Abstract:
A telecommunications enclosure includes first and second generally aligned cable ports at opposing ends of the enclosure. A cable anchor at each of the first and second cable ports is for anchoring a fiber optic drop cable to the enclosure and to limit axial movement of the cable relative to the enclosure. A blade guide structure is positioned between the first and second cable ports, the blade guide structure configured to abut a portion of the cable extending between the first and second cable ports and defining at least a blade guide surface adapted to guide a cutting blade used for removing a portion of a cable jacket without damaging optical fibers of the cable.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/241,493, filed on Oct. 14, 2015, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic cable enclosures and methods of using the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Optical networks are becoming prevalent in part because service providers want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities to customers. An example network may include one or more central offices that connect a number of end subscribers (also called end users) in a network. The central offices may additionally connect to a larger network such as the Internet and/or to a public switched telephone network (PSTN). 
         [0004]    When leading a number of individual fibers to the premises of an end user, it is often necessary or desirable to enclose cable terminations or splices in environmentally sealed enclosures. For example, an operator may wish to enclose an optical fiber cable splice or termination. Some fiber optic cables, commonly referred to as “flat drop cables,” are frequently used for fiber-to-the-home connections and may require splice enclosures. Fiber optic drop cables typically include one or more strength members, one or more optical fibers, a protective buffer tube surrounding the optical fiber(s), and an outer jacket surrounding the strength member(s) and the buffer tube. Known environmental splice enclosures typically secure each cable using clamps, bolts, or the like to prevent the cable from pulling out or pushing into the enclosure. 
         [0005]    Improvements in forming fiber breakouts in such cables in the field and in assembling the sealed distribution enclosures are desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure relates generally to a sealed cable enclosure for enclosing one or more intermediate break-out locations at which various optical fibers of the cable can be accessed. The sealed cable enclosure can house cable terminations or splice locations and provide access to the break-out fibers from an exterior of the enclosure. 
         [0007]    In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, a drop cable includes optical fibers extending along a length, a jacket defining an access region to provide access to at least one of the optical fibers, and an enclosure disposed around the jacket to cover the access region. At least one of the optical fibers is cut to provide a first cut end and a second cut end. Both cut ends are routed out of the jacket through the access region. The first cut end is terminated at a first optical connector, and the second cut end is terminated at a second optical connector. The first and second optical connectors are positioned relative to the enclosure to be matable to optical cables that are external of the closure. 
         [0008]    In some examples, the first and second optical connectors may be disposed within the enclosure. For example, the first and second optical connectors can be received at internal ports of ruggedized optical adapters carried by the enclosure. In certain implementations, the enclosure can include a two-piece, clam-shell configuration. 
         [0009]    In some implementations, the first and second cut ends are directly terminated by the first and second optical connectors, respectively. In other implementations, the first and second cut ends are spliced to tether cables that are directly terminated by the first and second optical connectors, respectively, wherein the enclosure houses the splices or splice protectors. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, the enclosure may define first and second aligned cable ports, each including a cable anchor for anchoring the drop cable and to limit axial movement of the cable. A blade guide structure may be integrated into the enclosure between the cable ports for receiving the drop cable extending within the enclosure between the cable ports. The blade guide structure may define at least a blade guide surface adapted to guide a cutting blade used for removing a portion of the cable jacket without damaging optical fibers of the cable. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect, the disclosure relates to a telecommunications enclosure assembly defining an enclosure and a fiber optic drop cable mounted the enclosure, the drop cable including a plurality of optical fibers extending along a length and a cable jacket surrounding the optical fibers. The enclosure includes first and second generally aligned cable ports at opposing ends of the enclosure, a cable anchor at each of the first and second cable ports for anchoring the fiber optic drop cable to the enclosure and to limit axial movement of the cable relative to the enclosure, and a blade guide structure positioned between the first and second cable ports, the blade guide structure configured to abut a portion of the cable extending between the first and second cable ports and defining at least a blade guide surface adapted to guide a cutting blade used for removing a portion of a cable jacket without damaging the optical fibers of the cable. A portion of the cable jacket that has been cut defines an access region to provide access to at least one of the optical fibers, at least one of the optical fibers cut to provide a first cut end and a second cut end, both cut ends being routed out of the jacket through the access region, the first cut end terminated with a first optical connector, and the second cut end terminated with a second optical connector, wherein the first and second optical connectors are positioned relative to the enclosure to be matable to optical cables that are external of the enclosure. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method of adding a distribution point to an optical fiber network comprising selecting an optical fiber cable, abutting the optical fiber cable against a blade guide structure that defines blade guide surfaces positioned on opposing sides of the optical fiber cable when the optical fiber cable is against the blade guide structure, and using a blade to remove a portion of the jacket of the optical fiber cable by running the blade against the blade guide surfaces generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable. 
