Flood water containment bag

Abstract

A storm water or flood water containment bag constructed of lightweight, inexpensive material with a quantity of absorbent material therein, for use in constructing dykes or dams to stop encroachment of water, or other liquid, the bag having an at least partially porous or permeable cover containing a liquid absorbing filler material composed of recycled carpet in a mixture of about 15 to 40% polypropylene, about 20 to 45% polyester, about 40 to 60% nylon, and about 5% or less of wool, rubber and/or fiber pad. The bag can be easily and quickly transported to a point of use and arranged to form a water barrier or wall. Fastener means attached to the bag enable it to be interconnected to stabilize the formed barrier

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A liquid containment bag, comprising: 
 a peripheral wall means for containing a quantity of absorbent material in the bag, such absorbent material comprising ground, shredded carpet material.    
     
     
         2 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 1 , wherein 
 such peripheral wall means is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of: 
 (A) woven material;  
 (B) non-woven material;  
 (C) knit material;  
 (D) paper;  
 (E) plastic;  
 (F) polyethylene, and  
 (G) polypropylene.  
   
     
     
         3 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 1 , in which 
 such peripheral wall means is constructed of a non-porous material and made porous by puncturing such non-porous material enabling ingress of liquid into the interior of the bag.    
     
     
         4 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 1 , in which 
 such peripheral wall means is constructed to present, at least partly a porous portion, enabling ingress of liquid into the interior of the bag and a substantially non-porous portion.    
     
     
         5 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 1 , in which 
 such absorbent material is treated with surfactant before filling such bag.    
     
     
         6 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 1 , in which 
 such absorbent material comprises, in combination: 
 (A) about 15 to 40% polypropylene;  
 (B) about 20 to 45% polyester;  
 (C) about 40 to 65% nylon, and  
 (D) about 5% or less of wool, rubber and fiber pad.  
   
     
     
         7 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 6 , in which 
 such nylon material comprises: 
 (A) about 20 to 30% nylon 6, and  
 (B) about 20 to 35% nylon 66.  
   
     
     
         8 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 6 , in which 
 such absorbent material comprises, in combination: 
 (A) about 21% polypropylene;  
 (B) about 25% polyester;  
 (C) about 50% nylon;  
 (D) about 1% wool;  
 (E) about 2% rubber, and  
 (F) about 1% fiber pad.  
   
     
     
         9 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 8 , in which 
 such nylon material comprises: 
 (A) about 20% nylon 6, and  
 (B) about 30% nylon 66.  
   
     
     
         10 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 1 , wherein 
 such absorbent material can be dried and re-used as absorbent.    
     
     
         11 . The liquid containment bag of  claim 1 , further comprising 
 fastener means for interconnecting similarly provided bags.    
     
     
         12 . A method of constructing a barrier to liquid comprising the steps of: 
 (A) constructing a bag of flexible material;    (B) placing a quantity of liquid absorbing material in the bag when dry, wherein such absorbent material comprises ground, shredded carpet material, comprising, in combination: 
 (i) about 15 to 40% polypropylene;  
 (ii) about 20 to 45% polyester;  
 (iii) about 40 to 65% nylon, and  
 (iv) about 5% or less of wool, rubber and fiber pad;  
   (C) closing and sealing the bag to prevent egress of the absorbent material from the bag;    (D) transporting a plurality of bags while in a dry lightweight condition to a selected site for forming such barrier;    (E) if such bag is constructed of non-porous material, puncturing at least a portion of such bag to enable ingress of liquid into the bag;    (F) positioning such plurality of bags to form a barrier, and    (G) contacting the bags with liquid for passage through the material into the interior of the bags for contact with the absorbent material to increase the total weight of the bag and form a stable barrier against such liquid.    
     
     
         13 . The method of constructing a barrier of  claim 12 , wherein such nylon material comprises: 
 (i) about 20 to 30% nylon 6, and    (ii) about 20 to 35% nylon 66.    
     
     
         14 . The method of constructing a barrier of  claim 12 , wherein such absorbent material comprises, in combination: 
 (i) about 21% polypropylene;    (ii) about 25% polyester;    (iii) about 50% nylon;    (iv) about 1% wool;    (v) about 2% rubber, and    (vi) about 1% fiber pad.    
     
     
         15 . The method of constructing a barrier of  claim 14 , wherein such nylon material comprises: 
 (i) about 20% nylon 6, and    (ii) about 30% nylon 66.    
     
     
         16 . The method of constructing a barrier of  claim 12 , wherein such bag further comprises: 
 fastener means for interconnecting similarly provided bags.    
     
     
         17 . The method of constructing a barrier of  claim 12 , wherein the step of constructing a bag of flexible material further comprises: 
 constructing such bag to present, at least partly a porous portion, enabling ingress of liquid into the interior of the bag and a substantially non-porous portion.    
     
     
         18 . The method of constructing a barrier of  claim 17 , wherein the step of positioning such plurality of bags to form a barrier further comprises: 
 positioning such bag to present such porous portion toward such liquid for enabling ingress of liquid into the interior of the bag, and    positioning such bag to present such substantially non-porous portion away from such liquid to maintain such area dry.    
     
     
         19 . The method of constructing a barrier of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (H) treating such quantity of liquid absorbing material with a surfactant before placing and sealing such quantity of material in such bag.    
     
     
         20 . The method of constructing a barrier of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (I) when the liquid barrier is no longer required, drying such bags and absorbent material, and    (J) storing such dried bags and absorbent material for re-use.