US 11,740,425 B2
Multifiber invisible optical drop cable and methods for routing optical fibers within a multi-dwelling unit
Patrick Faraj, Berlin (DE); Marcin Kusmierek, Lodz (PL); and Gordon Mueller-Schlomka, Berlin (DE)
Assigned to Corning Research & Development Corporation, Corning, NY (US)
Filed by CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Corning, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/38,350.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/924,792, filed on Oct. 23, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0181452 A1, Jun. 17, 2021
Int. Cl. G02B 6/50 (2006.01); G02B 6/44 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/4466 (2013.01) [G02B 6/4473 (2013.01); G02B 6/4495 (2013.01); G02B 6/50 (2013.01); G02B 6/4475 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of preparing and routing a plurality of optical fibers within a multiple dwelling unit (“MDU”), the method comprising:
preparing an optical fiber drop cable by:
creating a slit along a length of a tube; and
directing the plurality of optical fibers through the slit such that the plurality of optical fibers extend within the tube along the length;
arranging a transition plug on the optical fiber drop cable at a first location by:
extending the optical fiber drop cable through a routing channel that extends through the transition plug, wherein the transition plug also includes a transition channel that communicates with the routing channel; and
extracting at least one optical fiber from within the tube using the slit and extending the at least one optical fiber through the transition channel of the transition plug;
routing the at least one optical fiber from the transition plug into a first dwelling unit of the MDU by extending the at least one optical fiber through a wall of the MDU; and
mounting the transition plug to an exterior side of the wall of the MDU;
wherein preparing the optical fiber drop cable further comprises:
inserting the plurality of optical fibers into a first portion of a feeding tool;
inserting the tube into a second portion of a feeding tool; and
causing relative movement between the tube and the feeding tool so that a blade of the feeding tool creates the slit along the length of the tube, wherein the feeding tool directs the plurality of optical fibers through the slit and into the tube during the relative movement.