Patent Publication Number: US-2022221673-A1

Title: Splitter module and enclosure for use therein

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/119,441, filed on Dec. 11, 2020, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/515,296, filed on Jul. 18, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,866,377, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/760,860, filed on Mar. 16, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,371,913, which is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2016/072026, filed on Sep. 16, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/219,420, filed on Sep. 16, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Passive optical networks are becoming prevalent in part because service providers want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities to customers. Passive optical networks are a desirable choice for delivering high speed communication data because they may not employ active electronic devices, such as amplifiers and repeaters, between a central office and a subscriber termination. The absence of active electronic devices may decrease network complexity and/or cost and may increase network reliability. 
     As demand for telecommunications increases, optical fiber services are being extended in more and more areas. To more efficiently extend the fiber optic service into areas where current and future customers are located, telecommunications enclosures are integrated throughout the network of telecommunications cables. Such enclosures provide connection locations where one or more optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable may be connected to end users/subscribers. Also, the enclosures are adapted to house and protect telecommunications components such as splices, termination panels, power splitters, and wavelength division multiplexers. 
     Improvements are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a telecommunications enclosure includes a base defining a splice region; and a cover coupled to the base to move between a closed position and an open position. The cover and the base cooperate to define an interior when the cover is in the closed position. The cover provides access to the interior when in the open position. Ruggedized adapters are disposed on the cover. Each ruggedized adapter has a first port accessible from an inner side of the cover and a second port accessible from an outer side of the cover. Modular elements such as splitter modules may be disposed at the inner side of the cover. Each splitter module may include an optical device in the form of a splitter disposed therein. An input fiber may be coupled to one end of the splitter, and a plurality of connectorized splitter output pigtails may be coupled to another end the splitter, the output pigtails leading to the ruggedized adapters on the cover. The input fiber is routed from the splice region of the base. In certain examples, the cover defines at least one pocket at the inner side. The modular elements such as the splitter modules are disposed in the pocket(s). In one example, the ruggedized adapters are disposed on the cover in a first row and a second row, and the pocket is defined between the first row and the second row of adapters. In certain examples, a second splitter module is carried by the cover. The second splitter module may extend parallel to the first splitter module. The ruggedized adapters and the splitter modules may be angled relative to the cover. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, the base of the enclosure may define an anchor location at which an input cable (e.g., a feeder cable, a branch cable, etc.) can be anchored. The enclosure also includes a gasket disposed at the base to enable ingress of the input cable and to inhibit ingress of contaminants. The cover is configured to cooperate with the base to activate the gasket. 
     The input fiber from the splice region of the base is routed to a splitter module on the cover. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a method of connecting a feeder fiber to a plurality of output fibers includes: routing the feeder fiber into an enclosure having a base and a cover; routing the feeder fiber to a splice region defined at an inner side of the base; mounting a splitter module to an inner side of the cover; routing an input fiber of the splitter module from the splice region; and plugging connectorized ends of splitter output pigtails from the splitter module into inner ports of ruggedized adapters on the cover. The splitter module(s), the ruggedized adapters, and the splitter output pigtails may all be carried together by the cover. 
     In certain examples, the method also includes splicing the feeder fiber to the input fiber at the splice region, wherein the input fiber is routed to the splitter module. 
     In certain examples, the method also includes activating a sealing arrangement by moving the cover relative to the base to a closed position to limit ingress of contaminants. 
     According to another aspect, the disclosure is directed to an enclosure comprising a base defining a splice region, a cover coupled to the base to move between a closed position and an open position, the cover and the base cooperating to define an interior when the cover is in the closed position, the cover providing access to the interior when in the open position, a plurality of ruggedized adapters disposed on the cover, each ruggedized adapter having an inner port accessible from an inner side of the cover and an outer port accessible from an outer side of the cover, a removable module disposed at the inner side of the cover, at least one input fiber being routed from the splice region of the base to the removable module, wherein the at least one input fiber is output from the module as a pigtail having a connectorized end that is connected to an inner port of one of the ruggedized adapters, a cable input location for receiving an input cable that includes at least one tube surrounding at least one fiber that carries the same signal as the at least one input fiber being routed from the splice region to the removable module, the input cable being anchored to the base at the cable input location, and a tube holder that is slidably mounted to the base past the cable input location, the tube holder configured to keep separate an unused fiber-carrying tube that is stored within the base in a loop from a fiber-carrying tube whose fiber leads toward the splice region of the base for further routing toward the removable module. 
     According to another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method of connecting a fiber of an input cable entering a telecommunications enclosure to a drop fiber exiting the enclosure, the method comprising routing the input cable into the enclosure having a base and a pivotable cover, separating a tube of the input cable that carries a fiber to be processed within the enclosure from unused tubes of the input cable using a slidably movable tube holder, storing the unused tubes of the input cable in a loop within the enclosure, routing the fiber to a splice tray carried by the base, splicing the fiber to a second fiber within the splice tray and routing the second fiber to a removable module that is positioned within an interior side of the cover, outputting the second fiber from the removable module as a connectorized pigtail, and plugging a connectorized end of the pigtail to the drop fiber via a ruggedized adapter carried by the cover. 
