Abstract: A cable termination arrangement is used to terminate cables, such as armored fiber optic cables, to a connecting structure, such as a cable joint or coupling. Strength members, such as aramid rods, extending along the cable are terminated with radial termination members, such as crimping ferrules. The radial termination members extend into a termination cavity within the connecting structure and are spaced substantially equally, for example, using separators. An epoxy or other suitable retaining material encases the radial termination members, strength members, and separators.

Abstract: A gas pipe explorer formed of a plurality of connecting elements, and an articulation element between the connected elements. The connected elements include drive capabilities, and the articulation element allows the connected elements to traverse gas pipes of arbitrary shapes and sizes. A sensor may sends the characteristics of the gas pipe, and the communication element may send back those sends characteristics. The communication can be wired, over a tether connecting the device to a remote end. Alternatively, the connection can be wireless, driven by either a generator or a battery.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is fabricated with a non-corrugated armor tube which reduces the amount of material needed for the armoring while maintaining adequate cable flexibility. The outer diameter (OD) of the armor tube has a relationship with the thickness (t) of an outer jacket and intervening layers disposed about the tube such that 2t≦OD≦10t. If the tube is formed from a metal tape, sufficiently flexibility is provided as long as the outer diameter is less than 10t. The tube and outer jacket are loosely adhered to maintain flexibility, and the bending strain is maintained at less than 87.5% of the maximum bending strain for the cable.

Abstract: Disclosed are an all-dielectric self-supporting optical cable and a manufacturing method thereof. The all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) optical cable installed on an extra-high voltage electrical power transmitting pylon comprises a first armor rod made of metal material and connected to a dead end of the all-dielectric self-supporting optical cable; and an insulating member for insulating the first armor rod.

Abstract: A buffer tube design that allows easy access to signal carrying fibers disposed within the buffer tube with risk of damaging the signal carrying fibers. The buffer tube can be made with a ripcord disposed within. Additionally, the buffer tube has the mechanical properties that allow the ripcord to be pulled through the tube wall with less energy than is required to bend the signal carrying fibers within. The buffer tube can also be designed without a ripcord in such a way that the mechanical properties allow the tube to be hand torn using a lower amount of energy than required to bend the signal carrying fibers within.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for protecting optical fibers embedded in the armor of a tow cable. The method includes the steps of winding a resin-impregnated fiber onto a stainless steel tube, and curing the resin to form a hard protective filament shell around the stainless steel tube. The fiber is a continuous fiber and the step of impregnating is either in combination with the step of winding or prior to the step of winding. The fiber used is any one of a carbon fiber, a Kevlar™ fiber, a boron fiber or the like. The winding is either applied during formation of the steel tube or subsequent to formation of the steel tube. The method further comprises the step of winding galvanized steel armor wires of a predetermined diameter around the tow cable core to form the tow cable and helixing the protected tube amongst the galvanized steel armor wires.

Abstract: A tight-buffered optical fiber includes an optical fiber, at least a first buffer layer of a polymer material enclosing the optical fiber, and a plurality of strength members embedded in the first buffer layer and longitudinally disposed around the optical fiber. A second buffer layer of polymer material may also be formed to enclose the first buffer layer. The first and second buffer layer may be made of acrylate and may be either radiation or thermally curable. The second buffer layer may also have a plurality of strength members embedded in it and longitudinally disposed around the optical fiber.

Abstract: Submarine cables (10, 11) have armouring (18, 19) surrounding the cable core (12), which armouring protects the cable core (12) particularly from mechanical loads. The armouring (18) is designed so that it can withstand the mechanical stresses to which the submarine cable (10, 11) is subjected when laid at the greatest depths provided for. Such armouring (18) is overdimensioned in areas of lesser depths. The invention provides for a submarine cable (10, 11), and a method for the manufacture thereof, a corresponding number of armouring wires (25) used to form the armouring (18) being replaced as necessary by filler strands (31).

