Abstract:
A check tube is sealed on one end and may be open on the opposite end. The check tube may have a cape, a flap and/or a hood attached to the check tube to, among other things, anchor the check tube and/or to prevent water flow, and thus erosion, between adjacent check tubes, beneath the check tube and/or downstream of the check tube. A temporary pocket defining a subset of the volume of the check tube is provided in the check tube and filled with fill material that expands after being introduced to water. Just prior to, during or after installation of the check tube, the pocket is opened, broken or dissolved and the check tube is introduced to water thereby allowing the fill material to expand to the full volume of the check tube.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a measure to help control water, erosion and sediment run-off. More particularly, the invention relates to a check tube and system to control water and/or sediment flow. 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/889,193, filed Feb. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Ditch checks or check tubes are often used in areas of low elevation relative to the surrounding ground in order to slow the rate of water flow through the area. By slowing the rate of water flow, erosion can be reduced and silt is encouraged to settle in the areas of reduced water flow. Ditch checks can be made of natural inorganic materials, such as rocks, and/or natural organic materials, such as hay. Alternatively, check tubes can be manufactured using a variety of appropriate materials which may include natural and/or organic materials. 
     Some of the manufactured check tubes use an expanding material that significantly increases in size and weight when introduced to water. Some of the advantages of these types of check tubes are a reduction in preinstalled size and weight and simpler installation resulting from the reduced size and weight. During or after installation, when the check tube becomes wet, some or all of the material in the check tube will expand. 
     Check tubes with expanding material are often constructed as a hollow sleeve that is only partially filled with the expanding material. The check tube is only partially filled so as to allow for expansion of the fill material. As the check tube gets wet, the material inside expands and fills the check tube. 
     SUMMARY OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS 
     However, since prior to installation, the material only fills a portion of the check tube, the material is largely free to move around the check tube. During transport and installation of the check tube, the fill material may move around resulting in some areas of the check tube being over-filled with the fill material, while other areas are under-filled with the fill material. The check tube can not be properly used in this condition. When the fill material gets wet it will expand, causing areas that are over-filled with fill material to expand improperly and/or rupture or otherwise damage the check tube. Likewise, in the areas that are under-filled with the fill material, the check tube may be ineffective at slowing the rate of water flow as it will not expand to the proper dimensions. 
     It can be difficult, time consuming and/or expensive to assure that the fill material is evenly distributed throughout the check tube prior to and/or during installation. It would be advantageous to be able to assure that the fill material would be evenly distributed during manufacture and would stay evenly distributed up to or throughout the installation of the check tube. 
     By holding the fill material in a limited space throughout the length of the check tube during manufacture and up to or throughout the installation of the check tube, it can be assured that the fill material is evenly distributed before it is introduced to water and thus expands. During or after the installation, the fill material can then be released so as to be free to expand throughout the entire volume of the tube after being introduced to water. 
     This invention provides a check tube for erosion control. 
     This invention separately provides a check tube that is partially filled with a fill material that expands during or after installation to increase the size and/or weight of the check tube. 
     This invention separately provides a check tube with a defined subsection of its volume that is separated from the rest of the check tube. The subsection is filled or nearly filled with a fill material during manufacture. 
     This invention separately provides a check tube with a hood to overlap or enmesh with another check tube. 
     This invention separately provides a check tube with a check flap to, among other things, help hold the check tube in place during installation. 
     This invention separately provides a check tube with a second flap or cape to help prevent erosion around the check tube. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of a check tube according to this invention, the check tube is filled with a fill material that expands when introduced to water. In such exemplary embodiments, the check tube is kept dry or mostly dry until or throughout the installation of the check tube. At that time, it is introduced to water and the fill material expands. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of a check tube according to this invention, the check tube is only partially filled with fill material that will expand after being introduced to water. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments the fill material is restricted to a subsection of the volume of the check tube until or through the installation of the check tube. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments the fill material is then unrestricted to the entire volume of the check tube before being introduced to water and thus expanding. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of a check tube according to this invention, the check tube has a secondary stitch that defines a subsection or pocket of the volume of the check tube. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments the subsection of the volume is filled with a fill material that expands after being introduced to water. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments the secondary stitch is removed just prior to, during or just after installation of the check tube to allow the fill material to expand throughout the entire volume of the check tube after being introduced to water. 
