Abstract: A method is provided for securing an optical fiber Bragg grating to a retaining element having a helical groove. In accordance with the method, an optical fiber Bragg grating is wrapped around the retaining element so that the optical fiber Bragg grating extends in and along the helical groove. Next, an excess length of the optical fiber Bragg grating is provided in the helical groove to substantially alleviate tension exerted upon the optical fiber Bragg grating. Finally, the first and second ends of the fiber Bragg grating are affixed to the retaining element.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises an antireflective layer and a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.

Abstract: An end seal assembly is adapted to seal the space between at least one cable and a closure to restrict fluid transfer through the seal. The end seal assembly includes an end seal having a body formed from an elastic, flexible material. The body includes a core portion and an extended tail portion. The core portion has an outer peripheral surface, spaced ends, and a wall forming at least one cylindrical opening through the core portion. The cylindrical opening extends between the spaced ends. The wall has two edges communicating with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion to define between the two edges an entrance slot to the at least one of the cylindrical openings. The extended tail portion is integral with and extends from the outer peripheral surface of the core portion. Moreover, the tail portion has a surface tangential to the wall forming the at least one opening.

Abstract: A package is provided for an optical fiber that includes a Bragg grating. The package includes a retaining member that supports the optical fiber and contacts the optical fiber along at least substantially the entire length of the Bragg grating. A housing is provided which is adapted to receive the retaining member therein. The housing has a conductivity below that of the retaining member so that the Bragg grating is maintained at a substantially uniform temperature.

Abstract: A terminal block for terminating one or more exchange wires to one or more service wires has a housing including a plurality of separate chambers each of which are accessible to a service wire through a wire access port. The terminal block includes an access jack including a service wire junction contact provided within a service wire junction contact slot, an exchange wire junction contact provided within an exchange wire junction contact slot and an earth junction contact retained within an earth junction contact slot. Exchange wires are terminated to respective exchange wire junction contacts in the terminal block and the corresponding stub cable is permanently secured thereto. One or more service wires are terminated and conductively connected to a service wire junction contact. A linking module is provided which, when inserted into the access jack, forms a conductive connection between the service wire junction contact and the exchange wire junction contact.

Abstract: A high solids spin finish composition is provided which includes a nonionic hydrocarbon surfactant and which has a <FLB> value of less than 11 and a <HLB> value within the range of about 2 to 13.

Abstract: A multilayer polyester film having at least 7 layers which comprises alternating layers of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate. Biaxial orientation and subsequent restrained heat setting of these materials results in thin films with tensile moduli in both stretch directions well in excess of the values obtained with monolithic films of either material. In some embodiments, a slippery surface is imparted to the film without the use of conventional slip agents.

Abstract: A process is described which imparts exceptional antisoiling, anti-staining and repellent properties to carpets. The process makes use of a water-based exhaustion process wherein the water-based treating solution contains (1) glassy fluorochemical material, glassy hydrocarbon material, or combinations thereof; (2) a stainblocking material; (3) a polyvalent metal salt, acid, or combinations thereof; and (4) water. Subsequent to exhaustion, the wet treated carpet is heated, usually in a steaming step, rinsed, and dried in a dry heat oven.

Abstract: A protected terminal block has a housing (10) having a plurality of test ports (18) and a plurality of electrical contact elements (40), each of which includes a test lead (48) which is accessible through a test port (18). The electrical contact elements are configured in the housing and connected to an exchange wire which is secured to a stub cable. A protection module retainer (140) is secured to a side of the housing (10) proximate the test ports (18) to form a plurality of retaining cups (142) adapted to receive a protection module (100). A grounding strip (150) is secured to ground and retained between the protection module retainer (140) and the housing (10) proximate the test ports (18), the grounding strip (150) having a plurality of integral ground connectors (158). A protection module (100) is provided having a protector (116) which is connected to a pair of terminal block contact elements (102) and a ground connector (160).

