Abstract: A filter manifold is provided for filtering particulates in fluid and gas streams. The filter manifold seals the inlet and outlet valves in a closed position until a filter capsule is loaded into a carriage assembly. The inlet and outlet valves are opened only when a filter capsule is properly loaded into the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A filter has first and second fittings, a permeable filter medium, and a housing. The housing defines a fluid flow path within the housing between the first and second fittings, and the permeable filter medium is arranged in the fluid flow path to remove one or more substances from a fluid flowing along the fluid flow path. A finger hold is positioned in an upper region of the housing, the finger hold defining a space that is sufficient to allow one or more fingers of an operator to fit in the space and grasp the filter.

Abstract: A pet kennel that is structured to receive an animal includes an upper kennel portion and a lower kennel portion that include first and second engagement structures that are slidingly engageable. The upper kennel portion is situated in a first position atop the lower kennel portion offset from one another along a longitudinal axis of the pet kennel. The upper kennel portion is then translated along the longitudinal axis with respect to the lower pet kennel portion toward a second, assembled position to cause the first engagement elements and the second engagement elements to become slidingly engaged and to cause the upper and lower kennel portions to become aligned with one another. The upper kennel portion additionally includes a pair of latches that are engageable with the lower shell portion in the second position of the pet kennel to retain the upper and lower kennel portions in the second position.

Abstract: A pet kennel that is structured to receive an animal includes an upper kennel portion and a lower kennel portion that include first and second engagement structures that are slidingly engageable. The upper kennel portion is situated in a first position atop the lower kennel portion offset from one another along a longitudinal axis of the pet kennel. The upper kennel portion is then translated along the longitudinal axis with respect to the lower pet kennel portion toward a second, assembled position to cause the first engagement elements and the second engagement elements to become slidingly engaged and to cause the upper and lower kennel portions to become aligned with one another.

Abstract: A filter has first and second fittings, a permeable filter medium, and a housing. The housing defines a fluid flow path within the housing between the first and second fittings, and the permeable filter medium is arranged in the fluid flow path to remove one or more substances from a fluid flowing along the fluid flow path. A finger hold is positioned in an upper region of the housing, the finger hold defining a space that is sufficient to allow one or more fingers of an operator to fit in the space and grasp the filter.

Abstract: A filter manifold is provided for filtering particulates in fluid and gas streams. The filter manifold seals the inlet and outlet valves in a closed position until a filter capsule is loaded into a carriage assembly. The inlet and outlet valves are opened only when a filter capsule is properly loaded into the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A pet kennel that is structured to receive an animal includes an upper kennel portion and a lower kennel portion that include first and second engagement structures that are slidingly engageable. The upper kennel portion is situated in a first position atop the lower kennel portion offset from one another along a longitudinal axis of the pet kennel. The upper kennel portion is then translated along the longitudinal axis with respect to the lower pet kennel portion toward a second, assembled position to cause the first engagement elements and the second engagement elements to become slidingly engaged and to cause the upper and lower kennel portions to become aligned with one another. The upper kennel portion additionally includes a pair of latches that are engageable with the lower shell portion in the second position of the pet kennel to retain the upper and lower kennel portions in the second position.

Abstract: A pet kennel that is structured to receive an animal includes an upper kennel portion and a lower kennel portion that include first and second engagement structures that are slidingly engageable. The upper kennel portion is situated in a first position atop the lower kennel portion offset from one another along a longitudinal axis of the pet kennel. The upper kennel portion is then translated along the longitudinal axis with respect to the lower pet kennel portion toward a second, assembled position to cause the first engagement elements and the second engagement elements to become slidingly engaged and to cause the upper and lower kennel portions to become aligned with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a loop in a filament comprising a first wall having a first guide slot formed therein and a second wall having a second guide slot formed therein coplanar and parallel to the first guide slot. The first wall is opposite the second wall and each of the guide slots has opposing ends. A first gripper holds a filament at a first location. The first gripper is mounted from the first wall to the second wall at an end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot. The apparatus also includes a movable gripper to hold the filament at a second location. The movable gripper has a separation from the first gripper and is mounted from the first wall to the second wall adjacent to the other end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot for movement towards the first gripper to reduce the separation between them. This produces a loop of filament between the first gripper and the moveable gripper.

