US5639846A — Ultraviolet radiation-curable coatings for optica…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 194 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber and a radiation-curable primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, comprising (A) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a reactively terminated urethane oligomer which is the reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbon polyolol, the hydrocarbon portion of which is fully or partially hydrogenated and has a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 4,000; (ii) a wholly aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (iii) an endcapping monomer supplying a reactive terminus; (B) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a hydrocarbon monomer containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms which is terminated with at least one end group reactive with the reactive terminus of (A); and (C) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C), wherein the tensile modulus of the coating composition, when cured, is less than about 500 psi at 25° C., and wherein the refractive index of the cured coating composition is 1.48 or higher.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 194 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber and a radiation-curable primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, comprising (A) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a reactively terminated urethane oligomer which is the reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbon polyolol, the hydrocarbon portion of which is fully or partially hydrogenated and has a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 4,000; (ii) a wholly aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (iii) an endcapping monomer supplying a reactive terminus; (B) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a hydrocarbon monomer containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms which is terminated with at least one end group reactive with the reactive terminus of (A); and (C) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C), wherein the tensile modulus of the coating composition, when cured, is less than about 500 psi at 25° C., and wherein the refractive index of the cured coating composition is 1.48 or higher.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 91 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber and a radiation-curable primary coating layer according to claim 1, additionally comprising from about 5 percent to about 60 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of a monomer or oligomer (G) which is capable of increasing the refractive index relative to that of a composition containing only (A), (B) and (C), wherein said monomer or oligomer (G) is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycol nonylphenyl ether acrylates; polyalkylene glycol nonylphenyl ether methacrylates; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 133 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber and a radiation-curable primary coating composition surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, comprising (A) from about 30 percent to about 70 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether urethane oligomer having as a backbone a hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of 1,10-decane dithiol; (C) from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of hydroxymethyl phenyl propanone photoinitiator; (D) from about 1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of trimethylol ethane trivinyl ether crosslinking agent; and (E) from about 0.001 percent to about 0.1 percent by weight of diethyl hydroxyl amine stabilizer, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B), and (C).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 133 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber and a radiation-curable primary coating composition surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, comprising (A) from about 30 percent to about 70 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether urethane oligomer having as a backbone a hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of 1,10-decane dithiol; (C) from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of hydroxymethyl phenyl propanone photoinitiator; (D) from about 1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of trimethylol ethane trivinyl ether crosslinking agent; and (E) from about 0.001 percent to about 0.1 percent by weight of diethyl hydroxyl amine stabilizer, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B), and (C).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 104 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber and a radiation-curable primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, comprising (A) from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether-terminated urethane oligomer having as a backbone an hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of hexanediol divinyl ether; and (C) from about 0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate cationic cure initiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 104 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber and a radiation-curable primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, comprising (A) from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether-terminated urethane oligomer having as a backbone an hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of hexanediol divinyl ether; and (C) from about 0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate cationic cure initiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 1 wherein said primary coating layer was radiation cured subsequent to application on said glass fiber.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 2 wherein said primary coating layer was radiation cured subsequent to application on said glass fiber.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 3 wherein said primary coating layer was radiation cured subsequent to application on said glass fiber.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 4 wherein said primary coating layer was radiation cured subsequent to application on said glass fiber.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 1 wherein said coating layer is formed from reactively terminated materials that are radiation-curable and that are radiation-cured in situ.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 27 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 2 wherein said coating layer is formed from reactively terminated materials that are radiation-curable and that are radiation-cured in situ.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 3 wherein said coating layer is formed from reactively terminated materials that are radiation-curable and that are radiation-cured in situ.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 4 wherein said coating layer is formed from reactively terminated materials that are radiation-curable and that are radiation-cured in situ.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 197 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation-cured primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a reactively terminated urethane oligomer which is the reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbon polyol, the hydrocarbon portion of which is fully or partially hydrogenated and has a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 4,000; (ii) a wholly aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (iii) an endcapping monomer supplying a reactive terminus; (B) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a hydrocarbon monomer containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms which is terminated with at least one end group reactive with the reactive terminus of (A); and (C) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C), wherein the tensile modulus of the coating composition, when cured, is less than about 500 psi at 25° C., and wherein the refractive index of the cured coating composition is 1.48 or higher.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 197 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation-cured primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a reactively terminated urethane oligomer which is the reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbon polyol, the hydrocarbon portion of which is fully or partially hydrogenated and has a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 4,000; (ii) a wholly aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (iii) an endcapping monomer supplying a reactive terminus; (B) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a hydrocarbon monomer containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms which is terminated with at least one end group reactive with the reactive terminus of (A); and (C) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C), wherein the tensile modulus of the coating composition, when cured, is less than about 500 psi at 25° C., and wherein the refractive index of the cured coating composition is 1.48 or higher.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 137 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation cured primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 30 percent to about 70 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether urethane oligomer having as a backbone a hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of 1,10-decane dithiol; (C) from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of hydroxymethyl phenyl propanone photoinitiator; (D) from about 1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of trimethylol ethane trivinyl ether crosslinking agent; and (E) from about 0.001 percent to about 0.1 percent by weight of diethyl hydroxyl amine stabilizer, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B), and (C).

