# US 12,109,797 B2 · Liquid-absorbing barrier bag with adhered swelling absorbent > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,797 B2 - Document ID: US12109797B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/125,925 - Filed: 2023-03-24 - Published: 2023-09-28 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2022-03-25 - Assignees: UltraTech International, Inc. - Applicants: Ultratech International, Inc. - Inventors: Mark D. Shaw; Paul Sander - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109797B2 ## CPC - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - E02B 3/127: {bags filled at the side} - B32B 1/00: Layered products having a non-planar shape - B32B 5/263: {next to one or more woven fabric layers} - B65D 81/264: {for absorbing liquids} - B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12} - B32B 5/024: {Woven fabric} - B32B 2255/02: on fibrous or filamentary layer - B32B 2307/7166: Water-soluble, water-dispersible - B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption - B32B 2307/7265: Non-permeable - B32B 2439/06: Bags, sacks, sachets - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A liquid-absorbing, liquid barrier bag comprising a liquid-permeable envelope within which a super-absorbent material in powder or granular form is disposed, the absorbent material being characterized in that it greatly increases in volume upon liquid absorption. The super-absorbent material is adhered to one or more of the inner surfaces of the liquid-permeable envelope such that the desired distribution and pattern is maintained during handling, shipping and activation of the liquid-absorbing. Upon contact with liquid, such as by soaking the bag in water, the super-absorbent material releases from the inner surfaces and swells to create a three-dimensional body suitable for stacking to form a liquid-impermeable barrier wall. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid-absorbing barrier bag comprising: a liquid-permeable envelope having an inner surface; an adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope; and a liquid-absorbing material adhered to the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope by the adhesive, the liquid-absorbing material characterized in that it expands upon contact with liquid; wherein the adhesive is water-soluble; whereby upon expansion of the liquid-absorbing material, passage of liquid through the liquid-absorbing barrier bag is precluded. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the liquid-absorbing material is a powdered or granular material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the liquid-absorbing material completely fills the liquid-permeable envelope upon expansion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is disposed over the entire inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is disposed over less than the entire inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is disposed in a pattern on the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the liquid-absorbing material is characterized in that it absorbs from 50 to 1000 times its weight in liquid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein non-adhered liquid-absorbing material is disposed within the liquid-permeable envelope. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein portions of the liquid-permeable envelope are liquid-impermeable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the liquid-permeable envelope is rectangular. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 1, wherein the liquid-permeable envelope is tubular. ### Claim 12 A liquid-absorbing barrier bag comprising: a liquid-permeable envelope having an inner surface; an adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope; and a liquid-absorbing material adhered to the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope by the adhesive, the liquid-absorbing material characterized in that it expands upon contact with liquid; wherein the liquid-absorbing material separates from the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope upon absorption of liquid; whereby upon expansion of the liquid-absorbing material, passage of liquid through the liquid-absorbing barrier bag is precluded. ### Claim 13 A liquid-absorbing barrier bag comprising: a liquid-permeable envelope having an inner surface; an adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope; and a liquid-absorbing material in powdered or granular form adhered to the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope by the adhesive, wherein the liquid-absorbing material is characterized in that it expands upon contact with liquid to form a gel; wherein the liquid-absorbing material is characterized in that it absorbs from 50 to 1000 times its weight in liquid; wherein the adhesive is characterized in that it releases the liquid-absorbing material from the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope upon absorption of liquid; and whereby upon expansion of the liquid-absorbing material, passage of liquid through the liquid-absorbing barrier bag is precluded. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 12, wherein the liquid-absorbing material is a powdered or granular material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 12, wherein the liquid-absorbing material completely fills the liquid-permeable envelope upon expansion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 12, wherein the adhesive is disposed over less than the entire inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 12, wherein the adhesive is disposed in a pattern on the inner surface of the liquid-permeable envelope. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 12, wherein the liquid-absorbing material is characterized in that it absorbs from 50 to 1000 times its weight in liquid. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 12, wherein non-adhered liquid-absorbing material is disposed within the liquid-permeable envelope. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The liquid-absorbing barrier bag of claim 12, wherein portions of the liquid-permeable envelope are liquid-impermeable.