# US 12,111,508 B2 · Package for optical fiber, package product, method for extracting optical fiber, and jig > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,508 B2 - Document ID: US12111508B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/621,108 - Filed: 2021-04-16 - Published: 2022-11-03 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-28 - Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Optifrontier Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Sumitomo Electric Optifrontier Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Junji Fukui; Yoshikyo Tamekuni; Takahiro Inaba; Yoshihiro Takeyama; Daizo Nishioka; Hisahiko Narukawa; Yuji Matsumoto; Shinsuke Sato; Tuan Nghia Duong - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111508B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/4457: {Bobbins; Reels} - B65D 85/672: on cores - G02B 6/387: {Connector plugs comprising two complementary members, e.g. shells, caps, covers, locked together} - G02B 6/4453: {Cassettes} - G02B 6/44528: {Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box (routing arrangements H04Q1/00)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A package for an optical fiber includes: a base portion; a plurality of protruding portions that protrude from a flat surface of the base portion, are arranged along an outer periphery of the base portion, and are configured so that an optical fiber including a connector mounted to at least one end thereof is wound along a part of an outer periphery of each of the protruding portions; a mounting portion to which the connector of the optical fiber is to be mounted; and a plurality of fall-off preventing portions that are formed integrally with the base portion and capable of restricting a position of the optical fiber to be wound over the plurality of protruding portions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A package for an optical fiber comprising: a base portion; a plurality of protruding portions that protrude from a flat surface of the base portion, are arranged along an outer periphery of the base portion, and are configured so that an optical fiber including a connector mounted to at least one end thereof is wound along a part of an outer periphery of each of the protruding portions; a mounting portion to which the connector of the optical fiber is to be mounted; a plurality of fall-off preventing portions that are formed integrally with the base portion and capable of restricting a position of the optical fiber to be wound over the plurality of protruding portions; and a plurality of connecting portions that protrude from the flat surface of the base portion, wherein the connecting portion includes a convex portion at a front end portion in a direction in which the connecting portion protrudes, and has a concave portion recessed forward from a rear surface at a rear end portion in the direction in which the connecting portion protrudes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion protrudes in a first direction from the flat surface of the base portion and includes a pair of gripping portions arranged to face each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 2, wherein at least one gripping portion of the pair of gripping portions includes a convex portion at an end portion thereof in the first direction, the convex portion protruding toward the other gripping portion of the pair of gripping portions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 2, wherein each of the pair of gripping portions includes a first end portion in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, each of the pair of gripping portions includes a non-connecting portion that is not connected to the base portion, and an interval between the non-connecting portions of the pair of gripping portions in the second direction decreases toward the first end portions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 2, wherein each of the pair of gripping portions includes a second end portion in the third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and an interval between the gripping portions at the second end portions in the second direction increases toward the second end portions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 5, wherein a surface of the second end portion facing the other gripping portion is curved when the gripping portion is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion includes a plurality of ribs provided in the concave portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portions include three connecting portions, and the connecting portions are arranged at positions corresponding to vertices of a triangle including a center of the base portion therein when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the fall-off preventing portion includes a second extending portion extending in the direction along the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber includes a first connector and a second connector at respective end portions thereof, the mounting portion includes a first mounting portion to which the first connector is mountable and a second mounting portion to which the second connector is mountable, and a first axis, which is a longitudinal direction of the first connector to be mounted to the first mounting portion, and a second axis, which is a longitudinal direction of the second connector to be mounted to the second mounting portion, intersect each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 10, wherein the mounting portion further includes a third mounting portion to which the first connector is mountable and a fourth mounting portion to which the second connector is mountable, and the third axis, which is the longitudinal direction of the first connector to be mounted to the third mounting portion, and the fourth axis, which is the longitudinal direction of the second connector to be mounted to the fourth mounting portion, intersect each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the base portion, the protruding portions, the mounting portion, and the fall-off preventing portions are integrally formed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the base portion, the protruding portions, the mounting portion, the fall-off preventing portions, and the connecting portions are integrally formed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a non-circular hole is formed near the center of the base portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the fall-off preventing portion restricts a position of the optical fiber in the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion, and in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber to be wound over the plurality of protruding portions and the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the fall-off preventing portion is disposed between the protruding portions adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the fall-off preventing portion includes an outer peripheral piece located near the outer periphery of the base portion, an inner peripheral piece located closer to the center of the base portion than the outer peripheral piece, and a continuous portion connecting the outer peripheral piece and the inner peripheral piece, the fall-off preventing portion is configured to hold the optical fiber in a space surrounded by the inner peripheral piece, the continuous portion, and the outer peripheral piece, the inner peripheral piece is connected to the base portion, and the outer peripheral piece is not connected to the base portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 17, wherein the inner peripheral piece is inclined with respect to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion includes an outer peripheral surface located near the outer periphery of the base portion, and an inner peripheral surface located closer to the center of the base portion than the outer peripheral surface, the inner peripheral surface is perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion, and the outer peripheral surface is inclined with respect to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A package product comprising: an optical fiber including a connector mounted to at least one end thereof; and the package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is stored in the package, and the connector is mounted to the mounting portion. