Abstract:
A water flow control device comprising an outer water permeable bag formed from burlap or an equivalent material which contains internally thereof an inner bag of a close woven cotton fabric containing a minimized quantity of a novel restorable superabsorber. In a preferred embodiment, the inner bag is substantially equal in laid out dimensions as the internal dimensions of a laid out outer bag. Further, desirably, the inner bag is anchored in its laid out position within the outer bag. The present product is readily storable in a dry compact state and may be reused up to as many as 5 or more times. Multiple ones of the present water flow control devices may be stacked in storage for future use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to products and methods for controlling flowing water, such as flood waters, flowing streams, water leaks, and like moving bodies of water. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    Heretofore it has been suggested to use individual bags filled with sand, superabsorbent polymers, or other material or mixtures of materials, either in individual bags or in the form of interconnected bags or multiple chambers embodied in a single bag, for purposes of halting or diverting flowing water, most commonly on a temporary basis. Whereas ones of these prior products are effective in diverting the flow of water, they exhibit individual shortcomings and/or disadvantages. For example the loading of bags with sand is a well-known labor and time intensive proposition. Known prior art bags containing superabsorbants, commonly are inordinately expensive, believed to be due in part to the volume of the superabsorber, and in come cases, the cleanup of the gelatinous mass developed in the course of the use of these products and remaining after the need for them has rebated. Re-use of known superabsorber-containing bags is limited or non-existent. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water flow control device comprising an outer water permeable bag formed from burlap or an equivalent fabric which contains internally thereof an inner bag of a close woven cotton fabric containing a minimized quantity of a novel restorable superabsorber. In a preferred embodiment, the inner bag is substantially equal in laid out dimensions as the internal dimensions of a laid out outer bag. Further, desirably, the inner bag is anchored in its laid out position within the outer bag. The present product is readily storable in a dry compact state and may be reused up to as many as 5 or more times. Multiple ones of the present water flow control devices may be stacked in storage for future use, as many as 50 of these devices, after folding thereof, being stackable to a height of only about 24 inches. A 50 unit bundle of the present devices, in their ready-to-use state weighs less than about 18 lbs. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, each device of the present invention includes corner connectors adapted to serve for interconnection of multiple ones of the devices when deployed in the path of moving water or when stacked one upon the other to define a barrier against the flow of water into (or out of) a given area. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises providing an outer water permeable bag which is closed about its two opposite sides and at least one end thereof, providing a textile fabric inner bag which is water permeable and which is closed about its two opposite sides and at least one end thereof, introducing less than one cup (volume) of a granular powder of superabsorber material into the inner bag, closing the inner bag, inserting the inner bag and its contents into the outer bag and closing the outer bag, positioning multiple ones of the closed bags in stacked relationship and within the actual or anticipated path of flowing water, whereupon water initially contacting the stacked bags penetrates the outer bag, thence the inner bag and its superabsorber contents, the superabsorber expands to fill the inner bag and thereafter stop the flow of water through the bag and defining a barrier against the flow of water past the filled bag. Additionally, as desired, tie-downs or other provisions may be provided for effecting the joinder of at least one of the closed bags to another of the closed bags to define a larger or stronger barrier to the flow of water past the stacked bags. 
         [0008]    Upon cessation of the water flow in question, each bag is dried and stored for further use in the future. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is laid out view of one embodiment of an outer bag element of a water flow control bag of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, partly disassembled at one corner, of one embodiment of the outer bag element depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view, partly disassembled at one corner, of one embodiment of an inner bag employed in the water flow control bag of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is perspective view of an assembled water flow control bag of the present invention as folded for storage when in nonuse; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a backscatter micrograph of one embodiment of a superaborber powder useful in the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0014]    One embodiment of a water flow control bag  12  of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  and comprises an outer bag  14  which serves to house internally thereof an inner bag  16  which, in turn houses a quantity of a superabsorber material  18  of the present invention. 
         [0015]    As depicted in the several Figures, the outer bag may be formed from a sheet of fabric which is folded back upon itself and stitched  30  together about its peripheral edges, thereby defining first and second side edges  20  and  22 , respectively, and first and second end edges  24  and  26 , respectively. Whereas stitching  30  may be applied along the folded edges of the outer bag, no such stitching is required, and preferably is to be avoided. 
