WO2023064593A1

WO2023064593A1 - Label for a communications cable

Info

Publication number: WO2023064593A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/046771
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cyle D. Petersen
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies Llc
Priority date: 2021-10-15
Filing date: 2022-10-14
Publication date: 2023-04-20

Abstract

A label for a cable (e.g., a communications cable) is configured both to indicate an identification of the cable and to provide a link to test data pertaining to the cable to which the label is attached. For example, the label may include a QR code that links to the test data. The QR code may be marked on a flag extending outwardly from a circumferentially wrapped portion of the label. The flag may be smaller (e.g., extend along less of the cable) than the circumferentially wrapped portion.

Description

LABEL FOR A COMMUNICATIONS CABLE

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application is being filed on October 14, 2022 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63/256,217, filed on October 15, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background

A label configured to identify a communications cable (e.g., an optical fiber cable, a power cable, a conductive cable carrying electrical signals such as a twisted pair cable, a hybrid cable, etc.) tends to include a flexible body with an adhesive surface. Indicia, such as text or a barcode, can be disposed on the flexible body.

Summary

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a label that can be attached to a communications cable and methods of use thereof. The label has a first surface on which indicia can be marked (e.g., printed) and a second surface on which adhesive is disposed. The label has a first section configured to wind circumferentially about the cable and a second section configured to form a flag extending outwardly from the cable.

The first and second sections have widths extending along a length of the cable. In certain examples, the width of the second section is no more than 75% of the width of the first section. In certain examples, the width of the second section is no more than 65% of the width of the first section. In certain examples, the width of the second section is no more than 55% of the width of the first section. In certain examples, the width of the second section is no more than 50% of the width of the first section.

In certain implementations, each of the first and second sections includes an indicia region that extends over no more than 50% of the section. In certain examples, the first section also includes a protection region that extends over a majority of the first section. In certain examples, the protection region is configured to cover the indicia region of the first section. In an example, the protection region is transparent. In certain examples, the second section includes a stiffener region that folds behind the indicia region of the second section so that the stiffener region does not cover the first surface of the indicia region.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example cable label configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cable label of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of the cable label of FIG. 1 attached to a cable;

FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the cable label and cable of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a comparison of three differently sized cable labels that are each configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an axial cross-sectional view taken along the 6 - 6 line of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of labels mounted to a carrier strip during manufacturing; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a network of scanner tools configured to utilize indicia on the cable label.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a label 100 for a cable C. The label 100 has oppositely facing first and second major surfaces 102, 104 separated by a peripheral edge 106. The second major surface 104 carries adhesive 108. The label 100 includes a first section 110 configured to be mounted to the cable C and a second section 112 coupled to the first section 110. In certain examples, the first section 110 is configured to be wound around a circumference of the cable C while the second section 112 is configured to extend outwardly (e.g., radially outwardly) from the cable C.

In certain implementations, the first section 110 has a first length LI and a first width W1 over which the first major surface 102 extends. The first section 110 includes an indicia region 114 and a protection region 116. In certain examples, the first section 110 has the same first width W1 along the first length LI of the first section 110. The protection region 116 is configured to wind over the first side 102 of the indicia region 114 when the first section 110 is mounted to the cable C. In certain examples, the protection region 116 is transparent so that indicia at the indicia region 114 are visible through the protection region 116. The protection region 116 inhibits damage to the indicia at the indicia region 114 through abrasion, exposure to liquid, and other damaging conditions.

In certain implementations, the second section 112 extends from the protection region 116 of the first section 110. In certain implementations, the second section 112 is configured to extend outwardly from the cable C when the first section 110 is mounted to the cable C. In certain examples, the second section 112 has a second length L2 and a second width W2. The second length L2 is less than the first length LI . The second width W2 is less than the first width W1. In certain examples, the second width W2 is less than 75% of the first width W1. In certain examples, the second width W2 is less than 70% of the first width W1. In certain examples, the second width W2 is less than 65% of the first width W1. In certain examples, the second width W2 is less than 60% of the first width W1. In certain examples, the second width W2 is less than 55% of the first width W 1. In certain examples, the second width W2 is no more than 50% of the first width W1. In certain examples, the second width W2 is no less than 50% of the first width W 1.

