Patent ID: 7214273

Claim:
A nitrogen injection assembly for use in an apparatus for coloring and curing optical fibers, the apparatus including a color coating die and a curing chamber, the nitrogen injection assembly comprising: a cover section separated from the color coating die, the cover section having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface of the cover section at least partially enclosing a first duct capable of passing a coated optical fiber; and a distribution seal located closer to the curing chamber than the cover section and having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an inlet port, the interior surface of the distribution seal at least partially defining a first bore capable of passing the coated optical fiber, the first bore being aligned axially with the first duct of the cover section and including upper and lower cylindrical sections, the upper cylindrical section having a smaller diameter than the lower cylindrical section, wherein the distribution seal includes a circular channel concentric with the upper cylindrical section of the first bore, and wherein the inlet port extends between the exterior surface of the distribution seal and the circular channel and is adapted to allow nitrogen to flow into the first bore.