Tamper-evident sealing device for wells

Abstract

A tamper-evident sealing device for use with a ground well (such as, for example, a water well, gas well, oil well, or the like) has been developed which takes the form of a UV-resistant, micro-perforated polymer plastic device that can be easily sealed over a well cap by applying heat. Should an unauthorized individual attempt to gain access to the well, he/she will necessarily have to break through the sealed, ventilated plastic layer, thus leaving behind indications of the tampering. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a conventional well cap as used in prior art well structures remains in place, with the plastic protective covering of the present invention sealed directly over the cap.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident sealing device for a ground well, the ground well including a well casing having an above-ground termination, the device comprising: a well cap adapted to be coupled to an above-ground termination of a well casing; and a sheet of heat-shrink plastic material including micro-perforations of a size sufficient to provide ventilation, the sheet of heat-shrink plastic material for being sealed, using a heat process, over the end termination of the well casing in proximity to the well cap so as to prevent vermin from entering the well, the heat-shrink seal providing a deterrent to tampering and the micro-perforations maintaining ventilation between the well and the outside environment.

2. A tamper-evident sealing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the sheet of heat-shrink plastic material is sized to properly cover a combination of the end termination of the well casing and the well cap.

3. A tamper-evident sealing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the sheet of heat-shrink plastic material is further imprinted with identification information.

4. A tamper-evident sealing device as defined in claim/wherein the identification information includes information regarding the installer of the sealing device.

5. A tamper-evident sealing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the sheet of heat-shrink plastic material is UV-resistant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Referring now to the drawings,

(2) FIG. 1 is a prior art illustration of a portion of a well casing and associated well cap;

(3) FIG. 2 is an illustration of the particular components of a prior art well cap;

(4) FIG. 3 is an exemplary sheet of micro-perforated plastic sheeting material for use in accordance with the present invention; and

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a tamper-evident sealing device, as in place over a well cap, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The present invention relates to a tamper-evident sealing device for a well (such as a water well, gas well, oil well, or the like) and, more particularly, to a micro-perforated plastic that can be easily sealed over a well cap. Preferably, the device is formed of a heat-shrink plastic that can easily be form-fit to the well casing and cap by the application of heat. Other types of affixing/attachment of the sealing device to the well may be used, such as directly bonding or taping the plastic to the casing. The sealing device of the present invention may be used with any existing well cap/casing configuration. Should an unauthorized individual attempt to gain access to the well, he/she will necessarily have to break through the sealed, ventilated plastic layer, thus leaving behind indications of the tampering. Thus, when seeing the plastic in place, an individual will be discouraged from attempting to access the well.

(7) As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a conventional well cap as used in prior art well structures remains in place, with the plastic protective covering of the present invention sealed directly over the cap. Alternatively, the plastic protective covering of the present invention may be placed over the exposed top of the casing itself. In any of the these variations, the plastic material forming the sealing device may be imprinted with information regarding the company providing/installing the sealing device, so that if it is later found out that the seal has been broken, the proper authorities can be contacted.

(8) FIG. 3 illustrates a sheet of micro-perforated plastic 10 (with the micro-perforations 11 enlarged for the sake of illustration) that may be used to form a tamper-evident, vented well sealing device 12 in accordance with the present invention. The presence of micro-perforations 11 allows for the necessary air exchange between the well and the outside environment. Materials such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyolefin have been found suitable for this purpose, where they provide good sealing while preventing insects, rodents, and the like from gnawing through the plastic and entering the well. Micro-perforations on the order of 6-10 one-thousandths of an inch in diameter may be used, which have been found to provide the desired degree of air exchange, while maintaining the structural and strength integrity of the plastic sheeting. It is to be understood that various other plastic materials and perforation diameters may be used, as long as the perforations are large enough to provide the necessary gas exchange between the well and the environment and the plastic is strong enough to withstand vermin encroachment and environmental changes.

(9) FIG. 4 illustrates sealing device as disposed over an existing prior art well casing 14 and cap 16. The plastic 10 may be clear or any color. For additional security, a serial number may be imprinted on plastic 10. As mentioned above, this is a preferred embodiment, where sealing device 12 is located over the combination of casing 14 and cap 16. It is also possible, however, to install sealing device 12 over the end termination of casing 14, and then install cap 16 in a conventional fashion.

(10) Indeed, sealing device 12 is easily installed by a home owner or well drilling professional. Plastic sheet 10 is merely placed over well cap 16 and, in a preferred arrangement, heat is applied to heat shrink plastic 10 in place around casing 14 and cap 16 as shown in FIG. 4. The heating process will not disturb micro-perforations 11. Sealing device 12 thus form fits to well casing 14 and well cap 16, providing a protective barrier and preventing insects or other pests from entering the well. Any tear or rip in sealing device 12 is thus an obvious sign of tampering. Again, as mentioned above, in an alternative embodiment, sealing device may be form fit to casing 14, with well cap 16 thereafter installed over the sealed casing.

(11) While the use of a heat-shrink material is preferred, other types of plastic sheeting may be used and otherwise affixed in place to cover casing 14 and cap 16 (for example, glued or taped in place). The present invention is considered to disclose any type of arrangement for affixing sealing device to a well cap and casing.

(12) Sealing device 12 may be used with virtually any wellwater, oil, gas, or any one of several types of monitoring wells used in environmental applications. Preferably, sealing device 12 is formed of a UV-resistant heat-shrink plastic, such as any type of polyvinylchloride (PVC) heat shrinkable tubing material or polyolefin heat shrinkable tubing material, since it will be exposed to the environment. These material choices are considered to be exemplary only, and various types of plastics may be used to form the sealing device of the present invention. By virtue of using a micro-perforated plastic in accordance with the present invention, the necessary ventilation for the well is maintained while deterring unauthorized individuals from attempting to access the well.

(13) While the present invention has been described above in accordance with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that there may be minor variations to the details of the sealing device of the present invention that would be apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, it is asserted that the spirit and scope of the present invention is only limited by the claims appended hereto.