Abstract: A jacket for an outside plant communication cable is made from a resin of an impact-modified polypropylene copolymer compounded with UV stabilizers. The resin has the characteristics of low cost, low post-extrusion shrinkage, high melting temperature and increased crush and abrasion resistance. The UV light stabilizers may include UV absorbers, quenchers, and/or hindered amine light stabilizers.

Abstract: The transmission cable is disclosed herein that includes the transmission medium; and outer jacket disposed about the transmission medium, and end cap swaged on the end of the transmission cable. Preferably, the end cap comprises a shape that aids in installation of the transmission cable. Also disclosed herein is a method of producing a transmission cable that includes the steps of: providing a transmission cable including a transmission medium, an outer jacket disposed about the transmission medium, and an end; and swaging an end cap on the end of the transmission cable. A method of installing a transmission cable is also disclosed herein, including the steps of: providing a transmission cable; and installing the cables.

Abstract: The specification describes a water blocking tape for an optical fiber cable wherein the optical fibers in the cable are wrapped with a synthetic fibrous non-woven tape coated with a superabsorbent polymer powder coating. The particles in the powder are ultra-fine, i.e. have less than 10% weight fraction over 250 microns in diameter, and less than 2% weight fraction over 300 microns in diameter. Controlling the particle size within this small range is found to reduce microbending losses in the optical fiber.

Abstract: A communications cable is disclosed herein that includes an outer jacket, and either a core tube or at least one buffer tube. The core tube or at least one buffer tube includes a resin and high aspect ratio fillers that occupy a predetermined volume of the core tube or buffer tubes so as to impart crush resistance to the cable. Further, the core tube or buffer tube may include two layers, an outer layer and an inner layer, in which the outer layer includes both a resin and high aspect ratio fillers, and the inner layer includes the resin without the high aspect ratio fillers.

Abstract: A communications cable is disclosed herein that includes an outer jacket, and either a core tube or at least one buffer tube. The core tube or at least one buffer tube includes a resin and high aspect ratio fillers that occupy a predetermined volume of the core tube or buffer tubes so as to impart crush resistance to the cable. Further, the core tube or buffer tube may include two layers, an outer layer and an inner layer, in which the outer layer includes both a resin and high aspect ratio fillers, and the inner layer includes the resin without the high aspect ratio fillers.

Abstract: An inflatable flotation device having a belt for securing same to the user. A pair of VELCRO.TM. carrying flaps are secured to the belt and overlap a folded inflatable bag. A release mechanism is carried by the belt and a manifold secured to the release mechanism extends through the belt and into the bag to secure the release mechanism and the bag to the belt. When the release mechanism is activated the bag inflates and opens the flaps.