         [0013]    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 
         [0014]    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: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a diagrammatic view of an example break-out location at an intermediate position along a length of a cable and an enclosure for enclosing and accessing the break-out fibers, the enclosure having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a portion of the enclosure of  FIG. 1  defining cable entry ports and a blade guide structure of the enclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 2  with a cable mounted thereto; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a transverse cross-section of an example flat drop cable for use with the enclosure of  FIGS. 1-3 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates the cross-section of the cable of  FIG. 4  when the cable has been placed within the blade guide structure of the enclosure of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    The present disclosure relates generally to a telecommunications enclosure  10  and an enclosure assembly  12  for accessing one or more intermediate break-out locations of a fiber optic cable  14 , the enclosure  10  and the enclosure assembly  12  having aspects that are examples of inventive features in accordance with the present disclosure. The enclosure assembly  12  including the enclosure  10  of the present disclosure is generally shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates the transverse cross-section of an optical cable  14  that may be mounted to the enclosure  10  of the present disclosure. The optical cable  14  is depicted as having a flat configuration and may be commonly referred to as a “flat drop cable.” These types of cables are frequently used for fiber-to-the-home connections. 
         [0023]    The flat cable configuration includes a central buffer tube  16  containing a plurality of fibers  18  (e.g., typically one to twelve loose or ribbonized fibers). Strength members  20  (e.g., flexible rods formed by glass fiber reinforced epoxy) are positioned on opposite sides of the central buffer tube  16 . An outer jacket  22  surrounds the strength members  20  and the buffer tube  16 . The outer jacket  22  includes an outer perimeter having an elongated transverse cross-sectional shape. An additional strength layer  24  (e.g., Kevlar®) can be positioned between the buffer tube  16  and the outer jacket  22 . As shown at  FIG. 4 , the transverse cross-sectional shape includes oppositely positioned, generally parallel sides interconnected by rounded ends. 
         [0024]    In the depicted embodiment, the cable  14  defines a longitudinal or lengthwise cable axis A-A ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), a cross-sectional width dimension W ( FIG. 4 ), and a cross-sectional height dimension H ( FIG. 4 ) that is greater than the width dimension W. The cross-dimensional width W of the cable  14  is defined across a minor side  26  of the cable  14 , and the cross-sectional height dimension H of the cable  14  is defined across a major side  28  of the cable  14 . 
         [0025]    In providing a break-out, the outer jacket  22  of the cable  14  may define an access region  30  located at an intermediate position along the length of the cable  14 . At the access region  30 , a portion of the jacket  22  is normally removed to provide access to the optical fibers  18  therein. In some examples, a window may need to be cut through the wall of the jacket  22  to provide access to the optical fibers  18  within the jacket  22 . After the window is cut, a portion of the buffer tube  16  is removed at the access region  30  to provide access to the optical fibers  18  within the buffer tube  16 . 
         [0026]    After a portion of the buffer tube  16  is cut, at least one optical fiber  18  of the cable  14  is accessed and cut at the access region  30 . The first cut end  32  of the optical fiber  18  is terminated by a first optical connector. The second cut end  34  of the optical fiber  18  is terminated by a second optical connector. The enclosure  10  encloses the access region  30  of the cable  14 . And, as will be described in further detail below, the enclosure  10  also includes features that facilitate initial removal of a portion of the jacket  22  by a field technician to create the access region  30  for accessing the buffer tube  16  and the fibers  18 . 
         [0027]    In certain implementations, the enclosure  10  may define a first housing piece  36  (i.e., a base portion) that is positioned partially around the jacket  22  at the access region  30 . A second housing piece  38  (i.e., a cover portion) may be positioned partially around the jacket  22  so that the first and second housing pieces  36 ,  38  cooperate to form the enclosure  10  that surrounds the jacket  22  and covers the access region  30 . In certain examples, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the first and second optical connectors may be routed towards opposite ends of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0028]    The housing pieces  36 ,  38  may each be formed of any suitable material. According to some embodiments, the housing pieces  36 ,  38  are formed of a polymeric material. Suitable polymeric materials may include, polypropylene and its derivatives, or polycarbonate, for example. 