Abstract: A threaded fastener retention device includes a housing having a retainer aperture formed therein and tab retainers adjacent the aperture. A resilient retainer is movably mounted in the aperture. The retainer includes a body having tabs for engaging the tab retainers and fastener gripping members for engaging the threads of the fastener and retaining the fastener in the housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a holder for one ore more optical cables, each optical cable having an optical fiber surrounded by strengthening fibers, both of which are surrounded by at least one polymeric coating layer. The cable is stripped in a layerwise manner such that an area of exposed fiber is succeeded by an area of exposed strengthening fibers, succeeded by an area of coated cable. A visible light curable adhesive is injected into the holder and cured by exposure to visible light for up to about 30 seconds, bonding the optical fiber layers and the holder into a unified structure.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.

Abstract: A device for cleaning an optical fiber includes a body having a surface. A cleaning substance is deposited on the surface of the body. The body is selectively positionable for selectively contacting the cleaning substance with the optical fiber.

Abstract: A UV weatherable film construction is provided which is capable of retaining its dimensional stability under extreme environmental temperatures and humidities. The base film polymer, syndiotactic polystyrene, has characteristically low moisture absorption, excellent thermal stability, and high transparency. When used in combination with a UV-blocking coating, the sPS film exhibits a degree of resistance to UV-induced discoloration and degradation that is substantially superior to unprotected sPS films or films based on sPS resins that are merely compounded with a UV absorber. The sPS cover films of the present invention are useful as overlay films in signing and other outdoor applications, are comparable to UV-absorber loaded acrylic films in UV blocking or resistance, and provide a cost competitive alternative to acrylic, polyester, and fluoropolymer overlay films.

Abstract: A shelf-stable spin finish composition, and a method for making the same, is provided. The spin finish composition has a <HLB> value within the range of about 2 to 13 and comprises a hydrocarbon surfactant and a total weight percent of water t, wherein t<k, and wherein k is the weight percent of water required to render the composition visibly turbid.

Abstract: A high solids spin finish composition is provided that can be readily applied to synthetic fibers during the fiber-making process. The spin finish composition comprises a hydrocarbon surfactant and a fluorochemical emulsion.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix in combination with light directing materials to enable control of light emitted from a lighting fixture or display. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film, and the light directing materials are chosen to control the direction of polarized light reflected from or transmitted by the optical film.

Abstract: A tool for preparing an optical fiber end-face includes a station having a base with a fiber bender and a scribe for cleaving a fiber. The base may include a polishing surface and a well that serves as a fiber shard collector. A cleaver door may be attached to the base to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position covering the shard collector and may include a mount for releasably attaching a fiber handling tool or puck. The puck includes a body, a latch attached by a hinge to the body, and a face comprising a plate pivotally attached to an end of the body and having a fiber port extending through the plate. The body of the puck includes a nest for receiving a fiber holder for securing a fiber with an end of the fiber extending through the port of the face. The nest includes a reference stop and a means for urging the fiber holder against the reference stop when the latch is rotated to a closed position covering the body.

Abstract: A receptacle for terminating an optical fiber at an active device such as a photodetector or solid-state light source. The receptacle includes a housing, a termination fixture and an active device. The housing has an opening for receiving the terminal portion of an optical fiber, a door located at the opening, biased to a closed position and having a latch for releasably receiving an optical fiber plug, and a removable plate allowing access to an interior of the housing. The termination fixture and the active device may be mounted to a common substrate attached to an interior portion of the housing. The termination fixture includes a base and a projection attached to the base proximate a light-transmitting portion thereof, the projection having a fiber-receiving groove directed toward a fiber stop surface located on the light-transmitting portion of the base. The base can have a lens integrally molded with the light-transmitting portion.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a holder for one ore more optical cables, each optical cable having an optical fiber surrounded by strengthening fibers, both of which are surrounded by at least one polymeric coating layer. The cable is stripped in a layerwise manner such that an area of exposed fiber is succeeded by an area of exposed strengthening fibers, succeeded by an area of coated cable. A visible light curable adhesive is injected into the holder and cured by exposure to visible light for up to about 30 seconds, bonding the optical fiber layers and the holder into a unified structure.