U.S. patent application number 14/731963 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for fillable barrier bag.
The applicant listed for this patent is Beau G. Adams. Invention is credited to Beau G. Adams.
Application Number | 20150354161 14/731963 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54769120 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150354161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adams; Beau G. |
December 10, 2015 |
FILLABLE BARRIER BAG
Abstract
Apparatus and methods relating to a barrier bag are disclosed
herein. In one embodiment, the barrier bag is configured for
installation in a doorway and includes a receiving cell for
receiving a second barrier bag. The barrier bag may include
removable attachment portions for attaching it to one or more
additional barrier bags.
Inventors: |
Adams; Beau G.; (Louisville,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Adams; Beau G. |
Louisville |
KY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54769120 |
Appl. No.: |
14/731963 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62008850 |
Jun 6, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/00 20130101; E06B
2009/007 20130101; E06B 9/02 20130101; E02B 3/108 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E02B 3/10 20060101
E02B003/10 |
Claims
1. A fillable barrier bag, comprising: a barrier bag at least
partially defining a bottom and sides of an internal space and
capable of receiving a flowable fill material in said internal
space, said barrier bag having a receiving cell; said barrier bag
having a first end oppositely disposed a second end and extending
in a longitudinal direction from said first end to said second end;
said receiving cell extending from said second end of said barrier
bag, said receiving cell is substantially open-ended and configured
to accept said first end; and said receiving cell having at least
one first mating portion, and at least one of said receiving cell
and said barrier bag having at least one second mating portion,
wherein said at least one first mating portion is configured to
removably attach to said at least one second mating portion thereby
allowing removable attachment of said barrier bag to another said
barrier bag.
2. The fillable barrier bag of claim 1 wherein said bottom and
sides of said internal space are substantially defined by a bottom
panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, and a first end
panel and a second end panel of said barrier bag.
3. The fillable barrier bag of claim 2 further comprising a lid
attached to said second side panel, said lid removably attachable
to said first side panel, wherein said lid substantially encloses a
top of said internal space when said lid is removably attached to
said first side panel.
4. The fillable barrier bag of claim 2 wherein said receiving cell
further includes a first side extension panel attached to and
extending longitudinally outwardly from said second end of said
barrier bag at a location adjacent said first side panel, a second
side extension panel attached to and extending longitudinally
outwardly from said second end of said bag at a location adjacent
said second side panel, and a bottom extension panel attached to
and extending longitudinally outwardly from said bottom panel of
said barrier bag.
5. The fillable barrier bag of claim 4 wherein said bottom
extension panel is attached to said first side extension panel and
to said second side extension panel, said receiving cell is
substantially open-ended at one end and at a top of said receiving
cell.
6. The fillable barrier bag of claim 4 wherein said first end has a
first cross-sectional shape substantially perpendicular to said
longitudinal direction from said first end to said second end, and
said receiving cell has a second cross-sectional shape
substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said
first cross-sectional shape and said second cross-sectional shape
is substantially the same.
7. The fillable barrier bag of claim 1 wherein said internal space
is interrupted by at least one baffle to form one or more loading
cells.
8. The fillable barrier bag of claim 1 further comprising a lid
extending from said barrier bag, wherein said lid has at least one
lid end attachment portion removably attachable to an end lid
attachment portion located on at least one of said first end and
said second end of said barrier bag.
9. The fillable barrier bag of claim 1 further comprising a lid
extending from said barrier bag, wherein said lid has at least one
lid side attachment portion removably attachable to a side lid
attachment portion located on a side of said barrier bag.
10. The fillable barrier bag of claim 1 further comprising at least
one handle attached to at least one of said first end and said
second end of said barrier bag.