     It should be appreciated that the fill material can be restricted to a subset of the volume of the check tube for any length of time between the manufacture of the check tube and the actual use of the check tube. In some instances it may be beneficial and/or necessary to completely install the check tube before unrestricting the fill material. In other instances it may be beneficial and/or necessary to restrict the fill material to a subset of the volume of the check tube until just before installation and to install the check tube with the fill material unrestricted to the entire volume of the check tube. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of a check tube according to this invention, the check tube has a hood. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments the hood is attached to a first end of the check tube and is usable to overlap or enmesh with a second end of a second similarly constructed check tube. In such exemplary embodiments, the hood restricts water from flowing freely between two adjacent check tubes and allows construction of a check tube system made of any desired number of individual check tubes. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of a check tube according to this invention, the check tube has a check flap. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, the check flap is installed beneath the surface of the ground that the check tube is installed upon. In such exemplary embodiments the check flap helps hold the check tube in place during and/or after installation and/or helps prevent water from undercutting and flowing beneath the check tube. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of a check tube according to this invention, the check tube has a second flap or cape. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, the second flap or cape extends across the entire length of the check tube on the downstream side of the check tube. In such exemplary embodiments the second flap or cape dissipates water fall energy and prevents erosion on the downstream side of the check tube. 
     These and other features and advantages of various exemplary embodiments of systems and methods according to this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed descriptions of various exemplary embodiments of various devices, structures and/or methods according to this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plurality of check tubes shown installed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a check tube; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a check tube; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a plurality of check tubes installed according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a check tube of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a barrier  100  comprising an exemplary embodiment of a check tube  110 . In one embodiment, the barrier  100  is installed on the ground or another surface at a determined location, such as across a ditch or swale that occasionally carries water, or perpendicular to an expected flow. In one embodiment, one or more check tubes  110  are aligned to extend substantially transversely across the ditch or swale. Adjacent check tubes  110  are aligned relative to each other for sufficient overlap of the sides, as more fully explained below. In  FIG. 1 , arrow A indicates a downstream direction of water and/or sediment flow. 
       FIG. 2  shows a first exemplary embodiment of a check tube  110 . The check tube  110  comprises a sleeve  120 , a first end  130  and a second end  140 . In this exemplary embodiment, the check tube  110  is an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and defining a longitudinal cross-section resembling any closed shape, such as, for example, a circle, a non-circle such as an oval, and/or a polygon such as a square. In various exemplary embodiments, the first end  130  of the sleeve  120  is substantially closed. For example, the first end  130  of the sleeve  120  may be stitched shut. As shown, the second end  140  of the sleeve  120  may be open. As discussed below, the second end  140  may also be substantially closed. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, a hood  150  is attached to the first end  130  of the sleeve  120 . The hood  150  allows the check tube  110  to overlap or enmesh with another check tube  110 . By enmeshing two or more adjacent check tubes  110 , a check tube system, such as the barrier  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , can be constructed of any desirable length. Furthermore, the hood  150  restricts water from flowing freely between adjacent check tubes  110  thus preventing erosion between the adjacent check tubes  110 . It should be appreciated that any two adjacent check tubes  110  may be installed at any desirable angle to each other and that the flexible nature of the hood  150  may assist in enmeshing the check tubes  110  at angles other than one hundred eighty degrees (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The second end  140  of the check tube  110  is generally left open to allow the check tube  110  to be filled at least partially with filler material  125 . The filler material  125  may comprise any number of materials. For example, the filler material  125  may be completely organic or may include polymer. For example, the filler material  125  may be comprised of native pellets and/or a polyacrylamide mix. The native pellets are composed of leaves, stems, stalks and/or other biomass material or natural components that are consistent with the native vegetation of the area where the check tube  110  is to be used. The material used to make the pellets is heated and compressed, thus rendering it substantially sterile. Any type of filler material  125  that absorbs water may be used to at least partially fill the check tube  110 . 
     The check tube  110  may be formed of a water-permeable material. In various exemplary embodiments, the check tube  110  will be formed of non-woven needle-punched polypropylene fabric. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the check tube  110  of the present invention may also comprise a check flap  160 . During installation of the check tube  110 , the check flap  160  may be buried below grade to help hold the check tube  110  in place and to prevent water from undercutting the check tube  110  and/or eroding the ground, soil or other surface near the check tube  110 . The check flap  160  may also eliminate the necessity for installation of stakes or staples or other such apparatus to help hold the check tube  110  in place relative to the ground or other surface. However, such stakes or staples may be used to anchor the check tube  110  and/or check flap  160 , if desired. 
