Corning Cable Systems

Ronald D Schiefer

Daniel J Rutterman

A fiber optic cable comprising an optical ribbon ( ), a jacket ( ), and a buffer material ( ) between the optical ribbon ( ) and the jacket ( ). Buffer material ( ) includes at least one volume of buffer material defining a stress-cushioning zone ( ) between optical ribbon ( ) and jacket ( ), the stress-cushioning zone being operative to substantially decouple jacket ( ) from ribbon ( ) in the region of the stress-cushioning zone ( ) thereby inhibiting the application of stress to optical ribbon ( ). Buffer material ( ) includes at least one volume of material at an intermediate buffer zone ( ) held substantially tight against an intermediate portion ( ) of optical ribbon ( ) for inhibiting the twisting of optical ribbon ( ). The volume of material at the stress-cushioning zone ( ) is substantially larger than the volume of the buffer material of the intermediate buffer zone ( ). Where buffer material ( ) comprises tensile strength fibers, the fibers perform the dual functions of tensile strength and lateral stress-cushioning.

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Hickory, NC, United States of America

Ronald D Schiefer