of the bag500wrapped around the support structures is shaped to form a slanted front wall507, a straight front wall509, a bottom wall511, and a back wall513of the bag500. A flap515is also present shown hanging down from near a top-back corner of the support structures. The flap515may be folded over the top of the bag such that the distal edge of the flap515reaches the slanted front wall507to form a “top wall” that covers and closes the top opening of the bag500(not shown). A first support structure501is shown as a partition without spaces or openings on one end of the bag, such that a filling material loaded into the bag500through a top opening does not spill out the side end of the bag. In addition, a second support structure503and a third support structure505are shown in the truncated segment of the bag500with each having crossing members that provide strength to the bag but allow the filling material to flow through.

The second support structure503is shown having a frame including a back side503a, a top side503b, a slanted front side (not visible), a straight front side (not visible) and a bottom side (not visible). The second support structure503further has a first set of crossing members503cand a second set of crossing members503dthat are shown to intersect at approximately right angles. Likewise, the third support structure505is shown having a frame including a back side505a, a top side505b, a slanted front side (not visible), a straight front side (not visible) and a bottom side (not visible). The third support structure505further has a first set of crossing members505cand a second set of crossing members505dthat are shown to intersect at approximately right angles. To attach the sheet of fabric to the support structures, a variety of attachment types and methods described above may be used, which may include fasteners520, such as rivets, etc., as shown. These attachments may be aligned in a row (or nearly a row) to correspond to the placement of a respective support structure. A reinforced strip may also be provided where these attachments pierce the wall of the bag to avoid or minimize tearing of the bag500. In addition, pull tabs517may also be provided at the top near the junction of the top side and slanted front side of the support structures to assist with maneuvering the bag.

The present invention further proposes methods for making and using any of the support structure(s) as well as any bag comprising one or more support structure(s) of the present invention as described herein. According to one set of embodiments, a method is provided for making, assembling, etc., a bag comprising one or more support structures. In a first step, a support structure may be inserted or placed into a bag, which may be followed by additional step(s) of inserting or placing additional support structure(s) into the bag. According to some embodiments, the bag may already be formed or configured to have front, back, bottom, and side walls. Thus, the support structure(s) may be inserted into the preformed bag to give it more rigidity and keep it standing up. The support structures may be placed at predetermined or desired positions within the bag relatively in an approximately parallel arrangement with a predetermined or desired spacing. According to some embodiments, one or more of the support structures may be placed next to one or more of the side walls of the bag. According to other embodiments, two side walls of the bag may be closely spaced apart, such as by a distance approximating the widest dimension of a support structure, to provide a sleeve or slot into which a support structure may be inserted and held in place.

According to other embodiments, the bag may not be preconfigured or preformed into a shape but may instead be formed or shaped around support structure(s). According to these embodiments, a flexible sheet material, which may be one continuous sheet of material, may be wrapped around an outer periphery of the support structure(s) tightly enough to form the walls of the bag conforming to the outer shape of the support structure(s). As a result, the bag may have a straight front wall, a slanted front wall, a bottom wall and a back wall corresponding to the respective sides of the support structure(s). A top opening may also be formed for receiving a filling material with or without a flap for closing the top opening. The size and shape of the support structures used, inserted, placed, etc., in a same bag may be approximately the same to create a uniform cross-sectional shape along the length of the bag.

Regardless of whether the bag is formed around the support structure(s) or the support structure(s) are inserted into a preformed bag, the wall(s) of the bag may be attached, fastened, etc., to the support structure(s) in any suitable manner as described above. Finally, the bag may be filled with one or more filling material(s).

According to some embodiments, a bag of the present invention formed by any method may be collapsed in its lengthwise direction such that the support structures are brought closer together. This collapsing of the bag may facilitate storage and transporting of the bag to a desired location. When setting up the bag for use, the bag may be extended from a collapsed state in its lengthwise direction and the support structures separated from each other at a desired location until the front, bottom and back walls of the bag are fully extended (e.g., substantially planar). Finally, the bag may be filled with one or more filling material(s).

While the present invention may have been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that any and all examples in the present disclosure, while illustrating embodiments of the invention, are provided as non-limiting examples and are, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the various aspects so illustrated. The present invention is intended to have its full scope consistent with the following claims, and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not as restrictive.

FIGS. 6A-11depict an additional embodiment of the present invention. These embodiments may be substantially similar to the embodiments described above and may have the following features.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the invention.