In certain implementations, the second section 112 includes an indicia region 118 and a stiffener region 120. The stiffener region 120 is configured to attach behind the indicia region 118 when the label 100 is mounted to the cable C to form a flag 122. For example, the adhesive side 104 of the stiffener region 120 is pressed against the adhesive side 104 of the indicia region 118 to form the flag 122. Accordingly, the stiffener region 120 does not cover the first side 102 of the indicia region 118. Rather, the stiffener region 120 covers the adhesive 108 at the second side 104 so that the flag 122 does not stick to the cable C or a remainder of the label 100.

In certain implementations, the second section 112 defines a folding region 124. The folding region 124 includes a folding line 126 demarcating between the indicia region 118 and the stiffener region 120. The second section 112 can be folded along the folding line 126 so that the stiffener region 120 extends back towards the first section 110. In certain examples, the second section 112 does not have a constant second width W2 along the second length L2 of the second section 112. In certain examples, cutouts or notches 128 are disposed at opposite ends of the fold line 126. The cutouts or notches 128 facilitate bending of the second section 112 along the folding line 126. In some examples, the stiffener region 120 is transparent. In other examples, the stiffener region 120 is opaque.

The second region 112 extends outwardly from the first region 110. In some implementations, the edge of the first region 110 extending outwardly from the second region 112 along the width W1 of the first region 110 is flat (e.g., see FIGS. 1-4). In other implementations, cutouts or notches 130 are defined in the edge of the first region 110 at opposite sides of the indicia section 118 of the second region 112. The cutouts or notches 130 may facilitate manual movement of the flag 122 while allowing the flag 122 to remain flat. Accordingly, a user may adjust the positioning of the flat 122 for better readability by a scanner (e.g., a QR code scanner) or other indicia reader.

In certain implementations, the first length LI of the first section 110 can vary between labels 100. For example, the label 100B in FIG. 5 is longer than the label 100A and the label 100C is longer than the label 100B. In certain examples, the indicia region 114 is smaller than the protection region 116. In certain examples, a length of the indicia region 114 is sized to wrap no more than once around a circumference of a cable C while a length of the protection region 116 is sized to wrap fully over the indicia region 114 and beyond. In certain examples, the length of the indicia region 114 is less than a circumference of the cable C. In certain examples, the length of the indicia region 114 is less than three-quarters of the circumference of the cable C. In certain examples, the length of the protection region 116 is at least 1.5 times the length of the indicia region 114. In certain examples, the length of the protection region 116 is at least twice the length of the indicia region 114. In certain examples, the length of the protection region 116 is at least triple the length of the indicia region 114. In certain examples, the length of the protection region 116 is at least five tunes the length of the indicia region 114. In certain examples, the length of the protection region 116 is at least ten times the length of the indicia region 114.

In certain implementations, the indicia carried by the indicia section 114 of the first section 110 is different than the indicia carried by the indicia section 118 of the second section 112. In certain examples, the indicia carried by the indicia section 114 of the first section 110 has a different form than the indicia carried by the indicia section 118 of the second section. For example, the indicia carried by the indicia section 114 of the first section 110 may be text while the indicia carried by the indicia section 118 of the second section 112 may be a QR code or other visual indicia capable of being read by a computing device to automatically direct the computing device to a source of information.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the labels 100 can be manufactured on a length of carrier strip 132 that can be coiled on a spool. The adhesive side 108 of each label 100 faces the carrier strip 132 and the first side 102 faces outwardly from the carrier strip 132. Accordingly, the indicia can be printed or otherwise added to the first side 102 of the labels 100. In certain implementations, the carrier strip 132 is configured to facilitate separating the labels 100. For example, a perforation line 134 may extend across the carrier strip 132 between each label 100. In certain examples, the carrier strip 132 may define notches 136, 138 at the perforation lines 134 to further aid in tearing the carrier strip 132 at the perforation line 134. In certain examples, the notches 136, 138 may identify the perforation line 134 to a user.