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The package product according to claim 20, wherein the optical fiber includes a first connector and a second connector at respective end portions thereof, the mounting portion includes the first mounting portion to which the first connector is mountable and the second mounting portion to which the second connector is mountable, and a boot of the first connector mounted to the first mounting portion and a boot of the second connector mounted to the second mounting portion intersect each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 1, further comprising: a central protruding portion that protrudes from the flat surface of the base portion, is disposed closer to the center of the base portion than the plurality of protruding portions, and is configured so that a remaining portion of the optical fiber wound around the plurality of protruding portions is wound along a part of an outer periphery of the central protruding portion; and a first extending portion that extends from the central protruding portion in an extending direction toward one of the connecting portions. ### Claim 23 A package for an optical fiber comprising: a base portion; a plurality of protruding portions that protrude from a flat surface of the base portion, are arranged along an outer periphery of the base portion, and are configured so that an optical fiber including a connector mounted to at least one end thereof is wound along a part of an outer periphery of each of the protruding portions; a mounting portion to which the connector of the optical fiber is to be mounted; a plurality of fall-off preventing portions that are formed integrally with the base portion and capable of restricting a position of the optical fiber to be wound over the plurality of protruding portions; a central protruding portion that protrudes from the flat surface of the base portion, is disposed closer to the center of the base portion than the plurality of protruding portions, and is configured so that a remaining portion of the optical fiber wound around the plurality of protruding portions is wound along a part of an outer periphery of the central protruding portion; and a first extending portion that extends from the central protruding portion in an extending direction along the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein the mounting portion protrudes in a first direction from the flat surface of the base portion and includes a pair of gripping portions arranged to face each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein at least one gripping portion of the pair of gripping portions includes a convex portion at an end portion thereof in the first direction, the convex portion protruding toward the other gripping portion of the pair of gripping portions. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein each of the pair of gripping portions includes a first end portion in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, each of the pair of gripping portions includes a non-connecting portion that is not connected to the base portion, and an interval between the non-connecting portions of the pair of gripping portions in the second direction decreases toward the first end portions. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein each of the pair of gripping portions includes a second end portion in the third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and an interval between the gripping portions at the second end portions in the second direction increases toward the second end portions. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 27, wherein a surface of the second end portion facing the other gripping portion is curved when the gripping portion is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein the connecting portion includes a plurality of ribs provided in the concave portion. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein the connecting portions include three connecting portions, and the connecting portions are arranged at positions corresponding to vertices of a triangle including a center of the base portion therein when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 31 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein the fall-off preventing portion includes a second extending portion extending in the direction along the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein the optical fiber includes a first connector and a second connector at respective end portions thereof, the mounting portion includes a first mounting portion to which the first connector is mountable and a second mounting portion to which the second connector is mountable, and a first axis, which is a longitudinal direction of the first connector to be mounted to the first mounting portion, and a second axis, which is a longitudinal direction of the second connector to be mounted to the second mounting portion, intersect each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 32, wherein the mounting portion further includes a third mounting portion to which the first connector is mountable and a fourth mounting portion to which the second connector is mountable, and the third axis, which is the longitudinal direction of the first connector to be mounted to the third mounting portion, and the fourth axis, which is the longitudinal direction of the second connector to be mounted to the fourth mounting portion, intersect each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 34 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein the base portion, the protruding portions, the mounting portion, and the fall-off preventing portions are integrally formed. ### Claim 35 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein a non-circular hole is formed near the center of the base portion. ### Claim 36 (depends on 23) A package product comprising: an optical fiber including a connector mounted to at least one end thereof; and the package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein the optical fiber is stored in the package, and the connector is mounted to the mounting portion. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The package product according to claim 36, wherein the optical fiber includes a first connector and a second connector at respective end portions thereof, the mounting portion includes the first mounting portion to which the first connector is mountable and the second mounting portion to which the second connector is mountable, and a boot of the first connector mounted to the first mounting portion and a boot of the second connector mounted to the second mounting portion intersect each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion. ### Claim 38 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, further comprising a third extending portion that extends from the central protruding portion in an opposite direction opposite to the extending direction of the first extending portion. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 38, wherein the first and third extending portions extends in a longitudinal direction of the base portion. ### Claim 40 (depends on 23) The package for an optical fiber according to claim 23, wherein the base portion includes a hole under the first extending portion. ### Claim 41 A package for an optical fiber comprising: a base portion; a plurality of protruding portions that protrude from a flat surface of the base portion, are arranged along an outer periphery of the base portion, and are configured so that an optical fiber including a connector mounted to at least one end thereof is wound along a part of an outer periphery of each of the protruding portions; a mounting portion to which the connector of the optical fiber is to be mounted; and a plurality of fall-off preventing portions that are formed integrally with the base portion and capable of restricting a position of the optical fiber to be wound over the plurality of protruding portions, wherein: the fall-off preventing portion includes an outer peripheral piece located near the outer periphery of the base portion, an inner peripheral piece located closer to the center of the base portion than the outer peripheral piece, and a continuous portion connecting the outer peripheral piece and the inner peripheral piece, the fall-off preventing portion is configured to hold the optical fiber in a space surrounded by the inner peripheral piece, the continuous portion, and the outer peripheral piece, the inner peripheral piece is connected to the base portion, the outer peripheral piece is not connected to the base portion, and a length of the outer peripheral piece in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber to be wound over the plurality of protruding portions and the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion is shorter than a length of the inner peripheral piece connected to the base portion. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) A package product comprising: an optical fiber including a connector mounted to at least one end thereof; and the package for an optical fiber according to claim 41, wherein the optical fiber is stored in the package, and the connector is mounted to the mounting portion. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The package product according to claim 42, wherein the optical fiber includes a first connector and a second connector at respective end portions thereof, the mounting portion includes the first mounting portion to which the first connector is mountable and the second mounting portion to which the second connector is mountable, and a boot of the first connector mounted to the first mounting portion and a boot of the second connector mounted to the second mounting portion intersect each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the base portion.