In the figures, description and in the claims, the terms “front”, “back”, “side”, “bottom” etc. are used to simplify referring to a particular embodiment of a bag. However, one of ordinary skill will recognize that these terms are relative and that the shape of the bag and its relative dimensions remain the same when viewed from different perspectives or used in different orientations. Thus, use of these terms is not intended to limit embodiments of the present invention to bags having only a single orientation in space.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bshow, respectively, a side view and a top view of a portion of a bag in accordance with the principles of the present invention. InFIG. 6Aa cross-sectional view of a bag600is depicted. The side cross-section of the bag600may be in the shape of a right pentagon, as depicted. The bag600may comprise a back wall602, a bottom wall604, and a front wall606. The top608may include a top wall or be open. If there is a top wall present, then it may be configured in such a way that it connects with either the back wall602or front wall606to form a flap. Such a flap would be moved out of the way to allow the bag600to be filled and then positioned over the bag600once it is filled.

Of particular benefit to the bag600are the relative angles formed by the different walls and their respective lengths. The right angle610formed by the back wall602and bottom wall604adds stability and versatility to the use of the bag600. The right angle611formed along the top edge of the back wall602also provides stability and versatility.

Making the bottom wall604longer than the back wall602provides a shape that adds stability to a structure erected using the bag600. By making the bottom wall604longer than the back wall602, the angles612and613are formed at each edge of the front wall606and the front wall606is longer than the back wall602.

One of ordinary skill will recognize that the bag600ofFIG. 6Amay be have a variety of sizes while keeping the relative lengths and angles as discussed above. Thus, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a particular size of bag600. However, the use of ordinary heavy machinery to fill and move a bag600makes certain sizes for the bag600more practical than others. For example, the top opening608may be between about 0.3 meters (1 foot) to about 0.6 meters (2 feet) in length and width to accommodate typical front-end loader buckets (or specialized filling equipment). The back wall602may vary from about 1.2 meters (4 feet) to about 2.4 meters (8 feet) in length and a corresponding bottom wall would vary from about 2.1 meters (7 feet) to 3.3 meters (11 feet) in length. These relative dimensions and sizes are provided as examples and not as a limitation of which sizes are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

As for material, the bag600can be constructed from polypropylene or similar material that can withstand the elements of a harsh environment. In particular, the material can be a weaved material with the weave spacing and thickness selected based on such things as the type of fill material being used to fill the bag, and the degree to which the bag is intended to retain fluid such as water. In addition, the bag may be coated with a water-proof seal if it is intended to be substantially impervious to water flow. One of ordinary skill will recognize that the specific material of the bag can be selected so as to be suitable for the intended application of use. A material can be selected that is woven or unwoven, impervious to fluid or porous, rugged or biodegradable without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.

The fill material contemplated within the bag600includes sand, sand mixed with stones, cement or concrete, and crushed rock of various sizes. Alternatively, recycled materials from tires and plastics may also be used that can be condensed to form a solid filling material.

In addition to the back wall602and side wall606, already discussed, the view ofFIG. 6Balso shows a first side wall616and a second side wall618. The fill material may be delivered to inside the bag600through the top opening608. The first side wall616may comprise an envelope. The second side wall618may comprise an envelope.

FIG. 7Ashows a top view of a portion of a bag in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The bag700ofFIG. 7Ashows that adjacent bags600are aligned to extend along a first direction. Thus, the bags600discussed above can more properly be referred to as bag cells600such that a bag700is comprised of a plurality of bag cells600adjacent to one another. In this arrangement, there is a side wall702that is shared by adjacent cells600. Thus, referring toFIG. 6BandFIG. 7A, the shared wall702would correspond to the second side wall618of one bag cell600and also correspond to the first side wall616of an adjacent bag cell600. Each such shared wall702may have a cross-section that resembles that depicted inFIG. 6A.

FIG. 7Bshows a side-wall deformation of the bag ofFIG. 7Ain accordance with the principles of the present invention. Two adjacent shared walls702are shown in the view. In particular, each shared wall is constructed of a material (such as those described above) that is flexible enough to bow out in its center but rigid enough to substantially retain its shape along its edges.