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes ripcords that are oriented in particular locations with reference to radial strength members and any armor overlap included in a housing for optical fibers. The ripcords are spaced 180° from each other and preferably 90° from the armor overlap region. Color coded or marked ripcords are also placed adjacent to RSMs, with color coding or other marking on external surfaces of the housing to indicate a pull direction for respective ripcords. The ripcords may be extruded with the RSM into a jacket housing or disposed in a grooved section formed into the RSM. Pairs of RSMs may also be disposed on opposite sides of a ripcord to protect the ripcord from being accidentally severed by cutting instruments during servicing of the cable.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable core includes a buffer tube containing at least one optical fiber and reinforced by at least two substantially radially incompressible longitudinal strength members, each strength member having surface portions radially outermost with respect to the tube axis which are at or protrude from the exterior surface of the buffer tube. If the strength members protrude from the exterior surface of the buffer tube, less than 50%, and preferably less than 20%, of the outer surface of the strength members protrudes from the exterior surface of the buffer tube. The positions of the strength members can be readily determined, can be visible and can be easily removed from the buffer tube prior to slitting the buffer tube to achieve midspan access.

Abstract: A structure and method for detecting a broken optical fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable holding a first optical fiber and a jacket, and breaking the first optical fiber to trigger an alarm. In preferred embodiments, an outer conduit is provided around the fiber optic cable, and the conduit carries a second optical fiber. The second optical fiber creates a circuit path with a control device, and upon breakage of the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber is burnt through to break the circuit path. This break in the circuit path is detected by the control device, which stops the transmission of signals across the optical fiber cable and/or triggers an alarm.

Abstract: An optical imaging system with a flexible cable having a first end and a second end. The cable has a central core element including a flexible optical conduit, with a number of wires surrounding the core element to form a tube concentric with an axis defined by the center of the core. The cable has a conductive shield layer surrounding the wires and uniformly spaced apart from the wires An electronic instrument is connected to the first end of the cable and has an illuminator coupled with the optical conduit and a display device connected to the wires. An image transducer is connected to the second end of the cable and is connected to the wires. The wires may be twisted pairs evenly spaced apart from each other, and evenly spaced apart from an axis defined by the core.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for protecting optical fibers embedded in the armor of a tow cable. The method includes the steps of winding a resin-impregnated fiber onto a stainless steel tube, and curing the resin to form a hard protective filament shell around the stainless steel tube. The fiber is a continuous fiber and the step of impregnating is either in combination with the step of winding or prior to the step of winding. The fiber used is any one of a carbon fiber, a Kevlar™ fiber, a boron fiber or the like. The winding is either applied during formation of the steel tube or subsequent to formation of the steel tube. The method further comprises the step of winding galvanized steel armor wires of a predetermined diameter around the tow cable core to form the tow cable and helixing the protected tube amongst the galvanized steel armor wires.

Abstract: A variable fiber count optical fiber cable core is disclosed. The cable core is intended for use as a part of an optical fiber cable, the optical fiber cable having an elongate cylindrical core tube formed about a longitudinal axis, and within which the cable core is received. The cable core comprises a stack of a plurality of variable fiber count optical fiber units formed about the longitudinal axis of the core tube, and housed therein. The stack of the optical fiber units will comprise at least a first optical fiber unit having a first predetermined number of fibers therein, and at least a second optical fiber unit having a second predetermined number of optical fibers therein, where the first and second predetermined numbers of optical fibers differ from one another within the stack of optical fiber units.

Abstract: Composite cables operative to transmit information in optical transmission and/or electrical power modes. The composite cables include an optical fiber operative to transmit light comprising a silica-based core with a silica-based cladding having a lower index of refraction than the core, the core and cladding are surrounded by two layers of plastic that define a soft primary coating surrounding and in contact with the cladding, and a relatively rigid secondary coating that surrounds and is in contact with the primary coating. The optical fiber has an outside diameter of about 250 &mgr;m to about 500 &mgr;m or more, and an electrical conductor surrounds the secondary coating. The composite cable includes an outermost cable jacket layer having an outside diameter of about 3,500 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is manufactured by wrapping a cable core with a corrugated steel reinforcing tape coated on each surface by a polymer material and extruding a jacket over the tape such that the polymer material on the outer surface is bonded to the jacket and the edges of the tape are overlapped and bonded. The tape is formed and spooled so as to be continuous through the spool to a required length to match the intended length of the cable which can be as much as 18 to 30 kms. The required length of the tape is obtained by slitting master rolls of steel web into individual tapes and forming welded butt splices in the steel so that each spooled tape is of the required length. A series of the spooled tapes are then unwound side by side, simultaneously laminated with two sheets of the polymer, separated each from the next and re-wound to form a spool of single tape of the required length. If the tapes are spaced side to side, the polymer material encapsulates the tape edges also.

