Abstract: A method is provided for improving the bond strength and quality between a borate-treated wood material and a phenolic resin in a wood composite product, the method having the steps of bonding the wood material with an adhesive system comprising the resin and an additional base, the base providing a substantial increase in the alkalinity of the adhesive system over that provided by the resin, the increase sufficient to limit the bonding of borate molecules with the phenolic resin molecules to such an extent as to allow a substantially complete cross-linking of the phenolic resin molecules to occur. An adhesive system is also disclosed for use in the production of wood composite products.

Abstract: An optical element for incorporation into optical transmission means and comprising an optical fiber provided with a coating with a substantially circular cross section applied essentially coaxially closely around the fiber, to which coating is imparted such an adhesion to the optical fiber that a contraction tendency in the coating brought about in connection with the application of the coating affects the fiber with such an axial compressive force in its whole length that the force causes a real shortening of the fiber and a corresponding increase of the elongation at break of the fiber. The fiber can be provided with an intermediate protective layer, and an intermediate adhesive layer can be used. Optical transmission means comprising one or more optical elements in a sheath are described.

Abstract: An oblong cylindrical body such as an electrical or optical cable or a pipe having a concentric armour of spaced wires is provided with one or more binder tapes being provided with indentations such as corrugations or depressions in all or some of the spaces between the wires. The indentations may be produced by means of rollers having a surface in accordance with the desired indentations. The indentations may be produced before or after the application of the binder tape.

Abstract: An optical element for use in optical transmission comprising one or more optical fibers provided with an essentially tight-fitting coating and a strength member provided with an essentially tight-fitting coating of the same material, each of said coatings having an essentially circular cross-section, wherein the coating or coatings on the optical fibers are firmly connected with the coating on the strength member by connection means of the same material, and whose thickness is substantially smaller than the diameter of the coatings and where further the fiber or fibers are given a curve or wave shaped course. The connection means can be a continuous or locally broken fin and the coating can be applied commonly or separately around the fibers. Optical transmission means comprising such optical elements are described.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optical element comprising an optical fiber located in a tubular jacket in a curve shape with a radius of curvature sufficiently big to avoid a substantial increase of the loss at light transmission in which process by establishing elastic tensions varying over the cross-sectional area of the element, the element is given such a permanent preshape that when placed in the tubular jacket it has a marked tendency to assume by itself the desired curve shape. The fiber itself can be preshaped or it can be provided with an eccentric coating or a segmented multicomponent coating having different contraction tendencies. An optical element so produced and an optical transmission means comprising such an element is also described.