Segmented membrane barrier

Claim 2

A membrane barrier segment for forming a buried fluid barrier comprising: an elongate sheet of impermeable material having first and second ends; a first one-piece tubular member connected to said first end along a first continuous seam, said first tubular member having a first outside diameter; and a second one-piece tubular member connected to said second end along a second continuous seam, said second tubular member characterized by an inner diameter greater than said first outer diameter, and having a slot in a side wall thereof for passing said continuous membrane through, at least said second tubular member having an end portion projecting beyond an edge of said sheet.

Claim 3

The barrier segment of claim 1 wherein said membrane material comprises a continuous sheet of polyethylene.

Claim 4

The barrier segment of claim 2 wherein said first and second tubular members comprise continuous high density polyethylene pipes.

Claim 5

The membrane barrier segment of claim 1 wherein said first and second continuous seams are welded seams.

Claim 6

The membrane barrier segment of claim 1 wherein said first and second continuous seams are adhesive seams.

Claim 7

The membrane barrier segment of claim 1 wherein said slot and said second continuous seam are separated by an angle less than 180°.

Claim 8

The membrane barrier segment of claim 1 further comprising an internal membrane barrier connected between said first and second tubular members.

Claim 9

A barrier for underground fluid material flow control comprising: a trench in the earth having a length extending across the expected polution path; a segmented membrane barrier in said trench, said barrier comprising a plurality of membrane segments; a first tubular joining member on one end of each of said segments, each of said first joining members comprising a tubular member attached to said segment along a continuous fluid impervious seam; said tubular members characterized by a preselected inside dimension; a second tubular joining member on the other end of each of said segments, each of said second joining members comprising a tubular member attached to said segment along a continuous fluid impervious seam; a slot in a side wall of each of said first tubular joining members adapted to pass said membrane therethrough when said second tubular joining elrments are disposed within said first tubular joining members; at least said first tubular joining member having an end portion projecting beyond said membrane segments; means in said trench for receiving said projecting portion for locating and supporting said second tubular joining member; a fluid impervious sealing material disposed in the space between said first and second tubular joining members.

Claim 10

A barrier for underground fluid material flow control comprising: a trench in the earth having a length extending across the expected polution path; a segmented membrane barrier in said trench, said barrier comprising a plurality of membrane segments; a first tubular joining member on one end of each of said segments, each of said first joining members comprising a tubular member attached to said segment along a continuous fluid impervious seam; said tubular members characterized by a preselected inside dimension; a second tubular joining member on the other end of each of said segments, each of said second joining members comprising a tubular member attached to said segment along a continuous fluid impervious seam; a slot in a side wall of each of said first tubular joining members adapted to pass said membrane therethrough when said second tubular joining elrments are disposed within said first tubular joining members; at least said first tubular joining member having an end portion projecting beyond said membrane segments; means in said trench for receiving said projecting portion for locating and supporting said second tubular joining member; a fluid impervious sealing material disposed in the space between said first and second tubular joining members.

Claim 11

The barrier of claim 8 wherein said membrane material comprises a continuous sheet of polyethylene.

Claim 12

The barrier of claim 8 wherein said first and second tubular members comprise continuous high density polyethylene pipes.

Claim 13

The barrier of claim 8 wherein said first and second continuous seams are welded seams.

Claim 14

The barrier of claim 8 wherein said first and second continuous seams are adhesive seams.

Claim 15

The barrier of claim 8 wherein said slot and said second continuous seam are separated by an angle less than 180°.

Claim 16

The barrier of claim 8 further comprising an internal membrane barrier connected between said first and second tubular members.