Abstract: A protective cable armor for cable having tensile stiffness and providing structural protection from invasion by foreign objects. The armor comprises a substantially planar sheet member having a length and a width and an intermittent corrugation pattern disposed therein. The intermittent corrugation pattern comprises at least one land extending across the width of the sheet member and having a defined land width. The intermittent corrugation pattern further comprises at least one, groove extending across the width of the sheet member and having a defined groove width, where the defined land width differs from the defined groove width. The land is disposed adjacent the groove. The sheet member can also be disposed in a substantially tubular form.

Abstract: A simplex optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber, a buffer surrounding and in contact with the optical fiber, a layer of strength fibers disposed about the buffer, and a sheath member surrounding and in contact with the yarn layer. In cross section the cable has a diameter of less than 2.0 millimeters (mm) and thus is much smaller in diameter than optical fiber cables presently available. Preferably, if the buffer is relatively thin a slick substance is applied to the outer surface of the buffer to allow the buffer and the strength fiber layer to slide relation to each other. If the buffer is relatively thick, a friction-reducing substance can be applied to the optical fiber to facilitate stripping of the buffer from the fiber a duplex optical fiber cable includes two simplex optical fiber cables having their respective sheaths joined to produce a figure-eight configuration.

Abstract: The invention is to provide an optical fiber cable in which an end of an optical fiber core is prevented from being dragged inside the main cable body part upon the application of a tension on the optical fiber cable, and which prevents the increase in transmission loss and breakage of the optical fiber core caused by the movement of the optical fiber core near the connection point. The invention can be characterized in that an optical fiber cable is formed in such a manner that yarns are stranded in a periphery of the stack of the optical fiber ribbons, and an outer sheath of the main cable body part is formed with a tension member united thereto on the periphery of the yarns.

Abstract: The optical cable essentially comprises a core (2), containing at least one optical conductor (3), a non-combustible support element (4) surrounding the core (2) in the shape of a tube or cylinder, a fireproofing layer (6) arranged on the support element (4) and a sheath (8, 12) containing a thermal insulation layer (10). A material solidifying under the action of heat serves as fireproofing layer (6).

Abstract: A method for installing a lightweight optical fiber unit, preferably less than approximately 10 g/m, into a tube, by pulling the optical fiber unit through the tube using a pulling member. The pulling member may be attached to the optical fiber unit by a braided sheath. Alternatively, the pulling member itself may be a braided tube.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable core includes a buffer tube containing at least one optical fiber and reinforced by at least two substantially radially incompressible longitudinal strength members, each strength member having surface portions radially outermost with respect to the tube axis which are at or protrude from the exterior surface of the buffer tube. If the strength members protrude from the exterior surface of the buffer tube, less than 50%, and preferably less than 20%, of the outer surface of the strength members protrudes from the exterior surface of the buffer tube. The positions of the strength members can be readily determined, can be visible and can be easily removed from the buffer tube prior to slitting the buffer tube to achieve midspan access.

Abstract: A flow-through cable for transmitting information (20) is provided. The cable includes a jacket (22) having a length and an information conducting core (26) coaxially received within the jacket. A first insulation layer (24) surrounds the information conducting core and has a dielectric strength. The cable further includes a first conduit (28) disposed within the jacket. The first conduit is adapted to permit a compound to flow therethrough and is chemically permeable to permit at least a portion of the compound to diffuse through the first conduit.

Abstract: A simplex optical fiber cable of this invention includes an optical fiber, a buffer preferably of nylon, surrounding and in contact with the optical fiber, a yarn layer with strength fibers, preferably aramid fibers, disposed about the buffer and a sheath preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surrounding and in contact with the yarn layer. [In cross-section, the simplex optical fiber cable has a diameter less than 2.0 millimeters (mm), and thus is much smaller in diameter than optical fiber cables presently available Preferably, if the buffer is relatively thin providing limited protection to the optical fiber, a slick substance such as talc is applied to an outer surface of the buffer before the yarn layer is disposed thereon. The slick substance allows the buffer of the optical fiber to slide to a degree in contact with the yarn layer and thus reduces fatigue caused by axial movement of a ferrule of the connector terminating the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical cable in which an optical fiber unit is covered with plural pieces of plastic yarn and an outer covering such that the transmission characteristics of optical fibers does not deteriorate even if the plastic yarn longitudinally shrinks with time or with temperature.