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 137 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation cured primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 30 percent to about 70 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether urethane oligomer having as a backbone a hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of 1,10-decane dithiol; (C) from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of hydroxymethyl phenyl propanone photoinitiator; (D) from about 1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of trimethylol ethane trivinyl ether crosslinking agent; and (E) from about 0.001 percent to about 0.1 percent by weight of diethyl hydroxyl amine stabilizer, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B), and (C).

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 107 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation-cured primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether-terminated urethane 1,2-oligomer having as a backbone an hydrogenated polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of hexanediol divinyl ether; and (C) from about 0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate cationic cure initiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 107 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation-cured primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether-terminated urethane 1,2-oligomer having as a backbone an hydrogenated polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of hexanediol divinyl ether; and (C) from about 0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate cationic cure initiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 143 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation cured primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether-terminated urethane oligomer having as a backbone an hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of hexanediol divinyl ether; (C) from about 0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate cationic cure initiator; and (D) from about 0.3 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight of a silane adhesion promoter selected from the group consisting of mercapto-functional silanes; vinyl-functional silanes; acrylate-functional silanes; methacrylate-functional silanes; epoxy-functional silanes; and mixtures thereof, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 143 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation cured primary coating layer surrounding said fiber and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether-terminated urethane oligomer having as a backbone an hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of hexanediol divinyl ether; (C) from about 0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate cationic cure initiator; and (D) from about 0.3 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight of a silane adhesion promoter selected from the group consisting of mercapto-functional silanes; vinyl-functional silanes; acrylate-functional silanes; methacrylate-functional silanes; epoxy-functional silanes; and mixtures thereof, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 83 words

A coated optical fiber comprising a glass fiber, and a continuous coating applied to and surrounding said fiber and formed of a cured oligomeric material having a tensile modulus of at least about 40,000 psi and a glass transition temperature of at least about 50° C., wherein said oligomeric material before cure comprised an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity adjusting component capable of reacting with said oligomer; and an optional photoinitiator.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 83 words

A coated optical fiber comprising a glass fiber, and a continuous coating applied to and surrounding said fiber and formed of a cured oligomeric material having a tensile modulus of at least about 40,000 psi and a glass transition temperature of at least about 50° C., wherein said oligomeric material before cure comprised an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity adjusting component capable of reacting with said oligomer; and an optional photoinitiator.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 38 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said oligomer (A) is terminated with a terminus selected from the group consisting of acrylic, methacrylic, vinylic, allylic, itaconic, crotonic, styrenic, acrylamide, norbornenyl, acetylenic, epoxy, mercapto, amino and mixtures thereof.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 52 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said hydrocarbon polyol of (A)(i) is selected from the group consisting of fully or partially hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polyol; 1,2-polybutadiene polyol hydrogenated to an iodine number of from 9 to 21; fully or partially hydrogenated polyisobutylene polyol; polybutene polyol; hydrogenated dimer diol; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 28 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said organic polyisocyanate of (A)(ii) is selected from the group consisting of isophorone diisocyanate; dicyclohexyl-methane-4,4'-diisocyanate; hexamethylene diisocyanate; and trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said oligomer (A) is endcapped with an hydroxyalkyl vinyl ether.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 17 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said oligomer (A) is endcapped with hydroxybutyl vinyl ether.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 16 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said oligomer (A) is endcapped with allyl ether.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 106 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said hydrocarbon monomer (B) is selected from the group consisting of hexyl acrylate; hexyl methacrylate; 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate; octyl acrylate; octyl methacrylate; isooctyl acrylate; isooctyl methacrylate; decyl acrylate; decyl methacrylate; isodecyl acrylate; isodecyl methacrylate; lauryl acrylate; lauryl methacrylate; stearyl acrylate; stearyl methacrylate; C 14 -C 15 hydrocarbon diol diacrylates; C 14 -C 15 hydrocarbon diol dimethacrylates; tridecyl acrylate; tridecyl methacrylate; palmitic acrylate; palmitic methacrylate; 1,10-decane dithiol; hexanediol divinyl ether; mercaptoacetate esters; mercaptopropionate esters; lauryl vinyl ether; ethylhexylvinyl ether; isodecyl vinyl ether; butanediol divinyl ether; cyclohexanedimethanol divinyl ether; C 14 -C 15 diol divinyl ethers; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 44 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said coating layer materials additionally comprise from about 1.0 percent to about 50.0 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of a crosslinking agent (D) distinct from (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 25 words