     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 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  is a top, front, left side perspective view of a telecommunications enclosure having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom, rear, left side perspective view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a right side view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a left side view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a left side cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a left side perspective cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a right side perspective view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1  shown with the cover of the enclosure in the open position; 
         FIG. 12  is a left side perspective view of the enclosure of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 11  with the splitter module protection cover in the open position; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 13  with the gel block of the cover of the enclosure in an exploded configuration; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 14  with the splitter modules of the enclosure also in an exploded configuration; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 15  with the covers of the splitter modules removed therefrom to show the internal features thereof; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 12  with the splice module in an exploded configuration; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 17  with the splice module of the enclosure mounted within the base and the storage tray and the splice trays of the splice module in a pivoted position; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 18  from a front view with the storage tray in the non-pivoted position; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 19  with one of the splice trays also in the non-pivoted position; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates the entry region of the enclosure of  FIGS. 1-20  with a feeder cable loop anchored to the enclosure; 
         FIGS. 22-26  illustrate the slidable mounting of a tube holder to the base of the enclosure for securing the tubes of feeder or branch cables to the enclosure; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates the tube holder of the enclosure in a slid-back/access position to allow one of the tubes of a feeder cable to be secured to the enclosure for further processing of the fibers therein; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates the tube of the feeder cable of  FIG. 27  placed within the tube holding location; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates the tube holder of  FIGS. 27-28  in a closed position with a tube of the feeder cable and a tube of a branch cable separated by the tube holder; 
         FIG. 30  is a close-up view of the tube holder of  FIG. 29  showing the tube holder separating the tube of the feeder cable and the tube of the branch cable; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates an example cable routing configuration for the enclosure of  FIGS. 1-20  showing input fibers surrounded by a tube extending from the splice trays of the base to the splitter modules of the cover and connectorized output pigtails extending from the splitter modules to the ruggedized fiber optic adapters of the cover; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates the enclosure of  FIG. 31  with all of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters of the cover populated with connectorized output pigtails extending from a splitter module; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a module similar to the splitter modules usable in the enclosure of  FIGS. 1-20 , the module shown with a straight-through cable routing configuration with all of the input fibers being output as connectorized pigtails; 
         FIG. 34  illustrates the module of  FIG. 33  without the cover thereof to show the internal cable routing within the module; and 
         FIG. 35  is a close up view of the tube input location of the module of  FIG. 34 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. 
     In general, the disclosure relates to a telecommunications enclosure and modular elements mounted within the enclosure, wherein the modular elements may be used for signal splitting/processing. 
       FIGS. 1-20  illustrate an example enclosure  10  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The enclosure  10  is generally configured to be mounted to a vertical structure such as a wall or a telecommunications poll. The enclosure  10  is generally configured to connect at least one feeder fiber  12  (e.g., carried by a feeder cable  14  entering the enclosure  10 ) to at least two drop fibers exiting the enclosure  10 . According to one example, the feeder fiber  12  may be a 250-micron fiber. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-20 , the example enclosure  10  defines one or more input ports  16  leading to an interior  18  of the enclosure  10 . In one example, the enclosure  10  includes at least two input ports  16  for looping the feeder cable  14  within the enclosure  10 . In the given example, the enclosure  10  includes four input ports  16 , wherein the two outer input ports  16  may be used for looping a feeder cable  14  and the two middle input ports  16  may be used for looping a branch cable  20  as will be discussed in further detail below. 
     The outputs  22  of the enclosure  10  are defined by ports  24  (eight in the given example) that can be populated with optical adapters  26  (e.g., ruggedized adapters) for mating the connectorized fibers  28  coming from within the enclosure  10  to connectorized drop cables leading away from the enclosure  10 . The ports  24  output signals that have been processed or split by the optical devices  30  within the enclosure  10 . In certain embodiments, the enclosure  10  may be used to support a pass-through arrangement wherein the same number of fibers that enter the enclosure are output from the enclosure  10  without a power split operation. Examples of such arrangements will be discussed in further detail below. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-20 , as noted above, the example enclosure  10  may house modular elements in the form of splitter modules  32  that include optical devices  30  in the form of optical splitters  34 . The splitter modules  32  may be configured to receive at least one input fiber (continuing the same signal as the feeder fiber  12 ) and output a plurality of connectorized pigtails  28 . Each splitter module  32  defines a housing  36  enclosing the optical splitter  34 . Signals carried by the input fiber  12  are split (e.g., power split) onto the output pigtails  28  by the optical splitter  34 . Each output pigtail  28  may have a connectorized end that exits the example enclosure  10  via the ruggedized adapters  26  as noted above. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-20 , the enclosure  10  defines a base  38  and a cover  40  coupled to the base  38 . The enclosure  10  has a front  42 , a rear  44 , a top  46 , a bottom  48 , a right side  50 , and a left side  52 . In the example shown, the base  38  defines the rear  44  of the enclosure  10 , and the cover  40  defines the front  42  of the enclosure  10 . However, the terms “front,” “rear,” “top,” and “bottom” are not intended to be limited and are used for clarity. The enclosure  10  can be disposed in any desired orientation. 
