Water flow control product and method of manufacture

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 ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableFIELD 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, comm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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