         [0029]    As noted above, each cut end  32 ,  34  of the optical fiber  18  may be terminated by an optical connector. In an example, a single-fiber connector (e.g., an LC connector, an SC connector, a DLX connector, and LX.5 connector, etc.) may be terminated to each cut end  32 ,  34  of the optical fiber  18 . As the term is used herein, “terminated” refers to optically coupling the cut end  32 ,  34  to an optical connector either directly or indirectly. In some examples, the cut end  32 ,  34  can be directly terminated to the optical connector. In such examples, the optical connector is mounted directly to the cut end  32 ,  34 . In other examples, the cut end  32 ,  34  can be spliced at a splice location  40  to an optical stub or tether fiber  42  that is directly terminated by an optical connector. 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , in some examples, the first optical connector may be plugged into an interior port of a first ruggedized optical adapter  44  carried by the enclosure  10 , and the second optical connector may be plugged into an interior port of a second ruggedized optical adapter  46  carried by the enclosure. In the depicted example, the ruggedized adapters  44 ,  46  are carried by the cover portion  38  of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0031]    As the term is used herein, an “optical adapter” is a structure configured to align at least one optical fiber of a first optical connector with at least one fiber of a second optical connector so that optical signals may be passed therebetween. Each optical adapter  44 ,  46  is disposed on the enclosure  10  so that a first port of the optical adapter  44 ,  46  (i.e., an external port) is accessible externally of the enclosure  10  and a second port of the optical adapter  44 ,  46  (i.e., an internal port) is accessible internally of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0032]    In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, the connection system between the optical adapter and the optical connector can be ruggedized for each end of the cut fiber  18 . As the term is used herein, a connection is “ruggedized” when the optical connector and optical adapter are configured to environmentally seal together and are configured to robustly connect together. As the term is used herein, a “robust connection” refers to a connection of an optical connector to an optical adapter such that the optical connector can withstand an axial load of at least  100  pounds without pulling out of the optical adapter. In certain examples, a robust connection structure includes twist-to-lock connections. In an example, a twist-to-lock connection includes a bayonet connection. In another example, a twist-to-lock connection includes a threaded connection. 
         [0033]    As the term is used herein, an optical adapter is “ruggedized” when the optical adapter environmentally seals to the enclosure (e.g., using a gasket) and when at least one port of the optical adapter is configured to provide a ruggedized connection to an optical connector received at the port. In some examples, a ruggedized port can include a seal (e.g., a gasket) disposed therein to press against an optical connector received in the port. In other examples, the ruggedized port can include a wall or other structure against which a seal on the connector may press when the connector is received at the port. 
         [0034]    In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the optical adapters  44 ,  46  that are mounted on the cover portion  38  of the enclosure  10  are ruggedized optical adapters. Each of the optical adapters  44 ,  46  may include a first seal disposed between an exterior of the optical adapters  44 ,  46  and the enclosure  10 . The optical adapters  44 ,  46  may include a ruggedized external port. The optical adapters  44 ,  46  may include a second seal disposed within the external port. The optical adapters  44 ,  46  may also include a robust connection structure at the external port. In certain embodiments, the optical adapters  44 ,  46  may include external threads. In other examples, the optical adapters  44 ,  46  can include internal threads, a bayonet connection, or any other connection structure capable of withstanding a pull-out force of at least about  100  pounds. 
         [0035]    According to certain embodiments, the optical adapters  44 ,  46  that are provided on the enclosure  10  may be DLX format adapters. Further details relating to DLX type adapters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,590, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0036]    Also, it should be noted that the connectors terminated to the cut ends  32 ,  34  of the fiber  18  may simply be provided as pigtails (e.g., tether cables) and routed out of the access region  30  and the enclosure  10  without mating internally with optical adapters. For example, in certain implementations, the enclosure  10  may include a heat recoverable portion that environmentally seals the pigtails (e.g., tether cables) that extend out of the enclosure  10 , wherein the enclosure does not enclose the first and second optical connectors terminated to the cut ends  32 ,  34  of the fiber. Examples of such implementations are described in further in detail in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0103290, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0037]    As noted above, the first cut end  32  of the accessed fiber  18  can be directly terminated by the first optical connector, and the second cut  34  end can be directly terminated by the second optical connector. However, in other examples, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , the first cut end  32  can be optically coupled via a splice  40  (e.g., mechanically spliced, fusion spliced, etc.) to a first stub or tether fiber  42  that is directly terminated by the first optical connector; and the second cut end  34  can be optical coupled via a splice  40  (e.g., mechanically spliced, fusion spliced, etc.) to a second stub or tether fiber  42  that is directly terminated by the second optical connector. 