Abstract: A method and article for applying tension to a filament using a filament tensioning apparatus comprising a tensioning holder including at least one support bar. A first carriage is mounted at a first location on a support bar. The first carriage has a first clamp and a voice coil mounted thereon for movement relative to a support bar. A second carriage mounted at a second location on a support bar provides a separation between the first location and the second location. The second carriage has a second clamp and a load cell mounted thereon for movement relative to a support bar. A guide bar extends from the voice coil for contact with the load cell to adjust the separation of the first location from the second location to apply tension to a filament held between the first clamp and the second clamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a loop in a filament comprising a first wall having a first guide slot formed therein and a second wall having a second guide slot formed therein coplanar and parallel to the first guide slot. The first wall is opposite the second wall and each of the guide slots has opposing ends. A first gripper holds a filament at a first location. The first gripper is mounted from the first wall to the second wall at an end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot. The apparatus also includes a movable gripper to hold the filament at a second location. The movable gripper has a separation from the first gripper and is mounted from the first wall to the second wall adjacent to the other end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot for movement towards the first gripper to reduce the separation between them. This produces a loop of filament between the first gripper and the moveable gripper.

Abstract: A filament organizer comprises a support having a first surface opposite a second surface and further includes a lockable spool and a rotary spool adjacent to the first surface of the support. The organizer has a tensioner attached to the second surface of the support for attachment to the rotary spool by a tension wire to apply tension thereto to transmit tension to a filament disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool. Selective reduction in tension on a filament is possible using a tension relief assembly attached to the support. A stacked configuration of a plurality of filament organizers may be formed by suitable alignment of supports.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a loop in a filament comprising a first wall having a first guide slot formed therein and a second wall having a second guide slot formed therein coplanar and parallel to the first guide slot. The first wall is opposite the second wall and each of the guide slots has opposing ends. A first gripper holds a filament at a first location. The first gripper is mounted from the first wall to the second wall at an end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot. The apparatus also includes a movable gripper to hold the filament at a second location. The movable gripper has a separation from the first gripper and is mounted from the first wall to the second wall adjacent to the other end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot for movement towards the first gripper to reduce the separation between them. This produces a loop of filament between the first gripper and the moveable gripper.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber refractive index grating. The method comprises the steps of, providing a substantially twist-free length of an optical fiber between a first spool and a second spool before attaching the first spool and the second spool to a support having a first surface opposite a second surface. The support and spools provide a filament organizer including the first spool as a lockable spool and the second spool as a rotary spool. The filament organizer further comprises a tensioner coupled to the rotary spool to apply tension to at least a central portion of the length of an optical fiber disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber refractive index grating. The method comprises the steps of, providing a substantially twist-free length of an optical fiber between a first spool and a second spool before attaching the first spool and the second spool to a support having a first surface opposite a second surface. The support and spools provide a filament organizer including the first spool as a lockable spool and the second spool as a rotary spool. The filament organizer further comprises a tensioner coupled to the rotary spool to apply tension to at least a central portion of the length of an optical fiber disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool.

Abstract: A filament organizer comprises a support having a first surface opposite a second surface and further includes a lockable spool and a rotary spool adjacent to the first surface of the support. The organizer has a tensioner attached to the second surface of the support for attachment to the rotary spool by a tension wire to apply tension thereto to transmit tension to a filament disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool. Selective reduction in tension on a filament is possible using a tension relief assembly attached to the support. A stacked configuration of a plurality of filament organizers may be formed by suitable alignment of supports.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a loop in a filament comprising a first wall having a first guide slot formed therein and a second wall having a second guide slot formed therein coplanar and parallel to the first guide slot. The first wall is opposite the second wall and each of the guide slots has opposing ends. A first gripper holds a filament at a first location. The first gripper is mounted from the first wall to the second wall at an end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot. The apparatus also includes a movable gripper to hold the filament at a second location. The movable gripper has a separation from the first gripper and is mounted from the first wall to the second wall adjacent to the other end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot for movement towards the first gripper to reduce the separation between them. This produces a loop of filament between the first gripper and the moveable gripper.