     As noted above, the base  38  may be configured to be mounted to a structure (e.g., a wall or other surface). For example, the base  38  can include one or more mounting structures in the form of mounting flanges  54  for mounting to a wall. In the depicted embodiment, the mounting flanges  54  are formed integrally with the base  38  of the enclosure  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . When the enclosure  10  needs to be mounted to a surface such as a wall surface, fasteners can be inserted through openings  56  defined on the mounting flanges  54 . 
     If the enclosure  10  needs to be mounted to a vertical surface that has curvature such as a telecommunications pole, a separate bracket may be attached to the base  38 , wherein the bracket may include loops for use with straps in tying the enclosure  10  to the pole. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 11-20 , the cover  40  is configured to pivot relative to the base  38  between a closed position and an open position. The cover  40  and the base  38  cooperate to define the interior  18  when the cover  40  is in the closed position. The base  38  and cover  40  also cooperate to activate an enclosure gasket  58  when closed. The enclosure gasket  58  inhibits ingress of contaminants through a seam between the base  38  and the cover  40 . User access to the enclosure interior  18  is provided when the cover  40  is in the open position. 
     To provide the pivoting motion, the base  38  and the cover  40  can include hinge members  60  that cooperate to define a hinge axis. In some implementations, the cover  40  can be locked in the closed position. For example, a clasp arrangement  62  can hold the cover  40  in the closed position relative to the base  38 . In other implementations, the cover  40  can be latched relative to the base  38 . In still other implementations, a padlock or other type of lock can retain the cover  40  in the closed position. 
     In some implementations, the optical adapters  26  that are used for outputting the signals from the enclosure  10  may be carried by the cover  40  so that inner ports  64  of the adapters  26  are accessible from an interior side of the cover  40 , and outer ports  66  of the adapters  26  are accessible from an exterior side of the cover  40 . In certain implementations, the adapters  26  are angled so that the outer ports  66  face towards the input ports  16  of the enclosure  10  (please see  FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 ). For example, the cover  40  can define one or more adapter mounting surfaces  68  and one or more module mounting surfaces  70 . The adapter mounting surfaces  68  define the output openings/ports  24 . In certain examples, the adapter mounting surfaces  70  are angled towards the input openings  16  of the enclosure  10 . 
     As noted above, in some implementations, the splitter modules  32  that carry the optical splitters  34  may be carried by the cover  40 . For example, the inner side of the cover  40  may define one or more pockets  72  for receiving the splitter modules  32 , wherein the pockets  72  are bordered on one side by the module mounting surfaces  70 . In certain implementations, each pocket  72  is disposed between a row of the output ports  24  and the interior side of the module mounting surface  70 . A splitter module  32  may be shaped to fit within the pocket  72 . 
     In some implementations, the cover  40  defines multiple pockets  72  for receiving multiple modules  32 . In certain examples, the cover  40  defines a pocket  72  for each row of the optical adapters  26 . In the example shown, the cover  40  defines two pockets  72  and two rows of optical adapters  26 . One splitter module  32  is disposed at each pocket  72  in the given example. Output pigtails  28  from each splitter module  32  are connected to the adapters  26  in the respective row. 
     The modular elements in the form of splitter modules  32  are shown in an exploded configuration off the enclosure  10  in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . In  FIG. 16 , the housings  36  of the modular elements  32  are shown without covers  74  thereof to illustrate the internal features. 
     As noted above, each splitter module  32  defines a module housing  36 . The module housing  36  defines a first major surface  76  connected to a second major surface  78  by a circumferential edge  80 . The module housing  36  defines an interior  82  between the major surfaces  76 ,  78 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the module housing  36  includes a first part  84  and a second part  86  that cooperate to define the interior  82 . In some implementations, the first part  84  defines one of the major surfaces  76 ,  78  and the circumferential edge  80 , and the second part  86  defines the other of the major surfaces  76 ,  78 . In other implementations, both parts  84 ,  86  may define the circumferential edge  80 . In the example shown, the first part  84  defines the second major surface  78  and the circumferential edge  80 , and the second part  86  defines the first major surface  76 . In some implementations, the first part  84  is configured to carry an optical device such as the optical splitter  34 , and the second part  86  is provided as a removable cover  74  that covers an open side of the first part  84  to enclose the splitter  34 . 