         [0038]    As noted previously, flat drop cables  14  such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5  are frequently used for fiber-to-the-home connections. In certain examples, the opposite ends of the drop cable  14  can be optically coupled to one or more central offices from which optical signals are provided to the optical network. For example, the cut optical cable  14  can carry a first optical signal from a central office from the first end of the cable  14  to the first cut end  32 , and the cut optical cable  14  can carry a second optical signal from a central office from the second end of the cable  14  to the second cut end  34 . In an example, each end of the cable may connect to a different central office. In another example, the ends of the cable  14  may connect to the same central office. The cut ends of the optical cable  14  can be optically coupled to cables leading to subscribers or other distribution points in the network. Accordingly, the optical signals can be provided to the subscribers from the central office(s) at either end of the drop cable  14 . 
         [0039]    In providing the distribution path, cut ends  32 ,  34  of one or more optical fibers  18  are routed out of the jacket  22  and to the internal ports of the optical adapters  44 ,  46 . The first optical connector is plugged into the internal port of the first optical adapter  44  and the second optical connector is plugged into the internal port of the second optical adapter  46 . As shown, in some implementations, the ruggedized adapters  44 ,  46  can be disposed at opposite ends of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0040]    Now referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , when the cable  14  is mounted to the enclosure  10  of the present disclosure, the base and the cover portions  36 ,  38  of the enclosure  10  can be sealed to each other and the cable jacket  22  (e.g., via a gel seal, elastomeric gasket, adhesive, tape, a heat-recoverable sleeve, etc.) to form a sealed enclosure  10 . The first housing piece  36  (i.e., a base portion) and the second housing piece  38  (i.e., a cover portion) cooperate (e.g., via a clam-shell configuration) to surround the cable  14  at the access region  30 . 
         [0041]    In addition to providing a seal for the access region  30 , the enclosure  10  also provides a mechanism for resisting pull out of the cable  14  from the enclosure  10  as will be described. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , in the depicted embodiment, the enclosure  10  defines two generally aligned cable openings or ports  48  at opposing ends of the enclosure  10  such that when the drop cable  14  enters the enclosure  10  through the openings  48 , the access region  30  of the drop cable  14  is positioned within the enclosure  10 . The cable openings  48  may be located on the base portion  36  of the enclosure  10  and sealed via the cover portion  38  of the enclosure  10  in forming the clam-shell like configuration. 
         [0043]    As will be described in further detail below, each cable opening  48  may include a strain relief feature  50  for axially fixing the cable  14  to the enclosure  10  at the cable openings  48 . When the cover portion  38  of the enclosure  10  is mounted on the base portion  36  of the enclosure  10 , a flowable perimeter sealant may be used to provide a moisture-proof seal to the interior chamber of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0044]    According to some embodiments, the sealant may be initially provided only in the base portion  36 , and the cover  38  may be mounted to cooperate with the base portion  36  to compress the sealant around the perimeter of the enclosure  10 . Alternatively, the base and the cover  36 ,  38  may each include a sealant. 
         [0045]    It should be noted that the cover portion  38  and the base portion  36  of the enclosure  10  may be separate pieces that are mounted together via a clamp structure, or the two portions  36 ,  38  may be attached via a hinge structure allowing a pivotable mount therebetween. 
         [0046]    Now referring to  FIGS. 2-3  specifically, the cable ports  48  may define a gel pocket or sealant cavity  52  for providing a seal for the cable  14  mounted to the enclosure  10 . A mass of cable sealant may be disposed in each sealant cavity  52  in addition to a solid foam type sealant  54  provided around the cable  14  (as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0047]    As noted above, each cable port  48  may also define a strain relief structure  50  for axially fixing the cable  14  at the opposing cable ports  48  and positioning the access region  30  of the cable  14  within the interior chamber of the enclosure  10 . Each cable port  48  defines a strain relief holding slot  56  for receiving the strain relief member  50 . In the depicted embodiment, the strain relief member  50  may define a U-shaped structure including a base strip  58  and a pair of upstanding opposed side posts  60  that define a cable entrance slot  62  thereinbetween. The cable slot  62  defines an open end at the top of the strain relief member  50 . Each side post  60  defines a fixation edge  64  flanking the cable slot  62  such that when the drop cable  14  is inserted into the cable slot  62  in a direction from top to bottom, the fixation edges  64  dig into the outer jacket  22  of the drop cable  14  in fixing the cable  14  axially. 