For example, when cells600are filled with fill material, the top edge705(and the bottom edge, not shown) of the shared wall702substantially retain their shape but the material of the shared wall702stretches or bulges to create the bump704. While selecting a material rigid enough to prevent this bump704can be accomplished, the bump704has benefits. For example, the bump704extends into the adjacent bag cell and tends to tie the whole structure together rather than allowing adjacent cells to slip or slide with respect to one another.

However, embodiments include the shared wall702comprising an envelope configured to receive a support structure. The support structure may aid in supporting the bag cells600such that the bag cells600may not necessarily collapse upon deformation. Example support structures materials include coroplast, or any other material sufficient to provide both rigid support and deformability.

FIGS. 7C and 7Dshow alternative side-wall embodiments of the bag ofFIG. 7Ain accordance with the principles of the present invention. InFIG. 7C, one or more holes706are present in the shared wall702, these holes allow filling material in one bag cell to contact with filling material in an adjacent bag cell. In one particular example, if the filling material is cement or concrete, then the holes may allow adjacent cells to tie into one another.

InFIG. 7D, there are one or more protrusions708in the shared wall702. These protrusions can be located on one side or both sides of the shared wall702.

FIG. 8shows a retaining structure erected using the bag ofFIG. 7Ain accordance with the principles of the present invention. The bags700extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet of paper. A firm foundation806is provided for a first bag700and then additional bags700are stacked on top of a bag underneath. The material to be retained802is thus retained by the stack of bags700. In particular, a structure can be erected such that the slope of the face804of the retaining structure800slopes at an angle that is the substantially similar to the angle612shown inFIG. 6A. Thus, by selecting the appropriate lengths and dimensions for the bag cells600, a retaining structure800having a desired sloping face can be easily constructed.

Although not depicted inFIG. 8, the bottom walls of the cells in the bags700can also be allowed to bulge slightly so that they tie into the bag700underneath. This feature provides additional strength and stability to the retaining structure800. In constructing the structure800, the bags700can be filled to different lengths. For example, the bags700may be collapsible like an accordion so that pulling (in the direction that the bag extends) on a plurality of folded-up cells may expose and open one cell. This cell can be filled and then the pulling continues to expose and open the next, adjacent cell for filling. If an entire bag700is not used when a desired wall length is reached, then the unused cells may be cut away. If, however, additional bags700are needed to achieve a desired length, then a bag can be attached to the last cell of a first bag and the pulling, opening, and filling steps continue with the second bag.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bshow an alternative retaining structures erected using the bag ofFIG. 7Ain accordance with the principles of the present invention. The retaining structures900and920depicted in these figures illustrate the versatility of the bags700. In these structures, the substantially straight back wall is exposed and the slanted front wall is in contact with the retained material902,922. The exposed façade904,924can then be treated with ornamental, structural (e.g., shotcrete or gunite) or preservative materials as desired.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate the versatility and ease of use of bags constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The substantially straight back wall allows construction of free-standing structures such as structure500that can act, for example, as a levee. Thus, structure1000can be constructed without relying on nearby earth or material on one side for its structural strength and integrity. A bag1002can be filled and then a corresponding back-to-back bag1004can be filled. These two bags provide a foundation for smaller bags1006and1008, which are filled to provide a foundation for even smaller bags1010and1012. Although the structure1000inFIG. 10is depicted as symmetrical, the bags can vary in size so that the slope on one outward-facing side is different than the slope on the other outward-facing side. Top flaps1014and1016are shown that can be lowered once the bags1010and1012are filled.

Another alternative structure1100is depicted inFIG. 11. Bags1102and1104can be filled and oriented so as to provide a flat outward face (although they could be flipped around as well). Then material1106can fill in the area between the two bags1102,1104. Sand, sand bags, concrete, etc. can all be used for the material1106. On top of this base structure other bags can be placed such as bags1108and1110. Although not shown, additional bags can continue to be stacked to make a retaining structure of a desired height.

FIGS. 12-14present an additional embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments may be substantially similar to the embodiments above and may have the following features.

FIG. 12illustrates free standing retaining structures1200capable of being erected in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Small structure1201may be erected by expanding bag1207and filling bag cells1208. Bag1207may comprise a height1209and a depth1210. For example, height1209may be about 0.6 meters (2 ft.) and depth1210may be about 0.85 meters (0.85 ft.).