11. A fillable barrier bag, comprising: a barrier bag having a
bottom panel, a plurality of side panels, and a plurality of end
panels collectively defining an open-top internal space capable of
receiving flowable fill material, said barrier bag attached to a
receiving cell; said plurality of end panels including a first end
panel oppositely disposed from a second end panel, said barrier bag
extending in a longitudinal direction from said first end panel to
said second end panel; said plurality of side panels include a
first side panel and an opposing second side panel, wherein said
first side panel extends between said first end panel, said second
end panel, and said bottom panel, and wherein said second side
panel extends between said first end panel, said second end panel,
and said bottom panel; said receiving cell extending from said
second end panel of said barrier bag, said receiving cell is
substantially open-ended and configured to accept said first end
panel and to accept a portion of said first side panel adjacent
said first end panel and a portion of said second side panel
adjacent said first end panel; and said receiving cell having a
first side extension panel attached to and extending longitudinally
outwardly from said first end panel of said bag and a second side
extension panel attached to and extending longitudinally outwardly
from said second end panel of said bag; at least one extension
strap attached to at least one of said first side extension panel
and said second side extension panel, said at least one extension
strap having at least one first attachment portion extending
longitudinally beyond said at least one of said first side
extension panel and said second side extension panel; and at least
one second attachment portion removably attachable to said at least
one first attachment portion, said at least one second attachment
portion located on at least one of said barrier bag and said
receiving cell, thereby allowing removable attachment of said
barrier bag to another said barrier bag.
12. The fillable barrier bag of claim 11 wherein said receiving
cell further comprising a bottom extension panel attached to and
extending longitudinally outwardly from said bottom panel of said
barrier bag, said bottom extension panel attached to said first
side extension panel and to said second side extension panel.
13. The fillable barrier bag of claim 11 further comprising a lid
attached to said second side panel, said lid removably attachable
to said first side panel, wherein said lid encloses the top of said
open-top internal space.
14. The fillable barrier bag of claim 13 wherein said lid has at
least one lid end attachment portion removably attachable to an end
lid attachment portion located on at least one of said first end
panel and said second end panel of said barrier bag.
15. The fillable barrier bag of claim 13 wherein said lid has at
least one lid side attachment portion removably attachable to a
side lid attachment portion located on at least one of said
plurality of side panels of said barrier bag.
16. The fillable barrier bag of claim 13 wherein said open-top
internal space is interrupted by at least one baffle extending
transverse to said longitudinal direction.
17. The fillable barrier bag of claim 11 further comprising at
least one handle attached to at least one of said first end panel
and said second end panel of said barrier bag.
18. A method of forming a barrier using a plurality of barrier
bags, comprising the steps of: depositing a flowable fill material
into a first barrier bag and a second barrier bag, wherein each of
said first barrier bag and said second barrier bag have a base and
a lid, a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, and a
receiving cell adjacent said second end and extending
longitudinally outwardly away from said second end; inserting said
first end of said first barrier bag at least partially into said
receiving cell of said second barrier bag; and removably attaching
said first barrier bag to said second barrier bag with said first
end of said first barrier bag at least partially inserted into said
receiving cell of said second barrier bag.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of closing
said first barrier bag by removably attaching said lid of said
first barrier bag to at least one of said first end, said second
end, and a side between said first end and said second end, each of
said first barrier bag.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of closing
said second barrier bag by removably attaching said lid of said
second barrier bag to at least one of said first end, said second
end, and a side between said first end and said second end, each of
said second barrier bag.
21. A barrier bag, comprising: at least one loading cell, wherein
said at least one loading cell includes a bottom panel and a
plurality of side panels creating an open-top internal space
capable of receiving flowable fill material; a first end panel and
a second end panel at opposing longitudinal ends of said barrier
bag; and a substantially open-ended receiving cell at said second
end panel of the barrier bag configured to removably attach to the
first end panel of an additional barrier bag.
22. The barrier bag of claim 21, wherein said open-top internal
space may contain partitions separating individual loading
cells.
23. The barrier bag of claim 21, wherein said open-top internal
space of one said at least one loading cell is substantially
defined by a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel,
a first end panel, and a second end panel.
24. The barrier bag of claim 21, wherein said receiving cell
includes at least one of a bottom extension panel, a first side
extension panel, and a second side extension panel extending
longitudinally outwardly from said second end panel.
25. The barrier bag of claim 24, wherein said receiving cell
includes one or more extension straps extending longitudinally
beyond a terminal end of said receiving cell configured to
removably attach to respective attachment portions of another
barrier bag.
26. The barrier bag of claim 21, wherein said barrier bag further
comprises a lid for enclosure of said open-top internal space.