     In some implementations, various connecting structures hold the second part  86  to the first part  84 . For example, in certain implementations, latching tabs  88  may extend from one of the parts  84 ,  86  and engage recesses  90  defined in the other of the parts  84 ,  86 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the interior  82  of the module housing  36  can include an optical device (e.g., splitter) mounting region  92  and a fiber routing region  94 . In the depicted embodiment, a fiber inlet opening  96  is at a right, top corner of the module housing  36 . Outlet openings  98  may be defined at the top right and left corners of the module housing  36  by the circumferential edge  80 . In other embodiments, the outlet openings  98  may be defined by the cover  74  (such as in the example of the module  32  shown in  FIGS. 33-35 ). In the example shown in  FIGS. 15-16 , an optical device such as a splitter  34  may be disposed in the optical device mounting region  92 , which is shown to be located between the fiber routing region  94  and the circumferential edge  80  defining the top end of the module  32 . In other examples, however, the splitter  34  can be mounted anywhere within the interior  82  of the housing  36 . 
     The inlet opening  96  is configured with an anchor  100  for securing a tube  102  carrying the input fiber or fibers  12 . The anchor  100  defines a tube stop  198  for limiting slidability of the tube  102  during insertion of the tube  102  into the inlet opening  96 . The inlet opening  96  provides access into the interior  82  of the splitter module housing  36 . 
     Within the interior  82  of the splitter module housing  36 , the fiber  12  is led from the input opening  96  directly into the fiber routing region  94 . The fiber routing region  94  defines cable management tabs  104  that retain the fiber(s)  12 ,  28  within the fiber routing region  94 . A large spool  106  and a smaller spool  108  are defined in the fiber routing region  94  to provide for different routing options for the fiber(s)  12 ,  28  routed within the module  32 . 
     When the module  32  is a splitter module that includes a fiber optic splitter  34 , output pigtails  28  are connected to an output end of the splitter  34 . The output pigtails  28  are routed from the splitter  34  towards the outlet openings  98  of the module  32 . Some of the output pigtails  28  can be wound around the spool arrangement consisting of the large spool  106  and the smaller spool  108  to direct the output pigtails  28  to the right outlet opening  98 , and others of the output pigtails  28  can be wound around the spool arrangement to direct the output pigtails  28  to the left outlet opening  98 . Accordingly, the output pigtails  28  can extend out through the outlet openings  98  in different directions. 
     In certain implementations, the interior  82  of the splitter module housing  36  may also include a region configured to retain a splice sleeve in addition to the splitter  34 . The splice region may enable a repair to be made to one of the fibers  12 ,  28  within the splitter module  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-16 , the splitter module  32  may include a mounting arrangement that aids in securing the splitter module  32  within the pockets  72  defined by the cover  40  of enclosure  10  of the present disclosure. The mounting arrangement may include catches  110  that extend outwardly from the splitter module housing  36  (please see  FIGS. 33-34 ). 
     The enclosure  10  may define structures in each pocket  72  that mate with the catches  110  of the splitter modules  32  for receiving the modules  32 . 
     For further details relating to examples of mounting arrangements and methods of mounting the splitter modules  32  within the pockets  72  of the cover  40  of the enclosure  10 , please refer to International Publication No. WO 2015/150204, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The splitter modules  32  within the cover  40  of the enclosure  10  and the fiber optic adapters  26  mounted on the cover  40  of the enclosure  10  may be protected by a hingable protection cover  112  that is pivotally mounted to the cover  40  of the enclosure  10  as seen in  FIGS. 14-16 . The protection cover  112  is hinged to the cover  40  of the enclosure  10  adjacent the lower part of the cover  40  and defines tabs  114  adjacent the top thereof for latching with the cover  40  of the enclosure  10  adjacent the top side. As shown in  FIG. 32 , when a tube  102  carrying an input fiber  12  is routed from the base  38  of the enclosure  10  toward the splitter modules  32  at the cover  40  of the enclosure  10 , the tube  102  is routed under the protection cover  112  to help retain the tube  102  within the cover  40  of the enclosure  10 . 
     Also, as discussed previously, even though the modular elements within the enclosure  10  have been discussed as modules that house optical elements in the form of splitters  34 , in other embodiments, the modules  32  may provide straight-through cable routing.  FIGS. 33-35  illustrate a module similar to the splitter modules  32  usable in the enclosure, the module shown with a straight-through cable routing configuration with all of the input fibers  12  being output as connectorized pigtails  28 . Instead of a single fiber  12  that is input into the module  32  being power split into a plurality of output pigtails  28  by an optical splitter  34 , the module shown in  FIGS. 33-35  provides cable management for fibers  12  that are passed straight through. In the depicted example in  FIG. 33 , a tube  102  carrying eight fibers is secured to the module housing  36 . After the fibers  12  are routed around the cable management structures provided in the module, the fibers  12  are output from the module as connectorized pigtails  28 . The module illustrated in  FIG. 33  is configured to populate all of the ruggedized adapters  26  on the cover  40  of the enclosure  10 , whereas the module in  FIG. 34  is acting as a straight-through module for a tube  102  carrying only four fibers  12 .  FIG. 35  illustrates the tube anchor portion  100  of the module housing  36  wherein a tube  102  carrying the input fibers  12  can be slidably mounted until reaching the tube stop  198  in the anchor region  100 . 