         [0048]    In the depicted embodiment, each strain relief member  50  defines a cable slot  62  that is sized to generally receive the minor side  26  of the cable  14  such that the cable  14  is inserted into the slot  62  with the cross-sectional height dimension H positioned generally perpendicular to the bottom surface of the base portion  36  of the enclosure  10 . The cable slot  62  defines a width CSW that is generally smaller in dimension than the cross-sectional width dimension W of the drop cable  14  such that the fixation edges  64  dig into the outer jacket  22  and axially fix the drop cable  14  with respect to the cable ports  48 . 
         [0049]    The strain relief device  50  formed of the base strip  58  and the side posts  60  may be press fit into the strain relief slot  56 . In certain embodiments, the strain relief device  50  may be press-fit into its respective slot  56  prior to fixing the cable  14  thereto. In other embodiments, each strain relief device  50  may be fixed to the cable  14  prior to being inserted into its respective slot  56 . It should be noted that since the strain relief devices  50  may be removable structures and may be mounted to the enclosure  10  after receiving the cable  14 , the cable receiving slots  62  of the devices  50  do not have to be positioned facing upwardly when the strain relief devices  50  and the cable  14  are eventually mounted to the enclosure  10 . The strain relief device  50  may be inserted into the strain relief slot  56  with the cable receiving slot  62  facing sideways since the strain relief device  50  can be press fit after the cable  14  has been fixed. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2-3 , the cable receiving slot  62  is positioned facing upwardly but as discussed, this orientation can be rotated 90 degrees. 
         [0050]    Regarding the width CSW and the height of the cable slot  62 , according to some embodiments, the width CSW is generally less than the cross-dimensional width W of the smallest cable intended for use with the enclosure  10 . And, the height is generally dimensioned to receive and accommodate the major side  28  of the largest cable intended for use with the enclosure  10 . 
         [0051]    As noted above, the drop cable  14  is aligned with each of the cable ports  48  and its associated strain relief device  50 . The cable  14  is then pressed downwardly so that the jacket  22  slides into the cable slots  62  of the strain relief members  50  and any cable sealant that may be positioned within the gel pocket  52 . In other embodiments, as discussed above, a solid, foam-type sealant  54  may also be used for the cable  14 . 
         [0052]    The cable  14 , when inserted into the gel pocket  52 , displaces the cable sealant so that the portion of the cable  14  in the sealant cavity  52  becomes at least partially surrounded by the cable sealant. The cable  14  may form a sealant void or trough in the cable sealant. 
         [0053]    The cable  14  enters the cable slot  62  through the top opening. The relative shapes of the cable  14  and the slot  62  ensure that the cable  14  slides into the cable slot  62  and is properly oriented during insertion. The opposed side posts  60  of the strain relief device  50  may be slightly flexible such that they deflect or flare inwardly (i.e., away from the cable port  48  to expand to accommodate the cable width W). The fixation edges  64  of the posts  60  may cut radially into the outer jacket  22  of the cable  14  a nominal distance. Preferably, the cut depth is such that the buffer tube  16  including the fibers  18  and the strength members  20  are not damaged. 
         [0054]    The strain relief member  50  may reliably and satisfactorily secure the cable  14  at each port  48  without requiring the use of bolts, clamps, or the like. The cable  14  is strain relieved and pull out is limited or prevented by the strain relief member  50 . The fixation edges  64  may function like barbs and grip the cable  14  more tightly when the cable  14  is pulled away from the enclosure  10 , thereby preventing axial withdrawal of the cable  14  from the enclosure  10 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 , as noted above, the enclosure  10  may include features that facilitate removal of a portion of the jacket  22  for accessing the buffer tube  16  and the fibers  18  once the cable  14  has been axially fixed relative to the enclosure  10 . In the depicted embodiment of the enclosure  10  and the cable  14  used therein, since the fiber bundle  18  is positioned in between the strength members  20 , a major side  28  of the cable  14  can be cut/peeled to access the buffer tube  16  while maintaining the strength members  20  in place. 