27. The barrier bag of claim 26, wherein said lid is removably
attached to at least one of said first side panel and said second
side panel.
28. The barrier bag of claim 26, wherein said lid is removably
attached to at least one of said first end panel and said second
end panel.
29. The barrier bag of claim 26, wherein at least one of said first
end panel, said second end panel, said first side panel, and said
second side panel includes one or more handles.
30. The barrier bag of claim 21, wherein the said barrier bag is
reusable.
31. A process for creation of a barrier comprising a plurality of
barrier bags further comprising the steps of: depositing flowable
fill material into the internal space of one or more loading cells
of each barrier bag, wherein each said barrier bag includes a first
end panel opposite a receiving cell, wherein said receiving cell
includes an opening defined by one or more extension panels; at
least partially inserting said first end panel of a first said
barrier bag into said receiving cell of a second said barrier bag,
wherein said first barrier bag extends longitudinally outwardly
from said opening of said receiving cell of said second barrier
bag; and removably attaching said first barrier bag and said second
barrier bag together by attaching one or more first attachments of
said first barrier bag to one or more second attachments of at
least one of said one or more extension panels of said second
barrier bag receiving cell.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This Nonprovisional Patent Application claims priority to
the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/008,850, filed
on Jun. 6, 2014, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Generally, a fillable or refillable barrier bag is
disclosed. More specifically, present embodiments relate to a bag
that may be filled with flowable material and placed to impede the
ingress of water. Two or more barrier bags may be interconnected
with each other.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Flood control and levee systems have been achieved by
utilizing one time sand bags and the like. However, such bags may
only be used for a single installation and are not reusable.
Further, these bags must be stacked vertically to prevent flooding,
which is labor intensive. These bags are generally destroyed when
removed from the installation.
[0004] Further, one time use sand bags and the like, even if they
could be removed from an installation, cannot be moved together or
in unison as they are placed individually without sufficient
connection to other bags. This lack of connection also increases
the likelihood of a gap existing between adjacent bags through
which flood waters or the like may flow.
[0005] Thus, there is a need in the art for overcoming the issues
of existing systems.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure is directed towards methods and
apparatus for a barrier bag. The barrier bag is, in various
embodiments, a bag that may be filled with a flowable material such
as sand, which may then be emptied after use, and is sized and/or
configured for placement in a doorway. The bag may be reconditioned
and/or reused following use at an installment subject to flood
waters. The bag may include one or more loading cells configured to
receive the flowable material and/or may include a lid that may be
opened to allow filling of the bag and closed to secure the
flowable material in the one or more loading cells. Further, the
bag may include a receiving cell one on end that is configured to
receive the other end of the bag so that multiple barrier bags can
be attached together. Such attachment may facilitate transferring
of the bags as a group, instead of individually, whether filled or
emptied, and/or may enhance the ability of the attached bags to
prevent ingress of flood waters, for example, through a doorway. To
facilitate connection and disconnection of multiple bags, removably
attachable mechanisms may be employed to connect a first bag to a
second bag so that the bags may be detached and reattached as a
user sees fit.
[0007] Generally, in one aspect, the barrier bag includes one or
more loading cells, each of which include a bottom panel and a
plurality of side panels, creating an open-top internal space,
which flowable fillable material can be placed into. The interior
portions of a loading cell are defined by a bottom panel, a first
and a second side panel, and a first and a second end panel, and
the internal space of the barrier bag may contain partitions.
Further, the barrier bag has a first and second end panel at
opposing longitudinal ends of the bag. The second end panel
contains a substantially open receiving cell configured to attach
to the first end of an additional barrier bag. The receiving cell
of the barrier bag extends longitudinally outward from the second
end panel and includes a bottom extension panel and a first and a
second side extension panel which form the bottom and sides of the
receiving cell. In order to facilitate removable attachment of the
receiving cell to the first end panel of an additional barrier bag,
the receiving cell also includes extension straps which extend
longitudinally outward beyond the terminal end of the receiving
cell and are configured to removably attach to attachment portions
on the first end panel of an additional receiving cell.