An optical fiber according to claim 14 wherein said crosslinking agent (D) comprises trimethylol ethane trivinyl ether and is distinct from (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 175 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said oligomer (A) is characterized by the formula ##STR4## where R 1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon polymer of from 500 to 4,000 molecular weight selected from the group consisting of fully or partially hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene; 1,2-polybutadiene hydrogenated to an iodine number of from 9 to 21; fully or partially hydrogenated polyisobutylene; polybutene polyol; and hydrogenated dimer diol; R 2 is a linear, branched or cyclic alkylene of from six to twenty carbon atoms; and X and Q are independently either (a) a radical or the formula: ##STR5## wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of acrylic, methacrylic, vinylic, allylic, itaconic, crotonic, styrenic, acrylamide, norbornenyl, acetylenic, epoxy, mercapto and amino; R 3 and R 4 are independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl; m is an integer from 1 to 10; and p is either zero or one, or (b) a saturated alkyl radical of from nine to twenty carbon atoms, with the proviso that said oligomer must possess at least one reactive terminal group.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 36 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said coating materials additionally comprise from about 0.0001 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of a stabilizer (E).

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 41 words

An optical fiber according to claim 28 wherein said stabilizer (E) is selected from the group consisting of diethyl hydroxylamine; organic phosphites; hindered phenols; trihexylamine; octadecyl-3-(3',5'-di-tertbutyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate; thiodiethylene bis (3,5-ditertbutyl-4-hydroxy) hydrocinnamate; butylated para-cresol-dicyclopentadiene copolymer; tetrakis methane; 3-aminopropyltrimethoxy silane; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said coating layer materials additionally comprise from about 0.1 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter (F).

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 37 words

An optical fiber according to claim 30 wherein said silane adhesion promoter (F) is selected from the group consisting of amino-functional silanes; mercapto-functional silanes; acrylate-functional silanes; methacrylate-functional silanes; acrylamido-functional silanes; allyl-functional silanes; vinyl-functional silanes; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 35 words

An optical fiber according to claim 30 wherein said silane adhesion promoter (F) is selected from the group consisting of mercaptoalkyl trialkoxy silane; methacryloxyalkyl trialkoxy silane; aminoalkyl trialkoxy silane; vinyl trialkoxy silane; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 17 words

An optical fiber according to claim 30 wherein said silane adhesion promoter (F) is gamma-mercaptopropyl trimethoxy silane.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 55 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said photoinitiator (C) is selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylphenyl propanone; hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone; dimethoxyphenyl aceto-phenone; 2-methyl-1,4-(methylthio)phenyl-2-morpholino-propane-1; 1-(4-isopropyl-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one; 1-(4-dodecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one; 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl-2(2-hydroxy-2-propyl) ketone; diethoxy-acetophenone; 2,2-di-sec-butoxyaceto-phenone; diethoxyphenyl acetophenone; (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate; (4-octyloxyphenyl) diphenyl sulfonium hexafluoro antimonate; (4-decyloxyphenyl)phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate; (4-octadecyl-oxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 14 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said photoinitiator (C) is hydroxymethylphenyl propanone.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 17 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said photoinitiator (C) is (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 41 words

An optical fiber according to claim 13 wherein said coating layer materials additionally comprise from about 0.1 percent to about 10 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of a mercapto functional chain transfer agent (H).