     Thus, rather than carrying power splitters  34 , the modular elements located within the enclosure  10  can be used for straight-through patching. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 11-32 , the base  38  of the enclosure  10  is used for receiving the input signals that are to be processed and for directing the input signals toward the splitter modules  32  that are located on the cover  40 . As will be discussed in further detail below, the base  38  may include locations or trays  116  used for splicing fibers  12  carrying input signals to fibers (carrying the same signal as fibers  12 ) that lead to the splitter modules  32 . The base  40  also includes a storage tray  118  positioned underneath the splice trays  116  for storing unprocessed/unused fibers. The storage tray  118  can be seen in  FIG. 19 . 
     Furthermore, the interior  18  of the enclosure  10  may also define a pocket  120  underneath the storage tray  118  for storing the unused loop  122  of the feeder cable  14  coming into the enclosure  10  as will be discussed in further detail below (please see  FIGS. 18 and 21 ). 
     According to an example arrangement for the enclosure  10 , a feeder cable  14  that includes the fibers  12  carrying the input signals enters the enclosure through the input ports  16  defined at the base  38 . 
     In some implementations, the input ports  16  may be defined solely by the base  38 . In other implementations, as in the depicted example, the base  38  and the cover  40  may cooperate to define the input ports  16 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-32 , the base  38  and the cover  40  each define a partial port opening that align to form the input ports  16  when the cover  40  is closed relative to the base  38 . 
     In some implementations, the base  38  may include an anchoring region  124  at which the feeder cable  14  can be anchored. The anchoring region  124  houses the gel block  126  for the base  38  and is disposed under the splice region defined by the splice trays  116 , which are located closer to the top  46  of the enclosure  10 . The feeder cable  14  entering the enclosure  10  generally includes the feeder fiber  12 , a jacket  128 , and/or a strength layer  130  that can be attached to the base  38  at the anchoring region  124 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the jacket  128  of the feeder cable  14  may be attached to the anchoring region  124  via structures such as hose clamps  132 . And, still referring to  FIG. 21 , after entering through an input port  16 , the strength layer  130  of the feeder cable  14  may be anchored to the base  38  via a strain relief device  134 . For further description relating to the strain relief device  134  and the method of using thereof, please refer to U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0093090 and International Publication No. WO 2015/144397, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     In certain implementations, the base  38  and the cover  40  both cooperate to activate the gel block  126  or other seal at the input ports  16 . The gel block  126 , as noted above, inhibits ingress of contaminants into the enclosure  10  through the input ports  16 . In some implementations, the base  38  defines a sealing pocket  136  (e.g., at the anchoring region  124 ) in which the gel block  136  seats. In certain implementations, the cover  40  also can define a sealing pocket  136  aligned with the base sealing pocket  136 . In certain examples, the cover  40  and base  38  compress two gel blocks  126  together when closed. The feeder cables  14  are routed between the gel blocks  126 . 
     According to an example embodiment, the feeder cable  14  that enters the enclosure may carry a plurality of separate input tubes  138 , each carrying a plurality of input fibers  12 . According to one embodiment, the feeder cable  14  may carry six fiber-protecting tubes  138 . For processing, one of the tubes  138  may be separated from the rest for further processing. The tube  138  that is separated is trimmed and the fibers  12  therein are exposed. The unused tubes  138  (e.g., five of the tubes  138  from the feeder cable  14 ) may be stored as a loop  122  in the pocket  120  underneath the storage tray  118 . Please refer to  FIG. 21  for an example of a feeder cable loop  122  that can be stored in the pocket  120  of the enclosure  10 . 
     From the trimmed tube  138 , one of the fibers  12  is cut for further processing (e.g., splicing and splitting). The uncut fibers are lead to the storage tray  118  for fiber storage or future use. The uncut fibers  12  (e.g., 250-micron) are stored within the storage tray  118  in an uncut loop. 
     For those fibers that are going to be stored in the storage tray  118 , the uncut fibers follow the lowest of three passageways  140  that lead from a tube holding location  142  on the enclosure  10 . The uncut fibers, after being stored as a loop in the storage tray  118 , leave the enclosure  10  through the same port  16  that the unused tubes  138  leave. Thus, the enclosure is used essentially for storing unused tubes  138  in a loop  122  in the pocket  120  below the storage tray  118  and also for storing unused, uncut fibers in a loop in the storage tray  118 , before all of the unused tubes  138  and unused fibers  12  are lead out of the feeder cable exit port  16  (or branch cable exit port if those tubes and fibers are from a branch cable  20  as opposed to a feeder cable  14 ) with feeder cable  14 . 