         [0016]    As may be seen from  FIG. 1 , one end  26  of the formed outer bag initially remains open for the insertion therein of an inner bag  16 . One inner bag useful in the present invention comprises a relatively hard close-woven cotton bag having a smooth, but relatively hard inner surface. This inner bag also is formed from a single sheet of fabric which is folded back upon itself and stitched about its peripheral edges to define a closed inner bag. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment the inner bag includes a loop  28  of cording or like strong material anchored in each of the four corners  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  38  of the outer bag, as by stitching  30  or other like means for anchoring the loop within its respective corner of the outer bag. Preferably, each loop projects laterally from its respective end of the outer bag in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline  40  of the inner bag and is exposed externally of the outer bag for purposes of aiding in the fixation of one or more bags into a gang of bags. 
         [0018]    As depicted in phantom in  FIG. 3 , each inner bag of the present invention receives and houses therein a quantity of a superabsorber in powder form. 
         [0019]    Desirably, the laid out dimensions of the inner bag do not appreciably exceed the laid out inner dimensions of the outer bag so that the inner bag will lie flat within the outer bag when the inner bag is disposed internally of the outer bag. Accordingly, the full interior of the inner bag is open for migration and ultimately expansion of the superabsorber contained therein when such superabsorber is exposed to water, for example. It is to be recognized that the particular superabsorber chosen may be specific to absorption of a given liquid, but in most instances, the liquid to be absorbed will be water, and, at times, a liquid petroleum-based product. 
         [0020]    Assembly of the water flow control bag of the present invention may be of a variety of forms. In one embodiment, a sheet of the outer bag fabric is folded back upon itself and all non-folded margins of the folded sheet are closed as by stitching, adhesive, heat sealing or other suitable mode of closure of the fabric side margins. As desired, the folded side margins of the sheet also may be joined together but such is not desired. In similar manner, a sheet of inner bag fabric is folded back upon itself and all non-folded margins of the folded sheet are closed in similar manner as the closing of the margins of the outer bag fabric sheet. As a part of the assembly of the inner bag within the outer bag, each of the four corners of the outer bag is provided with a loop of a material such as cording or a like strong fabric which is anchored at respective corners of the outer bag and the underlying inner bag. This action further serves to anchor the inner bag in a fully laid out position within the outer bag. As desired, other loops may be tacked to the outer bag and inner bag at spaced apart locations along their overlying side and/or end margins. In any event, when assembled, desirably, the inner bag will lie flat and will be retained in its laid out flat attitude within the closed outer bag. In the assembled outer and inner bags, each of the loops includes a distal end which projects beyond its respective outer margin of the closed outer and inner bags and is not materially inhibited from flexing. 
         [0021]    A quantity of powdered superabsorber is placed within the inner bag prior to closing of the inner bag, irrespective of how the inner bag is closed. This powder preferably merely lies loose within the inner bag such that the powder is free to uninhibitedly migrate of disperse to substantially any or substantially all locations internally of the inner bag. 
