The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 26, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 25, 1999
Vidyananda Bangalore Chandraiah, Lawrenceville, GA (US);
Kenneth Wade Jackson, Snellville, GA (US);
Fitel USA Corporation, Norcross, GA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning an optical fiber ribbon without splitting the ribbon. The apparatus comprises a first element that has a channel formed therein, which preferably has a width that is substantially equal to the width of an optical fiber ribbon. A ribbon is cleaned by disposing it in the channel and by pulling it through the channel while applying a force to the top surface of the ribbon. The force may be applied, for example, by a user who applies a cleaning cloth to the top surface of the ribbon as it is pulled through the channel. The contact between the channel, the cleaning device and the exterior surface of the ribbon effectuates removal of foreign material from the exterior surface of the ribbon. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a second element. The second element includes a bottom surface that is disposed over the channel when the first and second elements are placed in their operative positions. In order to clean a ribbon, the ribbon is pulled through the channel in a direction parallel to the length-wise direction of the ribbon. As the ribbon is pulled through the channel, the channel and the bottom surface of the second element wipe the exterior surface of the ribbon and thereby remove unwanted particles or matter from the exterior surface of the ribbon. The channel and the bottom surface of the second element maintain the ribbon in a substantially coplanar configuration as the ribbon is being pulled through the channel, thereby preventing the ribbon from being split during the cleaning process.