Referring to FIG. 8, the indicia carried by the indicia region 118 of the second section 112 may, when read by an appropriate reader 152, automatically cause the reader 152 to access data via a network connection. For example, data — such as testing data 148, product specifications 162, installation drawings 164, cleaning instructions 166, or other product information — may be stored in memory 146 of a computing system 140 having one or more processors 142. In certain examples, the testing data 148 includes insertion loss and/or return loss for the cables. The computing system 140 also has a network interface 144 by which the computing system 140 is accessible via a network 150, such as the Internet.

Each reader 152 includes a scanner 158 (e.g., a camera) configured to read the indicia 12 displayed on the flag 122. Each reader 152 also includes a network interface 154 by which a processor 156 of the reader 152 may access the computing system 140 via the network 150 to access the test data 148. In certain examples, the indicia at the second section 112 includes a link to where the test data is stored and a unique identification of the cable to which the label 100 is attached. The reader 152 sends the unique identification of the cable to the computing system 140 and the computing system returns the test data 148 corresponding to the unique identifier for the cable. In certain implementations, the reader 152 also includes a display screen 160 on which the test data 148 is presented.

Aspects of the Disclosure

Aspect 1. A label for a cable, the label having oppositely facing first and second major surfaces separated by a peripheral edge, the second major surface carrying adhesive, the label comprising: a first section configured to be mounted to the cable, the first section having a first length and a first width over which the first major surface extends, the first section including an indicia region and a protection region, the protection region being configured to wind over the indicia region when the first section is mounted to the cable; and a second section attached to the protection region of the first section and being configured to extend outwardly from the cable when the first section is mounted to the cable, the second section having a second length and a second width, the second length being less than the first length and the second width being less than the first width, the second section including an indicia region and a stiffener region, the stiffener region being configured to attach behind the indicia region when the label is mounted to the cable.

Aspect 2. The label of aspect 1, wherein the indicia region of the first section is smaller than the protection region.

Aspect 3. The label of aspect 1 or aspect 2, wherein the protection region is transparent.

Aspect 4. The label of any of aspects 1-3, wherein the stiffener region is transparent. Aspect 5. The label of any of aspects 1-4, wherein the second section defines a fold line between the indicia region and the stiffener region, the fold line extending along the second width of the second section.

Aspect 6. The label of aspect 5, wherein the second section defines notches disposed at opposite ends of the fold line.

Aspect 7. The label of any of aspects 1-6, wherein the indicia region of the first section carries text and the indicia region of the second section carries a QR code.

Aspect 8. The label of any of aspects 1-7, wherein the indicia region and the stiffener region of the second section have a common size.

Aspect 9. The label of any of aspects 1-8, wherein the second width of the second section extends along less than a majority of the first width of the first section.

Aspect 10. The label of any of aspects 1-9, wherein the second width of the second section is less than half of the first width of the first section.

Aspect 11. The label of any of aspects 1-10, wherein the protection region of the first section defines notches at opposite sides of the second section.

Aspect 12. A cable arrangement comprising: a cable extending along a length, the cable having a circumference; and the cable label of any of aspects 1-11, wherein the first section of the label extends along the first length between opposite first and second ends, wherein the second section extends along the second length between opposite first and second ends; wherein the first end of the first section is affixed to the cable and the first section is wound around the circumference of the cable so that the protection region covers the first end of the first section; and wherein the first and second ends of the second section remain uncovered after the adhesive of the label is covered.

Aspect 13. A sheet of cable labels comprising: a carrier strip; and a plurality of labels disposed on the carrier strip, each of the labels having a first major surface facing outwardly from the carrier strip and a second major surface facing toward the carrier strip, the second major surface carrying adhesive, each of the labels including: a first section having a first length and a first width that each extend over the first major surface; and a second section having a second length extending from the first section to a distal end and a second width that extends over the first major surface parallel with the first width, the second length being shorter than the first length and the second width being shorter than the first width, the second section having a notched area at an intermediate position along the second length to facilitate folding of the second section at the notched area.

Aspect 14. The sheet of cable labels of aspect 13, wherein the first length of the first section of a first of the labels is different than the first length of the first section of a second of the labels while the second length of the second section of the first label is the same as the second length of the second section of the second label.

Aspect 15. The sheet of cable labels of aspect 13 or aspect 14, wherein the carrier strip is formed in a roll.