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 31 words

An optical fiber according to claim 14 wherein said coating layer materials additionally comprise (F) from about 0.3 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight of gamma-mercaptopropyl trimethoxy silane adhesion promoter.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 107 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation-curable secondary coating layer surrounding said fiber which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (I) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; (II) from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); (III) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 107 words

An optical fiber coated with a radiation-curable secondary coating layer surrounding said fiber which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (I) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; (II) from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); (III) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 32 words

An optical fiber coated with a secondary coating layer according to claim 39 wherein said component (I) is a mixture of urethane oligomers, each based on a polyether and each acrylate terminated.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 20 words

An optical fiber according to claim 39 wherein said compound (II) is a mixture of isobornyl acrylate and hexanediol diacrylate.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 25 words

An optical fiber according to claim 39 additionally comprising a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of amines, hindered phenols, organic phosphites and mixtures thereof.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 14 words

An optical fiber according to claim 42 wherein said stabilizer is thiodiethylene bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy) hydrocinnamate.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 13 words

An optical fiber according to claim 39 wherein said photoinitiator is hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 16 words

An optical fiber according to claim 39 wherein said photoinitiator is (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 248 words

An optically useful article coated with a radiation-cured layer surrounding said article and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a reactively terminated urethane oligomer which is the reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbon polyol, the hydrocarbon portion of which is fully or partially hydrogenated and has a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 4,000; (ii) a wholly aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (iii) an endcapping monomer supplying a reactive terminus; (B) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a hydrocarbon monomer containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms which is terminated with at least one end group reactive with the reactive terminus of (A); (C) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator; (F) from about 0.1 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight of an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter; and (G) from about 5 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a monomer or oligomer which is capable of increasing the reactive index relative to that of a composition containing only (A), (B) and (C), wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (A), (B), and (C), wherein the tensile modulus of the coating composition, when cured, is less about 500 psi at 25° C., and wherein the refractive index of the cured coating composition is 1.48 or higher.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 248 words

An optically useful article coated with a radiation-cured layer surrounding said article and forming a coating thereon, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a reactively terminated urethane oligomer which is the reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbon polyol, the hydrocarbon portion of which is fully or partially hydrogenated and has a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 4,000; (ii) a wholly aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (iii) an endcapping monomer supplying a reactive terminus; (B) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a hydrocarbon monomer containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms which is terminated with at least one end group reactive with the reactive terminus of (A); (C) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator; (F) from about 0.1 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight of an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter; and (G) from about 5 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a monomer or oligomer which is capable of increasing the reactive index relative to that of a composition containing only (A), (B) and (C), wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (A), (B), and (C), wherein the tensile modulus of the coating composition, when cured, is less about 500 psi at 25° C., and wherein the refractive index of the cured coating composition is 1.48 or higher.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 113 words

An optical fiber coated with a secondary coating layer surrounding said fiber, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (I) from about 40 percent to about 80 percent by weight of a mixture of aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomers based on polyether backbones; (II) from about 25 percent to about 50 percent by weight of a mixture of isobornyl acrylate and hexanediol diacrylate; (III) from about 2.0 percent to about 7.0 percent by weight of hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone photoinitiator; and (IV) from about 0.5 percent to about 1.5 percent by weight of thiodiethylene bis(3,5-ditertbutyl-4-hydroxy)-hydrocinnamate stabilizer, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 113 words

