Patent ID: 6319549
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making an optical glass fiber, ribbon unit having the capability of providing mid-span access to individual color-coated optical glass fibers contained therein by application of finger pressure from a human hand, the method comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of coated optical glass fibers each further coated with a cured color-composition;pre-selecting or formulating a matrix composition which when suitably cured provides the combination of properties of:(i) an adhesive bonding force between said cured color-composition and the cured matrix material which is less than the adhesive bonding force between said cured color-composition and said coated optical glass fibers; and(ii) the cured matrix material has a modulus and Tg sufficiently high such that the matrix material buckles and separates from said color-coated optical glass optical fibers upon application of opposing transverse finger pressure to the ribbon unit, instead of merely compressing and absorbing the opposing pressure;applying said matrix composition to said plurality of color-coated optical glass fibers; andcuring said matrix composition to provide said optical glass fiber ribbon unit.