Prior art — US Patent 9991030

Here is an analysis of the most relevant prior art for US patent 9991030, based on its citations:

Prior Art Analysis for US9991030

The following patents are cited as prior art in US9991030. For each, a full citation, publication/filing date, brief description, and potential anticipating claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102 are provided. The priority date for US9991030 is October 23, 2013.

1. US3622683A

Full Citation: US3622683A, "Telephone cable with improved crosstalk properties" to Superior Continental Corp.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1971-11-23; Priority date: 1968-11-22.
Brief Description: This patent describes a telephone cable designed to reduce crosstalk. It includes a core of twisted conductor pairs and a plastic web member (filler) positioned between the pairs to separate them. The web member has various configurations, including a cross-shaped element, to maintain separation and improve electrical properties.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This patent discloses twisted pairs of insulated conductors and a filler separating them. While it doesn't explicitly describe a multi-layer conductive barrier tape as claimed in US9991030, the concept of a filler separating twisted pairs is present.
- Claim 2: The filler is made of a plastic material, which is a dielectric.
- Claim 10: Discloses a filler with arms.
- Claim 12: Discloses a filler with a cross-shaped cross section and four arms.
- Claim 16: Discloses twisted pairs positioned within channels formed by the filler arms.
- Claim 18: The method of providing twisted pairs and positioning a filler between them.

2. US4085284A

Full Citation: US4085284A, "D-shield telephone cables" to General Cable Corporation.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1978-04-18; Priority date: 1976-08-10.
Brief Description: This patent describes a telephone cable with a "D-shield" arrangement for crosstalk reduction. It focuses on a core wrapped with a shielding tape, where the tape is folded to create a specific cross-sectional shape (like a "D") to achieve internal compartmentalization and shielding.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Discloses twisted pairs, and a shielding tape surrounding them, although the specific multi-layer dielectric/conductive/dielectric structure with continuous conductive material to the edges might not be explicitly detailed. The concept of a barrier tape surrounding conductor pairs is present.
- Claim 17: Discloses a jacket surrounding the cable structure, which includes the shield.
- Claim 18: The method of wrapping conductors with a conductive barrier tape.

3. US4165442A

Full Citation: US4165442A, "Telephone cable with improved shield combination" to General Cable Corporation.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1979-08-21; Priority date: 1978-06-12.
Brief Description: This patent presents a telephone cable with a shield combination that improves crosstalk performance. It involves twisted pairs of conductors, a central filler, and a composite shield of corrugated metallic tape and plastic film, applied around the core.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Discloses twisted pairs, a central filler, and a barrier tape (composite shield) surrounding them. The specific multi-layer construction of the barrier tape in US9991030 needs closer comparison to the "composite shield" here.
- Claim 18: The method of wrapping twisted pairs and a filler with a conductive barrier tape.

4. US4340771A

Full Citation: US4340771A, "Communications cable having combination shielding-armor member" to Siecor Corporation.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1982-07-20; Priority date: 1981-03-16.
Brief Description: This patent describes a communications cable that includes a core of insulated conductors, a central filler element, and a combination shielding and armor member wrapped around the core. The shielding member is typically a metallic tape.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Discloses insulated conductors (likely twisted pairs in a communications cable context), a filler, and a conductive shielding tape surrounding them. The precise multi-layer composition of the barrier tape in US9991030 (conductive between two dielectric layers with conductive material to edges) would need detailed comparison.
- Claim 18: The method of wrapping conductors and a filler with a conductive barrier tape.

5. US4453031A

Full Citation: US4453031A, "Multi-compartment screened telephone cables" to Gk Technologies, Inc.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 1984-06-05; Priority date: 1982-11-15.
Brief Description: This patent describes a telephone cable with multiple compartments formed by a screen member, which separates groups of insulated conductors. The screen aims to reduce crosstalk. The screen can be a web or foil material.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Discloses twisted pairs and a "screen" (which acts as a filler and/or barrier) separating them. The screen could be a foil (conductive barrier tape).
- Claim 10: The screen can be seen as a filler with arms or compartments.
- Claim 18: Method of separating and wrapping conductors.