[0008] In some embodiments, the barrier bag may include a lid that
removably attaches to the end or side panels to allow for enclosure
of the interior space. Closure of the interior space may aid in
retaining fill material of the bag.
[0009] In still other embodiments, the barrier bag may include
handles attached to the end or side panels. Handles on the barrier
bags would facilitate the manual lifting and moving of the bag.
[0010] In various embodiments, the barrier bag may be constructed
to be reusable.
[0011] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the
foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater
detail below provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent
are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed
herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter
appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being
part of the subject matter disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer
to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the
drawings are not necessarily to scale, and emphasis instead
generally placed upon illustrating the principals of the
embodiments depicted.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a barrier
bag;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the barrier bag of FIG. 1
partially filled with fill material;
[0015] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the barrier bag of
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a barrier bag;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a barrier
bag;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the barrier bag of FIG. 1,
with the lid in a closed configuration relative to the base,
connected to or interlocked with a second barrier bag, with the lid
in an open configuration relative to the base;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
barrier bag partially filled with fill material;
[0020] FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the barrier bag of
FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side view of the barrier bag of FIG. 7; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the barrier bag of FIG. 7
connected to or interlocked with a second barrier bag in a
longitudinal direction with each of the lids in an open
configuration relative to their base, and also illustrates another
relationship between barrier bags such that a third barrier bag is
laterally stacked in a back-to-back relationship with another
barrier bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited
in their application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. Other embodiments are possible and may
be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for
the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations
thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter
and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited
otherwise, the terms "connected" and "coupled" and variations
thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect
connections and couplings. In addition, the terms "connected" and
"coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or
mechanical connections or couplings.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, embodiments of a barrier bag 100 are
depicted. Barrier bag 100 may include one or more loading cells
200, which collectively may comprise an internal space of barrier
bag 100. If more than one loading cell 200 is included, the loading
cells 200 may be separated by partitions or baffles 210. Any or all
of loading cells 200 may be filled with a fill material 400, which
may be a flowable fill material. In this way, barrier bag may be
laden with fill material 400 and used as a flood prevention
barrier. Barrier bag 100 may be dimensioned so that one or more
barrier bags 100 may be placed lengthwise across the bottom of a
doorway to prevent or inhibit fluid, such as flood waters, from
transgressing the doorway and/or from flowing from one room to
another. Inhibiting or preventing flood water from entering one
room or space from another can greatly reduce damage caused by
flood waters. Barrier bag 100 may have a length in a longitudinal
direction from a first end or first end panel 110 to a second end
or second end panel 140 that is made to span a doorway. For
example, the length of barrier bag 100 may correspond to a standard
doorway width or, alternatively, may be approximately half (or some
other fraction) of the doorway width so that two or more barrier
bags 100 may be serially linked or chained together to form a
length sufficient to block a doorway. It is understood, of course,
that barrier bag 100 is not limited to being dimensioned for a
doorway, and may be dimensioned to span any space, either alone or
in combination with other barrier bags 100. The barrier bags 100
may be reusable or nonreusable. It should also be understood that
the barrier bags 100 or any portions thereof may be collapsible,
such as but not is not limited to the base, lid, and/or receiving
cell.
[0025] To facilitate interlocking, linking, or chaining of multiple
barrier bags 100, whether it be two or more, barrier bag 100 may
include a receiving cell 300. Receiving cell 300 may be attached to
any or all of second end panel 140, first side panel 170, and
second side panel 180, and/or may extend longitudinally outwardly
therefrom so as to create a space that may receive and/or support
first end panel 110 (and/or some or all of first side 170, second
side 180, and/or a bottom or bottom panel 198) therein. To aid in
receiving first end panel 110 (and/or some or all of first side
170, second side 180, and/or bottom or bottom panel 198), receiving
cell 300 may be open-ended opposite second end panel 140 and/or at
the top (for example, opposite a bottom extension panel 330, if it
is included). Receiving panel may be sized, shaped, and/or
configured similarly to first end panel 110 for any of a variety of
reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating a strong or
solid reception and/or attachment of two or more barrier bags 100
and/or enhancing the ability of linked barrier bags 100 to inhibit
transgress of flood water (or other fluid). Although the receiving
cell 300 allows for the interlocking of two or more barrier bags
100 in a longitudinal direction, it is understood that the
receiving cell may additionally or alternatively link barrier bags
in a transverse direction to the longitudinal direction.
