Patent ID: 7186038

Claim:
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a fiber optic connector mounted to an end of and terminating a fiber optic cable and including a ferrule holding an optical fiber from the cable, the ferrule including an end face and having a diameter; a plug configured to fit about and engage the ferrule of the fiber optic connector, the plug positioned about and engaging the ferrule to seal the end face from air-borne particles; and an adhesive tape releasably attached to the connector about the plug, holding the plug to the connector, wherein the plug is made from a thermoplastic elastomer and is configured to deform to fit about the ferrule, and wherein the plug includes a body defining an inner cavity with an opening for insertion of the ferrule within the cavity, the opening including a tapered entry and a ledge positioned between an inner end of the tapered entry and an inner wall of the cavity, the ledge defining an opening smaller than the diameter of the ferrule and the cavity having a diameter generally the same diameter as the ferrule.