6. US8729394B2

Full Citation: US8729394B2, "Enhanced data cable with cross-twist cabled core profile" to Belden Inc.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2014-05-20; Priority date: 1997-04-22.
Brief Description: This patent, assigned to the same entity (Belden Inc.), describes a data cable with an X-shaped central filler (cross-web) that separates four twisted pairs. The filler is twisted with the pairs to improve crosstalk performance. Although the publication date is after US9991030's priority date, its priority date of 1997 makes it prior art.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: The cable includes twisted pairs and a filler separating them. The barrier tape is the distinguishing feature here.
- Claim 2: The filler is a dielectric material.
- Claim 3: The filler has a helical twist.
- Claim 9: The twisted pairs have a helical twist around the filler at the same angle.
- Claim 10: The filler comprises at least one arm.
- Claim 12: The filler has four arms in a cross shape.
- Claim 16: A pair of arms forms a channel where a twisted pair is positioned.
- Claim 18: The method of providing twisted pairs, positioning a filler between them, and helically twisting the filler and pairs.

7. US6812408B2

Full Citation: US6812408B2, "Multi-pair data cable with configurable core filling and pair separation" to Cable Design Technologies, Inc.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2004-11-02; Priority date: 1999-02-25.
Brief Description: This patent describes a multi-pair data cable with a core filling element (filler) designed for configurable pair separation. The filler can have various geometries, including star-shaped or cross-shaped, to separate and isolate twisted pairs and improve performance.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Cable with twisted pairs and a filler separating them.
- Claim 2: The filler is typically a dielectric material.
- Claim 10: The filler comprises arms.
- Claim 12: Mentions star-shaped or cross-shaped fillers with four arms.
- Claim 16: Twisted pairs are positioned in channels formed by the filler arms.
- Claim 18: Method of positioning a filler between twisted pairs.

8. US6365836B1

Full Citation: US6365836B1, "Cross web for data grade cables" to Nordx/Cdt, Inc.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2002-04-02; Priority date: 1999-02-26.
Brief Description: This patent describes a data grade cable incorporating a cross-shaped web (filler) to separate and isolate twisted pairs. The filler's design, including specific arm shapes, aims to control impedance and crosstalk.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Cable with twisted pairs and a cross-web (filler) separating them.
- Claim 2: The web is a dielectric material.
- Claim 10: The filler comprises arms.
- Claim 12: The filler has four arms in a cross shape.
- Claim 13: The arms can have symmetrical terminal portions.
- Claim 14: Terminal portions can be wider than middle portions.
- Claim 16: Pairs are positioned in channels formed by the web.
- Claim 18: Method of positioning a filler between twisted pairs.

9. US20060169478A1

Full Citation: US20060169478A1, "Data cable for mechanically dynamic environments" to Cable Design Technologies, Inc.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2006-08-03; Priority date: 2005-01-28.
Brief Description: This patent describes a data cable, particularly for dynamic environments, that includes a central core separator (filler) to manage performance characteristics during flexure. It discusses a cross-web filler that maintains pair separation.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Twisted pairs and a filler (core separator) separating them.
- Claim 2: The filler is a dielectric.
- Claim 10: The filler comprises arms.
- Claim 12: The filler can be cross-shaped with four arms.
- Claim 16: Pairs are positioned in channels.
- Claim 18: Method of providing pairs and positioning a filler.

