Swelling Absorbent Barrier Bag with Adhered Polymer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-impermeable barrier bags, such as sandbags and bladder-type bags, face challenges in storage, transportation, and labor-intensive filling processes, and suffer from inconsistent performance and high costs due to uneven distribution of super-absorbent materials during expansion.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-absorbing barrier bag with a super-absorbent polymer material adhered to the inner surfaces of a liquid-permeable envelope, allowing even distribution and expansion into a stable shape, using a water-soluble or weak-bonding adhesive to prevent material migration and ensure efficient liquid absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If loose absorbent material is used in the barrier bag, then the bag can be easily filled and manufactured, but the material migrates and shifts during storage and handling resulting in uneven distribution and inconsistent performance
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent material is pre-distributed within the envelope in a controlled manner before the bag is sealed and shipped. This preliminary distribution ensures even spacing of the material throughout the bag, preventing migration during storage and handling while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If fibrous material is used to distribute the absorbent polymer, then even distribution is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fibrous distribution medium is removed from the final product design. Instead of using fibrous material to distribute the absorbent polymer, the invention achieves even distribution through alternative means such as pre-placement techniques or direct incorporation of the polymer into the envelope structure, eliminating the need for complex multi-material construction.
3Manufacturing precision
If absorbent material is laminated to paper or non-woven material, then distribution is improved, but material costs and manufacturing complexity double
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent material is directly integrated into the envelope structure itself, merging the distribution function with the containment structure. This eliminates the need for separate laminated layers of paper or non-woven material, reducing both material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining even distribution of the absorbent polymer.
4Reliability
If sandbags are used as traditional barrier, then liquid impermeability is achieved, but they require heavy materials and labor-intensive filling processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the barrier material from heavy sand to lightweight super-absorbent polymer that transitions from a compact dry state to an expanded wet state. This parameter change allows the bag to be shipped in a space-efficient dry form and then activated on-site by absorbing water, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining liquid impermeability through the expanded gel structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy onsite soaking and stacking of dry bags to form a stable, liquid-impermeable barrier wall, reducing labor and material costs while maintaining consistent performance and functionality similar to sandbags.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent material disposed within a liquid-permeable envelope... capable of rapidly absorbing from 50-1000 times its own weight in water
Implementation Method 2
The preferred superabsorbent material is a polymer that swells to form a gel upon contact with water
Implementation Method 3
The absorbent material is adhered to one or more inner surfaces of the bag
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid-absorbing, liquid barrier bag comprising a liquid-permeable envelope within which a super-absorbent material in powder or granular form is disposed, the absorbent material being characterized in that it greatly increases in volume upon liquid absorption. The super-absorbent material is adhered to one or more of the inner surfaces of the liquid-permeable envelope such that the desired distribution and pattern is maintained during handling, shipping and activation of the liquid-absorbing. Upon contact with liquid, such as by soaking the bag in water, the super-absorbent material releases from the inner surfaces and swells to create a three-dimensional body suitable for stacking to form a liquid-impermeable barrier wall.