Aspect 16. The sheet of cable labels of any of aspects 13-15, wherein the second width of the second section of each label extends along less than a majority of the first width of the first section.

Aspect 17. The sheet of cable labels of any of aspects 13-16, wherein the second width of the second section of each label is less than half of the first width of the first section.

Aspect 18. A communications cable comprising: a cable having a length and a circumference; and a label mounted to the cable, the label including a first section having a length wound over the circumference of the cable and a width extending along the length of the cable, the label also including an indicia flag that extends outwardly from the first section to define a planar, indicia-bearing surface, the indicia flag having a width that extends parallel with the cable, the width being shorter than the width of the first section.

Aspect 19. The communications cable of aspect 18, wherein the first section of the label is wound around the circumference of the cable in multiple layers so that a transparent portion of the first section extends over an indicia-bearing portion of the first section.

Aspect 20. The sheet of cable labels of any of aspects 18-19, wherein the width of the indicia flag extends along less than a majority of the width of the first section.

Aspect 21. The sheet of cable labels of any of aspects 18-20, wherein the width of the indicia flag is less than half of the width of the first section.

Aspect 22. A cable arrangement comprising: a cable extending along a length, the cable having a circumference; and a cable label having first and second oppositely-facing surfaces each extending between opposite first and second ends, the first surface including a first indicia region at the first end and a second indicia region at the second end, the second surface coated in adhesive; the second surface of the cable label being affixed to the cable at the first end; an intermediate portion of the cable label being wound around the circumference of the cable to cover at least the first indicia region at the first end; the second surface of the cable label being folded onto itself at the second end.

Aspect 23. A method of labeling a communications cable comprising: loading testing data pertaining to the communications cable into memory of a computer system; marking a flag of a cable label with a QR code providing a link to the testing data stored in the memory of the computer system; and applying the cable label to the communications cable so that the flag extends outwardly from the communications cable. Aspect 24. The method of aspect 23, wherein applying the cable label to the communications cable comprises: wrapping a first portion of the cable label circumferentially around the communications cable until a second portion extends outwardly from the communications cable; and folding the second portion of the cable label back onto itself to form the flag.

Aspect 25. The method of aspect 23, wherein the first portion extends along a length of the communications cable, and wherein the flag is shorter than the first portion along the length of the communications cable.

Aspect 26. A method of accessing test data for a communications cable, the method comprising: scanning a QR code printed on a flag of a cable label mounted to the communications cable; automatically accessing the data pertaining to the communications cable at a remote computer system in response to the scanned QR code; and displaying the data pertaining to the communications cable on a display screen of a computing device.

Aspect 27. The method of aspect 26, wherein scanning the QR code includes grasping the flag of the cable label, the flag being smaller than a circumferentially wound portion of the cable label.

Aspect 28. The method of aspect 26, wherein the data includes insertion test data.

Aspect 29. The method of aspect 26, wherein the data includes installation drawings.

Aspect 30. The method of aspect 26, wherein the data includes cleaning instructions.

Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A label for a cable, the label having oppositely facing first and second major surfaces separated by a peripheral edge, the second major surface carrying adhesive, the label comprising: a first section configured to be mounted to the cable, the first section having a first length and a first width over which the first major surface extends, the first section including an indicia region and a protection region, the protection region being configured to wind over the indicia region when the first section is mounted to the cable; and a second section attached to the protection region of the first section and being configured to extend outwardly from the cable when the first section is mounted to the cable, the second section having a second length and a second width, the second length being less than the first length and the second width being less than the first width, the second section including an indicia region and a stiffener region, the stiffener region being configured to attach behind the indicia region when the label is mounted to the cable.

2. The label of claim 1, wherein the indicia region of the first section is smaller than the protection region.

3. The label of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protection region is transparent.

4. The label of any of claims 1-3, wherein the stiffener region is transparent.

5. The label of any of claims 1-4, wherein the second section defines a fold line between the indicia region and the stiffener region, the fold line extending along the second width of the second section.

6. The label of claim 5, wherein the second section defines notches disposed at opposite ends of the fold line.

7. The label of any of claims 1-6, wherein the indicia region of the first section carries text and the indicia region of the second section carries a QR code.

8. The label of any of claims 1-7, wherein the indicia region and the stiffener region of the second section have a common size.

