GROUPS OF OPTICAL FIBERS CLOSELY BOUND BY EASILY REMOVABLE BUFFER ENCASEMENTS, AND ASSOCIATED FIBER OPTIC CABLES

A buffer encasement has a longitudinally extending interior surface that extends around and defines a longitudinally extending passage containing a stack of optical fiber ribbons. The interior surface closely bounds the stack, and the buffer encasement is easily removable from the stack. The buffer encasement can be is easily removable from the stack because the buffer encasement is thin and is constructed of a material that is capable of being easily torn. The buffer encasement can be is easily removable from the stack because the buffer encasement defines a longitudinally extending weakened portion that is capable of being more easily torn than the remainder of the buffer encasement. The weakened portion is operative so that when the weakened portion is torn the buffer encasement defines longitudinally extending edges on the opposite sides of the tear. The edges can be separated from one another to define an opening therebetween through which the stack of optical fiber ribbons can be accessed. The buffer encasement can be in the form of a longitudinally extending piece of tape having longitudinally extending opposite edges defining an overlapping configuration so that the tape encloses the stack of optical fiber ribbons. The edges of the tape can be separated to provide a nonoverlapping configuration in which an opening is defined between the edges and through which the stack of optical fiber ribbons can be accessed. Therefore, the edges of the tape can be reclosed, if desired.