         [0022]    An alternative method for assembly of the outer and inner bags with the superabsorber may include the steps of (a) forming an outer bag which is closed about its first and second opposite sides margins and at one of its opposite first and second ends, (b) in similar manner forming an inner bag which is closed about its first and second opposite side margins and at one of its opposite first and second opposite ends, (c) providing a quantity of a superabsorber in powder form, (d) placing the superabsorber powder into the inner bag, (e) disposing the inner bag inside the outer bag, (f) closing both the open end of the outer bag and the open end of the inner bag to effectively seal the powdered superabsorber within the inner bag, hence within the outer bag. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the method may take the form of laying out a sheet of fabric suitable for the outer bag, providing a sheet of fabric suitable for the inner bag and which includes one or more loops projecting from one or more of the corners of the inner layer of fabric, overlaying the inner sheet fabric in register with the sheet of outer bag fabric, overlaying a quantity of superabsorber onto the sheet of inner bag fabric, simultaneously overfolding the outer bag and inner bag fabrics back upon theirselves, capturing the superabsorber therebetween, and thereafter, closing all of those side and end margins of the overlying sheets of outer and inner bag fabrics which are do not involve folds. As desired, the folded side or end margins of the outer bag and inner bag fabrics may also be included in the margin sealing process. Sealing of these fabric margins may be by stitching, for example employing a chain stitch, lock stitch or a serging stitch, the latter being capable of cutting away dangling cut ends of either the outer bag or the inner bag fabrics as the closures are made. In any event, preferably, the closing operation is carried out in a manner which does not leave or create internally of the inner bag a substantial stricture or barrier to the ready migration of the powdered superabsorber within the inner bag. The thread employed for stitching of the outer and inner bags during their closure preferably is biodegradable, such as cotton. Other threads may be chosen as the in-use environment of the bag dictates. Preferably, the corner loops of the bag of the present invention are placed and anchored at the corners of the outer and inner bags in the course of closure of the outer and inner bags. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the outer bag of the present invention is formed from a 12 oz coarsely-woven jute, flax or hemp burlap fabric. To form one outer bag, a rectangular sheet of burlap measuring about 24 inches long and about 36 inches wide is provided. In this embodiment, the inner bag is formed from a 2×2 twill weave of 100% cotton yarn and 118 warp yarns/inch and 60 weft yarns/inch. This woven material is exceptionally strong and exhibits a very smooth surface which permits ready migration and/or dispersion of the powdered superabsorber within the inner bag when the superabsorber is dry so that as the bag is deployed in use, a relatively small amount of handling of the dry bag will result is good distribution of the superabsorber over the internal volume of the inner bag. Such distribution of the superabsorber has been found to enhance the rate of expansion of the superabsorber when water enters the inner bag. The strength factor of the inner bag is selected to provide maximum containment of the superabsorber when it expands upon entry of water into the inner bag. The close weave of the inner bag fabric is important as respects its contribution to the strength of the inner bag as the inner bag expands upon hydration. Moreover, this inner bag construction provides for maximum containment of the powdered superabsorber both in an initial use and then, again, when reused multiple times. Additionally, it has been found that this inner bag does not puncture when, for example, a length of rebar is driven through the assembled bag as a anchor for aiding in the retention of the water flow control bag in use. 
         [0025]    The dimensions of the inner bag preferably are at least substantially the same as, but not materially greater than, the dimensions of the outer bag, so that when the respective sheets of the outer bag and of the inner bag are laid out atop one another, their peripheral margins are substantially in register. It will be recognized, however, that the dimensions of the inner bag must not be so much larger than the dimensions of the outer bag that upon expansion of the hydrating superabsorber, the inner bag develops folds, wrinkles or the like which would tend in inhibit substantially evenly distributed expansion of the superabsorber. As noted above, alternative methods of disposing the inner bag within the outer bag may require selection of alternative relative dimensions of either the inner bag and/or the outer bag. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the superabsorber material may be identified by the formula: 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0027]    where n is a number approaching or exceeding as much as one million and R is an absorbancy enhancer such as sodium. 
         [0028]    The superabsorber employed in the present invention is in a powder form comprising individual particulates  42  ranging from about 100 to 500 μm diameter. The particulates preferably are generally spherical either individually or in small generally spherical clusters  44 . By reason of this geometry of the particulates, the superabsorber powder readily migrates within the inner bag, merely as a function of gravity and/or physical movement of the assembled bag. Such migration may be enhanced with relatively little manipulation of the inner bag, such as by routine handling of the outer bag/inner bag/superabsorber assembly. Such ready migration within the inner bag by the superabsorber aids in ensuring minimization of “build ups” of powder at one or more locations within the inner bag. Such build-ups are further inhibited by reason of the side and end stitching mode for closing of the inner bag. Further, the superabsorber of the present invention has a melting point in excess of 500 degrees F., is biodegradable, not subject to known Hazmat handling requirements, and is not objectionable under known environmental control regulations. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment of a water flow control bag of the present invention having laid out flat rectangular dimensions of 24 inches by 36 inches (developing a completed outer bag having rectangular dimensions of 24 inches by 18 inches, there is deposited about ⅓ cup of powdered superabsorber of the present invention. The superabsorber of the present invention exhibits a water takeup value of at least 500 grams of water per gram of superabsorber. Such water takeup is rapid, consuming about 2. 49 minutes for about ⅓ cup of powdered superabsorber to expand to the extent that the water flow control bag of the present invention will block the flow of water through the bag and will divert flowing water around the bag. 