     The fiber  12  to be processed is routed to one of the splice trays  116  and is spliced to a fiber that leads to one of the splitter modules  32  on the cover  40 . The splice trays  116  enable the splitter input fibers to be spliced to incoming feeder fibers  12 . 
     If one fiber  12  is to be processed, that fiber  12  either leads to the middle splice tray  116  by following the middle of the three passageways  140  that lead from the tube holding location  142  or to the uppermost tray  116  by following the uppermost of the three passageways  140  that lead from the tube holding location  142 . 
     It should be noted that a fiber  12  to be processed coming from the right side  50  of the enclosure  10  is lead through one of the passageways  140  and enters a splice tray  116  from the left upper side of the tray  116 . That fiber  12  is initially wrapped around a cable management spool  144  (and retained therein via cable management fingers  146 ) before being lead to a splice area  148 , which is located underneath the cable management spool  144  as shown in  FIGS. 17, 19, and 20 . 
     Due to temperature variations, the tubes  138  carrying the fibers  12  may expand or contract at a different rate than the fibers  12 . In certain instances, when the tubes  138  contract or shrink at a different rate than the fibers  12 , the fibers  12  will experience a “grow-out” effect. The shrinking tubes  138  along the entire length of the feeder cable  14  will push the fibers  12  further into the enclosure  10 . For example, a 1% grow-out might mean that an extra 2-3 cm of 250-micron fiber  12  needs to be accommodated. The extra “over-length” of fiber  12  needs to be accommodated while still keeping the fiber  12  organized/retained within enclosure  10 . Parts of the enclosure  10  include features for accommodating such grow-out of the fibers  12 . 
     For example, as will be described in further detail below, a tube holder  150  that is located at the tube holding location  142  of the enclosure  10  allows the 250-micron fibers  12  that are protruding from the cut tube  138  to have more room in front of/above the tube holder  150 . The tube holder  150  is made generally smaller so as to leave more room for the fiber  12  to grow forwardly before being lead to either the storage tray  118  or the splice trays  116 . The smaller size tube holder  150  requires the tube  138  to be cut at a shorter length, exposing the fibers  12  earlier into the enclosure  10 . The smaller length of the tube  138  protruding into the enclosure  10  allows more room for the 250-micron fiber  12  to grow out toward the storage/splice trays during temperature variations. 
     Another grow-out feature or zone may be seen in the storage tray  118 , specifically in the upper right and left corners  152  of the storage tray  118 . 
     For example, as the fiber(s)  12  is entering the storage tray  118  after leading through the lowest of the three passageways  140  (e.g., going from the right side  50  toward the left side  52  of the enclosure  10 ), the fiber  12  is routed into an angled input port  154  of the storage tray  118 . When the fiber  12  is routed into the storage tray  118  through the input port  154 , the fiber  12  generally lays adjacent the upper edge wall  156  of the angled input port  154  and is then lead directly into the tray  118 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , just past the angled input port  154 , the upper edge wall  156  of the storage tray  118  leads straight left and provides a curved transition  158  from the upper edge wall  156  to the left edge wall  160 . The curved transition section  158  (i.e., the upper left corner  152  of the storage tray  118 ) borders a grow-out zone/area  162  where the fiber can expand if met with temperature variations. Where the fiber  12  entering the storage tray  118  would follow the same angle as the input port  154  of the storage tray  118  under normal circumstances and lead directly toward the left edge wall  160  of the storage tray  118 , if the fiber  12  experiences a grow-out, the fiber  12  can expand and be accommodated by the grow-out zone  162  bordered by the curved transition section  158  between the upper edge wall  156  and the left edge wall  160  (i.e., corner) of the storage tray  118 . The “grow-out” corner  152  may be designed to accommodate 2-3 cm of fiber growth. 
     The three passageways  140  that lead from the tube holding location  142  to the different trays (e.g., the storage tray  118  and the splice trays  116 ) have also been designed with similar grow-out zones  164  in the form of expanded corners. For example, the transition from the right or left walls  166  of the passageways  140  to the upper wall  168  have been designed generally with a small radius (i.e., a sharp bend) for the fiber(s)  12 , preferably still meeting the minimum bend radius requirements of the fiber(s)  12 . However, in addition to the sharper bend, the upper corners have also been designed with grow-out zones  164 . Thus, similar to the concept used in the entrance of the storage tray  118 , the fibers  12  are forced to take a sharper turn from the right and left walls  166  when they abut the upper walls  168  of the passageways  140 , leaving a certain amount of space or grow-out zone  164  in the expanded corners. Thus, when the fibers  12  experience a grow-out, the fibers  12  have room to grow into these corners. The passageways  140  are made wide enough to accommodate the initial bend of the fiber  12  and also any grow-out that might be experienced by the fiber  12 . The forced bend in combination with the curved expanded corner essentially allows room for the fibers  12  to grow during temperature variations. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 31-32 , after the splicing operation in the splice trays  116 , the fiber  12  that leads from the splice tray  116  to the splitter module  32  is protected by a tube  102 , as discussed above, that crosses over the hinge of the enclosure  10 . The tube  102  is secured/anchored to an output  170  of the splice tray  116  (please see  FIG. 31 ) and is secured to an input  96  of the splitter module  32  (please see  FIGS. 31, 32, 34, and 35 ). 
