Color-pigmented utility conveyance
First Claim
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1. A passive warning mechanism for a utility conveyance buried in surrounding earth for providing an alert of the presence of the conveyance, comprising:
- a water-soluble material which originates on the conveyance, not in the earth, and is disposed in physical contact with the conveyance, the material, when exposed to moisture, will bleed from the conveyance to discolor the surrounding earth, thereby providing a visual alert to anyone excavating near the conveyance.
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Abstract
A utility conveyance (10), such as a pipe, cable or duct, designed for burial in surrounding earth (12) carries a passive warning mechanism (16), preferably a water-soluble dye embedded in the conveyance. The dye, when exposed to moisture (e.g., rainwater in the surround earth) will bleed from the conveyance and discolor the surrounding soil, thus alerting any contractor attempting to excavate in the surrounding area.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A passive warning mechanism for a utility conveyance buried in surrounding earth for providing an alert of the presence of the conveyance, comprising:
a water-soluble material which originates on the conveyance, not in the earth, and is disposed in physical contact with the conveyance, the material, when exposed to moisture, will bleed from the conveyance to discolor the surrounding earth, thereby providing a visual alert to anyone excavating near the conveyance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A utility conveyance for burial underground in surrounding earth, comprising:
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a hollow duct; and
a water-soluble material which originates on the duct, not in the earth, and is disposed in physical contact with the duct, the material, when exposed to moisture, will bleed from the duct to discolor the surrounding earth, thereby providing a visual alert to anyone excavating near the duct. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification