Abstract: A conductor wire with an inner layer of insulation of cellular polyolefin compound and an outer layer of polyvinylchloride. The polyvinylchloride includes a material compatible with the polyolefin and which bonds to the polyolefin to bond the layers together. The compatible material may be chlorinated polyethylene. In the insulated structure, the inner layer has a substantially continuous skin which is bonded to the outer layer. In a method of forming the insulation, the inner layer is maintained as a non-cellular structure which the outer layer is extruded onto it. This provides unbroken opposing surfaces of the layers which are bonded together and the integrity of the surface of the inner layer is maintained as the layer is formed into a cellular structure.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for drying filamentary material, a duct is provided for enclosing a portion of a passline. The duct comprises two parts relatively disposed laterally of the passline. These parts are relatively movable away from one another laterally of the passline to provide a duct open position and towards one another to provide a duct closed postion. First and second guide wheels are provided for guiding the filamentary material along the passline through the duct. The guide wheels are relatively movable along the passline between the duct parts in the duct open position between a first pair of relatively close positions and a second pair of positions at opposite ends of the duct. With the duct in the duct open position and the guide wheels in the first pair of positions, filamentary material is fed over the guide wheels.

Abstract: A telecommunications cable having no metal sheath, but having a plurality of equally pre-tensioned and inextensible tensile members embedded in the cable jacket. These members are spaced apart around the core and extend longitudinally of the cable to apply an axially compressive force upon the jacket. The members may be glass fibers and each member is preferably a roving of fibers. The filaments may be coated with a material which sticks them to the jacket and the core may be filled with a moisture blocking material.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for coloring polymer-insulated wire, the wire is guided through a solvent reservoir to dissolve surface contaminants and etch the surface of the insulation, and passed between opposed wiping surfaces to wipe surface contaminants from the wire. The wire is then passed through a hot air duct to evaporate solvent remaining on its surface. The dried wire is guided through a solvent-based colorant reservoir to coat it with colorant and passed against a wiping surface to wipe excess colorant from its surface. The coated wire is passed through a hot air duct to evaporate some of the solvent in the colorant, and through a cold air duct to harden an outer surface of the colorant before it passes over a guide wheel. The hardened surface prevents adherence of the colorant to the guide wheel. The coated wire is passed by a spraying device which intermittently sprays solvent-based colorant on the wire to band encode it.

Abstract: Extrusion apparatus for conductor wire in which a core tube for guiding the wire is controllably movable axially so as to adjust the cross-sectional area of the flow passage for molten polymeric dielectric material moving towards the die orifice. The use of the adjustable core tube minimizes the degree of draw down of the conductor wire.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an insulation layer around an electrical conductor comprising an extruder head and a die insert within the head, the insert having a feedpath for the conductor towards the die orifice. An insert holder is provided and the insert is pivotally movable within the insert by the use of a flexible mounting means which allows for movement of the insert about any plane. The mounting means may be a flange with an annular weakened section to provide the flexibility. Alternatively, the mounting means comprises spring steel annular tubes disposed between the insert and holder.

Abstract: In the making of cable with spaced conductor wires or tensile members in a non-circular jacket, the wires of member are maintained in desired angular positions within the jacket by guiding them through a core tube which is controllably rotatable within the extruder cross-head. The angular positions of the wires or members are monitored and upon their positions departing from the desired positions, the core tube is rotated in the appropriate direction to return them to the desired positions.

Abstract: Cable with tensile reinforcement in the jacket in which the reinforcement is formed by succeeding tape lengths. Bonding or otherwise securing together of these lengths is avoided by overlapping them and interengaging projections of one into indentations in the other.

Abstract: Providing an insulation layer upon electrical conductor by passing the conductor with clearance towards and through an outlet orifice of a die insert as the conductor approaches a die orifice. The degree of concentricity of the conductor within the insulation layer is monitored after extrusion and an eccentrically positioned conductor is moved towards a concentric location by moving the conductor, at a position upstream of the outlet orifice of the die insert, laterally of the feedpath. This movement effects a change in approach of the conductor to the outlet orifice and influences a change in the angle of departure from the outlet orifice thereby altering the lateral position of the conductor within the die orifice.

Abstract: Method and die to produce telecommunications cable with tensile reinforcement in the jacket in which the reinforcement is formed by succeeding tape lengths. Bonding or otherwise securing together of these lengths is avoided by overlapping them and interengaging projections of one into indentations in the other.