Medium structure1203may be erected by expanding and filling bag1211, placing bag1207on bag1211, and expanding and filling bag1211. Bag1211may comprise a height1213and a depth1214. For example, height1213may be about 1.22 meters (4 ft.) and depth1214may be about 1.5 meters (5 ft.). By way of example, medium structure may have a height equal to the sum of height1209and1213. Furthermore, medium structure may have a depth of depth1214.

Large structure1205may be erected by expanding and filling bag1215, aligning bag1211onto bag1215, expanding and filling bag1211, aligning bag1207onto bag1211, and expanding and filling bag1207. Bag1215may comprise a height1217and a depth1218. For example, height1217may be about 2 meters (6 ft.) and depth1218may be about 2.5 meters (8 ft.). Large structure1205may have a height1219that is the sum of the heights of the bags1207,1211, and1215. For example, height1219may be about 2.66 meters (12 ft.). Furthermore, the depth of large structure1025may be substantially similar to depth1218.

The barrier bags1207,1211,1215may be sized to various sizes: about 0.61 m (2 ft.), about 1.22 m (4 ft.), and about 1.83 m (6 ft.) heights, can be filled with various materials for semi-permanent or permanent installation, and can be stacked on top of each other to provide even larger barriers. The barrier bags1207,1211,1215may have the option of a double front fabric layer (DL) that can be topped with a closing cover. The double layer option may ensure a longer life to our bags in more severe conditions where the barrier is exposed to excessive abrasion and UV rays for extended periods of time. With the closing cover option the fill material is not eroded from the compacted barrier when wave action or overtopping is encountered.

Each of the differently sized barrier bags1207,1211,1215(2 ft., 4 ft., & 6 ft.) may individually have a minimum mass-to-hydraulic-load (safety) ratio of 3.5 to 1 at overtopping or greater. This is based on 100 lb. per cubic ft. fill material. That safety ratio is exponentially greater as the water level declines from overtopping or heaver fill is used. The above does not necessarily include stacking: stacking is used to create 2 ft. of freeboard when the 2 ft. is stacked on top of the 4-ft. barrier or the 4 ft. is stacked on the 6 ft. This may provide a 3+ to 1 safety ratio.

FIG. 13Ais a side cross-sectional view of another bag1300with a flap extended in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The bag1300may be substantially similar to one or more of the bags1207,1211, and/or1215. The bag1300may comprise a side wall1302. The bag1300may comprise a bottom wall1304, a back wall1306, a toe wall1308, and a slanted wall1310. In some embodiments, bag1300may comprise a top wall. The side wall may be 1.63 m2. The back wall1306may be 1.22 m, the toe wall1308may be 0.61 m, the slanted wall1310may be 0.76 m, and the bottom wall1304may be 1.45 m.

The bag1300may further comprise a flap1314. The flap1314may be attached to the side wall1302at a fold1312. The flap1314may comprise a height1311and a depth1313. In some embodiments, the height1311may be about 0.61 meters and the depth1313may be about 1.00 meters. The height1311may be 0.61 m, the depth1313may be 1.00 m, and the area of the flap may be 0.61 m2.

FIG. 13Bis a side cross-sectional view of the bag ofFIG. 13Awith the flap1314folded in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The side wall1302may further comprise envelope1316. The envelope1316may comprise a material connected with the side wall1302, such as by stitching at stitch line1318. Furthermore envelope1316may be open under the flap1314near fold1312such that envelope1316may receive the rigid support. A height1315of the envelope1316may be about 1.22 m. A width1317of the envelope1316may be about 95 cm. The rigid support may comprise coroplast or any other sufficiently rigid material.

The bag1300may be a low cost, rapid deploy flood and erosion control barrier bag similar to, yet superior than, conventional sandbags. The bags1300may be designed to protect life and property from natural disasters such as flash flooding, mudslides, mud flows, levee breaches and storm surge. The bag1300may be versatile and may be used for other kinds of protection from security barriers to storm-water control.

The bag1300may be a series of pentagon-shaped bags that may be sloped on one side, vertical on the opposite side and open at the top for filling. Each of the cells may be connected side by side like an accordion, each cell may have a common wall with the next cell, and may be collapsed during storage and/or deployment. The cells may be made of high-strength textile. Each of the cells may be self-contained yet may rely on the next cell for added strength. If one of the cells is compromised, the cell may not necessarily affect the rest of the barrier, which may remain standing strong.

The bag1300may use 40% less fill material than a stacked sandbag wall, but more importantly one 100-foot section of 4-foot-high bags1300may replace approximately 8,000 sandbags making the bags1300an excellent alternative to small and large sandbags.

Embodiments of the present invention include TBR models of the bag1300. Because our 2 ft. and 4 ft. bags1300may be built with a rigid partition wall between the cells, installation time may be drastically reduced in these embodiments, because these bags1300can be set up without using the installation frames. One or more rigid partitions may be contemplated within a single trap bag cell. The rigid partition can, for example, be constructed of a material such as Coroplast and may have a thickness of between about 0.64 cm (0.25 inches) to 5.08 cm (2 inches). The thickness of the rigid partition may be such that it could allow the trap bag to be free standing when unfilled without the need for external supports or frames. Thus, the weight and thickness of the material of the other portions of the trap bag may be considered when determining how thick the rigid partition may be. The rigid partition may be such that it can be stitched, glued, welded or adhered to the inside portion of the bag1300. Additionally, the1316envelope may be sewed into the bag1300in order to receive the rigid partition within an opening of the envelope1316. Thus, the bag1300may be bendable and foldable along multiple axes without the rigid partition inserted into the envelope1316. The shape of the envelope1316may be substantially the same as the cross section of the inside of the bag1300and the opening can, for example, be at the top of the envelope1316. The rigid partition may be sized to substantially fill the envelope1316. Alternatively, the envelope1316may be rectangular in shape and, referring to the attached drawing (FIGS. 13A and 13B), be placed in a region that, in the attached drawing, may be 1.00 m in width and 1.22 m in height. Thus, the envelope1316may not necessarily coincide with the trapezoidal region to the right of the aforementioned rectangular region. Accordingly, the partition wall may include a rigid portion (e.g., the envelope1316with the rigid partition) and a flexible portion coinciding with the trapezoidal portion of the cross-sectional area of the bag1300. The rigid partition within such an envelope1316may still provide a free-standing bag1300and allow the trapezoidal region to fill and extend outward as material is added to the bag1300.

FIG. 14Ais an alternate view of the bag ofFIG. 13in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The bag1400may be substantially similar to the bag1300with the following features. Referring to the other drawing (FIGS. 14A and 14B), two cells1404of a trap bag1400are shown by way of example. The end wall1402may include an envelope and/or rigid partition as well. The trap bag1400may be extended for any number of a plurality of cells1404such that each partition1406between cells1404is rigid as well as the terminating end wall1402. The plurality of cells1404can be folded like an accordion and the two terminating end walls1402can be pulled away from one another to unfold and extend the trap bag cells14004into a free-standing wall structure that can be filled with material. Preferably, the partition1406between cells1404is constructed of the same material as the other portions of the trap bag1400and forms an envelope with solid sides of material on both sides of the envelope. Each cell1404may be expandable to a width1411. Furthermore, cells1404may comprise a bottom depth1403and a top depth1409. The cells1404may comprise a height1401. Furthermore, cells1404may comprise a toe height1405and a slanted wall length1407corresponding to the slanted wall1408. A rigid solid sheet of material may then be placed in the envelope to substantially fill the envelope.

By way of example, some features may include: lengthened cells to reduce cost and increase speed of manufacturing. (e.g. lengthened from 3 ft. width to 1 meter 15 cells in a chain verses 17 cells); widened opening for easer filling (e.g. 1 m×1 m verse 3 ft.×3 ft.); larger flat widened top to accept 2 ft. small barrier1207to be stacked on top of 4 ft. medium barrier1211and likewise a 4 ft. medium barrier1211to be stacked on top of a 6 ft. large barrier1215; shortened base and elevating the top of the toe for ease and more complete filling; shorting the base to better fit on the widened flat top of the 1 size taller barrier; incorporation of an envelope in the partition to except a panel to give each cell the ability to be self-supporting; elimination of any exterior support frame or sled to hold the cell open during filling; elimination of any exterior support eliminates the cost of these frames to the end user; elimination of any exterior support eliminates the cost of the logistics of the frames; reduces the number of personnel to fill the barriers by 66% from 6 personnel to 2 and therefore increase safety as well; makes the product much more air mobile in an emergency; reduced length of chain from 100 ft. to 50 ft. for ease of handling by hand.

FIG. 14Bis another alternate view of the bag1400ofFIG. 14Ain accordance with the principles of the present invention. As illustrated, partition1406may be positioned between cells1404. Furthermore, partition1406may comprise envelope1410.