Abstract: In an optical fiber configuration having an optical fiber within a flexible insulating sleeve, which has, at least on one section, peripheral shields made of an insulating material, it is envisaged to apply the shields directly to a sheath made of a glass fiber reinforced plastic. The sheath in turn receives the optical fiber. Such a configuration involves low costs and protects the optical fiber from mechanical influences.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having at least one optical fiber (22) and a component disposed within the cable (10) between a core (20) and a jacket section (30) of the cable, and a method of making the cable. The component includes a substrate (34) with a water blocking formulation (50) thereon, the water blocking formulation (50) comprising a radiation curable resin (52) and a water absorptive substance (54) at least partially embedded or compounded in the radiation curable resin (52). The radiation curable resin (52) includes an initiator for rapid processing speeds. The water blocking formulation (50) may include a non-compatible material for reducing friction and/or enhancing physical properties. Water blocking formulation (50) is advantageously adaptable to application on various exemplary cable components (40,75,87,94,96,98,104).

Abstract: A communications cable network, in a duct or tube system used primarily for other purposes, wherein the communications cables are mounted on the walls of the duct or tube system. The communications cable (3), is made of a core (7-10) and a sheath (11). The core (7-10) of the communications cable (3) is extremely flexible and the sheath (11) is sufficiently rigid that cable sag is less than 20 mm for a 2000-mm distance between fastenings. The sheath (11) is removed from the core (7-10) in the area of the shafts (2) of the duct or pipe system (1).

Abstract: Cables, in particular submarine cables (10, 11) have armouring (18, 19) surrounding the cable core (12), which armouring protects the cable core (12) particularly from mechanical loads. The armouring (18) is designed so that it can withstand the mechanical stresses to which the submarine cable (10, 11) is subjected when laid at the greatest depths provided for. Such armouring (18) is overdimensioned in areas of lesser depths. This applies in particular where the submarine cable is buried.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable that includes an armor layer having inner and outer surfaces and defining a passageway therethrough, a protective jacket surrounding the armor layer, a plurality of optical fibers extending lengthwise through the passageway, and a water swellable element for inhibiting water migration through the passageway. The water swellable element can be a water swellable layer on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the armor layer and/or a water swellable yarn extending through the passageway. The fiber optic cable is preferably tubeless, i.e., free of buffer tubes. In instances in which a water swellable layer is on the inner surface of the armor layer, the optical fibers are capable of contacting the water swellable layer.

Abstract: A crush, kink, and torque resistant, flexible fiber optic cable having a closely spaced, spiraled, rigid, metal wire layer disposed around the cable. Small size, light weight, good flexibility with minimum spring-back and excellent crush resistance are provided, along with excellent kinking and torque resistance.

Abstract: A process for the extrusion of microcellular polymeric material onto data communications material such as wire and optical fiber is described. Electrical conductors and optical fibers coated with microcellular polymeric material exhibit unexpected strength sufficient to pass certain industry tests necessary for use in a variety of applications, even without an exterior coating of structurally-supporting polymeric material. Polymeric microcellular materials provided in contact with the electrical connectors for a variety of purposes are described where the strength of microcellular material provides required structural support.

Abstract: There is provided an optical fiber composite ground wire (OPGW). The optical fiber composite ground wire (OPGW) includes a central wire at the center of the optical fiber composite ground wire (OPGW), a steel tube disposed around the central wire, at least one optical fiber ribbon inserted into the steel tube and containing a plurality of optical fibers arranged in coplanar alignment, a filling material filled in the steel tube, at least one inner layer wire surrounding the central wire, and at least one outer layer wire surrounding the steel tube and the inner layer wire.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having at least one optical fiber (22) and a component disposed within the cable (10) between a core (20) and a jacket section (30) of the cable, and a method of making the cable. The component includes a substrate (34) with a water blocking formulation (50) thereon, the water blocking formulation (50) comprising a radiation curable resin (52) and a water absorptive substance (54) at least partially embedded or compounded in the radiation curable resin (52). The radiation curable resin (52) includes an initiator for rapid processing speeds. The water blocking formulation (50) may include a non-compatible material for reducing friction and/or enhancing physical properties. Water blocking formulation (50) is advantageously adaptable to application on various exemplary cable components (40,75,87,94,96,98,104).