[0026] The open-top internal space, base, or loading cell(s) 200 of
barrier bag 100 may substantially be defined on the bottom by
bottom panel 198, and/or around the sides by side panels 170, 180
and/or end panels 110, 140. The top of loading cell(s) 200 may be
defined by a lid 190 when lid 190 is closed, as discussed in more
detail below. Individual loading cells 200, if more than one is
included, may be defined on the bottom by bottom panel 198 and on
the sides by one or more baffles 210 and/or by any combination of
side panels 170, 180 and end panels 110, 140. In some embodiments,
first end panel 110 may be connected to: bottom panel 198 at seam
112, first side panel 170 at seam 113, and/or to second side panel
180 at seam 114. First end panel 110 may be defined at the top by
top edge 111. In similar fashion, second end panel 140 may be
connected to: bottom panel 198 at seam 142, first side panel 170 at
seam 143, and/or to second side panel 180 at seam 144. Second end
panel 140 may be defined at the top by top edge 141. First side
panel 170 may be connected to: bottom panel 198 at seam 172, first
end panel 110 at seam 113, and/or to second end panel 140 at seam
143. First side panel 170 may be defined at the top by top edge
171. Second side panel 180 may be connected to: bottom panel 198 at
seam 182, first end panel 110 at seam 114, and/or to second end
panel 140 at seam 144. Second side panel 180 may be defined at the
top by seam 181 where second side panel 180 attaches or connects to
lid 190, if lid 190 is included. If lid 190 is not included, seam
181 may merely form a top edge of second side panel 180. Any or all
of baffles 210, if included, may be attached to, connected to,
and/or included with any or all of end panels 110, 140, side panels
170, 180, and/or bottom panel 198 at, for example, respective seams
173, 183, 199.
[0027] Receiving cell 300 may include any or all of bottom
extension panel 330, a first extension panel 310, and a second
extension panel 320. If included, bottom extension panel 330 may be
attached to second end panel 140 and/or bottom panel 198, for
example, at seam 142, and/or may extend longitudinally outwardly
from second end panel 140 to a terminal end 331. First extension
panel 310 may be attached to second end panel 140 and/or first side
panel 170 at seam 143, and/or may be attached to bottom extension
panel 330 at seam 312, and/or may extend longitudinally outwardly
to a terminal end 313. First extension panel 310 may have a top
edge 311. Second extension panel 320 may be attached to second end
panel 140 and/or second side panel 180 at seam 144, and/or may be
attached to bottom extension panel 330 at seam 322, and/or may
extend longitudinally outwardly to a terminal end 323. Second
extension panel 320 may have a top edge 321. In this way, receiving
cell 300 may be attached to barrier bag 100 (or the remainder of
barrier bag 100, as receiving cell 300 may be considered a part of,
and not an addition to, barrier bag 100) adjacent the second end
panel 140.
[0028] It is understood that receiving cell 300 may be formed
without any or all of bottom extension panel 330, first side or
first extension panel 310, and/or second side or second extension
panel 320, and other alternatives of forming a functional receiving
cell will be readily understood. For example, in some embodiments,
receiving cell 300 may be formed by first extension panel 310 and
second extension panel 320 without inclusion of bottom extension
panel 330. Any or all seams referred to herein may be used to
indicate a location where two or more features are connected or
intersect. It is understood that any or all seams referred to
herein may be formed by any of a variety of methods, including, but
not limited to, sewing, stitching, welding, adhering, bonding, or
any other method of connection or attachment, and/or any or all
seams referred to herein may refer to an intersection point of
integral features (e.g., features that form or are formed as a unit
and/or have no clear physical separation). In some embodiments, any
or all seams may be stitched or sewn to provide sufficient strength
and water sealing characteristics. In embodiments including at
least some construction from fabric, barrier bag 100 may include
stitched or sewn seams as a convenient method of attaching the
fabric components.
