Patent Application
20250122683
The present invention relates to a bag with a filling port containing absorbent material and, more particularly, to a bag containing absorbent material that, when filled with water, can be used for creating temporary barriers.
A sandbag (flood bag) is typically a sack made of burlap, plastic, or other material that is then filled with sand or soil, and then used for such purposes as flood water control, military fortification, building protection in war zones, and ballast. These bags are then used as a temporary barrier. Sandbags may be used in emergencies, such as when flood waters threaten property or when a levee or dike is damaged. They may also be used in non-emergency situations, (or after an emergency), to assist in constructing permanent flood protection structures and for military fortifications and ballast.
Sandbags must be prepared by loading sand, soil, or other material into the bags before use. Typically this is performed by manually placing the material into each bag. Many times these materials are difficult to obtain in emergency conditions. Often times these materials are only available at a significant distance from where the bags are needed. Once the bags are filled, they are very heavy and difficult to move to the location where they are needed.
As can be seen, there is a need for easy-to-use temporary barrier bags that avoid the use of sand or soil.
In one aspect of the present invention, a temporary barrier bag comprises: an outer casing; a liquid absorbing powder within the outer casing; and, a method of filling the outer casing with water.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, descriptions, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bag system for creating temporary barriers. The bag may include an outer casing and a liquid absorbing powder within the casing, and a method for filling the casing with water. To use the bag, water is added to the bag and the liquid absorbing powder will absorb the water. The water will be absorbed by the powder within 5 minutes. The bags will then expand and may be placed or stacked to create a barrier.
The present invention may include a casing made of woven fabric or plastic film that will retain the water inside the bag when filled. Some minor leakage of water may occur during filling but is incidental to the functioning of the casing. The casing may be made of woven natural fibers or man-made fibers that may have been treated to increase the retention of water by the casing. The casing may alternatively be made of man-made plastic material, either woven or film, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, or other suitable material which may also have been treated to increase the retention of water.
The present invention may weigh less that than 16 ounces until the water is added. Once the present invention has added water, the bag may weigh between 30 and 80 pounds. The weight will depend on the size of the bag that is used.
The present invention utilizes a liquid absorbing powder made of cross-linked sodium polyacrylate and potassium polyacrylamide polymer. This powder is a super absorbent material that will absorb over fifty (50) times its weight of water. This material allows the bag to expand after water is added. The resultant gel-like mixture of water and absorbent powder is contained within the casing and creates a bag of sufficient weight to be used for a temporary barrier. Only the addition of water is required to deploy the present invention.
Water is added to the bag via the filling port that is an integral part of the outer casing. Water may be added using a common garden hose or any other small diameter hose connected to a water supply. The filling channel is largely self-sealing after the filling hose is withdrawn, but complete closing is not required. After the liquid is absorbed by the powder, little if any of the liquid-powder mixture will leak out. Water is not added in any significant amount by soaking through the outer casing.