Abstract: An inner layer of strands comprises at least one strand; each strand consists of three or four twisted elementary fibers without any central elementary fiber. The ratio of the twist pitch of the strand to its diameter is between 7 and 19. The inner layer may be surrounded by an outer layer which also comprises twisted strands.

Abstract: A composite rod rigid in compression is sufficiently flexible to be wound round a reel that is less than three meters in diameter. The rod comprises at least three parts: a core including at least one data transmission element, a layer made of steel reinforcing wires, and a composite layer made of embedded fibers. In a variant, steel wires are substantially parallel to the axis of the core. Application of the rod is to displacement of measuring instruments in a well or pipe comprising a greatly inclined section.

Abstract: A mono-fiber type optical fiber cord comprising: a coated optical fiber which is an optical fiber with a fiber coat therearound, a synthetic resin coat having a substantially rectangular sectional surface for further covering the coated optical fiber, and a reinforcing member within the coat for coated optical fiber, wherein the reinforcing member is located along one of the shorter sides of the coat in the substantially parallel direction with the shorter sides in such a manner as to be embedded along the longitudinally extending direction of the coated optical fiber. An optical cord ribbon is formed by mutually bonding the longer sides of the adjacent substantially rectangular sectional surfaces of a plurality of the mono-fiber type optical fiber cords, and thereafter by coating the external surface of the thus aligned optical fiber cords by a bundling coating method.

Abstract: A method for installing a lightweight optical fiber unit, preferably less than approximately 10 g/m, into a tube, by pulling the optical fiber unit through the tube using a pulling member. The pulling member may be attached to the optical fiber unit by a braided sheath. Alternatively, the pulling member itself may be a braided tube.

Abstract: A composite cable for use in indoor or indoor/outdoor applications having a fiber optic core section includes at least one optical fiber. The composite cable includes a conductor and water blocking section, the conductor and water blocking section having a set of conductors providing mechanical strength and flame inhibiting characteristics to the composite cable. At least one interstice of the composite cable includes a water blocking member therein. An armor layer surrounds the conductor and water blocking section, and the armor layer is surrounded by a cable jacket with an interfacial zone defined therebetween. The interfacial zone includes a controlled bond layer so that during flame tests, as the jacket burns and forms a char barrier around the tape layer, the controlled bond layer supports the char barrier relative to the armor tape, thereby protecting the tape from flames and inhibiting the propagation of flame along the cable.

Abstract: A composite reinforced buffer tube for an optical fiber cable is disclosed. The composite reinforced buffer tube comprises an extruded elongated thermoplastic matrix having an elongated, substantially continuous, reinforcement incorporated therein along its length between its inside and outside walls. The substantially continuous reinforcing is co-extruded with the elongated thermoplastic matrix and bonded to the matrix at interface regions therebetween. The material forming the reinforcement has a higher modulus of elasticity than the material forming the thermoplastic matrix, and the reinforcement material has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than the thermoplastic matrix material. The strength properties of the buffer tube can be finely tailored by the size, shape and positioning of the co-extruded reinforcement as well as the number of reinforcements.

Abstract: An optical fiber carrier (10) having at least one protective member comprising a buffer tube (20). Buffer tube (20) has a removable section (30) removal of which permits separation of the buffer tube for access to optical fibers (42) in the tube. Buffer tube (20) may include an optical fiber ribbon (41) with a removable section (50) for facilitating separation of a protective member (48).

Abstract: A fiber optic distribution cable including, in one aspect, a core tube with at least one optical fiber, at least one electric power conducting member extending alongside the core, a contiguous layer formed of a plurality of strength members, and a plastic jacket. In another aspect, the cable includes a core of at least one optical fiber member and at least one electrical power conducting member encased in a strength member contiguous layer and a plastic outer jacket. Both embodiments include water locking means.

