Tubular element with light weight aggregate filling

Abstract

The tubular element is made with a sleeve formed of a spun bonded polyester material that allows the passage of water and prevents the passage of soil when used for a drainage element. The tubular element is made with small diameters that allows the element to be coiled about a three-dimensional object when used as a cushioning device.

1 . A tubular element comprising a mass of light weight discrete thermoplastic aggregate; and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate, said tubular element characterized in having a predetermined outer diameter (D) and a length (L) to diameter (D) ratio of from at least 30 to 10 and in being sufficiently flexible over the length thereof to coil about a three-dimensional object. 
   
   
       2 . A tubular element as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising tie means closing around a gathered end of said sleeve at each end thereof to retain said aggregate therein. 
   
   
       3 . A tubular element as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is a membrane having a grab tensile strength of 61/61 lbf as measured under ASTM D-5034 and a grab elongation to break in % of 45/50 as measured under ASTM D-5034. 
   
   
       4 . A tubular element as set forth in  claim 3  where said membrane is made of spun bonded non-woven polyester. 
   
   
       5 . A tubular element as set forth in  claim 1  having a diameter of from 1 inch to 36 inches. 
   
   
       6 . In combination
 at least one three-dimensional object;   at least one tubular element coiled about said object, said element comprising a mass of light weight discrete thermoplastic aggregate and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate; and   a layer of shrink-wrap enveloping said object and said element.   
   
   
       7 . The combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said tubular element has a diameter of from 1 inch to 36 inches. 
   
   
       8 . In a water drainage system, the combination of
 a plurality of horizontally disposed drainage elements disposed in a linear array within a layer of soil, each said drainage element having a mass of light weight discrete aggregate defining passageways for a flow of water therethrough and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate; and   a plurality of vertically disposed drainage elements below said horizontally disposed drainage elements for receiving flows of water therefrom, each said vertically disposed drainage element having a mass of light weight discrete aggregate defining passageways for a flow of water therethrough and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate.   
   
   
       9 . A water drainage system as set forth in  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of strips of filter material, each said strip bridging over a respective pair of said horizontally disposed drainage elements, each said strip having a plurality of interstices characterized in being of a size for the passage of water therethrough and the filtering of fine particles of solid material from the water passing through said strip. 
   
   
       10 . A water drainage system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said sleeve of each said horizontally disposed drainage element includes an upper peripheral portion of a water-permeable filter material for the passage of water therethrough and the filtering of fine particles of solid material from the water passing through said material and a lower peripheral portion of net material having openings for retaining said aggregate and allowing the passage of water; 
   
   
       11 . A water drainage system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein each said vertically disposed drainage element includes a perforated pipe extending vertically within said mass of aggregate for accumulating water therein. 
   
   
       12 . A water drainage system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein at least one end of said pipe is disposed within said mass of aggregate and a screen is disposed over said one end of said pipe within said mass of aggregate for blocking entry of said aggregate into said pipe. 
   
   
       13 . A dry well comprising
 an excavation in a ground surface defining a hole for receiving water run off; and   at least one vertically disposed drainage element in said hole for receiving the water run off, said drainage element having a mass of light weight discrete aggregate defining passageways for a flow of water therethrough and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate.   
   
   
       14 . A dry well as set forth in  claim 13  comprising a bundle of said drainage elements disposed in parallel in said hole. 
   
   
       15 . A dry well as set forth in  claim 13  comprising a plurality of said drainage elements disposed in series in said hole one over the other. 
   
   
       16 . A dry well as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising a perforated pipe extending vertically within said mass of aggregate for accumulating water therein.