9. The label of any of claims 1-8, wherein the second width of the second section extends along less than a majority of the first width of the first section.

10. The label of any of claims 1-9, wherein the second width of the second section is less than half of the first width of the first section.

11. The label of any of claims 1-10, wherein the protection region of the first section defines notches at opposite sides of the second section.

12. A cable arrangement comprising: a cable extending along a length, the cable having a circumference; and the cable label of any of claims 1-11, wherein the first section of the label extends along the first length between opposite first and second ends, wherein the second section extends along the second length between opposite first and second ends; wherein the first end of the first section is affixed to the cable and the first section is wound around the circumference of the cable so that the protection region covers the first end of the first section; and wherein the first and second ends of the second section remain uncovered after the adhesive of the label is covered.

13. A sheet of cable labels comprising: a carrier strip; and a plurality of labels disposed on the carrier strip, each of the labels having a first major surface facing outwardly from the carrier strip and a second major surface facing toward the carrier strip, the second major surface carrying adhesive, each of the labels including: a first section having a first length and a first width that each extend over the first major surface; and a second section having a second length extending from the first section to a distal end and a second width that extends over the first major surface parallel with the first width, the second length being shorter than the first length and the second width being shorter than the first width, the second section having a notched area at an intermediate position along the second length to facilitate folding of the second section at the notched area.

14. The sheet of cable labels of claim 13, wherein the first length of the first section of a first of the labels is different than the first length of the first section of a second of the labels while the second length of the second section of the first label is the same as the second length of the second section of the second label.

15. The sheet of cable labels of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the carrier strip is formed in a roll.

16. The sheet of cable labels of any of claims 13-15, wherein the second width of the second section of each label extends along less than a majority of the first width of the first section.

17. The sheet of cable labels of any of claims 13-16, wherein the second width of the second section of each label is less than half of the first width of the first section.

18. A communications cable comprising: a cable having a length and a circumference; and a label mounted to the cable, the label including a first section having a length wound over the circumference of the cable and a width extending along the length of the cable, the label also including an indicia flag that extends outwardly from the first section to define a planar, indicia-bearing surface, the indicia flag having a width that extends parallel with the cable, the width being shorter than the width of the first section.

19. The communications cable of claim 18, wherein the first section of the label is wound around the circumference of the cable in multiple layers so that a transparent portion of the first section extends over an indicia-bearing portion of the first section.

20. The sheet of cable labels of any of claims 18-19, wherein the width of the indicia flag extends along less than a majority of the width of the first section.

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21. The sheet of cable labels of any of claims 18-20, wherein the width of the indicia flag is less than half of the width of the first section.

22. A cable arrangement comprising: a cable extending along a length, the cable having a circumference; and a cable label having first and second oppositely-facing surfaces each extending between opposite first and second ends, the first surface including a first indicia region at the first end and a second indicia region at the second end, the second surface coated in adhesive; the second surface of the cable label being affixed to the cable at the first end; an intermediate portion of the cable label being wound around the circumference of the cable to cover at least the first indicia region at the first end; the second surface of the cable label being folded onto itself at the second end.

23. A method of labeling a communications cable comprising: loading testing data pertaining to the communications cable into memory of a computer system; marking a flag of a cable label with a QR code providing a link to the testing data stored in the memory of the computer system; and applying the cable label to the communications cable so that the flag extends outwardly from the communications cable.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein applying the cable label to the communications cable comprises: wrapping a first portion of the cable label circumferentially around the communications cable until a second portion extends outwardly from the communications cable; and folding the second portion of the cable label back onto itself to form the flag.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the first portion extends along a length of the communications cable, and wherein the flag is shorter than the first portion along the length of the communications cable.

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26. A method of accessing test data for a communications cable, the method comprising: scanning a QR code printed on a flag of a cable label mounted to the communications cable; automatically accessing the data pertaining to the communications cable at a remote computer system in response to the scanned QR code; and displaying the data pertaining to the communications cable on a display screen of a computing device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein scanning the QR code includes grasping the flag of the cable label, the flag being smaller than a circumferentially wound portion of the cable label.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the data includes insertion test data.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the data includes installation drawings.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the data includes cleaning instructions.

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