Corning Cable Systems

Rodney D Cline

David W Chiasson

Carl M Whisnant, Jr

Craig Miller Conrad

Bradley Jerome Blazer

Julie Ann Chalk

Terry Lee Ellis

Shail K Moorjani

Karen E Williams

A fiber optic ribbon having a first subunit and a second subunit. The first and second subunits including a plurality of respective optical fibers being connected by respective primary matrices. The first and second subunits being generally aligned along a plane with a secondary matrix contacting portions of the first and second subunits. The secondary matrix having at least one end portion and at least one medial portion. The at least one medial portion and the at least one end portion of the secondary matrix are separated by a gap along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis, thereby defining a preferential tear portion. In other embodiments, the at least one medial portion is recessed relative to the at least one end portion.

Optical Fiber Ribbons Having Preferential Tear Portions

A fiber optic ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration having a primary matrix generally contacting optical fibers along a longitudinal axis forming an elongate structure. In one embodiment, the primary matrix has a cross-section with a non-uniform thickness, for example, an end portion with a generally bulbous shape. The fiber optic ribbon is useful as a subunit having a secondary matrix in contact therewith. The secondary matrix has a non-uniform thickness, thereby providing a fiber optic ribbon with preferential tear portions to aid separation of the ribbon into subunits. Other embodiments include a fiber optic ribbon with subunits having a secondary matrix with recessed portions to aid in the separation of the subunits.

Optical fiber ribbons having a non-uniform thickness and/or preferential tear portions

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Hickory, NC, United States of America

Rodney D Cline