     In the depicted embodiment, two splice trays  116  are shown for the enclosure  10 . As such, two of the fibers  12  from the feeder cable  14  can be spliced at each of the splice trays  116  to the input fibers that lead to the splitter modules  32 . For example, since the enclosure  10  has eight output ports  24  (four per row), each input fiber may be split by a 1×4 splitter  34  in each of the two splitter modules  32 , and the splitter outputs which are provided as connectorized pigtails  28  may populate the eight output ports  24 . 
     According to another example arrangement, if a feeder cable fiber is being processed at the same time as a branch cable fiber, the branch cable fiber may be kept separate from the feeder cable fiber and lead to a different splice tray  116  from that of the splice tray  116  that receives the feeder cable fiber  12 . From the splice trays  116 , the branch cable fiber and the feeder cable fiber may lead to separate splitter modules  32  for the splitting operation and exit the enclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 22-30 , the tube holder  150  is used when routing the feeder cable tube  138  into the enclosure  10 , further details of which are described below. And, when a feeder cable  14  is entering the enclosure  10  at the same time as a branch cable  20 , the tube holder  150  is useful in keeping the tubes  138  from the different cables  14 ,  20  separate, as will be described below. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 22-30 , the tube holder  150  of the enclosure  10  is shown in closer detail. The tube holder  150  is slidably mounted to a tube holding location  142  of the base  38  of the enclosure  10 . The tube holder  150  defines a mounting portion  172  and a divider portion  174 . The divider portion  174  extends away from the mounting portion  172  and is configured to divide the tube holding location  142  of the enclosure  10  into two separate channels  176  for keeping two cables separate (e.g., a tube of the feeder cable  14  and a tube of the branch cable  20 ). 
     The mounting portion  172  is defined by the combination of a dovetail structure  178  that protrudes from the divider portion  174  and a latch structure  180  that is positioned at an opposite side of the divider portion  174  from the dovetail structure  178 . The dovetail structure  178  is used in slidably moving the tube holder  150  within a track  182  defined at the splice region of the base  38 . The dovetail structure  178  defines a tab  184  underneath thereof (please see  FIG. 23 ) that is used for initially inserting the tube holder  150  into the track  182 . When inserting, the tube holder  150  is tilted generally perpendicular to the track  182 , and the dovetail structure  178  including the tab  184  are inserted into a T-shaped keyhole  186  defined at the bottom of the track  182 . The tube holder  150  is then tilted to a parallel position to the track  182  and is able to be slid along the track  182 , with the tab  184  preventing the removal of the tube holder  150  from the track  182  (without retilting it to a perpendicular position). 
     The latch structure  180  is defined by a pair of opposing parallel walls  188  on both sides of the divider  174 . The parallel walls  188  define a slot  190  thereinbetween for receiving edges  192  defined by the tube holding location  142 . The tube holder  150  rides along the two edges  192  defined by the tube holding location  142  as the tube holder  150  is slidably moved. The latch structure  180  defines latching ribs  194  that mate with ribs  196  defined on the edges  192  for slidably locking the tube holder  150  into place. The edges  192  define a tapered profile that provides a locking feature for the tube holder  150 . The latch structure  180  of the tube holder  150  is elastically deflected as the ribs  194  thereof mate with the ribs  196  defined on the edges  192  in locking the tube holder  150  into place.  FIGS. 22-26  illustrate the steps in slidably mounting the tube holder  150  to the base  38  of the enclosure  10  for securing the tubes  138  of feeder or branch cables to the enclosure  10 .  FIG. 27  illustrates the tube holder  150  of the enclosure  10  in a slid-back/access position to allow one of the tubes  138  of a feeder cable  14  to be secured to the enclosure  10  for further processing of the fibers  12  therein.  FIG. 28  illustrates the tube  138  of the feeder cable  14  placed within the tube holding location  142 .  FIG. 29  illustrates the tube holder  150  in a closed position with a tube of the feeder cable  14  and a tube of a branch cable  20  separated by the tube holder  150 .  FIG. 30  is a close-up view of the tube holder  150 , showing the tube holder  150  separating the tube of the feeder cable  14  and the tube of the branch cable  20 . 