An optical fiber coated with a secondary coating layer surrounding said fiber, which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (I) from about 40 percent to about 80 percent by weight of a mixture of aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomers based on polyether backbones; (II) from about 25 percent to about 50 percent by weight of a mixture of isobornyl acrylate and hexanediol diacrylate; (III) from about 2.0 percent to about 7.0 percent by weight of hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone photoinitiator; and (IV) from about 0.5 percent to about 1.5 percent by weight of thiodiethylene bis(3,5-ditertbutyl-4-hydroxy)-hydrocinnamate stabilizer, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 312 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber, coated with (1) a radiation-cured primary coating layer which surrounds said fiber and forms a coating thereon and which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a reactively terminated urethane oligomer which is the reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbon polyol, the hydrocarbon portion of which is fully or partially hydrogenated and has a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 4,000; (ii) a wholly aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (iii) an endcapping monomer supplying a reactive terminus; (B) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a hydrocarbon monomer containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms which is terminated with at least one end group reactive with the reactive terminus of (A); and (C) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C), wherein the tensile modulus of the coating composition, when cured, is less than about 500 psi at 25° C., and wherein the refractive index of the cured coating composition is 1.48 or higher, and (2) a radiation-cured secondary coating layer is situated overtop said primary coating layer and which is the radiation-cured product of (I) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; (II) from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); (III) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 312 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber, coated with (1) a radiation-cured primary coating layer which surrounds said fiber and forms a coating thereon and which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a reactively terminated urethane oligomer which is the reaction product of (i) a hydrocarbon polyol, the hydrocarbon portion of which is fully or partially hydrogenated and has a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 4,000; (ii) a wholly aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (iii) an endcapping monomer supplying a reactive terminus; (B) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a hydrocarbon monomer containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms which is terminated with at least one end group reactive with the reactive terminus of (A); and (C) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C), wherein the tensile modulus of the coating composition, when cured, is less than about 500 psi at 25° C., and wherein the refractive index of the cured coating composition is 1.48 or higher, and (2) a radiation-cured secondary coating layer is situated overtop said primary coating layer and which is the radiation-cured product of (I) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; (II) from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); (III) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 23 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said primary coating layer was radiation cured subsequent to application on said glass fiber.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 27 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said coating layer is formed from reactively terminated materials that are radiation-curable and that are radiation-cured in situ.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 39 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said oligomer (A) is terminated with a terminus selected from the group consisting of acrylic, methacrylic, vinylic, allylic, itaconic, crotonic, styrenic, acrylamide, norbornenyl, acetylenic, epoxy, mercapto, amino and mixtures thereof.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 53 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said hydrocarbon polyol of (A)(i) is selected from the group consisting of fully or partially hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polyol; 1,2-polybutadiene plyol hydrogenated to an iodine number of from 9 to 21; fully or partially hydrogenated polyisobutylene polyol; polybutene polyol; hydrogenated dimer diol; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 29 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said organic polyisocyanate of (A)(ii) is selected from the group consisting of isophorone diisocyanate; dicyclohexyl-methane-4,4'-diisocyanate; hexamethylene diisocyanate; and trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 19 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said oligomer (A) is endcapped with an hydroxyalkyl vinyl ether.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 18 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said oligomer (A) is endcapped with hydroxybutyl vinyl ether.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 17 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said oligomer (A) is endcapped with allyl ether.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 107 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said hydrocarbon monomer (B) is selected from the group consisting of hexyl acrylate; hexyl methacrylate; 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate; octyl acrylate; octyl methacrylate; isooctyl acrylate; isooctyl methacrylate; decyl acrylate; decyl methacrylate; isodecyl acrylate; isodecyl methacrylate; lauryl acrylate; lauryl methacrylate; stearyl acrylate; stearyl methacrylate; C 14 -C 15 hydrocarbon diol diacrylates; C 14 -C 15 hydrocarbon diol dimethacrylates; tridecyl acrylate; tridecyl methacrylate; palmitic acrylate; palmitic methacrylate; 1,10-decane dithiol; hexanediol divinyl ether; mercaptoacetate esters; mercaptopropionate esters; lauryl vinyl ether; ethylhexylvinyl ether; isodecyl vinyl ether; butanediol divinyl ether; cyclohexanedimethanol divinyl ether; C 14 -C 15 diol divinyl ethers; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 45 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said coating layer materials additionally comprise from about 1.0 percent to about 50.0 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of a crosslinking agent (D) distinct from (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 26 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said crosslinking agent (D) comprises trimethylol ethane trivinyl ether and is distinct from (A), (B) and (C).

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 37 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said coating materials additionally comprise from about 0.0001 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of a stabilizer (E).

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 42 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 60 wherein said stabilizer (E) is selected from the group consisting of diethyl hydroxylamine; organic phosphites; hindered phenols; trihexylamine; octadecyl-3-(3',5'-di-tertbutyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate; thiodiethylene bis (3,5-ditertbutyl-4-hydroxy) hydrocinnamate; butylated para-cresol-dicyclopentadiene copolymer; tetrakis methane; 3-aminopropyltrimethyoxy silane; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 41 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said coating layer materials additionally comprise from about 0.1 percent to about 3.0 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter (F).

