Gravel bag and method for protecting and exit point for stormwater

Abstract

A gravel bag manufactured from a single layer of a heavy-duty geotextile composite material (also referred to as “geo-composite”), said layer comprising a closure device resistant to opening as pressure is applied from within. The geo-composite material is formed by affixing at least two fabrics that together complement each other's performance. The overall structure allows for a single composite geotextile fabric that is low-slip, low cost, offers effective padding, has a high tensile strength, is puncture and tear resistant, and that has low elongation properties. In use, the single layer geo-composite gravel bag significantly outperforms all other single layer and multiple layer geo-composite gravel bags currently in use.

1 . An improved gravel bag for one of either filtering a flow of water or diverting a flow of water, the improved gravel bag comprising:
 a. a shell made from a non-woven geotextile substantially tightly affixed to a woven geotextile; and   b. an internal space filled with gravel.   
   
   
       2 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 1  wherein said closure system further comprises:
 a. flexible material having a first side and a second side, wherein said second side is longer than said first side and said second side is folded onto itself to create an internal flap having an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side, said outwardly facing side further comprising hook and loop type fasteners and releasably attached to said first side; and   b. internal contents substantially retained inside said gravel bag, wherein said internal contents assert pressure against said inwardly facing side, thereby pushing said outwardly facing side more tightly against said first side.   
   
   
       3 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 2  wherein said non-woven geotextile is needle-punched through said woven geotextile. 
   
   
       4 . The gravel bag according to  claim 1  wherein said geotextiles are heavy-duty geotextiles. 
   
   
       5 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 4  further comprising a closure system. 
   
   
       6 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 5  wherein said closure system further comprises:
 a. flexible material having a first side and a second side, wherein said second side is longer than said first side and said second side is folded onto itself to create an internal flap having an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side, said outwardly facing side further comprising hook and loop type fasteners and releasably attached to said first side; and   b. internal contents substantially retained inside said gravel bag, wherein said internal contents assert pressure against said inwardly facing side, thereby pushing said outwardly facing side more tightly against said first side.   
   
   
       7 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 6  wherein said non-woven geotextile is needle-punched through said woven geotextile. 
   
   
       8 . An improved gravel bag for one of either filtering a flow of water or diverting a flow of water, the improved gravel bag comprising a closure system further comprising:
 a. flexible material having a first side and a second side, wherein said second side is longer than said first side and said second side is folded onto itself to create an internal flap having an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side, said outwardly facing side further comprising hook and loop type fasteners and releasably attached to said first side; and   b. internal contents substantially retained inside said gravel bag, wherein said internal contents assert pressure against said inwardly facing side, thereby pushing said outwardly facing side more tightly against said first side.   
   
   
       9 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 8  wherein said gravel bag comprises a shell made from a non-woven geotextile substantially tightly affixed to a woven geotextile and an internal space filled with gravel. 
   
   
       10 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 8  wherein said hook and loop type fasteners are arranged into at least two rows. 
   
   
       11 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 10  wherein said gravel bag comprises a shell made from a non-woven geotextile substantially tightly affixed to a woven geotextile and an internal space filled with gravel. 
   
   
       12 . The gravel bag according to  claim 11  wherein said geotextiles are heavy-duty geotextiles. 
   
   
       13 . The improved gravel bag according to  claim 12  wherein said non-woven geotextile is needle-punched through said woven geotextile.