Abstract: An elongated, marked protective sheath is disclosed which is closed along each side and open at each end and which has an elongated and flexible core material contained within the entire length of the elongated, marked protective sheath and extending from each open end. The elongated, marked protective sheath may be imprinted with anti-theft indicia indicating that elongated, marked protective sheath contains only fiber optic cable and does not contain copper. The core material extending from one end of the sheath may be tied to the front end of a fiber optic cable and then pulled into the sheath—thus pulling the fiber optic cable into the sheath. In this manner, the fiber optic cable will be almost completely contained within the elongated sheath which has the aforementioned markings thereon to alert individuals that the sheath only contains fiber optic cable and does not contain copper.

Abstract: The invention apparatus for and a method of creating a localized warning to prevent damage to buried pipeline and other buried infrastructure using a new type of marker tape with the trade name signal tape® [hereinafter referred to as “Signal Tape”]. The disclosed Signal Tape may incorporate tracer wire and RFID technology to aid in the remote location of the Signal Tape and, thus, the buried infrastructure. Signal Tape may also incorporate Litz wire for use as tracer wire within the Signal Tape. The Signal Tape is designed to be buried just below the surface of the ground and directly over a buried infrastructure such as a pipeline. The Signal Tape incorporates a strong core material which permits the Signal Tape to be bodily removed from the soil when it is struck by excavation equipment.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered that an inexpensive marker tape can be made from some of the components used in applicants Signal Tape disclosed in PCT/US2017/050405. This marker tape, called Spartan Marker Tape, has elongated upper and lower protective layers made from a thermoplastic material which are laminated together with a locating device inside the laminated layers. Various locating devices may be used in the Spartan Marker Tape, such as conventional RF or RFID tags. In addition, magnetic tags, or radioactive tags may be used. Of course, classis marker wire may also be used as a locating device.

Abstract: Signal tape (790) is disclosed which helps to prevents damage to buried infrastructure such as a natural gas pipeline. The invention provides an immediate and forceful warning to excavation equipment operators of the proximity of and of impending damage to buried infrastructure. The signal tape (790) comprises a strong core material (793) which may be a woven aramid fiber tape firmly attached to a series of spaced smoke generators (792, 792?). The core material and smoke generators are sealed within thermoplastic layers (796, 796?) of thin tape for environmental protection. A strike by excavation equipment, for example a backhoe bucket will cause the core material to come to the surface where it can be seen. As the core material (793) moves, it ignites at least one smoke generator (792, 792?) which is then pulled to the surface emitting a dense cloud of colored [and odorous] smoke. Portions of the protective tape are also pulled to the surface.