         [0030]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, at least one, and more commonly, a plurality of the water flow control bags of the present invention are positioned in the path of flowing water to effect a blocking or directional diversion of such water flow. To this end, in one embodiment, each bag includes an anchoring loop anchored in each of the four corners of the assembled outer and inner bags. In one embodiment, these loops are anchored to the corners of the inner bag and project outwardly from the outer bag at its corners, thereby providing for ready access to the loops. As desired, the loops may be anchored to the corners of the assembled outer and inner bags, but in any event, the loops are exposed externally of the assembled bag so that they are available for use in assembling of a multiplicity of bags in a gang, stack or other array as dictated by the type of water flow control environment encountered. For example, several bags may be tied together in end to end relationship to provide an elongated barrier to water flow. Multiple layers of such interconnected bags may be employed when greater height of the barrier is required. 
         [0031]    In another aspect of the present water flow control bag, the bag may be anchored to a selected location on the ground or other surface employing a rebar rod driven through the bag and into the underlying surface to thereby anchor the bag in place. By reason of the construction of the woven cotton fabric of the inner bag, the inner bag readily permits the passage of the rebar through the inner bag without rupture of the inner bag or development of a permanent opening through the inner bag through which powdered superabsorber may escape from within the inner bag. Upon removal of the rebar anchor, the fabric of the inner gab merely closes in as the rebar is withdrawn, sealing the opening created by the entry of the rebar into and/or through the inner bag. 
         [0032]    As noted, when in their dry state, each of the bags of the present invention may be folded and stored compactly for future use. Thus, relatively large quantities of the dry folded bags may be stored in a relatively small area. When initially deploying a bag in position to block water flow, individual ones of the bags may be either anchored in place while dry or as desired, each bag may be exposed to the water flow, thereby commencing the expansion of the superabsorber prior to placement of the bag in the path of the water flow. In this latter situation, the added weight of the water absorbed by the superabsorber aids in anchoring the bag in place, thereby providing for retention of the positioned bag until the worker can prepare and deposit a further bag on an underlying bag or alongside a previously positioned bag, for example. 
         [0033]    Irrespective of the manner in which one or more of the bags of the present invention may be positioned or anchored to block a flow of water, the rapid takeup of water by the superabsorber of the present invention causes the superabsorber to rapidly expand to substantially fill the inner bag, thereby expanding the inner and outer bags and concomitant compaction of the expanding superabsorber. This action renders the bag essentially impervious to flow of water through the bag, resulting in the bag defining a barrier against the flow of water sought to be retained or diverted. As further expansion of the superabsorber takes place, the resistance of the bag to the flow of water therethrough is enhanced. 
         [0034]    Upon recovery of a bag of the present invention following its use as a barrier against water flow, the bag may be dried, such as by exposing the bag and its expanded contents to sunlight. This drying process returns the superabsorber of the present invention to its initial powdered state within the inner bag. Thereafter, the bag may be folded, stacked or otherwise stored for future use. The bags of the present invention have been determined to be reusable in this manner for up to five times without material loss of effectiveness of the bags as a barrier to water flow. 
         [0035]    In those instances where the bags of the present invention are not readily or even possible to be recovered, the present bags, being biodegradable, may be left in their barrier positions until they eventually harmlessly disintegrate. In similar manner, after a bag of the present invention has served out its useful life, it may be disposed of in a conventional garbage dump. 
         [0036]    Whereas the present invention has been described herein employing examples and specific data, as the context makes clear, one skilled in the art will recognize various acceptable modifications or substitutions which do not deviate from the scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be limited only as set forth in the claims appended hereto.