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 38 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 62 wherein said silane adhesion promoter (F) is selected from the group consisting of amino-functional silanes; mercapto-functional silanes; acrylate-functional silanes; methacrylate-functional silanes; acrylamido-functional silanes; allyl-functional silanes; vinyl-functional silanes; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 36 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 62 wherein said silane adhesion promoter (F) is selected from the group consisting of mercaptoalkyl trialkoxy silane; methacryloxyalkyl trialkoxy silane; aminoalkyl trialkyoxy silane; vinyl trialkoxy silane; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 18 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 62 wherein said silane adhesion promoter (F) is gamma-mercaptopropyl trimethoxy silane.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 59 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said photoinitiator (C) is selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylphenyl propanone; hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone; dimethoxyphenyl aceto-phenone; 2-methyl-1,4-(methylthio) phenyl-2-morpholino-propane-1; 1-(4-isopropyl-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one; 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl-2(2-hydroxy-2-propyl) ketone; diethoxy-acetophenone; 2,2 -di-sec-butoxyaceto-phenone; diethoxyphenyl acetophenone; (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate; (4-octyloxyphenyl) diphenyl sulfonium hexafluoro antimonate; (4-decyloxy-phenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate; (4-octadecyl-oxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 15 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said photoinitiator (C) is hydroxymethylphenyl propanone.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 18 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said photoinitiator (C) is (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 42 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said coating layer materials additionally comprise from about 0.1 percent to about 10 percent by weight, based on total weight of (A), (B) and (C), of a mercapto functional chain transfer agent (H).

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 32 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 69 wherein said coating layer materials additionally comprise (F) from about 0.3 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight of gamma-mercaptopropyl trimethoxy silane adhesion promoter.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 27 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said component (I) is a mixture of urethane oligomers, each based on a polyether and each acrylate terminated.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 21 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said compound (II) is a mixture of isobornyl acrylate and hexanediol diacrylate.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 26 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 additionally comprising a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of amines, hindered phenols, organic phosphites and mixtures thereof.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 15 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 73 wherein said stabilizer is thiodiethylene bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy) hydrocinnamate.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 14 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said photoinitiator is hydroxycyclohexylhenyl ketone.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 17 words

A coated optical fiber according to claim 48 wherein said photoinitiator is (4-octyloxyphenyl) phyenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 252 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber, coated with (1) a radiation-cured primary coating layer which surrounds said fiber and forms a coating thereon and which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 30 percent to about 70 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether urethane oligomer having as a backbone a hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of 1,10-decane dithiol; (C) from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of hydroxymethyl phenyl propanone photoinitiator; (D) from about 1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of trimethylol ethane trivinyl ether crosslinking agent; and (E) from about 0,001 percent to about 0.1 percent by weight of diethyl hydroxyl amine stabilizer wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B), and (C); and (2) a radiation-cured secondary coating layer which is situated overtop said primary coating layer and which is the radiation-cured product of (I) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; (II) from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); (III) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 252 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber, coated with (1) a radiation-cured primary coating layer which surrounds said fiber and forms a coating thereon and which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 30 percent to about 70 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether urethane oligomer having as a backbone a hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of 1,10-decane dithiol; (C) from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of hydroxymethyl phenyl propanone photoinitiator; (D) from about 1 percent to about 20 percent by weight of trimethylol ethane trivinyl ether crosslinking agent; and (E) from about 0,001 percent to about 0.1 percent by weight of diethyl hydroxyl amine stabilizer wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B), and (C); and (2) a radiation-cured secondary coating layer which is situated overtop said primary coating layer and which is the radiation-cured product of (I) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; (II) from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); (III) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 223 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber, coated with (1) a radiation-cured primary coating layer which surrounds said fiber and forms a coating thereon and which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether-terminated urethane oligomer having as a backbone an hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of hexanediol divinyl ether; and (C) from about 0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate cationic cure initiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B) and (C); and (2) a radiation-cured secondary coating layer which is situated overtop said primary coating layer and which is the radiation-cured product of (I) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; (II) from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); (III) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 223 words

A coated optical fiber comprising an optical fiber, coated with (1) a radiation-cured primary coating layer which surrounds said fiber and forms a coating thereon and which is the radiation-cured product of materials comprising (A) from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an aliphatic vinyl ether-terminated urethane oligomer having as a backbone an hydrogenated 1,2-polybutadiene polymer; (B) from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of hexanediol divinyl ether; and (C) from about 0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of (4-octyloxyphenyl) phenyl iodonium hexafluoro antimonate cationic cure initiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based upon total weight of (A), (B) and (C); and (2) a radiation-cured secondary coating layer which is situated overtop said primary coating layer and which is the radiation-cured product of (I) from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of an aliphatic urethane oligomer based on a polyester and/or polyether and containing a reactive terminus; (II) from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); (III) optionally, from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of a photoinitiator, wherein all of the stated percentages are percentages by weight based on total weight of (I), (II) and (III).

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-06-16	2000-12-16	2001-06-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-06-16	2004-12-16	2005-06-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-06-16	2008-12-16	2009-06-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Ultraviolet radiation-curable coatings for optical fibers and optical fibers coated therewith

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