Abstract: An underwater optical fiber cable is constructed from a terrestrial optical fiber cable by hermetically enclosing the terrestrial optical fiber cable with a hydrogen barrier such as a copper tube or by using a terrestrial optical fiber cable having a hydrogen barrier therein, and by wrapping at least one layer of galvanized armor wires outside of the hydrogen barrier. As so reinforced, the terrestrial optical fiber cable has the strength needed for an underwater optical fiber cable by using relatively inexpensive galvanized armor wires. Although the galvanized armor wires generate hydrogen by contact with water, this hydrogen is prevented from adversely affecting optical fibers in the terrestrial optical fiber cable by the presence of the hydrogen barrier. Advantageously, a standard terrestrial optical fiber cable can be chosen from the many types available including high fiber count designs.

Abstract: An optical cable has a core containing optical fibers, non-metallic peripheral reinforcements to armor the cable and a thermoplastics material outer sheath. It is fabricated by a method including successive steps of applying reinforcements to the core, extruding the sheath over the reinforcements and cooling the cable. The reinforcements are extruded onto the core as it moves through a first extruder. The combination of the core and the reinforcements is then cooled in a first cooling tank. The sheath is extruded in a second extruder downstream of the first, after which the cable is cooled in a second cooling tank downstream of the first.

Abstract: An optical cable 10 includes a core tube 120 containing optical fibers 101 that extend along the longitudinal axis 105--105 of the cable, and a plastic jacket 160 that encloses the core tube. The cable has a high tensile stiffness which is provided by load sharing between a pair of rigid strength rods 141, 142 and a flexible strength tape 130. The strength rods are coupled to the plastic jacket so that they receive tensile loads applied to the plastic jacket. The strength rods also have a compressive stiffness for inhibiting contraction of the plastic jacket when it is cooled. The tape is made from an array of flexible strands 131 that are woven into a single unit, which is also coupled to the plastic jacket. The flexible strands are woven in such a manner that they exhibit minimum undulation in the longitudinal direction. More particularly, the percent excess length of the flexible strands (.epsilon..sub.s) is less than the percent excess length of the optical fiber (.epsilon..sub.f) plus one percent i.e., .

Abstract: A fiber optic cable core structure has a plurality of fiber optic mini-bundles, each of which includes a plurality of optical fibers bonded together in a first curable material. The fiber optic mini-bundles in turn are bonded together as a unitary structure by a second curable material, and the resulting structure is wrapped in a metal tube-like ring.

Abstract: An improved endoscope prevents abrasion of a fiberoptic image guide with a braid reinforced sheath. Abrasion of fiberoptic image guides within articulating endoscopes quickly wear through a conventional fiberoptic mantle, decreasing the useful life of the endoscope. Preferably, the sheath comprises a metal braid disposed within a polyimide, which effectively protects the image guide from abrasion against the endoscope components and substantially extends useful life.

Abstract: Tight buffered optical fiber cables for indoor use as jumper or interconnect cables have a reduced outer diameter and nonetheless pass many recognized mechanical and environmental test procedures. A single optical fiber cable has an outer diameter of equal to or less than 1500 .mu.m, and a dual optical fiber cable has an outer diameter of equal to or less than 2000 .mu.m. A layer of loose tensile strength yarn is disposed between the tight buffered optical fiber or optical fibers and the outer jacket. The cables may be made of flame retardant materials for riser or plenum applications.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic cable assembly is provided which has made integral therewith a strength member that may be gripped or rigorously pulled to facilitate the installation of the fiber optic cable assembly in a structure.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an annular insulating core member is formed from an elastomeric material surrounding a plurality of optical fibers and maintaining the group of fibers in a predetermined configuration relative to each other. More specifically, the elastomeric material is characterized by its modulus at room temperature and its bonding to each color identified optical fiber being such as to hold together said fiber configuration while allowing interfiber movement and to facilitate the exposure of the individual optical fibers upon the application of peeling forces between the elastomeric material and an optical fiber without obfuscating the color identification of the optical fibers while providing suitable mechanical properties to maintain the integrity of the fiber configuration. Additionally, the insulating core member may be incorporated into a communication cable by enclosing the core member into a sheath system with an associated strength member.