Optical fiber ribbons having a non-uniform thickness and/or preferential tear portions

A fiber optic ribbon comprising:

• a first subunit, the first subunit including a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being connected by a first primary matrix, the first primary matrix having a non-uniform thickness that is generally thicker near a first end portion;
• a second subunit, the second subunit including a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being connected by a second primary matrix;
• and
• a secondary matrix contacting portions of the first and second subunits, the secondary matrix being dimensioned so as to provide a pair of opposing generally flat planar surfaces, the secondary matrix having a local minimum thickness adjacent to the non-uniform thickness of the first subunit, wherein during separation of the subunits the secondary matrix fractures adjacent to the local minimum thickness.

A fiber optic ribbon comprising:

• a first subunit, the first subunit including a first plurality of optical fibers, the first plurality of optical fibers being contacted by a first primary matrix having a non-uniform thickness that is generally thicker near a first end portion;
• a second subunit, the second subunit including a second plurality of optical fibers, the second plurality of optical fibers being contacted by a second primary matrix, the second primary matrix having a first end portion;
• the first and second subunits being generally aligned along a plane;
• a secondary matrix contacting portions of the first and second subunits, the secondary matrix having a non-uniform thickness;
• and
• the secondary matrix having a recessed portion, the recessed portion being adjacent to an interface between the first end portion of the first subunit and the first end portion of the second subunit, the recessed portion defining a preferential tear portion.

A fiber optic ribbon comprising:

• a first subunit, the first subunit including a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being surrounded by a first primary matrix;
• a second subunit, the second subunit including a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being surrounded by a second primary matrix;
• a secondary matrix contacting portions of the first and second subunits, the secondary matrix having at least one generally planar surface;
• an interface, the interface, being defined between the first end portion of the first subunit and the first end portion of the second subunit;
• an interface axis, the interface axis generally passes through the interface and is generally perpendicular to the generally planar surface of the secondary matrix;
• and
• at least two recessed portions disposed within the secondary matrix, the at least two recessed portions being on opposite sides of the interface axis.

A fiber optic ribbon comprising:

• a first subunit, the first subunit including a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being surrounded by a first primary matrix, the first primary matrix having non-uniform thickness that is generally thicker near a first end portion;
• a second subunit, the second subunit including a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers being surrounded by a second primary matrix;
• a secondary matrix contacting portions of the first and second subunits, the secondary matrix having at least one generally planar surface;
• an interface, the interface being defined between the first end portion of the first subunit and the first end portion of the second subunit;
• an interface axis, the interface axis generally passes through the interface and is generally perpendicular to the generally planar surface of the secondary matrix;
• and
• at least one recessed portion disposed within the secondary matrix, the at least one recessed portions being generally symmetrical about the interface axis.