     The check tube  110  of the present invention may also comprise a cape flap  170 . In various exemplary embodiments, and as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the cape flap  170  is connected to the sleeve  120  and positioned to prevent erosion on the downstream side of the check tube  110 . The cape flap  170  may help dissipate water fall energy as the water flows over the top of the sleeve  120  and thus may help prevent the formation of an erosion channel. The cape flap  170  also prevents water from back-flowing and eroding soil beneath the check tube  110 . 
     In various exemplary embodiments the cape flap  170  is covered with vegetation  175 . In such exemplary embodiments, the vegetation  175  helps anchor the cape flap  170 , and thus the check tube  110 , in place while increasing overall structural support. The cape flap  170 , and the accompanying vegetation  175 , may also help decrease the velocity of water flowing over the check tube  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , after the filler material  125  is inserted into the sleeve  120 , the second end  140  of the check tube  110  may be at least substantially sealed or closed. For example, in various exemplary embodiments, the second end  140  may be tied using a tying apparatus  200 , such as a plastic electrical tie, which may be punched through the material comprising the check tube  110  at a desired point and then pulled tight. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, a plurality of these check tubes  110  may be installed adjacent to each other. In various exemplary embodiments, the first check tube  110  may be positioned as desired. A second check tube  110  should be positioned adjacent to the first check tube  110 . In various exemplary embodiments the second check tube  110  may be at least partially covered by the hood  150  of the first check tube  110  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the check tube  110  of the present invention may also comprise a pocket  180  provided in the sleeve  120 . In various exemplary embodiments, the pocket  180  is used to help maintain the filler material  125  evenly along the length of the sleeve  120  during transport and installation. In various exemplary embodiments, the pocket  180  is created by gluing a portion of the sleeve  120  together with non-toxic water-soluble glue along a longitudinal glue line to subdivide the sleeve  120  as desired. When water is introduced to the check tube  110 , the glue used to form the pocket  180  will dissolve and allow the filler material  125  to expand and fill the sleeve  120 . In various exemplary embodiments, a temporary stitching line  190  may be used instead of a glue line to create the pocket  180  in the sleeve  120 . The temporary stitching line  190  used to form the pocket  180  in the sleeve  120  may be removed after installation. For example, in various exemplary embodiments, the temporary stitching line  190  may be a chain stitch that allows easy removal of the temporary stitching line  190  by simple pulling of a loose end of the temporary stitching line  190  to permit the filler material  125  to expand within the sleeve  120  as needed or desired. In various exemplary embodiments, the pocket  180  may comprise a smaller tube  220  comprised of fabric and containing filler material  125  and other material, which fabric either dissolves or expands when water is introduced. Such a tubular pocket  220  may be inserted into the sleeve  120  during installation. In such exemplary embodiments, the glue and/or temporary line of stitching  190  may not be necessary. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the check tube  110  will be fabricated from a single piece of material. For example, in various exemplary embodiments, the check tube  110  may be fabricated from a single sheet of material folded over upon itself and closed with a line of stitching  210  or otherwise sealed or closed as shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein the sleeve  120  is defined by portions of the folded sheet and fastening elements such as the line of stitching  210 . 
       FIG. 5  also illustrates the use of temporary fastening elements, such as a line of chain stitching  190  which extends from the open end of the check tube  110  to subdivide the sleeve  120  into a smaller pocket  180  for receiving the filler material  125  and maintaining a generally even distribution of the filler material  125  along the entire length of the pocket  180  and/or sleeve  120  during storage, transport, handling and installation of the check tube  110 . Although not necessary for the subdivision of the sleeve  120 , the chain stitching line  190  is shown extending beyond the stitched closed end of the sleeve  120  toward the far end of the folded check tube  110 . This simplifies the stitching step, and has the additional advantage that the chain stitching line  190  must be removed to permit nesting of the tied end of the sleeve  120  within the hood  150  of a previously placed check tube  110 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . This prevents the installers from forgetting to remove the chain stitching  190  during installation of each check tube  110 . 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.