Cable utilizing wetted superabsorbent powder or water soluble adhesive

• US 5,649,041 A
• Filed: 11/13/1995
• Issued: 07/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siecor Technology, Inc. (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Siecor Corporation (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Clyburn, Clinton E. III, Bringuier, Anne G.
• Primary Examiner(s): ULLAH, AKM E
• Application Number:
  US08/556,357
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 385/100-109, 385/147
• US Class Current: 385/109
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/441 built up from sub-bundles G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44384 the means comprising water blocking or hydrophobic materials G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence

Abstract

A telecommunication cable includes a layer comprising wetted water-absorptive powder on the surface of a substrate element, thereby avoiding the use of adhesives to bind the dry superabsorbent powder. The water-absorptive powder may be adhered to the surface of the substrate element by a water-soluble adhesive material.

Claims

1. A method for inserting a water-absorptive powder into a cable containing a longitudinally extending telecommunication element, comprising:

providing a longitudinally extending telecommunication element;

providing a longitudinally extending substrate element having a surface;

wetting said surface of the substrate element with a non-hydrophobic liquid;

applying water-absorptive powder to said wetted substrate element surface, thereby forming a layer comprising wetted water-absorptive powder on said substrate element surface; and

,

forming an outer sheath around said telecommunication element and said substrate element surface and said layer.

2. A method as set out in claim 1, further comprising removing at least a substantial amount of any loose nonwetted water-absorptive powder prior to forming the outer sheath.

3. A method as set out in claim 2, wherein said substantial amount of any loose nonwetted powder is removed by applying pressurized gas to the substrate element.

4. A method as set out in claim 1, wherein said water-absorptive powder is applied by passing said substrate element through a chamber in which powder is blown onto said wetted substrate element surface.

5. A method as set out in claim 1, wherein said substrate element is wetted by application of a mist.

6. A method as set out in claim 1, wherein said surface is wetted with a fluid containing a surfactant.

7. A method as set out in claim 1, wherein said surface is treated with an energy field prior to wetting.

8. A method as set out in claim 1, wherein said non-hydrophobic fluid comprises water.

9. A telecommunication cable, comprising:

at least one longitudinally extending telecommunication element;

a substrate element having a surface;

a layer comprising water-absorptive powder wetted by a non-hydrophobic fluid applied during manufacture of said cable on said substrate element surface; and

,

an outer sheath containing the telecommunication element, substrate element, and said layer.

10. A telecommunication cable as recited in claim 9, wherein the substrate element is a tube containing a longitudinally extending telecommunication member.

11. A telecommunication cable, comprising a telecommunication element, a water-absorptive material adhered to a surface of a substrate element by a water-soluble adhesive material, and a longitudinally extending outer sheath surrounding said telecommunication element, water-absorptive material, and substrate element.

12. A telecommunication cable as recited in claim 11, wherein the substrate element is a tube containing a longitudinally extending telecommunication member.

13. A telecommunication cable as recited in claim 11, wherein said water-soluble adhesive material is based on a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyamides, and vinylpyrrolidonevinyl acetate copolymers.