Apparatus and method for forming cable
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in forming a cable containing a plurality of conductors, said apparatus comprising means for applying a layer of adhesive to a flexible strip of material to form a tape, means for applying a layer of superabsorbent material to the tape, said means for applying the layer of superabsorbent material to the tape being operable to apply the layer of superabsorbent material to the layer of adhesive on the flexible strip of material, and means for wrapping the tape around the plurality of conductors with the superabsorbent material on the layer of adhesive on the flexible strip of material.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cable, which may be a fiber optic cable, includes a plurality of conductors which are twisted together. A tape with a layer of superabsorbent powder thereon, is wrapped around the conductors. A sheath is formed around the outside of the tape. If a leak should occur, the superabsorbent powder absorbs moisture and expands to block further entry of moisture into the cable. The tape is formed by applying a layer of adhesive to a strip of flexible material. The adhesive is advantageously applied in a helical pattern which is spaced from longitudinal edges of the tape. The superabsorbent powder is then applied to the adhesive. A suction head removes excess superabsorbent powder from the tape. The tape is then wrapped around the conductors of the cable. The adhesive may be a sealant material which is applied to the conductors before they are wrapped with the tape.
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Citations
45 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for use in forming a cable containing a plurality of conductors, said apparatus comprising means for applying a layer of adhesive to a flexible strip of material to form a tape, means for applying a layer of superabsorbent material to the tape, said means for applying the layer of superabsorbent material to the tape being operable to apply the layer of superabsorbent material to the layer of adhesive on the flexible strip of material, and means for wrapping the tape around the plurality of conductors with the superabsorbent material on the layer of adhesive on the flexible strip of material.
- 11. An apparatus for use in forming a cable containing a plurality of conductors, said apparatus comprising means for applying a layer of adhesive to a flexible strip of material with the adhesive spaced from opposite longitudinally extending edge portions of the flexible strip of material so that the opposite longitudinally extending edge portions of the flexible strip of material are free of adhesive, powder applicator means for applying a layer of superabsorbent powder to the layer of adhesive, suction means for removing excess powder from the layer of adhesive, means for applying a layer of sealant to the conductors, means for wrapping the flexible strip of material around the plurality of conductors with the layer of superabsorbent material on the flexible strip of material in engagement with the layer of sealant applied to the conductors, said means for wrapping the flexible strip of material around the plurality of conductors including means for wrapping the flexible strip of material around the plurality of conductors with the longitudinally extending and adhesive free edge portions of the flexible strip of material in an overlapping relationship, and means for applying a sheath of water impervious material over the flexible strip of material.
- 13. An apparatus for use in forming a cable containing a plurality of conductors, said apparatus comprising means for applying a sealing material to the plurality of conductors, means for applying a layer of the sealing material to a flexible strip of material to form a tape, means for applying a layer of superabsorbent material to the tape, said means for applying the layer of superabsorbent material to the tape being operable to apply the layer of superabsorbent material to the layer of sealing material on the flexible strip of material, and means for wrapping the tape around the plurality of conductors with the superabsorbent material on the tape.
- 19. A method of forming a cable containing a plurality of conductors, said method comprising the steps of applying a layer of adhesive to a flexible strip of material to form a tape, applying a layer of superabsorbent material to the tape, said step of applying a layer of superabsorbent material to the tape including applying the layer of superabsorbent material to the layer of adhesive on the flexible strip of material, and wrapping the tape around the plurality of conductors with the superabsorbent material on the layer of adhesive on the flexible strip of material.
- 30. A method of forming a cable containing a plurality of conductors, said method comprising the steps of applying a sealing material to the plurality of conductors, applying a layer of sealing material to a flexible strip of material to form a tape, applying a layer of superabsorbent material to the tape, said step of applying a layer of superabsorbent material to the tape including applying the layer of superabsorbent material to the layer of sealing material on the flexible strip of material, and wrapping the tape around the plurality of conductors with the sealing material on the conductors and with the superabsorbent material on the tape.
- 38. A cable comprising a plurality of conductors, a tape wrapped around the plurality of conductors, said tape including a layer of adhesive disposed on a flexible strip, and a layer of superabsorbent material disposed between the tape and the plurality of conductors, said layer of superabsorbent material having a first side which is disposed in engagement with the layer of adhesive to interconnect the layer of superabsorbent material and said flexible strip.
- 42. A method of forming a cable containing a plurality of conductors, said method comprising the steps of applying a layer of adhesive to a flexible strip of material with the adhesive spaced from opposite longitudinally extending edge portions of the flexible strip of material so that the opposite longitudinally extending edge portions of the flexible strip of material are free of adhesive, applying a layer of superabsorbent powder to the layer of adhesive, wrapping the flexible strip of material around the plurality of conductors with the longitudinally extending and adhesive free edge portions of the flexible strip of material in an overlapping relationship, and applying a sheath of water impervious material over the flexible strip of material.
Specification