10. US20070037419A1

Full Citation: US20070037419A1, "Discontinued cable shield system and method" to Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2007-02-15; Priority date: 2005-03-28.
Brief Description: This patent describes a cable shield system and method that uses a discontinuous shield to mitigate alien crosstalk. The shield is applied such that there are deliberate breaks or discontinuities along its length or width to disrupt EMI coupling. This differs from US9991030's continuous conductive material.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Discloses twisted pairs and a conductive barrier (shield) surrounding them. However, it explicitly describes a discontinuous shield, which contradicts the "continuous conductive material" requirement of US9991030's claims 1 and 18.
- Claim 18: Method of wrapping a cable with a conductive barrier tape (shield), but again, the shield is discontinuous.

11. US20120222883A1

Full Citation: US20120222883A1, "Communication Cable with Improved Crosstalk Attenuation" to General Cable Technologies Corp.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2012-09-06; Priority date: 2008-05-19.
Brief Description: This patent describes a communication cable with improved crosstalk attenuation, particularly alien crosstalk. It includes a core of twisted pairs, a central filler, and a barrier tape wrapped around the core. The application method or material of the tape is designed to minimize alien crosstalk.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Discloses twisted pairs, a filler, and a conductive barrier tape surrounding them. The specific multi-layer construction of the tape in US9991030 (conductive layer to the edges between two dielectric layers) would need close examination.
- Claim 2: Filler is a dielectric.
- Claim 3: The filler can have a helical twist.
- Claim 4: The barrier tape can have a helical twist.
- Claim 10: The filler can have arms.
- Claim 17: A jacket surrounds the barrier tape.
- Claim 18: Method of providing pairs, positioning a filler, and wrapping with a barrier tape.
- Claim 19: Helically twisting the filler and barrier tape at a first angle. This directly anticipates part of claims 19 and 7.
- Claim 20: The concept of varying tape application angle to reduce crosstalk is generally discussed in the context of improving attenuation, though specific "oscillating tape control" parameters of US9991030 need to be reviewed against this reference.

12. US20120227998A1

Full Citation: US20120227998A1, "Shielded pair cable and a method for producing such a cable" to Marcus Lindstrom.
Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: 2012-09-13; Priority date: 2011-03-09.
Brief Description: This patent describes a shielded twisted pair (STP) cable where an individual screen (shielding tape) is applied to each twisted pair, and these screened pairs are then cabled together. The method focuses on efficient manufacturing of such individually shielded pairs. This differs from US9991030 which describes a single barrier tape surrounding multiple unshielded twisted pairs and a filler.
Potentially Anticipates Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: Discloses twisted pairs of insulated conductors and a barrier tape (individual screen). However, the tape in US9991030 is described as surrounding the filler and plurality of twisted pairs, not individual pairs. The claims of US9991030 are directed to a UTP cable where a single barrier tape surrounds the entire core (filler + all pairs), not individually shielded pairs. Thus, this reference is less likely to anticipate the broader structure of US9991030.
- Claim 18: The method of wrapping twisted pairs with a conductive barrier tape. Again, the context of individual pair shielding makes it less directly anticipating the broader cable wrapping method of US9991030.

Summary of Most Relevant Prior Art:

Based on the descriptions, US8729394B2, US6812408B2, US6365836B1, and US20060169478A1 are highly relevant for the filler aspect of US9991030, particularly the use of a cross-shaped dielectric filler separating twisted pairs (e.g., Claims 1, 2, 10, 12, 16).

US20120222883A1 is particularly relevant for the barrier tape and its helical application around a filler and twisted pairs (e.g., Claims 1, 3, 4, 18, 19). It discusses the use of a barrier tape for crosstalk reduction in a communication cable.

The unique contributions of US9991030, specifically the multi-layer conductive barrier tape with continuous conductive material extending to the edges, and the precise fixed tape control (FTC) and oscillating tape control (OTC) methodologies for applying the barrier tape relative to the filler's terminal portions (Claims 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 20), are what distinguish it from much of the cited prior art. While prior art discusses helical tape application and fillers, the detailed control of the tape's angle and edge placement with respect to the filler to manage ANEXT and RL is a key focus of US9991030.