Method and system for creating a flood barrier

Abstract

A method and apparatus for compacting material in a unit. In one embodiment the compacting apparatus comprises an attaching device, a base coupled to the attaching device, and a head coupled to the base, wherein the head comprises at least one sloping face. The head is lowered within the unit to compact material within the unit. As force is applied by the head, the sloping face distributes the force in a direction normal to the slope of the face. This compacts the material within the unit and prevents the formation of voids within the unit.

1 . A compacting apparatus comprising:
 an attaching device;   a base coupled to said attaching device;   a head coupled to said base; wherein said head comprises four sloping faces.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said head comprises a top end and a bottom end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said top end comprises a greater diameter than said bottom end. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said bottom end comprises a point. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said head comprises a pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a vibrating device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said attaching device is removeably coupled to a mechanical arm. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus further comprises a rotation table. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said rotation table is located between said attaching device and said base. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said head is freely rotatable beneath said rotation table. 
     
     
         12 . A system for compacting a material, said system comprising:
 a compacting apparatus comprising:   an attaching device;   a base coupled to said attaching device;   a head coupled to said base; wherein said head comprises four sloping faces;   a unit for holding a material, wherein said unit comprises an opening.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said head is sized so as to fit within said opening of said unit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said head has a similar shape as does said opening of said unit. 
     
     
         15 . A method of compacting a material, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. affixing a compacting apparatus to a mechanical arm, wherein said compacting apparatus comprises an attaching device coupled to a base, and wherein said base is coupled to a head, wherein said head comprises four sloping faces;   b. positioning said head above an opening in a unit, wherein said unit comprises a material;   c. lowering said head such that said head makes contact with said material;   d. compacting said material with said head.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said compacting of step d) comprises applying a force upon said material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said force comprises force exerted by said arm onto said apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said force comprises a substantially downward force. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said sloping face distributes said force in a direction normal to said slope. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said compacting of step d) comprises compacting said material downward and outward to the outer periphery of said unit. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said compacting of step d) reduces voids formed in said unit. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said affixing comprises affixing an apparatus comprising a head, wherein said head comprises a top end and a bottom end. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said affixing further comprises affixing a head wherein said top end comprises a shape which has a similar shape to said unit. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said compacting of step d) further comprises vibrating said compacting apparatus. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said positioning further comprises rotating said apparatus along a substantially vertical axis. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of filling said unit with said material, wherein said filling step occurs prior to step b). 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of partially filling said unit with said material prior to said compacting of step d). 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising adding additional material after said compacting of step d.) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising the step of further compacting said material with said head after adding additional material.