         [0056]    A blade guide structure  66  may be provided within the enclosure  10 , positioned between the cable ports  48  to facilitate removal of a portion of the major side  28  of the cable jacket  22 . The blade guide structure  66 , as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 , defines a generally U-shaped structure with a cable receiving opening  68  facing laterally. The base  70  of the U-shaped guide structure  66  defines an abutment surface  72  for the cable  14 , and the posts  74  of the U-shaped guide structure define blade guiding surfaces  76 . When the cable  14  has been axially fixed with respect to the enclosure  10 , an intermediate portion of the cable  14  that is going to define the access region  30  is inserted into a pocket  65  of the blade guide  66 . Once the cable  14  has been inserted so as to abut the abutment surface  72  of the blade guide  66 , the top and bottom blade guiding surfaces or edges  76  can be used to guide a blade tool to strip or peel a portion of the major side  28  of the outer jacket  22  parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the cable  14 . 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 2 , the blade guide structure  66  is shown within the enclosure  10  without a cable  14  inserted therein. In  FIG. 3 , the blade guide structure  66  is shown with the cable  14  inserted therein, ready for the stripping operation. 
         [0058]    As shown in the cross-sectional view in  FIG. 5 , the blade guide surfaces  76  are configured to position the blade tool such that a portion of the major side  28  of the jacket  22  is removed without damaging the strength members  20  or the fibers  18  within the buffer tube  16 . It should be noted that the depth of the pocket  65  formed by the U-shaped guide structure  66  may be sized accordingly such that the blade tool either cuts just into the buffer tube  16  without contacting the fibers  18  or comes close enough to the buffer tube  16  so that the buffer tube  16  can be accessed for processing at least one of the fibers  18  therein. 
         [0059]    As shown in the top view of the guide  66  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the blade guide structure  66  can define guide surfaces  76  having portions  78  angling in toward the pocket  65  of the guide structure  66  for providing an initial starting surface for the blade tool. 
         [0060]    It should be noted that the depth of the pocket  65  of the U-shaped blade guide  66  structure may be sized in various dimensions depending upon the size and type of cable  14  being used. 
         [0061]    Even though the blade guide structure  66  is shown and described herein to have a cable receiving opening  68  that faces laterally, in other embodiments of the enclosure, wherein the strain relief devices  50  are removable and are mounted to the enclosure  10  after fixing the cable  14 , the blade guide structure  66  may be oriented 90 degrees from that shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . For example, the cable receiving opening  68  may face upwardly and the cable  14  inserted in a downward direction if the major side  28  of the cable  14  is oriented facing upwardly. In this manner, the guiding surfaces  76  would guide a blade tool horizontally (versus vertically) in stripping a portion of the major side  28  of the outer jacket  22 . 
         [0062]    Once a portion of the outer jacket  22  is removed using the blade guide  66  and a window is created, as noted above, the cable  14  is further processed by removing a portion of the buffer tube  16  at the access region  30  to provide access to the optical fibers  18  within the buffer tube  16 . At least one fiber  18  is cut. The first cut end  32  of the accessed fiber  18  can be directly terminated by the first optical connector, and the second cut end  34  can be directly terminated by a second optical connector. However, as noted above, in other examples, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , the first cut end  32  can be optically coupled via a splice  40  to a first stub or tether fiber  42  that is directly terminated by the first optical connector, and the second cut end  34  can be optically coupled via a splice  40  to a second stub or tether fiber  42  that is directly terminated by the second optical connector. The first and second connectors may then be mated to the adapters  44 ,  46  provided on the cover portion  38  of the enclosure  10  for accessing the break-out signals from an exterior of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0063]    After the cable  14  mounted in the base portion  36  has been processed, the cover portion  38  is then mounted thereon. As noted above, according to some embodiments, the housing pieces  36 ,  38  may be pre-coupled by a hinge mechanism or another suitable releasable or permanent clamp mechanism. 
         [0064]    The enclosure  10  effectuates a perimeter environmental seal and environmental seals about each of the cable ports  48 . The perimeter seal may be maintained so long as the portions of the enclosure  10  remain interlocked. The elastic memory and the retained or restoring force in the elongated, elastically deformed gel generally causes the gel to bear against the mating surfaces of the enclosure  10  and of the cable  14 . Also, the tack of the gel may provide adhesion between the gel and these surfaces. The gel, even though it is cold-applied, is generally able to flow about the cable  14  and the portions of the enclosure  10  to accommodate any irregular geometries. 
         [0065]    It should be noted that the enclosure  10 , with the use of the blade guide structure  66 , allows laying out all of the cabling along the distribution path on day one and creating a break-out location in the field when needed for a subscriber on day two. 
         [0066]    While cables having optical fibers as transmission media have been disclosed herein, according to further embodiments, cables having other types of transmission media (e.g., electrical conductors formed of copper or other metal) may be used with the inventive features provided in the present disclosure. 
         [0067]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the structure of the inventive features. Since many embodiments of the disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, the inventive features reside in the claims hereinafter appended.