     In summary, in the depicted example of the enclosure  10 , to connect the feeder fiber  12  to the drop fibers exiting the enclosure, the feeder cable  14  is first routed into the enclosure  10  through one of the input ports  16 . One of the feeder fibers  12  is routed from a terminated end of the feeder cable  14  to one of the splice trays  116  carried by the base  38 . As noted above, a cable jacket  128  and/or strength member  130  of the feeder cable  14  can be anchored to the base  38  of the enclosure  10 . A splitter module  32  can be located at an inner side of the cover  40  of the enclosure  10 . Connectorized ends of the output pigtails  28  of the splitter module  32  are plugged into inner ports  64  of optical adapters  26  carried by the cover  40 . 
     When looking in the reverse direction, an unconnectorized end of the splitter input fiber  12  is routed from the cover  40  to one of the splice trays  116  at the base  38 . The unconnectorized end of the splitter input fiber  12  is then spliced to the end of the feeder fiber  12  and the splice is stored at the splice tray  116 . Then, a connection is finally established between the drop fibers coming from an exterior of the enclosure  10  and the feeder fiber  12  by plugging connectorized ends of the drop fibers into the outer ports  66  of the optical adapters  26 . 
     As discussed previously, the unused tubes  138  from the feeder cable  14  are stored in a loop  122  within a storage pocket  120  underneath the storage tray  118 . And, the unused fibers from the selected tube  138  are stored in a looped configuration within the storage tray  118 . 
     Also, as discussed previously, even though the modular elements within the enclosure  10  have been discussed as modules that house optical elements in the form of splitters  34 , in other embodiments, the modules  32  may provide straight-through cable routing. In such an arrangement, as shown in  FIGS. 33-35 , all of the fibers  12  from a feeder cable tube  138  may be spliced at a splice tray  116  to connectorized pigtails  28 , which are then routed to a module  32  and managed within the module  32  before leading to the adapters  26  on the cover  40  of the enclosure  10 . 
     Thus, the enclosure  10  is designed to provide a number of alternative connectivity solutions depending on the needs of the network. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the disclosure. Since many embodiments of the disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, the inventive features reside in the claims hereinafter appended. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CORRESPONDING FEATURES 
     
         
           10  Enclosure 
           12  Feeder/input fiber 
           14  Feeder cable 
           16  Input port 
           18  Interior of enclosure 
           20  Branch cable 
           22  Output of enclosure 
           24  Output port of enclosure 
           26  Optical adapter 
           28  Connectorized pigtail 
           30  Optical device 
           32  Splitter module 
           34  Fiber optic splitter 
           36  Splitter module housing 
           38  Base 
           40  Cover 
           42  Front of enclosure 
           44  Rear of enclosure 
           46  Top of enclosure 
           48  Bottom of enclosure 
           50  Right side of enclosure 
           52  Left side of enclosure 
           54  Mounting flange 
           56  Fastener opening 
           58  Enclosure gasket 
           60  Hinge member 
           62  Clasp arrangement 
           64  Inner port of adapter 
           66  Outer port of adapter 
           68  Adapter mounting surface 
           70  Module mounting surface 
           72  Pocket 
           74  Cover of splitter module 
           76  First major surface 
           78  Second major surface 
           80  Circumferential edge 
           82  Interior of splitter module 
           84  First part 
           86  Second part 
           88  Latching tab 
           90  Recess 
           92  Optical device mounting region 
           94  Fiber routing region 
           96  Fiber inlet opening 
           98  Outlet opening 
           100  Anchor 
           102  Tube 
           104  Cable management tab 
           106  Large spool 
           108  Small spool 
           110  Catch 
           112  Protection cover 
           114  Tab 
           116  Splice tray 
           118  Storage tray 
           120  Pocket 
           122  Loop 
           124  Anchoring region 
           126  Gel block 
           128  Jacket 
           130  Strength member 
           132  Hose clamp 
           134  Strain relief device 
           136  Sealing pocket 
           138  Input tube 
           140  Passageway 
           142  Tube holding location 
           144  Cable management spool 
           146  Cable management finger 
           148  Splice area 
           150  Tube holder 
           152  Upper right and left corners of storage tray 
           154  Angled input port 
           156  Upper edge wall of storage tray 
           158  Curved transition 
           160  Left edge wall of storage tray 
           162  Grow-out zone/area 
           164  Grow-out zone/area of passageway 
           166  Right/left wall of passageway 
           168  Upper wall of passageway 
           170  Output of splice tray 
           172  Mounting portion of tube holder 
           174  Divider portion of tube holder 
           176  Channel 
           178  Dovetail structure 
           180  Latch structure 
           182  Track 
           184  Tab 
           186  T-shaped keyhole 
           188  Parallel walls 
           190  Slot 
           192  Edge 
           194  Ribs of latching structure 
           196  Ribs of edge 
           198  Tube stop