Flood control device and method of using same

Abstract

A water-fillable flood control device is provided that consists of a waterproof bag with a friction causing outer surface and having a mouth that can be closed with a waterproof seal after filling the bag with water. The bag can be filled by one person at a flood site using a filling / form sleeve and locally-available water. It is not necessary to fill the bag with sand, or add chemicals. The friction causing surface may be achieved by any means or method so long as the purpose is to hold the device in place for facilitating the stacking of a plurality of devices on top of each other to form a stable water control structure without the need for external supports.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0001]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to a water-fillable flood-control device and a method of using such device.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Conventional sandbags have long been used for flood and water control. Normally made of burlap or plastic, they are typically filled at a staging area with sand or other solid ballast by two or more people. The bags can then be transported or carried by one or two people to the point of usage, and can be used to form a partially water-tight barrier to temporarily help protect persons and property from rising waters that may suddenly appear after a storm or other emergency.[0006]In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, tsunamis, river flooding, levee breaks and other recent disasters, it has become clear that more effective and practical flood control devices are needed. The flood control device and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The present invention satisfies the above-mentioned needs. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a flood control device comprising:(a) a waterproof bag having a mouth suitable for receiving water;(b) a non-valve closure device, associated with the mouth, that when closed forms a waterproof seal over the mouth; and(c) a friction causing outer surface that facilitates the stacking of a plurality of bags into a stable water control structure.

Problems solved by technology

Sand or ballast needed to fill conventional sand bags is not normally available near a flood zone area.

This often requires heavy road equipment to transport the materials over often rugged or inaccessible terrain, and often causes collateral terrain damage.

In either event, rescue and recovery operations are delayed, and become more costly to perform.

Sandbags are also difficult to remove after use and make it difficult to restore the environment to its previous state.

In addition, sandbags are usually filled by hand, a difficult and time-consuming operation that normally requires two people—one to hold open the bag and another to fill the bag with sand with a shovel.

Also, conventional sandbags are not completely watertight, either individually or when stacked together, and tend to seep and leak, which may cause the structure to be breached.

However, sand or a similar material is still required to fill the bag.

This bag, however, is cumbersome and impractical for use in the field.

Also, as the bags are piled up, the weight of the bags would flatten the pockets and they would lose traction.

These extra elements increase the manufacturing cost of the bags.

In addition, the Wagner device would not provide a watertight seal when stacked together because the rings and clips would tend to hold the edges of the bags apart, thus allowing water to flow around the bags, which would eventually cause the structure to fail.

These devices are not, however, bags, but are specialized, large structures that would be costly to manufacture and cumbersome to use in the field.

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