Patent ID: 6054217
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
An improved coated optical glass fiber ribbon or cable 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, said ribbon unit comprising:a plurality of coated optical glass fibers each further coated with a cured color-composition; anda matrix material which binds the plurality of color-coated optical glass fibers together,wherein at least the cured color-composition has up to about 30 wt. % of a radiation-curable release agent and a Tg of greater than 50.degree. C., wherein the adhesive bonding force between said cured color-composition and the coating of said coated optical glass fibers is greater than the adhesive bonding force between said cured color-composition and said matrix material, and wherein the matrix material has been pre-selected or formulated so as to provide a modulus and Tg sufficiently high such that the matrix material buckles and separates from said color-coated optical glass fibers when subjected to opposing finger pressure applied transversely to the ribbon, instead of merely compressing and absorbing the opposing pressure, and the Tg of the cured matrix material is at least about 40.degree. C.