[0029] Barrier bag 100 may be removably attachable to an adjacent
barrier bag 100. For example, a second barrier bag 100 may be
partially inserted into receiving cell 300 of a first barrier bag
100. The first and second barrier bags 100 may then be removably
attached, connected, and/or secured together. For example, in some
embodiments barrier bag 100 may include one or more attachments or
extension straps 340, 350 extending longitudinally beyond terminal
end 331, terminal end 313, and/or terminal end 323, if included. In
this way, when extended outwardly, and a second barrier bag 100 is
partially or fully inserted into a first barrier bag 100, any or
all extension straps 340, 350 may be made to overlap a portion of
first side panel 170 and/or second side panel 180. Extension straps
340, 350 may include first mating or attachment portions 345, 355
that may be, but is not limited to, hook and loop fasteners. These
attachment portions 345 and 355 of a first barrier bag 100 may
removably mate or attach to respective second mating or attachment
portions 175, 184, respectively, of a second barrier bag 100. The
attachment portions 175 and 184 are shown as, but is not limited
to, loops. Although second attachment portion 184 is shown more
clearly in FIG. 9, it may be substantially similar to second
attachment portion 175, but located on the outside surface of
second side panel 180 instead of on first side panel 170. In this
way, a first barrier bag 100 may be removably attached to a second
barrier bag 100 that is at least partially inserted in receiving
cell 300 of the first barrier bag 100. In use, the straps 340 and
350 are inserted into their respective loops of the attachment
portions 175 and 184, overlapped upon themselves to longitudinally
tighten the first barrier bag 100 to the second barrier bag 100
that is inserted in the receiving cell 300 of the first barrier
bag, and subsequently secured in their overlapping engagement by
their respective hook and loop fasteners 345 and 355 as shown in
FIG. 6.
[0030] In some embodiments, removable attachment may alternatively
be achieved by use of hook-and-loop fasteners split between the
straps 340, 350 and the attachment portions 175, 184, instead of
being located together on the straps 340 and 350. It is understood
that the attachments shown are merely one example of a type of
attachment mechanism that may be used and any of a variety of other
attachment mechanisms may be used instead of, or in addition to,
hook-and-loop style fasteners. For example, first attachment
portions 345, 355 may be straps that are tied to respective second
attachment portions 175, 184, which in turn may also be straps or
loops for tying to first attachment portions 345, 355. In some
embodiments, any or all of first attachment portions 345, 355
and/or second attachment portions 175, 184 may include mechanical
snaps, screws, bolts, nails, bolts, nuts, adhesives,
tongue-and-groove style fasteners, belts (e.g., belt and D-ring
style fasteners), tie offs, or any other attachment mechanism, or
any combination thereof. It is understood that these are merely
examples and that any type of attachment mechanism may be used to
releasably or fixedly secure the first barrier bag 100 to one or
more additional barrier bags 100.
[0031] Lid 190 may be attached to, connected to, and/or included
with barrier bag 100, for example, at seam 181. Seam 181 may act as
a hinge to allow swinging motion of lid 190 relative to second side
panel 180 and thereby allow opening and closing of the tops of any
or all loading cells 200 or the internal space of barrier bag 100.
In this way, enclosure of the interior space or loading cell(s) 200
may be achieved in combination with any or all of bottom panel 198,
side panels 170, 180, and end panels 110, 140. Once any or all
loading cells 200 or the interior space has been filled with fill
material 400 as desired (if desired), lid 190 may be closed to
substantially enclose fill material 400 and/or top of the internal
space or loading cell(s) 200. Closure of lid 190 may, for example,
aid in retaining fill material 400 within the internal space or
loading cell(s) 200 and/or may improve the ability of one barrier
bag 100 to be stacked on top of another barrier bag 100.
[0032] Lid 190 may include one or more lid end straps or
attachments 191a, 191b and/or one or more lid side straps or
attachments 191c, which may be used to attach, removably or
otherwise, lid 190 to first end panel 110, second end panel 140,
and/or first side panel 170 in order to secure the lid 190 relative
to the base 200 in a closed position. Any or all lid straps 191a,
191b, 191c, if included, may include mating or attachment portions
195a, 195b, 195c that may be, but is not limited to, hook and loop
fasteners. These attachment portions 195a, 195b, and 195c may be
removably attachable to corresponding respective mating or
attachment portions 130, 160, 174 located on first end panel 110,
second end panel 140, and first side panel 170, respectively. More
specifically, one embodiment illustrates the end lid attachment
portions 130, 160 and side lid attachment portions 174 are shown
as, but are not limited to, loops. In use, the straps 191a, 191b,
and 191c are inserted through their respective loops of the
attachment portions 130, 160, and 174, overlapped upon themselves
to tighten the lid 190 to the base 200 to enclose the material 400,
and subsequently secured in their overlapping engagement by their
respective hook and loop fasteners 195a, 195b, and 195c as shown in
FIG. 6. As mentioned above, with respect to first attachment
portions 345, 355 and/or second attachment portions 175, 184, in
some embodiments, any or all attachment portions 195a, 195b, 195c,
130, 160, 174 may include hook-and-loop style fastener portions
that are separated on either the strap and loop, mechanical snaps,
screws, bolts, nails, bolts, nuts, adhesives, tongue-and-groove
style fasteners, belts (e.g., belt and D-ring style fasteners), tie
offs, or any other attachment mechanism, or any combination
thereof. It is understood that these are merely examples and that
any type of attachment mechanism may be used to releasably or
fixedly secure the lid 190 to the base 200.
[0033] In some embodiments, handles 120, 150 may be included to,
for example, facilitate manually lifting and moving barrier bag(s)
100. If included, handles 120, 150 may be attached to, connected
to, and/or included with end panels 110, 140, and/or may extend
above respective side panel top edges 111, 141. It is understood
that any number of handles 120, 150 may be included and may be
located at virtually any location or locations on barrier bag 100.
Handles 120, 150 may be attached to end panels 110, 140 via, for
example, straps 121, 122, 151, 152 that may be attached to,
connected to, or included, by any of a variety of methods,
including, but not limited to, sewing, stitching, welding,
adhering, bonding, or any other method of connection or attachment,
or any combination thereof.
[0034] Barrier bag 100 and/or receiving cell 300 are shown as being
substantially trapezoidal in cross-sectional shape substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of barrier bag 100,
which, in some embodiments, may aid in stacking multiple barrier
bags 100 top to bottom. Although shown as having a substantially
trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, it is understood that barrier
bag 100 and/or receiving cell 300 may be any of a variety of
shapes, including, but not limited to, rectangular, square,
triangular, polygonal, ovular, round, circular, or any other shape,
or any combination thereof. For example another embodiment as
illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 includes a cross-sectional shape that may
be, but is not limited to, a substantially right trapezoidal shape
with two adjacent right angles adjacent one of the lateral side
panels such that one side panel 180 is substantially vertical and
the opposite side panel 170 being transverse thereto. It is further
understood that, although receiving cell 300 is depicted as having
substantially the same cross-sectional shape as barrier bag 100 (or
the remainder thereof), receiving cell 300 may, in some
embodiments, be shaped independently of barrier bag 100 (or the
remainder thereof). Further still, it is understood that, although
barrier bag 100 and receiving cell 300 are each shown having a
substantially uniform cross-sectional shape, no such uniformity is
required and either or both of barrier bag 100 and receiving cell
300 may have varying cross-sectional shapes.
[0035] Barrier bag 100, receiving cell 300, and/or any portion of
either, may be made of any of a variety of materials including, but
not limited to, polypropylene, high strength canvas or the like. It
may be desirable to incorporate material which is impervious to
water and which sufficiently retains the fill material 400 therein.
The fill material 400 may include not only sand, dirt or other fill
material but may also include concrete and the like (e.g., should a
permanent structure be intended).
[0036] In use, one or more barrier bags 100 may be used to form a
barrier by depositing fill material 400 into the barrier bags 100,
for example, by filling one or more loading cells 200. One
application may be a barrier for a doorway. The first end or end
panel 110 of a first barrier bag 100 may then be at least partially
inserted into the receiving cell 300 of a second barrier bag 100,
as shown in FIG. 6. The lid 190, if included with either or both
(or more, if included) of the barrier bags 100 may then be closed
to enclose fill material 400 within barrier bags 100, for example,
substantially as described above.
[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, another embodiment of the
barrier bag 1100 is shown that is similar to the embodiment 100
except that at least one lateral side of the barrier bag 100 and/or
receiving cell 300 is substantial vertical or alternatively may not
be the same length as the other lateral side. Therefore the barrier
bag 1100 and/or base 200 may still be trapezoidal in shape in
cross-section to the longitudinal direction if desired. Barrier bag
1100 may include a substantially vertical second side panel 180.
Thus, the second side panel 180 forms two adjacent right angles,
one adjacent the lid 190 or the top of the bag or base 200 and
another adjacent the bottom panel 198 or bottom of the bag or base
200. First side panel 170 is angled or transverse relative to the
second side panel 180. If the lid 190 is included, the second side
panel 180 may include the lid 190 as shown. Alternatively, the lid
190 may extend from the first side panel 170. Similarly, it is
further shown that the receiving cell 300 includes a second
extension panel 320 that may be substantially vertical and
extending longitudinally from the second side panel 180. Therefore
receiving cell 300 may still be trapezoidal in shape in
cross-section to the longitudinal direction if desired. Similar in
use, one or more barrier bags 1100 may be filled or refilled with a
material 400 and placed in a position to reduce the ingress of
flood waters. More specifically, barrier bag 1100 may be placed
adjacent an object such as, but not limited to, a door, wall, or
other structure having a substantially vertical surface, such that
the vertical side panel 180 of the base 200 and/or second extension
panel of the receiving cell 300 may be abutted to or adjacent the
vertical surface of the object in a variety applications. This
application is not considered to limiting. As such the second side
panel 180 and/or second extension panel 320 of one or more barrier
bags 100 will be substantially flush to or parallel with the
object's substantially vertical surface to which it is positioned
adjacent to. Similar as described above and shown in FIG. 10, the
first end or end panel 110 of a first barrier bag 1100 may be at
least partially inserted into the receiving cell 300 of a second
barrier bag 1100 to longitudinally adjust the desired length of
combined bags 1100 to reduce the ingress of flood waters. It is to
be understood that the barrier bags 1100 may be stacked, vertically
and/or laterally, and/or lengthened and may be used in a variety of
applications beyond being positioned against a substantially
vertical surface. By further example as shown in FIG. 10, two side
panels 180 of bags 1100 may also be positioned adjacent to each
other in a back-to-back relationship to create a combined second
trapezoidal cross-sectional shape that is different than the first
trapezoidal cross-sectional shape of the individual barrier bag
1100. The combined second trapezoidal shape may be, but is not
limited to, similar to the cross-sectional shape of barrier bag 100
and used in similar applications. For example, at least two bags
1100 combined back to back at their side panels 180, as shown in
FIG. 10, may be longitudinally received by receiving cell 300 of
one or more connected barrier bags 100. It should also be
understood that one or more barrier bags 1100 and/or barrier bags
100 alone or in combination may be used in a variety of positions
and orientations relative to each other to lengthen and/or stack,
vertically or laterally, for a given barrier application.
[0038] While several embodiments have been described and
illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing
the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the
advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or
modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments
described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and
configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that
the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations
will depend upon the specific application or applications for which
the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize,
or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation,
many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It
is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are
presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the
appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each
individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method
described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if
such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods
are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0039] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms. The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used
herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly
indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean "at least
one." The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
[0040] Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed
in the same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so
conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the
elements specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether
related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when
used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising"
can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including
elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only
(optionally including elements other than A); in yet another
embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements);
etc.
[0041] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or"
should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as
defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or"
or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted
items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only
one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used
herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded
by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of,"
or "exactly one of" "Consisting essentially of," when used in the
claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
[0042] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more
elements, should be understood to mean at least one element
selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
[0043] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated
to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more
than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method
is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts
of the method are recited.
[0044] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures,
Section 2111.03.
[0045] The foregoing description of several methods and embodiments
have been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the precise steps and/or
forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations
are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that
the scope and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended
hereto.
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